November Bead Trends

It has been a busy past couple of months and I haven’t found the time to post any updates. And since I have a couple days off – I’ll be playing catch up ;)

In November, I was thrilled to be a part of Bead Trends Magazine’s November 2009 issue. If you are looking for new and exciting ideas – this magazine is for you. I love their style of photography. Their use of complimentary colors and props bring each piece of jewelry to life.

The two items in this issue were:
“Primeval” (a necklace/earring set) on pages – 58 & 59. When I finished the focal bead, it reminded me of some strange primordial ooze were life began; the pearls represent the connection of land & sea, and the pyramid shape speaks of the connection between nature & science. Everywhere we look we can see this divine interaction from the construction of the honey bee hive to the crystalline structure of gem stones.

“Fallen Leaves” (earring set) November Editor’s Pick for 2009 page 44. The concept behind the design/texture of the 18mm Fine Silver .999 (Precious Metal Clay) beads was to invoke the sensation of traveling back to a long forgotten era – and walking along an ancient stone pathway. The leaves are representative of the future changes which would come to this world – much like fall changes into winter.

To download free instructions for the “Fallen Leave” beads go to this page:
http://northridgemedia.net/blogs/beadtrends/?p=470

I would like to thank all the people at Bead Trends Magazine who make this publication possible and for the opportunity to again share my treasure with the world.

Carrie B

The Survivor

The Elm Goddess, aka “The Survivor”. Like many of us this Goddess hides her scares behind a pretty face. She was created during the same time as the Oak Goddess. The concept of the two pendants was derived from the idea that all things are connected and alive.

We cohabitate on a living planet, Earth is not just some rock floating in outer space. It is alive, and fluid – both internally and externally. Molten Magma push against the tectonic plates and the Ocean Waters caress the coastline of every continent. Earth will always continue to change and evolve – sometimes quietly and sometimes violently.

During the firing process the two pendants (The Elm Goddess and The Oak Goddess) both slipped off the kiln shelf as I was loading it into a hot kiln, and landed in the back of the kiln. As I reached in with a pair of tongs to pull the Elm Goddess out first, it slipped out of the tongs and crashed on to the table. Leaving the shattered pendant lay on the table I retrieved the Oak Goddess from the kiln; it was now on fire as the organic binder in the PMC (precious metal clay) had started to burn. I managed to blow out the flames, and allowed it to cool. To my amazement the Oak Goddess was unharmed. I rearranged the kiln shelf and proceeded to fire the remaining items.

I then looked at the disfigured pile which had been the Elm Goddess just minutes before. Feeling disappointed at what seemed like such a waste of materials and time; I could not bring myself to throw it away. I had heard that broken PMC pieces could be repaired using paste, so it would be a project for another day. I placed the pieces on a saucer and set it aside on a shelf in my studio – where it sat for a long while.

The next spring as new leaves were forming, I noticed the elm trees which grow sporadically out were we live. They reminded me of the Elm Goddess sitting on the shelf. Her leaves had all broken off and her face was cracked in two. One afternoon I started to put her face back together. The front matched up fairly well, but it needed a heavy layer of paste to hold it together from the back. After it dried, I repaired the oval ring on the back that is used as a support for the piece. Once the face and support were stable, I proceeded to layer new leaves around the face. Carefully placing the leaves to hide the scars, she was once again transformed into something beautiful.

After being fired, polished and finished with a antique patina, the evidence of her rough beginnings was only visible from the back. The pendant reminds me about how funny life can be sometimes. We have all had times were we have had to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and put things back together again. In a way we are all survivors.

Editor's Pick for July

My Oak Goddess Necklace has been chosen for Bead Trends Blog - July Editor's Pick (see second article on this page) VISIT - http://scrapbooktrendsmag.com/blogs/beadtrends/

Wicked

After a weekend of taking care of some unplanned home repairs, I thought I would take a minute to post one of the photos from Saturday nights thunderstorm. Summer storms in this mountainous area of New Mexico can provide an incredible light show. It's been about four years since we have had this kind of activity, it was a welcomed relief from the heat. My husband captured this shot with a one minute exposure.

TODAY

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY !!!

Oak Goddess Necklace

The Oak Goddess necklace in the July issue of Bead Trends Magazine is one of my favorite creations. The center piece was finished some time ago, and only recently transformed into the wearable art work you see today.


For many years my husband and I attended Renaissance Fairs as vendors. Some of my designs are a cross between Celtic & Contemporary. My introduction to PMC (precious metal clay) was in late 2006, the flexibility of the media gave me the ability to create truly one of a kind works of art with out the cost of casting equipment.


The first time I worked with PMC, was at Mama's Minerals, here in Albuquerque. It was a reasonably priced half day class, with only about 7 students in attendance. Although the class was structured, students were encouraged to experiment and come up with our own ideas. My Double Calla Lily focal piece was one of the creations from that class - and is currently part of my private collection. PMC has become kind of an addiction, and now with bronze & copper clay – the possibilities are endless.

With that said, after investing money into a kiln, tools, and pmc; the concept of the Oak Goddess was developed. Wanting to create something on the line of the mythical Green Man, I started experimenting with different face molds. Once I achieved a face that I liked, it was a matter of how to form a base to support the pendant & shape the leaves around the face.

The Oak Goddess has a sister the Elm Goddess aka. “The Survivor” and she has her own story. Both were ready for firing at the same time, but do to a kiln mishap, The Survivor would not be fired for another six months.

Once fired the Oak Goddess was tumbled polished, and then treated with a solution of liver of sulfur giving it a slight antique look. At a later point, on one of my trips to Mama’s Mineral, I found the Olive Jade beads. It just seemed to click – I could see in my minds eye exactly how the necklace should be put together. It’s like having a good song or computer code in your head, it bounces around, and at some point has to be let out.

When I found a Bead Trends Magazine in our local Barnes & Noble book store, I was hooked. All the beautiful items handmade by other artists, with instructions on how they created them - what a great idea – so fearless! I know some artists who are so guarded that they are afraid to share their ideas with the world. It is my philosophy that if you can follow my instructions and create something similar for yourself, it will never be an exact copy; for the simply fact we are all different.

I would also like to thank that all the people at Beads Trends Magazine, who allowed me the opportunity to be published in such a prestigious magazine, and share my art work with the world. You Rock!

Doulbe Calla Lily

One of the first pieces I made from PMC was the Doudle Calla Lily pendant, it was later turned into a necklace.

Spring in the Mountains

Part of the joy of living in a mountain area is the wildlife. Spring always means new babies of all kinds. This year a couple bird families found shelter in the rafters of our porches. One couple built their nest just outside our back door. The was incredible to watch this pair care for their young from the building of the nest to the day when the fledglings were strong enough to to fly. As we didn't want to intrude on the new parents, we kept photography to a minimum. My husband was able to get a couple pictures on the baby birds day a departure.

Micheal Jackson

My condolences to the family,
friends and fans of Micheal Jackson.


My heart goes out to his three children in this time of sorrow.