Turquoise for Fall

Okay, I just happened to find these at Big Lots tonight. I didn't mean to, but I am telling you it was like a scene out of the bionic woman (or maybe it was the bionic man who had the eye...)

ANYWAY, I saw this package from across the room and the next thing I knew it was in my hand!!!

I first thought, no I don't need turquoise...it is fall not summer! Then I looked a little closer and thought these would be perfect for fall!!

It's bright, but the darker silver tone contrasts nicely and would look great with a warm fall outfit in browns, khaki, plum, you name it!

Am I crazy or do you agree? :)

I forgot to mention the very cool name on the package: Global Nomad. That made me smile and chuckle a little and that's what I live for!

Sweet Little Pearls

Here it is...the final Tuesday Morning bead package from last week's Jackpot find!

I am so glad I found these and had a chance to share them with you. It just goes to show that you have to keep your eyes open and you never know what you might come across!!

This package reads "44pc 5x7 Pearl" (glass pearls, that is). These are great shapes and are fun to use in multiple strand pieces. At this size, these are sweet and would be fun paired with some color!!

I'm thinking cozy, warm fall colors and of course lots of SPARKLE as a contrast to the pearls.

Now it's time to get busy!! Have a good one!

Love, Peace, Joy, Hope

Guess what?....It's package #3 of the Tuesday Morning Jackpot find!

One more to go after this....AND, all for just $2.99. I really need to remember to visit that store more often!!

These are such fun beads! The package reads "4 pc MOP rings". I didn't really understand that since there are actually 4 MOP rings and 4 metal rings with some of my favorite, happy words on them (love, peace, joy, hope).

I am guessing the intention is that they be used together with the metal ring on top of the MOP ring in your designs.

Since these all have just one hole each, they would be crazy/fun as bracelet dangles. In fact, it would be fun to use yesterday's MOP chips with these hanging from them! :)

What do you think?

Jackpot Chips

The new week has begun so it's time to pick back up where we left off on Thursday!

I mentioned a quick trip to the shop, Tuesday Morning, and my jackpot find!

I came across a package of beads, picked it off the rack and then realized it was connected to 3 other bead packages, all for $2.99....JACKPOT!

This is package #2, a 16 inch strand of mother-of-pearl chips! They are so pretty and pearly, I would certainly have paid $2.99 for this strand alone!

These are SO beachy, it's sort of bittersweet since we are heading away from beachy and into leafy!

On the other hand, for crafty types who can create the world they WANT to have around them regardless of the season, now is the perfect time for beachy! :)

I hope your week is off to a great start!! More jackpot beads tomorrow!

Peace, Love, Bead Bloggers and MORE!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend's posts and when that happens, I feel like I want to hang on to it for a little while.

On Friday, I was thrilled to report Margot Potter's great news that she is moving on to a new position with Jewelry Television (JTV) which sounds like a dream come true. The best part is she'll be designing tutorials, etc. for beaders! I can't wait! :)

I was also very happy to share a project that could be incorporated into holiday gifts in many ways. I previously created a bracelet using images from a patchwork quilt my Grandma made me when I was a kid.

While no longer usable, I can still carry the memory around on my wrist. I can see this concept being used for kids pictures, kids works of art, things you are proud of such as your new home or car. Maybe it's your family tree. The possibilities are endless!

However, as we all know, the show must go on and it's time to share links to some fun and interesting happenings of our fellow bead bloggers. Check these out!!

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy finally "did" something with one of the Katiedids she received.

Art Bead Scene
For the October Monthly Challenge, Art Bead Scene editor, Cindy Gimbrone chooses a piece of "jewelry" hanging on the front of New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

Beading Arts
Sparkling rivoli's work up quickly into this beadwoven pendant!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi takes a companies ribbon sampler and turns it into wearable art!

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
Cindy needs some help in this week's Wednesday Wire, come take her poll to help her make a decision.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie mixes new textures in ceramics and glass like resin to make new window inspired pendants.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei is teaming up with designer Marie of Skye Jewels, on a collaboration project.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is thrilled to host a book giveaway! The book is 30 Minute Necklaces, by the brilliant designer Marthe Le Van. There are 60 projects in this lovingly photgraphed book published by Lark to incite your creativity. Come see how you might be the lucky winner and get your copy!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her piece "Words of Love" that was juried into the finals of the 2010 British Bead Awards

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Inspired by the Fall 2010 Pantone Color Report, Andrew creates a necklace for Artbeads.com's Colors of Fall designer gallery.

This Week's Project: Grandma's Quilt Bracelet

This week's project is the one I mentioned a while back that was published in the May 2010, Mother's Day Issue, of Bead Trends Magazine.

Since the holidays are coming and crafty people are thinking of meaningful gifts they can make for their loved ones, I wanted to share this fun and crafty project.

I had originally created this project for my book, but in the end, it was agreed to pull it since it had a little bit different vibe than the other projects. I was just a little bit bummed, but then the opportunity to submit projects for the Bead Trends Mother's Day issue came up and it made perfect sense to me!

This project was inspired by the quilt my Mom's Mom made me back in the mid-1970's when I was probably 10 or so years old. She had so many children and grandchildren, I was so surprised when she chose me for one of her holiday gift projects that year. She would typically either crochet an afghan or create a quilt for one or two people throughout the year and give them as holiday gifts.

The cool thing is, my Mom actually contributed some fabric for the patchwork quilt from leftover scraps that she had used to make clothes for me and my sisters. I used the quilt through college and a year or two into my married life before it was retired to a zippered plastic bag. So, when I found it all these years later while working on the book, I wanted to represent it in some way in a jewelry piece.

I layed it out on the lawn and got up on a ladder to take some pictures of it. I uploaded them to the computer and cropped them down to the patchwork squares.

I found some very cool sticky backed fabric sheets that were made to go through a color printer that I used to print the patchwork squares. I cut them out and stuck them onto these frosty light blue beads using a little bit of mod podge to protect them from wear.

Now I have my Grandma's quilt to carry around on my wrist anytime I like!

Featured Designer: Margot Potter

Happy Friday! I am so glad it's Friday for a number of reasons, most importantly because I have been looking forward to sharing some exciting news about fellow beader/crafter Margot Potter.

She just accepted a new job with Jewelry Television (JTV) in their Jewel School Program! I love it when great things happen for great people!

Margot has begun designing jewelry pieces with some of the beads available through JTV and is currently posting her designs and personal notes about her journey on her blog. What an amazing success story! She started out like many creative people with a dream in her heart to find a way to follow her passion and create for a living.

Margot has written six jewelry related books and contributed to numerous other books and publications. She has been a Swarovski ambassador and accomplished so many other feats on her quest, Margot has truly become a role model for many other creative people.

This new JTV adventure is the icing on the cake and the hard work paying off! What a great way to showcase her talents! Below is an excerpt from her "Big Announcement" blog post. Congratulations Margot!!

"I have taken a full time position with JTV (Jewelry Television) assisting them with their Jewel School Program. My official title is Jewel School Education and Creative Coordinator. My job is going to evolve as the program expands. To start I'll be creating projects for and hosting DVDs, appearing in educational segments on-air, helping develop video and other content for their new website, writing articles and how to projects for their e-letter, social networking and being an all around jewelry making guru for their customers, which hopefully will include all of you!"