National Craft Month...What are YOU working on?

It's National Craft Month by the way! Are you making anything special to celebrate? Or, maybe you are teaching a class or taking a class. Please share, we'd love to hear about it.

Here's a quick little funny project I made last night.

I just LOVED this little birdy charm that I found among the new Cousin products a couple weeks ago. AND, the sparkly mirror beads were just calling out to be used simply strung up together for sparkly impact. :)

I thought using neck memory wire would make it easy and fun to wear with a knit top cut sort of high for an embellishment effect. I wore it today with a purple top under a black jacket and the little bird feet dangled just below the neckline so it looked sort of fringy.

I also wore the bird off to one side which made me smile every time I caught a glimpse of it. Looked like he had a mind of his own and was just walking along.

If you are looking for crafty inspiration, check out the Cousin Facebook page, they've added a craft month tab.

Cool New Slider Bracelets

Just got the word these new slider bracelets made their debut at JoAnn stores today, very cool!

During our recent trip to Cousin, we got a sneak peak and my personal favorite moment was seeing how many staff members were wearing them, especially the guys!

That would be such a great experience in a company like Cousin...design products and see them come to fruition and THEN see your coworkers go crazy over them...very cool...Dare to dream, right?

If you're not sure whether your local JoAnn store carries them, here's a link to a store locator and video demonstration.

If you don't have a JoAnn store, the sliders are also making an appearance in the spring PrimaBead catalog. If you aren't on the mailing list, you can sign up here.

Enjoy!

Inspired by Creative Bloggers!

The online creative community is so great...beaders, designers, crafters, artists are all so open and willing to share their ideas and experiences with others.

When I first started blogging a few years ago, I had no idea. I was just in my own little world and really had no expectations of what this experience would be like.

Instantly, I was amazed at the kindness and support shown by those who had been out there for a while. So, to all of you, I thank you! It still means so much that you are willing to share and inspire others to create.

That's what it is really all about...creating and sharing! :) Hope you all had a great weekend, please join me in perusing the inspiration below. We're starting things out with Carmi's fab resin design.

Resin Crafts!
In a two part post Carmi explains how she made a vintage piece of trim a necklace component by encasing it in resin.

About.com Jewelry Making

Yes, it is possible to craft a seed bead career. Find out how this designer did it. 

Snap out of it, jean! There's beading to be done!
Gestures of friendship: a complicated story of the travels of a Kelly Russell bead, halfway around the world

Art Bead Scene
Erin picks out some inspiring finds on Etsy for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge.

Beading Arts
As a part of celebrating Seed Bead Month on Beading Arts, Cyndi shares her favorite seed bead suppliers and books!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew has been participating in the Fusion Beads 30 Day Bead Challenge to celebrate National Craft Month! Here's a recap of the projects he made for the first seven days!

Carmi's Art/Life World
You wouldn't think that quilling and fish leather would go together...but they do and create the loveliest flower rings! 

What We Need is a Bead GIVEAWAY!

Okay everyone, I've picked out some beads for you, so you will have to trust me...

It's time for the very first A Bead A Day "Secret" bead giveaway, yay!

I have decided this would be a great way to share my gratitude for the generosity bestowed upon me recently by the awesome folks at the Cousin Corporation.

I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to select beads directly from Cousin company headquarters in Largo, Florida...

I know...seriously, the black and blue marks from where I was pinching myself are just now beginning to fade. :)

If you are interested in winning a surprise goody bag of beads, just leave a comment on this post by Thursday, March 21st. I'll announce the winner Friday, March 22nd.

There might be a sneak peak in the mean time, I haven't decided yet. You will definitely receive enough fun beads to complete a couple of jewelry projects.

Art Museum Amazement

Did I mention the VanGogh's hanging in the Toledo Art Museum, wow!

A surreal experience to be standing in front of such famous paintings!

What I would LOVE to do is incorporate these photos into a piece of jewelry.

Of course, a charm bracelet comes to mind, how fun!

Thoughts? Please share!

Here are Monet's Water Lillies and Wheat Fields with Reaper. 

Hmm....I could use the printable fabric and then adhere the fabric to the beads.

I've done that before to showcase the quilt my Grandma made me. It's fun, crafty and easy!

What I haven't done before is actually incorporate words along with photos. I think that would add to the story telling aspect.

Pondering...

Finding Inspiration

The title of this post should be, finding inspiration on an overnight trip. We headed north this weekend, seems we should naturally have wanted to go south, it is COLD up here!

We visited Bowling Green, Ohio to pick up my father in law for a fun day at the Toledo art museum. I was mainly interested in the glass pavilion and my father in law is a glass officianado, having worked 40 plus years in the industry, car glass that is. That made the visit extra enlightening.

Pictured here is the absolute best, most inspiring piece I saw. The glass mural by Dominick Labino. It just so happens I brought some great Prima beads with me that really feel like they are calling out to be worked into something inspired by this mural.

I have a couple other pics you might not believe! Did you know some original works of Claude Monet are hanging in the Toledo Art Museum? Water lillies to name one. Wow! I will share more tomorrow. I am feeling very culture filled at the moment. Hopefully the inspiration will stick around for a while! :)

Happy Creating!

Yay, it's the weekend and if you are lucky (or smart) there will be some time for creating!

Our bead blogger friends are sharing inspiration below.

We're starting things off with the stash of beads Jean received from her Bead Soup partner, NICE!

Such wonderful and diverse materials.

Happy creating everyone!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Elizabeth Owens sent Jean an amazing collection of beads and materials for the BSBP...you are invited to come and not believe your eyes!!!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Competing to win a $100 store credit, Andrew created a pair of earrings for a Design Challenge hosted by Nina Designs. Vote now and help pick the winner!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi organized a blog hop featuring eleven great artists/jewelers featuring fish leather. This is a link to the hop!

About.com Jewelry Making
Catch a mini-review of Cyndi Lavin's completed bead embroidery book, Some Assembly Required.

Art Bead Scene
See what has been made towards our February Challenge in our Monthly Blog Tour!

Beading Arts
Cyndi finished up her February piece for the 2013 Bead Journal Project!

Resin Crafts!
Carmi demonstrates a faux soldering technique on glass pebbles!