Gifts of Crystal!

Okay, what I should have titled this post is, "gifts of crystal (that I would like to receive)!"

I have never seen these pieces before and just discovered them on the Firemountaingems.com website.

This gorgeous blue is listed as "Drop, Swarovski crystal and silver plated brass, aquamarine with silver-foil back, 8x4 single stone faceted marquise. Sold 4 per package."

Seriously? The package is currently $5.57. Wow, I LOVE it!

Bead Wishlist

I am curious about whether you all have a bead wishlist for the holiday season or a bead shopping list for your friends.

I don't think I have any beads to buy this season for friends, but I do sort of have a wishlist of some beads I'd like to get for myself :)

I just noticed that Firemountaingems.com has a number of sales going on. I do happen to love the holiday tree earrings made out of swarovski crystals.

I've made the snowman before, but never the tree....hmm. I think I might be getting myself a pre-holiday gift! :)

Too-Cute-Beads actually has kits available, NICE! They have green trees AND these adorable clear trees! I am liking these, I think it's the kitschy-factor!

What do you think?

Kid-Friendly Jewelry Making

I saved this fun, kid-friendly jewelry project from my all night craft extravaganza to share with you today.

It was probably close to 1:30am by the time we got around to this project. By the way, my 12 year old niece hung on till 3:30am, what a CRAFTER!

Our holiday craft night usually turns into a full blown party with gifts, food and drink.

This time around, we all got new glue guns! It was definitely a mini Oprah moment, "everyone gets a glue gun"!

It was exactly what we needed to embellish our felt covered slap bracelets with a bit of holiday fun! The packages of slap bracelets came from hobby lobby, 4 for $1, YAY!

I almost forgot to mention my super crafty and smart niece also saved the day when one of the others accidentally glued their embellishments on the backside of the slap bracelet. She summoned her inner craftiness and gently turned the slap bracelet inside the felt so all was well! It was a magical moment! (Did I mention we had been crafting for several hours by that time?)

This Week's Projects: Holiday Craftiness

Sometimes it seems like the projects I dream up at the last minute are the most fun!

I taught four jewelry projects at yesterday's holiday craft night extravaganza! A simple swarovski crystal earring for all ages; a felt covered slap bracelet with hot glued holiday characters and sparkly pom-pom's; a pair of 3 dimensional snowflake earrings AND...a jingle bell ring!

The jingle bell ring is definitely my favorite! It was fun to make and to wear. You wouldn't think ONE bell would be so jingly, but it is!

It doesn't seem like a true crafty-craft unless you have to alter the original form in some way. We were pounding and cutting the bell to get the shank to lay flat, then all it took was a bit of hot glue. I thought it would be fun to add a little sparkle, so I super-glued on some flat back swarovski crystals. Yay! (Just for the record, we did all agree it could also be cute in the summer as a lady-bug :)

The concept behind the snowflake earrings was to show that plenty of things can be made into earrings besides standard beads and findings. These snowflakes came in a package of 8 for $1 on sale at Hobby Lobby for the purpose of decorating a mini holiday tree.

I added a swarovski bicone for a little sparkle and ended up liking these even better than the red swarovski crystal earrings. :)

I'd love to see and share your holiday projects if you've been creating. Feel free to comment with a link back to your projects or email me and I'll post them here over the next few weeks.

Have a great new week!

Craft Night Sneak Peek

Here are the pieces for one of my more crafty projects :)

Green ring form, shiny red jingle bell and clear swarovski flat backs!

I enjoy teaching a real "crafty" project and a nice wearable jewelry project. Since I do LOVE using a glue gun in jewelry making, this one is perfect!

I found these green ring forms and shiny red jingle bells at Joann, Etc.

I had high hopes that I could smash in or cut off the bell shank in order to get a flat surface for gluing.

I also had high hopes that I could use my swarvoski flat back heating tool to adhere the crystals to the bell.

I will come back later on with an update and pics of all completed projects. :)

Peace, Love and Bead Bloggers!

I Love when jewelry designers express their LOVE for pretty sparkly things! Makes me feel a kinship or bond, like I'm not alone!

