Copper Diem

Beads and Hockey

2012-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

**If you're here for the THREE POUND GIVEAWAY, go HERE - giveaway closes February 13!

I had a gift card for one of my favorite sellers - Davinia - so I got these lovely white beads. I love how they look white AND rustic at the same time. Gorgeous

Last night, the husband and I went to a hockey game to see the Ontario Reign, a local minor league (is that what they call it?) hockey team. We bumped into friends, so we got to have a drink with them between the second and third periods and catch up. That was super fun.

I also knew a friend from work would be there, and our attempts to find each other in the stands by commenting on my facebook check-in were hilarious. I ended up just going to the railing and waving my arms wildly until she saw me. Then I turned to our section and curtsied. (mind you, this was between periods so I didn't get beer thrown at me for blocking the game).

Gah, I'm such a nerd (tee hee).

Since this was our Valentine's day celebration, my hubby also gave me a sweet card, roses, conversation hearts (yum) and a box of Sees truffles with my favorite truffles (blueberry, apple pie, lemon...) (double yum).

Gemme Tresor Treasures

2012-02-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

**If you're here for the THREE POUND GIVEAWAY, go HERE**

Cool findings for earrings from Gemme Tresor. I love all the goodies they have for making earrings.

I've started keeping earring finding in a separate bin so that I can sit down and have everything I need to make earrings right at hand. I also have a bin that I've sorted earring pairs from my stash by color for the same reason. Now, if I want to make earrings, I just grab those two bins, rather than having to go through everything.

I was going to torch fire enamel some of these, but apparently there is a recall on the MAPP gas canisters you need to use, so I'm all dress up with nowhere to go *wah wah*

I have to admit, these are my favorites! I love the leafy curve of them

They also had some cool beads too!

love the facets on these

This is my new favorite shade of pink

Love melon beads

And carved beads!!

More cool carved beads

aaaaand more.

ditto.

300

2012-02-09T22:43:00.000-08:00

I hit 300 Google followers today.

I need a minute.

Wow. WOW. That is a heck of a lot of people. That is 3.3 time the amount of people in my high school graduating class. That is 2 times the amount of people at my wedding. It would cost a lot of money to feed all y'all for a dinner. :)

I'm a bit floored, if I had to name an emotion. Floored and flattered and excited.

I started this little bit o' my Internet back in May 2010 because I wanted to participate in Lori's Bead Soup Blog Party and you had to have a blog to play along. (Hi to Courtney Breul, my first BSBP partner). Who knew I'd be sitting here today.

I have to say, I blog because I love love love beads and jewelry making. But the blogging has become an even bigger part of my life than the beads and jewelry making. I've met so many cool people, and made so many friends through this blog. I love posting my thoughts, and sharing my shopping finds and stuff I make with all you guys. It's a great community of people, this group of bead-lovin' bloggers.

So thank you guys so much for following, for reading, for commenting, and for being my friends and bead peeps. My life is so much fuller and more fun with all of you.

xo

Amy

p.s - don't forget I've got a 3 pound present for you one of you - go HERE

Golem Beads!

2012-02-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

**If you're here for the THREE POUND GIVEAWAY, go HERE**

I LOVE the beads from Golem Design Studio. And they totally enabled my latest obsession with stripes and dots.

Hot color stripes, cool color stripes, multicolor strips. *happy sigh*

And, the best part is my mother in law has been wanting something with yin/yang beads for a while. I've been unable to find any, but check those out. They are PERFECT. I can't wait to talk to her about how we are going to use them.

Now to decide what to do with them...

Pantone Scarf

2012-02-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

**If you're here for the THREE POUND GIVEAWAY, go HERE**

Oh, how I likey this scarf. It totally works with my Pantone obsession. Color! Color! Color!

But the price? Not so much...

Three Pound Giveaway**

2012-02-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

**Got your attention, didn't I!

You like this?

AND this? (It couldn't fit in one photo!)

I'm doing a giveaway of THREE pounds of beads, findings, etc. What you see in the photo is what you get, and it's gonna come to you stew-style, like this.

So for people like me who love sorting beads, this is extra heaven.

How do you win?

1. Be a follower of this blog AND

2. Leave me a comment on this post.

3. You get an extra entry if you post about it on your blog as well (let me know that you did this in a comment)

I'll select a winner on February 14, so you have to leave a comment by February 13 at midnight PST.

Due to the weight/shipping costs, US entries only please.

Bead Soup!

2012-02-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the bead soup I got from my partner Kay. She sent me the best stuff!

Pretty package

Soup!

I LOVE purple and green together. And leaves! And keys! I already have a bunch of ideas - so excited to get started.

Heart Pink

2012-02-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

I feel like I've kinda been slapping up blog posts and dashing lately. Sorry about that!

I've been super stressed out lately, and landed myself in the urgent care this week with a minor heart freak out. I'm no stranger to anxiety, but having my heart do weird irregular fluttery fluttery pause things that made me cough kinda freaked me out. So, five hours, an EKG and an echo later, the doctor says, "Yeah, you're just stressed out."

I coulda told him that, but I also didn't want to be the chick that drops dead because of a stubborn refusal to see the doctor.

So that's my week. I'm working this weekend to try to get caught up to alleviate some of this stress. (Ha ha, only lawyers work MORE to try to lower their stress.) But if I can get some stuff out the door, I think I feel less like I'm being flattened by deadlines.

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you'll notice that those few lines are the most I've ever said about my work. People from work read this blog (Hi, people from work!), and with my field, I just think keeping stuff separate is smart. And that's all I have to say about that.

On to the BEADS!

Since my bead soup partner Kay has received her beads, here is a photo of what I sent her.

Pink, huh! You can't really see it, but there is a teapot toggle clasp. Girly girly!

I received her package this week, and I'll have a photo up soon. She sent me some totally awesome stuff. Super stoked to start playing with it.

Destash Bead Bomb #3

2012-02-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Bead Bombing, Round THREE!

The first FIVE people who comment on this post and tells me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $5 credit towards Destash items in my shop. Take note, I lowered prices and consolidated items since the last bead bomb. There are some great deals to be had!

I'll approve the comments once the five have commented to make it more FUN and SUSPENSEFUL!

Ready.....GO!

*Fine print - you can only win once per blog post. Credit doesn't go toward shipping. Credit works for Destash items only. Credit expires 30 days from date you won it, or until destash items are gone. Check out and leave me a note in the comments field and I'll refund the credit to you. *

Green Girl Studios Beads

2012-01-30T09:03:00.000-08:00

I got some beads from Green Girl Studios the other day. The reason for the purchase was that I wanted to get an animal bead for a necklace for my sister. She likes animals beads for pendants, and GG always has such a great assortment. Of course, some goodies for me fell in the cart too.

Here is the puppy bead for my sis!

Seahorse button. I love seahorses

Teeny tiny star button.

I need to check out some more of their tiny beads, this one was adorable.

Owl toggle clasp - so cute. Love all the details!

Another cool toggle

Little roly poly owl bead. I love owls too.

What are your favs from Green Girl?

Bead Soup Blog Party

2012-01-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

I got my beads out to my BSBP partner, Kay from Palm Coast Art, yesterday.

