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Articles for ‘Beads’

Ruidoso Art Festival

Written on July 16, 2010

I’ve had a fairly long break from shows, which means Jim and I have had time to make a LOT of new pieces. They aren’t all photographed yet. When they are, I’ll give you a sneak peek of what we are taking to the show in New Mexico next week.

I so look forward to this particular show. The Chamber of Commerce sponsers it, and all the staff and volunteers are so nice – they really take care of the artists. The Convention Center is a terrific venue, and of course Ruidoso itself is a cool treat for us hot weather Texans. It is almost a mini-vacation for us. The show itself is packed with really excellent artists and their work, including us , of course. Meanwhile, I’m still making some more beads for an update on my Japanese Kimono Series. Back to the torch —–

one Comments

Lori Anderson: I sure wish there was a way that I could see your booth and all your beauties -- I know I'm only seeing the tip of the iceberg with your web site!

Posted in Art Festivals, Beads, Jewelry, Lampworking, Uncategorized
Tags: artist, glass beads, Glass jewelry, handmade glass jewelry, Lyn Foley, Ruidoso New Mexico

Let’s Party Again – Bead Soup is Back!

Written on June 18, 2010

Remember a while back Lori Anderson organized a great on-line party? Artists with beads! How great is that? So great, we’ve done it again. We’ve swapped beads with a random partner, and created a piece of jewelry using the beads they sent us. We didn’t have to use all the beads, however did need to use the focal, the clasp, and at least some of the other beads. My bubby is Rebecca Sirevaag. Here’s a photo of the beads she sent me.

Bead Soup Rebecca sent me

I played around with the copper focal bead, changed it a little, added some of my lampwork beads to the mix, and came up with a long adjustable length necklace. I used mostly the beads Rebecca sent me, including the copper clasp. Jim contirbuted a little oak branch and pine cone he made in silver from live castings. I added some other gemstone beads too. The process was really fun and it stretched my creative juices. What do you think?

Close up of the copper focal bead Rebecca made

Necklace I made using Rebecca's bead soup, and some beads of my own

Check out what the other party members have made. It may take you a while – there were over 90 of us! Have fun, and

Welcome to the party!

