My ArtBeads "Beauty of Spring" Creation and Bead Bloggers Roundup

Because I am a member of the Artbeads blogging team, I have the wonderful opportunity every few months to review items available from the Artbeads.com website. February's theme is ‘The Beauty of Spring" so I chose an eclectic mix of stoneware and Swarovski Crystal Beadscomponents to work with. To me Spring can be light and delicate with lots of pretty pastels, but also lush and earthy. I originally starting choosing items that were lighter in color like these pink Gemstones but changed my mind when I looked at the pendants section.

I was immediately drawn to the Stoneware Pendants. I had picked out 3 deco style floral ones as possibilities then saw this one called "Blossoms and Bird". Since the Robin has always signified Spring to me, I had to have it. Another plus, it's in my favorite colors of red and aqua as well. The robin is surrounded by white blossoms on an aqua background.

To accent the pendant, I used some luscious Swarovski Crystals. I used the Margerita shaped Crystals in 12 mm Crystal AB and 6mm Siam which matched the pendant perfectly. I added some vintage German Glass and plastic flower beads to the pendant to bring in the lushness of spring.

For the neck section I had originally envisioned a delicate chain but the pendant is so lush and juicy, I decided to oomph up the neck portion to match it. I love the Swarovski crystal cotton yarn and ordered some in Opal which is a pretty robin's egg blue color. I combined the crystal yarn with some Sari Silk I had from Objects and Elements in a dark red and aqua color. I wired on more vintage plastic flower beads with Swarovski Magarita beads centers on one side to create visual interest. To close it, I used some of my own altered cones and a handwrought brass hook and eye closure. I absolutly love how it turned out!

Head on over to ArtBeads.com to see a ton of other gorgeous goodies to make your own Spring inspired jewelry! Alternatively they are having a St. Patricks Day sale and you could create something wonderfully Irish and green instead.


Necessary Legal Stuff : I have received the products itemized above(crystals and pendant) free of charge from Artbeads and have not been paid for my review, endorsement or criticism of their products.  I am reviewing them honestly. 


For more jewelry inspiration, check out the beady happenings going on at the Bead Bloggers:

A Bead A Day Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of jewelry? Lisa fell head over heels for a bracelet on a fellow beader's blog and ended up trading for it!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy got the 411 on some very cool new metal stamps. Though these can also be used with clay as well.

Art Bead Scene The Art Bead Scene begins a new monthly feature - the ABS Carnival Blog! Let the Carnival begin!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Bopping Along the ICE Resin Blog hop - My resin version of Little Egypt.

Beading Arts Do you want to try lampworking? Cyndi's been busy at the torch again.

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi uses a candy mold to make a new resin pendant.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Cindy takes a bead shopping trip to the Great White North and almost passes out!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie unleashes her grumpy feelings with a little rant and a bead sale!

Jean Campbell A mystery package is the catalyst for this creative challenge. Up for it? You could win a free book!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei had a chance, a while back (2008) to have a nice little interview with etsy seller, Patina Queen! This is Lorelei's wire supplier, and she ROCKS!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! jean is breathless with delight when she receives a gift from her friend the artist Lisa Kan!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew shares his feelings about the awesome new Spring issue of "Stringing" magazine.

Still alive, even though the cooties are vexing me.

I hate sounding like a broken record but I have had AnOTHER health upset that has me slacking on things I want to do, like blogging. If I didn't know better, I'd say my body is out to get me LOL.

I thought I had strained myself packing up for the gift show a couple weeks ago. My shoulder was hurting then it started to go away so I didn't think anything of it. We went grocery shopping on Sat and I was carrying 25lb of cat litter and a carton of water bottles. So it started hurting again and I put some ice on it and took a couple asprin. Sunday, it was so bad I couldn't move it without pain. Sunday night the pain was spiking down my arm, I was in tears and unable to sleep. I went to urgent care at 7am Monday and got the diagnosis of torn rotator cuff and bursitis. I've been in too much discomfort to sit or type, and also on some meds that make me a little nauseous and sleepy. I'm in physical therapy twice a week and hope it gets better sooner than later. I am done with the health issues, and my focus for March is PRODUCTIVITY!

