Dot Frenzy in the Studio - Making Lampworked Glass Beads

It's been a while since I have posted! Show season is in full swing which means I am busy in the studio making beads, designing new pieces, and spending weekends at shows (which is one of my favorite activities since I get to see all my clients!).

One thing about artists... we get bored easily. Well, at least I do. But that is a good thing because boredom spurs creativity. It pushes me to create new beads and designs. When I first started making beads I created ones that had dots, wraps, etc. Somewhere along the way I gravitated to designs that were more about color, shape, texture, and movement. That is when I started making beads in their more basic form. I love the pure color of the glass and it was more about the composition of the piece than the embellishments on the bead. I call my work "compositions" because I feel that all the components of the piece come together to create the piece and to me it is more about the design than the function. Because I started out as a painter and worked in more traditional arts I find myself drawn to creating a palette for the piece the same way I would approach a painting. It's probably also why my workbench looks like a giant painter's palette!

Lately I have had the desire to make more intricate beads again. I have been making "dot" beads and incorporating them into my work as a focal bead. The beads are primarily tonal with lots of layers and texture. I believe they are my new favorites, however, my signature leaf beads will always be my first love.

Today while I was having a "dot" frenzy in the studio I decided to document the process. It was an impromptu photo shoot and I found that it is not that easy to take a photo with one hand and trying to keep it in focus while you have a hot bead in the other and a torch going. So some of the photos are a little fuzzy, but you "get the picture". I have kidded that I should call these "caffeine-free" beads since I cannot make them after a vente coffee from Starbucks!

In preparation for the beads and dots you need to pull "stringers". They are thin pieces of glass that are created by heating a glass rod and then gently pulling it with pliers into strings. Sorry.. no pictures of that process since it requires two hands! These thin strands of glass are used to apply the dots to the bead.

The first step is to create a round base bead. I use a darker usually opaque color that will contrast with the lighter dots. Only a portion of the color will show through the final bead. Rows of white dots are applied to the bead. Staggering the dots will create a unique pattern that you will see in the final bead.

After all the white dots are evenly placed on the bead, each is covered with a dot of blue glass. It is important that these dots are centered over the white so they melt evenly.

Once all the dots have been applied the bead is brought back to a molten state and the dots are melted evenly. Keep rotating the bead at this point so you do not lose the shape or get the bead off center.

The pattern emerges once the bead is heated and all the dots have been melted onto the base bead. The blue dots have a ring of white around them. Using a transparent glass, or in this case an opaline color that is not as dense as an opaque, over the white will give you the best effect. You can play with a variety of color combinations and see what different effects you can achieve.

Fuzzy photo alert!! Clear dots of glass are carefully added in between the white dots. I love the effect this has on the bead giving it texture and also fills in the "gaps" between the melted dots. The dots of glass are heated into the bead just enough to attach them to the bead but not melt them into it. You need to practice a bit so you learn how to control the heat of your bead. You don't want it to be molten at this stage, just hot enough for the dots to adhere to the bead.

The finished bead! But wait... you now have to be patient while the bead cools. Since my beads are not very big I use a fire blanket which brings the temperature of the bead down slowly. If you were to leave the bead at room temperature it would crack and break. Once the bead is cooled it is cleaned to remove the residue from the bead release. I use a diamond bit on my Dremel to make this process go faster, but have to admit it is my least favorite step since standing over a sink "reaming" beads is not very exciting.

The colors I used in this demo is my favorite combination and I love the pale aqua combined with the periwinkle glass, but I have been playing with other palettes. The photo above are a few that I made today. The black with dots of white covered with dots of goldstone have a great look.  I have been layering pale blue over white for the cobalt bead and then put another raised dot of "sparkly blue" in the center and goldstone between the dots. Lots of dots today! I can't wait to play with more combinations!

         

A few pieces with the new beads (click on photos for more information). I'll be posting more on my Etsy Store and website as they are created. I'm having a lot of fun with these and they have spurred new designs.

So that is what I have been up to lately! Feel free to ask me any questions about making the "dot beads" or lampworking in general!

Be Creative Today!

Just a quick post and message for the day...

Creativity comes in many forms. Whether you are an artist, teacher, parent, in business, program computers, creativity will propel you to the next level. Many of my friends say they wish they were "creative", but they don't realize that they ARE creative!

