Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

Bead Soup Time!

2012-03-03T00:00:00.002-08:00

Thanks again to Lori Anderson for hosting this blog hop and to my partner, Vonna for all of the beautiful beads she sent me. When I first opened her package, I was excited to see a lovely lampwork focal that she had made herself. I almost never use actual lampwork in my stuff (that is weird though, isn't it?) but I couldn't wait to try. First, I thought I would get out the wire and create a wire worked masterpiece. One problem - I suck at wire, anything beyond the basics just doesn't work for me. So I thought I would make a bracelet. Never looked right - I knew that it had to be a necklace. At one point, I thought I would just make a bail and hang it from a piece of cord, but I knew that I wanted it to be a little more fancy than that. So, what do you do when you are stumped? Keep it simple.

I added some of Vonna's chain to the bottom and added some navy blue glass beads. I strung this with some lightweight wood triangle beads and peanut beads in a mix of tan and brown. Nothing too outside my box, but I was happy that I was able to actually make something for the first time in a loooooong time.

Happy hopping!!

Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8. Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10. Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery

11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)

17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26. Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)

34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)

38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50. Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian

51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)

56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60. Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan

61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)

79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80. Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry

81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander

82. Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)

85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen

87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89. Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson

90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum

Bead Soup Ingredients

2012-02-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Same old, same old going on over here. Not much new to report. I did receive my bead soup from my partner, Vonna and I finally got a picture taken that I wanted to share.

A really neat lampwork focal made by Vonna, some strands of pearls, a stone bead and some pink accent beads. There is also some brown leather cord and antique brass chain and clasps. I think I may have an idea for what I can make, but we will see if it turns out the way I am picturing in my head.

This is the soup I sent to Vonna, a ceramic focal from Starry Road Studio, Czech glass, wood beads and two clasps. She took a much better photo of all my stuff on her blog, go check it out. Can't wait to see what see makes with it!

Long Story Short

2012-01-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

I have not been online in quite some time. I have had this particular post written out in my mind for awhile, but just haven't put the thoughts down. What to go into and what to keep to myself. I normally try to only share positive thoughts and cheery statements, not only on line but around friends/family/acquaintances too. When something is bothering me, I usually keep my thoughts to myself. Not the healthiest way to be, but it has worked for me for 32 years, so why change now? I can't really get out of explaining my absence without really addressing the issue behind it. What I have been up to:

1. Dealing with my son's school. And his teachers. Hearing a lot about disorders, emotional issues, and lots of this is wrong and that is wrong. Hearing a lot of sentences that start, "well the way he does this is not normal" and "the way he talks is not normal" and "if you had another child you would know it is not normal."

2. Developed an aversion to the word "normal."

3. I was sick in November for Thanksgiving, December for Christmas and just to finish it out once more in January.

4. I made a bunch of money selling stuff before Christmas and instead of purchasing new beads, paid off my bead Visa. This is completely responsible and also completely out of character.

5. I have not bought beads in over two months.

6. I have not made anything for longer then that.

I have no drive to make anything. At all. I used to have ideas swimming around in my head all the time. So many I used to have to write them down because I can't draw to save my life, but now nothing. All that extra space is taken up with worrying. I joined the Bead Soup Blog Party party in an effort to rescue, recharge my muse, or whatever you want to call it. Put of me knew that if I joined there was a chance I wouldn't make it in. I figured if I didn't, ok, well not meant to be. But now I know that I did get paired up with a lovely partner and I am going to have to make something out of what she sent me. Can I do it? Or will I stare at them and not have a clue?

Well, if you have made it this far, thank you for letting me vent. I will take pictures of the soup that I receive and will properly introduce you to my partner, Vonna. Just finished putting together her soup that I will hopefully get into the mail tomorrow.

New Etsy Listings

2011-11-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

New Etsy listings! Use coupon code, FREESHIP from now until Christmas.

Jewelry Show

2011-11-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

So, I had did a jewelry show yesterday. I did pretty well, and everyone seemed like the displays that I had set up. I liked it, but some of it will have to be streamlined if I want to get into the outdoor craft show circuit.

This was one half of the table. None of those bracelets were purchased, which I found kinda surprising. The only bracelets I sold were all memory wire. People like the one size fits all, I guess.

This earring holder display was much easier then my other one. Those two necklace stands were made by my father. He also made me a couple of other tall ones.

Yeah, this one is kinda of a mess and took FOREVER to set up. After I did it I was scared that people weren't going to want to take them off of the corkboard, but they did. Quite a few a these got purchased.

It is always interesting to me the stuff that people purchase. It is never the stuff that I myself wear. They like a lot of jewelry sets, earrings and necklaces. The stuff I like almost never sells. The plus side of that, more stuff for me to wear.:)

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Bad Blogger, Bad

2011-11-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I have been dealing with quite a bit right now. There is a lot of not-so-good stuff swimming around in my head that is not fit to share. I am sooo tired. When your days are marked by timing every four hours to get your dose of Tylenol, it's probably not a good sign. Enough of my whining. Check out these beads I got at a bead show this weekend.

First time I have ever stayed in budget. Hmmm, that is probably a bad sign too. Will be back soon with happier thoughts.

Magic Kingdom Adventure and More Photo Collages

2011-11-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

One good thing about living in Orlando is that you are close to and can access the theme parks whenever you want. One bad thing about living in Orlando is that your 4 year old knows that there are theme parks and he wants to go to them all of the time. It was so nice out this weekend we decided to take him to the Magic Kingdom. It was lots of fun, but very crowded. That park is so small and it is usually the busiest, which makes for a bad combination. My boy wanted to ride the race cars, so we rode the race cars.

Those suckers are frickin hard to drive. I had to use all of the non-existent muscles in my leg to get it to move and then if you take your foot off a little bit, it completely stops.

This is me trying to prevent him from diving out of said race car.

All in all, we had a good time. He was beat by the time we got home and was mellow for the rest of the night. I haven't been making much stuff lately, which is not good, because I have a show coming up on November 19th. Here is some of the new stuff that I have made for it.

I really cannot get enough of these photo collages. Hope everyone has a good week!

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is who will be running around my neighborhood tonight. Have a good Halloween!!

Fall Styles

2011-10-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

I really love these sweet little fall beads that I got from Humblebeads. Now, I just need to find something to wear these with.

I love those solid pumpkin-colored flowers. I also bought a new app that does collages right on your phone. I'm sure this has been out for awhile, but it takes me a while to learn about these things.

Things I love right now

2011-10-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Lovely fall colored Czech glass beads.

My new favorite bracelet style especially with these adorable art tiles and connectors from my Vintaj BigKick. These earrings, which I did not think I would like the feathers, but I do.

These purties from Humblebeads. Already made them into something fun. I will show the stuff as soon as I get some pictures. Hope everyone is having a good week!

BTW - What I have been up to

2011-10-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Making bracelets and trying to think outside my usual style.

Playing with the Instagram app on my phone.

Trying to get organized. It is so hard for me. I bought these to contain my many different colors and gauges of jumprings.

The high is going to be 74 tomorrow! So excited!! Now it just needs to stay that way.

My Owl!

2011-10-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

I had purchased this lovely set of beads from Gaea about a month ago. I, like a total dodo head, put my old address in paypal instead of my new one. So, I tracked it and watched it go undeliverable at my old address and then into mail limbo. I thought maybe it would get sent back, but it found its way into my mailbox today. Yea!!

Speaking of Gaea, head over to her blog she is doing a give-away for some awesome bead bundles!

I got issues

2011-10-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Blog post titles are not coming to me today, so I will just go with this. Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by for Lorelei and Shannon's Lima Beads Challenge! Everyone made such great pieces. I loved seeing how different people came up with different ideas from the same stuff.

I should be cleaning my bathrooms right now, but instead I am trolling on Etsy buying art beads that I know I don't need and shouldn't get. But, I cannot help myself. They sit there and call to me. Buy me Stephanie, you know you want to. Add a sale to that, and I have zero self control.

I had to pick up my son from school today because he broke out in hives. I mean the kid is convered in them. He had them yesterday, took him to the doctor and they said give him Benadryl. I went to three different drug stores to get Benadryl and was told in the last one that they have taken Children's Benadryl off the market. This is not comforting to me. I bought the generic Wal-Dryl and have been giving that to him. They went away and this morning, seeing as he was almost back to normal I sent him on his way. Forty five minutes later, I am on the phone with the nurse, asking me to come get him. He broke out again, in all new places. Really? Come on. Since he started school he has been sick three times (three out of three of those times passing along the cold to me) and now hives. What are they doing to him?

Here's hoping for some non sick days. At least I have new beads coming my way. :)

Lima Beads Challenge

2011-10-08T04:02:00.000-07:00

I love me some Lima Beads. They send me a coupon code every week and when I do place an order before 3, they ship it out that day. For someone who hates waiting long for her impulse bead buys, that is a huge selling point. Anywho, when I saw that Lorelei and Shannon were hosting a Lima Beads Challenge, I knew I wanted to get one of those kits. When I first opened it, I was slightly overwhelmed. Great colors, great beads, but a lot of stuff I usually never work with. But, this is a challenge so I dived in. First up, I knew that I wanted to use all of the green beads in one piece and the purple and yellow beads in another. I found 2 pendants, one from PorkChopShow and the other from Green Girl Studios. My first piece is definitely my "style", one strand strung, lots of flower beads, but I do really like it.

The next necklace I really struggled with. I had set out the green Czech glass beads and pearl sticks to go with a Green Girl Studios bead but had no idea what I was going to make with it. Then I downloaded the new copy of BeadStyle unto my Nook and there it was - the perfect idea. There was a lovely necklace inside the issue that used some cross pearls, large metal beads and some chain. My necklace is inspired from that piece. I added a tube filled with some minty crystals and placed it at the bottom of the piece and attached the two strands of chain together. Here it is-

I need some place to wear it. It is so pretty on, I don't just want to wear it when I drop my son off at school.

It was also very hard to photograph, sorry I know these shots aren't the best.

This is so out of my box, and I did say that I wanted to challenge myself more, so I was very happy with it. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy October

2011-10-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. It gets to be a little bit more bearable temperature wise; the highs usually don't go past 85. I get to put out all my Halloween and Autumn decorations. There is always lots of craft fairs and art festivals to check out. Definitely my favorite time of year. I have been busy,busy, busy making stuff for two people to bring into their work and getting my boy all situated in his new class. I have also been making some stuff with some art beads that I have been hoarding. I don't know what I want to do with them. Keep them or list them on Etsy.

You can see the two connectors that I made with my Vintaj Bigkick. That machine is so awesome.

Giveaway Winner!!

2011-09-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who came by and visited for my bead soup creations. I think everyone did a wonderful job. It is funny that the piece that most seemed to like best was the bracelet. I just kinda threw that together because those beads were just sitting on my beading table. I did the random number generator for the giveaway and the winner was #14, Beetique! I will be sending you an email here shortly so you can send me your information.

Check out what I got for my birthday -

It's awesome. Not only can you press jewelry blanks, but you can also use any of the Sizzix products and cut out anything with paper, fabric and chipboard. I used it to make a Halloween wreath this weekend that I will post a picture of as soon as I take it. Hobby Lobby is having a sale on their Vintaj stuff this week, so I may need to go get some more blanks to play with.

Have a good week!

What I learned from the Bead Soup Blog Hop

2011-09-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend was crazy busy for me. I had my parents in town visiting, a wedding to go to and a day to spend at Epcot. I finally got a chance to visit some of the blogs yesterday and I am still working my way through the list. Here are some things I picked up:

1. Blogger does not like me

I know that I added some new blogs to my reader, some even twice, but they are no where to be found. I know I have done it before, so what gives? User error?

2. My stuff is sooooo boring

So many people had such fun multi-strand designs. Me, I stick with the tried and true one strand symmetrical design. I really have to shake it up a little bit. Also there was so much chain. I always pick up chain when it is on sale, then never do anything with it. Must try new things.

3. Why can't I comment on some blogs, but can on others?

I also tried commenting on some other blogs, and it WILL NOT LET ME DO IT. I tried everything. I am certain once again that it is user error, but I have no idea how do fix that particular problem.

Everyone did such a great job, I am going to have to keep making my way through this huge list.

Bead Soup Time and a Giveaway!

2011-09-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the lovely Lori Anderson for putting together this blog hop, I can't imagine what a crazy amount of work it was. Without further ado here are my pieces that I created from the massive amount of soup that my partner, Stephanie Dixon sent to me.

Earrings made with Czech glass, acrylic and Swarovski crystals

This is the first necklace, a copper flower with Czech glass, handmade polymer clay beads and a copper clasp.

A jewelry set made with Czech glass and wooden squares.

A bracelet made with really cool rubber beads from Stephanie and a large lucite bead with vintage glass beads.

And my favorite, a necklace made with some wooden flower charms, Golem Studio beads and a ceramic pendant handmade and signed by Stephanie's uncle.

Close up of the pendant.

Giveaway time! Anyone who leaves on comment on this post will have a chance to receive one of those pairs of earrings. Winner will get to choose which one they prefer. Tell me anything you like. I will end the giveaway on September 25, which just happens to be my birthday. :) I will pick a winner and announce on the 26th.

Please visit my partner, Stephanie Dixon to see what she made with the soup I sent to her. For a complete list of participants, please visit Lori Anderson. Thanks for stopping by!

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

2011-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Check out my bead soup that arrived in the mail yesterday.

There is enough stuff for three people in this soup. It is filled with acrylic, rubber, Czech glass, nut beads, Swarovski, seed beads and a lovely ceramic pendant made by my partner Stephanie's uncle. I have already got some pieces put together, but you'll have to come back this Saturday for the reveal. See you then!

Stuff and My New Favorite Necklace in the Whole Wide World

2011-09-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long breaks between posts. Sometimes life gets in the way of doing stuff we want to do. I have been having some personal security issues lately. First, my hotmail account gets hacked at like 3 in the morning. Said hacker decides to send everyone that I have ever emailed from that account spam mail for Cialis and Viagra. My husband thought it was kinda funny; my mother-in-law, not so much. So I had to change my password to something long and complicated with random capitalization and punctuation. Then, my paypal account got hacked into at like 4 in the morning and the person made a purchase using my account. The kicker was they signed up for an online back-up service for files and the log in and email was sent to my email address. The one that is attached to my paypal account. Moron. So, I had to dispute that and make a different long, complicated password for that. And finally, someone tried to break into my house. Seriously? What is wrong with people? They didn't get in, but they did break a window and let a lizard in.

Moving on from random thieves, I wanted to show these beads when they came in the mail, but could not wait to string them into something pretty. I heart this necklace so much, I wish it was October already so that I could wear it. The pendant, crow bead and pumkins all came from Kylie Parry and I love them.

I put them on some rust colored waxed linen and had no idea how to finish it off. I improvised, but it seems to be holding so far.

Anyway, I think that my bead soup will be arriving today, cross my fingers. I can't wait to see what everyone else made! Have a good week.

September Art Bead Scene Challenge

2011-09-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

I have not been able to participate in the monthly challenges over at the Art Bead Scene blog, but this month I had the perfect idea and beads so I had to do it. Here is my entry -

The pendant and the ceramic beads are made by Golem Studios. They are having an end of the summer sale at their website for 20% off! It is a great chance to get some of their awesome beads at a discount. I may have jumped on that opportunity.

All right I did. The sale ends September 10th.

New Etsy Listings

2011-09-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

Not much going on here - we are all sick. Blah. I will leave you with some new listings I added to my shop.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!

Is it the weekend yet?

2011-08-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

I am so ready to shut the book on this week. Have some fun this weekend and start it all over again on Monday. It is my baby's birthday today. I can't believe he went from this:

One week

To this, four years old.

Sigh. Side note-I cannot seem to tame the bedhead. I comb it, I wet it, it does nothing. It eventually restores order, but I do bring him to school like this. I haven't gotten a chance to play with any beads lately, but I did try a tutorial that I saw. It was instructions on how to make a bracelet with some chain and embroidery floss. Since I just happened to have both on hand; I gave it a shot. ( I had a whole bag filled with different color floss. Why do I have all of this? I don't even embroider? Anyway..)

I really liked it, so I thought I would try some different chain and colors.

They look cute on.

I tried to take a picture of it "in action" on my wrist, but this is the only one that wasn't frightening looking. My arm looks very hairy and veiny all on its own. Scary. I cropped as much as I could just trying to focus on the bracelet. I need an arm model.

I hope everyone has a good weekend!

My Bead Soup is with my partner!

2011-08-25T05:06:00.000-07:00

Yea! I was getting a little nervous because I had sent it about two weeks ago and I didn't know whether or not it had arrived. Here is what I sent my partner, Stephanie.

Some gemstone oval beads, ceramic beads, shell beads, czech glass beads, nut beads, wood beads, some Gaea ceramic beads, copper clasps and ceramic pendants. The seahorse pendant is by Spirited Earth and the other one is by Natures Adornments.

Mine should be coming any day now, I can't wait to see!

I am having a rough week

2011-08-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

Normally, I would never discuss something like this, but honestly I just have to get it off my chest. My son has behavorial issues.

There. I said it. I am not ashamed of it, nor do I think that there is anything about him that is unfixable. He just needs some extra attention. A special class.

He started preschool this week and has been something of a handful. He doesn't like to sit, and figets. He runs ALOT. He talks out of turn and doesn't seem to be mature enough to handle some of the tasks that the other children are capable of completing. I have been letting my husband take him in to discuss some different options with the teacher. I had to pick him up today.

While waiting in line at the open door, I saw a group of moms pointing and talking about my son. What's wrong with him???

Logan has a birthday on Friday; he will be four.

When did it become acceptable for a group of adults to stand around and make fun of a child?

Why are our kids bullies? Because we are. We show them how to act through our actions. We tell them to not pick on someone but then do the complete opposite.

Maybe everyone should remember those lessons we learned in preschool. Being nice to others. Not saying mean things about anyone. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

I'm sure they weren't aware that the child's mother was standing not 6 inches from their little group, but that certainly doesn't make right.

Logan will be fine. He will have every chance and every help I can provide to him. He is not a mean child, nor an angry one. He's silly, happy and funny. He loves babies and animals, and I would not trade him for a dozen calm children.

Maybe if everyone just make the effort to be a little bit nicer to one person, other people would do the same. Then maybe our kids would be nicer to each other too.

Ok, end of rant. We will now return to our regularly scheduled program of beads and beady things.

I am still waiting on my bead soup, hopefully I should hear something soon......

Mostly Metal Challenge

2011-08-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Michelle Mach for hosting this challenge, I had a good time coming up with some designs with my kit. These are my two pieces. I wanted to get another one completed, but just never found the time.

I tried putting the sari silk on a necklace, but it just wasn't comfortable when I put it on. So,the necklace became earrings.

This pendant came from Hopemore. I found it one day when I was searching on Etsy for polymer clay pendants. I used some black o-rings and added the charm at the side.

Close up of the focal and the charm.

Thanks for stopping by - here are the other participants.

Antique Brass Romantic

Filigree Fun

Gunmetal Love

A Tale of Two Stephanies

2011-08-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

My partner for the upcoming Bead Soup Party is the lovely Stephanie Dixon. I already sent out my soup at the beginning of last week, so hopefully she should be getting it any day now. I can't wait to see what she sent me. I was going to post a teaser, but cannot figure out how to pixelate my picture enough to keep it a surprise, so I will just hold off until she receives it. Hope she likes it! Come back tomorrow for the Mostly Metal Challenge Blog Hop hosted by Michelle Mach.

Have a great week!

Inspired by Tiger Lilies Challenge

2011-08-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Heather from Humblebeads is hosting a challenge on her blog every week to prepare for the upcoming release of her book. I already pre-ordered by copy through Amazon and cannot wait until it arrives in my mailbox. I don't know too much about tiger lilies or any flower for that matter, but I had one of her lovely tiger lily beads in my possession so I thought I could string it up into something pretty.

Super simple but it has everything I like - wood beads, czech glass beads and a toggle clasp. Check out the other entries on flickr.

I have to go on a bead diet

2011-08-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

This does not make me happy. I think I would be less cranky if I had to go on a real diet and only eat salads and stuff. Giving up carbs and ice cream, no problem. Beads? Not so much. But in the interest of saving money, no more beads. For right now. This month. Next month? It's my birthday so we will see. So in lieu of my weekly perusing the bead aisles at Michaels or Joann or Hobby Lobby, I went shopping in my office (aka the bead warehouse) to see what I might have forgotten about. And found all the stuff to make this:

Just sitting in a box, totally forgotten about. Wondering why it had not been turned into this yet.

So there you go, maybe it won't be so bad for right now.

Bead Soup Time!

2011-08-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

I signed up for the Bead Soup Blog Party again. I am super excited! I already know what I am going to send to my partner, I picked out the stuff this morning. Thanks so much to Lori Anderson for organizing this!

Stay tuned for soupy goodness....

Lots of Bracelets and a Re-Do

2011-07-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

I have been in a bracelet making mood lately. Probably because of this. Such a good resource and I love the interactiveness of the E-Mag. (Hmmmm, is that a word? Spell check doesn't seem to have a problem with it, so I 'll just go with it.) Here are some of the ones I have been working on.

This one is my favorite. I purchased the flower focal while visiting my parents. I won't tell you how many issues I had with getting this to be the right size and the finding a clasp that was big enough to balance the focal. I restrung a couple of times. Okay, about four times. Maybe five, I don't remember, drove me bonkers, but I do love wearing it.

Close up of the flower. It is really cute on.

Simple design with some glass beads from Michaels and some olive green spacers.

Same thing different beads. I have been on the hunt for more seed beads in that particular shade and size. Apparently they are not that common, three bead stores I visited did not have them. I had to rescue these last ones from the bead mess of seed beads that my son made for me.

Some blue ceramic and resin beads.

This one is super light and I just added the charm. I might keep it for myself, I don't know yet.

I also re-strung a necklace that I submitted for an Art Bead Scene challenge a couple of months ago. The original design was asymmetrical and the clasp kept turning backwards whenever I wore it. This way seems to wear much better.

That's all for now, have a great weekend!!

Even More New Etsy Listings

2011-07-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

I am just an Etys-listing fool lately. I think it is because they changed the format making it a lot easier to list and even copy listings.

My coupon code, SHOPCLEANUP is still valid for 25% off!

Fun With Fabric Pendants

2011-07-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

I used to make a lot of fabric pendants with some printable fabric and digital images. I loved the shabby chic feel of them, but I never like the lightness. I backed them with felt so they had no weight. I have been experimenting with some new ideas to see if they work any better. I used some fabric tape and plain wooden squares for these.

I don't know how I feel about them.

This one is my favorite I think.

I also tried to make some pendants with some fabric scrapbooking flowers.

I'm also having a sale in my Etsy store, 25% off with the coupon code - SHOPCLEANUP.

New Etsy Listings

2011-07-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

Finally some new stuff for my shop!

New Additions

2011-07-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

To my own jewelry box. Recently when I went through all my new stuff I sorted out into piles. Stuff to give away, stuff to try and sell, stuff to try to submit to magazines and stuff for me to keep. I haven't made anything for myself to wear for awhile so I enjoyed picking through and deciding which designs I couldn't live without.

Lots of bracelets, and stuff that is comfortable to wear. If I put on something and it looks pretty, but doesn't wear right, then I probably will take it apart and try to fix it. I won't wear it otherwise. There is no real rhyme or reason to what I like and it changes frequently so I like to have a lot of options.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, I am off to go see HP7B. So freaking excited!!

Mostly Metal Challenge

2011-07-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

I am participating in the Mostly Metal Challenge hosted by Michelle Mach. I really love doing challenges. I used to dislike them because I have a really hard time making stuff with limits. Like only using gemstones, or one type of finding. But, in an effort to become better, I started making myself participate in these challenge/swaps and I think it is becoming easier the more I do it. Here are my components-

There were three different sets, but I picked this one because of the sari silk ribbon. I know a lot of people use this in their designs and it looks great. But when I do it, it just looks messy to me. This is my challenge to myself - to use this ribbon in a way that will make me happy. The reveal is August 16th, please come back to see what I came up with.

What am I going to do with this?

2011-07-12T07:14:00.000-07:00

Exhibit A

Yes, that is a container full of dumped out seed beads.

There is a lot of them.

Exhibit B

Exhibit C & D

So glad he decided to bring a snack with him for the destruction.

Time out was probably a good call, since yesterday he got in trouble for dumping out two containers on my floor. And he went back for more today, taking out quite a bit more.

What am I going to do with all those mixed up beads?

Well hello there

2011-07-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am in the new house with a minimum of boxes still lingering about. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and visited for my Muffin Tin Challenge post. I have most of the studio unpacked, but I am not loving how it is set up. I will wait to post pictures until after I have it just right. I feel as though I haven't made anything in AGES. I tend to get cranky when I don't have my crafty alone time. I did make a couple of new purchases of some art beads so that I can get cracking on new designs. Sorry for the blurry picture, I cannot seem to locate my camera right now.

1. Green Girl Studios

2. Tree Wings Studio

3. Gaea Beads

4. Humblebeads

5. Starry Road Studio

6. Round Rabbit Extra

7. Earthenwood Studio

Hopefully I will think of something inspiring to do with all these lovelies. Have a good rest of the week!!

Muffin Tin Challenge

2011-06-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this before I had to break down my computer and modem to bring over to the new house. I finished my pieces from the ArtBeadScene's Muffin Tin Challenge. It was a great break from boxes and sorting through stuff. Here is my muffin tin -

I know the picture is not the greatest, but I found my camera for the projects so that is something.

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of art beads I had at hand. I used a Golem Studios bead for #3, a Green Girl Studios pendant for #7, a Captured Moments pendant for #10, a White Clover Kiln connector for #11 and a Jangles nest charm for #12.

I should say that for #1 and #2 I just had to restring, add some beads and adjust those necklaces and #11 needed a connector. But unfinished projects could count. Everything else was made yesterday from the muffin tin ingredients. I am off to go post these on flickr. Have a great weekend!

The Fine Art of Procrastination

2011-06-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Now, I should say that there is an amazing amount of work that I can accomplish without a three (almost four) year old chasing around after me. I am almost completely done packing my house. The kitchen and the closet are the only things left to do and I have until Saturday. Plus all of the packing, moving, bending and sorting have left me with a whopper of a neck pain. Like cannot really bend over to pick anything up. Which sort of prevents me from actually packing. So I am taking a break to do this challenge.

So, first things first, I needed a muffin tin. Apparently not a lot of muffin baking going on in my house. I prefer to get my muffins outside the home. One trip to Target later and I am all set with a muffin tin. Next problem, all of my beads are boxed up. In a moving box, with heavy duty tape covering them. So I have no idea where anything is. The only beads that are not sealed are contained in this plastic box.

My "In Case of a Beading Emergency Crack Open and Bead Box"

This box contains all of the beads and whatnot from my purple laptray which is now cleaned off for the first time since its purchase. So, I am going to pull 12 projects from the beads contained in this box and that is it. Third issue, I have packed away my camera. But I do have my not-so-fantastic camera on my phone and that will have to do. I am off to go get started on my sorting, stay tuned.....

Packing, packing and more packing

2011-06-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

My boy is with my mom for the week. He is getting spoiled beyond imagine. I myself would love to spend my alone time making things, but that just ain't gonna happen. I have to pack, we are moving on Saturday and there is LOTS to do. I will probably not be able to post again till after the move, but I will post pictures when I get my new studio set up.

Have a great week!

My Stringing Magazine Came!!

2011-06-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

And it is a good one. My son is actually flipping through it right now showing me all the "pretties". I like how all of the necklace projects are separated into categories. I wish Stringing came out every month. Wouldn't that be great? I am really into all of the bright colors of the bracelet projects. A lot of the stuff I have been working on lately is full of color. I have two bracelets and a pair of earrings in this issue.

I love this bracelet, I made the matryoshka charms out of some inkjet shrinky dinks and a scrapbooking hole punch.

This bracelet is made with all ceramic beads from Golem Studios.

I made these with some polymer clay beads from Humblebeads.

That's all, if you haven't seen the new Stringing, you should definitely check it out!

Cranky Pants

2011-06-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

That's me today. I'm cranky. I'm still waiting on my new Stringing magazine. I am starting to think that my mailman swiped it. He doesn't look like he is down with making jewelry, but who knows? I am also having a serious case of bead show envy. I want to go see the largest bead show in the whole wide world. I want to take a jewelry class; I never have and I think that I would love it. But, most of all, the weather in Wisconsin. I looked it up, the high is going to be 60. 60 in June, I could not even imagine it. I would be in heaven. Buying beads and wearing pants and not being hot. (I just read that and it sounds kinda funny, like I don't wear pants. I meant that I hate being hot and wearing shorts, ironic since I have lived in Florida for 20+ years. One of my secret goals in life is to live somewhere I can wear pants year round and never put on shorts). Maybe one year. It would be quite the journey from down here, but I feel like I need to see it, just once.

Anyway, hope your week is going great and you are not a cranky pants like me.

Weekend Work and New Beads

2011-06-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to take a picture of the adorable new forest critters that I received from Tree Wings Studio but I never got a chance to. I just started making them into this charm bracelet.

The picture is a little dark, I took it late yesterday when there was not much sun. But I just love the little sleeping animals. This is one that I am going to keep for myself.

Some more new bracelets using vintage lucite and some glass beads from Hobby Lobby.

The pendant in this necklace is from Michaels and I filled it with some fabric.

I am not crazy about this necklace, but I also did not feel like re-stringing it. The ceramic pendant is from White Clover Kiln.

One more bracelet with some vintage lucite.

That what kept me busy this weekend. I have been hoping that my new Stringing magazine would come in the mail, but not yet. I will probably stalk my mailman for it today. Have a good week!

There are lots of things I should be doing

2011-06-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Like cleaning, laundry, taking stuff to the dry cleaners. More laundry. I should certainly not be buying more little critter beads from Tree Wings Studio. But I am powerless against that much cuteness. I should also not be running to Barnes and Noble to see if this magazine has come out yet.

Oh well.

I can be responsible tomorrow.

Hi, My name is Stephanie

2011-05-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

And I cannot stop buying these beads from Gaea.

Those are just the ones I have not made into something yet. There are more, lots more. I may have a problem.

Busy Beading, not blogging

2011-05-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

It seems as though I have not had a lot of extra time lately. When I do, I usually choose to make stuff instead of take pictures of stuff. I really don't like taking pictures of stuff. I am so bad at it. I have been trying for years to find the right lighting so my designs look nice, with no shadows. This seems impossible to me. For some reason my house is either devoid of light or has too much of it. And going outside in the 92 degree weather which I am currently enduring is just not so much fun. Plus the sun is sooooo bright I always get awful shadows. I suppose I will figure it out one of these days. Anywho, this is what I have been working on.

Earrings

More Earrings

Some necklaces with some lucite strung on some chain. These actually look really cute on.

I also made some charms that I will be adding to my Etsy store.

That's all for now, have a nice week!

Bead Table Wednesday Before & After

2011-05-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to get some beading in today while my boy was taking his nap. Some days when I make stuff I love it, other days not so much. But today I was pretty pleased with how everything turned out.

The before shot

After. I used the two vintage - inspired pendants that I made from a couple of posts ago. I think I might write up a little tutorial on how I made them. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Have a good rest of the week!!

New Etsy Listings

2011-05-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Finally got a chance to update my etsy store with some new listings. See you tomorrow for Bead Table Wednesday!

Bead Table Wed -er Thursday?

2011-05-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

I had great intentions of placing my picture in the Flickr group yesterday for Bead Table Wednesday. I even took the picures and everything. But my new computer did not want to cooperate. I am still trying to get the hang of this thing. It is like 100 times faster then the old one, but it is also super sensitive. Everything except for the space bar. That you really have to press for it to work. Errrgh. I do not like change. Finger crossed I will get used to this soon before I get super frustrated. Anyway, I wanted to do a quick post with what I have been working on before I leave to go visit my mom for Mother's Day.

What I was planning on showing yesterday. Some finished projects that I completed this week.

Some wooden pendants that I was making earlier in the week and the beginnings of a bracelet (?) maybe. Still thinking about that one.

A close up of two of the wooden pendants that I made with some crackle paint and water transfers.

And lastly, this fun bracelet that I am thinking of entering in the May ArtBeadScene challenge. I did not make it specifically for that, but I think it might work.

I ordered some beads online this week, so I should have some eye candy to share next week. Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

My handsome boy and new stuff

2011-04-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Today started out pretty well. I kept sneaking over to You Tube to watch the new Harry Potter trailer. (Yes, I am a nerd, but that is okay-I accept it. The movie looks amazing though.) I had to take my boy to get his haircut. This is not a fun chore. I kept putting it off and putting it off until finally it had to be done. When his hair is not cut in awhile it takes on a life of its own. Oh and did I mention he loathes getting his haircut? Like hold him down, cry the whole time despise getting his haircut? It went as smooth as it was going to go and then I took the traumatized child to Mc Donald's. He wanted nothing to do with the lollipop offered as an incentive to sit and get his haircut (my child does not like candy) so something else had to be suggested as payment.

When I got home though, I did have this super duper cuteness sitting in my mailbox. It is wrong that I only like getting the mail when I know that there will be beads in there? These are from Tree Wings Studio.

After the boy went down for his nap, I got a chance to make a couple of things. Which was nice, I haven't made anything all week, stuff just kept getting in the way.

A set that was made with all beads I bought on clearance. Sale beads are my weakness.

A bracelet made with some more clearance beads and a ceramic pendant from Meltin Mudd Studio.

I got this pendant and these beads the other week at the bead show. I keep meaning to post my goodies from the show, I just need to pull them all out.

And this lovely pendant and set of ceramic beads from Gaea. I bought those purple beads at Michaels but I originally thought they were light blue. They were not, but they worked out okay for this pendant.

That's all - hope everyone is having a great week!

Shh! The Owl is Sleeping

2011-04-26T05:50:00.000-07:00

Isn't this just the cutest bead ever? It is from Tree Wings Studio.

Button Swap

2011-04-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

I would have blogged about the lovely buttons that my swap partner, Linda Landig sent to me, but my computer decided it no longer wanted to work. When I received my buttons I had no idea what I was going to make. I only decided about two days ago and completed my projects. The thing was they were unlike anything that I had ever worked with and I was stumped. I wanted to do something awesome, but awesome was not coming to me so I went with simple.

This first button is from Thailand and I loved the navy blue color-it is my favorite. I had some gold and blue spacers and added tiny seed beads.

This next piece uses a vintage German glass button, seed beads, yellow jade, green suede and a tiny hot air ballon pendant.

Close up of the button.

That's all, thanks so much to Michelle for organizing the swap! These are the other participants:

1. Cat - Boo Beads

2. Cindy - Sweet Bead Studio

3. Cory - Art with Moxie

4. Cyndi - Beading Arts
5. Dita - Alankarshilpa

6. Donna, Marti, and Michelle - Beads & Books

7. Erin - Treasures Found

8. Hope - Crafty Hope

9. Inca - Zerenity Design

10. Katrine - Army of Sock Monsters

11. Krista - French Elegant Jewelry

12. Kristie - Artisan Clay

13. Linda D. - Lutka and Co.

14. Linda L. - Linda's Bead Blog

15. Lody - Lody's Beadworks

16. Lori - Pretty Things

17. Loretta - Loretta's Boutique

18. Malin - Beading by Malin de Koning

19. Mary - MK's Creative Musings

20. Maryanne - Zingala's Workshop

21. Melinda - Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs

22. Saskia - Perlendistel

23. Shannon - For My Sweet Daughter

24. Shirley - Beads and Bread

25. Stephanie - That's Me!!

New pendants!

2011-04-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

My laptop is still dead. We gave it to someone else to see if they could work any magic on it. I did want to show off some new pendants that I got in the mail yesterday from Spirited Earth. Check them out on my flickr because I cannot figure out how to put them here from my phone. I have to get cracking on my button project for the button swap. Hopefully I will have a computer before then. Going to a bead show this weekend, I am sure I will have lots of eye candy to show. Must stick to my budget this time though. Well I don't know - we'll see.

My computer died

2011-04-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Gateway laptop ?-2011. RIP. The computer fixers have it, trying to see if they can resuscitate it. I am trying to post this from my phone, so I don't know how it is going to turn out. I wanted to show some new beads that I got from Black Market Minerals. But trying to upload pictures from my phone is apparently beyond my capabilities. So, when I have my computer back there will be lots to show. Have a good rest of the week!

New Necklaces

2011-03-31T13:18:00.000-07:00

Just two necklaces to show today. I have been busy for the past two weeks making jewelry sets for a home show that some friends are doing for me for Mother's Day sales. I think I am finally done with that batch of stuff, so I took a break and made two things for myself.

This first necklace is what I made with my Bead Table Wednesday beads. I don't know how I feel about it. I made it to go with a specific sundress, so I guess I will need to try it on to see.

This one I made with some new wooden beads and carved gemstone flowers I got in the mail today. I ran out of stringing wire, so I added some chain to the back. The flower pendant is from Boone Pottery. Super nice sellers and they ship out very fast.

I was happy to find out that the deadline for Bead Star entries has been moved to April 8 instead of tomorrow. I think I will try and make a couple more pieces to submit. Then I am going to have to update my sad little Etsy store. I haven't put anything new in there since Christmas and the stuff is piling up waiting to be photographed. I could use a couple more hours in the day to get all the things that I want to accomplish done.

Give-a-way!

2011-03-30T12:58:00.001-07:00

Marcie from La Bella Joya is having a give-a-way on her blog for a beautiful beadwoven bracelet. I personally own two of her rings, and they are each so beautiful in person and well made. Head on over for a chance to win!

Studio Tour and Bead Table Wednesday

2011-03-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are trying to rent our house. So I was informed that I needed to clean up the bead warehouse, make it semi-presentable. I am not only a bead hoarder, I am also very messy. I come by it naturally though, my father is a total slob. I will have to take a picture of his workshop one of these days. It frightens even me, and I don't scare easily.

If anyone is very tidy and scared of chaos, I would suggest skipping the following pictures.

What I see when I walk into the room. An antique desk that was my great-grandfather's and an entertainment center that holds my computer, printer and basket of acrylic paints.

My son's old playpen. Stuffed with scrapbooking supplies and shipping supplies.

Some wooden boxes and containers from Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx. Waiting for me to clear a space to set them up.

Magazines and bead containers. Each drawer contains a plastic case filled with beads. None of them are in any particular order, that would be too easy.

Another set on the other side.

Under my desk. Also where I hid everything that was on the floor to make the space "presentable".

Each box is filled with pendants or beads. Or finished jewelry.

Art beads and experiments.

Those are necklaces or strands of beads and chain.

This is my actual bead desk. Complete with Buzz Lightyear watercolors. This scares me and I haven't made anything there in months. I don't know where to put it all.

My actual beading surface where I make stuff. I made those little ribbon circles this morning. They are super easy - I just used some wood circles, quick drying craft glue and some ribbon.

I will post a picture when it is done. That is it for my mess. Off to go post my picture on Flickr.

Mt. Dora, Florida

2011-03-28T06:36:00.000-07:00

About a half an hour north of where I live there is a small town called Mt. Dora. I love Mt. Dora. They have little shops, places to eat and they are always having some sort of festival. This weekend there was the Antique, Collectible and Craft Fair. I went last year and did not bring enough money. This year I did not have the same problem. I got lots of vintage brooches to try and turn into necklaces. I collect vintage costume brooches and clip on earrings. I don't make things with them too often, usually it requires me breaking out my wire - and I am not very good with wire. But, when I see pieces, I have to get them, the sparkliness calls to me. Here's what I bought.

First up - a spoon ring, I love this. It is from a shop called Recycled Silverware by John Atkinson. He doesn't have a website, or I would link it. He was super nice.

And a bracelet from the same shop, I have never found a bracelet like this that actually fits so I was super excited.

Two $5 brooches.

Two more $5 brooches. The pearl one has a loop at the back for stringing on a necklace.

A set of clip on earrings and a matching pendant. I think I am going to try to connect them all together. I also bought this long necklace, I don't know if I am going to try and turn it into something, or just wear it as is.

Lots of sparkliness - this also has a loop at the back for stringing.

I have a really good idea for this one, I think if it comes out good enough I will try and send it in for consideration for the next Jewelry Affaire submission.

And the last piece. This is my favorite. It was more expensive then I usually pay, but I kinda needed it. There is also a loop at the back. I cannot wait to find beads to match this one.

That's it for me, I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Returning to the Land of the Living

2011-03-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Ugh. I have spent the past week either taking care of someone sick, fetching food for a sick person or being sick myself. I was the kind of sick where you cannot get up because when you do your head feels like it is going to fall off your shoulders. All better now though or at least functioning at about 85%. I couldn't even make it to the mail and I had this awesomeness waiting for me in my mailbox. (My very full mailbox, which was probably aggravating my mailman, he began to start shoving things in there haphazardly.)

Golem Design Studio

Meltin Mudd Studio

Beads and Babble

Having emerged from the great sickness of March 2011, I suddenly realized that the month was almost over. How did that happen? So many things to get done by April 1st and not a single one of them completed. I suppose I should get cracking but I am really not feeling it, maybe I will wait until tomorrow.

Winner!

2011-03-14T06:26:00.001-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in my first give away! I used the random number generator and the winner is comment #6, French Elegant Jewelry. Congrats! I will be sending you an email shortly to get your address to send your loot to you. I am still in the process of cleaning out my bead warehouse, so check back for other chances to win.

Have a great day!!!

Take my beads away giveaway!

