Penguicon and DIY!

I haven't been blogging regularly because I have been busy with stuff, including this little thing called Penguicon that is this weekend!  I am half of the DIY (do it yourself) Track, along with the ever-awesome Skennedy!  This is our first time running a track, and it started out as a small idea.  Over the last year it has turned into a big part of the Con, with our main guests, I3Detroit, appearing as Hacks of Honor.  Sken and I have worked really hard to get some great panels and panelists together, including two make/hack spaces at the Con.  We have met some super-fab people along the way and have learned a ton about not only Makers and making and hacking, but also about Con running (for better or for worse, heh.)  I am heading out to the hotel soon and am looking forward to having a fun weekend.  I hope everything goes smoothly and everyone has a great time.

I didn't plan too many panels for myself, because I want to be free to check in on all the other panels and panelists and lend a hand when needed.  But I did manage to form two fun panels that I am excited to be on:

Writing for DIY Blogs and Publications	David Erik Nelson Melanie Brooks	May 2, 2010 11:00AM	0h50	Private Dining I
Writing articles and books for the craft world is one way a craft professional can market their work and educate. This panel of artist writers will talk about how they got involved with writing craft titles and articles.

Crafting a Craft Career	Melanie Brooks Jeanie Davan Alyska Bailey Peterson	May 2, 2010 9:00AM	0h50	Private Dining I
The trials and tribulations of making a living as a craft artist can be complicated as well as rewarding. A panel of professional artists share some of the details of their studio lives, experiences selling online and at public venues, and the truth about the adventurous life of an artist.

Hope to see you at Penguicon!

 Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Back to the Drawing Board

New house inspired pendants above, just listed in the Etsy shop.  They are a little dark and dirty looking, which I like, honestly.  It reflects the mixed feelings I have about my old house and the struggles I am having with the mortgage stuff.  It is not going well, unfortunately.  Home prices in the area are so low that my house will not likely appraise for more than I owe on it, which makes refinancing impossible or difficult, as I understand it.  So I think I have to wait, and I have to learn more about this stuff, which stresses me out and frustrates me. I try to keep this blog as positive as I can, but I am not in a very positive place in my head right now because of this stuff, so that's that.

Anyway, in other news... I fired a kiln and finished a bunch of orders yesterday.  There were some experiments with very funny and unexpected results, too.  I'll show those over the weekend for the Song post.  It sort of entertained me this morning when I opened the kiln!  Today, I am cleaning off my bead desk, which is a huge mess.  I need to make way to do some designing.  There is a submission deadline coming up soon, and I have to design a new class design for the bead guild class I am planning to offer this summer.  The other one didn't work out, so I would like to come up with something new.  There will be chain, knotting, and wirework with some of the new house components and probably an owl.  It has been a long time since I got to sit down and bead, so I am looking forward to it.

  Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Day After Show Thoughts and Extra Links

 I have returned from the Suburban Bead Encounter show.  We got in last night around midnight. I was hoping this was going to be a really great show, but it was not as profitable as I would have liked.  Dang it, too, because I liked the drive (not having to drive THROUGH Chicago was great) and the venue was nice, the vendors were great, it was a nice small show, and the promoters seemed awesome.  Just didn't get the traffic and sales.  Also, there were not very many artisan beadmakers, which was in some ways a good thing (less competition for that Art Bead dollar) but that often means that the buyers are newer to beading and are still focused on the basics, and not looking for high end supplies.  On the bright side, we had great people around us, had fun and relaxed, and made a few bucks.  And with all of the bead shows I have done this year not meeting my expectations, I am thinking that the economy is just so bad that it will still be a while to be able to make good money at shows in the area again.  With that in mind, I am actually debating signing up for the September show and giving it another chance.  *shrug*  I'll think about it a bit.

So at the show I spent some down time making a necklace for a customer that I have been meaning to do for a long time.  I also sketched out some ideas for classes.  Of course I did some shopping, mainly at Saki Silver... got some of their shibiuchi pieces, which are gorgeous!  

I did not manage to blog yesterday, so here are last week's Extra Links today:

 About.com Jewelry Making
It is flower power time! Mix resin, real flowers, and beads for this necklace design.

Art Bead Scene
Art beads don't have to be round, they can be toggles too!

