It's TastyLinks™ Time!

Here’s a necklace I made this past summer that’s in the spring 2009 Eye Candy issue of Stringing magazine. I’m sending this to my lil sis as a belated b-day gift. I love the colors here and the combo of glass, resin, pearl, sterling and gemstone beads. It’s a more delicate scale, which is nice in hotter months. Sometimes a ginormous necklace feels too heavy when the mercury is rising. Pick up the issue for step by step instructions and to see the work of a bevy of other talented designers.

This week’s TastyLinks™ aren’t super sized. I’m featuring the links from the talented crew of Crafty Bloggers...which should keep you plenty busy!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how I made a recycled sweater cuff with a cross stitched reindeer from the cool reproduction of the 1929 book "The Sew-It Book".

Naughty Secretary Club Jen delves into the world of paper crafts and plays Ms. Manners making personalized thank you cards.

Layers Upon Layers Making monoprint background papers is an addictive activity...

Cross Stitch at About.com A flock of free Fairy patterns have flitted in and landed at About.com Cross Stitch. Use the charts for frilly, flirty, fun projects.

Crafty Princess Diaries Still trying to get your studio organized? Tammy is too! Maybe this resource she discovered will help you out!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside has a how-to on using a doming cube from the new book The Jeweler's Studio Handbook, handwriting ideas from Creative Paint Workshop, some wild "hand" art, and a "going green" ATC made with free downloadable art from Altered Art Circus.

Cathie Filian Cathie Filian has an easy idea to revamp $1 store candles with a little cha cha cha flair.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Check out the cool pin-up shrine that Swelldesigner made with her Crafty Chica Love Shrine kit!

Aileen's Musings Aileen's looking quite regal in her faux metal crown! Check out her tutorial and make your own crown or two and join her in Queendom!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Illustration by Enoch Bolles

I'm here to announce the winner of last week's Rings 'n Things giveaway! Postal Orphan step up and claim your prize! Email me at theimpatientcrafter@gmail.com with your snail mail address! I've had several winners here never email me with their mailing addresses. I'm not quite sure what's up with that. If I don't hear from you soon, I guess I'll offer the prizes again as one big prize package! I'm unable to use my psychic powers to deduce your mailing address, unfortunately. My Yahoo business email account seems to be riddled with bugs, so perhaps you emailed me and it got lost in the ethers? You can also leave your snail mail addy in a comment here if you feel comfortable doing so.

Oh and please fret not about my post yesterday my pets, I share the good, the bad and the ugly here. I do that because it's my way of inspiring you to risk, dare, dream and make glorious mistakes! If I were really sad, I'd not be blogging. I'd be washing a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream down my gullet with a dry South African sauvignon blanc while watching Willy Wonka. If you want to create your own reality, you will occasionally fall on your booty and if you want to keep it up you will dust off said booty, flick that gorgeous mane of yours defiantly and get back to the business of making the magic.

Huzzah.

xoxo
Madge

Rejection

The hardest thing about my line of work is facing the daily rejection. It’s kind of interesting that I’ve spent a lifetime pursuing things that are so riddled with potential for rejection. As a performer, an artist and a writer every time I put myself out there with an audition or a query or a concept...I’m accepting that the odds are fairly high that someone else who holds the cards is going to say, “No.” Every time I publish a book or an article or I stand on a stage and sing a song or perform in a play or make a video or post a new blog, I’m putting myself out there for folks to judge.

They might say, “no” in a compassionate way or they might not. They might love me or they might think I stink. I’ve had more than my fair share of resounding, cataclysmic, cruel “NO’S!” That’s part of the deal of doing what I do. I have to throw as much crap at the wall as I can and hope that some small percentage of it sticks. Then I have to realize that some of what didn’t stick is worth resurrecting and some of it is just...crap.

Sometimes it’s a very fine distinction.

I’ve had a very nice run of a lot of ‘yes’ for about five years now. I’m now hitting a ‘no’ wall. I’m trying to ascertain if I’ve veered terribly off course or if I’m just knocking at the wrong doors. Maybe I’m just ahead of my time...it wouldn’t be the first time. Or maybe I’m completely off the mark. Although I’d like to think I lay all golden eggs, I admit that sometimes I just lay an egg.

The metaphors are flying, everybody duck!

