December Challenge Winner

There were 658 votes (hugely up again from the last month's number!) this month and with 31 gorgeous entries so we have a resounding winner with 133 votes (20% of the total number of votes). Congratulations to Karin of Gypsy Eyes Jewelry who won with her Queen of the Frozen Tundra necklace. Karin says about this piece:

The Queen is an exquisite hand sculpted and painted porcelain pendant by the fabulous artist Pat Swyler. The patina of her complexion is a lovely icy blue. The crown jewels of her woven head-dress are a shimmering raw silver-gray diamond and magical boulder opals, their brilliant flashes of color reminiscent of the Northern Lights.

The necklace represents her kingdom: frost covered branches, snowflakes and icicles - all lovingly hand-beaded/ woven with tiny glass delica beads, opal, aquamarine, rainbow moonstone, pink kunzite, blue topaz and freshwater pearls.

Second: 27. Queen of the Snow - savoystudio

Third: 18. Yuki Onna - Japanese Snow Woman - SmadarsTreasure

Fourth: 11. Frozen Waters - Cuff - triz

Fifth: 7. Snow Queen necklace - CieloDesign

Sixth: 4. A Royal Affair - beadsforever

Seventh: 19. Anastasia choker - MCDdesigns

Eighth: 1. mirka collar - thebeadedlily

Ninth: 23. Snow princess necklace - FleurDeIrk

Tenth: 21. Snowflake Fairy - BeadazzledofOregon

And now, BeadWeavers, it's time to take a break and enjoy the holidays before you start working on the entries for the January/February Challenge. Don't forget that you have some extra time. Entries are not due until midnight Etsy Time, February 5th. As you know, our current winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the March Challenge theme at the end of January.

Many thanks to all of the amazing beaders who participated in the November Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who took the time to vote! We appreciate your participation!

If you haven't entered in our challenge before, it's time to get your thinking cap on and get beading on the January/February Challenge - Tropical Holiday!

Etsy Beadweavers' December Challenge - Snow Queen

The entries for the challenge are in and yet again, they are simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Imagine that all of these entrants took the time and talent to create these inspiring challenge pieces!

You can click on the item in the text list below the mosaic which links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detail of each piece! Be sure to come back on the 9th when the poll will be available for you to cast your vote, December 9th thru the 15th!

1. mirka collar - thebeadedlily

2. Snow Queen Musical Box - enchanted beads

3. winter's court necklace - AmethystRavenstar

4. A Royal Affair - beadsforever

5. Snow Blind - artzilla

6. Ice Crystals Holiday Bracelet - arosebyname

7. Snow Queen necklace - CieloDesign

8. Jadis , Beadwoven Cuff - RegalBeads

9. The Snow Queen's Dandelion - divina

10. Snow Queen Choker - njema

11. Frozen Waters - Cuff - triz

12. Queen of Ice and Snow Necklace - HannahRachel

13. Snowdrop - ErtheFae

14. Ice Dream - nemeton

15. Queen of the Frozen Tundra - gypsyeyesjewelry

16. Snow Queen Beaded Cuff - celestialfoundations

17. Snowflake - ArtfulAr

18. Yuki Onna - Japanese Snow Woman - SmadarsTreasure

19. Anastasia choker - MCDdesigns

20. For the White Witch of Narnia - ThesePreciousThings

21. Snowflake Fairy - BeadazzledofOregon

22. Snow Queen - cigarboxbeads

23. Snow princess necklace - FleurDeIrk

24. Snow Queen Collar - LiciaBeads

25. Royal Crystal Necklace - SpringColors

26. Snowfall - beadsandblooms

27. Queen of the Snow - savoystudio

28. Snow Queen amulet bag - PFordCustomJewelry

29. Snow Queen Paisley Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

30. Victorian Icicles Necklace - FrancescasFancy

31. Snow Queen Icicle Cascade Necklace - Emarah

Voting begins on Tuesday, December 9th and ends midnight December 15th. The best way to show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists is by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on December 9th.) Again, the individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between December 9th and 15th!

January/February Challenge Theme

Two months ago, our challenge winner was two winners who were tied; triz and SmadarsTreasure. Last month, we had a single winner and that was triz, so she was able to choose our next theme, all by herself!

