All that Bead-y Goodness...

We've gotten in some good new bead-ies...

Limited quantities of Silver Lined Swarovski 4mm bicones in Lt Rose, Peridot and Lt Sapphire.  TASTY!  These are a rare find.

Katiedid Sticks (small size) above make cute little earrings. Swarovski 4mm bicones in Lt Colorado Topaz and 4mm Gold Pearls (plus a size 8 seed bead) fill them nicely.

Katiedid Curves below look like a little smile with 3mm Swarovski bicones in Fuchsia make a simple quick necklace with the addition of some sterling silver chain.

We've also added some YUMMY 4mm and 3mm Firepolish beads...you can never have too many for your weaving or stringing...they are always great for fillers!  We've also added TierraCast's lovely little sugar skull charms--soooo sweet!

These are just some of my designs with these great new items...what can you come with?

Sneak Peek

Just a little sneak peek into a project I've been working on....I think that I might try to see if there might be an interest in getting this one published....

I've been trying out some new stuff...it's been kinda fun to go outside of my box.

Do you go outside of your box? Whether it's color, technique or something brand new? I think I am most critical of my new endeavors...but it makes me think about the overall look. 

Can I Live in My Shop?

I've been thinking that my shop would make a perfect place to live--of course, with a few modifications.  When I'm at my shop I am always so inspired to create (although I do have moments of creativity at my paying job so I have bits of scrap paper all over), but when I go home (even though I have the studio) I lose my forward motion!  So I figure, if I could turn the kid's room (8x8ft) (the play room for the kids to hang out while Mom shops) into my bedroom and the office (6x8ft) into the kitchen and the stock room(6x8ft) into a bathroom I could just about live in my shop. Of course I would have to be able to put in ventilation and LOTS of windows!  I would be creating non-stop.  OK, so maybe it wouldn't be good to live there...I'd never sleep.

This is what you see when you first walk in the shop.  This--and one of us waving at you!

Some of the Czech pressed glass, seed beads, USA made metal--TierraCast and misc products.  Look!  The tables are tall enough so that your back doesn't hurt while looking!

The Sparkly Wall!  Everyone loves this corner.  More USA metal--Vintaj!

More Czech pressed glass and the Sterling/Gold-fill goodies.

The tool, wire and stringing material wall.  See that door back there?  That's the class room (my would be work studio if I lived in the shop).

Hope you enjoyed a quick tour of the shop!  If you are in the Fond du Lac area (about an hour northwest of Milwaukee) come in to say "hi".

It's Sparkle-tastic!

I've been a wee bit quiet on the blog this month...between getting my class instructions done for the new classes that we had this month and all of the other lovely paperwork that comes along with running your own business, I haven't had a lot of time.  I did eek out some time to participate in a challenge through one of my vendors.  Ok... really got sucked into this one.  I haven't done any bead embroidery projects for awhile, so my mom said to give it a try for this.  The creative challenge was to use Swarovski cupchain.  Cup-a-wha?  Cupchain is chain which is made up of settings then set with chantons (usually round chantons).  My brilliant idea was to cut the chain apart and create beaded bezels for the components.  Now cupchain is usually about 4mm--this cupchain is about 6-8mm.  So my fingers got a bit antsy! 

This was my initail design.  I was just winging this project as I went along. 

All my cupchain has been bezeled.  I then bezeled a 16mm rivoli and attached it via stitching to the backing material.  The cupchain components were all glued into place.

My finished project.  Since I've taken my pictures at night and without two photo lamps (still have to replace the bulb that the doggie popped), the picture came out a bit darker than I wanted.

I also created a bangle using a Vintaj Creative hoop as my base.  I wired the cupchain to the hoop with steel wire.  I made a very basic hook & eye closure from the wire as well.

I've worked on a few other items as well, but I'll save those for another post.

My spring resolution is to post more frequently...I hope I can stick to this! 

Aren't I Pretty??

I just had to share a current picture of our "baby".  She was getting a make-over this weekend! 

I need a little more blush please!

Iz I bootiful? 

I just had to share...Zoe was being really needy on Saturday and while I was getting ready to go into the shop, she figured she needed a bit of attention!

Hope this gives you a giggle!

Want to Win.....

Would you like to score some hot beads by a cool artist? 

Head on over to visit Barbara Lewis at her new blog home at Painting With Fire.  Become a follower and get a chance to win one of three lovely sets of enameled beads.  Click on the link above to find out the details!

More Goodies Please.....

I promised some more goodies!  Some of my pictures are a bit on the dark side...while I was taking pictures the puppy knocked over one of my lights and blew the bulb! It may be a bit before I can get some nice bright pics...  :-(

Here is a better pic of the pendant from a previous post.  This is really the 1st poly clay pendant/beads that I've made (except for the bazillion candy heart charms).  The necklace has Swarovski crystals in Indian Red and Violet satin, red jasper pebbles, Cape Amethyst rondelles and TierraCast antique copper bead caps. 

This is the most recent Bead Embroidered pendant that I've made.  This one was the most simple one I've made to date.  The lovely cabachon is from Earthenwood Studio.  Melanie makes a variety of ceramic links and pendants and beads.  I've used Miyuki Delicas, 11/0 and 15/0.  I've also used some faceted Czech faceted rounds in jadite and topaz ab.  The maize colored seed beads are Toho 11/0.  The dangle is a gold colored coin pearl.  This didn't take that long to make...maybe about 3-4 hours total.

This teal pendant is made from poly clay and has some silver foil applied and then run through the pasta machine.  Since I can't really sketch/draw for diddly, I used rub-ons.  I then sealed the pendant with a satin glaze.  This is just calling for the beach!

Here is a new metal book.  I used Vintaj 34mm blanks and one of the embossed circle blanks. I've become addicted to making these little books!  I've also used a gold foil pen to highlight and edge.  And...something that I found at my local scrapbook store...Enamel Gel Pens...it's what I used to line my letters.

Page 2 of the Heaven book.

Page 3 of the Heaven book

Page 4 of the Heaven book...and my little version of an angel.

Another metal book.  This time using a rectangle embossed daisy blank for the cover.  The Ranger Adirondak inks also include a silver, copper, gold and pearl...I really love the way the silver & copper look (i'm waiting for the gold).

Page 2 of the Hope book--this one I've embellished with metal stamps. 

Page 3 of the hope book

Page 4 of the Hope Book

I just thought the overall picture of the book came out great!  The oranges and pinks are just so summery!  Can you tell that I'm ready for some warmth???

I have to say that one of my most favorite things occured today....and I think that it's the 1st time that it's happend this winter.  Of course in Wisconsin, our winters are very grey and gloomy.  The last 2 days have been beautifully sunny!  I stopped off to do some shopping between the paying job and going into the shop.  I parked my car facing the sun.  When I got into my car...it was that lovely warm heat!  I have leather seats in my car and they just absorbed that heat.  So even though it was cold...that lovely warmth just radiated out of my seat and into my body.  I think I could've stayed there all day!

Do you have a small pleasure like this?  That when it happens, it is such an unexpected yet treasured joy???

Have a great one and remember to Bead Happy!