Saturday, July 25, 2009

Retro thought


Hot Day in Paris by Jean Yates as seen in Stringing Magazine a while back, maybe 2006. Look at the 80's Retro feel! I had BEEN to Paris in the 80's. Danced in the clubs, with white sand scattered on the floor. Had dinner after 11 pm. A French cheeseburger and a strange dark rum and warm coke. Ugh! Jumped in the fountains. Crazy Americaine!
Eighties colors were.... these..... colors. Or purple. There was a lot of neon purple later in the decade. Everyone I knew was stir frying things for dinner and angling to get a cool neon sign for the living room, speaking of neon!
"Splash" was a popular movie. Geesh, you just don't get in or out of a decade without Tom Hanks!
I didn't have MTV, and didn't undertstand what it actually was. I did like Dire Straits however but I chose different songs than the one about MTV to be my favorite. Here is one I liked:
be warned, it stops short -- sorry!













when I first owned this song, it was issued in album form. I played along with it on my piano and felt it drag at something way within me. Something powerful and poignant.

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

Postcards from Kim Miles



Greetings from the Traveling Beadist!
I'm in Reno this week, and have spent several days making beads in my sister's driveway. Not as exciting as the Grand Canyon, but the inspiration from GC, Zion, and now Lake Tahoe are still with me. I've done some lovelies with actual earth from those wonderful places. The Grand Canyon earth was gathered from beneath a 1,000 year old juniper tree, and when I added the earth to the glass, it gave off the most delicious perfume. What fun to work with. I wish there was a way of scenting the beads! There are, however a couple of aromatherapy vessels, which you can scent any way you like! And I also have some great little earrings, and more of those flattened flower beads you liked so much.

Come on over and see what I have for you. Next stop, Monterey, CA. I'm looking forward to some beach time!Cheers!
Kim
Kim Miles ~ Beadist
Reno, Nevada (this week!)
BeadShop ~ http://www.kimmiles.bigcartel.com/
Blog - Follow My Travels! ~ http://kimmiles-takingthelongwayhome.blogspot.com/
Website ~ http://www.kimmiles.com/
Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/kimmiles.beadist?ref=profile/

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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Book Review by Jean: 101 Wire Earrings by Denise Peck


101 Wire Earrings

Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques

by Denise Peck

Editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry


Love, love, love! As the saying goes, when you are crazy about learning and you would like a creative push in the right direction. Denise Peck, who authored this extremely appealing book, is also the editor of the earlier book, Wire Style, and the editor in chief of the magazine, Step By Step Wire Jewelry.
She invited three talented coworkers to assist her in putting this collection of earrings together, and the results are fine indeed.
The earrings in general are unaffected, chic, and energetic. It's a great eclectic roundup by four masters who know how to coax you upward on the learning scale. No matter how much you know, you will know more when you are finished reading this book. There is a simple guide to help you understand the level of difficulty for each pair of earrings your are considering making. There is also every kind of tool and wire and instructions on how to make loops and spiraled ear wires and everything you will require.
I really was drawn to many of the styles in this book. My little secret when reading a jewelry design book is this: would I buy many of the projects?
If the answer which whispers itself in my ear is yes! ...
Then I lean toward buying the book.
This is a book I would buy without hesitation. It's loaded with imaginative designs and innovative prettiness. People will stop you on the street when you are wearing any one of the designs from 101 Wire Earrings by Denise Peck. Tell them you made them yourself and be proud!
Great book!
--jean

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Beadblogger Sunday




A Bead A DayCan a piece of jewelry create a feeling of calm and happiness? Check out Lisa's starry bracelet made with "new jade" stones.


About.com Jewelry MakingHow has your web store experience been? Are there too many 3rd partry sites to sell or buy jewelry these days? Take the poll as a sell or buyer.


Art Bead Scene ABS Editor Heather is on the road. Check out her quick project!


Barbe Saint JohnBarbe reviews Simply Gemstones book.


Beading ArtsCyndi shows you the steps to making a simple but sparkling necklace from CopprClay!


Carmi's Art/Life WorldRub-ons and leather - a cool combination for this cuff sample.


Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaCheck out Cindy's new project in the summer edition of Step by Step Wire!


Drawing DilemmaJean asks her friends about what drawing programs they use for beading illustrations


Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesLights, Camera, Action! Melanie tells a tale of her Beads, Baubles, and Jewels televison taping experience.


Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei is giving away a necklace and a copy of Creative Jewelry! Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean discusses finishing up the challenge "Use the Muse II" which was thought up by Scarlett Lanson, Rainbows of Light.com and Artbeads.com. She enjoyed it very much, particularly because it made her think!


Strands of Beads Melissa shows off a new variation of her lunar phases toggle.


The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Busier than a bee, Andrew shares fifteen new jewelry designs.

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Just dropping by my own blog




Ho! Hi! Hee! Here is a cool project, especially good for teens, who are the coolest!!! as we know. Margot Potter (http://www.margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com/) and her daughter Avalon whipped up a majorly great version of those fab paper lanterns I have had happy memories of since I was a kid!!! That's fifty years we're talking here! Yoikes! And the ones Margot did with Avalon are way the coolest. I loved checking them out, and you will too! Go to the top link on my blog's entry for today, and it will lead you directly to the lantern section on Margot's blog!

I guarantee you it will be worth it!


Margot n' Avalon's super-impressed pal, jean!

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Use the Muse II, Twilight Zone revisited AGAIN


I slept a lot today. Jim came in to check on me and said I had that "slack jawed, open mouthed look" which is not particularly charming. In fact, it is rather more frightening than charming, I am thinking! He didn't put it this way but the way he put it was worse, so I shall avoid his exact words.
I think I was very tired; let's just say that.
Then, after the kids came home from school, one after the other, I went to etsy to check on my PERFECT LITTLE TINY TOP HATS. What to my horrorring (<--made up word) eyes should appear...great balls of fire! They were all gone! The larger size, which real people can wear sitting pretty askew they heads as they drink pots of lap sang souchong at the Plaza, were there (well three of them were--they are great, too!) but the littlest ones, for dolls--all goooone!Insert large wail, and add a bit of headbanging. This was heartbreaking to me. I wrote a convo to the resident "candygears" store artist, Redd, and asked her to please let me know when she has made some more of the littlest size, not specifying colors or anything. Whatever she touches her hands to turns to gold! Then I left some feedback over at etsy, and began to mull over my submission to Scarlett Lanson's bead challenge, "Use the Muse II", which is assisted in many ways by the following two fine stores. Here they are listed, quoting Scarlett, who says in her blog: "My contest only runs ten weeks, and winners are announced just two weeks after entries are submitted. And the PRIZES are big! They are tangible, visible, and very desirable! I selected each prize package with my sponsors, Rainbows of Light and Artbeads!"
This comes about because if you write about the challenge and you bring in a lot of readers to Scarlet's blog, you win a prize. There is also another prize chosen randomly for anyone who has submitted and blogged! It is an excellent incentive to get people involved in writing.
Well, I didn't win anything for blogging, but Andrew Thornton won a gorgeous bead! He is not "lucky" per se; he works hard! Congrats to Andrew! He channeled lots of readers to Scarlett!

I now have some tips for my readers concerning this excellent and fun competition, for the next time it rolls around, which will be in August:
1) When you submit your...uh...submission...do NOT copy and paste it. You will have to redo it, as the photo section will not pick up your photos! On the other hand, if you make a lot of typos, maybe this could be a good thing! You will be forced to reread and correct your mistakes! I made four typos I had to correct.
2)I can't really give you too many more tips until the whole thing is over, because some of what I say might be too much of a good thing. However, in general, a great title is a big help in any situation. Have fun getting practice making up good titles! It is a great way to sum up your thinking process concerning your piece in every way, you know. It is like a condensation of your intentions.
3) My little whirling photos, when I post them above my Use the Muse II thoughts, have more than one meaning as far as this competition is concerned. I like to think that they show the process your brain goes through as it blends together the ingredients, both beads and thoughts, which end up making your design. You don't exactly need an oven to finish up your creation, but when it's done, it is done, and --you know it!

:)

jean!

