Welcome to our B.O.C. blog. Learn about the world of handcrafted ceramic beads, buttons, pendants & components.

Chinook, MaireDodd Benefit Auction!

Melissa at Chinook Jewelry and Mary Jane of http://www.mairedodd.blogspot.com/ are Holding an Auction to raise money for the Komen Race for the Cure to support breast cancer research!
Check out the lovelies up for grabs!






For more information and to bid on these pieces head on over to the Chinook Jewelry Blog--
http://www.chinookdesigns.blogspot.com/


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Getting Ready


Can you feel the energy being expended as many ceramic bead and button artists prepare for the Beads of Clay Open Studio Blog Event on Sunday October 25, 2009 at 1:00PM EST. I hope you will join us as we open up our studios and blog with you about our work. We will also be having giveaways and special sale prices for the day.
Beads of Clay artists will be blogging with you live through the comments section on our blogs. You can be eligible for any of the participating artists' giveaways by commenting on their blogs during the time frame in the schedule below and your name will be thrown into the hat for the two drawings that will take place. Also you will be able to purchase work by the artists at special sales prices during the event and until Midnight on Oct. 25.

And what could be better, you will get a look into the studios of all of these artists.
A list of all participants follows and will be up on this Blog on the day of the event to make it easy for you to travel to all of the sites.

Hope to see you and read your comments. I have included a schedule of how the event will go and a list of all the participants.


BOC October 25, 2009 Open Studio Fall Theme Schedule of events:

1pm: Individual Artists welcome people to their blog by introducing themselves and announcing any special discount prices in their Etsy store or website.
1:45: Picture posting of 1st giveaway to commenter on your blog post.
2pm: Commenter winner giveaway announced
2:15: Opening up your studio space: Share pictures of your studio
3pm: Picture posting of 2nd giveaway to commenter on your blog post.
3:15pm: Commenter winner giveaway announced
3:30pm: Here are some "Fall" info that we would like to share
4:00 End of event but shoppers can continue with your "sale" prices until Midnight
HERE IS THE UPDATED LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN THIS EVENT.

MarshaNealStudio http://www.marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/
MaryHardingJewlery http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/
Chinook Jewelry http://chinookdesigns.blogspot.com/
Diane Hawkey http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com/
Marsha Hedrick http://porcelainart.blogspot.com/
Joan Tucker http://offcenterproductions.blogspot.com/
Indian Creek Studios http://pampots.blogspot.com/
Lisa Peters http://lisa-petersart.blogspot.com/
Kristie Roeder http://artisanclay.blogspot.com/
Tracy Isley http://tracyisley.blogspot.com/
Melanie Earthenwood Studio http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/
Winchell Clay Works http://www.winchell-clayworks.com/
Summers Studio http://summersstudio.blogspot.com/
Jessica Sharrah http://jessicasharrah.blogspot.com/
Creative Impressions in Clay http://www.claybuttons.blogspot.com/
EveryHeartCrafts http://everyheartcrafts.blogspot.com/
Donna Kornegay http://blingbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/
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Beads-of-Clay Open Studio Blog Event

We are now in the countdown week before this great blog event. I am including a schedule of how the day will go and an updated list of all of the participants with their blog links. If you are a participating artist and want additional info on how to set up your day visit MarshaNealStudio blog for some additional tips and ideas.

BOC October 25, 2009 Open Studio Fall Theme Schedule of events:

1pm: Individual Artists welcome people to their blog by introducing themselves and announcing any special discount prices in their Etsy store or website.
1:45: Picture posting of 1st giveaway to commenter on your blog post.
2pm: Commenter winner giveaway announced
2:15: Opening up your studio space: Share pictures of your studio
3pm: Picture posting of 2nd giveaway to commenter on your blog post.
3:15pm: Commenter winner giveaway announced
3:30pm: Here are some "Fall" info that we would like to share
4:00 End of event but shoppers can continue with your "sale" prices until Midnight
HERE IS THE UPDATED LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN THIS EVENT.
MarshaNealStudio http://www.marshanealstudioblog.blogspot.com/
Indian Creek Studios http://pampots.blogspot.com/
Melanie Earthenwood Studio http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/
Creative Impressions in Clay http://www.claybuttons.blogspot.com/
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New Bracelet sets



