Inspirational Jewelry by mairedodd

duality, originally uploaded by mairedodd.

I'm not a great writer, but I know someone who is! Someone who is beautiful both inside and out. Someone who creates amazing jewelry that always exudes so much passion and inspiration. I can feel her jewelry right through the computer screen...almost like I am holding it in my hand, but more importantly, in my heart. Her name is Maire Dodd. Don't take it from my blah blog post, but go see for yourself. You will quickly become a fan of her blog of the same name and her inspirational jewelry. Also, be sure to visit her Etsy mairedodd online shop! Thanks so much for using my raku "raven" and other raku beads in your creations!

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (1/19-1/25)

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (1/19-1/25), originally uploaded by Sand Fibers.

The Bead Art Originals Etsy team have some beautiful pieces this week! Each of these works of art have specials that go with them! Definitely check them out on our BAO blog!

Gorgeous Raku and Seed Beads Necklace by Njema

Raku&Beads pt. 1, originally uploaded by njema.

I'm a little slow in the blog world!!! I hope everyone had a great holiday season! I wanted to share with you this gorgeous necklace that Ginny of Njema made for her mom. Ginny said, "I used beads matching the highlights of colors in the pendant and took the copper heart that came with it to use as a clasp." Very creative, I think! I love seeing my pendants, beads and buttons in others work. It's so amazing to see what evolves! Fabulous necklace Ginny! I hope your mom liked her gift! Make sure to check out Ginny's Etsy shop when you get a chance!

I've been crazy busy trying to get ready for The Tucson Bead Show Feb 7th-9th!!! I'll be in booth GP305 at the Tucson Doubletree in the big tent. Come by and see me if you're planning on making the trip to Tucson this year!

Bead Art Originals Item of the Week

Here are some gorgeous pieces of art from the Bead Art Originals Etsy Street Team...BAO for short! Visit the Bead Art Originals Blog to find out more about these amazing artists and for a link to their Etsy shops! Each of these pieces comes with a special gift and/or free shipping from Sept 1st- Sept 7th. Hurry before they're gone!!!!

Bead Art Origninals Item of the Week

The Bead Art Originals Etsy team have some wonderful featured Items of the Week! Some of these talented artists are offering specials like free shipping or a free pair of earrings along with their item of the week! So be sure to visit the BAO blog to find out all the details!

Etsy Front Page

How exciting! I was notified by the Bead Art Originals Etsy team that my white crackle raku tree tile made it to the front page today on Etsy! This gorgeous front page was curated by kwaraw of kwaraw.etsy.com. Kwaraw included the handmade goodness from the Etsy Mud Team. Thanks Kwaraw and congrats to you! As an extra bonus, my raku tile sold and will be heading off to England soon!!!

www.MAKUstudio.com

I purchased the MAKUstudio domain name last year sometime and managed to get a pseudo website up and running through GoDaddy and Website Tonight. I wasn't really that thrilled with it, so I finally switched over to www.weebly.com. The people at Weebly really make it easy to create a website! I like the look a lot better now and it didn't take me very long to create. Another one of my goals has been to add my own shopping cart. I just signed up with www.Mercantec.com and was able to add a FREE shopping cart to my website! Woohoo! So, I added one item and appears that everything is working. I'm now able to accept Google Checkout and Paypal. Yippee! I'll be adding more items very soon! Check out my website www.MAKUstudio.com when you get the chance and let me know what you think!

Raku Seed Bead Jewelry Design by MaryLou of time2cre8

What I love about creativity is exemplified in this gorgeous bead woven necklace by MaryLou of time2cre8! It never ceases to amaze me what other jewelry designers can do with my raku beads! What was once a raku magnet...transformed into this masterpiece. Great job MaryLou! I can not begin to describe the work of a bead weaver, so please visit MaryLou's Etsy shop, time2cre8, for a detailed description of her creation. There you will find much more handmade goodness as well! Thank you MaryLou for creating such beauty!

Raku Jewelry and Seed Beads...Design by PinkPoochDesigns

Well, what can I say?!!! Stunning! I just love what Staci of PinkPoochDesigns did with one of my handmade raku beads! She contacted me requesting that the beads have no holes and explained about the amazing seed bead bezels that she was going to make. So much intricate work went into this design. Staci sells her fabulous work on Etsy. To find out what Staci has to say about this spectacular necklace of hers, visit the direct link to this listing here. Thanks so much Staci for sharing your creation and for using MAKUstudio raku beads in your amazing designs!