Here is a teaser of what I sent her - think PINK!

Can't wait to see what she thinks! I love doing the BSBP - it's always such fun!

Yuki & Happy Mango Beads

2012-01-27T21:33:00.000-08:00

I went a little bananas on the Indonesian glass beads from Yuki and Happy Mango. Little. Bananas.

Check out my plate-o-beads

I just love that matte texture, rustic look, and gorgeous colors. And now Happy Mango is having a sale on their Indonesian glass. Visa have mercy!

Random!

2012-01-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

Kick-starting my inspiration with a palette from Color Inspirations -

Burgundy and mint colors together! Who knew?

p.s Here is the palette itself, although the purple looks darker in the book

(and I prefer the book version, myself)

p.p.s. this book is awesome, by the way.

"More art in your life at this time will help you feel better."

True dat, fortune cookie gods.

Happy Mango Beads

2012-01-22T12:23:00.000-08:00

What's the best thing to do after a big destash purge? Why, buy more beads of course!

I got these beads from Happy Mango Beads. As you can see, I'm still loving the imports / natural / rustic type beads.

Indonesian seed beads. I love the matte surface. I got dark red, orange, mauve and denim blue

Czech glass in a teal color and lavender melon beads

purple and gray three-sided beads (see a purple trend?...)

These are so cool - buri nut beads in denim blue, hot pink, mauve purple, and navy.

In non-beady news, the husband and I went to Disneyland yesterday for the day. It was nice to get away from all the "screens" - TV, internet, etc. and just spend the day hanging out and riding the rides. It was raining in our town when we left, but Disneyland was clear and cool and breezy, and there weren't many crowds. It was a lot of fun!

Requisite Chucks + manhole shot

Me in jail for excessive bead shopping! Ha ha

Pantone Spring 2012 Colors!

2012-01-19T15:34:00.000-08:00

Check it out! The Spring 2012 Pantone Fashion Color Report is here! It's here! It's here! Yay!

I love them all! Maybe not Sweet Lilac, but I suspect I'll warm up to that one.

I'm confused though - the first page of the pdf report (and the website) shows the image above, with 10 colors, but the last page of the report has another page with 16 colors. Do they pick a top 10? What's up with that?

See... 16 colors here

Anyway, setting aside the great color mystery, what are your favs? Got any design plans for these colors?

Beads from Just Made

2012-01-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

I'm super obsessed with stripes and dots right now. These striped beads from Just Made totally turned my head. Love them!

Such cheerful colors!

Berry colored stripes

Summery stripes.

Destash Bead Bomb #2

2012-01-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

Bead Bombing, Round TWO!

The FIRST person who comments on this post and tells me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $5 credit towards Destash items in my shop.

The SECOND person who comments on this post and tells me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $4 credit towards Destash items in my shop.

The THIRD person who comments on this post and tells me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $3 credit towards Destash items in my shop.

The FOURTH person who comments on this post and tells me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $2 credit towards Destash items in my shop.

The FIFTH person who comments on this post and tells me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $1 credit towards Destash items in my shop.

That's it. Tell me what you like, be quick about it, and you get $$$ to spend on beads. I'll approve the comments once the five have commented to make it more FUN and SUSPENSEFUL!

Ready.....GO!

*Fine print - you can only win once per blog post. Credit doesn't go toward shipping. Credit works for Destash items only. Credit expires 30 days from date you won it. Check out and leave me a note in the comments field and I'll refund the credit to you. *

Bracelet Love

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

I recently made this for a giftie for a friend's mom. Love the Elaine Ray rounds and the wood beads.

Gift Card Shopping

2012-01-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

Isn't gift card shopping the best. I adore gift cards as presents. I got a bunch of ones for Amazon, and I snapped up some great stuff. Check it out

Tronex round nose pliers

Tronex cutters

I am so excited about these tools. I got Tronex pliers last month or so because I broke two pairs of pliers making holiday jewelry.

I figured, replacing cheepie pliers 2-3 times a year for years means it would be more reasonable to just buy the good stuff.

And I LOVE them - such awesome pliers. I'm stoked to have a full set now.

This book was kinda pricey, but hey, gift card! It seemed worth it, too. It's a history of color trends in the 20th Century. I'm so obsessed with color, this book sounds fascinating.

For my Kindle for reading a night. So I don't go blind squinting at the damn thing.

Kylie Parry Beads

2012-01-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

Kylie Parry has some adorable new beads listed, and if you don't buy them, I will.

But I shouldn't be bead shopping because I have to save money for BeadFest Philly.

So you go buy them. I'll wait here.

No seriously, I'll hold your snack while you get your wallet out.

Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge if you buy them. The second best thing to getting new beads myself is seeing a friend get new beads. It's like when you go to the store, and a super awesome sweater isn't in your size, but fits your shopping buddy. It's like a proximity happiness (isn't there a term for that? what is it? drawing a blank...)

Anyhoo, getting away from my train of thought (ahem, again)

For reals, this chick makes the world's cutest beads.

Like this one

and this one

and these! I can hardly stand all this cuteness!

Cheeky Cherub Beads

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

I got some AWESOME beads from Cheeky Cherub Designs a few weeks ago.

Now, I wonder, is it that the Cherub is well endowed cheek-wise (face cheeks, get ya brains outta the gutter), or is it that the Cherub is cheeky i.e. noun: one who is full of cheek; saucy; sassy? Discuss.

In any event, here are the beads I got. Oh, hubba hubba.

In fact, when I got them, my husband started with his bead-teasing, "Oh, more beeeeeads? You're gonna bead us out of house and home.....wait, those are REALLY cool, are they stones? They're GLASS? Okay those are pretty cool."

So these beads even have a husband seal of approval

Destash Sale Bead Bombs

2012-01-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of yarn bombing, or seed bombing? Well, this kinda has nothing to do with that other than I like the sound of the phrase "bead bombing."

And how do I define bead bombing? I'm going to pop up intermittently and offer the following:

The first FIVE people who comment on this post and tell me their favorite item in the Destash part of my shop will get a $5 credit towards Destash items in my shop.

That's it. Tell me what you like, be quick about it, and you get $5 to spend on beads.

Ready.....GO!

*Fine print - you can only win once per blog post. Credit doesn't go toward shipping. Credit works for Destash items only. Credit expires 30 days from date you won it. Check out and leave me a note in the comments field and I'll refund the credit to you. *

Bead Muse Goodies!

2012-01-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

Look at these wonderful goodies I got from my friend Andria

She makes the most amazing Starbucks jewelry and tiles. And I just love those coffee earrings! So cute! Thank you, Andria!

Check out her shop here

Destash Sale still chugging along...

2012-01-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

Ooooh, pretties! There are still lots left - check them out!

Havana Beads

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

I love the goodies from Havana Beads, especially her amazing headpins. I was lucky enough to snag some of her new fossilized beads.

love the colors of these!

and headpins too!

I'm already using these for some copper earrings!

I Heart Macro

2012-01-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here is my I Heart Macro shot for this week!

