Astraea Designs - Unique Jewelry for Unique Women

Beaded Beads

2012-01-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered a new love: circular brick-stitch. It's a great way to use up leftover pairs of beads (round, preferably), and embellish them with seed beads. I was sick for a week and ended up making about 12 pairs of these, in a whole array of colors. They're fun, easy, and relatively quick.

I have to give props to my fellow Nomad and Etsian, Laura, and her "Some Enchanted Earrings" class; I had a peek at the handout to help get me started. She's even got some tutorials for even more intricate bracelet and necklace versions. I think I'll stick with the earrings for now... the beads are calling to me to make more!

Check out the link to the "Beadweaving" section of my Etsy site, where I have several of these beauties listed!

-Astra

October Dreams

2011-10-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

Etsy has a wonderful feature wherein you can create your own "Treasuries" -- they're just collections of work that you can put together, usually with a theme (often color-related) to showcase other artists whose work you admire. I'm always pleased when I find one of my pieces featured in a Treasury, so I decided to make one that included work by a bunch of folks who've included me. Just "paying it back," as they say. I opted for a fall/autumn theme; it's my favorite season, and it seemed appropriate timing. So here's my "October Dreams" Treasury -- enjoy!

"Red as Blood" Gothic Choker

2011-10-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

First, I have to give props to Laura Zeiner of Stick Lizard Designs -- she's the one who came up with the seed-bead pattern for this gorgeous Victorian-style necklace. I took her class at Nomadic Notions and learned how to make this piece, and so far, I've made three!

This red & black one is probably my favorite, though. I was inspired by watching "True Blood" (oh yes, I'm a fan). Pam, in particular, has some awesome taste in jewelry (or at least her wardrobe designer does!) and this seemed like the sort of thing she might wear. You really can't go wrong with red and black! I used red velvet Chinese crystal rondelles, along with some black crystals, size 11 black seed beads, and a few sterling silver spacers, then finished the whole thing with some gunmetal chain. It's all Gothic and sexy, and makes me think of vampires, which is why I've called it "Red as Blood." How very fitting, as Halloween looms ever closer!

Tiger Eye Chainmail Necklace

2011-09-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

I finished this piece this morning. I encased a flat brown mother-of-pearl disc in chainmail (nope, no glue or adhesive -- the only thing holding it in are all those jump rings!) and then wire-wrapped a bunch of round tiger eye beads to augment it. I liked the look of this heavy, industrial bronze chain, which I used to finish the necklace off. Not bad for a few hours' work, huh? This piece can be found on my Etsy site, here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82322749/tiger-eye-chainmail-necklace-durga-brown

Spider-Web Earrings

2011-09-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

A couple years ago, we got these nifty "snowflake forms" in at the bead shop where I work. They're little steel frames that look like stars, with 6 points. The idea is that you stick beads and crystals on them to make "snowflake" ornaments for your tree (or to hang in your window, etc). Well, I thought they were pretty cool, but quickly devised another purpose. I used 'em to make spider-web earrings!

Using thin wire (26G tarnish-resistant silver craft wire), I wrapped the frame in a "spider web" pattern, basically until I got tired of wrapping. Then I added some beads, snipped the ends, and attached an ear-wire to one end and a little dangly spider charm off the other. Decorate it with some little red drop beads, and voila -- awesome spider-web earrings just in time for Halloween!

You can find these in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/81173492/spider-web-earrings-red-black-with

Halloween Treasuries

2011-08-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's still August, and yet I'm already getting into a Halloween frame-of-mind. Doesn't hurt that it's one of my favorite holidays, and one to which I look forward every year. Already coming up with ideas for our costumes, but that's a whole 'nother subject. Jewelry-wise, I've been cranking out a few more "vampire" themed pieces, along with a couple of werewolfy ones, for good measure. I've also been putting together some Treasuries.

