A Colorful Distraction

Found a lovely "pickmeup" on the web this morning. I've seen Lauren Abrams of LabeanaBags jewelry work on Flickr before, but I must have missed her resin purse handles, buckles and embellishments. These are really fabulous. She also sells on Etsy. Maybe I should take up crochet or knitting.

Tomorrow is the first day of submissions for Progress and Possibilities '08. Go to CaFE on August 1st when the page goes live to enter the juried exhibition. I'm excited, are you??

My Dad...

A wonderful man passed away last Monday...my dad, Richard. He was an artist too and was my biggest fan. I miss him terribly and I know you'll all understand why I need a few more days to get back into things. Thank you to my friends who have offered their thoughts and prayers. Love, Barb

Donna's Rings...

are so wonderful! Wedding bands, eternity rings, pods, squiggles and flowers...seeing new work from Donna Kato is always a pleasure and an inspiration :o)

Bead Nerd and Tejae

Lori Greenberg of Bead Nerd is a really nice gal...a bead nerd, but a really nice gal ;o)

She interviewed me to help spread the word about Progress and Possibilities on her very cool blog.

Tejae of Tejae's Art (her work is shown below) started a new Flickr group called Polymer Clay Today and she's started a thread about P&P there. If anyone else feels so inclined to spread the word, please do! We only have 3 weeks until August 1st you know! Thank you Lori and Tejae!


We've better defined the P&P categories for you below, ultimately it is your decision to choose the one that best fits your work...

Categories and Jurors for 2008

Art Jewelry: Wearable art such as necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings etc.

Sarah Shriver
Robert Liu

Sculptural Objects: Decorative items such as dolls, figurines, holloware, wall art/mosaics etc.

Marlaine Verhelst
Richard and Jodi Creager

Functional Objects: Items that perform a function such as bowls, vessels, boxes, purses etc.

Victoria Hughes
Jill Heppenheimer

Best of Show

Cynthia Tinapple

This is beautiful :o)

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.


From Christine Kane

Progress and Possibilities '08 is coming!

Progress and Possibilities 2007

First place in Container Category
Barbara Sperling
Koi Bowl with Lilac Stand

Now that my summer show is over, groceries bought, house sort-of picked up and laundry started (you didn't think that three guys were going to take care of all that did you? ;o), I can concentrate on getting you all of the details on the 4th annual Progress and Possibilities International Juried Exhibit.

The first thing you should all know is that you don't need to send your images on a CD this year. Register at CAFE and familiarize yourself with how to prepare your images. You must be a member of the NPCG to enter your work in the show. You can join on-line here.

If you have any questions at all, email me at desertdesignsbybarbara (at) gmail.com

Art Nouveau earrings...

These remind me of the art nouveau style almost exactly in some pairs. I'm definitely getting the hang of these the more I make...however the little swirl at the bottom is going to take extra time to perfect! Somehow, it's fitting that swirls are making their way back into my work again :o) I've always loved creating when you don't quite know what the finished product will look like. These totally fit the bill.

Finished with all of my earrings tonight. Now, on to pricing...

See what I see...

My daily dose of inspiration is right outside my door. Ben Roberts captures New Mexico...and his dog Chaco :o)

New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair starts next Thursday. I'll continue to be "awol" until the show is over. Wish me luck!

Torpedo earring beads

I've decided that this shape works best for earrings. Although I did have a thought as I was falling asleep last night. I may try some more, flattened on one side, and drilled through the center, so they kind of look like half moons strung together. I would put the canework on each end of each bead. I think that might look kind of cool when strung together. I usually upload pics of my work to flickr so if you'd like to see more you can look there :o)

I have a new email addy for business correspondence only. If you'd like to be notified when I add new beads and jewelry to my site, or if you would like information on wholesale or teaching, please email me at desertdesignsbybarbara(at)gmail.com.

Bead Dreams winners announced...

Polymer Clay

1st Place - Carol Simmons - Korean Embroidery Series

2nd Place - Julie Picarello - Cityscape

3rd Place - Louise Fischer Cozzi - Symmetry Denise Necklace

Since I know what Julie Picarello entered, I'll show you her gorgeous 2nd place piece here. Hopefully, Cynthia Tinapple will show her good friend Carol Simmon's winning entry in the Polymer Clay category. I can't wait to see what amazing work Louise Fischer Cozzi entered...I'm sure it's stunning :o)

A list of Bead Dreams winners in all of the categories can be seen here.

Congrats to all of the finalists and winners!

Bead Dreams entry '08

Here it is. I was really surprised that this piece (same necklace shown earlier, different dangle) was accepted to the Bead Dreams competition and another one that I liked so much better wasn't. I think we find out today who the prize winners are. I'm nervous this year for some reason.

Thanks so much to Heather for showing some of my beads on Craft Gossip Polymer Clay :o)

A bead shape revisited...