So today...realize you are creative, let your intelligence shine, and have some fun!

Evolution of an Art Fair Booth and Design Tips

There was so much I didn't know when I started doing art fairs and one was where to start when creating a booth. It was overwhelming. I needed a tent, displays, weights - the list went on and on! I called a friend for advise (we used to do trade shows together) and she made the comment "you were responsible for a 20x120 foot booth and you can't do a 10x10?!" Yes.. I used to be involved with trade shows for a major collectible company, but somehow creating a booth for "me" was daunting!  

I ordered a tent and started to build my booth and I am sharing some photos of how my booth has changed over the years. I was really happy with my first booth however it took manpower to assemble since I was using heavy tables and lots of props. I quickly learned it was not the way to go. Then I had an "ah-ha" moment when I attended a seminar and we could submit slides of our work and booth for a critique and how a jury may score us. I anxiously waited for my turn. Then the slides went up. My work looked great, however even I shuttered looking at the photo of my booth. The person running the seminar struggled to find some positive things to say. I was crushed to say the least.

My very first booth. Yikes!

I thought this was an improvement. This one never made it to the shows!

After the workshop I approached the instructor and said "is there anything I can salvage from my booth?" and I got some great advise. She said my booth looked like I should be selling leather. My work is light and delicate and the booth was heavy and dark. The work and the booth were disconnected and it was so obvious but I didn't see it. Sometimes we get too close to our own work and can't see the flaws.  So... with 3 weeks until my first show applications were due I had to rebuild an entire booth! It was the holidays and the Christmas tree stayed outside because my living room became my "workshop" while I built my booth. I tossed everything out and started from scratch.

I bought folding bookcases for "cases" and used mirrors as the top. The mirror works well with glass jewelry. Yep, they are heavy but worth it. I lightened it up and made neck forms that went with the color scheme (however, they were lightweight and "flew" in the wind). I liked the etegere that I thought highlighted my best sellers as people walked by, but after watching how people shopped I realized no one ever bought anything from it! It was a pain to put together and I had to zip tie it to the poles for stability so I used it for a year and then ditched it. I set up my display in the traditional "L" shape where I stood behind the counter, but in the last couple of years I have changed that too. It is hard to tell from the photo below, but I bought glass shelving that I use to create levels and interest. It was an improvement, but there were more changes to come.

A major improvement but still not there!

This is my current booth. I decided to open it up so I could work with customers. I felt that I was putting a barrier between me and my clients when I stood behind the counter. It has several "stations" and ways to draw people into the booth. The best sellers are on the aisle to catch their attention and then they are drawn into the booth and  the pieces in the back. This gets customers off the aisle and a cozy place to shop. There is also an area with a mirror above where I can work with customers but others still have access to me. It has a nice flow and seems to work well. I have a poster on the wall that shows the process of how to make the beads. Having it large on the wall works well visually, but also when I am describing and pointing to the photos others in the booth stop to listen. I love interacting with customers and educating them on the process so I have found this to work well!

My booth from last season. I think I am happy with it.. this year I need lights!

So I have come along way since that first attempt at a booth. It is a process and I continually watch how people shop, listen to comments, make sure my best sellers are moving, etc. I am constantly re-merchandising at a show by how items are moving.. or not. It is my "store" for the weekend and I love it! I also learned merchandising and enhanced my sales skills by working at a boutique part time. The experience has been priceless!

10 Tips for Designing your Booth:

• Purchase the best tent you can afford
• Make sure your booth enhances your work and is appropriate for your target customer
• Display on multiple levels to keep the eye moving and add interest
• Make sure your display pieces don't overpower your work - less is more!
• Floor covering goes a long way - if it is "cushy" people tend to shop longer
• Use your walls and corners
• Wall coverings can make your booth cozy and also blocks out the beating sun!
• Merchandise your pieces based on how customers shop (I display by color palette)
• Lighting - if you sell jewelry it is beneficial to invest in lighting - especially on those cloudy days
• Watch your customers and improve as you go. It's a process.

Yes this all fits in my 2-door Honda!!

