Many times I get asked the question, "why?" when people find out that I make jewelry, body products, and many other crafts and the simple answer is because it's fun.
But my explination goes deeper than that because any crafter knows that there is a bunch of work and sometimes a bit of fustration co-mingled with some disappointment that also occurs with a hobby/business of crafting.
So I will start with body products, I started making my own out of a need. I have super sensitive skin and I am always having some sort of reaction to something or another. In addition, I can use a product for a few months with no adverse reaction, just to have the weather change, or a spike in my hormones and I am all rashed up and uncomfortable. So I decided to do a bunch of research and I started making lotion and body butter.
That whole process just railroaded into me making oils and soap and powder, etc. So since I was enjoying my products, I decided to offer them to others. Making body products is HARD work; you MUST get your measurements right, you have to calculate and keep track of your precise recipes and any changes you make but again, the end result is so gratifying and other than burning feet from standing in the kitchen so long and a mess to clean up afterwards, I found the process soothing and healthy.
When my partnership dissolved in the body products business, I decided to try something new and since I LOVE jewelry I started researching beading. I bought some beads and the rest is history, I truly found my niche and I loved the artistic outlet that beading and jewelry making in general allows. From a simple bracelet (See my bracelet post), I expanded into making other types of jewelry using various beadweaving techniques. Now I have moved into polymer clay and resin and while there are still some messes to clean up, patterns or guides to follow and some soreness from sitting up for hours; beading has a calming and zen-like effect on me. It's like zoning out and meditating, I get to think over things and my mind is clear. If I am upset, I bead, and after awhile, I am calm and the matter is resolved, if I am troubled, I bead and my thoughts are instantly switched from negative to positive.
Don't get me wrong, beading, and any other craft, is not a cure all, it's just MY way of escaping and finding some calm when I really need to think. Some like to sit in a quiet dark room; others may like to sit outside quietly on a bench, bhut as for me, I like both situations, just add some beads or clay or fabric and I am good to go.
I still make body products and I plan to sell them again and I plan to start sewing again and making purses, all of this work just turns into play and all of my frustrations and disappointments are all learning experiences and after I am holding a beautiful product that I contructed from a simple idea and some materials, it all seems worth it.
So this is the reason I craft and why I love it and find it necessary.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Clay Play All Day
My addiction hit me quick, polymer clay is so fun and I just love the versatility of it. I finally bought a toaster oven and I can't seem to tear my self away from baking up new pieces. I only have pictures of one bangle that I made yesterday, since then I have made several more pieces but I need to wait until day light to take pics.
I haven't completely abandoned beading, I have a few pieces that I beaded up a few days ago, I also have an order to fill for two bracelets so I seriously have to get to work and finish them up so I can get them shipped out.
Lastly, I have been posting a bunch of new beading patterns to my Etsy shop Etsy link for patterns, along with a few new pieces of jewelry http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsofAgape.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Still time to VOTE for your favorite Etsy piece
As you know Etsy Beadweavers Club has a monthly challenge and each month between the 9th and 15th we invite all to vote on thier favorite piece. I can't express the level of awe I experience each month that I see the cretivity and hard work that has been put into each and every piece. Please visit http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ in order to vote. I have included a sample of all the pieces that have been enetered. The poll is located in a grey box on the right hand side of the page, scroll to the bottom to vote, or to see the current results.
ENJOY!!!
PLEASE VOTE ONLY ONCE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY
ENJOY!!!
Voting for for this challenge is on December 9th - 15th.
PLEASE VOTE ONLY ONCE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY
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Play with Polymer Clay
So I recently took a polymer clay class at a bead fair that I attened in Virginia. The class was so fun and I really did learn alot about polymer clay. I had some extra clay left over from the class and so I decided to set the beads down and mess around with the clay.
