Pretty Studios and Intuitive Design

Controlled Chaos Copyright 2011 Margot Potter for Jewel School

The unpacking marches on. I have started on the daunting task of setting up the studio. For the first time, I'm hoping it's kind of pretty. You know like the fabulous studios you see on people's blogs and websites and think...how the heck can they create chaos in such order? I'm a believer in the power of chaos to fuel creativity. Order and rigidity make for great technique, but not for great art. Great art requires the willingness to get your hands dirty and make glorious messes. I believe one can do both, be technically adept and creatively brilliant. That's the ticket for sure!

I bet those pretty studio people can do both.

I will be one of those pretty studio people, dang it. I will! As you are my witness.

There is already one impediment to the plan. There is a large and rather unfortunate raw wood panel in the wall for access to the water main. Why they felt compelled to make it so large and so unfortunate is beyond me. I'm trying to figure out what I can put on top of it so it's not so horrid. Perhaps a mixed media collage...staying in my vintage French lilac, black and white theme. Maybe I'll just paint it white and add some black scrolling trim so it's like a little cartoon picture frame...

Hmmm...

Above please find a bracelet I created recently for Jewelry Television's Jewel School! I have been playing with wire for years. Recently I've been playing with wire doodling and intuitive design. This is very freeing and relaxing. It allows you to stop worrying about perfection and instead to let the wire and beads guide you. Follow this link for directions.

Until next time...craft on with your bad selves!

Cheers,
Madge

New Free Project for JTV's Jewel School: In the Pink Necklace

I am quite pleased with how this simple but striking design turned out. In fact, I wish I could keep it and wear it out! Alas it must live in my cubicle at JTV. Ah well, you can make one for yourself and wear it and I shall live vicariously through you.

There's a softer, more feminine feel to some of the looks on the runway for spring. I can picture this necklace with either of these outfits. It's so very Zelda Fitzgerald 2011.

Donna Karan Spring 2011

Nina Ricci Spring 2011

Feel pretty in pink with this rose quartz, bloodstone, copper and aged brass wire design. It's kicky, swingy, fresh and fabulous!

Follow this link for step by step instructions.

Cheers,
Madge

New Video on Demand for Jewel School!

Why look, can it be? Yes it is! Teeny tiny Madge has a new video project!

We are trying to march bravely forward at Casa de Potter. Here's my latest Video on Demand for JTV's Jewel School and it's just in time for Spring. I make a fun fringy wire necklace featuring Beadalon silver plated wire, smoky quartz and pretty striated cherry glass beads.

xoxo
Madge

New Jewel School VOD with Katie Hacker for Beadalon!

It's teeny tiny Madge with teeny tiny Katie Hacker!

It's time for another fun filled, fabulous Video on Demand for Jewelry Television's Jewel School! This week I'm joined by Design Diva Katie Hacker as she shares how to use the Coiling Gizmo!

It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Seriously!

Click here to go see!

Cheers,
Madge

Margot Potter for Jewel School: Lovey's Delight

Lovey's Delight Copyright Margot Potter for Jewel School

It's that time once again for a FAB free project for JTV's Jewel School! This is inspired by one of my icons, Lovey Howell from Gilligan's Island. Now don't get me wrong, I adored Ginger and MaryAnne, but Lovey was one of a kind. I'm also a huge fan of Lilly Pulitzer frocks, so you can see where this is all heading...

...yes, Madge is dreaming of her tropical retirement haven yet again.

Follow this link to get instructions for this strung, wired and wrapped island friendly project.

Until next time, I'll be in a hammock in a ridiculously large sun hat and Lilly shift sipping tasty beverages from a pineapple served by a cabana boy.

Huzzah!

Cheers,
Madge

Bead Soup Challenge

Bead Soup Ingredients courtesy of Susan Kennedy of Sue Beads

Day two of two days off of work in a row and I'm starting to feel human again. My 'things to do' list is overflowing, but I really need to unwind. I mean I REALLY needed to unwind.

I finally had a chance to snap a pic of this lovely little stash of beads sent to me by Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads. What she doesn't know is that this stash was made for my grandmother Cissy, who loved all things Asian and decorated in white, black and red. These are colors and motifs I love working with, but I'm still going to challenge myself to do something totally different with them.

