Beads, Baubles and Jewels

Sometimes we get our sense of place right at home and other times our motivation comes from far off places and a sense of the exotic; something different from our every day. In this episode designers moved beyond their comfort zone. Up first Tracy Gonzales creates hamsa earrings featuring sari silk. Then Nealay Patel is back with earrings inspired by the exotic peacock. Finally, Tammy Honaman has tips for hiding fibers with an exotic and international flare when using a loom.

This season we're exploring how to develop your sense of place and how it influences our design. One factor we haven't touched upon is designing with a strong focus on the end product and its use. Today is all about cuffs. They provide a different surface and a design aesthetic based on their shape. Leslie Rogalski is first with centerline cuffs with a Native American design. Then Candie Cooper uses leather for her cuff design. Finally, Tammy Honaman is back for another short lesson, featuring safety tips for working with enamel.

Do you consider yourself a jewelry artist? Is jewelry your hobby or day to day job? What happens when your hobby and leisure activity become a real business, how does that change your style? This episode explores 2 aspects of making jewelry making your career. First Robin Kramer offers suggestions for developing a booth; what components you need for a successful venue to sell your creations. Then Brenda Schweder shares her tips for making live videos - an integral part of marketing your work to a larger audience online and thru social media. Finally, Tammy Honaman returns with a continuation of her enamel lesson and the basics to getting started.

In this episode we investigate peaceful pursuits – when the actual making along with the finished product give us a sense of peace and a calm. Kim O'Neill demonstrates a piece entitled "breathe deep for calming" and adding scents to a lava rock bracelet. Then meet Jill Wiseman for bead weaving - the back and forth repetition can give that sense of peace. Finally, Kate Richbourg creates bead lariats in intricate patterns but simply constructed.