August Voting Time!!!

It's that time again, time to vote for you favorite EBW challenge piece.  This month's challenge was Gold and Silver, and boy where there ever some pretty entries.  Visit the EBW Blog from now until August 15th to vote for your favorite one.  Click on the mosaic above to go to the EBW Blog to see all the pretties.  

This was my entry; Chrysus - Free form Beaded Cuff.  It's # 37 on the list.   

It's gonna be hard just to pick one of the 50 entries, but what are you waiting for, go vote today!

EBW Challenge Piece

My EBW challenge piece

I know I've shown pictures of this cuff before, but I finally got it listed on etsy, one day before this month's deadline.  I didn't want to miss out on this challenge since I had missed last month's deadline (I forgot that the deadline was the 5th).

This month's challenge is Gold and Silver.  I love this idea.  Just that perfect combination of two extremely classy colors.  I also love seeing all the beadwork made with these two colors, all those little tiny silver and gold beads just shimmer in the light.  Beautiful.  I know voting is going to be difficult this month, there are already so many beautiful entries.  You can search EBWC on etsy to find all the entries and don't forget to visit the EBW blog between August 9th and 15th to vote for your favorite piece. 

Here are a couple of my favorite entries (even though it's hard to pick).

This beautiful cuff, Silver Remake Beaded Cuff,  was created by Beads and Blooms and is just to die for.  I absolutelty love the silver mesh piece in the center of the cuff.  Just beautiful. 

Then I love this necklace, The Sunshine After the Rain, from The Crimson Moon.  It's has a simple yet spectacular feel to it. 

Both pieces are just a taste of some of the beauties that you can vote for this month.  Like I said before, it's going to be a tough decision this month. 

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And I've already started thinking about next month's challenge; BollyWood.  I have a clay cab I made that will just work perfectly, now to decide what I'm going to do and start working on that one.  :-) 

Day Four

Here's a [crappy iphone] picture of day four progress of my latest challenge piece.  I didn't get a chance to work on it Thursday night because we were screen printing t-shirts for J's band (which turned out really nice).  But I did sit down on Friday night and got almost all of the blue finished.  I'm making good progress.  I've finished all the beading today and should be able to get almost all of the beadwork sewn on to the leather tonight.  So hopefully by tomorrow, if all goes to plan, I will have a finished cuff to show off.  Stay tuned for day five pics. 

Day Three

Here's sneak peak day three.  I know what you're thinking, this doesn't look that much different from yesterday's sneak peak, what's up with that?  I know, I wasn't quite as productive last night as the night before.  But I did get some things done.

Day Three

First, the green on this side of the cuff wasn't completely done, so I finished that up.  Then I added my little frog friend there.  I also added little pops of color that are supposed to be flowers, it's hard to tell in this crappy phone picture, but they're there, you just have to take my word for it.  I also started on the blue.  That's on the other side of the cuff, so again you'll have to take my word for it again.

I'm really happy with how this cuff is turning out.  Stay tuned tomorrow for the next sneak peak.      

Day Two

Just a quick post today. Here is a sneak peak at my challenge piece. It's only day two and and half done with the bead embroidery. Now just to finish up the second half and start working on the embellishments and attaching it to leather.  I'm really excited about how this one is looking.  I'm starting to grow quite fond of bead embroidery.  There are so many possibilities with it. Stay tuned for day three pictures tomorrow. 

Day two! It's really starting to take shape.

*Storm Update*  Yesterday J stayed home to clean up the flooded basement and I left work early to help.  We got it all cleaned up just in time for the storms that hit us last night and this morning.  Now the basement is flooded again and this morning there was water leaking from a light switch up stairs.  I don't know about the rest of you that live in the area, but I think I'm done with the crap weather.

EBW Voting Time

It's time to vote for your favorite EBW challenge entry.  This month's theme was Light as a Breeze.  Stop by the EBW blog and vote for your favorite today.  There are 32 gorgeous entries this month, so it will be difficult to pick just one. 

EBW Voting Time - A Fairy Tale

It's that time again to vote for your favorite entry in this month's EBW Challenge. Just stop by the Etsy Beadweavers Blog and vote for one of the 31 fantastic entries.

This was my entry; it's called "Down the Rabbit Hole" and it's my interpretation of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.

I was really excited about this challenge. Such wonderful opportunities.

My entry is Number 12!!!

So go vote today!!!!!

