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~ Just for Me!

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under jewelry (2 Responds)

I made a ring just for myself. I like rough looking, big, chunky metal and this is it!

Process:

1.  Gather some scrap sterling silver. Melt in a little rough hole I dug in my soldering board. Pickle to remove fire scale. File the backs smooth and flat.

2.  Hand-saw copper sheet metal to the width and length I want the ring to be (sz 7.5). I left it a tiny bit short to allow for the hammering I wanted to do on it. 

3.  Solder the three sterling nuggets onto the copper. Also this will anneal the copper for the forming of the ring. Pickle to remove fire scale.

4.  Form the ring and solder the edges. Pickle to remove fire scale.

5.  File,  hammer, brush to the desired texture.

6.  Oxidize and buff with steal wool and polishing wheel.

7.  Tumble for 6 hours or so and…. Here it is:

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Additions to the “Sweetheart Series”

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under jewelry (2 Responds)

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I’ve made three more “Sweetheart”  necklaces that will be listed in my Etsy Shop tomorrow morning. All of these will be very reasonably priced and absolutely perfect as Valentine’s Day gifts.

Here is a preview…

Rockstar Heart Necklace

Rockstar Heart Necklace

Key to my Heart Necklace

Key to my Heart Necklace

Splash Necklace

Splash Necklace

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~ Featured Artists ~ Ondine Glass

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under Featured Artists (4 Responds)

 I am so impressed by this muti-talented artist. Jeanine Owen has an extremely creative spirit and it shows in every piece of art that she produces. Be it through paint or glass, Ondine Glass’ work will catch your eye. Have a good read in this fabulous interview!

Tell us about yourself and your work.BlogOndine8

I live in NE Florida, not a long drive to the ocean. My business name is from the legend of Ondine, she was a water sprite. I am a vegetarian turning vegan this year.  I’m 55 years old and have reached a point of honesty in my life, where I can’t ignore the exploitation of animals. In addition to my glass and lampwork, I’m pursuing my interest in painting  and silversmithing techniques to frame my sculptural glass beads.    

 

 

How did you start your artistic journey?BlogOndine1

My art career began at Disney Theme Parks. I was employed as an artist demonstrator and sidewalk artist. I worked in reknowned locations such as Montmartre and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and in Tokyo, Japan.  It was while working alongside talented glass blowers from Spain, that I discovered glass art.   I also worked for a period at Disney manufacturing the scenes, props, and decorative displays for Epcot Center using plastic and fiberglass mediums.

 

Have you had formal training, or are you completely self-taught?

BlogOndine9I studied at a glass school  in southern New Jersey and hold a degree in glass chemistry & technology and an associate in science.  Working  in the industrial glass field I learned to form objects from glass tubing, both by hand and on a glass lathe.  Part time work as a beadmaker opened a new door into the world of art glass. I also studied hot glass/furnace work with japanese glassblowers while living in Tokyo.  I’ve embraced the entire range from laboratory to art glass, test tubes to paperweights, bottles, beads, and marbles. My interest in art and glass continues.  I feel I learn the most from experimenting in my glass shop.BlogOndine7

 
I expand my  knowledge with workshops in glass as well as portraiture from notable artists such as  Loren Stump and Paul Stankard along with dvds , tutorials, reading forums and youtube videos. I believe self taught works well for me, but enjoy the exposure and new skills learned in workshops. Most recently I took a class in classical oil portraiture in NYC from Marvin Mattelson at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.   I’ve wanted to return to college to continue my interrupted art studies many times for a degree in fine art, but find the workshops and adult classes more suitable to my age and lifestyle.  I may continue studies and earn a fine art degree online one day if circumstances permit. My mother was a sculptor and a painter. She always encouraged creative energy and ideas.

 

What inspires you? Do you have any charities that you support with your art?

