Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!

In yesterday's post, I mentioned I would be fine tuning the design I was working on and show that here today. Well.......the thing is.....I got a little sidetracked!!

I realized I kept wanting to work with one of the other little gold connectors from my recent surprise Rings & Things package so I decided to put the other project aside. Any time you get a real idea, you just have to allow yourself to go with it!! This was so much fun to play with because the possibilities seem so endless. This piece has one connecting loop on one side and two connecting loops on the other for a nice asymetrical design.

Similar to last week's star connector, I wanted to see if I could make this into a bracelet focal piece. For some reason hemp cord came to mind so I started playing with that. Luckily my husband was driving us around on errands today because I brought it in the car taped to the inside of a box lid because I couldn't put it down! :)

I didn't plan this out in advance, I just sort of went with it. It certainly does have an eclectic/odd vibe, but that's what makes me like it so much and I've had it on ever since I finished it. In this case, "finishing" meant brushing the hemp strands with a doggie slicker brush!

I hope this makes you smile or chuckle like it does for me and gives you a happy feeling!! That seems to be my goal when I allow myself to incorporate arts & crafts in jewelry making.

Now, it's time again to visit our fellow bead bloggers to see what they have been up to!! Have a great week!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Lights, Camera, Action! Melanie tells a tale of her Beads, Baubles, and Jewels television taping experience.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei is giving away a necklace and a copy of Creative Jewelry!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discusses finishing up the challenge "Use the Muse II" which was thought up by Scarlett Lanson, Rainbows of Light.com and Artbeads.com. She enjoyed it very much, particularly because it made her think!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off a new variation of her lunar phases toggle.

About.com Jewelry Making
How has your web store experience been? Are there too many 3rd partry sites to sell or buy jewelry these days? Take the poll as a sell or buyer.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Busier than a bee, Andrew shares fifteen new jewelry designs.

Jean Campbell
Jean asks her friends about what drawing programs they use for beading illustrations.

Art Bead Scene ABS Editor Heather is on the road. Check out her quick project!

Barbe Saint John
Barbe reviews the Simply Gemstones book.

Beading Arts
Cyndi shows you the steps to making a simple but sparkling necklace from CopprClay!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Rub-ons and leather - a cool combination for this cuff sample.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Gets Loopy
Check out Cindy's new project in the summer edition of Step by Step Wire!