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Chevron Beads – Traditional Bead Making

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I use lots of lampwork, artist made glass beads, in my jewelry designs. This Friday I got to see a trunk show of Luigi Cattelan’s work at Creative Castle in Newbury Park, California. Their entire classroom is filled with beautiful, unique glass beads and jewelry.

The short version is much of glass bead making was invented and perfected in Italy. In 1291 the glass factories of Venice were moved to the island of Murano to contain the fire hazard and better protect the trade secrets and glass-making techniques. Beads were used for trade all over the world and in the 1500s the exchange rate was 1 to 1000, so even then the price of beads was dear!

Luigi’s father owned a glass factory where Luigi worked until it closed. Then he worked at one of the oldest factories still in operation until it closed in 1992. From there he started to make his own beads, especially chevron beads, which he makes them in the traditional Venetian method

Luigi Cattelan artist profile


I purchased these yesterday – they are the last of the red and white chevrons from a production run in 1994. Big and bold with a soft, semi-matte finish – they are substantial in your hand and dramatic to the eye.

And if all that was not enough… he has with him some amazing bead history that I got to see up close and personal. Bead cards used by traders to show their wares and bead trim samples from a the late 1800s stiched to a cloth with the orignal tags and numbers for customers to view and order. The beads we love thread back through history and have been dear to the human race for centuries.

You can see Luigi and his beads at Creative Castle through Sunday. He is going on to the Tucson shows and to some other locations in the US. Look for him! His work is exciting and the sense of history and care for those who have come before is palpable.

Beautiful Knots

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One class that my students really like is the Knot Bead Pendant. What is it about this mysterious bead – a chameleon, it is exactly what everyone wants it to be. I have heard people say I must have been angry to make such a tangle, that is is technical, playful, un-solvable. People are intrigued with the complexity and no two are ever the same. I always get comments whenever I wear one – what fun to make evocative jewelry. What’s not to like? (sorry couldn’t resist)

I am teaching the Knot Bead Pendant at Creative Castle on Sunday January 17th. This is one of my favorite places, a lovely, local bead store (LBS) in Newbury Park, California. The owner has a keen sense of color and her staff is really helpful, offering their expertise and knowledge generously. “The Castle” has a great selection of vintage beads, pearls and their semi-precious is remarkable. They are also have extensive seed beads and crystals if that is your medium and they have all the other important stuff: books, tools, wire, chain, and probably most anything bead related you might be looking for. Join us for class and “tie” your own knot.

The class is offered again at Adorn Me! on March 4th. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this retreat, offered in Houston, TX. It is new, exclusively Art Jewelry and the organizer has assembled a really exciting line up of workshops and instructors. She has an impressive track record with Art retreats, check out Art Unraveled. Lots of the classes are still available. In my experience these are classes and instructors who can be hard to schedule because of their popularity. I am taking advantage of the opportunity to take a class or two and add a few more skills to my repertoire. You can use the link or there’s button for Adorn Me! see the top right side of the blog.

Where do I take it from here? For more than a pendant, add other big wire links and build your self a necklace. If you need to learn more about big wire, watch for Whimsical Wire Links and Design, a class that will teach you a library of big wire links. The only limit is your imagination.

“It takes TWO” Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads

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Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads, the magazine, has arrived in your local bead store and it is gorgeous. There are a great variety of projects. These are not just any projects, but collaborations between bead artists and jewelry artists. All the pieces included were juried into the Convergence Show that was displayed at Bead & Button last June and at the ISGB Gathering in July. Want to know how they did that? What goes into making an award winning piece, this magazine is a great resource, not to mention the usual eye candy of great beadwork.

I am proud to have my entry, Fire and Ice Reversible Cuirass included in the magazine. This is a complex, colorful, two-sided wire and glass necklace inspired by a piece of amour called a cuirass. The beads were made by Florida glass artist Holly Young.

Artisans Gallery – Idyllwild, CA

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There is a beautiful little mountain town called Idyllwild with an active art community only a short drive from Los Angeles. Just head out the 10 freeway towards Palm Springs and turn right at Banning. This weekend, they are having an Art and Wine Walk on Saturday afternoon. What better place to stroll on a fall weekend than among the pines. There are numerous galleries to explore, but I particularly recommend Artisans which offers an ecelctic collection of fine art and beautiful craft. At their location in Oakwood Village, you can also meet Chris and Melody Johnston from the local Middle Ridge Winery and sample thier wines. Gwen Novak will be showng her pastels, Marshall Hawkins and Paul Carmen will be playing jazz and you can visit the newly opened gallery, Kenario.

Artisans is featuring the work of Rachel Welch, beautiful paintings on silk, and a selection of my art jewelry and wire embroidery sculptures. This is the first time I have put together a body of my work in both genres. Stick around and join me for the opening, starting after the Wine Walk at 5 pm.

Adorn Me! Art Jewelry Retreat

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There’s something new on my calendar for 2010, a retreat just for Art Jewelry. Since my design preference falls somewhere between more is more and just plain over the top, I am really excited to be participating in a retreat where those qualities are valued. Check out Adorn Me! – classes, events, instructor line up and venue – wow! There is so much exciting on the schedule and it will be held at a brand new hotel with off season rates (read more money for jewelry supplies).