Here is what triz has to say about it when I asked her if she'd come up with something yet:

I actually finally came up with something last night: Tropical Holiday

After all the snow what could be better than escaping to a tropical paradise! :-)

I know how she feels. Even though winter hasn't really set in here yet, I'm dreaming of a warm holiday. What about you? Yes? Then take those dreams and turn them into something wonderfully beadwoven for our January/February Challenge!

Yes, this is a busy time of year and that is why we are giving you from November 30, 2008 until February 5th, 2009 to get it done! It's the first challenge of the new year so it's your exciting opportunity to get going by participating early in the year.

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between November 30th, 2008 and February 5th, 2009.

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

November Challenge Winner

There were 480 votes (up again from the last month's number!) this month and fewer entries so we have a resounding winner with 140 votes (29% of the total). Congratulations to triz of who won with her Let My People Go Collar ! Triz says about this piece:

The inspiration behind “Let My People Go” came from the story of Pesach (Passover). Pesach commemorates the departure of the nation of Israel from Egypt. It marks the birth of the Jewish people as a nation led by Moses over 3000 years ago. It is as much a celebration of our spiritual freedom as it is the physical liberation from slavery.

Second: 14. The Hoshen - a Breastplate - beadshead

Third: 4. hands against time cuff - thebeadedlily

Fourth: 6. The Greek Key - BeadsAndI

Fifth: was a tie between 9. ONE WORLD Bead Woven Embroidered Cuff Bracelet - caraway and 15. Plaid Pride Bracelet - FrancescasFancy

Sixth: 12. Proud to be an American - dreambeadweaver

Seventh: Another tie: 16. Patchwork Cuff - playnwithbeads and 1. Catching A Dream Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

Eighth: 5. Celtic North American Native - SilkenLariat

Ninth: The third tie! 3. Beaded Ancestral Expressions Petroglyph Totem Cane - SalamanderHouse and 8. DNA in Violet and Blue - Wide Beadwoven Peyote Cuff - time2cre8

Tenth: 7. Hungarian meets French - beaddiddy

And now, it's time to start watching for the entries for the December Challenge. You can be sure that many of our EBW members have been working on their entries for the 'Snow Queen' theme. As you know, our winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the January/February Challenge theme at the end of November.

Many thanks to all of the amazing beaders who entered the November Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who took the time to vote! We appreciate your participation! If you haven't participated in our challenge before, it's time to get your thinking cap on and get beading!

Etsy BeadWeavers' November Challenge - Ancestral Expressions

The entries for the challenge are in and yet again, they are simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Click on the item in the text list below the mosaic to see more detail of each piece! Be sure to come back on the 9th when the poll will be available for you to cast your vote, November 9th thru the 15th!

Voting begins on Sunday, November 9th and ends midnight November 15th. The best way to show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on November 9th.) The individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between November 9th and 15th!

1. Catching A Dream Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

2. Florida Gators Orange and Blue Herringbone Bangle - njema

3. Beaded Ancestral Expressions Petroglyph Totem Cane - SalamanderHouse

4. hands against time cuff - thebeadedlily

5. Celtic North American Native - SilkenLariat

6. The Greek Key - BeadsAndI

7. Hungarian meets French - beaddiddy

8. DNA in Violet and Blue - Wide Beadwoven Peyote Cuff - time2cre8

9. ONE WORLD Bead Woven Embroidered Cuff Bracelet - caraway

10. Trail Mix - ThesePreciousThings

11. Roses and Pearls Necklace - SpringColors

12. Proud to be an American - dreambeadweaver

13. Let My People Go Collar - triz

14. The Hoshen - a Breastplate - beadshead

15. Plaid Pride Bracelet - FrancescasFancy

16. Patchwork Cuff - playnwithbeads

December Challenge Theme

Our last challenge winner was two winners who were tied so triz and SmadarsTreasure got together and jointly decided on the theme "Snow Queen".

Here is what triz has to say about it:

December is the month I associate with snow. Sadly I don't get to enjoy snow anymore, as I no longer live in Europe, but I miss waking up first thing in the morning and seeing white all around, the city tranformed into a magical land... and that land of course has a queen, the Snow Queen!

Thank you both for such a timely and inspiring theme.

We all have a busy time of year ahead of us so it's going to interesting to see what our EBW Team members come up with for this challenge! It's the last challenge of the year so if you haven't already participated this year, it's your last chance! Why not just DO IT!!

