I Won!!!

I recently participated in Lori Anderson's 5th Bead Soup Blog Party....an awesome blog hop, in and of itself.  In addition to wracking my brain in how to use my bead soup received from my partner, I got to hop around and see all of the wonderful creations by designers located all around the world.

I visited every blog, read each post (that was the fun part for me.....reading about everyone's "design process"), and I left a comment on 98% of the blogs (my attempts to leave comments for the remaining 2% proved fatal...blogger just did not cooperate)! 

While visiting a designer located in Germany, Ms. Sabine Dietrich, I left a comment on her wonderful design.  (Side note- Sabbine was Sally Russick's 5th BSBP partner-she is also multi-talented!) She was also hosting a give away of a lovely necklace that she made, including the lamp work beads! Shortly thereafter, I received an email that I was selected as a winner!  This is what I received:

The necklace was neatly packaged in the most awesome envelope!  I am simply assuming that she made this - regardless...it is so cool!  It's made out of some sort of heavy duty felt-type fabric that has been embossed with a sweet flower design....great protection for the contents:

Look at the bead made directly on the antique key!!!  This just blows my mind!

Not only are Sabine's lamp work and wire work skills (hand made bail!) exceptional....she included silk fibers....I CANNOT do this!  I am so impressed by the color matching of the beads to the silk! Isn't this just beautiful!!?

Last but not least, she attached a handmade lamp work bead onto a zipper pull, and included this on her business card.  I found this to be an extremely nice touch!

Thank you so much, Sabine!  Your attention to detail is phenomenal and I am most grateful for your generosity!

Thanks for stopping by!

Color of Spring Blog Hop, with Sally Russick - enhanced by Donna Millard and Summers Studio!

Sally Russick, of The Studio Sublime, is an extremely multi-talented artist...she not only creates fabulous jewelry, but is also a mighty fine photographer!  She created these fantastic enameled bisque beads, and offered up a blog hop.  I purchased some of these beads last year and fell in love with them - they acquire a cool crackle finish during the enameling process.  She used the Pantone Colors of the Year for her color inspiration - I chose purple (Bell Flower) because it is my Mom's favorite color! These are the beads I chose:

I  recently purchased the most beautiful lamp work beads from Donna Millard - her work is fabulous!  I mean, look at the swirls of color in these beads!

So, after much pondering, I retrieved my wire and everything sat on my table for a week. I vacillated between silver and Vintaj....Vintaj won, though the effect is much darker than I wanted....not very spring like in my eyes!  I also wanted to use the purple, enameled lentil bead  as a focal in a necklace....and finally the design came to me. Without further ado, here is what I created!

I chose some beautiful, bronze star bead caps from Summers Studio to further enhance the focal bead. 

Thank you for hosting this blog hop Sally!  And, I love my beads!!!

Please visit the other blog hop participants, listed below.  Thanks for stopping by!

Host: Sally Russick
Margarita
Therese Frank
Kim Bender
Cabaret
JLynn Jewels
Christine Altmiller
Sweet Lilac
Cherrie Fick
Jenny Vidberg
Driftwood
Sabine Dittrich
Hope Smitherman
Solar Power
Nicole Rennell
Erin Fickert-Rowland
Bell Flower
Patti Vanderbloemen (You are Here!!)
Kristi Bowman
Starfish
Shannon Chomanczuk
Elisabeth Auld
Cockatoo
Alice Peterson
Donna Bradley
Sodalite Blue
Kristi Harrison
Cilla Watkins
Tangerine Tango
Lesley Watt
Maryanne Gross
Susan Kennedy
Courtney White Breul

Creative Bead Chat on Facebook - Giveaway!

I belong to a awesome group - Creative Bead Chat - on Facebook, comprised of creative component and jewelery designers  to share new creations, tool tips and help build our creativity and sales.  There is a fantastic giveaway going on right now with 15 lucky winners - total retail value of giveaway is over $400!  Winners to be chosen next Tuesday, March 27th!

As one of the prizes, I am offering these earrings! 

This gorgeous pair of earrings features a pair of polka dot copper discs, handcrafted by the talented Kristi Bowman (http://www.etsy.com/shop/KristiBowmanDesign). The discs measure 3/4" and have been topped by a fabulous pair of glass lampwork crystal/diamond shaped beads, made by Daniel Janelle (http://www.etsy.com/radiantmind). These handmade beads, aptly named "Paprika" blend apricot with cobalt, teal, and powder blue, fine silver blended in ivory, and dazzling goldstone aventurine sparkles. The earrings have been wrapped with copper wire and tiny copper beads, and hang from handmade, solid copper ear wires with a 3 ball focal, made by Melinda Orr (http://www.etsy.com/shop/ORRTEC). These one-of-a-kind earrings measure 3" from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the earring and have a retail value of $55.00.