***Don't forget about my big big big destash sale going on here**

In other news, I devoured the first book of the Hungar Games trilogy yesterday in one giant gulp. I started book two last night and fully expect to spend today on the couch reading. SUCH a great story. Anyone else love them?

Destash Sales!

2012-01-05T20:37:00.000-08:00

The destash sale starts today! Check out all those beads that are going to be up for sale! Yay!

Here is the list of destashers

GreenBead (me)

Kit and Caboodle

Sharyls Jewelry

Beads 2 Die 4

Gem Crazie

New Creations!

2012-01-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a bracelet I've owed my friend since her birthday in August. *smacks hand* bad friend, bad friend!

I added a pair of earrings to make up for my horrible tardiness.

She wanted navy with a hint of red. The navy beads are vintage lucite from MK Supplies

here are the earrings, obviously :)

Destash Sale Reminder

2012-01-03T08:37:00.000-08:00

Check out those beads. That there is my destash pile. It is A LOT of beads.
I'm planning a destash sale in my Etsy shop starting January 7. And to commemorate the "out with the old, (in with the new beads)" mentality, I'm making it a shop/blog destash hop. Do you have beads you want to clean out too? Join me!

Just leave a comment HERE by January 4. I'll get the list of hoppers out January 5.

2012

2012-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

Lots of people are selecting theme words for 2012 - words that help them stay focused on what they want to accomplish. My word for 2012 is the phrase

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

What does this mean? To me, it means getting used to uncomfortable environments, uncomfortable feelings, new experiences that may be a bit scary.

Too often it is easy to avoid moving forward because moving forward means letting go of the things that make us feel safe and heading out into the big bad unknown. What if we fail? What if we experience feelings we don't like? What if we make a fool of ourselves? What if we vow to change and then ... don't? It seems easier to just stay as we are, letting life pass by.

I'm tired of staying in the shallow end, hanging on to the pool edge. I'm planning a few changes for 2012.

I just turned 37, and frankly the idea of staying at this level of (non) fitness is starting to freak me out. There are things I want to do in my life that I cannot do if I get winded going up one flight of stairs. So that's something uncomfortable I'm going to have to get comfy with - getting up before work to exercise regularly.

When I'm bored, stressed, happy, unhappy I want to find something to do other than eating crap. Once upon a time I was one of those people for whom it felt weird to eat when I wasn't hungry, or eat past full. I'd like to be there again. Getting there is going to mean facing some uncomfortable shit.

And, I want to stop making jewelry for the shop alone - what will sell, what I can keep in a certain price point, what will be popular. I want to make jewelry for ME. And I want to submit designs to the beading magazines and see what happens.

If you avoid being uncomfortable long enough, one day you wake up to find you've dug yourself into quite a hole. Time to start digging out.

Christmas Gift Swap #9

2012-01-02T16:39:00.000-08:00

Beautiful! Thank you Artemisia Studio!

Earring Stand

2012-01-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

My $8 find from JC Penney's! Totally cute!

I pulled about half the stock out of my shop to be re-made, sold as destash beads, or kept for my use. Now I have a new place to put all my new earrings!

I also picked a trio of antique copper jewelry trees from Penney's for $11. Great deals right now in their jewelry box section, FYI

New Earrings Listed!

2012-01-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

New leaf earrings in the shop

Christmas Gift Swap Nos. 6, 7 and 8

2012-01-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

I was #5

#6 from Katie - TWO totally adorable earrings

#7 from Amanda - a cute keychain. I put it on my purse as a purse charm!

#8 from Rachel - a really pretty necklace!

Thanks guys!!

Ornamentea and Destash Blog Hop

2011-12-30T20:54:00.000-08:00

I got some goodies from Elaine Ray at Ornamentea. New colors! Love them!

Man, I'm such a sucker for those little mostly-glazed tab beads. So cute.

I also got some waxed linen cord to play with. I've never tried it before.

Cool colors, huh!

**Finally, if you want to join my Destash Blog Hop January 7, go here**

Christmas Gift Swap Day #3 and #4

2011-12-28T19:17:00.000-08:00

From Deborah

totally cute package!

a pincushion!

here is the back

And from Jodie

cute key chain and bead! There was a note pad too, but I took it to work this morning. And the packaging was cute, but I forgot and ripped the box open before photographing it. Impatient much? Yup!

Thanks, guys!!!

Destash Sale

2011-12-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

Check out those beads. That there is my destash pile. It is A LOT of beads. (The Christmas cookies that snuck into the top left of the photo are not included)

So, I'm planning a destash sale in my Etsy shop starting January 7. And to commemorate the "out with the old, (in with the new beads)" mentality, I'm making it a shop/blog destash hop. Do you have beads you want to clean out too? Join me!

Just leave a comment saying you are interested, along with the address for where you want people to go during the hop - your shop or your blog.

Keep in mind this is for destashing jewelry supplies, although if you throw some yarn or fabric or whatever in there too I won't mind. Just make it mostly jewelry supplies, and we're good.

So, once more for the folks in the back.

1. Destash hop is January 7

2. Comment to tell me you want to join in and leave the address for your blog or shop

3. I'll compile the list of destashers and provide it to you for your web site for January 7, or you can just send them to my blog that day because I'll have the list up.

4. Hop is limited to 25 people.

Christmas Gift Swap Day #2

2011-12-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

#2 is Jennifer from Jennifer Jangles!

Check out her cute package!

And the adorable ornament giftie! Thank you, Jennifer!

After Christmas Clearance!

2011-12-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

From December 26 to 31, take 50% off everything in the shop

Use coupon code SALE50

Enjoy!

New Shoes and Holiday Gift Swap!

2011-12-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

First, check out my new shoes (new + shoes = shews?)

Huh-llooooo purple laceless Chucks. I luvs you. I got them at Nordstroms Rack, and when I got home, I saw that I had two lefts! Utter dismay! But, my wonderful hubby went back (the shop was near his work) and found the box with two rights so I could complete my pair (and save the day for the next purple Chuck lover) Hoooray!

Also awesome is Lorelei's Holiday Gift Swap. 12 swappers exchanges gifties to be opened on the twelve days of Christmas. I was number five.

Here they all are lined up on my mantel making me go crazy with "I wanna open them" anticipation!

Lorelei was the first day. Check out her adorable button packaging!

And this cute button bracelet. Thank you Lorelei!

This is such fun!!

Bead Destash - Out With The Old

2011-12-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

**fancy bead photo here**

Would anyone be interested in doing a bead destash shop/blog hop in early to mid January? Comment if you want in. I think it would be fun to see what destash beads everyone has for sale as a party, rather than just me!

Starry Road Studios

2011-12-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

What can I say, I went a little nuts during the sales last month.

Ooops.

But, check out these goodies from Starry Road Studios! Can you blame me? They are going to make the cutest earrings.

I Make Beads!

2011-12-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Well, actually, I don't.

But I Make Beads does. I can't wait for their heart beads to come out - they are so adorable for Valentine's Day.

Check these out - I couldn't resist them!

Holiday Party Necklace

2011-12-11T14:17:00.001-08:00

Here's how it looked on moi!

Pinocean Beads

2011-12-11T14:08:00.001-08:00

I got some beads from Pinocean!