First I decided to just do some simple clay strands in the metallic colors of FIMO that I had left over. I actually like the outcome of the bracelet and I want to experiment more with colors and the size of the strands. (Side note-I purchased an extruder and attempted to use it but the clay was nearly impossible to get out and I almost broke my hand, not to mention, cleaning the darn thing was a bear)
Metallic Twisted Clay Bracelet:
This next piece was made using a mold with faces, I love these face cabs but I hate that they are always bald, can a lady get some hair please? Needless to say, I had to take a moment to style my cabs hair. (Note-I dropped something on it and it left a bit of a "scar"...needless to say, I am going to use this anyway, might add some color to it later)
Golden Locks Cab
Lastly, I created another twisted bangle, some spiral earrings, and a pendant (I also created some really cool circle earrings, but I burnt them and yes I was DEVASTATED)
Abstract Heart Pendant
Spiral Earrings (w/o finding)
Twisted Pretzel Bangle
I found that while so many love FIMO clay (which is what the teacher recommended and gave us); I found a great sell at Michaels on Sculpey clay and found that to be just as fun to work with. Since I am still a newbie, I can't say what clay is best, but I do know that from my experience thus far, both clays were easy to work with, easy to blend, and baked well.
I created a bangle from the Sculpey clay, I was practicing the milliflori cane design and since the cane was so small, I could not roll it out so I just flattened it and baked it.
First I decided to just do some simple clay strands in the metallic colors of FIMO that I had left over. I actually like the outcome of the bracelet and I want to experiment more with colors and the size of the strands. (Side note-I purchased an extruder and attempted to use it but the clay was nearly impossible to get out and I almost broke my hand, not to mention, cleaning the darn thing was a bear)
Metallic Twisted Clay Bracelet:
This next piece was made using a mold with faces, I love these face cabs but I hate that they are always bald, can a lady get some hair please? Needless to say, I had to take a moment to style my cabs hair. (Note-I dropped something on it and it left a bit of a "scar"...needless to say, I am going to use this anyway, might add some color to it later)
Golden Locks Cab
Lastly, I created another twisted bangle, some spiral earrings, and a pendant (I also created some really cool circle earrings, but I burnt them and yes I was DEVASTATED)
Abstract Heart Pendant
I found that while so many love FIMO clay (which is what the teacher recommended and gave us); I found a great sell at Michaels on Sculpey clay and found that to be just as fun to work with. Since I am still a newbie, I can't say what clay is best, but I do know that from my experience thus far, both clays were easy to work with, easy to blend, and baked well.
I created a bangle from the Sculpey clay, I was practicing the milliflori cane design and since the cane was so small, I could not roll it out so I just flattened it and baked it.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
December Challenge - Emotional Rollercoaster- Scarred
This necklace was created for the December EBWC-Emotional Roller coaster
We were to create a feeling or state of being and create a beaded piece that expresses that emotion.
My emotion of choice is ANGER because while a state of serenity, zen or passion may not be as familiar to most, anger is an emotion that everyone can relate to in all aspects of life. Even animals express anger and it is so prevalent in the media and entertainment.
While so many believe pink to be a "girly" color it actually represents annoyance, anger and rage according to Robert Pulchik who was a psychologist that used a color wheel to help categorize intensities of emotions.
Scarred represents the deep emotional and physical marks left from anger, rage, and annoyance. I used a bright pink oval bead (RAGE) and bezeled it in black beads (black s normally indicative of a negative state). I also embroidered this tear shaped pendant in black beads and used various colored pink beads to "scar" the surface. Swarovski crystals and gemstones are also included to represent the emotional bumps and hurdles that one creates from remaining in a continuous state of anger.
The pendant is ~3.7" long from the beaded bail to the bottom and ~2.7" across at it's widest part. The pendant is hung from a double stranded black silk ribbon with a silver tone lobster clasp. The back is super soft dark pink ultra suede and the entire piece is embroidered with ultra strong Fireline.
If you are interested in purchasing this piece, or any of my other pieces please visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsofAgape?ref=si_shop.
You can also contact me for commissioned pieces at my website http://creationsofagape.com/contact_us
Please log onto the Etsy Beadweavers Blog, http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/, to check out the most exquisite beaded art by extremely talented beaders world wide.
Voting for the December EBWC challenge begins December 9, 2012, please come by and vote for your favorite piece.
We were to create a feeling or state of being and create a beaded piece that expresses that emotion.
