March GiveAway - A Bead in Time by Lisa Crone

Celebrating craft month I couldn't think of a better give away than Lisa Crone's beautiful book - A Bead in Time. Lisa, blog author of A Bead A Day, offers to you 35 exquisite jewelry projects inspired by personal memories and expierences.



I love this book! Each project is beautifully photographed and easy to follow step by step instructions. It is hard to choose a favorite, but I will say, I do adore Summer Salad!


To enter leave a comment about what your favorite craft is, I will draw the winner on March 9, 2010. (This contest is also open to my FaceBook fans, leave a comment on my FaceBook fan page and get a second entry!)

*FTC compliance disclosure: the give away mentioned in this post credited to Lisa Crone was provided as a promotional gift with her permission thru her publisher North Light Books. This item is for review and promotional consideration.

Shoulda Coulda - Peridot necklace

I wanted to submit this piece to Bead Trends for August 2010 issue. Being peridot is the birthstone, I thought it would be an appropriate submission. But too many things got in the way and I didn't get it finished til this morning.

2 strands of peridot chips
1 strand of white and green seed beads
1 strand of copper hand wound links, lamp work, swarovski crystals and seed beads
1 strand peridot, green quartz, rose quartz, and seed beads


Here is a close up -



The color choices of the necklace are brought out by the lampwork beads, the stone combination is a no brainer.

Peridot is the stone of compassion. It has a friendly energy and is excellent for healing. It assists in rebirth and renewal of all kinds. Peridot also bring abundance and prosperity. It enhances the healing and harmony of relationships of all kinds, but particularly marriage. Peridot can lessen stress in relationships, anger and jealousy.

Rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love. The elevated energy of quartz gives rose quartz a property of enhancing love in virtually any situation. It also brings gentleness, forgiveness, and tolerance.

Even tho I had intended it for August to celebrate the birthstone, the stone combination's brings love and forgiveness all year long, that is way better than just one month :)

Rings & Things Blog Parter goodie package - Memory jewelry

Got a package last nite from Rings & Things - more blog partner goodies!!! When I opened the package my jaw dropped. Let's just push Tish out of her comfort zone and watch what happens! Moreso, I think Dave has his foot out and tripped me right over the edge. These items are fantastic, great theme, Memory Jewelry - and I am clueless!!!!


These little hinged boxes made me happy. I put the Hersey's mini there to give you an idea of their size (that was breakfast)

55-700-21-1 hinged picture frame 1.5" square*
55-701-01-7 hinged shadow box 1.6" square*
55-702-11-1 hinged round glass pendant*



"These are great for decoupage or resin" as suggested by Dave in the partner letter. I may try playing with resin.


46-301-11-0 bezel cup 22mm round, 1 loop*
46-301-21-0 bezel cup 22mm round, 2 loop*
46-301-50-0 bezel cup 18x13mm oval 1 loop*
46-301-60-0 bezel cup 18x13 oval 2 loop*



This is a really sweet little bottle - one problem. the stopper fits, but the cap does not. I don't know if I am going to be able to do anything with this.


30-407-H glass jar heart*



These are awesome little jars, I already have a couple of ideas of what I want to do with these.


30-187-SM glass jar, 32x15mm*



These are fun diamond shaped bottles - how cool is that!!!


56-999-01-262 alexandrite diamond glass bottle *
56-999-01-452 blue diamond glass bottle*

I got my work cut out for me this week and I am ready to accept the challenge!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

The Beauty of Spring with ArtBeads!!!!

Art Beads is declaring "February as the month of ‘The Beauty of Spring‘ for our blogger community." That being said, I was given the opportunity to choose items for review and asked to use them in my interpretation of spring. (the way winter has been here - I am ready for spring!)

I immediately went to the furnace glass section - you know me and furnace glass. I used the
FD-SPRING SPRING MIX Fire Designs Hand Blown Furnace Glass Approx 1oz as my base and made my choices from there -

Look what I got!!!



PBA-LX003 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Clover Shape Heart Link $1.48
PBA-LX021 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Abstract Oval Link $4.20
BBACH08 Antique Brass-Plated Figaro Chain $4.92
CR-RL207 5x4mm Emerald/Wasabi Mix Roundelle Strand $3.59
FD-SPRING SPRING MIX Fire Designs Hand Blown Furnace Glass Approx 1oz $12.99
VIN-0041 Pink Glass Teardrop Vintage Patina Copper Head Pin $6.80
BBA-HP15 1.5-inch Antique Brass-Plated 23 Gauge Head Pin 24 $1.00


Here is a close up of the of the links the the emerald glass - Aren't these great!!!!! I am going to have to get more of that glass. It is brilliant!



These little guys are so intriguing - I can't wait to work with them.


I am so excited about these, and can't wait to start creating!

These beads and more can be found at ArtBeads.com, and while you are browsing, Don't forget -

Artbeads' 10th Anniversary Sweeps

Sweepstakes Starts January 06, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PST)

Sweepstakes Ends March 04, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

Good luck and happy shopping!!


*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.