I'm so addicted to these beads. I especially love the teeny flowers. So amazing.

Holiday Party Jewelry!

2011-12-10T17:28:00.001-08:00

Check out the jewelry I made to wear to a holiday party tonight!

Colorful enough, you think?

Headpins from Nadin Art Designs

Purple bead from Dreamscapes Studio

Red beads from Sue Beads

New Beads from Davinia!

2011-12-10T12:19:00.001-08:00

I splurged on some more beads from one of my favs - Davinia!

Etsy Lust

2011-12-07T08:35:00.001-08:00

More goodies listed on my Etsy Lust page! Go like it! This will be the place to see all the cool and random non-bead goodies I find on Etsy...

New Facebook Page

2011-12-05T23:13:00.001-08:00

I've been looking for a place to profile all the awesome stuff I'm lusting after on Etsy. This blog? Not quite the right spot. Another blog? Too much work. My facebook page? I suspect some of my friends are on Etsy overload.

How about a new Facebook page: Etsy Lust.

I'll be featuring an assortment of fab Etsy stuff, not just beads.

Go like it!

New Gardanne Beads!

2011-12-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Check out the enameled beads and HEADPINS *swoon* I got from Gardanne.

I love glass headpins So. Much. They make the cutest earrings.

Here are some earrings I made with headpins I bought from her before. To cute! And I love them with wood!

Miss Ficklemedia Beads and New Earrings

2011-12-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Check out the lovelies I got from Miss Ficklemedia!

I love that color! Those discs are going to make cute earrings, I can feel it!

In other news, check out these earrings I made for me me me

Beads are from Plotnik Glass, and are strung on leather. I *heart* them.

I think I need to realign my priorities and goals with this bead thing, and I think new goal #1 will be to start making more stuff for ME.

How is it that we end up with full Etsy shops and empty jewelry boxes?

Am I the only one?

Holiday Shop Hop

2011-12-03T10:00:00.001-08:00

Shel of MiShel Designs thought up this wonderful hop for the holidays!

I'm offering 15% off in my shop until the end of Sunday. Use coupon code TAKE15

Here's the list of the other Holiday Shop Hop participants.

Holiday Shop Hop 2011

A Bead A Day

Blackbeary Mountain

Blue Pearls Handcrafted Goods

GreenBead Designs **you are here**

Handcrafted Serenity Jewelry Designs

Happy and Healthy Magnetic Jewelry

Holly Westfall / Silver Rose Designs

Just A Tish

Just Mare Pottery

Keefer Style Creations

Kabs Creative Concepts

Klassy Joolz

Kristi Bowman Design

Lilly Rose Jewelry Designs

Little Rocks

MiShel Designs

Melinda Orr Designs

My Life Under the Bus

Olive Branch Organics

Pine Ridge Treasures

Pink Poppy Studio

Rosebud’s Lampwork Beads

Wire Worked Handcrafted Jewelry

ENJOY!!

Challenge of Color Blog Hop

2011-11-30T02:30:00.000-08:00

It's time for the Challenge of Color blog hop!

I selected gray as my color, and here is the palette I got:

Here is the bracelet I made!

I think it looks cuter on than in the photos. I tore it apart about four times to get to this stage, and overall I'm pretty happy with it. Would I marry that clasp? No, but I love the colors, the gray beads and the peanut beads. So yay me!

And don't forget about the holidays! 40% off in my shop until December 1 with the coupon code HOLIDAY40

Here is the rest of the bloggers! Enjoy!

1 Norma Turvey ~ Teal ~ Color Crave

2 Jeannie Dukic ~ Green ~ Mineral Tones

3 Mary McGraw ~ Teal ~ Embellished Hues

4 Jo Tinley ~ Red ~ Decadent Tones

5 Rebecca Anderson ~ Pink ~ Tulip Tones

6 Kristi Jaro ~ Red ~ Temple Entrance

7 Stephani Gorman ~ Green ~ Dew Tones

8 Melissa Meman ~ Green ~ Fruit Star

9 Kathleen Lange Klik ~ Teal ~ Silk Hues

10 Cynthia Riggs ~ Red ~ Autumn Comfort

11 Heidi Post ~ Teal ~ Flora Bright

12 Cece Cormier ~ Teal ~ Merino Teal

13 Amy Freeland ~ Gray ~ Cultured Tones

14 Alice Peterson ~ Blue ~ Island Play

15 Rose Noble ~ Gray ~ Autumn Stacked

16 Kristina Johansson ~ Yellow ~ Sunny Flower

17 Kirsi Luostarinen ~ Teal ~ Dragon Hues

18 Tari Kahrs ~ Orange ~ Citrus Tones

19 Mallory Hoffman ~ Purple ~ Petaled Dark

20 Molly Alexander ~ Brown ~ Peppered Tones

21 Regina Santerre ~ Red ~ Frosted Berry

22 Emanda Johnson ~ Teal ~ Color Purl

23 Amy Severino ~ Orange ~ Winged Tones

24 Bobbie Rafferty ~ Teal ~ Lime Hues

25 Tanya Goodwin ~ Gray ~ Pecked Tones

26 Lisa Lodge ~ Blue ~ Nocturnal Tones

27 Hope Smitherman ~ Blue ~ Bloom Tones

28 Linda Landig ~ Green ~ Cacti Dark

29 Ambra Gostoli ~ Teal ~ Perched Autumn

30 Lori Bowring-Michaud ~ Blue ~ Sharpened Blue

31 Pippa Chandler ~ Teal ~ Hungarian Hues

32 Keirsten Giles ~ Purple ~ Mineral Brights

33 Jennifer Justman ~ Blue ~ Autumn Rays

34 Sandy Richardson ~ Purple ~ Moroccan Brights

35 CJ Bauschka ~ Teal ~ Teal Air

36 Shaiha Williams ~ Teal ~ Sushi Hues

37 Kay Thomerson ~ Purple ~ Autumn Spectrum

38 Sally Russick ~ Purple ~ Golden Gate Tones

39 Cilla Watkins ~ Purple ~ Autumn Infused

40 Shirley Moore ~ Purple ~ Frozen Heather

41 Jenni Connolly ~ Gray ~ Paw Tones

42 Tamara Soper ~ Green ~ Field Tones

43 Sharyl McMillian-Nelson ~ Blue ~ Nested Blues

44 Jen Velasquez ~ Pink ~ Sweetened Tints

45 Maria Grimes ~ Red ~ Bright Bloom

46 Elisabeth Auld ~ Gray ~ Petaled Tints

47 Susan Kennedy ~ Pink ~ Zinnia Tones

48 Shannon Chomanczuk ~ Gray ~ Autumn Leaf

49 Holly Westfall ~ Yellow ~ Sprinkled Tones

50 Patty Gasparino ~ Red ~ Color Carton

51 Angela Little ~ Pink ~ Singapore Brights

52 Lizzie Zawinski ~ Green ~ Budding Hues

53 Kristen Stevens ~ Pink ~ Scooped Tones

54 Dawn Doucette ~ Brown ~ Jarred Tones

Marsha Neal Shopping!

