04 Thu Dec 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, Giveaway
Tags
The winner of my giveaway is Shaiha Williams. Congratulations 🙂
Phoenix Feather charm by Cate van Alphen
The Auction is now complete and raised over $1000 for Beads of Courage.
30 Sun Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, Giveaway
The Art Charm Auction is nearly over. Don’t miss your opportunity to bid on some beautiful Art Charms (especially mine *nudgenudgewinkwink*) and support Beads of Courage.
Phoenix Art Charm by Cate van Alphen
Plus there is still one of my phoenix charms to be won. See my earlier post for details.
28 Fri Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, Inspiration
Tags
art bead, art charm, Art Charm Swap, bird, Charity Auction, dragonfly, fairy, kite, soar
As promised here is a look at the Art Charms I received. This year’s theme is “Soar”. I’m feeling uplifted how about you? 🙂
Art charm by Alicia Marinache
This blue dragonfly charm was from Alicia Marinache along with a haiku:
“Dance, o dragonflies,
In your world
of the setting sun.”
– Unknown
For more haiku and different coloured dragonflies see her blog: http://www.allprettythings.ca
Art Charm by Caroline Dewison
Caroline Dewison made her charms in a variety of colours. I like the one I received best since at this time of year it matches the real sky ;). Have a look at the other fantastic colours on her blog: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk
Art Charm by Chris Eisenberg
I used the bird charm I received from Chris Eisenberg to make a bracelet before I even took a picture of it. Have a look at the variety of charms on her blog, http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com – each one she made is different!
Art bead by Elisabeth Auld
Elisabeth Auld’s bead looks like a magic garden. The charm on her blog features a sky blue lampwork bead. Have a look at her blog: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com and see the necklace she made featuring all the charms she received.
Art Charm by Lee Koopman
I kept the kite charm from Lee Koopman, http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com, on the card to show the lovely message included: “Kites were used to send prayers to God’s ears.”
“Soaring Bubble Baubles” by Renetha Stanziano
Renetha Stanziano’s Soaring Bubble Baubles are like a party in the shape of a bead. See them on her blog, http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com, each one is different!
Art Charm by Sheila Prosterman
Sheila Prosterman’s seed bead squares represent kites or bits of sky and the colours around the edge each tell a story. Find out more on her blog: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Art Charm by Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy made adorable birdy charms. Have a look at her blog, http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com, to see them in other colours.
“Shooting Star on the Wings of Love” by Toltec Jewels
“Fly Well” by Toltec Jewels
I received TWO charms from Toltec Jewels, each one with a wonderful story and featuring artist made beads. Have a look at her blog, http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com, to read all about her inspiration.
Remember Art Charms by these artists, and more, are still available to buy at the auction, and there are even more charming blogs to look at in the hop. Also check out my giveaway to win one of my phoenix charms.
27 Thu Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, Giveaway, My work
**Edit: The Auction is now finished & this giveaway is closed.**
This year I took part in Jen Cameron’s Art Charm Exchange. The way it works is that you send in 11 charms, and get back 10 art charms from different artists (one of them is your own). The 11th charm goes towards the Auction to benefit Beads of Courage.
Phoenix charm by Cate van Alphen
To make it an even number, I decided to make 12 polymer clay charms, so there is one charm to give away 🙂 Have a look at my reveal post to see the inspiration behind the phoenix and it’s feather, and the blog hop to see all the charms made by the other artists.
Phoenix Feather charm by Cate van Alphen
All you need to do to take part in the giveaway is share the link to the AUCTION (or even better, place a bid) and let me know in a comment here that you have done so. Pop in a comment for each share for more chances to win. Please include an email contact. Since a phoenix can SOAR around the world, this giveaway is open to international people too :).
Because the auction is intended to raise money for Beads of Courage, I don’t want this giveaway to discourage you from bidding on the charms there. So, if you happen to win both the auction for my charm, and this giveaway I’ll give you a £20 voucher for either my Jewellery or Component store on Etsy instead (unless you actually want a pair of charms *cough*earrings*cough*).
I’ll announce the winner after the auction completes.
Good luck!
26 Wed Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Bead Scene, Art Charm Swap, Challenge, My work
Tags
art bead, Art Bead Scene, art charm, bracelet, hummingbird, macrame, necklace, NOV ABS, orchid, polymer clay
**Click here if you looking for the Art Charm Swap.**
This month’s Art Bead Scene Challenge inspired jewellery surprised me a little. Here is the inspiration painting:
“Cattelya Orchid and Three Hummingbirds” 1871 by Martin Johnson Heade
Oil on Mahogany Panel, 34.8 x 45.6 cm
Initially I focused on the orchid, and made some polymer clay focal beads/pendants inspired by it. I did string one of the orchids, but I figured it either needed something simple or something totally flamboyant. I went with simple since my supplies are still packed.
Orchid Necklace by Cate van Alphen
But then I thought the finished necklace was a bit too simple for a challenge piece.
Next I realised that the charm I received from Chris Eisenberg as part of the Art Charm Swap looked like a little hummingbird. I matched the beads and thread to the charm without reference to the painting. I made some polymer clay twist charms which are metallic green – they make me think of wings/leaves/petals. I added some AB coated beads and bright purple thread. The purple thread surprised me until I took another look at the painting and saw the throat of the hummingbird.
