Girl With A Pearl Earring...and Necklace

I love doing interpretations of famous paintings. You might remember that I've done Son of Man, Birth of Venus, The Kiss, and others. Well, I've added Girl With A Pearl Earring to the list. You might have noticed that there isn't a close up of it. Of course there's a reason. I need to make it again. It's close and gives the impression of the painting, but I want to do a better face on it.

I wore it the other night to our Southern Flames chapter meeting. And I was thrilled that folks knew what it was, without me explaining it. (always a good sign) So watch for another rendition at some point of the painting. And I have a long list of others to do as well. Nice break from sculpture and so much fun too.

If you have a favorite painting that you think might be interpreted, please post and let me know. I'd love to add to my list.

Teaching Beginning Jewelry Making

Recently a family friend, home from college came over to learn some basic jewelry making. (Isn't she a cutie?) I asked on my Facebook page, what would others suggest that I teach her? (btw, please friend me, if you haven't...Marcy Lamberson). The response was wonderful and although we didn't have time to do enough, it sure gave me an idea of what folks thought is important. And I can't help but agree.

We only had time for tool & supply info, wire wrapping, crimping, jump ring operation and we made some earrings, necklaces and how to make pendants.

But I'm posting some of the responses on my query. Please feel free to comment and add more of your thoughts. I found them all so valuable. My thanks to Lauren, Ilse, Patrick, Moon, Ann, Nell, Andrea, Heidi, Mona, Jessica, Susan, Debra, Cindy and Arlene for posting on that thread.

Here is what my Facebook "Think Tank" said.....

• Basic tools and where to find them...how to find tutorials online...how to measure for necklaces and bracelets so that they fit. :-)

•Don't forget about the nylon pliers, for no mar work.

•Definitely nylon pliers. After wire work I would start with cold connections, if the student wants to go to metalsmithing, or maybe chain maille. What about teaching Viking knit, now that you know how?

•I'd go copper over sterling or fine silver then...maybe working with found objects? Or upscale/recycle materials?

•Hammering and riviting and soldering fine silver would be cool! :)

•I think besides these fine suggestions, i'ed add doming and how to use the flex shaft to make a hole and polish and how to ball up the end of wire..oh and the ever important how to properly open and close a jumpring!!

•OK, saving money tips- use silver plate for headpins (you don't see most of the pin anyway) from FMG (OMG are they cheap) and join an online bulk buying group like Beads and More on Yahoo or Bulk Bead Buys (BAM is more active...). those groups allow you to buy a lot of things through wholesalers in smaller quantities.

Back the the headpins- I do recommend sterling earwires, but use the SP for earrings..... FP crystals are a lot less than Swarovskis. College girls will go wild for all the earring possibilities!!!
Creating patinas on metals.

•How to finish of necklaces with crimps and stuff so it looks professional I always feel like my necklaces are cheap looking due to the 'finishing" touches..

FP is probably Fire Polished and usually refers to crystals.

•Oh the other thing I have a a hard time with is multi strands and how to do them so they hang right and are of course finished right.. LOL
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I'm sure more of you have ideas that weren't mentioned. Please feel free to chime in and add to the list. We'd all benefit from it.

I'll see you on Sunday right here. Taking tomorrow off for a little catch up time. Bye!

Converting MM to Inches for Jewelry

As a beadmaker, sometimes my customers ask whether such and such a size will fit through the hole that my bead has. Or other measurement type questions that normally make me cringe and wish I remembered more from my long ago school math.

So, my bff (aka "Google") has helped me find this handy converter. It converts and has a nice chart which gives me my info that I need. Just wanted to pass it along to you. If you have a great website that has a handy tool, would you mind posting a comment to share it with all of us. The hint can be for anything that you would like to share.

See you tomorrow! http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Finding Your Voice and Niche In Your Art

It seems like when we are first learning to make beads, we are told to "find our voice" and pick an area in which to specialize. And I know I'm always telling beadmakers, that for selling online, you will be more successful if you specialize in one area, so that buyers know that if they need something specific, you are that "go to" person.

I've found someone who has done both, and I think you should notice what she's doing. Meet Jenny of EmbellishYourself on Etsy.

Jenny's niche is lampwork glass jewelry for Blythe or similar sized dolls (Barbie, Pullip, etc). If you aren't familiar with them, my definition is slightly edgy dolls for modern women. I love them. Their eyes change colors and you can even buy crazy wigs in all colors and styles and Converse high top shoes for them.

Jenny makes fun stuff for these dolls. I can't help but smile, when I see her little skullies, cupcakes and she even has a cute little frog necklace too.

