Featured Designer: Mary Ann Carroll

This week's featured designer is Mary Ann Carroll of Homer, New York. Not only is she a gifted ceramic bead designer, she is also a special education teacher.

It's amazing the time people find to create when they are driven by their passion!

When I came across Mary Ann's blog, I was first drawn to this pendant called, "Flower Bed". The colors are so watery, yet bright at the same time.

It just makes me feel good looking at it and would be great in a necklace you could wear all summer!

From her blog, Mary Ann has a quick link over to her etsy shop so you can peruse the entire inventory.

That's where I came across this peace sign pendant that is titled, "Me & Bobby McGee" which I flipped for because I have an obsessive love for Janis Joplin! :)

Now, the cool part....I arranged with MaryAnn a few weeks ago to showcase her talents as the featured designer and a number of other things came up until now.

When I popped over to her blog this evening to prepare this post, it just so happens that she has a GIVEAWAY going on that started today! YAY! How cool is that?

So, head on over to today's blog post and follow the instructions to get entered to win a batch of fabulous ceramic beads!

Have a great weekend everyone!! AND, thanks so much Mary Ann for allowing me to share your work!

Fun, Free Bead Embroidery E-Book!!

I'd like to send a great big "CONGRATULATIONS" out to our beading friend Cyndi Lavin of the Beading Arts blog! She has just created a great step-by-step book for people interested in learning bead embroidery. How exciting!

And now, the next piece of great news is for you, IT'S FREE!

Cyndi has put the first chapter of her book into the format of an e-book and has made it so easy to download, it just takes one mouse click!

I had a chance to read through the book and love how she wrote the instructions. It feels like she is right there talking you through it. It's not difficult to understand the terminology and she not only tells you what TO DO, but also what NOT to do! That's so helpful especially if you haven't done a particular technique before.

This photo is of the "SunShower Necklace" project. I so enjoyed looking through the pictures and seeing it build into this piece. It makes sense and does not seem too intimidating.

Thanks a million Cyndi for allowing me to share this here for everyone!

Those interested just need to follow this link, then you will see the instructions for making one left mouse click to either read the book or download it right to your computer!

Have a good one!! :)

Yummy XILION Bicones!

I'm hoping when you saw these, you thought WOW, what fabulously bright and clear red swarovski crystal bicones!! :)

I am really loving the swarovski crystal beads called Xillions! Paired with yesterday's blue will be a fabulous combination.

These are listed in the catalog as: 5328 Swarovski 5mm XILION Bicone Light Siam

I am looking forward to building something interesting and new with the red, blue, stars and light amethyst CZ's!!

Thanks a million to Artbeads.com for allowing me to make these gorgeous selections!!!! I have so enjoyed playing with them this week!!

FTC compliance disclosure: the items in this post from Artbeads.com were provided as a promotional gift as part of their bead blogger program for review or design purposes.

Ahhh...Blue!

Ahhh....blue! What a super-extra-fabulous shade of blue!!

These are Swarovski 5328 5mm XILION Capri Blue Bicones from Artbeads.com and I just LOVE them!

First, the word "blue" makes me happy, add the word "xilion" and then "Swarovski" and my head starts to spin!

This capri blue is such a gorgeous color...deep blue, but bright at the same time. This is very reminiscent the most beautiful blue sky or fabulous ocean.

You know, I think I would be happy with a right angle weave bracelet made with JUST these beads! I'm going to have to think on that!

Have a great evening! I wish you the most fabulous swarovski crystal bead dreams!

FTC compliance disclosure: the items in this post from Artbeads.com were provided as a promotional gift as part of their bead blogger program for review or design purposes.

Sparkly Stars!

These 8mm swarovski crystal stars from Artbeads.com are so clear and sparkly! They deserve a little "ooh" and "ahh"!

Not that you wouldn't already know or guess this to be true, but I feel the need to say it, "I LOVE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL BEADS!!"

I know my photos don't exactly do them justice here, but this Artbeads.com link will take you to some professionally photographed stars!

I have no idea why, but I just got the song, zippity doo dah, going in my head...such a happy little tune. I guess that little outburst of happiness can be attributed to the CRYSTALS!!

As I mentioned in my CZ post on Saturday, I do have a design plan for my new Artbeads.com selections and am very hopeful that I can pull it off.

If not, I know you will all be nice and supportive anyway, my wonderful beading friends!! :)

I hope your week is going well so far!! Have a great evening!


FTC compliance disclosure: the items in this post from Artbeads.com were provided as a promotional gift as part of their bead blogger program for review or design purposes.

Exciting News and Bead Blogger Updates!

Well, it sure was a nice weekend while it lasted!! Relaxing and fun as usual...just not quite long enough!

I wanted to share something exciting with you and take the opportunity to thank the ultra fun and talented Jean Yates at the same time.

You have probably seen the title of her blog here, there and everywhere if you hop around beading blogs like I do, "Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!"

Jean's sense of humor is as great as her integrity and warmth. Several months ago, Jean and I had a chance to chat about my book and the many things that led me to this point. She just happens to write a column in the monthly magazine, Australian Beading Magazine, as the link to what's happening in beading in the U.S.

Believe me, I was floored and once I got over the shock, was thrilled that she would consider mentioning me and my book, which was not yet published at the time. We made it just under the wire to get it to her and she had a chance to review it in her column.

Our beading friend, Davinia, who lives in Australia recently offered to share the article since she had the magazine in her possession which I am grateful for because it is not as readily available here in the U.S. Thanks so much Jean and Davinia! I LOVE MY BEADING FRIENDS!! :)

And, it just wouldn't be Sunday if I didn't share what some of our other beading friends have been up to over the last week. Take care and have a great week!

About.com Jewelry Making School is in session, or at least, it will be when you sign up for one of these free copper clay e-courses.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene's newest member opens her heart and shares how she feels about the Art Bead Scene. Maybe you feel the same?

Beading Arts Here's a quick little tutorial on how to create a barnacle texture with seed beads!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Spring is the time for new life and new charms at Cindy Gimbrone Beads.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie spreads her wings and designs a new pair of carvings to be made into pendants.

Strands of Beads Melissa uses lava beads to help teach her son about volcanoes

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew shares his trip to Denver for the Rocky Mountain Bead Society's Bead Bazaar.

Sparkly, Sparkly Saturday!

I want to thank everyone who stopped by to participate in my Blogmania giveaway yesterday, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next one in September!

I just sent an email to the winner, "flychild7", and will be shipping out her book and grab bag of beads in the next couple of days! Congratulations! :)

I am hoping the sparkliness of today's bead, a GORGEOUS cubic zirconia from Artbeads.com, will add a little sunshine to your day if you are having a rainy one like we are here.

These fabulous cubic zirconia beads are 10mm x 12mm with two stringing holes. The package reads: Two-hole faceted rectangle - light amethyst.

It is soft and light in color, but what I thought was extra cool was how these photos turned out. Is it my imagination or does it look like there is a heart shape in the middle of the bead?

I have a design plan for these beads, however, I am not sure yet if I can pull it off! Time will tell.

I hope you are all having a great weekend so far and will have a chance to attempt something crafty! I have some fun news to share tomorrow, so I hope you will stop back over then.

Take care!!

FTC compliance disclosure: the items in this post from Artbeads.com were provided as a promotional gift as part of their bead blogger program for review or design purposes.