Over the River and Through the Woods

To Grandmother's (and Grandfather's! and Aunt's! and Uncle's! and Cousin's!) houses we go. We're on day two of our nearly 1,000 mile trek to the East Coast to visit our family. First stop is Maryland, then Philadelphia, then Connecticut. We don't make it back as often as we'd like, but when we do we try to make the most of our time and see as many people as we can. I wish you the merriest and happiest of all!

Wa-hoo 2!

Mostly Metals is ranked #70 on Amazon's Top 100 metal working books (even though it's a bead stringing book, not a metal working book). We really struggled with the title, because all the jewelry is silver, gold, or copper, but the projects are very easy beginner beading projects. I'm so happy for the book reviews that point that out.

Don't forget, if you order my books online, I'll send you a signed book plate as a thank-you.

Just send me an email at karinbuckingham@yahoo.com, or post a message here.

OK, I'm done bragging today. I need to get back to work. Thanks to all for so much support.

Wa-hoo!

Altered You! is #75 on Amazon's Top 100 List of non-fiction books for girls! Now, this list is updated hourly, so it might not be there when you check, but for now at 9:00am Central Time, I'm enjoying my moment. Just wanted to share...

Google Tools

Do you wake up wondering, "does Karin have a new post today?" (just kidding). Do you get mired in the web-ness of the world wide web and link from one blog to the next, blissfully losing track of time and then panicking because it's suddenly time to go pick up the kids? Do you avoid checking blogs for that very reason? Well, that's what used to happen to me, until I found Google Reader. This nifty tool lets me follow as many blogs as I want. It gathers a list of new posts, and I get a summary when I log in. I can skim the topics, read the entries, see the photos -- all from the Google Reader window. If something really intrigues me, I can click through and get to the blog itself in an instant. So, sign up for Google Reader and list Artful Crafts as your first blog to track.

If you'd like an even more passive approach to blog following, become a subscriber. All you need to do is click on the nifty widget on the right side of this blog that says "Follow this Blog." You'll get e-mail alerts notifying you of every fascinating posting I make!

As a blog writer, I love Google Analytics. It lets me know all kinds of interesting things about all of you. So even though you don't comment very often, I know you're out there and reading my blog!

Have you noticed my Like it, love it, try harder buttons? For those of you who don't care to comment, you can still let me know what you think by rating my posts. Don't worry, I'll never know who voted, but the results will help me shape my content.

Too cold, too soon!

I'm a big fan of cold, crisp winter days, but IMHO, 20 degrees is about as low as I like to go. Ok, maybe 15. I usually walk outside in all but the most driving snowstorms. But, when it's this cold, this early in the season, it wears me out. We usually don't get single digits until Feb., and with the exception of last winter, we usually have cold without the snow, so walking conditions are brisk but fine. My poor doggie is going to have to wait until high noon today, when it only promises to be about 10. How's your weather?

Searching for your muse?

Creative Road block

Ten Tips for getting past your creative dead end

1. Pick a project from a magazine, or buy a kit, and make the project according to the directions as they are written – no short cuts. This will force you to think like another designer, and a slightly different approach to a project can teach you a few things.

2. Take a walk, ride your exercise bike, or even do a sink-load of dishes by hand. The repetitive motion of the mindless task will let your mind wander, and you may just stumble onto your path out of your road block.

3. Try a small project in a new hobby – if you bead, sew something. If you paint, try polymer clay. Working in a similar, but new-to-you medium may help you look at the same-old-same-old (color blending, for example) in a new way.

4. Make a gift: choose colors for your friend, not for you. Think of your friend as you work. Consider her colors, her size, her preferences. Your gift will come from the heart, and you may find that thinking away from your own style will re-open your creativity.

5. Accept a commission. Kind of like #4, making something to someone else’s specifications will make you consider new materials, new combinations, new approaches.

6. Look through pictures of your old work (you do take pictures of your masterpieces before you release them, don’t you??). When I’m on a jewelry-making roll, something kind of takes over, and I make things I really had no prior plans for. Call it my muse. When I look back at old work, sometimes I think, “Wow. That was really good, and I hardly remember making it.”

