Blue Daisies

The May 2011 issue of Bead Trends arrived on my doorstep yesterday. My mind drew a blank as to which project was scheduled to appear in this particular issue. It wasn't until I flipped through the pages that I stumbled upon my Blue Daisies project on pages 78 and 79.

This necklace is the companion piece to my earrings that were featured in the Earrings, Earrings, Earrings book (below) by Barb Switzer. The photographer for Bead Trends did a wonderful job photographing my necklace.

I particularly like the story that Tatia Meyer, editor of Bead Trends, tells about a designer who was discouraged by a jewelry instructor. The instructor said that no magazine would want the student's work. Well, it turns out that this student's work is published in this issue of Bead Trends.

I can't believe there are people who would act in such a childish way, especially a teacher.  I had a similar experience when I was seeking to learn metalwork many, many years ago. I approached a metalsmith at a local arts festival, and I asked her where she learned how to design jewelry. In a very nasty tone, she replied, "From the school of hard knocks."

Little did this woman know that her answer drove me even more to find a metalsmith instructor, which I did. A year later I saw that same woman at my very first craft festival. It turns out she couldn't take the competition from a young girl who had the same skills, and she actually picked a fight with me at the festival. Back in the day, there weren't many metalsmiths, and I think she was intimidated. Yes, there are definitely nuts out there.

Thank You!

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by Barnes & Noble yesterday for my jewelry demo and book promo to promote Tammy Powley's newest release titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making as well as the other two books that I'm featured in by Barb Switzer.

It was so good to see former jewelry students, art students, friends, and family. I appreciate your support!

Jewelry Demo & Book Promo Event at Barnes & Noble

Join me on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Barnes & Noble in the Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, for an afternoon of  jewelry-making fun and information.  As a design contributor to Tammy Powley's new book titled The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making, I'll be promoting the book and doing jewelry demos from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

I'll be on hand to show you the actual jewelry featured in the book, and you'll get a chance to see some basic jewelry-making techniques. You'll also have a chance to review the other two jewelry books by Barb Switzer that I've been published in.

I'll also have a list of my upcoming jewelry workshops being offered at Arts YOUniverse, A.C. Moore, and The Banana Factory. To learn more about the event, and to obtain directions, click here.

Stop by, and say hello. I'd love to see you!

Jewelry Pages on LizRevit.com

Over the Christmas holiday, I photographed samples of my jewelry, and created several pages for the jewelry pages on my Web site.  Thank goodness for Photoshop!

It's amazing how many pieces of jewelry one can make over the years. I have several pieces of jewelry on my Web site that I created when I was learning metalsmithing techniques with instructors Gary Grossman and Norah Masseti. They were fabulous teachers and great sources of inspiration and encouragement.

Feel free to stop by my Web site, and let me know what you think. I always welcome your comments. Click here to visit the jewelry pages.

Design Featured in the Simply Beads Newsletter

I opened my Simply Beads newsletter this morning and was delighted to see my Autumn Takes Flight earrings project featured as the free project in the Volume 4, Number 16 (November 24, 2010) issue. This project originally appeared in the book titled Four Seasons of Beading by Barb Switzer.

Be sure to sign up for the Simply Beads newsletter for design inspiration and some fabulous projects.

To print a copy of this project, visit http://simplybeadskitclub.com/, and click on "Simply Beads newsletter," and then click on "free project."

 

Autumn Takes Flight

Design by Liz Revit
Get creative using resin charms to create these fabulous, lightweight earrings, adding whimsy to your autumn wardrobe. Swarovski® crystals add just a touch of sparkle to these fun-to-wear earrings.

Skill level

Intermediate

Materials

• 2 (3/4 x 3/4-inch) gold resin square charms
• 4 pewter spacers
• 2 (8mm) green pearls
• 4mm CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements bicone crystals:
  2 light Colorado topaz, 2 topaz, 2 erinite
• 6 (1 1/2-inch) 24-gauge sterling silver head pins
• 2 (7mm) silver-plated jump rings
• 2 sterling silver ear wires
• 2 (3-inch) lengths 20-gauge dead-soft sterling silver wire
• Round-nose pliers
• 2 pairs of chain-nose pliers
• Wire cutters

Finished Size

2 1/4 inches long

Instructions

1. Using both pairs of chain-nose pliers, open a jump ring and slide it onto a resin charm. Close ring.
2. Form a wrapped loop at one end of a 3-inch piece of wire, attaching loop to onto jump ring attached to charm before wrapping. String a pewter spacer, pearl and a pewter spacer. Form a wrapped loop. Trim excess wire.
3. Slide a bicone crystal onto a head pin. Form a wrapped loop. Trim excess wire. Repeat two more times for a total of three beaded dangles.
4. Open loop on ear wire. Slide on all three beaded dangles and wrapped loop above pearl. Close loop.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for second earring.

