Supplier Sales Saturday

If you haven't already started working on other holiday items, now that Halloween is here and you've only got 25 days 'til Thanksgiving and just a few weeks after that comes Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanza, etc., and then the New Year...here's where you'll want to be shopping for your sparklies and goodies!

abeadstore.com Beads, Findings, & Beading Supplies are 15% off through November 4. Dare to Bead Different items are 25% off enter the coupon code ABSCADARE as you check out.

Everything on sale at AlphaStamps all on one page! This is my go to place for mixed media projects. It's a richly designed site, lots of ideas and inspiration. If you're not familiar with AlphaStamps, you need do visit right away. Even if you never work with anything but beads, stones and findings, you'll still want to visit. They've got findings and charms and more stuff you can use. Sign up for their newsletter here.

Artbeads Pendants and Charms on sale, 15% off until 9am (PST) on Thursday, November 5, 2009 - enter coupon code SCW15P-PCS at checkout . Also, always check the: Weekly Coupons Clearance items, Weekly Specials. - there's just too much stuff on sale to list here (but the Red and Black sale has my attention). Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive newsletter deals, too.

Update! The Beadin Path just sent me info on this deal: "Lucite Bead Coupon! Fresh vintage lucite has just been added. Retail customers: Use coupon code FRESHLUC to save 20% on your entire purchase. Wholesale customers: Use WFRESHLUC to save 10% on your entire purchase. Offer valid now through Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at midnight EST or at store's close. Offer available for in stock items only. Orders are filled on a first ordered, first served basis, while supplies last."

According to my newsletter, Blue Buddha Boutique has "LOWERED prices slightly for18ga and 16ga AA rings".

ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Save 15% on economy jewelry findings, more than 80 jewelry clasps & findings on sale.

Consumercrafts.com find discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

Create for Less: Save up to 70% off when you shop the CreateForLess Clearance Department. Craft, scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Save on idea books, patterns, paper, stickers and more. Quantities are limited. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

D&I Beads 40% off orders over $35.00 ends tomorrow - use coupon code BEADSPECIAL40 - you can also select a free shipping option (US only)

Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry valid between 12:01 am, Friday, October 30 and 11:59 pm, Saturday, November 7, 30% off entire purchase of beads, findings and jewelry. The discount does not apply to shipping or insurance fees. Use the code, HALLOWEEN in the comments box in the shopping cart during checkout.

Fusionbeads.com - check out this page for specials and a discount code good through November 2nd.

A Grain of Sand - in their latest "Jabber Blabber" newsletter (subscribe) they're offering 10% off $100 if you enter code "Welcome Grandbaby" in the comments at checkout (congratulations on the new arrival!). There's also the Jabber Blabber Specials and Closeouts to take note of.

JewelrySupply.com weekly sales refresh every Monday and Closeouts are offered while supplies last. Newsletter sign up is here.

Kalmbach Bookstore (Art Jewelry, Bead & Button, and BeadStyle Magazines) is having a Special Editions sale.

Lima Beads Lunch Specials are every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was 30% off Olive jade beads last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing.

Rings & Things - 5-day sale ends tomorrow.

Also, check out Sedonastones.com Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

I get the weekly newsletter from Shipwreck Beads as well. I don't recall seeing any coupons or discounts, though. They do offer flat rate UPS shipping for $5 in the 48 contiguous states and a huge selection. Plus every week newsletter subscribers have a chance at a prize drawing of at least $250. Every now and then it's $1000. (like yesterday...which I didn't win... again) And on January 1, 2010 they'll announce the winner of their $2500 shopping spree. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Soft Flex is offering 50% off their exclusive short strand gemstones through midnight PST Monday, November 2nd. Enter coupon code SWEET at checkout. This offer is not valid with any other discounts. If your purchase qualifies for two or more discounts, you will receive the best discount, but not a combination. Don't forget the Soft Flex monthly specials, either. (and here's a handy link showing how to enter a coupon code at checkout!)

Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!

Hot Air Balloon Earring Experiment

I spent quite some time experimenting last night with wire mesh tubing (Rings & Things) some brass beads (Blue Moon Royal Boheme at Michael's) and glass disk spacer beads (Rings & Things) in an attempt to create an early hot air balloon style earring. I went searching for an image to give you an idea of where I got the balloon inspiration - found a pretty close one on some Tissotti wrapping paper on the Amazing Papers site.