I’ve got a lot of big things on the chopping block right now. I’m taking some very big risks that at least one of these things is going to pay off. The bad news is that some of them have not and the good news (I’m going to tell myself) is that it’s because I couldn’t possibly manifest all of that straw and then manage to spin it. I’m telling myself that because I believe that at least one of these big ideas will pay off. I’ve got big ideas and I’ve got barrels full of chutzpah, moxie and unmitigated gall.

Some of the most successful people have soldiered on in spite of extraordinary amounts of rejection. I intend to be one of them. I know that often we’re rejected because we simply don’t fit the box into which the folks in charge want us to squeeze. I’ve never been one for boxes. Just try to squeeze me in there, buddy.

Yesterday I had a good cry and today I’m back in the saddle again. That’s the roller coaster ride that is the life of The Impatient Crafter™! Everybody raise their hands in the air and yell “WOO HOO!”

xoxo
Madge

Free Jewelry Making Project from Design Secrets Exposed 'Connections'!

Here's a free jewelry project from beading Goddess Katie Hacker to whet your appetite for Bead & Wire Jewelry Exposed co-written by Katie Hacker, Fernando DaSilva and yours truly (F+W Pubs 2009). From wire designs that defy gravity to innovative uses of everyday findings, there is inspiration for the beginning beader and the experienced jewelry designer on every page.

Congratulations to Sheila from Halo Hill Blog for winning last week's Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed book giveaway! Email me your snail mail address Sheila and I'll get that prize out to you ASAP! This week's prize is another copy of the book, a spool of Beadalon purple Clear Colors wire, a pack of star tipped headpins, a pack of crimp covers, a pack of textured solid rings AND a small stash of Swarovski crystals! Leave a comment and I'll select a winner next Wednesday! Stay tuned for more contests from this book and my other new book Beyond the Bead in the next few weeks!

Connections
Excerpt from Bead & Wire Jewelry Exposed
Design Copyright 2009 Katie Hacker

This week's free project from Exposed is a design that Katie created using toggle rings in an unusual way. Can you spot them? The toggle rings act as links and echo the geometric channel-set crystals.

Materials
18mm crystal twist sew-on stone
3 14mm cosmic rings
5 8mm Siam round double-loop channel set crystals (these are sold at JewelrySupply.com see link)
3 6mm clear round single-loop channel set crystals
small silver curb chain
17 4mm round silver jump rings
9 8mm round silver jump rings
10 silver toggle rings
silver toggle clasp
(Order from Art Beads before July 31st and use my code to save 10%:SCF10P-POTTER-0112)

Tools
chain-nose pliers
wire cutters

Instructions
1. Cut the chain into the following lengths:
2. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the lower hole on the sew-on stone and use it to connect a toggle ring.
3. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the loop on the toggle and use it to connect a Siam crystal channel.
4. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the lower loop on the Siam crystal channel and use it to connect a cosmic ring.
5. Attach another 8mm jump ring to the cosmic ring and use it to connect a toggle ring.
6. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach the three 2" chain lengths to the lower loop on the toggle. Cut the chains so they're slightly uneven in length.
7. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach a clear crystal channel to the end of each chain.
8. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the upper hole on the sew-on stone and use it to connect a toggle ring.
9. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the loop on the toggle and use it to connect a Siam crystal channel.
10. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the other loop on the Siam crystal channel and use it to connect the loop on a toggle ring.
11. Pass one 8mm jump ring through the toggle ring and use it to connect a cosmic ring.
12. Pass another 8mm jump ring through the cosmic ring and use it to connect a toggle ring.
13. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the loop on the toggle ring and use it to connect a Siam crystal channel.
14. Pass a 4mm jump ring through the other loop on the Siam crystal channel and use it to connect the loop on the toggle ring.
15. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach three 4" lengths of chain to the toggle ring.
16. Use a 4mm jump ring to attach half of a clasp to the end of the necklace.
17. Repeat Steps 8-16 to complete the other side of the necklace.

All crystals are from Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements; chain and findings are from Beadalon.

Where Have All the Necklaces Gone?!

Jeff Vespa
Taraji P. Henson in vintage Fred Leighton necklace

My computer modem died unceremoniously Sunday morning. I’m not sure how a technophobe such as myself (who didn’t even have email until 5 years ago) has become so...okay I’ll admit it...addicted to the internet! I couldn’t work from home if I didn’t have the internet. I need it lightening fast and I need it fully functional.

So when my internet access goes down...I go into a panic. Thankfully my hubby was back from his 10 day trek in the UK and he helped get me back online!

