Last night's Beading results

I am slowly getting back into it. I feel like I haven't been cranking them out since I got back from Bead Fest. I should really get on it because that next craft show is fast approaching. I just feel kind of uninspired and "blocked". I crafted this bracelet last night and the necklace this morning.

I changed up the popular leather beaded wrap bracelet by doing using the same materials but using the macrame knotting technique. I love how it turned out, and I wasn't sure how the owl would sit but I think he looks pretty cool perched on the center of the bracelet like he is.

It's time to stop hoarding this beauty from Leann of Summers Studio Etc. A beautiful peacock feather pendant dangles below a wire wrapped lampwork bead from Pinocean, with wire wrapped African turquoise, faceted pyrite, new jade, and amethyst, and some fancy chain. It's a longer piece at 22 inches.

Both of these are now listed on etsy.

Laurel Moon Jewelry Giveaway

Lauren Moon Jewelry is giving away a boatload of Earthenwood studio beads. I sincerely hope I win because these are so super uber cool and I would really dig having them.
Especially that awesome bumpy teardop shaped pendant at the top right. WOW.
You may want to enter, but if you'd rather I win, then just sit back and relax and cross your fingers and toes. I'm just kidding, go ahead. Enter. It's fine. I won't mind. I promise.

new

Shadow Box Challenge and Blog Hop

Welcome to the Shadow Box Challenge and Blog Hop!

Last month, I held a contest for participants to recieve one of these beautiful enameled Shadow boxes from C Koop Beads.

I picked 23 participants randomly, and send each of them one of the boxes. The challenge was to create something with the shadow box and reveal it on their blogs today!

A big hug and THANK YOU to Sara for donating these for this challenge! I hope you all enjoy seeing all of the results!

I had a vision of hens and chicks. I'm not sure I pulled off the hens and chicks look but instead achieved more of a flower box result, which is still also really fun! I had told Sara about my plan when I saw her at Bead Fest. I realized that the turquoise shadow box with only one hole on each end, wasn't going to work for my idea so she gave me another that has 2 holes on one end and 3 holes on the other end.

I wire wrapped small vintage lucite flowers from My Elements on brass headpins and attached them to wire inside the box.

 

I crafted a bracelet with beading wire, matte green seeds beads and glass leaf beads (both purchases from Bead fest!) and 2 lampwork spacers from Pinocean. The lobster clasp finishes it off nicely and attaches to a large 15mm jump ring on the one side of the flower box.

I had such a good time creating this. It's fun and whimsical - I will be anxious to see if anyone else had this similar idea for their shadowbox.

Enjoy hopping through these participating blogs!

1.Lucid Moon Studio

2. Ann Rishell

3. Malin de Koning

4. Gray Girl Studios

5. Maria Grimes

6. Beads of Busy Gals- Elizabeth

7. The Silly Pearl

8. Shay Stone- Shays creative journey

9. LissC

10. the Beading Yogini

11. Grubbi

12. Jenny Davies- Reazor

13. Beth of Elizabeth Williams

14. Artybecca

15. Stefanies Sammelsurium

16. KreativeKsapylet

17. Shirley- Beads & Bread

18. Hilary Frye- Frye Style

19. Heather Wynn Millican

20. Staci Louise

21. Suzette- Ellie's Bijoux

22. Marina - Fanciful Devices

23. Andrew Thornton

Thank you Mr. Postman

 It was a great mail day today! First of all my little Serena Smith glass flowers finally arrived. I thought for sure they had been lost somewhere between here and Oregon. But they arrived and they are just so stunning! The picture makes them look big but they are delicate (only 13-14mm) and precious!

Next up, these lovelies from Magdalena Ruiz- one of the masters of stringer work! The colors are delish. These will be used sparingly like, one bead per design. Gotta make em last!

I have never order Sari Silk before- I know, go figure right!? I just got done writing a book with Erin all about jewelry with ribbons and cordings- but I haven't used it myself yet. So I found Lisa's shop, Jmozart

and got a bit of a sampler. The colors are gorgeous, and the photos do not do them justice!

And then I ordered these pretty lucite beads today from Sweet Findings- I love the colors and the stripes!

