Jewelry Affaire magazine Giveaway

Do you ever look at back at your journey and pinpoint moments that changed your path?

I do.

As an artist, I have always created but through the years, the materials, mediums and styles have changed.

Jewelry making is relatively new to me.

I have been doing it for about 8 years or so.

It started with a necklace I bought and dissected for weeks.

And then, into the journey, I discovered Jewelry Affaire magazine.

It was a game changer.

I am very visually stimulated.  

Their pieces and attention to detail caught my imagination and set it on fire.

I can change my whole way of thinking with one new little detail: a knot, bead, clasp, headpin, focal...

My head swam for weeks and then my hands started to create.

Looking back I have to laugh.

Anyone that knows me knows how much I make now and in how many styles....

So I am always amazed and thrilled when I see an issue that actually features some of my work...

But more of that later.

Today I want to give you a chance to win your own copy of the newest issue.

But first I want to show you a few pieces that have grabbed my attention and imagination in this issue.

Sarah Donawerth captured my admiration and the cover with her whimsical bangles.

And I learned something about fairy tales...

Fiber is one of my favorite things to incorporate into a piece to soften it and Mayumi Schuster does it beautifully in her pieces.

The featured artist in this issue is Connie Poirier Trikoulis.

With good reason, too.

Her work is lovely and inspiring...

Ahhh...Melinda Barnett...

Her work is always a breath of fresh air.

I am so fortunate to call her my friend...

I especially love her inspiration story for this piece...

I am totally obsessed by little bottles and vials so this one by Kris Auderer definitely caught my attention...

In every issue, there is a piece that makes me say, "now THAT is genious!"

In this issue, it was these feather earrings by Emily Deister.

She totally reinvented feather earrings.

Love them!

Here is another favorite from Melinda Barnett.

I love the focal and the chain...

And now I can finally get to those pieces I made...

It never fails to amaze me when I see something that sprang to life in my hands on the pages of a magazine...

This turquoise bracelet is a keeper...

My faux bone earrings are made from Sculpey polymer clay.

I love them.

That finish is one of my very favorites to date.

These beads are from Sculpey as well with the shimmery finish created with DecoArt paints.

The beads remind me of the years my husband tilled the whole length of our lot in the back to plant a row of sunflowers...

Boy, was it hot.

And the skunks ate more than half the seeds...

Little buggers.

But the ones that grew brought me such joy.

Did you see anything that made your mind catch gear?

This is only a very small sampling of what is in the issue.

  You can pick it up at newsstands, or from Stampington.

Or, if you live in the continental US, you could possibly win it.

Just leave a comment below telling your favorite material to use for making jewelry and you will be entered for a chance to win....

I always seem to go with one week for the giveaway but this time we will try two weeks...  

I will choose a winner on November 17th and post it on the 18th here on the blog.

I always love hearing what inspires you...

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs...

Jewelry Affaire magazine...

The Spring 2015 issue of Jewelry Affaire is now on  newsstands.

I am delighted to have a feature in this issue.

This polymer clay necklace is made with Sculpey clay and some great homemade dyes made with RIT Dye.

There are dozens of gorgeous pieces in this issue from artists such as Lynne Simon Suprock and Melinda Barnett and Peggy Sowers Heckman.

If you have never purchased Jewelry Affaire, but you love to make or wear jewelry, this is right up your alley.

I actually credit this magazine, along with Belle Armoire Jewelry as the two titles that triggered a turning point in my journey as an artist.

I bought an issue of each from Barnes and Noble in the summer of 2011.

I pored over those issues for weeks....

And then I started creating.

And creating.

And creating....

Wow!  

So many talented artists and amazing pieces.

So I am honored to appear on their pages.

Run right out and grab a copy...

In my area, I can find them at Barnes and Noble or most major craft stores.

You can also order them directly from the Stampington here.

Thanks for stopping by.....

New Issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine

I just got my contributor's copy of Jewelry Affaire magazine.

Love It!

The crew at Stampington never fails to amaze...

They have a new editor, Natalie Way.

She is just fabulous.

I am delighted to open it and discover several pieces featured....

What!?!

I don't have the pieces back from the magazine yet so my photos are not as amazing as theirs.

I wanted to give you a sneak peek...

These 2 bracelets are a personal favorite of mine.

I cannot wait to get them back.

I made the beads from polymer clay using Stacy Louise Smith's Tutorial to get this amazing finish.

I love them both.

The look of the white beads takes on the look of stone.

And those jewel hues make me so happy.

Here they are in the magazine...

This fun charm bib necklace is made form Shrinky Dinks believe it or not.

I did a mix of white and clear.

The Stampington picture is much better...

Sorry for the glare on the magazine page.

This Ruffled Cobra necklace is fun and easy to make.

I like that it can be doubled up or worn long.

Here it is in the magazine.

This triple strand bracelet is a favorite.

When it comes back, I am keeping it...

I always love the props the photographers use....

This is the magazine photo.

This is a polymer clay piece that I am especially fond of...

I am not usually a pink person, but I love this one.

I think it is because it is rustic and sweet at the same time....

And back in The Jewelry Box is another multi-strand bracelet.

When these get back this month, I will be listing them on Etsy.

There are tons of amazing pieces in this issue.

I will be reading and rereading it for the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for stopping by...

Washi Tape Bracelets

It seems like I have shown you a lot of bracelet ideas lately...

I have quite a stash so I do makeovers on them from time to time.

Today I want to show you a simple makeover that just uses plastic bangles and washi tape.

I pick up washi tape when I see it on sale.

Wrap the plastic bangle with washi tape, being sure to overlap and pull tightly as you go.  

When you have completely covered the bangle, tear off the end and use fingers to firmly smooth tape in place.

 If tape rips at any point, just overlap ends and continue to wrap.  

 Coat with 2-3 coats of DecouPage, allowing to dry thoroughly between coats.  

If there are any rough edges, smooth with fine grit sandpaper and recoat with DecouPage.

It is fast and easy to make a whole armload...

Or a branch load as shown here....

I love how each bracelet looks different based on what color the plastic was underneath...

At my shows, I display them in a long tray and people pick them up...

curious....

This idea has appeared in Jewelry Affaire magazine

as well as GreenCraft magazine.

It is an oldie, but a goodie...

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs...