BLOGMANIA Giveaway - Today Only!!!

This is so exciting!! Over 100 blogs are participating in today's BLOGMANIA event!!

Each blog will offer something up for grabs, you just need to leave a comment as instructed and winners of each item will be selected within the next couple of days. WOW! I'm so excited to take a look at the other blogs to see what they are giving away!

My Blogmania Giveaway item is:

A copy of my step-by-step beading book, A Bead in Time! AND...a grab bag of miscellaneous beads :)

If you would like to be entered to win, please leave a comment on this post.

WELCOME To BLOGMANIA !

My Blog is number 119 of 123 participating blogs.

Each blog will have a number which will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Different links will be found on each blog.

So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, just follow the giveaway rules for that blog and head on over to the next one!

Blog- 1 – HOST OF BLOGMANIA - Between The Pages
Blog -2 – CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA - The Black Sheep Dances

Blog-43 - CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA - Books, Books Everywhere

(Blog-22) Opinions of a Moody Mama

(Blog-7) Skhye's Ramblings

(Blog-39) Paranormal Bites
(Blog-75) Kelly's Lucky You
(Blog-103) London's Boutique
(Blog-64) Riley Quinn
(Blog-91) Cate Masters
(Blog-110) Book Crazy
(Blog-121) Brain Foggles

Enjoy and GOOD LUCK!!

Saving Beads for Just the Right Moment!

While out to dinner with a group of people to celebrate the retirement of a dear friend and co-worker, talk briefly turned to

beads.

One of the individuals mentioned that she had brought me back these beads from her vacation to Sedona, Arizona last year. She also mentioned she had never seen a jewelry project materialize with them!!

Interestingly, it didn't bring me to be defensive or make excuses. I actually had a thought in that moment that the right beads will be there when you need them, but that means they might have to hang out with you for a while until that moment arrives.

Age is a funny thing, it does tend to bring realizations like this, which is a GOOD thing! I get so excited and feel that there must be some kind of good karma happening when I get a design idea and I know immediately that I have the right bead and know right where it is! Sometimes the beads are fairly new and sometimes, it might be a bead I've had for years.

I'm not sure my answer went over all that well, but to me it was meaningful! I have evolved! :)

I'd love to hear if you have had similar moments of the "right beads at the right time"!


I also wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow is the 1 day only BLOGMANIA event!! I will be giving away a copy of my book along with a grab bag of miscellaneous beads. You will just need to leave a comment on tomorrow's post for a chance to win!

Additionally, I will have a number of links to other blogs who are also giving something away. There are over 100 blogs participating. I can't wait to see all the possible loot!

See you tomorrow!!

Doggie Love

I was just looking over at my two little dogs, who happen to be senior citizens, and thinking about how much love they give every day.

They are both going to be 16 this year and, while we have had some health concerns and behavior issues to overcome, it seems to have flown by so quickly. All is well right now, so we just appreciate those days quite a bit.

I made a doggie bracelet for my book, but I was also thinking it would be fun to go back to experimenting with beaded dogs. I have seen some adorable crystal dogs and would love to try to make one.

If you have any patterns or ideas, please let me know. In the mean time, here are a few "stick figure" type doggies that I made many years ago.


Okay, I couldn't resist throwing in one picture of the real thing.



Have a good one!

Something Old is New Again!

I came across a tiny little baggie with these adorable round dangles in them and thought it was perfect timing since I really do think summer is on its way in the near future.

I haven't seen these since last summer! I love it when that happens, it's almost like I went bead shopping!

These are a perfect accent in beachy ankle bracelets. They add a little shine and if you use a jump ring, they also add a little bit of movement.

Paired with aqua, turquoise or sea foam and maybe even a few real sea shells or sea shell charms it would make a great summer piece that you could wear every weekend! Okay, now I need to be on vacation so I can hang out and make ankle bracelets for everyone all week.

I also wanted to take a moment today to share some information about a fellow blogger-friend's very first giveaway! She posted the information and photos of the beaded jewelry that is up for grabs over at her blog, Kokopelli Designs.

Dagi has just started teaching beading classes in Germany and wants to celebrate and share her excitement by giving away a great set of jewelry. Yay!

As she mentions on her blog post, people can participate until May 11th (day of the last class) and she will post the winners on May 12th. Shipping to the US or Canada is no problem.

Thanks for the info Dagi, I wish we could all hang out in person and bead, but blogging from a distance is the next best thing!

Flowers Everywhere!

Not only can you have a bracelet full of happy flower beads to admire all day, you can also have a flower clasp to admire in case it happens to slide around.