Blog Soup Party Goers

1. Lori, Pretty Things

2. Lorelei, Lorelei1141

3. Norma, Moonlit Fantaseas

4. Beth, EB Bead and Metalworks

5. Katie, KatieBead

6. Kimberly, Bahama Dawn

7. Debbie, Prairie Emporium

8. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa

9. Kate, Tropical Blonde

10. Janet, Singing Woods

11. Julianna, Juls Beads

12. Erin, Treasures Found

14. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks

15. Kella, Me But a Little More In Depth

16. Emanda, Artemisia Studio

17. Marie, Skye Jewels

18. Loretta, Designs By Loretta

19. Stacy, Sissy and Jack’s

20. Joanna, Filcowe

21. Diane, Diane Hawkey

22. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

23. Anna, The Laughing Raven

24. Marcie, La Bella Joya

25. Lois, Que Onda Q’town?

26. Jayne, Mama’s Got To Doodle

27. Lisa, Alterity

28. Dale, Dales’ Flights of Fancy

29. Melanie, Kookie Designs

30. Christine, A Hot Piece of Glass

31. Nancy, Beading From the Heart

32. Laurel, Rue’s Daftique

33. Sandi, Do Be Do Bead Do

34. Nicki, Nicki’s Reef

35. Virginie, ViviBijoux

36. Janeen, Wild Vanilla

37. Filomena, Pink Velvet Bird

38. Lyn, Lyn Foley

39. Tari, Pearl and Pebble

40. Rebecca, Song Beads

41. Regina, Regina’s Writings

42. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse

43. Whitney, Whitney Lassini

44. Maria, Garden Path Beads

45. Michelle, Life in the Bead Lane

46. Ann, My Critical Eye

47. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio

48. Nan, Spirit Rattles

49. Amy, Copper Diem

50. Malin, Beading by Malin de Koning

51. Anne, Gardanne Glass Lampwork

52. Alice, Alice’s Beads and Baubles

53. Barbara, Second Surf

54. Amanda, Articulations

55. Heather, Humble Beads

56. Melissa, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

57. Kate, Organic Odysseys

58. Patti, PJ Clark Designs

59. Stefanie, Stefanie’s Sammelsurium

60. Carol, Carol Bradley Designs

61. Wanda, A Frayed of Fibers

62. Diana, Vintage Blue Studio

63. Marieke, Marieke’s Blog

64. KJ, Silver Parrot

65. Maire, Maire Dodd

66. Shannon, Miss Fickle Media

67. Dana, Dana’s Jewelry Designs

68. Charlene, The Bead Dreamer

69. Elisabeth, Beads for Busy Gals

70. Cathryn, Chile Cats

71. Missy, Melissa Rappaport

72. Cindy, Cindy Dolezal Designs

73. Valerie, Hot Art

74. Courtney, Beads by Breul

75. Johanna, Fire Phoenix Creations

76. Shea, gr8findings

77. Julie, Pryce Designs

78. Jeannie, Jeannie’s Blog

79. Patricia, Verre Design

80. Christa, Adventures of One Beady Woman

81. Heather, My Muse

82. Susan, Night Beader at Large

83. Sonja, Drachenei

84. Jennifer, Glass Addictions by Jennifer

85. Melissa, One-Eared Pig Beads

86. Rebecca, 2SistersBeadwork

87. Karyn, Releases by Rufydoof

88. Denise, Bling on the Blog

89. Doris, Glaszwerg

90. Megan, Churchy & Her Sailor

91. Jo, Daisychain Designs

92. Jen, VanBeads Jewelry and Design

93. Kristie, Artisan Clay

94. Jess, Vintaj

95. Suzann, Beadphoria

96. Sharon, Sharon’s Jewelry Garden

97. Michelle, bMichelle

39 Comments

Kella: Stunning as always, so much to comment on but want to say it is a beautiful wearable piece of art.

Jayne: beautiful, I love the copper.

Janet McDonald: Oh I just love what you did with the focal its really first class! Your necklace is vibrant and alive a bit spicy! Really like this.

Nicki: The pendant is gorgeous, and I love how you strung all those large beads together. I can never do it (turns out awkward for me), but I love it when other people do it. Very cool and wearable necklace. Seems totally right for me. ;-)

Lisa: I love the warm colors and the combination of turquoise with them! There are so many details to this necklace, it's hard to catch them all...I would love to see it in person! Great job with your Bead Soup!!

Norma: very nice, love all the color and the copper!

Nancy: What gorgeous colors! And I love what you did with the pendant - very lovely!

pearlandpebble: Love it! The copper pendant is fabulous. Enjoy!!

Megan C.: I love this necklace! I'm really liking copper this season. Great summer piece that could easily go into Fall.

drachenei: Wonderful design. Very lovely.

Carol Bradley: I love the necklace, but I can't see the focal. That part of the pic is cut off.

Jennifer Cameron: gorgeous necklace and I love how you put everything together. Lovely.

Emanda: Absolutely stunning. Organic and elegant. Emanda

Courtney: A stunning piece. Love the color way.

Michelle: What a great earthy necklace....the colors are fabulous! Bead Happy! Michelle

cindy dolezal: Very warm. Lovely Soup.

Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp: Looks great! I could not see the entire piece on my pc however. I seem to be missing the end with the focal in it. But I still love it!

--> Lyn Foley: Sorry some of the picture is cut off. I don't really know why - on my computer it looks fine. I have resized the photo - hope this helps. If anyone knows how to fix this problem, please (!) let me know

Lori Anderson: WOW but that is amazing! I agree, the pendant looks so good with the etching showing! And the castings are great! What an awesome job!

ViviBijoux: It's funny, it's got a real native american feel to it. Piece of art for sure! smiles, Virginie

Cathryn: This is warm and lovely! I love what you did with the focal and it makes it pretty earthy--something to wear at work or at play!

Erin Prais-Hintz: What a beautiful soup! I love the little leaf and acorn. Those are special touches. These colors make me happy, like a fall walk in the woods. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the day! Erin

Laurel: Lovely necklace! I would have liked to be able to see all of it!

Cindy: Lyn, you've created another master piece!!! Your jewelry is always in a class of it's own. I love the combination of colors, texture, and movement in this gorgeous necklace!

Loretta: I love the design. It has a real primitive feel.

Debbie / Prairie Emporium: What a special necklace, I love what you did with the copper pendant and the combo of colors.

Kate: Love the color combo and I love your connectors. I really can't see the focal, your picture is cut off on my screen for some reason but it looks awesome! Congrats on the sale!

Regina: The warm colors, the copper, it is beautiful! Very earthy and fiery! Love it..

Christine B: I love love love all the colors with the beautifully warm copper! Just fantastic!

heather: I love the mix of metals and the colors!! That deep blue-green with the shiny copper is fabulous!

Jo Tinley: Beautiful warm colours! I love how you've used the pendant.

Anna Lear: Wonderful design; your beading set off the focal piece just perfectly! I especially love the "danglies" from the pendant.

KJ: It's beautiful! That copper focal is perfectly balanced by the rest of the materials and the design.

Denise Yezbak Moore: I love how you added the turquoise with the oranges. I really like that color combo. The focal piece is very cool. You created a beautiful design!!!