See how there's a mesh of ropes holding the gas balloon to the basket? That's what I was hoping to at least suggest by covering the beads with the wire mesh.

I'm not sure if it's worth the effort - the mesh doesn't stand out that much on this bead and I'm having problems making it neat. See the little stray threads? I was trying to trim some tiny openings in the mesh so the little balloon passengers would be able to get on board...

While I realize that's a bit crazy sounding, I was going for as much realism as I could with the materials at hand. If I thought I had the skill and patience to create (or if I could find some to buy) a tiny rope net and wicker basket with tiny bags of sand ballast, I'd probably try it. I do have enough sanity left to know I shouldn't. The idea is to make something I can create relatively easily, and in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable price that looks enough like a hot air balloon, and make several pairs that I can put up for sale. (And wear myself because I like the idea a lot)

Anyway, it's quite difficult for me to do the trimming well because the scale is so very tiny - the disks are 6mm to give you an idea of scale, the whole earring isn't much more than the size of a quarter. I think just attaching the disks to the brass bead will accomplish the suggestion of the balloon without the mesh since the bead itself is made of open work that looks like mesh. I'm not completely giving up, though - I'm going to try the mesh over a large glass bead and see how that looks next.

Then, with the mesh I have left over, I'm going to try some necklace or bracelet ideas that have come to mind as I was working on this.

Well, that's it for today. I was able to buy a membership to the World Fantasy Convention (it's in San Jose - quite near by) from someone who ended up not being able to attend, and I have plans to visit it tonight and tomorrow. I expect I'll see some great jewlery and interesting costuming. I'll try to remember to take some pictures and tell you about it!

'Til then -

Thursday Feature - Supplier Site Review + Extras

This is the first of my 'official' supplier site reviews - they'll pop up on Thursdays now and then, when I find a cool feature or think something's not so good, either, on a supplier's site. I've done some incidental reviews in past, like posts where I mentioned finding the Fresh Pick on LimaBeads.com Today, however I was directed to a feature at Rings & Things via Twitter that I found very helpful and thought I'd feature it.

When you go to this link on Rings & Things it takes you their page of Pantone Fashion Trend Report Colors for several seasons. When you click on one of the links below the color, for example, here's where clicking on "crystals" under Tomato Puree, Spring 2010 takes you, you can see what products Rings & Things has in that category for that color. If that's not a huge time saver and fabulous feature, I don't know one.

Screen capture of Rings & Things Search by Trend Color Page used by permission

I so appreciate how the Rings & Things site continues to add helpful things to their site.

Speaking of Fashion Trends - I see there's a Pantone iPhone/iPod Touch App available for $9.99. Also, do you have Margie Deeb's Fall/Winter Color Report, a $9.95 download (pdf)? Did you know that Jesse James Beads sells color trend bead mixes?

And Tish - did you know that your blog comes up on the first page of search on Google when you type in 'color trends beads'? (at least it did for me!)

And that's it for today. See you tomorrow!









PS: I do occasionally get compensated by Rings & Things to blog about products. I get compensated by other suppliers, too. There are also those I talk about that don't offer me anything at all beyond the occasional coupons or discounts anyone could get, as I do, by subscribing to their newsletter or reading their blog.

The only compensation I receive from any supplier, by the way, is the product I review, and nothing more. I am not paid by the post or paid to post for any supplier. I am also always free to say whatever I want, be it good or bad. Every post that isn't about a specifically indicated promotional product is my uncompensated opinion. Like this post was.

Mid-Week Mutterings - Final Touches on the Halloween Necklace

Cat Picture from Graphics Fairy

Well, I blew it - was going to enter at least one more thing for the April 2010 Bead Trends call and totally let it slip my mind over the weekend. I was so focused on black and gray lanyards I didn't think of anything else. But all is not woe and gnashing of teeth (which isn't good for teeth at all). The May 2010 call for submissions is up:

Bead Trends is currently looking for designs with the following themes for our May 2010 issue

* Quick & Easy
* Fashion Favorites - Features designs from a variety of styles and mediums that can be a personal favorite or necessary staple in any wardrobe.
* Birthstones (Emerald/Chrysoprase)
* Anything Goes - The beaded possibilities are endless and not just limited to jewelry. What about pillows, table runners, picture frames, lamps, clothing, candle collars, wine glass charms, and home decor. This category can contain jewelry and a whole lot more!
* For Mom - Jewelry is the perfect gift for Mother's Day!
* Necklaces
* Vintage styles - Vintage or vintage inspired jewelry.
* Simply "Charming" - All those fabulous designs incorporating charms and dangles.
* Eclectic Design

If you would like to submit your work to this publication, please e-mail a photograph, the name or title of your piece, and contact information to: beadsubmit@beadtrendsmag.com.