Jenny told me that for years she had wanted to sell what she makes, but at the time she said she wasn't making something that really stood out from what others were doing. She didn't want to be a copy cat. It was important to make something unique.

When Jenny found Etsy, she noticed Blythe and found all kinds of neat fashions for her. She said she couldn't resist a doll who wears Doc Martens. She came across the book, This Is Blythe by Gina Garan where Blythe is shown doing lots of things in great clothes.

Because there were all kinds of accessories, but not jewelry, Jenny found her niche. Blythe is her muse and was her inspiration to get involved in the Blythe community. Since she is a jewelry and a beadmaker, this was the perfect match.

I'm particularly impressed that Jenny says what a joy it is to take photos of her product. She dresses up her doll and has fun with it. I think there are a lot of us who would like to enjoy that part of our business more.

Currently, Jenny is working on some coordinating owner and doll necklaces. They'll be added soon.

If you want to learn and see more about Blythe and her jewelry collection, visit Jenny's blog and Flickr page. Her shop has great product photos where you can see Blythe with her different wigs, jewelry and wardrobe.

So now I'm asking you, what is your specialized area? If you're still looking, can you tie in one passion with another? I love how Jenny has combined both to carve out her very own specialized niche and think there is a unique one out there for most of us.

Knobs and Pulls- Gorgeous and Not Traditional

One of the lesser explored areas that some lampwork glass artists participate in includes knobs and pulls. Today I wanted to show you a designers' take on this niche.

Edgar Berebi designed a gorgeous collection- some of them shown here. Many of them include Swarovski crystals, gold plating and semi-precious stones.

I wonder why more glass artists don't enter this arena? Our work seems to fit so well with this niche. Zooziis even has a press and kit for people who feel more comfortable with knobs that are exactly the same size.

For the glass artists who don't have a special press, I believe that most folks form their knobs free hand and often with a bit of help from a marble mold for shaping.

The time I tried it, I made a sculptural knob and had a great time. It looked a bit like a Dr. Seuss character and was immediately claimed by one of my friends, so I never got a photo of it.

I'm interested in hearing whether any of you have ever made a knob and what was your experience with it?

And if you haven't made one yet, will you try one?

Esme & Naomi BFFs and Inseparable

Meet Esme and Naomi. Esme is the pig and Naomi is her BFF and also the Bluebird of Happiness. Not a bad thing for a friendship.

Esme doesn't mind when Naomi sits on her head. I mean she just a feather weight and is always singing.

Sometimes Naomi even lets her choose the song. They range from the vintage Fraggle Rock theme song to even a little "I Feel Good" by James Brown. Who knew that pigs like to dance and get funky? I'm afraid I do get the giggles when they burst into "It's Raining Men". But music is personal taste after all.

If you have any song requests, please add them in the comment section. Who knows, they might just burst into song when you least expect it.

Esme and Naomi can be found in my Etsy shop, Studio Marcy. As always, there are more views, if you want to see other angles. If you choose to adopt them, I request one thing. Please reinforce that the bacon in my shop is probably just a soy product.

Come back to visit tomorrow. I'll have a great review of a wonderful blog that I know you'll love, if you haven't discovered it yet. If you're like me, you like to be entertained as well as informed. This one has both and more.

And if you've got a little extra time- feel free to "friend" me on Facebook under Marcy Lamberson. Be sure to write "blog" in the message, so I know that you're a friend. Or if you're on Twitter, follow me. I'm StudioMarcy there.

Gorgeous Glass Calendar

Do you collect calendars with gorgeous glass bead photos on them? I do. I just like drooling on the photos and well to be honest, I usually don't use them for what they're intended.

Marjorie Oxman from LampworkEtc has put together one and I must say, there are a lot of wonderful beads in it. And (ahem) I just happen to have my Snow Woman Bobblehead in there too. I think she's Miss December, but not sure. Because it's just hot of the press and available here, I haven't received mine yet.

I'll see you tomorrow...

Something Just To Start

Have you visited this blog yet? It's called, "Something Just To Start". You'll probably want to add it to your list of cool sites. Coleen features all kinds of artists and indie shops that are unique and interesting. And she does it out of the goodness of her heart too.

The best part is that I can find lots of stuff that interests me. It's fun and a lot of it is whimsical and funky too. I'll bet you that you will click on some of the offerings. And on the left side of the page are blue moving arrows that have a link to email Coleen. Drop her a quick one and tell her how great her blog is. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.

(Check out one of my favorites is the chakra jewelry in the center column at almost the bottom of the page)

See you tomorrow with more glass chat. I've got a good one planned.