Getting Ready for Seasonal Change?

It's not really possible to rebel against seasonal changes, but if I could, I WOULD!

Since that would not get me anywhere in reality, my only option is to embrace it!

I have been wearing my yellow swarovski crystal drop pendant necklace quite a bit over the summer.

Just before our summer vacation I mentioned these orange drop pendants that I ordered from Fire Mountain Gems.

I think it's time to make a new one. Since I have two of these, I am going to make one for a coworker as well. It always makes me happy to surprise people with jewelry! :)

I hope you are all having a great week so far!

Ribbon in the Bead Aisle

I have something fun to share today that I came across this weekend while shopping at Michael's Crafts Store. I stopped in to look at polymer clay and accessories, but I just couldn't walk by the bead aisles without taking a peek!

I don't get to Michael's that often and I had my Joann 40% off coupon which is still accepted there, yay!

I saw several new lines of beads/findings and one of them included a package of fabric ribbon.

The package reads, "Bead Landing - BELLA BOHO Ribbon". There is a total of 4 ft of ribbon on this package and the most interesting thing about this ribbon is that one of the bracelets in my book is made from this exact ribbon!!!!!!!

How cool is that?! I originally found the ribbon at Joann's in the "buy by the yard" section and it reminded me of a framed work of art. That's what inspired me to do something simple with it so you could really see it on the wrist without much embellishment.

The final project involved a tiny bit of cutting, 30 seconds of ironing and quick and easy chain band. It's still one of my favorites. The day I made it for the first time I slept in it because I loved it so much. It made me think of when I was little I had gotten the cutest pair of buckle shoes and wanted to sleep in them :)

Is that weird? Hmm, gosh it seems so "normal" to me, but now I am wondering if I should have written that in my book. Maybe people like weirdness!! :) That's what I am going to believe!

I hope you are all having a GREAT week!!

Bead Blogger Love & Book Winner!

Thanks so much to all of you for stopping by and commenting on Thursday's post for a chance to win a copy of my book, A Bead in Time!

Random.org has selected a winner and it is: Cindi of WindyCindy...Yay!

It's Sunday and I'm getting ready to take a run through all the blogs below real quick to see what kind of crafty fun they have been up to this week. I hope you will join me! :)

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie celebrates the start of school season with a series of Friday book giveaways, starting with Creative Paper Jewelry.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei takes a bit of a directional turn, in business. You may want to read this!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! It is Jean's birthday month! To celebrate, she is reposting a review of a lovely book by Cathy Jakicic which she is particularly fond of!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Margot Potter recently debuted her new book, "Bead Chic". Find out how you can win a copy with this week's Thursday Giveaway!

About.com Jewelry Making Are you in or out when it comes to plated metals? This polls seems to indicate a mixed bag .

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene Announces the September Monthly Challenge. Come gain inspiration from Barbier.

Barbe Saint John Stamped Metal Jewelry book review!

Beading Arts Have you tried wool roving in your jewelry designs? See what Cyndi has been doing with this fascinating material!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi is thrilled to go down a new artistic road with paper pendants!

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva Wondering what Cindy's really like? Come see her first ever video and find out if she's really that quirky!

This Week's Project: Re-worked Ring

This week's project was actually made by one of my co-workers.

Sandy recently purchased this ring form at a discount department store and it was beaded with inexpensive purply toned beads.

Since many central Ohioans are OSU buckeye fans, Sandy got the idea to remove the purple beads and replace them with red and gray/silver beads to show her team spirit!

I just LOVE the results!

She mentioned on Friday that she had been receiving lots of looks and compliments. It looked great with her OSU logo gear.

What a cool idea! I can imagine making this in lots of team colors for friends.

Thanks Sandy for letting me share with everyone! :)

Featured Designer: Marie Cramp of Skye Jewels

We are so lucky....it's Friday again, yay!!

I've been looking forward to sharing this week's featured designer with you because she's amazingly multi-talented!

Marie Cramp of Skye Jewels has four kids, is a jewelry designer, scrapbooker and card maker "with an intense passion for creating" who lives with her family in Calgary Alberta, Canada.

I LOVE that Marie does not seem to be intimidated by anything and jumps right in to begin experimenting with various mediums.

On her blog, you can find some great stories and pictures of her experiments with felting, glass work, tile pendants, etc. I don't think there is anything she can't do!!

Marie also has her work in a couple of etsy shops and a website!! AND...if that isn't enough, she has had her jewelry designs in many issues of Bead Trends magazine!!

I'm feeling very inspired!

Thanks a bunch Marie for allowing me to feature you and your work this week!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Saying THANKS with a Book Giveaway!

I wanted to take a day to say THANK YOU!!

Thank you for sharing your ideas and experiences! Not only about polymer clay, but even about things like your RV'ing experiences, classes you have taken and your trials and errors...

Thank you for jumping on my crazy bead-loving wagon!

When you think about getting excited over one bead at a time, it seems impossible, but I love it when I know you are right there with me! YAY beads and YAY beaders!!

I love that one bead can inspire one idea for me and a completely different idea for each person who stops by.

It's so much fun to feed off of each other's creative energy and for that I SINCERELY THANK YOU!

Who would have thought that blogging could take the place of having beading friends that get together every day.... :)

I'd like to put a copy of my book up for grabs to anyone who leaves a comment on this post through Saturday. I'll announce the winner on Sunday's post. I can't wait!

THANK YOU!!!

Expanding my Craft Inventory

Roller, rulers, pasta machines! Sounds fun!

Brayers, polymer clay guns and molds...wow!

Texture makers, gold leaf and pearl powders....goodness!

I have to admit the look and sound of all the wonderful array of polymer clay tools is adding to the excitement of working with clay.

At this point, the only thing standing in my way is a couple more work days and a room that is already packed full of beading/crafting supplies.

Am I going to have room for new stuff? Yikes! The thought hadn't crossed my mind until this moment. The good thing is, it looks like most of these supplies are fairly small and shouldn't take up much space. I just need to make a little...

Back to the tools and accessories....if you can part with any more of your polymer expertise, PLEASE let me know your thoughts on what I need to get started. I am guessing rollers and rulers, but not sure what else.

How about rubber stamps? Do you use those in clay designs? (Thanks for your help!)