Beading Daily Earring Exchange!!!

I was so excited to get a package in the mail - to me, from me!

*blink* *blink*

Why am I getting a SASE?

I opened it up and a little envelope fell out.

Inside were the loveliest pair of earrings!! The Beading Daily Earring Exchange!! I had forgotten all about it!



So cute, little nests of wire and tiny seed bead eggs. These are just adorable.



I was very disappointed that the creator - Anne - had not placed a card or email with the earrings so I could thank her.


I will have to stop by their forums and thank her there. Hopefully she will stop by to check.
I am hoping ppl will post links to pictures of their earrings. It may be fun to stop by from time to time to see who got what!

Thank you Anne!!!!!

Ode to a pair of side nippers

Oh side nippers how I love you.
You have been there for me for so long.
Your handles fit my hand, like you were made for me.
You are forever diligent in your consistency to please and perform.

For so long we have worked together, creating the designs that set us apart.
Your cuts are so smooth, so precise, never needing to do any trimming.

You never once balked at the challenges I set forth for you to nip -
Toe nails
Removing stitches from surgery
Seam ripping
Opening packages
Ribbons and thread
Cardboard and paper

But never - never memory wire. I know you would try, but I love you too much to ask that of you.

And now my beloved side nippers, it is time for you to retire. Time for you to go to that quiet place we call the junk drawer.

Full of memories I am of you, and I will carry them fondly where ever I go.

You will be missed...... *sniff*

October Bead Trends

The October issue of Bead Trends is on the stands. I am thrilled to have two pieces in this months issue.

One is from a Rings & Things blogger challenge from back in April or May. I call it 'Char'd and Chunky'. It is a fun piece, with multi strands. It appears bulky, but don't let the size of the beads fool you, these lava beads are light. I had a lot of fun with this combination - over the top naturally textured lava beads accented with dainty shiney swarovski crystals. You just wouldn't think to put the two together.










The other piece is a fun whimsical piece I call Patsy's Candy. I was in Illinois visiting my daughter when I found the focal for this piece. We went to tons of little shops on the main street of her town looking for treasures. These little glass candies bring back so many memories for me as a kid. I remember my mom having a bowl of glass candies. I use to love them. I loved them so much, that many years later I started my own collection of these glass goodies. I thought it would be fun to showcase the candy as the focal on a necklace. I wanted to keep it young/hip.








Do you have designs that are fun and trendy? Why not submit them to Bead Trends. They accept submissions monthly and have the categories listed on their site. Go today!!

Bead Trends Magazine Submission Categories

October Bead Shows - Wholesale and Retail

October kicks off the holiday shopping season. Trying to think of that perfect gift to make or give to someone? Have a beader on your list who would love a new strand? Have you been a good boy or girl and just need to buy a little something for yourself!! Here it is, here is that chance to shop till you drop, knee deep in beads, findings, sterling, gold, and everything else you can imagine for your beading needs. Trust me, there is nothing better than running your hands thru piles and piles of beads to get motivate, inspired and rejuvenated! Hopefully one is in your area!

Happy Shopping!!

Oct 9-11: CA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St.

October 9-10: MA: G&LW Shows: West Springfield, MA: Eastern States Exposition

Oct 9-10: OH: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Columbus, OH: Greater Columbus Convention Center

Oct 10: WA: Rings & Things BeadTour - Spokane bead show: Spokane WA: Mirabeau Hotel Spokane Valley (Ballroom), 1100 N. Sullivan Rd.

Oct 10-11: FL: Jewelry, Gift, Fasihon Accessories & Bead Show: Ft. Lauderdale, FL: The Sheraton Hotel, 555 West Cypress Creek Road

Oct 10-11: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: Deland, FL: Deland

Oct 10-11: SC: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Mt. Pleasant, SC: Omar Shrine, 176 Patriots Point Drive

Oct 16-18: CA: Gem Faire: Del Mar, CA: Del Mar Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Oct 16-18: CA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: San Mateo, CA: San Mateo County Expo Center, 2495 South Delaware Street

Oct 16-18: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: Pompano Beach, FL: Elks Lodge, Pompamo Beach

Oct 16-18: IL: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Schaumburg (Chicago), IL: Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N Thoreau Drive

Oct 16-18: NY: The Whole Bead Show: New York, NY: Metropolitan Pavilion, South & North Pavilions, 1st Floor, 125 West 18th Street between 6th & 7th Ave

Oct 16-18: MS: Natchez Gem, Jewelry and Bead Show: Natchez, Ms: Natchez Convention Center 211 Main Street

Oct 16-18: PA: The Philadelphia Gem and Jewelry Show: Philadelphia Pa: University of Pennsylvania,3417 Spruce Street

Oct 17-18: FL: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Pompano Beach, FL: Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1800 N.E. 6th St.

Oct 17: WA: Rings & Things BeadTour - Seattle bead show: Seattle WA: Seattle Center (San Juan Rooms), 305 Harrison St

Oct 18: WA: Rings & Things BeadTour - Mt Vernon bead show: Mt Vernon WA: Best Western Cotton Tree Inn (Cascade Ballroom), 2300 Market Street

Oct 23-25: CA: Gem Faire: Pleasanton, CA: Alameda County Fairgrounds

Oct 23-25: TX: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Austin, TX: Austin Convention Center

Oct 24: WA: Rings & Things Bead Tour - Bellevue bead show: Bellevue WA: Bellevue Community College, Cafeteria, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE

Oct 24-25: FL: Down the Street Bead Shows: Ft Myers, FL: Clarion Hotel - OLD Radisson Inn

Oct 24-25: TN: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Memphis, TN: Agricenter International - (D-wing), 7777 Walnut Grove Rd.

Oct 27-28: NC: G&LW show:Asheville, NC: Asheville Civic Center

Oct 30-31 Nov 1:G&LW show: Orlando, FL: Osceola Heritage Park

Oct 30-Nov 1: CT: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Hartford, CT: XL Center, One Civic Center Plaza

Oct 30-Nov 1: TX: Bead Renaissance: Live Oak, TX: Live Oak Civic Center, 8101 Pat Booker Road

Oct 31-Nov 1: NC: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Durham, NC: Durham Marriott Convention Center - (B & C Halls), 201 Foster Street