Wire Rocks!

The last time I blogged for Art Bead Scene, I shared a look inside my studio as I was getting ready for Bead Fest in Philadelphia.  One of the goals I set for my self while at a large show, is to learn a new skill to add to my jewelry designing arsenal.  I was fortunate to be able to connect with one of my favorite artists and designers, Staci Louise Smith, for an after show class she was teaching.  It was all about wire and connections and cool beads.  What's not to love?

Staci's class is called "Wild Wire Gypsy Charm Choker."  The kit included 16, 18, 20 and 22 gauge wire.  It was great to handle each one and learn more about differences and when to use each one. Staci annealed the wire before class to give it more flexibility and a vintage look.  The copper wire started out very shiny.  I found out I can anneal the wire with a hand held torch.  Pretty cool!

The base of the choker uses 8 feet of 16 gauge wire!  Thankfully it was cut into two 4 foot sections which made it easier to handle.  Every student hand formed the choker base so differently.  You really can't do it wrong after the basic shape is formed.  I found out I was in a symmetrical mood when I was designing my choker.  Staci told me it looked like daisy petals!

This is my finished necklace.  What an amazing statement piece!  I added some of my ceramic beads to the wonderful selection of gemstones, glass, metal, and polymer beads included in the kit.  I plan on making another unique choker necklace for an October Breast Cancer Awareness blog hop that Andrew Thornton is hosting.  I will use silver 16 gauge wire for the choker base with a wonderful mix of pink beads.  It is going to look so different, but equally amazing!

The good news is Staci is going to be teaching this wonderful class again at Bead Fest Philadelphia at the Spring 2016 show.  So if you love it like I do and want to learn some great techniques from an instructor that is so giving with her tips and techniques, don't miss it!

Studio Saturday with Erin Siegel

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard.
The following week we choose a random winner.

This week's winner is Erin S.! Congratulations! You have won a Time Flies Pendant from Gaea! Send Gaea an email with your address and she will get your prize out to you soon!

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This week we visit the studio of

Erin Siegel of Erin Siegel Jewelry

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 My Bead Fest 2012 Instructor Badge

 I had the pleasure of attending the Bead Fest Summer show in Philadelphia last weekend. It's a great bead show. I went last year but, this year, I didn't just attend the show, I taught at it! Yep, I've had my first experience teaching at a national bead show. This was a personal goal of mine and a major milestone for me. I enjoy teaching very much. I've taught lots of classes at local bead shops, but this is on a whole different level. It sure was a wonderful feeling to hang that official badge around my neck! I felt so professional. It was a privilege and a feeling I'll never forget, but I'll be the first to admit that badge sure does come with a whole lot of hard work and dedication. The amount of planning, prepping and preparing to teach a class at this show was like nothing I've ever experienced before. It's a joyous kind of work that I love doing, but boy oh boy, you sure do need to be prepared, love what you do, love to teach, and be on top of your game to pull this off successfully. I have a lot of respect for all those instructors out there. I know first hand that they must absolutely love every ounce of what they create and love to teach it! I think this must be true because it is true for me. 

 Bohemian Knotted Earrings

I taught my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop. I adore these earrings. I love to make them, I love to wear them, I love all the materials I use in them and I love the simple knotting techniques used to create them. They are very "me" and I love everything about them. I figure if I love my earrings that much, then maybe someone else might like them, too. Well, I think I was right about that because six very nice ladies signed up for my workshop to learn how to make them! I was thrilled.

 Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit 

featuring artisan metal components by Miss Fickle Media.

I was well prepared for class. Each student received a Bohemian Knotted Earrings Kit. The kits include all the materials to make each of the 3 styles of earrings in the workshop. "Sun Earrings", " Fringe Earrings" and "Chandelier Earrings". The kits contain Irish waxed linen cord, colorful gemstone rounds and artisan metal links and ear wires handmade by Shannon LeVart of Miss Fickle Media. I commissioned Shannon early in the year to make these components for me. Her handmade metalwork makes all the difference in the finished pieces.

