Try a New Technique

{bracelet from my wedding}

I started making jewelry when I was a child. 


I don’t exactly remember how I got started. I do know that I have this pink unicorn purse/tiny duffle bag filled with beads. They were all just in there together mixed up. Plus there was stretch cord. 


I made bracelets mostly. In random rainbow colors. 


I got into other things and left the pink unicorn purse behind. 


Then one day, about 7 years ago I pulled out the purse again and started making jewelry again. 


Through the years I have tried new techniques. Sometimes I love the new technique, sometimes I hate it. If I love it, I keep doing it. If I hate it, I don’t do it again. I remember when I first tried wire-wrapping (one of my most favorite techniques now), I was all over the place. My wraps were a mess and I really didn’t know what I was doing. I started making rings, too. I just looked at what other people’s rings looked like and tried it in my own way. 


I did it. I figured it out. My wraps became more even and less a big mess. My designs stayed together and I did it! 


Sometimes trying something new can be intimidating. For me, making jewelry isn’t, but computer stuff is. Moving my blog over to Wordpress has been intimidating. I’m taking a class to learn the steps of how to do it, and I’m learning. 


Maybe wire-wrapping jewelry is like that for you. You’re not sure where to even start. That’s how I was with Wordpress. I am glad I found someone to hold my hand through the process. 


I’m happy to let you know that soon I can hold your hand through the process of learning to wire-wrap. I will soon be done with my latest digital program, Wire Wrapping for Beginners. I’m so very proud of this eBook and I can’t wait to get it into your hands! I will tell you more details later, but I am so excited about it! 


To make sure that you get the details about the eBook and when it's available (including an early bird special), make sure to subscribe to email updates!

  Sign up to get my free Dotee Doll Tutorial and Pattern! Get free tutorials and more!  Just sign up for the new Emerging Creatively Tutorials email updates!  

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address * 

Email Format

• html
• text
• mobile

What Mom Wants for Mother's Day + Tutorial Sale

Have you ever felt the joy of giving your mom a handmade gift?

Maybe you made her a card when you were young.  Or a handprint (they were really popular when I was a kid.)  Maybe even a macaroni necklace that your mom wore all Mother’s Day just because you made it for her.

The joy is really 2-fold when making a handmade gift.

1.  First, there is a joy and sense of empowerment when you make the gift.  There is something about making art or craft that you cannot get anywhere else.  The world drops away and you are entirely focused on your project.  You forget about your worries - work, financial, relationships, or whatever your worry is about.  You find peace and serenity, even if it’s just for a few moments.

2.  Second, there is a joy when you present the gift.  You feel the joy as your mom opens your gift.  She feels the joy when she sees the magnificant thing you have made for her.  She deeply will feel the love that you put into the gift, and she knows that you have made it just for her.  You have taken your time and energy, your creativity and love to create this one-of-a-kind present for her. 

There is nothing like that joy, that satisfaction and empowerment.

You have come so far since the macaroni necklace, baby!  If you don’t think you have, I can teach you.  Step-by-step.  In full color photos.  Plus you get my help via email if you get stuck.

You can customize your gift to your mom’s favorite color.  In my latest tutorial you can even add photos!  I can tell you from experience, your mom will adore that!  She might even cry!

I’m not going to say it will be super easy, but you can learn and I am here to help you.  Step-by-step.  (And, maybe it will be easy...) 

About my tutorials:

My tutorials are very detail oriented.  When I write them, I assume you know nothing about how to do whatever the project is.  (One exception:  sewing tutorials.  I assume that you can at least sew in a straight line.  You by no means need to be a master seamtress, or anything close.  You can just be starting!)

You get step-by-step instructions with close up, clear photos.  I have seen other tutorials and patterns, and my photos are much clearer.  Sometimes it seems like the person missed a step - mine don’t.  You get stuck anyway?  Don’t panic, just email me and I’ll help you.

I have 18 different tutorials for sale in my Craftsy Pattern Shop.

Once you make a payment, you have instant access to download the pattern.

AS A BONUS

May 4, 2012 - May 12, 2012

As a special treat, and in honor of my mother, Kathy Burkhart, without whom I would have never found the joy of crafty, I’m having a tutorial sale!

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE

Free tutorial is of equal or lesser value.

HOW IT WORKS:

Head over to my Craftsy Pattern Store and peruse your options.  Find 2 that you want to try.  Purchase the more expensive of the 2.

Send me an email with the name of the 2nd one you would like.

Once I receive your payment confirmation, I’ll email you the second pattern! 