I am teaching four classes: Berry Leafy Bracelet; Knot Bead Pendant; Capture the Dragon: Engineering Sculptural Lampwork; and Fantasy Flower Pendant (or pin). The kits are optional, so if you have a burgeoning closet of wire, beads, and findings, you can bring your own. For classes with specialized beads or findings, the unique items will be available for purchase; in other words, you bring the basics and you can buy the hard-to-find items at class. A retreat should be just that, a place to relax, be inspired, add skills to your repetoire and enjoy. With a broad selection of classes both day and evening, an expo for shopping and time to visit and show off your creations, Adorn Me! is something to look forward to.

Asleep at the Switch? Remembering What Works

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Sometimes I forget about things that work well for me, those pesky, basic life skills. Seems silly, but I muddle along wondering why I am in a funk. Don’t feel quite right when nothing is glaringly wrong. Then I stumble onto one of the things I used to do regularly and get that energized, inspired feeling. Why didn’t I think of that (strikes forehead with heel of hand muttering “doh”)?

How do you keep track of what works? Wouldn’t it be nice to go there before the funk?

Here are a few I consider important:
Spend time with like minded people
Get a new perspective or some outside help in the form of coaching or classes
Practice the skills you want to acquire and keep practicing if you want to own them
Take care of yourself
Do what you are supposed to be doing (I know you know what that is)
Write it down: goals or a journal or an inspiration notebook
Do it now
Be persistent and don’t take rejection personally
Check the list and do it again
Some days I think I need to have these tattooed on my forehead, but mostly I just need to keep them nearby so I remember.

Bead Star

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I am really excited to share with you that my design, “Two Part Harmony”, was selected as a finalist for the for the metals category of Bead Star. This piece was originally created as a class sample to show an interesting way to incorporate jumprings into design. After I finished the class, I found myself wearing it frequently. When one of those just-for-demonstration pieces ends up in my jewelry rotation, I know I’ve got something interesting.
Beading Daily in conjunction with Step by Step Beads put out a call for simple designs in eight different categories. They narrow the field of entries to 20 finalists in each category and then you get to vote. The top 5 in each category are published – in a special edition magazine called Bead Star.
Want to see instructions for these wonderful designs? You need to VOTE for your favorites.

Get a preview of some of the other Bead Star finalists at Humblebeads blog. Humblebeads proprietor, Heather Powers, had more than one entry published in the 2008 issue of Bead Star. She not only blogs for her business, Humblebeads; she also writes for Art Bead Scene a blog “celebrating art beads and inspiring those who use them”. The Art Bead Scene contributors provide lots of ideas for unique beads to use in your special designs. The also host a monthly challenge (pssssst… with prizes!); a good way to sharpen up your design skills for next year’s Bead Star.

Messing About with Steampunk

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Somewhere in my Internet travels I came across Steampunk and was stopped in my tracks. What is this lovely fantasy complete with costumes all about? A bit of searching revealed I was not alone in my fascination. I have been collecting bits and pieces to incorporate into wire art steampunk jewelry ever since. Here is my first attempt. It is the works of a pocket watch captured in a wire bezel, adorned with carved citrine beads, Swarovski pearls and finished with vintage and contemporary findings. More wire and beads to make up the necklace. I find the piece presents my usual challenge of being quite heavy. I have compensated somewhat for the weight by using wood prayer beads and a counter balance.

Berry Leafy Bracelet

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I have a new class coming to Creative Castle in May. A substantial bracelet of hand forged links that twine gracefully around your wrist; each embellished with your choice of berry (“cherry” or even flower) beads. You will learn to create a toggle closure with the same wire. The links are made with 16 gauge wire, good practice for working in a bigger gauge. Creative Castle is offering this class in a very unique format. First we’ll make the bracelet; then we’ll spend some time talking about how to take something you learned in a class, develop variations and work it into your creative repetoire. In short, the answer to, “I’ve made the project so what else can I do with these skills?”


Not in southern California? The class will be offered at BeadFest Portland in September. There we will be doing the basic project version, but I will be sure to show samples of how to use these links in other designs. You can see this bracelet and many of the other great projects that will be offered in the 2 page ad for Bead Fest Portland in the May-June issue Step by Step Beads.

Support your LYS!

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Oh the seduction of internet shopping every size, color, brand, and kind. The tantalizing savings at the “big box” stores, take home a gross of whatever you need for a fraction of the price. Just remember the cost. This weekend I sat chatting with my friends at our LYS (local yarn store) in big comfy chairs, in a homey retail environment – for the last time. The shelves were pitifully bare, emptied quickly when she announced the sale because she was closing the store. We brainstormed about where we could take the knitting group, would they throw us out at the local sports bar? Not that having a beer while knitting is bad, well maybe if you are knitting a complicated lace pattern… but they won’t have the notion we need to finish the piece, helpful advice about how to re-size the pattern or another few skeins for the next project.

Small business is at the heart of our economy. Some would say its the American dream. But how do you compete with all the forms of commerce available to shoppers today? The part you love about it: the yarn, the beads, the food, the creation, the art is only the beginning. In a small business you are the purchasing agent, the stock clerk, the sales force, the marketing guru, the web master, the accountant and the janitor! You have to be good at alot of things because you don’t have a department for that. When you have managed to wear all those hats, then you have to find a way to compete with the big guys.

What can we do? Support the businesses you want in your community. Support the people who have small businesses like yours. The places where they do it from their passion, they make it special, fresh, just for you and they even know your name. Support them with your business and your referrals. Be willing to pay for service, quality and convenience. Your local business can not match the prices the big volume stores offer, but have them beat hands down in other important, more intangible categories. If we don’t patronize our local small business, we will find our selves wondering what happened to our favorite places while we were shopping somewhere else.