Even though part of me thinks I should be making "grown up" jewelry by now, I still find animal beads irresistible. I especially have fun taking photos. I sold this original pair of earrings, but if you want a pair for yourself, I'm happy to make another. These have silver-plated leverback ear wires, pewter daisy spacers, and glass animal beads. They're $10, plus shipping.
Friday Fun: Just Ducky!
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Shoot for the Moon
"Shoot for the moon.
Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
—Les Brown
Often when we're getting started, we aim low. We submit our work to the magazine that's small, unknown, and easy to get into. We enter contests that don't attract many entries so we'll have a better chance. We hang back when it's time to try for a promotion, preferring to stay in our comfortable, if completely dull, job. I don't mean to say we should never do that. It is nice to have some initial success and build our confidence. But at some point, we need to aim higher.
One of the most inspiring blog entries I've read recently is about an artist who wanted to take that next step in her career and have her printed collage sheets sold in stores. These were products that she had made and tested and were sitting idle for years. She set out to try for 100 Rejections in 100 Days. Two big name places she dreamed about being in for years said yes and are now carrying her work. She now has the confidence to continue approaching new places. (After you read her introductory post, you'll want to read the summary of her experiment on Day 100.)
When I was submitting regularly to magazines, I would identify my top market ("the moon"), the one that would make me swoon if I got in. Then I'd identify several other markets ("the stars") that I could submit to if the first one turned it down. This simple technique helped me publish many projects and articles. Now I'm inspired to try this method to find more shops to carry my cards and jewelry this year. (I'll admit, I do feel a little queasy at the idea of approaching shops, just like I used to feel when first submitting for publication.)
What's the one big, scary ("I'm not sure I'm ready") thing on your list? Is this year going to be the year?
Quotation source: Goodreads. This quote has also been attributed to Brian Littrell.
Pictured here: My motivational Moon Pendant has a handstamped message and tiny copper-plated moon and star charms.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2013 | by Michelle Mach | Quote of the Week, inspiration, jewelry, magazines, writing
Join a New Online Book Club for Creative Types
Andrew Thornton at Allegory Gallery started an online book club with a creative twist. Each month participants can create something inspired by that month's book. It should be fun to see what everyone makes. (And yes, it's funny that someone who writes a blog titled "Beads and Books" didn't think of this idea!)
His inspiration came in part because the gallery shares space with a bookstore. It's becoming more difficult to sell books in a brick-and-mortar shop, so this is one way to lend a little support. (The books can be ordered from Second Chapter Books or a local book store near you.)
I've just agreed to work on a huge project due in August, so I'm not sure if I'll have time to participate in the monthly blog hops where everyone shares photos of their creative projects. I'm still going to try and read all the books on the list. Will you join me? The first book for April is Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik. It's a collection of essays and journal entries written by a self-described "comic-sentimental essayist" who spent five years with his family in Paris.
See the full list of books for the year and read more about the Inspired by Reading book club.
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On the Road Back Home
Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel
from coast to coast without seeing anything."
—Charles Kuralt
I spent the weekend in Santa Fe. It's one of my favorite towns because it doesn't feel like anyplace else. It's considered the third largest art market in the U.S. The Canyon Road area boasts more than 100 galleries in a square mile area.
Santa Fe is an easy trip down Highway 25. It's true that there are long stretches without much to see besides sky and flat stretches of snow and dirt. There are few billboards along the route. Aside from Denver and Colorado Springs, there are long stretches without signs of civilization. But that doesn't mean that the trip is boring. It's nice to have stretches of time without the computer, time to listen to music or stare out the window at nothing and let your thoughts drift. I don't do that enough any more.
I do know what Charles Kuralt means. It's harder to find something special along a major highway. If you've ever taken a smaller highway or 2-lane road, you've probably come across something unique: a quaint diner, a tiny museum, or an unusual artifact ("the largest ___"). It does require a little bravery to go off the beaten path. In one little cafe, it was obvious I was the only non-local customer. I felt a little bit like a bug under glass with the stares of the locals, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a slice of amazing homemade pie.
Photo: Along the road near Garden of the Gods in Colorado.
Quotation source: Goodreads.
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Plum Perfect Bangle Bracelet: Two Versions and Tutorial
A few months ago I created an easy bangle bracelet (see the Plum Perfect Bracelet tutorial on the Michaels website). I love making bangles and cuffs because they're one-size-fits-most, which makes them great projects for gifts or to sell. This bracelet is unusual in that during the design phase I made two different versions.
The second version is the one that was selected for the Michaels website. Which one do you like better?
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