2011-11-27T09:59:00.001-08:00

I got some great pieces recently from Marsha Neal. I just love her stuff.

I'm really excited about all the earring pairs!

New Listings and a Sale

2011-11-27T09:30:00.001-08:00

I've been listing like a woman possessed the last few days. Here is just a taste of some of the TONS of new items in the shop!

And, the 15% off sale continues - just use coupon code TAKE15 at checkout.

Virtual Craft Fair Starts Today!

2011-11-26T10:27:00.001-08:00

I am participating in a huge virtual craft fair with lots of sales and giveaways!

Go here for the details - there are tons of giveaways and sales, and I'm giving away a cute pair of earrings!

And go to my shop to take 15% off with the coupon code TAKE15. I've been loading it with lots of new jewelry goodies!!

Challenge of Color Blog Hop

2011-11-24T22:36:00.001-08:00

I'm participating in Erin's Challenge of Color Blog Hop this month. We all had to select a color, and she matched us with a color palette based on that color. I chose gray, because lately I'm obsessed with gray.

Here is my palette from Design Seeds

I gotta admit, at first I was very....meh... about this palette. It's awfully...neutral. And I love COLOR. But, then I got some ideas banging around in the noggin, and now it's all good.

I haven't had a chance to start my project, but I did ~~use it as an excuse to~~ buy beads. I'm hoping Sunday I have a chance to get it put together. I better get crackin', because the hop is November 30.

Also, don't forget about the Virtual Craft Fair

And, I'm running a sale in my shop - 15% off, just use the coupon code TAKE15

Virtual Craft Fair!

2011-11-24T09:59:00.001-08:00

Starting November 25, I am participating in a huge virtual craft fair with lots of sales and giveaways!

Go here for the details

And go to my shop to take 15% off with the coupon code TAKE15

Art Fair Photos!

2011-11-20T21:09:00.001-08:00

Whew! That was fun!

Blogging will be light while I list the remaining 200 earrings and 100 bracelets and necklaces in time for Black Friday. *Makes freaked out face* And get ready for that holiday with the turkey.

Craft Fair!

2011-11-14T22:51:00.001-08:00

I will be selling jewelry this weekend (Nov 19 & 20) at the San Bernardino County Museum's 29th Annual Wildlife Art Festival.

Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4.

2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands CA.

Come say hi and see the 9.6 million pair of earrings I've made!

Monday Wish List

2011-11-13T21:17:00.001-08:00

leaf beads

dot beads

more gorgeous beads

Wanna play along?

Let us know what YOU are wishing for this Monday. Grab a button below or over there on the right. To put into your post, simply click on the "edit HTML" tab when you are creating your post, paste the text from the text box, and click back on the "compose" tab.

Or, you can simply link back to this post.

Drop me a comment if you play along so I can check out your wish list, too!

New Custom Order

2011-11-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

A customer loved a pair of earrings I made with dark teal hollows from Alisha White, but wanted them on silver wire with a matching necklace and bracelet.

Off to the workbench!

Here they are, just waiting to be made into something!

Work in progress!

Earrings and bracelet, done!

Necklace, done!

(you should see the little bits of metal that went flying when I was taking apart this chain for the mini rings that I linked the beads to. I found a piece about 15' away from where I was cutting. Oops! If you hear howling, it is from the husband stepping on a piece in his bare foot.)

I blame the peanut beads...

2011-11-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

I went to a local bead stores for these.

And these fell into my bead tray! Ooops!

I blame the peanut beads. They are so CUTE! And I love those muted colors. The leaf chain is for some earrings. Those two silver squares are bird beads (more earrings), and there are some tiny ceramic barrels.

Crappy Camera Phone Photos of NEW NECKLACES! Hooray!

2011-11-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

Yeah, these photos won't be making Etsy's front page, but I wanted to show you what I've been up to necklace-wise. I lurve them.

Moooore Bracelets!

2011-11-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

I'm getting to the point where I've made so much jewelry in such a short time that I've forgotten what I've made, and when I pull them out to photograph them, I get all excited again. Like, "oooh, I like this one" and "ooooh, pretty". I'm such a bead nerd!

Here are some more bracelets

Bracelets #1 and #4 have beads from Elaine Ray. #2 has beads from Sue Beads

Here are a few observations for the road:

* I really like making earrings and long necklaces. A lot. I want to tailor the shop to just those two items, until I get bored with making them in two months and change my mind.

* Necklace-with-a-big-pendant style necklaces were the reason I started making jewelry, and now I'm not lovin' making them so much. Fickle fickle.

*Bracelets are fun until I have to size them. (This may or may not count because I've said it before)

*Figuring out what to make for dinner is my least favorite part of the day. In fact, I was so thrilled to have leftovers for Sunday night I did a happy "we are having leftovers so I don't have to figure out dinner ooooh yeahhhh!" dance. It rocked. As did the leftovers.

*I just told my friend, "Maybe I'll make a BLT for dinner." Except I don't want to mess with cooking bacon. And I don't really like BLTs. That, my friends, is a typical moment in my brain.

*I checked out the GIGANTOR Hobby Lobby that opened in an old Kohls/Marshalls/Mervins-esque building. Meh. It was A LOT of home furnishing knick knack stuff, and 1.5 small aisles of jewelry. Awesome findings, happy they had Vintaj stuff, but bleh beads. Maybe mine was just stinky? Or maybe because it's new? Anyway, happy to have another craft store, but Michael's is still my true big-box craft store ~~addiction~~ love.

Wish List Monday

2011-11-07T02:00:00.000-08:00

This week I'm wishing for:

sea beads

sandy beads

cool focal

felt coin purse

poppy bowl

notecards!

Rainy I Heart Macro

2011-11-06T09:12:00.001-08:00

Rainy Sunday!

Bracelets and OOF

2011-11-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the 16 (!) bracelets I made this week. I make them production-style while watching TV during the week, and then finish, size & clasp them on the weekend. There are six more to finish, but I pooped out.

Here is why I pooped out:

Photo from the folks at Real Simple

Cheesy baked pasta with spinach and artichoke. So yummy. That, and 2 glasses of wine and the new Oprah magazine make the odds of me working on jewelry tonight about 1 in 250.

Quick & Random

2011-11-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Random bead eye candy

* Why is it when a fly is in the room it feels the need to fly RIGHT next to your head. So annoying

* My TV shows have been kinda meh lately, which bums me out. Come on, House, Glee, Walking Dead, Dexter....Get it together!

* Trying to get ramped up for holiday sales, and every time I start working I find I'm low on some essential - stringing wire, beading wire, earrings wires, large jump rings. ARGH

* Or, if I have it, I've managed to knock it over and spill it. Crimp beads ALL over the floor tonight. ARGH again.

* I have to try to resist setting arbitrary goals of the number of pieces to have completed for shows, because I always set my goals too high and stress myself out. Supposed to be fun, Amy! Remember!

* We had a lunch time craft mini boutique at work today. Sold quite a few pieces, and got too see the other people's creations. It was fun!

* I have two online craft fairs coming up at the end of November and December - more news later

* Sales are picking up on the Etsy site! Yay! Maybe I'm getting the hang of the new search engine? Or the holidays? Who cares why, I'm just happy!