Barbe Saint John
Barbe will be at Unique LA promoting the Steampunk Style book

Beading Arts
Cyndi has a copy of "Totally Twisted" that she's giving away! Come enter the contest now!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Stranded by the volcano, Carmi has time for a little more window shopping.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
For Cindy, yellow is the color of anticipation.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie sets up a trunk show at her favorite local indie craft gallery. Check out her display!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Resin has become quite popular in jewelry design lately. It's a lot trickier than Lorelei had originally thought. She tries out the technique for the first time.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Do not miss out on Andrew Thornton's amazing sale and giveaway! It is fantastic!!! Go now! Really fun!

Strands of Beads
Melissa creates a sweet Spring necklace from wasabi-colored pearls and a beautiful Lillypilly pendant courtesy of Artbeads.com

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Be entered to win a one year subscription to Beadwork magazine! Find out how!

 Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Song Lore Saturday: Little Bird

This week's Song Lore inspiration is a new song to me, but I immediately fell in love with it.  See, I wanted another bird song for this month, and I had one song with a little part about a bird, but I wanted to wait to use it, so I was searching for another one.  The ones I was finding were either too flighty (heh) or too weighty.  This one is pretty intense, I suppose, but it fit my mood just right.  It is "Little Bird" by the fabulous Annie Lennox.

Also, I am pretty done with making bird charms, so I wanted something with a twist, and wings were a perfect solution.  I carved the pair of them Friday morning in about two hours, and documented the steps.  I have pictures here, backwards chronologically, oops!  Anyway, I started with some research on Bird tattoos, particularly swallows and I sketched a few of them the night before and slept on it.  In the morning, I was ready to carve.

Above are the finished wings.  I tried to make them mirror images as best I could, but they are slightly different.  I adore them, and I can see them in many configurations as pendants and links.  I can also see them as parts to something bigger, if I add something in the center.

Above, the left one has been detailed, the right is partially detailed.  I tried to work on each step at the same time on each one, so make them as similar as possible.

Above, this one has been roughly carved, and needed to dry to do a little bit of scraping with metal dental tools.

Above, some of the tools I used, and the left one partially detailed and the right one just sketched in.

Above, the two blanks, with details sketched in with a rubber tipped pencil tool.

And above is what I started with... two flat blanks of clay, cut to the same shapes in mirror image.

"I look up to the little bird
That glides across the sky
He sings the clearest melody
It makes me want to cry
It makes me want to sit right down
and cry cry cry
I walk along the city streets
So dark with rage and fear
And I...
I wish that I could be that bird
And fly away from here

I wish I had the wings to fly away from here"

 Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Suburban Bead Encounter in Naperville IL

If you are in the Chicago area, I will be at the Suburban Bead Encounter on Sunday with my beady wares!  Stop by to say hello!

I should be getting ready for the show.  I probably should have glazed some of the bisque I had piled up for stock, too.  But I have been feeling lazy and blah today, and wanted to carve porcelain.  I ended up carving a pair of beautiful wings and it was very therapeutic, so I think it was time well spent.  I can pack up for the show tonight and tomorrow, and I still have stock left over from my last shows, so I should be ok.  I have a lot of work to do, but I am going to lunch anyway, hehe.  And probably out to see Alex tonight. Whee. It will get done, it always does...

 Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

New Beads on the Website and Beads 2010

Guess what! Beads 2010 came out and I have beads in it, YAY!  Looking back at the due date, I saw that it was between Christmas and New Years and the Bead Cruise, so it is no wonder I forgot what I even sent in.  So today I am scrambling to get a few things up on the website that made it to print, because I didn't have them up yet.  Some of the updates are color options, like the new Rusty Engine option on the Castle Keyhole pendant.  Others are items that I have never had up, including new versions, like the Long Keys above.  The oval version of the Long Key made it to Beads 2010, but I have a new rectangular one too, so I added both options to one item.  Another new item is the Lock and Key Heart Pair shown below. The magazine had them in Red and Seafoam, but I am making more to have a few more options soon.