 Cover page of my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial

Each student also received a spiral-bound, hand-out that included materials lists, clear instructions,  step-by-step photos and a resources list . For me, a thorough hand-out is a vital part of teaching a successful class. It really helps the class to run smoothly and each student can follow along easily even if everyone is working at a different pace. I received lots of positive feedback from students about how much they loved and appreciated the hand-out booklet. My first experience teaching at a national bead show was a good one and well worth all the effort I put into it. Each student enjoyed the class immensely and that is the most important thing to me. In fact, I even received some really awesome complements at the end of class from seasoned workshop attendees!

I know not everyone can get the opportunity to attend a show, let alone take a class or workshop. There are a multitude of reasons that might be the case for many people. So, I've decided to turn my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Workshop into a downloadable PDF TUTORIAL! I've heard from quite a few that expressed interest in my class, but could not travel to attend it in person.  I'm so very excited to offer my workshop in this way. Now, you can purchase my Bohemian Knotted Earrings Tutorial along with my Bohemian Knotted Earring Kit in my Etsy shop. I hope many more will enjoy making these earring designs as much as I do.They are so much fun to make!

Now for my questions for you this week:

Do you take any beading/jewelry-making classes at shows or local bead shops?

Have you taken any online classes or workshops? or downloaded any tutorials or patterns online?

Leave a comment answering any of these questions and you will be entered for a chance to win a digital copy of my 20-page, full-color photo, Bohemian Knotted Earrings TUTORIAL. The PDF file will be sent to the winner via email once I receive the winner's email address.

Thanks for joining me today and happy creating!

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry.

Art Bead Swap at Bead Fest Summer

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to return to the Bead Fest Summer show in Philadelphia, PA. It's a great bead show and one of the best in the country. My friend, Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio held her annual Art Bead Swap event at the show. A group of us jewelry designers and bead artists got together Saturday afternoon to exchange packages. Before the swap, Diana paired us up. Here I am with my swap partner, Linda Hanes of Crafty Gal Designs:

 Linda gathered together a nice collection of treasures for me. I was pretty thrilled because many of these artists were new to me, along with a few old favorites as well! Linda dabbles in mixed media jewelry, so she even created a collage tile pendant necklace for me. It's so sweet! Here's my stash from Linda:

Cream-colored lampwork rondelles from Susan Sheehan, small brown lampwork rondelles from HMB Studios, glass work pendant from Tari Zarka of Aspiring Artists of the Earth, ceramic washer beads from Elaine Ray, handmade mixed-media pendant necklace by Linda Hanes and a ceramic rose pendant from our host, Diana of Suburban Girl Studio.

And speaking of our fearless leader, here she is! After we swapped, we threw our names in a bag and Diana drew them for some door prizes. Well...actually, my mother-in-law, Nancy Siegel drew the names, but Diana looked cute holding the bag! :)

I won this gorgeous copper clay, paisley-patterned pendant from Kristi Bowman. I was super excited to win one of her pieces! I'm a huge fan of Kristi's work. Copper is one of my favorite metals and I love the shape and pattern of this pendant as well. Staci Louise Smith was present for the swap. It was nice to see her again. She gifted all the swap participants with one of her polymer clay pendants. I picked out this one. I adore the colors in it!

I have to thank Diana for putting together yet another event for us. She does a great job organizing this art bead swap each year. The best part about going to the show is getting together with beady friends and meeting even more beady friends! I met quite a few gals from the beading community that I've only been able to keep in touch with online. It's such a wonderful opportunity to get a chance to meet them all in person. Here's the gang that attended the swap this time around:

Photo credit: Amy Freeland

From left to right: Marsha Neal, Barbara Bechtel, Me, Kristen Stevens, Karen Totten, Melinda Orr, Vanessa Gilkes, Amy Freeland, Diana Ptaszynski, Lorelei Eurto, Linda Hanes, Sue Kennedy, Kathleen Klik, Staci Smith, and Sandi Volpe.

I'm looking forward to our next get together, Girls! If you'd like to join us or if you are interested in more information, contact Diana. See you next year!

Erin Siegel is a jewelry designer, beading instructor and co-author of the jewelry book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry: 50 Designs Using Leather, Ribbon and Cords. To find out more, visit her blog: Erin Siegel Jewelry.