Intervention

Yup I am at that point.

What had happened was -

I was asked to make earrings for an upcoming wedding. I had to order the requested components, and thought to myself - "Self, see what else you need and just git 'er done" - So I did.

I added to the order some ear wires - wow silver has gotten expensive - I added bezel cups for more resin works - I added some chain - all the things I 'thought' I needed. While I was at it - I went to Vista Prints and ordered more business cards.

Order done, housework time. I started at my computer desk. Too many things piling up. Got it organized. (found a few business cards so I am not totally out) Feeling froggy - I moved into my studio. With my hands on my hips, I turned a circle in the room, surveyed the carnage, blinked back a few tears and set to work. I had found some stackable baskets that would be perfect for sorting, put them out on the work bend and got to sortin'.

Lo and behold - I found my strapless bra - hrm....
I found a moldy coffee cup - stashed under the shelf
I found my book I have been searching for (wanting to know how it ends)
I found a half a box of business cards....
I FOUND A PACKAGE OF EAR WIRES!!!!

I am furious with myself.

So my dearest darlings I have staged an intervention for myself with the help of my room mate. We are going in guns a'blazing and not stopping until it is done. Until this feat is completed, I will be on radio silence.

Must keep my head on straight.

Say a prayer for me, will you?

This and That Destash

A while back some of you may remember I tried to start up a Share you Wares concept from my blog. It didn't take off like I had hoped, well, it didn't at all - but ...

On Facebook there is a great group I have joined - This and That Destash.

It is a group of hording crafters just like myself (and you - you know who you are), who are trying to do just that - de stash some of their items.

In the group you will find pictures of items people are trying to sell, or trade for other items, along with posts for people who may be needing items that you may just have!

It is small and growing and could turn into something fun!

Here are some examples of what I have seen -









Want to join in on the fun?

ArtBeads - Under the Sea Challenge!

Taken from ArtBeads Blog - Good luck!!!





Get ready to test your sea smarts with our latest contest! In our Under the Sea Challenge, you’ll be asked trivia questions about some of our favorite sea creatures. Once you complete the challenge, enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a fabulous “Under the Sea Challenge” prize package that includes a collection of our newest Unicorne Beads, freshwater pearl strands and an Artbeads gift card—all this valued at $200. Show off your aquatic knowledge and have fun with the trivia!

This contest runs from Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 12:01AM PT until Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 11:59PM PT. Winner will be announced the next day, September 1, 2011. Look for our announcement on Facebook and the Blog for Beaders. Let’s get started on your aquatic adventure by taking the quiz! Be sure to read the full contest rules.

Please note: The trivia test is not a requirement to enter the sweepstakes, but have a little fun with the Under the Sea Challenge and see how salty dog savvy you are!

Share your designs - Win Beads!

Got this email today, looks fun!
I am gonna try - what bout you?

This is a monthly GIVEAWAY.

EcuadorianHands.com is proud to feature your artwork, and we invite you to submit images of your favorite projects to the Customer photographs section and participate in our monthly draft. You can win US$20-worth of tagua beads and coconut beads (free shipping) to incentive your creativity and environmental awareness using ecofriendly beads. Here's how you can be included:

• We accept and will participate all designs of jewlery beaded WITH ANY MATERIAL), NO RESTRICTIONS!
• Email your name and attached image to contest@ecuadorianhands.com
• Please describe your project (ie: necklace, bracelet, home décor)
• Include the name of your design... If you have named it!

Photography tips:

• Photos should be a minimum of 500x500 pixels
• To best results, place dark designs on a light background and light artwork on a dark background.
  

Winners:

• Will participate all the designs that we will recibe until the 25th of each month (deadline). All these designs will be published in our blog site under the category (contest & promotions). The wining design will be the one that recibes the larger number of comments unitl the 25th day of the next month (counting day). Winner will be announced 5 days after. Ex. Designs receipt until Feb 25th (deadline) will be participating until Mar 25th (counting day), and on Mar 30th we will announcing the winner.
  
• Only one comment per person will count. No repeated comments will be accepted, nor offensive or out of line comments.
• Winner will be notified by email, and will be published in our blog.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the artistic credit of the artwork displayed here, please contact us at contest@ecuadorianhands.com

Would you like to receive information about our Giveaways, Promotions and cool stuffs about our beads? Join our Beads Mailing List!

