handcrafted jewelry | Bead Happily Ever After

Smile Makers

Posted on August 30, 2013 by crystal

Lately, I’m lovin’ . . .

* These gorgeous roses from Sir Beads!
We celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary this week. 🙂

(click to enlarge)

* My (finally finished!) bead-woven necklace in plum, gold, and midnight blue.
I wanted to make a design that was showy but still understated enough to allow the artisan-crafted polymer pendant to take center stage.

(click to enlarge)

* Aquamarine AB Dangle Earrings with Textured Brass Rings! These were fun to make. They remind me of a pair I had as a young “hippie” (well, not really a hippie but I was a teenager during that era and wore the fashion of the time.)

(click to enlarge)

Hope you find lots of things to make you smile this Labor Day Weekend! 😀

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Future Fun and a Surprise!

Posted on July 20, 2013 by crystal

Several weeks ago, I asked one of my favorite jewelry designers if she’d like to choose some beads from my shop to make a design that I would feature here on the blog. To my delight, she graciously accepted the challenge and I sent her the beads!

I must add that this designer is also a very dear friend – so thoughtful and incredibly generous with her time and knowledge. Her name is Brenda (of BrendasJewelleryBox) and she creates wonderfully unique pieces. What I most admire about her work is her continual quest to implement new techniques. She’s truly an inspiration. Here are some examples of her art.

In the near future, Brenda will be sending me photos of the finished pieces she has made with my beads and I’ll share her beautiful results right here as soon as I get them.

BUT there is also a SURPRISE! 😀
Brenda plans to have a GIVEAWAY of those finished pieces on her blog and you’ll all be invited to enter for your chance to win! (The details will be announced when the jewelry is complete.)

In the meantime, would you like to see the beads she has chosen to work with? Ok then, hurry on over to her blog!

Til next time . . .

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

I’m A Little Bit Vintage

Posted on April 30, 2013 by crystal

Raise your hand if you remember Donny and Marie? 😉

And their theme song?

You know —

She’s “a little bit country”; He’s “a little bit “rock and roll”.

C’mon Kids… please say you know what on earth I’m talking about, here.

(For you youngsters in the group – it’s Donny and Marie Osmond!)

I can hear you asking: “Surely there’s a point to this, Crystal???”

Why, yes. Of course! 😉

If I were to join the chorus along with good ole Donny and Marie, I’d be singing: “I’m a little bit “vintage”.

I’m not referring to my age – though I suppose that’s a good adjective to describe it. I mean that I have a passion for all things vintage – beads, jewelry, books, accessories, china, furniture, etc.!

This week, I took some time to play with a pretty bunch of Vintage Swarovski Rhinestones and Cabochons. I combined them with some vintage-look findings and quick as a wink – I had 3 pairs of earrings!

Sapphire Blue – such sparkle on these vintage rhinestones!

Amethyst purple – my favorite color! Love that marquise-shape stone.

And Swarovski Glass Cabochons in Smoked Topaz Aurora Borealis. Talk about a rainbow of colors!

If you were to chime in with Donny and Marie…. how would you fill in the blank?

“I’m a little bit “_______”.

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment!

The Envelope, Please!

Posted on February 8, 2013 by crystal

Hey Kids,
Here I am in the wee hours of the morning writing this quick post! There’s a major snow storm heading our way and I want to be sure to announce the winner of the GIVEAWAY – while I still can. You see, this weather system is threatening to deliver high winds, widespread power outages, and up to 2 feet of snow!

And the winner is . . .

I love giveaways because it’s so much fun to make someone happy!

I don’t like giveaways because I hate disappointing everyone who didn’t win. 🙁

Well, ok, here goes . . .

The winner, chosen at random, of the Evening in Paris Earrings is Kelly! 😀

Congratulations Kelly, and a big thank you to all who entered and offered their suggestions for future posts.

Have a relaxing weekend and please cross your fingers that we don’t lose our power, won’t you?

I’ll be back with a new post early (hopefully!) next week.

Hugs,

Evening in Paris – Giveaway

Posted on February 1, 2013 by crystal

When I was an unsophisticated little girl, I believed that the most glamorous, luxurious, perfume a lady could ever own was “Evening in Paris“.

It was sold at Woolworth’s, a 5 and 10 Cent store, so it was definitely affordable for adults, but I remember hoping, during a Christmas season long ago, that I’d be able to scrape together enough of my weekly allowance to buy a small bottle for my Mom . . . (I did!)

Who knows if it actually smelled all that great but there was something enchanting about that cobalt blue bottle with it’s ultra sleek shape. Oh la la! (At least it was to a kid whose age was still a single digit.)

I know. You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this walk down memory lane….

Well, after I finished making these earrings, I was suddenly reminded of the perfume, so naming them was a given. And speaking of “given” – how about a GIVEAWAY! 😀

Evening in Paris Earrings

February Giveaway

Description

Glamorous, yet artsy, handcrafted dangle earrings!
Perfect for any outfit. I’ve used Swarovski Jet ABx2 Crystals – which are Black with flashes of Teal and Violet Purple! You’ll also find Czech glass faceted rounds in Turquoise Teal, and tiny glass seed beads in Cobalt Blue Aurora Borealis. They measure 2-5/8 inches long (including *14K Gold-filled* Artisan Crafted Earwires).

To enter for your chance to win:

Leave a comment explaining the kinds of posts you enjoy and want to see more of! I would really like to hear your ideas but will give some examples to help get things started . . .

Would you like to see more – – –

Random topics?
Works in Progress?
Travel Reports?
Recipes?
Feature stories on artists?
Do-it-yourself Crafts? What kinds?
Other ideas?

Contest ends Feb. 7th. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Feb. 8th.

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 02/7/13, and the winner will be selected on or about 02/8/13.

Good Luck to all!

Comments are now closed! A winner has been chosen. Click here for the details! 🙂