Rowena Bead and Fiber

Halloween -- the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California and Tiffany Glass

Happy Halloween! No trick or treat ... just some fun information about the tours you can find during the evening of Halloween each year at the Wincherster Mystery House. It is open for Unique Flashlight Tours. Special entertainment and complimentary "Trick or Treating" in the Gardens.

During a recent trip to San Jose, California I went on a tour of the Winchester House called the Mansion Tour. The tour guided us through 110 of the 160 rooms, 24 of which are restored with Victorian era furniture; bizarre features which include doors and windows opening onto blank walls; a staircase from the floor to the ceiling; a door opening outward to an 8 foot drop off; and beautifully crafted stained glass windows from Tiffany's of New york.

All of the stained glass in the Winchester House were created by Tiffany, of course!

Louis Comfort Tiffany build a new factory called the Stourbridge Glass Company in 1893 and later it was called Tiffany Glass Furnaces. This is located in Corona, in Queens. www.winchestermysteryhouse.com

Chardonnay Recycled Glass and Art Seymour Chevron

Recycled Chardonnay Wine Bottles make wonderful beads for ear rings. I create the same in Merlot and Kahlua Recycled Glass. As most of you know I am a lampwork bead artist.

This pair hangs 1 inch on sterling silver wires with 2 sterling silver beads.

You can find these ear rings on my web shop. My shop is coming along slowly, but it has been a fun project.

www.rowenaart.net/store

Art Seymour Chevron Beads.  This precious Seymour is now in the collection of a woman in Minnesota.

www.rowenaart.net/store / beads and supplies (one Seymour bead left.

beads, the first specimens of this type were created by glass bead makers in Venice and Miran, Italy, towards the end of the 14th century. They may also be referred to as Rosetta, or star beads. The term Rosetta first appeared in the inventory of the Braver Glass works in Miran, in 1496, in context with beads as well as with other glass objects." describes Wikipeda.

Prescott Daily Courier Featured Spinners

  Our Prescott Daily Courier picked up this article on Gisela Gminder and I spinning at the Yavapai County Fair for the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild. The Courier supports our local artists and organizations.

Michael Myers - Prescott Art Walk

Michael Myers is the guest artist at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery. His artist reception was a complete success during the Prescott 4th Friday Art Walk evening. Everyone enjoyed the opening of

"Michael Myers - Life Drawing & Figurative Painting".

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma - Heart of Whiskey Row - features 23 local artists. The Gallery enjoys a guest artist show each month.

Mark Tamarin, the music man for the Myers reception, entertained the gallery visitors.

Hand Woven Tea Cozy by Gisela Gminder

Gisela Gminder is a member of the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild here in Prescott. Gisela is a spinner and a weaver. Gisela and I ended up in the Prescott Daily Courier spinning at the Yavapai County Fair. The photo was taken by one of the Fair visitors and the Courier picked it up.

Gisela makes Hand Woven Tea Cozies. These artful Tea Cozies fit over your tea pot and they keep the tea warm while you enjoy one of the many specialty teas we find in shops today.

The Cozies are lined and they are heavy enough to keep the tea warm as long as you are enjoying the tea experience.

E-mail me at rowena@rowenaart.net if you are interested in one of your own. I am sure Gisela can make one to fit your special colors.

Enjoy the Tea Experience with a European Tea Cozy.

Patricia Maupin -High Desert Bead Society Member

This custom made Earring and Pendant Set is the work of Patricia Maupin. Patricia is a member of the High Desert Bead Society here in Prescott. Patricia called me last week to see if she could donate a piece to the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery Holiday Raffle. I was touched that she would be so generous to do this.

Patricia's set is at Arts Prescott until the Raffle Drawing November 17 at the galleries Holiday Party. As you know 100% of the raffle money will go to MTM Adult Care Services in Prescott and Prescott Valley.

The Raffle tickets are $1 for one and $5 for 6. I hope that you all visit the many raffle prizes and buy a ticket to win today. You do not need to be present to win. Arts Prescott will ship your prize right to your door.

Patricia Maupin describes her set as earrings made of Black Spinel in Sterling Silver. They have post and butterfly backs and the Black Spiel Stones are 8 mm in round.

The pendant is Black Spinel in Sterling Silver - 3.5 CTW - 8 mm round Stone - Sterling Silver Bail and Snake Chain with lobster claw clasp 16 inches in length. The value of this set is $150.

