Weekend Inspiration

Yay Friday, glad you are here!

I've been thinking about beads all week and can't wait to have time to create. Here's some inspiration from our bead blogger friends to kick things off, have a GREAT weekend!

About.com Jewelry Making
Re-purpose a vintage pin into a pendant for a new necklace that has a vintage look.

Art Bead Scene
November's Art Bead Scene challenge is a graphic illustration by MC Escher, bound to inspire wintery jewelry designs

Beading Arts
Cyndi is celebrating a month of books! The newest book up for grabs is "Simply Stylish Crystal Jewelry", so head on over and get in on all the great giveaways!

Resin Crafts!
A week of samples featuring new Nunn Design components end with a huge give-a-way this week on Resin Crafts Blog.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean discusses her great love of Basha Beads!

Turn, turn, turn...

It's interesting to note how much we each learn about ourselves every day. I guess that is the inevitable process of evolution. 

At this point in life I am much more aware and eager to learn about my true/authentic self and I recognize lessons learned much quicker and easier.

Here's what I learned about myself since I received my last batch of Cousin products in my 4th month as a Jewelry Making Ambassador...Once I open a box of products, I lose touch with reality.

I regress to childhood...maybe Christmas...maybe a special birthday... It's a no holds barred crazy gift opening time. I pick up every packet, look it over, touch it, imagine what I could be making with it, take it off the package, etc.

When I'm through, I look back over my shoulder and have to laugh. My 5 or 10 year old self did that, not me! :)

So, tonight's chain is no longer on the package and it might be one of the last pieces from the Second Skin line that I got a photo of before regressing. 

I LOVE this chain! It's so easy to be creative with, it's easy to make a 5 minute project or a 55 minute project. It's bright and is going to get noticed. It calls out to be layered and have some bright and colorful beads accompanying it.

So, a long story to get to tonight's "bead", but hey, I do have a tendency to ramble on. That is part of my authentic self so I'm working on embracing it.  :)

Craft Store Update

I was excited to see an update by Cousin Corporation that their new line of products has made it to JoAnn stores a little earlier than expected, yay!

I can't wait to make a trip over to get some pics, there's nothing like a fresh jewelry display with new products. Come on weekend, please hurry!

Here's a little more info:

The Second Skin trend is focused on the look and feel of exotic skins, particularly snake skin. This new program features pendants, connectors and beads fabricated with faux snake skin insets and a snake skin texture imprinted into the metal. Highlighted with luxurious jewel tones and metal accents, Second Skin also features many seed bead and metal chains which emulates the undulation of snakes and their coils.

Yay!

Timeless Styles

Ever since I received some of the new Cousin Corp product line called Second Skin, I have noticed something interesting...

I originally thought this particular piece had sort of a southwestern vibe which is not surprising since many of the other second skin products do as well.

The interesting thing is, I was watching VH1 Classic (no big surprise there), it must have been "Totally 80's" and noticed some jewelry that looked similar to this.

Over the weekend I caught up on the latest version of Project Runway All Stars and saw some jewelry that looked similar to this piece!

Here's the MOST interesting thing...I was watching an older movie from around the late 30's and noticed jewelry that looked similar to this piece!!

I never would have guessed that styles from those particular eras were so similar, but it really makes me smile! I thoroughly enjoy when "something old is new again!" Yay...

Versatility Inspires!

When I come across pieces like this silvery toned metal piece, its versatility definitely inspires LOTS of ideas!

Sometimes it isn't easy to settle on one! Every time I pick up this piece I seem to have a new thought on how to use it.

It makes it exciting, but it also takes patience. The patience is needed so I hold out till I get "THE" idea!

For now, I'm still mulling over all the different types of ribbon and cording this would look great with, but I'm also seeing some great and kind of "out there" ideas involving colored beading wire, lots of crimps and crystals dangling from all those holes!

Thoughts? Please share!

Inspiring!

Looking for inspiration? Well, you have come to the right place! Take a look through these bead blogger posts and you're sure to find something great!

Cyndi of Beading Arts has finished up the 3rd chapter of her book. Wow, these projects are awesome! Thanks to all for sharing!

Beading Arts
Cyndi is soooo excited to let you know that Chapter three of her new book is completed and ready for download. The name? "Bridging the Gap." Are you curious...?

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy interviews luxury jewelry designer Rebekah Lea.

Art Bead Scene
Erin Siegel takes us on a blog hop full of creative and gorgeous earring designs

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi continues to explored the endless ways to incorporate t-shirt yarn into her projects!

Resin Crafts!
An unusual copper bezel is the inspiration for this "Coronation" themed resin beauty.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew has been hard at work creating four new Premium Mixes!

Fun Pack Project

This is about the easiest project you can find if you have a local Meijer store that carries Cousin jewelry making products!

I recently bought the Fun Packs with 6 rubbery necklaces in different colors along with a package of ready-made dangles for each person.

Each of my craft night crafters picked a necklace and a package of the dangles.

I am showing just one of the choices for dangles.

I also bought the blue tones and there were pearly and crystally options as well.

So easy!

Just open the necklace by pulling one end out of the little cap end, load on the dangles in the order you like and it's done!

I have gotten so many compliments on this fun and easy project.

At first, I thought it was a fun, sort of kid like project, but my necklace looked great on grown ups too!