What to Wear

Today is the LAST DAY of my Thanksgiving Sale and I thought I'd put together a great Christmas Gift Idea post for those of you wanting to get all your presents from independent artists.

First up, my Turquoise and Cinnabar Pendant with this Andalusia cardigan from BrightStreet. All their cardigans are upcycled and embellished. All you'd need is a bright red top underneath.

Wouldn't this Cygnet Grey Cashmere Scarf by Amanda Sainsbury look stunning wrapped around your neck with a Stormy Night Embroidered Brooch. Perfect for a very dark, blustery, winter night.

  Around here, it's still Autumn, and this Autumn Stretch Sweater from Ullvuna leaves just enough wrist for a bright Pumpkin Patch Beadwoven Bracelet.

Last but not least, my Rusty Autumn Brooch adds a touch of sophistication to this already so sophisticated  Rust Spice Shoulder Warmer by Phydeaux.

I know yesterday that I promised a couple of new things for the shop at the sale price, and I did create a couple, but the second thing I created ended up all wonky and I didn't like it, so I'm just listing this. I call it Fallen Leaves.

I'm not sure why I've gotten into making more dainty and elegant pieces of jewelry, but so be it. It's probably just a kick, so enjoy it while it lasts! I'm sure in a couple of months, I'll come up with a way to create big gigantic necklaces that will cause back issues when I'm older.


Okay, two things....
1. This is the LAST DAY for the sale! At midnight tonight, I'll return all the prices back to what they were and it'll be gone! Also, free domestic shipping on everything! Oh, and tutorials are on sale also, which for you beadweavers is an excellent way to save a TON on Christmas presents. I'm making necklaces for my sisters and went out and bought the stones yesterday. $5. I spent $5 on Christmas presents!
2. Today is also the LAST DAY to enter my giveaway. Visit this blog entry and add your name to the list! I'll draw a winner tonight!

Enjoy your Tuesday!

I realize I haven't kept my promise...

See, what happened wuz....

I started working on a tutorial for this ring, (it's been on my list of tutorials-to-make for like two months) and if you've ever made a beadweaving tutorial, it ain't easy...also, the whole time that I was making it, I was struggling with the idea of releasing my pattern out there to people, because I don't want a repeat of what happened a month ago.

I really can't tell you what a kick in the gut it was to find out that my work was being stolen like that, and I came pretty dang close to just giving up the tutorial-creating thing altogether. I found out who was passing it around by the way, (she actually had the guts to put her name in the PDF title that she was passing around.) She sells tutorials also. Go figure.

But, anyway, I did finish the tutorial for what I'm calling my Persian Tile Ring. This would make a great stocking stuffer. They're easy to make and work up in just under an hour. The best part? All you need is seed beads. Sizes 11 and 15 and you're good to go.

You can find the listing for this tutorial here, at the special Thanksgiving Sale price! Oh, and I also created a Buy Two Get One listing so if you'd like, you can get all three of my ring tutorials for the price of two.

There's still one more day left of the sale, so I'm gonna try to add a couple of brand new things for the last day of the sale tomorrow.

But, I'm most excited about Margie and Me! You guys ready for the 2nd???!!!!

As promised...

I told you guys that I'd be adding new things to the shop while the sale was going on, and I fully intend to make good on that promise. So, here's what I created late last night. I call it the Vineyard Necklace because the deep purples and flecks of green remind me of a vineyard ready to be harvested.  

It's very delicate and feminine, which is something that I've been trying to do a lot more of. I think it's elegant enough to look very smart with a Holiday party outfit.
You can find it here at the sale price!

It's like I'm giving this stuff away! Oh, wait, I am giving this away, so don't forget to go and enter!
I'll draw a winner on Nov. 30, the day the sale ends.

I also managed to finish this little hair clip that was a request from a friend for her very special little girl.

Oh, and last thing did you know that Artbeads.com is giving away $100? Click on the picture below, and it will take you to the entry form for the contest. Good luck! I don't know about you but $100 worth of beads would be a pretty sweet Stocking Stuffer, no?

Alright, have a great Saturday!



Mission Accomplished...

...that is if your mission was to eat a little bit of EVERYTHING.

Thanksgiving was great and we actually pulled together (me and the other three sisses) to make it happen.