Charlene: I love what you did and the resulting design - beautoful!

Janeen: I love what you did with the focal! Great finished piece. So lovely and great colors.

Marieke: I love the necklace, all the different details sure makes it into a gorgious piece of jewelry

Rebecca: Lyn- I finally got to stop by- got a bit of time today. I love the warmth of the piece you created. No worries about the size of the bead! I was delighted to work with something new. Thank you, partner!

Patti: WOW!! Love the focal!

Posted in Beads, Goals, Jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog
Tags: artists, Bead Soup, glass beads, handmade glass jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley

Bead Soup Party Teaser

Written on June 8, 2010

Remember the first Bead Soup Party a few months back? Lori Anderson organized it all, and what fun it was. So much fun, that Lori has organized a second “Party.” My partner this time is Rebecca Sirevaag. She sent me beads, I sent her beads, and on June 22nd we will post what we made with the “bead soup.” So exciting, a real challenge, and here are the teaser pictures.

Beads I sent to Rebecca - My lampwork with pearls and Turquoise

Bead Soup Rebecca sent me

I’ve already made a really terrific piece with the beads she sent me. Here’s two hints: I altered the wonderful copper focal she made by removing the gemstone that was hiding the nice etching she did on the copper. AND – ta-da – someone already know what the necklace looks like, and agrees it is wonderful, because she bought it at the Texas Arts and Crafts Festival! It was my first sale of the show, and good thing I had already taken photos of it, yes? Sorry, you’ll just have to wait for the party reveal date later in June to see the finished necklace. I’ll keep you posted.

3 Comments

Stacy: Love both sets of bead soup. Can't wait to see the finished pieces!

Stefanie: Both soups are awesome! regards Stefanie

Lori Anderson: I can't wait to see what it turned out to be!

Posted in Beads, Jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog
Tags: handmade glass jewelry, Inspiration, Lampworking

Making a Statement – Ykkks!

Written on June 3, 2010

My computer, after hiccups, coughs, fevers, and sleepless nights, is lingering in a sad state. I spent most of the day yesterday with the “Geek Squad” at Best Buy, hoping for a better prognosis. Alas, no luck. So now I am the proud owner of a new computer, however, in the process lost my passwords file and haven’t been able to post my statement necklace (or anything else, either).

So, finally got into my blog, and hope I am not too late for the ABS Carnival Blog about “Statement Pieces.” Each of the members has made a fabulous “wow” necklace, here’s the list.

Cindy Gimbrone
Cindy Dolezal Designs
Island Girl Insites
Janel Dudley
Jeannie’s Blog
Jen Valesquez
Kate Clawson
Marcie Abney
Mary Harding
Nicki’s Reef
Sharon’s Jewelry Garden

Check them all out – you’ll see some great creations using art beads. Here is mine, from a conglomeration of BIG lampwork beads I made, some old silver beads, and whatever else I had on hand. Enjoy!

7 Comments

mary harding: Beautiful necklace. My favorite range of colors. glad you have a computer. so upsetting to everything when it goes down.

Christine Hansen: What a lovely statement! Luscious colors and beads, and a custom clasp? Simply divine!

Cindy: Hi Lyn Glad you are able to get back online, but so sorry about all of the trouble and expense you've gone through! Your piece is just gorgeous...it's your wonderful beads that make the statement!

Jeannie: It is so bold and rich in color. It's stunning, truly! It's so frustrating when things you count on every day break down and you can't fix them yourself. GRRRRRRRRRR

--> Lyn Foley: Thanks y'all for the comments. Since I posted my 19 year old great-nephew Joshua was up from Houston visiting, and bless his little geek heart, he moved, captured and recreated most of my lost computer stuff! I'm back in business.

D Lynne Bowland: Looks great... never too late too post... deadlines are for school... and juried things not for thing we volunteer to do!

Posted in Beads, Jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog
Tags: ABS blog, ABS Carnival Bloggers, Art Bead Scene, handmade glass jewelry, Jewelry, Lyn Foley

My Show Line-up

Written on April 23, 2010

We enjoyed our recent show in Lubbock, Texas. It came and went so quickly I didn’t even write a post about it. Now Fayetteville Art Walk is in the near future (May 1st & 2nd). and ….Dallas City Arts will be the weekend after that, on May 7th, 8th and 9th. Whew! Am I busy?

So all I have time for is a copy of the City Arts e-mail reminder. If you make it to any of my shows, please introduce yourself.

no Comments

Posted in Art Festivals, Beads, Jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog, art
Tags: Glass jewelry, handmade glass jewelry, Jewelry, Lyn Foley

Anticipation

Written on March 27, 2010

One days' Beads Fresh out of the Kiln

As soon as I heard the word, anticipation, for April’s Art Bead Scene blog, I thought of the song by Carly Simon. Listen to “Anticipation” here if you don’t remember it. Even though I can’t get the tune out of my head the lyrics don’t all ring true for me. My take on anticipation revolves more around trust and excitement. Trust that what I believe to be true will produce a positive outcome – and excitement in looking forward to the realization I anticipate.