CRAFTSY:

You do need to sign up for Craftsy to make a purchase.  It’s easy.   After you sign up, all of the patterns you purchase will be in “Your Account” under “My Pattern Library.”  (Your free pattern I emailed you will not be there.  It will be in your email and wherever you decide to download it.)

4th Virtual Open House! Discount, Door Prizes, Freebies & Grand Prize!

Welcome to the 4th B.B. Bellezza Virtual Open House

The 4th B.B. Bellezza Virtual Open House is now closed.

If you won a door prize, I have emailed you to get your mailing address.  Congratulations.

DISCOUNT REMINDER:  You can use the code OPENHOUSE to get 25% off your purchase in my etsy shop until tomorrow morning, Monday, April 30, 2012.

Thank you all!

Hello Everyone and WELCOME to the 4th B.B. Bellezza Virtual Open House!


I'm thrilled you have decided to join in!  Today will be so much fun!


There will be:
Door prizes;
Free gifts with purchase; and
A discount!


More on those further down the post.....


HISTORY:


First I want to give you just a little bit of my history and information about me and my business.


B.B. Bellezza officially started about 7 years ago, but I have been creating since I was a young child.  My mother was very crafty and I grew up attending craft shows with my mom where she sold her goodies.  Now I do my own craft shows!


I used to make beaded bracelets on stretchy cord when I was young.  I gave it up to pursue other creative endeavors (namely, music in high school and college) until one day I found my bag of beads again and started back up.  You can only imagine my delight when I went to the craft store and found such a wonderful variety of beads!  (And boy, things have come a long way since then, too!)


My Name:


The history of the name B.B. Bellezza?  Bellezza means beauty in Italian.  When I started my business I was making Bath and Body products and some jewelry.  (I saw jewelry-making more as a hobby at first and was really focused on bath and body.  I started on eBay before Etsy was around.)  The "B.B." was for bath and body!  It stuck and now all these years later people call me "B.B." which is fine!


I'm in the process of changing my name to what will be my name (I'm getting married in a month!!):  Kimberlie Kohler. My website will be at my name, too.  (It's actually there already, but there is nothing to look at yet!)  Please make sure to keep in touch so you know where to find me!  (Signing up for my email updates is a great way to stay in touch!  Newsletter signup.)


I started out stringing beaded jewelry (and I still LOVE beads!) but now I have moved on to "Altered Art" jewelry.


What is Altered Art anyway?


Altered Art has been defined in many ways and I have come to realize that a lot of art can be considered Altered Art.


A basic definition is that it is made using old items and "altering" them.  There really is no wrong way to do it.  Quite often new techniques are discovered by accident.  It's the transformation of ordinary objects into pieces of art.


My favorite Altered Art, of course, is Altered Art Jewelry.  Scrabble tiles, dominoes, Rumikub tiles, bottle caps, etc.!  I have had so much fun making Altered Art Jewelry!


Here are some examples:


Scrabble Tile Pendants:

Map Pendants

Here are some more of my favorites:

Escutcheon and Lace Necklace, made with a vintage brass keyhole cover, tiny brass skeleton key and vintage lace on a brass chain.


I only have 1 of these!  

Alice Chandelier Crystal Pendant Necklace.  The image from a vintage book is attached to the back of a vintage chandelier crystal. 


I have a variety of the chandelier crystal pendants, each one is one-of-a-kind.

Mixed Hardware Bracelet.  Made with a variety of upcycled hardware pieces.  


Also I have just one bracelet like this one, although I do have other hardware bracelets.


DISCOUNT:


Through tonight, get 25% off your purchase from my etsy shop!  Just use the code OPENHOUSE when checking out.


Need help using a coupon code on etsy?  Here's a How To I wrote:  How To Use Coupon Codes on Etsy

*Cannot be applied towards custom orders.  Also, I'm not able to take custom orders until after May.

SCRABBLE TILE DEAL:


BUY 2 GET 1 FREE!!  When you make your purchase, just make a note of which pendant you would like for free in the "notes to seller" box when you check out.  (Don't put it in your cart.  Pendant that is the least value is free.)

*Cannot be applied towards custom orders.  Also, I'm not able to take custom orders until after May.


DOOR PRIZES:


Each 1/2 hour I'll pick a winner for a door prize.  To enter, just leave a comment.  Have problems leaving a comment? Email me or Tweet me and I'll enter you!