I did manage to stop panicking long enough to enjoy the Oscars last night. That was, without doubt, the coolest Oscars EVER! The stage was unbelievable! The way they gave away the acting awards was brilliant! And how the hell does Sophia Loren still look like that? I’ll have what she’s having...please! Hugh Jackman was the perfect touch of old Hollywood style class. Oh and that crystal curtain...magnifique! I want one in my house! Because a giant Swarovski Strauss curtain fits so well in a 128 year old Amish school house.

I have to admit when I watch the Oscars I really miss acting. I have practiced my acceptance speech a zillion times usually with a hair brush and not a bottle of shampoo like Kate Winslet, but I could so relate! I truly hope to get back to that career when my daughter is in college. By then I’ll be ready for the cool character roles, which are by far the most interesting. My lovely daughter has been bitten by the acting bug and I think she was planning her speech while we watched the Oscars together. I'm so excited for her because she got the role of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast Jr. and that's exactly what she wanted. I love that kid!

My only complaint about the Oscars this year is the same as it was for the Grammys...where were the necklaces?! I saw two really cool designs and two safe but pretty designs and one that was far too small and then a whole lot of bare necks and a few sets of fabulous earrings (Angelina Jolie’s emeralds anyone?!) If you can’t wear diamonds, how about giving costume jewelry a whirl? Prada has those fabulous sewn on fabric crystal designs right now and what about Tom Binns or Erikson Beamon or Justin Guinta? I’m mad for the suddenly huge variety of costume jewelry on the runways and in the fashion mags, but why isn’t anyone sporting it to the awards shows? We get it that no one wants to look too ostentatious in this economy, so highlight some of the work of folks who aren’t afraid to take risks with non-precious materials. Ya don’t need to wear diamonds to look chic; in fact I refuse to ever wear them.

If I ran the world...it’d be far more sparkly and there would be a mandate on compassion.

Oh and as for gowns, there were lots of lovely ones but I really fell for Natalie Portman’s orchid pink and Alicia Key’s pretty purple frocks. I loved the shock of color in the sea of black, white, grey and beige.

I’m plotting a necklace inspired by the breathtaking 19th century Fred Leighton collar actress Taraji P. Hansen wore (see above.) I think her floral collar and the scrumptious 1950s diamond, emerald and ruby Fred Leighton necklace Amy Adams wore were both stunning. As soon as I get it made, I’ll post it here with instructions. Check back this week for the winners of the contests, a new free project from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed and a free project from Beyond the Bead all with fab free prizes!

Until then...craft on with your bad selves!

Cheers,
Madge

Extra Deluxe Super Sized TastyLinks™!

Grab a cuppa whatever tickles your toes and get ready for a SuperSized Linky Love post with your hostess with the mostest, The Impatient Crafter™! I’m here to shower some love on some of the best posts in the crafty blogosphere and to give some love back to folks who’ve offered it to me freely. Thanks!

My dear friend Jean Yates designer and writer extraordinaire has a regular column in Australian Beading magazine! She was kind enough to include a feature in her new column about yours truly and it’s beyond stellar. Thank you JEAN!

Creativity Guru Ms. Suzi Blu has created an AWESOME video tribute to the amazing Bernie Berlin on YouTube. I love both of these crafty, compassionate women. I’m with Suzi, let’s help Bernie make her dream real!



Crafty Chica has a FAB new low-sew book out with Potter called Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing. I’ve seen it and it rocks...hard. If you’re afraid of putting the pedal to the treadle, fear no more. Chica shows you how to sew without a net and she does it with style and humor. Gotta love it! She’s having a contest with some awesome prizes so go leave a comment!

I know a lot of amazing women, but I have to admit that Deb Quartermain tops the list. I've never met anyone with a more positive, uplifting, infectious joie de vivre. It informs her artwork and the way she moves through the world. She doesn't realize that I've decided she's my mentor, but she is. Deb posted a very nice blurb in her blog about the new books...thank you Deb!

Ever inspired and inspiring muse and purveyor of crafty goodness Aileen of Outside the Margins wrote a very nice review for Beyond the Bead! Thanks Aileen!
Firstly I have some Linky Love shout outs to the following bloggers who posted about my free jewelry projects this week! Thank you! These are all blogs worth checking out, so please go do so and tell them Madge sent ya:

One Pretty Thing posted my Cascade Earrings! Thank you!

I got a shout out from Sew and so on her Friday Favorites post! Thank you!

