Happy Leap Year!

I hope everyone had a great leap year day! It felt interestingly like just about any other day, but slightly eerie!

As a beading enthusiast, it has become clear over the years that if you can think of a bead, it probably exists out there in some form or another.

I was jokingly thinking, "I bet there's a leap year bead"....

Well, sure enough, THERE WAS a Pandora! Specifically for those individuals who happen to be born on leap year day. I noticed a tweet around mid-day that mentioned there had been 32 births recorded in the state so far today. Can you imagine how many births there were around the world today? WOW!

Happy birthday leap-year babies!

Online Hangout

I wanted to check in with all of you to find out if you have been hanging out on Pinterest lately. It seems to be popping up everywhere on blogs and websites. Of course, just like with Etsy, once you get there you forget where you came in or what you came for!

It's a visual dream...ahh, you can really get lost!

I found my way over to Artbeads on Pinterest and had fun looking at all the pretty pictures. This great necklace, with a pendant I think I need to add to my wish list, is their profile picture right now.

 Having just set up an account tonight, I am just an observer at this point, BUT it looks like a lot of fun. Sort of reminds me of a video game for some reason.

I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts about and experiences with Pinterest, so please share!!

Colorful Softflex Giveaway!

Wow, this photo just drew me right in! I honestly thought I might be able to reach in and grab that beading wire!

What a fun giveaway!!  I won a trio from Softflex a couple years ago which resulted in pushing myself out of my comfort zone at the time and I have LOVED incorporating colorful bare wire into my jewelry ever since.

THANKS Softflex!!

So, now it might be your turn! You can find all the details here, GOOD LUCK!

Where Inspiration Comes From...

Where does inspiration come from? Is it the same place for beading inspiration as the inspiration to write a song? Or, the same place as a design for a futuristic car or some fabulous new piece of technology we don't even know we can't live without yet?

Hmm...My thought on that is yes, it all comes from the same place that I am pretty sure we all have access to. In my case, inspiration can hit at any time, they KEY to it is to recognize it and remember it. THEN, act on it!

Today I kept seeing cuff bracelets in my head, so a trip to JoAnn, Etc. was in order. I was able to find more than I went for, but the ideas kept coming. I am so grateful for inspiration, so I take it and if I have money to spend, I act on it! :)

Ribbon and grommets and beads, oh my! AND... this multi color "Big Value" pack of hemp cord, yay!  A good time was had by me and that is what I'm living for! I get it now...Strive for happy!

This Week's Project: Leftovers!

Before heading out to a "Girl's Craft Night" this evening, I had a chance to use some fabulous leftover beads in a bracelet.

Well, it started out as a necklace, but was quickly turned into a bracelet because I wanted to be able to see the crystals!

That is pretty much why I don't make a lot of necklaces. I have a need to see the beads!! :)

The focal point is actually a beaded bauble or what some beaders call the "crystal ball". It is a right angle weave using 12 swarovski bicones all woven together to form a sparkly ball!

On each side of the ball are some top drilled black diamond crystals, yumm! Fun to make and FABULOUS to wear! That sparkle is WOW!

I also couldn't help but take a picture of our most fabulous craft tonight, the peanut butter/bird seed covered birdhouse!

Amazing isn't it....so clever! It's on the kitchen counter at the moment and I can't wait to hang it outside along with some corn for the squirrels. :)

Peace, Love & Bead Blogger Friday!

Wow, inspiration is just a few words away!

Check it out!! :)

AND, have a spectacularly creative weekend!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles 
Melanie shows off a new creation using the new Pantone Crystal Mixes from Fusion Beads 

Art Bead Scene
We celebrate some of our artisan bead crafters from across the pond with this treasury of UK bead artist awesomeness 

About.com Jewelry Making
Owls are making a comeback from the 1970s and an owl charm was the inspiration for two jewelry tutorials. 


Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
There is a remarkbly beautiful new jewelry store on Etsy! Come read all about it, and learn who is behind it! 


Beading Arts
Cyndi works through the first steps in turning an antique key into a lampworked pendant. 


Carmi's Art/Life World
Ruby Violet necklace kits are fun and easy to work with! 


Jean Campbell
"Stuff Beaders Say" Are you a beader? If you're not sure, just check out this video and see if anything sounds familiar. 


Resin Crafts!
A dollar store butterfly becomes a necklace center piece with resin! 

7am Creativity Burst

I wonder how many times I have mentioned on this blog that knowing how to make jewelry really pays you back when it's gift giving time!

Guess what I was doing at 7am... Yep, making birthday earrings for a co-worker! One of my very favorite things to do, but I do wonder why I procrastinate till the last minute. I think it might be to get the most of my creativity. Maybe I need the pressure to fly by the seat of my pants.

So, I let our little doggie out this morning and while he was out wandering for about 8 or 9 minutes, I switched between keeping an eye on him and making earrings!

I didn't have time to take a picture, but here are the crystals I used. The earrings were double deckers with the light rose bicone on the bottom, topped with a light purply/pink glass pearl. The top deck was just a single light rose AB bicone.

Cute! If I had more time, I would have made a pair for myself, all that sparkle was hard to resist! :)