This is an adorable toggle clasp from Hobby Lobby. The http://www.craftsetc.com/ tag reads, "Daisy Toggle" and the price is $1.47.

I'm guessing that I probably got this half price which is my reason for shopping at Hobby Lobby now that they have moved away from our side of town.

I was just thinking about all the flower beads I have and am getting excited to do a piece with all flowers! I have lots of white flower beads in a matte finish so I will have to think long and hard about whether or not I should do an all white flower bracelet or a flower bracelet with plenty of bright colors...Hmm... What do you think?

pic preview 2

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!

Wow, lots going on in the beading world last week! If you have a chance, take a peek into the links below to catch up on flowers, sales, new editors, spring, giveaways, trunk shows and resin!! Again, I have to say, WOW!

I hope you have had a great, crafty weekend!! When we got rained out at the drive-in last night, we rented a great video called, "It Might Get Loud" and I think we're on the 3rd viewing...

I'm not getting much done, but am thoroughly enjoying watching the creative process of Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White. What a great pick! I'm not sure that counts as my own creativity, but I think when I hear, watch or experience others' creativity it adds something to my existence.


HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva For Cindy, yellow is the color of anticipation.

about.com Jewelry Making It is flower power time! Mix resin, real flowers, and beads for this necklace design.

Art Bead Scene The Art Bead Scene Welcomes Miss Fickle Media to the editorial staff!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Barbe will be at Unique LA promoting the Steampunk Style book

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Do not miss out on Andrew Thornton's amazing sale and giveaway! It is fantastic!!! Go now! Really fun!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Be entered to win a one year subscription to Beadwork magazine! Find out how!

Strands of Beads Melissa creates a sweet Spring necklace from wasabi-colored pearls and a beautiful Lillypilly pendant courtesy of Artbeads.com

Beading Arts Cyndi has a copy of "Totally Twisted" that she's giving away! Come enter the contest now!

Carmi's Art/Life World Stranded by the volcano, Carmi has time for a little more window shopping.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie sets up a trunk show at her favorite local indie craft gallery. Check out her display!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Resin has become quite popular in jewelry design lately. It's a lot trickier than Lorelei had originally thought. She tries out the technique for the first time.

6th Photo Game & Upcoming Blogmania Giveaway

Instead of a weekly jewelry project, I wanted to use today's post to share a "game" as well as an upcoming giveaway event called "Blogmania!"

I had a recent online visit from our friend Mortira from the Inspirational Beading blog who invited me to play the 6th Photo Game.

Mortira received the challenge from Cindy Caraway of Artful Living on the Bluff who wrote, "the fun begins when you search through your earliest blog posts and find the sixth photo that you ever uploaded to share with your readers. The next task is to critique your own photo, and explain what you would do differently, then pass on the challenge to ten bloggers."

Rather than pass it along to specific readers, I wanted to share it with everyone looking for something fun and challenging to do today.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how far you have come from your 6th blog photo! As for me...

My 6th photo was this vitrail ab swarovski cube I posted on 2/10/08 and I have to say the caption still represents my feelings about this great bead!!! :)

The title of the post is "Bead Love" if that gives you any insight! Now, above is the original photo AND an updated version that I just cropped and brightened up a bit....MUCH BETTER! Thanks a bunch for sharing Mortira!!

The EVENT I want to mention was shared with me by Dawn Doucette of Designs by Dawn Marie. I'm so glad she provided this information because there was just one day left to get registered.

I am now going to be part of the BLOGMANIA event taking place for just one day on April 30, 2010.

I hope you will stop by and visit me as well as the other 100+ bloggers that will be mentioned. Each of these bloggers will have something free up for grabs for those leaving comments on their blog THAT DAY only!

I will be giving away my book, A Bead in Time, as well as a grab-bag of miscellaneous beads and completed jewelry pieces. :) HOW FUN!! I can't wait!!

I hope you are having a great weekend, we are heading for the drive-in shortly and have our fingers crossed the rain will just pass right over! So far, so good! :)

Featured Designer: Lorelei Eurto

Happy weekend everyone! Yippee! FREEDOM....

I've been listening to Janis Joplin a lot lately, okay...truth be told, I've been obsessing on Janis again...I've been a huge fan since college, but it wasn't until maybe 6 or 7 years ago when I found "Love, Janis" that I continually find myself getting wrapped up in her.

Her words resonate in my head and come out of my mouth a lot before I can catch them...

If you haven't had a chance to listen to this CD, you will not be sorry!!!! It's her greatest hits mixed in between her letters written home to her family during her rise to fame. They provide amazing insight into her life, her mind and her psyche.