My co-authors and beady pals Katie Hacker and Fernando DaSilva both posted Cascade Earrings from our new book in their blogs this week and they’re both giving away free copies so triple your chance of winning by leaving comments in all of our blogs!

Beader and blogger Dawno was inspired by my Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright choker and mod artist Mondrian to make this breathtaking design on her blog. Wow! Thanks for the kudos Dawno, great design work!

Check out this very cool new crafty site from the folks at Duncan called I Love to Create. I think they’re onto something very cool here!

If you’ve linked to me and I’ve not shown you the Linky Love, please forgive and let me know. Google Alerts doesn’t pick up everything.

And now without further ado, here’s your linktacular sampling of crafty goodness from the Crafty Bloggers. TastyLinks™ are all the best blogs, all the best blogs wrapped up in one!

About Family Crafts Are you up for a crafty challenge? Design your own simple Mardi Gras mask.

Aileen's Musings Aileen crafts a whimsical birthday banner from rock salt, watercolors and fun embellishments! Let yourself be inspired and create your very own banner!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world A sneak peek into Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburns' new book: In This Garden, as well as Robert Vetica's: Good to Great Hair, a watercolor Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat) greeting card and two fun uses for vintage garter clips.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy and her DH show off their donation to a local Humane Society event. The piece is call "I Heart Animals Necklace" and combines her metal clay skills and his chain making skills.

Cross Stitch at About.com "Let the Good Times Roll" with Connie's free Mardi Gras Cross Stitch patterns.

Layers Upon Layers Layers Upon Layers continues to explore lot of different snow-themed art works.

Naughty Secretary Club It’s Stencil 101 at the Naughty Secretary Club. Learn how to make your own Headphone Hotties Skirt and enter to win free fabric paint!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery The amazing detail packed book Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin provides the inspiration for a half felted/ half non felted bag Sweater Surgery Style.

The Impatient Crafter Madge shares another fab free jewelry project from her new co-authored book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed. Leave a comment for a chance to win a free book while you're there!

Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright Choker

Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright Copyright 2009 Margot Potter

Though we all know I freely worship at the temple of kitsch, on the other extreme I love to create stark, simple design. I’m a fan of the organic, striking, naturally inspired work of people like Robert Lee Morris. I like seeing how far I can pare something down to it’s most elemental level. That’s the idea here. I was given these magnetic clasp wire chokers from Rings n Things and these gorgeous Venetian glass beauties from Venetian Bead Shop and I wanted to make a design that allowed the beads to shine without just sliding them on the wire and calling it a day. I love these chokers. They create the perfect form for designs that move out from center because they maintain their round shape even when beaded. The idea here was the wire tendrils look like tiger claw scratches to match the tiger stripe theme in the pendant. Feel free to add a bunch more of the tendrils, this is your basic concept and you can take it where you like! If you get my new book Beyond the Bead, I show you how to hammer metal shaping wire into these funky tendrils on a mini anvil with a chasing hammer. Once you can do that, it’s just a matter of cutting up rubber tubing and sliding tubes, tendrils and a pendant on this wire that already comes with a magnetic clasp.

Why yes indeedy do, it’s another easy peasy lemon squeezy idea from The Impatient Crafter™!

Leave a comment and I’ll select someone to win two Rings n Things wire chokers, a package of Beadalon German gold plated wire and two stunning Venetian glass beads!

Who loves free stuff? I do! I do!

Cheers,
Madge

Free Jewelry Project Cascade Earrings from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed!

This week's Free Project is from the innovative new book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed by Margot Potter, Fernando DaSilva and Katie Hacker for North Light Books. Elements that usually play supporting roles take the lead in over 50 fascinating designs by three gifted jewelry designers. From wire designs that defy gravity to innovative uses of everyday findings, there is inspiration for the beginning beader and the experienced jewelry designer on every page.

I'll be selecting someone from the comments here to win a free copy of the book, a 30ft. spool of 19 strand Satin Copper Beadalon wire AND a 28mm CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements starfish pendant. Leave a comment and I'll announce the winner with next Wednesday's free project! Good luck!

Cascade Earrings
Excerpt from Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed
North Light Books
Design Copyright 2009 Margot Potter
(Buy the book for step by step pictures of the project!)

Cones can be used in all sorts of ways and I love exposed wire tendrils exploding out of them like they do in these earrings. This beaded wire fringe is a fun new take on a traditional idea. I wanted to make the colors festive, like a fireworks display. This was a more the merrier situation because the more cones I made, the merrier the earrings became.