Treasuries, on Etsy, are a way for you to showcase a collection of favorite items. Often they'll have a theme: a color, or mood, or specific object. It's generally bad form to include your own items, though I have centered a couple Treasuries around pieces my friends have produced. Gotta share the love and all.

Treasuries are also selected to feature on the front page of Etsy, which is a high honor -- and one I've not yet received. But I'm workin' on it! Maybe eventually I'll get to that point, but in the meantime, I'm just having fun with the whole thing.

In honor of Halloween -- which is coming up sooner than we think -- here are a couple of spooky collections I put together: one for Ghosts and one for Werewolves. I'm sure I'll be putting together more like these in the weeks to come. They're great for inspiration!

Enjoy!

Expanding my Repertoire

2011-08-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yep, the unthinkable is happening. I'm slowly becoming a seed-beader.

I'm not sure why I was resistant for so long. I suppose because I'd worked at Anthony Nak enough to where I only considered it "real" jewelry if it was made with chain and wire. That, and I'm just stubborn when it comes to trying new things (hey, at least I admit it!). When I started working at Nomadic, it seemed as though beaders fell into two camps: wire-workers or seed-beaders. And I was firmly ensconced in the former, to the point where it took me about 4 years to finally take the plunge with those darn seed beads.

And y'know what? I like it. I mean, sure, that darn thread gets tangled, and I'm still figuring out the patterns and such, but I'm coming to realize that many of the designs I've fantasized about can be achieved much more easily and with less hassle with a needle and thread (or Fireline) rather than all that wire and chain.

I don't think I'm going to give up on my beloved wire & chain, or even chainmail (which I also "discovered" a couple of years ago and really enjoy). I'm just expanding my repertoire. Best to know a little bit of everything, right?

Here's one of my more recent projects, made with fake pearls, size 11 seed beads, glass drops, and some little sea-green stones I had lying around:

Harlequin Series

2011-08-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the romance novel, although when I taught this pattern at Nomadic Notions, I did draw a handout cover that looked remarkably like a trashy bodice-ripper, complete with a Fabio lookalike. That turned out to be a lot more fun than writing the handout itself!

In this particular case, I'm talking about a design for both earrings or a necklace, using chain to suspend little glass drops in a "diamond" pattern -- hence the name, Harlequin. I've got a whole series of these in a variety of colors; like my "Beadmail" pattern, it's an old standby that I never seem to tire of. The color combinations just seem endless, especially when you add in the chain/jump rings.

I retook my photos of a bunch of these yesterday; I think I'm slowly getting better at the picture-taking thing. That's such a big part of online selling. I suspect there's still plenty for me to learn. Just gotta keep plugging away, right?

Pretty Pretty Flowers

2011-08-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

I went to Hobby Lobby the other day. I was good and mostly managed to restrain myself from buying stuff (other than a couple of necessaries) but that didn't stop me from happily wandering the aisles and soaking up inspiration. One of my latest kicks is flower jewelry. Silk flowers, that is. Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's, Michael's -- they all have bouquets of lovely silk flowers, so very realistic but for the lack of a fragrance, and I've been using them to make Springtime-themed necklaces and earrings (ironic, considering it's well into summer, and well above the 100-degree mark, here in Austin). Maybe I'm just yearning for those not-quite-sizzling Springtime days? Or maybe the inner girly-girl in me just likes flowers. Here's an example:

I hope other people like this sort of thing, too, because I really, really want to make more. But I promised myself I'd be good and try to use up my current silk flower batch, before I go hog-wild and acquire any more. I think it shows remarkable restraint on my part! Maybe I should avoid the craft stores for a little while, though, juuuuuust in case.

Firefly-Inspired

2011-08-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

I grew up with a deep love of comic books, fantasy, and sci-fi, which is no surprise considering my Mom painted fantasy book-covers for a living and my formative years were spent trekking around to various sci-fi/fantasy conventions across the country. Not only that, but my Dad owned a comic book store for about as long as I can remember, so I was just primed to eventually discover and fall in love with the short-lived "space western" series, Firefly.