Finally got to do some beading yesterday. Here are a couple of pics of the new bracelet sets I finished.
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Primeval Forest Collar by Triz

This week I really wanted to feature an inspiring finished design. Lucky me! I was led straight to this masterful Collar By Patrizia Tager.
Primeval Forest CollarI love how Patrizia's choices of color perfectly compliment the Glaze in this Maku Studio Cabochon.
Here is Patrizia's description of her collar from her etsy listing.--
This piece was created around one of MAKUstudio’s beautiful handmade Raku Cabochons (www.makustudio.etsy.com ). I was inspired by the colours of the cabochon itself. The One-of-a-kind cabochon was beadembroidered using matt copper Japanese seed beads and centred on a gorgeous collar, beadwoven with matt copper, matt metallic colour mix, metallic green and chartreuse Japanese seed beads. The closure is a complimentary toggle and loop at the back.
The neckline of the necklace measures 17 ½” (c. 45 cm)
and the beadembroidered cabochon measures 2 ¼” by 2 ¼” (c. 6 x 6 cm).

As always let me know of any Beads-of-Clay news or great projects through my etsy shop- http://www.artisanclay.etsy.com/
-Kristie-

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BOC Open Studio Fall Event



Today is the last day to sign up to particpate in this event. Please leave a note on this post if you want to join in and a way to contact you. I will email you all the info you need to participate.
HERE IS THE UPDATED LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN THIS EVENT.
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Rusty Reds on Flickr

This week was another one for great finds from the Beads-of-Clay Flickr group! Here is Jessica Sharrah's Rust Ceramic Pendant Necklace What a great woven texture!

And look at all the detail on Lisa Steven's Turquoise Carnival Necklace. I love the ribbon on this The Colors of Autumn Ceramic Pendant Necklace by Winchell Clayworks



Even I have been feeling the pull of the season. I was all about red, red and more red in my work of the past two weeks. Here is My Zombies are Coming! Cabochon By ArtisanClay
Do you have any Beads-of-Clay news? A great way to use beads-of-clay? Some fun happening in your studio? We'd love to hear about it!
You can contact me thru my etsy shop http://www.artisanclay.etsy.com/
-kristie




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Bisque Bead Supply

MarshaNealStudio hand drawn chickadee decal on mid-fire porcelain
click here to learn about this technique from MarshaNealStudio



MarshaNealStudio drawing by owner Marsha Minutella on mid fire porcelain

This is a decal fired onto the porcelain bisque pendant. Yet another use for bisque beads.

More info about this process from marshnealstudioblog here Mid Fire Round Porcelain Designed by: Lisa Whipkey
Website: http://www.treebysea.com/Silver Clay Overlay technique used.





Mid Fire Porcelain Triangle CabochonsDesigned by: Lisa Peters ArtRaku technique used.







Low Fire Medium Oval Pendant Designed By: Lisa Peters ArtRaku Technique Used


The above photos are of work done by Marsha Minutella, owner of MarshaNealStudio, Lisa Peters, and Lisa Whipkey using products from Bisque Bead Supply. Can you imagine that there is a place where you can buy bisque ceramic beads in all kinds of shapes and sizes ready for your art work.? Marla James, a Beads-of-Clay member and active ceramic bead artist is the person behind just such a place. Recently, I was able to interview her for the Beads-of-Clay blog. Here is what she had to say.




ceramic tab pendant from BisqueBeadSupply



How did you get started with Bisque Bead Supply?




