Craft Diva

ArtFire Collections

CraftDiva

Art Supplies

Craft Diva ArtFire Store

Last month I started an online store for my craft supplies and beaded jewelry on the ArtFire site. My ArtFire store front is located at: CraftDiva.artfire.com. I have a Pro account on ArtFire, which lets me list unlimited items for sale, and post up to 5 photos per item being sold.

ArtFire Collections

ArtFire also lets you created collections of handcrafted items and craft supplies grouped into themes. I created two collections, so far, of items I like on ArtFire. The first collection is Hot Tamale and features handcrafted items and craft supplies featuring the colors of red, orange and yellow. The second collection I created is Linen & Lace and features handcrafted items and craft supplies featuring the materials and colors of linen and lace.

If you get a chance, click on the links, shown below, to view either of the collections.

Linen & Lace Collection

Linen & Lace

Curated By: CraftDiva

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Hot Tamale Collection

Hot Tamale

Curated By: CraftDiva

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva

Craft Diva Classes

Lynn Smythe

Delray Beach Glass And Metal Work Teacher

Craft Diva on Betterfly.com

I just setup a page on Betterfly.com to offer beginning and intermediate level glass fusing classes at my home studio in Delray Beach, Florida: betterfly.com/craftdiva. Although the Betterfly page shows the classes being offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the classes can be set up any day of the week. Contact me at lynn@craftdiva.net to arrange a day and time that works best for you.

 

Above: the Craft Diva's home based studio.

Home Studio

• Country Club Acres
• Delray Beach, FL 33484

I have a large 200 square foot studio set up in my house. I can accommodate up to 4 students at a time. Class prices include all necessary supplies. I have additional craft, bead, jewelry making and glass supplies for sale at the studio. I offer all of my students a 20% discount off the retail price of any instock supplies purchased from me on the day of the class.

Above: fused glass pendants by Lynn Smythe. This is an example of the types of projects you can create in the beginning fused glass class.

Beginning Fused Glass Class

• Pricing: 180 minutes - $75.00
• Appointment type: Private appointments and groups available.
• Level: Beginner
• For Ages: 15 - 99

Beginning level fused glass class taught by Lynn Smythe. Learn how to cut, layer and embellish glass then fire the glass in a kiln.

Because of the small size of the pieces being made, we can utilize my beehive style kiln. If you are taking this as a private class, you should be able to fuse, anneal and cool down all of your pieces during the class. If a group of 2 or more students signs up for this class, you will need to arrange a time within 2 weeks of taking the class to stop by my studio to pick up your finished pieces.

You will make 6-8 pieces of fused glass - cabochons, beads or pendants. You can utilize your finished fused glass pieces in a variety of mediums including wire wrapping, silver smithing or bead embroidery.

The class includes all necessary supplies including glass, tools and use of the kiln.

Above: This photo shows a variety of fused glass plates and bowls created by Lynn Smythe. You can create these types of projects in my intermediate fused glass class.

Intermediate Fused Glass Class

• Pricing: 360 minutes - $150.00
• Appointment type: Private appointments and groups available
• Level: Intermediate
• For Ages: 18 - 99

Intermediate level fused glass class taught by Lynn Smythe. Learn how to make 2-4 pieces of decorative glass work, in either the form of bowls, plates or vases.

This is a 2 part class. The 2nd part of the class can be taken either the day after or the week after the first part of the class.

PART I
You will design, cut, layer and embellish your glass pieces in the first class, which will last 3 hours. After this class, the instructor will fire each piece in the kiln, which takes 6-8 hours for a full fuse firing.

PART II
You will learn how to clean up your glass, using either a glass grinder or diamond band saw, before slumping your glass pieces in the kiln, using whatever plate, vase or bowl patterns you picked out, this takes another 6-8 hour firing in the kiln.

You will need to arrange to pick up your finished class pieces within 2 weeks after finishing part 2 of the class.

The class includes all necessary supplies including glass, tools and use of the kiln.

Above: learn the technique of pin weaving while creating a one-of-a-kind fiber art doll which can be worn as a pin or necklace.

Techniques Taught by Craft Diva

The Craft Diva, AKA Lynn Smythe, specializes in a variety of techniques including fused glass, metal clay, beading and fiber arts.

