What if we had Happy Hour at the bead store? Would you come?

We are starting something new here, and we are pretty excited. Crafty Happy Hour is a drop-in class that will take place EVERY Friday night. You will want to sign up to make sure you have a spot, but you can come to do the project anytime between 5:00-7:00pm. We'll have wine and all the goodies you need to make something fun!

Get more information about the Crafty Happy Hour right here. You can sign up for this first one and use the code BEADFREAK to save $9 off your registration! 

What a great way to start the weekend!

Handmade Revelry show this Sunday at Rebus Works...

check it out...click the pic to learn more

Watch me on Beads, Baubles & Jewels!

The BB&J episodes I filmed with Katie Hacker last year are going to be up on BB&J today. Curl up with your laptop or tablet and watch me add Decopatch to mica, rivet accents, and even rivet 'unrivetable' things like ribbon!

The projects are the Illuminated Mica Earrings, where I add Decopatch paper to mica for a quick, lightweight earring project. The second half of the show is where I'll show you how to work with the mylar lacing I love. It's so shiny and sparkly and looks metal, not just metallic. I also show you an easy way to make a small tassel using our hand-dyed Shimmer Floss. I've been wearing tassels of this floss all summer and like the extra sparkle in the shimmer floss. The bracelet uses the mica tag idea again, plus a ribbon tab idea.

Click on any of the pictures to visit the Beads, Baubles & Jewels page on our website. All the parts are there, plus links to the tutorials. You can also watch my episode right there! 

Don't forget to check out the show Facebook page, and let them know if you like my episode! 

Try the Inspired By Nature Retreat this year!

Join author and designer Heather Powers for a weekend retreat inspired by nature.  This year's theme is "Wings & Feathers".  You'll explore the delicate and precious things of nature; leaves,  butterfly wings and bird feathers. Symbols of hope and renewal with earthy fall hues; coppers and verdigis green, browns and plums.

The Retreat is October 17th - 19th in lovely Michigan. A fall trip to the upper Midwest is bound to be inspiring!

The retreat includes three days of classes and supplies, a gift bag with nature-themed treats, lodging, breakfast and snacks. Click right here to find out more. 

Batik Classes At Ornamentea in Raleigh

Visit our classes page to see the next Batik Class date!

Punk Chic Jewelry

For the last many months I have had the incredible pleasure to work on a new project with the talented Erin Siegel. Punk Chic Jewelry is the first in what I hope will be many new ebooks from Ornamentea. 

Erin first approached me with the idea of collaborating on a book last year. We knew it needed to be something different, something that wasn't just a rehash of the same projects or ideas we'd seen before. Erin's previous project, Bohemian Inspired Jewelry with Lorelei Eurto, was very popular, but Erin wanted to move in a new direction. I knew I wanted the book to have a fashion-magazine feel, with model shots that made you really feel the energy of the projects. After lots of talking (can we actually do a book ourselves? should we?do we know how to do this?) we decided to take the plunge. 

The first, and toughest, decision was which platform to publish on. While there are a zillion (I think that may be the actual number) e-publishing platforms, my research kept coming back to Amazon. While I'm not a fan of Amazon - I have long regarded it as a local-bookstore-killer, in this case it seemed to be our best choice. We wanted the book to be available anywhere in the world, and to be available on all e-readers, desktop computers, phones and tablet computers. Amazon was the winner. I carefully, carefully read and reread the protocols for prepping a book to publish on the KDP Publishing platform (that's the official name) and I struggled to decipher the royalty splits and payment options. Caitlin and I looked at the 'How to prep your files' information and it seemed super easy to understand. 

Erin was in a punk-rock mood, and the designs she kept coming up with for the book had such a hard (and not-at-all boho!) feel to them. In the meantime, fashion designer (and Ornamentea-alumni!) Hannah Goff was sharing pictures from a collection shoot she did with a 'preppy punk' look that I thought worked perfectly with Erin's jewelry. Suddenly, the full concept was hatched! As Erin designed jewelry, Caitlin and I worked on the title, the fonts, the images. Hannah sent us fashion images we loved, including the one shot of model Anastasia Tsyrulnyk that featured a direct stare we adored. That shot was destined to end up on the cover. We obsessed about font colors and layout angles. Long chats about exact font placement, shades of pink and layered images, happened every afternoon. 

As the projects arrived at the shop, we realized what a talent Erin posesses. Her projects came to use carefully wrapped, in bi-weekly batches, the images and directions so beautifully prepared that my editing hand grew bored. Each box opened here at Ornamentea generated high-pitched, excited voices. The jewelry projects seemed like a perfect mesh with the amazing fashion photos we had from Hannah Goff and photographer, JC Cerilla. 

We wanted the projects to have kits available, but decided right away that they would be limited edition kits. We also decided to release them in two groups. This keeps us sane. We wanted the book to be about crazy punk style, not make us into crazy punks. 