Take a look at this pendant that Jean Yates is sharing on her blog this week.

Yummy! Once you have been sufficiently awed by the sparkle, here are a few other blogs to check out if you get a chance!! :) Enjoy!

Tomorrow is my craft night, so I look forward giving you a sneak peek before heading over to my Mom's for an all-nighter of crafty fun. Have a great weekend!

Snap Out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discovered a very special pendant that expresses the way a person feels in a very special, amazing way!

Beading Arts
Beautiful toggle clasps are meant to be seen, not hidden away!

About.com Jewelry Making
Combine those jewelry techniques - this time with wire and fused glass.

Art Bead Scene
Gaea's ceramics pair up with Vintaj Brass to create some gorgeous Victorian Christmas jewelry inspiration!

Sparkly Polymer Clay Ideas

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I want to thank many of you for jumping on my glitter bandwagon! It's so much fun to go a little glitter crazy in good company! :)

I'm still working on the best way to add glitter to my beading projects.

In the mean time, the Polymer Clay Tutor has some great articles about using glitter in clay projects!

AND, wait till you read about using faux-snow for making faux-opals like the one pictured here!

WOW! Cindy Lietz has such great tricks up her sleeve when it comes to polymer clay. Enjoy!

Snowflakes or Spring Flowers?

Here is a great project I came across back in the spring. I was so happy that Fusion Beads gave me pemission to share it with you!!

Now that I am looking at it again, I'm thinking it would be great re-designed as snowflakes!

By the way, this project involves GLITTER! :)

The project is titled, "Coloring Filigree with Glitter and Acrylic Paint Dabbers"! There was no way I was not going to click on that link especially when I saw they were using this really great bluish/turquoise glitter!

They have provided a list of materials needed, step by step instructions AND they have 3 different finished jewelry projects that you can download instructions and make yourself!

They are all so cute, but I think this springy flower necklace called,Floral Fever Necklace, is my favorite!!

The other projects are the Morning Frost Earrings and Star of the Party Bracelet.

Enjoy!

Need More Drama? Just add MORE glitter!

You might have already guessed what was going to happen when I wore the bracelet from yesterday's post...

I was trying to be conservative when I "lightly dusted" it with glitter. After sticking it in my pocket as I was leaving this morning, I discovered that's where all the glitter is as well!

I was very surprised when I pulled it back out and it had magically disappeared!

Contrary to what you might be thinking, I did NOT take that as a sign that I shouldn't be wearing glitter. I decided to rework the bracelet a bit to make a slightly more dramatic look AND used a bit more glitter!

Can't wait to try this version out tomorrow, STAY TUNED!

Glitterama!

I'm having so much fun with the mod podge and diamond dust glitter tonight!! :) Wish you were all here with me so we could all sparkle together!

I just did a very light dusting on the glass pearl and swarovski bracelet and dotted the glue on this large mother of pearl flat round so the glitter would stick everywhere!

I'll be wearing these to work tomorrow. I'm not sure how they will hold up, but will keep you posted.

I hope to keep most of the glitter to myself, but it is entirely possible that it will float around in the air just slightly, we shall see!

I know many of you think glitter is just a little too messy, but the sparkliness everywhere really does make up for it!

The Winner is...

The winner of all the miscellaneous beads posted throughout the week is LACEY of the Creekside Craziness blog!

YAY! I'm excited to get all these pieces and parts out to her so she can start creating with them. As always, I'd LOVE to see what Lacey creates with them, but there are no strings attached, just enjoy!

Stay tuned for an upcoming Holiday Blog Hop where I will have my book up for sale over at Amazon.com AND will be giving a copy away!

I'll also be part of the 12 days of Christmas giveaways over at "Where Women Create"! Another chance to win a copy of my book AND all the pieces needed to create one of the most popular projects.

I'll keep you posted here on A Bead A Day! For now, have a great new week! :)

Final Giveaway Pics!

Happy, happy weekend everyone! I hope you are having fun thinking about any upcoming holiday celebrations.

Chances are, you are celebrating in some way over the next few months!

Celebrations are great especially when you have a chance to create gifts for others.

