The Holidays are Coming!

This bead strand came in the mail today along with quite a few others, yay!

I'm so darn lucky and so grateful to the Cousin Corporation. Being a Creative Circle Ambassador continues to be a great experience AND a growth experience.

I selected these beads with thoughts of creating something for the holidays that's not so obvious. They're listed as 12 Piece Resin 15mm - Open square red.

Working with open squares or circles is always fun. It's exciting to think about the many ways to either string them with beads in the center OR linking them up in a way that leaves the center open.

At first I was thinking of going an earthy route and using hemp cord in some way. I'm not totally convinced that's not the way to go yet.

However, I'm also thinking of adding some kind of sparkle. I'm wondering if going extreme sparkle would be interesting due to the contrast.

I'm open to thoughts, so holler them out if you have them.

Looking for Inspiration? It's Bead Blogger Time!

Do you ever feel like somehow a week went by and it seems like a blur? I don't know how, but an entire week just passed by and it seems like it was just the weekend.

The good news in all that is, HEY, it's the weekend again! :) Yep, there's the silver lining!

I'm going to really focus on this weekend and live it and really be in the moment to make up for "losing" the last 4 or 5 days!

I just gave myself a cheer, "you can do it if you put your mind to it, buckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it!" :)

Just to really get things kicked off, some of our blogger pals are sharing inspiration. First up is Jean Yates. She's sharing sneak peeks from Beading Daily, NICE! Enjoy...

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Join Jean as she shares an email from Beading Daily with some awesome previews and jewelry projects ahead of time!

Beading Arts
What do you do when the beadwork on a prized dress falls apart?

Carmi's Art/Life World
Sometimes a wonderful childhood book character can come back to you in the form of jewelry - come see the Pinocchio necklace!

Resin Crafts Blog
Do you remember Betsy McCall? These sentimental resin filled bezels will be perfect for both the young and older women in your life.

Craft Night Success!

A great time was had by all at craft night, yay!

It's always hard to see it come to an end, but it's fun to come home with completed projects.

I didn't get my rock painting done, but we'll finish that one up next time.

We  DID end up with wine cork jewelry though so that made me happy!

I had a bunch of ideas and took about half of all the beads and findings I own just in case. :)

The prototypes I made right before heading over to craft night are pictured here.

These were fun and a little whimsical which usually happens when I am having fun creating in a crunch time situation standing at the kitchen counter.

The necklace is made with a cork I cut lengthwise with a knife and the bracelet is made with a cork I cut into slices AND after rubber stamping it, glittered it just a tad. :)

Very fun and seriously one of a kind! I didn't even know I needed or wanted these until I made them.

Now I'm so glad I have them, they make me feel happy, hey, just like wine.

That seems very appropriate!

If any of you have made wine cork jewelry, please share!

Sweet Shamballas!

Happy Friday!! So glad it's here! For me it's craft night weekend, yay!

Lots of crafting, eating and drinking with family and friends tomorrow night until we can't bead, glue or paint another thing and fall off to a few hours of sleep in the wee morning hours.

Ahh, sounds great! :)

Now I just have to finalize the project I'm going to teach. One thing I know for sure is it will be a jewelry project and the other thing I know is it will have a wine cork or wine corks in the design.

I just need to do a little more trial and error before deciding on a final design.

Interestingly, I have found myself once again totally hooked on these Cousin shamballa beads. Wow, by now the novelty would have usually worn off.

I know it hasn't because every project I conceive of seems to have a shamballa bead in it! These light purples are SO magical in real life. Amazing! They are available at Walmart too which is great, just in case I get inspired and need to go on a midnight run!

I think purple shamballas with wine corks have what it takes to make a great piece of fun craft night jewelry. How about you? :)

Bead Blogger Fun!

Wow, having that extra day off Monday really threw things out of alignment there for minute...it's Wednesday already!

I didn't want to miss some of the great happenings reported by our bead blogger friends, so here's a quick roundup!

I'm afraid we missed out on the Kristal Wick book giveaway, but still awesome info! :)

To make up for it, we're starting things out with a great post by Lorelei Eurto. Check out her tips for hosting a jewelry open house! Nice, thanks Lorelei!! :)

Art Bead Scene
Check out guest blogger Lorelei Eurto's post on holding an open house jewellery event!

Beading Arts
Don't you feel sooo good when you finish a project? Cyndi has just finished a large bead embroidered necklace, so she's feeling GREAT!

Carmi's Art
Discovering someone else's jewelry collection is always a treat. Buying, cleaning and possibly re-stringing it is something to consider too.

Resin Craft Blog
If you have not tried working with a channel bracelet, this post is for you! Jewelry clay and a bangle means instant happy!

Snap out if it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is hosting a book giveway for the wonderful jewelry instruction and design book by Kristal Wick, Metal Clay 101 for Beaders--come and comment on her blog for a chance to win it!

WINNER Announced...'Tis the Season!

Thank you all so much for stopping by and leaving a comment on last week's post for a chance to win lots of holiday beads and charms from the new Cousin Corporation 'Tis the Season collection.

