Beadwork is a Wonderful Art

As you know, I’m a jewelry designer (among several other arts) and this past year I’ve been learning beadworking.  It is amazing how relaxing it can be.  I love doing all of the stitches and watching how each piece turns out.  It is time consuming, but worth all that you put into it.

For those who want to start beadworking, I suggest getting a subscription to the magazines “Beadwork” and “Bead and Button.”  These publications are a font of beadworking knowledge.  You can learn the stitches and create the projects.

The bracelet shown is my bracelet that I made for the Lake Shore Artists group annual May Exhibit.  It won second place to my surprise.

Since I’m learning beadworking, I will add it to my list of creative things to do.  I will post my projects as I go along.

Thanks for stopping by  🙂

Green….like Spring!

I don’t know about you, but I have had enough of winter….the white stuff still covers the ground outside.  I can’t wait to see those pretty little flowers showing up.  I need Spring and everything green.  Here’s a little bit of green for you all.  I recently made this green bracelet and listed it in my etsy shop BohemianIce here’ the link http://www.etsy.com/listing/67795227/green-multi-gemstone-and-pearl-bracelet

Well, I figure that I can share with you, who may be newbies to jewelry making, how to make a bracelet like this.  First, I used what’s called memory wire….it’s hard, coiled wire that can be used for making jewelry.  I like to get the good quality kind.  Snip off the amount that you want (how big a bracelet) with a, and this is very important, a not so good pair of heavy duty wire cutters…(DO NOT USE YOUR GOOD SNIPPERS OR WIRE CUTTERS…YOU’LL RUIN THEM).  Then file smooth both ends of the wire.  Next, take your round nose pliers and turn back the first end…you can add a charm here if you like.  Next, just add all of your desired beads, gemstones, pearls, etc.  Finally, finish off the finished end the same way that you did the first end. 

Happy jewelry designing!

Bohemian Ice Jewelry…Gold Spiral Wirewrapped Bracelet…please VOTE for my bracelet :D

Hey, all my peeps….I need a favor….I belong to a great group called “On Fire for Handmade.”  This group has a poll each week on a website called, “Made For Me By Oaklie.”  My  Gold Spiral Bracelet,  pictured here,  has been featured in this poll this week and I would LOVE to win.   The winner gets free advertising.  I can use the promotion.

The name of the poll is “Midas Touch.”  Please go to this page, madeformebyoaklie.com/greatfinds.html, scroll way down until you see my bracelet on the left titled “Bohemian Ice,” and you will see to the left of the picture a list of the participants.  Go to “Bohemian Ice,” I think it’s 6th from the bottom of the list, and click on the little dot to the left of the name….then go to the bottom of the list and click on “submit vote.”

I really appreciate your votes everyone!  You’re all the BEST! 😀

You can see more information on this bracelet and more of my jewelry at Bohemian Ice Jewelry Shop on Etsy. 

Here’s a shout out for my peeps and the sites:

Made For Me By Oaklie FB page  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-for-Me-by-Oaklie/102558979013?__a=1

Etsy Promo Love http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128270993863622

Madeformebyoaklie etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/madeformebyoaklie

Feb. 4, 2011 UPDATE   Thank you everyone for voting for me.  I did win. YAY.  I appreciate your votes  😀

Big Summer Blowout – Prices Reduced at Bohemian Ice Jewelry Etsy

At Bohemian Ice Jewelry Etsy, many prices have been reduced for the End of Summer Blowout…..necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.  Also, I am happy to announce that the shipping fees have changed to $2.00 on first item…$0 on the rest of the items in your order.  Yes, that’s only a total of  $2.00 shipping on any order.  So, have a look at my artisan bling.  Satisfaction guaranteed.

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion…..UGH!

I’m a fine artist….digital artist…..photographer…..jewelry artist…..gardener…..don’t you think that I have enough to do…..and then add in daughter, wife, friend….mother….Christian…and the list goes on.   I’m not trying to sound harsh or anything, but don’t you think I have enough to do besides being an advertiser, salesperson, blogger, small business data entry person…the list goes on…….I HATE PROMOTION!!! 

WELL,  now that I got THAT off my chest!!!!   It’s just so hard for people who aren’t salespeople, to be salespeople…..I want to sell my stuff, but it just gets crazy sometimes……create the item (the part I enjoy)….add it to your online store (not my favorite, but I’ll survive)….twitter it…..twitter it….twitter it again…..facebook it…..blog it…..and on and on…..the list seems so endless!   I’m just a shameless complainer 😀

Well, do a girl a favor and check out my stuff here Bohemian Ice Artisan Jewelry and here Alive With Color (art and photography…still adding to this one)…..thanks….that feels better 🙂

A Jewelry Artists Review – “Bead Stoppers”

I’ve decided that periodically, as I come across some item or tool that can help a fellow artist, I’m going to blog my opinion on that particular item or tool.  I’m not expecting everyone in the world to agree with my reviews, but it’ll just be my personal opinion on something that I feel works well or helps a creative person in what they do.  If it helps you, GREAT!  I’m glad to help someone. 

Today I’m going to tell you about the greatest little tool that a jewelry artist can have…they’re called “bead stoppers.”  These little spring-like things are great to use when you are a clutze like I am and you are stringing beads.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked on a necklace and had gotten it close to done and mistakenly dropped the wire and a thousand beads fall and scatter all over the floor.  What frustration!!! 

These little helpers are an essential tool for any jewelry artist….I would almost bet that anyone could come up with at least one use for these other than holding your beads on the wire.  I can think of one right now….as someone who paints, I can see using one to hold your photograph to your work area or easel.  They come in two sizes and several to a pack….see here  http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H203873BS  and  http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H203287BS  .  There is also a how-to video on the Fire Mountain website  http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/beading_projects.asp?docid=9731  .   Watch this video, they tell you all about the different ways to use these tiny helpers.