Here are the prizes:

At 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 a winner will be chosen.  Make sure to get your comment, email or tweet in before that time for each prize.  I'll add a new prize to the bottom of this post each 1/2 hour!


Click on comment and let me know you want to be entered.  Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you when you win!  You don't have to be a blogger to leave a comment.


GRAND PRIZE:


At the end of the Virtual Open House, the Grand Prize will be chosen!


The grand prize will be chosen from everyone who makes a purchase from my online shop during the Open House.  For each $5 you spend, you get 1 enter to win the "Mystery Host" prize.  That person will get 15% of the total sales via a gift certificate for B.B. Bellezza's online store!


So, say you are the only person who participates, you'd get 15% back from your own person.  Or if you refer people to the Open House and there are a lot of sales, you have a chance to win a lot of B.B. Bellezza money!


(All sales that use the OPENHOUSE code when checking out until tomorrow morning, plus any sale during the open house, whether or not they use the code will be included in calculating the total.  The total sales included will be the actual amount I receive after discounts, etsy and paypal fees.  Make sure to use the code OPENHOUSE when checking out to be entered into the draw.)


Note:  I offer a similar reward to any person who hosts an Open House for me (Either in person, or online), except I offer a cash payment as an option as well!


FREE GIFTS


With every purchase of $15 or more, you'll get a free surprise gift, valued at $5 or more!


TWEET!
Tweet about the Open House prior or during the Open House and get an extra entry for door prizes!


Here's a sample:
I'm having fun at @BBBellezza 's Virtual Open House! Discounts, Door Prizes, Free Gifts 4pm- 6pm EST today!  Details at http://www.BBBellezza.com


SHOP:  B.B. Bellezza
Twitter:  @BBBellezza
Email:  BBBellezza@hotmail.com


------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Door Prize:  Hardware Earrings!

UPDATE:  The Hardware Earrings Giveaway is over, see the next giveaway!

Remember, to enter:  Comment below, email me or tweet me (@BBBellezza) and let me know you wish to be entered! Winner will be chosen at 4:30 pm EST and the next prize will be up!


Second Door Prize:  Scrabble Tile Pendant!

UPDATE:  This Giveaway is over, see the next giveaway!

Remember, to enter:  Comment below, email me or tweet me (@BBBellezza) and let me know you wish to be entered! Winner will be chosen at 5:00 pm EST and the next prize will be up!

Third Door Prize:  Scrabble Tile Pendant

UPDATE:  This Giveaway is over, see the next giveaway!

Remember, to enter:  Comment below, email me or tweet me (@BBBellezza) and let me know you wish to be entered! Winner will be chosen at 5:30 pm EST and the next prize will be up!

Fourth and Final Door Prize:  Clock Hand Earrings

UPDATE:  This Giveaway is over!

Remember, to enter:  Comment below, email me or tweet me (@BBBellezza) and let me know you wish to be entered! Winner will be chosen at 6:00 pm EST and the next prize will be up!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 4th B.B. Bellezza Virtual Open House is now closed.

If you won a door prize, I have emailed you to get your mailing address.  Congratulations.

DISCOUNT REMINDER:  You can use the code OPENHOUSE to get 25% off your purchase in my etsy shop until tomorrow morning.

Thank you all!

Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program Launch and Giveaway!

 

This week is the release of my brand new Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program.

The program contains 4 extremely instructive tutorials, including how to make Altered Art Charm Jewelry (charm bracelet and how to make into a necklace), how to make Scrabble Tile Pendants, how to make Glass Tile Pendants, how to make Bottle Cap Pendants (in two ways) and how to make the cords to hang your pendants on. 

Plus you’ll learn how to make any project into a pin, magnet or ring.

Plus how to re-size photos for use in jewelry without having any fancy software!

Whew! 

This tutorial contains the how tos of the most popular pieces I sell in my store and at craft shows.

(Wondering what the cost will be?  Just $15!)

Release date is Wednesday, March 28, 2012!

To celebrate, I want to have a giveaway this week!

There will be 3 prizes, and the winners will be randomly drawn on Friday.  UPDATE:  Monday, April 9, 2012!

The Giveaway:

Prize #1

• Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program (you’ll receive via email); and
• Altered Art Digital Program Kit 
• including (pictured above):
• Glass Tile/bail
• Scrabble Tile/bail
• Flat Key/bail
• Bottle cap and magnet
• Photo charm
• Everything you need to make a cord

Prize #2

Altered Art Jewelry Digital Program (you’ll receive via email)

Prize #3

Glass Tile Pendant Tutorial (you’ll receive via email)

To enter, first join my email updates for Tutorials.