If submitting multiple pieces, please send a separate e-mail and photograph for each design.

Deadline for the May 2010 issue is 11:59 p.m. MDT, November 25th, 2009. All ideas should be your original work and not previously published.

We will review all submissions, and if selected, we will contact you by December 1st with additional information. All pieces will need to be shipped to us directly for photography and arrive in our office by December 11th. Your creation will be returned to you insured, after the issue has been printed.

I need to put something on my calendar in big red letters this time. Of course, with getting ready for my table at LosCon, I might end up having to pass on this one.

Today is the office Halloween pot-luck lunch and I finished my necklace last night - you may recall that the items for it were a Friday Pick last month, and that I posted a 'behind the scenes' look at what I was doing.

I've replaced the gold colored ends with gunmetal ones, and used a "Mighty Crimper" to fix them tightly to the rubber tubing (the other ends kept slipping off the gold tone ones that I tried to affix with glue - I'm certain I was doing something wrong). I also used a Chisel Tip Sharpie pen to color the wooden beads orange. I was tempted to try and draw a Jack o' Lantern face on them, but since they were already on the necklace, and I'd have to take the whole thing apart in case I messed up, I decided not to. Note to self for next time - color the beads before assembling the necklace.

But even after I'd taken the picture above, I still wasn't happy with it. So I simplified it way, way, down into this

It's ok, I guess, but definitely not what I'd imagined I'd be making. I'll keep fiddling with it some other time, but that's what I'll wear tomorrow along with my nifty pair of candy corn earrings from Lori Anderson Designs.


Oh, one other thing. I got a folding magnifying glass over the weekend. It is so wonderful. It's small, folds up into a nice flat rectangle that can be slipped into a beading tote and does a great job of helping me handle little fiddly things like the screws on Scrimps. And see the hole in the side in the picture below? That's a smart feature, too. The whole thing is 6.25" x 5.25" x 1.5" and was $5.99. Thanks Fry's!

That's it for now, hope to see you again tomorrow!

Tuesday Tidbits - More Lanyards in Fall Fashion Nomad, Crème Brûlée and Iron + Black

Image from The Graphics Fairy

I came this <----> close to calling today's post Tuesday Tid- "Bats" but spared you the agony...

Well, I thought I'd finished two lanyards tonight, but it turns out one of them has a major mistake about halfway through the strand, and will have to be redone. See if you can find it - I didn't see it until I went up to take the photographs. I have been trying to watch some shows on Hulu while beading, guess that's too distracting.

The top lanyard is jet black Czech glass with silver plate spacers and sterling beads. The lower one is dalmatian jasper, a stone that I'm quite fond of, and a few Czech Druk beads in jet black. Here's a solo shot of that lanyard.

Turns out that the colors in this stone are pretty close to the fall fashion colors of nomad, crème brûlée and iron. I had originally thought to pair it with snowflake obsidian, but that stone has pure white markings and, as you can see, the dalmatian jasper is gray/beige with black. I couldn't really tell when I made the order online.

I ended up pairing the snowflake obsidian with white howlite, and they worked quite well together. I'll be doing a few more pieces in that combo before long, so I'll be able to show you what I mean.

That's it for tonight, busy day at work tomorrow, need to get a good night's rest!

Monday Miscellany - Lots of Black & Gray Lanyards

People at work who are interested in my lanyards seem to be drawn to the black or dark gray ones. I ran out of those, so I spent my beading time this weekend making lanyards with jet black Czech glass, hematite, and hematite colored Czech glass. At the end of Sunday evening I'd finished 9 and was almost done with a tenth.

I've managed to get three of these listed on Art Fire for now, too. I'm going to try to get all of them, and a few others up there this week. I am also going to try and finish my Halloween necklace before our office Halloween pot-luck this Wednesday...wish me luck!

Hope you have a great week - see you tomorrow!