The idea started a few years ago while I was looking for some basic shapes to use for some Decal work I was doing. I was not able to find what I was looking for, and I also realized that no one had Porcelain or Stoneware Bisque beads or pendants. And the low fire that was available, was too thick and too heavy, for my needs. So, Bisque Bead Supply was created because I saw a need for a product line for the ceramic bead artist and novice who either don't have the time or the equipment and supplies to make the base for there bead and pendant creations.




Can you tell us something about you and your ceramic experiences?




I have been a Potter for over 30 years now. I started in High School and have been muddy every since. I entered into the world of Beads and Pendants about 6 years ago, when a friend asked me to help her make some. Now, 6 years later, my Pottery wheel is complaining for attention. lol




Who makes the bisque pieces and where are they made?




Currently, there are 3 Artists who make 95% of the beads and pendants. And by the end of this year I hope to add on 1 or 2 more Artists' work to the mix. I make a large portion of the pieces myself in my home studio. The right arm of BisqueBeadSupply.com, lives and works in his home studio in Bulgaria. His name is Vladislav Ivanov of GolemStudio.com He and I talked for a couple years about this idea, and he has been a huge influence on the website, in addition to making the perfect beads and pendants in Midfire Stoneware and now Porcelain. And last, BUT, not least, is Donna Harmony from Georgia. She makes the Bisque Word tabs and tassels. Her pieces are Porcelain and are very well made. We hope to carry more of her designs soon. Both of these artists are contracted with BisqueBeadSupply.




What clay bodies do you offer your beads in? Which is most recommended?




We offer Lowfire Stoneware, Midfire Stoneware and Midfire Porcelain. It is hard to recommend one clay body over another. Each Artist has their own favorite clay. And there are awesome glazes available for all of these clay bodies.




What are some of the different ways your bisque beads can be used? Our Bisque can be used for Glaze, Paint, Silver, Bronze and Copper Clay, Altered Art, Decals and whatever else you can think of! We even offer full firing of the pieces, if requested. We think of them as tiny blank canvases for you to create upon.




I notice that you have some bisque word beads and connectors..what other unusual styles are you planning?




I can't give away all of our secrets, but I will say that we have lots of new designs coming.




Do you offer custom work as part of your business?




We do offer custom orders. We are currently working with Marsha Neal Studio to supply her with the exact sizes and shapes she needs and also offering these custom shapes on our website. We are always open to Custom Requests.




What kinds of equipment for firing beads do you sell?




We currently offer Kanthal Bead Rods, kiln stilts and Slip trail bottles and tips. We will be offering our own version of Bead Trees in the very near future. This design will not be available anywhere else. So keep watching!




Are you planning to sell glazes?




There are so many sites that sell glaze. All of which are very reputable. So, at this time, we don't plan on offering them. From time to time folks ask about glazes, I try to lead them to the proper assistance online.


Thank you Marla for such an informative interview and for coming up with such a wonderful resource for artists. And thank you for giving us an opportunity to have more time to Dream and Live. Words you can find here at BisqueBeadSupply.




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Open Studio Blog Event


Marsha Minutella (owner and artist of Marsha Neal Studio) and Mary Harding invite you to participate in a Fall Open Studio Blog event on Sunday Oct. 25. This event is designed to help Beads-of-Clay members and other "ceramic" clay bead makers promote their work via the internet. All you need to do to participate in the Open Studio event is to sign up by Oct. 14, have a blog, and follow the general format of the event(Marsha Minutella designed this so you know it is going to be good.) If you don't have a blog right now, you can start one so that you can participate. If interested in being a part of this please contact me by email (mary@maryhardingjewelry.com) and please also include your blog web address.We will be promoting this event through our own blogs, the BOC blog and our newsletters. Participants are encouraged to promote the event as well. I look forward to hearing from you.
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And the winner is....

And the winner is.... Number 17! Sarah Kelley! Lucky for us Sarah has some great Beads-of-Clay eye candy in her etsy shop!


Here is some of Sarah's work--


Flashes featuring a MAKU pendant


Check out this Art necklace in Sarah's The Beaded Lilly Etsy Shop!



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