Materials
5 4mm padparascha CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
5 4mm Indian sapphire CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
5 4mm light topaz CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
5 4mm black diamond A/B CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements rounds
8 gold plated cones
8 gold plated eye pins
8 gold plated kidney ear wires
32 gold plated crimp beads
8 3” lengths .018 Satin Gold wire
8 2.75” lengths .018 Satin Gold wire
4 5mm gold plated jump rings
2 gold plated small toggle circle ends
(*Order from Art Beads before July 31st and use my code to save 10%:SCF10P-POTTER-0112)

Tools
Round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Nipper tool

1. Cut 8 3” and 8 2.75” segments of Satin Gold wire.
2. Flatten a crimp bead flush to the end of a 3” wire section. Add a light topaz and a padparascha bead to wire.
3. Flatten a crimp bead flush to the open end of wire. Use nippers to cut off any excess.
4. Repeat process making 8 3” light topaz/padparascha and black diamond/Indian sapphire beaded and crimped wire segments then 8 of each color combo using the 2.75” wire.
5. Take a 2.75” and a 3” beaded wire segment each with a different color combo and thread them on to the pre-opened end of an eye pin.
6. Close the eye pin and thread it into a cone.
7. Keep the wires even as you pull the tail of the eye pin inside of the cone. Use round nose pliers to do this.
8. Keep the eye pin secured as you create a coiled loop flush to the top of the cone.
9. Repeat making eight threaded cones.
10. Create coiled dangles with the remaining beads. There should be two of each color.
11. Attach a cone to a jump ring with a light topaz coiled dangle.
12. Attach a second cone to a jump ring with a padparascha coiled dangle and thread it into the bottom of the first, alternating the placement of your cones and coils so they hang on opposite sides of their jump rings.
13. Add a cone with an Indian sapphire dangle and repeat for the final cone with a black diamond coil. There will be four cone and dangle combos on each earring.
14. Attach the small end of a toggle circle to the kidney wires, using pliers to secure. Repeat for second earring.
15. Open and attach the top jump ring of your cascade to the large end of the toggle circle and repeat for second earring.

Materials
Beads CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements, findings Beadalon

We Have a Winner!

(Snoopy and Peanuts Copyright Charles M. Schulz)

Ladies and Gentlemen...we have a winner! This week's free book and prize package is heading out to: Whymsical Lotus! She'll get a signed copy of my new mixed media jewelry techniques book Beyond the Bead, a saucy little Beyond the Bead lapel pin AND a pack of Tim Holtz's Grungeboard Elements stripes so she can make some of the Grungeboard projects in the book!

Check back tomorrow for a free project and new book/prize giveaway from my other new book Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed co-written with Katie Hacker and Fernando DaSilva!

I love free stuff...don't you?!

Cheers,
Madge

Virtual Valentine and TastyLinks!

I feel a bit remiss at not posting any free Valentine’s Day projects this past week. I’ve been busy playing catch up at the studio and regrouping after a few set backs and not had time to whip up new ideas. Excuses, excuses...

I hope you’re having a lovely day and someone made it special, but if not please consider this virtual Valentine I made from a picture taken by my friend Wyatt White my way of saying “I Heart You”! Because I do!

I just got these fantastic pictures from my co-author Fernando DaSilva from our book signing at the Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements event in Tucson. I did a little Photoshop work on them to brighten them up and add text. The crystal curtain behind us was creating prisms in the showroom, it made us feel like beady rock stars!

It’s time for the Linky Love yet again! Enjoy this week’s sampling of TastyLinks™ and I’ll be back with some more free book projects and more product giveaways next week!

Check out my BFF Lead Fiskateer Rebecca Peck on Allentown's Channel 69! (Yes, that's the actual station number.)

My gp Bernie Berlin needs your help to keep rescuing abandoned and abused animals. She's lost funding this year because of the economy. If you love animals, you'll love Bernie, she's amazing. If you want to make a donation, every little bit helps, go here.

About Family Crafts Find out how you can get your creatie ideas, tips, reviews, and photos published!

Aileen's Musings Aileen gives a magnetic twist to her paper towel background technique!

Cathie Filian Baby slings are all the rage and can cost a fortune in retail stores. Cathie Filian has a simple pattern that only requires 2.5 yards of fabric.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside is sharing the love with free knitted and crocheted flower patterns from Margaret Hubert's new book, Rejuvenated Jewels from the new book by the same name by Amy Hanna, a Valentine heart envelope how-to and an ATC from a box of Goldfish.

Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess has caught up on a little Etsy work, which means more star charms and a few finished piece.

Cross Stitch at About.com Do you ever find yourself in a stitching slump? Vote in the poll and read (and discuss in) the comments on Connie's blog

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi explores making small quilts from rusted fabric.

Naughty Secretary Club This week Jen is wishing Abraham Lincoln a sparkly birthday with 10 tips on creating wearable glitter portraits from Hot Pink Pistol.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery The four letter words are flying this week with a fun altered glove project using Wrights Iron-ons.

The Impatient Crafter Madge's new book Beyond the Bead has hit the shelves! Check out this sneak peek free project and leave a comment to win a free copy and a special prize!

Free Mixed Media Jewelry Project from Beyond the Bead by Margot Potter for North Light Books

(Click on image to view components in close up)

WE HAVE A WINNER! I've announced the winner of this contest here! Check back for more free projects and free stuff!

As promised, this is the first of two free projects or sneak peeks from my new mixed media jewelry techniques book Beyond the Bead available at fine book purveyors everywhere! You'll have to buy the book to see the step out photos. This project made the cover and impressed a book buyer from a major book chain so much, she requested a custom order! That's a good sign! The book focuses on making the bead, pendant or component and shows you a variety of ways to integrate the finished item into finished jewelry, so you're learning how to make the bird charms here.

Leave a comment to win a free copy of the book along with a special prize, I'll randomly select a winner next Tuesday. Good luck!

I’ll Fly Away
Copyright 2009
Excerpted from Beyond the Bead by Margot Potter
North Light Books

Victorian style bird and nest stamped images are accented with soft shades of blue and green and coated with a clear glaze. Can you believe they’re made of paper? Chipboard provides a litany of design possibilities for the jewelry artist, just don’t wear these beads in the swimming pool and you’ll be fine.

*You can do so many things with chipboard. The key is not to over saturate it with inks. If you want to layer inks, let them dry in between so the paper won’t warp.

Supplies
3 Pre-punched 1.75" chipboard circles
Bird and Nest Stamp set
Ranger Archival Ink jet black
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads in shabby shutters and broken china
Diamond Glaze
Ranger Cut and Dry Stamp Foam square
Small Sharpee black
4mm gun metal jump rings
Gun metal head pins
4mm olivine Swarovski rounds*
4mm jet hematite Swarovski rounds*
4mm indicolite Swarovski bicones*
(*Order from Art Beads before July 31st and use my code to save 10%:SCF10P-POTTER-0112)

Tools
Round nose pliers
2 pair chain nose pliers
Wire nippers

1. Stamp selected images on cardboard circles.
2. Accent surface of circles front and back with accent foam dipped in distress inks. Use a different part of the foam for each color to prevent muddy results.
3. After achieving desired color layers, add a layer of Diamond Glaze taking care not so shake tube to prevent bubbles. Allow to dry.
4. Repeat for opposite side of cardboard.
5. Lightly drag Sharpee around edges of bead.
6. Place Sharpee in underside of bead hole and accent with black.
7. Thread a 4mm olivine round on a head pin.
8. Thread the beaded head pin into hole in front of bead.
9. Bend pin flush to back of bead and create a loop.
10. Create coil topped dangles, two of each color bead and attach them to a jump ring.
11. Slide the beaded jump ring on the bail at the top of your bead and secure closed with pliers.

Supplies
Bird and Nest stamps Cavellini Papers, crystals Create Your Style CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements, gun metal findings Rings n’ Things, Distress Ink, Archival Ink, Foam squares Ranger, Diamond Glaze Judikins, Sharpee by Sharpee, jewelry tools Beadalon.

Catching My Breath!

(Picture 'borrowed' from Andrew Thornton's blog. Thanks Andrew! Katie Wall of Fusion Beads, yours truly, William Jones of Green Girl Studios, Greg Odgen of Green Girl Studios, and Lindsay Burke of Fusion Beads.)

After CHA and Tucson each year I get a little blue, perhaps a periwinkle or a chambray, not an indigo or sapphire. A blush of blue (if you will) descends on my little studio here in our little school house and I feel just a skootch out of sorts. It’s a combination of knowing that winter is far from over and I won’t be throwing my flip flops on again until Spring (that is unless we manage to finagle our trip to Jamaica this March), returning to the resolute acceptance of the isolation every studio artist feels and facing with resolve the neglected straw I have yet to spin.