PS - here's the three listings I mentioned, in case you'd like to see closeups

Dawno

Sell Handmade

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

Welcome back! Or maybe it's welcome for the first time - either way, I'm glad you're here to tromp around with me in the wilds of the Beadosphere.

A Bead A Day started off the week with a collection of beads that she focused on individually during the week. Blue glass "sticks", smooth round stones (look kind of agate-y to me), pearls that remind her of butter mints, and finally the big reveal - how all these beads came together in a splendid cuff bracelet inspired by a lovely hand-crafted card from a dear friend. Lisa, it's wonderful - thank you for taking us along through the process all week! And Happy Belated Birthday, too!

Just A Tish - wow, what a week you've had, Tish! I'm breathless just reading about it, I can't imagine trying to keep up with you in person! Two gorgeous stone necklaces on Monday, her Beadin' Path design partner beads on Tuesday, a bold and beautiful necklace inspired by a favorite song on Wednesday using blog partner beads from Artbeads, Sand and Sea necklace with Beadin' Path design partner beads on Thursday (have you needed to sit a spell and catch your breath, like me yet? *whew* she's been a whirlwind of creativity this week!), Friday she shows off an entire set of jewelry she had just made! (love the bracelet - you should do more!) and Saturday is about her new display pieces for her work that will be at Gifts With a Heart in Raleigh.

(I'd like to note here, in a bit of an aside, that I've neglected to mention that last Friday, Tish tapped me with a Kreativ Blogger award after receiving one herself from Gold Lily - thank you very, very, much, Tish, for your kind words! I'm so sorry it's taken me over a week to even mention it.)

Deez News Davinia shows off a lovely new necklace in bold beads and color plus fun with new tools!

Check out ErtheFae's Gothic Roots, Mythical Medusa necklace and a beaded setting for a fun fairy button pendant.

Jolicious talks about the polymer clay class she took - you simply must go look at the delightful beads and pendants she's made.

Over at Katie's Beading Blog she shows a darling "upcycled" necklace featuring a spinning brass 'love detector' from Ornamentia.

And at Margot Potter - The Impatient Crafter ^TM blog, have you been following Madge's Terrorific Tuesdays? Only one more left! Wednesday was a free how-to for a special 'in case of emergency' Halloween craft mixed media necklace. Saturday she shared that she'll be in Manhattan at Michael's signing books and hosting a 'make it, take it' - sure wish I could be there!

Lori at Pretty Things points us to a wonderful post by Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio and her give-away of some fabulous stuff in celebration of Easy Wire 2009 which has her beautiful bracelet on the cover. Be sure to visit both blogs and enter that contest!

Silver Parrot did a whole lotta catch up last weekend, shared a number of really lovely pieces (the daisy necklaces are just...wow...) had some questions about hammers, got answers and worried about oxidizing her hair. Now usually on Friday she posts some 'bead porn' and her posts ended Wednesday. I hope everything went well with her liver of sulphur experimentation!

SmuTopia finds herself in a treasury with a "Where's Waldo?" theme, shares her wish list and some home decor items in green.

Artbeads shows off one of their customer designs - and that customer is our very own Just A Tish! You can also download some inspirational screensavers/wallpaper for your computer.

Beadalon announces their YouTube channel and spreads a bit of wire wrapping mania.

Read a fun bracelet exchange story from Dara's Weekly Beadditudes at The Beadin' Path.

The wire work on the necklace Jeanette Blix shows on this post is so impressive - those double spiral links are perfectly done - I've tried that pattern and would love to be that good at it! Of course you'll love the darling nails and toes at the top of the post, too - no, I'm not explaining that, you'll have to go see for yourself. (This is posted under Supplier's Blogs as Jeanette is the proprietor of Fundametals.net)

See the last of the entries into the Objects and Elements "Put Me In a Bezel" contest.

Rings & Things asks "What are all those stacked up beads?", Kurt Madison talks about winning designs, Russ Nobbs explains 'trade beads' and Rings & Things is designated a Bicycle Friendly Business.

SoftFlexGirl does some Tool Talk, points to the October Spotlight articles on the SoftFlex site, and goes to New York for the Soft Flex Glass Art & Bead Festival.

Well, that's it for today. I keep adding new blogs to follow and trying to share interesting posts with you each week from each of them. Let me know if you think of ones I'm missing!