The charms are on a macrame cord with knots that twist forming a helix effect. I was thinking about the twist of the hummingbird’s wing as it hovers. I’ve been watching “The Life of Birds” on BBC catchup which has some wonderful slow motion footage of this (28:15).
Hummingbird Bracelet by Cate van Alphen
The bracelet is adjustable with the threads sliding through a central bead. I have left the ends quite long and added a little stack of beads to each so that they flit around the wrist like tiny hummingbirds around a flower.
Hummingbird Bracelet by Cate van Alphen
There we go – Hummingbird Surprise!
25 Tue Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, My work
When I was 18 I left South Africa to travel the world. I was independent, optimistic and ready to fly! At the time I thought I should get a tatoo of a peacock feather so I would always remember that feeling of freedom and power. I never got the tatoo, and now with two small children and a mortgage I feel a little… otherwise.
As soon as I saw the theme for this year’s Art Charm Swap was Soar, I knew I wanted to capture that lost feeling of lightness and optimism.
“But a peacock is not really good at flying.” I told my muse: “It sort of flaps and hops. Eagles and vultures SOAR.”
“Good point, but a vulture feather is not really as aesthetically pleasing as a peacock feather. How about a phoenix feather?”
“Ye-es, I like the symbolism of the phoenix – that there’s always an opportunity for a new beginning. So what does a phoenix feather look like?”
“Um… sort of like a peacock feather but in fire colours – red, yellow and gold.”
“I see. But does a phoenix soar?”
“Of course, it stands to reason, with all that fire there’s bound to be thermal updrafts. Maybe that’s the reason for all the fire?”
…
And so that is why my polymer clay charms feature a phoenix feather :).
Phoenix Feather charms by Cate van Alphen
I used a polymer clay cane but I have individually shaped each one, so they are all slightly different. Just in case you missed the internal monologue and were wondering why I’d done a golden peacock feather…
Phoenix charm by Cate van Alphen
The other side features the actual phoenix. If you dare, you can seize the feather and soar with the phoenix into the open blue sky.
Phoenix Art Charms by Cate van Alphen
Finally it’s time for YOU to be involved in the Art Charm Exchange…
Firstly you can enjoy the blog hop, and have a look at all the talented artists who have taken part in the Exchange. The * indicates the artists whose charms I received. I will do a separate post soon to feature my hoard ;).
Jennifer Cameron: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog
Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
* Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca
Andrea Glick: http://zenithjade.blogspot.com
* Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk
Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
–> Cate van Alphen: https://fulgorine.wordpress.com <– You are here!
Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
* Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
* Elisabeth Auld: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Genevieve Gabbert: https://www.facebook.com/MasuDesigns
Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak: http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
* Lee Koopman: http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net
Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger: http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle McCarthy: http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com
Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com
Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca
Niky Sayers: http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/
* Renetha Stanziano: http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
* Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com
* Susan Kennedy: http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com
* Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/
Most importantly, if you can, take part in the AUCTION which is to raise money for Beads of Courage.
24 Mon Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap
It’s nearly time for the Art Charms to be revealed. Remember the auction to benefit Beads of Courage will be starting tonight.
See you tomorrow, 25th November 2014 for the blog hop 🙂
16 Sun Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap
Here is a sneak peek at the Art Charms I received.
Here are details of the links on the cards.
Toltec Jewels
Elisabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals
Renetha Stanziano, Lamplightcrafts
Susan Kennedy, SueBeads
Lee Koopman, Strega Jewellery
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Alicia Marinache, All The Pretty Things
Sheila Prose, Cheap Charms
Caroline Dewison, BlueberriBeads
Remember the blog reveal and the start of the auction have been delayed, so you’ll need to come back on the 25th November to see the charms themselves 😉
11 Tue Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap
The Art Charm Auction has been slightly delayed so it will now start on the 24th November 2014. The blog reveals will be in the early morning of the 25th.
So you’ll need to be just a little bit more patient, but it will be that much closer to Christmas so if you DO win a charm you won’t have to wait as long to open your present 😉
07 Fri Nov 2014
Posted in 2014 Art Charm Swap, Art Charm Swap, How to, My work, Tips, Tutorial
Tags
art bead, Art Charm Swap, Cate van Alphen, handmade beads, kanji, mica powder, pearl, perfect pearls, polymer clay
I recently discovered that some mica powders (e.g. Perfect Pearls) have an added resin which means they do not need to be varnished to seal. WOOT! I love the shimmer, but I have been avoiding using them because I find varnishing such a hassle – all that washing brushes and waiting for it to dry…
Since then I haven’t been able to stop myself adding pearlescent powder just about everything.
Kanji pendant by Cate van Alphen. The symbol means “friend”. It is available in my Etsy store.
Blueberry frit beads by Cate van Alphen
These are Stroppel round Natasha beads. See my free tutorial for how I made them.
Yes, I only have one colour of mica powder at the moment, but I have ordered a few more… so watch this space for more pearls of polymer clay.
In other news, I have received my Art Charms 🙂 but you will need to wait till after the reveal on 14th November 2014 to see my treasures as I want to include some of the artists’ inspiration.
Fulgorine 