She apologizes quite a bit in the beginning for letting her "enthusiasm get the best of her"... The letters are read by an actress who portrays Janis in the stage production. It's easy to forget that it isn't her...

Okay, sorry for rambling, but the word "Freedom" brought her to mind...You know..."Me & Bobby McGee" which she covered on her final album just days before her death. The words, written by Kris Kristofferson, are: "...freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose...."

In fact, that's one of the only trivial pursuit questions I ever knew without having to strain my brain! :)

So, on to this week's featured designer! As with Janis, I've been a fan of Lorelei Eurto since I came across her blog when I began on my happy little online beading journey!

AND, the reason I am so drawn to her work is similar as well. There is a rebellious streak in her work that, as much as I would LOVE to express in my own work, it just doesn't happen.

Lorelei uses many handmade beads as well as typical beads and findings, but always comes up with original, unique, slightly rebellious pieces! They are beautiful, quirky and fabulous all at the same time!

Thanks so much Lorelei for allowing me to share your work here today, I hope you know how much pleasure it brings me to sit in awe of your design style!! :)

How do you Create a Bead Mix?

Tonight's beads are leftovers from a mix that I previously used to make a crocheted bracelet. I just love this shade of green and remember thinking how cool it was that these little round/flat beads matched the tint so perfectly.

The foil star was sort of the icing on the cake! A little over the top, but it just didn't have the pizzazz needed without it.

These are the types of things you can't really plan out in your head, you have to toss beads in a pile and see how they make you feel when creating a mix. At least, that's how it seems to work for me.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on creating mixes if you have a sec!

EASY Black & White Bracelet!

Wow, does time sure fly by! If you are not careful, the whole world could pass you by! My goodness!

As I have mentioned recently, I've been on a mission to locate some "old" jewelry pieces so I can wear them and share them in person with others.

I wore this bracelet today with a black suit/white blouse combo. Even though it is a fairly simple design, it is still cute. This was very easy to make about a year ago with scrabooking elements and a bracelet blank.

HOWEVER, be aware that glue drying time will need to be factored in. Otherwise for a couple dollars, you have a cute bracelet piece.

Have a nice evening!!

CZ Re-run

I hope you don't mind a bit of a repeat here... I wore the red cubic zirconia and pearl bracelet today and I have to admit I couldn't stop looking at it when it caught a flourescent light..wow, such fabulous sparkle.

I have also been wearing this yellow necklace a lot lately. Almost every weekend for the last couple months just because I love the sunny-ness of it!!

Just in case you missed these beads the first time around or have forgotten about how special CZ's are, I just wanted to post this here as a reminder.

There is a classy vibe about these VERY simple jewelry pieces. I love quick, easy and simple!!

Enjoy the sparkle and I'll see you tomorrow!!

Sterling Silver Overflow

Today's feature is about more than just ONE bead....

Our friend Tammy Powley of About.com Jewelry Making and The Crafty Princess Diaries blog, not to mention the author of more beading books than I can count, noted on her blog that she discovered a load of forgotten sterling silver charms that she cast many years ago. She has put up the "for sale" sign right there on her blog!

I love when beaders/bead makers clear out space and unload some of their treasures. It's always fun to see what they either made or bought especially if you can tell what someone might have been obsessed with for a while :)

Okay, I just assume other people have obsessive compulsive disorder like me sometimes when it comes to beads and crafts.

I hope your week started off great....if not, jump right in and start the count down till the weekend. I don't think that is wishing your life away, I think it's good to have something to look forward to!!

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!!

It's time again to wind down the weekend and start back to the weekly routine... I am sitting here wondering how to slow down time for just a little bit longer, but the more I think I need to slow it down, the faster it seems to go...

Focusing on creativity helps keep my mind from dwelling on the things I can't change! So, I hope you will join me as I peruse the creativity of our fellow bloggers below.

I wish you all a GREAT week filled with sunshine, creativity and accomplishment with a little bit of fun mixed in!

By the way, in case you are interested, we had a great time at the drive-in last night even though we got there a little later than usual...around 7:30pm. It was almost full for Alice in Wonderland! The drive-in police officer on a golf cart showed us a spot that was right in front of the restroom/concession stand and projection room. That was so cool!!

There is just nothing bad about the drive-in. It was chilly, so we got to pull out our blankets which made it even more fun! I'm sharing a link here in case you are looking to reminisce and don't have a drive-in around your area.

Barbe Saint John - New Treasures from Forgotten Artifacts Putting out the call for Steampunk art!