I'm all done!!!!

I have been working non stop on my latest entry in the EBW monthly challenge. This month's challenge was Fairy Tale. Oh the possibilities. I love fairy tales and fables. They were some of my favorite things to read as a child. I remember my grandfather had this great old book full of classic fairy tales. The pictures in this book were amazing. Even before I could read, I would sit and thumb through the book just to look at these wonderful works of art. Sometimes I miss the old illustrations (no offense modern day illistrators).

One of my favorite stories, well actually two of my favorite stories are Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I have always loved these stories. I'm actually re-reading Through the Looking Glass right now. The characters in these stories are just amazing, so creative and colorful. How could you not love them?

And my absolute favorite character was the Cheshire Cat. I even wanted to dress up as the Cheshire Cat one year for Halloween. I'm not really sure what it is that draws me to this character, I just love him.

As soon as this month's challenge was announced, I knew what I was going to do. I was going to do a two drop peyote cuff, but that would be much of a challenge to me. So I decided to try bead embroidery again.

I used these great Lapis cabs for the eyes. I've had these cabs for a little while and I knew they would work perfect for this project.

I wanted to do a completely black cuff with just the eyes and the smile visible, but wasn't sure how I was going to pull that off, so I compromised with black eyes and smile and a gray background.

I then added a great pink and blue beaded boarder around the edges and backed it with green leather.

I am so proud and excited about this cuff. I am completely in love with it. It has really helped get me over my winter creative slump I've been in. Every night that I worked on it, I got one step closer to the final piece. It made me excited again.

It also has again renewed my awe and just plain wonderment for all of the artists out there that do bead embroidery. This is not an easy task and so many make it look easy. I enjoy doing the bead embroidery, but I think after this project I'll be taking a little bit of a break.

This cuff can be found in my etsy store.

Voting for this challenge begins on March 9th on the Etsy Beadweavers Blog.

Time To Vote - EBW and BEM!!!

It's time for voting again, YAY!

First stop by the Beadweavers Emporium Blog to vote for this month's challenge. The theme was Beachcomber, and all 6 entries are quite beauties.

It's also time for the Etsy-Beadweavers November Voting. Stop by the Etsy-Beadweavers blog to vote for your favorite in the Beauty of the Flower. All 17 entries are lovely, so it's gonna be hard to pick just one.

New Cuff, Voting Time and a Giveaway!

I am so excited about this new cuff. I worked up a simple guitar pattern a few months ago (okay maybe it was longer then that), but I just never got around to working one up. So I made it my goal for the weekend to make at least one guitar cuff.

This is what I came up with. It's really cool in person and looks great on.

I worked one that was a little bit different, and then after asking the guitar expert of the house what he thought, I ended up taking the first cuff completely apart. He gave me a few good pointers and a few things to add to the guitar. And I am so happy with his suggestions. It really makes the guitar look nice.

I also modeled this guitar after one of his (his favorite one). So everything is the same color as his guitar. Well almost everything; this one is missing a pick guard and the pickups are a different color, but it's still pretty close.

I'm so excited about how this one turned out. I can't wait to make a bunch more in all different colors and with different backgrounds. Woo Hoo!!

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I also wanted to let everyone know about a really fun giveaway. Daisy Bookworm has opened an Etsy store and is having a giveaway. She is giving away an adorable hair comb and barrette. Stop by her blog for all the details and to enter. And don't forget to stop by her etsy store.

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It's that time again, time for EBW voting. This month's theme was Super Power Jewelry. All the entries are fantastic. Please stop by the blog and vote for your favorite entry.

Voting Time!! - BEM and EBW!!!!

It's voting time again. This month there are two very cool beadweaving challenges you can vote on.

The first one is the first ever BEM (Beadweaving Emporium Market) challenge - New Horizons. You can go to the BEM BLOG and vote for you favorites. Voting is in the left hand side of the screen (don't forget to click the vote button after you click on your favorite). Voting ends July 15th.

Below you can see a list of the entries for this month's challenge, make sure to check out all the entries.