I can teach classes in a variety of different techniques at my home based studio. Here is a brief listing of the types of projects I can setup as classes:

• Macrame
• Kumihimo
• Pin-weaving
• Beaded loom weaving
• Seed bead techniques - peyote stitch, square weave, herringbone, spiral rope, brick stitch, right angle weave and more.
• Metal clay - Art Clay Silver and Precious Metal Clay
• Fused glass
• Altered art
• Scrapbooking
• Art journaling
• Sewing
• Art dolls
• Art quilts

Questions or Comments?
What type of art, craft and jewelry making techniques would you like to learn more about? Leave a comment on this post, or contact me directly at lynn@craftdiva.net with your tips, questions and comments.

Lynn sells a variety of her beaded jewelry and fused glass gifts, along with a selection of craft supplies on her ArtFire store: craftdiva.artfire.com.

Craft Diva blog: www.craftdiva.net
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Craft-Diva/150257278375933

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

 

 

 

Note Cards at Craft Diva

Above: Secrets Must be Told by Montserrat.

Gift Cards Now Available

I just added note cards to the Craft Diva ArtFire online store. This is a line of angel, fairy and goddess themed blank note cards by Spanish artist Montserrat, DBA The Sacred Feminine. Each card measures 5 by 7 inches, includes an envelope and is packaged in a clear plastic protective pouch. Cards retail for only $2.50 each, over 40 designs available.

Above: Guardian Angel by Montserrat.

Visit the Craft Diva ArtFire store to view all the designs: note cards at Craft Diva.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva

Wire Sculpture Tools and Supplies

Wire Sculpture Website

Wiresculpture.com is an online jewelry supply store. They sell a variety of wire wrapping and jewelry making supplies including beads, gemstones, wire, chains, tools, DVD's, jewelry findings, cabochons and Swarovski crystal.

Greetings From the Craft Diva

Above: pin woven sculpture with fused glass display ring created by Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva

Greetings From the Craft Diva

Although the Craft Diva site was started in the middle of 2009, I never got around to writing the Welcome to the Craft Diva page. So here it is, better late than never!

Hello,

My name is Lynn Smythe, AKA the Craft Diva. I am the founder and editor of the Craft Diva blog. What are my qualifications to have a site devoted to various art, craft and jewelry making techniques? Here is a little information about myself.

ABOVE: Craft Diva's studio

Craft Diva's Qualifications

1. Level 1 Certified Art Clay Silver Instructor.
2. Teacher of various beading, fused glass and fiber art techniques.
3. Former bead store owner.
4. Former craft and bead show vendor - selling both my finished craft and jewelry items along with bead and jewelry making supplies.
5. Freelance writer of bead, jewelry and craft articles.
6. Working art studio setup with 2 kilns, diamond band saw, rock tumbler, dremel moto tool, grinder, professional photography studio and many, many tools of all sorts.

 

ABOVE: another view of Craft Diva's studio

Freelance Writer Craft Articles

In the past I have written how-to articles for a variety of magazines. Here is a listing of my published magazine articles.

Altered Arts

• May/June 2006 - Clown Album
  

Beadwork

• Fall 1998 - Beaded Needle Case
• Summer 1999 - Patterns
• Winter 2000 - How-to Start a Bead Society in Your Free Time
• December 2000/January 2001 - Flower Garden Loom-Woven Bracelet

Jewelry Crafts

• May/June 1997 - A Lovely Lacy Miniature Pouch
• November/December 1997 - Beaded Comanche Rosettes
• May/June 1998 - Beaded Beads & Macrame
• September/October 1998 - Amulet Bag Earrings
• January/February 1999 - The Art of Glass Fusing
• March/April 1999 - Make a Mini Amulet Bag

Lapidary Journal

• September 1997 - Bead-Netted Cabochon
• July 1998 - Macrame Beaded Earrings
• April 1999 - Loom-Woven Bracelet

Above: fused glass pendants and beaded necklaces by Lynn Smythe

Featured Craft Artist

The Craft Diva's bead work is featured in a few books and magazines including:

1. The Sea; Selections From the 1st International Miyuki Delica Challenge. My dolphin themed beaded amulet bag is featured on pages 44-45. Edited by Barry Kahn, published by Caravan Beads Inc.

2. Beading with Peyote Stitch by Jeannette Cook & Vicki Star. One of my beaded needle cases is featured on page 101 of this book. Published by Interweave Press.