Of course, every project, especially a 'first' project like this book, has to hit some bumps. After many, many hours of work designing a graphic-intense book, Caitlin realized that our book files didn't play well with the Kindle publishing platform. Yes, we had gleefully ignored the message from KDP to 'keep layered graphics to a minimum.' Uh-oh. Many punk elements were removed-you could say the book was graphically tamed-to create something readable on all e-readers and tablets. At first, Caitlin and I were a bit crushed, but the newer, cleaner version is actually more user-friendly. Projects and images are lined up and easy to follow. Since most of the people buying the book will probably want to make the projects, I think that's a good thing! 

Today we finally hit the 'publish' button and waited...and waited...and waited for Amazon to show us our book. When it finally happened Caitlin, Kristen, Erin and I were so relieved. Whew. 

I wonder what's next?

These are two of the projects from the book...click here to have a peek inside (thanks, Amazon!)

Elaine Ray is retiring...

Sad news today:

Elaine Ray is retiring from the bead-making world. 

We bead users will miss her, certainly, but she's leaving us to go back to her career as an Occupational Therapist. I've heard Elaine talking in glowing terms about how excited she is to find that one tool or trick that can help a child to cope with school, to understand the work they need to accomplish, to feel like they belong. 

She's talented as a bead maker, but I've known Elaine long enough to know that one of her unique abilities is to look at a process or activity - any process or activity - and figure out a way to simplify it, to make it smoother or faster or easier. She did it for years with her beads; she'd discover a way to cut the production time on a square or round or diamond bead so she could happily concentrate on the finishing or the glazing. I think the children who she now works with are so lucky to have her to help them navigate a confusing or scary or difficult task and school day. I know she's making an important difference in the world. 

I remember the day that Elaine walked into our store, years ago (in 2002?) with a basket full of glazed ceramic beads. Lois, the designer behind It's By Design (and one of our fabulous alumni staff) greeted Elaine in the store and then came upstairs to fetch me. 'There's someone downstairs you should meet, she has interesting beads...' This wasn't something Lois would say every day, and it was so true. I've got a box full of Elaine beads I've been assembling over the years. Some of them I've used readily, but others have been hard to use...too special to me, perhaps? I think I am going to get that box out this week and make myself some new earrings. 

I'll miss her, but I know she's doing what she should be doing. 

If you want to see the remaining Elaine Ray beads, click here to visit her pages on ornamentea.com.

UPDATE Elaine will be glazing one last kiln-worth of beads some time this spring or summer. We will notify customers via our newsletter, this blog, and our facebook page when those beads are available. If you do not subscribe to our newsletter, the link is in the sidebar of this blog. (cmd)

UPDATE Elaine's last trunk show will be Thursday, May 29th and Friday, May 30th. Join us on the 29th as the show opens for shopping. Elaine will be joining us that night. 

Elaine Ray bead sorting - Elaine is having a SALE!

Are you ready for Elaine's next trunk show? It's Friday, October 4th from 6-9 pm.

Skip the mall this holiday season and make your own holiday fun. We'll have a party to kick off the craftiest time of the year and you are invited. Elaine Ray will be here with a collection of her beads, including some special, one-time-only grab bags with fab prices. There will be wine tastings, delish food from D'Burritos and a free First Friday project you'll love. 

join us for:

-Elaine Ray trunks show with special sale prices on selected beads

-New product debuts, including a findings line you'll love!

-Wine tastings from Sip ... a wine store

-Food from D'Burritos

-Three fabulous drawings:

for a professional craft studio organization (courtesy of Raleigh's Green Gables Organization, a $225 value) 

for a $25 Ornamentea class gift certificate

for a Handmade Holiday starter pack, with kits and more!

-all finished jewelry samples will be 1/2 off their marked prices (so you can give handmade, without making it with your own hands!)

-we'll have a free project in our classroom (the super-sweet Acorn Earrings!)

-we'll have make-n-takes you'll love!

Oh, those beads in the pic? They are some of Elaine's sorting work for the Grab-Bags. She's planning a way for you to purchase these EVEN if you aren't local. Keep up to date with the specifics by subscribing to our Newsletter or following the store facebook page...the links are right there in the side bar >>>>>

Introducing....Amy Christie

We are so happy to have blogger Amy Christie joining us as a Contributing Designer here at Ornamentea. If you don't know her blog, you should. She's a mom of two with one of those lifestyle blogs that makes you want to cook a meal, clean out your entire house and find a really cute 2-year-old to chase around.

Okay, maybe not that last part. Two was fun, but I wouldn't go back. I would eat one of Amy's cakes, though. Or try this nifty polyclay project I first saw on Pinterest last year...

