Blacklight Jewelry ...

by Jamie Smedley, Marketing Content Development, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

Remember the fun of black lights? Whether it was at the roller-skating rink or your favorite concert, most everyone is familiar with black lights and how they make certain materials come alive with a fantastic glow. This same black light fun is now lighting up the fashion scene in beautiful, high quality jewelry.

All you need to capture this terrific trend is fluorescing glass beads. Commonly known as vaseline or uranium glass, its popularity can be traced to the 1830s. This glass became known as vaseline glass in the 1950s because of its glossy transparent appearance similar to Vaseline® petroleum jelly. Vaseline glass typically has a yellow-green hue in daylight and radiates a bright, bold fluorescent green under a black light.

The glowing properties of vaseline glass are from the uranium oxides and additional fluorescing colorants such as manganese and iron infused into the glass at the molten stage. Vaseline glass is not harmful. In fact, the scarce radioactive property of the uranium used in the vaseline glass-making process is lower than the amount that everyone is exposed to on a daily basis.

Production of vaseline glass ceased during World War II because the government confiscated all supplies of uranium dioxide to supply war efforts. Today, only a small amount is produced in the USA and the Czech Republic.

Create jewelry with a dual personality -- known for its beauty by day and its surprising fluorescent magic by black-lit night! A great complement to this season's bright, neon colors.

Vaseline glass is found in some colored Czech glass beads, including jonquil yellow, lemon yellow, yellow/blue and black/green tortoise. In natural light they have a bright, almost neon appearance and will glow a strong green under a UV (black light) lamp. An easy way to check if glass beads have fluorescent properties is to place them under a black light in a dark room.

Vintage vaseline glass beads have become very collectible. Since they are rare, they can be quite expensive. However, the colored Czech glass beads mentioned above are known to glow even brighter and are more easily available and affordable than the vintage varieties.

Be the life of the party this season with an attention-getting entrance in fluorescing jewelry!

Top 10 List - You know you're a beader when

By Jamie Smedley, Marketing Content Development, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

1. An exciting night for you means organizing your massive bead collection.
2. You have more pairs of pliers than your husband does.
3. The first thing you do while on vacation is flip through the yellow pages to find a bead shop to buy more beads, and you already have over 200 pounds sitting at home.
4. You count beads and stitches instead of sheep to fall asleep at night.
5. Beading stores know you by your FIRST name, and have your credit card number on file.
6. Every conceivable surface in your home, including your pets, is covered with finished jewelry, multiple beading projects, new beads not yet put away, beads on display and beaded décor.
7. Your pantry and cupboards have more beads than food in them.
8. Long gone are the cute little bead storage containers. Jumbo sized Costco toolboxes that are full to overflowing, but you still have beads everywhere!
9. You justify buying more beads with one-liners like, ''My beading addiction is healthier than smoking,'' or ''Beads won't ruin my diet because they don't have calories.''
10. Your family can't remember the last time they ate at the kitchen table, which is known as no man's land under certain death if they dump over your bead board or cups of beads.

Usher in the Creative Year of the RABBIT !!

by Jamie Smedley, Marketing Content Development, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

In China, the beginning of every year falls between late January and early February, and is marked by an animal sign of the Chinese zodiac that is repeated every twelve years. Each year is given a different animal sign as a way of counting the years. The years are scheduled according to the lunar cycles of the moon as compared to the solar-based calendars of the West. Since 1911, the Chinese have adopted the solar calendar and use it alongside the lunar calendar for holidays. Many Chinese calendars have both solar and lunar dates printed on them.

Zodiac Origins
The animals used in the zodiac, and how they came to represent it, are a wonderful Chinese legend with many variations. The most common version being the legend of the Jade Emperor and how he wanted to hold a race across a river to give twelve animals the right to rule for a year. All animals were given a chance to swim, and the first twelve to reach the opposite bank would win the positions in which they arrived.

Cat and Rat were the worst swimmers of all the animals, so they designed a plan to ask if they could cross the river on the back of Bull. Bull, being a kind and gentle creature, agreed to carry them. As the group reached the center of the rushing river, the ambitious Rat pushed Cat off Bull's back and into the water to ensure his victory. Rat's betrayal is why Cat and Rat have evermore been sworn enemies and why, to this day, cats despise swimming in water.

As Bull reached the riverbank, Rat darted atop Bull's head and sprang to the ground to reach the shore first and became the first zodiac animal. Bull was content to be given the second year. The third animal to successfully cross the river was Tiger, who was known to be the most powerful of all the animals. Exhausted, Tiger explained that the heavy currents of the river, coupled with an entangled log, had pushed Tiger further downstream, delaying the animal's arrival.

After Tiger was proclaimed the third animal of the zodiac, the Jade Emperor heard a thumping sound just as Rabbit bounded into view. As the fourth animal, he explained his attempts at trying to cross the river by jumping from stone to stone. The stones eventually came to an end, leaving Rabbit stranded in the middle of the waters and, fearing he could lose the race, thought quickly and hopped onto a floating log to reach the shore.

The fifth animal to reach the shore was Dragon. Dragon was as strong as Tiger, and even though he could fly, Dragon didn't come in first. When the Jade Emperor asked why, Dragon said that it was because he took time to stop and help the people and creatures of the earth who were suffering famine by causing rain. Then, seeing little Rabbit stranded on a rock, Dragon guided the log that was entangling Tiger away to instead help Rabbit float across the river.

Dragon had just finished this tale when a thunderous splashing was heard and Horse reared towards the shore but the cunning Snake, having wrapped around the ankle of Horse, suddenly dropped onto the bank just ahead of Horse. This sudden appearance spooked the poor Horse backwards, giving Snake the sixth position, followed by Horse in seventh.

Next to arrive were Ram, Monkey and Rooster who skidded to a stop on the shore riding a tangled reed raft. They told the Jade Emperor how they formed an alliance to help each other cross the river beginning with Rooster who had flown around until a suitable raft was spotted and then took Monkey and Ram to where it was. Then Ram and Monkey cleared the weeds and they all glided upon it across the water to the shore. Delighted with their mutual efforts, the Jade Emperor gave Ram the eighth zodiac position, Monkey the ninth and Rooster the tenth.

Dog, known to be the best swimmer, was next to reach the shore and explained that upon seeing his dirt-smudged coat paired with the tempting clean river waters, he decided to stop and bathe, but Dog tarried for too long and almost didn't finish the race. Finally, Pig emerged squealing and sputtering from the waters as the last and twelfth zodiac animal. Pig's reason for a late arrival was being "so ravenous with the exertion of finding a good crossing spot that a meal was needed," so he sniffed out a bountiful feast of grubs, berries and roots, followed by a short nap.

Rabbit Charitable, welcoming and peaceful by nature, Rabbits thrive on routines and can become anxious if they have to step outside of the lines or make risky decisions. They thrive on details of the minutest kind and thoroughly enjoy creating a home of solace and beautiful tranquility. Cultivated and artistic, Rabbits are brilliant at remembering. Rabbits are attracted to highly detailed jewelry designs that abound with cultured freshwater pearls, sapphires, faceted multicolored tourmaline and rainbow moonstone gemstone beads that flash and dance with lively colors. Shop for Rabbit's gemstone beads: Cultured freshwater pearl beads Sapphire gemstone beads Rainbow moonstone gemstone beads Multicolored tourmaline gemstone beads

                           
Which Zodiac Animal Are You?
Find your year of birth in the article link below and see which zodiac animal your birth year represents. Also, discover the animal character traits and strengths that you share with those born in the same year, beginning between late January and early February.

Read the full article on the Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Jamie Smedley on the website of Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Jane Austen Jewelry

by Jamie Smedley, Marketing Content Development, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

"Is there a felicity in the world superior to this?" Marianne said. - Sense and Sensibility: Volume I, Chapter 9, Jane Austen

The years spanning from around 1800 to 1820 are commonly referred to as the Regency era and were renowned for a simpler, less complicated style. The indulgent aristocratic excesses of the 1700s were replaced with a naturally elegant aesthetic in fashion and accessories that deliberately emulated the grace and poise of Roman and Greek statuary. Such simplicity in fashion brought a true appreciation for small details and quality craftsmanship. Likewise, the social manners of the era were unparalleled in polite decorum. One of the most recognized representations of this era is the much-celebrated literature of Jane Austen.

The Regency Style

Following the French revolution, fashion was transformed with flowing under-bust column gowns in fine, filmy fabrics and delicate floral accents of ribbon and embroidery. White was the dominant color of the age, but it was almost always accented with floral-inspired colors that were incorporated onto bonnets, floor-length redingote jackets, belts, reticule bags and Spencer jackets. The jewelry and accessories were simple in comparison to the heavy, fussy styles of previous decades--being instead uncomplicated in construction and focusing on one or two main materials that complemented each other in balanced harmony. It was frequent for a woman to own complete parures, or matching sets, of jewelry that included earrings, a ring, a necklace of either long or short length, a brooch and two bracelets. Sometimes, for eveningwear, a matching diadem or tiara and a jeweled belt were also worn. The complete set was never worn at the same time. Only a few pieces were selected to don at one time, as a less-is-more attitude towards accessories was adopted.