Alas, Fox cancelled it after barely one season, and although it was a huge thrill to eventually get to see the movie, Serenity (which came about solely because DVD sales skyrocketed), it was still only a mere taste of that universe (or 'verse, as Whedonites say). I like to think we may eventually get a bigger taste (it only took, what, 20-some years to resurrect Star Trek after the original series aired, so there's hope!), but in the meantime, I've made my own little homage to the series, using jewelry as a medium.

One of the characters, Inara Serra, is essentially a high-class courtesan (they're called Companions in that world). No wonder she wears such a variety of gorgeous jewelry, and luckily, I've been able to recreate some of it with materials at hand. Below is an example of one of my "Inara" pieces; I've included a still from the show and then my piece alongside it. Not bad, eh? I was lucky in that I was able to find that centerpiece at a garage sale. Alas, I just have the one, so once this is sold, it's doubtful I can recreate it again.

I've got a few more Inara-pieces on my Etsy site, along with one for Saffron (a recurring character played by the alluring Christina Hendricks) and one for Kaylee (which I just sold -- yay!) I hope all these pieces go to good homes with fellow Firefly fans!

Seed Beader?

2011-07-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

I've been woefully neglecting this blog for some time. Not that I haven't been making jewelry -- I have, but I just keep forgetting to post about it! So, in the interests of keeping this current, here's a seed-beading project I did. I've been avoiding seed-beading for so long... afraid to go over to the "dark side," I guess. Who knew it was an addiction waiting to happen? I have seed-beading patterns dancing through my head at night when I try to sleep!

This is right-angle weave, although I'm happy to say that I managed to figure it out without looking at a pattern. *sigh* Just the start of a new obsession, I can tell....

Jewelry by Artists Exhibition: Today, 2pm - 7 pm

2010-12-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

If anyone is looking for some cool, local, handmade gifts this holiday season, why not jewelry? Sixteen Austin jewelry artists, including Kristin Laing, Maria Retzlaff, Stephanie Jimenez, Jamie Spinello, Elizabeth Baird, Mary Newton, Jenny Guild, Claire Buck, Astra Poyser Laughlin, Amy Holton, Christine Terrell, Lisa Linbrugger, Kathryn Babboni, Hillary Blumanthal, Rachel Salome & Maggie Goen, will all have their work on display and for sale.

Where: Gallery Black Lagoon - 4301 A. Guadalupe St. (At the corner of 43rd St. & Guadalupe)

When: TODAY! Saturday December 4th - 2 pm -7 pm

www.galleryblacklagoon.com

One day only, Free to Attend! SHOP LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Click here to see flyer

Etsy Shop Updated

2010-09-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Now that September's rolled around, it's slipping ever closer to the end of the year and the holiday season, so if you want something cool & unique & handmade, check out my Etsy shop! astraeadesigns.etsy.com

Etsy
astraeadesigns

78704 Artisan Market

2010-02-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm finally taking the plunge and doing my first real show today. I'm a little nervous, not quite knowing what to expect. Fortunately, my sister-in-law, Kara, is gonna come hang out for part of the afternoon. It'll be nice to have a friendly face around. I just hope I sell at least one thing. If I can make $15, I cover the cost for the table. That's an attainable goal, right?

If anyone reads this blog, wish me luck! Oh, and the show is called the 78704 Artisan Market, and it's down in the SoCo area. It's at the intersection of South Congress and Gibson (in the LAZ parking lot where Austin Pets Alive is located, and across from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store).

More details can be found here: http://www.weare78704.com/arma

On the Horizon

2010-01-20T20:15:00.000-08:00

I've been busy lately. My brother's movie got into Sundance (yay!), so the family's all headed up there, and his lead actress has graciously agreed to wear some of my jewelry. I'm having a hard time designing with big, bulky sweaters in mind, though (given that it's gonna be COLD up there!), so I've mostly been cranking out earrings. We'll see how it goes.

