May 29 2009
At least once each day, Sunny (the dog), and Hobie (the kitten) bat paws in a slow motion play-fight and then take a nap. It is nauseatingly cute.
May 28 2009
Nothing in the bead world is quite as exciting for me as the release of a new TierraCast® collection. The newest collection is out, and I’m thrilled with this summer’s “Spirit, Sparkles & Tattoos” release!
This beautiful new line of lead-free pewter components includes a set of spiritually motivated components, a collection of bead frames engineered to work precisely with 12mm Swarovski Rivoli stones (article 1122), and a whimsical line of charms based on popular American tattoos.
The “Spirit” portion of the new line includes beads, charms and links drawn from a diverse and cross-cultural collection of spiritual symbols — including the gorgeous Tree of Life design pictured here in a pendant and charm size, plus eastern Om’ and Buddha designs, and the ubiquitous Peace symbol, in pendant, charm and link components.
The TierraCast® Sparkles Collection consists of pieces various bead frames precisely engineered to hold Swarovski® 12mm Rivoli Crystals. Rivolis are not drilled - they’re beautiful stones from Swarovski designed to be set or glued into other components. Swarovski’s rivoli stones have foiled backs which bring out the richness of the crystals’ colors.
These new TierraCast® frames are available as charms, links, and multi-strand links, giving the jewelry artist a wealth of possibilities.
Finally, the TierraCast® Tattoos line of charms features eight of America’s most popular tattoos in mid-sized charm - perfect for charm bracelets, earrings, accents and more.
May 27 2009
One of my most favorite craft blogs is “Make It” - a blog I discovered seven or eight months ago after the author (who is also a customer) linked back to my web site. Since then - I haven’t missed a post!
Shannon, a print artist and budding soap maker, has been chronicling the building of her craft business in her open and insightful blog. Not only does she share her own experiences, but her blog is full of tips and suggestions, links to articles and stories, and is full of ideas on how to use new media, alternative venues, and social networking to create a customer base and community good-will.
I started Lytha Studios in 1996, and like an old dog trying to learn new tricks, I find it challenging sometimes to expand my frame of reference beyond the methods I used in the late 90’s to run an online business. “Make It” has been a wonderful resource for me as I have been working to expand the way I operate.
“Make It” is a fantastic blog - go have a look!
May 24 2009
I’ve got so many new items that I’ve ordered over the past few months, but haven’t had time to photograph and list, that I will undoubtedly be kept busy with them for the next few weeks!
To start with - I have received in more styles of Wire Guardians. In addition to the copper and sterling I added in March, I now have them in gold-filled, plus basemetal versions plated in silver, gold and gunmetal. These pieces help give a finished, polished look to your bracelets and necklaces. And I picked up this great tip from the Starving Jewelry Artists forum - use wire guardians to connect your beading to watch faces - check out the link (see below) for photos and discussion!
In the past week, I’ve also added several new watch faces for making beaded watches. These watches are manufactured by The BeadSmith, and are stored and shipped with their stems out to prevent dead-on-arrival batteries. Even so - watch batteries will die, and to facilitate their replacement, we now stock both replacement batteries, and a special watch face opening tool which helps to pop the back off, making it easier to reach and change the battery.
I’ve been working this weekend on the new TierraCast summer collection, titled “Spirit, Sparkles & Tattoos.” This line has some fantastic new charms, and a brilliant collection of Rivoli frames. Look for it after the holiday, and have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
May 22 2009
April was something of a monster month for us. I imagined myself writing this post on May 1st, as April’s bumps and bruises were put away, but then work, family, pets, play, and life got in the way and now it is two weeks later. So let me try again — Good Bye April. Hello May!!
So far May has been blissfully sweet - the calm after the storm. All three of us are healthy (and all at the same time no less!). There is a new tankless hot-water heater in the utility room, and various other plumbing updates have been made (don’t ask!). Indira is back home safe and sound (look for more about her adventures in an upcoming post). And currently I am spending my afternoons getting ready to launch the new TierraCast® summer 2009 line on the Web site (more about that coming soon too!).
I wanted to end this post with a charming story that came across my desk a few weeks ago, about a rescued Greyhound named Jasmine, who went on to become a foster mother of animals of all sorts at the wildlife shelter that rescued her.
Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.
I highly suggest reading the whole of Jasmine’s story and looking at some photos that are too beautiful not to be seen.
Happy May!
– Erin
Mar 29 2009
Our dogs love to play-fight. They will scuffle for a half-hour over a dog toy - pouncing on each other, chewing on each other, knocking each other down, and zooming around the yard (or house), with tails wagging all the while. We call this the Perpetual Roving Dog Fight (or P.R.D.F.).