I have many favorite artists, but to name only a few,  Diana East, Dinah Hulet, Loren Stump and Kristen Frantzen Orr. I admire many of the Japanese glass beadmakers, as well as their textiles and attention to detail in all art forms. In painters I admire a wide range  from the classical portraiture of Sir Anthony Van Dyke to the abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning.  In sculpture I love the work of  August Rodin, Constantine Brancusi and, of course, the  impressionists.  The portaits by Talousse LaTrec are among my favorites. A visit to an art museum is usually an uplifting and spiritual experience for me.

BlogOndine4I was featured  in a newsletter by Alleycat Allies  because I raised money for homeless cats with an ocassional ebay charity auction. I joined the Etsy For Animals Team and will be donating some beads to a charity fundraiser coming up in March. While I support many causes, I feel I can help most by supporting the charities in my own neighborhood,  especially the strays or homeless on my own street.  I do what I’m able and I wish I could do more.  This year I plan to go vegan in an effort to stop exploiting animals.

 

 
Do you have a favorite piece or collection of work?

When I am tired of making simple beads, my mind relaxes by creating a cat bead.  Maybe it’s because I have 5 cats and the face is a familiar one.  My pets were all strays adopted from the neighborhood and spayed or neutered.  I also enjoy making a racoon or an opossum, my “Park After Dark” necklace includes all of my favorite night animals… opossum, cat, and racoon.

 

What direction do you plan to take your work ?BlogOndine5

This year I hope to widen my market and improve my product overall. Recently I purchased new beautiful bead presses (which I think are pieces of art in themselves) to produce more contemporary, current, and wearable beads to sell and accompany my sculptural beads.  I’m working on a jewelry design for my sculptural beads, something that can be put on and worn immediately and comfortably.  I am teaching myself some silversmithing techniques from online sources, tutorials, and books.  The Etsy community has inspired me with shops of fine arts and crafts,  and has motivated me to raise my own standard.  I’m looking at the possiblity of publishing a brief tutorial for beadmakers on my own sculptural glass bead methods. I’m currently working to improve my personal website.  I’m also experimenting with some of the new silver glasses being produced for lampworking.  I have a stash of 1920’s vintage glass to include vaseline and milk glass. I plan to make them into beautiful beads  for springtime. 
 
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Ondine Glass has been featured in the Lark Books Publications, 1000 Glass Beads and is a regular artist at Pismo Fine Art Glass, owner Sandy Sardella.

See the fabulous work of Ondine Glass at these websites:

http://www.ondineglass.com
http://www.ondineglass.etsy.com

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Marry Me ~ Be my Valentine ~ Happy Aniversary

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under jewelry (3 Responds)

OK.. so maybe I AM getting a little SappY, but I absolutely love this necklace!

All sterling silver and completely handmade. A heart, an engagement ring sporting a little Swarovski crystal. This will be a lovely proposal, aniversary gift, Valentine or just an “I Love You”.

Available in mt ETSY Shop

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~Featured Artist ~ The Urbanimal

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under Featured Artists (5 Responds)

The art of Emma-Jayne Saanen truely comes from deep within her soul. She tells a story with each skillful stroke of her pencil and brush.  I am so pleased to feature her in this interesting interview. Enjoy!

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Tell us about yourself and your work.

I am Emma-Jayne Saanen, an animal artist based in the UK, near Glasgow. My art is the result of my journeys as an animist, neo-pagan totemist and aspiring contemporary shamanist. The world is full of people, moving through their lives and sharing their stories with those who will listen. In the cries of birds, the scurrying of animals, the growth of trees and the movement of the wind there are stories abound – if only we stop long enough to acknowledge the voices of those who are other-than-human.BlogUrban5

 

How did  your artistic journey begin?

My journey began at a young age. I was always drawing, and animals dominated my creativity. I grew up in a family that bred dogs, and lived in a place that had the benefits of urban wildlife, farm animals and the creatures that roam the woods. My home is a town near Loch Lomond, and the beauty of the land touched me at an early age.

 

Have you had formal education in the arts, or are you completely self-taught?