I'm so excited to announce the winner is Julie of Second Hand Jules!

Julie, your package will be heading your way in the next couple of days!

In November I'll be pulling together a fun grab bag of miscellaneous pieces and parts for the next giveaway, so keep an eye out! :)

Thank you all my fun, fab beading friends!

Saturday in the Park Butterfly Necklace Project

I just discovered one of my favorite projects is posted on the PrimaBead.com site with instructions!

Yay! I love both of these butterflies and was so anxious to share with you.

This "Saturday in the Park" necklace project was conceived and created in a couple hours back in August.

I had a completely different project in mind when I ordered pieces for it.

When I started putting it together, it became clear it wasn't really working as I envisioned.

I turned to my existing stash to find a way to use the blue butterfly and once I introduced the colorful enamel butterfly, it all came together quickly.

The black faux leather connectors are AWESOME! They make a statement and just require a jump ring to connect.

This will go great with a cobalt blue blouse this time of year. In fact, I think I'll wear it myself today. :) It IS Saturday after all.

Time to Share Your Holiday Jewelry Secrets

Well my friends, it looks like the first wave of cooler air brings on a rush of people in the holiday spirit. Isn't that amazing?

I actually saw snowmen at the grocery store this week, yikes!

The time is here to start planning AND most importantly for artists, designers and crafters...time to GET BUSY!

SO, if you are feeling like sharing, I'd love to hear your secrets for getting in the spirit to create jewelry projects for the lucky people on your list!

Do you create holiday type projects using beads and charms like the ones pictured here? OR, do you mix and match crystals and beads in a certain color palette that isn't as obvious, but still has some holiday flair.

OR, do you think about each of your gift recipients and create something based on their favorite season, the colors in their wardrobe or their personal style?

Inquiring beaders really want to know! Please share and, as always, leave links to projects and pictures when possible. :)

Happy creating!

'Tis the Season Bead GIVEAWAY!

Are you ready to make some fun holiday jewelry?

I've got just the beads for you!

Thanks to the generosity of the Cousin Corporation through their Creative Circle Ambassador program I have PLENTY to share! 

YAY!

Leave a comment on this blog post through Saturday, Oct. 12, for a chance to win a surprise package of holiday beads and charms!

If your profile does not link back to an email address, please remember to leave that in your comment.

Thanks for stopping by...GOOD LUCK!

Bead Blogger Procrastination...again!

Once again, I'm having a procrastination moment...I want to hold onto the weekend just a tiny bit longer! :)

Feel like jumping on my bandwagon and squeezing out a few more minutes?

Let's just do a quick run through of the creative blogs below...starting with a new opportunity to share your resin designs, enjoy!

Resin Crafts Blog
This fall Resin Crafts is looking for crafters/jewellers who want to show off their resin work. We are shipping a wonderful bezel to anyone who wants to participate!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the great artist and author Jamie Cloud Eakin's most recent book, Bead Embroidery Jewelry Projects, Design and Construction, Ideas and Inspiration, and does indeed find it to be VERY inspiring!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
To celebrate the launch of our latest porcelain pendant design, we're hosting a giveaway! Find out how you can enter to win! 

Art Bead Scene
Check out our October monthly challenge colour palette! Spooky!

Beading Arts
Cyndi enjoyed taking part in her friend's Sequintastic September blog hop. Come see what she made, and find links to all the rest of the gang! 

Lauren Andersen - The Chainmaille Lady - New Book!

There's a great new beading book out this week! It's by our friend Lauren Andersen, yep, the Chainmaille Lady!

You can find The Absolute Beginners Guide: Making Chain Mail Jewelry on Amazon, not to mention just about every other book outlet.

I had the opportunity to meet Lauren Andersen when I was waiting my turn in the green room for the TV show Beads, Baubles and Jewels. It was certainly a treat!

Lauren was so encouraging and supportive of everyone considering she had already done spots on jewelry related TV shows. She was genuinely interested in everyone's success.

She's such an adorable lady with a kind and very SPARKLY personality. She would LOVE to talk everyone into making chain mail jewelry. Her enthusiasm is contagious!

Thank you Lauren for being you and sharing your talent with the world!! :)

Sparkly Snowflake Necklace Reveal!

Yay! I'm so happy to announce the new "Tis the Season" bead collection is now available at AC Moore stores as of tomorrow.

I must admit once I got on a roll and into the holiday or wintry season mindset, I had a blast with all the fun new products by Cousin Corporation.

It was easy to think about THESE snowflakes especially since we've had temperatures in the 70's and 80's!

I mentioned back on Sept. 17 I had sorted out the beads I wanted to use for this necklace project and I finally get a chance to share.

I absolutely LOVE the diamond shaped crystally dangles. If you look at the dangles from the right, the diamond sparkly is the second one in from the right. There are 4 total in the project.

BUT, I also love the larger silver snowflake encrusted rounds too!

If you're ready to start some holiday jewelry, now's the time!