Sue and I are partners in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. I'm still brainstorming a design...so stay tuned. I sent Sue some pretty autumnal themed beads in a variety of materials, you can see some pics here at her blog.

Thanks, Sue!

I'll be co-hosting Jewel School on Jewelry Television on air or live streaming at JTV.com tomorrow morning from 9am-Noon EST with the delightful Katie Rooke. Tune in for the debut of a FABULOUS new product!

xoxo
Madge

Brand New Video on Demand for JTV's Jewel School

Teeny Tiny Madge is Back with the Beadalon Spin N Bead Jr.!

Check out this week's Video on Demand for JTV! Just follow this link and press play to watch. I show how to use the Spin-n-bead Jr. to make quick work of stringing seed beads!

This is one of those tools that never ceases to make you say, "Wow! That's amazing!"

Cheers,
Madge

Fire and Ice Necklace for JTV's Jewel School

Fire and Ice Necklace Copyright 2011 Margot Potter for Jewel School

To say that the past week has been a roller coaster ride is to put things mildly. The Misadventures of Madge sums it up! I'd share today, but I'm quite frankly too pooped to pen them. Here is this week's Video on Demand and Blog project for JTV's Jewel School Fire and Ice necklace. You can opt to make this more symmetrical by using all of one kind of dangle, I made two different longer dangles and alternated.

Follow this link for the Video How To and this link for the written instructions.

I'll be back in the blog saddle once my luggage finally arrives and I can unpack.

Seriously.

Love
Madge

Rustique Necklace and Earrings Margot Potter for JTV's Jewel School

Rustique Necklace and Earrings Copyright 2011 Margot Potter for Jewel School

Here's this week's mixed media jewelry making project for JTV's Jewel School! I love this fringed wired ribbon, don't you? It works so nicely with these earthy gemstones.

Follow this link for step by step instructions on the JTV Blog!

Cheers,
Madge

Let's Twist Again!

It's another teeny tiny Madge ready to show you how to use the Wire Twister and Jump Ring Maker tool!

Have you ever wanted to make your own multi-colored cabled wire and use it to create custom jump rings? This week's tutorial for JTV's Jewel School is all about the Beadalon Wire Twister and Jump Ring Maker Tool!

Plus I sing a truly dreadful song! Yay!

Follow this link to see the video!

I'm off to CHA tomorrow at 5am, I'll be heading to Tucson right after. I'll get next week's video and project posts in, so definitely stop back!

Cheers,
Madge

Queen of Hearts!

Queen of Hearts Earrings and Card Copyright 2011 Margot Potter for Jewel School
(Click on image above to read text...just do it.)


This post is part of the FaveCrafts Finished on the 15th Blog Hop, click the icon above to visit their blog and see lots and lots of crafty creations!

When we last spoke...okay when I last whined...I had just emerged from a very, very long week. I spent to today FINALLY cleaning the temporary studio. It's still filled with boxes, but the Jeweler's Bench has been cleared and my desk is no longer riddled with piles of wire bits, beads, plastic baggies, spools of wire, papers that need to be filed, mysterious empty wrappers...and the other things that tend to pile up in a studio when one is working fiendishly to meet deadlines.

This month's newsletter for JTV just went live! I am so proud of the project above. It was one of those grace under fire moments and the earrings and the card turned out even better than I'd hoped. Every once and a while that happens. My attempt at mastering the Viking Knit Tool on the other hand...not so graceful. I will prevail galdangy!

I called this project Queen of Hearts. Those of you who read this drivel on a regular basis will recall that I posted this photo sans text a while back. I still can't quite decide the gender of this Victorian cutie. Can you?! Either way, it's one of my favorite photos from my ephemera collection.

Follow this link for instructions to make these earrings and all of the beady goodness in this month's Jewel School Newsletter!

Tomorrow I'll share the link to my latest Video on Demand for JTV!

xoxo
Madge

New Jewel School Video: Making Earring Wires

Teeny tiny and highly animated Madge is perhaps a little too excited about earring wires!

Have you ever made your own ear wires? It's so easy! Just use a half hard 20 gauge wire and a few key tools and in moments you can create custom made earring hooks and hoops. In this week's video tutorial for Jewelry Television's Jewel School I show you how.