 If you get a chance to head to the bookstore or craft store, look for Beads 2010!  It is a beautiful issue, just like it is every year!  So many fun shopping choices!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Kludge Fence

I promised to post pictures of the work I have done in the back yard.  I hope today will be another good day of work, so I thought this morning would be a good day to post what has been going on.  My main focus of attention in the yard has been what I call the Kludge Fence. I learned the term Kludge from reading the blog There, I Fixed It.  From Wikipedia: "A kludge is a workaround, a quick-and-dirty solution, a clumsy or inelegant, yet effective, solution to a problem, typically using parts that are cobbled together."  This is a pretty much a good description for many parts of this old house, including the electric and plumbing, but it definitely describes the back fence.

The "fence" is made up of about three kinds of garden fencing, chicken wire, wooden pallets, random metal rods, broom sticks, and a couple of plumbing pipes, thrown in for good measure, I guess. Keeping all of this random metal and wood upright, was about 20 years of overgrown bushes, twigs, and vines... all intertwined into the fence, half living, half dead wood. Now, just to be clear, I did not make the Kludge Fence, it was here when I moved in.  It has always overwhelmed me and has made me hate yardwork. It is an eyesore, even when it was in full bloom and mostly green.  I decided this spring that it is time for it to go.

I cut away all the vines and branches, unweaving them from the fence as I went, cutting a foot or so at a time in some places. Part of me hated to cut down living plants, but it was such a tangled mess, there was no other way. I bagged up a few dozen yard waste bags and hauled them to the curb over the last few weeks. It all had to be done by hand with pruning shears and cutters, because all of the loose rusty metal jutting out in all directions.  It wasn't possible to just use a chainsaw or something. There are about 4 spots that need to be cut with a saw, and Dad loaned me a small electric one, so I am excited to use that.  I am very eager to pull out all the fence, although I have to wait a while for that, because of the Zoey dog.  I will need a new fence solution in place before I take out the old one.  I talked to the neighbor about splitting the cost of a privacy fence, so we'll see about that.  In any case, I am feeling a lot better about the yard lately.  There is still so much (so, so much) to do, but I feel like I see improvement, so that makes me happy!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

About Time

 

 So I made my bank appointment yesterday and got a mixed bag of information.  The lady was very helpful and told me about lots of different options to refinance, but all of it hinges on the appraisal price of this house.  She recommended that I ask a real estate friend (which I happen to have!) for a rough estimate before I pay for one.  If it is not going to be close to the number I need, then I have to do something else, with my mortgage company, instead of switching to my credit union like I hoped I could.  So anyway, I have some options to research and info to learn, and then I will move on from there.  I am glad that I have taken these first difficult steps, at least.

And then today I took another difficult step... I found myself a new doctor.  If you know me, you know that I have lots of anxiety about doctors and needles.  So I haven't been to one (other than my ob/gyn) in a LONG time.  Fortunately, I have not had any health issues that have made me need one, but I haven't been getting bloodwork and general wellness exams for many years.  I finally decided to find a general doctor on the recommendation of a friend, and I went in for a consult today.  I go back in a few weeks for the bloodwork (gulp!) and tests, and then again for a full exam.  I am scared but I am proud of myself for doing it, and it will sure be good to have a doc I can go to if I need one.  I liked her, and hope I will have a decent experience there. *sigh* this week has not been full of happy stuff, eh?

I do have a bit of excitement to share though!  I talked with Gail at the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild and we arranged for me to offer two classes with the guild this summer!  We had to rush to work out some details last night, which was a great way to keep my mind off of things.  I am really excited about the classes and will be showing them soon!  I have been wanting to teach more, and this is a perfect group.  I love my bead guild!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Junkpiles

 Yesterday Alex and I went to a local hobby shop called Rainy Day Hobbies and I got some fun new toys to play with!  They have this area in the back of the store called the Junkpile, and it is filled with old model train parts.  It is lots of fun to pick through it!  I picked out a bunch of broken bits of model train bits: pieces of railroads, trains, and mostly parts of the houses and buildings that one uses to make a train scene.  We bought a bunch of these parts before, and I have been using them to make many of my new house themed, birdhouse themed, train themed, and window themed jewelry components.  I love the way the really detailed textures transfer to my porcelain, and I love collaging different textures and cutting the pieces out in interesting ways.  I was so excited to get some new bits to play with, and yesterday I rolled out a bunch of clay and tried each one out, making a series of squares.