Alternately I miss my family and our menagerie with an unrelenting intensity while I’m out of town. I hate being away from my lovely daughter. I hate it because I know that each moment with her is a gift and each moment that passes brings us closer to that inevitable day when she will pack up her things into boxes and move into her own home. Sigh. I miss my husband and his calm demeanor, the perfect yang to my yin. He keeps me grounded when I’m flying off in a million directions...as I am often wont to do. I miss our pecky chickens, our snuffly pigs and our snarky little terrier and I miss the comfort and security of being home. Home which isn’t so much a building as it is the place where I hang my hat and more importantly where I hang my heart.

I find Tucson absolutely enchanting. I quite love the giant cacti dotting the landscape and the sensuous curve of the mountains surrounding this sprawling and decidedly un-urban city. If I don’t make it to a tropical paradise to retire; I shall seriously consider the southwest. I quite like it there.

I had a lovely time at the Create Your Style event. A great class, a delightful book signing with my delightful co-authors Katie Hacker and Fernando DaSilva and a charming evening with the Green Girl Studios gang including my dapper and debonair stand-in date William Jones, the always fascinating and deliciously wicked Andrew Thornton and the enigmatic Greg Ogden along with the sizzling, saucy sirens of Fusion Beads. I only briefly managed to tear up the dance floor at the Swarovski party before the lights came up and we were sent off into the warm desert air. Most unfortunately I steered us away from what would have been a fun after party to a most disappointing foray to Tucson’s ubiquitous meat market dance club Pearl upon recommendation of my friends at Beadalon. It sounded like a good idea on paper. Talk about feeling ancient! I’m quite sure I was the oldest person in the entire club! Thankfully no one offered me a hot toddy or a scooter for the dance floor. We escaped mostly unscathed by the experience and managed to console ourselves with a very tasty early morning diner breakfast before I turned into a pumpkin and navigated my way back to the Hilton Garden Inn without further incident.

(Picture 'borrowed' from Andrew Thornton's Blog. Andrew Thornton and I enjoy an after hours diner moment!)

I wanted to take a moment to thank Bonnie and Dee Dee Ogilvie for a most relaxing, Super Girlie Good Power™ infused lunch on Friday after my class. Katie Hacker and Brenda of Venetian Bead Shop joined us for delicious gourmet food and inspiring conversation. The Ogilvies are some of the nicest folks in the industry. They radiate sunshine, surf and sand and one simply can’t help but feel happy in their presence. Huge thanks to Bonnie for the stash of laser cut wood beads and Brenda for the bag of GORGEOUS Venetian glass. I’m a lucky, lucky girl indeed.

I have miracles to make and magic to conjure and I’m afraid this blue period will have to cease sooner than later. I’m planning some blog giveaways and free projects for the new books this week so please stay tuned! Give me a moment to catch my breath before I dive back into the fray...

In totally unrelated news...a clip from my last show on QVC made The Dish on Style Network this weekend. Too funny! Also if you get the upcoming issue of The Crafts Report, my hubby and I are featured in an article about being a spouse to an artist. He was a very good sport about the whole thing. Thanks Drew! The insightful Sister Diane of CraftStylish interviewed me and a variety of other craft industry folks at CHA on the topic of the Indie Craft outreach at her podcast here. My mixed media wooden purse made April’s Crafts ‘n Things along with some pics of my studio storage. With all of that and two new books storming the shelves...why good grief, I’m everywhere! Which I suppose makes being settled back into the studio routine a little less blah. I may not be on an adventure, but my creativity is!

xoxo
Madge

Back in the Saddle and TastyLinks!

Madge Carefully Hugs a Tumblin' Tumbleweed in Tucson.

I arrived home Saturday night at 11:30 pm and crashed! Tucson was a whirlwind in the best way imaginable. It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and colleagues whom I rarely get to see. My class went swimmingly (phew) and I absolutely adored my students. I’ve been officially invited along with 19 other designers to become a Create Your Style CRYSTALLIZED™-Swarovski Elements Ambassador, which is as you may well imagine an incredible honor. I’ll have pics and stories for you later. For now here’s this week’s heapin’ helpin’ of TastyLinks™: All the good blogs wrapped up in one!

Cheers,
Madge


Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Stefanie shares photos from CHA 2009 of herself with fellow Crafty Bloggers and more stars of the craft world!

The Impatient Crafter Madge is back from CHA and sharing the 411 before she heads off to Tucson!

The Crochet Dude Read Drew's review of the new book by Susan Wasinger called "Eco Craft" - and find out why he's saving all his milk jugs from now on!

Layers Upon Layers Cyndi is looking at snow-themed art this month. Got any you want to share?

Naughty Secretary Club Just say no to boring baby shower games, gather up your crafty friends and have a onesie making party instead.

Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess is toasty warm with her new crocheted scarf and fingerless gloves, which are super easy to whip up.

Cross Stitch at About.com Learn new stitches as you complete one of two Patterns for Pherenice (traditionally know as the first woman to see an Olympics).

Cathie Filian Cathie Filian has a yummy recipe for browine muffin bites. One batch will have your friends and family beggin for more.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside my heart is melting with a wicked cool free motion and melted Kunin felt valentine, a way to spiff up a plain envelope with a design from Paper Puppet Palooza and some tips for eating right to fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner Swelldesigner shows you how to make your own really "trashy" Valentine's!

Cathie Filian Cathie Filian has a yummy recipe for browine muffin bites. One batch will have your friends and family beggin for more.

About Family Crafts Whether you are an avid crafter or just want to be a crafter, a well stocked craft cupboard is a must.

Aileen's Musings This week Aileen offers another quicky background technique using a newsletter flier that she received in the mail.

Beyond the Bead Has Dropped!

Psst...you...yeah you...I have a little secret to share...

My new book Beyond the Bead dropped on Amazon yesterday! Like a ton of crafty bricks! It's not officially released until February 17th, but for those of you who've been waiting patiently it's ready to ship! You can order via Amazon on my website here. Stay tuned for free projects, book giveaways and general merriment to ensue! Huzzah! (And if you'd like to look before you leap, you can get a sneak peek inside with the Search Inside feature.)

I'm off to Tucson for the Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements event! Until my most auspicious return...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge

Happy Birthday Avalon!

11 years ago on a snowy day in Pittsburgh I gave birth to the world’s coolest kid. It was evident from the moment she opened her huge blue eyes that this wasn’t your average, garden variety baby. She was magical. She was brilliant. She was beautiful. She was extraordinary. Everyone who saw her agreed wholeheartedly that this kid...had a whole heckuva lot of moxie, chutzpah, pizzazz and that certain touch of je ne sais quoi.


Today is the most auspicious 11th birthday of this most amazing young woman who keeps growing up even though I’ve asked her repeatedly to stop that. Why don’t children ever listen? I have a signed and sealed document in which she’s agreed to always hold my hand in public no matter how embarrassing it eventually becomes and to never, ever move away. Alright actually she’s pinky swear promised, but I think that should hold up in court, don’t you? Between you and me, of course I’d not hold her to those things but it makes a Mom feel better to pretend that they’re kids aren’t really going to grow up and leave. Sigh.

I’ve never loved anyone like I love my kid. She’s the best thing since sliced bread...oh heck she’s the best thing since dark chocolate dipped giant strawberries! How lucky am I to have given birth to such a miracle? Yes, I’m pinching myself as I type.

Ouch.

I’m off tomorrow for Tucson, but today it’s all about the superelasticbubbleplasticfunkyfabuloussparkletastic Avalon Wistar Potter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVALON!

Love,
Mom Lady

Madge is MIA!

Where's Madge?!

I promise that when I get back from all of this travel, there will be some free projects from my new books AND some book giveaways! Stay tuned for them to start next week. Until then it's mighty slim pickin's around here. I've got a two hour Suspicion marcasite show on QVC today from 4-6pm EST (you can watch it live online or on TV), which means a trip to the hairdresser, meetings with my buyer and the host and a trip to the grocery store on the way home. If you're around and you like marcasite...or seeing two wacky women talk about it for two hours...check it out!

I went to the Doc yesterday because I've been feeling kinda lousy and it turns out I have a sinus infection. It's a good thing I didn't put it off, another plane trip might have sent me over the edge! I crawled into bed at 6 last night and only came out for dinner. No rest for the weary though, I've got to prep all day Wednesday for my trip and then I'm away on Thursday morning and back on Saturday night. I'll have my weekly Linky Love post for you on Sunday this week.

I've been doing follow up emails from CHA and brewing up some tasty new ideas. As soon as they're fully baked, I'll let you know!

Until my most auspicious return...craft on with your bad selves!

xoxo
Madge