When the editor of Bead Trends asked me to be the Featured Designer for the October issue I knew right away that I wanted to create a series of jewelry that reflected the seasons, my love of nature and incorporated art beads from some of my favorite artists. The 11 designs featured in the issue are some of my favorite pieces that I've ever created. Tomorrow I will share more about the art beads used in the projects.Projects In the issue:
1. Water & Seed Necklace and Bracelet
(Pictured above, photo courtesy of Bead Trends Magazine)
A woodsy combination of seeds, wood and water inspired beads.
2. Blue Skies Calling Bracelet, Necklace and Earrings
Nests and birds take center stage amid blue lace agate, yellow opal nuggets and copper.
3. Seek Wisdom Necklace and Earrings
A wintery blue set with branches, kyanite and ceramic beads in frosty hues.
4. Tiger Lily Necklace and Earrings
One of my favorite flowers of summer, this tiger lily set features a mix of copper disks, keishe pearls, rutilated quartz and gunmetal chain.
5. Letting Go Necklace and Bracelet
A seed of knowledge: letting go of our worries will help us get closer to our dreams. This is the theme of this set with harvest inspired beads, trees, leaves, acorns and wood.
Did you know you can purchase a digital copy of the magazine? I did this the other day and it's awesome! You subscribe to one issue for $4.99. You pick which issue you want, uh go for Oct. 2009 to see my goodies, and it's instantly available online. You can download the issue to your computer. You can make notes, there are direct links to the suppliers, it pretty much rocks. Although I still like to hold a magazine in my hand, this is a budget-friendly alternative! Click here for more details.
To celebrate being the featured designer in the October issue of Bead Trends I am hosting a giveaway on my blog this week.The prizes: Bead Trends has donated one 6 month subscription to their magazine (a $49.95 value) and I am giving away a $30 gift certificate to Humblebeads.com!
To Enter: Make a comment to this post. If you don't have a blog, please make sure to include your email so that I can contact you if you are the winner!
To Win:
Let's give you something to comment on other than kudos, although I do appreciate those:
From the 5 themes/projects mentioned above which one appeals to you the most?
85 comments:
Your mom got me to do theonline book and I was glad I did. Its really cool, but I just have to get the book so you can sign it for me at Christmas...haha!
I couldn't pick a favorite if I had too. I love everyone of them. But if I was forced I would chose the Seek Wisdom, just cause of all the blue beads that I love.
I'm so proud of you Heather, you deserve every bit of attention, you've definitely earned it.
Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see the magazine in person!!!
So, aside from the kudos, the all around natural and organic feeling I get when I see this picture and read about the other pieces makes me want to go outside and take a walk and appreciate all those little sticks and stones that are gorgeous in their own way. :)
Congrats!!!
Congrats! I love knowing famous beady people :o) I think the Seek Wisdom necklace is my thing, too - you know I have a thing for blue stuff...
But, your beads are so neat that it's not hard to love everything...And, I think it's wonderful that you're doing a giveaway to celebrate! Now, to run out to Barnes & Noble to get my copy...Bead Trends is a great mag, but I have trouble finding it sometimes...But, I will hunt down the October issue, for sure!
Hi Heather, when I saw you were the Designer Highlight, I was really excited because I have been admiring your beads for so long. {I am on page 20, my first publication} My favorite has to be Tiger Lily. I think mostly because it has such a great mix of all my favorite colours. Congrats on the highlight, I hope to be so lucky someday. Hopefully you will follow my blog too.
http://skyejewels.blogspot.com
Marie
Um...ok...like the best giveaway EVER?!
Of course the Seek Wisdom set has to be my fave since you mentioned the magic words...ceramic beads!
(I still need to see a pic of them so I think I'll have to suck it up and download the digital version-BT is not easily found in person here!)
OOOh wow fantastic! I can't wait to see all the projects to really decide. I'm sure in the end I'll like #2 best as it has blue and I always gravitate to blue. You must be so proud to have such a dedicated section, just awesome!
I looked for the issue yesterday at Hastings but I guess it is still to early. I just made my first bead order from you and can't wait to receive it. Looking foward to the magazine.
My favorite? Number 3, the colors of winter appeal to me like nothing else. Awesome! The necklaces sound so interesting, can't wait to see them!
Forgot to pick a necklace. I think the one in the picture would be hard to beat, it's also my current favorite colors, although I love all of your work.
I have two favorites. I like the Tiger Lily theme because I love rutilated quartz and I love copper. The concept of the Letting Go set really speaks to me. I'm constantly working on letting to of worries!
And, of course... congrats on being featured! I love your jewelry.