My emotion of choice is ANGER because while a state of serenity, zen or passion may not be as familiar to most, anger is an emotion that everyone can relate to in all aspects of life. Even animals express anger and it is so prevalent in the media and entertainment.
While so many believe pink to be a "girly" color it actually represents annoyance, anger and rage according to Robert Pulchik who was a psychologist that used a color wheel to help categorize intensities of emotions.
Scarred represents the deep emotional and physical marks left from anger, rage, and annoyance. I used a bright pink oval bead (RAGE) and bezeled it in black beads (black s normally indicative of a negative state). I also embroidered this tear shaped pendant in black beads and used various colored pink beads to "scar" the surface. Swarovski crystals and gemstones are also included to represent the emotional bumps and hurdles that one creates from remaining in a continuous state of anger.
The pendant is ~3.7" long from the beaded bail to the bottom and ~2.7" across at it's widest part. The pendant is hung from a double stranded black silk ribbon with a silver tone lobster clasp. The back is super soft dark pink ultra suede and the entire piece is embroidered with ultra strong Fireline.
If you are interested in purchasing this piece, or any of my other pieces please visit my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsofAgape?ref=si_shop.
You can also contact me for commissioned pieces at my website http://creationsofagape.com/contact_us
Scarred
Please log onto the Etsy Beadweavers Blog, http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/, to check out the most exquisite beaded art by extremely talented beaders world wide.
Voting for the December EBWC challenge begins December 9, 2012, please come by and vote for your favorite piece.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Emotional Rollercoaster...in every sense
I had so much fun with the November Etsy Beadweavers Challenge, that I have decided to jump right into the December challange, which has such an aspiring theme; Emotional Rollercoaster. I have not done much bead embroidery, and anything I have attempted, has either been an epic design failure, or I just abandoned the concept due to a lack of creation, or patience. However, I am DETERMINED to make a wearable piece of embroidered jewelry.
To give you a better idea of some of my embroidering challenges, please see the following:
Exhibit 1:
This is a bead embriodered butterfly and while it all started out pretty well, I decided to emroider directly on the ultrasuede (MISTAKE) and then I decided to try to glue/stuff cardboard and stiff foam to the back (MISTAKE MISTAKE) and if that wasn't enough, I thought using huge 6/0 black beads to finish it off with would be just great and of course it turned out to be a ......MISTAKE.
While I can laugh at this monstrocity now, I was almost moved to tears at the failure when I was done, but then I had to admit that I had went a little rogue when I chose to skip a stiff background and just do whatever I pleased. I also had to admit that I really loved my color choices and I bezelled the heck out of those gems and the actual embroidery is quite nice for my first attempt. So not all was lost, at least I got plenty of practice.
Item 2:
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I actually started blogging about this piece and then just let it fall to the side because I was, and still am, lost as to what I can do with this piece. Once again, I am embroidering directly on the ultrasude, which is pure tomfoolery after my last attempt, but hey, sometimes, I have to step in the pothole twice, sprain my ankle and waste time and materials before I actually get the point of using a stiff background. Again, I was disappointed but not to tears, just really disgusted at my hardheadedness. Again, color selection, not so bad (at first) and again, I bezelled the heck outta that cab....
Item 3:
So now I am convinved that I need a stiff background (FINALLY) and I designed this two sided pendant for the December challenge, (I will spare you the explination for now since I will post my final piece with the a full explination of how I arrived at this concept). I was all in love with this thing and was just a moving along until I looked at it and thought, this is U-G-L-Y and it is, I can't even ascertain how I arrived at this point and did not catch the full grotesqueness of this piece. My sweet and dear husband tried his hardess to convince me that I was being too hard on myself, but I just thought, WHATEVA.... So I have started a new piece and the concept is much better and I am once again in LOVE with it and hopefully, I pray, when I sew my last stitch, I will still think my design TOTALLY ROCKS!!!!
Sneak Peek:
Oh and need I mention, after FULLY reading the rules on the challenge, I saw that using facial expressions should be avoided and instead color and texture should be featured...DUHHHHHH moment for me, the ever wandering loner of logic and reason.