7. Get thee to a city. For me, it’s Milwaukee’s Third Ward, or preferably, Chicago. I love my country life, but more than a few times a year I need to see the crowds, check out what people are really wearing, see what’s in the stores. I’m instantly refreshed, and ready to get going.

8. If you’re a city-dweller, come on out to the country. The rolling landscape, even in winter, can be quite inspiring. I see more than seven shades of brown (an a whole lotta white) outside my window right now.

9. If you can’t get to the city or the country, go ahead and watch some TV. Now, I’m not a big fan of TV, and I went several years without seeing an episode of everyone’s favorite Sunday-night drama. However, when I finally turned it on, I smacked my forehead. What a great source for fashion and jewelry inspiration! The same can be said for lots of sitcoms and even the nightly news.

10. Just do it. Jump in, get going, bite off more than you can chew. You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t get started. Even if you have to un-do everything you’ve done, doing something is much better than doing nothing.

Big A** Book Review

I've been crafting for as long as I can remeber, and I edit craft books for a living, so I can be a harsh judge of projects sometimes. Imagine my surprise when The Big-Ass Book of Crafts, by Mark Montano, landed on my desk, on loan from a co-worker. Within 45 minutes I had ordered my own copy, and it just arrrived today. Why do I like this book so much? The ideas are fresh and diverse. They are well executed. The ideas are edgy enough to please my teenagers, but based on sound design and construction ideas that I can easily modify to my own taste. I'm not going to keep rambling on and on, just go ahead and buy yourself a copy.

While you're online, check out the Sweet Potato Queen's Big-Ass Cookbook and Financial Planner. It's been a few years since I read this one, but you might as well go ahead and make a batch of Pig Candy as a pre-holiday treat. I had no idea that people atually made this stuff, let alone ate it, but it's amazing. In fact, it's so adicting that I've never made it again just to save myself and my family.

Take a moment

So, are you feeling as busy as I am? I meant to write this post on November 1st, and lookey here, we're already to the 21st. This is a gentle reminder from me to you to take a moment over the next few days and weeks, remember to see the trees for the forest, and keep this little word in mind:

You might be a little too distracted basting your turkey and whisking your gravy to feel truly thankful next Thursday, so get a jump start on it and find something to be thankful for today!

Alphabet Game revisited

We haven't played in a while, so here's another letter (Meredith found this one for me):

Snowflakes inside and out

Well, I guess it's finally winter.

We've got snow outside, but just little flurries.

I've been busy beading snowflakes -- one for a special request, and then I just couldn't stop myself. Here are a few tips, if you want to make your own.

Buy the snowflake forms at a craft or beading store. They should be soldered together, but I heard from a customer who kept her snowflake out year-round that it ultimately came apart. This year I wired the middle together with very fine (26 gauge) wire before I added the beads.

Use very nice Czech glass beads or crystals. You don't have to go all-out for Swarovski (although I have before and they are really beautiful). Using nicer glass and crystals will make your ornament sparkle in the sunlight and give it life beyond the month of December.

The bead forms are made from very stiff wire. It's very difficult to turn the ends into perfect loops. Let gravity work on your side, not against you. Pick the top of your ornament. As you bead, turn all your loops up, so the small gap where the wires meet is toward the top. Then, if you choose to add dangles to the loops, gravity will help them stay in place.

Remember, don't use jewelry-grade cutters to trim the wires. You shouldn't have to trim at all, but if you do, make sure you have heavy-duty wire cutters.

This is a great activity to do with friends or kids, and it's a great way to use up your stray beads. Have fun and stay warm!

Seed Bead Bracelet

I don't usually work with seed beads, but the colors in this hank were just begging me to notice them. I love the cuff-like results -- I wear a lot of black (slimming effect, you know, and it hides the dirt) and I usually have my sleeves pushed up. I really like the flash of color I get with this bracelet. Of course, if you want to see truly fabulous seed bead work, check out Beth Stone's book, Seed Bead Stitching, or The Art of Bead Embroidery by Sherry Serafini and Heidi Kumli.

