Amuse the Muse - birds and butterflies - with Rebecca of Songbead

Happy Easter Monday everyone! We have today as a public holiday here in the UK, although I have, as usual been working anyway - such is life when you're self-employed! For me at least. I have a spa day (a late christmas gift) booked on Friday (eek!) and so I thought I'd do some work today so that I can really enjoy that. I rare treat for me! 

Anyway, enough about that. Sharp-brained readers may have realised that today is my last ABS post. Gulp! If you've missed that news, then you can check out my proper farewell post here. Things are moving and a-chainging and shifting, and it feels like, however hard it is (and it is/was a very difficult decision), it's the right thing for me just now. 

But I'm not going to bog this post down with sad farewells - been there, done, that - and anyway, you're here to see the beads! Right?! 

Here's what I found for you this week:

Donna Millard - adore these colours! Just look at that 'paint swirl' on the body of the wee birdie - swoon.

Round Rabbit - hitting Nancy's shop tomorrow at 12pm EST! You'll have to get in the queue behind me, hehe!

Genea - imagine what beautiful butterfly jewellery you could make with these gorgeous wing beads!

Tupper's Perch - love love love the speckles!

Metamorphic Beads - I find this sort of detailed glasswork nothing short of mind-blowing!

More wonderful colour choices from Pink Blue Sky! Love these cute, rustic birdies. 

Grubbi - these punchy colours work wonders together!

Robin the Raven - I love the rich, saturated colours on these polymer pieces!

And really, how cute are these wee birdies from the aptly names Charming Bluebird?

And so - gulp - that's me signing off for now. Like I said in my post earlier this month, it's definitely au revoir. I'll be back, as a reader and as a guest blogger so you will be seeing me sooner rather than later!. Thank you to you the readers, and thank you to my wonderful co-editors. It's been a huge pleasure, and I will miss being part of this art powerhouse so much - so keep in touch over on my blog and Facebook. And keep on showing your art bead love! I know I will :-)

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse the Muse - birds and butterflies - with Rebecca of Songbead

It's Monday - it's Amuse the Muse! If you read my Inside the Studio post this last Friday, you'll know that I won't be writing these for very much longer (sniff!), but happily, I still have a few of these left until I'm signing off at the end of the month. And boy, have I chosen the perfect theme for me to close this chapter with! Birds and butterflies? Yes please! I know that sometimes they can seem cliched and overdone - but that's just an added challenge, isn't it? As they say in Portlandia, I do love to 'put a bird on it'. 

Here's what I came across this week:

Gaysie May

Pink Blue Sky

Kiln Fired Art

Christine's Jewellery Box

Masque Beads

Kitz Bitz Art Glass

Laila Strazdina

Violet Vox

That's it for this Monday. Have a great week everyone!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse the Muse - birds and butterflies - with Rebecca of Songbead

Happy Monday everyone! It's March. Who's feeling happy about that? *Puts both hands up* Yep, I'm super happy that Spring is springing here in the UK - days are getting longer, there's a bit more sunshine about and (despite some snow in parts this week!) things are generally a little bit less bitter than they have been! 

As I'm in the mindset of Spring - change, growth and regeneration - I thought that this month we'd look at things with wings - butterflies and birds. Some of my favourite elements to work with - sure, they can both be overdone, but that's because they are such enduring symbols of growth and change - and also rather pretty!

Firstly, a pair of earrings of mine along this theme:

I just love this design - sweet birdies, handwoven colours glass orbs and then the airiness of the open rings and tiny flowers beneath. Pretty much classic Songbead! I love long earrings, but the negative space and the way the flowers can move give this pair a fluttering delicacy that makes me happy. Handwoven glass {song}beads, sterling silver rings, pins and earwires from me (you can shop most of these at The Curious Bead Shop), porcelain birdies from Something to do beads. You can pick up these earrings here.

Let's look at some offerings from the Art Bead Scene Team:

Tarri Sasser - love the delicacy of the dragonfly's wings!

Mary Harding - take a stroll through Mary's shop and you will really imagine that you are with her in her garden - it's wonderful!

Heather Millican - Swoondimples - Heather has a whole selection of cheeky, chattering birds in her shop at the moment - I struggled to choose but these ones looked so happy on their bright blue backdrop!

Michelle McCarthy - Firefly Design Studio - Michelle has a couple of there feathers in her shop - I just love this mottled glaze, absolutely beautiful!