A lovely necklace! I picked #3 ! Yhis is a Great giveaway!
So Cool!!! and great giveaway. I will on the lookout for the Oct. issue.
I think I would pick #4.
My favorite is Seeking Wisdom because I am seeking wisdom every day along with spiritual growth. The chatoyancy of Blue Kyanite represents the search for clarity of insight and the wisdom that follows. Congrats on a well deserved feature.
Kudos! ;)
The project that appeals to me most is the Letting Go neck;ace and bracelet. This is for two reasons: 1) Because I like projects that have some feeling or emotion to help guide you in the creation process, which then gets turned into a connection between creation mood. Some of my favorite pieces are not at the top because of beauty or skill, but because I feel something specific when I don them:) 2) I like the materials better. One of the reasons I don't see myself doing the other projects is because I don't have access to the materials (I'd have to special order them or buy them online), and even if I did they'd probably be out of my price range. :)
Summer (your friend on FB, summerblues (at) gmail dot com.
Thank you for the comments so far everyone. I appericate that each of you take time to visit!
Rosanne, will I have to put my hand to head and say, please no more autographs when I come home. HA!!!
Thanks Jenny, I love taking a walk every day too. Thank god for an endless supply of inspiration just outside my door!
Katie, that necklace happens to feature a certain Winter Branches lentil bead...
Congrats Marie, you on on your way! Your bracelet is beautiful.
Mellisa, your spidey-senses must have been tingling, that's one of the projects with your beads!!!
PairieGirl thanks for stopping by, I look forward to seeing what you make with your Humblebeads!
Carol, I can relate to worrying, this necklace is one I need to wear often!
Summer - I've been working more on pieces that tell a story, it really adds something special to those pieces of jewelry.
I didn't know that about Kyanite Sharon, now I love it even more!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Pairie E., Janet, bellajoya & frankandrox,
Congratulations, Heather! What an honor to be the featured designer. I can't wait to see this issue...need to get to B&N. I think the Tiger Lily necklace sounds so intriguing (well, they all do!)...I love the sound of combining your pieces with keishi pearls, copper discs and gunmetal chain. Thank you for this fun give away!!
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com
Hi I'm italian, sorry for tha language but I'm not speack english very well. i love evry your jewell..i'ts possible partecipate?? My blog is http://romybijoux.blogspot.com Bye
What a fabulous giveaway! Please let me in :)) Of the project I really like the pictured necklace, so No 1 :)) Thank you!
has to be Blue Skies Calling because I am all about birds!
Great Giveaway. I don't think I have bought Bead Trends in a long time. I'll have to take another look.
Congrats on contributing to this issue.
Congrats on being the featured designer! How fabulous!!
Seeking wisdom is my favorite since it reminds me of owls.
I hope I win!!
Seek Wisdom or Tiger Lily. Congrats! I can't wait to see it!
This is a super issue - I just saw it the other day. Congrats! My fav is the "letting go" set. I like it the most because it has a Fall theme.
I would have to say the Letting Go theme appeals to me most at the moment, as that is something I need to learn to do.
Congratulations on being featured in the magazine. I can't wait to pick it up!
Blue Skies Calling calls to me!
Congratulations on your feature in the magazine!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, you're making us pick one project from all these? It's difficult, but I would choose the Letting Go pair simply because of the components--very intriquing!
Thanks for having the giveaway, and thanks for the great suggestion to get the magazine via digital copy! Can't wait to see the book, but it'll have to be online.
Alice
thepetersons13@mchsi.com
I love the idea of #5. Woodsy designs do it for me!! I love your work...pretty amazing.
Thank you to all who stop in overnight. Wow, the Letting Go seems to be a fav.
Romina, yes international readers can enter.
Well I hope my entry doesn't debend on my lack of descision making! I am torn Heather. I love the one pictured, mainly because I have a whole strand of Kukui nuts beads I brought back with me from Hawaii and have been wanting to incorporate into something and you've do it there! But #3 sounds intriquing, but not really my color palette, and #4, I love Tiger Lilies, I used to have gardens full of them, in fact one so large the deer used to hunker down and sleep in them at night! So the copper and gunmetal sound like an appealing mixture to me. But then your description of #5 leaves me wondering, as my favorite items to work with are botanicals and that sounds really like something I'd adore. So how about I narrow it down to two? One for Spring/Summer #4 and one for Fall/winter #5? :)
Congratulations!
Tigerlilies are my all time favorite flowers! I love the wildness of them and I find comfort in their return every year :-)
#3 or #5, hard to choose between color scheme and theme! congrats on the feature... well deserved...
Congratulations! That's quite the accomplishment!