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between October 31th, 2008 and December 5th, 2008.

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

So, if you've already finished your entry for the October's challenge (Ancestral Expressions - voting begins November 9th) then get beading on a wintery Snow Queen piece!

And The October Challenge Winner Is....

There were 440 (up from last month!) votes this month and making a choice was sure difficult, resulting in a First Place tie between 1. Black Panther Necklace - triz and 17. Gotcha - Beadwoven Cat and Mouse Bracelet - SmadarsTreasure.





Second: 6. Animal passion necklace - FleurDeIrk

Third: 10. Turtle Talisman - ErtheFae

Fourth - another tie: 2. Flight of the Great Blue Heron - beaddiddy and 13. Petroglyph Cuff - HighDesertBeadscapes

Fifth: 3. barbary coast cuff - thebeadedlily

Sixth: 16. Where's The Orca Necklace - wMarlaine

Seventh: 11. The Mane Event Necklace - njema

Eighth: 5. A Feathered Affair - beadsandblooms

Ninth: 14. Safari Ric Rac Freeform Herringbone Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

Tenth: 15. Kiss of the Spider Woman Necklace - SpringColors

Be sure to start watching for the entries for the November challenge. Many of our beadweavers have been working on their entries for 'Ancestral Impressions'. As you know, our winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the December Challenge theme at the end of October.

Many thanks to everyone who entered the October Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who took the time to vote! We appreciate your participation!

Etsy Beadweavers October Challenge - Animal Instinct

The entries are in and once again, they are simply stunning! Click on the item in the list below the mosaic to see more details! Be sure to come back on the 9th when the poll will be available for you to cast your vote!

Voting begins on Thursday, October 9th and ends midnight October 15th. Please show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on September 9.) The individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between October 9th and 15th!

1. Black Panther Necklace - triz

2. Flight of the Great Blue Heron - beaddiddy

3. barbary coast cuff - thebeadedlily

4. Just chasing my tail - Chrisbeads

5. A Feathered Affair - beadsandblooms

6. Animal passion necklace - FleurDeIrk

7. What Remains -Fossil Necklace - SalamanderHouse

8. Nautilis Fossil Cuff - vanishingpearl

9. Magpie Cuff - nemeton

10. Turtle Talisman - ErtheFae

11. The Mane Event Necklace - njema

12. Stripes of the Tiger Beaded Cuff - dreambeadweaver

13. Petroglyph Cuff - HighDesertBeadscapes

14. Safari Ric Rac Freeform Herringbone Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

15. Kiss of the Spider Woman Necklace - SpringColors

16. Where's The Orca Necklace - wMarlaine

17. Gotcha - Beadwoven Cat and Mouse Bracelet - SmadarsTreasure

18. Dragonfly necklace - PFordCustomJewelry

19. Fish Instinct Bracelet - enchantedbeads

November Challenge Theme

Tears of Joy by Deb of beadsandblooms won our September challenge with her Search Light Art Deco Bracel. Her prize for winning is the privilege of choosing the theme for the next challenge. Deb has chosen a theme which I am sure will inspire you for the Etsy BeadWeavers November Challenge:

Ancestral Expressions

Deb says:

I've given a lot of thought to my theme for the November challenge and finally decided. Since November has always been a time of homecoming for me with Thanksgiving and getting family together, that thought led me to family, which led me to heritage and ancestry. So I'd like to challenge everyone to get back to their roots and create something that links them with their heritage. My theme for the November challenge is Ancestral Expressions. Hope this will be fun for everyone. Personally, I have some Bohemian and Irish roots to explore.

Thank you, Deb, for such an inspiring theme.

What will the EBW team members come up with for this challenge? I'm sure it will be interesting and I can hardly wait to see! So let your imaginations run wild and see what you can come up with. Certainly you have lots of room for your unique creativity here!

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between September 30th, 2008 and November 5th, 2008.

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

OK everyone, if you've already finished your entry for the September's challenge (Complimentary Contradictions - voting begins October 9th) then get beading on an Ancestral Expressions piece!

And The September Challenge Winner Is....

There were 311 votes this month and 3. Tears of Joy - beadsandblooms received the most votes.