The Regency Color Palette

Choosing the right colors to translate the Regency look into jewelry is one of the most important elements. kock-lee-co, first recorded as a color name in 1795, was a saturated poppy red with hints of pink and orange. This color today can be achieved with the use of padparadscha, hyacinth and Indian red Swarovski crystal beads. Jonquil, primrose and evening primrose were all varying shades of yellow akin to the blooms they were called after. These yellow colors added warm, optimistic color to the Regency palette. Sunny jonquil and sand opal Swarovski crystal colors can closely translate these colors. Pomona, a dark shade of apple green was named for the Greek goddess of fruiting orchards. Paris green was similar to chrysoprase in hue and was popular because it was the first colorfast green available. Unfortunately, it was produced by mixing copper arsenic powders and other toxic chemicals. Pomona and Paris green colors can be incorporated into jewelry with the use of palace green opal and erinite Swarovski crystal colors as well as green quartz and apple green chrysoprase gemstone beads. Of course, the staple colors of white, Spanish brown, dove grey, powder blue, pale lilac, peach blossom and wild rose were incorporated into the everyday wardrobe in great abundance. Today, jewelry designers often use ivory instead of a crisp white to give their Regency-inspired jewelry designs the look of age. Another color name that may surprise is that of puce (p-YOU-ss), the French word for flea. Indeed, the color was known to be similar to the brownish purple-red of old blood that could be found in the pests. Incredibly, even with its odd name origin, puce was one of the top fashion colors used! Easily incorporate the puce color into jewelry designs by using garnet gemstone beads or Swarovski crystal maroon pearls or ruby and burgundy crystal colors. To appreciate these key colors, it is important to be familiar with the color names of the age that were both curious and puzzling. For instance, the color coquelicot, pronounced

Recreate This Style

Regency-era jewelry designers valued quality over quantity when it came to materials, selecting high quality precious and semi-precious gemstone beads such as emerald, sapphire, citrine, ruby, garnet, onyx, amethyst, chrysoprase, aquamarine, peridot, topaz, bright "Persian blue" turquoise and of course cultured freshwater pearls. Fine gold-filled and sterling silver metals were used and often times, they were mixed together in floral filigree designs that echoed the embroidery seen on empire-waist gowns.

This secret locket consisted of a picture of just the eye of a beloved person with perhaps the eyebrow and a wisp of hair on the temple showing. The secret love locket was a way to discreetly hold your love near your heart at all times. You can emulate these portrait styles by embedding a loved one's printed likeness into pourable resin, encapsulating it under a clear glass cabochon in a mounting or decoupage it with Mod Podge.

The most common jewelry styles worn were a single strand of beads knotted together with a fantastic clasp, a fine gold chain necklace with dainty crystal drops with matching earrings or a petite portrait brooch. Pearl strands and velvet ribbon were commonly paired with faceted gemstone beads or cameo sets. Hair jewelry was also highly popular at this time including combs, pins, picks and tiaras. The tradition of a "lover's eye" locket was also the height of fashionable accessories.

Opera length necklaces that went to the bottom of the rib cage and chokers that rested on the collarbone were the most popular necklace styles worn. All manner of earring lengths were seen and they often included a poetic influence, incorporating bows, ovals and teardrops.

Overall, jewelry designs tended to be heartfelt with deep personal meanings, being small in scale and sentimental in nature. Incorporate symbols popular to the Regency era with charms, drops and components in Greek key patterns, acorns, doves, wheat sheaves, feathers, miniature portraits, lockets, cameos and floral mosaics.

Design with: Quality gemstone beads Filigree sterling silver beads and components Fine sterling silver clasps Cameos Cabochons and mountings Mod Podge® Pearls Velvet ribbon and ribbon ends Regency Era symbols and charms

Baby Steps ...

Nothing can block your creative chi faster than a “cluster buster” … that is a big old huge mess that prevents you from doing your thing. My studio has been in that exact state for the last couple months as I have been creating inventory like a whirl wind maniac to produce enough jewelry to sell at a my local artisan market booth as well as my Etsy shop and a few local holiday bazaars. My studio seriously began to resemble a pile of half finished projects and materials used to create masterpieces scattered about and left to lie long after the projects were completed.

I have been given many titles to explain my creative dark-side cleaning habits. A few of the most popular are the Fluff and Stuff Queen because I have it down to an exact science how to make things “appear” clean on the surface and stuff the mess into corners and behind closed doors. I am also a professional “Pile-It” because I create piles of stuff. Strange as it may seem, I often know where within the pile an item may be – freakish memorization mixed with the clerical filing system of Oscar the Grouch. I have racked up quite a few “frequent flyer Pile-It miles” from random items being hurled across the room in moments of frustration. But my all time favorite is the Sweeper. A benign sounding name, this habit is the bane of my artistic existence.

