Happy Holidays - GIVEAWAY - Week 2!

Yay, I hope you don't get tired of hearing this, but I have to say these giveaways are making my holiday season very BRIGHT!

You all are so great, I hope you continue to try winning these fabulous kits from the generous Cousin Corporation!

Remember to check out their Facebook page because they give beads away EVERY week and they always share when their products are on sale at local bead stores (Joann's/Michael's) in addition to Meijer and Walmart stores.

So, here we go! AND the first week's winner is....the fun and sparkly, Deb, of the Beetique blog! Yippee! Congrats Deb! and now....Week 2!

The HAPPY HOLIDAYS week 2 kit is so pretty, it's the Brown/Taupe pearl Class in a Box!

It comes with a fully detailed instruction book with project ideas and basic how-to's, a 3-in-1 jewelry making tool and bead mat. The complete kit will make 2 necklaces, 2 bracelets and 2 pairs of earrings. You don't have to follow the guidelines though, feel free to be inspired! :)

As always, it's EASY to enter...just leave a comment on this post and make sure your profile leads back to your email address. If not, make sure to include it in your comment.

I'll announce the winner of this kit NEXT Wednesday. I'll also post the next Class in a Box up for grabs then too! GOOD LUCK! :)

Yippee Skippy - it's a GIVEAWAY!

YAY! I have great news! I will be giving away a fabulous "Jewelry Class in a Box" kit every week through Christmas thanks to our generous friends at Cousin Corporation!

That's FIVE different kits! A new one will be posted every Wednesday through Dec. 19 with the final winner announced on Dec. 26.

Hopefully now you see why the "yippee skippy" was necessary. :)

This makes me SO HAPPY! I love to share. These kits are great for existing beaders or people interested in learning how to bead.

Each kit has a nice bead mat, 3-in-1 tool and thorough instruction booklet that includes all the basic techniques.

So, we're starting things out with the EARRING KIT!

Interested in winning this kit? Just leave a comment by next Tuesday, Nov. 27, and make sure your user name links back to your email address. If not, just include your email address in your comment.

That's it, pretty easy! GOOD LUCK and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Easy & Effortless!

This necklace is so simple and so cute, I can't really take that much credit for it.

Actually my two favorite words describe this perfectly, EASY & EFFORTLESS!

The metal component and ribbon, while very simple, make a real statement. I WILL take credit for knotting the ribbon and adding the clasp. :)

Perfect timing so I have something new to wear on Thanksgiving!

I can't wait to make this with a red or burgundy ribbon to wear next month, it's really going to be gorgeous, especially peeking through the cutouts of the metal.

I am never opposed to taking something simple apart to make it into something else, but in this case, I am going to make a run to JoAnn, Etc. (before the crazy shopping frenzy) to pick up another one. :) In fact, this would make a great gift for a bunch of people. Hmm...

So, did you make or are you still planning to make something new to wear for Thanksgiving?

Easy Projects w/ New Products

The new Cousin Corp. product line called Second Skin is now in JoAnn Stores, yay! There are some really great components in this line as I have been mentioning over the last week or so.

I had a chance to work up a few fun and simple projects to share.

The first is this bracelet using 3 large chain links with the circular/sparkly component layered on top and a simple jump ring on either side holds it all together! EASY!

Then it was just a matter of adding on this double chain and a clasp.

This is something I know I can wear with pretty much any outfit and for me, that is necessary since I get hooked on things and will wear the same jewelry every day.

The second project shown here is a quick and easy pair of earrings. I used the little black disco ball with a head pin and attached it directly to a piece of very cool chain. This chain reminds me of a tennis bracelet (without the gems). I even attached the ear wire directly to the top of the chain, SO easy!

I'll share the necklace I made tomorrow. It is also extremely quick and easy!

Would love to hear if you have noticed these in your JoAnn store yet. :)

Weekend Inspiration

Yay Friday, glad you are here!

I've been thinking about beads all week and can't wait to have time to create. Here's some inspiration from our bead blogger friends to kick things off, have a GREAT weekend!

About.com Jewelry Making
Re-purpose a vintage pin into a pendant for a new necklace that has a vintage look.

Art Bead Scene
November's Art Bead Scene challenge is a graphic illustration by MC Escher, bound to inspire wintery jewelry designs

Beading Arts
Cyndi is celebrating a month of books! The newest book up for grabs is "Simply Stylish Crystal Jewelry", so head on over and get in on all the great giveaways!

Resin Crafts!
A week of samples featuring new Nunn Design components end with a huge give-a-way this week on Resin Crafts Blog.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discusses her great love of Basha Beads!

Turn, turn, turn...