Just follow this link to watch the video.

You'll never have to buy pre-made earring findings again! Huzzah!

Cheers
Madge

Sprig Necklace for Jewelry Television's Jewel School

Sprig Necklace Copyright Margot Potter for Jewel School

O Spring, O Spring,
When will you spring?
Will bluebirds sing?
Will lovers fling?
The days are dark
I'm filled with snark
And my pointsettias are wilting...

Or something like that.

Okay look, everyone insisted that it doesn't snow in East Tennessee. It's snowed so much so far I'm about to build an igloo. I would give my left earlobe to be in a beach chair sipping a tasty beverage from a pineapple...

I designed this 'homage' to spring necklace aptly named Sprig for JTV's Jewel School. It's a variation on a design from my latest book Bead Chic, which is a book all about variations on a theme. Why make the same thing someone else made when you can make it your own? It's not just another string a bead on a wire book, it's a book that empowers you to become a designer. How cool is that?!

Follow this link to the JTV Blog for step by step instructions to make this pretty little necklace.

xoxo
Madge

Let Them Eat Confetti Cake!

Ah...to have your cake and eat it too...and not gain any junk in thine trunk. Sign me up! This is my Confetti Cake design for Jewelry Television's Jewel School! These jump rings are created with Artistic Wire, a wire twister and the jump ring maker tool. You'll find the links for all of these FABULOUS products in the tutorial.

It's a fun explosion of color to perk up these gray winter days. Is it spring...yet?

Follow this link to get directions!

Love
Madge

Refreshing Jewelry for Jewel School!

Get refreshed and ready for Spring with my Peppermint Patty Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set for Jewelry Television's Jewel School! Click on this link to get the instructions!

Cheers,
Madge

Jewel School Newsletter!

Bedecked and Bedazzled Fleece Hat and Glove Set Copyright 2010 Margot Potter for Jewel School

I'll be on JTV's Jewel School this morning from 9am to Noon EST sharing some fun new techniques and projects. The Jewel School December Newsletter is here and we've got some great articles including one on getting organized for the New Year and a lovely fleece hat and glove set to keep you warm and stylish.

My next video on demand should be live by tomorrow, I'll add the link here. I'm sharing the 411 on the tools and materials you need to get started stringing jewelry!

Until next time...bead on with your bad selves!

Cheers,
Madge

Silver Poppies ArtClay Necklace and Earring Set for Jewel School

Silver Poppies Copyright 2010 Margot Potter for Jewel School

Hear ye, hear ye! It's time once again for a free jewelry making project AND a free jewelry making video for Jewel School! Hurry on over to the JTV blog to get the necklace project and check back on the video page for the debut of the video showing you how to make the ArtClay components! It should be up later today.

I've been a busy beader, can ya tell?!

Cheers,
Madge

Princess Charming Bracelet for JTV's Jewel School!

I've got a brand new project on the JTV blog today! This is The Princess Charming bracelet which features my very first ArtClay silver heart charms! Follow this link to get the full instructions!

I feel like I've been neglecting you, please forgive. I've been so busy my head is spinning like Linda Blair in The Exorcist...minus the pea soup...and the scary make-up...okay never mind.

I am doing my best to carve out some time to catch you all up on what's happening in Madge's world. Soon, my little sniblets, soon!

Cheers,
Madge

Trinity Necklace Video for Jewelry Television's Jewel School

Trinity Necklace by Margot Potter for Jewel School

My first 'video on demand' went live yesterday for Jewel School at Jewelry Television! Here's the link to the video. The production team did an amazing job building a beautiful studio set and editing this footage. Talk about a dream job! I'm sharing one of my signature exposed wire designs using some delicious gemstone beads from JTV. We'll be sharing new video every week, so stay tuned!

xoxo
Madge

Pink Ribbon Necklace for Jewel School

My latest blog project for Jewelry Television's Jewel School is up on the JTV blog today! Just follow the link for step by step instructions. This is a project I created on last Sunday's live show with Kim Prentiss. Love this one! This is for the girly girl in all of us! Plus the wire tendrils remind me of the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon, a happy design accident!

Make sure to click on the button above to see all of the projects in this month's Fave Crafts Finished on the 15th Blog Hop!

Love
Madge