Tag Archives: handcrafted jewelry

Autumn Colors

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This year, summer has been kind of reluctant to leave New England . . .

But now that it’s October – autumn is insisting that she go. The nights are chillier and the leaves more colorful with every passing day.
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Sir Beads and I are immersed in the usual end-of-summer chores:

    *Fall cleaning…
    *Removing fans and air conditioners…
    *Adjusting storm windows..
    *Adding fluffy blankets to the bed…

And reacquainting ourselves with the delights of the fall season:

    *Baking! (Or as I like to call it, “reclaiming the oven now that a hot kitchen feels cozy instead of miserable.”)
    *Leaf peeping! (It appears to be a banner year for foliage, here.)
    *Fall decorating! (Not as much as we used to – but I still love pumpkins, pilgrims, and an autumn-y front door.)
    *Choosing yarn! (for projects to crochet during winter evenings).

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As a beader, I love to design jewelry for every season, and right now our bead shop is chock full of fall-themed beads and findings!

Here are just a few:

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How is Fall going in your neck of the woods?

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

Beads and the Beach . . .

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These Vintage Czech Glass beads are among my favorites in our bead shop! They’re a spectacular lilac purple with a cool matte finish, which gives them the look of sea glass!

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Beads this pretty can make a spectacular piece of jewelry but don’t just take my word for it – I have proof! 🙂

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Look at this beauty created by jewelry designer, sallystevens

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Her work reflects a love of nature, especially the ocean. She skillfully incorporates sea glass, natural gemstones, and other carefully chosen beads into gorgeous pieces of jewelry. I love how she showcased our lilac rectangles in this expansion bracelet.

You can find more of her collection by clicking here.

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Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

It Just Makes My Day . . .

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Sir Beads and I agree that one of our greatest pleasures in running a bead shop is the chance to see what our customers create with the items they order. We can’t help but feel like proud parents whenever we see a finished piece of jewelry that features our beads!

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So… you can imagine our delight when this photo arrived the other day. 🙂

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These gorgeous earrings were designed by Meridy of TwoTreesStudio.
She has an absolutely amazing talent for “marrying” styles and textures in her work.

Thanks, Meridy!
Our Vintage Czech Glass Olivine Teardrops never looked so good.

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Want to see more of Meridy’s remarkable eye candy?
Hurry on over to her etsy shop or facebook page!

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

Winter Zest

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snow birds (Small)I always get a big burst of creative energy in January…

You, too?

I’m guessing it has something to do with Christmas. Think about it. It does make sense!
After the whirl of holiday preparations in November and December, it’s tough to suddenly turn off the adrenaline on January 2nd
. . . at least for me.

Many of you know I’m a fan of all kinds of crafts, but beading and crocheting are my favorites.

 

Shall I show you a little of what I’ve been up to in January? I’ll focus on the beading today and add the crocheting next time.

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A few beads, a few findings, a needle and thread, and a good TV show?

Now we’re talking! Pure bliss.

January Bliss

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Some are finished… some still need a finishing touch…

January Bliss2

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Looking at them inspires me.
More ideas. More plans. (More hours in a day, please!) 😉

January Bliss3a

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Hope you’ll have a chance this week to get lost in something you enjoy. 😀

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

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Results Day – Autumn Bead Challenge

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fallbeadchallenge13Our Autumn Bead Challenge was a perfect example of the slogan –

“You can’t win if you don’t play.”

A dozen or so beaders expressed the desire to create something for the event but in the end only a couple were able to send in a finished design before the deadline.

(I surely can understand how time flies.)


However, as a result, the math here is simple:

2 prizes + 2 entrants = great odds of winning! 😀

I’m delighted to announce that Annia and Carolyn have each WON!!!
(Ladies, please watch your email for your $25 Coupon!)

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Let’s take a peek at their spectacular designs . . .

Annia made a gorgeous wrap bracelet with our Czech Silver Faceted Oval Beads, and a stunning bracelet/earrings set with our Vintage Jet Black Connectors!

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Carolyn designed a fabulous necklace featuring our Lapis Blue Spacers, White Moonglow Pearlized Tubes, and Moonglow Baby Blue Rounds!

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Both ladies expressed the feeling that our theme (“Break Out of Your Color Comfort Zone”) was a true challenge!

Annia said:
“I love color and normally my pieces reflect that and finding a never used color was difficult so I used a new technique…”

Carolyn said:
“This was out of my usual color combinations as I favor autumn colors.”

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I must add – challenge or not – these ladies did our beads proud! 🙂

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Hugs,

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I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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