Speaking of junkpiles, heh... Today I have and appointment to go in and see about moving the mortgage for this house to my credit union.  It is the last of the post-divorce stuff that I need to do, but its kind of huge.  I have been putting it off for about a year.  I don't understand mortgage stuff, and it hurts my brain, so I am dreading this.  Also, I looked up home prices in my area last night and the recent results are abysmally depressing.  The worst feeling is seeing that the house is estimated for less than what we bought it for, probably less than what I owe.  I feel stuck here with no chance of being able to move (not that I am looking to move, I just hate feeling doomed and trapped) So I don't know what is going to happen with all of this, but I guess I am happy with myself for starting the research.  On the brighter side, I have been happy with the improvements that we have been making to the house in the last year, for no other reason than it makes it a better place to live and that makes me happy.  Wish me luck today!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Owl Bellies and Extra Links

I have made another update to my Owl Pendant options on the Earthenwood Website.  The rusty colored owls were much more popular than the lighter, tan colored ones, so I just kept all of the rusty options.  I thought it was best to keep one main color, especially since I wanted to add two new options for belly colors!  I love the way these turned out, so these are the three new color options available for the owls, both in the round and tall style!  I call the green one Leaf Belly and the seafoam one Sea Belly.  The names make me giggle a little!

Last night, we got all dressed up to go to Mason (a little over an hour away) for the Chocolate Party. We made these little tomato/mozzarella/basil on a toothpick snacks, which were fun to put together and gobbled up at the party.  And of course I sampled a variety of chocolate and sweets.  Yummy!  I am glad I didn't over-do it and that others brought non sweets too so I had a good balance of snacks. Today I hope to do some clay work in the late afternoon.  Before I start that, Alex and I are heading to the hobby store to look for more train parts for clay and collage, and then out for some groceries.  He is making me dinner tonight, and I am really looking forward to it.  I have a week full of unpleasant tasks ahead, and have to prep for a bead show in Chicagoland on Saturday, so I am looking forward to dinner and maybe movies and relaxing tonight.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and here are this week's Extra Links:

A Bead A Day
Give (inexpensive) beads a chance! Oh, the variety you can find at the craft store!

About.com Jewelry Making
Where do you create your jewelry and other crafts? Show, tell, and look at some great craft spaced created by other designers.

Art Bead Scene
Art beads don't have to be round, they can be toggles too!

Barbe Saint John
Putting out the call for Steampunk art!

Beading Arts
Cyndi has just finished up a floral necklace that features fabric!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is photographing the jeweled decolletage on paintings in Paris again!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's personal history finds its way into her work.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie mixes shell pearls from Rings and Things with metallic hardware motifs to create a softer industial look

Katie's Beading Blog
Share your ideas about beading trends and be entered to win a copy of Jean Campbell's new book, Steampunk Style Jewelry.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Dig out your button collection, because wonderful Keepsake jewelry can be made from it, and Lorelei shows some examples!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Join the fun and become a fan of the lovely jewelry design magazine, Australian Beading Magazine!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew teams up with Cathy Collison of Glass Garden Beads for this week's Thursday Giveaway. You could win a set of three hip bottle-cap beads!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Sone Lore Saturday: Talking Bird

Today's Song Lore inspiration is "Talking Bird" by Deathcab for Cutie.  Oh, there is so much beautiful imagery in this song.  As I mentioned at the beginning of the month, I am doing songs about birds for April.  Well, clearly this is a song about a bird, but I don't have as much bird imagery in the pieces that were been inspired by it.  Instead, I have been very drawn to the imagery of the cage, door, house, and window from the song. Some of the first finished glazed pieces are above and I love them so much it hurts a little. So I started making more.  Not much to look at yet, as they are still just wet clay, and not even sanded and refined, but I will show you the collection of things that were inspired by this song, alongside the lyrics.