She's crafty, that girl. And we are happy to have her adding her ideas to the Big O this year. These earrings are just the thing for a bit of extra sparkle in your day...even if you do have to chase a two-year-old.

Visit Amy's blog, This Little Heart Of Mine, right here.

See the full instructions for these earrings right here.

See a picture of my almost 7-year-old when she was almost-2 here. 

Hannah Goff at Belks

Ornamentea alum and NCSU grad Hannah Goff has torn up Charleston Fashion Week and now a quartet of her dresses are available at Belk. Yep, our home-town girl is doing great. The collection features mixed prints in very wearable and girly shapes. I haven't tried any on yet but I can't wait to twirl the Fit-n-Flare dress. That print calls to me.

Visit the Belk page here. Do Hannah a huge favor and use the Belk 'facebook share' button right there on the left hand side. Show her off to your friends!
Visit Hannah Goff's site here for more photos of her current work. That photo above is from her site.
Read about her work at Charleston Fashion Week where she was the Featured Designer. This link has amazing pictures.

Pop Up Sunday Recap

The first ever Pop Up Sunday was a big success. Even though the weather tried to freeze us out, Bitty Roo Designs sold MOST of her furniture in the first hour of the show. My own family added to our crown collection at Crowns By Sarah's booth (not this exact one, but isn't it pretty?)

We kept warm with chicken wings from Chick-n-Que and hot pizza from Klausie's. Considering the fact that Mike broke his leg this last week were a bit surprised he was able to join us. Don't worry, he had a driver, but he still navigated (loudly) throughout the parking process. The pizza was just as great as it always is.

Joelle Collins screened shirts (thank you to the JLR Bargain Box for a great donation of shirts!) and folks walked away with nifty Raleigh graphics and a new knowledge of screen printing. You can watch a video here of the screening process#PopUpSunday vine.co/v/bp7e1rAIUlD

We raised over $207 for Motheread with donations for the shirts and the cold PBR. Yes, it was chilly out there but is it really ever too cold to drink a PBR?

My favorite booth was the super-yummy-smelling Whispering Willow Soaps. I could have stayed in their booth all day. My girls bought a soap and some lip balms from them. I forgot to go get a bottle of their fabulous hand soap or some laundry soap, so I'll have to pick some up at Anvil Gallery (where their products are stocked!) They were right next to Patina South and Tracey's new camper, Ruthina. This was Ruthina's 'before the makeover' event, but I could have moved right in!

The next Pop Up is on Sunday, April 21st and our charity will be the very worthy Diaper Train. Join us for fun activities, food, beer, shopping and a day in the lot.

 Oh, and I almost forgot the very best part of the day? A cup of hot coffee and a cupcake from Sweet Stacey Cakes...this was Joelle's version of that but I know many folks warmed up that way!

Wellness Words Challenge

If you like words on jewelry, or inspirational jewelry, you'll want to watch the reveal day of this blog challenge from Tracy Statler. The reveal date is February 2nd and I can't wait to see what fabulous projects the participants post. Bookmark Tracy's blog (click that picture above!) and stop back on the 2nd.

Hannah Goff

Hannah Goff, an Ornamentea alum, was in Daily Candy today. Check out the article, here. She's got a print-centric collection that makes me swoon just a teeny bit.

New Tutorial and a New Designer - The Knotted Friendship Bracelet

This Knotted Friendshop Bracelet Tutorial was created just for Ornamentea by Erin Siegel. Erin is one of the authors of a favorite book here, and we love her easy-to-wear designs. She is going to be doing projects for us every month and we can't wait to see what she cooks up.

It's funny, I have designed about 90% of our projects for, well, for-EVER. When I decided to find some designers to add to the styles represented here I immediately thought of Erin's work. Her designs are so on-trend and yet still so approachable. I look at them and think 'I'd wear that' and 'I'd wear that, too!' She was super excited to create for us and I was just as excited. It was kinda like two 12-year-olds finding out they had the same gym class. I almost cried when I saw the first project. Friendship bracelets, so perfect for the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Anyhow, you should visit Erin's blog and see what she's up to. You can also shop for her designs on her etsy shop. Yes, this bracelet is available to purchase, which is good if you are too busy braiding your hair for gym class to make one.

Inspired By Nature Retreat

You know I love the idea of a craft retreat...getting away for a few days, or a week, to focus on your work and learn a few new techniques is endlessly appealing to me. I tend to get my work done in short, hours-long bursts of caffeine-and-wine-fueled fury. Sometimes I get a friend to help me (thank you, Stacy!) but often I'm all alone, working into the wee hours. The companionship and group growth of a retreat is something I look forward to enjoying a lot, someday. With my children still pretty young I don't get to head out on my  own as often as I might like...but a mom can dream!

The Inspired By Nature Retreat with Heather Powers and Erin Prais-Hinz looks like a fabulous way to spend a weekend. The leaves will be at their peak, the projects are naturally-themed and the teachers will be great...