I think the first one, water & seed appeals to me the most. I love the combination of a woodsy and water feel to it.
Congrats! I love the new Fall look!
contact@liquidambarstudio.com
I can narrow it down to two that really strike my fancy...2. Blue Skies and 4. Tiger Lily. The components of each facinate me...lace agate, yellow opal and anything nature related.
cspmom at gmail dot com
I have to pick two, Heather...number one because it's woodsy and number 5 because it's harvesty. Autumn and outdoors themes are always my favorites.
Although I find it very difficult to forgo the kudos when commenting on your blog, here goes: I'd have to pick #5, without even looking. Letting go is something that I am practicing to do better this year, in fact it's a goal for the year!
Oh, I just love all your jewelery and would love to win the prize:)
Funky Monkey Girl,
Jolene
Love the necklace shown, but from the descriptions, I would have to go with #2 - Blue lace agate and copper! Two of my favorite things!
It was difficult to pick just one, but I guess my fav was Tiger Lily. The colors are just lovely.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Sandra
I'd have to say 5. Letting Go Necklace and Bracelet.
Seems entirely appropriate with having to let go of Summer, though I do love Autumn.
hello@balancedcrafts.com
Woweee and congrats! Hope I win, looks like fun. Hard to ever pick a favorite, amazing choices.
A big congrats! on being the Featured Designer! All of your themes sound awesome, but I'm especially looking forward to the Tiger Lily and Dreams designs.
I like the Blue skies Calling. :-) Nicole
Love the necklace you've created and would be soooo happy If I could finally win a giveaway! Even if I don't win I'm a follower so I'll be back to visit again:)
Letting go would be my choice. Congrats on being October's Pin-Up-Girl!
I really love your Water & Seed Necklace and Bracelet, and look forward to seeing your article as featured designer in Bead Trends :) I'm signing up for the online issue, but your issue isn't featured on the site yet - hopefully soon? Congratulations again, from a fan!
Heather, be very proud of yourself
right now...your piece is striking and down to earth all in the same glance.Good for you.
kelly(simplyworn.etsy)
Congratulations on being the featured designer! Can't wait to see it.
I'd vote for Letting Go. I love all the nature-themed materials and what a great project name! I bet it'd be very empowering to wear a piece with a name like that.
Congrats on being the Feature Designer!! I'll definately pick this issue up...digital sounds nice but I need a mag to read/browse while I'm waiting for the kiddies.
Oh...Letting Go...I love fall and the idea behind the name
Congratulations indeed! You used what look to be lumbang seeds really naturally with the other pieces in the necklace pictured here!
The Seek Wisdom set sounds the most intriguing to me. While I like fall, there was something about the idea of branches and words like "wintery" and "frosty" together that REALLY drew me in.
Just discovered your amazing works and found your blog to say how stunned I am and how wonderful are the things you're doing. Keep on going, Heather, may your source of inspiration never cease. Greetings from Russia. Anya.
Congrats Heather! I think they are all favorites, but I like the idea of letting go of your worries #5.
I am new to beading and very much enjoy your blog. Thanks for all the inspiration! Letting Go!!
Kathy
found your blog through an e-mail I regularly receive about beads and then when I saw your name is Heather (like me) I had to comment.
I love the necklace pictured here. It's so attractive to me because of its unusual components and interesting configuration. Very nicely done!
Congratulations!
The necklace pictured is beautiful. I'd have to say that right now, letting go of my worries would be my choice, as my FiL is facing some serious medical issues, possibly including cancer.
Blue Skies calling appeals to me and I can't wait to see it. I am excited to learn you can download Bead Trends and will defintely have to check that out.
Wow! Thanks for all the great comments. We seem to be a stressed out bunch, don't we!!!
Abeille, if you click on the link in the post you'll be able to download the October issue. It's available, I downloaded it the other day.
Beautiful!
I have been playing with the idea of building a nest somehow recently so that struck a chord.
Thanks!
My favorite is Blue Skies Calling. I wear it every day. It is such a honor to look through the magazine and see my beautiful busy daughter and her work shining on all those pages. Congratulations Heather! I am so very proud of you. Mom.
(don't count my comment for the drawing.)
I was so delighted to see your feature in the Bead Trends magazine, Heather! I love your organic style and the Water and Seed Necklace and Bracelet are my "current" favorite :-)
Not just because I happen to own some of those same beads from you ;-) But because I love the eclectic and again, organic nature--like someone else mentioned, it reminds me of taking a walk in the woods--picking up a feather, some seed pods, a twig--little treasures to inspire! Thanks also for reminder of the online entity of the magazine--definitely a cost-effective alternative. Although I find it hard not to pick up the magazine(s) in hard copy because I love the feel of turning the pages and having the delightful designs right there in front of me to "touch" while I oooohhh and aaaahhhh over them!
