New Items Now Listed in my Shop!

as seen in BEAD STYLE MAGAZINE for Summer 09!

The Loot

The bead show was a success. It was kind of a pain to drive there, about an hour and a half. And the show is really quite small when you think about Bead & Button. But there are several good vendors at this show every year... I bought beads from Green Girl Studios, Keith O'Connor beads were offered at the GGS table, Park Avenue Beads, and Veni Vidi. Some of the vendors there were selling lots of art beads, but I wasn't quite sure it was legitimate- like were they really selling Marsha Neal beads or were they knock-offs? I also felt like a lot of the prices for stones were a bit high, so most of my loot was glass, a few stones, Ceramic and pewter of course!

Top Row: Faceted Amazonite rounds, Glass drops in clear and green, and some jasper nuggets

Second row: Faceted Briolettes, I'm not sure what they are, but like the color A LOT!

and then several strands of Fire-polished glass beads in some nice summer colors.

I picked up a couple of hanks of seed beads in some colors
that were not as obtainable, and good for summer desgins. Coral, Pewter(so unique!),
a summer mix of teals, and the hank all the way on the right, the beads have this really cool shape, I've never seen before. Click the pic to see it bigger.

I had a nice time chatting with TJ at GGS. TJ is Greg Ogden's college friend, and always does the Albany show. He lives in Boston now. Some day I'd like to show up there and see Andrew. That would be a real treat!

The GGS table was selling Keith O'Connor's ceramic beads, and the colors are out of this world, so I picked out a few. They were also selling glass beads from CNY Glass (they are local actually so I can find their beads readily)

And of course, picked up some pewter and Shibuchi beauties. Tried to

get a few pieces that I have never used, like the Mermaid ring, and the little

sparrow head. And the little frogs, and rings on the bottom row, I plan

on making into earrings.

Now it's time to play!!!

Button it!

I've gone a little nuts lately with the acquisition of some ceramic buttons to my collection. I can't help it! They are so versatile, and there are some really super talented ceramic artisans out there making them. No, I'm not using them on hand-knit sweaters, or handmade bags. I'm using them in jewelry and it's a blast!

I contacted LeAnn of SummersStudio Etc. a few weeks ago about making me some buttons and in return, LeAnn wanted a cuff bracelet using one of her pieces. LeAnn sent me some gorgeous buttons. The details on each one, and the beautiful Summery colors- I'm in heaven!

So I sat down and made LeAnn's bracelet using this Yellow sunflowery type button, some wood cuff beads, and Ceramic Mykonos beads in cream, brown and coppery pink. I like how the Mykonos beads spin as you stretch it over your hand

I also discovered another ceramic artisan on Etsy. Leaves of Clay! What's not to like about leaf impressions on a clay button! GORGEOUS! And so earthy, and right up my alley really. So I ordered a few from Michele, and they arrived this week.

I'm getting ready to head to Albany today. BEAD EXPO HERE I COME!!

I've got cash in hand, and a mental shopping list, and I'm praying I don't spend all my cash at the Green Girl Studios booth. ;)

Goddess

Melanie at Earthenwood Studio, sent me these pretty Face cabochons recently. I received this leafy green one, and also another that has a matte brown finish. I've never used a cabochon before now! I wasn't really sure what to do with something that didn't have a hole in it of some sort. Thinking and thinking, I figured the only thing I could do was try another never-tried-before technique. Filigree! I am sure you've noticed that I have not really played around much with filigree wrapping. Yea, I've used filigree beads, but just as BEADS. So awhile back, after I had gotten the cabochons, I ordered this Vintaj Brass Co. filigree piece from Bello Modo, hoping that it would fit around the face. Looking at it, initially, it didn't look like it was the right size, it looked too big. Well don't you know, I started bending the edges around the face, and it worked out perfectly! Next challenge, finding jumprings small enough to fit through the holes in the filigree wrap. Luckily I had some itty bitty jumprings that worked.

I like the overall design of this necklace. The small brass cable chain looks so great in large quantities. I attached like 8 strands of chain together using small jumprings, and thread them all through a larger jumpring attached to the top of the filigree wrapped cab. This necklace has a very regal feeling to it, doesn't it? The rich faceted glass rondelles in a pale gold, and the brown glass pearls. The leaf clasp pulls the whole piece together, implying that this Goddess is one with nature.






This piece is available for sale in my Etsy shop. On sale, today only for $39!
That's $9 off the original price of $48!

You've gotta watch this

Every owl needs a good head scratch. Can I get one of these for a pet?

Innovative Bead Expo, Albany

I am planning on finally going to a bead show. It's been over a year since I've been to one. The Innovative Bead Expo is coming to Albany NY, this weekend. I like going to this show over the one in Syracuse because Green Girl Studios does the Albany show, but not the Syracuse show. Fortunately, Joe will be working this weekend, so I've got Saturday free!

In honor of this fun trip, I want to have a bit of a sale so that I can take some extra cash with me to get some beads! I've discounted some of the bracelets in my shop, discounted $5-$8 below regular prices. Here is a shot of what is there now. I'm sure I'll be adding some throughout the day.

