ABS Updates

Not only did we change our appearance here on the Art Bead Scene, we've added some new opportunities for you to participate on the ABS.

First I'd like to thank Rose Noble, the incredible designer who created our new look!  Rose was so sweet she even made new banners for our readers to share on their blogs and link back to the ABS. Click here to view them and pick your favorite to add to your blog!

Art Bead Scene Design Team Challenge
I’d like to invite you to apply to participate in a new feature on the Art Bead Scene.

We are going to host a monthly Design Team Challenge and we are looking for designers who love art beads, work quickly and blog!

What is the Design Team Challenge?
One of ABS contributors will send you a set of beads or a pendant.
You have two weeks to create a piece of jewelry and submit a photograph for our blog post.
We’ll feature you and your design in a post on the Art Bead Scene.
The final step is to write a blog post on your blog about your Design Team Challenge entry.

We'll pick 4 designers for each month's challenge.

To apply: email me your contact information and your blog link. Send them to Heather.

We are also looking for news, guest bloggers and more, be sure to visit our submissions page for more details.
 
Ads on the ABS
Monthly sponsors are very special to us.  These are bead artists and our favorite suppliers that we feel exemplify our mission to celebrate Art Beads and inspire those who use them.  In the past, sponsors have been by invitation only but I'd like to open that up to an application process now.  Visit the advertising page for details on how to apply to be a featured monthly sponsor.  We can not accept all who apply.
 
Banner Ads
For beadmakers only, we are offering affordable banner ads. We'll accept the first 10 each month.  Ads run on the 15th of each month.  See the advertising page for rates and details.
 
Scroll down on the blog for a bonus post on the next Bead Soup Party hosted by Lori Anderson!

You Are My People

When I first learned of Art Bead Scene through Lorelei, I felt as if I had come home. I spent hours pouring over the site; past posts, current members, monthly challenges and reader comments. My blood quickened and my Creative Muse was not just awakened but charged as if she had been given Red Bull.

I went to the neglected clay table and pushed aside the embossing powders and flat polymer clay bases I had previously been making a living on and began to create....

An Art Bead.

(insert angelic choir here)

Emerging Pod by me

But the idea of an Art Bead wasn't just for my own creation, there was a whole world of art beads to discover. To obsessively collect and hoard. They would conjure up worlds outside of my own, allowing me to dream and create from those dreams.

Aunali's Etched Copper Beads

This new way of thinking about beads gave the average stone or glass bracelet a purpose, a history and a story. It wasn't just assembly with beads it was a piece of someone's artistic ability.

macarroll's Syrup with Waffles beads  

Their years perfecting their craft, honing their skills and bravely sharing them with the world. We get to own a little piece of them and treasure them as the unique individual they are.

We get to combine their creativity with our own and make something beautiful. 

Barb Lewis's Enameled Filigree Bead

I look forward to delving further into the Art Bead Scene and getting to know other art bead makers and those whose design with them. Thank you for your warm welcome and allowing me into your lives.

You are my People.

Welcome Miss Fickle Media!

It's my honor to introduce the newest member of the Art Bead Scene team, Shannon LeVart of Miss Fickle Media!  True to her name, Shannon's work covers hand forged metals, unique patinas, polymer clay and ice resin bezels.

Shannon is the author of Handmade Underground Jewelry and a frequent contributor to Belle Armoire Jewelry.  You can find her Etsy shop at MissFickleMedia.etsy.com and her blog here.  She is currently working on her second book.