2011-03-08T06:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have far too many beads, and unfortunely Fire Mountain Gems had a $2 strand sale. I may have bought some. Alright I did buy some. So, in order to make room for the new beads I am having my first giveaway to give away some of my beads that have been waiting far too long to be made into something fabulous. To win, just leave a comment at the end of the post, with your email or have your email turned on your profile so I can contact you. Here are the goods-

Some Czech glass, gemstone strands, antique brass drops, tiny plastic flowers and some agate connectors.

Some more gemstone strands, freshwater pearls, antique gold pewter bird pendant, chandelier crystals, tiny teardrop beads, some assorted Czech glass seed bead mixes and flower beads.

Cleaning out my stash yesterday, I also added some resin charms and a pendant, fiber wrapped circle wood beads, 10 assorted millefiori pendants and some other stuff I did not get a chance to photograph. You don't have to be a follower to win - but please feel free to follow if you would like :). Tell your friends, they can stop by for a chance to win. Cut off date for entries will be March 12th and I will announce a winner on the 14th. Thanks for playing along!!

New stuff

2011-03-07T05:40:00.000-08:00

I finished all my chores and was finally able to make something this weekend. The stars aligned, my son slept and my husband was out of the house playing golf so I got a chance to play with my beads. I used up all of my dyed jade, which I love in the bright colors.

Then I used some of my new Michaels finds. The two pendants are from Floridity and Green Girl Studios. The castle bead is also from Green Girl Studios and the picture does not do it justice. It is so detailed - it is just amazing the amount of time put into making this bead. I don't know if I like the way the bracelet looks, I may redo it. I really love the bead and want to wear it alot, but this design doesn't wear very well on my wrist. I do love how the unicorn necklace turned out though. I carried that design around in my head for about a week before I was able to make it and I am glad it worked out. I have not stopped wearing it since. I have some beads ready for my giveaway, I am trying to take pictures of some more. Please check back tomorrow for a chance to win.

March Art Bead Scene Challenge

2011-03-03T15:45:00.000-08:00

It is only the 3rd of March, but I already completed and entered into the Art Bead Scene Challenge. The prizes this month were just too great to pass up an opportunity to win them. This is very unlike me - usually I am a major procrastinator. Plus, I hadn't made anything all week so it was good to get some stuff done. This is my piece -

The pendant is from Green Girl Studios and the ceramic beads are from Golem Studio.

I also had a chance to make some other stuff with some ceramic art beads that I have been hoarding.

The pendant is by Summers Studio and I attached it to the necklace with some ribbon because I didn't have a extra jumpring handy.

Same thing no jumpring - and the flowers and clasp might look a little familiar, I used them in my challenge piece. But I was too lazy to get up and go into the bead warehouse (aka my office) to get my bag of clasps and spacers. So I used what I had on my laptray. The pendant and beads are Gaea beads.

And again with the flowers.

And just to finish them up - one more time. Those beads are also Golem Studio. They are so pretty in person.

That's all for now - I am putting together my first giveaway. I have got to get some of these beads out of my studio, stay tuned.

Late to the Party

2011-02-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

I am behind at looking at everyone's lovely creations, I was hanging out with Harry this weekend.

From what I have seen everyone did such a great job. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! Off to go see everyone else!

Bead Soup Reveal

2011-02-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

First of all I wanted to thank Lori Anderson for organizing this blog hop, it must have been a lot of work and it is definitely appreciated. Secondly, my list of the blog hop participants looks weird, so I 'm sorry but it was a toss up as to what was smarter - Blogger or myself. It was not me.

Welcome to the 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party!

What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?

Each beader was paired up with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending the following:

~ A focal

~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)

~ Some coordinating spacers or beads

Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the coordinating beads or not.

Here's what I made!

I made the bracelet using the enamel beads and some Gaea beads that I had with some matching seed beads all tied together with a Green Girl Studios clasp. I had a couple of different ideas for the necklace, but finally I settled on a simple design with some green and white gemstone rounds and wood beads. I tied a ribbon to the pendant to match the brown of the wood beads. Plus I am really into tying ribbons onto stuff lately, I don't know why.

Come see what the rest of us made!

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life

3. Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane

4. Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio

5. Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

6. Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

7. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

8. Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

9. Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto

10. Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

11. Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas

12. Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts

13. Marian Hertzog, M's Place

14. Mary McGraw, MK's Musings

15. Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita

16. Deci Worland, Gem Trails

17. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

18. Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs

19. Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

20. Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats

21. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs

22. Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim

23. Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu

24. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads

25. Deb Hunter, Living On Air

26. Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio

27. Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads

28. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

29. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts

30. Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

31. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

32. Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus

33. Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble

34. Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design

35. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

36. Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs

37. Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works

38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights

39. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire

40. Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio

41. Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's

42. Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

43. Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya

44. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

45. Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles

46. Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig

47. Amanda Davie, Articulations

48. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady

49. Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux

50. Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

51. Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks

52. Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles

53. Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde

54. Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog

55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning

56. Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

57. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio

58. Amy Freeland, Copper Diem

59. Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa

60. Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

61. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog

62. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon

63. Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs

64. Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

65. Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

66. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.

67. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash

68. Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique

69. Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver

70. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

71. Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey

72. Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

73. Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix

74. Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems

75. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Be Done!

76. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium

77. Valerie Norton, Hot Art

78. Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden

79. Amy Severino, Amy Beads

80. Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook

81. Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy

82. Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

83. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

84. Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

85. Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries

86. CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka

87. Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae

88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy

89. Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations

90. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss

91. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous

92. Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead

93. Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations

94. Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof

95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio

96. Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

97. Cindy Dolezal, Cindy Dolezal Designs

98. Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

100. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

101. Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio

102. Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations

103. Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios

104. Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore

105. Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

106. Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky

107. Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

108. Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs

109. Grace Danel, Grace Beading

110. Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman

111. Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe

112. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo

113. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs

114. Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me

115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf

116. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer

117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles

118. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

119. Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart

120. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven

122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings

123. Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass

124. Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks

125. Hazel Ward, All Those Things

126. Brenda Salzano, Salzanos

127. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee

128. Anna Denisova, Anita-M

129. Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry

130. Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads

131. Penny Neville, Copper Penny

132. Angela Blasingame, Hopemore

133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog

134. Stephanie LaRosa, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder You are here :)

135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs

136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies

137. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art

138. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.

139. Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter

140. Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy

141. Heather Pyle, Welcome to My Muse

142. Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

143. Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts

144. Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense

145. Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique

146. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

147. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul

148. Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me

149. Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog

150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

151. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T

152. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals

153. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area

154. Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta

156. Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef

157. Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

158. Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color

159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

160. Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory

161. Collette Collins, Firefly Myst

162. Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed

163. Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu

164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio

165. Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra

166. Anna Motz, Stunning

167. Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings

168. Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

169. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

170. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

171. Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones

172. Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs

173. Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass

174. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

175. Julie Nordine, Julie Nordine
Credit River Art Glass

176. Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog

177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio

178. Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're

179. Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

180. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

181. Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art

182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen

184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink

185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin

186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer

187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels

188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry

189. Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos

190. Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.

191. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

192. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini

194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse

195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between

196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets

197. Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts

198. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs

199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200. Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend

201. Christine Damm, Stories They Tell

202. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

203. Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs

204. Juli Cannon, Julsbeads

205. Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique

206. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry

207. Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads

208. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

209. Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry

210. Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

The next party's sign ups begin August 1-3, 2011. Don't miss it!

Spring Issue of Stringing

2011-02-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

I received my copy of the Spring issue of Stringing magazine in the mail last week. I knew that it was coming and I eagerly stalked my mailbox for its arrival. I was not disappointed. Inside were some beautiful, bright spring creations. There were several techniques that I want to try. I saw a necklace by Erin Siegel that used a leather cording at the front of a necklace to hang a pendant from with two loops that connected to the beaded strand. And I saw a necklace by Cynthia Deis that had tiny pieces of gingham ribbon tied to the beaded strands. I had a couple of pieces chosen for the issue and feel very honored to be included among so many beautiful designs. My necklace design was called "All Laced Up" and it has Czech glass, wood rounds and an antique gold pendant that I got from Fire Mountain Gems. The back of the necklace is a piece of off white lace trim that I got from the fabric section of Joann's.

I also had 2 pairs of earrings chosen for the gallery. The first is a pair made with handmade shrink plastic charms.

And these are made with some vintage lucite lilies from the Beadin Path.

If you have not seen a copy, go and find one at your bookstore or order from Interweave. You will not be disappointed. The Bead Soup reveal coming up shortly and I have to get cracking on my design. Stay tuned.

