AJE Component of the Month - August - Rebekah Payne

This month's AJE Component of the Month challenge was from Rebekah Payne of Tree Wings Studio.  She makes awesome polymer clay beads, but recently she has been making hand painted leather feathers.  For this month's challenge, we could choose either a single larger feather, or a pair of smaller ones.  I chose the smaller blue pair.

I wanted to make some bicone beads to match these feathers, but as soon as I got back from Bead Fest I started working my other job again, and quite honestly have not wanted to even look at my torch right now.  I had these pretty round swirl beads that matched perfectly, so I went with them!

I knew I was going to make earrings, and wanted to figure out a wire wrap, instead of punching a hole in the feather.  It took me a few tries, but this is what I came up with.  If this is a technique that's already out there, please just bear with me!   Here's what I came up with:

I folded over the tip of the feather, and made a wrapped loop.  Here's how I did it.  First, I took about a 7" piece of 20 gauge copper wire, and bent it in half.

 I formed a loop, and kept both ends of the wire horizontal.

 I then inserted the tip of the feather into the loop, and folded it over.  I held it in place with my chain nose pliers.

 I began wrapping one end of the wire around the front of the feather.  I wrapped it several times.

 When I was comfortable with the number of wraps, I cut the excess wire off in the back and used the chain nose pliers to push the end down so it would lie flat and out of the way.

 Then I took the other end and did the same thing - please excuse the gnarly wire - I had to unwrap at one point, and that's why it looks this way!

 When I was done wrapping, I cut the wire in the back the same way and made sure the wire held tight by gently tugging on it.  After that, I just make my lampwork bead dangle by starting a wrapped loop, inserting the feather segment and finishing the wrapped loop.  Then I added a copper wavy chip bead (don't know what to call these!) my lampwork bead, another chip bead and made a wrapped loop at the top. Add ear wire and you're done!

Please check out what everyone else made with Rebekah's feathers by following these links!

Guest Artists

Karin Grosset Grange - http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.com/

Ann Schroeder - http://beadlove.wordpress.com/

Claire Lockwood - http://www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com/
Toltec Jewels - http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

 

The AJE Team

Jen Cameron - http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

Diana Ptaszynski - http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Kristen Stevens - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

Lesley Watt - http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/

Jenny Davies-Reazor - http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Francesca Watson - http://francescawatson.com/

Linda Landig - http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/

Melissa Meman - http://melissameman.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy - http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/

Rebekah Payne - http://www.treewingsstudio.com/

Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk/ 

 

Post Bead Fest Shop Update!

Hi all!  I've been back from Bead Fest for 5 days now, and while I want to get you a post with photos of the fun we had, I wanted to let you know I've been making updates to my nearly empty SueBeads etsy shop all this week in between working my other job.  Here are some things you can find!

I have a college friend coming to stay with me for the night tonight, I'm very excited haven't seen her forever.  Lots of yard work this weekend, too, but I will try and post my Bead Fest update this weekend and list more goodies!  Thanks for looking!

Bead Fest Update and Coupon

Thanks for bearing with me and my computer issues - I have a new computer, but lost my contacts, photos, etc. for the time being (after Bead Fest I will be visiting with Geek Squad!).  I wanted to give you all a sneak peek of the beads coming up at Bead Fest (booth #463 A) and a discount coupon for admission!

There are only four of this type of bead so far, and probably that will be all because I simply don't have the time it takes to make them!

 I have lots of hand-formed hearts that I am really proud of!

 Lots of ammonite cabochons, plus some arty ones as well!

 I will have many focals like these, as well as small sets of three and singles of this new style of bead!  I really love these as well.

 More hearts!

 Round beads, in fabulous enameled colors that almost look like ceramic beads!

 Lots and lots of chicklets!

 Here are the sets of three of this new style of bead.