And I close with one final comment... weights, weights, weights! You need to have the appropriate weights to be safe in storms (and there WILL be storms!). Even if it is a sunny day, put your weights on. You never know when the wind will pick up and a storm will suddenly come out of nowhere! It is as much for your safety as your neighbors. You don't want your tent blowing into your neighbor and damaging work! I learned this lesson and fortunately it was not at a show. I was taking a booth shot in my backyard and a little breeze came by. I watched my tent levitate and topple into the house. I built new heavy weights that week.

I'd love to hear from you if you have any additional tips! Just leave me a comment.

Mint Weddings - Personalize your Jewelry

I have had the privilege of customizing jewelry for many weddings and I always feel honored when someone commissions  me to create personalized pieces for their special day. Because the glass comes in so many colors I am able to create a design to compliment  the palette the bride has chosen. I love working with them to create a design that is unique to them and reflects their style and personality.

Various shades including hemlock, grayed jade, and frosty mint are key colors for this seasons weddings. I love the freshness of the color and it can be paired with various accent and complimentary colors. The Chocolate Mint collection is one of my favorite palettes and is perfect for mint weddings. The palette can be customized with shades of pink and gold to compliment the beautiful combination I have been seeing for weddings. I love the elegant look of those colors and it is such a soft and romantic combination.

One of the boards I love to follow is from the Perfect Palette. A wonderful collection of wedding inspiration. If you or someone you know is getting married it is a great blog to follow. You will find so much inspiration from color palettes, flowers, cakes, and unique reception ideas. Below is one of their story boards for Mint.

Mint story board from the Perfect Palette

If you are looking for something  for your bridesmaids that commemorates the day the Confetti Necklace may be just the perfect gift. It is shown with a traditional pearl combination, but can be customized to compliment your palette. The card also includes your name and wedding date. Want to make it a little more special? Let me know and we can customize the back with a photo, quote, or personalized message. 

For designs available in Mint visit my Etsy Store. You may also want to follow Donna Sauers Designs on Pinterest and my boards that include wedding inspiration, ways to personalize your wedding, and wedding jewelry for you and your bridesmaids. 

Feel free to contact me to create a collection for your special day in a palette that will compliment the colors you have chosen.

Purple Passion - February Birthday Gift Ideas

Purple was my favorite color as a child and my clothes and room reflected my love of the color (maybe to the extreme!). Back then it was a girly lilac and I still remember many of the outfits I had in that palette and  think back fondly on the pair of crushed velvet bell bottoms I received for Christmas one year (I guess that is showing my age!)

Somewhere along the way my new color love became orange, but I still have a soft spot for all shades of purple and look forward to working in new palettes for Spring. The Purple Passion Collection includes shades of plum and amethyst which makes it a perfect gift for February Birthdays.

Purple Passion

Each of the pieces in the Purple Passion Collection includes Amethyst. The stone comes in so many shades from almost a pale pink to a deep and regal purple with a bluish cast. The Amethyst meaning is spiritual growth and protection and they are known for bringing clarity of the mind to the person who wears them. By wearing amethyst you can become more in tune with your own feelings and get to know your inner self. It can bring calmness, inner peace and thought to heighten natural intuition. Amethyst is also thought to attract positive energy and repel negative energy. The sweet Birthstone Confetti necklaces make a great gift for "girls: of all ages and come with a card that highlights the traits of people born in that month (I only picked out the good ones!)

Birthstone Confetti Necklace

One thing I always look forward to is the introduction of Pantone's color of the year and love the wonderful hue of Radiant Orchid. Visions of new designs for Spring and Summer are already dancing in my head and filling up my sketchbook! 

“While the 2013 color of the year, Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

Pantone Color of the Year 2014 - Radiant Orchid

Many versions of Radiant Orchid from bright jewel tone to soft and subtle lilac were seen on the runway at the Milan Fashion show. And the glorious hue is popping up in everything from handbags, shoes, jewelry, and nail polish. It is the pop of color to keep you on-trend as we launch into the new year! This week I will turn on the torch and start to create new designs in wonderful combinations of orchid, amethyst, periwinkle, and lilac. I envision some pieces being a collection of hues seen in fields of lavender. I can't wait!

