Out with the Old. In with the New!

My new highlighter pen.........this needs to be a bead shape! A New Year bead shape!

New Felt & Glass Button Brooch. Just a little more bead-dazzeling to do. Old idea. New twist using zippers!

Hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve and a wonderful New Year!

Ready for a New Year?

On the upside. I feel like I have a head start on the New Year. My traditional closet clean out is done and everything is organized in there, my studio is getting a sorting thru and I'm beginning to ponder what my word for the year will be........yes, I pick one word that is my focus for the year ahead. It really helps me to frame my thinking and allows me to keep with one focus. I do have attentional problems and often flit from one thing to the next. I select one work for my jewelry biz and another for my art teaching each year and it really helps.

I might be in a creative slump.  I have to admit, I feel a bit blah when it comes to navigating my direction for the year ahead with my jewelry. Last night over dinner I confessed to my husband that although I enjoy my bead/jewelry biz, things are beginning to feel a bit ho hum. There is nothing exciting me. Everybody seems to be doing such similar things that to me, the jewelry outlook seems a little lifeless. Yes, yes......color, everyone is doing it, bold.....yeap. lots out there doing that too. These were once hallmarks to my work and they now seem plain. overdone. common. ordinary. maybe even boring. Whats a girl to do??

So. Where do I go...what do I do with this ho hum feeling? My gut tells me to calm down and something is bound to stir my mojo....not to rush things. So, the big plan is- just KISS.......(keeping it simple stupid) for the time being. Not much I can do with my case of the blaahhs but just wait it out. I will be experimenting at the torch, hanging with other artist friends, painting, going to some favorite haunts and all that stuff. Looking to find something that lights my fire!

 There is one thing I'm planning for February but you'll just have to stay tuned for that one. I'm focused then on staying loose, experimenting and lots of play time at the torch!

Creative Challenge

The day before the holiday break I had students work on a creative challenge that took team work....They had to work in groups of 6....

and decorate one member to look like a Christmas tree! It was hilarious watching them work. It was interesting to see how some teams worked out the cooperation aspect of this task and how others didn't do so well at it....

First team to finish had to have members sit under the tree like presents. Lots of fun. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday too :)

Lost my Jingle

Recently my sister and I went to a local garden centers Holiday Open House. What a great time we had! We each made our own wreath, decorated it with ribbons and other accents and then brought them home to hang. There was food and just loads of good cheer. Next week we are going to the culinary center for a cookie exchange. Love these festive outings!

I'm looking forward to a new year and having some time to regroup and to enjoy some unstructured time to "play". Nothing is more deadly then having to do something rather than wanting to do something. At least for me. I have been in the "have to do it" mode and really have felt the drag of it. I'm looking for something fresh and invigorating!

I love making beads and jewelry but feel I have lost my "jingle" as of late. It's kind of a creative lull I guess. I see sooooo many jewelers out there with terrific things and I also see lots of the same.......ho, hum stuff too. I feel that I must go into a mini winter hibernation to hopefully immerge with new ways of seeing. Sounds gloomy right? Hope not.....its just a little creative bordem that has set in.

A little holiday shopping, getting my nails done and then maybe a little baking. I've been loving my Nook and have read plenty of great books with it so far. Tonight I'll wrap gifts and work on some knitting. I've been sick for the last few days and am resting lots in between those things I "have to" do.

A Little T & A

Not the best picture since it was taken with my phone but wanted to share anyways. When I first began making jewelry, I made these "goddess" bracelets. Kinda fun....big "T's" and a nice trunk too. I made them in the likeness of the Venus of Willendorf. Anyways, I've had a few people request goddess bracelets and goddess beads recently so I thought, why not. This one and another in earth tones goes to Sally.

Fa, la, la, la, la..........la,la,la,la

Isn't he cute? At my last show, a little 10 year old came to my booth and eagarly told me that she sold things too on Etsy.......of course, I asked if she could show me and she quickly pulled out a few felted animals. So adorable.......I purchased this fun little owl. I think she was a bit surprised by my purchase but I just thought she was adorable....the owl too.

These are called my "Me So Pretty" buttons. I LOVE them. I wanted to keep them but they are at a local bead shop and for sale....Head over the Bead Breakout if you want them.

A display in process. I am the featured artist at Bead Breakout for the month of December and January. When the owner told me I had "this" wall, I had to think fast as to how I might "hang" my work. I've never hung my work and was a bit nervous about it since glass doesn't really like to be displayed this way but I really kinda like how its working. The display isn't real full right now since I just finished a 3 day show but I will be in to stock things up once I have things ready.