If you like keeping up with the Beadosphere here, do consider becoming a follower of this blog (there's a handy button at the top left of the page in the blue blogger banner, that says "follow blog" just click!), I'd love to reciprocate as well, so mention it in the comments so I can.

Also, on the right side of the page, in the sidebar, is my Facebook widget. I'd love it if you'd be a Facebook fan of Dawno, too.

Supplier Sales Saturday - Hidden Gems! (and glass and other stuff, too)

Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

OK - with out further ado - here's what you came for:


abeadstore.com Dare to Bead Different items are 25% off enter the coupon code ABSCADARE as you check out.

Artbeads Glass Harvest Sale - up to 40% on more than 1,000 glass beads. Sale ends at 9am (PDT) on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Also check on: Weekly Coupons Clearance items, Weekly Specials: Swarovski Cubes, up to 23% off; earring components - up to 30% off; magnetic beads - up to 47% off; head & eye pins - up to 26% off. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive newsletter deals, too.

Baubles & Beads (1676 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, California) Email offer: 40% off any ONE item of your choice in the shop, one time use only, not valid on net items, classes or books #10111, expires Nov. 1st, 2009. You may need a printout of the coupon to guarantee the sale price. Feel free to email me: dawnosbeadedlanyards (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll forward you the offer email I received.

The Beadin' Path is "...chipping away at cases and cases of vintage glass beads from our most recent old bead score...". Use coupon code VINTST1 at checkout for $5 off any order of $50 or more.

ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Save 15% on economy jewelry findings, more than 80 jewelry clasps & findings on sale.

Consumercrafts.com Fall savings offer - ends Sunday Oct. 25th - 15% off total order + free gift with coupon code: ARL7G10X plus many other discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

Create for Less: Save up to 70% off when you shop the CreateForLess Clearance Department. Craft, scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Save on idea books, patterns, paper, stickers and more. Quantities are limited. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

D&I Beads 40% off orders over $35.00 through November 1st - use coupon code BEADSPECIAL40 - you can also select a free shipping option (US only)

Fusionbeads.com - 14 pages of "holiday picks" are 20% off through Oct. 26, 2009, 12 noon PDT.

Kalmbach Bookstore (Art Jewelry, Bead & Button, and BeadStyle Magazines) is having a Special Editions sale.

Lima Beads Lunch Specials are every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was 20% off Lapis last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing.

Rings & Things - check the 5-day sale for next week, starting Wednesday, Oct. 28th. Those sales are run on the second and fourth Wednesday thru Saturday each month.

Also, check out Sedonastones.com Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

Don't forget the Soft Flex monthly specials, either.

Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!

Friday Picks - Vintage Glass and a New Mixed Media Project to Try Out

Sorry for the brief post today - just haven't had the time this week to do a lot of new designs and get them photographed. I really need to put some quality time into taking pictures and building up my inventory on Art Fire. There are days when I wish I could do this full time and really get everything I want to do done. But, it's the day job that pays for the beads, and so much more, right now, so I can't really give it up.

I'm very fortunate (and quite honored) to be one of The Beadin' Path's design partners. Pictured above is the wonderful assortment of vintage glass beads I got from The Beadin' Path a bit earlier this week. Just A Tish has already made a fabulous necklace with hers! These are shapes and colors that really challenge me, so I'm going to have to get quite far out of my comfy zone! I'm looking forward to it, and then sharing the results with you next week.

In addition, I've gotten an order in just today from AlphaStamps which included a Brass Pendant Kit (see below) that I'm very excited about trying out. I love those ribbons!

Now I'm just going to have to figure out how to put it all together! I've not yet tried to make anything like this, and I'm just slightly intimidated, but I was enchanted by the collage sheet and the little frame transparencies, so I took a leap. I got a couple other goodies from Alpha Stamps, as well, will share more about that when I have the finished jewelry to show off.

Thursday Feature - A Brief Word About "Green" Suppliers

I ordered a number of Beadalon products from Create for Less the other day - they arrived in yesterday's mail. Two things of note, #1, they reuse boxes - mine had a crossed out label for magnetic tape and was definitely not a new box, although perfectly fine and sturdy. #2, the box was barely bigger than the product ordered. What room left over was filled out for shipping with an airpouch made of recycled film ("Earth Aware" from airpouch.com).

I think both of those things are great and it increases my appreciation of Create for Less as a supplier.