The funny thing is that most people are just thrilled to get something homemade or handmade, whichever term your prefer! It doesn't have to be perfect, just heart-felt!

Here are a couple more beads included in this week's giveaway EXTRAVAGANZA!

Just leave a comment on any post and you will have a chance to win all pieces mentioned this week! Good luck!

Peace, Love and Bead Bloggers!

Before getting this crafty weekend started, here is some inspiration to get you going!

Our fun-loving bead bloggers are sharing books, thought processes, new resin products, challenges and MORE!

Enjoy! Stop back tomorrow for one more day of giveaways before announcing the winner who takes all on Sunday!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew muses on the importance of having time to think and "tinker".

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the fabulous book, Sharilyn Miller's Arty Jewelry III! Is Sharilyn great, or what?

Resin Crafts!
A brand new resin has been created for jewelers and launched on the Resin Crafts blog this week!

Beads & Books
Join Michelle's last beading challenge for 2011 with a winter-themed kit featuring handmade porcelain beads by Chinook Jewelry, Czech glass, pearls, and ribbon!

Beading Arts
Bead a continuous loop necklace for a unique eyeglass holder!

Art Bead Scene
Heather offers a free project: a quick and simple nest necklace that uses wire to elegantly frame an art bead

About.com Jewelry Making
Here are some tips and design ideas for picking the right bracelet for the right person.

More Bead-Mix Giveaways!

Get ready for cheerful plastic flowers!

As part of this week's giveaway, there are LOTS of these colorful flower beads in the mix, you will not be disappointed!

These are absolutely perfect beads for layered earrings or fun charms on a bracelet!

If you are not a plastic bead fan, I think you will be surprised at the look of them when incorporated into a fun jingly/jangly jewelry piece!

Leave a comment here or on any post this week for a chance to win it all! :)

More Giveaway-Grab-bag Pieces!

Next up in this week's giveaway grab-bag is a plastic bead mix you might remember from back in the Summer...

Here are a few of them, but there are many more! This is a perfect bead mix for making a very fun and eclectic charm bracelet, triple strand necklace or several matching multi-strand bracelets for friends.

Once again, if you have left a comment so far this week or leave a comment here, you will be in the running for all of the items featured throughout the week. :)

Stay tuned for more!

Pieces & Parts

For those of you who stopped by yesterday's post, here are the contents of the box!

I discovered a necklace kit by the Simplicity company at Tuesday Morning over the weekend and was fascinated by it. I have a thing for gems that look like they could be in a treasure chest or Jewel Quest video game!

So, back to the picture. Do not adjust your colors, it is blue as blue is blue! Very cobalt! I can't imagine making something like this for myself, but I think it would be very fun to cover completely in jewels and treasures as a gift for someone who loves bling!

I also think it would make a great gift for someone who likes to craft or is learning how to sew.

Either way, it's now up for grabs, so leave a comment on any post the last few days and you will be in the running!

Make It Shine!

Wow, have you ever seen anything like this in a kit before? It looks like they are marketed by Simplicity to people who sew.

I came across this in Tuesday Morning over the weekend and didn't even think twice about buying it. I had a need to know

more! The regular price was $18.99 and it was marked $3.99.

I'm not a bead embroidery guru so it did make me wonder if you could actually make something out of this that looked wearable.

Here's the back of the box so you can see the other designs available through www.simplicty.com. It looks like this one is marked down to $5.20 on their site.

I've got a picture of the actual pieces inside for tomorrow's post, so stay tuned!

Crystal Giveaway Time!

It's time for a Swarovski Crystal Giveaway, YAY!!

Not only that, along with the crystal, I will send you a hand-picked bead mix AND a very interesting jewelry making kit I found at Tuesday Morning over the weekend.

More to come on the rest of this giveaway throughout the week.

Fun stuff! Just comment on any post this week and you will have an opportunity to win.

This crystal is a fabulously large, 30x14mm "navette pendant".

The stringing hole goes through the top point which makes it very easy to work into a necklace or a sun-catcher!

My advice about using Swarovski Crystals as sun-catchers is, be sure to wear sun glasses. Be prepared for the light to be thrown all over the place!

I had a very crystally bracelet on recently while riding in a car with other people and felt like I had to keep my hand near by body or people would be blinded by the crystally light! :)

If you would like to win, just leave a comment and check out posts this week for the other pieces of this giveaway!

Glittery Upside Down Snowman Project

I took the advice from a recent comment and re-worked my giant snowman pendant. Of course it took me until 11pm to get all of my other stuff done, so I could play a little, so it is a tad late!

I found a smaller round glass pearl in a similar color and after putting it back together upside down, I glittered it!!

I know, I couldn't help myself! Since I used the word glitter I haven't been able to get it off my mind!

The upside down glitterman is hanging up so it will dry quickly, but I'll run in the other room and snap a pic of it since it won't actually be ready to wear until tomorrow. :)

Please tell me I'm not the only one glittering up their jewelry projects!!

I haven't decided if I like this shape yet or not, but I thoroughly enjoyed gluing and glittering!

Peace, Love and Bead Bloggers!

It looks like this is going to be a pretty crafty weekend! Yay! I'll be getting the glitter out and working on some holiday projects! How about you?

Art Bead Scene has announced it's holiday ornament Blog Hop, check it out using the link below! :)

Art Bead Scene

Art Bead Scene announces its annual Holiday Ornament Blog Hop!

About.com Jewelry Making
Bravo has a new TV show that uses Project Runway as a template but the designers are making accessories instead of clothing. What are your thoughts about this new show?

Beading Arts
Jewelry designer Tammy Powley shares some of her expertise for creating unique bead strung jewelry!

Beads & Books
Michelle shares upcoming deadlines for beading & jewelry making contests and challenges.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy is off her loom this week! Come see her new RAW book!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie mourns the passing of a furry friend by making a pair of special cuff bracelets to honor her memory

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean's famous friend, the Great Margot Potter, has some wonderful news! Read all about it on Jean's blog!

Time to Get Out the GLITTER?

Hmm...I think it might be time to get out the glitter! Who doesn't LOVE diamond dust glitter?

It transforms everything. I've had it on my arms and clothes after crafting with it and didn't want to brush it off. It just glows...

I made a bunch of very inexpensive earrings as gifts one holiday season by making right angle weave baubles out of 6/0 beads that come in a huge tube for a couple of dollars!

After making the baubles, I coated them gently with ModPodge (glue) and covered them in diamond dust.

They made the cutest earrings hanging from a simple sterling plated chain. These baubles could be used in many festive jewelry designs. The best part of making them into earrings is that the diamond dust eventually makes onto your shoulders and looks so sparkly!

So, are you using glitter in your holiday jewelry?

Holiday Jewelry Projects

I asked yesterday if anyone had ideas for holiday jewelry, so I wanted to share a few I recently discovered:

About.com

Fave Crafts

Artbeads.com

Jewelry Crafts

Jewelry Supply.com

Included on these sites are projects for holiday jewelry, ornaments, pins, magnets and more! Have fun and keep me posted, especially if you want to share!

I'll be teaching a holiday craft in a couple of weeks, so if you have some other easy project ideas, please send them my way!

Swarovski Sparkle for the Holidays

Have you seen the fall/winter 2011/2012 Swarovski Elements Innovations Collection?

Let me tell you, IT'S SPARKLY!

I just noticed some of the pieces are on the FireMountainGems homepage.

If you have seen either of these in real life, please let us know what you think. They are both intriguing to me!

The golden shadow 28x28mm faceted graphic pendant and rhombus would be great for making some fun, sparkly holiday gifts!!

Speaking of holiday gifts, I'd love to hear what you are making this season for friends and loved ones! :)

Creative Connections...

In yesterday's post I mentioned the Polymer Clay Tutor, Cindy Lietz, and shared a fabulous pirate-y bracelet from her website.

She commented on the post and pointed out the rounded focal piece is actually a copper clasp made by Melinda Orr!

So... I took a quick trip to Melinda's Etsy site and immediately took a deep breath in when I saw this....seriously, it is called "Flower Power" copper and brass bracelet.

