Maker Blogs 9.22.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Andrew Thornton, Beading Arts, Blake Crouch, cruise gift exchange, Dark Matter, doll collector jewelry, Inspired by Reading Book Club, Jen Palmer, Russian leaf beading tutorial, Tammy Powley, Tapping Flamingo Bling, Tappingflamingo, The Crafty Princess Diaries

This week in maker blogs, on Beading Arts, Cyndi shares her experience with Russian leaves bead weaving. This is a pretty, versatile design that you can use for earrings or pendants. Cyndi gives lots of tips and links to tutorials. 

Terry Jeannette of the Tappingflamingo talks about her love of going on cruises and doing gift exchanges. She talks about “fish extenders.” It’s very interesting, and she shows many of her lovely items. Going on a cruise? Check out her shop for appropriate gifts if you will be joining an exchange. 

On The Crafty Princess Diaries, Tammy Powley is making jewelry for doll collectors to wear. What a great idea! In addition to collecting dolls and accessories for them, enthusiasts can get something doll related that they can wear themselves. Visit Tammy’s shop to see what she has in stock. 

On Andrew Thornton’s blog, he shows a geometric pendant he created for the Inspired by Reading Book Club. They read Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. It’s a beautiful piece; the author himself said so when Andrew posted the piece online. How fun!

I’m really enjoying Allegory Gallery’s new podcast series. On their blog, they highlight installment 3, an interview with Jen Palmer. The artist talks about her background and her connection to art as a way of healing. Allegory Gallery always features the work of the artist they interview for their podcast, so check out their shop to see more of Jen’s work. 

Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ve discovered something wonderful!

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Maker Blogs 9.15.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Andrew Thornton, Blythe doll clothing, Blythe dolls, Diane Hawkey, Tammy Powley, Tapping Flamingo, Tapping Flamingo Bling, The Crafty Princess Diaries

Welcome to this week’s maker blog post. Let’s get started.

On Tapping Flamingo, Terry talks about her mother’s experience with blood clots and how we have to be proactive with our health when doctors don’t necessarily listen. I’m so glad her mother’s story had a good outcome, thanks to a little daughterly nagging! The autism awareness bracelets that Terry makes can also be for PE/DVT awareness. Check them out in her shop. 

On the Allegory Gallery blog, their second podcast is up! This time, they interview ceramic artist Diane Hawkey. I love Diane’s colorful, whimsical work. Once again, it was fun to hear how an artist got started and how her work evolved. As part of their podcast series, Allegory Gallery features some work by each artist they interview in their shop. 

On The Crafty Princess Diaries, Tammy has been sewing Halloween dresses for Blythe dolls! Halloween is a favorite holiday for many people, including Tammy. It shows in these very cute dresses. I love the one with a candy corn motif. The candy may be too sweet for you, but the dress is just sweet enough! She’s trying to make more in time for Halloween, so keep checking back in her shop.

I’m linking to a slightly older post from Andrew Thornton’s blog. Earlier this summer, he started making these beautiful copper and sterling pendants in a variety of designs. They are all infused with meaning. Andrew talks about how things can have different interpretations, and we shouldn’t let one interpretation hold us back as makers. I would say the same thing is true of art lovers. I have pieces of art that were created with one thought by the artist, but has a different meaning filtered through my own experiences. Both of those things can hold true in the piece. That is the magic of art. 

You can find Andrew’s copper and silver work in the Allegory Gallery shop.

Maker Blogs 9.8.18

Tags

Andrew Thornton, Blythe dolls, Pantone, Tapping Flamingo, The Crafty Princess Diaries, Treasures by Terry, upcycled jewelry

I can’t believe it’s already a week into September! The weather here really shows it with a lovely cool breeze. I’m on vacation today sitting on the porch and enjoying the chirping of the birds and rustle of the leaves. Here are this week’s blogs to enjoy too!

On The Crafty Princess Diaries, Tammy is making a mermaid doll tote for her shop. The mermaid fabric proved very popular when she posted it on instagram. In her post, she talks about the difficulty of getting a first sale in a new etsy shop. I just visited to get the link, and I see that since her post, the super cute cat dress and accessories listing has sold. Congratulations, Tammy! She’s added more great items. My current favorite is the crocheted dress with a sweet ruffled hem. 

On Tapping Flamingo, Terry talks about one of my favorite subjects: upcycling old jewelry! She takes a bracelet that has seen better days, adds a few things and make a great boho piece. She’s even got a little video about the process. 

Do you design based on color trends? I don’t necessarily, but I think it is fun to see what’s coming. And if someone offers up a challenge, I will take it on. It can really open you up. My mom and I talk about how sometimes we keep buying the “same” beads over and over. Focusing on colors that aren’t your go-to is a way to stretch your creativity. On Andrew Thornton‘s blog, he highlights the Pantone Spring/Summer 2019 color trends.