Katie's Beading Blog Share your ideas about beading trends and be entered to win a copy of Jean Campbell's new book, Steampunk Style Jewelry.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Dig out your button collection, because wonderful Keepsake jewelry can be made from it, and Lorelei shows some examples!

About.com Jewelry Making Where do you create your jewelry and other crafts? Show, tell, and look at some great craft spaced created by other designers.

Art Bead Scene Art beads don't have to be round, they can be toggles too!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie mixes shell pearls from Rings and Things with metallic hardware motifs to create a softer industial look

Snap out of it, Jean! There's Beading to be done! Join the fun and become a fan of the lovely jewelry design magazine, Australian Beading Magazine!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew teams up with Cathy Collison of Glass Garden Beads for this week's Thursday Giveaway. You could win a set of three hip bottle-cap beads!

Beading Arts Cyndi has just finished up a floral necklace that features fabric!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi is photographing the jeweled decolletage on paintings in Paris again!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Cindy's personal history finds its way into her work.

This Week's Project: A Colorful Reminder

I'm posting this week's project a little early today because we are just getting ready to head out the door for the drive-in to see Alice in Wonderland. Yay!

When I was making this bracelet just a few minutes ago, I just happened to put these pieces together because they were in the same bead box.

It's funny that sometimes you just never know which beads are going to end up together! Some of these are recent beads and some I've had for a while and made other projects with, but I just loved the fun outcome of this one.

It's a little circusy (I know, not a word).. and also a little retro. I just needed a peace sign really and didn't have time to dig one up!!

I hope you are all having a great weekend and doing something crafty!! Maybe even a little spur of the moment creating like me! :)

Featured Designer: Lampwork by Lydia Muell

Happy weekend everyone!! :)

I get so excited each week to share wonderful designers that I come across with all of you.

It's like unveiling a great treasure!!

When I saw these lampwork treasures by Lydia Muell, I'm sure my jaw dropped open. Even though I am not a bead designer, I could see the layers of work and thought that went in to each one.

It boggles my mind because I have never observed a lampwork artist make beads like this.

How fun it must be to create such wonderful depth. I am thinking you would have to have a mind like an architect to design layer by layer to create these fabulous effects.

Lydia has a number of lampwork tutorials available for sale on her website if you are interested in learning her techniques.

I was so glad Lydia gave me permission to share her work here tonight, I just know you will love it!!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!! :)

Fun Crystal Flowers

Fun, fun, fun! These swarovski crystal flowers are so adorable, they look like they are dancing on a breeze in this picture.

I thought it was very interesting how the hole was drilled. In the Artbeads.com catalog, the description reads:

"Swarovski Elements crystal in delicate flower forms just beg to be used in creative, fun jewelry designs! Make Artbeads.com your online resource for all of your Swarovski Elements crystal needs!

NOTE: The hole in this bead does not go through the center. Being slightly off center the flower will dangle a bit from your designs."

These are catalogued as Swarovski 5744 8mm Flower Peridot.

I see now what they mean in the description about the hole being off center. I'm trying to imagine what they would look like hanging from a necklace and think they would be adorable crimped at various intervals hanging from a choker, so they would almost look like a clematis vine of flowers.

A coworker who is interested in getting started in beading and has all the necessary tools told me today that she bought some peridot crystals, but hasn't made anything yet. I think she mentioned she doesn't really know where to start.

I told her I had these 7 flowers and will gift them to her tomorrow which I know she will love. However, I also have an ulterior motive to give her a push. When someone gives me beads, I know it makes me a little more interested in having a finished project to show off!

:) I hope everyone is having a great week!! Guess what...tomorrow is Friday!! YAY!! And...I just found out that Alice in Wonderland is playing at the Drive-in this weekend! Very cool!

FTC compliance disclosure: the items in this post from Artbeads.com were provided as a promotional gift as part of their bead blogger program for review or design purposes.

Gorgeous Filigree Clasp

Today's feature is a gorgeous gold toned, 2-strand clasp. I thought FOR SURE I had posted about this before, but I couldn't find it after several searches so I wanted to make sure I did!

This clasp came from Fire Mountain Gems for the purpose of helping a co-worker hang onto a bracelet she had received many years ago from her father. The little bar that slid into the clasp was no longer working.

I searched a number of local shops and when I couldn't find a similar clasp to the one on the bracelet, started searching web sites. This seemed to be the closest in size, shape and vibe so I ordered it.

In an ironic, but very cool, twist of fate, the little tab on the new clasp fit perfectly and held great inside the old clasp! Can you believe that?!

So, now I have a few left to work with! I can't get over how pretty the filigree work is on this very inexpensive clasp! Now that I have them out again, I'm excited to find the perfect project for it!!

