Studio Saturday with Shannon LeVart

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is commenter #6; ALICE!. Congratulations! You have won a set of Rose & Bird Buttons from Tari with Creative Impressions in Clay!

Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will have these shipped out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Shannon LeVart at 

missficklemedia.com.

I am now posting to you from Florida!

 I am crazy busy setting up a work studio and fulfilling a few projects I committed to before moving, but we are settling in nicely. Visiting the ocean daily, signing the kiddos up for summer camps, making new friends and setting up a new work schedule. 

It is chaotic but thrilling! As if going through the mundane task of daily living is somehow transformed by the sound of pounding waves.

I would love to share my new work space with you;

Yep! I work outside!

I am usually up by 7 am; I oversee the kids during their morning chores and help them get ready for their various activities. I then walk to the BEACH, where I collect lots of sea offerings before heading home to start on whatever orders are waiting for me at the pool side work bench. 

Why, you could call me Captain Contentment, I am so happy right now!

Here is the view I work under in my atrium;

It is always like this. I think it has rained a total of 4 times since we have moved here.

Absolutely heavenly blue skies!

In addition to filling orders, I have been working on a new collection to present to a local shop. Inspired by artist Anahata Katkin's bohemian like girls, with their big hoop-de earrings, lush flowers and vibrant swirling colors!

Using patinas to add bold color to big metal discs that are then embellished with chain, beads and charms has been so much fun. I let go while creating this collection, the larger the metal, the more wildly satisfied I was! The longer the chain, the louder the jangle!

Even if the shop they are intended for doesn't accept them, I have had a great time trying on this new Lux Boho trend.

So what new thing has taken over your creative endeavors?

Have you surprised yourself with a new source of inspiration or are you remaining steady and true to what is near and dear to your heart? 

If you leave a comment on this post before next Saturday, you will be entered into a drawing to possibly win;

Your own custom colored Sea Gypsy Jewel Pendant!

These specially textured pendants are the perfect size to stack art beads in front of or dangle from the top. I would love to make you one next week if you want to participate in commenting. 

Thank you for visiting my Studio Saturday post!

Much Love & Respect,

Shannon

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Missficklemedia

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

This weeks winner is Shirley! Congratulations! You have won a  Sassy pendant from Tari of Creative Impressions in Clay. 

Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.

This week we visit the studio of Shannon LeVart at 
Missficklemedia.com.

 So today is the 9th of April. I have been both dreading and looking forward to this day. Today we will be closing missficklemedia and placing the shop in vacation mode for up to 10 days. I have only closed the store twice since I first started my little shop in 2006 and both times were emergencies due to health issues. This time it is not an emergency, but it is necessary as we make our way down to Florida from Missouri for a 1,200 mile trek to our new shindig located in Satellite Beach!  This is a dream turned reality for my family and we are looking forward to a calmer, healthier way of life, living coastal.

 
 This move represents a major accomplishment and marks a period of overcoming in our lives. With so many obstacles to hurdle and uncertainties to bear, we are determined to move forward with our eyes fixed to the horizon, where sky meets sea.

While Mike fulfills his dream of diving and the kiddos enjoy their new pool, I will be constructing new items inspired by the sea, like these new Benthic Bowls;

  A tiny, copper ring dish, formed into the shape of a shell, treated with a combination of blue and green patinas for an ancient appearance. I would love to share one with one of you! In order to get your name in the drawing for one of these ring dishes next Saturday, please answer this question;

What would you do if you could not fail?

Robert H. Schuller

Robert is a big influence in my life. He tells us;

“High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.”

 

I know, this is heavy. You just want an art bead for Pete's sake!  But just give it a few minutes and let me know in comments, what would you do if you could not fail?

Much Love & Respect,

Shannon LeVart

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Shannon LeVart

 Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.

 This weeks winner is MoonRae! You have won a pair of lips (smooch!) from Tari Sasser of  Creative Impressions in Clay!

Please email Tari with your address so she can ship that off to you.

 

 This Studio Saturday we visit Shannon LeVart of missficklemedia.com. 

 So now is the time for missficklemedia to take the show on the road. With the kiddos a bit older, Mike and I have set up a goal for 2012 to re-enter trade and craft shows. Many plans are under way but with only a few small steps forward of actual progress. 

 When things seem overwhelming to me and I do not know where to start first, I work backwards from the end, Most Positive, result. The end result for this particular goal would be impressed shoppers at our artfully arranged and unique table presentation, money in hand and ready to buy. But how to impress them? With the black flocked velour plastic displays set on too low of tables? No, that wasn't me. It didn't showcase our product very well and it didn't make me feel anything even remotely close to excitement. So on the back burner these preparations sat. Until Oct. of 2010.