"Oh, my talking bird
Though you know so few words
They're on infinite repeat
Like your brain can't keep up with your beak"

"You're kept in an open cage so you're free to leave or stay
Sometimes you get confused
Like there's a hint that I'm trying to give you
The longer you think the less you know what to do"

"It's hard to see your way out
When you live in a house in a house
'Cause you don't realize
That the windows were open the whole time "

"Oh, my talking bird
Though your feathers are tattered and furled
I'll love you all your days
'Till the breathe leaves your delicate frame"

"It's all here for you as long as you choose to stay...
It's all here for you as long as you don't fly away... "

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Pictures from the Naka Trunk Show

I am pleased to say that the trunk show was a success!  We were busy the whole night, made some sales, and new customers came to Naka.  I had a great time, as friends from many facets of my life came to see me.  I think that was the Facebok effect!  I got to visit with people in my current friends group that I hang out with fairly often, fellow artists from both my clay/art fair and bead worlds, and even a pair of friends from high school!  I hadn't seen them in about 20 years, so that was a real treat!

So here are some pictures of my little table that I set up for a few hours in the window of the store.  I was lucky to share the window seat with Ava the store doggie.  She had a lot to bark about, as it was a very nice evening and there were lots of dogs going for walks on the street.  She is a sweet dog.

I probably brought too much stuff, but I think I made a nice looking (yet full) display.  I had a little bit of everything.  It was great to get feedback on the jewelry, which I do not usually have available for sale. That is one of the drawbacks of selling mostly online... not getting to hear feedback and questions and see people interact with the beads and jewelry.  I learn a lot that way!

So I was very pleased with the night!  I would love to do another show there sometime, and I am newly inspired to possibly apply for a small jewelry show for the fall or winter.  I also photographed all of the new jewelry that I finished and intend to list it in the Etsy Galleria sometime soon.

Thanks again to Naka and to all of you who stopped by!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Naka Trunk Show and Urban Collection

 Well I think I am about ready for today's Trunk Show at Naka!  I have everything crossed off of my massive list, and two big boxes packed.  I hope I have everything I need!  I am bringing the Now Showing line, Toolbox Treasures, all of my resin necklaces, a handful of charms and pendants, and some brand new pieces like the ones shown above.

I think I want to call this design Urban and the whole collection will be called Locale, I think.  There are two other designs, so far, and all three are inspired by places.  The Urban pieces are inspired by the streets of an urban environment: danger signs, traffic lights, asphalt and the industry of the streets.  All of the pieces use mixed metals and simple ceramic pieces with asymmetrical designs.

I need a little nap before I go out for the evening. If you are in the Ferndale area tonight, stop by Naka and say hello!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Trunk Show at Naka Tomorrow!

I have been busily getting ready for my Trunk Show at Naka in Ferndale tomorrow. I have been selling my work there for a number of years, and its the cutest gallery I have ever seen! It's full of indie crafts... a mix of handcrafted jewelry, handbags, tee-shirts, candles, men's gifts, housewares and baby goods.  They even have an assortment of cool socks that always tempt me (I love me some cool stripey socks).  I get to show up for the evening, set up a display of beads and jewelry, and meet some of the shoppers!  It's Third Thursday in Ferndale, so a lot of the stores are open late and there are extra special activities going on.

I am getting really excited for tomorrow, and am running across postings of the Trunk Show online, including a mention on the Handmade Detroit Blog!  I created a Facebook event page for it, which is something I have never done before, and I am hoping to see some old and new friends tomorrow! How fun!

While I did quite a bit of work today for the show, I was lured outside by the beautiful day to do some more of the major yardwork that Alex and I have been doing.  I took some pictures of the dreaded side fence (to be called Kludge Fence here on out)... wait until you see these pictures, its really impressive.  Maybe next week I will blog about the yard.  For now, I have a little more work to do before I fall into an exhausted heap into bed.

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

Product Playtime: Butterfly Shimmer

 I have one more necklace to show you that I made with the Shell Pearls from Rings & Things*. While this one looks simple, it was sort of hard to make.  At the Madison show, with all of my beads laid out in front of me, I searched for something to go with the peach and mauve pearls from the mix.  I noticed that almost everything I had was metallic and brown.  I managed to find one strawberry pink Lotus Butterfly pendant, which worked well with the pearls and some dyed silk ribbon that I had.  But it was tough finding that ONE piece that worked.  I think I need to remember this for the Bead & Button show... I need a bit more color in my wares at my booth.  I have been loving the rusts and pewters and earthy greens, but I think I do need some variety.  Anyway, I like the way this necklace turned out.  It's a little earthy with the silk and the subdued pearl colors, which it reminds me of little buds starting to flower on brown and green spring branches.

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.