They have 1 more set of 6 left, better snag em if you can!

What did the postman bring you lately??

Attention Shadowbox challenge participants

I tried emailing everyone but this might be easier. here is the list of links of all participants. please copy and paste this live link list into your post for saturday's reveal! Thanks! Can't wait to see what you all made!

1.Lucid Moon Studio

2. Ann Rishell

3. Malin de Koning

4. Gray Girl Studios

5. Maria Grimes

6. Beads of Busy Gals- Elizabeth

7. The Silly Pearl

8. Shay Stone- Shays creative journey

9. LissC

10. the Beading Yogini

11. Grubbi

12. Jenny Davies- Reazor

13. Beth of Elizabeth Williams

14. Artybecca

15. Stefanies Sammelsurium

16. KreativeKsapylet

17. Shirley- Beads & Bread

18. Hilary Frye- FryeStyle

19. Heather Wynn Millican

20. Staci Louise Originals

21. Suzette- Ellie's Bijoux

22. Marina - Fanciful Devices

23. Andrew Thornton

It's a Wrap

Everybody's doing it. Why not me too!  These bracelets look really cool and they seem very easy to make.  I had some leather, and got some pretty turquoise rhinestone chain at the Ornamentea booth at bead fest. I had lots of waxed linen on hand.
I darkened the brass rhinestone chain by dumping it into some black patina. It really helped the teal rhinestones pop!   But my hands got dirty working with it and it did discolor my coral waxed linen cording a tad, in spots.
The bracelet took me about an hour to make, mostly because i wanted it to wrap 4 times.  I had a bit of trouble with it twisting. I wonder if that's normal. after a while, I just decided to go with it.
The button, I used a fancy lampwork disc from Kerry of Kabs Concepts.
 I am keeping this for myself!
Here is Ornamentea's tutorial- if you want to see some nice step by step photos, go to Honestly...WTF

Vintage Meadow Artworks WINNER!

Using the trusty Random.org number generator, the winner of the Vintage Meadow Artwork flowers is....

RISING DESIGNS!!

Congratulations! Please contact me with your mailing address.
Thank you everyone for all of your comments!
I learned about some new vendors!

Jewelry Booths

I recently signed up to do the Harvest Festival in Sharon Springs, NY in September! I had been thinking about doing it for awhile and then the pieces of the puzzle fell together and I took the plunge and reserved my spot. Here's the problem. I don't have a tent.  So I have to shell out some cash to get one. And I've never done an outdoor show. So as you can imagine, I have been obsessing about how to set up my booth.  I spent the morning scouring Flickr for some booth set ups. I found some really nice booths and thought I would share!

whimsy house

I love the use of old spools of thread, that is so sweet!

Kshonk Jewelry

I love the hinged doors  and shelving. This is really cool, I haven't seen anything like it!

[metamorphosis]

love the teal and brown , and wood box set up. visually appealing!

Kathryn Reichert Jewelry

Lio & Linn

there is that teal and brown again! so pretty! this set up is gorgeous!

Squishy Sushi

I love the burlap table coverings

2ifbySea

This is a nice tent, isn't it! Not typical, and really eye-catching.

If you have booth pictures that you'd like to share, leave me links in the comments! I would love to see more, and get more inspiration.

Be sure to come on back to the blog around 2:30 when I annouce the winner of the

Vintage Meadow Artworks flowers!

24 Hour Giveaway: Vintage Meadow Artworks

Heather French of Vintage Meadow Artworks donated this lovely set of 5 hand-dyed flowers for one of my blog giveaways. This set is valued at $22.50.  These flowers can be used in so many different ways, definitely a fun and versatile bead. The colors are a beautiful green and blue mixture.

You have 24 hours to leave 1 comment on this post to be entered to win, I will choose a random winner tomorrow Wednesday Aug 24 at 2:30ish.

Please leave a comment and tell me who your most favorite bead vendor is.

Update day!

Don't forget to get over to Jade Scott's etsy shop today - she is updating the shop with about 65 new pendants at about 2pm central time.

Love those new pinwheels and the little wordy pendants at the bottom- how stinkin cute are they!!??

Loot

Halloooo!