 I took my mama out to lunch and started whining about how I couldn't find anything that suited my needs. I tried describing what was in my mind and she asked a few specific questions that sparked an idea. We excitedly starting brain storming on our idea and many more ideas grew from there. But I had no time. No time to put this into place. It was so frustrating, to finally have solid inspiration but no way to start on the gathering of supplies and designing.

  Well, flash forward to January and Mom comes over to watch the kids while Mike and I take yet another day long trip to the hospital. When we arrive home and walk in, we see these spread out all over the kitchen table..... 

  Salvaged Driftwood and Reclaimed Copper Jewelry Displays! 

 How fabulous is that!?!?! My mom and pop went down to the Mississippi river and salvaged special pieces of driftwood that caught my moms artists eye. They loaded up their truck, brought them home, washed each piece and cured them for a week. After the driftwood had dried, my mom spread them all out and let her inner muse take over; placing this piece with that one. And this one with that one. Moving it again and again until she found its mate and all the pieces had a cohesive top and a base. She then instructed my poppy to drill holes and cut copper tubing in certain places and specific measurements. Once that was done, she assembled each stand individually, hammering and antiquing the copper, varnishing the driftwood to a subtle sheen and securing each piece with liquid nails.

 Each is a work of art. Weathered and unique. Organic and free form. Earthy and earth friendly. With a raw beauty. She has named this collection of unique one of kind displays "Washed Up"!

 I fell in love hard with these pieces but I saw the potential for other jewelry artists who perhaps felt as I did, that the mass produced, imported, black backdrop was not the investment to make for their special artisan jewelry. So I purchased the second batch from her and began the arduous process of adding them to the store inventory. She is now at work on the third batch, with more ideas bubbling up. Ideas that include antique gears!   

 One of my personal favorites is this earring tree. The base is from a river tumbled branch that my poppy cut into sections. The copper tree is arranged from scrap electrical wire that they stripped the outer plastic coating from and separated the wires, pulling each down, hammering the ends and antiquing to add depth and character. Each tree is sealed with varnish to protect its finish and allow for even the brightest of sterling silver to hang upon its bough. The top circle is shaped to hold a price card or a photo. Which makes it a multi-functioning piece that would be great as a gift for one who likes trees and having their earrings in an easily accessible place on a dressing table.

 

Now there is a part of me that wants to keep the Washed Up collection all to myself, but I also want to share them. So I am offering the earring tree above to a randomly drawn winner next week! 

 My question that you must answer in comments to be eligible is this;

 What type of display do you need for your show presentation? Are you like me, in desperate need of extra long necklace displays? Or do you find yourself with no way to properly show off rings?  Do you like your necklaces to face the buyer and therefore prefer the bust style display? Or are you frustrated by how few bracelets fit on a typical bar?

  Please share with me your display needs for a chance to win the adorable earring tree shown above.  

(Sorry! earrings are not included!)

As always, thank you for spending time here with us at Art Bead Scene and letting us share what is happening in our studios!

Much Love and Respect,

Shannon

missficklemedia.com

Studio Saturday with Shannon LeVart

graphic by golhart

  Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
  The winner for last weeks offering of Helen Harle's Create Colorful Aluminum Jewelry is Imaginative Jewelry!
Congratulations! Please email Tari your address so she can ship that off to you.

 Now it's my turn to share a bit of my studio(s) with you! Here in the chaotic, confused, bumbling world of missficklemedia, there is occasionally something of value to share. I am happy the Studio Saturday I get to do is on this special day. I LOVE New Years! Love it Love it Love it! To me, and probably many others, a new year is embraced with all the hopeful expectancy of a child at Christmas. What is coming in this new year? What changes will I experience? What will I learn? Who will I help?  What challenges will I overcome and how will I grow as a person? And really, most importantly, what will I make? :)
 I am already working on acquiring the tools and materials for my next big project for 2011. But I can't share that yet, it's a secret. I did however promise myself that in addition to eating better for the next year I will use the supplies I already have in my possession. All the little odds-n-ends that have accumulated and piled up will be designed into jewelry, given away or sold.
 
  Less than perfect fine silver pendants are layered with copper bits, crystals and chain for inexpensive but lovely charm necklaces.

  Left over beads will be used for bangles and tassel necklaces.

Ceramic face bead by Gaea.

 And complimenting color combination's of patina-ted components, ceramic beads, free form stones and silk will be photographed and listed as de-stash bundles for the online shop.

Golden Peridot Ginkgo paired with macarrolls Metallic Ceramic Beads.

  Which brings us to the give-away for this Studio Saturday! What are you looking forward to in this New Year? What fresh hope does 2011 bring you? Please share with us in the comment section of this post and next Saturday your name will entered into a drawing for a chance to win this Golden Peridot Ginkgo Bundle.

 So here's to sloughing off the old and embracing the new! Raise your glass and give a CHEER! 2011 is here!
Have a Happy New Year from all of us here at Art Bead Scene Blog.

Much Love & Respect,
Shannon

missficklemedia.com

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.