1. You are my Sunshine 3-in-1 Necklace - Sand Fibers

2. Triangle Pinwheels: The Bowl - Njema

3. Green Earth the New Horizon - Slave to Beads

4. Free Form Embroidery and Beadweaving Bracelet - Beadazzled of Oregon *SOLD*

5. Rising Sun - New Horizon - Thee Fates Design

6. Tiger Eye Cabonchon Hand Woven Hair Barrette - Rachel's Originals

7. BEMC New Horzons - Necklace with White coral, pearls, roses, and peridot - Enchanted Beads

8. Night Vision Necklace - BEMC - Beads Forever

My entry for the BEM New Horizon's Challenge was my Rising Sun Necklace. You can check it out in MY 1000 Market's store. I'm number 5 in the challenge.
And don't forget to search for "BEM on 1000 Markets when your there to see all the wonderful beaded items the market has to offer.

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Next it's voting time for EBW again. This month's theme was "Here come's the Bride." What a fun theme for July.

There were 39 spectacular entries this month. Stop by the EBW BLOG to vote for your favorite entry. Voting is on the Right hand side (don't forget to click the vote button after you've clicked on your selection).

1. Pearl Romance Collar - nemeton

2. Intertwined in Love for Wedding Bliss - kraftymax

3. Pearls and Crystals and Silver OH MY - cigarboxbeads

4. Neptunes Bride - triz

5. Pearls And Gold - Bridal Jewelry - Rainy Lane

6. Something Blue - randomcreativ

7. Love Goes Round and Round - 1BeadAtATime

8. Forever Yours - beadsandblooms

9. Bridal Cameo Necklace - Medic5415

10. Geometric Decadence - vanishingpearl

11. Floral Lace - ArtfulAr

12. Champagne Dreams - HauteIceBeadwork

13. A Touch of India - BeadazzledofOregon

14. Seaside Wedding - caraway

15. Two Hearts Become One - BeadworksbyKerri

16. Bridal Tradition - glimmerstone

17. White Bridal Wave - HannahRachel

18. Dare to Dream of Crystals and Pearls - dreambeadweaver

19. Gothic Wedding Fetish Beaded Fishnet Gloves - crownrosegems

20. Two Shall Become One - beadsforever

21. Something New Something Blue - jodihorgan

22. Halloween Bride - alatvian

23. The Blushing Bride - Fivefootfury13

24. Something Borrowed, Something Blue - AmethystRavenstar

25. The Mermaid Bride - ThesePreciousThings

26. Something Blue - copperwaycrafts

27. Beadwoven Bridal Necklace and Earrings - SmadarsTreasure

28. Jewels of Dawn Bridal necklace - CieloDesign

29. Walking on Air - RedCatArtBeads

30. Wrist Corsage - MoreThanSomewhat

31. Stars in my Eyes Bridal Necklace - SpringColors

32. Sparkling Bride - Amykohndesigns

33. Champagne Sparkle necklace - FleurDeIrk

34. Crystal Ice - fashionsfrome

35. Fairy Tale Princess Bride Choker - FrancescasFancy

36. Rebel Bride Freeform Cuff - playnwithbeads

37. Here Comes the Bride - enchantedbeads

38. Indian Bride - BeadCatcher

39. And Together - LiciaBeads

June Voting Has Begun

So I am extremely behind on getting this post up and I apologize. I have been super busy closing down my old lab and starting my new position. I'm hoping in a week or so I'll have some of that stuff people call "free time"!

But enough with that. Voting has begun on the Etsy Beadweaver's June Challenge. This month's challenge theme was humor. It was really fun coming up with something for this challenge and it has been fantastic seeing what everyone else came up with.

Stop by the Etsy Beadweaver's Website to vote for your favorite. Voting is on the right hand side of the page (and don't forget to hit vote at the bottom). There are 20 fantastic entries this month, so it will be hard to choose just one. :D

Here is my entry for this month's challenge. It's my second attempt at a free form cuff. You can read more about it here and if you're interested you can click here to see more pictures.

My Humor Cuff!

This cuff was created for the June 2009 Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge. This month's challenge was HUMOR.

This free form cuff was stitched using tiny little glass seed beads, cube beads, larger seed beads, and a flower bead. It is then finished off with a beaded toggle clasp.

I was excited when the June EBW theme was announced. I was just starting to experiment with free form stitching; I thought 'what a great way to show some humor. I'll show everyone my attempt at free form.' And this is what I came up with.

The humor in this is twofold. The first is my feeble attempt at free form, and the second are the bright colors and patchwork. I envisioned a jester, with all the colors in a harlequin pattern. And this is what my mind came up with. Fun, colorful, and funky; that sums up this wonderful cuff.

This cuff measures approximately 1 1/2 across, and is about 6 1/2 inches long.