Then send me an email (to BBBellezza@hotmail.com) stating you’d like to be entered for the Altered Art Giveaway.

(If you’re already a subscriber, just send the email.)

I will randomly pick 3 winners on Friday, March 30th!  UPDATE:  Monday, April 9th sometime in the evening!

Tutorial: Stacked Button Necklace

I recently came into possession of a lot of buttons (to add to my growing collection.)  I love buttons and even though I don't always know exactly what I am going to do with them, if I see a deal on them, I'll buy them!

I have made button necklaces before, but this is the first one like this.  I made earrings in this style previously, which were so cute, too!

Materials and Tools:

• Buttons ( I used 62.  If you are a smaller stature person, you'll need less)

• Wire (I used 24 gauge wire)

• Chain

• 4 jump rings (I used 3 4mm jump rings and 1 7 mm jump ring)

• Wire cutters

• Round nose pliers

• Needle nose pliers

Step #1

Pick out buttons that want to use.  I used just 2 colors:  purple and gray.  I have a lot of those colors, plus I knew they would match outfits I have.  You can definitely use different colors, more colors, etc.  You'll only see the sides of the buttons, so keep that in mind.

Also the shank type of buttons won't really work for this project.  (See photo below for what I'm talking about.)

Shank button.  Won't work for this project.

Step #2

Cut off about 12 inches of wire.

Step #3

Make a loop on one end of the wire.

Step #4

Start stacking buttons on the one by one, like you would beads.  You could add a bead on each end.

Step #5

Add a loop to the other side of the buttons and trim off the excess wire.

Step #6

Decide how long you want your necklace to be.  Measure how long the button piece you just made is and subtract that from how long you would like your necklace to be.  Cut a piece of chain the length that is left.  Then cut the piece of chain in 2 equal lengths.

Step #7

Open a jump ring (I used a 4 mm jump ring) and add the chain to the button piece.  Repeat on the other side.

Step #8

Add a jump ring to one side, for 1/2 a clasp.  (I used a 7 mm jump ring)

Step #9

Open a jump ring (I used a 4 mm) and add a lobster clasp to the other side.

Step #10

Enjoy your new necklace!

Note:

1. You can use beading wire instead of silver wire, and then make loops and crimp. 
2. You can use any color buttons, however, shank buttons won't work for this project.
3. Use any kind of chain you desire, and any clasp you would like!
4. You can make this necklace as long or as short as you want!  Same goes for how many buttons you use!
5. If you have questions about how to, or need more instructions on wire wrapping loops, I have a tutorial that teaches that!  Hardware Necklace and Bracelet teaches you basic wire wrapping and you make a couple awesome projects!

52 Weeks of Handmade Earrings - Week 3

Virtual Open House III - Day 6! Grand Prize Giveaway!

Welcome to Day 6 of the Virtual Open House!

To find out all the details of what is going on here, see Day 1 of the Virtual Open House.

Congratulations to our Day 5 winner, picked by random:  Sam from Aaron's Books!  Congratulations!

Today is the last giveaway, and it's a big one!  It's the grand prize for the week! (See below!)

Get 20% off in my etsy shop all week with the coupon code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE

Freebies with orders each day!

Today's Grand Prize:

$25 Gift Certificate to the B.B. Bellezza online shop!

To Enter to Win:

This is a little different from the rest of the giveaways this week:

•  If you have entered any of the other giveaways this week, you are entered to win this one.  You get one entry for that.

• You get an entry if you have made a purchase this past week.
• Get an entry for simply leaving a comment below!  If you don't have an account, you can leave your comment anonymously.  Just make sure to leave your email so that I can get a hold of you!
• Get an entry for joining my facebook page.  If you are already a fan, just leave a comment saying that.
• Get an entry for tweeting about this giveaway.  Please make sure to include a link to this website.  Here's an example tweet you could use:  I just entered to win the giveaway from @BBBellezza at http://www.BBBellezza.com There's a new giveaway each day this week!
• Get an entry for sharing on your facebook wall.  You can use the same example from above or write whatever you want.  
• Join my newsletter, or leave a comment letting me know that you already are a subscriber.  (Make sure you're leaving the same email address that you are subscribed with.)  Leave a comment here for an entry.
• Note:  if you need help commenting or aren't technological, just email me and I'll leave your comment for you!

Winner will be chosen Sunday evening at 6 pm Eastern time.

Also, I'll send along a freebie with each purchase today (Sat) and Sunday!  The freebie for the weekend is a scrabble tile pendant - I'll choose a random pendant to send along with your purchase.