To give you a better idea of some of my embroidering challenges, please see the following:
Exhibit 1:
FRONT
BACK
This is a bead embriodered butterfly and while it all started out pretty well, I decided to emroider directly on the ultrasuede (MISTAKE) and then I decided to try to glue/stuff cardboard and stiff foam to the back (MISTAKE MISTAKE) and if that wasn't enough, I thought using huge 6/0 black beads to finish it off with would be just great and of course it turned out to be a ......MISTAKE.
While I can laugh at this monstrocity now, I was almost moved to tears at the failure when I was done, but then I had to admit that I had went a little rogue when I chose to skip a stiff background and just do whatever I pleased. I also had to admit that I really loved my color choices and I bezelled the heck out of those gems and the actual embroidery is quite nice for my first attempt. So not all was lost, at least I got plenty of practice.
Item 2:
.jpg)
I actually started blogging about this piece and then just let it fall to the side because I was, and still am, lost as to what I can do with this piece. Once again, I am embroidering directly on the ultrasude, which is pure tomfoolery after my last attempt, but hey, sometimes, I have to step in the pothole twice, sprain my ankle and waste time and materials before I actually get the point of using a stiff background. Again, I was disappointed but not to tears, just really disgusted at my hardheadedness. Again, color selection, not so bad (at first) and again, I bezelled the heck outta that cab....
Item 3:
Unfinished
So now I am convinved that I need a stiff background (FINALLY) and I designed this two sided pendant for the December challenge, (I will spare you the explination for now since I will post my final piece with the a full explination of how I arrived at this concept). I was all in love with this thing and was just a moving along until I looked at it and thought, this is U-G-L-Y and it is, I can't even ascertain how I arrived at this point and did not catch the full grotesqueness of this piece. My sweet and dear husband tried his hardess to convince me that I was being too hard on myself, but I just thought, WHATEVA.... So I have started a new piece and the concept is much better and I am once again in LOVE with it and hopefully, I pray, when I sew my last stitch, I will still think my design TOTALLY ROCKS!!!!
Sneak Peek:
SAMPLE
Oh and need I mention, after FULLY reading the rules on the challenge, I saw that using facial expressions should be avoided and instead color and texture should be featured...DUHHHHHH moment for me, the ever wandering loner of logic and reason.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
SALE at Etsy Shop - 15%OFF
During this time of gift giving, many are feeling the economical pinch, therefore, I am pleased to annouce my first sale at Creations of Agape http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsofAgape?ref=si_shop, where you will receive 15% OFF all items within my Etsy store.
Featuring the items below and more....
Featuring the items below and more....
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Etsy Beadweavers November Challenge
TIME TO VOTE
Even though many have voted for the presidential elections; it's time for you to cast another vote for your favorite design in the November Etsy Beadweavers Challenge. Voting only takes a second and you can also be inspired and blown away with the many beautiful and unique desings. Please just click on the link and cast your vote; after clicking on the link, look to the right for the grey box and choose your favorite design, then scroll to the bottom of the grey box and click VOTE. If you simply can not decide, number 11(Fallen Leaves Bangle) is totally awesome...and my piece as well :-)
PLEASE VOTE ONLY ONCE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
MyLovelyBeads.com :: Fashion Colorworks Beading Contest.
MyLovelyBeads.com :: Fashion Colorworks Beading Contest.
The color combinations are really beautiful, there are 3 of them and this is an opportunity for all beaders to showcase their creative abilities.
Please click on the link to get more information on the deadlines, requirements, and categories
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The color combinations are really beautiful, there are 3 of them and this is an opportunity for all beaders to showcase their creative abilities.
Please click on the link to get more information on the deadlines, requirements, and categories
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wire Mesh Bracelet
My mother is getting married in the next two weeks and I am going t be a bridesmaid in her wedding. We are wearing royal purple dresses (my moms favorite color) and I was asked to create some jewelry for myself and my sister (the other bridesmaid) and my aunt (maid of honor).
Because my style is a bit different, I decided on a black wire mesh base with various shades of purple beads and black beads sewn down the center.
This was my first time using wire mesh and I really like this product because it is very forgiving (it will go back to it's original shape), it is also versatile because it can be stretched into a pattern or filled with beads or pulled into various hollow forms, and the list can go on.