Friday morning, I'm meeting with some friends to discuss some custom wedding jewelry. I'm excited by the prospect. I had such fun designing my own, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity. Maybe if I get a decent-sized collection going, I can approach some of the local boutiques that might specialize in that sort of thing.

With that in mind, I've been designing some flyers and promos (such as the one to the left). I wish I were more comfy with this whole self-promotion thing. I love designing flyers and whatnot, but when it comes to handing 'em out and approaching shops about carrying my work, and basically being one of those pushy you-should-totally-buy-my-stuff kinda people, I balk. It's just not really in my nature. I'd much rather just crank out the jewelry and leave that to someone else. But who? I imagine this is the number-one drawback for most creative would-be entrepreneurs; we're all much happier behind the scenes. That's why we do this sort of thing in the first place, isn't it?

Still, should be some good stuff on the horizon. Wedding jewelry and Sundance. Looking forward to both!

-Astra

Vampire Night

2009-10-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

This really just started out as a brainstorm one night while I was making jewelry. I'd been watching a lot of "True Blood" (my husband and I are both hooked), and then I just started thinking of vampires in general, and I decided, hey, I should make some "vampire-themed" jewelry. At first, I was just going to make pieces modeled after those worn by characters on TV and in movies. But my web-searching wasn't turning up a whole helluva lot to go by.

So it morphed from there, into just generic vampy-jewelry, but I thought, hey, I could do another photo shoot and get the models to dress like vampires, and, oooh, what if we had a show/exhibit afterwards, of all the work? I hated asking my resident photographer, Jessica, to just do another show for free, but this was a way we could both potentially come out ahead. She gets to show off her photos, I show off my jewelry... everyone's happy.

And then it kept growing from there. I roped in another photographer, four models, and we shot on location at Prague, an underground nightclub straight out of Transylvania, with all its gargoyles and brick walls and old-world decor. The photos all look great -- I was second-guessing myself and wondering if all this planning was going to pay off, but y'know, I'm happy just to have those pictures. I didn't take them myself, but they wouldn't have existed if it weren't for that initial late-night brainstorm.

So it's all underway. The event is next Friday, October 30, the night before Halloween. I've dubbed it "Vampire Night" -- a nice, simple title that gets the idea across. We've been advertising and planning and putting up flyers -- I hope we get a good turnout. Mostly I hope it's a success so that I can justify doing it again -- I've already got ideas churning for future photo shoot/events. Maybe this'll be the start of something pretty damn cool!

We shall see.

-Astra

Jewelry Slide Show

2009-10-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

It's really pretty amazing what you can do on the internet these days. I remember laboriously writing out code just to change a background -- now everything's made easy and all the code is done for you. Anyway, I was browsing the forums on Etsy and saw that some folks had made slide shows of their stuff, so I figured that couldn't hurt. More excuses to play with pictures, and this time you can add music, too!

So here's my slide show. If you don't like the music, just click on the little volume icon and it'll turn itself off. I think it's a pretty song, though; I browsed through quite a few selections before I found this one.

(Edited to add) I decided to link rather than embed -- it's less intrusive that way. Click here to see the slideshow.

As always, you can find the jewelry itself at: astraeadesigns.etsy.com.

Thanks!

-Astra

New Flickr Page

2009-09-16T07:11:00.001-07:00

A couple of folks have advised me to use Flickr as a means of promoting my work. Of course, you have to be careful, since Flickr frowns upon including price info on your photos. But as long as you obey the rules, I guess it can be a handy way to showcase your stuff.

I had a Flickr account already, and had been using that to post my jewelry in groups, but I finally decided to just make a specific one for my work. That way I can keep the original for photos of family and friends and all that good stuff.

Therefore, here's the new Flickr site, just for my jewelry: www.flickr.com/photos/astraeadesigns

If you've got a Flickr account of your own, feel free to add me!

