Hooter Challenge: THE OWL

The Owl

 Moon raker
prey taker
hunter of the night.
In his nest
he takes his rest
hidden from the light.

Moon glider
star rider
stalker of my dreams.
He is wise
and in his eyes
cosmic magic gleams.

-Sharleen Newland   

Go here to vote:  http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/page/hooters

My fellow bead maker Marla has started a new blog/facebook page called Artisan Whimsy. There is currently a contest going on over at the blog for "best owl". Well what the heck, I thought I would enter it. This design was hand carved into a lino sheet, then I roll the clay over the texture and cut out the pendant. The pendant was inspired by this poem I wrote.

Beads of Clay Challenge - Pier Color Palette

My professional bead makers group, Beads of Clay, is sponsoring a color challenge once a month. Brandi Girl Blog is posting a color palette for us bead makers to use when glazing new pieces. We are to use the color palette for inspiration for new ways of using color. We can choose one or two colors, or use them all. Here is this months color palette:

Here is the link to Brandi's blog: http://www.brandigirlblog.com/2012/05/color-palette-108-pier-palette.html and, VIOLA: here are the beads and pendants I created using this color scheme

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Beads of Clay Designer Challenge

My professional ceramic bead makers group, Beads of Clay (www.beads-of-clay.blogspot.com) recently sponsored a challenge.  5 bead makers were asked to donate components with a sky blue and sand color theme to 5 jewelry designers that like to use art beads.  The designers were asked to make 2 pieces using the componenents provided.
I was randomly chosen to make the pendant.
Today the results of the challenge were revealed.
Go to the above link to take a tour of the great results! It is interesting to see how each designer uses the same components in their own individual ways.

Friday, June 29, 2012

New Beads in Etsy Store

I love making beads as well as pendants.  My creative inspiration the past few weeks has been leading me into beads.  These little works of art make great earrings, and I can see a necklace with many of just these beads and glass accents or silver in between. 
It's easy to make an earring by just stringing them on a head pin with accent beads and making a wire loop at the top for the ear wire.
They are decorated on both sides of the bead.
Sold individually, order 1 or many.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Art Bead Earring Swap

Diana who hosts the blog, http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/; has hosted an earring swap that I accepted the invite to participate in.  I had two swap partners, Fay Wolfenden and Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads.
The only requirements for the earring designs were that the ear wires be sterling, and the designer must use hand made art beads.
Here are the wonderful earrings that I received from my partners:

These were made by Fay Wolfenden, glass and metal artist. Here is her materials list:
sterling silver
lampwork beads
swarovski crystals
Chunky and sparkly, and the neutral color scheme makes them so wearable!

This lovely pair came from my partner Sue Kennedy.  Sue makes lampwork and enamel beads.
I especially love her choice of ear wires for this flowery pair.
The long curved shape goes perfectly with the blossoms and brings to mind
a stem or leaf.

Here is a better shot of the wires.
This was fun! Visit the Gossiping Goddess
for a full tour of the swap.
Thank you Sue and Fay for my wonderful earrings!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Free Shipping

Memorial Day Special
Use discount code freeship1 in my Etsy store to receive free shipping on today's order
http://www.shaterra.etsy.com/

Monday, May 21, 2012

Wild Pony Shell Pendant

I just took a vacation in Atlantic Beach, NC. This lovely area features 3 barrier islands that are federally protected and completely undeveloped. All 3 islands are populated with wild horses that are descended from Spanish bloodlines. It is believed that the original horses were shipwreck survivors that managed to swim to shore, and were able to find fresh water by pawing the sand. The horses have been on the islands for over two hundred years.


The islands are also premier shelling destinations. This was seventh heaven for me, being a jewelry designer and wire wrapper: the beach provided me with 3 bags full of beautiful shell fragments to wire wrap into pendants.  Here are my first two:

This is a fossilized shell,  2 1/4 x 2 1/2", square 22G wire

1 3/4 wide x 3" long