"Tears of Joy" is a design worked with three contrasts: color, shape and texture. Complementary opposites on the color wheel, the contrast of curves and angles and finally the textures of the ruffley spiral stitch and the smooth, flat brick stitch. A beautiful piece and a well deserved win!



Runners up this month are:

12. Yin and Yang Peyote Bracelet- SmadarsTreasure

10. Roundabout - ThesePreciousThings

7. Lapis Lazuli Necklace and earring set - dreambeadweaver

22. Circle Gets the Square - beaderjojo

20. Pin Stipes and Flowers Bracelet - GrandmaMarilyns

11. Free and Formed - OOAK - beaddiddy

13. Bananarama Mask - Beadmatrix

21. Textural atmosphere - LiciaBeads

1. Le Rouge et le Noir Freeform Bracelet - enchantedbeads

Start watching for the entries for the October challenge. Lots of our beadweavers have been working on their entries for 'Animal Instincts'. As you know, our winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the November Challenge theme at the end of September.

Many thanks to everyone who entered the September Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who took the time to vote!

Etsy BeadWeavers September Challenge - Complimentary Contradictions

The entries are in and once again, they are simply stunning! Click on the item in the list below the mosaic to see more details!

Voting begins on Tuesday, September 9th and ends midnight September 15th. Please show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on September 9.) The individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between September 9th and 15th!

1. Le Rouge et le Noir Freeform Bracelet - enchantedbeads

2. Pinstripes and Rhinestones Cuff Bracelet - cigarboxbeads

3. Tears of Joy - beadsandblooms

4. links cuff - thebeadedlily

5. No Shades of Gray Black and Silver Cuff - njema

6. DARKEST LIGHT - Magnesite/Iron Wild Horse Cabachon Bracelet - fashionsfrome

7. Lapis Lazuli Necklace and earring set - dreambeadweaver

8. Stargazer- Beadwoven Brooch - animadversion

9. Opposites Attract - Beaded Potholder - vanishingpearl

10. Roundabout - ThesePreciousThings

11. Free and Formed - OOAK - beaddiddy

12. Yin and Yang Peyote Bracelet- SmadarsTreasure

13. Bananarama Mask - Beadmatrix

14. Black and White - A Story in Color - adinahalperndesigns

15. Opposite Attraction, Beadwoven Cuff - RegalBeads

16. Fire and Ice - AmethystRavenstar

17. Dragon Eye Beaded Bracelet - Tresijas

18. Autumn Peyote Cubed Cuff - myfairladyvt4

19. Black and Silver Freeform Bracelet - wMarlaine

20. Pin Stipes and Flowers Bracelet - GrandmaMarilyns

PLEASE NOTE; # 20 and # 21 are reversed in the poll at the left.

21. Textural atmosphere - LiciaBeads

22. Circle Gets the Square - beaderjojo

Etsy Beadweavers Help Fight Breast Cancer!

Twenty five members of the Etsy Beadweavers Street Team (EBW) have joined forces to help fight breast cancer and create beaded squares to be included in Jeanette Shanigan’s 2009 Beaded Quilt.

Jeanette sews the squares together to form the quilts and then frames them in shadow boxes. Finished quilts are auctioned at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, WI, and the proceeds are donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 100 percent of the donations go directly to research.

This year’s theme is “Bead artists have the heart to take on breast cancer” and all squares will include a heart motif. Past year’s themes have included roses in 2008 and butterflies in 2007. Almost $10,000 has been raised for breast cancer research from the sale of the quilts.

EBW members have set an October deadline for themselves in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check back for updates from the project and to see photos of the glorious squares being created!

Article submitted by Susan Clinkscales of Clinkscales Arts

October Challenge Theme

Julie of GemsbyJules won our August challenge with her Search Light Art Deco Bracelet. Her prize is the privilege of choosing the theme for the next challenge. Julie has chosen a theme which I am sure will inspire you for the Etsy BeadWeavers next challenge for October:

Animal Instincts

What will the EBW team members come up with for this challenge? I sure it will be interesting and I can hardly wait to see! So let your imaginations run wild and see what you can come up with. Certainly you have lots of room for your unique creativity here!

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome.
ONE only entry allowed per person.
The piece must be created between August 31, 2008 and October 5th, 2008

Thank you, Julie, for such a interesting and inspiring theme.