What a Day

2011-02-18T05:41:00.000-08:00

It is only 8:30 and my son has already given me a fat lip (accidentally by flinging his extra hard head around), taken my purse and emptied the contents searching for coins to put in his piggy bank and dumped out all his puzzles into one large pile. I am just going to call it a day. Some days you should not leave the house - this is one of them. And it is going to be close to 80 degrees today. Which means by the time we get to summer everyone will be suffering from heat exhaustion. Awesome. I am off to go put together 10 jigsaw puzzles. Be back later with some jewelry, hopefully.

Valentine's Loot

2011-02-15T07:03:00.000-08:00

I received the perfect Valentine's present - a gift card to buy beads. He knows me so well. The Michaels by where I live recently added a ton of new beads to their stock and everything was 50% this week. So, I went and had some fun. I do not live anywhere close to a bead store (the closest one with anything good is about a 45 minute drive from me), so I have to rely on craft stores and online shopping to buy my beads. I do get a bead show twice a year, but that is it. I always get excited when I see new stuff at the craft store. Here are the goods -

Some ceramic beads, carved beads, ceramic spacers, resin beads, glass beads and two hole magnesite spacers

Apparently in my bead shopping excitement, I accidentally purchased two of the purple stone strands.

This last set are all new two hole slider beads. I have a huge mother's day order I need to get working on and these will become bracelet and earring sets.

That's all! I will post some pictures when I get around to actually making something.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T06:58:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a day early, but my husband and I celebrate Valentine's Day on the 13th instead of the 14th. Six years ago today my husband proposed to me. He didn't want to do it on Valentine's Day because he thought it would be a little cheesy. I remember he wanted me to get all dressed up so we could go out that night (it was a Sunday) and I thought to myself, why does he want to go out tonight, aren't we going out tomorrow? So every year since we celebrate today. It actually kinda works, because the restaurants aren't as packed and we can even possibly get someone to stay with the boy.

Us on our honeymoon.

I also sent out Valentine's Day cards to my mom and my two grandmothers. It is nice to take the day and let the people you love know you love them. Happy Valentine's Day!

February Art Bead Scene Challenge

2011-02-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about entering the Art Bead Scene Challenge this month with this necklace -

Normally I don't enter the monthly challenges, I just like to see what everone else makes, but I had this piece made and I think it kinda works. I admire everyone who can look at a work of art and translate that into jewelry, something I've not been able to do. All of the ceramic beads are Gaea beads, including the pendant. I am off to go upload it to flickr.

I'm still here

2011-02-08T05:55:00.000-08:00

I have been neglecting my blog for a while, sorry about that. I wanted to write, but I really didn't have anything to write about. I haven't been able to make anything for awhile because I have had a headache for like a week. One that is there right when you wake up and fades with some medicine but comes back even stronger. Not fun. I feel better today, so I thought I would share some news. I saw on the Stringing Facebook page that they have uploaded the new pics from the Spring issue of the magazine and my necklace is one of the preview pics. The photography is so pretty and I love the way they styled it. I cannot wait to see the issue, I think that the Spring issue is always my favorite every year. I love the bright colors and all of the bird and flower motifs. Plus this issue has some vintage inspired styles, which are some of my favorite pieces to try. I think that you can pre-order the issue from Interweave now. I will post some pictures of my necklace and earrings that are in the issue when I receive it.

Bead Soup and Necklaces

2011-01-31T12:34:00.000-08:00

I received my bead soup in the mail from my partner, Sandi this past weekend. I got lots green wooden ovals, two mint green enamel beads, a handmade polymer clay focal, off white shell beads and a toggle clasp.

Close up of the focal:

I already know what I am going to make with them. I already completed a bracelet with the two enamel beads. I am planning on making a necklace and a pair of earrings. This is a great challenge, I love the color green but never use this particular shade in jewelry. I also got a chance to make a couple of necklaces this weekend using some of my new vintage lucite.

I used one of the large bird beads from capturedmoments.etsy.com as the focal with some dangly chain hanging down.

I also made this necklace. When I was stringing it, I had originally planned to have the clasp go on the side.

But, I think it could work in the back too.

Last necklace is with some more Gaea beads and a Green Girl Studios clasp that was too pretty to hide in the back.

That's all. Hope everyone got a chance to play with some beads last weekend!

Mail Loot

2011-01-29T06:28:00.000-08:00

Everything I ordered last week decided to come in the mail yesterday. Love opening my mailbox to tiny packages of beady goodness.

All vintage lucite from blacksheepbeads.etsy.com and some ceramic components from capturedmoments.etsy.com.

I even got a chance to play with some of them yesterday in the afternoon. Two bracelets and some more earrings. I don't know what it is with me and earrings lately, I never make them, but seem to be on a roll.

I have been trying to find a craft show that I can apply to for this year. I have never done one with a booth at a craft show, only home shows and work parties, so I thought I would give it a go. The only frustrating thing is that all of them request a picture of your display, but since I have never been to a show I don't have a picture of a display. Maybe I will just set it up in my garage. I don't know, anyone have suggestions?

My Bead Table Wednesday

2011-01-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

There is this great Flickr group that Heather Powers started called BTW, Bead Table Wednesday. I was finally able to figure out how to upload a picture into the program. This is the result of my work-in-progress.

My Valentine's Day necklace. With a heart pendant by Gaea. Super cute on. My bead table was actually my bead laptray. Can you imagine how messy my actual room is that houses the bead collection? Maybe I will take a picture to share. I don't know - it is pretty scary.

So...

2011-01-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

I was looking in this box yesterday, putting stuff away and I noticed that those wooden pendants all the way to the left of the picture would match to a lot of my vintage lucite that I have had for awhile.

These pendants:

So after my boy went down for his nap and during my quiet time I made this -

And this -

And just to use up the last of the beads, this -

Nothing too amazing, but I was able to relax for a couple of hours. My son is going through a stubborn phase that is trying on both my nerves and my disposition. Hopefully he outgrows it. Hopefully. Finally these last pieces were made with those scrapbooking flowers I posted last week. Very sweet spring designs.

I think I am going to just add some thin chain to the brass envelopes for a lightweight charm necklace. In other news - my bead soup partner Sandi has sent out my stash. I will post pictures once I receive it.

Craft Store Goodies

2011-01-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

With my leftover Christmas gift cards in hand I stopped by Joann's the other day to get some new earwires because I used all of mine up. Unfortunately for me, they were having a sale. 40% off all beads and findings. So, I got more than earwires.

I bought these huge lobster claws in antique copper, brass, silver and gunmetal. I don't know what I will use them for, but I am always looking for large clasps. I also got some chain in an antique silver color. I like this particular brand, all of their findings are lead/nickel free.

Only four strands of beads - how strong am I? Three resin strands and one Czech glass.

Just because I didn't have this particular set and felt like I needed to complete the collection.

These are stickers I found in the scrapbook section, I think I will add them to some unfinished wood circles after I paint them.

One more Vintage Groove pendant, I think I will use the acrylic beads with this pendant.

That is all for now - I finally used all of my gift cards.

Lima Beads Stuff

2011-01-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

I got a great mix of artisan pendants and beads in the mail yesterday from Lima Beads. It was my first time ordering from that company, but I have to say I was pretty impressed. They shipped it out super quick and I received my order in two days. They also have a great selection of artist beads and I splurged on some new pendants.

First I made this necklace with an adorable Green Girl Studios pendant, ceramic beads, wood beads, Czech glass flowers and a flower clasp.

I seem to be on a Gaea beads buying kick which continues with this awesome heart pendant. I strung it with Czech glass, ceramic beads and seed beads.

Close up of the pendant - it is really beautiful in person.

The last piece is an asymmetrical one, which I do not attempt too often because I can never pull it off and they look funny to me. But this one turned out alright. I used some dyed jade rounds, some teal gemstone beads and wooden circles. The pendant is a picture of Medusa from Green Girl Studios (I just finished watching Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief).

I am glad I was able to make some necklaces after last weeks earring bonanza. And to think I have more Gaea beads coming in the mail - I may have a problem.

I made some earrings

2011-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

And here they are:

All of the heart earrings were for a custom Valentine's Day order. The other ones were inspired by a fantastic bag of buttons that I purchased at Hobby Lobby the other day. They are labeled "Grandma's button collection" and they have a vintage style to them. I got a huge bag for $5.99. I might be making lots of stuff with buttons for awhile. The only things a made this week were earrings, I made so many I ran out of earring wires - you can see one of the pairs in the montage does not have any earwires on them.

In other news, I decided to make a different bead soup for my blog party partner, Sandi Lee James from http://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/. I like this one much better. I hope she likes it, it is going out in the mail tomorrow!