* Big craft fair on Nov 19-20. Gotta get an EZ up this weekend. Can one wimpy lady put up an EZ up by herself?

* Arnold Palmer ice tea/lemonade K-cups rock!

* Off to bed. Can't whine about being tired tomorrow if I don't. Well, I CAN whine, but it has less cred.

2011-10-31T02:00:00.000-07:00

This week, I'm wishing for...

Organic looking beads

Awesome focal bead

Love these beads

Vintage findings

Dreamy dress

Cozy cowl (I would also like her hair too, please)

Your turn!

Let us know what YOU are wishing for this Monday. Grab a button below or over there on the right. To put into your post, simply click on the "edit HTML" tab when you are creating your post, paste the text from the text box, and click back on the "compose" tab.

Or, you can simply link back to this post.

Drop me a comment if you play along so I can check out your wish list, too!

Hello Sunday!

2011-10-30T09:27:00.001-07:00

Earring Overload!

2011-10-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

beads from I Make Beads

Yes, they are missing something...I'm waiting on a shipment of kidney wires. They look so nekkid!!

Headpins from Gardanne, Sue Beads, Havana Beads

Lampwork beads from I Make Beads

Beads from Joan Miller, Elaine Ray, and Marsha Neal

Hoop beads from Grace Lampwork. Other beads from Spawn of Flame

Tassel Earrings Tutorial

2011-10-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

Check out these totally cute tassel earrings!! I found this tutorial today while cruising around the Internet.

They are made with tassel fringe. How clever!

Go HERE or HERE for the tutorial.

Remember!!

2011-10-27T17:20:00.001-07:00

Project Accessory premieres tonight at 10:30 pm ET on Lifetime!!!

New Beads from Rare Earth Beads

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Check out some new beads I got from Rare Earth Beads

I'm a little obsessed with rustic-y tiny beads right now.

See, do I lie about the rustic-y seed beads?

This was a pick 5 - I got the blue, green, yellow, orange, and middle cream ones.

Aren't these cool!

More Earring Madness

2011-10-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some more earrings. I'm in love with those ones with the teeny bird charms. So cute (if I do say so myself). You can see my go-to earring formula: bead + dangle = YAY

And here is the evidence of my new kidney earring wire obsession!

I'm An Earring Making Machine

2011-10-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the earrings I've made in the past few days. This was a few days ago - 21 more pairs have joined them. I've learned a few things:

1. I'm now obsessed with kidney earring wires. So much more fun than regular earring wires. I just ordered more. I especially love the long ones - perfect for an art bead and charm and very swingy.

2. The first pair of earring in the second row will not likely make it to sale stock, but will more likely make it to my earlobes.

3. If you have all your stuff out in front of you, and something interesting on TV that doesn't require too much focus, you can make A LOT of earrings fairly quickly.

4. Although I am very thankful for my garage workbench space, I really wish I had a bead room *eyeballs guest bedroom*

5. Paper towel is not the best backdrop.

And finally:

I'm starting a pool for how long you guys think I can keep the living room like this before my husband puts his foot down. Poor husband! Tee hee. Now, when you place your bet, remember that we eat here too, so all this crap needs to get shuffled around before he can put his plate down.

I'm thinkin' I got 6 more hours.

Wish List Monday!

2011-10-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

Here is what I'm wishing for this week!

Enamel headpins

Fall colored beads

Cool postcards

Soap stacks

Raku beads

Adorable!

Yolanda's Giveaway Winner & New Necklaces

2011-10-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I'm off to a craft fair today (Yay!)

Fall Harvest Festival

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Heritage Park and Gardens, 3510 Cameron Ave., West Covina.

***

In other news, I won this fun giveaway from Yolanda. Aren't those beads cute! She makes the cutest stuff. I can't wait to make a pair of earrings out of those green beads.

I made this with the Halloween ones for today's fair.

I also made a bunch of these necklaces for today as well. I think they are fun!

Recycled Tennis Ball Bracelet Tutorial

2011-10-20T19:15:00.001-07:00

This bracelet was made from an upcycled tennis ball. Incredible, isn't it!

Check out the tutorial from Mich L in LA here

Company C -- Color Love

2011-10-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

I saw a Company C shop in Portland, Maine, and absolutely fell in love with everything in it. Such COLOR!

Here is the Fall catalog I'm gonna keep in the studio for color inspiration!

Bedding

Rug

Pillow

East Coast Leaf Peeping Vacation

2011-10-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Although I had a number of posts last week, in reality, the husband and I went to the east coast for a little leaf peeping! Sneaky, ain’t I! Checking out the Fall colors was on my bucket list, so the world’s best husband put together this trip for us!

I already posted the beady highlights yesterday, so if you are only here for the bead porn, feel free to skip this post.

For all of the purdy photos - go to my flickr here

Day One

After landing in Boston, we headed to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to check out the dead people, famous and not famous. I love the little headstones with just a first name.

After that, we headed to Salem, Mass. (See if you can get your GPS to say the word Massachusetts, by the way. It’s a riot.) We checked out the witch museum, and wandered around the town, where I “accidently” bumped into a bead store! Whoops! Silly me! (Thank you for smart phone maps that tell you every bead store in a 10 mile radius! *Fist bump*)

After Salem, we drove up to Maine for the night, and had lobster roll and chowder and bisque at this cute dockside restaurant.

The next day, we explored Portland, Maine, and I got soap at a sidewalk craft fair. You will see that buying soap and beads is a theme for the trip.

Day Two

From Portland, ME, we headed to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Seriously, how do you New Hampshireites get anything productive done ever? I’d just wander around in a fog of “It’s so preeeeeety!” All the time. New Hampshire makes my town look like the inside of an airline bathroom. I peeped at leaves until my peepers overloaded.

"Can you believe all these great leaves!"

"I can't! It's so pretty it makes me feel like doing a weird airplane-inspired dance!"

pretty water!

You can't really see it here, but that little orange dot is a leaf flying through the air. Leaf peeping action shot!

Awwww, Freelands on a bridge!

Day Three

More leaf peeping in White Mountains, then on to Vermont.

Frost Museum in Vermont. We didn’t make it there while the museum was open, but we did drive by like a bunch of poetry stalkers. There was a gentleman eyeballing us from inside the house; perhaps the poet in residence? I may or may not have yelled “Good fences make good neighbors!!!!!” As we drove by. (Just kidding).

We had lunch in a diner in Montpelier at this diner.

I had the Beef Eater, which was a delicious concoction of fried potatoes, cheese, shredded beef and fried egg. Heaven.

Also on this day we checked out the Vermont Sugar Maple Works and did a tasting of maple syrup. We also had a tour of Ben & Jerrys, and got to taste a new flavor (Late Night Snack – is this blog ahead of the game or what!?!?).

We drove up to the Trapp family lodge, and just drove around and checked out the gorgeous fall scenery.