You can see other Jewelry from Patricia at Color My World, 225 W. Gurley Street in Prescott or contact her directly at twoth2gums@commspeed.net 

Recylced Glass - Brooch and Pendant - 4th Friday Art Walk - Prescott

Lampworking allows your to create the beads for one-of-a-kind pieces.

The dark green pendant is created from a piece of recycled Merlot wine bottle glass and adorned with Italian Glass lampwork beads and 2 African Trade Beads called Wedding Beads. That is a story within a story and I will write about them one day.

The blue piece is created from one of Cindy Myers glass hand blown bowls. It broke and of course it made its way to the torch. This piece is a brooch adorned with various beads from around the world.

These two pieces are in my case at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery.

Drop by on Friday for Prescott's 4th Friday Art Walk. Michael Myers will have his Guest Artist Show Reception at the gallery.

You Are Invited! 

Prescott's 4th Friday Art Walk -- Friday November 23, 2007

For a map with gallery,restaurant listings and special events visit Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery -- Heart of Whiskey Row -- 134 S. Montezuma Street -- 928-776-7717 -- For more information on the art walk: visit

http://www.artthe4th.com/

Quilt and Doll - San Jose, California - Textile Museum Shop

For the Quilters and Doll Makers - The Textile Museum in San Jose is a must see.

This quilt panel is made using old photographs on fabric. What a wonderful addition to your home while hanging photos of your great grandparents and family.

Doll collectors are not left out. Here among the bead collections you find several hand crafted dolls.

The Textile Museum is down town among the collection of great Museum. You can spend a day just visiting this area.

Wire Work - Simple Connections - The First of Many Tips on Wire

Wire is just a flexible thread of metal; a fine, slender filament or metal rod of various thickness or lengths; such metal threads create a cable when wound together or even just a piece of unique jewelry.

We are using this filament to bend, twist and shape into creations we design. You will always find the shape you want with wire by just bending it. Think of it as an easy and fun task and it will be.

Simple Connections is where I always begin a wire work class. It is always exciting to see results so quickly.

Here are the steps in the photo:

We will use 16g wire. Cut (1 1/2 inch). Remember to file both ends of any wire you cut. Many artists using wire do not do this. You want a clean professional looking connection.

Use round nose pliers in opposite directions and create a figure 8 connection. You can use this for various connections. Use it for a closure or between beads.

Now cut 16 g wire (2 inches) Use your round nose pliers and add a bead which is ca. 3/4 inch. Bend the ends coming out of the bead in opposite directions and the round nose pliers are used to turn the round connection.

These two easy connections will serve you well. You will be amazed how many times you will use them. To file use a number 2 jewelers file and file the ends flat and even. Cure both ends of completed bead with hammer an anvil.

My online store is coming along well and in the next few weeks I will have tools and beads for wirework. I am adding new products daily. http://rowenaart.net/store/

San Jose Museum of Textiles-Felted Purses - Batik - Fabric

During a recent trip to San Jose, California,  I visited the San Jose Museum of Textiles. What a find!

The gift shop is first rate and the ladies who were in charge that day were delightful.

Here is a California Felt Artists work. I lost my list of names so I do not know this artist. If anyone can help please e-mail me and I will add her name to this photo.

The purse on the right is very large. The shape of these purses are unique and artful. One artist created these felted purses.

  The Batik is made into a well designed outfit. Batik pants and look at this Jacket. Again no name on the artist.

Clowning Around - Beads and Fiber - Working out the Bugs in my On Line Store

This week I won't be on my blog. So check back around the 22nd of October.

Please, don't forget the 4th Friday Art Walk in Prescott. Pick up your maps at Arts Prescott on Whiskey Row. http://www.artthe4th.com/

Have a great week and I will be back on with some great new photos of Beads and Fiber.

Collectible Beads - A Book Written By Robert K. Liu

This Bead Book has been around for a long time. Collectible Beads is one of my favorite books. I go to this book for information on Trade Beads as well as unique beads in the world.

Robert Liu and his wife Carolyn L.E. Benesh are editors of Ornament Magazine. If you haven't seen Ornament it is well worth it.

http://www.ornamentmagazine.com/

I pick up an Ornament each time I am at a great book store.

Most of you have this book already, but if you do not it is a must have if you plan on collecting beads from all over the world. I use this as my guide and reference book all of the time. I had mine signed by the author, Robert Liu, during a 1996 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. There's nothing like chasing down the author!

The photos are breath taking and the information priceless. 

