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!)

Lost & Found

I was just breezing through some photos and came across this turquoise and tan/gold bracelet that was made on copper wire.

I remember liking how it was form fitting to my wrist and the colors were so complementary and fun to wear.

It was then I realized I had no idea where it is in real life!

It occurred to me there are probably lots of long lost jewelry pieces that I have pictures of and thought it would be fun to share.

I really do miss them and might have to spend a little time this weekend looking for them!!

At first I had a little guilt for being so disrespectful to my jewelry projects, but that is part of the fun of using inexpensive materials along with imagination.

You can feel okay about wearing them until you are done and then sort of set them aside for a while.

Maybe saying I lost them was a little strong. I am now stating that I have just temporarily misplaced them :)