I did study at the Glasgow School of Art, and have a BA(Hons) in Environmental Art, but the course was not for me. It was too restrictive and I was unsupported. For me, what I taught myself and have learned from my peers has been far more valuable.

 

BlogUrban4Where do you find your inspiration?

I am inspired by the animal kingdom, my work as a volunteer park ranger, and my interests in animism and neo-pagan totemism. Fellow artists that influence and drive me with their energy and philosophy are Pia Van Ravestein   and Lupa . My earliest artistic influence was Banksy . His bold lines are still visible in my work. 

The main influence has to be spiritual. I see animal spirits/totems and have to draw them, in the hope that others see their energies too and are inspired.

 

Do you have a favourite piece or collection of work?

My favourite piece at the moment would have to be “Roe Deer II“.  This illustration was inspired by the “spirit” that inhabits a set of Roe antlers I was gifted earlier this year.

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What direction do you plan to take your work ?

I am in a rest period at the moment. I am not sure where my work is going. It’s an organic process, and will grow and bloom in it’s own way. I find that quite exciting!

 

See Emma-Jayne Saanen’s work at:

http://theurbanimal.wordpress.com/     
http://urbanimal.daportfolio.com/

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a Bird in Paradise

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under jewelry (4 Responds)

I  love birds. There is something soothing about them. 

I set out to make a “bird necklace”. I had one more really big, 18 gauge, 2.00 inches diameter copper disc left in my stash. I drew a bird with a perm marker pen. Pulled out some various metal texturing tools and started hammering.  A piece of metal this substantial definately deserved to hang on multiple strands of earthy color. I had to dig up my beading materials and brush off the dust (it’s been a while). I soldered rings and finished the bead strands with sterling silver components. This is the result…

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~ Featured Artist ~ Vonna Maslanka

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under Featured Artists (3 Responds)

I have the absolute pleasure of featuring one of my favorite artists, Vonna Maslanka. I know from personal experience, as I own many of her pieces, her art comes straight from her heart. Meet this extremely talented lady here in this short interview:

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Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I live in a northern suburb of Chicago, with my husband.  I have a daughter and 2 sons. My passion is creating jewelry, a natural ability, and making lampwork beads, by dumb luck and good fortune … The word “Simplicity” is definately not in my vocabulary!

How did your artistic journey begin?

Daddy goes on a trip and brings home my first box of bead drool!
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When my eldest son started college at Kansas City Art Institute, I realized there was more to life than baking cookies… I found Art.JVblog3

 

Have you had formal training, or are you completely self-taught?

I took one jewelry class about a year and a half ago with Hannah Rosner on her technique for beadwoven bracelets. I have taken several lampworking classes and have worked with some very talented glass artists as well. Other than that I am self taught.

What inspires you?JVblog4

 
Life inspires me. Each day brings a fresh new breeze and an unknown journey to where my creativity will take me.

 

 

Do you have a favorite piece or collection in your jewelry box?

JVblog2Everything that has been gifted to me over the past few years and a certain necklace that I wear whenever I am in the car (it is my compass and keeps me from getting lost!). I love wearing the work that is made by the loving hands of  friends. Very special! 

 

What direction do you plan to take your work ?

My determination to push the limits in design has no boundary. I take life as it comes to me straight on.  I am a mother and avid activist of creativity in the arts for the children of our community. In November of this year I was elected as President of  The Bead Society of Greater Chicago. My life shall yet again be different come  January 1, 2010.

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Where on the world-wide-web can Vonna’s work be found??… 

You have done a wonderful job on this blog ,Rebecca.  I thank you for having me and I wish you good luck and good times for the new year — Rock On I say…

These are just a few of my sites - and I’m always in update mode:

www.justvonna.com
www.jdmachope.com
www.jdmachope.blogspot.com
www.beadporn.com

JVblog7

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A Gift

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under jewelry (3 Responds)

I made this particular necklace as a gift for a young family member. It is all wrapped up and ready to go under the tree. The cross is .999 fine silver and  is rather large. Embellished with Swarovski pearls, I am certain that the recipient will love this one!