Sources: Resin charms from Plaid Enterprises Inc.; pearls from Blue Moon Beads; pewter spacers from Talisman Associates Inc.; crystals, head pins and wire from Fusion Beads; ear wires and jump rings from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Copyright © 2009 Four Seasons of Beading, Annie's Attic. All rights reserved.

Jewelry Design Sketch

When designing jewelry, I often sketch the design idea on paper before diving into the project. A lot of times, I'll color the design with watercolors, color pencils, or markers.

The sketch featured here was created using pencil and watercolors. I had an idea for a necklace using turquoise and red coral. Using this design approach helps me stay more organized.

If you have an interesting approach to designing jewelry, arts, crafts, etc., I'd love to hear about it.

Four Seasons of Beading Now Available

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~Four Seasons of Beading

As a writer and designer for jewelry and crafting projects, the most satisfying part of the process is seeing my creations in print. It takes a long time until a book or magazine hits the bookshelves, but that's what makes the entire process worthwhile.

When I opened the door this morning, the new book titled Four Seasons of Beading by Barb Switzer was sitting on my doorstep. Once again, Barb did a wonderful job on this project. The photographs in this book are spectacular.

Wow! What an honor it is to be in the same book as Barb Switzer, Molly Schaller, Margot Potter, Candie Cooper, Fernando Dasilva, and all the other great designers!

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~

This necklace is called Sea Treasure. The focal pendant is by bead artist Joan Miller. I purchased the pendant at last year's Philadelphia Bead Show. I knew the pendant would work well with the cathedral glass beads by Blue Moon Beads that I purchased from A.C. Moore as well as the chunks of turquoise and amethyst chips purchased from Fusion Beads.

No stringing project would be complete without the pewter beads called "pewties" by Talisman Associates. The seashell beads were purchased from Sweet Creek Inc.

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~

Since I have the pleasure of teaching art and jewelry making at our local A.C. Moore store in Wilkes-Barre, I always get to see all the latest products. I love that aspect of teaching at this fabulous craft store! When I spied the new resin beads by Plaid Enterprises, I went nuts!

I also purchased the green pearls by Blue Moon Beads from A.C. Moore. Again, the pewter beads are from Talisman Associates, the Swarovski crystals are from Fusion Beads, and the head pins and jump rings are from Fire Mountain Gems.

If you like these resin charms, fellow jewelry designer Candie Cooper has a fabulous changeable pendant project on page 122 using long, resin charms by Plaid Enterprises.

As a metalsmith, I had the chance to take a class with a pioneer in resin for jewelry making in the early 90s with Susan Sloan. Believe me. This is a long process, and if you like quick and easy jewelry making like Margot Potter does, it's worth purchasing these resin beauties by Plaid Enterprises.

If you're looking for some fabulous jewelry projects, ask for this new book at your local craft or bookstore, or visit Amazon.com to pick up a copy today.

Now on to my next project.

Liz's Jewelry Now Available at The Lure of Sirens

I'm happy to announce that my jewelry is now available for sale at The Lure of Sirens just in time for the holiday shopping season. Be sure to stop by The Lure of Sirens, which is located on the third floor at Arts YOUniverse.
Carrey Ann, the owner of The Lure of Sirens, sells her artwork, gifts, jewelry, and belly-dance wear. Yes, she offers belly-dance lessons. Carrey Ann was hard at work when I stopped by.

Carrey Ann does a wonderful job displaying her jewelry and gifts. The store/studio is a great place to shop and visit.

Don't forget about the holiday craft fair that will be held at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Be sure to visit The Lure of Sirens during this upcoming shopping event. You're sure to find something for that special someone.

Holiday Crafting at Arts YOUniverse

We had a blast today at our holiday crafting event at Arts YOUniverse. Participants ranging from ages 6 through 90 were invited to attend our all-day crafting workshops, and we even had a guest photographer from the Times Leader show up to take pictures of the event. Be sure to watch the paper for the story next week.

