Happy Monday! And it's a new month. Welcome March - I am hoping for sunshine and a few flowers starting to peep through, maybe not so much warmth but longer days and more light. Today, the sun is shining and the sky is blue, and I'm planning on going for a little walk once I've finished writing this post, get some air into my lungs.
A new month also means a new theme! This month is stringing materials - particularly those which are either artisan-made or -altered. I have a few lovely things to share with you today. I would love it if you could share some links in the comments below too! I know there is such a wealth of talent out there that I don't know about - I want to share all of those artists and resources here too so we can all enjoy them.
First up, Claire Braunbarth of Smitten Beads. She hand-dyes this beautiful chiffon silk ribbon. She works in relatively small batches so once each colour lot is gone, it may be gone for ever! Here's just a few of her colour lots:
Sea Breeze
Almost Aubergine
Light Periwinkle
And there are many more over at Smitten!
Next up, one of my all-time favourite jewellery and component artisans - Patina Queen. When I went on holiday to California last year, we met up several times and it was so fantastic to meet someone whose components I'd been working with for so long. We had lots of laughs, particularly over British-English and American-English language differences. I'm sure some of you will know some of those funny words that mean one thing over here with me and another over the pond!
She has a huge range of different components available - here is some of her beautiful antiqued brass chain, Fancy Figaro:
My personal favourite, the Round Snake Chain:
And Psst! If you shop over at PQ's website rather than her etsy shop, she's got a sweet 10% off coupon code! Hop over to her front page to check it out.
Lastly, little old me! I have hand-finished and sealed antiqued copper wire available over at my supplies shop at The Curious Bead Shop. I've been offering this for about a month or so now and I'm so pleased with how popular it's been. I know myself how nice it is to work with the real deal - pure copper rather than plated wire, and I'm glad other people feel the same.
Antiqued and sealed copper wire in 0.6 - 1mm (gauges 24 - 18).
Have a great week! Here are the Bead Blogger Links:
Art Bead Scene
It's February's Monthly Challenge Recap! Come and see what our amazing readers created based on Paul Klee's The Rose Garden.
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew hosted a Design Challenge on his blog! "Radiant Orchid" was the theme! Come check out what all the participants made in the blog hop!
Resin Crafts Blog
How to make a mold with a half doll body.
Carmi's Art/Life World
How to turn a group of brooches into a necklace!
Anniversary Quilt: Middles and Ends
Cherie continues working on her quilt project.
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean writes a poem about (what else?) jewelry making as she participates in a fun 30 word blog hop created by Erin Prais-Hintz
A Bead A Day
Ever been to sunny Beadland? Lisa shares details of her recent trip...Is this the real life or is this just fantasy?
Cinnabar Chinese Lantern Earrings & Necklace
Eileen set out to make a set of jewelry for Valentine's Day. When she went to her red bead stash, her eyes locked on some beautiful red carved cinnabar beads just perfect for the design she had in mind anyway!
Mixed Media Artist
Check out how you can use dryer sheets to "paint" a quilt!
Beading Arts
Cyndi is struggling to keep up with the Bead Journal Project this year, but that's probably because she decided to do much bigger pieces!
#Durathon Iron Giveaway!
An iron is used for everyday house chores, but it is also an important tool for many needlework crafters. Find out how you can win an awesome new Hamilton Beach Durathon irong.
Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer, currently living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.