The May 2011 Bead Trends issue is out, have you seen it?   You’ll find a pretty, earthy bracelet by Erin Strother gracing the cover.  The jewelry and pictures inside are fantastic, oh that fine photography we have come to anticipate from Bead Trends!  I was humbled to be this month’s Featured Designer,  and would love to share a few of my projects with you here.

In “Wanderlust”, I really just created from the heart….twisting and coiling wire and mixing bead shapes and colors.  I knew the issue would be out in the Spring, so I chose a few carved flowers and leaves.  It was cold out when I created this one though, the month before Christmas.  This is a long necklace, but I included a hook clasp so it could be easily doubled and worn 2 ways.

I’m excited to finally share this next necklace, “Fields of Harmony”.  I knew I wanted to include a piece in the feature that would highlight a bead artist that I admired.  There are just so many talented bead artists in our community!  I contacted Mary Harding and asked her if she would create a pendant and coordinating beads.  I was so happy when she designed a custom set just for this project!  I love how her ceramic work has a bit of a rustic style to them.  I created a textured backdrop for the focal and bead caps out of copper sheet metal.

“Vintage Reverie” is a showcase of my fondness for vintage bits and pieces. I gathered up some of my favorite shank metal buttons – those with great detail, and created dangles.  There are some large, sparkly Swarovski crystals and vintage rhinestones mixed in as well.  I riveted a fancy filigree to a piece of brass sheet metal that I cut to fit, giving the focal more substance.  I love the thick brass chain, what little I still have left from my fun trip to Bead Fest Wire in 2010 (the one where Jeanette and I managed to return home via 5 states!).

I’d love to share a bit of happiness that this issue has given me!  Would you like to win a copy??  Just leave a comment & please give me a little feedback – which one of these 3 pieces do you like best?  Just curious since these 3 necklaces are each different yet reflect the type of jewelry I like to design.  🙂

*I’ll post the winner on Thursday, May 12th!

For all the Moms out there, I hope your Mother’s Day is absolutely wonderful!  While out to dinner tonight, I was surprised by the number of strangers who wished me a Happy Mother’s Day (must be ’cause they saw my 4 guys in tow!). 🙂

– Cindy

P.S.  Registration for ArtBLISS 2011 is open!  Yippeeee!