For the Love of Beads

Before I became a bead seller, I was a bead customer! 🙂

As a customer, I’d occasionally receive free beads with my order but – more often than not – they were disappointing.

It usually seemed obvious that these “free” beads were “seconds”, or were the leftover styles and colors that hadn’t sold.

I used to think: “Why bother? I don’t need the rejects. It would be so much nicer to receive a little gift I could actually use.”

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Once I became a bead seller, myself, those early experiences served me well. They helped me to formulate my own policies for appreciating my customers.

If you’ve ever shopped with me, you know I LOVE to include a sample of our beads with every order. It’s fun for me to select something I think you might enjoy!

How do I decide which beads? Well, sometimes, I have a new item in stock that I am excited for you to see. Other times, I look for a clue to your preferences in the beads you’ve just purchased! 🙂

It’s always a special treat for me to see what you eventually create with our beads. Recently, a customer sent me photos of jewelry she made with a sample of these beads, which I had tucked inside her order. . .

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Look at the pretty set she designed!

Earrings

Necklace

She tells me that she has fallen in in love with Vintage Lucite Beads and I can totally understand . . .

In her own words:

“I love vintage plastic beads because they are lightweight and durable. The designs are striking and the colors are vibrant, which makes these 40+-year-old beads a pleasure to work with. I have to hide them from my kids (ages 1.5 and 3.5) because they are convinced I have boxes full of candy!”

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Be sure to stop by and take a peek at AvocadoEggroll’s delightful jewelry shop!

You can find it by clicking here.

Hugs,

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Results Day – Beads Design Challenge

Hi Kids 😀
Well, the results are in and they are astonishingly beautiful!

It all began with FREE beads . . . a choice of three styles offered to designers who promised to create something and then send a photo of the finished piece.

Today, you’ll see the work of 16 Design Challenge participants. I want to thank them so much for following through on this project. Their warmth, enthusiasm, and talent have truly been inspirational! It may have been the first Design Challenge, but it’s only the beginning! More challenges are coming – so I hope you’ll stay tuned.

And now, on to the showcase!!!

(Entries are shown in random order.)

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Category 1: Fuchsia Oval Beads

From Jennifer – a gorgeous bracelet/earrings set! Click here to visit her shop!


From Brenda – a wonderful necklace with two pairs of earrings! Click here to visit her shop!


From Carolyn O. – an elegant “Illusion” Necklace shown with coordinating earrings! Click here to visit her shop!


From Debbie – two flirty pairs of earrings – one zebra print and the other Anthropologie inspired! Click here to visit her shop!


From Mouna – an enchanting “Soutache” Embroidered Cuff Bracelet! Click here to visit her shop!


From Linda – a very special “Joyous Christmas” bracelet with coordinating earrings! Click here to visit her shop!


From TwistTheLeaf – a glamorous necklace with Pearl and Amethyst Charm Clusters! Click here for all of the details!


From Carolyn W. – a fun, fringe-style, bead-woven Bracelet and Earrings! Click here to visit her shop!


From Gillian – a chic pair of Fuchsia Pearl Earrings! Click here to visit her shop!



From Natalia – a lovely necklace with dangling strands! Click here to visit her shop!

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Category 2: Silver Saucer Beads

From Donna – a stunning bracelet! Click here to visit her shop!


From Pat – a delightful necklace with floral lampwork pendant! Click here to visit her shop!


From Richelle – a Fascinating pair of “Assemblage” Earrings! Click here to visit her shop!


From Sharon – a lovely necklace with matching earrings! Click here to visit her shop!

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Category 3: Aqua AB Ribbed Shell Beads

From Ashley – a spectacular necklace made with selection of vintage components! Click here to visit her shop!


From Jo – a charming trio of earrings from artsy to sophisticated! Click here to visit her shop!


Wasn’t that AMAZING?

I’m smiling from ear to ear, here! 😀

Until next time,

Hugs,

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Earrings for a Wordless Wednesday

It’s too hot to speak!

(Our weather guy says the “feels-like” temperature is 100 degrees! I would have been perfectly happy not knowing that.) 😉

No matter! I’m going to distract myself with a bit of bling . . .

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This first pair is made with Vintage Swarovski components and petal-shaped, 14K gold-filled earwires.

And this pair in sterling silver features a color scheme with the soothing coolness of an aqua blue sea . . .

Both pairs now available in my shop! 🙂

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Stay cool today – wherever you are!

Hugs,

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Les Bijoux

Lately, I’m in the middle of a jewelry-making kick . . . sort of a bead binge! lol

I have several things finished and several more in various stages of completion. I’m particularly excited about a bracelet/earring set that I’m working on.

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I need to take photos, but the weather is not cooperating – too dreary to highlight the true sparkle of some of my finished items!

For now though, I do have a couple of pairs of earrings to show . . .

This first pair is made with Vintage Swarovski Components – both the crystal beads and the bezel-set drops! The vintage findings are always so elegant. The color here is a warm golden topaz – full of sunshine!

A Drop of Honey

Next, I have these Glass “Bell” Flowers in a pretty shade of Tanzanite Violet/Blue. The over-sized kidney wire hoops allow the earrings to sway gracefully as you move.

Bluebells

Both pairs are currently available in the Bead Happily Ever After web store.

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What are you up to this week? 🙂

Hugs,
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She’s STILL Talking

How can this be my 600th post????

And while the number 600 isn’t necessarily one of the usually celebrated milestones, let’s party anyway!

Pass the noisemakers; don’t be shy – put on one of the party hats, too!!!

What’s a party without a door prize, so how about a giveaway?

Click photo to enlarge.


Teal Drops

For these earrings, I used both Vintage and Contemporary Swarovski Crystals in glorious shades of Teal and Deep Purple! They measure approximately 1 1/2″ long, and feature sterling silver earwires.

If you’d like a chance to win them, answer “Count me in” at the end of the following “mini questionnaire” I have for you, today.

(PLEASE answer the questions even if you do not want to be entered in the giveaway.)

1. Does this page load quickly or slowly for you? (I’m trying to determine if some of the items in my sidebar are slowing this page too much.)

2. Do you find it too much effort to read blogs that update daily? Would new posts a few times a week be just as good, in your opinion?

3. What fascinates you? (I know it might seem like a tough question but I ask because I’m looking for things that truly pique your interest. Perhaps I can include posts on them in the future.

4. For the earrings giveaway, will you choose “Count me in” or “Not this time” for your answer?

A winner will be chosen at random on Monday, March 28th!

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 03/27/11, and the winner will be selected on or about 03/28/11.

Hugs,

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