seed 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 . . .

(click photo to enlarge)

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!

Even a Prince Wants to Bead

Posted on November 15, 2011 by crystal

During a recent tour of Tanzania, Prince Charles and Camilla visited Wonder Workshop, an organization that provides jobs for disabled men and women by encouraging them to create original art using recycled materials.

In the photo below, the Prince (aided by a staff member) tries to work with seed beads. He’s enthusiastic but finds it a challenge to thread the tiny beads without eyeglasses. Word is that Camilla kindly offered him her “specs”.

She’s working on a necklace!

Wonder if they brought their finished pieces home . . .

additions to the Crown Jewels, perhaps? 😉

Hugs,

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? 😉