I am back! What a whirlwind weekend. I knew it would like that. It always goes by so fast. The anticipation leading up to this BeadFest weekend was enough to make me crazy, I can imagine, you too! Ya'all are probably glad I am not talking about it anymore. BUT. I have to. Because I have to tell you about all the fun.

Nancy and I headed out first thing Friday morning. On the way, in a spur of the moment hunger-induced sharp right turn landed us at the coolest diner on the planet.  We enjoyed our breakfast and continued on our way. But while there, we each got some cool Instagram/ Hipstamatic shots wiith our iPhones.

Traveling to Philly was easy peasy- sunny skies, perfect weather and no stressful traffic. We dropped off our bags and hit the shuttle to the bead show immediately on arriving.  Here's where I have to apologize. For some reason, I did not connect with my camera too much this weekend. That makes me a bad blogger I know. I promised you photos and videos and I can say that the bling had me quite distracted, and so. Not many pics.  But I do have a few to share. Just a couple. And lots of bead pics will make up for it, I promise you.

 We met up with Lisa at the show. Headed back to the hotel and enjoyed some drinks with Richard Salley, Robert Dancik, and Melissa Cable. Erin and her mother-in-law Nancy arrived and came over to eat with us! It was great to meet up with Erin again, hadn't seen her a while! Friday night we picked up Kelley from the airport, and only had to endure some scary thunderstorms, and stopped traffic due to a tanker that spilled some hazardous material over 4 lanes of I 95.  Saturday was an all day shopping day. There were lots of hugs, and hellos to all of our favorite friends and vendors.  I took along my list and did very well at getting what was on the list but somehow a few extras landed in my shopping bag.

Elaine Ray beads at the Ornamentea booth

Saturday, at 4 we met up with all the bead swappers. My partner was Marsha Minutella of Marsha Neal Studios. She's always such a blast to be around, so happy and full of life. I just love her! I brought her some goodies from Jade Scott, Lynn Davis, Guy Melamed, SwoonDimples, and a resin filled connector that I made, and she gave me these beauties:

Then we went out and met up with my friend Beth Anderson, for drinks. I was so happy to be able to catch up with her, since I only get to see her about once a year! :(  Then we all met up for dinner at Legal Sea Foods in the King of Prussia mall. Dinner was fantastic!

Sunday we had breakfast, said our good-byes to Kelley, Erin and Lisa, and then headed back over the bead show. We had a couple of hours and bought a few more things. Had lunch and then got on the road. The ride home was challenging to say the least. Let's just say, we left at 2:30 and didn't get home til 10:30pm and I was the biggest ball of nerves ever. Poor Nancy- she kept a smile the entire trip- even through my temper tantrums and prayers to God for it to stop raining.  Ok enough of all that....

the beads. here you go!

 Top Left: My Elements

Top Right: Vintage buttons from Annie Frazier

Bottom Left: Earthenwood Studio

Bottom Right: Diane Hawkey

 Top Left: Barbara Lewis

Top Right: Lipstick Ranch

Bottom Left: Lilly Pilly Designs

Bottom Right: Earth Door Sky Door

 Top Left: C Koop Beads

Top right: April Melody

Bottom Left and Right: chain and watches: Primitive Earth Beads

 Top left: Bead Biz

Top right: Lisa Kan

Bottom Left: Bead Haven

Bottom Right: Vintage Meadow Artworks

 Top Left: Dakota Stones

Top right and Bottom Left: Elaine Ray from Ornamentea

Bottom right: 2 Brand New books from Heather Powers and Barbara Lewis

Top Left:  Marsha Neal Studio

Top Right: Veni Vidi bead

Bottom Left: Green Girl Studios

Bottom right: (does this not look like an owl or what!?) Shoot I can't find the receipt to give you the vendor! sorry!

Philadelphia or Bust

We (that's me and Nancy) are heading out the door within the hour to drive the 5 hour drive to Philadelphia! It's a nice sunny day perfect for a road trip! Looking forward to hugs with all of our friends and some good old fashioned bead shopping for the weekend. Don't worry, bringing the camera and the Flip video for lots of footage from the show. I promise to be better at this for this trip. I swear I will.