Day Four

We drove to New York, stopping in Sharon Springs, home of the famous Beekman Boys, who I want to adopt and put in my pocket. Well, if not them, then Polka Spot for sure. We went into McGillycuddys shop to get some of Deb's soap, and the real live Deb herself from the show was sitting on the front porch EATING CHILI. OMG. I so had an attack of celebrity nerves I hesitated before going up the steps to the shop, and the husband had to give me a gentle nudge. I got a three pack of seasonal soaps (soap reference #2), and they smell super fab.

We then checked out the Beekman 1802 shop, and bought more soap (soap reference #3). I told you I love me some handmade soap!

After Sharon Springs, we drove to Cooperstown, and had dinner with the lovely Lorelei and her wonderful hubby Joe at Alex & Ika. OMG Delish.

The next day Chris and I crossed something off his bucket list and went through the Baseball Hall of Fame and museum. It was very neat, and he was in boy heaven, which made me happy. For all the time that man spends standing outside bead stores, I’m happy to spend some time doing something he loves too.

Day Five

From Cooperstown to Massachusetts – gorgeous leaves, leaves, leaves. And barns, and falling down old farmhouses and cows that appreciated me yelling “Moo” at them. Heaven.

Day Six

We drove up to Rhode Island to see the Breakers – a summer home of the Richie McRich Vanderbilts (of which the adorable Anderson Cooper is begat). Very cool to check out.

We also checked out Cape Cod, and drove up to Hyannis for (ahem) another bead store (#3) and to peek at the Kennedy compound. I also got some Cape Cod stones for my blog buddy Christine, who makes the most amazing jewelry with them.

At Cape Cod

Day Seven

The gorgeous weather we had all week was replaced with lots of rain (which, since I was coming from 100 degree California, I was thrilled for a little weather). We saw Plymouth, and went into Cambridge to wander around for another bead store (#4 – wow, when I write all of them down I sound a little obsessed, don’t I?).

Day Eight

Boston!

We took a trolley tour, and saw all of that great history: the North End, Old State House, Cheers exterior, Trinity Church, Cambridge and MIT, the Massachusetts State House, and more

Pretty in the fog, isn't it!

We then walked the Freedom Trail, and saw Boston Common, more old graveyards, Old South Meeting House, Paul Revere House (my fav), Old North Church and more.

So there you have it – six states, 1,250 miles, 8 trillion leaves, and a whole lot of fun.

Me on the Freedom Trail

Uh, oh - Is this bad luck?

Lunch - Yum!

Near the farmers market, they had this cool "trash", dropped veggies, newspaper, etc. in the crosswalk.

So funny!

Leaf Peeping Vacation to the East Coast - Bead Highlights!

2011-10-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

So last week the husband and I went on a trip to the East coast to peep at the fall leaves. I’m gonna do the big VACATION post tomorrow, but in the interest of my bead peeps, here are the bead highlights. Cause ya’ll know I couldn’t go on vacation without bead shopping and beady subterfuge. And I got to meet a bead blog buddy! Yay!

Bead Store #1: Boston Bead Company, Salem

I found this bead store while we were in Salem, with my GPS map on my phone. God bless smart phones! They had a ton of Czech glass, and some nice gemstones and vintage. Since it was early in the trip, and now that I’m on the new bead budget (Drat!) I was a good girl, and only got earring pairs of the Picasso finish Czech glass beads, and some carved bone and ceramic beads. But it was a great shop.

Bead Store #2: South Pacific Wholesale Co, Montpelier, VT

This bead store happened to be across the street from where we ate lunch (pinky swear I didn’t plan it that way). Truth be told, it was pretty “Meh” in the way of bead stores. But, being the trooper I am, I managed to find something, har har.

Bead Store #3: Bead Emporium of Cape Cod, Hyannis, MA

The husband got major points for this one, taking an unexpected side trip to check out this bead store. It was pretty good too. Great vintage, lots of gemstones and Czech glass. I’m not sure why, but lately I’m kinda obsessed with rose pink colors. Probably because if I buy another blue or green bead, my bead bins will explode all over the garage. I got some pink vintage, blue and black "sea glass", some cool wavy wood rounds, and a toggle clasp that was on sale. Good haul.

Bead Store #4: Boston Bead Company, Cambridge, MA (aka wherein the husband attains sainthood status)

No photo because of the weather.

So, the plan was to turn the rental car in once we got to Boston because we were going to take the trolley tour, Boston had good public transportation, wah wah wah other reasons (as you can tell, other than planning expensive side excursions involving beads, I have very little interest in HOW the vacation comes together). When we were gassing the car up to turn it in, I was talking about how the Cambridge store had a trunk show from The Bead Goes On, and wasn’t that WONDERFUL and a sign from heaven that we should stop there. The husband notes, “Well, I’m not sure how it is going to go with public transportation getting to that store (did I note it was raining BUCKETS? Well, it was). So he says, “Rather than turning the car in right now, why don’t we just go up there so you can see your store.”

Well, OKAY!

So we went to the store, and of course because it is raining there is a ton of traffic, and there is no parking. We find the store, and the husband says (very A-Team, “I love it when a plan comes together”, with a touch of “Really, this is your fourth bead store in seven days”): “Okay, you get 15 minutes. I’ll circle the block. Go!”

I bust out of the car, and head straight for the trunk show. Aye dios mio, such great stuff. Boom, boom, boom, 14 minutes later I’m on the sidewalk calling him. *kisses biceps* Check out what I got!

Carved wood, cool carved ceramic beads, polymer clay pairs in a lovely blue color, recycled glass (again with the recycled glass! in orange, lime and pink), recycled glass seed beads in gray blue and celedon, copper rounds with a cool texture and on the left there, red carved ceramic beads.

Dinner with Lorelei and Joe

By far the beady highlight was getting to have dinner with Lorelei and her sweet husband Joe. What a nice chickadee!

And she made me this stunning bracelet as a “Hi nice to meet ya” giftie. Isn't it pretty! I made her a pair of paint chip earrings and an enameled pendant, but in the hubbub of the pre-trip frenzy I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of it.

It was a really nice night with them, and Lorelei and I chatted ourselves silly about all things beads! Heaven!

I also reveled to Lorelei our plans for next years vacation: Philadelphia and NYC in August. Hmmmm, isn’t there something else in Philadelphia in August? Gosh, what is it….? Oh YES, BEADFEST. That’s right East Coasties – I’m a comin’ east for BeadFest! I can’t wait! I got my piggy bank all fired up for the shopping!

So, I’m typing this on the flight home, with my plastic cup of merlot and The Weepies on my ipod, an US magazine ahead of me, and a happy husband beside me. So many blessings, world. My heart is full.

Wish List Monday

2011-10-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is what I'm wishing for this week (and a few of these sold, so maybe it's more pining than wishing!)

Cute halloween card

Carved beads

stunning bowl

magical earring pair

So true!

I heart macro spooky!

2011-10-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a lichen-y macro from our vacation!

Gorgeous and Inspiring

2011-10-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Check these out from Grow House Grow, a very cool blog I found in O Magazine this month.

Recycled Soda Can Beads Tutorial

2011-10-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a clever idea! And I love how industrial and cool this bracelet looks. She made those awesome beads from recycled (upcycled?) soda cans. Check out this tutorial from Scene of Sublime

Snuggly Mug Cozy from White Clover Kiln

2011-10-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

Check out these snuggly mug cozys (cozies? Both look wrong) from White Clover Kiln. Handmade knit with handmade button. So perfect for chilly weather.