Heather Powers - Humblebeads - the colours of Heather's pendant are just magical! I love how the magenta, burnt umber and amethyst purple melt into one another.

Tesoro Trovati - Erin Prais-Hintz - and last but not least, Erin's pendant really just sums up what March feels like to me. Potential, positivity and hope. 

If you have any bird, butterfly or other winged creature beads that you'd like to share then do leave your links in the comments below - we'd love to see! 

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse the Muse - Jewellery Packaging and Bead Storage with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello all! It's the last Muse of February - how did that happen?! And so I have a few more storage and packaging ideas to share with you today. Enjoy!

First of all, a really awesome tutorial from Leah over at Beady Eyed Bunny, on one way to transform your packaging. How gorgeous is this? Leah talks you through its creation. 

Remember the printer's cabinet from last week? Here's one in action in Lorelei Eurto's studio! Beautiful or what? 

And here is not only a beautiful, stream-lined craft space, but if you click on the link, there's a whole blog post on organising your craft space!

I've tired to steer clear of the ubiquitous kraft box in this month's run down, because lovely as they are, I think most people know where to find them and how to make them pretty! But searching on Pinterest, I came across these - what a lovely idea! (I even discovered/remembered that I actually have Jewellery Packaging board over there! Who knew?!)

This sweet packaging idea from Heather Humblebeads may be a little unseasonal for February, but I think this simple way to dress up your jewellery could work all year round - just switch up your colours and imagery each season!

Lastly, here's a handy graphic with some tips to take you through getting your packaging just right. Pin it to your work station!

And now for the BeadBlogger links. Have a great week everyone!

Make a Creativity Station
Do you store project supplies near where you would actually use them? Here's how Sarah made space for frequently used items where she needs them.

De-Stash for Charity Alert
The Crafty Princess is clearing out the old to make way for the new and donate part of the proceeds of craft her de-stash to charity. 

Patent and Copyright Basics for Art You Intend to Sell 
If you plan to decoupage paper napkin images onto something to sell, check these patent and copyright basics. Paper napkins contain someone's art.

Necklace Redo Video
Don't like a piece of jewelry? Well, redo it. In this video, Terry shows you a piece that she made and was not happy with. Then re does the piece and shows it off.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the delightful, fun and informative book, Knitting Ephemera!

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares a tutorial that will help you to feature a few special beads in a great wire bracelet!

Diamond 14
The next section of Connie Gee's free SAL is available. It is the third of four florals. Get it on the SAL today!

Art Bead Scene
Check out Claire's inspiring art bead selection to match this month's challenge!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse the Muse - Jewellery Packaging and Bead Storage with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello everyone! Amuse the Muse time again. Time to delve into the world of packaging and storage! 

Firstly, these little squares may look boring but they could be really handy if you work with metals a lot! These are anti-tarnish tabs for you to store with your metal beads and general bits and bobs. Perfect if you like your metals shiny, or even if you just want to have control over how your metal patinates.

Bluebell Hill Crafts

These Macoron storage boxes aren't perhaps the most practical but I just had to include them here - erm, HOW cute?! They'd also work as packaging if you were making a really simple but fun pendant. Wouldn't you love to give this to your favourite wee tot for a birthday? 

Bex Ever Heart

I'm not usually a massive fan of the organza bag - I think I used them too often when I was starting out with jewellery! But these are a little different in style to the usual - and don't you just love those beady ties?

EJR Beads

And for this week's dream piece of bead storage, how about a gorgeous antique printer's cabinet? Oh yes, I definitely think I could make room for one of these in my flat!

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a great week everyone!

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares an easy wire bracelet that only LOOKS complicated!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew kicks off his month-long Creative heART Challenge with a collection of necklaces! Check out what he made!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's Beading to be done!
Jean reviews Jewel Loom Inspirations, a marvelous and fun book for beaders by Julianna C. Avelar! 

Valentine Heart Shaker Card 
Eileen made a Valentine heart shaker card filled with red confetti hearts using her Silhouette. See how and download your choice of PDF template or SVG file.

Have Fun with Found Object Drawings
Try to look at common things in a different way by making drawings starting with found objects.

Stitch an Encouraging Saying
Connie's added a new free pattern with a meaningful saying that will be perfect for a card or a framed design. Be sure to save it now!

Bead Vlog
Tammy's creating sparkly jewelry with her bead bargain box goodies. 