Ahh, if you go, send me pictures, okay?

Check out the retreat registration page here...

Kathe Holden teaching a fab class...

Kathe Holden is teaching a fabulous scrap-art class in Petaluma, California and I wish I could go. There's a fabulous project with an amazing kit of goodies. There's the idea of a day spent making a fun project with no interruptions ('Mom, I'm hungry!') PLUS the fun that is had when a room full of crafty folks get together...

SO,  I can't go to this workshop. If you go, would you think of me while you are there?

Those are Kathe's kits in that picture. We sent her loads of Decopatch paper for the project. See more about the kits and the project here. 

Do you have art to share?

Patti Digh, a wonderful author I've written about before, is putting together a new book. The Geography of Loss will be a collection of essays by Patti and she's looking for artists to assist in the illustration of her book. If you want to participate, visit her blog to get the details. If you have read her previous books, Creative is a Verb, Life is a Verb and Four Word Self Help, you know Patti always illustrates her books with art from her readers. The art work in her books is a powerful as the words on her pages and you, dear friend, can contribute.

So, go, do, now!

Sand in a bottle...

So, I spent a too-short time at the beach this last week and it was filled with those moments when I wanted to stop time and just BE in that exact, beautiful instant.

My daughters, running ahead of me into the waves with the morning sun slanting down and outlining them in gold. 

My husband, his laugh so genuine and true when my youngest told him a joke. 

The way that school of dolphins swam right in front of us for a good twenty minutes, leaping over one another like performers.

Of course, you can't really stop those moments. You can't even photograph them properly. By the time the camera is brought to your eye the moment is gone. It shifts when you try to record it, and the act of recording the joy separates you from the actual joy. Instead, I just surrender to the seconds and say 'now!' to myself. A reminder to be, now, forever.

My children don't always understand my being, now and forever. They do understand mementos, though.

We created these necklaces on the morning before we left the beach. The return journey was already calling us. I had checked my email. The car needed packed and there was a floor to sweep. I had already stripped the beds and needed to toss the sheets in the dryer,  but instead we sat on the deck of our borrowed beach house and constructed a few necklaces with collected shells and bits of sand. My five-year-old made three trips down the stairs to the beach to collect sand for each of us from a very specific spot, right there. She brought each bottle up and presented it to me with great ceremony. We didn't rush through the selection of the linen or the shells, but we did compromise a bit on the clasps. Somehow my daughters have a momma who can keep 200 styles of clasp in-stock in her bead store, but can't remember to pack more than 2 in her beach trip craft bag. Hence the safety pin clasp.

Little sister styled this photo. She actually asked me to 'style the photo' as I started to arrange the items on the deck. Yes, she's five. Note the asymmetrical arrangement, the shells stacked just so.

And these are our clasps. Big sister, who has the safety pin clasp, has kept it and says she likes the look.

Learn how to make the leather version of this necklace (with the 'real' clasp) right here.

This was our view from the deck.



Thank you, Alice.

Art Beads on Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest? It is seductive, addictive and alluring; like Twitter for the illiterate (or Twitter for the visually literate...) All those beautiful images! Look at that sofa! Wow, a cute dog! Shoes!

I have spent way too much time on Pinterest, lately. I have a board for studio and home ideas, one for quotes, one for jewelry, one for wedding things I love (and I've been married for 21 years!) I even have an Art Beads board that I edit with two friends.

The only thing I DON'T get about Pinterest is all the food pictures. It's like food porn. Board after board of enchiladas and brownies and fruit kabobs and pasta. Huh? I get the shoes, the vacation locations, the remodeling ideas, cars, nail art. But chocolate chip cookies? 

Anyway, visit my Art Beads board right here. Like or repin some of those goodies.

(photo above from Tresori Trovati, her fab charms are on my Art Bead board and here on Etsy.)

Charming Inspiration - Lucky Charm Swap

Our charm swap due date is coming up fast. Because you have an extra day this year (it's a Leap Year, so there is an extra day in February, get it?) I know you are really working on an amazing swap. You probably don't even need any inspiration, do you?

Well, just in case:

Amber Dawn's amazing blog with the sweetest, teeniest charms (and she just might be joining our swap!)

Just Simply Charming a blog by the authors of A Charming Exchange (great book!) with 1,000s of ideas

the Art Charms Yahoo Group where you can see and post a 1,000,000 pictures of charms

the Salvage Studio blog with loads of great, found-object charm ideas (and I love, love, love that fork charm hanger necklace idea!)

The Graphics Fairy with amazing, copyright-free images for you to use on your artwork...

Now, some of these blogs and sites were set up for specific swaps or books or events, meaning that the most recent post may be a bit old. Don't let that deter you. There are still lots of great ideas on these sites...click away!