To get the freebie, just make a purchase Saturday or Sunday in my online shop using the coupon code VIRTUALOPENHOUSE.  You'll get 20% off and a free scrabble tile pendant!

Leave a comment below to enter. 

Update:  Comments are now closed!

Artist Interview - Lauren Startzman of Fair Rosamund

I first came across Lauren Startzman (Fair Rosamund) during the Mad Tea Party.  She won my giveaway.  I saw her artwork and was smitten immediately with her whimsical style.  Her style is colorful and fairytale inspired.  What could be more perfect?

The Interview:

I asked her a few questions.  Her answers are in red below. 

How did you get started?

I have been doing artwork in some form or other for a long time--my mom is very artistic and always encouraged my sister and I to explore that. However, it wasn't until I discovered folk and mixed-media artwork a couple of years ago that I discovered that you can make amazing artwork without having to go to art school and do everything perfect! That is when I really started to explore painting again and having a lot of fun with it.

Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?

I am self-taught. I took a couple of art classes in high school but discovered that I much prefer being by myself and doing my own thing. And it is very relaxing! :)

What are your favorite art supplies?

Acrylic paint and canvas. I have dabbled in oil paint and some fun mixed-media techniques, but I always seem to find myself coming back to these two things.

What is your favorite subject matter?

I absolutely love fairytales, literature and history, so anything involving these things always intrigues me! I love painting people and animals, and I always try to tell a little story with my paintings :)

Have other artists influenced you?

Yes, too many to name! :) My creativity is always refreshed by looking at the amazing work and imaginations of other artists. I am inspired by so many other people's techniques, subject matter and use of color. A few of my favorites are Nicoletta Ceccoli, Vanessa Valencia, Emily Martin of the Black Apple, Tascha Parkinson, John William Waterhouse, my mom Joni Startzman and my sister Michelle Startzman, and a bunch of others!

How does each piece begin?  Do you have an idea of what you want your pieces to become or do they progress as you go?

I usually don't start with a ton of preparation--I start with an idea which I sketch lightly onto the canvas, then I go from there! Sometimes it stays very close to my original idea, but other times I end up changing it as I go if something a little different seems to be working better.

Do you ever get stuck with your work and how do you remedy this?

I definitely get stuck sometimes! I have found that the best thing for me to do when I get frustrated with a painting is to set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes the next day.

Find Lauren:

You can find Lauren's work in her Etsy Shop, Fair Rosamund Art.

Keep up-to-date with her on her blog.

I loved Lauren's work so much, I asked her to collaborate with me.  You can find our collaboration artwork pendants in my etsy shop.

 

Sale

B.B. Bellezza SALE!!

Starting right now and running until next Sunday August 24th, I am having a major sale in my Etsy shop!

Take 15% off the listed price of each and every item listed

AND

FREE SHIPPING!!

Please use the code "rentsale" in the notes to seller section and wait for new invoice. Or pay and I will refund the extra through paypal.

Thanks so much for your support!

Details on how to use the code in case you are not familiar with Etsy:

1. If you are new to Etsy, you will be asked to register...don't worry, it's easy! Let me know if you need help. Also, please note this sale is only available in the BBBellezza shop.
2. Browse through my shop and select your item(s) (click add to cart).
3. When you are done shopping, click "checkout."
4. Go through the checkout process, adding your shipping address, etc. When you get to the part that asks if you have any notes for the seller, type in "rentsale."
5. Then you can pick how you would like to pay (I take paypal, money orders and personal checks - note: orders paid with personal check will be held for 10 days from the date that I receive the check.) Pick how you would like to pay, but if you are paying with paypal, please wait to pay until I send you a new invoice reflecting the sale prices. OR you can pay the non-sale price and I will send you a refund...your choice.
6. When you receive your revised paypal invoice, just follow the steps to pay through paypal like any paypal transaction. You can use your paypal account or a credit card without a paypal account. (Let me know if you need help with this.)
7. I will send you your order open receipt of cleared payment.

If you have any questions about the process along the way, please contact me at BBBellezza@hotmail.com for help!

You may not receive your revised paypal invoice immediately, as I have to manually do this and I am not always at the computer. Most every day I should be able to get it to you within an hour or two with the except of when I am at market on Sundays and Saturday I have a show for a few hours, too.

(Item at top of post is for sale in my Etsy Shop right now! It's made with yarn and beads and is really spectacular! During the sale it is only $12.75)