Any orders placed in my store this weekend, which is still honoring my Bead Fest coupon through the weekend- Coupon code: BFPS2011  for 25% off- will ship on Monday.

By the way, be sure to head over to Cynthia Thornton's new Etsy shop! She just opened it! She's going to be listing items that are one of a kind treasures that are usually only found at big bead shows. Right now she has the most beautiful bronze skull bead available! I love it. Maybe they'll have one at bead fest.

500 Silver jewelry Designs: A Review

Here's another one. I really love Lark Books' 500 series and this one is no exception. A book chock full of the most exquisite, thought provoking jewelry designs using silver, can really make your heart start pumping and your mind start racing with inspiration.

This gallery style book is 420 pages long, and includes many up and coming jewelry artists such as Chris Irick who actually teaches jewelry classes at Pratt, right across the street from the Munson- Williams- Proctor- museum where I work! The piece shown in the book is actually part of the museum's collection, it is STUNNING!

Cutting edge jewelry designs whet my appetite, and I know they will wet yours. Although many are still quite un-wearable- it is still fun to see such funky designs and I love how some of the pieces were photographed on a model so you can actually get a good idea of how the piece is worn.

This would make a fantastic gift for that beginner Silversmith that you might know. I know one and will be giving this to her this evening. :)


I was not paid or compensated to do this book review in any way shape or form. These thoughts are just my own opinions about this particular title.

Ring a Day by Marthe Le Van: A Book Review

I have been a real slackass when it comes to doing book reviews, so I am going to make an effort to at least try to get one written once a week.

I'm sure you've all heard of that online Flickr Group, RAD, Ring A Day or RAW, Ring a Week- okay well they made a book of 700 of the rings from the Ring a Day group.

It came in the mail the other day. I was flipping through it  this morning,  and it's really cool. Although in my opinion, quite a few of these rings are really unwearable, as is quite a bit of modern jewelry these days. I guess I'm more into functional jewelry- BUT, there are some seriously talented artists included in this collection.

My favorite part of the book is how artists give little commentaries about the process as their rings took shape. It's interesting to know that the rings didn't just form  in their minds automatically but that there was much more of a thought process.
So if you are looking for a How To on making rings, this isn't it, but if you want something to spark your imagination and get you thinking outside the box, the book is a definite must-have! 
Published by Lark Books, and is available at all major book stores such as Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Enjoy!

I was not paid or compensated for this review in any way, and these are just own opinions of this particular book.

Bead Fest Shopping List

 Ceramic Rounds: Keith O'Connor; Bottle Cap bead: Glass Garden Beads; Glass melons, Jobs Tears, Matte black glass rounds, metal spacers; Lampwork glass bead: Jewlies Beads; Purple lampwork headpin: Gardanne Beads; lobster clasp: AD Adornments

We'll see how well I can stick to the list, HA! You can definitely bet I'll be at the following booths this weekend at Bead Fest:

Green Girl Studios, Booth #32: All things Fall- leaves, acorn pendant, Squirrel bead, Jumping rabbit, toggles, leaf connectors and bead caps

Looking for Leather cording and printed ribbons

Barbara Lewis, Booth #828: Enameled beads and her new book, Painting with Fire

Earthenwood Studio, Booth #913: Bird pendants

Diane Hawkey, Booth #911: leaves, birds, branches, word beads

Ezel Findings, Booth #312: leaf findings, acorns and, all things Fall!

My Elements, Booth #431, 433: Rubber O Rings, and Pixies- need to stock up!

Keith O'Connor, will be seen at the Bead Goes On Booth , and the Kazuri Beads Booth: Ceramic beads!

Lisa Kan, Booth #213: Definitely want to pick up a few of her lampworked flower beads

Looking for chunky faceted stones

Hands of the Hills, Booth #113, #212: Metal beads, and ancient glass

Lilly Pilly Designs, Booth #429, 528: Etched shell pendants

Metalliferous, Booth #841 and 940: Patterned brass,  and patina

Ornamentea, Booth #932: Elaine Ray ceramic beads! and other ribbons/findings

Primitive Earth Beads, Booth #428, 430:  Gotta stock on their chain!

