glass beads | Bead Happily Ever After

It’s The Thought That Counts

Posted on January 22, 2014 by crystal

My oldest daughter is a journalist. While on assignment in South Africa last fall, she had an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping…

SA On Assignment-2

She came upon an outdoor artisans’ market where she found something bead-y for her mom. 😉

(click photo to enlarge)

Here’s the lady who made my gift . . .

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And this is what I opened on Christmas morning.

SA Necklace

I’m absolutely thrilled with it… not just because I’m crazy about beads, and not just because I’m delighted to have something beautifully handmade from another country. To be sure, both of those reasons are true, but the most important reason I love it is that my girl thought of me when she saw it! 😀

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying!

“Bohemian Nights” Purse Charm

Posted on March 22, 2010 by crystal

Welcome Kids! I hope you had a fun weekend. Spring has officially sprung, since the last time we chatted!!! 🙂

Before I go any further, I’d like to thank everyone for the terrific comments last week! They really are what keeps me posting, you know! I’m incredibly lucky to have the best readers in blogland, and I treasure every single one of you. Please remember you can suggest topics that you’d like to see in future posts. Your opinions matter. 🙂

On to the giveaway!

This week, I thought I’d do something a little different, so I made a charm which can be used on a purse or tote bag. It’s designed with very lovely Vintage Czech Glass beads.

The beads are Jet Black with a gorgeous aurora borealis finish on one side, which flashes blue, green, and teal. You’ll notice several sizes and shapes. I accented the beads with sterling silver rondelles and lace-y silver plated bead caps. A small dangling key charm was added for a bit of whimsy. The key fob style “hanger” is a secure piece of hardware that will enable you to attach this purse charm to a pocketbook strap, handle, or to any large ring that’s on your purse. Measurements: Just over 3″ 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!

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 and be entered into the drawing! 😀

Today’s question is:

What will you never do again?

My answer? Wear a bikini! Those days are over, Ladies. 😉

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 03/28/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 03/29/10.

Giveaway – Beaded Veggie Bookmark

Posted on April 13, 2009 by crystal

Welcome to the weekly giveaway! Before I announce the details, I just want to say that there were some amazing answers to last week’s question! I’d sure love to be invited to those dinner parties that many of you planned! Thanks everyone for playing along and for sending in such interesting guest lists!

This week’s giveaway is an adorable beaded bookmark called “Veggie Garden”. Use it to mark your place in that book you’re reading! Whether it’s a novel at your bedside table or an art book in the living room, this pretty bookmark will add a whimsical touch to your home.

It’s made with wonderful artisan-crafted lampwork glass beads that are shaped like little vegetables! There’s a tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, and a yellow pepper! The part that you place inside your book is made with tiny glass seed beads in light emerald green aurora borealis. Swarovski crystals in red siam, and light and medium shades of emerald green serve as sparkling accents! All findings are sterling silver.
Measurements: The overall length (including the veggie beads) is 17″, but the part that is meant to be placed inside a book is about 13″. It should fit many of your books – except for those that are the very large coffee table size.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

1. For your first chance to win leave a comment answering this question: If you were to look up the word “kindness” in the dictionary, and right beside the definition of the word, there was a picture of a person – which person in your life would it be and why?

2. For a second chance to win, leave a second comment that answers the question: Do you like it when people make a big deal out of your birthday or do you prefer a quiet celebration?

3. For a third chance to win, leave a comment on any other post on this blog except this one. You can do it today by looking for a post in the archives to comment on, or you can come back during the week and add a comment on any post – old or new. You will receive an extra entry each time you do so.

You can choose any one or all of the above chances to enter.

A valid email address must be given at time of entry. You must be 18 yrs. old. The name of the winner will be listed here after the completion of the contest. The winner will be notified by email. The prize will be mailed by USPS First Class Mail. If no valid email address is given at time of entry, or if 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.
All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 04/19/09, and the winner will be selected on or about 04/20/09.

Blue Bayou Choker Necklace

Posted on March 19, 2009 by crystal

Sometimes a single bead is so beautiful that it can almost stand on its own. When incorporating it into jewelry, you want to be careful to create a simple backdrop so that the bead can take center stage.

That’s how I felt about this exquisite vintage glass bead, which was made in Czechoslovakia.

It’s a mouthwatering shade of sapphire blue with a pastel flash of aurora borealis that takes my breath away.

The bead is a bold 14mm in size and because it was machine-cut, the faceting is gorgeous.

I decided to make an uncluttered choker style necklace to highlight this vintage bead and used tiny Sapphire AB glass seed beads with Swarovski crystal accents.

Are ya proud of me for resisting the urge to add purple? 😉