A few more pieces in the collection. I love the plum "dew drop" beads in these pieces. Little drops of hot clear glass are applied to the surface of the bead while it is still molten. I have to remind myself not to have a venti coffee and then try to attempt these! The clear glass has a reaction with the plum and it gives it a silvery luster which I love!

Click Here - For more pieces in the collection

So stay tuned for designs coming out of the studio with shades of purple and orchid. I look forward to "playing" this week with new glass colors and palettes. 

Valentine Gift Ideas (or a treat for you!)

It's Almost Valentines Day!

Valentine's day is right around the corner and personally I think it is a wonderful gesture to give something that is handmade. Flowers are wonderful, chocolate is a sweet indulgence, but jewelry will last a lifetime and remind that person of you when they wear it.

I've always loved the rich cranberry colored glass and it is also perfect for Valentine's Day. I pair it with Rose Quartz which is called the "Love Stone".  It's energetic hallmark is that of unconditional love and makes rose quartz a stone for every type of love: self-love, family, platonic, romantic, and unconditional. As a variety of quartz, rose quartz has high energy, and this strong energy can enhance love in virtually any situation. That is one of the reasons I include Rose Quartz in the Cranberry Passion Collection.

A perfect little gift is also my Confetti Necklaces and I created one just for Valentine's Day. Choose a sweet pink or rich cranberry. I had a lot of fun designing these and the packaging for them. They are a take-off of my Confetti Birthstone necklaces which are a customer favorite.

Cranberry Passion 

Confetti Necklaces

A Box of chocolates is a sweet indulgence, and I am definitely a chocolate lover, but these little delectable designs won't go to your waistline and will last a lot longer! Frango Mints and Melt Aways are my favorite chocolates (if I had to pick just one!) and the Chocolate Mint Collection was inspired by them. It is a customer favorite also! Minty green glass is paired with smokey quartz in a palette that will compliment all your fashions in any season. A perfect choice for the chocolate lover!

Chocolate Mint Collection

Visit my Etsy Store for all the designs I currently have in stock if you are looking for a gift... or need a sweet treat for yourself (I definitely believe in treating yourself to a gift too!). However you choose to celebrate Valentine's day, remember to just tell all those important to you that you love them... because that is the most important thing about this day, and every day!

Reggie and I wish you a happy Valentine's Day! And if you need a little inspiration, follow my Valentine's Inspiration board on Pinterest. Great ideas for food, crafts, and additional ways to make the day special.

National Chocolate Day!

Who knew... today is National Chocolate Day! For me I think we should celebrate chocolate everyday!

I love chocolate, well, actually anything sweet and have been know to eat an entire cheesecake by myself (not in one sitting). But I definitely have a sweet spot for chocolate. It can be in any form, brownies, candy, cakes, etc. There is something comforting about chocolate. With the seductive wonderful feel it has as you bite into a piece of chocolate it can take all the cares in the world away.

As far back as I can remember, my favorite chocolate has been Melt Aways by Fannie May. A box of those would light up my face. Something so wonderful about the combination of chocolate and mint. It was the inspiration behind my Chocolate Mint collection and as I tell customers at the shows "anything I can associate with food I will! The inspiration behind the collection was those sweet memories of Melt Aways. The combination of creamy mint glass with touches of smokey quartz is one of my and customer favorites.It was one of my first palettes and I think it will always be in the line!

The Chocolate Mint Collection

Once again mint is appearing in fashion and accessories this year and Pantone chose a minty version called Hemlock as one of their key colors for Spring. Mint has a delicate and romantic feel to it and I'm not surprised that it is appearing in many wedding palettes. Paired with pale pink is such a beautiful combination and with touches of a smoky brown or gold it adds just the right contrast. One of the boards I love to follow is from the Perfect Palette. A wonderful collection of wedding inspiration. If you or someone you know is getting married it is a great blog to follow also.

For designs available in Chocolate Mint visit my Etsy Store. It also will make the perfect gift for the chocolate lover in your life and a sweet Valentine's Day gift! You may also want to follow Donna Sauers Designs on Pinterest and my mint board where I have been having fun pinning all things in this creamy wonderful color!

Chocolate Mint Circle Necklace

Chocolate Mint Toggle

So have fun celebrating National Chocolate Day with me. And if you are in areas that are experiencing the polar vortex (again) have a cozy cup of hot chocolate!