Bead Porn

Humblebeads

My friend Katie Deck send me a surprise package!! :)

Creative ARTiFacts

Kelleys Beads

Genea Beads

Round Rabbit Extra

Swoondimples

KABS Creative Concepts

Etsy Shop - REOPENED!

Hello all! I am still clicking my way through the fantastic Bead Soup Blog Hop! I want to say that I really appreciate all the fantastic comments you have left here! As well as on my bead soup partner, Kitty Durmaj's, blog! Thank you all so very much! It is because of the very sweet and enthusiastic comments about my handmade beaded toggle and handmade pendant, that I decided to bite the bullet and list some of these components in my Etsy Shop!

I made 3 more beaded wheels tonight. I hope to make some candy earring tomorrow with Madelyn (she LOVES these) and then on to some pendants.....so look for these to be listed too!

This was the hard decision and IDEA I had awhile back! If it does not fly and they never sell then "Oh Well", onto something else! In truth.....they just make me plain happy to make them!

Keep enjoying the BSBP! Thanks for stopping in!

Bead Soup Blog Party....The Reveal!!!

My goodies!

Hello all! I have been so very excited for this day to arrive! Today is the big reveal day! First a HUGE "Thank You" to Lori Anderson for organizing this wonderful and enormous event! It grew to monstrous proportions! The rules were to send a focal, a clasp, and other beady goodness to your partner, and then make something using the focal and the clasp as a minimum.

My lovely and wonderful BSBP partner was Kitty Durmaj, and she sent me the most FANTASTIC handmade pendant! Along with the beautiful pendant was also a SS Thai Toggle, heart charms, wire orblink, Vintage Rosette beads, sterling silver beads, copper beads, freshwater pearls, brass nuggets, bell-shaped beads, copper daisy chain, and oxidized copper wire in three gauges! YES! An awesome stash!

Kitty's pendant is SO fantastic that in ALL reality......it just needed a chain to be worn, it is THAT beautiful unto itself! But how boring of me if I just left it at that huh? Plus, the vintage rosette beads are, OH, MY, yummy! I HAD to have those in there. I knew I wanted three dangles added to the pendant! Believe me THIS was actually a really hard decision! I changed them five times!!! First ALL pearls. Then all silver (my husband informed me that there needed to be more silver). Anyhoo, a mixture is what my end result was obviously!

I LOVE the copper chain, I used the copper wire to make wrapped connectors using the rosette beads, loved using the toggle and then the brass nuggets as spacers! That is all it needed. I know it may not seem at all that creative considering all the beady goodies I received from Kitty, but that pendant does not need anything to compete with it's beauty! (I just felt the need to explain my design I guess) :)

I hope you like it as much as I do!!!

I can NOT wait to wear it!

*UPDATE* Check out what was made from my daughter's Bead Soup HERE!

Check out the rest of the BSBP peeps! Grab a drink and a snack, use the restroom, because I have a feeling once you start looking.....you may be on here a while! :)

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things (our hostess)
2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life
3. Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane
4. Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio
5. Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
6. Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
7. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
8. Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
9. Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto
10. Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

11. Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
12. Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts
13. Marian Hertzog, M's Place
14. Mary McGraw, MK's Musings
15. Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita
16. Deci Worland, Gem Trails
17. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
18. Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs
19. Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
20. Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats

21. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
22. Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim
23. Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu
24. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
25. Deb Hunter, Living On Air
26. Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio
27. Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads
28. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
29. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
30. Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

31. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium
32. Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus
33. Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble
34. Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design
35. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
36. Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs
37. Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works
38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights
39. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
40. Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio

41. Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's
42. Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions
43. Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya
44. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
45. Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles
46. Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig
47. Amanda Davie, Articulations
48. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady
49. Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux

50. Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
51. Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks
52. Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
53. Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde
54. Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog
55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning
56. Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
57. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio
58. Amy Freeland, Copper Diem
59. Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa

60. Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do
61. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog
62. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
63. Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs *YOU ARE HERE*
64. Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
65. Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
66. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.
67. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash
68. Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique
69. Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver

Click HERE for the master list and the rest of the links!

70. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
71. Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey
72. Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
73. Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix
74. Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems
75. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Be Done!
76. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium
77. Valerie Norton, Hot Art
78. Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden
79. Amy Severino, Amy Beads

80. Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook
81. Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy
82. Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
83. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
84. Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs
85. Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries
86. CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka
87. Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae
88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
89. Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations

90. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss
91. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous
92. Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead
93. Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations
94. Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof
95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio
96. Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box
97. Cindy Dolezal, Cindy Dolezal Designs
98. Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

100. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
101. Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio
102. Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations
103. Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios
104. Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore
105. Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
106. Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky
107. Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric
108. Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs
109. Grace Danel, Grace Beading
110. Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman

111. Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe
112. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
113. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
114. Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me
115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf
116. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles
118. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie
119. Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart
120. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven
122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings
123. Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass
124. Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks
125. Hazel Ward, All Those Things
126. Brenda Salzano, Salzanos
127. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee
128. Anna Denisova, Anita-M
129. Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry

130. Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads
131. Penny Neville, Copper Penny
132. Angela Blasingame, Hopemore
133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog
134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs
136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies
137. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
138. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.
139. Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter

140. Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy
141. Heather Pyle, Welcome to My Muse
142. Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
143. Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts
144. Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense
145. Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique
146. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
147. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
148. Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me
149. Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog

150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
151. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T
152. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
153. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area
154. Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta
156. Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef
157. Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
158. Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color
159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

160. Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory
161. Collette Collins, Firefly Myst
162. Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed
163. Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu
164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio
165. Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra
166. Anna Motz, Stunning
167. Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings
168. Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
169. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

170. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
171. Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones
172. Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs
173. Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass
174. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
175. Julie Nordine, Julie Nordine Credit River Art Glass
176. Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog
177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio
178. Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
179. Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

180. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
181. Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art
182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog
183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen
184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink
185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin
186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer
187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels
188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry
189. Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos

190. Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.
191. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
192. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini
194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse
195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between
196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets
197. Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts
198. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs
199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200. Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend
201. Christine Damm, Stories They Tell
202. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts
203. Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs
204. Juli Cannon, Julsbeads
205. Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique
206. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
207. Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads
208. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love
209. Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry
210. Shirley Moore, Homeschooling Life

Bead Soup.....Sneak Peak

Bead Table Wednesday......BTW

Hello all! Here it is, yet another Wednesday. Not much has changed around my bead table, but it is BEAD TABLE WEDNESDAY, so I have got to show what's been going on! Right now my "bead table' consists of a lap desk and me sitting on the bed, or on my new couch watching TV while I crank out a bunch of these Sparkly Wheels (Beadwork Magazine).....I am turning them into toggle clasps. This is the IDEA that I have been mulling over.....see THIS post! This also goes along with last weeks BTW picture of all the beads I have been purchasing. My actual bead table STILL looks as messy! :)

Bead Soup Is Coming Soon!

Hell all! Here is a preview of all the wonderful blogs participating!
Mark your calendar for this Saturday, Feb 26th!

*Bear with me as I get ALL of the LINKS posted*


1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life
3. Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane
4. Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio
5. Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
6. Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
7. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
8. Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
9. Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto
10. Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio


11. Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
12. Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts
13. Marian Hertzog, M's Place
14. Mary McGraw, MK's Musings
15. Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita
16. Deci Worland, Gem Trails
17. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
18. Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs
19. Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
20. Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats


21. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
22. Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim
23. Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu
24. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
25. Deb Hunter, Living On Air
26. Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio
27. Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads
28. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
29. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
30. Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul


31. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium
32. Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus
33. Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble
34. Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design
35. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
36. Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs
37. Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works
38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights
39. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
40. Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio


41. Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's
42. Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions
43. Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya
44. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
45. Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles
46. Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig
47. Amanda Davie, Articulations
48. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady
49. Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux


50. Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
51. Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks
52. Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
53. Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde
54. Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog
55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning
56. Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
57. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio
58. Amy Freeland, Copper Diem
59. Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa


60. Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do
61. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog
62. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
63. Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs *YOU ARE HERE*
64. Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
65. Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
66. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.
67. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash
68. Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique
69. Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver


70. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
71. Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey
72. Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
73. Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix
74. Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems
75. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Be Done!
76. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium
77. Valerie Norton, Hot Art
78. Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden
79. Amy Severino, Amy Beads


80. Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook
81. Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy
82. Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
83. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
84. Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs
85. Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries
86. CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka
87. Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae
88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
89. Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations


90. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss
91. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous
92. Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead
93. Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations
94. Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof
95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio
96. Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box
97. Cindy Dolezal, Cindy Dolezal Designs
98. Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads


100. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
101. Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio
102. Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations
103. Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios
104. Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore
105. Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
106. Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky
107. Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric
108. Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs
109. Grace Danel, Grace Beading
110. Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman


111. Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe
112. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
113. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
114. Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me
115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf
116. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles
118. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie
119. Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart
120. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven
122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings
123. Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass
124. Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks
125. Hazel Ward, All Those Things
126. Brenda Salzano, Salzanos
127. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee
128. Anna Denisova, Anita-M
129. Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry


130. Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads
131. Penny Neville, Copper Penny
132. Angela Blasingame, Hopemore
133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog
134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs
136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies
137. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
138. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.
139. Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter

140. Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy
141. Heather Pyle, Welcome to My Muse
142. Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
143. Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts
144. Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense
145. Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique
146. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
147. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
148. Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me
149. Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog


150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
151. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T
152. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
153. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area
154. Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta
156. Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef
157. Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
158. Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color
159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman


160. Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory
161. Collette Collins, Firefly Myst
162. Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed
163. Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu
164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio
165. Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra
166. Anna Motz, Stunning
167. Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings
168. Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
169. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

170. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
171 Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones
172. Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs
173. Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass
174. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
175. Julie Nordine, Julie Nordine Credit River Art Glass
176. Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog
177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio
178. Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
179. Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

180. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
181. Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art
182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog
183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen
184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink
185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin
186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer
187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels
188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry
189. Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos


190. Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.
191. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
192. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini
194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse
195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between
196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets
197. Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts
198. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs
199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200. Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend
201. Christine Damm, Stories They Tell
202. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts
203. Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs
204. Juli Cannon, Julsbeads
205. Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique
206. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
207. Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads
208. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love
209. Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry
210. Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Andrew's Thursday Giveaway

Hello all! You should RUN on over to Andrew Thornton's Blog to enter his wonderful giveaway! You could win a GREAT big bunch of brand new, not even on their website goodies! He'll be drawing a random winner on Monday Feb 21st! Good Luck! Enjoy!

New Furniture Dilemma

Hello all! Our new furniture came....and well.....we don't love it. All of you that follow me on Facebook already know, and have viewed these photos, but my husband and I thought we would get MORE views and opinions on the new furniture. The OLD is the green and the NEW is the brown leather. I know it is hard to see from the photos, but we are thinking it is too large. Well, in truth it is really NOT the furniture's fault.....we have a weird living room space to work with!

So, here it is.....we have learned that there is only one way to put the furniture, contrary to what we had planned actually (we wanted it to go by the french doors). We think that we may need a rug to help tie it in, more throw pillows maybe??? Some have said to move the TV above the fireplace (not really the vision I had in this room a big TV up there....boo), or that we need a sofa table behind the new sectional (not enough room).....etc....

Anyway, please have a look, leave some comments and help us! Because.....we can NOT got our $$$ back, but we can "exchange" it....blah, blah! :) Thank you all so much! We BOTH appreciate it!

Not Comfortable, But Okay.

Hello all! Heather Powers, over at Art Bead Scene blog posted about some Jewelry Contests that are open. I went and checked out Bead Star. I get their magazine when it becomes available each year, and I go look and vote on my favorites each year too! But, I did something spontaneous......TOTALLY NOT ME! I grabbed two designs I had already made, quickly re-took some photos, edited them, and then.....submitted them! Ack! WHAT was I thinking! Head on over the the ABS blog and maybe you too can do something as silly as get out of YOUR comfort zone! Won't you join me in the land of uncomfortable-ness? Enjoy!

Bead Table Wednesday......BTW

Hello all! This week on Bead Table Wednesday I am showing you what my bead table REALLY looks like! A MESS!