Bead and Fiber Post Cards Make Great PR

If you want to get your work out in the publics eye --  one great idea is make up some post cards with a photo of your work or products. Many Bead and Fiber Collectors love to have a post card added to their purchase. There are post card collectors and people who send your post card through the mail. Both ways your end up with a lot of free advertising.

Every time you get your name out there as an artist--it is a good thing.

Recently, I shopped around for a good deal for our gallery holiday party post card invitations and found someone who shops around for a great price. Print Linx 928-777-9166 --- I need to add her e-mail address and I will do that.

The above post card is the first one I had made up years ago. It shows my first lampwork beads.

Prescott Library Display Window

The Mountain Spinners and Weavers Display Window at the Library!

All of the tools for spinning and weaving are in the display along with many books and finished projects.

The viewers can image all it takes to Spin and Weave and toys to boot.

Here are my feet adorned with Kate Campbell Taylor's Space Dyed Wool Hand Knitted Socks. I love these socks and save them for spinning days. This shot is looking down my Majacraft Susie Pro Spinning Wheel.

Raffle Prizes to Benefit Adult Care Services at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery - Buy your tickets now!

More information about raffle prizes at Arts Prescott. We have them all hanging at the gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St. Prescott - 928-996-7717.

Lana Ante creates jewelry from natural stones and Crystals. This piece is made from a Druzy and Sterling Silver Beads.

Drusy is spelled many different ways and if you do a web search goggle picks up several spellings such as druse, druzy, drusies. A druzy is is a gem stone which has tiny quartz crystals formed on its surface. It does sparkle! This is a must see piece.

Randy Shackelford, AKA Rio, is a Silver Smith, but he also loves to work with wood to make large hanging crosses. He adorns them individually. I have one hanging in my home and love it. Mine has a copper bird on the front. This one has a cabochon in the center which was donated by Kris Eberhardt, another gallery member. This is the only raffle prize we will be unable to ship because of its large size.

You need not be present to win the raffle! Tickets are $1 or $6 for five and 100% of the money goes to MTM Adult Care Services here in Prescott and Prescott Valley. Drawing November 17, 2007 during our holiday party.

We have 2 raffle containers, one for all of the art donated, and one for the Embry-Riddle Flight Simulator Adventure donated by the University.

Mary Kaye O'Neil Donates to Arts Prescott Raffle

Mary Kaye O'Neil created this Sterling Silver Pendant for the Arts Prescott Annual Holiday Raffle.

The Cabochon was given to Mary Kaye by Kris Eberhardt. This came from a collection given to Kris by her father.

This is just one more item in the Annual Holiday Raffle at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Whiskey Row.

Tickets are $1. for one -- $5. for six. Come by and see the rest of the raffle items hanging in the gallery. The drawing will take place during the Annual Holiday Party -- November 17, 2007 from 6PM to 8:30PM.

National Spinners and Weavers Week - Prescott Library - Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild

The Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild celebrates National Spinners and Weavers Week by presenting a display window at the Prescott Library.

Here is an Ashford Elizabeth Spinning Wheel among books and spinning tools.

The presentation is complete with weaving art and all types of fiber to show what the Guild does throughout the year.

On Friday I enjoyed spinning at the Prescott Library. Three of us demonstrated spinning and weaving for the public.

What fun it is to show people our craft!

The Prescott Library has a coffee corner where you can get your Latte and cake. We had such an enjoyable day.

Kathy Kelly organized the Spinning and Weaving Presentation and several guild members helped her decorate the Display Window. Here Kathy, Kathy's mother from Sierra Visa and I Weave, spin and enjoy the great company while sharing our craft.

Drop by the Prescott Public Library and see the Presentation Window!

AM Arizona - AZ TV - Arts Prescott Annual Holiday Raffle Interview

I will be interviewed along with a representative of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The show will cover the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery Annual Holiday Raffle 2007.

A short video will be played with information about the one hour Cessna 172 Simulator Adventure, which was donated by Embry-Riddle as one of the Raffle Prizes.

TV 27 or Cable TV 13!  "This fast-paced, fun and informative...with news and views from all over the state....that's AM Arizona , weekday mornings at 10:00 AM on AZ- TV" 

www.arizonasown.com

Tonya Mock has lived in Arizona for 40 years and she recently received the Small Business Media Advocate of the year award. Lew Rees is the Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Fain Signature Group. He is also a Prescott radio personality. Both Tonya and Lew keep their guests hopping with fun and sometimes surprising questions. They do keep you on your toes!

Be sure to watch AZ-TV -- AM Arizona at 10:00 AM Monday, October 8, 2007!

