Jackpot Find at Tuesday Morning

I happened to pop into the liquidation store, Tuesday Morning, today following a routine Dr. appointment just to treat myself to something unexpected.

I'm not a huge shopper unless it's for beads or craft related items, so it's fun for me to shop for home goods without a plan.

I ended up finding a few interesting drinking glasses to add to the cupboard. We have a few that need to be retired.

Then...I hit the jackpot!! I noticed this package and picked it off the rack before realizing it was connected to 3 other bead packages as a grouping for $2.99. How cool is that?

Each package contains a different variety of mother of pearl beads! It was the last package so I headed to the checkout happy with my purchases!

This first pendant makes me want to pair an offwhite and light turquoise hemp cord for a choker with this hanging from it :)

Yay!

"Edible" Jewelry Projects

Why do I watch so much food TV? Cooking is not something that I do unless you count cutting fruits and veggies or opening packages.

I think I enjoy it so much because watching the creative process makes me happy whether it is sewing, cooking, knitting, crocheting, beading or crafting.

It's much easier to find TV shows on during the evening that have to do with cooking!

When I was working on my book, I designed a couple of projects inspired by my favorite foods and wondered if any of you have done the same. I'd love to hear about your food related jewelry projects!!

Today's bead was used in my salad bracelet as a lettuce leaf! My "salad" also included beads representing cucumber wedges, tomatoes and diced onions wired onto an actual fork as the bracelet form. :)

Art as Therapy

I recently started reading this art therapy blog that I came across while blog hopping.

I wanted to share their post from yesterday because as artists/designers/crafters we have the ability to not only help ourselves, but others as well through teaching and sharing.

In their post yesterday, the authors wrote,"We’re big proponents of utilizing the power of art and creativity for improving emotional and mental health".

Personally, just being around jewelry findings, art or craft supplies increases my well being.

Picking up a glue gun or some swarovski crystals sometimes makes me take a deep breath.

That's pretty enlightening...It's not a drug or a doctor, but often these things can have a similar effect.

Just recognizing there are these simple tools around is empowering! Run your hand through a container of crystals and see if you smile.

Here are a few of my favorite crystals... and if that doesn't help, there's always a smiley face bead out there just waiting for us! :)

New Beading Contest!!!

What a great way to start the week...a new BEADING CONTEST!!

Artbeads has announced their first ever ‘What Inspires You?’ jewelry contest!

The theme of Artbeads.com’s first beading contest is to let beading artists share their inspiration with others. There are two categories, necklaces and other beaded designs for this contest.

Voting will be open to the public to determine the top 3 winners in each category. A picture of the inspiration and design will allow the voters to see how each entry is represented.

The Grand Prize Winner in the Necklace and Beading contests will each receive a $500 Artbeads.com Gift Certificate, the 2nd Place winners will each receive a $250 Artbeads.com Gift Certificate and the 3rd Place winners will each receive a $100 Artbeads.com Gift Certificate.

This contest is open to beaders worldwide, aged 18 and older.

GOOD LUCK!! :)

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!

Just in case you were looking for a little bit of fun including giveways, challenges, treasures and MORE...here you go! Have a great week everyone!! :)

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi fashions a new choker out of felt and a spectacular yard of ribbon.

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva Sewing is the hottest trend in crafting. Cindy shows how she incorporates sewing into her jewelry designs in this week's Wednesday Wire.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie picks up some treasures during an antique shopping weekend, some of which will be useful for craftiness!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei is hosting a beading challenge using some cool beads from Michaels, read the post to and learn how to participate! The More the Merrier!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! What inspires you? That is a question very near to Jean's heart. Therefore the latest competition from Artbeads is very exciting to Jean and will be to YOU, too! Furthermore, you could win five hundred dollars in beads! Check it out on Jean's blog!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew hosts another great Thursday Giveaway! This week, you could win five, seasonally-inspired, fine silver charms from Melissa J. Lee!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy has three new jewelry tutorials that incorporate fall jewelry colors.

Art Bead Scene Always looking to inspire, Art Bead Scene offers up another fabulous finding to use in your handmade artist bead designs!

Beading Arts Are you an animal lover? Cyndi designs a piece to remind her about the importance of slowing down and making time for the small ones in our life!

This Week's Project: Fall Artbeads.com Project

Well guys...here it is! As I mentioned in last Sunday's post, I had begun phase 1 of my fall beading project using beads selected from Artbeads.com.

I spent some time today finishing it up. Phase 1 involved a "focal" or top of the wrist piece made from swarovski briolette pendants and memory wire.

Phase 2 involved using gold toned beading wire and swarovski rounds tied onto the memory wire in groups of 3. After I had the first couple of groups of 3 done, I noticed how they were curving around from left to right, sort of like a winding road. I LOVED it!

I stuck with the pattern, but then I wasn't sure how to finish it with some kind of band for under the wrist. As soon as I tied it off, I realized this reminded me of a cornucopia or "horn of plenty" which represents the harvest of fall.

I started envisioning woven baskets containing the bounty (swarovski beads) and thought I could use knotted hemp cord as the basket.

It actually looked interesting when I decided to get out the fabric glue and glitter that I had bought specifically to glitter up hemp cord as I mentioned a couple weeks ago.

Well...this is the glittered effect with dangles, however, I might be re-doing the hemp band without dangles or glitter, I just haven't decided yet.

I just wore it to do a little shopping and loved the look of the swarovski bling AND even the fabric glitter!!

Stay tuned.... :)

This Week's Feature: Creating the Hive

I wanted to share a creative website instead of a featured designer this week because when I went over to this website (http://www.creatingthehive.com/) I discovered hundreds of "featured designers".

How fun! I just love stumbling across pockets of artists/crafters hanging out in their own little part of the internet world. At first it is like being a fly on the wall around the "in crowd". You are intrigued by them, but slightly intimidated.

I felt the same way when I first logged on to twitter and some of the beading related sites. From there, it's all about jumping in and waiting to "feel the love". If you start having fun and receive a warm welcome, it's like being accepted into the group. If you don't, you can just move along.

Don't you just love artists and crafters!! What in the world did we do without the internet?

I hope everyone is planning something fun and crafty for the weekend!! :)