Continued success, my dear, you are so deserving!
Karen
thebeadgypsy@me.com
Hi Heather! Love your beads! I think Blue Skies Calling is calling to me. I can't wait to see what this project looks like. -Judy Gustafson of HuntingtonBeachBeads.
Hi Heather! Congrats, of course! =)
Thanks so much for the tips on the digital version of the magazine, I was debating doing it that way but I just love to physically browse so much. But you totally sold me on trying digital!
Anyway, I think "Seek Wisdom" sounds fabulous! Although, I love love love the one that is pictured. I love blues, especially kyanite! In fact, I am wearing kyanite right now! =)
Oh, how fun! I think letting go sounds just about right. lol. Harvest insipired, too... I love fall!
Rachael
justdipit@gmail.com
I think I would try the Water & Seed Necklace and Bracelet. I have a couple of seeds from a Hawaiian necklace that I could put in. Great job!
Ann
annrishell@gmail.com
How did I miss this post?!
I love all your pieces and I love Bead Trends...an unstoppable combo! They came out with the online thing after my March 09 issue highlights...I wonder if I can go back and purchase that retroactively?
Anyway! I would love to win!
As for my favorites..I love them all. But the description that speaks to my soul right now would be #5..."letting go of our worries will help us get closer to our dreams." Yowza. You nailed it for me! Enjoy the day! Erin
Wow, great givewaway here on your blog. I'd be so happy to win either one of those prizes!!! Congratulations to the winners, whoever they end up being.
As for the choice, i really like teh idea of the tigerlilly piece. Tigerlillies are special to me, as they are the official flower of my home province of Saskatchewan. As well, I love the idea of all that copper and gunmetal happily working together. Great stuff.
Dale
Felicidades!!! and for my favorite... 1,2,3,4,5.... Ok if I must have to choose...#2 because the nest and birds and the colors!!!
I love your birds and hedgehogs. Also the old ruin type designs would fit in nicely with my vintage inspired designs. Boo @ bijousavvy @gmail.com
I bet the Tiger lily set is wonderful! I love copper mixed with different beads
Congratulations, awesome giveaway by the way! I think the project that most appeals to me is #2 Seek Wisdom Necklace and Earrings :)
Nury77 at live dot ca
Congrats Heather! They all have some bead or component that is great. It's hard to choose, but anything with an acorn gets my vote!
Patti
Blue skies calling.......I can just picture this in my mind---How exciting for you!! Can't wait to check out the magazine!
Hugs and glitter!
Brenda Bliss
I'm posting this for a reader who emailed her comment:
"It's an honor to be in the company of such talent. Congratulations."
Thanks again,
creatively yours, jeannie
Congratulations! Bead Trends is such a pretty magazine. Love your work.
Laura
Very cool! Congrats!! I look forward to the magazine!
I love the Tiger Lily idea. Congrats to you. Your talent is unbounded!
I like the Letting Go Necklace and Bracelet theme. What a beautiful reminder!
Heather your work has always inspired me. Congrats on being picked as the magazines featured designer.
All the choices are fine ones. Blue skies calling had some of my favorite stones, with copper which I love and being a bird watcher or birder as we say, birds too. I can say the same of the Tiger Lily set.
But the Letting Go set is my favorite hands down. It has more of my favorite things like acorns,leaves, wood and trees. Being a Fall baby I love the season for it's colors and how we must let go of summer to make way for winter. It also speaks to my constant goal of letting the worst of myself and the things that bother me go. If I had to make just one piece this would be it.
Paula Lee
Hi Heather-
It is hard to pick an absolute favorite because you touch on so many of my favorite things. I like "Water & Seed" because I'm liking the blue/brown combination, I like the "Seek Wisdom" because of the icy-ness (word?)of the elements and I like "Letting Go" because Fall is my favorite season. Your designs are awesome!
jwarneratwarpnetdotnet
I just discovered your blog today. Great prizes! (I hope I win.)
I always need reminders to let go, so it's good to have that in a beautiful form. I'd love to see such a project, I think it would help a lot of us :)
Congratulations! Enjoyed reading your story and the pieces - wow!
My fav above is Seeking Wisdom - the wintery blues remind me that the season will soon be here.
Thanks!
sandi
sandra.miller15@yahoo.com
Congratulations,Heather!!You sure do deserve this.
My favorite piece is Falling.This is my fav season and Falling has so many reminders of it.Love it!
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