I start with a clean slate, pile up the materials for one project that, when finished, will morph into another, and another, and another and another. Between each project morph I will hap hazardously “sweep” my arm across my workspace to clear materials that won’t be used on the project and push them to the outer fringe of my beading workspace. This goes on for several projects until I am left with a postage stamp sized workspace that doesn’t work

So, today I got up early and made my way to the studio with grand plans to create a lot of earrings. After hunting for 15 minutes to find a headpin I decided enough was enough. I decided to clean the mess.

On A Mission …

I think that most creative people will face this at some point in their creative career. If it happens to you, then you can truly sympathize with this plight. My momma always used to say “A place for everything and everything in its place” How true it is.

I think that my problem lies in that I keep bring beads and materials in, but don’t provide them with a good home. So today that is what I am doing. Giving them all a good home, out of the way, easy to see and no more piles! I want to kick this habit. I hope I can commit to these new resolutions. Have you recently overcome disorganization? What were your solutions? How do you organize and store your beads? Do you have pictures of your organization methods that you’d like to share?

making some new earrings

a rainbow of colors

Joy - Rapture - Unconfined ... A New box of Feathers At Last Is Mine!!

I just recieved a new parcel of feathers in my mailbox and had to run straight to the studio. I have been spending the last few evenings making some new feather earring designs that are so dang cool! I got so wrapped up in having fun that before I knew it I had created about 30 pairs.  Vivid colors, carnival colors, natural colors, Christmas colors -- you name it!!

earring assembly

I am really excited about feathers lately -- I even wear them in my hair! My latest feather earring designs are currently available at my Bridge & Buckle  booth located in Savannah Faire, Grants Pass Oregon.

**custome lengths and color combinations available

now for the earwires and then put them on cards

Meant to Be ...

A Designer's Dilemma...

found objects and treasures

I often struggle to find that sweet spot between building up a collection and hoarding jewelry-making materials. What is with me and this pile of treasure that I never get the courage to use? My bead stash is staggering, and I quite frankly have “outgrown” a lot of it as my artistic styles have evolved over the years.

sparkling drawers of faceted gemstrands

There are some real gems in that bead pile. Friends that visit my beading studio salivate and I often hear “ooh and ah” when I open my bead drawers for guests to view the sparkly contents. I often ponder to myself why I am reluctant to begin a design using them. What is the reason that I sit in my room with all these wonderful ideas and vast treasures surrounding me and yet I just can’t seem to reach my hand out to use some? Then it hit me like a brick. I have a mental block -- the fear of making the wrong design or a design that I will regret using something that I can’t replace – no second chances! So I end up saving this treasure forever waiting for that someday stroke of genius to make that one piece that is “meant to be” ...

That is, that is, that is, that is.... I could do that forever. Why wait?

Does This Sound Familiar...

Are you like me? FROZEN from using your bead and jewelry making stash? Are you an artist with a vast collection of jewelry making supplies, such as beads, findings and little found goodies that seem to be irreplaceable? Have you taken years to collect your stash. How do you move past this mental block to make a spectacular design?

A Possible Solution for you...

Kucki fertility pendants

Break the mental block of loss:   If you are a jewelry designer, particularly a salvage artist, then the first thing to recognize in the world of found object jewelry is that EVERYTHING can be made into a bead or component if you add a hole, a jumpring, some adhesive or a bit of wire. This will open up many possibilities for you to use some of those found objects because the joy in found objects is that you can just keep making more! Curb your sense of loss by making a few outstanding pieces and KEEPING them for yourself. Wear them. P.S. – you should be wearing your work on a daily basis anyways... and enjoy them. This will also make parting with finished designs that you like much easier to do later.

Lay out a design - throw stuff together to get a visual

Break the mental block of perfection:  The second thing to know about the beading world is that there will ALWAYS be a new and exciting bead or material that you will be revved up to use in your designs. Why wait for the perfect design to create something. Practice makes perfect. Jump in there and start using it. If you run out, replace it. Here’s a hint, if you save materials for too long they can become dated and no longer current. Trust me –I speak from painful and expensive experience. If this happens to you, then you will end up keeping beads in a drawer and bury them with materials that you DO use constantly. They will become something that you have to paw over to get to the beads you really want to use. Because of the time that it took you to collect it or the cost of acquiring it, you probably won’t give outdated beads away and selling them could be challenging if they are no longer en vogue with mainstream trends.

My advice is to take one item that you are reluctant to use, due to either cost or the irreplaceable factor. Select other great items that coordinate with it and then find or conceptualize an original design and just go for it. You can always take it apart and restash it if you hate it. If it isn’t quite right, rework portions of it until it is perfect. This process may take an hour or a month. My advice is: Don’t rush it. Take your time and do your best work. When it is completed, you can make the decision to sell it, keep it and treasure it or give it away. Either way, you will have the satisfaction of forward progress and a mental block that is removed. You know your beads, and which ones you are reluctant to use...Now go and make something amazing!

final creation