So..........Happy Holidays everyone! Buy handmade & buy local....gifts like this are always more unique and are American made!!!

Setting Up For the Show

This weekend I will be at the Holiday Bazaar at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Being at this show always puts me in the Holiday mood. Decorations, music and the thought that Thanksgiving is right around the corner....Its an indoor show too which makes set up really nice.

Well, I'm almost ready to go. I have a few items that need putting together and then I'll be off for the Friday evening start to this event. Hope to see you there :)

Monday Meeting....

Oh, the fun I had working with enamels yesterday!

I think these will be going into my Etsy shop later this week.....along with some other goodies. But, I must prepare for my upcoming show!!

New Niche Pendants.......they still need some awesome beads to adorn them but the silver work is done. I totally LOVE these. Big, Bold and Beautiful. A nice chunky cubic zirconia accents both of these Folk Art inspired pieces.

Whack Your Head Wednesday

Hear the Knock of Opportunity

#48 A leading business school did a study that showed that its graduates did well at first, but in ten years they were overtaken by a more street-wise pragmatic group. The reason according to the professor who ran the study: "We taught them how to solve problems, not recognize opportunities." Where do you hear opportunity knocking? How can you answer it?

Art Therapy

Sometimes I just love to paint. I like to just blend colors, splatter, and drip paints.....color and texture being most important. Poppies. Made from newspaper and paint. I love it.

I love the chaos going on here. Colors are bright and vibrant. Both paintings are similar yet different. Which one do you like?

Need to really buckle down and get ready for all the upcoming events! I feel like I'm being pulled in so many different directions that its almost easier to do nothing. Overwhelmed I guess. I have another canvas waiting to become something.........maybe I should do that!

Images of the Day

Window shopping with my friend Sue........well, I did do some actual shopping too. Look at the little detail around the insider perimeter of the display.......they are tiny shells that make up this boarder.

The displays inside just make you linger and want to touch everything. Such an art to make tempting displays.

I love iron gates. We rarely see this one open so I had to take a photo of the perspective

Funky little bird perched way up high.

The handle to an entrance.

Whack Your Head Wednesday

Ask a Fool

#37 That's what Renaissance kings did to break out of the groupthink environment their "yes-men" advisors created. It was the fool's job to parody any proposal under discussion to make it appear in a fresh light. He might extol the trivial, trifle the exalted, or reverse the common perception of a situation. Example: "If a man is sitting backwards on a horse, why do we assume that it is the man who is backwards and not the horse?" Result: he dislodged people's assumptions. What would the fool say about your idea?

Class Starts Next Week!

I'm taking yet another online course.....this one is on metalsmithing. Can't wait! Its hard keeping all the balls in the air at times so I am hopeful that this course will give me some "therapy" from my otherwise hectic life. I just recieved some of my supplies in the mail today and am ready to go.

Vintage Chic

I had just completed this piece and it sold at the Trunk Show this past week. I love this necklace.....I must make another in its likeness.......

I chose the name Vintage Chic because of the vintage metal flowers that I've embellished with glass.....

Sweet!

My feet hurt and I'm pooped but I just returned from a trunk show at a local boutique and just had to share these! A caterer created these one of a kind cookies based on my hearts! She used images of my work as inspiration and made these fantastic treats!! I was so thrilled with them that I had to share........I will be having a special "Sweetheart" promotion this February that includes these edible works of art and my necklaces!! Stay tuned! You will want to get a box from Bella this Valentines Day thats for sure!

Whack Your Head Wednesday

The summer months and the start of the school year had me postpone some of my typical posts. This week I am re-starting my Whack Your Head Wednesday to help stimulate creativity.....yours and mine.  I will post either a suggestion from Roger von Oech's creative Whack Pack for you to consider or some other suggestion to shake up your creative mojo......


#19 Challenge the Rules

According to ancient prophecy, whoever could untie the "Gordian Knot" ws destined to become the King of Asia. All who tried failed to solve this complicated puzzle. Then Alexander the Great had a turn. After fruitless attempts to find a strting point, he was stymied. Finally, he said, "I'll just hae to make up my own knot-untying rules." He pulled out his sword and sliced the knot in half. Asia was fated to him. Most advances have occurred when someone challenged the rules and tried a different approach. What rules can you challenge?