I have a couple of great books to review, a ton of product to photo and add to the site, stores to contact, stuff to destash, etc.... I also have a couple of super exciting things I need to prepare for and I need 110% of my attention to those NOT some health issues.

I also just finished a REALLY cute spring necklace with supplies graciously sent to me from Artbeads. It is CUTE!!! I can't wait to show it off! I am hoping I can get a good photo of it tomorrow after my therapy. Stay tuned!

Giveaway Winners

Time to pick the winners! I almost forgot and am squeaking in just under the deadline.


The winner of the One World, One Heart giveaway is Anji Gallanos!
The winner of the blog followers appreciation giveaway is Teri C!!! Thank you all for reading and following my blog.

Its ICE BLOG HOP TIME!!!! My Little Egypt ICE® Resin style!

( Little Egypt -Lyrics by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)

I went and bought myself a ticket and I sat down in the very first row, wo wo.

They pulled the curtain but then whenthey turned the spotlight way down low, wo wo,

Little Egypt came out strotting,wearing nothing but a button and a bow, wo wo,

singing, "Yeaaah yeah, yeah yeah! Yeah yeah, yeah yeah''.

It's Blog Hop time!!!! Hope you all enjoy the blog posts as much as I am! A list of all the participating blogs are at the end of my post so you can join along with us too!

I have a long love of traditional Arabic music and dance. I also love the glorified Hollywood versions of the Arabian nights tales with the abundance of lame, chiffon and rhinestones. Little Egypt was a stage name for 2 popular dancers in the early 1900's, so many other people used that name that it become synonomous with "belly dancer". She was immortalized in song first by The Coasters, and then by Elvis and also in movies. Since the name is so iconic, I chose to create a jewelry tribute to the spirirt of Little Egypt (pictured above).

I wanted to stretch myself creatively when I sat down to make this. I wanted it to be a statement piece, somthing bold and vibrant. This piece is like a couture piece-not necessarily something you'd wear daily, although some could!

My goal was to create an amped up interpretation of a bellydance costume. I wanted the glitz of modern cabarat but with some elements of traditional. I also wanted to see what I could make using all Objects and Elements supplies along with my ICE® resin. There's so much GOOD stuff on the website to play with, it does get overwhelming for me sometimes. I usually have 5 or 7 different shopping carts going at once with different things, before I pare down to the real order. Everything but the large rhinestones, a few crystals and a couple of pieces of vintage chain came from the Objects and Elements store.

On a dance costume, sometimes there is a large tassel or fringe that hangs down over the midriff area. This is partially for modesty but also to create more movement when you dance. I love the look, so created a really long version in my necklace with sari silk ribbon and chains. It was hard to get a photo because it hangs about 2 1/2 feet long, but its stunning in person.

While this looks really heavy, its really quite comfortable. Using ICE® resin to create drops and pendants makes your necklaces lighter and more comfortable to wear then the same size pieces in glass or crystal.

To be inspired by a bunch of other Super Cool, Very Creative, Fantabulous ICE Resin® Hoppers just hop this way!:
Molly Alexander
Ro Bhrun
Karen Burns
Kecia Frazee Deveney
Mary Jane Dodd
Melanie Earthenwood
Shea Fragoso
Kerin Gale
Vickie Hallmark
Jill Liles
Jess Italia Lincoln
Heather Powers (and also here for Art Bead Scene)
Amy Purdes
Jenny Barnett Rohrs
Stephanie Rubiano
Lisa Sommerville
Kim Taylor

ObjectsandElements.com participating Design Team members:
Jen Cushman
Deryn Mentock
Kristen Robinson
Barbe Saint John
Susan Lenart Kazmer

If you didn't jump on the ICE® bandwagon but still want to join in, put a picture of your work using ICE® Resin on your blog and add your URL to the comments section to the Objects and Elements Blog Hop post. You can also email Jen at jen@objectsandelements.com.

Also, pretty please take a moment to comment on the blog and let the authors know you are reading. Jen be giving away some goodies on the Objects and Elements blog and you DON'T want to miss out on that I PROMISE!!!

