2013 Jane Austen Collection

It's been a few years since I introduced a tribute to Jane Austen with Book Beads. Thanks to you, this was met with much enthusiasm and has become a resounding success. How to build on this? I decided I couldn't go wrong incorporating three themes: Regency, floral prints, ladies of fashion. Without further ado, may I present....the 2013 Jane Austen Collection. 

Sculpted out of polymer clay, book beads are burnished, fired, sealed & glazed before being configured for the end piece (earrings, bracelet, necklace etc.) it was meant to be. It takes about 3 weeks from start to finish, to complete a bead. Their cut, clarity of image, size and durability are without rival -  a fitting tribute to the timeless Jane Austen!   Whether you want something a la carte or wish to custom design an item just for you, come and visit our MAIN site or via Etsy. There's bound to be something there to feed your inner book geek.

Featured In A Magazine
- A First For Me!

A day after introducing my Jane Austen Book Bead collection earlier this year, I received an interesting communique from Liz Good, the editor of Interweave Publications.  They were compiling a first edition solely devoted to what Jane Austen and Regency ladies would knit during their time. They were asking permission to include my stitch markers (shown below)! 

Duh. Double Du-uh.  Didn't even have to think about it. YES. Si. Merci! And here we are...

Jane Austen Knits  came out in newsstands in November 2011 to much hoopla among all fans of Jane and historicals. And right on page 8 was little old me. My stitch markers. My contribution. In wee corner (click to magnify):

Thrilled doesn't begin to describe it. Let's just say I've had a permanent grin and been breaking into the "happy dance" at odd times since I received my copy (to the mortification of those around me). Credit for the wonderful book covers goes to book designer, Megan Wilson, of whom, I am a big fan of (can you tell?).

If you like Jane Austen and craft about Jane, the call for submissions for Jane Austen Knits 2012 is ongoing (deadline 1/31/2012). Check out their website for more information. 


Thank you Interweave for everything. It's been one heck of a ride!

TURKEY, THANKSGIVING and TINTIN?

The turkey has been consumed. Waistbands stretched. Leftovers inevitable. The sale papers absently discarded as you move on to the next day's sales. 

Braving the crowds at Target today, I came across a childhood comic book favorite: The Adventures of Tintin. Beautifully illustrated, Herge's classics come to life with vibrant colors and funny tales. Brings back memories!

In honor of my DH, who has collected The Adventures of Tintin series since he was a little boy, the Tintin Book Beads have come to life:

The collection includes 12 beloved titles from The Adventures of Tintin series split into 6 books (I’ve collaged different titles in the front (F) and back (B) of each book bead):

1) Secret of the Unicorn (F) with Cigars of the Pharaoh(B)

2) Tintin in America (F) with Tintin in the Congo (B)

3) The Blue Lotus (F) with Prisoners of the Sun (B)

4) Red Rackham’s Treasure (F) with The Seven Crystal Balls (B)

5) Tintin in Tibet (F) with Tintin in the Land of the Soviets (B)

6) Destination Moon (F) with Explorers on the Moon (B)

 The Tintin mini book charms can be used as earrings,

 

strung on a leather cord necklace,

 

adorably used as stitch markers for knitting or crochet,

 

or creatively linked on a thick leather cord bracelet (for men & women):

The applications are only limited by your imagination.Check out Just Charming! for details.