3. Creative Cash; How to Profit From Your Special Artistry, Creativity, Hand Skills and Related Know-How - pages 19, 91-92, 242-243. 6th edition, by Barbara Brabec, Prima Publishing.

4. The New Macrame by Katie DuMont. I wrote two chapters for this book. My beaded macrame projects are featured on pages 27, 41-43, 96-98. Published by Lark Books.

5. Make It Profitable by Barbara Brabec; pages 21, 32, 124, 145, 154, 169, 171. Published by M. Evans & Company.

6. "Insight - Bead Artists"; August 2000 issue The Crafts Report; page 17.

7. "101 Things You'll Need for Every Craft Show" by Barbara Brabec; August 1999 issue The Crafts Report; pages 26-27, 61.

8. "Something for Everybody"; January/February 1999 issue of the Tampa Bay Bead Society newsletter; page 5.

Above: "Isis" - beaded picture by Lynn Smythe

Craft Diva's Awards & Recognition

1. 1996 - 1st Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 3rd place seed bead jewelry.
2. 1997 - 2nd Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 3rd place seed bead jewelry.
3. 1997 - 31st Annual Show, Gem & Mineral Society of the Palm Beaches - President's Award Best of Show.
4. 1999 - 4th Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 1st place non-glass beads for 3 of my snowflake pattern beaded beads.
5. 2000 - 5th Annual Havana Bead & Jewelry Festival - 2nd place jewelry.

Above: pin woven necklace by Lynn Smythe

Craft Diva's Exhibitions

1. Spotlight 1997 - American Craft Council Southeast Juried Exhibition; June 21-August 3, 1997; Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, North Carolina.

2. Gallery of Art; October 17 - November 28, 1997; Jupiter Town Hall, Jupiter, Florida.

3. Bead Dreams, Future Visions; March 22 - June 14, 1998; Goldstein Gallery, University of Minnesota.

4. 45th Florida Craftsmen Statewide Competitive; February 20 - May 10, 1998; Art & Culture Center, Hollywood, Florida.

5. 2"x2"x2"; May 22 - July 3, 1998; Gallery Ten, Rockford, Illinois.

6. Gleaming Treasures; 4th Annual Embellishments; July 17-19, 1998; Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, California.

7. Millennium: Fiber Moving in a New Age; March 30 - April 20, 1999; Fine Arts Gallery, Kennesaw State Universtiy, Atlanta, Georgia.

8. Bead Something; July 15 - August 15, 1999; Prairie Edge Fine Art Gallery, Rapid City, South Dakota.

9. Gleaming Treasures; 5th Annual Embellishments; July 16-18, 1999; Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.

10. Bead Dreams 2000; 1st Annual Bead & Button Show; June 1-4, 2000; Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.

11. Gleaming Treasures; 6th Annual Embellishments; July 14-16, 2000; Portland Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.

12. Gardensart; January 19 - February 28, 2001; Burns Road Community Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

 

ABOVE: Craft Diva's studio

Craft Diva Techniques

Here is a brief listing of the types of projects and techniques that will be covered on the Craft Diva site.

• Macrame
• Kumihimo
• Pin-weaving
• Beaded loom weaving
• Seed bead techniques
• Art Clay Silver i.e. Precious Metal Clay
• Fused glass
• Lampwork bead making
• Altered art
• Scrapbooking
• Art journaling
• Sewing
• Art dolls
• Art quilts
• Costume making
• Wire wrapping

Questions or Comments?
What type of art, craft and jewelry making techniques would you like to learn more about? Leave a comment on this post, or contact me directly at lynn@craftdiva.net with your tips, questions and comments.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Craft Diva

Jewelry Making Supplies on Overstock.com

I was recently searching the Overstock.com website for some home decor items I saw in a magazine. Just for kicks, I decided to do a search on jewelry making supplies and was surprised when the search turned up 5 pages of supplies.

A few of the jewelry supplies I found listed on Overstock.com include:

Beads

• Czech fire polished beads
• Swarovski crystal beads
• Gemstone beads
• Seed beads

Jewelry findings

• Head pins
• Clasps
• Bulk chain

The merchandise on Overstock.com is continually changing. I will be checking the site on a weekly basis to see what bargains I can find.

I'd like to hear about other online sites you use to find great bargains on beads, findings and other jewelry, sewing and craft making supplies.

Take care,
The Craft Diva