Rich Mom Videos
If you have been thinking of dusting off your Etsy shop or starting one, then you may want to watch what Rich Mom has to say.

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares an easy wire bracelet that only LOOKS complicated!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse the Muse - Jewellery Packaging and Bead Storage - with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello everyone! It's another Monday and another month. This month's theme is jewellery packaging and bead storage. I decided to throw them in together, and if we are having a partially fun time of it come the end of this leap year February, we may continue on into March! What do you say to that? 

We beaders and jewellery designers are almost as obsessed with bead storage and packaging as we are with beads themselves, right? (I'm sure I see at least some hands up there!) Something about organising our precious bead stashes really makes our souls happy, and there's nothing better than packaging your finished jewellery and art beads in a beautiful setting, worthy of their awesomeness. I'm going to be looking at the practical, the luxurious and the plain incredible! So without further ado, let's get going! 

Here's a lovely little shelving unit made from old pallet wood. This would be perfect for storing tools, and those bits and bobs that just need somewhere to go!

Love these cute cotton bags, they are so cute with those sparkly rings stamped on them, but still a nice open, rustic weave. 

Last of all, I think this one belongs in the realm of the plain incredible. This would satisfy anyone's desire to be a messy creative, and yet be able to close the doors on that mess every night. 

Looks innocuous enough at first...

...but look inside the brilliantly-named Narnia Crafting Station...

...and you'll discover the potential for all sorts of fun! 

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a great week everyone!

How To Make A Pom Pom And Fish Extender Idea
This is one of Tappingflamingo's first video tutorial. She shows how to make a pom pom using your hand, and gives you a Fish Extender or party favor idea using them.

Coloring Book Giveaway
So easy to enter and maybe win! The Crafty Princess is giving away 2 adult coloring books!

Crocheted Flower Hair Clips
These simple crocheted flowers make adorable hair clips for girls (or women) and just use a tiny bit of yarn. 

Valentine's Day Kids Party 
Throw a memorable Valentine's Day kids party and keep costs down with these crafty ideas for planning decor, games, food & keeping all the kids happy. 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews Wonderful Wire Jewelry: Make 30+ Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces, and More, by Erica Swanson. You will find tons to love in this book!

Lucky Thirteen
The next Diamond in the free SAL is up! Still plenty of time to join in if you are interested.

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares a tutorial that shows you how to make really pretty (but also easy) beaded beads.

Art Bead Scene
Take a walk in the woods with Julie, in her last post for the Art Bead Scene. 

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse the Muse - Rose Quartz and Serenity - with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello everyone! Another week, another Amuse the Muse. It's the last week of Rose Quartz and Serenity, and I must say I have found a bumper selection for you this week! I hope you'll find something in this selection to inspire you - I must admit to still not being totally sold on these colours as being the standout 'colours of the year' as a duo, but I am much more sold on them than I was back in December when they were announced. You can check out my Pinterest board on these two colours here for more inspiration. 

Ok, now for the beads!

Sarah Downton

Rachel C Art Glass

Areto Beads Jewellery

Nea Beads

Linda Landig

Earthshine

Terracotta Toys

Puffafish

Nadia Terra

Eva Bean Beads

Made by Fire

Elizabeth's Beads

I hope you've enjoyed this month of exploring these two colours, and seeing what beautiful beads and components there are out there to work with. And, happily, these colours are also perfect for working into this month's challenge! There's still time to join us. 

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a great week everyone!

Make Book Pages with Your Sewing Machine
Did you know you can make signatures (a fancy book word for pages that are stuck together) using your sewing machine? It's actually really easy.

Craft & Win
Show off your finished crafted objects in the monthly FOs Ravelry thread in the Crafty Princess group and get a chance to win. 

Diffuser Necklace DIY
Terry Jeanette of Tappingflamingo shows you how to make your very own essential oil diffuser necklace.

4 Wine Bottle Crafts for the Thrifty Oenophile
Instead of throwing out your empty wine bottles, turn them into trendy decor accessories. Save those attractive corks and labels as well. What crafter doesn’t love free supplies?

Beading Arts
Cyndi's landscape crazy quilt tutorial finishes up today!

Art Bead Scene
Take a peek at what the Art Bead Scene team has to offer in Pantone's Colors of the Year, Rose Quartz and Serenity!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in the capital city of Edinburgh. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.