All items are made in a smoke free environment, in my small studio in Southeastern Wisconsin.

You can check out this cuff HERE in my etsy store. And don't forget to click HERE to check out all the other fantastic entries for this month.

Voting will begin June 9, 2009 and run until June 15, 2009. You can stop by the Etsy-Beadweaver's website to vote (voting is one the right hand side, and don't forget to click submit after you make your decision)!

Congrats to the Winner of the EBW Challenge!

Congrats to the winner of this month's EBW challenge. The theme this month was Hollywood Red Carpet.
This stunning necklace belongs to CieloDesign. What a beautiful entry. This necklace, called Suprastellar Red Carpet necklace , is absolutely a stunner. Congrats on the win.

And congrats to the runners up

Gladiator - jmackgems

Bollywood Glamour - SmadarsTreasure

Night of Stars - jodihorgan

Vera Similitude Walks the Red Carpet - HauteIceBeadwork

Queen Of Sheba Necklace - HannahRachel

To Liz.. - beadsbyvezsuzsi

Angelina Jolie Bracelet - triz

Josephine Baker Burlesque Wrist Cuff - gypsyeyesjewelry

The Red Carpet Bracelet for a Mom - alatvian


All the entries were so stunning it was hard to vote for just one. Great job everyone that entered. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for the next challenge.

Time to Vote for Your Fave!

It's that time again. Time to vote for your favorite entry in the Etsy Beadweaver's monthly challenge. This month's theme was Hollywood Red Carpet. And boy the members of EBW didn't disappoint. All 21 entries are completely stunning.

Please stop by the Etsy Beadweaver's Blog to vote for you favorite. Voting in on the right hand side of your screen (and don't forget to click vote after you make your selection). I know it's going to be a really hard discion this month.

Click on the links below to see each one fo the entries.

1. Diamonds and Gold II - beaglebeads

2. Buried Treasure OOAK - GoodQuillHunting

3. how to be a rock star beadwoven cuff - thebeadedlily

4. Amethyst Netted Necklace - glimmerstone

5. Black Tie - beadsandblooms

6. Queen Of Sheba Necklace - HannahRachel

7. Golden Brooch with Pearls - enchantedbeads

8. Bollywood Glamour - SmadarsTreasure

9. Sophia Loren's Green Garnet encrusted choker - crownrosegems

10. Ms. Monroe - Evandra

11. The Prince and the Showgirl - ThesePreciousThings

12. Josephine Baker Burlesque Wrist Cuff - gypsyeyesjewelry

13. Suprastellar Red Carpet necklace - CieloDesign

14. Angelina Jolie Bracelet - triz

15. To Liz.. - beadsbyvezsuzsi

16.Scarlett's bracelet - carmenesque

17. The Red Carpet Bracelet for a Mom - alatvian

18. Night of Stars - jodihorgan

19. Vera Similitude Walks the Red Carpet - HauteIceBeadwork

20. Gladiator - jmackgems

21. Cascade - njema

The Winner Of The EBW Challenge

Congratulation to Mariya of BeadCatcher on winning the EBW Challenge with her absolutely fabulous Tropical Treasures.


There were 47 entries in this challenge. That's fantastic. The runners up were:
Second: Tropical Garden by: SpringColors

Third: Tropical Holiday by: veroque

Fourth: Tropical Paradise Necklace by: CieloDesign

Fifth: Tropical Nights by: SmadarsTreasure

Sixth: Pink Flamingo Fantasy Necklace by: gypsyeyesjewelry

Seventh: Island Treasure Chest by: BeadazzledofOregon

Eighth: Tropical Rainforest Getaway by: Bead4you

Ninth: What if I'm a Mermaid by: ThesePreciousThings

Tenth: Blue lagoon necklace N961 by: FleurDeIrk

All the entries were unbelievable. This challenge really brought out the best of all the members. Congratulations to Mariya again, and everyone else.

EBW Jan/Feb Challenge Voting Open

Voting for the January/February Challenge voting is now open. Stop by the EBW Blog and vote for your favorite. There were 47 absolutely stunning entries this month. Voting end February 15th, so stop by and vote today.

My entry is #37. My beaded necklace in bright tropical colors. It's called Mayan Sun because as I stitched, it reminded me of the ancient Mayan artifacts and the pyramids rising out of the jungle.

You can find my necklace HERE.