Raku Focal Bead Jewelry Design by JacJewelry

What a wonderful creation by Janna of JacJewelry on Etsy! She used my raku focal bead and added unique lava beads to create this masterpiece!!! You can read more about it and purchase this art necklace and other fine jewelry at her Etsy shop JacJewelry.etsy.com. To go directly to this listing click here! Thanks Janna for incorporating my raku beads into your designs!

SweetFreedom Jewelry Designer

Wow! This piece is spectacular!!! I just love what jewelry designer Lesley of http://www.sweetfreedom.etsy.com/ did with one of my MAKUstudio raku pendants!!! You can read about all the work that went into this weaver's masterpiece in her Etsy shop. Beyond my imagination! She created this gorgeous necklace for the Etsy Beadweaver's June Challenge with the theme "Anything Goes"! Voting begins on June 7th. Visit the team's blog, http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/, to vote for SweetFreedom's amazing creation!!! I hope you win Lesley!

Fabulous Handmade Necklaces with Raku Ceramic Focal Beads

Wow! I love these creations! These lovely necklaces were handmade by Sherry of melangeatrois. Make sure to visit here Etsy shop of unique jewelry! Sherry used my raku pendants as the focal beads and added her own unique touch creating a one of a kind piece of art! Beautiful! Thanks so much Sherry for sharing them with me.

2 Times in One Day!

Today was a good day! I got on the front page of Etsy 2 times in one day! How exciting!!! I haven't been able to find the other screen shot yet, but will be sure to post it when I do! Both the "Black Petals" raku pendant and the "Black Daisy" raku magnet sold right away! Thanks so much to XENOTEES and catROCKS for placing my raku pieces in their amazing treasuries!!!

Raku Platters

My latest raku platters! They measure about 14 inches in diameter. Handmade in my home studio and fired in my homemade raku kiln! I currently have mostly pendants listed in my MAKUstudio online shop, but hope to list some platters in the near future! These platters are available for purchase at Behind the Doors Gallery in Yarnell, Arizona. Tell them Mak sent you!

Jewelry Design by Broadway Beads

Oh, I am so excited with how this necklace turned out!!! Just gorgeous! This necklace was created by Marie of Broadway Beads. She used my raku white crackle bead with the celtic square in the center as her focal point. She added lava rock, polymer beads, and her own handmade glass beads as well. Amazing! Marie is a member of the Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers who have always been involved with Beads of Courage, a unique group for children coping with serious illness. Beads of Courage is holding a fundraiser called BEad Inspired on April 5th at the Scottsdale Borgata in Scottsdale, Arizona. This necklace will be for sale at this wonderful charity event. Thanks Marie!

"White Icing" Raku Bead/Pendant

Here's one of my latest creations! A simple, classic donut style with a textured pattern and white crackle glaze. Fired in my homemade raku kiln...of course! What really makes this raku bead stand out though, is the hand dyed fuschia silk ribbon that I have paired it with. The ribbon is the handy goodness of Heidi of Jamnglass. Heidi makes fabulous glass beads as well as a myriad of hand dyed silk ribbons which she also stitches herself. What talent! Make sure to also check out her Etsy shop when you get the chance. You can find this raku pendant featured on her website www.Jamnglass.com. Thanks Heidi!

Raku Beads

Here are some of my latest raku bead creations! Handmade by me, Marianne "MAK" Kasparian. They are all meticulously sanded, fired, glazed and fired again! I fired these in my homemade raku kiln. Some of these will be going out for a custom wholesale bead supply order to New Jersey. A talented glass artist and jewelry designer is incorporating the beads into her designs. Check out her website when you get the chance! I'll be adding more raku beads and pendants to my Etsy website very soon! Check back often!!!

Handmade Raku Focal Beads

Here are some photos of the finished raku fired focal beads that I was working on for Marie of BroadwayBeads. I know she is going to make some really cool jewelry!

Spiral Explosion...Handmade Raku Pottery by MAKUstudio

This is my most recent raku platter that was raku fired in my homemade raku kiln. I haven't decided if I am going to list it on my etsy website, http://www.makustudio.etsy.com/or sell it on consignment at Behind the Doors in Yarnell, AZ. If you are ever in Yarnell, be sure to stop by! Tell them "MAK" sent you!

I was featured in a blog!

So excited! I was featured in www.girl-indieblog.com. Lisa Bacon, "one of the chicks behind Girl Indie", featured my handmade raku "I love Etsy" magnet. She was in search of some great handmade items for the office. Thank you Lisa! Here is the magnet that she listed, but it would be great if you could check out her blog as well. I love making my little raku magnets! Clay is my passion!