OK everyone, if you've already finished your entry for the September's challenge (Complimentary Contradictions - voting begins September 9th) then get beading on an Animal Instincts piece!

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

And The August Challenge Winner Is....

There were 502 votes this month and 26. Search Light Art Deco Bracelet - GemsbyJules received the most votes.

The cuff bracelet is done in peyote stitch and contains over 2000 size 11 Delica seed beads in a sea foam green, salmon pink, black and silver. Inspiration for the design came from posters with a "search light" look to them.



Runners up this month are:

14. Lost Treasures - Art Deco- beadwoven set - BeadCatcher

11. Art Deco Collar - HighDesertBeadscapes

19. Latte at Hotel Mercedes - Hand Beaded Cuff - ThreeFatesDesign

2. Purple Graces - triz

17. A Salute To Art Deco - wMarlaine

1. Moss Agate Going Green Doily Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

10. Deco Lotus pin or pendant - beadmummy

24. Art Deco Cuff - Savoy Studio

16. A Trip to The Nile - Collar EBWC - SmadarsTreasure


Keep your eyes peeled for the entries for the September challenge. Lots of our beadweavers are already at work on their entries for 'Complementary Contradictions'. As you know, our winner's prize is the opportunity to choose the theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the October Challenge theme at the end of August.

Many thanks to everyone who entered the August Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who voted!

Etsy BeadWeavers August Challenge - Art Deco

The entries are in and once again, they are simply stunning! Click on the item in the list below the mosaic to see more details!

Voting begins on Saturday, August 9th and ends midnight August 15th. Please show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot will appear on the side bar at right on August 9.) The individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote!

1. Moss Agate Going Green Doily Bracelet - myfairladyvt4

2. Purple Graces - triz

3. WAVES OF SYMMETRY - caraway

4. Flaring Pinwheels Art Deco Beadwoven Necklace - njema

5. Geometric Brooch with Onyx and Carnelian Cabochons - enchantedbeads

6. Harlequin - beadsandblooms

7. Art Deco Earrings Clinkscales Arts

8. Bloodstone Style Moderne - euphoriamoondesigns

9. Grey Art Deco Marquee Cuff - AmethystRavenstar

10. Deco Lotus pin or pendant - beadmummy

11. Art Deco Collar - HighDesertBeadscapes

12. Black Glass and Teal Art Deco Necklace - PinkPoochDesigns

13. Embroidered Pendant on Herringbone Rope - vanishingpearl

14. Lost Treasures - Art Deco- beadwoven set - BeadCatcher

15. Art Deco Meets Goth - WickedOakDesigns

16. A Trip to The Nile - Collar EBWC - SmadarsTreasure

17. A Salute To Art Deco - wMarlaine

18. Inspired by Cartier - Chrisbeads

19. Latte at Hotel Mercedes - Hand Beaded Cuff - ThreeFatesDesign

20. Art Deco necklace - Orly's BeadsHead

21. Butterfly Garden Enamel Necklace - ThePreciousBeads

22. Beguiling Beadwoven Art Deco Miniature Oil Lamp - Salamander House

23. Windows to the Past - adinahalperndesigns's

24. Art Deco Cuff - Savoy Studio

25. Stars of the Sea Cuff Bracelet - arosebyname

26. Search Light Art Deco Bracelet - GemsbyJules

27. Art Deco Bracelet - clairecreations

28. Black and White Art Deco Necklace by Sooz - BoodlersBeads

29. Hamunaptra - thebeadedlily

September Challenge Theme - Complementary Contradictions

Smadar of Smadar's Treasures won our July challenge with her Roses in the Night Sky Cuff Bracelet . Her prize is the privilege of choosing the theme for the next challenge. Smadar has chosen a really interesting theme for the Etsy BeadWeavers September challenge:

Complementary Contradictions

What will the EBW team members create for this challenge? I can hardly wait to see! Let your imaginations run wild and see what you come up with...there is certainly lots of room for your unique creativity here!

Rules:
Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome
ONE only entry per person
Must be created between July 31, 2008 and September 5th, 2008

Thank you, Smadar, for such a creative and inspiring theme. OK everyone, if you've already finished your entry for the August challenge (Art Deco - voting begins August 9th) then get beading on a Complementary Contradictions piece!