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Monday, July 13, 2009

Kim Miles' Postcard Beads


Kim Miles writes:

"Hello Beadists!
Kim here, reporting LIVE from the Grand Canyon!
I've got my traveling studio up and running, and the first Travel Beads are available in my BeadShop!

Something NEW - Postcard Beads!
They're Troll-Style Beads, hand-stamped with the names of some of my favorite places as we travel.
Right now I have Grand Canyon Beads for you. I hope you'll enjoy collecting souvenirs from my travels!

You can also order actual postcards from the places I visit. Fun!

This week I'll enclose a free postcard from the Grand Canyon with every bead order!


Wish You Were Here! xo Kim"

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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Beadblogger Sunday


A Bead A DayLisa’s “Swarovski Summer Picnic” project is progressing. The only thing missing are the crystally butterflies!!

About.com Jewelry MakingSchool's out for summer, but is it really? Nope, not when you can take one of these free jewelry making e-courses.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge painting for July is the Lascaux Cave Paintings. Get your stash of beads out in ivory, red and brown to match the color palette of these ancient drawings.

Beading ArtsWonderful wonderful wonderful new CopprClay! Cyndi is so excited about this new material that she can't stop playing with it!

Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi attempts to create a necklace after a resin pouring disaster.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaCindy shows off some new chain and realizes one should never shop for jeans on her lunch hour.

Humblebeads Check out the 2009 Bead Cruise design contest winners!

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka! Jean Campbell finished off her new LeTemps Necklace design which marries bling to grunge. Hurray!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei has busted out of the studio and into the Museum of Art for a trunk show.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews a different, colorful, and inspiring book called Glass, by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett

Strands of Beads Melissa talks about where to find reliable information on copyrights - the U.S. Copyright Office, of course!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Challenging himself with a smaller scale, Andrew tackles doll jewelry. Check out five new designs with dolls in mind!

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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Rings and Things, Bead Fans

Russ, the Troll bead, from Rings and Things


Rings & Things - Bead Fans!

I received the above invitation from Russ the Troll bead yesterday! I said I would try to come to this most auspicious event at Rings & Things, and that I would invite you, my friends! Now please don't embarrass me by wearing lampshades on your heads, unless they are cool. tasteful lampshades. Yessiree, hats seem to be THE THING on my blog this week! You are invited!!! --and the deals are going to be great!

Russ, the Troll bead, thanks so much for including me -- I hate missing out on the fun!
jean

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Use the Muse II, continued




Another doorknob used to represent pondering a conundrum of beauty. HMMMMMM. Ponder, ponder. Jim certainly hangs out in some upscale doorknob stores
--cell phone photo of doorknob 2 by Jim
All right. I have until July 18 to hand over the photos and the information on myself for Use the Muse II.


Use the Muse II, jean yates, continued...
I don't know. I will say this: I went to Scarlett's site and looked at the winners of the last Muse challenge and they were very beautiful. Thank heavens I had already finished mine. I would have freaked out. When you have completed something like this, it is done. I think that has to do with the fact that someone else chose the pieces which we all use in our final designs. That lifts the burden of going every which way with your creation --you have certain colors and other limitations within which you are working.
So I am done and ready when it is time to send the photos. I just need to make up some bio stuff about myself. Let's see. I have shrunk. I am around 5'2". Should I put that in?
"Recently, Jean Yates has shrunken a bunch." That sounds important! I think I shall put that in! Hmmm. I need to think about this some more! See you later--let me know if you have any ideas for my bio!

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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

magical hat on Etsy

when I first saw this "micro-mini" hat, also available in larger sizes for real live people, I almost flipped my own lid! It was sitting on Etsy last night and there I was with NO excuse to buy it. ARGH! It haunts me still.it comes from:
candygears.etsy.com

[candygears creations]

here is what the shop has to say for itself:
candygears's Shop Announcement
This shop features my handmade creations, art and whims... Please enjoy my odd little world!
-------------------------------------
My Portfolio: candygears.com
My Flicker: flickr.com/photos/candygears
My Blog: candygears.livejournal.com



Wow! Handmade creations? Art and whims? This place is TOTALLY up my alley!
The price of this great tiny little steampunk hat is very reasonable, as well. Now I just need an excuse to purchase it! Is it my birthday yet? I wish it were! Happy Birthday to me, in July!

xox jean!

