#jetagepowders

Creative Solutions to the Challenges of an Artistic Slump!

By Anne Marie November 9, 2022 November 8, 2022 0

Do you know any creative solutions to the challenges of an artistic slump? Would you be interested in sharing them? There’s nothing to be ashamed of, we all go through it! I’m just digging myself out of one now, so I have a few ideas to share with you. Don’t get tied all up in knots about it, as it’s something that will pass in time. Take advantage of the downtime, then rev up your engine with something that you want to do. It doesn’t matter what, just do it! After obsessing about it for a while, I frequently decide …

A Bead Muse Muses

What’s Old is New Again: Isn’t that the truth?

By Anne Marie June 15, 2022 June 14, 2022 2

What’s old is new again, and I’m not just saying it! Of course, what’s old is also old, but that’s what memories are made of. Not to mention, what’s new, is still new, but that’s another story. First up is one of my favourite Bead Journal Project (BJP) series from the past. I never remember which year is which, and am too lazy to actually look it up, so let’s just say it might be 2009. This series is loosely based on colourful row houses. It was tons of fun, and includes many lasting memories. In each house, you will …

A Bead Muse Muses

Rocking Retro Plus!

By Anne Marie June 8, 2022 June 7, 2022 0

I’m definitely into the rocking retro plus mode! This week is no exception, because once I start down this path, it’s oh so hard to stop! Let’s face it! I’ve made one heck of a lot of stuff over the years, and I still have more to show you! Why do I have so much, and where do I store it all? Well, that’s a good question. I’ve always been a maker, and I wish that I had some rocking storage solutions for you, but I’m afraid not. I store in a combination of boxes, piled on shelves, and a …

A Bead Muse Muses

October 2021 Bead Mat Update: Spooky, freaky, creepy, scary!

By Anne Marie October 27, 2021 October 26, 2021 0

My October 2021 bead mat update is spooky, freaky, creepy, and even eerie! I’m not really serious, but it sounds good, and it’s certainly the perfect time of year for bad jokes, foggy nights, delicious treats, and scary movies!! I know that we’ve had some witches in the store (because they like beads too), but certainly no ghouls, or goblins. One spooky afternoon in the past, I was talking to a couple of my co-workers, and the door slammed closed, for no particular reason. Was it the mischievous ghost of beaders past, or just a sudden gust of wind, from …

A Bead Muse Muses

September 2021 Bead Mat Update: The bead goes on!

By Anne Marie September 29, 2021 September 28, 2021 0

My September 2021 bead mat update is going to get a little nostalgic, so be prepared to see that the beat goes on! The reality is that I’ve been busy with non-beading/stitching activities, so I really don’t have much new to show you. However, I do have some ideas that I’d like to explore, that relate to past projects. I’m back working on my free form peyote ‘Dancing’ piece, but that’s all the current beading that I have to show this week. But, remember this Butterfly and Ladybug piece from a while back? It still needs a pin back, and …

A Bead Muse Muses

Dream a Little Dream of Beads!

By Anne Marie September 22, 2021 September 21, 2021 0

If dream a little dream of beads is a little vague, then I need to tell you what I’m dreaming about. It’s all there, but like all dreams, it won’t be easy to explain. I’m in a transition phase with my art. I feel stalled, and need to give myself a good kick in the pants! I want to start a new project, but my muse is lusting for something more complicated, so I’m at an impasse. Darn that muse! It feels like I’ve been drifting along, with no particular focus. Have you ever had that happen to you? I …

A Bead Muse Muses

What’s Old is New!

By Anne Marie September 15, 2021 September 14, 2021 0

What’s old is new, at least to some of you! I’ve been bouncing around a bit, so I thought that you would like to see some of my work from the early days. This post will be a mix of the old, and the new! I’ll start out with the new, then talk a bit about some of my older projects. If you’ve seen them before, my apologies, but I’m hoping that some are old enough, that they will be fresh inspiration. I designed this bracelet, in response to the new Polymer Clay, Vinyl Heishi beads that Dwyn introduced a …

A Bead Muse Muses

Still Playing Around!

By Anne Marie September 8, 2021 September 7, 2021 2

Of course, I’m still playing around. But what else would you expect? It’s too much fun to do otherwise, so I’ll just keep myself happy, amused, and out of trouble! Labour Day has come and gone! Nights are cooler now, so could fall be far away? I had four days off last weekend, and took full advantage of that extra creative time. No, I didn’t design any new classes, but I am thinking about it. I read, shopped, stitched, and I’m still playing around with my Jet Age Powders. It’s relaxing, stress relieving, creative, and just plain fun! I fully …

A Bead Muse Muses

Win or Fail: That is the question?

By Anne Marie September 1, 2021 August 31, 2021 0

Win or fail is one of the questions that we struggle with, all of the time? Why are we so afraid of failing? Are we just a product of our upbringing? I’m not afraid of failing! Failure is just a part of life, and if you never do it, then you just didn’t try hard enough. I win or fail, most of the time. Ha! Isn’t that a silly thought, and isn’t it true of all of us? How can we do both? I do admit to having a lot of arty experience, but I don’t like everything that I …

A Bead Muse Muses

August 2021 Bead Mat Update: Go make something!

By Anne Marie August 25, 2021 August 24, 2021 0

My August 2021 Bead Mat Update is centered around the theme of “go make something”! So I did!! What is normal these days? I wear a mask around others, even though I’ve been fully vaccinated. I follow social distancing guidelines, and keep my shopping/socializing to a bare minimum. Now into the meat of my August 2021 bead mat update! I discussed the Lumiere Lusters High Temp Powders in last week’s blog post, and here are some examples. I made the first two pieces a couple of years ago, but the rest last weekend. Older pieces! Powder (1) + Artist’s Concrete …