October 2007 at the Bead Museum in Glendale, Arizona

October is a very busy month at The Bead Museum.  This Saturday is the much anticipated International Family Fun Day.  Please join us for music, crafts, games and more!  See the links below for more information on October events.  Here's a quick list.

Oct 4-7 - Colombian Craft Connection Trunk Show in the Museum Store

Oct 6, 10am-5pm - International Family Fun Day

Oct 11-14 - 40% Off Members Appreciation Sale in the Museum Store

Oct 14, 2-4pm - "Silver: from Fetish to Fashion" lecture and book signing

Oct 27, 1-3pm - "Turquoise: the Lure of the Sky Stone" lecture

We hope to see you at the Museum soon!

Coming Soon ...Upcoming exhibition - Earth and Fire: Ceramic Beads from Around the World

Oct 2007 - July 2008

International Family Fun Day Entertainers from Indonesia, West Africa, Mexico, Japan, and Southwest Apache Make-and-Take Crafts Games Henna Artists Colombian Craft Connection Trunk Show October 6, 10am-5pm FREE Learn More

Silver: from Fetish to Fashion lecture and book signing Authors and collectors Daniel and Serga Nadler traveled the globe to find ethnic silver jewelry from dozens of cultures.  Learn more about the fascinating travels of the Nadlers. October 14, 2-4pm FREE Learn More

Turquoise: The Lure of the Sky Stone Consulting Curator, Jamey Allen, presents a lecture on turquoise.  This lecture is a benefit of Membership.  To become a member, call the Museum or download the application online. October 27, 1-3 pm Members Only Learn More

Raffle Prizes to Benefit MTM Adult Care Services at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery - Buy your tickets now!

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery began their Annual Holiday Raffle this week. The raffle runs until November 17, 2007. The drawing will take place during our Annual Holiday Party from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.

We have two jars for the tickets. One jar is for a One Hour Simulator Experience and it is like flying a Cessna 172.

The Simulator gives you the complete feeling of flying that Cessna 172 into Prescott Airport and around the area. It was donated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 

The second jar is for Art donated by Gallery Members. All of the raffle prizes are on display at Arts Prescott.

I will be featuring all of the raffle prizes on my blog this week.

My Lampwork Fish Mobile is part of the raffle. This Mobile is featured in the Idiot's Guide to Beading Projects Illustrated by Prescott author Georgene Lockwood. This book is also part of the raffle.

Vanessa Tamarin, gallery member created this Fused Dicroic Glass Pendant. The Wire Work and Chain are both Sterling Silver. Buy a ticket and win!

Our Annual Holiday Raffle is to benefit Margette T. Morris Center- Adult Care Services here in Prescott and Prescott Valley. Whether You are a Caregiver who needs a day off -- or an individual who needs companionship or help during the day the Adult Day Services offered by MTM is an answer.

Come by or call Rowena at 928-899-3574 for more information.

Right Angle Weave Amulet Bag Brooch - Arizona Bead Soup

When it comes to off-Loom-bead weaving I love Right Angle Weave. Right Angle Weave creates a soft flowing beaded surface.

The Arizona Bead Soup Brooch is created by attaching a Sterling Silver Pin to a Seed Bead Amulet Bag. Of course, you do not make a strap for this brooch bag.

These brooches are fun to wear and everyone wants to know about them.

Arizona Bead Soup is made with all of my seed beads left over after many projects. I put them all together and make my bead soup. I love to give all of my ideas names and I often use Arizona as the theme of much of my work.

You can find these bags with all of my work at  Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Whiskey Row in Prescott.

Historical Enamel Jeweler in Rostov, Russia

Christa's trip to Russia was shared with the whole family. Here you see an Enamel Necklace Set created by Jewelers in a Historical Enamel Manufacture in Rostov.

All of you Beaders and Jewelry Designers can appreciate the Jeweler's work table.

It is always an adventure to see other countries glass art.

The necklace set is the same on the front and the back. I love the feel of the enamel.

Paradise Alpaca Farm in Coyote Spings and Dreamweaver Alpacas

Yesterday we enjoyed the trip to Coyote Springs off 89A to the Alpaca farm. We visited the Paradise Alpaca Farm and Dreamweaver Alpacas.

The dark chocolate brown alpacas along with the white are in the For Sale Stall.

What a thought. I wonder if my neighborhood zoning would be patient enough for 2. We nearly have enough room for two and they are ever so quiet animals.

  Christa will have a book of photos to take home with her to show her family and friends.