czech beads | Bead Happily Ever After

Giveaway – Jonquils in Bloom Earrings

Posted on April 26, 2010 by crystal

Greetings and Salutations, my Sweet Friends!

I’m back… and I’ve missed you!

What have you been up to? Anything exciting happen while I was away? 😉

Since this was a staycation, my plan was to spend a little time “playing” with some sewing and beading projects that I’ve had on the back burner. I was also hoping to crack open some new craft books that I bought a while ago, but haven’t had the chance to really curl up with and study.

Well, I can report that I accomplished a lot last week, but not very much of it was stuff I had on my list! I tried a new recipe, organized my office a bit, and then several jewelry orders came in. By the time I finished them, the week had flown by.

I did have time to notice that the landscape in our neighborhood is just bursting with life. Everything is green again, and many of the flowering trees are in full bloom. Our daffodils are especially beautiful this year and seem to be lasting much longer than usual. They’re the inspiration for this week’s giveaway!

“Jonquils in Bloom” Earrings

These sparkling earrings feature *vintage* glass beads that were made in Czechoslovakia. You’ll notice both teardrop and bicone shapes in golden yellow with a soft aurora borealis finish.

Measurements: 1-3/4″ long, including the 14k gold filled earwires.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back another day this week and comment on a different post – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway! There are usually 4-5 posts per week – Monday through Friday – so you can have multiple chances to enter!

When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

Today’s question is:

You’ve all probably heard of Dear Abby and her newspaper column, where people write in and ask her advice on all kinds of topics.

Pretend I am substituting for her this week and ask me a question. I’m not an expert on anything, but I’ve lived long enough to have absorbed some information on a wide range of things.

This doesn’t have to be a serious question. A funny question is welcome! And it certainly doesn’t have to be about anything personal – whatever you want. Something practical or silly or even educational would be great. Just remember this is a family blog!

(I think this could be fun, and maybe even helpful. If I don’t know an answer, I can surely look it up for you. If there are a lot of questions, I’ll answer some this week and others in upcoming posts.)

So, what would you like to “Ask Crystal”? 😉

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 05/02/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 05/03/10.

Raspberry Frost Earrings

Posted on February 15, 2010 by crystal

Hello! 🙂

Welcome to my weekly giveaway.

Special Greetings to my regular readers!

(If you are not yet subscribing to the blog, just click on the orange RSS button on the right side of this page. In doing so, you’ll never miss your chances for the weekly giveaways.)

I hope everyone had at least a little chocolate over the Valentine’s Day weekend. If not, don’t worry – it will be half-price in the stores today! 😉

On to the giveaway . . .
This week, I have a pair of flirty dangle earrings that feature baroque-shaped Czech glass beads in a fabulous girly-girl shade of FUCHSIA pink. They have an icy cool sparkle that will brighten even the dreariest of winter days.

“Raspberry Frost”

I’ve accented the Czech beads with glittering Swarovski Crystals in both fuchsia and clear aurora borealis. All metal embellishments & findings are *Sterling Silver*!

Measurements: approximately 2″ long, including the sterling silver earwires.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

Today’s question is:

Describe the perfect day off!

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 02/21/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 02/22/10.

Giveaway – Beads Shopping Spree!

Posted on February 1, 2010 by crystal

Happy February!

I know . . . it’s still winter.

The temperatures have been so coooold and Spring is several weeks away, but let’s not think about that. Let’s concentrate on something fun – like free beads!!! 😉

This week’s giveaway will be a little shopping spree in my Bead Shop on etsy!

Yep, that’s right! If you are the winner this week, you’ll be able to spend $15.00 on the beads and findings of your choice and get free shipping too! 😀

Even if you’ve never “played” with beads before, here’s your chance to give it a try. I’m sure all of the beaders out there would enthusiastically tell you that you are going to love it!

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

Today’s question is:

In all of your years at school – from the early years to the later years – which one teacher was your favorite and why was this teacher memorable?

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 02/07/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 02/08/10.

Giveaway – Sweetheart Necklace

Posted on January 18, 2010 by crystal

Welcome, welcome! 😀

It is no exaggeration to say that the answers to last week’s giveaway question were truly the best ever!!! I’ve never seen such a wide range of interesting, thoughtful, clever, and very amusing responses. You sure know how to make me feel lucky to have you as readers. 😀

And I really love that you are beginning to talk to each other here, too! My dream is that it will continue and that we’ll have even more back and forth chat as the weeks go on.

For this week’s giveaway, I wanted to do something with a Valentine’s theme – something dressy enough to wear out to dinner, but still casual enough to throw on with a t-shirt.

Sweetheart Necklace

The focal point is a Swarovski Clear Crystal Heart with gorgeous facets that dance and glitter as the light hits them.

For accents, I’ve used Czech fire polished rounds in deep garnet red, and Swarovski Clear Aurora Borealis crystal beads. Tiny glass seed beads form the rest of the strand and the closure is a silver-plated screw-twist barrel clasp. The necklace measures 19″ in length.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back another day this week and comment on a different post – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway! There are usually 5 posts per week – Monday through Friday – so you can have up to 5 chances to enter!

Today’s question is:

Can you tell us about something that you’ve never tried, but would like to – because you think you might enjoy it?

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 01/24/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 01/25/10.

Giveaway – Blue Velvet Necklace

Posted on January 11, 2010 by crystal

129

Hi there 😀
It’s time for another weekly giveaway! If you’ve just landed here for the first time, I hope you’ll subscribe through the orange RSS button located on the sidebar, or put me in your “favorites” so that you’ll never miss your chance to enter.

A great big thank you goes out to each and every one of you who, last week, generously offered your input regarding the giveaways. I was just blown away by your thoughtful opinions, and the time you devoted to answering the survey. I truly appreciate it and I’ll be carefully considering everything that was suggested. There was one feeling that was almost unanimous though –

KEEP THE QUESTIONS!

Ok! I hear you loud and clear and I definitely will. 🙂

Now on to the giveaway!

This week, I have a necklace in royal shades of blue that’s fit for a princess.

click photo to enlarge

I‘ve used some very special vintage beads in luscious light blue, midnight blue, and deep royal blue. The ovals have a gorgeous luster. They’re Vintage Moonglow Lucite, which is particularly rare in the oval shape. The larger round beads are Vintage Czech glass and they have exquisite faceting and an aurora borealis flash on one side. The smallest beads are contemporary Czech glass with a rich velvety sheen. Measurements: just under 20” in length. Closes with a textured, silver-plated, toggle clasp.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back tomorrow and comment on tomorrow’s post too – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway – so you’ll have 2 chances!

Return on the next day, comment, and you add another chance! And so on through the week. When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

The giveaways end on Sundays, so you’ll have a little time to “catch up” if you missed any weekday posts.

Today’s question is:

Can you tell us about something that *you* really love – but friends, family, or co-workers just don’t seem to appreciate?

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 01/17/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 01/18/10.