It's interesting to note how much we each learn about ourselves every day. I guess that is the inevitable process of evolution. 

At this point in life I am much more aware and eager to learn about my true/authentic self and I recognize lessons learned much quicker and easier.

Here's what I learned about myself since I received my last batch of Cousin products in my 4th month as a Jewelry Making Ambassador...Once I open a box of products, I lose touch with reality.

I regress to childhood...maybe Christmas...maybe a special birthday... It's a no holds barred crazy gift opening time. I pick up every packet, look it over, touch it, imagine what I could be making with it, take it off the package, etc.

When I'm through, I look back over my shoulder and have to laugh. My 5 or 10 year old self did that, not me! :)

So, tonight's chain is no longer on the package and it might be one of the last pieces from the Second Skin line that I got a photo of before regressing. 

I LOVE this chain! It's so easy to be creative with, it's easy to make a 5 minute project or a 55 minute project. It's bright and is going to get noticed. It calls out to be layered and have some bright and colorful beads accompanying it.

So, a long story to get to tonight's "bead", but hey, I do have a tendency to ramble on. That is part of my authentic self so I'm working on embracing it.  :)

Craft Store Update

I was excited to see an update by Cousin Corporation that their new line of products has made it to JoAnn stores a little earlier than expected, yay!

I can't wait to make a trip over to get some pics, there's nothing like a fresh jewelry display with new products. Come on weekend, please hurry!

Here's a little more info:

The Second Skin trend is focused on the look and feel of exotic skins, particularly snake skin. This new program features pendants, connectors and beads fabricated with faux snake skin insets and a snake skin texture imprinted into the metal. Highlighted with luxurious jewel tones and metal accents, Second Skin also features many seed bead and metal chains which emulates the undulation of snakes and their coils.

Yay!

Timeless Styles

Ever since I received some of the new Cousin Corp product line called Second Skin, I have noticed something interesting...

I originally thought this particular piece had sort of a southwestern vibe which is not surprising since many of the other second skin products do as well.

The interesting thing is, I was watching VH1 Classic (no big surprise there), it must have been "Totally 80's" and noticed some jewelry that looked similar to this.

Over the weekend I caught up on the latest version of Project Runway All Stars and saw some jewelry that looked similar to this piece!

Here's the MOST interesting thing...I was watching an older movie from around the late 30's and noticed jewelry that looked similar to this piece!!

I never would have guessed that styles from those particular eras were so similar, but it really makes me smile! I thoroughly enjoy when "something old is new again!" Yay...

Versatility Inspires!

When I come across pieces like this silvery toned metal piece, its versatility definitely inspires LOTS of ideas!

Sometimes it isn't easy to settle on one! Every time I pick up this piece I seem to have a new thought on how to use it.

It makes it exciting, but it also takes patience. The patience is needed so I hold out till I get "THE" idea!

For now, I'm still mulling over all the different types of ribbon and cording this would look great with, but I'm also seeing some great and kind of "out there" ideas involving colored beading wire, lots of crimps and crystals dangling from all those holes!

Thoughts? Please share!

Inspiring!

Looking for inspiration? Well, you have come to the right place! Take a look through these bead blogger posts and you're sure to find something great!

Cyndi of Beading Arts has finished up the 3rd chapter of her book. Wow, these projects are awesome! Thanks to all for sharing!

Beading Arts
Cyndi is soooo excited to let you know that Chapter three of her new book is completed and ready for download. The name? "Bridging the Gap." Are you curious...?

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy interviews luxury jewelry designer Rebekah Lea.

Art Bead Scene
Erin Siegel takes us on a blog hop full of creative and gorgeous earring designs

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi continues to explored the endless ways to incorporate t-shirt yarn into her projects!

Resin Crafts!
An unusual copper bezel is the inspiration for this "Coronation" themed resin beauty.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew has been hard at work creating four new Premium Mixes!

Fun Pack Project

This is about the easiest project you can find if you have a local Meijer store that carries Cousin jewelry making products!

I recently bought the Fun Packs with 6 rubbery necklaces in different colors along with a package of ready-made dangles for each person.

Each of my craft night crafters picked a necklace and a package of the dangles.

I am showing just one of the choices for dangles.

I also bought the blue tones and there were pearly and crystally options as well.

So easy!

Just open the necklace by pulling one end out of the little cap end, load on the dangles in the order you like and it's done!

I have gotten so many compliments on this fun and easy project.

At first, I thought it was a fun, sort of kid like project, but my necklace looked great on grown ups too!

Connectors & Reptiles

It just occurred to me that I was so excited to start digging into my box from Cousin Corp with the new "Second Skin" line that I took LOTS of pieces off packages before getting pics! Ruh roh!

