beaded jewelry | Bead Happily Ever After

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! 🙂

Beauty and the Beast

Posted on October 29, 2012 by crystal

Well, I’ll start with the “beast” . . .

Here in New England, we’re in line to be hit by Hurricane Sandy, a huge storm beginning late Sunday and running through Tuesday. They’re calling it a tropical cyclone and it will bring high winds, flooding, and large areas of power outages.

So, we’ve stocked up on water, batteries, and food that doesn’t need to be cooked. We also filled zip-lock bags with water and they’re freezing in our freezer as I type. That tip was new to me, but I think it’s brilliant. It will give us lots of extra ice to help keep things from spoiling in the fridge should we lose electricity.

Wish us luck! And best wishes to everyone in the path of this storm, which meteorologists have dubbed “Frankenstorm” – both for its ferocity and its proximity to Halloween.

For the “beauty”, here’s a pendant I finished this week. I considered just putting it on a black cord but then decided to make a little necklace to set it off.

The pendant itself is created with a needle and beading thread – utilizing a method called “beadweaving”. I chose a glittering Swarovski rivoli crystal in Tanzanite as the focal point, and surrounded it with a frame of tiny glass seed beads.

Below is a look at the back of the piece to illustrate how the stone actually sits in a basket of seed beads.

I know. I used purple . . . again.

I have no defense.

Is there a support group for purple lovers? 😉

Hugs,

Last Minute Me

Posted on September 24, 2012 by crystal

Happy Monday, Kids!

Whew, I’m out of breath from running . . .

Not really – but I am just barely getting in under the wire for this week’s Make somethin’ Monday post. 😉

In my defense, it’s not that I haven’t been trying. I actually have 3 things in progress.

“That doesn’t count, Crystal. You need to have one finished.”

Well, luckily I just completed these!

Measuring 2-1/4″ long, these dangle earrings feature Tanzanite Aurora Borealis Swarovski Crystals in a medley of shapes and sizes.

I’m thinking they’d be a fab holiday gift for someone on your list . . . or maybe for you? 🙂

P.S. Sending a great big thank you for the sweet comments and emails I received last week regarding the Cup of Bead Soup Design Challenge.

I truly do have the best blog buddies out there!

Hugs,

Make somethin’ Monday

Posted on August 27, 2012 by crystal

New feature beginning today!
It was inspired by a little daydream I had this week . . .

I was remembering how years ago (when I was a new bride and then a new mother), it was very tough to find time to work on a craft project with any regularity. One day, a neighbor suggested I sign up for a Fall class on Floral Décor. She had gone the previous year and was excited to return. The class met one evening a week for 6-weeks. Sir Beads cheerfully offered to baby-sit.

Each week, we completed a project designed to be finished in a couple of hours. When the series ended I had six beautiful decorations. That class was truly a revelation to me. I realized that the secret to being creative in the midst of a very busy life was to “schedule” something – on the calendar!

In the years that followed, my friends (who were also busy mothers) and I came up with the idea of holding a weekly “craft night” in our homes. We would take turns hosting the group and providing the refreshments. Sometimes we all worked on the same project. Other times we did our own thing, which was actually even better. It was amazing how enthused and inspired we became as we shared our designs and ideas.

Lately, I’m feeling the creative time crunch as much as I ever have. Why would that be? I mean the kids are grown and I’m no longer a new bride . . .

Of course, I do have a bead shop to run and then there’s a certain retired husband with whom I like to spend some quality time. The thing is, if I’m not creative – I begin to miss it quite a lot. So, the other day, during a light bulb moment, I remembered the “schedule” method and figured the blog could help me out!

“Yikes, Crystal, that was a pretty long-winded explanation to introduce the new feature: “Make somethin’ Monday”

What can I say? You’re right. 😉

To begin the series, I have a pair of earrings – just finished them!

Now, you’re probably saying,

“Who are you and what have you done with Crystal!?!? Those earrings are more earthy and organic than Crystal usually makes – and they’re not even purple!”

They definitely are a departure… and I love them!

Maybe this scheduling thing is inspiring me already.

(The pear-shaped stones are vintage, made in Czechoslovakia. In order to make the earrings, I found suitable settings and then “set” the stones, myself. Fun! I will soon be carrying the vintage stones, in several colors, in my etsy shop.

Hugs,

Bead Challenge – A Girl Needs a Hint of Sparkle!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by crystal

Do you notice anything particular about this young lady?

She is gorgeous, of course, but she could use some jewelry, don’t you think?

(Spoken like the incorrigible jewelry-lover that I am!) 😉

You are invited to join our 3rd Bead Design Challenge, where you’ll use your imagination to design some bling for this girl!

Will you make earrings? A necklace? A bracelet, perhaps? Or maybe a complete set!

Will it be sophisticated? Classic? Playful? Do you envision her in an up-to-date design – something to bring her into the 21st century?

You’re the artist, so it will be whatever you decide! 😀

Read on for all the details.

We have Prizes and Perks!
It’s our 3rd challenge and I’m delighted to announce that at the conclusion of this event THREE of the participants – chosen at random – will receive a prize!

First Prize is the following treasure trove of Vintage Beads

Worth over $65.00! I’ve carefully selected this assortment which includes: Vintage Glass, Vintage Swarovski, Vintage Lucite Beads, Vintage Findings, an Artisan-crafted Polymer Clay Pendant in Tango Orange (the color of the year), and a beautiful Vintage Intaglio Glass Cameo in soft blue with beveled edges.

Second Prize is a $30 Shopping Spree in our Bead Shop!

Third Prize is a $20 Shopping Spree in our Bead Shop!

ALL registered participants who did not win one of the above prizes will receive a coupon for 30% off any purchase during June 2012 in our Bead Shop.

ALL registered participants will have their designs publicized here on the blog, and also on my website and facebook page! I will include links to your shop and/or your website – as you wish. Look for the “Showcase of Designs” on May 16, 2012! Our previous challenges had some amazingly beautiful results so you won’t want to miss all the fun and inspiration this time! 🙂

To Qualify as a “Registered Participant” (and be eligible for the Prize Drawings, the Discount Coupon, and Design Promotion) you must do the following:

1. Create your jewelry design using at least one product (beads or findings) purchased from our etsy bead shop. Of course, you can buy more than one product, but I imagine you will want to use items from your own stash to complement your choice(s) from Bead Happily Ever After!

2. Email a clear photo of your finished design by 9:00 p.m. EST on May 12, 2012. to: crystal (at) beadhappilyeverafter (dot) com
(In fairness to all, any photos received after the deadline must be disqualified.)

3. Include:
Your Name
Your Email address
The Link (if any) that you’d like me to place with the photo of your design when I promote your work!

Optional: If you like, you can also add a brief description of your design for me to use with your photo and shop link.

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old to enter. After the completion of the challenge, the names of the three prize winners will be announced here and they will also be notified by email. If a winner fails to respond to email within one week from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen.

All registered entrants will receive a 30% off coupon code, by email, at the conclusion of the challenge.
When you enter, you retain all rights to your original designs, but you give permission for Bead Happily Ever After to use your photo on all Bead Happily Ever After sites to promote and showcase your work.

Remember – all entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on May 12, 2012. You can find periodic updates on this Design Challenge by clicking the link in the sidebar to the right of this page!

So c’mon! Let’s get started. Spread the word – all are welcome! 😀

I can’t wait to see what you create to “dress-up” the lovely lady.

Hugs,