Now that that's over, it's Friday and you know what that means....

 the Alabama vs. Auburn game! Duh!

You thought I was gonna say Black Friday didn't you?
Well, it is that too, and I've still got my 15% off sale going on in my shop.

I just added a few new things this morning at SALE prices!

The first is this long medallion necklace that I call Black Lava. It's made from, you guessed it Lava Stone with some gray iris seed beads and gunmetal thrown in for good measure.

 My second new one is actually and old one that was missing from the shop for a while, but it's back in and better than ever. I call this Temperance's Necklace, because I am a huge fan of the show Bones and this big chunky, tribal look reminds me of her every time.

I used an Elaine Ray toggle clasp and wrapped it to create a pendant, I then made a multi-strand necklace to hang it on with some chocolatey brown and navy blue seed beads. The metals are brass and the whole thing has an earthy, natural feel.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy your Friday.

Remember, EVERYTHING in my shop (INCLUDING TUTORIALS) is 15% off until Tuesday!

I'm gonna keep adding a few things here and there everyday at the sale price, and I'll keep you updated, so check back often.

Oh, and Roll Tide!

Thanksgiveaway

As a huge thank you to you guys for such a great year, I've decided to offer a little token of my appreciation for this holiday season, so I'm giving away this one of a kind bead-embroidered headband!

Yep, giving it away...

It would make a great Christmas present.

It features a little bead embroidered medallion with a chunky piece of Rhyolite as the center stone and embellished in the corners by bright yellow Crazy Lace Agate rounds. The seeds are spring green and yellow topaz.

It is secured to a skinny metal headband that I covered with chocolatey brown ribbon. It is backed with Ultrasuede so it's comfortable to wear.

Just enough to be a little touch of pretty in your hair. So here's what you have to do to win...

1. Leave me a comment telling me your favorite fall/winter colors and I'll throw your name in the hat once.

2. Share the love with a buddy and leave me another comment and I'll throw your name in the hat again!

Also, to spread the love everywhere, I'm offering

15% off all items in my shop starting tomorrow and running through Friday!
UPDATE:
Just changed all the prices in my shop, so I guess that means the sale starts today!

I'm going to work hard at getting all the prices changed today between baking and cleaning, so you might actually be able to grab a deal if you check back tonight!

Thanks so much to all of you for the encouragement and support. It means a lot.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Time to Vote

I decided to enter my Margie and Me piece from the Adoration of the Magi in the Artbeads.com What Inspires You? Contest. I had used a lot of Artbeads products in this one, so I thought, what the heck, let's go for it!

Well, voting opens today! Here's the link to the voting for the general category, which is the category that I'm in: General Category Vote.

I named my bracelet Gifts of the Magi.

I'm definitely shamelessly soliciting votes here, but I really would ask that you take a moment to check out some of the other entries, there's some great work out there!

Also, be sure and stop by the Necklace Category to vote as well. There are some of my bead buddies and my Margie and Me pals in there also!

Last thing, thanks so much for your comments yesterday, it was so encouraging to hear what you had to say about my pendant. I'm glad you liked it so much.

Be sure and come back tomorrow for a special announcement!

Enjoy your Tuesday and just think, two more days to pumpkin pie!

Booyah!

That's what I said when I jumped back from my table after making this beauty! I don't know why, but I LOVE THIS! It only dawned on me just now that it could be part of the Margie and Me, but it's cool, I'll make something else, I just had to show you guys this now.

It features a gorgeous high-quality piece of cinnabar with real turquoise rounds surrounding it and I added a little flair to the bail on this one. Oh, and because I'm an equal-opportunity creator, this one is in the shop right now, but I'm in a serious debate as to how long it should stay there, so...

Okay, since we're sticking with the turquoise kick, I'll go ahead and show y'all some Margie and Me inspiration for the week.

First up, these cute little earrings from BellaLinaDesigns.

And then, I fell in LOVE with this belt buckle from Trencadis. In fact, I pretty much fell in love with everything in the shop, you should check it out, fo' real.

Then, there's these hair clips which are so 1920's from bethanylorelle.

Last but not least, these cute little earrings from Southwinddesign which are right on the money for Margie and Me.

I hope this gives you a little inspiration! Enjoy your Monday!

What I've been up to this week

Sorry, I've been so completely AWOL this week. It's been crazy busy around here with things that are completely un-jewelry related (which are my least favorite things!)