See our FAQ here for all of the details on the rules of our challenges.

Ars longa, vita brevis

I sold an astonishing 29 pieces at a show last weekend (in spite of the scary thunderstorm that ended the second day of the show an hour early), and with another show this weekend, I decided I'd take today off from my real job and produce.

I beaded my butt off. (Sigh. Don't you wish you could really do that?) I started before 8 a.m. and just quit about half an hour ago, 7:15-ish. I stopped for lunch and dinner and ran a couple of errands. I'll subtract an hour and half for all that, and that still was nearly 10 hours of beading. And in that time I produced exactly two pairs of earrings, a bracelet and a pendant. (Wow! Just another 25 pieces to go between now and Friday! And tomorrow is Thursday.)



I suspect many beaders are like I am when it comes to pricing work -- clueless. Back when I was a freelance writer, I once asked a fellow freelancer how much to charge for, say, writing a press release. The answer was, "As much as you can ask while still keeping a straight face. And if they accept your price without a quibble, you didn't ask enough." Of course, writing is not beading (thank goodness -- I don't want anyone coming back to me with requests for revisions on my earrings!), and I don't think any of us want to have our customers haggle over prices. Nonetheless, when something doesn't sell, I always wonder if I've priced it too high.

So how does one decide how much to charge? I've read in various places that one should charge 2.5 times the cost of materials. That might work for silversmiths or furniture makers, but I think beadweavers are more like painters, in that regard. Does a painter weigh each dab of pigment he or she puts on the palette? My seed beads are like that. Even if I had the discipline to track the price of every tube of beads and record how many of each bead I use in a piece, I'd spend more time counting than creating. And if I had the mindset for that, I'd be an accountant, not an artist. (Before all the accountants rush to hit the "comment" link, let me add that I'm sure there are many artists who are accountants and vise versa. But I'm not that talented!)

Another pricing philosophy is that one should price pieces according to an hourly rate. This is a bit problematic for me, too. Since I have a day job, I rarely complete a piece in one sitting. And if I kept a record of how many minutes I spend on a piece, we're back to the "counting, not creating" problem. Today, however, turned out to be a good benchmark, since I was specifically focused on beading. Ten hours, four pieces. I didn't track how much time I spent on each piece, but if I assigned four hours each to the bracelet and pendant, and an hour to each pair of earrings, the prices I charge for these pieces are very close to the hourly rate I've set for myself.

Is my hourly rate too low? Probably -- but that's a whole 'nother issue. What is our time worth?

Article by Frances of bebop beads.

EBW Team Midsummer Madness Sale!

Etsy Beadweavers present:

1st Ever EBW Team Midsummer Madness Sale!

Sale begins July 21st and runs thru to July 27th!

EBW Team members have gotten together to offer some special incentives for buying Handmade on Etsy.

Check out the fabulous beadwoven art jewelry specials at these participating shops:

Adina Halpern Designs 20% Off Everything

Adri 33 Select Items on Sale

Amber Leilani Free Shipping

A Rose By Name Free Shipping on Beadwoven Jewelry

Beadmatrix -10% First Item, -20% Second Item, -30% Third Item

Beadwork by Cindy Caraway 20% Off Pendants-- Excluding Archetypes

cigarboxbeads SALE Section

Cielo Design 15% Off Everything

Claire Creations Select Items on Sale

Clinkscales Arts 20% Off Select Items

Conlins Creations 20% Off Everything

Bead Diddy 15% Off Everything

Beadesigns by Dale Free Shipping + 10% Off Multiple Purchases

Beads and Blooms Free Shipping on Jewelry

Enchanted Beads 15% Off Everything

Far Frum Plain Jane 15% Off Everything

Fashions From E 15% Off All Beadwoven Jewelry

GrandmaMarilyns 15% Off Everything

High Desert Beadscapes Free pair of Cactus Bloom Earrings + Free
Shipping

JoyFullyJewels SALE Section

Littlestone Design 20% Off All Bracelets

Lolos Free Shipping on Select Items, 15% Off Select Items

Misty Ridge Beads Free Shipping + Gift

Inspired Jewelry by Ann Burke SALE Section

Lynn Davy 10% Everything + Free Shipping

njema 15% Off Selected Items + Free Shipping Storewide On Multi-Item Purchases

Orly's BeadsHead 20% Off Everything + Free Shipping

Play'n With Beads Free Shipping

Salamander House Studio Free Shipping

SandFibers Gift with Every $20+ Purchase

Silver Dragon Creations Free Shipping

Smadars Treasure 10-15% Off Select Items

Strung Out Creations 20% Off All Beadwoven Items

thebeadedlily 20% Off All Beadwoven Jewelry

time2cre8 Free Shipping + Gift on All Orders Over $25

Unique You Everything on Sale + Free Shipping

Valhalla Forge Designs Free Shipping

Meet EBW Member Patrizia Tager

1. How did you get started with beadweaving?

As a little girl I was taught by one of our babysitter to make my own loom out of a shoe box and to weave beaded bracelets on it. I remember loving it but somehow it was pushed aside and forgotten. As I grew up I pursued different artistic avenues. I graduated with a B.A. Hons. In Fashion Design and went on to study photography, but eventually I became a desktop publisher. About 3 years ago, when my son turned one and started day care a few times a week, in desperate need to do something creative I took the opportunity of a few free hours a week to enrol myself in 4 basic beading classes at the local bead shop. That was the beginning of my obsession. The classes weren't enough, so I started buying beadweaving books and magazines and found myself discovering a whole new world that I did not even know existed.

2. What is your favorite part of beadweaving?

My favourite part of beadweaving... I don't have a favourite part, I love it all!!! From buying the beads, to choosing the colour scheme, to learning new techniques, to sitting for hours in complete solitude with my work which I find very meditative, to finally seeing my vision realised in front of me.

3. Please tell us one little known or unknown fact about yourself?

My other "obsession" is tattoos, I have 20 and would love more but am scared of running out of skin!

4. What inspires you?

I really get inspired by everything. I find myself drawn to ancient civilizations and their arts but I am equally moved by modern design and nature. Colours that fit my mood at a given time are also where I draw my inspiration from. I often design a piece simply because I feel like using a particular colour to recreate a particular mood. And last but not least, I get inspired by the beads themselves and the opportunity for freedom of creativity that this medium allows.

5. Do you have a favourite piece you created?

My favourite piece is almost always the one I'm working on. I have to fall in love with the piece as I'm making it, otherwise it would never get finished, but if I had to pick just one it would be the Eye of the Storm necklace which was my entry for the EBW Stormy Whether Challenge.



Triz was recently published for the first time in Flatwork by Nicole Campanella.



Nicole, says about the book:

"FlatWork" is a beautiful beading projects book. Full of inspirational gallery pieces of flatwork created by artists from around the world. You will be completely inspired to create all of the projects in this amazing book. Traditional projects such as, Rosette necklaces, Bolo with a surprise, Three Ring wristband, and Appliqué flower. Contemporary tiered, shelved, and textured Flatwork. I have also included my wire flatwork projects, to mention just a few. I show systematically how to work basic Flatwork to create amazing pieces of art.

Read what Triz has to say about Flatwork. You can see more beautiful art jewelry pieces by Triz at Triz Designs on Etsy.

And The Winner Is....

There were 643 votes this month and 28. Roses in the Night Sky Cuff Bracelet by SmadarsTreasures received the most votes.

This is a free-form bracelet and is one-of-a-kind. It's beautifully textured and embellished with Czech seed beads and pewter roses. You'll want to take a closer look at it.



Runners up this month are:

13. Worlds Collide Necklace by ThePreciousBeads.

5. Midsummer Nights Dream - OOAK by triz.

24. Midnight in Summer - Abalone Paula shell - Funky blended blues by beaderjojo.

3. Necklace-Moonbeams by artzilla.

14. Love-in-Idleness by beaddiddy.

26. FAIRIES FLIGHT ON A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT beadwoven necklace by caraway.

11. A Midsummer Nights Dream Necklace by CieloDesign.

12. A Midsummer Night Dream by Fivefootfury13.

18. Butterfly Landings by vanishingpearl.

Keep your eyes peeled for the entries for the August challenge. Lots of our beadweavers are already at work on their entries for 'Art Deco'. As you know, our winners prize is choosing a theme for the next challenge. So watch for the announcement of the September Challenge theme.

Many thanks to everyone who entered the July Challenge. And many thanks as well to everyone who voted!