A Strand of Peace

As you might have guessed, I took a trip to the craft store this past weekend. :)

I must admit to a slightly self indulgent moment there, but it has been a while, so I figured it was well deserved. And, a little extra tax refund money didn't hurt anything either!

SO, here's another great work of art, I mean bead, that came in a full strand (yay)!

How could I possibly have resisted the peace sign in this fabulous turquoise shade? I couldn't!

Multi-color FUN!

The tag on the strand of these 6 large round focal beads reads, "Strand Collage Bead Round Multi".

I know the description is not the selling point on these since they were hanging in a craft store where the VISUAL is the selling point. However, I'm thinking it couldn't hurt to jazz it up a little bit, what do you think?

Not judging or being critical, just saying, hey bead people, don't forget to have a little fun while you are creating products so WE can have fun with them!

Maybe something like, speckled collage, crayon box explosion, pop goes the color wheel...thoughts? :) The bottom line is that the visual worked and I am now the owner of these fabulous beads, yay!

This Week's Project: Butterfly Bracelet

Here's the happy summertime butterfly bracelet, yay!

I had to take a trip to the craft store for the 6mm jet bicones since I only had the 4mm size on hand.

I mentioned the project in last Sunday's post and now that I have it on, it makes me so happy I don't want to take it off!

I really like how it feels on my wrist, very soft. Butterflies typically symbolize transformation sort of like the changing seasons.What a fun project!

If you have my book, you can follow the instructions for the Rock Star Bracelet.

This is an iron-on applique with hemp cord strands ironed in between the patch and a cut out of cotton patching material. EASY!

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers

I just LOVE to see what Carmi does with Resin especially when sweet little owl stickers are involved!

What a great way to kick off a creative weekend! Enjoy!

Resin Crafts! 
This week we have anew caps featuring Japanese paper and french owl stickers...quite the combo! 

Art Bead Scene
Erin provides a variety of ideas about custom jewelry tags, a fine personal detail for professional jewelry makers. 

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie is having a special springtime sale! Check out the Earthenwood blog for more details! 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
While continuing to follow her A-Z Alphabet Blogging Challenge, Jean reviews an Unutterably beautiful jewelry design book, Showcase 500 Rings ! 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Inspired by the spring flower, Andrew compiles a list of trillium themed jewelry components. 

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy gives a nod to onyx, one of her favorite gemstones to make jewelry with. 


Beading Arts
"Spring Fever" month on Beading Arts is still in full swing as some readers share stories of pieces inspired by their own travels! 


Carmi's Art/Life World
Do you wear a lot of brooches? Carmi has devised a way to make wearing them easier! 

Pave Style Swarovski!

Where have I been? How could I have missed these?

Okay, I'm trying to calm down...I just saw these on the Artbeads.com website. Described as:

8 x 15mm Variegated Teardrop Bead with Swarovski Crystals - Blended Blues (wow!)

There are lots of colors, but here's the catch...they are all out of stock! I love the feature on this website that allows you to sign up to receive an email when they are back in stock. Yep, I'll be ready!

For now, after a google search, I couldn't find them anywhere else, so patience is a virtue!

It's a bittersweet moment...

Real Life & Virtual Bead Store: Bead Quest

I discovered Bead Quest when I did a google search of "virtual bead store".

I was really wishing I could just pop into a bead store for a bit of a fix, but didn't have the time. I was thinking this would be the next best thing!

Here's the Bead Quest video tour and a link to their youtube channel.

In real life they are located in Michigan: 4230 29th Street, SE, Grand Rapids.

Have fun!

What are you making for summer vacation?

Is it too early to talk about summer vacation? I hope not, it popped into my head this morning as many random things usually do in the early hours.

I searched for and found a bracelet I made two years ago for summer vacation and took the scissors to it, I KNOW! I guess I'm brave in the early hours too!

So, here's the deal. I now have ten of these Cubic Zirconia two-holed squarish-rectangles to use in a brand new summer vacation piece.

As always, I'm planning a bracelet because I have a need to see my beads! Two-holed beads are always fun because they present an opportunity for a chunkier piece.

I haven't finished my butterfly yet, but should have it done tonight. Now I realize it won't coordinate real well with the lavender. BUT, take a look at THIS iron-on patch that I also added strands too!

If you have plans for summer vacation jewelry, please share!

Featured Designer: Elisa of Rely Design

To know Etsy is to Love Etsy!

I have experienced so much joy and happiness coming across fabulously cool and innovative designers on Etsy and for that I am grateful!

Over the years, from the time I was a kid, I have had an on-and-off fascination with paper.

When I was little, I loved getting new notebooks and tablets for school.

I have gone through origami phases, paper jewelry phases and paper crafting phases.

When I come across others who probably have the same admiration for paper, I get SO excited!

Please take a look at Elisa's Etsy site, Rely Design.

She has made some simply beautiful jewelry pieces from PAPER!

Wow, I am so amazed! Thanks for letting me share your work Elisa! :)

New Summer Project #1

I wanted to share the beginnings of a project with you here and hope to have a finished version very soon!

One of the projects in my book was called, "Rock Star Bracelet". It was a square embroidered iron-on patch with a fabric backing and a number of hemp cord strands sandwiched in between.

I saw this butterfly iron-on and KNEW it had to be a bracelet! In preparation for summer to really be here, I can't wait to wear this on my wrist using the Rock Star Bracelet as inspiration! Think orange hemp cord strands!!

I'll keep you posted. :) Have a great week!

Long Live the Glass Bead!

I just wanted to share a quick thought with you while I get back to a project I'm working on this weekend.

The beauty of using only glass beads or gemstones in a project pretty much means you can recycle them forever! Sometimes wire and even precious metals have a tendency to show their age and need a little more care than I seem to have to give.

Glass and gems can be gently washed and dried and they are ready for another lifetime!

Here is an example of that. This little woven piece made of faceted glass and Toho glass seed beads was previously used by wiring it onto a silver plated ring form. The ring form was tarnished beyond my ability to bring it back.

I carefully cut the wires holding it on the ring form, used dishwashing liquid and warm water to wash it up and am getting ready to hot glue it on to one of the black ring forms I mentioned here recently.

Yay, glass beads!

Peace, Love & Bead Blogger Friday!

Happy FRIDAY, yay! Here's some inspiration to get your weekend off to a creative start! :) Enjoy...

Beading Arts 

The fabulous Leslie Rogalski shares her thoughts about her creative process with us! You don't want to miss this!  

Beads & Books
Michelle shares ideas on how to find craft shows for selling your work. 

About.com Jewelry Making
Love fabric and beads? Then bead embroidery might be your cup of jewelry tea.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Gaea shares some small beady indulgences she is dreaming of to distract herself from tax season 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! 
Jean reviews the new book by Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel: Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry--it is marvelous! Fri

Doggies Made of Beads

Doggies made of beads make me happy! I was on my way home tonight and saw a neighbor walking their labradoodle and smiled. The sun was shining, the grass and trees are beautifully green....I was thinking, ahh, life is good!

I was just re-visiting that moment in my mind and remembered these little beaded doggie figures I made a few years ago...aww!

I love the wooden dog on the necklace, but I really need to figure out a necklace or bracelet foundation for the white faceted doggie.

Okay, maybe a bracelet because I'm selfish and want to see the little guy all day! :)  Thoughts?

Swarovski Rose Peach Crystal Pearl

Yum! This is just bead goodness, I'm telling you.

There is something about this new 2013 Swarovski color, Rose Peach, but it is most fabulous in the Pearl!

Here is a pic and description from FireMountainGems.com:

"Much like its crystal counterpart, the rose peach crystal pearl is a delicious blend of rose and peach colors, along with rich copper undertones. The luminous hue resembles that of a deep peach natural freshwater pearl. Rose peach crystal pearls look amazing alone in a single strand and when mixed in designs with crystals and gemstones of red, purple, gold and copper tones."

I think these would look great just strung up or with knots in between beads. It would also look fabulous (of course) with some Swarovski Crystals by their side. :) Enjoy!

"Vintage" Ring Ideas

I bought a pack of black ring blanks by "Plaid" at the craft store a couple months ago.

I thought for sure they would be calling me before now, but I heard my name tonight and went through many containers of beads and buttons looking for just the right item to adhere to the ring blank...nothing!

I think maybe I was being too picky!

I did a quick search on etsy under supplies and vintage buttons.

Look at these! They would make GREAT rings. Any ideas?

Once again, I have to say, I LOVE ETSY, and all the wonderful people who put these fabulous little treasures out there for all of us to see and buy! :)

Ode to Spring

Spring, spring, springy, spring, spring! I hope you are still reading along and didn't go, click... :)

I also hope that I can get some mileage out of to know me is to love me...(?)

Sometimes I can't help myself and get carried away into sweet bead silliness, like now. I was looking through some of my previous designs for spring as I am hatching some new ideas for fresh jewelry.

Here are a couple I think you might like.

Yes, it's not spring if I don't share the "ode to the dandelion" bracelet from my book.

The purpose of wearing a dandelion on the wrist is because in SO MANY neighborhoods, like mine, people frown on the sweet happy flowers! (YES, flowers!)

The other is from my peyote obsession when I couldn't stop for months! I thought the button on this one was so cool!

Feel free to share your springy designs to so we can pop over to admire them :)

Crayon Box Polymer Clay Beads

Polymer clay fabulousness! These are called, "Crayon Box"!

They can be found in the Etsy shop of Sigalot Designs and are so special, they were just calling my name and I had to share!

I wish you all a great new week!

Featured Designer: Carol Dekle of Terra Rustica Design

This week's featured designer is the fabulous Carol Dekle of Terra Rustica Design!

I have re-read a particular post on her blog several times and remain awed by the process she uses to SANDBLAST stone pendants! Yes, sandblast! Where have I been?

This was news to me and I just think it is the coolest thing since I discovered lamp working or fire enameling! The tools people use to make beautiful jewelry are often surprising!

I selected a couple of my favorite pendants of Carol's to share here, but if you do nothing else, you must click over to her blog post where she describes her process and includes step by step photos!

You can also check out her Etsy site to see lots more of her designs! Carol's profile reads, "Terra Rustica Design is a collection of engraved stone pendant jewelry and metalwork creations with rustic as well as elegant designs. My goal is to bring the beauty of the natural elements to you, so that you may feel inspired and connected. I hope you will love my designs as much as I have loved making them for you."

I absolutely love these and I am thrilled to have learned something new!

Thanks a million Carol for allowing me to share your work here tonight! :)

Peace, Love & Bead Blogger Friday!

Friday means inspiration from our online bead-blogging pals, yay!

I can't think of a better way to get the weekend off to a happy and creative start, have a great weekend!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is happy to post a necklace that took one year to finish! 

Art Bead Scene
Heather shares some tips that will help boost handmade jewelry sales for Mothers Day 

About.com Jewelry Making
Get the scoop on some gorgeous Japanese beaded jewelry. 

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie solves a little mystery that incudes Denise Yezbak Moore's Cherry Bomb necklace in Stringing Magazine 

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is enjoying the A-Z Alphabet Blogging Challenge, and found a Dustin Tabor focal that fit the bill for the letter K! Come and see! 

Beading Arts
"Spring Fever" month on Beading Arts is off to a great start with some wonderful pieces shared by readers who were inspired by their own travels! 

Resin Crafts! 

Resin Crafts features a Napoleonic themed Nunn Design bezel set! 

Show & Tell Jewelry

I was just thinking it would be fun at the end of each week to have a show and tell session about all the jewelry you wore and why.

Was it worn to match an outfit or evoke a feeling or memory? Did you wear something attention getting-ly sparkly or jingly-jangly so you stood out in the crowd?

I have a tendency to have about 4 things to choose from for a couple months and then switch over to another 4 things to choose from.

I just pulled back in a bracelet I haven't worn for about a year. I have a very dark cobalt sort of blouse that I specifically made this bracelet to match. I guess it has been a while since I wore that blouse!

Now that I have it out again I want to wear it every day whether it matches what I have on or not! Okay, maybe I'm rambling on...I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject! :)

Final Giveaway Winner Announced!

This is it, the final giveaway winner announcement...

Thanks to DCWV Deals for providing these fabulous products!!

The winner of the final giveaway of paper stacks and rick-rack cards is:

Kathleen Lange Klik of Modern Nature Studio blog!

You might recognize Kathleen from the last Bead Soup challenge.

She made a fabulously fun necklace from a great selection of materials she received.

Here's a photo, it's so eye catching!

Congratulations Kathleen and thanks to all of you for playing along!

Giveaway Winner & Cool Guitar Pick Earrings!

It's time to announce the next giveaway winner, yay! I must say this is one of the best parts of blogging...SHARING some fun stuff!

The winner of the Mixed Media/Journaling giveaway is...Jacqueline of Fiddledeedee Jewelry! Congratulations and happy journaling!

Thanks so much to DCWV Deals for sharing as they launch their new discount website!

I couldn't help but share a little something from Fiddledeedee Jewelry... guitar pick earrings! FUN!

Thanks everyone for playing along and thanks to Jacqueline, LOVE your guitar pick earrings!

Bead GIVEAWAY Winner!

The moment has arrived! It's time to announce who has won the stash of Blue Moon Beads courtesy of the new DCWV Deals website!

Drum-roll.....The winner is:  Skye of Creative Chaos!

Thank you all so much for stopping by and commenting to win! There are still some things up for grabs so stay tuned for a couple more days.

I am getting ready to order at least a couple more of these adorable owl pendants myself! When I saw that it was a pendant, but I could attach wire at the top and bottom, I knew for sure I needed to turn this into a bracelet.

As things sometimes turn out, I had a gift-giving opportunity the day after I made it, so it is happily gracing the arm of a good friend right now. However, I would really like to have one for myself too!

This little guy, a Metal Owl in an antique gold tone, is listed on the DCWV Deals website for only $1.76! I incorporated some Swarovski bicones and wood “slats” for a sparkly, yet woodsy, vibe! I was thinking it would be a nice reminder to use the wisdom I have picked up along the way as I continue on my journey! :)

Talented Designer & GIVEAWAY Winner: Terri Faye!

CONGRATULATIONS to Terri Richards of Terri Faye Jewelry!

She has won the DCWV Deals Wall Art Decal Clock and Saying that went up for grabs last Monday.

Yay!

There is still time to get your comments in on the Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday posts if you are interested!

Of course, I couldn't very well have come across some fabulous jewelry without sharing, so here's a little bit about Terri Faye!

This is her fabulous right angle weave bracelet. WOW!

I know how much time goes into these pieces and am in awe.

I also noticed Terri was having a deal and offering free shipping on her Etsy site.

Stop by her blog for the code and then pop over to her Etsy site. Great work, thanks Terri!

Featured Designer: Melanie of Earthenwood Studio

I just came across Melanie's post on Facebook of her adorable ceramic bunny pendants and had to share.

She made them in several colors. I love the seafoam pictured here, but also think they are pretty cute in pink!

Please join me in an "aww".  1..2..3..awwww!

What a treat without the calories! Enjoy and I'll catch you all tomorrow!

For more goodies, check out Melanie's work on her website, Earthenwood Studio.

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!

Yay Friday! Yay Friday! Yay Friday! Time to relax and create!

Somehow I need to figure out how to trick my mind into thinking that cleaning and other chores fall into those two categories...hmm. Any ideas?

I have a reminder for you! If you haven't left a comment on the last 4 days of posts to win something cool, please pop over and do that when you get a chance!

As always, Friday is for stirring up some inspiration to kick off the weekend. Here are some links to get you started, enjoy!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! 
Jean is participating in an Alphabet Challenge, but this week she is also giving away a copy of Japanese Beadwork, a perfectly beautiful book which she reviewed earlier in the week. Stop by and sign up by leaving a comment concerning the book! 

About.com Jewelry Making
Read the latest jewelry designer interview posted for the month of April. 


Beading Arts 
Cyndi is celebrating her travel fever by inviting readers to submit their travel-inspired work! 


Art Bead Scene
A beautiful and ethereal painting by John William Waterhouse is the inspiration for the April Monthly Challenge 


Resin Crafts!
There is always a tip or two to learn for anyone interested in working with resin. 


Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie gets reunited with a lost beady item that was greatly missed, all because of the kindness of a stranger. 


Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is happy when a clipboard becomes an essential tool for shamballa making! 

FINAL GIVEAWAY from DCWV!

Today is the final DCWV Deals giveaway!

As mentioned in posts throughout the week, this new crafty discount website launched last week and I have the pleasure of sharing some of their products with you, yay!

For those of you interested in discount beads and jewelry findings, paper stacks, scrapbooking supplies, office accessories and home décor items, you will appreciate the prices on this website!

DCWV is famous for their paper stacks! You’ve probably seen them at the big craft stores, but not always at the price you can find on the DEALS site! They have a nice variety offered under “Scrapbooking”!

I had a chance to play with some of the supplies and used a chipboard heart in a bracelet along with some of the Blue Moon Beads. I'm also a little obsessed with using the patterned papers to make gift boxes that I’ll be sharing in the future. Thanks DCWV! I'm also thinking I need a paper-bead-making-tool!

For today’s GIVEAWAY, the winner will receive a couple of paper stacks and pack of rick-rack cards. Just leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, April 10. By the way, there is still time to comment on this week's earlier posts if you haven't had a chance.

Here’s the 15% off code in case you want to start shopping now. It’s good through 4/30/12. CODE: BLOG41211.

GIVEAWAY Day 3: Mixed Media/Journaling

Today is the DCWV Deals special Mixed Media/Journaling giveaway!

For those of you who enjoy journaling or incorporating mixed media art into telling the story of your life through words, art or photos, you’ll love the products available on the DCWV Deals website under “Office Accessories”!

There are hard bound and spiral bound journals, some of which have matching desk accessories, binders and note pads. 

You can add lettering or decopauge to the cover or pages and even hang a charm or two for a new work of art every day!

I keep a journal on my bedside table that I can use to make notes from the day, sketch out a jewelry project or count up my weight watcher points! 

I’ve seen people use photos, paints, markers and cutouts to document a period of time in their life that becomes a great memory itself!

Today’s GIVEAWAY includes both of these journals. I thought it would also be fun to include the aqua colored top loading photo album and Quote Sticker Stack pictured here which both come from the Scrapbooking section of the website. 

Just leave a comment on this blog post through next Monday, April 9.

Here’s the 15% off code in case you want to start shopping now. :) It’s good through 4/30/12. CODE: BLOG41211.

GIVEAWAY Day 2: BEADS!

It’s BEAD giveaway day!! 

Thanks so much to the new DCWV Deals website for sharing these jewelry making goodies!

As mentioned in the last couple of posts, the DCWV Deals discount website just launched and includes LOTS of crafty products along with those for decorating your home and office!

I always enjoy perusing discount websites, it seems like a treasure hunt! Of course, my first peek is usually into the beads or jewelry making supplies section!

Here is a pic of the beading loot up for grabs! Just leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday, April 8, for a chance to win!! 

By the way, here’s a 15% off code for the DCWV Deals website. It’s good through 4/30/12. CODE: BLOG41211.

GIVEAWAY Day 1: Wall Art!

Yay, it’s DCWV Deals “Wall Art” day! 

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, a new discount website launched last week and I have the privilege of sharing some products with you! All week there will be giveaways that include beads, paper stacks, office supplies and WALL ART.

I’m amazed at the great prices on the DCWV Deals website and love how these wall art sayings can inexpensively add instant warmth to your rooms or entryways. Since they are vinyl decals, they are seriously easy to apply! It’s always fun to add new elements to rooms in the spring to welcome the freshness of the season!

And now, for the big GIVEAWAY! A Wall Art Vinyl Decal CLOCK & Wall Art Saying, “Always Kiss Me Goodnight”! Both are pictured here.

Just leave a comment on this blog post through next Saturday, April 7, for a chance to win. I will announce the winner on Sunday, April 8.

Good luck! By the way, here’s the 15% off coupon code for any products on the DCWV Deals website good through 4/30/12. CODE: BLOG41211.

If you get a chance, pop over to their Facebook page to look and like! Thanks a bunch to DCWV for allowing me to share these goodies with you!

Stay tuned for the big BEAD giveaway tomorrow! J

EXCITING NEWS & Upcoming Giveaways!

It’s going to be an exciting week on A Bead A Day!

I have the pleasure of letting you know about a great new DISCOUNT website that officially launched last week!

If you are a fan of Blue Moon Bead products or DCWV paper stacks, you are going to be very happy about this! 

DCWV has just launched, “DCWV Deals”, a great new website for crafters!

AND, since you know how I like to stretch things out, I’ll be sharing bits and pieces throughout the week along with giveaways, YAY!

I’ve had so much fun looking through DCWV Deals products, creating with some of them and selecting items to share with you!

DCWV Deals product categories include Scrapbooking, Wall Art, Beads & Jewelry, and Office Accessories!

Stop back tomorrow for the first GIVEAWAY! There will be something from each of the categories above throughout the week, HOW FUN!

By the way, here’s a 15% off coupon code that is good through 4/30/12!  CODE: BLOG41211.

Feel free to share with friends…see you tomorrow.