Trunk Show @ 2 Chic Boutique

I'm working on getting things together for a trunk show at 2 Chic Boutique this Thursday evening. Desserts, wine, great fashions and Artsy Accessories by Bella..........I know I can't wait! If you're local, I sure hope you will stop by 151 Park Avenue to see my newest items............Fall In Love with Bella!

Beads...Pendants

A couple pendants that will be available in my Etsy Shop later today. Love'em.

Cigar band beads I made last weekend during my class with Hadar Jacobson. Copper with bands of silver. Don't know what I'll be doing with these as of yet.....

Enticing!

I love great window displays. Its an art to be so enticing with your window dressing.

A feast for the eyes. Color and texture make you want to go inside and explore.

The Fall season is one of my favorites. Cool temperatures, cider, pumpkins and scary movies!!!

And then there is just great public art! This is outside of Writers and Books....love it!

Getting Balanced

Just finished the second full week of the new school year! Time really does go by fast. I have a new schedule to my classes this year and I haven't quite adjusted to the new rhythm. The day goes by so quick but there is little to no time to do the necesssary art room up keep.........materials, products, etc....I know I'll find my way thru it all but adjusting takes a bit of time.

With this new school schedule I admittedly have had a difficult time fitting my beadie life into my routines. In part because I'm tire! This weekend I will again be at the torch preparing and making what I hope to be some awesome items! Sadly, I have nothing to show you as of yet, but please stay tuned.

Along with bead making, I also have Book Club! I love our book club......we have been together for so many years and its just nice to know you have friends that are truely FRIENDS. We have been there for each other thru some tough times and good times.......we are all different but we all love each others differences. Pictured above is just 3 members. Our dear 4th couldn't make it to our last meeting. We are not a hugh group but actually thats what makes it great.....Tomorrow we meet at Sue's house! Can't wait. Wanted to show them my Nook I bought but I was so excited about it after I showed our librarian, Karen, I left it out on my desk and forgot to bring it home!

Today Pete and I are going on a tour of Downtown Lofts and other buildings called Inside Downtown, presented by the Landmark society. We've done similar tours in the past years and everytime, we are so amazed and impressed with what we see. The renovation of historical buildings into living spaces, the achitechure, and of course, the decorating. You think you know the city you live in but after taking a tour of this type, you realize how much more there is to learn. I am interested in local history and just love to learn more.

Caught in a Whirlwind

Hi everyone! No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth...........its just been a whirlwind of a start to the school year. Really, that is nothing new. The start of a new year is typically like this. I not only have to get back in the groove of a scheduled life by getting back to work but it is also the time of the Clothesline Arts Festival. Busy, busy, busy.

Clothesline was great! There was a new layout to the show which had mixed reviews but my sales were strong. Sunday was a quieter day however since the weather was a bit gloomy. My sister and niece stopped by to give me a well needed break and we all got a bit silly with some beads........I love this picture! I was told I could not put this on my facebook page but if I did I had to promise not to tag her in this photo!

Okay. Next week I am going to try and ease back into a "normal" pattern here and get cracking at the torch too. I have a trunk show coming up and there is lots to prepare!

A Bit of Nostalgia

Donuts Delight opened up in 1957 and has always been THE place for donuts in Rochester! Krispy Kreme is just a cheap imitation of a donut compared to Donuts Delight. So, we went down memory lane and went to Donuts Delight which happens to now be Salvatores Pizza AND Donuts Delight......a very unlikely pairing.......to have ourselves a donut.

Pete had the Banana Creme. Fantastic!

I had the Black Raspberry Apple. Amazing!!

Sooooooo good. But, you can only have one......they are larger than most donuts.

Just a few of my round beads to show ya............I am working on putting some new Pandora Style Beads in my Etsy Shop....check them out later. I LOVE them!

Missels, Bombs or Bee Butts?

What to call these beads? They also look a bit like water bouys. Not sure bee butts would be an interesting draw to this bracelet but the shape is similar. Anyone have a great name for this?

Alert: I've made an Etsy Update!

Its been very hot lately and I've had to wait a bit before heading off to the studio to work. This has given me some needed time to actually add items to my Etsy Shop!

I am going to really try and keep to a weekly update in my Etsy Shop and that day will be on Wednesday's.  I'm hopeful that I can keep  to this new plan.