I love the bright pink/oranges and the rich greens. Do you have a guess for the color of the year in 2019?

I’ve been feeling very creative in a relaxed way while on vacation. I’m taking more time to explore ideas, and feel less pressure to get something made in the short time off I have in a regular work week. I hope you are having a lovely day wherever you are!

Maker Blogs 8.31.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Andrew Thornton, Beading Arts, Kawaii Doll Shop, The Crafty Princess Diaries

Here I am with this week’s maker posts.

First, Beading Arts has a tutorial for a ruffled peyote stitch rope necklace. It’s such a beautiful, sculptural stitch for Cyndi’s last beaded rope necklace for the summer.

On The Crafty Princess Diaries, Tammy talks about how opening an etsy shop for her Blythe doll dresses and sundries took her down the social media worm hole. She set up a Pinterest page, a Facebook page and an Instagram account. As long as she’s done all that work, go take a look! I love this cute cat dress. 

Andrew Thornton has recently picked up his jeweler’s saw after a time away. He’s been cutting and soldering mixed metal pendants. I have to admit I was charmed by one of his cat pendants featuring beautiful bezel set glass eyes and picked it up for myself. Cats are not his only theme. You can check out more at Allegory Gallery. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Maker Blogs 8.25.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Allegory Gallery Design Challenges, Andrew Thornton, Beading Arts, Earrings Everyday, SJ Designs Jewelry, We're All Ears Challenge

Hello! Let’s look at some maker blogs for this week.

First up, Cyndi remakes a bead embroidered pendant to great effect over on Beading Arts. What a difference! Both before and after are beautiful, but the remake is more versatile. I’m reluctant to remake things, but this encourages me. Here is the remade pendant. Check out her blog to see how it started.

Sarajo of SJ Designs Jewelry, makes beautiful jewelry and has wonderful adventures. She also has a monthly Honey Do List Challenge on her blog. Hers is a fun blog to follow. Check out her most recent blog for the August We’re All Ears Challenge. The We’re All Ears Challenge takes place on the Earrings Everyday blog. That is a great blog as well.

Do you like sugar skulls? Andrew Thornton has taken Czech glass sugar skull beads and bezel set them in sterling silver. Gorgeous! Take a look.

I’m currently working on jewelry for the Allegory Gallery Coral Coast Design Challenge. I’m super inspired by this challenge and hope you will come back to see my reveal on August 30th. The next kit is available as well: Ancient Kingdom.

As always, thank you for visiting!

 

Maker Blogs 8.17.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Allegory Gallery Interviews, Andrew Thornton, Beading Arts, Gina Chalfant, Tapping Flamingo, Terry Jeanette, Treasures by Terry, White Swan Studio

I come to you with the maker blogs for this week. First up, on Beading Arts, Cyndi has a tutorial for a spiral rope using purple pearls. It’s so pretty! She also talks about how to make it fit your style using different beads, more beads or chain in the back for a flexible neckline. 

On Tapping Flamingo, Terry is looking forward to fall and designing jewelry to be ready for the season, including her lovely Broken Shell collection which reminds us of the wisdom we gain from our experiences. 

Next, on Andrew Thornton‘s blog, he shares some wisdom he’s gained about being the owner of a creative-based small business. He links to a series of informational posts from a few years ago. Now as a SCORE American Small Business Champion winner, he’s learned even more!

And finally, Allegory Gallery has entered the world of podcasts with a series called Allegory Gallery Interviews. They know that beads and art have a story, and who better to tell that story than the makers themselves! The first podcast features Gina Chalfant of White Swan Studio. 

Enjoy all of these posts and your weekend!

Maker Blogs 8.10.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Andrew Thornton, Beading Arts, chenille stitch, Crafts and Dollies vlog, doll collecting, Green Girl Studios, lost wax casting, Tammy Powley, Tapping Flamingo, Terry Jeanette, The Crafty Princess Diaries, Treasures by Terry, wedding jewelry

I bring you the maker blogs for this week!

First up on Beading Arts, Cyndi shares her modification of a chenille stitch rope. Beautiful!

Over on the Crafts and Dollies vlog posted on the Crafty Princess Diaries page, Tammy talks about not having it all. Anyone who makes knows that while we might want to, we can’t have all the things. Tammy talks about moving out some of the old to bring in the new. I think destash is so win-win. See Tammy’s “new” below!

Next, on to Tapping Flamingo, Terry talks wedding jewelry and accessories. From traditional to modern, she’s got something for every wedding. 