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~Featured Artist~ On Bended Needle

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under Featured Artists (8 Responds)

I am absolutely in love with the work of  Amy Gaura, owner and operator of  On Bended Needle.  She is new to etsy, but not the world of beading. She masterfully hand creates works of art using her bead weaving techniques along with various other mediums such as glass,  polymer clay and fiber arts. Here is an interview I did with Amy. Enjoy!

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Tell us about yourself and your work.
 
My name is Amy Gaura, and I live in Joliet, IL. I’m a mother of 6 grown children, with 8 grandbabies (7 girls, 1 boy). I’ve always been artsy, and dabbled in a variety of media, but jewelry art is what captured my heart and invaded my soul. I love beadweaving (off loom), but also love polymer clay and playing with fibers.
 
How did you start your artistic journey? OBNblogArt3
 
When I was a girl, my parents always encouraged my siblings and I to develop our imagination. If I wanted to try any new artistic endeavor, it was encouraged and critiqued. We were pushed to think outside of the box, and I think that’s a great gift my parents gave me. We all ended up being creative in our own ways.
 
Have you had formal training in art or jewelry making, or are you completely self-taught?
 
No formal training, just a great desire to learn.  I’ve read lots of books and magazines to learn different stitches, techniques, and so forth. A ton of experimentation, too. It’s been a great artistic adventure and there’s so much more to learn!
 
OBNblogArt5 Who and/or what inspire you?
 
Many different inspirations, but mostly nature. Every fall, I go for 2 weeks of vacation to Panama City Beach, FL. and stay at a little place right on the beach. So much about that place inspires me…..the waves on the gulf, the colors reflected in the water, shells and even just pieces of shells, colors in the amazing sunsets. Just so much!
 
Do you have a favorite piece or collection of your work?
 
Honestly, I don’t really have a favorite piece. I’m perhaps my own worst critic.  I did design a tiara for my sister-in-law’s wedding ensemble.  She had a plum colored theme, so I designed the wire frame of the tiara, created polymer clay flowers in her wedding color, embellished them with pearls and crystals, beaded some russian leaves, and wire wrapped them all on to the base. It did turn out really well! She even had a glass covered shadow box made for it, and it hangs on her bedroom wall. If there is one piece that I’m most proud of it’s probably that one, because it made her so happy. She did looked beautiful in it!
 
OBNblogArt2 What are you currently working on?
 
Currently, I’m working on getting my Etsy shop up and going.  I’ve designed jewelry for many, many years, and most of it has just been sold to friends, friends of friends or given to family as gifts. I’ve been told for years to “get up off my rear” and market it. Well, as I’ve said before, I’m my own worst critic. It’s taken a long time to get over my self-induced doubts and believe my loved ones that my work is worthy.  I’ve talked to other artists on the Etsy site and have found that it’s common for us to have those self doubts about our own work and sometimes difficult to take that leap of faith in sharing our talents with the world.  But, you know what?  now that I have,  I wish I would have done this a long time ago. I’ve gained a confidence that is valuable beyond measure. Nothing is going to stop me now!
 
Tell us about  your shop.
 
My shop is On Bended Needle, and the story behind the name is this:  When you do beadweaving, you tend to put tension on your needle, and it naturally gets a permanent bend to it. Actually, I like when it does that, it’s easier for me to work with than a new needle.  So, my shop name is just a little play on words.
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See Amy’s work at her new etsy shop. You will certainly want to add it to your favorites!
 
 
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Love ~ Always in Vogue

Posted by Rebecca Bogan under jewelry (1 Respond)

I love some of the jewelry that was popular in the 1980s. I like to take the old version and update it just a bit with my own vision of what I think makes it better.  I like  charm-holders and floating-hearts. They never ever go out of style.

In the past few months I have come to know more about love and how important it is. With that inspiration I made this floating heart pendant. Rather than just a floating heart, I made a double floating heart. It symbolizes two hearts traveling as one. SAPPY, aren’t I!

Available in ASD Etsy

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