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Studio Saturday – Starry Nights

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you’ll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
Last weeks winner is s_baghaii. Congratulations! You have won one of Creative Impressions in Clay new toggle buttons from the studio of Tari Sasser. Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.
Welcome to the Humblebeads Studio!  What have I been up to lately?  I have been making beads, beadmaking, creating beads, working on beads and did I mention that I’ve been making beads?  The last few weeks have been a flurry of marathon beadmaking sessions.  My husband is now afraid to enter my studio, he knows I’ll put him to work rolling beads. 
I did two trunk shows last month, one with Ornamentea and one at Galena Beads with the Vintaj girls.  One thing I did for each of these stores was to create limited edition beads that I thought would work well with their style.  For Ornamentea I worked on vintage inspired floral patterns that would fit their altered art/mixed media vibe.  For Vintaj, I sent fall themed beads and new Van Gogh shapes. I think my Van Gogh beads look wonderful with the warm glow of the Vintaj brass. 
So that’s what I’ve been up to the last few weeks.  I’m loving the new Van Gogh beads but it has me curious. Since I now have them in almost every shape of bead I make, (including 6-hole spacer beads, disk beads, wafers, long beads and lentils) what is your favorite shape of art beads?  Do you have one?  Does the shape matter to you?  Leave a comment and one lucky winner will receive one of my new Van Gogh wafer beads, like the one pictured here.

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35 Comment

  1. sandi
    October 10, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    I like square, round, lentil, tube, rectangle shapes – least favorite is oval. Yes, I think I have art beads in every shape because I have so many I've lost track!
    Shape matters depending on the design of the piece.

    I luv your VanGogh pieces, especially what you did with the wafer. Yes, I'd like one! VG is one of my all time favorite painters.
    sandi
    [email protected]

  2. mairedodd
    October 10, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    i love all of the shapes, but lentils have a larger surface area for showing off the time and effort to create a certain effect by the artist… that being said, your wafer adds another way to showcase the bead from the front as well… these really are beautiful…

  3. Gail
    October 10, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    I love all the new beads you've made and the combinations are endless.I,too, like brass with your beads.My fav shape is an oval.It works well for my designs and I can place it almost anywhere.

  4. peacockfairy
    October 10, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    I don't think I have a favorite shape – I am mostly drawn to the colors and designs. I love the starry night beads!

  5. Lorelei
    October 10, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    I am SO not picky when it comes to beads. As long as it has a whole in it, I'm in heaven!

  6. EmandaJ
    October 10, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Hi Heather,
    My favorite bead shape is oval/barrel type beads. Generally speaking, though, ovals of any medium call to me.

    Oh, and I'm in love with your Van Gogh series. It would make my day to win your wafer bead in this drawing.

    Emanda
    ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

  7. Mellisa - Chinook Jewelry
    October 10, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    You know this is my fave pattern you do so I think it's amazing in any shape! I'm always looking for new shapes to try as well- I tend to be drawn to the more common shapes myself though. I'd love to see you do a faceted bead!

  8. Michelle Mach
    October 10, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    The unusual shapes (like the long beads and the 6-hole beads) challenge me more as a designer. But I don't think that's a bad thing–it's good to have new creative challenges. My current preference is the smaller beads like your disk beads so I can have as many as possible in one design! 🙂

  9. The Joy of Nesting
    October 10, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    I have to agree with Lorelei and add that as long as there is a way to put a hole in it, it's fair game to yse as a bead. 🙂 I do like the versatility of lentils- pendent,clasp or strung they can do it all.

    Your new Van Gogh bead colors are so vibrant and happy how fun to use them with some of my sea glass!! 🙂

    Pattie 😉
    Mazatlan Mx.

  10. Elizabeth
    October 10, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    Having just received one of your long beads, I must say, it is my favorite shape. It will be very versatile as a pendant. So nice to just look at in person.

    Liz

  11. Alice
    October 10, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    How fun it would be to hang out with the girls from Ornamentea and Vintaj!

    I love the beautiful blues in your Van Gogh beads–such a vivid color!

    As for the shape of art beads, I don't have a preferance, just as long as the beads are beautiful and unique.

  12. Amanda
    October 10, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    I'm not sure I really have a favorite art bead shape… I do like the shape of lentil beads, but I have yet to acquire any. My eye is usually drawn more by color than shape, so I would say that shape only matters to me if the shape itself actually catches my eye. Otherwise, anything goes!

  13. Adventures with Millie Making Jewelry
    October 10, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    First, your new Van Gogh beads are amazing in their detail and color and I would love to see one in person! Second, what shape is my favorite? It all depends on the moment and these days I am drawn to the coin shape which are perfect choices to use in wire wrapping!