Altered You project

While I love all the projects in Altered You!, I am particularly fond of the little bonus projects that accompany most of the main projects. This project was designed as a book bag or band instrument tag, but wouldn't it be fun to make them as gift tags for the kids on your list? Fill in their names and they can re-use them on their backpacks. Directions and a pattern are in the book. Remember, if you order online, send me an email and I'll mail you a bookplate.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It's that time of year, I guess. I don't think I could have packed one more thing into the first two weeks of November! I've logged a lot kid-driving miles -- 230 miles on Sat. and 4 hours yesterday! I could have gone East to visit my family and come back already! Haley had a great Veteran's day concert at her school and luckily got her cast off the day before so she could play her beloved oboe instead of the triangle! Everyone had dentist appointments ... blah, blah, blah. In between things I've been making jewelry, and I promise new posts with photos very soon. In the meantime, think of me as you're driving in your car, because I'll be doing the same!

Act/React

If you live near Milwaukee, I highly recommend the Act/React special exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Daniel Rozin's Snow Mirror was my favorite, followed by Brian Knep's Healing Pool. Combined with the Sensory Overload installation, it's a great combination for kids. You can cover both exhibits in an hour or two. If you go, let me know what you like best.

When was your Halloween?

As far as I can tell, today is Halloween, but you'd never know it in Southeastern Wisconsin. Our town celebrated last Saturday night, so my kids are feeling been-there-done-that about it. We are going on a Haunted Hike tonight with Haley's youth group. Hmmm ... 15 middle schoolers, pitch black, woods, bloody lumberjacks popping out ... what we do for our kids...

In honor of her recently broken arm, Haley went all out for her last year of trick-or-treating as an injured person. Here's her photo from last week:

Which Witch?

The Art Girlz witch! Sometimes when you want a quick project, or you want to try something outside of your normal skill set, the best bet is to get a kit. I fell in love with this witch and just had to make her. In fact, I love everything on their site (and their blog is fun, too.) I used their felt beads in several Altered You! projects, and we've made vacation scrapbooks with their blank books.


Happy Halloween!

Thanks to the Nursery School Teachers

Remember that bestseller from a few years ago ... Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten? I'd like to propose a sequel: Everything I Know About Art (my kids) Learned in Nursery School. My favorite part of decorating for a new season is pulling out the box and finding the great projects from the nursery school years. They mix in perfectly with my eclectic modified-country-folk-art-aesthetic. Here's the Halloween clan, thanks to Mrs. D., Mrs. Broda, Mrs. Archer and Miss Leah from Gateway Nursery School and Perinton Nursery School in Fairport, N.Y.:

If you have little ones at home and you'd like to make these ghosts, here's how:

1. Use a product called "stiffy" a liquid fabric stiffener found in craft stores, or dilute some Elmer's glue with water.

2. Use cheesecloth, re-cycled sheets, or paper towels. Soak the fabric in the stiffener and wring dry.

3. Drape the fabric over a TP tube (or trimmed paper towel tube) and let dry.

4. Add detail with a black Sharpie marker. (One of my daughters was going through a bride obsession at age 4, so the ghost in the back left is wearing a veil.)

These ghosts (and the pumpkin) have lasted for at least 12 Halloweens.

More Jewelry

I had a dream the other night. It was one of those crazy dreams where I was trying to go somewhere or get something done, but it just wasn't working out. Anyway, the dream was a little disturbing, but the good part was that in the dream, I was wearing fabulous jewelry! when I woke up, I just had to make the necklace I was wearing in my dream:

Here are a few more views, because I just love it.

It's a long black and silver single strand necklace, that can also be doubled or worn as a six-times-around bracelet. I used 6mm lava rock beads from Rings & Things, a black stone bead simply called "black stone" also from Rings & Things, and lots of Hill Tribe Silver.

Now, where can I find that cute black cocktail dress I was wearing with it? Hmm.

Jewelry just for me

I spend most of my working day reviewing, editing, and proofreading jewelry- and craft-making instructions. Needless to say, I leave work with lots of ideas swirling around in my head. This week, I thought I would try do a few projects exactly as they were written. No matter what your skills may be, coming at a project from someone else's point of view can help you expand your skills and find some new tricks.

The first project I did was from Australian Beading and was designed by Kim Glass. I had never tried a garage-door spring before, but I'm pleased to add this technique to my wire-work repertoire. The entwined heart (the focal point of this bracelet) gave me a lot of trouble, but I think it was "operator error" -- no fault to the directions. I'm kind of attached to my quirky result, though. I used German Jewelry Wire to make this project, because I wasn't sure if I wanted to use up my stash of sterling silver.