Latest Additions

2009-07-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

I'm planning to do another jewelry shoot in a couple weeks; some friends of mine have agreed to model for me, and hopefully Jessica will join us to lend her photographic wizardry to the mix. In the meantime, though, I went ahead and added several of my latest to my Etsy page. Figured I might as well show 'em off. And, y'know, there's always the vague possibility of selling them.

I've been on a roll. I'm going to be teaching a class in early August on how to do the chainmail-around-the-pendants technique. It's easy, in principle -- a bit difficult in execution. There's a lot of tweaking involved, and re-doing your work when you mess up. I'm a little nervous about how my students will react. If they thought the Japanese Chainmail earrings were hard, they ain't seen nothin' yet!

But I've been putting in a lot of practice. I really ought to do some less "showy" pieces, though. I guess I always figure, more is better. But not always. I need to try and keep it simple. I'll see if I can shift gears and whip out some necklaces & earrings that don't take me all day!

-Astra

Jewelry Shoot

2009-04-12T10:30:00.001-07:00

Did a big jewelry shoot yesterday. Three models showed up (Lily, Stacey, & Keli), plus a jewelry-making colleague of mine, Ayanna, and a photographer-friend, Jessica. We all got together at Jace's house, who was nice enough to host the whole shindig -- he even made fruit salad, and Jessica brought donuts, so it was a nice little brunch.

I think it went pretty well. It took longer than I expected, but with that many people involved, that's probably typical. I mostly focused on wedding stuff -- I've been making a "wedding line," plus I'm doing a wedding-webpage for Nomadic Notions, to let brides know they have the option of making their own jewelry -- or at least getting help from us in designing something, instead of spending oodles of money at some high-priced boutique.

Ayanna's a woman I met through Nomadic -- she worked there for a little while, and we became friends. We're both focused on trying to turn our hobby into a business. She does a lot of metal-work and silversmithing, and produces some really gorgeous tribal/ethnic type stuff. I think the photos we took of hers are my favorites -- she brought lots of colorful scarves to wrap the models in, and arranged the shots to look all artsy, and I think the results are pretty cool. I should try getting a little more creative with my own shots.

Jessica was kind enough to lend her photography talents to the venture. She'd commented in a blog not long ago that she really wanted more practice with live models, which is what prompted me to invite her. I think she's got a really good eye for capturing the perfect shot, and I can't wait to see her batch of photos.

I uploaded a number of mine onto my Flickr account, so take a peek if you're curious. Once everything's priced, I'll put it up on Etsy, but for now, that's your sneak preview. Enjoy!

-Astra

Jewelry for Gettin' Hitched

2009-04-02T08:40:00.001-07:00

I've got wedding on the brain. No surprise, I guess, given that I'm gettin' hitched on June 13! I was more excited about making my jewelry than I ever was about getting the dress. And, given that that particular ordeal is out of the way (yay!) I'm wide open for the jewelry-making.

And since I'm all inspired, I think I'll probably just make lots of wedding jewelry, and start a little wedding line on my Etsy page. I cranked out a couple last night, and today I'm off to the hobby stores and bead stores to get more supplies.

Ahhh, I love days like this!

Hopefully I can post pictures of the finished pieces soon.

Jewelry Venture

2009-03-29T10:11:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally got my Etsy site all updated. We'll see how that goes. I have a sneaking suspicion that Etsy is mostly frequented by other crafter-types, who use it for inspiration and ideas (like I do), but rarely ever buy anything, because hey, we could probably make it ourselves. But I could be wrong.

Oh, and here's my link to the site, if anyone's curious: astraeadesigns.etsy.com

I'm teaching my first jewelry class tonight. I'm trying not to think about it too much, or otherwise I'll just be a nervous wreck. I really hate any form of "public speaking." On the plus side, it's mostly regulars in the class, who know me pretty well already. I hope I don't make a fool of myself. I need to figure out what to wear so it's not obvious I'm sweating my ass off.