I've noted a few other environmentally good practices with a few of my suppliers, too, as I've read their site information:

• Rings & Things won an award from the mayor of their city for green commuting and they practice a number of environmentally conscious things at their facility
  
• Soft Flex Company was the first wire manufacturing company to go green. They've also got a number of eco-friendly hints on the page found at the link above.
  
• Beadalon discusses it's eco-friendly facility and recycling on their site

If you're a supplier of beads, wire, tools or other related materials, or know a link to one's story about going green, please send me an email or leave me a link in the comments and I'll be sure to mention you/them in a future post.

Also, so many of the beaders and other jewelry artists re-use, upscale and re-purpose things in their work - I'd be thrilled to mention all of them, just leave me a link in the comments to your own favorite example of your work, or someone else's, and I'll write up a special post about it. Please also let me know if I can use any photos of the work you mention. If you want to pass along any hints or tips for being a more environmentally aware jewelry artist, feel free leave those too!

Midweek-Mutterings - More Fall Color Pieces

On Monday I decided to make some new pieces that I could wear with autumn outfits. I would have shared this in yesterday's post, but I got home so late Monday night that it was actually Tuesday morning!

I started out by stringing with faceted crystal/olive Czech glass beads and antique brass Swarovski pearls from Rings & Things; various fall color CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 6mm bicones from Fusion Beads; some tiny (4mm) bead top brass spacer bead caps, from Accessories Susan, and flower petal natural Vintaj brass bead caps from Lima Beads. I decided to do three strands, cap them with a textured 12mm three petaled floral cap in oxidized brass , and finish it off with a hook and eye clasp I bought ages ago at Michael's and no longer have the supplier information (sorry!).

and I like it best when 'braided' by threading one capped end through the strands until it looks like this

Of course, I can't just do a bracelet, so I made a necklace with matching earrings. These are made with more of those Fall color CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 6mm bicones from Fusion Beads, antique brass Swarovski pearls from Rings & Things, brass beads from the Blue Moon Royal Boheme collection and chain from the Blue Moon Natural Elegance collection, both purchased at Michael's. The lobster claw clasp and the ear wires come from Accessories Susan.

One other thing - those beads look (to me) a bit like old fashioned hot air balloons...I'm thinking of some Steampunk style pieces with, if I can find the right stuff, little "baskets" hanging from them to make hot air balloon jewelry. If I figure it out, you'll see it here first!

Tuesday Tidbit

Was at w00tstock Monday night - just got home and it's *really late*
Made some new jewelry today and wore it to the show, but I'm too tired
to try and grab any photos or post.
Will share them on Wednesday.

Update: I've posted about w00tstock on my other blog, if you're interested...

Monday Miscellany - New Pieces Featuring the Pantone Fall '09 Fashion Colors

Over the course of my 4 day weekend, I've been trying out some new color combinations based on the Pantone Fall Fashion report (you can download their .pdf file at that location). It's weird, now that I'm aware of this palette, I'm noticing the color combinations in various places. For example, tonight we watched our TiVo'd episode of Dollhouse and Eliza Dushku was costumed in an outfit with a bright olive sweater and a rose-pink tank under it. "That's Warm Olive and Rapture Rose," I thought.

Here are the Fall colors:

And here's the first example I'm working on, a necklace with the idea of Warm Olive represented by using CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements Olivine* (Light Olivine and Lime are recommended) 6mm bicones, and Burnt Sienna, represented by CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 4mm Indian Red bicones, which is the Swarovski color suggested in Margie Deeb's Color Report for Bead and Jewelry Designers, plus some large Czech glass baroque pearls in a satiny light olive, and Antique Brass Swarovski pearls.

*all links are to the actual supplier sites or store sites from which these beads were purchased.

Here's another inspired by Iron using hematite rice beads, gunmetal bead caps, CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 6mm Black Diamond Helix and Majolica Blue hinted at with Swarovski Tatitan look 8mm glass pearls, CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements Capri 4mm bicones.

And here's the last one for today, faceted semi-precious amethyst rondelles for Purple Heart, CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 6mm Helix in Topaz for Honey Gold (also the recommendation by Margie Deeb for this color) and sort of mid-way between American Beauty (Margie Deeb suggests Siam) and Rapture Rose represented by CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 6mm Padparadscha bicones.(Yes, that's my pale, wrinkly wrist - it's hard to get a good picture of a memory wire bracelet lying flat. The colors are a bit richer than this picture is showing, as well)

It's back to work tomorrow, but I'll still have a Tuesday Tidbit for you, so I hope you'll be back!