Click here to take you to the Bracelet Sale section in the shop.

Book Recommendation: Enchanted Adornments

You've probably read a thousand book recommendations about Cynthia Thornton's new and upcoming book called Enchanted Adornments.

It's the talk of the town. Everyone is discussing it.

I thought I'd jump on this bandwagon and tell you that you HAVE to pre-order this book TODAY. Seriously.

There is a super special reason that I can't share the details about just yet,

But just know that it will be in your best interest if you have this gorgeous book in your library as soon as it comes out.

Probably around Nov. 15th!

Another cool thing about this is that there is a Facebook page for the book! Not only that but, for every 100 Fans (GO BECOME A FAN RIGHT AWAY!!) they offer a Green Girl Studios beads giveaway! AND they are also showing little behind the scenes stuff like images of some of the pages from the book. It's the most amazing thing I've seen. Every page is gorgeous. And of course, there is a nice project in the book with an owl- can't help but LOVE that!

What a fun way to promote the book. Facebook is amazing.

SO you have a lot to do today.

1. pre-order the book

2. Become a Fan of the Enchanted Adornments Facebook page

Better get on it, time's a wastin'!

Back to work

It's been so nice having 3 days off. We were busy bees around the Eurto household. Actually feel like I accomplished a lot! I made a ton of jewelry.... going into the shop this morning. I forgot to figure out the next giveaway though, so that will be on my mind today. Stay tuned, I promise it will come soon. The weather has been so nice the past few days! I think we finally are seeing some Spring weather. It'll be hot in no time. I am a little nervous about this, because the second floor of my house can get pretty steamy in the summer. Without an air conditioner in the bead studio, I might have to be a travelling beader. The bedroom? The family room perhaps? A temporary table somewhere cooler?

Anyhoo, back to work today. Here are some new bracelets going into the shop this morning. Have a good Tuesday ya'all!

Birds of a Feather

"Birds of a feather are flocking outside
Like whippets they dance in a curly-queue dance
Of pulses and ringing and campfire chants
Of ritual drumming although at first glance
You thought you could run but you won’t take a chance"
-Phish, Birds of a Feather

Flight of the Sparrow

Now available on Etsy

Greener on the other side

Looking at it from the patio.

We moved into this house in September of 2007. When we moved in, this big planting bed was empty except a couple of huge overgrown hostas, and some sort of ground cover that got little white flowers on it in the Spring. We removed everything from the bed, first the hostas. Then last year for my birthday, my mother bought me the Columbine, Iris, and Amethyst in Snow, and Joe planted them in August. This weekend, we finally finished it off. After spending a boat load of cash at the local greenhouse, we came home with all of the plants shown here. We went to Home Depot, and I found some nice Solar lights in a nice arts and crafts style, to place along the the bottom of the bed.

Today Joe and I went to breakfast, and found 2 awesome rose bushes at another place. He then mulched everything in nicely with a black shredded mulch. I love how it turned out, and am so excited at how pretty everything looks together. I think we both are a little shocked by it. I'm posting a few of the plants we bought. And of course, the Iris and Columbine, two of my favorites.

Looking down from the driveway.

Joe begged me to have at least one corner for some pepper plants, so those two rows are cherry and Jalepeno peppers.





In jewelry news... well, I was busy beading today til my fingers hurt. I'll be listing things slowly when I finish up here. Created some fun stuff. I also did a major jewelry repair for a coworker. I had to re-string an 8 strand Vintage glass beaded necklace, changing over from thread to wire, and new jumprings throughout. It's quite a showpiece. It took some serious time. But I plowed through it. After that, I finished the 3 pair of earrings, 5 bracelets, and a necklace for Etsy.


And then, I also made this bracelet for my friend Tami using some of Magda's beads. I love how this piece turned out. I hope to eventually get some more of magda's beads so I can create something similar for myself. The pewter Snail charm is from Green Girl Studios. The lampwork bead is from Cindy Hoo.

Gardening Diva

I am a gardening diva.

No time to chat.

There are flowers to plant.

I'll show pictures tomorrow once it's all done.

But I did create this necklace last night for the shop.

Waiting

Waiting

Serene, I fold my hands and wait,

Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;

I rave no more 'gainst time or fate,

For lo! my own shall come to me.

I stay my haste, I make delays,

For what avails this eager pace?

I stand amid the eternal ways,

And what is mine shall know my face.

Asleep, awake, by night or day,

The friends I seek are seeking me;

No wind can drive my bark astray,

Nor change the tide of destiny.

What matter if I stand alone?I wait with joy the coming years;

My heart shall reap where it hath sown,

And garner up its fruit of tears.

The waters know their own and draw

The brook that springs in yonder height;

So flows the good with equal law

Unto the soul of pure delight.

The stars come nightly to the sky;

The tidal wave unto the sea;

Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,
Can keep my own away from me.

John Burroughs

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

No the winner didn't win a chicken dinner, but the winner does win this awesomely cool set of lampwork glass beads from Magda!

