I laughed out loud this week when I read what a person wrote under one of the free downloadable tutorials we had posted on Facebook.   “NTS” it started,  (“note to self”), “NTS, less downloading and more creating!”

Isn’t that the truth?  With all of the free downloads, free videos, free, free, free, you’d think I would be having a heyday creating…but nope.  I download the tutorials, stick them in a file with all of the other videos I have purchased and I wait to have a “moment of creative time”.

Last week I posted about teaching at Art Camp For Woman in the fall.  Within the interview I did for them, there was a question about “Why do you teach?”  For me, I need to take time out to nurture my creative side.  I love to take classes and I love to teach classes because it allows me to really experience the energy that happens within a creative collective.  Taking classes and teaching classes of course aren’t the same, but the experience of being with other creative beings and being encouraged to explore and create in a safe environment…well that is my idea of a good time.

Lorri and Lori from Art Camp for Woman wrote in a blog post from May 11^th about a book they were both reading, “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin.  Lorri writes:

Gretchen Rubin notes that “everyone from contemporary scientists to ancient philosophers agrees that having strong social bonds is probably the most meaningful contributor to happiness.”  Her research found that we need close long-term relationships with friends we can confide in and we need to belong.  She also noted that “some researchers argue that over the last twenty years, the number of confidants claimed by the average American has dropped.  Perhaps because people move more frequently and work longer hours, they have less time for building friendships.”

This “creative collective”, the bonding that happens between people when they come together to share the same passion and be vulnerable enough to create together – this is what drives my desire to teach.

Art Camp for Woman has a free tutorial to download on their site of a great Epoxy Ring we created. www.artcampforwomen.com:  Jewelry Making Tutorial by Nunn Design   Although you can download it and many more projects for free, taking a class and downloading a file just isn’t the same.  “NTS, less downloading and more creating”.

See you this fall!
Becky

Maybe it is living in a coastal seaside town that attracts me to the whole nautical look.  Or maybe it is just from looking at too many issues of Coastal Living.  Anyway, I’m crazy about this look. www.juicycouture.com: Nantucket Braided Rhinestone Cuff

I came across a tutorial showing the step-by-step instructions for creating this look.  I’m seeing the new Nunn Design® Button Shanks for the closure, aren’t you?  Anyone game for creating one?  www.remarkablydomestic.com: DIY Ombre Knotted Bracelet

Beadaholique has a new video up showing “How to Make the Desi Rhinestone Cup Chain Vintage Style Earrings.”  Super cute and super easy.  While you are at it, why not make a matching ring!

http://www.beadaholique.com/t-video-How-To-Make-The-Desi-Rhinestone-Cup-Chain-Vintage-Style-Earrings.aspx

Erica and Lauren have been producing some amazing DIY projects on their site Honestly WTF.  If you haven’t been following them, you might want to like their Facebook page.  These two women were doing projects 2 years ago that are now showing up in today’s magazines!  Their DIY Tutorials are very well done and easy to follow.  To create these Rhinestone Bracelets, download their free tutorials:

http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-wrap-bracelet/
http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-rhinestone-sliding-knot-bracelet/

Nunn Design is offering Rhinestone Chain Remnants at 20% off while supplies last (for our Wholesale Customers).  If you have been thinking of teaching a quick class, this is your project!  These bracelets are easy to do and one can’t stop with just one!  An armload is the fashion!

Other areas of interest around Nunn Design:

•  Bead and Button is coming up!  Please stop by our booth 812 to see previews of items we will be releasing for Summer 2013!

•  Follow Nunn Design on Pinterest!   http://pinterest.com/nunndesign/

Nunn Design has several projects in Springing Magazine’s Summer 2013 Issue.  Learn three very different techniques with Innovation Team Members Karen McGovern, Erin Praiz-Hinz and Becky Nunn.  Enjoy creating!

October 8-11, 2013, I will be teaching at Art Camp For Women in Colorado.  To learn more about Art Camp For Women, sign up for their Newsletter entering you into a chance to win their Grand Prize Giveaway of 2014 Art Camp For Women session of your choice.

To learn more about me and what I will be teaching at Art Camp For Women, visit their blog for an interview spotlighting Nunn Design:  http://www.artcampforwomen.com/artist-in-the-spotlight-becky-nunn-of-nunn-designs/

Melissa Williamson, Graphic Designer for the Nunn Design Team,
Creates Jewelry with Upcycled Found Objects

Melissa is the person responsible for all of the things you see graphically from Nunn Design. From our weekly newsletters, blog and Facebook posts, website, catalogue, postcard, collage sheets, to our packaging. Anything you see graphically designed – she is the person behind it.

One of the reasons that I love Melissa is captured in her jewelry. She is WEIRD. A quirky-fun-kind-of-weird. She brings to our team a fun and light energy that you can’t help but find endearing.

But that doesn’t mean that she isn’t passionate about what she does and her continued learning of new things. She is continually introducing Nunn to new fresh ways of marketing, product development as well as systems reorganizing. She is no wallflower. She is constantly questioning things, finding new ways and digging deeper to make Nunn Design the very best it can be as an industry leader.

I love art! Especially art that provides the ability to glimpse into the artist’s soul. For me, Melissa’s work shows me who she is. Her personality shows in what she creates; her quirky weirdness, her humor, her exploration, her creativity, her willingness to push the envelope.

What do you think? Should we have Melissa to do a tutorial on one of these jewelry pieces? Which one?

Other areas of interest around Nunn Design:

•  Bead and Button is coming up!  Please stop by our booth 812 to see previews of items we will be releasing for Summer 2013!

•  We are finally up and live on Pinterest!  There is DIY Project Board that has 44 projects (and counting) that you can download for free!  Time to get inspired to teach a class or to create a new jewelry collection.  http://pinterest.com/nunndesign/

•  Look to see Nunn Design in Jewelry Affaire Summer as the featured artist!

•  Also, look to see us in Bead Trends Magazine.  We are featured in an article titled: Jewelry School.

*Psst -This is Melissa, I just want to say Thank you to Becky and our
Nunn Nest for appreciating my Weirdness and always allowing me to celebrate it!*

Artfest was a big event here in Port Townsend for many years.  It has been sad to see the event no longer take place in our small town.  Thanks to Anna Nasset, a local gallery owner of Artisans on Taylor, the tradition of inspiring and nurturing artisans will continue on with her first annual Artology Retreat.

The event will be taught by three talented artists; Juliette Crane, Danielle Daniel and Mindy Lacefield, June 5-8, 2013.  The location is right on the water in beautiful Port Townsend, WA. Heck, if you make it out this way, stop in for a quick “Howdy!”

Visit the Artisans on Taylor website for more information:  http://artisansontaylor.com/news-exhibits/sugar-spice

Create High End Hair Accessories That Are Uniquely Yours!

A big fashion trend right now is high-end looking hair accessories. High-end looking doesn’t have to necessarily mean that they are expensive. Add a couple bead caps to a pearl bead, thread through a headpin and you’ve got yourself a great bauble to add to a store bought hairband. Or, add a dab of epoxy clay onto a hair comb and apply some rhinestone chain. The options are infinite.

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

We have partnered up with our friends at Fusionbeads.com to create this great Epoxy Ring Tutorial. Download the supply list from Fusionbeads.com and the step-by-step tutorial to create this fun epoxy ring project!

We will be sending 1 lucky reader all the Nunn Design products you will need to make this Epoxy Ring. Like us on Facebook and then comment on this blog post to be eligible to win. You can also post a link to this contest on your Facebook page to earn double entry. This contest ends at 11:59PM on May 5th with winners to be announced on May 6th.

Items used in this project:
raolc-sb Ring Adjustable Ornate Lg Circle Antique Silver
cryclay-black Crystal Clay Black
rc24-ssb Rhinestone Chain 24pp – Sterling Silver
cha-cry18pp-b Chaton Crystals 18pp (2.3mm)
bc6p-cb Beadcap 6mm Petal Antique Copper
bc12p-cb Beadcap 12mm Petal Antique Copper

Best of luck to everyone! Enjoy creating!

Update: Congratulations Deborah O’Keefe!  You are the winner of the Epoxy Ring Giveaway.