Creativity | Bead Happily Ever After

Beads – They’re not just for jewelry!

Posted on July 14, 2010 by crystal

Hi 🙂

I know that many of you make jewelry, but I also realize that many of you have never had the chance to learn.

Today, I’d like to show you a post where I discuss lots of creative things you can do with beautiful beads besides making jewelry! 😀

If you can sew on a button, or thread a needle, work with glue, or find a pretty little crystal dish around the house – you can have fun with beads.

As I say in the article: “Incorporating the artistry of beads into our everyday surroundings is a recipe for a smile.”

Click here to read it!

Hugs,

Giveaway – Beads Shopping Spree!

Posted on February 1, 2010 by crystal

Happy February!

I know . . . it’s still winter.

The temperatures have been so coooold and Spring is several weeks away, but let’s not think about that. Let’s concentrate on something fun – like free beads!!! 😉

This week’s giveaway will be a little shopping spree in my Bead Shop on etsy!

Yep, that’s right! If you are the winner this week, you’ll be able to spend $15.00 on the beads and findings of your choice and get free shipping too! 😀

Even if you’ve never “played” with beads before, here’s your chance to give it a try. I’m sure all of the beaders out there would enthusiastically tell you that you are going to love it!

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back another day this week and comment on a different post – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway! There are usually 4-5 posts per week – Monday through Friday – so you can have multiple chances to enter!

When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

Today’s question is:

In all of your years at school – from the early years to the later years – which one teacher was your favorite and why was this teacher memorable?

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If the winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed via USPS First Class Mail

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 02/07/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 02/08/10.

Violets and Lace

Posted on November 24, 2009 by crystal

If you know me even a little, you probably know that I LOVE purple!

So… I was absolutely powerless to resist this week’s color challenge over at the Play Date Cafe. 😉

The color palette for Challenge #5 was Purple, Lt. Blue, Silver and White.

Here’s my entry . . .

(click photo twice to enlarge)

I used a pretty blend of beads here including:

Vintage Lucite “Icy Shimmer” Elongated Ovals available in my shop!

Vintage Moonglow Lucite “Paper Lanterns” available in my shop

Swarovski Crystals, Czech Crystals

Swarovski Faux Pearls

Silver Bead Caps.

These weekly challenges are not only fun but they’re also great for inspiration AND motivation!

And when you stop and think about it – what could be better than that? 🙂

Double Dare

Posted on November 17, 2009 by crystal

You may remember that last week I entered a color challenge over at The Play Date Cafe.

I enjoyed it so much that I decided to participate again this week! The inspiration colors this time were blue/green, chocolate brown, tan, and cream.

Here’s my entry for challenge #4

I chose a variety of beads and components including: picture jasper semi-precious stone beads, amazonite semi-precious stone beads, Czech fire polish metallic beads, ceramic beads, and a pretty artisan-crafted polymer clay pendant.

Creating is so often a matter of the right inspiration. Sometimes the mood just isn’t there. Then there are times when we feel inspired, but we let other things take precedence. That’s where a “challenge” comes into play! It’s a fun little reminder to stop and nourish that creative side we all have!

You may have heard me say it before but . . .

“Making something is like giving your spirit a vitamin!” 😀

Giveaway – Bead Shopping Spree!

Posted on August 16, 2009 by crystal

If you saw my “Funny Money” post last week, then you know how much fun I had while spending a department store coupon recently.

I‘d love to give that experience to one of you and so this week’s giveaway will be a little shopping spree in my Bead Shop on etsy!

Yep, that’s right! If you are the winner this week, you’ll be able to spend $15.00 on the beads and findings of your choice and get free shipping too! 😀

Even if you’ve never “played” with beads before, here’s your chance to give it a try. I’m sure all of the beaders out there would enthusiastically tell you that you are going to love it!

Contest Rules and How To Enter

This week, you will have up to four (4) chances to enter the weekly giveaway.

You can choose any or all of the following 4 ways to enter:

1st Chance:

Leave a comment answering the first weekly question:

For a vacation, would you prefer pampering at a fancy hotel or camping with a sleeping bag under the stars?

2nd Chance:

Leave a comment answering the second weekly question:

Besides your family, friends, and pets, what else would you hate to have to live without?

3rd Chance:

Comment on any other post except this one. You can do it today or another day this week. You do not have to tell me that you left a “comment” on another post. The blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them! 😀

4th Chance:

Suggest a topic for a future blog post!

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If no valid email address is given at time of entry, or if winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed by USPS First Class Mail.

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 08/23/09, and the winner will be selected on or about 08/24/09.