Springy Sweet Beads

Awww, these beads are pretty darn adorable! They are milky glass and have such a sweet aura about them.

These were given to me as a gift, so I'm not sure where they came from. I have a handful of each so they could be accents in a large piece OR a very simple bracelet with some crystals and pearls...Hmm. I would love to have each of them made now so I can look at them and decide :)

That's why it pays to have a pretty good imagination when you are beading! A lot less taking apart... However, I have done my fair share of taking things apart and starting over.

You know what I was just thinking? This cute little green bead would look sweet on a very long, thin silver chain. Cute, cute!

As always, I'm open to ideas and I think there are probably as many ideas as there are beaders for using these sweet beads!

Pretty Packages!

I just love these beads!! One reason I love them is because they are the kind of special bead that you might never see or give a chance. They are from a standard package of inexpensive beads that I found on the Joann, etc. wall of beads.

Since I started out shopping at craft stores for beads, I have a tendency to look closely at all beads. I learned a couple of years ago that it didn't pay to be a "bead snob" and that some plastic and other packaged beads have a lot to offer!

I actually used these beads in my book, A Bead in Time, to represent festive holiday package earrings. It was so fun picking bicones to pair them with, it was similar to matching wrapping paper and bows!

It reaffirms to me that...BEADING IS FUN! You can really make it whatever you want! I like to have fun in jewelry making, some like to express their artsy side and others their whimsical nature.

Just in case you might be looking for some fun beading inspiration, our friend Heather of Azure Islands Designs is giving away a copy of my book, Yay!! Pop on over if you get a chance, it's up for grabs until April 19th when she announces the winner. :)

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!!

Creativity abounds in the blogging world!! I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting all our fellow bloggers below as well as numerous others today.

Thanks to everyone out there who is sharing their creativity with the world. It is a WONDERFUL thing!

I wish you all a great new week!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles A mix of brassy metal components and chain from ArtBeads.com inspires Melanie to make a springtime woodland owl necklace.

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy looks at easy metal jewelry making this week on her blog.

Jean Campbell Jean shares yet another travelogue. This time, it's Portland, one of her new favorite cities.

Art Bead Scene ABS Editor, Cindy Gimbrone asks the readers to weigh in on where she should go next.

Beading Arts Cyndi has found a *lot* of seed bead tutorials lurking in her blog's archives!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi makes a jacket pin in order to justify another crafty purchase.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Cindy follows her heart and stripz and makes some new beads.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Designing jewelry that is unique can be hard. Lorelei got some cute Signature tags recently and shows them off in this post.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean emphasizes the importance of checking out the auction of gorgeous treasures from tons of artists which is being held for Michele Goldstein, lampwork artist, organized in a stunning way on Ebay by Anne Mitchell and Gail Crosman Moore! It is not too late to bid on something amazing!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew hosts another Thursday Giveaway! This time, the prize comes courtesy of LillyPilly Designs!

Bracelet Found!

Guess what I found?!

We took an unexpected detour last night on our way to the drive-in. The music my husband and I were listening to had us reminiscing about the old hang-out a couple hours away where we met. Before I knew it, the car was turning around and we were on a little adventure!

I had not dressed to be going "out", but to be siting in the car in a gravel lot watching a movie! I still had on my yellow cz necklace and earrings from earlier in the day, but was shocked that I ran out of the house without a bracelet, that is very unusual!!

I started digging around in my purse and, voila!, there was my favorite 3 strand pearl and crystal bracelet!! Yay! It isn't what I would have picked, but it goes with anything and adds a little class.

A fun time was had by all especially once I felt I had good jewelry on :)

Hope you are having a fun weekend!!

Beading in the Caribbean

I just received word of some BIG news in the world of beads!! Registration for the 6th annual Bead Cruise opens tomorrow!

According to Heather Powers of HumbleBeads, the group will set sail from Galveston, Texas for 7 nights of beads, friends and fun on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas.

Visit Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica while learning from some of the best instructors including:

Dallas Lovett, Melinda Barta, Tracy Stanley, Heather Powers, Beverly Herman and Marcia DeCoster! There are some amazing classes being offered.

All the fun of a luxury cruise combined with a great bead retreat. Classes, workshops, nightly open beading sessions, a cocktail party, gift bags, door prizes, a bead bazaar and more!

Registration opens April 10th! Space is very limited. Visit Bead Cruise 2011 for more information.

And now, because it is featured designer Friday after all, here are some fabulous creations of the talented Heather Powers of HumbleBeads! Enjoy!

(Thanks so much Heather!)