So for your enjoyment, I present a photo-gallery of a recent afternoon of P.R.D.F.ing outside in the yard, with Lady Indira as a referee!
Mar 22 2009
It’s been a rather findings-y kind of weekend here - I’ve been working on a lot of new brass and copper beads and findings, plus a few new gold-filled and sterling components, too.
I have a lot of new brass findings - both closed and open jumprings, new ear wires and leverback earrings, crimps and more. Nearly all of these components are bright, raw brass. I’ve read online that you can antique brass with white vinegar - I’m going to do some experimenting in the kitchen this week, and I’ll let you know it goes!
I’ve also added lots of new solid copper beads, including some amazing bali tubes, plus round copper beads ranging in size from 2mm to 8mm.
Wire guards protect your beading wire from rough edges on toggles or clasps, and give your jewelry a beautifully finished look. I now stock wire guards in sterling silver and solid copper, and I’ve got more metals and finishes on order.
And finally - I’ve added 3″ headpins in a heavier 21 gauge wire. They’re especially nice if you’re making a longer length focal drop - being heavier they really hold up to wear and tear. I like to use them to make fancy earring hooks (a project will be forthcoming!) - apparently I’d rather cheat and cut the heads off the pins than straighten coiled wire.
Mar 20 2009
Ostara is the old Celtic name for the Spring Equinox (today). Ostara is also the name of our beautiful little Lovebird, who just happened to hatch on March 21, 2007.
So in honor of both, I present a small gallery of “spring” photos I’ve taken over the past few days in the immediate vicinity of Lytha Studios (most within walking distance), and a photo of Ostara the Lovebird perched on my finger a few minutes ago.
Happy Spring everyone!
Mar 17 2009
We’re celebrating St. Patty’s Day here several delightful new pieces of sterling Shamrock jewelry. These pendants and earrings, including designs by the legendary Celtic artist Courtney Davis, revel in the beauty of the Irish Shamrock.
Mar 06 2009
A pair of photos from our winter “storm” earlier this week. We only got about 3 inches of snow. but it was a very pretty snow, it stuck to all the branches, and softened every form.
"They are going to come in for dinner aren't they?"
Cardinal in the Snowy Herb Garden
Feb 27 2009
Good afternoon bead lovers. I’m in between “regular” newsletters, and have just a few quick updates for you on this gorgeous Thursday afternoon (at least here in Virginia).
In my last newsletter, I passed along some excellent news for makers of children’s jewelry on the CPSIA front. It turns out that celebration was premature - the stay on the enforcement of the new law was overturned by a federal court on February 9th, and the new rules are once again in effect.
The CPSC is considering allowing “natural, lead-free” items to be used without certification - pearls, some precious metals and precious gems. But that is little help to those using jewelry wire, pewter, Swarovski crystal, and other beading necessities. Even if the components have all been certified (such as TierraCast pewter), the CPSIA law still requires that the final product be tested regardless.
I’ve got a more detailed blog post on this subject with lots of links:
http://lythastudios.com/blog/?p=443
If this issue concerns you, please make some phone calls to your congress-critters and send some e-mails to the CPSC!
Have a great March! — Erin
http://www.123bead.com
Feb 26 2009
A few weeks ago, we heard crows and bluejays shrieking warning calls so we went around peeking out the windows to see what all the commotion was about. Usually the crows and jays warn everyone about the hawk circling high above or on occasion sitting in the walnut tree (hungrily eying songbirds at our feeders). But not this day. What we saw instead through our kitchen door was an adult bald eagle with a juvenile, sitting in the tree next door.
They hung around for a few minutes, and then the adult flew off towards the river followed shortly after by the juvenile.
Feb 25 2009
In my last newsletter, I passed along some excellent news for makers of children’s jewelry on the CPSIA front. It turns out that celebration was premature - the stay on the enforcement of the new law was overturned by a federal court on February 9th, and the new rules are once again in effect.
The CPSC is considering allowing “natural, lead-free” items to be used without certification - pearls, some precious metals and precious gems.
But that is little help to those using jewelry wire, pewter, Swarovski crystal, and other beading necessities. Even if the components have all been certified (such as TierraCast pewter), the CPSIA law still requires that the final product be tested regardless.
Feb 16 2009
I’ve listed several new TierraCast assortments in the last few days - a fairy collection (pictured right), plus an eight piece flower charm collection, a ten piece scroll bead collection, and ten piece fancy earring post collection. To see these new sets, plus all of my other TierraCast mixes:
Feb 11 2009
This is a large new collection! Please allow an extra few moments for all the pictures to load.