The second project I did was these fantastically easy I-wish-I-thought-of-it-myself earrings. They're designed by Denise Peck of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry. The first version has little gray pearls.

I love them so much I made a second pair, and this time I oxidized the silver (just a little) and used turquoise beads for a more casual look.

The final project I did was all mine:

and here's another view:

Here's hoping you have an artfully crafted weekend!

The new flip-flop

A new suffix has crept into our family lexicon, and I wonder if it’s indicative of a greater trend – our national reluctance to take a firm stand on just about anything anymore. Our new suffix is “ish” and it’s quite handy for getting one off the hook. For example, consider the difference in meaning between:
- I’ll be there at 8:00 and I’ll be there at 8-ish. You’ve instantly gained at least 20 minutes of cushion, so you don’t really have to have your act together to leave on time, after all. Or, more realistically, I’ll be home at 11 or I’ll be home at 11-ish. Who’s now in charge of the curfew? The non-able-to-commit teen!
- I’m hungry (Let’s get lunch, now!) and I’m hungry-ish (I could eat, unless you’d rather not, and in that case, I can totally skip lunch and do what you want to do.)
- He’s hot (he’s the one for me) and He’s hot-ish (I think he’s cute, but if you think he isn’t I can easily back out of my opinion).

To make things worse, “ish” is often employed after a slight delay and searching-for-approval glance. It’s even able to stand alone, away from the verb it modifies. For example:
Teen: “I’m done with my homework.” (scans Mom’s face to see if she believes)
Mom: raises eyebrow and gives a stern look.
Teen: “ish.” (turns off the Gilmore Girls episode she has seen at least 15 times and slinks back to the books).

My concern with “ish” is that it goes against one of my core principles – say what you mean and mean what you say. One could see that it’s quite handy but I’m afraid that it’s making us somewhat lazy and selfish, and also more concerned with other’s opinions than our own.

Will I be banning ish from my girls’ vocabulary? Probably not. But, I will be on ish-alert, and I’ll be sure to challenge them to say what they really mean the first time, and be confident in their own opinions regardless of how they may be received.

Bluebirds

As I looked up from rinsing my coffee cup this morning, I saw a flash of blue outside my kitchen window. I took a closer look through the binoculars, and it was a bluebird -- not a blue jay -- sitting in my shrub. Then, much to my surprise, there was a flurry of blue, and at least five bluebirds flew across my back yard. Some people can go a lifetime without seeing a bluebird up close ... for me, I've only seen them in the Spring or in the South (they nest in my mother-in-law's yard, and she hand feeds them).

Seeing the bluebirds instantly brightened my mood. It got me thinking of the other way we use this word -- a bluebird is an unexpected and pleasant surprise. So, happy Friday, and may the bluebirds come your way.

P.S. If you enjoy birds, please check out my friend Monette's watercolors! And, don't forget to keep your feeders full this winter.

My mom

Here is my lovely mother in her 10-10 necklace. We had a fun visit!

Oxymoron

Paris Hilton -- smart and funny? That's today's oxymoron, and I know we have to credit the writers, but this cracked me right up. Check out her fake campaign.

October 10

I know it's the 9th today, but this post has to do with tomorrow and I know I'll be too busy to post. I wanted to share this necklace I made for my mom's birthday (10-10). She and my dad are traveling to our house as I type, due to arrive tomorrow. (Hopefully they won't be checking the Internet at their hotel!) There are little special details built into this necklace, that wouldn't be obvious at first glance. I like making jewelry this way -- hiding some meaning so it's not just another pretty thing. For example, the focal stone is a Peruvian Opal (October's birthstone is Opal). Also, I strung everything in multiples of 10 (except the large pearls) in honor of her special day. I think the colors will look great with her coloring and her wardrobe. We'll see tomorrow, when I give it to her!

I bought the opal and the pearls at the Rings & Things show last month. Here's a close up view:

Alphabet Game revisited

This weekend, we'll need to put what's left of our vegetable garden to bed. It was an odd season for us, as I've reported before. However, we had some delicious late-season tomatoes, one lonely (but yummy) eggplant, and a handful of hot peppers. Our most successful crop was cucumbers. My kids will rebel if I serve another one! So in honor of the garden, I bring you the letter C.