Okay, here's the first thing that I got done this week. I call it the Pumpkin Patch Bracelet, and I really haven't taken it off since I made it, the colors are oh-so-perfect for fall, and since we're just now getting into fall here, it's wonderful.

I also used this great little piece of Mexican Jasper to make a pendant that's a little out of my normal comfort zone. I'm really at a loss as to how to name this little beauty, and quite frankly still stunned that I mixed these colors together! I haven't listed this yet....

I call this one Northern Star. The colors are super intense, and I know that they're probably a little more spring/summer inspired, but I couldn't help it, they were just demanding to be put together. These necklaces are so dainty, but make such a statement.

Drops of Fall, a new ring.

Because I really wanted a new band for my rings I hunted down these little etched beauties, and it's a simple change, but it takes the rings to a whole new level. Definitely ups the elegance factor.

Last but not least, I used a little ruffled copper component that I found at Ornamentea to create this necklace that I call Tree Line. Why? Because these are the exact colors of the trees around here. Notice how there's still a little pop of green? Yeah, we have a lot of pines.

This picture is just to prove to you guys that my beading OCD is still alive and kicking. Hey, layering is in right?

Last piece of news, We're moving the Margie and Me reveal to Dec.2. Is that cool with everyone?

Four hands are better than two...

It all started with my desire to do something a little larger, to create something that could be carried and admired by the wearer and the passer-by.

So, when I decided to embroider a clutch, I asked Lori Plyler of Waterstone (from whom I had just purchased the most amazing fall bag) to create the shell, and I'd doll it up with some fancy embroidery.

Here's what we came up with.

Might I say, Lori's construction is flawless, the clutch is gorgeous and I am a very happy camper.

Thank you, Lori for being the other set of hands that I needed.

Two heads and four hands really are better than the standard one and two.

Sorry about being MIA the past few days, it's been crazy hectic around here. I'll get back at ya' tomorrow!

Creative Musings...or maybe not

If you're tuning in to hear me muse creatively about all the creativity it takes to be a professional creative, then you're on the money, because that was the plan for today for sure, however, I was gone all day yesterday and a good chunk of the weekend which means that I didn't get to create anything and my fingers are literally itching to well...create.

Oh, and I went to Ornamentea on Sunday (my wallet is still bleeding) so I'm gonna leave y'all hanging and work some beady magic today instead.

Last but not least, everything in my destash shop is still 50% off and will be until the end of the day. After that? Gone...with the wind.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Margie and Me - Mosaic of Color #129

Okay, I know that this isn't exactly the most holiday-esque palette, but I kept flipping back to it yesterday when I was choosing my Margie and Me for the next two weeks. It's called Mosaic of Color and it's taken from Islamic Architecture and the gorgeous tiled mosaics that you'll find pretty much everywhere over there.

Now, if you don't have Margie's book, this really is a must-see palette from the book which means check it out at your library or B&N, remember she also gives Delica numbers so you can really get the colors that she's going for.

Lately, I've been so inspired by Islamic Architecture. The shapes, the patterns, the colors. It's really a wealth of inspiration.

I pulled some of the main colors that Margie focuses on. As you can see from the pictures above, the main color is always this kind of sandy blue color...

with accents of lavender...

and teeny tiny punches of coral and cream.

I really, really, would suggest looking at Margie's book for this one. It's gonna be a challenge, but come on ladies!!! We can do this!!

Also, have you seen the new Beadwork?! I just got mine in the mail on Saturday and I'm so excited to be on page 18 with my Simply Seeds project! It looks so great! The peeps at Interweave are amazing at illustrations and I'm so excited to be in there!

This is the bracelet that's in the mag. It's a little different in the magazine as they wanted it to be a simply seeds project, I got rid of the clasp and created a beaded clasp.

 You really have to check it out, if you don't have a subscription, I would highly recommend getting one, it's my favorite magazine by far.

Finally, here's what I accomplished this weekend:

A bead embroidered headband for a special person...

and a Buttery Yellow Beadwoven Medallion...

How close are we to the next Olympics? Because I've been making these things like I've been commissioned by the IOC.

 

Have a great Monday and let me know if you want to play along with Margie and Me this time, we might move the reveal around to skip over the holidays. What do you think?