Welcome to our jewelry making community: imagine, create, share, & inspire!
-
Carolyn Nau
- Female
- Milwaukee WI
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts
- Discussions (19)
- Events
- Groups (5)
- Photos (130)
- Photo Albums (1)
- Videos
Carolyn Nau's Groups
-
Jewelry Designer's Gal...
28 members
-
How to Make Jewelry
36 members
-
Home Jewelry Business
47 members
-
Jewelry Supplies Deals
25 members
-
Jewelry Projects
30 members
Carolyn Nau's Discussions
Carolyn Nau's Page
Gifts Received
Carolyn Nau has not received any gifts yet
Latest Activity
Profile Information
- Why are you visiting?
- I'm looking for project ideas, To make new friends
- What is your favorite type of jewelry to make?
- Necklaces/Pendants
- Tell us about yourself! What makes you interesting, unique, funny, talented, or...?
- Since I was a little girl making Barbie clothes on an old treadle sewing machine and jewelry out of tiny beads and thread, I've had a passion for creating beautiful things. I feel that creative expression is something we all need to really keep in touch with our souls, our inner selves. It doesn't matter if it's just creating a nice flower arrangement or a nice vignette on a table…the important thing is to find a way to create beauty.
I could go on about the details of my life which have taken me to a lot of places, some planned, some completely unexpected. My life hasn’t taken a straight path from one place to another, but followed a lot of twists and turns. The changes in my life have brought a lot of wonderful people into my life, some for a long time, others have shared time with me briefly, but all these connections brought something beautiful to me. I’ve been an accountant, a sales person, a writer, a clothing designer, an office manager and a few other things along the way.
The one constant has always been a need to keep growing and creating. Totally by accident I began this new career in jewelry design. I went to the Milwaukee Bead and Button show and completely immersed myself in fabulous stones and beads. With the help of a good friend, I ended up with a dresser full of gorgeous beads and gemstones. From that point I’ve turned my passion for jewelry, crystals and stones and creative design into lot of fabulous jewelry.
Michelangelo said “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it”
I have that same feeling about jewelry. I read books and magazines about jewelry designs and look at a lot of inspirational idea. But when it comes time to sit down and make something, all that goes out the window. My creative process consists of opening all the drawers in my bead cabinet (all arranged by color) and seeing which beads call to me. Then I wait for them to let me know what they want to become. Sounds odd, perhaps, but I feel that each bead has an energy and a purpose and they truly help to inspire. Years ago, I designed clothing the same way, I would layout a bolt of fabric and then would wake up in the morning with a vision of what it was to become. Jewelry is even more intuitive than that, and much more immediate. I pull out a collection of beads, and then sit with them for a while. Sometimes I have an immediate picture of what I’m making, other times it evolves completely on its own as I work. It’s a fun, and often surprising process.
The other part that continually surprises and humbles me is the interaction that happens when my jewelry finds its owner. How to explain this? When the right person puts on a piece, it completely transforms into something much more than it was. I feel a huge “rush” when this happens and know that I’m doing something that is much bigger than what I can understand. I’ve also seen, felt shifts in the energy of the wearer as they connect with the piece. Jewelry is a beautiful decoration, but it can also connect us with parts of ourselves that we may not have fully expressed, or strengthen those that we have.
- My website is:
- http://carolynnau.com
- What is your favorite jewelry making style or medium?
- semi-precious beads
- What best describes your style?
- unique
- What are your favorite colors in making jewelry?
- greens
- What are your favorite beads and stones for making jewelry?
- Lizardite (serpentine) I love the energy of this stone - it's smooth, soothing and just makes me feel good and Carnelian is also just incredible
I'm also working on creating a line of jewelry that can be flexible, holding a focal stone or a BioElectric Shield. www.bioelectricshield.com
The Shield is one of the most important purchases I've ever made, it balances my energy field and deflects EMF radiation and other people's negativity, fear and stress.
Carolyn Nau's Photos
Comment Wall (4 comments)
- At 2:54pm on July 22, 2009,
Paul said…
Not Bad ! The sunsets aren't as pretty over the lake as I'd like...But they'll do ! Take care
- At 1:54pm on July 22, 2009,
Paul said…
- I just love dropping by your page and seeing the beautiful creations you come up with.
I hope you are having a wonderful summer..
Best regards,
Paul Mattson
- At 8:20pm on December 17, 2008,
Paul said…
- Hi Carolyn
You make beautiful necklaces. Its nice to have you as a friend and I enjoy viewing your one of a kind creations....
Merry Christmas !!
Paul and Sandy
- At 6:33pm on October 19, 2008,
Lorri Ely said… - Hi Carolyn. Thanks for joining, and I love your story--I share the same approach to design--letting the beads and energy from the stones inspire me. Lovely work, thanks for sharing!
About
Bookmark & Share
About.com Jewelry Making
Auntie's Jewelry Videos
You are probably already familiar with the jewelry and beading supply vendor called Auntie's Beads. They are ads all over the net as well as many magazines. What you may not know, though, is that they also have tons of free jewelry making videos. In fact, in the company's on-line video library, they include over 100 video tutorials. Most deal with beads, of course, but they also include some wire jewelry videos, mixed-media, and lots of basic techniques as well.
You can either access the videos at the Auntie's Beads web site or via YouTube.com. I've stumbled across these a few times on YouTube and have always been impressed with the quality of their videos. Sometimes, it just helps to be "shown" rather than "told" how to make a piece of jewelry.
Auntie's Jewelry Videos originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 07:01:05.
Big News for Pearl Lovers
If you love working with pearls but get frustrated because of those tiny holes most of them have, then you will love to hear that Beadshop.com has some new pearls with super big holes in them. Yes, you can use a bead reamer and make holes larger, but that is not only a pain in the you know what, but a good way to destroy perfectly good pearl beads if you aren't careful.
You've probably seen similar jewelry in fancy catalogs and always wondered how they managed to string those pearls on such thick media. These pearls have holes so large you can even string them on leather (or pleather). Pictured above is a free bracelet project posted on Beadshop.com that uses pleather and one large-holed pearl bead.
Big News for Pearl Lovers originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 17:48:44.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
… ContinueJewelry Junkies Link Love 11/08/09
Jean CampbellJean describes what it's like to edit someone's book and shares her thoughts on Marcia DeCoster's latest, Beaded Opulence.
Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi is giving away a copy of Ronna Sarvas Weltman's unique polymer clay book called "Ancient Modern". Come and get in on this contest!
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Liver of Sulfur is finally in Lorelei's repertoire of jewelry techniques.
Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!
jean is amazed by the treasures you find in Cynthia Thornton's spectacular wonder of a book, Enchanted Adornments!
Strands of Beads
Melissa tries out Friendly Plastic (and likes the results).
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew adds new pieces from Hawaiian artist, Candice Wakumoto, to his shop.
A Bead A Day
It's Arts & Crafts Week on Lisa's A-Bead-A-Day Blog! A different craft product is featured each day with ideas for incorporating them into jewelry pieces. Stop by and share your ideas!
Art Bead Scene
An Art Bead Scene first - the December sponsors collaborate on a special set of art beads for the December monthly challenge prize!
Barbe Saint John - New Treasures from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe is the last link in a Necklace Round Robin; Check out the finished pieces!
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi uses a leather button to make a wearable collage.
Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
Cindy has developed a new line of jewelry to remind us all to live life slowly and enjoy what we have. First in the series is "Grounded."
Jewelry Junkies Link Love 11/08/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 18:49:07.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
… ContinueMake It Merry
Thanks to lots of talented crafters, and especially About.com's DIY Guide, I have a list of fun projects to make and enjoy over the holiday season, from Thanksgiving goodies all the way to Christmas.
Clothes Pin Holiday Card Holders
What to do with all those holiday cards? Hold them up with clothes pins as dazzling as twinkling lights with this how-to from Kate Pullen.
Make a Gingerbread House
Ever want to create the perfect gingerbread house? Okay, I have yet to master this skill..but you can! Our Barbara Rolek will show you how.
How to Draw a Christmas Tree
Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.
Paint a Glass Ornament
Turn a plain glass ball into a work of stained glass art. Our Guide to Painting will show you how to create this delicate trimming.
Silent Night Cross Stitch Pattern
Don't just get cozy, get your stitch on. Create a Silent Night design with this free pattern from Connie G. Barwick.
Stitch a Pear Trio
Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free 'Pear Trio' needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.
Easy Christmas Ornaments
Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborne has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.
Print Thanksgiving Placecards
Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying 'awwwww'. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.
http://phyllisdobbs.info/2009/11/03/christmas-approaching-time-start-handmade-items/ ">Wine Bottle Wrap Pattern
Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.
Make a Miniature Christmas Tree
Why are tiny things always so darn cute? Learn how to make a little pine tree with Lesley Shepherd.
Interchangeable Thanksgiving Pins
Sometimes you just can't commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you're ready for pie...and when you're overstuffed.
Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.
Make It Merry originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 09:24:58.
Permalink | Comment | Email this
… ContinueNew Digital Craft Magazine
I just heard about a new magazine that sounds kind of interesting, and not just for jewelry folks. It is called Totally Creative, and according to the web site's description, it covers all types of crafting such as jewelry making, beading, sewing, polymer clay, and mixed media.
Other than the fact that is covers jewelry as well as lots of other crafts, another interesting aspect is that it is a digital magazine that comes in the form of a pdf file. From what I can tell reading the site, there is no hardcopy option. Subscriptions are normally $24.95 but right now they are $19.96, and this includes 6 issues a year. There is also an option to get a free trial issue that you download right away.
With all the magazines that seem to be coming, going, and transforming lately, this idea of a strictly digital magazine may be something that we see more of in the future. What do you think? Have you seen the trial issue of this magazine? Do you think digital is the way to go now? I'm off to download my freebie, so my thought are still in flux as to what I think about this and the digital magazine idea in general, but I'm interested to hear what other jewelry designers think.
New Digital Craft Magazine originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 15:40:15.
© 2009 Created by Lorri Ely on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