ICE Hopping, Monday Feb 15th

It's almost here!!! Put on your apron, and pull out those cups, stirring sticks and ICE Resin® and join in on the very first Objects and Elements Blog Hop!!!   The blog hop starts on Monday, Feb. 15th and continues through Friday, Feb. 19th.  We'vegot a wonderful group of bloggers joining in with the fun, and you will be amazed at all the creativity!

Our SLIK chik team leader, Jen is running the hop.  She'll be giving away fabulous things to our blog commenters during that week as well, so be sure to read and comment!!!!  Keep your eyes open for some fabulous creations on Monday!

POOPED! SFIGF Recap

The Gift Fair is over and I am POOPED!!! I started it by having what I thought was a bad head cold, but quickly realized it was the flu AGAIN!!!! How do I get the flu THREE times in 3 months?? un-real! I don't know how I worked 3 solid days going from 6:30 am to 7pm, but somehow I did. My body is paying me back now but not wanting to do ANYTHING but lay in bed and sleep.

The good and the not so good of the weekend:  First that not so good-  the fair was slower then I anticipated- a huge bummer.  I guess buyers are still a bit timid about spending and even a couple of my regulars only bought a couple things. I did ok, but not as well as I had hoped/planned. Also, a number of people said "love your stuff but our customers aren't sophisticated enough for it". I don't get that, but thats their decision to not educate their customers.  One woman walked by my Dragon Fly baby necklace and said "LOOK at that! its so WEIRD!!!!".... Then she saw me, and quickly scooted off LOL

I did have a number of people who DID get my jewelry and love it. That makes me very happy.  I got to meet alot of great people, that's alway a plus!  Also, I gained SO MUCH information from my fellow vendor neighbors about how to set up things better, tips on other shows and suppliers, etc... Everyone was super nice and ready to help the "newbie" out. I thank them all for all their help, suggestions and support! I also realized a few things to do another wholesale show better and make writing orders up quicker.  For example: paper hang tags -bad idea, having 100 pair of earring in different prices and names -bad idea, drawstring chiffon bags - great idea, how to do some better displays, etc...  I also realized my prices were way too low in comparison to all the other jewelry designers there, thats a REALLY bad thing.  REALLY bad! My more "arty" necklace pieces sold more than the simplier ones and rings didn't sell at all.

 Overall, it was a good experience, even if I was too out of it to fully enjoy it.   I plan on doing the show again this summer but want to share my space with another artist.   I am looking for someone that does like vintage journals, cards, altered bottles, artwork or even bags/pillows/hats, etc.... to split the booth cost with. I can't think of anyone I know who would fit the bill or doesn't make jewelry so I may have to do a call out on some of my art groups.  

I will be taking some time next week to figure out a bit more of how I want to go forward this all. I was taking a bunch of notes during the show and need to sort them all out.   I think I am going to be clearing a lot of things off the Saints and Sinners website and move it over to my dusty Saints and Sinners Etsy shop. I want to give my website a more cohesive look and that will be a good start.  I am also going to be destashing a bunch of supplies to make room for things that I actually use.  I will move those to my destash Etsy shop, where I have a few beads, art yarn and the E3 etching system up currently. I'm suprised the etching system hasn't gone yet, its great! And of course, my never ending photo taking chore is waiting for me. Where is that photo elf????

Sunday Quickie

Hey everyone! I'm busy busy busy this weekend while working at the show and not able to get online. I wanted to pop in and do a quickie post to say Thank You to everyone entering my OWOH and blog reader appreciation giveaways!

I will post later this week, but to tide you over here are this weeks Bead Blogger links!

About.com Jewelry Making: Catch up on the latest jewelry web news from contests to free tutorials with this handy list of links.

Art Bead Scene: Searching for a way to achieve an etched metal look? ABS has a free tutorial for you!
Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts: Are you a follower? Barbe has a giveway for her blog readers.

Beading Arts: A beautiful glass bead becomes the focal point of a Valentine's Day necklace!

Carmi's Art/Life World:  Carmi did "knot" stress out making this new necklace!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva: With the help of Vintaj brass, Cindy whips up a set of tethered butterfly earrings with her bronze floral charms.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles: Melanie reveals the delicious ingredients she received for the Bead Soup Party.