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

Hilary's The Smitten Image blog has some of the loveliest photography on the web. Before I start the weekly Beadosphere tour, I simply *must* share the link to these pictures she took of two adorable raccoons named Sugar and Spike. If you enjoy beautiful outdoor settings, her pictures of the woods and lakes and wildlife (including a Jack Russel Terrier named Benny who is full of personality) in her part of Canada are not to be missed.

On Lisa's A Bead A Day blog she started off the week with some "calming matte stones" and finished it up by showing the Zen bracelet she made with them, as well as sharing some really great news! Don't forget to check out all the days between, as well.

Over at Just A Tish, our gal Tish got some lovely earrings from the Beading Daily earring exchange she participated in (I forgot to get mine into the exchange in time *pout*) and shows off the gorgeous design she created as a Beadin' Path design partner. In between there's a blog award (and I'll be posting about that in a day or two) and the story of Larimar stones to read about, too.

Davinia at Deez News takes us on a pictorial journey through the creation of a stunning necklace
plus shares some delightful new earring creations. (Davinia, you know you're responsible for me needing to go out and buy grungeboard and a Cropadile now, right?)

Melanie at Earthenwood Studios shows Russ Troll what she picked for her Rings & Things blog partner goodies - can't wait to see what she makes with the wooden charm connectors and Rudraksha beads (I think Russ Troll feels the same).

ErtheFae has a mixed metals/mixed media necklace and Mistress of Ghosts earrings to share this week, along with some stories about dancing you won't want to pass up.

If, like me, you don't know what frit is or does, check out this post from For the Love of Beads. She's also, and rightly so, excited about her work being shown in Bead Unique. If you're really adventurous, and have a husband who doesn't freak out at the thought of you working with open flame, (not that *I* know anyone like that) you can check out her tutorial on how to make glass tipped head pins.

Margot Potter is sharing tons of great Halloween crafts patterns and ideas - this Hooty Owl featuring vintage Lucite from The Beadin' Path is wonderfully cute and not at all scary!

I really enjoy reading Silver Parrot - her posts are always fun, almost always funny, and usually include gorgeous pictures. Take her first Tuesday post for example. Having lived in L.A. I got a laugh out of her "Storm Watch" comment. A half micron of rain and the TV news there acts like it's Noah's Flood. Then she shows her beautiful bracelet and earrings. Then later is a quick post "This Just In" that had me in stitches. I really miss L.A. Someday I really hope to move back, until then, I'll just keep looking for mentions at Silver Parrot. Oh, don't forget the rest of her posts - sunshiny bracelet and Friday Bead Porn.

Jessica at SmuTopia is getting ready to move into a new home (congratulations!) and is interested in hearing about how you set up your workspaces. See what's new from Smu on Thursday's post (I love that bracelet display!).

Read about the Alpha Stamps 5th Anniversary "Let Them Eat Cake" contest.

Artbeads posts about their Treasure Hunt contest and new bronze quote pendants.

Beadalon Blog shared two designs this week - crinkle wire is featured in this Lilies and Butterflies necklace, the Gold Swirl Eye by Fernando DaSilva is a bold necklace that would look lovely with any number of Fall outfits - and a free pattern is provided so you can have your own version.

Dara's Weekly Beadditude at The Beadin' Path is about her finding time to do more beading as a busy mom. I'm still considering whether or not I should take some stuff to work and make things in the break room at lunch time. It's tempting because not only would I get some extra work done, but I'd also probably get some interest in what I'm doing and be able to hand out some business cards.

Objects and Elements wants more entries in their "Hey, Put Me in a Bezel" contest. You've got until Tuesday to enter.

Rings & Things got some nifty bookmarks from A Bead A Day's Lisa promoting her new book (due out in Dec or Jan) and announces their new Swarovski "search by color" feature - yay! that's going to make life a lot easier, if you ask me. Just don't ask my bank account...

SoftFlexGirl has a full week, but I'm singling out the post on bib necklaces as featured in In Style for inspiration and her post about the NYC Glass Art and Bead Festival - I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures from there.

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