I was naughty today

2011-01-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

I ordered a lot of beads online. I just received some money for some sales I made over the holidays and since extra bead money has a tendency to burn a hole in my pocket, I had to spend it. I discovered a new vintage lucite vendor on etsy, blacksheepbeads.etsy.com, and I am in love. They have some great items and the prices are very reasonable. You get more beads for your money and they have different bulk listings. I cannot wait until they land in my mailbox.

I also received my Bead Soup Party partner and we exchanged information about our beady packages. I am so excited!! I picked out the beads and pendant that I think I am going to send, along with two clasps for her to pick which one she likes better. I will post some pictures after she has received the package!

New Stuff

2011-01-14T06:18:00.000-08:00

I had an opportunity to pay with some of the lucite beads that I received the other day from Reduction Nation. I thought I was going to make earrings but these wanted to be a necklace:

I added some silver colored wood beads and silver plated spacer beads. It is actually really cute on.

And some of these wanted to be a bracelet to go with the matching earrings.

I made this one with a Gaea Beads pendant, wood slices, a mix of large czech glass seed beads and more Gaea ceramic beads.

I am slowly getting back into the swing of making things. I didn't make anything over the holidays, but seem to be catching up now.

Scrapbooking Supplies?

2011-01-12T06:09:00.000-08:00

Maybe it is just me, but I look at these and I think jewelry:

I see ring blanks with the larger plastic flowers and tiny earring studs with the smaller ones. I think I may take the fabric flowers and glue a backing to them so that I can use them as a pendant. These both came from Michaels. I was in there the other day and they have really been updating the scrapbooking section. I always check the scrapbooking section when I go in, I never know when I will find something unique to add to my designs. I found a set of 5 pendants once, for $2.99. They were actual metal pendants with loops at the top and jumprings. They had lots more of these flower packages, and different colors too. Also tons of bright fabric flowers, which will be great for spring designs. I am a huge fan of flowers in my jewelry, they last a lot longer then the real ones.

Look what was in my mailbox

2011-01-11T06:02:00.000-08:00

I received these in the mail yesterday:

All vintage lucite from Reductionnation.etsy.com

I had ordered it right before New Year's and completely forgot about it. I needed a creative jump start after the holidays when our schedule was all out of whack because my husband was home on vacation. I am thinking I will make some earrings, it has been a long time since I made earrings.

You learn something new everyday

2011-01-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

Or night as the case may be. I had no idea that when people left a comment on your blog, it sent you an email. Thanks so much to everyone who visited and left a nice comment yesterday. I am super excited about this bead soup challenge. I have never participated in a challenge before, so I can't wait.

I also learned that a Nook, my beloved Christmas present, will sometimes not download a book for no specific reason and that the customer service representative that you speak with at 11 o'clock at night can have no idea either. They suck you in with a sample of the book, leaving you hanging mid-sentence, and then the rest of the book will not download. You know what would have worked - a book with a cover and pages. I will try it again today, customer service might be receiving another call.

I wanted to share some of the necklaces that I made yesterday while my son was taking a nap. I posted a picture of these beads:

Which became this necklace:

This is a close-up of the focal, it is super light and actually stays on the side. I didn't add a clasp because it just slips over my head. The pendant is from the Vintage Groove line, which is really adorable if you haven't seen it yet. I bought mine at Joann's, but I think they sell them online at Fusion Beads too.

And these beads became this:

The pendant is another Vintage Groove piece and is super lightweight.

That is all for today, I am off to battle with my Nook.

Confession Time

2011-01-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

I debated the idea of starting a blog for over a year. While I wanted to, and thought that I could make it interesting for other beaders to read, the insecurities arose. What if no one reads it? Then, strangely enough, what if people do read it? What if they don't like it? What if they think that it is silly? What if they wonder why I am blogging at all?

I had to stop thinking about the reasons why not to, and just do it. So I said to myself, Self (because that is what I call myself) if people don't like it, they won't read it. You can't please everyone. I am only going to try and please myself. Write about stringing beads to make jewelry, because that is what I love to do. And if that is interesting to people, great and if not, oh well. I will probably still make the stuff anyway.

I just signed up for a bead soup party. Hopefully that will send people to my blog, and maybe they read something that interests them. You never know, we'll see.

What I have been working on

2011-01-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

Playing with the picture apps that I can download on my Iphone now that the software is updated. Took me about 4 tries and my husband stepping in, but we figured it out. (It was my old laptop giving us the trouble, not my lack of technological skills.) The one in the middle with the heart pendant is the purchase I made from Gaea beads, now do you see why it had to come home to me? (And when I say you, I guess I mean me, because I am the only person who visits this blog, but still). I made about 8 of the rhinestone wrap bracelets and I am still working on more. They are crazy comfortable and have just the right amount of sparkle. I got the idea for them from the Ornamentea website and will be keeping the majority for myself for everyday wear and passing out the rest to friends.

Resolutions?

2011-01-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

I never make New Year's resolutions. I don't keep them. This year I thought I would try. I was going to try to use up the beads I have and not buy new ones. And floss more. And start a blog. I know it's random, but I don't really have any other vicey/bad behavior. I already blew the first one. I got all gift cards to Joann's & Michaels for Christmas, and then they put their beads on sale. What's a girl to do? And then I bought some beads on-line; I saw this adorable heart pendant from Gaea beads and I needed it. I really did. I am already envisioning the necklace it will become. So it had to come home to me. And then Ornamentea was having a free shipping event, so I decided I needed beads from there too (but truth be told, I bought those before the first of the year, so that counts). I guess I am not meant to stop buying beads, at least not yet. I did take some picture of some of my stash as I was going through it to see what combinations I was going to put together. I will post pictures when they are completed.

Vintage Groove pendant, acrylic oval beads, off white shell rounds - (Joanns) purple/pinkish iridescent czech glass beads, pink and brown faceted glass roundels - (Michaels).

Vintage Groove Pendant, gray round shell beads - (Joanns), gray round shell beads, large clear czech glass, black glass rounds - (Michaels)

Vintage Groove Pendant, Off white shell beads - (Joanns), brown shell ovals, amber colored coral stick beads, brown czech glass - (Michaels)

Polymer Clay pendant from Menagerie Studio, copper connectors, teal and copper glass beads (Michaels)

I know the pictures aren't the greatest, but I took them on my phone while my boy was sleeping. I will take better pictures when the pieces are finished. And I still have about $75 in gift cards to spend - they will be saved for another day. I seem to be collecting many colors of shell round beads, completely unintentionally. I guess 2 out of 3 resolutions isn't that bad.

New year, New blog - No idea what I am doing

2011-01-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

I don't twitter. I have a facebook, but I rarely check it. I also have a flickr account that I am not sure how to access. I am so technologically unsavvy, I don't even know the word for it. This is my attempt to figure about how to blog. So far, so good. I do feel slightly ridiculous writing to no one, but this will be my online journal about my beading hobby (habit, addiction, etc).

I started beading about 5 years ago. It was right after I got married and a girlfriend had given me a wedding scrapbook. I had never scrapbooked, but I thought why not? I hopped in my Neon and drove to the craft store to buy supplies to make my scrapbook. Passing the scrapbooking aisle, I saw beads and was intrigued. But I bought my supplies and went home. Fast forward 4-10 trips to the craft store, and I was still stopping in the bead aisle. One day I went in and just decided to buy. I remember my purchases - a bag of mixed wood beads, a bag of mixed blue plastic beads, a beading board, and some beading elastic. The cashier said to me as I checked out, "someone looks like they are going to have fun." She had no idea.

I went home and searched online, I found out how to make an earring with a headpin, string a crimp bead on beading wire, and made about 15 bracelets. I was hooked. I kept going back to the craft store and bought more and more beads. Soon I had a plastic shoebox container purchased at the dollar store that was filled with little containers of beads. I sat on my couch and made bracelets with my little container.

Five years later, I am still beading. I love making jewelry, I love buying beads. I would rather buy beads than shoes. I would rather buy beads then clothes. I have a whole room that is filled with boxes of beads and books (but that is another obsession for another time). I sit in bed at night and read beading magazines. There is a moment of excitement that I get after I make something really great that I have never felt anywhere else. If you get that feeling you know what I mean. I have never been an artist, my drawing abilities stopped somewhere around the age of six. I never thought I would do something creative, but this gives me a huge sense of fulfillment.

This blog will document my trial and error of jewelry design, I hope you like it and you will stay awhile.