Beads of Clay Blog

Friday, May 18, 2012

Commercial Glazes: Comparing Colors with Pantone Spring 2012

Welcome to my monthly post about Cone 6 Commercial Glazes!

This month, I'm focussing some tests on the trending "Spring 2012 Pantone Fashion Color Report".

Not that these glaze colors match the Pantone colors exactly - because glazes aren't that consistent through the application and firing process, but rather, these are glazes that I have that I could grab and use and have some pieces that fit into these palettes to offer to my customers (handmade jewelry designers).

Marsha Neal Studio Pantone Spring 2012 Glaze Test - Front.

Marsha Neal Studio Pantone Spring 2012 Glaze Test - Back.

And for those of you that use Cone 4-6 Commercial Ceramic Glazes,

Here is a list of the colors that I picked because of the way they looked on my clay body.

Wonder how they would look on yours (or what glazes you have in your stash that are similar?)

Marsha Neal Studio Labeled Glaze tests.

I sorted through all these glazes to get the final ones above.

Some of these will be showing up in the Fall palette post.

Marsha Neal Studio Glaze Tests for Spring and Fall 2012.

I wanted to get down to just one of each color.

It's hard sometimes. Downright frustrating.

And trying to be exactly matching with ceramic glazes - ugh!

I would rather have palettes based on something than try to make them exact.

Marsha Neal Studio - First round of choices.

So I took my notebook, my test tiles, my scrapbook paper (my photo background), and my fast version of printed out Pantone color palettes and referenced my internet via phone for better color pictures to pick out the final pieces. Getting to the final stages was fun!

Marsha Neal Studio Getting set up for choosing palettes and photographing...

Fun because I was able to play here - in my studio with all kinds of glazes.

Something that my regular daily activity keeps me away from.

Glazes are picked based on thsese quick printouts from the Pantone Website.

It's good to have deadlines to work towards,

because being self employed - it makes you keep a schedule.

And look at all these great beads that were sorted and started to be glazed...

Marsha Neal Studio - The next step. Make work with these palettes in mind!

And now with this palette in mind - there will be some nice fresh colors added to my bead line.

Marsha Neal Studio Pantone Spring 2012 Color Choices.

So what glazes do you have that you find work in this palette?
Do you use glazes alone?
Do you mix some?
Use underglazes?
I'm curious to know...

I can't wait to show you the ones I picked out for the Fall palette!

What other kinds of things inspire you for picking out certain colors to glaze with?
See you in June!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Bead Star 2012 Voting Is Open - Ceramics

Interweave Press: Bead Star Special Issue

Interweave Press sent out a call for entries of handmade jewelry designers to submit their work for the Bead Star Competition from April 1 - 27, 2012.

Of the items submitted into each category, 20 finalists were chosen.

From May 11 to May 28, 2012 (RIGHT NOW!)

The public is asked to log in to the Beading Daily website, and cast a vote for their favorite pieces in the various categories.

The pieces that receive the most votes in a category are then submitted to the magazine, and after some photography and instructions, it gets published in the 2012 December issue of Jewelry Stringing Magazine!

So in the Ceramics category, there are a few designs that made it into the final round that focus on using Handmade Artist Ceramic Beads:

If you could swing by and vote for these beauties, if you do in fact like them...

It would help show that people do appreciate handmade jewelry that incorporates handmade beads!

Jessica Stoops "Coffee Time" Necklace.

Jessica's description of the piece:

Anytime, is the perfect time to take a coffee break with this necklace. I used ceramic beads and pendant by Gaea Beads. The clock is fully functional. I used fairy ribbon and brass toggle.

Gaea's "Love Is Grand"

Gaea's description of the piece:

This asymmetrical design uses copper and ceramic elements with red and white beads and crystal.

Lorelei Eurto's "Wishing" Necklace.

Lorelei's description of the piece:

Beads have been hand-knotted on chocolate brown linen cording.

Ceramic beads from:

ChelleV2- Michelle Johnston

Elaine Ray

Round Rabbit- Nancy Schindler

Kylie Parry

Diane Hawkey

Marsha Neal Studio

Jean Christen

Shannon, from For My Sweet Daughter "Bird Song"

Shannon's description of the piece:

Bracelet made with wire wrapped handmade ceramic beads and one lampwork glass bead. The beautiful feather charm, fire polished glass bead and ceramic flower make a fun and playful dangle.

Erin Siegel's "Spice of Life" Bracelet.

Erin's description of the piece:

Spice of Life bracelet. Beads by Keith O'Connor.

There are voting instructions on the Beading Daily website for this competition.

Once you log in, you can vote for as many of your favorite pieces you want, but only one time per listing.

As a group of Artists that work hard to make unique handmade beads,

We love seeing all of these talented jewelry designers incorporate our handmade beads into their fabulous designs.

And if you would help show your support by voting for their projects for this competition, it would show that you too appreciate handmade beads and the jewelry designers that use them.

Remember - Vote for the ones you like the best because they will be the ones gracing the pages of Jewelry Stringing Magazine in December...

Thank you to everyone that submitted work to Bead Star using Handmade Beads!

Not just ceramic beads, but any kind of bead made by an Handmade Bead Artist...

Your work is that much more special because of what you put into it.

Thank You!!!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

UFO Sighting

UFO for us means.....Unique Fabulous Originals!

Every now and again, we will sneek into our Professional Artisan Team members stores and snap a picture of some of their Awesome pieces of Art. Then we will bring it back here for all to see.

Today's UFO sighting comes from the store of:
Janel Goolsby of JeraLunaDesigns