Learn about Tagua and how we manufacture Tagua Beads

Winners Jewelry Making Contest

FEB 2011 - Meet the Mystic Jaguar by Allie Thornton

MAR 2011 - Design by Accesorios Sara Maruri

April 2011 – Biambi by Coffee Lovah

May 2011 - No contestants

Wednesday Challenge

When Jo was home, she had too much fun pawing thru my supplies and helping me organize my work space.

One of her favorite games is to grab a random grouping of beads and challenge me to make something with it.

For this Jo challenge she chose these beads.



Natural sapphire, matte finish dyed agate, labradorite and fresh water pearl.

Time to put my thinking cap on :)

Rings & Things Bead Tour and Give Away Winner!

First let me say - YAY!! to Lisa of Pine Ridge Treasures! Your name was drawn for the give away from my blog! Can't wait to see what you do with the random goodness coming your way!


Yesterday before work - I stopped by the Rings & Things Bead Show in Durham.


So much goodness - I can't begin to tell you. I do a good amount of my shopping online, but what a treat to be able to see it all up close and in person


I love the bowls of candy placed strategically throughout the show - helps keep your stamina up while shopping!


Laurae checked me out - what a sweetie. I asked if I could take her picture and she said 'sure' then added 'just don't take a picture of me' I laft - and she was awesome enuff to play along!



I went to get just chain, but as you see, the temptations were just too great! I am in love with the dyed, matte finished agates! LOVE!!!



All this in 30 minutes - I was on a mission! Are they coming to your town? What would you buy?

Awesome Giveaways!!!

Found these give aways over at The Newbie Beader's Blog!

Andrew Thornton is having a serious giveaway of some of his B&B treasures. Go here to enter.

So is Cindy - go here to enter.

And so is Lori! Go here to enter.

Copper Diem can ya stand it! Go here to enter.

And last, but definitely not least! Lana has quite the selection! You can enter here.

Good Luck!!!

Mama Went Shopping!! ArtBeads!

WoooWeee!!!
Oh kids - I done broke the bank!

ArtBeads had a cuh-RaZie Luck of the Irish sale and I just couldn't say no :) On top of the sale, they had the BEST items on clearance. I am having a trunk show the end of April and took advantage of the sale to buy new components for a new spring items. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and bout some really bright colors.


These were all on clearance!!! I wanted them all!! I already have them built in my mind into something gloriously loud, I just have to find the time to put them all together!



There are still several of these great stoneware beads still available and me still a week from pay day!!!!

Have a great weekend!

ArtBeads Winter Enchantment Fun

More fun with the ArtBeads Design Partner group!

This challenge is Winter Enchantment. These two words alone bring up so many ideas for me. Just for fun I did a Google image search for the words "Winter Enchantment". Stunning landscapes covered in snow, cozy cottages tucked away on a snowy blanketed mountain sides, fairies, Christmas and this:



Winter Enchantment: Love by Wild Rain 73 at Deviant Art - I love it!

I thought what would she wear as she strolled through the forest. Is she looking for her love? Did her love give her a token of their affection, and if they did, what would it look like?

That was the inspiration behind my choices.

Starting at 12 o'clock:

R-RQTZ-NUG11 - 5x11mm Irradiated Quartz Modulars *
GTOG-023 - 20mm Bluino Boro Glass Toggle Clasp * ( I LOVE THIS!!!!)
TBRD6-288 - TOHO Bead Round 6/0 Colonial Grey-Line *
CR-RL137 - 5x4mm Opaline Picasso Roundel Bead Strand *
SW-BD173 - Stoneware Round Spacer - White Smooth *
DRUKS-LS-TUR6 - Druk Bead 6mm Turquoise Luster *
R-WHAG-SQ12 - 12mm White Agate Square Bead Strand shipped *
DRUKS-LS-LBL6 - Druk Bead 6mm Light Blue Luster *

I had to try one of those glass toggles. They are some of the neatest things I have seen. I have some concern of them breaking, but then again, I would not put them in a piece that would be a 'constant worn' piece. The Picasso roundels, are one of my favorite choices from ArtBeads. They come in so many colors, and are the perfect compliment to any piece.

ArtBeads had so many choices for so many projects. What would you choose to make a Winter Enchantment themed piece?


What else is going on at ArtBeads?? Follow them on Facebook for fun promotions, tips, tutorials, coupon codes, and inspirations!!


Enter for a trip to Tucson!!!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

A Year In Review!!! Blog for Beaders!

The rest of the week, I am going to re post some of my favorite posts, and also link back to some of yours!!

A little stroll down memory lane to finish out the year!

What is going on over at A Blog For Beaders??

ArtBeads.com is a great resource for projects, inspirations, sales, promotions, artist showcasing, supplies, sweepstakes and so much more!!! Bookmark this one!