Talisman Associates, Booth # 118, 120: Stones stones stones

Vintage Meadow Artworks, Booth #541 and 640: Hand dyed Lucite flowers

Z Designs in Glass, Booth #929: Lampwork glass from Joanne Zekowski

I'm sure there will be more stops made and of course I have to stop to see all of my peeps from Soft Flex, Beaducation,  D7 Studio,  and more. Oh my gosh, I'm so excited.

Lost our minds

Joe and I have been fantasizing about getting a dog. Not just a dog, a puppy. Not just any puppy, an expensive full breed puppy. There are the three breeds we like most:

Boxer

French Bulldog

Boston Terrier

Ok, talk some sense into us!! We totally know that the negatives list outweighs the positives list and

not to mention these

two main reasons:

we have a cranky cat

and we like to travel

But we also know that the work that a dog or puppy takes will be overwhelming.

But look at those faces! they are so cute, and we both LOVE dogs.

and we love the Dog Whisperer.

And we watch all those damn shows on TV about different breeds of dogs, AND

the Eukaneuba Kennel Club dog shows or whatever they are.

are we crazy??

is this just happening because I want a baby

and will substitute this need with a puppy??

Happy Bloggiversary!

4 years ago on October 20, 2007, I took the leap and started my online jewelry blog.  I decided to just jump in, head first. All the cool kids were doing it. They were blogging, they were talking to an online audience about jewelry design, about their lives, their kids, their pets, their accomplishments, their struggles.
I remember thinking to myself back on that day, who the hell is going to want to read what I have to say?  But instead of thinking it was for the readers, I decided it was going to be for me, too. A place I could journal and if people found it, cool. If not, cool. I blogged for months before I started getting comments. I just kept at it. Finding topics to talk about in the beginning was tough at first but my love of art, Etsy, crafts, handbags, and then bead artists- I was not at a loss for topics like I thought I might be.
Slowly I started getting comments. I started creating relationships and friendships with readers. I started reading more and more blogs. I tried keeping it fresh, finding new artists and doing interviews with them on a blog that not many people knew about.  I shared beads and tips, and did a few video tutorials. I learned more and more about my camera. My love of photography blossomed and I began taking better pictures of my jewelry. Jewelry started selling. Customers started reading my blog.

FOUR years flew by and here I am, still blogging. Yesterday I reached a large milestone that I am quite proud of. 1000 followers.  People are actually reading what I have to say. And they come back. Every day!?! How amazing is that! I keep wondering how I got to this point in my jewelry career. But my friends remind me. I worked hard.  I am here because I worked hard to get here. It didn't just happen overnight. I sometimes forget because creating jewelry is what I love. And I hope that shows here.

I just want to thank you for coming to this place, Lorelei's blog. Thank you for following it and coming back on a weekly basis, or a monthly basis or a daily basis or an hourly basis. Whatever it is, that keeps you coming back-  I am happy you are here. Enjoying this place with me. Enjoying the passion for jewelry, beads, and artists, with me.  Sometimes I do not say it enough. Not because I am ungrateful, I just get caught up in my life. It's busy sometimes.  I want to be better at responding more to comments. I want to give more tutorials and share more knowledge and give more of myself to readers. I want to share my successes and encourage you all to work hard, and to create beautiful things. I want to say thank you, more.

I look up to so many different bloggers for so many different things. They all encourage me to be better, to work harder, to be more confident and live my craft. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing I've made some sort of difference. This isn't rocket science. I just make jewelry. I like to buy it, I like to wear it and I love to make it.  So thank you for being here with me while I do that.

How to check out with a Coupon Code

I wanted to give some instructions on how to use a coupon code on Etsy. It's really not self-explanatory and if you are unfamiliar with Etsy, it might be a challenge to figure it out.  Okay, so you 've added your item you want to purchase, to your cart and you are ready to check out.  Here is the check-out page:

 I have altered the image above to show you the link where you would add the coupon code. Click this link and then you'll see the screen change. See below:

 Enter the code and click apply and you will see the total reflect the discount automatically.  This will make it easier for you the shopper, and the seller so that they won't have to refund the discount afterwards. It's all done at this point, and you can continue checking out- via paypal.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment!