Pink & Posh giveaway

We just entered to win an awesome give away through our good freinds at Pink & Posh. They are giving away a HP TouchSmart 600 Desktop with Windows 7! How cool is that?

go here to check it out

Festive Holiday Jewelry

There is still time to get a pair of Ardent Designs holiday ear rings. There are several color combinations to choose from and several designs for our angels, Christmas trees, and even a mistletoe design. These designs are so cute and several of them are even sized small enough for that little angel in your life that you still need a stocking stuffer for. Time is limited for delivery by Christmas so hurry and get yours today!

Check them out here

New Items coming from ADPhotography

I have some Photos taken old school (on taditional film) that need to be scanned before I can list them as items for sale. I am hoping to get them masked and to the lab for hi res scans this week. I am hoping that posting this will also provide the requisite motivation to complete the task.

Sale of the day at ArdentDesigns on Etsy

My sale of the day sold already today! I will try to post a new sale this afternoon.

Check out what you may have missed:  Here Photo posted below.

Keep informed of the Sale of the day by becoming a fan of ArdentDesigns on face book.

Joelyn Welch is a fan of

Ardent Designs

Create your Fan Badge

New prints at ADPhotography

There are a couple new posts at ADPhotography on etsy. This image was photographed at the Mesa Verde Ruins in Colorado.

Blueberry Muffins

Just ate homemade blueberry muffins for breakfast!

Beading like a crazt lady!

I have been beading like a crazy lady. Started the week beading a bunch of Christmas Trees and Angels. Still doing that actually. BUT as I was shopping for bead supplies I started feeling a renewed passion and vision for many other pieces .... so I am back on my natural stone series and also plan to get back to my Simply Sterling series soon.

In order to enjoy beading again more, I have moved Aidens cradle out of the bedroom (since he sleeping through the night in his crib/room now). So I moved my beading supply back in here. Still need to organize the basement and make it more friendly for glass work/fusing and then move my bead station down there... AND Joe needs space down there. First we need to clean up all Myas mess.... mostly crafts and moon sand - everywhere.....

Prints going up on ADPhotogrphy

Got new posts going up on ADPhotography. Beautiful prints from our extensive library of photos. Go check em out

adphotography.etsy.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am Thankful for my family & our health. For clean water, food, medical care, freedom, technology, shelter, law enforcement, the military, education, art & music and Gods love.

My mind goes to the people in the world without clean water, food, freedom, or education. The kids who are forced to work as laborers, hunters, soldiers and sex slaves. The ones who watch their families die from sickness and violence as their own tummies are also empty and they are sold into slavery. The little girls born into cultures that don't give them equal rights, who treat them as possessions and even mutilate their genitals in the name of purity. The boys who are forced into manhood far too early and told that they are meant to dominate woman and fight against others as they are taught to seek power and lust as their proof of strength and value.

I pray thanks for the freedoms and luxuries we so easily take for granted. And also that we become less numb to the more subtle wrongs in this country such as domestic abuse, animal abuse, corporate greed, political corruption, medias constant pressures on girls regarding sexuality and their body image, the glass ceiling men so deny in the workplace….

As I type I am more and more aware of how much I have been blessed with by the absence of so many of these atrocities in my own life.

SALE! Black Friday starts NOW at ADPhotography!

Black Friday starts NOW at ADPhotography!
All items $10 already marked down from $15, 2 for $18 ($2 will be refunded via paypal).

Special for Blog readers. Heart me and get free shipping or additional 10% for custom cards.
Put the fact that you hearted in the notes section during purchase to get the heart discount.

adphotography.etsy.com

Fan Pages on face book

We created a Fan Page for Ardent designs:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Ardent-Designs/222908792941?ref=ts



We also recently joined Etsy Black Friday as a fan and are promoting our black friday deals there, but there are bunches of other merchants posting there too so if you want to shop for a deal on black friday but don't want to stand in line all day long (or over the weekend) then check em out.

http://www.facebook.com/etsy.black.friday

Wall Sconce and/or Luminare Lamp

I (Joe) have been struggling with a new idea and I've tried about 4 different prototypes for a Luminare Lamp that would lend itself to printed transparencies of photos.

I thought it would be a cool way to combine mine photography and my engineering (aka "MacGyver'in").

So far every single one of these prototypes have failed for various reasons. Just thought I would post this out to vent some of the frustration.

Black Friday is coming!

Special deals at both shops as well as tons of Etsy shops beginning on 11/27 going through 11/30.

Ardent Designs is taking 25% off everything in the shop. ardentdesigns.etsy.com

ADPhotography is running a sale. Any 1 item for $10 and any 2 items for $18. adphotography.etsy.com

Also find all sorts of deals all over Etsy at: Etsy Black Friday Facebook page

ADPhotography new product.

ADPhotography has a new product line. Personalized designed cards. They can be announcements, Save the dates, or Christmas cards. We already have a variety of designs to choose from and they are listed on Etsy.

All you do is choose the design and then send us the photos you want to use in the card and we will plug in the photos for you and send you the file to be printed at any photo processor near you. We can also do the printing for you if you prefer and ship the finished product to your door.

Get yours at  adphotography.etsy.com

New listing at ADPhotography etsy store

New listing at ADPhotography etsy store. Yellow Stuff #2 from the Yellow Stuff Series.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34681555

More Note Cards posted to the ADPhotography store

There are a few new posts to the ADPhotography Store.
adphotography.etsy.com Pics posted at the store!

I'm Thankful for....

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! What are you thankful for? I am thankful for my wonderful husband and kids, our health, our dog and our extended family and network of friends.

I am also thankful for the creative inspiration, opportunities and supplies that are so vast and readily available in our world - both online and in 3D.

Note cards posted to the new ADPHotography etsy store

Finally managed to get the new note cards posted to the new ADPhotography Etsy store.

Here you can see a couple of samples from the 2 posts so far. To the right are a couple of images from the Yellow stuff photo series.

Below is a sample from the Red Stuff Photo series.

The posts on Etsy both are 5 card sets. Each card features a different image from the series. They ship complete with envelopes.

The cards are digitally printed with a Glossy UV coating applied that really set off the images. the insides are flat white for your personal message to your loved one. Get yours today!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/adphotography

Christmas Plant Stakes are here!

Meet Dasher the plant stake! Gorgeous Bronze Mica on a dark grey background of warm glass, set atop a hammered copper stake.




What a cute little snowman garaunteed to brighten a poinsetta or an everyday plant.




Then we have the chinese symbol for love. lovely enough to leave out all year long!




Another year round plant stake, sends the message we wish more of the world would heed.



Joy to the world. classic, beautiful, and set at an angle to set it apart of even the most dense plant.



Stay posted because the rudolph stake is on it's way.

More Plant Stakes (Plant Wands), And the new note cards are in.

Just out of the kiln are new Holiday Plant Stakes (renamed from plant wands after a heated marketing meeting regarding their name). The epoxy is curing and hoping to do some photos tomorrow. They look beautiful and super festive.

Also the new ADP note cards are back from printing and need to do some photos and post them in the ADP store this week.

Next week we will be at South Arbor Academy in Ann Arbor, MI on Thursday 11/12, selling and promoting.

More New Glass

Just finished several new Glass Fusings. Among them are these super beautiful & elegant dichroic glass stud earrings. Wonderful addition to a night out outfit or special occasion.


These cuff links, are a new product for ArdentDesigns. Simple, elegant, & artful. They encompass all of the charactersitics that Joelyn founded her jewelry designs on. They are elegant enough for black tie and cool enough for the club.

We don't make sets very often but when we do "kaaaa plow". These are handmade fused Glass featured in teal and grounded with a iredescent portion at the bottom. These could be with that special holiday outfit or everyday at the office.

Plant Wands!

Two of the new Plant Wands are finally done. They are just simple, cute fused glass pendants atop a stressed, copper rod designed to stick in container plants or gardens. The copper is untreated and will acquire a patina over time, particularly if used outdoors.

We would love to know what you think of these so please feel free to comment.

New Store, more Soap Dishes, & Plant Wands

Joe has created his new etsy store. We've posted the banner here. We are still waiting on the our custom note cards to come back from printing, should be tomorrow, and these will be the first listings. They are sets of 5 note cards. Each card in the set will feature a different photograph of a series.

The first two series to be featured are: The "Red Stuff" series and the "Yellow Stuff" series.

You can check out the new store here adphotography.etsy.com .

Joelyn is currently working up 2 new soap dishes in Glass. Its a 2 to 3 step process so we are anxiously awaiting the the final product.

Also She is hoping to finish some new Plant Wands consisting of Fused Glass and Copper. The copper stem just needs to be attached to the decoritive glass toppers and then photography to be presented.

Baby Aiden is here

Aiden is here healthy and growing, so it's time to start working again.
Here's a link to the Week 1 photos of Aiden http://www.ardentdesigns.com/photoGalleries/aidenWK1/

Currently we are working on new Glass stuff. Barretts, Bobby pins, coasters, Soap Dishes, Stud ear rings.

Joe is opening a new Etsy store with photo's, & note cards this week!

Lots of stuff happening so we will try to post more in the near future.

Started casting in molds!

1st firing didnt end as I would have liked. Basically I must not have accounted for how much glass needs to go in the mold because they didnt fill out enough once I made the patterns with broken pieces and frit. Also disappointed with how some of the kiln wash from the mold sticks to the back of the piece. I need to read mroe on how to prevent that!

Baby Baby!!!!!!!!!

My show went well, more about that tomorrow when I also post pictures from it.


As for today, I figured I would share thebaby pic. It is from a few weeks ago, I am at 16 weeks now!

Show tomorrow!

I will be at the Huron Valley Taste & EXPO. Here is their site:http://www.huronvalleyexpo.com/1/expo/index.asp

Fellow Independent Artist Theresa from Studio 618

I wanted to introduce you to my online friend Theresa. We have started to get to know each other over the past few months, since we are both members of the Esmarts Etsy online team. We share ideas, experiences and encouragement as we journey through the new experience of online sales and the challenges that independent artists face. I can tell in the short time that we have been corresponding within our group, that she is passionate and committed to her craft. I found it interesting to learn more about her background because it is so neat to me what brings each of us to the point we are now at in life.

For over 20 years, Theresa has been working as an architect. Her projects range from small residential remodeling to multi-million dollar corporate headquarters and public institutions. After years of being on the more technical side of architecture, watching her designs being built by the construction trades, she longed to use her own hands to create. For her, this gratification now comes in the form of jewelry-making. Now she has the best of both worlds, from macro to micro scales, offering design and technical challenges that keep her up at night.

She joined the Etsy artisan community in mid 2008, and it opened a whole new experience for her. The benefits of buying from independent handmade artists are tremendous. Since marketing is not my strength, I joined one of the Etsy teams - Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild. The goal of this team is “further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques.” Their members consist of artisans across the globe, working with all art medium.

Her jewelry is available through the team shop (http://esmarts.etsy.com/), at local art shows and through her online store (http://studio618.etsy.com/) under the name Studio 618. Her blog (http://studio618.blogspot.com/) reflects her creations, her various interests, issues important to her, and much more. So stop by, say hello, and let her know what you think.

Missing in Action

Sorry I have been missing in action, I have been sick. I am still not at 100% so my productivity is low, but I will try to start posting again. I have booked a show. I will be at the Huron Valley Taste & EXPO. Here is their site:http://www.huronvalleyexpo.com/1/expo/index.asp

I am also starting to book in home parties. My goal this week is to post a calendar of events so people who want to see my work in person will know where I will be and when...

I am also expanding to have my work in some local shops. So far it is at Karma, a WONDERFUL hair salon in Saline MI. Learn more about them at their website: http://www.karmahairstudio.com/

Lazy Sunday

Well I am not feeling very well so venturing into the basement to cut glass just isn't going to happen today.
SOOOOO to keep in the creative mode on days like this, I have bought clay and will start to make my own beads because I don't have to be in the workshop to do that.
So off I go!
Ill take pics when I'm done.

More Snow

Well it would be a good day to fire up the kiln. We are cold and have a bunch of snow again.

I don't know why, but I have been afraid to try the recycled glass. There are extra unknowns so I think I am intimidated!

I'll keep you posted

Another week!

OK, another week is starting up. Where did the weekend go? That's right, we slept it away! It is just TOOOOO cold here in Michigan.

This weekend when I opened my kiln to check on my glass, I just stood there soaking up the warmth for a few minutes! I don't know why, but I always want to touch my hot glass. It is just so pretty when it is hot. GOOD thing I know better.

Any way, so to start the week I need to post another piece from my Jaded series. I am aalso starting to work with recycled glass and I have a lot of unfun commitments this week to fit the fun stuff in between. I have also been reading the history of glass and found that slumping and fusing go back to the Egyptian ruins. Neat huh. Then it was faded out as glass blowing came into play. Now it's back baby! Maybe they will find me buried with some of my work some day and put it in a museum LOL

Recycled Glass

Well, I have finished my pinks and reds for Valentines. I am almost done with My "Jaded series" which should be posted in a couple more days. And now I am starting to work with recycled glass and metals - fun fun fun!

It is still super cold here in Michigan so our puppy Kayla is full of energy. She was SICK of me playing with glass and beading and on the computer, so we took her to the dog park. She made some new friends and ran me crazy when it was time to leave and she wouldn’t come.

Pyrite and Bloodstone SET with Bali and Sterling Silver

Well, I do make sets, but usually only post earrings or pendants. When asked why, I don't have an answer. So here I go, I am going to start posting sets. My 1st to be posted was one I worked hours on with bloodstones, pyrite, Bali Silver, Sterling Silver (some beads have copper in the carvings as well).


It was fun to create, so I will be doing more in the near future.

New Photos

Last week I asked for feedback on my Etsy store and one of the action items I came away with was to have Varied Backgrounds for my pieces. I happen to like the super black background and like the continuity of the same background, but I have begun to shoot on other backgrounds too. I figured I'm not the only one that has to look at them so if it helps people make decisions then I'm ok with it.

Photo tip: You get the best black in photos from black velvet. Velvet really soaks up the light!



Feel Free to comment on them!

NEW Promo! ONLINE PARTIES

I am so excited about my newest promotion that I just need blog it!

ONLINE PARTIES!

Online parties are a new concept at Ardent Designs, where for a limited time, you invite your friends, Family, and co-workers to one of Ardent Designs online stores. The host gets FREE jewelry. The amount of free jewelry the host gets is based on the total sales from the party.

We think that this is a wonderful concept and really hope that it catches on.

With an online party you don't have to clean your house or waste an entire afternoon, and you can invite your friends and family that live out of town or even out of state. How cool is that?

Give me some feed back!

Check out more details here

It's time to Shop for Valentines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This weekend I posted a bunch of new designs to my Etsy and Homemade shops online. My goal was to use pinks and reds, to make perfect gifts for Valentines Day, yet for them to be versatile enough to wear year round.

The items I am most geeked about are my new pink fused glass pieces (because I am having so much fun fusing!) and then my deep red vintage drops with the Bali silver.

My other favorite is a design that my daughter created (she is almost 6). She helps me a lot when I work and I was thrilled when she put these beads together on the headpin.

This week I have been working in (green) Jades and copper. I figured that not every one wants pinks and reds for Valentines Day, maybe some "Jaded" pieces would be a good idea LOL: )
I will post them soon.

Initial post

This is Ardentdesigns initial post. This pair of ear rings is one of our more popular designs due to its simple elegance and everyday wearablity. You can see more at one of our online stores at Etsy or Hand made. Just click on one of our baners here on this site.