Kathleen Godwin, executive director at Arts YOUniverse, taught students how to crochet with old fabric, make dolls, and make dream catchers. She also taught students how to make origami boxes, and she showed them some neat origami tricks, such as making Christmas trees and wearable rings using dollar bills. Kathleen is the origami queen!

I showed students how to make jewelry using recycled mat board and decorative art papers.

The students did a fantastic job with their recycled jewelry!

I also taught students how to use recycled brown paper bags to create these lovely, little decorations. These ornaments are stuffed with Christmas-scented potpourri, and they make for wonderful, folksy, primitive Christmas decorations.

Of course, I had to tell everyone why I came up with the idea for making these paper ornaments. Read more about that here.

A fun time was had by all today. We will definitely hold another crafting event like this in the future. Stay tuned for more fun.

Today's Times Leader Article

I'd like to thank Times Leader reporter, Mike McGinley, for the wonderful article he wrote titled Home (made) for the Holidays, which appears in today's Times Leader on pages 1D and 6D. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mike about some of the craft projects that I'll be teaching at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, November 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kathleen Godwin, executive director of Arts YOUniverse, and I will be conducting crafting workshops all day for folks ages 8 through 90. Join us for one or all of the workshops that we're offering for just $10. Visit ArtsYOUniverse to learn more.

The picture above shows a pair of earrings that appears in today's Times Leader article. I used recycled mat board and scrapbooking paper to create these earrings that I originally designed for a feature article that I wrote about crafting with kids for the December 2007 issue of Simply Beads. Here's a link to that post.

Please join us for a fun-filled day of crafting at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, November 28. We'd love to see you!

Pre-Order Four Seasons of Beading Book

Four Seasons of Beading
image copyright DRG Publishing

Two of my projects are in the soon-to-be released book by Barb Switzer titled Four Seasons of Beading. If you're looking for some fabulous jewelry projects, be sure to visit Amazon.com where you can sign up to be notified when the book is released.

Last year's book titled earrings, earrings, earrings! was a huge success. So, I can't wait to see how this book turns out. I'll keep you posted on when I receive my copy. It's always exciting to see the book in print for the first time.

Until then, keep on making jewelry!

Northeast Bead Extravaganza

After my jewelry-making workshop this morning, my friend and fellow artist Lynn Catnes stopped by Arts YOUniverse to pick me up for the Northeast Bead Extravaganza at the Genetti Hotel on Market Street in Wilkes-Barre. I ran into so many friends, students, and jewelry-making enthusiasts today. It was like homecoming. I even met a wonderful, young lady who is a pre-med student at Wilkes University, and she's a member of the ROTC. Thank you for your service to our country.

The folks at the Northeast Bead Extravaganza did a wonderful job putting together this event. If you didn't get there today, I highly recommend that you take a trip to visit the bead show tomorrow, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The vendors are topnotch.

Here's a peek at some of what we enjoyed at the show today.


First, let's give a round of applause to Suzy Porreca and Ivo DiPalma of Veni Vidi Beadi for putting on this fantastic show. Suzy was kind of enough to pose for this beautiful picture. Thanks, Suzy!

Suzy mentioned that they may have jewelry-making workshops at the show next year. Hmmm...perhaps I'll get a chance to teach at a future event.


I scored these fabulous dichroic glass tabs from Marcia Moore of Marcia Moore Designs. I can't wait to use them in my next jewelry project.


Here's a lovely picture of Marcia.

Then Lynn and I had a chance to stop by Talisman Beads to check out the new additions to their line of beads called "pewties." They added so many new beads to this line. I love this line of beads because they're so versatile. Here's a peek at some of what I picked up today.

Lynn also picked up some wonderful beads from Leslie of Twisted Sistah Beads. Leslie has a great selection of Miyuki Beads. Be sure to check them out!

After all of this excitement, I think I need to take a break to sift through my beads.

New Jewelry Patterns Available at Ready To Bead

I'm happy to announce that ReadyToBead.com is now offering my jewelry patterns for sale. This is a nice addition to the current jewelry kits that are available on their site. All of my patterns are written in easy-to-follow directions with step-by-step diagrams, and all of these patterns are beginner-friendly. Check them out today!

Bead Trends January 2009

Ring in the new year with some brand new jewelry projects. You'll find my crystal orbit earrings on page 96 of the January 2009 issue of Bead Trends. These earrings will add lots of sparkle to any holiday outfit.