I still need to create some earrings and I will add my picture of those once I am done. I will use wire mesh with those as well.
Because my style is a bit different, I decided on a black wire mesh base with various shades of purple beads and black beads sewn down the center.
This was my first time using wire mesh and I really like this product because it is very forgiving (it will go back to it's original shape), it is also versatile because it can be stretched into a pattern or filled with beads or pulled into various hollow forms, and the list can go on.
I still need to create some earrings and I will add my picture of those once I am done. I will use wire mesh with those as well.
Fallen Leaves Bangle EBW
I love the fall, especially the colors of the leaves as they transform from green to various shades of yellow, pink, red, orange, purple and brown. I live in the Maryland area and the trees that align the highway and in the yards are like a autumn rainbow.
The November EBW challenge is Squares and Circles and I chose to depict a deconstructed tree in the fall. Each "leaf" is represented by a cube that corresponds with a shade of an autumn leaf (there are 10). The tree "bark" is represented by a gold and brown circle that holds the "leaves"
Unlike an ordinary tree, the leaves on this bangle will never completely fade to brown and while the leaves move across the bark, they definitely will not fall off and blow away. You get to keep the beautiful fall colors all year long.
I truly enjoyed this project and this is one of my first successful Cubic right angle weave (CRAW) projects. This project gave me a great chance to master a beautiful weave and while I was intimidated by the thought of creating 10 CRAw cubes, I took on the challenge and regardless of the outcome, it is one of my proudest moments in beading.
To vote for your favorite piece, please visit our blog at http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com between November 9-15.
The November EBW challenge is Squares and Circles and I chose to depict a deconstructed tree in the fall. Each "leaf" is represented by a cube that corresponds with a shade of an autumn leaf (there are 10). The tree "bark" is represented by a gold and brown circle that holds the "leaves"
Unlike an ordinary tree, the leaves on this bangle will never completely fade to brown and while the leaves move across the bark, they definitely will not fall off and blow away. You get to keep the beautiful fall colors all year long.
I truly enjoyed this project and this is one of my first successful Cubic right angle weave (CRAW) projects. This project gave me a great chance to master a beautiful weave and while I was intimidated by the thought of creating 10 CRAw cubes, I took on the challenge and regardless of the outcome, it is one of my proudest moments in beading.
To vote for your favorite piece, please visit our blog at http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com between November 9-15.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Etsy Beadweavers
So I have joined the Etsy Beadweavers Team and I am so excited to be working on my first piece for the November challenge. I feel so tiny among so many beading giants; I mean I have been admiring so many of the team members work for some time now and to actually enter a challenge with some of them is so intimidating, but also inspiring. I guess I feel that all aspects of art is truly beautiful in someones eyes and so one should never be afraid to walk amongst the giants; for there will always be someone to look up to.
If you ever have a moment, please check out the site and feast your eyes on so many beautiful, well constructed, wearable art pieces. The October challenge was awesome, there were so many gorgeous pieces and I had a hard time voting, but I finally saw a piece that spoke to me on so many levels.
You can view each individual piece and learn the story behind the creation by visiting the Etsy Beadweavers blog: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/
In addition, the pieces can be purchased if you desire an truly you can not go wrong when you purchase handmade. I can attest as a bead weaver that there is so much love, attention, and care that goes into every stitch.
Etsy Beadweavers blog: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/
If you ever have a moment, please check out the site and feast your eyes on so many beautiful, well constructed, wearable art pieces. The October challenge was awesome, there were so many gorgeous pieces and I had a hard time voting, but I finally saw a piece that spoke to me on so many levels.
You can view each individual piece and learn the story behind the creation by visiting the Etsy Beadweavers blog: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/
In addition, the pieces can be purchased if you desire an truly you can not go wrong when you purchase handmade. I can attest as a bead weaver that there is so much love, attention, and care that goes into every stitch.
Etsy Beadweavers blog: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Creations of Agape Web-site
So I have finally got my web-site up and running, I still have to polish it up and create a shopping section but so far it looks really nice and I am really glad to have another area for present and future customers to visit.
If you have any suggestions or opinions, please contact me on the site.
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