beaded jewelry | Bead Happily Ever After

Ode to Spring Jewelry

Posted on March 12, 2012 by crystal

Happy Monday, Kids! (or whatever day it is when you visit 🙂 )
Now that we’re officially ensconced in Daylight Saving Time, can Spring be far behind!?!

Whenever I think of Spring, I think of violets. They grow wild around here. When my kids were little – they loved to run in from play and surprise me with violets they had gathered. How I loved seeing the excitement in their faces and those sweet little hands offering up a tiny bouquet.

Hey, Crystal! Is that why you love purple so much?

Hmmm, you know, that hadn’t occurred to me until just this minute – but maybe so!

I currently have a real case of spring fever and it’s spilling over into my jewelry-making. I just finished a necklace – a choker, really. It drapes so nicely – I may not be able to part with it. (I hate when that happens! LOL) It does remind me of a spring bouquet!

Next, I have earrings. The purple tones and the sheen of the pearls could be compared to violets in the morning dew, don’t you think?

And finally . . . we’ve certainly waited patiently enough for the bleak winter landscape to awaken in shades of green! Before we know it, the leaves will be bursting and this next piece, a pendant, showcases lots of spring greens (or was I subconsciously thinking about the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day?). 😉

Do you have Spring fever, too?

Hugs,

Worth A Thousand Words

Posted on February 28, 2012 by crystal

Sometimes a picture really can be worth a thousand words.
In these photos, I see many of my favorite things . . .

Tea, bone china teacups, flowers (especially pansies), the act of making jewelry, (and jewelry, itself!), bracelets, BEADS!, the color purple, aurora borealis . . .

Not too long ago, I spent an afternoon making this bracelet.

It was a welcome break during a particularly busy week.

What are you up to lately? 😀

Hugs,

Valentine Design Challenge – RESULTS

Posted on February 13, 2012 by crystal

Today’s the big day! 😀

It’s time to unveil the results of our Valentine’s Design Challenge.

Wait until you see all the pretty jewelry that was created for this event!

Participants incorporated at least one bead or finding from our bead shop into their designs!

I grouped those items for you to see the variety of supplies that were used!

There were some traditional Valentine-themed choices

And then there were some that were not as traditional.

Are you ready to see the results? 😀

(Entries are shown in random order!)

From Carolyn O. – “English Country Garden Bouquet Necklace for Your Valentine”. Click here to visit her shop!

From Jennifer – “Essence of Flowers” Pandora-style Bracelet and Matching Earrings! Click here to visit her shop!

From Brenda – “Red Heart Dangle Bracelet with Matching Earrings” and “Vintage Aqua Crystal Dangling Hearts Earrings”. Click here to visit her shop!

From Charlene – “Cascading Pink and White Necklace with Sterling Hearts”. Click here to visit her shop!

From Linda – “Crystal Heart Earrings”! Click here to visit her shop!

From Marge – “Turquoise and Gold Free-form Heart Pendant”, “Bird of Paradise Pendant”, and “Turquoise Beaded Necklace Set”. Click here to visit her shop!

From Donna – Donna writes: “My necklace is called “Kissing Hearts”. I loved working with Crystal’s hearts and tubes. And will definitely make a second one and a bracelet. Thanks so much for hosting this challenge.”
Click here to visit her shop!

From Pat – “Victorian Heart Necklace” Click here to visit her shop!

From Jo – “Pink with Gold Hearts Earrings” Click here to visit her shop!

From Elizabeth – “Beaded Tassel Wristlet” Click here to visit her shop!

From Annia – “Teal and White Pearl Necklace” Click here to visit her shop!

From Joyce – “Silver and Pink Dangling Heart Earrings” Click here to visit her shop!

From Darcy – “Cupids Heart Filigree Bead Embroidered Necklace” Click here to visit her shop!

From Dawno – “Infinity Knot Heart Earrings” Click here to visit her shop!

From Carolyn L. – “Asymetrical Hearts Necklace” Click here to visit her shop!

Wasn’t that WONDERFUL?

Thank you, thank you to all the participants!

I am so impressed and very appreciative of everyone’s effort, here.

Another challenge will be announced in the Spring. 😀

The Prizes

Oh yes – the shopping spree winners! 😀

The randomly drawn winners are Linda and Brenda! Both ladies have $25.00 to spend on any purchase in my bead shop (email coming to you)!

But remember – none of the participants leave empty-handed! If you did not win the shopping spree – watch your email for a 30% off coupon code, which will be valid in my bead shop from now until the end of March!

Hugs,

Bead Design Challenge – Valentine’s Day

Posted on January 1, 2012 by crystal

Happy 2012!
and Welcome to our 2nd Bead Design Challenge with Valentine’s Day as the theme.

Please join us! I know you’ll enjoy the experience, whether you enter your work, or simply stop by to view the awesome talent of others. 😀

For this challenge, I’ve spiced things up a bit by adding extra perks and allowing more time for you to complete your design. Read on for all the details!

We have Prizes!

I’m especially excited to announce that at the conclusion of this event . . .

TWO

each

$25 Shopping Spree

Bead Shop

ALL registered participants will receive a coupon for 30% off any purchase during March 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” during Valentine’s Day Week! 🙂

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

1. Create your “Valentine’s Day” inspired design using at least one product (beads or findings) purchased from EITHER our etsy bead shop OR our artfire bead shop. You may buy more than one product, of course, 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 (just one!) of your finished design by 9:00 p.m. EST on February 10, 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) you’d like me to place with your design when I promote your work!

Optional: You can add a brief description of your design, as well, if you like!

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old to enter. After the completion of the challenge, the names of the two gift certificate 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 February 10, 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. 😀

I can’t wait to see what gorgeous-ness the “Day of Love” will inspire.

Hugs,

Monday Memo

Posted on November 28, 2011 by crystal

Let’s hear about your holiday weekend, Kids!

Did you have a Thanksgiving feast?

Did you shop ’til you dropped on Black Friday?

Here at Bead Happily, we did the first and skipped the second! 😉

Let’s see…. I have two topics today.

First: I would like your thoughts about the next Bead Challenge.

a. Should we wait until after the holidays? We’re just about in December now, and I fear that schedules will already be stretched to the limit without having extra assignments! So, I’m wondering if January would the best time to begin the second challenge?

b. Is there a bead in my shop that you think would make a great “challenge bead“?
(Even the non-beaders might want to offer opinions on this!)

Second: Changing the subject now . . .

You know me – I love a QUICK craft project! Quick is really all I have time for these days.

Who knew having a retired husband would leave me with less hours than I had when my kids were little?!? Ok, I’m exaggerating, but it IS a different kind of schedule, lately! (I wouldn’t change a thing, though.)

But back to the project . . .

I loved making this crocheted flower scarf! Don’t they look like little pansies?

And it’s always fun to whip up a pair of matching earrings!

This scarf has an artsy, whimsical, look that really appeals to me. I’m thinking it would look great paired with a light-weight turtleneck sweater.

You can find the pattern here.

‘Til next time,

Hugs,