And here I am showing you a sneak peak into what I am working on! I placed four different orders for beads, this is just ONE order here! Can you guess what they will become? I will give you a hint! Kitty, my Bead Soup partner, just blogged about the goodies she received from me! Take a look HERE!

What's on YOUR bead table?

I Have An Idea

Hello all! I have been tossing around an idea for a jewelry component for...well, I guess many months now. I finally decided to expand that idea even further. I ordered everything I think I will need to complete it, and now here I sit wondering.....am I nuts? Just because I got a few nice compliments on some that I have made and utilized in my designs doesn't mean that if will fly! Oh mental doubt, why do you plague me so?

I am sure that there are other designers and artists that have felt the same feelings and trepidation that seem to be plaguing me right now. So, I sit here and try to dissect what I am feeling. Is it fear of failure? No, I don't think that scares me....that is how I learn the best, by making mistakes. I think, in all honest truth, I am scared of being laughed at. There. I said it. But why? I think that because I am a full-time mom, wife, and nurse and because I have not made this my daily career I feel like I don't "belong". Belong where though? I think maybe I hold some of my favorite designers in such HIGH regard, put them up on a pedestal, that they are out of reach, and "that I shall never be one of them"...........

Weird thoughts for a Tuesday huh?

So, as I sit and ponder all of these wacky thoughts and feeling, I have decided that I shall go on and attempt to make something that in truth.....just makes me happy. And if it fails....oh well! If I list it in my shop and no one likes it....again....oh well! More for me! :)

Thanks for listening to this roller coaster of a post! If you have any insight or have had the same experiences PLEASE feel free to tell me I am NOT alone!! Have a great day! Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello all! Happy Valentine's Day to you all! We as a family celebrated over the weekend. I do not know if you all know that during the week I do no see my husband or daughter at all. That is unless there are the "snow days" that we have been having for the last 2-3 weeks here! My husband takes the little one to kindergarten and then he goes on to work, and of course I go to work before they get home. I return from work at night when they are fast asleep and I am asleep myself in the morning when they get up for work/school.....the process begins all over again each day! Which is why I LOVE my weekends with them!

I was spoiled rotten this weekend by them both! We went antique shopping Saturday and Sunday.....my husbands idea, which nearly made me have to sit down when he suggested it. He knows I have been searching all over the internet for a vintage/antique dress form. My daughter has been shopping at both our local antique malls before, but she was just a little baby being carried around in a baby sling at the time, so she obviously does not remember. She is officially hooked now and exclaimed ALL weekend how much she now LOVES antique malls. Although...some of the antique dolls "freaked her out" a little.....her words. In truth....they freak me out a little too!

We then went on, again at my husbands suggestion, to go and check out a furniture store that was going out of business. SIDEBAR: I feel bad for all of these little strip-malls on the sides of out local highway 67 because, I am assuming it was MODOT (Missouri Department of Transportation), closed all the side roads that lead from the highway to the malls, due to many accidents???? Again, assuming here....anyhoo, they have no direct highway access anymore and no one stops to shop at these little strip-malls because getting to them now is a PAIN!

I digress....we went to the furniture store to check prices on bedside tables that match our bedroom set. The set was a gift from my dad years ago. Well, we ended up with the two bedside tables......and a leather sectional and matching leather rocker/glider/swivel/recliner too! Woo hoo! To be delivered today.......

The above pictures, by the way, are terrible I know, but I took them with my husbands cell phone! They are of a vintage Hamilton Printer's Cabinet that was HUGE! Taller than chest high on me (I am 5' 7") and had double sets of drawers.....wider than my fireplace! The top was not original, but had been replaced with reclaimed pine. It was a HUGE workspace on top, if someone would wish to use it as such....like me! The price? $645!!!!!!! OH MY HEAVENS! I want it SOOOOOOOOO bad! I researched online and found some like it for $3000. My husband has informed me that we could never get it into the basement....... hmmm, so? Well, I will covet it and go visit it once in a while (if it is still there) and drool and love it and pet it and call it George.....