A new little bead

I was asked a few weeks ago if I could make a necklace for a friend. She was looking for a motorcycle feel (we do live in Milwaukee, home of Harley Davidson).

She really likes my necklaces that are beaded ropes with lampwork focal beads. So she asked if I could work on making a flame bead.

And of course my brother had to add that it would look really cool if the flames were 3D. Thanks bro.

So not only had I never even tried to attempt flames on a bead, I now had to make them all 3D. Great.

So this is what I came up with. I'm so proud of it. I have never done anything like this, but it turned out so good. I'm so excited to show her.

Now I just have to clean it (yup that's bead release you see). I'm going to make another one for her necklace, but I am just so happy with this one, I had to share.

A Treasury!

I'm in a treasury. WooHoo. Check out FANTASTIC (2) for a whole lotta black and white goodness. My Modern Circles cuff is featured in the fantastic (hehehe) treasury created by Enchanted Bitz

The Airborne Toxic Event

Here's a little music for you today.

What I've Been Working On!!!

At the beginning of the month, my brother contacted me and said he worked with a woman that would love to have a cuff made, he then sketched up a simple design and sent it to me. She has a son that is autistic, so she wanted his name and puzzle pieces; in black and silver. So this is how it turned out. I think it looks great.


Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was asked by a group of friends (all are teachers) if I could make a few cuffs. They all work specifically with autistic children and wanted cuffs. So I worked on a few different designs and these are the two I came up with.

The first one is just puzzle pieces. I like this one because the colors are so vibrant.


The second one was a little bit more challenging. I wanted to do the ribbon, but was having problems getting puzzle shaped pieces on such a small scale. I finally just decided to leave it like this. They are not puzzle pieces, but I think anyone looking at it can tell what it is supposed to represent.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one. I thought it might look ridiculous, and possible like multicolored camo or something. But I really, really like this one. The ribbon really stands out on the crisp white background. And it looks great on the wrist. I'm so happy with how this one turned out.

Isn't it funny how you can be convinced that you are not going to like something, and then when it's all done, it's one of you favorites?

I'm going to be making a few of these up soon. And I've decided to give part of the proceeds to autism research.

New Rings in the Entrecard Market

I have six more colors of lace rings listed in the Entrecard market place.

a.) Silver lined Orange
b.) Light Green Transparent AB
c.) Pink Transparent AB
d.) Light Blue Transparent AB
e.) Coral Transparent AB
f.) Dark Green Transparent AB


These rings are ready for spring. All of them bright and cheerful to bring in the new season.

You can check them out HERE. And are again only 2000 ec credits. Check them out today.

Also brows all the other fantastic stuff in the Entrecard market. There is something for everyone.

Something New From Me

This is the new necklace that I just finished. It started out a lot simpler then it end up, but I think it was for the better.

I have always loved these little beaded circles. I always thought they were really pretty. So I thought, what the heck, I should try these little babies out.

I gathered up some vintage pearls I have had for years and this wonderful teal color seed beads. I really love these seed beads. The color is one of my favorite, just behind deep purple.

I sketched a necklace that only consisted of FIVE of these circles. I wanted it a simple everyday necklace. But then as I worked I thought, well what if I just did a little one here, and maybe I'll add one here too. And this is the finished product of what grew out of my crazy mind.

But I have to say, I really am pleased. I have even wore it for a full day in the lab. And it's easy to wear, which is always a plus.

Well I'm off to create some new beady goodness and enjoy the beautiful weather this St. Patrick's Day. A full Pint of Guinness for everyone today.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Visions Of Spring

Fun, bright colors that remind you of the Caribbean. Warm salty breezes and beautiful fish swimming in crystal clear blue water. A tropic paradise.

This necklace was all hand beaded using tiny little Czech seed beads in a wonderful array of bright colors. It is finished with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

It measures about 18 1/2 inches (47 cm) in length and measures about 1/2 thick (1 cm).

It's available HERE.

Entrecard Market

I'm sure all you EC people out there know about the Market Place. It's where you can go and find all kinds of goodies; from advertising to custom blog design. And the best part is, you pay with everything using your EC credits. That's pretty cool.

I have a few things listed up there. One of my listings is for a custom made to order lace beaded ring. Simple, but really pretty. You can pick your favorite color (I only have 6 choices so far, but I'm hoping to have new pictures taken soon) and your ring size. Then just let me know what you would like and I'll get one made up for you and sent off. And I'm only asking 2000 EC credits, not to shabby.

So stop by the market place for all kinds of cool stuff today, and don't forget to pick up one of my lace rings.

Time To Vote

It's that time again, time to vote for your favorite. This month, the Etsy Beadweavers Challenge theme was Temptation. Yeah, I like. So make sure to stop by the blog and vote for your favorite entry. Though it's going to be difficult to pick from the 35 beautiful entries.

l. Sunset Necklace - HannahRachel

2. Black Desire necklace - FleurDeIrk

3. Carmen's temptation pendant - 6Carmen6

4. Dulce de Leche - nemeton

5. Green with Envy - BeadazzledofOregon

6. Temptation in Turquoise - beadsandblooms

7. Temptation - MadeByOlga

8. Temptation in the Garden - glimmerstone

9. The Seductress - RachelesOriginals

10. Forbidden Fruit - EPOriginals

11. Temptation Burlesque Collar - gypsyeyesjewelry

12. Tempted by Temptation - dreambeadweaver

13. Sweet Beaded Temptaton - BeadFabulous

14. Green Gold Temptation - binkaminka

15. Mist on the Moors - beaglebeads

16. Serpent's Temptation necklace - CieloDesign

17. i want to believe cuff - thebeadedlily

18. Chocolate Temptation cuff - randomcreative

19. Mirage in the Desert Necklace - Charmingthings

20. The Spider and the Fly - daynamiles

21. Chocolate Cherry Cordials - ThesePreciousThings

22. Caught in The Web of Temptation - cigarboxbeads

23. Aztec Summer - beadworkbyamanda

24. Temptation By the Sea - myfairladyvt4

25. Hamadryad's Heart Fringed Choker - SalamanderHouse

26. TEMPTATION Necklace - enchantedbeads

27. Eye candy temptation - PFordCustomJewelry

28. A case for Temptation - LiciaBeads

29. PUSHING LUCK - caraway

30. Temptation Cuff - SpringColors

31. Luscious Cherry Chocolate Necklace - FrancescasFancy

32. Bead Store Temptation - beadwoman3

33. Temptation Dance - SmadarsTreasure

34. Sunrise Temptation - njema

35. Moonlit Seductress - ErtheFae

My 1st Amulet Bag

So unfortunately I did not get any new pictures taken last night, as I had planned. My stomach was still upset and as soon as I ate I felt sick again. Boy do I wish what ever I have would just go away. I also have been obsessed with a new project I'm working on. It started out pretty simple, but has now ended up growing to much more. And now I think I'm going to use it to enter FMG's Beading Contest, so I hope to have that done soon. (This will be my first year entering)

So until then I thought I would put some pictures of my first ever beaded amulet bag. I've never really tried amulet bags before, so I'm not really sure what got into my system. But I decided to give it a try.

I started with the sort of zebra print, I was going to make a cuff (which I might still do that), but thought what the hell, go for it, make a bag. Then the design just progressed from there. I added the beaded fringe, which is supposed to represent vines in the jungle. And then I made the beaded rope in variegated browns to look like branches, but thought it needed more. When you go the the jungle, there are vines and what not, so I added beautiful flower vines around the whole thing.

So I put the whole thing together and decided it still needed something. The bag looked a little bit out of place. So made a little bundle of the beaded flowers and a vine that extended across the bag.

I'm very happy with how this turned out. It's a really big design for me and it took me months to finish. Which is strange because I like to finish a piece the same day I start it. But that's my OCD talking. When I use to live a lone, I would pull all nighters just to get a piece done in one sitting. I know it's crazy. But luckily I've started to control this urge, and I can now do large more complex pieces, like this necklace.

So over all I am very pleased with how well this amulet bag necklace turned out. Maybe I'll try another one someday.

You can find this necklace in my etsy store too.

And I know, zebras are not a jungle animal, but I loved the print and I am happy with how it turned out.

Thank you again and again

Thank you to both to P and J Crafts and Beadwright for bestowing upon me the Friendship Award. Please stop by P and J Crafts Blog to find some fantastic bags, and don't forget her etsy store too. While your at it stop by Beadwrights Blog for some beautiful beadwork and don't forget her etsy shop. Thank you both for this award, it's made my day a little brighter :D

********** Boring Life Update **********

So we're still trying to get over this cold that both me and J have. We just can't seem to get rid of it. So I'm trying to get as much rest as possible, but convicning J that he needs to rest is a different story. He's one hard working man.

I'm also still looking for a new research position. I have till July 1st when my funding runs out, so I really hope something opens up by then.

Business has picked up a little bit for me, which is always good. I've been comishioned to do a few cusom orders (one for a wedding), I've been asked to do a home show, and I "sold" two things in the Entrecard markets (Thank you both for your purchases, I hope you like them).

But other then that, it's same old same old here in Southeastern Wisconsin. The weather has started to show improvment, with highs in the 50s today, so hopefully spring will be here before I know it. :D

I've reached 400 Hearts

I've reached 400 hearts in the my etsy store. Thank you everyone.

Trying Something New

So I've decided to try something a little different. I've seen a bunch of people with items for sale right on their blogs and thought I would give it a try.


So I'm offering a great beaded cuff right now on my blog. It's beautiful gold and blue striped cuff on fantastic brown leather. If you look to the right side, you'll see it listed. And if you purchase it through my blog you'll get FREE SHIPPING.

I've also decided to start selling the paypal gift certificates. They can be redeemed in my etsy store. That is also on the right hand side at the very top of the page.

I'm just trying this out and seeing if it works for me.