A whopping 79 comments (had to delete a few comments- due to people leaving more than one) This has to be the most comments I've had yet! I used the Random Integer Generator and the comment that was picked was:

Congratulations to

Jolene of Funky Monkey Girls!

Happy birthday and awesome beads...you are very generous giving out these awesome beads on your birthday!Funky Monkey Girl, Jolene

Jolene- Send me an email with your

snail mail and I'll send your beads right out to you!

LJEurto[at]gmail[dot]com

Thank you to everyone for all of your birthday wishes!

Stay tuned for the next big giveaway-

I think I'll make a piece of jewelry to giveaway -

(it's been a while!)

I'll announce it Monday!

Achmed

Don't forget, today is the last day to comment for the Bead giveaway!

I'll be listing some new work in my shop this morning. Stay tuned! You can see them all by clicking the section NEW as of MAY 21 in the menu at the right, on etsy.

Losing Steam

I admit it. I'm losing steam. I know, it's terrible. I have been so productive the last few months. But I think that the beautiful weather, I should say intermittent beautiful weather, has made me feel like being outside, has made me feel carefree and not so focused and determined. So I've slowed down quite a bit. You're probably asking yourself "HOW? You are still blogging daily, and still listing each day. " Eh, it's just different. I can feel it.

Here are 2 new things going in the shop today. I'm not really happy with the photographs and may rework them later.

Have a great Wednesday!

A studio improvement

I had a great day yesterday for my birthday. Went to lunch with my friend Tara, who shares the same birthday! We had a great lunch at a local cafe, and then after I took her back to work, I went over to this antique shop that's near the museum.

They had this old stool that had caught my eye when I went there last week and was drooling over their many enamel top tables. (Which I still really want btw) I went ahead and bought the stool, and it is sooo great to sit on something in my studio that's made for my height. I am 5'10" and that little folding chair was just not cutting it. I had Joe raise my table for me using PVC pipe. Worked out fabulously and now the stool is just the right height for the table.

Joe took me out to dinner to my favorite Japanese place - Macrobiotic Fried rice with chicken, and some Vegetable Tempura, it was out of this world good. A nice quiet evening at home. Ahhh!

Such a great day.

(except when my desktop computer decided to shit the bed. It's in the shop.)

Win some beads

Happy Birthday To ME! Yippee! To help me celebrate, I am hosting yet another, BLOG GIVEAWAY! This week, I am giving away this awesomely cool and hip set of lampwork glass beads that were donated by Magda. Check out more of Magda's work here

These beads have an approx. value of $85 usd.

To enter to win, leave a comment on this post, and if you want to be really sweet, pass the word along on your own blog or twitter, or Facebook pages. I haven't figured out how to keep track of these things for extra points, but eventually I will find out how to do that too.

I'll draw the winner on FRIDAY May 22!

My weekend at home

I traveled home to see my parents today. First a trip to my mom's and then stopped in at my Dad's for some lunch...

Of course my Father voted for his favorites in the BEAD STAR challenge. Here he is deciding on his favorites.
How cute is it, that when he got to the Plastics category, he could pick mine out of the 19 other finalists before I
even told him which necklace was mine!!??! No, I'm NOT kidding!



Stopped by and enjoyed some time with my Momma also. She gave me a wide variety of new purple flowers for my garden (I'll show pics tomorrow), and I got to see and photograph her new additions to her chicken family. Lavender the Hen, had 6 babies about 2 weeks ago. Aren't they cuuuute?!

Look at all my pics from today at webshots here.

Check back
tomorrow for a chance to win some lampwork glass beads from Magda!

What's on YOUR bead table?

I should say, what WAS on your bead table. This was a shot of mine, this morning.

And here is the outcome!

This is my second installment for the Art Bead Scene challenge. I received the gorgeous Monet inspired lampwork tube from my friend Anne Lichtenstein of Gardanne Beads. Check out Anne's etsy shop, she's doing some really great work these days. (the little blue round up by the clasp is also from Anne)

Bead Star

So there's this little contest going on called Bead Star. You may have heard of it. If you are so inclined, you might want to vote for my necklace in the Plastics category.

Polymer clay rounds: Christine Damm of Stories They Tell

Pewter Bird round- Green Girl Studios

Faceted Malachite

Smoky Quartz

Matte green and black seed beads

Teal seed beads

I hand-made this hook clasp out of brass wire.

And the brass floral etched ring is from Vintaj Brass.

To vote for your favorites, and read more about the contest, Click here.

Giveaway Winner Announced!

Thank you everyone for playing along in this week's Blog giveaway! AE Bead Boutique donated these really cool ceramic links and all of your ideas of how you would use them were so totally cool! Makes me want to buy a few just to try out some of your suggestions!
According my trusty Random integer generator, the comment picked was #15!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUE KENNEDY!
Sue, send AE Bead Boutique a convo
with your address and she'll send you
your cool links!

p.s. please show us on your blog, what you end up
making with them!!

Stay tuned for Monday May 18th (yay happy birthday to me giveaway will be announced, some pretties from
MAGDA!!)