I LOVE IT!! It makes me wish I had created this myself because I feel so connected to it!

What a fun experience and a great reminder about the sharing and caring nature of the creative community! It's really wonderful how you meet one artist who connects you with another, who connects you with yet another and on and on...sounds like a commercial, but it's REAL!

I hope you enjoy this wonderful artist's work! You can also visit Melinda at her Peace Creek blog.

Pirates, Pics and Snowmen, YAY!

After posting those adorable polymer clay pumpkins yesterday from Tammy Powley's About.com post, it made me realize I hadn't checked in with our friend Cindy Lietz recently.

Cindy is also known as the Polymer Clay Tutor!

She's been talking about hand-tinted photo transfers, pirate canes and snowman beads, how fun.

I really love her pirate bracelet. She connected all of her beads with the perfect type of wire, but I have to say the curved focal bead is the BEST!

Thanks for everything you do to share your talent with the world, Cindy! :)

Peace, Love and Bead Blogger Saturday!

In case any of you have been looking for inspiration today, our bead blogger friends have come to the rescue!

You've got to see these adorable polymer pumpkins over on Tammy's post at About.com! Sweet! She's got the instructions stepped out in case you want to make a few of your own. :)

About.com Jewelry Making
Make a fall patch of pumpkin beads using polymer clay.

Art Bead Scene
The November Monthly Challenge is announced, revealing a historical painting of a beautiful woman in autumn tones

Beading Arts
Cyndi is featuring innovative stringing techniques all month on Beading Arts! Come join in the fun :-)

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
This week's Minding the Business is about taking care of you.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean re-reviews a book by Maggie Meister she finds particularly outstanding

Giant Accidental Snowman

As a continuation from yesterday's post, here is the accidental snowman I made before work and wore all day until I caught my reflection and realized I was wearing a giant snowman!

I really didn't see the snowman until it was already made. On the drawing board in my head, it was very elegant! :)

Funny in hindsight, well, maybe funny as it was happening too!

I'd love to hear about your crafty plans for the weekend, I don't have too many myself except for wanting to find a few minutes to create!

Here's wishing you all a very crafty weekend!

Real Snowman Jewelry is Cute!

If you have been to this blog before, you will not be surprised to find out that I was making jewelry before work this morning.

Why in the world I get the idea that I have to make something at the spur of the moment, I have no idea!

The funny thing is, my quick little project looked very cute in my head, but I'm not sure it was all that cute in real life. It consisted of only 3 beads and a chain. One very large light grey pearl, a medium sized similar colored glass pearl and a sparkly crystal rondelle in between. Hanging from a simple silver chain, I thought it was so cute...

I made it, put it on and wore it most of the day. It dawned on me when I caught my reflection in the elevator doors that I had just worn a giant snowman necklace all day! What? How did I not realize that when I was making it?

I took it off at work when I realized it, but will bring it home tomorrow to show you. I also had a fleeting idea that it would be fun to pull out a sharpie and put a little smiley face on him, but I held myself back.

In the mean time, I thought it would be fun to share some REAL snowman earrings that are part of a kit from Artbeads.com. How cute! I have a pair of these somewhere, they are a lot of fun to make and wear. Also a great project for new beaders!

Vintage Sweetness!

Not to obsess or anything, BUT I just noticed these vintage flowers on the Bumbershootsupplies.com site and thought I better remind everyone to get their comments in by 11/23/11 here for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate.

Good luck everyone!!

Here's a quick description of what you will find at Bumbershoot's blog:

"...Where you will find antique and vintage supplies for jewelry and mixed media art, designs featuring vintage supplies, featured artists, tutorials and tips, newsletter sign up and archived issues..."

$100 Giveaway at Bumbershoot Supplies!

WOW! This is an amazing opportunity!

BumbershootSupplies.com is giving away a $100 gift certificate!

Their vintage beading supplies are truly amazing. Take a peek at some of their items and you will soon be entering to win. Here's how to enter.

Thanks so much to Sharon and Jim for their generosity!! Here is one of my favorite items in their shop...

Yummy!! These are listed under vintage beads/navette sew-on. Gorgeous, these are calling out to me!!