Please follow the link below to visit Melinda Orr's blog for more details on how to enter the giveaway! 

http://orrtec.blogspot.com/2012/03/invitation-to-creative-bead-chat-group.html

Thanks for stopping by!

New work!

Sam...on the mend!

In between taking care of Sam - who had knee surgery on Feb 7 - I managed to make a few new things...

These gorgeous ivory and black polka dots lamp work beads are made by Davinia Design. 

Raku starfish pendant by Suburban Girl Beads and lamp work beads by Blue Seraphim. 

Bracelet, Earrings and Necklace - The starfish pendant (necklace) and awesome shell connector also by Suburban Girl Beads and sea foam green lamp work and starfish lamp work beads by Lyndas Lampwork - both on Etsy. 

Gorgeous violet flower lamp work beads by Susan Kennedy. 

Enameled beads by Susan Kennedy (sold!)  I changed out the ear wires to antique brass, at the customer's request.

 I LOVE these red stripe and black lamp work beads by Sue Kennedy! 

The last item is a custom bracelet - it's for a 12 year old girl for her birthday. 

That's it for now....thanks so much for stopping by!

Mom's New Sewing Room!

I know this is not jewelry or bead related, but, exciting to me just the same! My mom - my mentor and the creative genius of the family - FINALLY decided it was time to upgrade her sewing room furniture. She is an EXCELLENT seamstress, and I am not just saying this because she is my mother!

Mom has been sewing FOREVER....she used to make matching outfits for my sister and I, though at Catholic school, uniforms were the norm during the week. No...my sister is not my twin, but Mom did it anyway. In fact, she used to have our hair cut the same way, too...ugh! Anyway, I digress. Her favorite form of sewing is decorative...quilts, curtains, valences, re-upholstery...you get the drift. She had been using this TINY LITTLE SEWING CABINET. I'm not quite sure how she did it all these years. It was decided that a larger sewing cabinet was in order, especially for quilting. I bought a sewing machine and serger years ago, from Sew Vac Direct, and we started our search. Due to the fact that her sewing room is located on the second floor of my home, it was necessary to buy the cabinet un-assembled, so that I could carry it up the stairs! No such thing as "White Glove" delivery for pre-assembled units.  She settled on the Kangaroo Aussie Suite!  I assured her that I could assemble it.  10 LARGE BOXES AND 3 DAYS LATER, I did!  And without further ado, here it is! (Pics were taken at night....probably should have waited for daylight, but I was so excited it was done and could not wait)!

This cabinet is awesome!  There is an additional leaf on the back of the cabinet that opens up to hold the fabric (i.e., quilt) while sewing, providing TONS OF ROOM to hold heavy quilts, etc., instead of the fabric spilling on the floor!  The machine itself easily retracts into the cabinet...it just happens to be sitting in its uppermost position right now.  Lots of cool nooks and crannies to hold the essentials!  Her serger is located on the bottom of the left hand side of the cabinet.  She can pull it out to use it anytime.  Even her quilting rulers are located in the back of the cabinet...right under her chair, providing easy access!

My uber-sweet niece's boyfriend was kind enough to re-locate shelves for her - I can put anything together but I CANNOT HANG THINGS ON THE WALL!!  Thank you, Kevin!

This awesome cabinet has nine drawers inside - the back leaf also folds up to become a cutting table, as seen in this picture.  The whole thing is on wheels and easily slides out from the wall to have it in "cutting mode". 

Nine drawers!  She has an additional chest, not pictured and not part of this cool set, also filled with notions, interfacing, etc. 

The coolest thing we did was move her little corner computer desk and file cabinet from my guest room into the sewing room.  Now, all of her "stuff" is in one place!  She loves it!

I have to tell you...the customer service departments at SewVacDirect, and the manufacturer, Kangaroo/Arrow Cabinets, are awesome!  Out of the gazillion pieces received, one of the tops was damaged - I called and received a replacement piece in 2 DAYS!!!  I am very pleased with their service!

A HUGE thank you to my sister - the Queen of Organization!  She helped me arrange the room last Saturday, which was a feat!  Thank, Lori!  I could NOT have done this without your help! 

Well, thank you so much for stopping by my little world!  Have a great day!