 Lots and lots of headpins - singles and pairs!  I really got into making these and hope you like them!  They are made on 20 gauge copper wire, and have been kiln annealed, so they are very flexible for your designs and are 4 inches long, so you can do lots with these!

 Here's a printable coupon for Bead Fest - since they are charging admission again this year, this will save you $10 off your admission, making it only $5.  Please print it out to save yourself some money and buy more beads!

I hope you enjoy all my new designs for this year - I feel they are considerably different than my work last year and I hope you love them all!

See you at Bead Fest - in a week!!!!  Booth #463A - SueBeads

Issues

I finally go the blue screen of death with my old, unsupported windows xp computer.  I have a new computer I am setting up today.  I will not be able to do much until I learn this new stuff which is just too hard for someone who is almost 50.  Please bear with me - I lost all my contacts, photos, spreadsheets, etc.  Thanks!

Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Blog Hop!

The amazingly talented and incredibly kind Rita of Toltec Jewels (for Jewel School Friends) is hosting a blog hop today using none other than my flower chicklet beads!  I am very excited to see what you all made with the beads!  Here are some things I have made with them, some are repeats from yesterday and some are not.

I want to thank Rita for contacting me about this blog hop- she constantly surprises me with the variety and skill with which she makes jewelry, and her constant support and enthusiasm for bead artists and jewelry designers is amazing!  Please check out what everyone else made with their chicklet beads!

Just so you know, I will be visiting each and every one of your blogs, but I have two other blog hops to visit as well, so please be patient with me!  I appreciate all of you!

ARTISTS:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog

                                                               Art Jewelry Elements

Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads

SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams                                        http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                                               http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson                        http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Haberdashery Blog Hop

Melissa Trudinger, of Bead Recipes, is hosting a haberdashery blog hop today!  I had signed up, and that was in addition to the COM for AJE I had to do, and the Toltec Chicklets Blog Hop that's tomorrow, and being in the midst of Bead Fest prep!  So needless to say, I had a hard time coming up with anything!  Luckily I already had some pieces I made that incorporated my love of buttons!  I can remember playing with the jars of buttons that my grandmother would keep - she was quite a seamstress!

 This is made with my chicklet beads, and a great flower button and indonesian glass.

 Another chicklet/flower button combo - with indonesian glass as well!

 Finally, a piece I made with a beautiful thistle button and glass pearls. 

Please check out what everyone else made, and thank you Melissa for hosting a fun hop. 

Melissa Trudinger (Our Host)                          http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Ann Schroeder                                                 http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com

Tammy Adams                                                http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Amanda Wacasey                                           http://mandyinmystic.blogspot.com

Dolores Raml                                                   http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com 

Divya N                                                             http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com

Michelle McCarthy                                         http://www.fireflydesignstudio.BlogSpot.com

DiYana Brooks                                                 http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Robin Kae Reed                                               http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Andrea Glick                                                    http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Karin Grosset Grange                                     http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr

Mitzie Crider                                                    http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Janine Lucas                                                    http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories  <-- font="" on="" post="" sunday="" will="">

Rosantia Petkova                                           http://bairozan.blogspot.com/

Susan Kennedy   (you are here!)                  http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Leithleach Alainn Seodra                              http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/

Kathleen Breeding                                          http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/

Shiraz Biggie                                                    http://secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                               http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Heather Richter                                              http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier                                                  http://www.windbent.net/

Rebecca Anderson                                         http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com

Jenny Kyrlach                                                   http://anafiassa.blogspot.com

Rita Toltec Jewels                                          http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Mischelle Fanucci                                           http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Karen Mitchell                                                 http://overthemoon-design.com

Carol Briody                                                     http://Cbriody.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                                  http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                              http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                                                  http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Jami Shipp                                                        http://www.celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com

Lili Krist                                                             http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/

Evelyn Shelby                                                   http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Raissa de Guzman                                          http://www.abloro.com

Niky Sayers                                                      http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk

Keren Panthaki                                                http://vasdea.wordpress.com