ArtFire Wed. Collection - Opal and Pink Tourmaline

Opal and Pink Tou...

Curated By: JustATish

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Copper Diem Hodge Podge Giveaway!!!

Copper Diem is giving away over a pound of beads!!




Check out her blog for the give away details!!

Good Luck!!

What's in the bag!!!

Ok kids!! Are you ready to see what is in the bag!!! I dumped it all out and here it is!!
I got a great deal on silver - which made me happy. The prices are getting so high, I have nearly worked it out of my inventory. You can see a couple of spools and a packaged coil as well.



These are the items picked out for a special order for a customer. You will see more of this soon :)


More silver - head pins, crimp tubes, ear wires, toggles, and some clear Swarovski crystals.


Here is a close up of the beads!!!!

1. Dyed magnesite skulls!!! how cute!! I already have these ear marked for Tirza's. I can't wait to show them to Anne!
2. 5mm copper daisy spacers
3. sterling silver spacers (two strands)
4. sterling silver skulls - SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!
5. 5mm faceted glass - AB finish
6. Copper plated beads
7. African Bloodstone - *faints* I have never heard of this before. It is bee-you-tee-foe!!! I bought this for Jo. Bloodstone is her all time favorite stone in the world. She will be here next week!! We are going to make jewelry!!!
8. Copper daisy spacers
9. Faceted quartz roundells
10. Tiny citrine roundells
11. MATTE FINISH CITRINE NUGGETS!!! have you ever seen anything more beautiful!!!!
12. Millie-Fee-Or-Ee glass coins. Can't wait to work with these!!! These will be perfect for my wire wrapped cuffs!!
13. AB finish glass heishi cut
14. Blue shell pearls! I could NOT BELIEVE the deal I got on these. I wanted to buy the whole table. I love these. There were more colors - pastels, purples, greens. I literally made a fool of myself when I saw these on the table. I gasped and said - 'Holy Cow!! Seriously!!' It brought others to the table to see what I was so excited about. These shell pearls are on my list of 'What makes my heart happy'. They are so much fun!
15. Brown shell pearls!!!! *refer to #14*

I can't wait to dive into these. I have so many ideas. It is fun to get new stuffs to help oil the squeaky cogs of creativity!!!!

Now if I can just get the bathroom done!! I came home last nite and James had cleaned up one mess so I could make another.



So this morning I tapped and edged and got half the bathroom painted before I had to leave for work.





I'll get the painting done tonite, and we will be at a stopping point. We can put the shelving and the mirror back up. At least we will be able to use the bathroom while we save up for the next round :)

Tomorrow kids!!!!

Beadin Path Design Partner - What a haul!!!

What a thrill I had yesterday when I got home from work and found a package in my mail box from Beadin Path! Heather at Beadin Path had given me a heads up there was a package in the mail, but I did not expect this! Imagine my surprise to find so much stuffed into that padded envelope. A squeal escaped me as I dumped them onto the table, and I will admit, I slobbered a little in my glee.


Beadin Path is so generous to their Design Partners and for that I am forever grateful. The vintage lucite beads are too much fun. You can go crazy with big bulky designs and not have to worry about the weight. The textures, colors and patterns of the beads are so much fun to combine in a piece, it allows you to work outside your creative comfort zone and find new ways to express yourself.

There were no inventory tags on these strands and I had to go to the site to poke around (hurt my feelings!) and find out what each one was.

Vintage Lucite beads - going from left to right:
LUC4274BR Matte Dark Bark Tube beads, 6 x 26 mm
LUC2185BR Cube Beads 10mm Smoky Quartz
LUC2485OR Dark Rust Moonglow Heishi Rondells 4 x 8mm



LUC4830OR Light Orange Marbled Rice 12 x 22 mm ( I love these!)
LUC461YL Opaque Jonquil Round 8 mm
LUC4458YL Pale Jonquil Round beads 16mm



LUC3737OR Twist Tube Beads 10 x 12mm Orange Moonglow
LUC4869OR Transparent Hyacinth Barrel Bead 12 x 14 mm
LUC4759RD Marbled Red w/ White Rounds 12mm (my favorite ones)





LUC2503OR Side Drilled Button Round Beads 11mm Transparent Orange
LUC4640RD German Lucite Matte Garnet Flower Pendant 28mm
LUC3900RD German Lucite Matte Deep Red 3-Petal Flowers 39mm



Now that you know where to find them, go and see for yourself how much fun it is to work with vintage lucite!!