Do you Re-Do?

Here's a picture of one of the first pieces of jewelry I made as an adult. I was so inspired after my first interview at BeadStyle magazine, that I came home and made this bracelet based on ideas generated during a conversation with Mindy Brooks, the first editor of the magazine. Since I didn't have many beads on hand, I bravely cut apart a Southwestern Native American coral and turquoise necklace and mixed in some inexpensive base metal beads I had from the craft store. To this day, it is the one piece of jewelry I've made that literally stops people in their tracks who feel they must comment on it. It must be the energy of those ancient beads.

Before I started, I took a picture of the original necklace. I wanted to be sure I could restring it if I changed my mind.

If you're at a creative impasse, turn to your old jewelry for inspiration. Why have you stopped wearing a piece? Is it the fit? A bad clasp? What did you like about the piece to begin with? The colors? A specific bead or two? Then figure out what you can make using the best of what's there.

If you're still stuck, check out this new book by Brenda Schweder called Vintage Redux. I was the editor for this book and it'll finally be available at the end of this month. I'm sure you'll love all the creative ways Brenda has taken vintage finds (and some that may have remained lost if a less-creative eye was searching the second-hand shops) and made truly fabulous modern jewelry. My favorites are the class-ring-as-toggle bracelet (I wonder if my dad is ready to part with his?) and the charming bangle bracelets (attach a few charms and your plain-jane bands will have a modern look).

Let me know if you've ever been moved to "redux," and what happened when you did.

A. C. Moore Event

I had a fun weekend in Florida, visiting the new A. C. Moore store in Cape Coral. I really enjoyed meeting fellow jewelry-making enthusiasts, especially Laura and the other A.C. Moore staffers. I signed a few books, helped a few folks perfect their wrapped loops, and spent a relaxing afternoon making jewelry.


Before the book signing, I escaped for a walk along the Ft. Meyers beach. I forgot how beautiful the sand is (it’s been about 10 years since I visited the Gulf Coast). I was pleased to see many of the shells I remember from my childhood – cat’s paws, cockle shells, scallops, mussels, and even broken bits of sand dollars and sea urchins. I know the shelling is not the same as it once was, but it wasn’t as sparse as I expected. I couldn't help but stoop and collect a precious few.

Numerology

I love numbers. I'm always looking at licence plates and transposing numbers to find my birthday, or my friends' and family's birthdays. I have a lucky number (3). And, I am always finding my birthday numbers in the oddest places. For example, when I happen to glance at the clock, more often than not it reads 9:25. Now, the realist in my life tells me that I must look at the clock at least 12 times a day, but I only remember the two times it reads 9:25. My daughter, who is now in Algebra 3 should be able to calculate the exact probability of me noticing the time at precisely 9:25 (I hope she can; that's what today's test is on). But for the romantic in me, I'm sticking with the coincidence of bumping into "my numbers" in the oddest places. For example, for years I loved the fact that most of my favorite jewelry came with my custom numbers on the back: 925. But now that I'm older and wiser (and know a lot more about how jewelry is made) I know that those numbers designate Sterling Silver. To earn the name sterling, the silver content of the metal must be 92.5% pure. Why isn't it 100%? It would be much too soft. So, other metals like copper are combined with the silver to increase hardness. If you're ever curious about the quality of your silver pieces, just check the back. And, happy birthday to me!

Mostly Metals Book Signing and Demo

I'll be in Cape Coral Florida on Sat. September 27 to do a Mostly Metals book signing at the Grand Opening of the new A. C. Moore store. I'll also demo a project from the book. I ordered some beads from A.C. Moore online, since we don't have a store in Wisconsin. Here's what I'll be using for the demo:

I'm going to make a version of the cluster bracelet pictured on the cover.

Here are some close up shots of the beads.

I really like the colors in the Czech glass assortment, and I love the organic look of the clasps, word charms, and tags. I had to order several of the clasps because I couldn't make up my mind!
Details:

A. C. Moore Store Grand Opening

1811 NE Pine Island Road

Cape Coral, Florida

Sat. September 27 from 1 pm - 3 pm.

If you live in the area, please come by to say hello!