So, the one piece I did want to show you in relation to yesterday's bracelet project is this 6 hole connector.

The one I used yesterday was in a brushed brass tone, while the package shown here is in a silvery tone.

I used one of the end pieces by knotting the hemp cord to the side with the 6 loops and added a magnet clasp to the other side with one loop. Perfect!

I also wanted to share one of the other fun pieces with you...these little snakes... aren't they adorable?

If I ran into a real snake, I think I would freak out a bit.

However, this bead snake is GREAT!

Simple Knotted Bracelet

After seeing Deb's comment from Beetique on yesterday's post, I thought I'd post this bracelet project using a great Cousin Corp pendant today.

I'll follow up the next couple days by showcasing the actual pieces and parts that went into creating it.

You should be able to click on the photo to get a closer view.

The new "Second Skin" line of beads from Cousin that will be in Joann stores at the end of November include MANY components that are not for people who want to be incognito or fly under the radar!

They are big, "out there" pieces that will get noticed. Rather than use this great pendant on a necklace that, as the wearer, I wouldn't be able to enjoy, I challenged myself to create a bracelet. :)

I LOVED lacing the holes at the bottom of the pendant with this brown hemp cord. The perfect Second Skin product to finish up the side with hemp cord is a 6 hole bar clasp, NICE!

I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Bracelet Worthy?

Wow, what a great pendant! That shot of red is perfect!

So, want to take a stand? Think this fairly large pendant is bracelet worthy?

I will give you a tiny little hint...I have a project to share. :)

This piece will be in Joann stores at the end of November as part of the Cousin Corp's new "Second Skin" line.

Love it!

Art Deco...I'm a Fan!

For many years I loved things with geometric designs and when I began going to flea markets and auctions realized my heart belonged to Art Deco.

Of course my first thought upon seeing this component was "oh yeah, great bracelet focal bead!"

AND, these colors are great because they can be worn with black or brown! Nice...

This particular package actually comes with TWO of these pieces so you can make something for yourself and for a friend! Isn't it nice how that works out as we approach the holidays? :)

So, tonight kicks off the November bead extravaganza which translates to me sharing all the great pieces and parts I received from Cousin Corp for November!

The cool thing is this new line, called "second skin," will be in Joann stores at the end of November and available through Primabead.com.

Stay tuned for the inside track! Yay!

Craft Night Success!

Oh my goodness, look what I found at a Meijer store yesterday morning! An entire wall of Cousin products...wow!

I've never seen so many of them in one place before!

It was a blast, but I kept thinking the store people were keeping an eye on me because I was dawdling for so long! :)

I still hadn't created a prototype for a project I was going to teach last night, so this was like hitting the mother lode! 

Here's what I decided on...

A Pendant, ribbon clasps and some pretty ribbon. Yes, this Meijer store had several aisles of craft products, nice!

Cutting the pendant loop off was the first order of business so this could be made into a bracelet.

I used to think I was being selfish by only wanting to make bracelets because I can't see what's around my neck and I can see what's on my wrist whenever I want!

Now I just expect that to be my first instinct...Oh, I can make that into a bracelet!

We looped the ribbon on either side, crimped down the ribbon clasps and added a magnet clasp for ease in getting this bracelet on and off. What do you think?

Update:
Here's a quick pic of the closure, hope this helps! :)

Bring on the Inspiration!

Yay, happy weekend! Here's a bit of inspiration to get your creativity flowing!

We're starting off with Carmi's wool kumihimo bracelets....NICE!

Carmi's Art/Life World 
Carmi uses a very unique wool to craft kumihimo bracelets. 

About.com Jewelry Making
Catching up on some book reviews, Tammy finds one with tons of great pictures showing how to make bead and wire jewelry.

Art Bead Scene
Take a tour of some of the jewelry that was inspired by last month's painting inspiration. 

Beading Arts
"Metal Month" comes to an end on Beading Arts, but it leaves with a BANG! 

Resin Crafts!
Resin Crafts blog has a two part series on how to use tissue to cover an open space in a pendant. 

Switching Gears...what's next?

Alright! I have a day off tomorrow, yay!

I am excited about preparing the craft that I will be teaching at my overnight craft adventure with friends and family on Saturday night. Right now, I don't even have a glimmer of an idea.

Once I get everything out and make a mess all over the place, I'm sure it will come to me!

For me, that's when everything starts clicking! :)

Until I figure it out, I thought it would be fun to share a Cousin Corp project called "Girl's Night Out." Instructions can be found here.

I love the fun and colors and think they would be great for winter! Enjoy!