  14. Doreen
    October 10, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    I like lentils and disk beads.I love the colors of your Van Gogh beads…just beautiful!

  15. Judy
    October 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    I love the chunky lentil beads…they are great for a bracelet and pendant.

  16. sashaandmax
    October 10, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    I love all your beads, (I buy and hoard for a while so I can just admire..) – I love the long tube, but for usability the disk or lentil. Vicki

  17. Stacy
    October 10, 2009 at 10:40 pm

    I love all shapes and sizes depending on the bead and piece. I love your Van Gogh and other painter beads!

    Stacy

  18. 6p00e54fe7e9ce8833
    October 10, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    I don't think I have a favorite but if I were to look through my massive bead collection I'd say there are more round beads than any other shape. BTW, love the new Van Gogh's.

  19. TesoriTrovati
    October 10, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    I don't think that shape matters a bit. Color is most important followed by the material and the process…I think that it is fascintating to find out how my favorite artisans create their beads. Thanks for sharing Heather! Enjoy the day! Erin

  20. Must-Haves Jewelry
    October 10, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Blues are always popular, and with a touch of brown those beads are wonderful! Shape is a fun challenge to work with.
    Linda

  21. FrankandRox
    October 10, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    I love having a variety, I don't think any one shape is my fav. It all depends on the look I'm going for what I'll be reaching for. You've done an excellent job expanding the Van Gogh line and I do think the wafers are really the standout now. But of course, they're all great

  22. sundownbeaddesigns
    October 10, 2009 at 11:58 pm

    I love these beads! I prefer a round, disc, or lentil shaped bead because it's easier for me to work with…however I don't dislike the other shapes they just challenge me to think outside of the box a little bit more.

  23. Kate
    October 11, 2009 at 12:52 am

    I think the shape would matter considering what kind of piece you are making and where its place is in the piece. As a focal I prefer flat rounds or oblong. As complimentary beads round orbs, or tube type for pictorial art beads. If texture is the main design that could alter what shape I would prefer dramatically. Beautiful beads Heather, I love that painting, it has such energy and I think you've captured that in your beads!

  24. rosebud101
    October 11, 2009 at 1:08 am

    I love free form shaped beads. There are no boundaries or defined shapes. I love to work with these types of beads.

  25. Kecia
    October 11, 2009 at 1:27 am

    I love love love lentils. They're so versatile. And yours are especially beautiful. 🙂

  26. Patti
    October 11, 2009 at 10:25 am

    I think any shape is great. It fun to work with something unexpected. The blue is beautiful as is all your work!
    Patti

  27. Donna
    October 11, 2009 at 11:57 am

    I don't have a favorite. I like the bead to inspire the rest of the piece.
    Donna
    [email protected]

  28. SusanZ
    October 11, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    I love all your beads, the new ones and the older ones (I especially love your sea urchin beads!!!). I guess the only shape I don't use very often are tubes or cylinders. Would love to own one of you beads. Susan Z

  29. Kiwiken
    October 11, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    They are all beautiful, but I think I like disc beads best, they are so versatile.

  30. quiltingjewel39
    October 12, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Your Van Gogh beads are spectacular!! He is one of my favorite painters. I am also one who thinks color is more important than shape but do use a lot of round and rectangle ones and would love to try a 6 hole one.

  31. Mel Mel
    October 12, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Any bead is beautiful bead and I can't ever seem to get enough !! I think it would be awsome to try one of your 6 hole spacer beads. Your Starry Night collection is exceptionally beautiful. After I saw them used in a beading magizine I actually tried my hand at Polymer Clay. ( and that's an interesting story for another day.) Melanie

  32. janice
    October 13, 2009 at 1:22 am

    Today I love lentils. Ask me tomorrow and I may have a different preference.
    Your V.G. beads are truly stunning. I am so inspired!

  33. janice
    October 13, 2009 at 1:23 am

    Today I love lentils. Ask me tomorrow and I may have a different preference.
    Your V.G. beads are truly stunning. I am so inspired!

  34. Melissa J. Lee
    October 13, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    I remember back when you and I and Melanie did that Collaboration Exploration, I had a tough time with your long beads. Nowadays, though, I'm more apt to go for unusual shapes, so I'd say the long bead or the wafer would be my favorite!

  35. Valerie C.
    October 17, 2009 at 2:40 am

    I love the wafer beads. There is so much you can do with them like the one you have shown above. I have the perfect chain and beads to go with it to make it look even better.

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