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.

Keep Your Jewelry Sparkling!

vintage lucite pink roses necklace set

Forget the harsh cleaning solutions! A few drops of liquid dish soap and a small bowl of warm water are all you’ll need to clean most of the pieces in your jewelry box. If you use a brand that’s advertised to be kind to your hands, it will be gentle enough for your jewelry.
 
Dip your pieces in the soapy solution and after just a couple of minutes, all of the oils, perspiration, and any makeup or perfume residue will vanish. Rinse well with warm water, pat dry with paper towels or a soft cloth, and your jewelry will sparkle like new! Before putting everything away, do be sure it is thoroughly dry. You can arrange the pieces on a clean towel — a couple of hours should do it.
 
In between cleanings, there’s a simple, yet very effective way to keep your baubles bright and shiny. Make it a habit to wipe your jewelry with a damp cloth when you take it off each night. It only takes a minute, and really prevents that dull build-up!