Updates....finally

No, I've not updated everything but I have updated my Class, Whats New and Shows and Events links on my website. There is just never enough time to get everything done! Website updates also take a bit of time.....especially for me since understanding web codes and lingo just isn't my thing. I manage however....slowly.

Not a big post here today. Lots of beads to make since school will be starting and I have Clothesline coming up fast. I have several great neck pieces in process and I can't wait to get them done & photographed.

I'm off to the gym and then back to the torch! Enjoy the day!

Fall is in the air!

The days are getting shorter. The nights cooler. I started to see leaves already beginning their change. Its sad to see one season leave................except winter. Fall however, is a colorful season and one that leads us all into those holidays we so love! I am a bit sad today knowing that summer is planning to leave us but know that fall has its wonderful appeal too.

If you have signed up to recieve my newsletter, you know that I will be doing a fun Felt & Glass Brooch class on Saturday October 2nd! Its fun learning a new trick or two and then making something that has so many possibilities. I sure hope you'll join us for the fun.....Class Time! Learn to Make Bella's Felted Brooch! via @constantcontact

Today I'll be working at the torch preparing once again for an upcoming show.....Clothesline! I love this show. They have a whole new lay out so I'll be posting my new location in days to come. Hope to see you there!

Packing it up for the Show!

I'm rather amazed that I am pretty stress free going into the show this weekend. Typically I'd be buring the midnight oil frantically working to get things ready. But not this time! I created a nice schedule of work to be done weeks ago and simply made what was planned for that day! Bada Bing! Done! Why I never did this before, I don't know but I feel like my procrastinating ways are possibly behind me?!...well, at least in this area. We'll see.

This is my Chaos necklace.........the name is the story of my life. I tend to roller coaster ride from calm to chaos in my creative process. I am who I am......what can I say.

Pendant necklaces.........I love them. These dangle from an nice loooonnnnggg sterling chain. 

Metallic and earthy. Fine silver, reactive glass, turquoise and pearls....finished with a handmade silver toggle. A break from my love of brights. Variety is the spice of life right? I've enjoyed working in "uncomfortable" color palettes........

There is plenty more but you'll just have to see me this weekend if you can :) 

Pendants with Stringer Control

So these are the pendants I made yesterday in attempt to practice my stringer control. I really like how they came out.

Yeap. I made the murrini that you see here.....I love murrini. I have more pendant beads in the kiln now and will be anxious to see how they came out. I feel really good about 2 of them but am unsure about the others. I just really like practicing this new skill and developing a new system of working.

Class with Melanie

What a FaNTasTic class with Melanie! What can I say, I enjoyed every aspect! She shared plenty of information about technique and her beads.......they are to die for. I loved her German accent too.....

I really like watching other bead artists work. Everyone has their own style of working....Melanie holds her mandrel the "European" way.....underhand. Of course she would right? I remember learning from Emilio Santini this variation in grip.....minor detail but interesting.

Another slight difference in her working style is that she chooses to marver her beads with the graphite paddle above the bead rather than below. 

We all made some wicked cool murrini too. Murrini's are not among Melanies favorites but she was kind enough to share her method of making them.....I LoVe the way mine came out!!

How could I not include a picture of her beads!? Just yummy!!

I had to have my picture taken with this wonderful artist. I TOTALLY connected with her.....her style, her approach, her personality......okay, I love her :) It was extremely HOT yesterday and working at the torch for several hours was even hotter. So by the end of the day I was sweatie, stinkie, my hair was completely out of control and my make up had melted off my face.........why Melanie looks good is beyond me.......I assume its because she makes it all seem so effortless.

Staying Cool with some Hot things

Yesterday was too hot for me to do any real work at the torch so instead I made some of my felt & fabric brooches. I have a show coming up and need a few dozen of these.

I constructed this too to keep cool yesterday. My life really does revolve around glass and beads. I should really try and get out more.

Tomorrow I was invited to join my husband and his work buddies on a speed boat tour in Buffalo. I really should go but I'm just a wee bit scared. Its an hour long ride and this boat goes fast and spins on a dime. We'll get totally drenched too. I'll need waterproof mascara if I end up going! 

Hearts

These hearts are done off mandrel and are just a perfect size. Not to big, not to small.......juuusst right! I like them plain and simple. Two different reds are pictured here...

Its rather hard to tell in these pictures but this one is done in light red. There are 3 pictured above.

This is Lipstick Red. I think its perfectly named. 

These are will be in my Etsy Shop later today. You should get one or two for someone you love :)