Did you hear that, chilly weather? We're ready for you! Anytime now! Ahem......Hello?!?!

Hubba Hubba

2011-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

Check out these STUNNING beads from Cheeky Cherub Designs

Hubba hubba is right!

Breakin' the Fast

2011-10-12T04:53:00.000-07:00

Happily, I got to get some new beads! SueBeads was having a sale, so I selected a few goodies.

I got two sets of her lovely headpins. I'm seriously obsessed with the pressed pattern on these babies. Will they make the cutest earrings ev-ah? Why, yes, I think they will. LOVE those colors, too

Blue and white egg-shaped beads. Again with the gorgeous color!

Wish List Monday

2011-10-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

Here are the goodies I'm wishing for this Monday! I may be a little sparse on posts this week, so I'm making Wish List Monday a BIG one.

Fall leaf charms. So perfect for the season!

Pretty ribbon. I'm mulling over a design for a bracelet involving a wide ribbon.

This is a pretty one!

Coconut pear sugar scrub cubes. Winter makes me a tad bath obsessed

Love the colors of this sari ribbon set.

Candy corn bath bomb. Yum!

sugared beads. Yay!

Omg FINALLY!!

2011-10-08T21:31:00.001-07:00

Project Accessory - Official Show Site - myLifetime.com

They are finally doing a Project Runway show for jewelry!

*jumping up and down clapping*

Giveaway Winner!

2011-10-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

The winner of the giveaway of these adorable birdie beads from Jeraluna Designs is

Christine from Sweet Girl Designs! Congrats Christine!
Email me your address at copperdiem (at) gmail.com and those birdies will be winging their way to you soon!

Thank you everyone for participating and visiting Jeraluna's shop!

Help!

2011-10-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

via pinterest

I haven't been able to comment on blog posts with the comment form that is embedded (not the pop up kind). I've tried posting as name/url & anonymous, with no luck. Anyone else having this problem? Suggestions?

I feel like Blogger has put me in time out -- But! But! I have stuff I wanna say! Boooo :(

Procrastination

2011-10-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Giveaway. Go Here. Enter. Use Coupon to Buy Goodies. You're Welcome.

Sing it with me and Carly Simon: "Prooooocrastination......Pro-cras-tin-a-a-tion....is makin' me late....it keepin' me waaaaaaaitin'"

See, my least favorite thing to do when I make jewelry is to actually FINISH them. You know, the part where you size it, figure out the clasp situations, get it all put to bed.

I looooove buying beads. I love going through all my lovely beads to pull the perfect ones for a piece. I love putting the beads together and stringing or wiring them. Aaaaaand, then the almost-finished piece sit in the muffin tin for weeks.

But, this weekend I got off my duff and finished up a bunch of pieces so I could clear out the muffin to ~~wash it and put it back in the kitchen for all the baking I can't wait to do~~ fill it with more bead projects because baking is as fun as the dentist.

Here are the results! Woo hoo!

Yellow beads by JC Herrell

beads by Ellen Dooley

Gaea rounds in fabulous dark color mix.

More Gaea rounds, and a nest bead from Green Girl

Wish List Monday

2011-10-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Go HERE for the giveaway and coupon for Jeraluna Designs

***************

This week I'm wishing for...

peacock blue links

stunning boro discs

mini coco beads in great colors

cheerful flowered blue lentils

love bird bowl (it comes in other colors, too!)

Amy's Rule #264: The Most Disgusting-Sounding Ice Cream Is The Most Delish

2011-10-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Giveaway is HERE

In honor of Rule #264, I give you Ben & Jerry's Late Night Snack. According to their site, it is "vanilla ice cream, fudge covered potato chip clusters & a salty caramel swirl."

That sounds nasty.

Yet, intriguing.

So, the husband and I had to give it a go. And it is DELISH. The perfect mix of salty and sweet, creamy and crunchy.

So, there you have it. I highly recommend.

Next up, Schweddy Balls

Hello, Fall! Hello? Hello!?!

2011-09-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

What? What's that you say? You say there is a GIVEAWAY? Ok, I'll head to yesterday!*

*******************

I'm ready, Fall.

You hear me? I'M READY

I bought this stuff, 'cause I'm ready for Fall now. No more hot weather, m-kay? Pinky swear? Hello?!?!

Sweaters from Old Navy

Cutie Patootie Converse in gray and brown from Zappos.com

*****************

*Why, yes, that was Shel-esque. Now hustle your hiney over there to enter to get these adorable birdie beads for free!

Jeraluna Designs Beads and a Giveaway!

2011-09-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome bead artist I found on Etsy - Jeraluna Designs

She makes the most amazing ceramic beads and jewelry. AND she is another So. California gal. AND she is super nice. What's not to love!?!

Here are just a few of my favorites from her shop!

Totally adorable seashell charms

Love the stripes of these green cubes

Such a gorgeous sea-blue color!

I love the texture of these beads! And the color - love it!

Pretty pink color with great melons and heart beads

I love these discs and dimpled rounds

Melons and bicones and tubes with great dot textures

Such a rich red color for these rounds

woodland charms

Oh, I *heart* these (tee hee)

love the adorable stars on these beads

What is better than seeing drool-worthy handmade beads?

Duh! A coupon for drool-worthy handmade beads. Use the code bloggersdelight for 15% off her beads until October 7, 2011.

Are you delirious with all the beady wonderfulness yet? Well, hold onto your socks bead peeps, Jeraluna Designs is also giving away these ADORABLE bird beads to a lucky winner! Check 'em out

See? Do I lie? ADORABLE. And perfect for Fall I may add

Here they are at another angle. Strike a pose tweets!

Do you want to win these adorable bird beads? Oh, who am I kidding... OF COURSE you do. So, here's the rules: comment on this post for one entry. Blog, facebook or tweet about the giveaway for an additional entry for each (Tell me what all you did in another comment) And if you blog about your favorite beads from Jeraluna's shop, I'll give you another entry too (again, comment so I can count you).

So, to recap, 'cause I've kinda confused myself. You get an entry for the giveaway for each of the following:

* Comment

* Facebook about the giveaway

* Tweet about the giveaway

* Blog about the giveaway

* Blog about your favs from Jeraluna's shop

* Tweet about Jeraluna's shop

* Facebook about Jeraluna's shop

(yes, you kids in the front row waving your hands madly with questions, you can do both in one blog post/tweet/FB links.)

Giveaway closes October 5 and I'll draw a lucky duck on October 6.

You can also like her Facebook page here, and follow her blog here

Some Great Fall Beads

2011-09-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ooooh, it's getting cooler (well, not really. It's still in the 90s here, but I have a Really Good Imagination). Fall is coming. I love fall - the cool air, the leaves changing colors, the new goodies at the farmers market. So excited!

Check out these cool, crisp fall beads.

gorgeous earring pair

These are so unique and PRETTY!

Gray glass and ivory stripes. Love it

Yum! So elegant

Love this moody print