On Becoming a Social [Media] Butterfly

Paisley Lizard logo with social media butterflies

Art credit: Lauren Williams/OMG designs.

I was always that kid reading a book while others played together. I prefer solitary pursuits like reading, baking, and making jewelry over going to parties, playing team sports, or otherwise hanging out in crowds. The only times I ever kept a journal were when it was a required assignment for class.

So, how is it that I now have profiles on all these social media sites, publish a blog, and am a member of an ever growing number of groups and teams? I blame Paisley (my creative alter ego and lovely model for my logo). She’s the emerging social butterfly who has lured me into all these interactive fora. Continue reading →

Bead Soup Ingredients Reveal Part 1: What I Sent

Bead Soup Blog Party ingredientsIf you remember this photo from my first post about the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party, you know it’s a pixelated teaser of what I sent to my partner, Sue.

Sue has received the Bead Soup ingredients so now I can share an unscrambled photo of what I sent. Recall that for this bead swap blog hop Party each participant sends a clasp, a focal or pendant, and some accent beads. We each then dig into our own stash of beads and wire and whathaveyou to incorporate at least the clasp and the focal into a completed design or two. Continue reading →

Introducing my Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

mixed media card

‘Mermaid by the Shore’ by Sue H.

If you’ve been following along, you know I was partnered with Sue H. of The Bottle Cork and Crystal for the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party.

<– That’s one of the beautiful mixed-media cards designed by Sue. You can see more of her designs, and read about them, on her blog.

I explained the basics of the Party when I shared a sneak peak of the Bead Soup ingredients I sent to Sue. While my package is on its way to her, and hers to me, I asked Sue a few questions so I could learn more about her and her jewelry. Turns out we have much in common when it comes to our source of inspiration, our favorite materials, and how we became jewelry designers. Continue reading →

Matcha, Cupcakes, and Polymer Clay

matcha in bowl

Matcha – green tea powder

I experimented with a new ingredient this weekend: matcha.  Matcha is the finely milled green tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony. It’s also used to dye foods. After working with it this weekend, I can see why. A very small amount gives a very intense green color to whatever it is added. And to your dishwater as you clean up your mess. Continue reading →

Sending a Cup of Bead Soup to a New Friend

Coffee mug

The cup of soup I sent to my Bead Soup partner.

I am beyond excited to be participating for the first time in the Bead Soup Blog Party. This year is the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by the intrepid Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog. There are over 400 participants from across the U.S. and around the world. Each of us is partnered with another jewelry designer and will be swapping ingredients for making something marvelous, which we will then be sharing on our respective blogs later this spring. Continue reading →

Paisley Lizard’s New Designs for Dudes

four beaded necklaces with pewter pendants

My first four necklace designs for the dudes.

I am very pleased to announce the beginning of my line of jewelry designs and accessories for men. I just updated the “Men’s Accessories” section of my Etsy shop, adding four beaded necklaces to keep the two pair of cuff links from last week company. I am off to a good start getting this section stocked by Father’s Day, which was one of the resolutions I made for Paisley Lizard in 2014. Continue reading →

Fun with Mixed-Media Faux Effects Tutorials

I know I should have been outside enjoying the warmer weather this weekend, but the tree pollen was killing me. Or at least making me feel like death on a cracker. So, I stayed inside with my HEPA filters and played with polymer clay and two fabulously fun faux finish tutorials I bought on Etsy. Continue reading →

A Clay-filled 3-day Weekend

faux glass polymer clay earringsIt’s been a wonderful clay-filled three-day weekend (Happy Birthday, Mr. Presidents! and thanks for the holiday). After almost two months of abstaining from playing with polymer clay, or making jewelry, or anything else remotely creative because of tendonitis in my wrist, there was so much I wanted to accomplish in the studio. Not the least of which is trying out some of the polymer clay extruder techniques I’ve been pinning. Continue reading →

Etsy Quick Tip: faux breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are webpage navigation aids that help you get back to where you started. They usually run horizontally across the top of a page, beneath the title bar. For example, if you visited a website and started on the home page, clicked the jewelry tab, and then the earrings section, your breadcrumbs might look something like Home > Jewelry > Earrings. Continue reading →