Take this job and . . . ;-)

When I was a young bride, I quickly learned that housekeeping was never totally finished. To my chagrin, a task that I worked on all morning could become undone in a second! The sink was never really empty, for as soon as I finished the dishes, a glass or a plate would appear. And laundry . . . sigh . . . the laundry! I’d no sooner complete what I thought was the last load of wash, when a pair of dirty socks were thrown in that “bottomless pit” of a clothes hamper. Similarly, freshly washed floors quickly sported tracks of muddy footprints, and sparkling bathtubs were again grimy, soon enough.

But you know all about this stuff! What I really mean to talk about here is the other thing I discovered as a young bride – “making something” is permanent!

It was pretty thrilling to realize that I could embroider a cloth napkin, knit a scarf, or make a dried flower wreath for the front door, and nobody would come along and undo my efforts. What joy, what satisfaction! After an hour or two of work, I actually had something lasting to show for it. Whether I totally finished a project or just added to its progress, the next time I picked it up – it was exactly as I had left it.

There’s such a wonderful sense of fulfillment when we create something lovely. During a day when a lot of what we do is repetitious and boring, how fun to grab a few moments to nourish our artistic side.

These days, beads are what inspire my creativity, and I haven’t found even one necklace disassembled while my back was turned!

But the laundry . . . excuse me, please . . . I think I hear the dryer buzzing! 🙂

©2008 Bead Happily Ever After

Fashion Forward . . .

Whether you’re the quintessential slave to fashion or just a gal who loves to shop, this fall’s colors will not disappoint! While the trend most years is for subdued shades, this year’s hues will be rich and vibrant!

World-renowned authority on color, Pantone Inc., has published the 2008 fall color palette. Isn’t it gorgeous? There’s a virtual rainbow of choices for clothing and accessories.

~ Fall  2008 ~  Color Forecast

                                                         Pantone Inc. 

Speaking of accessories . . .

Few of us can afford to replace our entire wardrobe every season to follow the current trends, but we can change our accessories! Choosing shoes, scarves, handbags, and jewelry in the season’s hottest colors is a great way to keep in style without breaking the bank.

If you enjoy designing jewelry, you have a true advantage! You can choose beads and components in the latest fall shades to create on-trend accessories not only for yourself, but also for the most discriminating of fashionistas on your customer list.

Looking at the chart, I think my favorite is the Royal Lilac . . . no – maybe the Caribbean Sea. Hmm, then again, that Aurora Red is pretty nice. 😉

Well, have fun! And if you’re looking for unique and colorful beads for your fall designs, stop by and see us at Bead Happily Ever After.

You are special. (Mr. Rogers was right!)

If you make jewelry for gifts or to sell, be sure to keep one of the best pieces for yourself now and then! Too often we sell or give away the items that we consider to be our best work. If we keep anything at all, it’s usually not a favorite creation. I call this the “burnt cookie syndrome”. Do you ever stand at the stove and eat the rejects, so the family can have the “good” cookies?!? I see you nodding out there. 😉

Most women seem to have an innate desire to give the best to others. We’ll eat the burnt cookie, or make sure to take the chipped dinner plate, or select the bent fork. It isn’t necessarily that we don’t value ourselves, or that we are afraid for others to see our imperfections. I like to think it’s more that we actually enjoy making things special for others.

Of course we realize that isn’t always possible, so we allow ourselves a little “breathing room” by personally settling for a lower standard. It’s a compromise that’s not too difficult to accept. After all, we know that if we really want to, we can choose to be fussy for ourselves – anytime!

So tie a string around your finger or stick a post-it note on the fridge, but please remember that any day might just be the day, to make something special for YOU!

© 2008 Bead Happily Ever After

Past Perfect… Refurbishing Grandma’s Bling!

Are you the recipient of a piece or two of Grandma’s vintage costume jewelry?

Is it in perfect condition?

If so – lucky you! 🙂

Chances are though; it’s in need of a little makeover, especially if it’s something that Grandma loved to wear. But even a piece with scratched beads, chipped crystals, or a broken clasp can shine again if you salvage the best parts and rework them into a new design.

To begin – remove any badly worn components and replace them with some pretty new choices! You can retain the “vintage look” by selecting coordinating vintage beads. Searching for them will be half the fun!

If you have daughters, consider making more than one item from Grammy’s favorite necklace. Imagine how special it would be to incorporate some of her pearls into a design to be worn on a granddaughter’s wedding day. Or perhaps a selection of her crystal beads could adorn the wrist of your high school graduate as she receives her diploma.

Whatever you decide, it’s a wonderful way to link the generations. You’ll be creating a keepsake that would make Grandma smile. Surely there’s nothing sweeter than to use a bauble from the past, to create an heirloom treasure for the future! 😀

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Finding Your Bliss With Beads . . .

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Did you know that beading can be good for you?

It’s true! Experts agree that a hobby can have a very positive effect on both our physical and emotional health. Studies suggest that we all benefit from the relaxation that occurs when we are deeply involved in an activity we enjoy, and that we should try to set aside a little chunk of time every day to “play”.

The key is to be so absorbed in the hobby, that for a few minutes, we almost forget what time it is or what day it is. It is during those moments that the worries and stress of the day melt away, and our bodies and spirits are refreshed and regenerated. We don’t even have to finish a project to benefit, because it’s the process of planning and dreaming, as well as the creating, that does it!

Beads lend themselves perfectly to this purpose. It’s so much fun to arrange the different styles, colors, and sizes as you imagine and plan a design. Of course, many other hobbies and even listening to music or reading a page-turner of a book will help you achieve this relaxed state of mind. But if you’re looking for a suggestion, I know that bead-lovers everywhere will agree – you’ll find your bliss with beads! 🙂