Simple Truths Celebration

Today is the day to celebrate Simple Truths!

I decided in the fall of 2011 that I wanted to come up with a line of components that was all my own, something that I would enjoy using. I figured that if I had that line there might even be some others who would love them as well. And so you have!

I started with a book and a plan. I had read the book "Four Word Self Help" by Patti Digh and I enjoyed the pithy little quotes so much that I knew that I had to find a way to use messages in my pieces. At first I thought that all of them would have exactly four words, but that didn't last long. I am a collector of quotes and finally I knew what to do with them! I decided that they would be called Simple Truths::Modern Wisdom. But that became too cumbersome name so I just shortened it a bit. Simple Truths stuck.

I tried all sorts of different materials to bring the messages to life, including etched metal, stamped metal and even resin in bezels, but nothing felt right. In fact, it felt like a lot of work! I wanted this to be fun!

{Some of the tools of my trade.}

I just knew that I hadn't stumbled on the right path until the day that I played hooky from my plan to etch metal and broke out the polymer clay after reading a fun little tutorial by my friend Heather Powers on the Art Bead Scene. That was the lightbulb moment for sure!

{The very first Simple Truths - I have come a long way in the finishing of these!}

Now that I look at these early pieces, I realize that I have changed quite a bit in the short time that I have been making these. The way I create them, the materials I use, the process of colorization, the incorporation of messages... all have evolved rather quickly. I like the direction that I am going with them and I hope others do, too. In a perfect world, I would carve my own custom made stamps and solder my own custom made bezels, have 30 hours in a day and nothing other to do than create. Obviously, my world is not perfect ;-). For now, I am having fun with the possibilities that are available and I am working on a new custom made-to-order pendant that includes my own design in a custom carved stamp that will hopefully be available in Fall 2012. Stay tuned.... ;-)

{Just look at the fun details hiding in every nook and cranny of this illustration by Mary Engelbreit with one of my favorite quotes!}

Can you tell that I love color? I have always been influenced by the artwork of Mary Engelbreit. I buy her calendar each year, and I love all her cards. The fact that her illustrations are so colorful, so lively, so filled with layers of images makes me want to come back and stare at them for hours. Look closely and you will see so many charming details. Couple that with the fact that she puts these wonderful quotes on them, and you can see how it captures my imagination. I have a page-a-day calendar of her art this year and I found that I couldn't just toss out each page as I ripped it off. So now if you get an order from me you will also get a random quote from my stash. Just another way to send a little modern wisdom your way.

{'Live What You Love' is the message on the back - good advice, no?}

Imagine my surprise when the very first Simple Truth that I made into a necklace ended up on the cover of the Summer 2011 Stringing issue and some of the first charms I made ended up in the Beads 2011 Buyer's Guide. I have been honored that several of them have also shown up in the pages of other magazines in the designs of some truly talented jewelry artists that I admire! You don't know how proud that makes me!

{I think this one may well be my favorite one I created for Vintaj...and it was a last minute addition!}

And this spring I was honored to be selected by Vintaj to be their art bead partner for the month of May with Simple Truths I created in a storybook theme.

{"Just Be" series... toggle or pendant... you choose!}

From the moment that I started making my Simple Truths, people were attracted to them in a way that they weren't with the other experiments. People tell me that they love that meanings behind them, the colors, the images. They like the ones that are double-sided so that they can keep that message close to their heart. Or wear it proudly for all to see.

They are infinitely customizable. And the great suggestions that I have received from so many have kept me continually seeking out new ideas, new bezel settings, new color combinations, new messages.

{Created for the gallery exhibit "That's Amore" in February 2012. Those are the lines of Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 on these Story Beads. My favorite poem to be sure!}

I have made them for weddings...

{Perfect little charm necklace for a wedding party, don't you think?}

...and anniversaries...

...reuniting with an adopted child all grown up and necklaces for those new to mommyhood...

{My very first custom order... to honor a young girl whose life was tragically cut short... 'do not forget me' in French}

...honoring those who have been lost to us...

...and celebrating the next chapter of a life.

I like the way that they can blend in with so many different materials. I like to use different metals in my work and mixing metals as well. And they work so nicely with everything from other polymer clay beads to lampwork glass to ceramic and everything in between.

{There is still room in the Club! Join us!}

I started the Simple Truths Sampler Club in June 2011 with the intent of sharing limited edition charms and pendants with people who would love them and give them a good home. Only 20 spots a month would be offered. The charms and pendants would never be sold elsewhere. And there would be flexibility in participating: 3-, 6-, 9- or 12-months. I wanted to make this Club structured in such a way as I would like to participate. It is why you are here today. So today I celebrate you!

Below are 18 different designers who have joined me on this hop to bring their Simple Truths into the light of day and make something inspired with them. I hope you will go and see what they did and leave them some comment love!

Erin Prais-Hintz	http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Sharon Misuraco	http://goinoffthebeadinpath.blogspot.com/
Tanya Goodwin	http://pixiloo.blogspot.com
Alice Peterson	http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger	http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson	http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Chris White	http://dzeyenrstudio.blogspot.com
Cherrie Fick	http://designsinthelight.com
Rosanne Garvison	http://fabfibers@blogspot.com
Shelley Turner	http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/
Mary Harding	http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Lola Surwillo	http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Michelle Burnett	http://reverieandrevival.blogspot.com
Kirsi Luostarinen	http://kirsiluokorut.blogspot.com
Paige Maxim	http://pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com
Kristen Fagan	http://www.creativestash.com
Cynthia Riggs	http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/

And what would a party be without a gift? How about three?

1::Use the discount CELEBRATEYOU in my Etsy shop for 10% off your purchase OR the code FREESHIP for free shipping. Codes are good until August 31, 2012.

2::Love Simple Truths but haven't found the perfect one for you? Leave a comment below telling me what YOUR Simple Truth would say, what it might look like and I will create it just for you! One comment will be selected and I will come up with a design based on your suggestion, send you the first one and offer it as a special limited edition Simple Truth. ($20 value)

3::Do you love monthly surprises? One random comment will be selected for a 3-month subscription (August-September-October 2012) to the Simple Truths Sampler Club ($54 value).

Winners will be chosen from the comments on this blog post on Tuesday, July 17th. All comments MUST have an email. If I don't have a way to contact you, you can't win. Sorry!

In addition, I will also be giving away a 3-month spot in the Club to one of the participating blog hoppers. Sweet!

Go on and see what modern wisdom the hoppers will be sharing with you! And thank you for encouraging me in my journey!