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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Beadblogger's Sunday

--photo from Jim's cell phone

A Bead A Day Do you love Swarovski Crystals? Inspired by talented jewelry designer, Lillian Chen, Lisa creates a Swarovski “sculpture” ring.

Art Bead SceneArt Bead Scene gets creative with the "Best of ABS."

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten ArtifactsSometimes you need to have a jewelry makeover.

Beading ArtsCyndi reports on her experiences with firing and finishing CopprClay pieces. This stuff rocks!

Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi tries Ice Resin and upcycles a greeting card into a necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaCindy learns to make murrini and deals with mud.

Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesEven without a lot of time on her hands, Melanie finishes a clockwork themed bracelet using Swarovski faceted rings from ArtBeads.com

HumblebeadsBead & Button stash and Heather's inspired creations are highlighted today.

Jean CampbellJean gives a sneak peek of her next Beadwork magazine piece

Katie's Beading BlogCheck out Katie's wire-wrapped dragonfly!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioInstead of continuing on with the tried and true techniques of jewelry design, Lorelei is finally ready to take the leap and try something new.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!Jean gets her cool stash from Use the Muse II, and muses about it

Strands of BeadsMelissa wants to know what outrageous materials are in your beading stash?

The Writing and Art of Andrew ThorntonStop by and say hello to Andrew in Charlotte, NC this weekend. Check out his new designs and some delicious new metal clay coins!

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Saturday, July 4, 2009

Fourth of July

My dolls, in honor of today, with red, white, and blue hair, all blue eyes, and white dresses for the 4th of July party they were invited to. I had no idea I had that many frilly white dresses!

MEANWHILE: Jim, who is NOT a vegetarian anymore, went to help his brother do something and stopped on the way back for a 4th of July Bar B Q. He doesn't seem to mind he is eating alone and tole me tales of a family whose child dropped his ice cream cone and needed a redo. Jim showed him the Ketchup in his own shirt and said to him something like, "Look, I have this ketchup in my shirt! Don't feel bad! Your dad is getting you another cone, upside down this time!" <--you figure out what that means...The kid, who was pretty little, said, "I have CHEESE on my shirt!" enthusiastically. hahah so here is where Jim had lunch
and here, below, IS Jim's lunch! Happy 4th! Whoo hoo!


Before the family left, Jim went to his car and got out a new American flag and gave it to the family with the little kid. He said to them, "When somebody drops ice cream on the 4th of July, they get an American flag!"
Yay, Jim!

Hope YOU are having a fun day!
jean

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Friday, July 3, 2009

Jimmy Cagney, doll jewelry


Quill posing politely in honor of the upcoming holiday, wearing her special necklace I made in honor of the Fourth of July







From the movie : "Yankee Doodle Dandy", with James Cagney


I made a little holiday jewelry for my fiery red headed doll, Quill. It is a necklace made from a pewter GGS (www.greengirlstudios.com) charm, with a shining star, and a mystical looking reddish-pink cosmos bead, hand riveted, using sterling silver, with a cz in it, by Kim Miles (www.kimmiles.com), and a collection of hand made petite and all around useful fine silver stars by that Crafty Princess, Tammy Powley, sold at her etsy store: www.tammypowley.etsy.com.
My girl Quill will undoubtedly be off on vacation to the islands tomorrow with her boyfriend Tarquin, so I had to get her to pose today, even though it is only the third of July. We love this holiday, Independence Day, and own our own copy of Yankee Doodle Dandy. I love that movie, as does Jim. People who haven't seen Jimmy Cagney dance owe it to themselves to go out right now and get ahold of that wonderful movie about George M. Cohan and his family! Jim likes it when Cagney dances down the White House stairs as Cohan, after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. He says that scene chokes him up every time. But I like the scene which I put up here on my blog, above: Cagney playing the horse jockey waiting anxiously before getting the signal that he has been exonerated after being blamed for throwing a race in Great Britain. What an amazing actor and furthermore, dancer! Here's to Jimmy Cagney!

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