Altered You Book Review

Check out this book review by Jean Yates. You'll have to scroll down, but enjoy her great pictures along the way. I love the way Jean found adult inspiration from this teen book -- and you can too! Don't forget about my virtual book signing. Let me know if you buy either of my books, and I'll send you a custom book plate.

More Decorating Commentary

A few days ago I posted about planting at least a few flowers that coordinate with your interior colors so you'll have plenty of fresh flowers for your summer arrangements. My friend Lisa reminded me that it's equally important to plant coordinating flowers and shrubs within the view you have from various rooms. Again, it may seem like I'm stating the obvious, but it can make a huge difference. We're lucky to look out on trees from our family and living rooms. In the family room, I have my birdhouse collection sitting on the window sill that looks out to the bird feeders ... in the living room I've been using the evergreens in the view as my accent color, and will eventually paint the walls a soft green.


My friend Karen brilliantly executed this philosophy with a house she staged for selling. With the furniture moved out, the views dominate each room. She did a fabulous job with new paint colors in all the rooms to bring the outside colors in.

I guess this has been on my mind a lot, since I know the long, bleak Wisconsin winter is just around the corner. Hopefully we'll be working on the living room, so I'm looking at colors now, but will also look at them against the winter scape.

PS Do you watch Top Design? Wednesday is my Bravo night!

Rings & Things Sale

The last time I went to the Rings & Things trunk show, I was shopping for my book Mostly Metals. It took great self control to walk past the tables draped with gemstones and pearls, and limit my shopping to the chain, wire, and silver and gold beads in the back of the room. This year, I was happy to indulge in the rest of the show! Here’s a peek:
First the pearls, from left to right. 5mm potato, 7x10mm rice, 8-9mm round, 6mm rice, 8mm rondell, 3mm Mother of Pearl, and cream and champagne keishi. This will really fill in my depleted stash!






Then, I bought some fun stuff: 16 mm red shell pearls, like the one’s I used for Nicki’s earrings, 14mm lava rocks, 14mm carved new jade, more lava rocks in 6mm, 8mm lizardite (?! Not a gemstone that makes the regular list, but I loved the green laced with black), and 8x10mm black stone.

Here's a close up of the carved new jade:









Finally, my splurge of the day was a strand of faceted slab-cut Peruvian opals. I also stocked up on some findings, two spools of suede cord for Meredith, and some funky pendants for her to experiment with. Check out their web site for a schedule of their tour – they may be coming to your city, soon. If not, go ahead and look through the online listing. I’ve always had a great experience with ordering from Rings & Things.

T is for Thursday

Today, I bring you the letter T. Yesterday, I went to the Rings & Things trunk show and got lots of goodies. I managed to stay within budget (well, $7 over). I'll post pictures of my new stash tomorrow. For now, Happy Thursday!

Home Decor Duh

I may be stating the obvious, but plant flowers outside that match or coordinate with your interior colors. I have been having a great time with cut flowers this summer, because I have annuals and perennials that look great with the inside of my house (makes me feel less guilty about the weedy mess they are growing in!)















Now, some people take it a little to far and select pets to go with their furniture (we have been accused of that more than once). For the record, our dog was rescued and we chose him because he matched us, not our decor.

My other stating-the-obvious gardening tip is shop now for discount perennials. You have good planting weather through at least October, and you can save more than 50% of the in-season retail price. The way I look at it, the risk is worth the potential gain, especially if your taste exceeds your budget, the way mine always seems to do.

Don't let the turkeys get you down

If you're having one of those days when you're not in sync with the universe, or maybe the universe isn't in sync with you, just remember to hold your own, keep moving forward, and don't worry too much about the other people. Turkeys are, after all, quite silly.

So, does anyone know why the turkeys crossed the road?

...to get to the other side, of course!

The alphabet game

My mom and I started this game last Christmas, after being inspired by work in a local gallery. The rules are easy. Find a letter within an everyday item. Snap a photo. It's OK to crop or rotate, but no other photoshop work can be done.

I know I should always have my camera with me, but I don't, so I usually just play the game without getting the shot.

I can tell you that "o" is really easy to find. So far I have about 8 letters, but not enough to spell much.

I'll post some letters every now and then as my collection grows.