Celebrating a giant box of beads!

Thank you Cousin Corporation! 

Receiving a giant shipping box full of beads this week was so AWESOME! Yay!

On the last day of our Cousin Ambassador Retreat last week, the agenda read, “shopping in the bead warehouse.” 

For ten whole minutes we had a chance to pick anything from a LONG wall of beads in the Cousin Corporation warehouse. 

I love a good reality TV show and this had all the perfect makings! The entire time all I could think was, "wow, I am so lucky!!"

Fortunately, the ambassadors had all week to bond and the fact we were climbing all over each other in the most mannerly way possible was no big deal. J

Today I had a chance to sort through and pick out a few faves. I'd love to hear your thoughts as I go through the box and share.

This is going to take a while!

So, once again, thank you Cousin Corporation!

I’m so happy to be continuing on as an Ambassador this year.

Memory Wire Obsession!

Once again when pressed for time to make jewelry for myself, I turn to memory wire. It's so fun, quick and easy to come up with something new. As I was preparing for my trip back to Clearwater to spend time with the Cousin Corporation and the other five ambassadors, I realized I needed some new jewelry to wear.

I don't usually stick with one strand, but thought it would be fun to use these larger sparkly mirror beads and mix in a bunch of little dangles. It's like a fun jingly little party for your wrist!

All the movement makes it really fun to wear!

I made this one in the hotel room early one morning before our busy day at Cousin Corp using the furry little beads I had found at Walmart. The blue "feather" dangle was the icing on the cake! :)

Funny how using the same kind of wire can produce such different looks! LOVE that memory wire! :)

This weekend I'll share a little more about our whirlwind bead retreat. I had to take a few days to process all of the wonderful things that happened last week.

Well, no more procrastinating, I better get the show on the road! :)

Happy Friday!

Bracelet made in Clearwater, Florida! - Memories of spring break...

I'm already pining away for the warmth and palm trees we were surrounded by during spring break in Clearwater.

Our goals were to visit with family and then basically relax and have fun! I always bring beads and tools in my checked bag even though it comes close to meeting the weight limit! It's a must!

I can have fun just looking and beads and trying things out, even if I don't actually end up with many completed projects.

Back in February I had found this Cousin Corp. stretchy cord at our local Walmart and decided to use it in a few projects I was making for them.

I was sad that I had to mail them in and hadn't taken the time to make anything for myself. Well, I brought the leftovers and was thrilled when I discovered I had these great peace sign beads that went perfectly!

This stretchy cord is VERY forgiving and easy to use. The ends cut nicely and don't fray. I just knotted the cord around the jump rings on either side of the peace sign and added a few dangles. It just feels like Florida to me.

AND, thanks to Cousin Corp. I'll be taking another trip back to Clearwater next week! More to come on that soon!!

In the meantime, if you're looking for stretchy cord inspiration, here are the other pieces I made for Cousin back in February inspired by my desire for a beachy vacation!

These beachy stretchy knotted bracelets were SO EASY to make! I just cut the cord, knotted the ends and added a dangle.


These bracelets each have a strand of beads sewn right on!


And, here's a simple and fun stretchy necklace:

ENJOY! If you created new jewelry pieces on your recent vacation, please SHARE!