Snap Out of It Jean! There's Beading to be Done!: Kim Miles! Who makes prettier Valentine's day, or "just for yourself" gifts than Kim? Wait til you see what she has up her sleeve...the Ace of Hearts, so to speak!

Strands of Beads:  Melissa is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from Artbeads.com this week!

Avoiding work by indulging in Eye Candy - Calorie Free!

I'm busy tagging, pricing and packing. To take my mind off these dreary tasks here are a few photos of some of the Saints and Sinners jewelry going to the fair.  I'm taking a number of industrial, steampunk items like the 94th Steam Aeroguard necklace above.   Last summer the darker steampunk pieces were popular, so hope that will be that case this weekend too.

This is a group shot of a few prettier things. I'm a little worried I don't have any big WOW pieces, but hope my selection of jewelry will still bring buyers into the booth.

I'm also bring a small variety of bobbypins and fancy hair wear pieces. I want to keep them all but don't have the room LOL.  I love making these and I WISH I had those Hot Glue Gun Helpers by Cathie Filian while I creating them. I saw those nifty tools in action at CHA and I am getting a kit as soon as they go on the market.  I am going to make a few more today, and need to figure out a way to display them. I'd love to have some vintage hat mannequin heads from the 40's to put them on.  I'm also gathering up all kinds of pins and rings just to make sure I have some lower price point items. Many buyers have a much smaller budget this year and I want to have things that won't break the bank.

And in other eye candy news-I was my friend Kecia's Valentine and look at this lot of lovelies she gifted me!!! A handmade valenting box and inside was one of her gorgeous art jewelry necklace pieces made just for me!! Also in the package were Lolita glasses and a Marie Antoinette chocolate pop. I REALLY want to eat Marie's head but its just too pretty!

Being the good friend she is, she was helping to market me at CHA by wearing a

custom headband I made for her. Isn't she the cutest!

Here's a closeup pic of the headband. I used a small papermache kewpie doll and put on a banner with Kecia's business name LEMONCHOLY over it. It looks adorable in person.

I guess its time to stop looking at photos and get back to work. More pretty pics later!

Blog readers appreciation giveaway!

The spirit of giveaways has taken me over. I gave away A Bead In Time book last week and in addition to my One World One heart giveaway, I wanted to do a second giveaway solely for my blog followers.  I appreciate the fact you follow, read and comment and want to offer a little pretty something to say thank you to everyone.

The prize is this sweet little Muertos shrine pendant I created.  It's one of a kind and made with various brightly colored bits and bobs. It's ready to add a chain or use it as the centerpiece in your own Muertos necklace.

To enter, you must be following this blog and leave a comment. I'll pick the winner on Feb 28! Be sure you are listed as a follower otherwise it won't count.

One World One Heart Giveaway

A few years ago, I discovered a great blogwide giveaway called the One World, One Heart Giveaway.  I thought I had missed the deadline to join in this years fun, but I was pleasantly suprised to see the deadline is Feb 7th.

One World, One Heart was started in 2007 by Lisa of a Whimsical Bohemian, this initial event was designed to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet otherwise. It was designed to close the gap of the blog community , enable us to discover new and wonderful people and in the process possibly win something along the way.

I really enjoy going to each blog to check out what is being given away as well as see all the creative talent I would otherwise never know about.

This years giveaway is for this pair of altered vintage gloves called Black Molly.  I hand dyed in a gorgeous marigold color and silkscreened (not stamped!) with a fancy goldfish on them. They are marked  a vintage sz 6 so they are on the smaller size.  You can wear them or add them to an art quilt, altered purse, shadowbox, assemblage or use for display..

To enter, just  leave a comment on this post along with a way for me to contact you. You can link back to your blog, twitter, or email address, without it I have no way of letting you know if you won.

This contest is open to bloggers only, worldwide!International participants are VERY welcome and I will announce the winner on February 15, 2010.  Be sure to check out the other amazing bloggers on the magic carpet of One World, One Heart.
EDIT:  Woo Hoo, over 75 comments!!! If this giveaway has over 100 comments, I'm also throwing in a pair of earrings, if it gets over 200 I'll put in another pair of unaltered but dyed vintage gloves! tell your friends to comment!!!!