And don't forget to stop by the EBW Blog to vote for your favorite entry.

The Winner of the Etsy-Beadweavers Challenge

Tears of Joy by beadsandblooms has won the September EBW Challenge.

What a fantastic necklace, great job!!!

And the runners up were:

Yin and Yang Peyote Bracelet- SmadarsTreasure

Roundabout - ThesePreciousThings

Lapis Lazuli Necklace and earring set - dreambeadweaver

Circle Gets the Square - beaderjojo

Pin Stipes and Flowers Bracelet - GrandmaMarilyns

Free and Formed - OOAK - beaddiddy

Bananarama Mask - Beadmatrix

Textural atmosphere - LiciaBeads

Le Rouge et le Noir Freeform Bracelet - enchantedbeads

Fantastic entries everyone. Beautiful, beautiful work!!!

EBW Challenge - Voting is Open for the September Challenge

Voting for the September Challenge is open!!!!

This month's challenge theme was Complementary Contradictions and was chosen by Smadar of Smadar's Treasures, the winner of the July EBW Challenge.

Voting will end on September 15th at midnight, so hurry up and go vote for your favorite entry at the Etsy-Beadweavers Blog

Please click on the links below to look at each individual entry.

1. Le Rouge et le Noir Freeform Bracelet - enchantedbeads

2. Pinstripes and Rhinestones Cuff Bracelet - cigarboxbeads

3. Tears of Joy - beadsandblooms

4. links cuff - thebeadedlily

5. No Shades of Gray Black and Silver Cuff - njema

6. Darkest Light - Magnesite/Iron Wild Horse Cabachon Bracelet - fashionsfrome

7. Lapis Lazuli Necklace and earring set - dreambeadweaver

8. Stargazer- Beadwoven Brooch - animadversion

9. Opposites Attract - Beaded Potholder - vanishingpearl

10. Roundabout - ThesePreciousThings

11. Free and Formed - OOAK - beaddiddy

12. Yin and Yang Peyote Bracelet- SmadarsTreasure

13. Bananarama Mask - Beadmatrix

14. Black and White - A Story in Color - adinahalperndesigns

15. Opposite Attraction, Beadwoven Cuff - RegalBeads

16. Fire and Ice - AmethystRavenstar

17. Dragon Eye Beaded Bracelet - Tresijas

18. Autumn Peyote Cubed Cuff - myfairladyvt4

19. Black and Silver Freeform Bracelet - wMarlaine

20. Pin Stipes and Flowers Bracelet - GrandmaMarilyns

21. Textural atmosphere - LiciaBeads

22. Circle Gets the Square - beaderjojo


I was not able to get an entry done for this month, but all the entries are just spectacular!!! Way to go beady people!!!

I Just Got A Squidoo Page

When I first heard about squidoo, I had no idea what that even meant. I mean what a weird word, what possibly could it be? Well I have been looking at some of the lenses, and decided it was pretty cool. So I created my first lens. (Lens are like your own personal web page about what ever you love; it can be anything.) It's just another way to help promote my store. I'm still working on it, I'm sure there is plenty I can do to make it way more interesting. Check it out.


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The new Etsy-Beadweavers Challenge Theme has been announced. I'm so excited, it's a good one.

Drum Roll Please..............

Animal Instinct

I told you it was a good one. Julie of GemsbyJules won the August challenge with a really beautiful cuff, so she got to choose the October theme. I can't wait to see what all the really talented artists come up with. Now I just need to think about my design!!!!!

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It's a miracle, they are actually sitting in the same window together. They are within a foot of each other and not trying to kill each other. We have had Toonces (the tiger stripe) for a little over a year now and Nacho still hates her. So when we see something like this, we have to document it, so when they are beating each other up in the basement, we can look back and remember the day when they got a long for a minute or two. And no they never hurt each other, Toonces thinks it's a game and Nacho thinks it's a battle to the death, but Nacho's such a scaredy-cat, nothing horrible would ever happen. She just growls and hisses when ever Toonces invades her personal space (or when anyone for that matter invades her space). Then they chase each other through the house at top speed until Toonces jumps on the cat tower (I guess that's goal) and Nacho (with a mohawk and huge poofed out tail) just looks turns around and finds a comfy place to sleep. I kinda thing that they both think they won respectively. Toonces thinks she outsmarted Nacho, and Nacho thinks she scared Toonces. Oh cats, they're always entertaining.