As a glass beadmaker, I am constantly anticipating. After all, I don’t see the results of what I create today until the next morning. No matter what else is going on in my life, I wake up excited when I know there are beads waiting to come out of the kiln. How great is that – like Christmas or a birthday every day!

Flowers in the Arboretum Before the Snow

I also experience anticipation when scheduling shows in which to sell my creations. This past week the anticipation didn’t pan out as imagined, since the weather in Dallas was wet, freezing, and it snowed! The show was cancelled on Sunday, so all that anticipation and expectation of a really good first show of 2010 froze along with the snow flakes. In the case of Artscape, a line from Carly’s song did ring true “I’m no prophet, I don’t know natures way.”

The Arboretum and Tents In the Snow on Sunday

I’m blessed with a loyal following, and customers tell me how how much they anticipate my being back in their town with all my goodies. Thanks to them, we did fine in Dallas is spite of the weather, and I took some orders too. Another example of trust and anticipation. These fabulous customers (and you know who you are) - trust me to make something they will love, and are willing to wait a week or two to receive their treasures. I love doing the orders. I anticipate making the beads, and the jewelry especially for them. So here’s a little sneak preview of one of the orders I just finished. This fun bracelet will go out to its owner on Monday. Thank you, and all the other customers who allow me to have the best job in the world!

A true circle of trust, anticipation, and love.

Special Order Bracelet for a Customer

4 Comments

Patty Lakinsmith: We are kindred spirits, Lyn. I can't wait to open that kiln either! Sorry your show was "snowed out". Who would have predicted that in Texas? Best wishes, Patty

D Lynne Bowland: Your snow in Dallas reminds me of my 108 degree outdoor sale in Saskatchewan in June one year. They should have canceled that one! Love the colours in that bracelet!

--> Lyn Foley: Yes, shows are like that - you pay your money and you take your chances! Glad you like the bracelet.

Lori Anderson: Loyal customers are the best. I just had a show where they came to wish me a happy birthday, and some brought cards, and one brought cheesecake!

Posted in Art Festivals, Beads, Jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog, art
Tags: ABS blog, ABS Carnival Bloggers, Glass jewelry, handmade glass jewelry, Lampworking

Inspiration: Branches with Almond Blossoms by Van Gogh

Written on March 14, 2010

Art Bead Scene has a challenge every month. For March, a painting by Van Gogh was chosen. I LOVE this painting, and went to work right away making the glass beads. I didn’t have the exact color blue that I wanted, so I used a transparent blue I had on hand, and then rolled each bead in a deep blue enamel. That gave the base bead a nice painterly feeling. The branches are applied stringer, made with silvered ivory glass. And the blossoms from a mixture of white and very pale pink glass. Two flowers made from clear glass rolled in frit completed the glass beads.

The finished beads hung out on my bead board for a while until I found a little branch Jim cast in silver. Perfect! I pulled out some bits of antique chain, some links Jim made, and others, arranged and rearranged them all, and my “Branches with Almond Blossoms” burst into bloom. Ah, welcome spring.

Meanwhile, Saturday Beads for Sale slid by without a nod. We went to Houston on Friday (always a challenge for us, we are no longer city traffic friendly). However, we did our medical chores, and afterwards, I enjoyed shopping at Rings and Things. I buy a lot of my findings from them, and gemstones as well. I love to pick out the beads I purchase in person, so I enjoy their once a year hotel show in Houston. Therefore, no torch work on Friday this week, nor Saturday either, as I spent most of yesterday re-painting all my booth displays for my first show of 2010, coming up in Dallas next week.

one Comments

Cindy: Lyn, what a gorgeous necklace...your take on the Van Gogh painting is just incredible. And just look at what you did with your beads!!! And Jim's silver branch... just love it! Good luck with the Dallas show!

Posted in Beads, Inspiration, Jewelry, Lampworking, Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog, art

What’s New and Saturday Beads on Sunday

Written on March 7, 2010

I’ve been busy as usual, this week I’ve made these with chain links. Some of the links are made by Jim in sterling silver – others copper and steel made by me. All glass beads by me. Enjoy.

one Comments

Cindy: Hi Lyn Oh what an incredible burst of creativity you had! I don't know where to start, they are all so stunning. First, your wire links are amazing. And I just love those colorful etched beads. And Jim's silver links!!...they're incredible too. And you might have saved my favorite for last, because that necklace with all of the discs is just over the top out of this world!!