Fabric of My Life with Shelley Graham Turner

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

I TOLD you - I'm a craft nut!

Well I warned y'all - I am trying my hand at yet ANOTHER craft. This time it's papercrafting!

Check out my first swap CLICK HERE.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Published! Bead Chat JULY 2013

Check out the my interview on pages 35-36 of the July edition of Artisan Whimsy's BEAD CHAT magazine.

Glossi.com - July 2013 BEAD Chat Magazine by Artisan Whimsy

Click to view July 2013 BEAD Chat Magazine by Artisan Whimsy on GLOSSI.COM

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Trying to remember that BLUE is one of my favorite colors!

I been feeling a bit blue lately, can't pinpoint exactly why. I been taking some time "off" to ponder things. LOTS has happened in my life over this past year. Not sure what has caused this, probably a combination of things, whatever it is I KNOW I have to shake this before it takes over!

So I have been thinking. First, I decided that I will make a change to my business. I was attempting to sell my jewelry at the local Farmer's Market but find although my designs are what I call "nature-inspired", they are probably too high end for this venue. SO after talking with my husband we decided to rent some space at the gallery in North Carolina where I currently have some pieces on consignment. I will be setting up my space there very soon - more on that at a later date.

For the Farmer's Market, I am taking this month off to get my ideas together. During my days sitting there I had LOADS of time to watch people. Here's what I observed:

there are TWO other jewelry vendors (and their prices are quite low compared to mine - BUT hey, ALL my pieces include artbeads made by myself or my artist friends!)
there were quite a few families with children visiting the market.
the children were my BEST visitors - very talkative, asked me lots of questions and wanted to try things on (made their parents cringe when they picked up my pieces but I told them no worries, it's fine!)
I liked interacting with the children. I have worked with kids my whole life but in recent years I had gotten away from it.
My space is located near the entrance to the Visitor's Center (where the bathrooms and sitting benches are located LOL!) I actually have loads of traffic!

Since my older grandkids are visiting this summer I decided WHY NOT gear things towards the kids?

First Saturdays at the market are geared to families - they have a petting zoo, live music and other special activities. I want to take full advantage of it!

I'm busy now researching, gathering new supplies (bright colored glazes!) and trying out some designs. I want to make some jewelry, kits and "try me" activities. I'm planning on getting my granddaughters* into the act too! Thinking they can make some magnets, pinchpots and such things. Maybe I can even get some teaching gigs out of the deal!

* my grandson will be there too, he's the eye-candy for the teen girls being dragged along! LOL.

We'll see how it pans out BUT in the meantime all this planning HAS picked up my spirits a bit! Fingers crossed!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

REVEAL: Sadafulee's Summer Anklet Blog Hop

My friend Kashmira Patel of Sadafulee challenged us to make our own summer anklet. Since I now live near the beach I do wear a lot of sandals, and I wear anklets too!

I decided to make a floral design using a cute little flower lampwork bead along with some sweet little iridescent leaves, all strung on a wire filled with violet seed beads.

I can't wait to rock it...now to see what everyone else came up with... MAYBE I can find a few to add to my collection!

Special thanks to Kashmira for being our hostess!

Kashmira Patel	http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Kaushambi Shah	Will post on Kashmira's blog
Jean Wells	http://jeanawells.blogspot.com
Mischelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Shellie Grindie	http://www.creativeeclectica.com
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Monique U	http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata	http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
Susan	http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson	http://www.kayzkreationz.blogspot.com
Mimi Gardner	http://othercuriosities.blogspot.com
Anindita Basu	http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Rita (Toltec Jewels)	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Lynda Carson	http://freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Ema Kilroy	http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Emma Todd	http://www.apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
K Morgan	www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson	http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Cheri Reed	http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson	http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Michelle Buettner	http://www.misheldesigns.blogspot.com
Sandra McGriff	http://www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Stephanie Weiss	http://uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendoza	http://roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Dagi	http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com

Monday, May 20, 2013

REVEAL: Whimsical Monkey Earring Swap

Oh Lord, I can not believe I am LATE for this reveal, AND being late or not showing for a blog hop is one of my pet peeves too!
I apologize! I TOTALLY forgot about this! [Technically my post isnt late as I got it up on reveal day but mailing was 😪 ]

A while back I signed up to take part in the Whimsical Monkey Earring Swap hosted by Jessica Murray.

My very patient partner for this swap was Laura Medeiros. We went back and forth via e-mails and agreed we'd swap three pairs of earrings. I asked a few questions to try and figure out her style. She told me she liked dangles, but not too long (me either); she liked all colors but wasn't into pastels (me either); and she didn't like anything with a "manufactured look" (me either!)

I also took a look at her Facebook photos and saw that she has a unique style, seems into steampunk and she ALSO belly dances!, or so it appears from her photos - YOU GO GIRL! Overall I'd say she seems like a fun-loving person!

So here is what I created for her -

Pair #1
I used my brass coils and some silver and brass findings - mixed metallics are some of my favs.

Pair #2
I've had these pretty lampworks for a while - think they give these little swirlies a real sassy look!

Pair #3
I paired up some of my polymer clay roses with some brass findings to which I wired a few beads, just for a different look.

I hope she likes them. They probably aren't steampunk exactly but I think they are unique.Because I forgot the date I haven't mailed them out but will get them in the mail TONIGHT!

If you want to see what she created for me (very yummy copper creations!!) check them out by CLICKING HERE.

You can also visit all the other participants below.
Jessica Murray (Hostess): http://whimsicalweavings.blogspot.com

Inge von Roos: http://ingetraud.wordpress.com