Andrew Thornton is back with another curated selection from his stash, this time, beloved owl beads, like this one below from Green Girl Studios.

Speaking of Green Girl Studios, Allegory Gallery took a recent trip to their studio in North Carolina and shares this video of Greg Ogden talking about the lost wax casting techniques they use to make their beads and components. Really fascinating!

Thanks for stopping by.

Maker Blogs 7.29.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Andrew Thornton, autism jewelry, Beading Arts, Blythe dolls, Dana Swisher, Eleanor & Park, Inspired by Reading Book Club, Rainbow Rowell, surfer jewelry, Tammy Powley, Tapping Flamingo, Tapping Flamingo Bling, The Crafty Princess Diaries

Here is the next installment of my new feature, weekly maker blogs! First up is Tapping Flamingo where Terry talks about the evolution of the cute surfer bracelets in her Tapping Flamingo Bling etsy shop and how they support people with autism. 

Next, on The Crafty Princess Diaries, Tammy shares how important details are when crafting, especially on a small scale, like her Blythe Doll dress. You can also get a bit of an understanding of the breadth of her crafting if you watch the short video where she briefly mentions quilting, shows a finished crochet project, and shares more dolls and handmade doll clothing. 

On Beading Arts, Cyndi shows a gorgeous beaded Russian spiral rope project that she calls “quick.” I couldn’t do that in a million years! But, with her skill, it is a nice project to have for a busy summer. I love the colors!

On The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton, Andrew features his make for the Inspired by Reading Book Club. This month, they read Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I love what Andrew made, and the author herself stopped by to take a look! Andrew ended up making a necklace version to sell for a charity of the author’s choice, and I just had to stop mid-blog writing to buy one for myself!

Over on the Allegory Gallery blog, they are sharing some of their latest offerings in their still new online store, including handmade pendants by artist Andrew Thornton and whimsical ceramic face beads by Dana Swisher. I can attest to the beauty of the work of these artists because I own some from each of them. These long bails offer so many options to customize the pendants – hanging more charms from it, wire or fiber wrapping, etc. Get creative!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this. For me, when it comes to blogs, more is more!

Maker Blogs 7.20.18

Tags

Allegory Gallery, Allegory Gallery Design Challenges, Andrew Thornton, Anne Choi, Beading Arts Blog, Blythe dolls, Tapping Flamingo, The Crafty Princess Diaries, Treasures by Terry

I really enjoy reading blogs, so I thought I would share some other makers’ blogs. It’s interesting that so many creative people explore – and excel at – more than one medium.

On the Beading Arts blog, Cyndi makes a lovely pendant from Bead & Button magazine using dagger beads and then changes it using her own design twists (photo below). It’s always fun to see how artists take inspiration and make it their own. 

Have you ever thought you’d really enjoy something and then been reluctant to give up the idea? On The Crafty Princess Diaries, Tammy Powley talks us through her experience deciding not to be a Blythe doll customizer. She prefers other doll related crafts, like sewing clothes. Notice the doll’s cute dress in the short video included on the post. 

In this Tapping Flamingo post, Terry talks about the trials and tribulations of setting up an etsy shop. She’s learned some valuable lessons along the way. I know this is a topic many people are interested in. Am I ready to open a shop? Should I use etsy as the platform? Learn from Terry’s experience!

Do you like bug beads? If so, you are in luck. Andrew Thornton shares some wonderful examples from his personal collection, including the Anne Choi bead below. I always love a good “look at these gorgeous beads” post. You might even be introduced to a new-to-you artist!

Over at Allegory Gallery’s blog, they are launching their latest design challenge kit, Coral Coast. This kit was inspired by the treasures that might be brought to us by the surf while sinking our toes in the sand. The colors of this kit are peach, coral, creamy ivory, reds, pinks and shell browns. Delicious! You can see the full kit on the blog, except the handmade mystery component. That is a secret until it arrives at your door. I’ve just purchased my kit. They are limited, so don’t delay!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour through some other makers’ blogs. Maybe you’ll find some new ones to follow!

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Color Explosion

Tags

Andrew Thornton

Color gets me every time. There are a lot of things that go into making a bead one that I want to buy, but color is definitely what catches my eye first. That is true of the beads in this necklace, especially the handmade focal beads by Andrew Thornton.

These multi-color focal beads are porcelain that Andrew hand painted and then covered with liquid polymer. So gorgeous. The pictures below show both sides so you can see how colorful they are. 

I also love the organic pod-like shape and the fabulous textures. I combined them with some vintage Czech glass (vintage Czech and German glass are so great)  in front and two other kinds of Czech glass in uplifting colors I love but that I think still let the focals shine.

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