I was finally able to get past my flower bead obsession which I've had for the past year. I'm not sure what got me to want to make this shape bead again, but I'm guessing it was seeing the gorgeous "Shibori" beads that polymer clay artist Judy Dunn makes. First I saw them on Flickr and they made quite an impression on me...then after being able to see them in person at the ACRE show in Las Vegas last month, well that was the kicker I guess.

Initially I think I was attracted to the blending of colors and how each bead was so unique and beautiful. Then realizing that the beads were even sort of abstract (not all the exact size and shape), well that made making some much more appealing.

So, anyhow here are the first ones. Mine are slightly flattened and the finish is what I call "bisque" which is basically smoothing with cornstarch. As I continue on with the "torpedo" shape, I can see where straightening out one side of each bead, making sort of a crescent shape, then matching up beads side by side, a tessellating design emerge. I'll show you those after the Memorial Day Weekend.

Perfect timing to see what Judy's Crane Project is all about. Thanks so much to Judy for helping me get out of the rut I've been in! :o)

Have a good one!

Progress and Possibilities '08

The jurors for the NPCG's 4th annual Progress and Possibilities International Exhibit are now up on the website. You must be a member of the National Guild to submit to the show. On-line submissions will begin August 1st, 2008. You can read more about submission guidelines here.

They include Sarah Shriver (above) and Robert Liu of Ornament Magazine for Art Jewelry, Victoria Hughes and Jill Heppenheimer of Santa Fe Weaving Gallery for Functional Objects, and Marlaine Verhelst and the Creagers for Sculptural Objects. Cynthia Tinapple of Polymer Clay Daily will judge "Best of Show."

Read their biographies and I think you'll agree that these are very talented and accomplished people that will be viewing your work this year. I'll be posting much more detail soon on this exciting event! If you have any questions you can email me at rubarb04(at)gmail.com...

Emmie's birthday present?

Emmie girl is one year old this week and I'm taking her to get spayed in the AM. Poor baby...but at least for a treat we put bacon grease all over her "Beneful" doggie food today :o)

Polymer category on BeadArtists.org

While looking at Jael's beautiful beads on Flickr, I was lead to her blog and then to her bead gallery on BeadArtists.org which is an on-line art community. The lovely work of Eugena Topina is there too.

When I put up an image there some months ago, there was no polymer category and now there is. It looks like a great place to show your work, so get crackin'! :o)

I've been tagged...again!

I guess I'll play since this is the second time I've been tagged, this time by Kathi. I'm not really such a grouch, just pressed for time these days... :o)

The rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Name seven of your favorite blogs.
3. Place the name of the person and URL on your blog.
4. Write seven things about yourself.
5. Send an email letting those bloggers know they have been tagged.

Favorite Blogs:

1. http://kimcavender.blogspot.com/ - Kim Cavender
2. http://amusedcreations.blogspot.com/ - Gera Scott Chandler
3. http://blockpartypress.blogspot.com/ - Tamara Shea
4. http://polymerionline.blogspot.com/ - Iris Mishly
5. http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com/ - Heather Powers
6. http://clayhappenings.blogspot.com/ - Melanie Dilday
7. http://www.tejaesart.blogspot.com/ - Tejae Floyde

Seven things about me:

1. I have a weakness for white tops, sandals, purses, soaps and lotions
   
2. The weirdest sandwich that I like is Peter Pan Peanut Butter, crisp lettuce and Miracle Whip.
   
3. I hate waiting in line
4. I'm a very light sleeper and an occasional insomniac
   
5. I think I'm a fantastic driver but I'm directionally challenged
   
6. I love "Funniest Home Videos" except when someone gets hurt!
   
7. I met my husband Rudy when he was coach for our company softball team 25 years ago
   

ACRE show in Las Vegas

I had a great time meeting up with some very cool and talented polymer clay artists. Here are a couple of pictures of Judy Belcher, the president of the National Polymer Clay Guild and Sandra McCaw...I am a new owner of some of her fabulous earrings.

Anyhow, at dinner, I asked these women whose opinions I value greatly to look at my work and critique. They were all very kind and had some nice things to say...and these two even decided to try a necklace on!

I've posted a few more pictures on my Flickr site. I've decided not to take the cheapy camera along with me anymore after seeing the poor quality of these pictures :o(

Hopefully Judy Dunn will have some better ones...

Russian beading forum

This morning I was checking my site stats and saw that I was getting hits from this Russian site. Someone did an article on me, and although the translated version doesn't always make sense, the way I read it, it sort of sounded like poetry. I just loved the pictures that they picked out, all some of my best work. Thought you might want to take a look. I am very flattered and appreciative :o)

Crackle Crazy

I was enjoying the pearlescent/foiled crackled look, but now I'm liking this matte finish with just a hint of sparkle. I used tempera paints as the base...

Morning Color jolt

Coffee doesn't wake you up like it used to?















Maybe these two artist's work will help ...Gera Scott Chandler from Vancouver on Flickr and Holly Kitaura from Hawaii on etsy.


Much healthier than caffeine too! ;o)