And the winner is...drumroll please...KayzKreations! Kaye, you have won the earrings!To visit Kaye's Etsy shop click on the link below: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KayzKreationz She has some beautiful stained glass and fused pieces. I love the Poinsettia! The drawing was very official...I wrote down all the names and had my husband draw one out a hat (his hat!)Thanks to all for entering my little giveaway! This was so much fun I will be doing it again, so be sure to Like my Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Stone-Designs-Fan-Page/288413853646

Cyber Weekend Sale

I'm having a Cyber Weekend sale in my Etsy shop.... Friday through Monday. Free shipping on lampwork beads, use coupon code shipmybeads. Also, all earrings will be on sale at 15% off. Sale price will be reflected, no coupon needed! http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.etsy.com/ I'm also giving away a pair of lampwork earrings made with my handmade lampwork beads. A $32.00 value! All you have to do is leave a comment in this post and I will be drawing the lucky winner on Saturday, December 1st. This is in conjunction with Artisan Whimsy Market. They will be collectively giving away over $1300.00 worth of jewelry and components! There will be 45 winners.For the event wide discount use code AWHOLIDAY in the search and all the participating shops will come up.

New Blog Hop

Lori Anderson is hosting a new Blog Hop in memory of her friend Marianna, who passed away suddenly. To read more about it or participate here's the link: http://www.prettythingsblog.com/ I know I'll be designing a piece, but I'm not sure who I will dedicate it to...yet.

Marketing Savy

There's been some talk about naming your beads and jewelry for online sales. Some are strictly referring to search key words, saying it's not neccesary to name them. I think a name can sell a product also. Imagine a set of beads listed as Lampwork glass beads, Pink, gold, green, set of 12. Or...Set of 12, Handmade lampwork glass beads in pink champagne, iridescent golden shimmer and olive green 'Autumn Dawn' Which would make you want to purchase this set? (assuming the pictures are top notch) Names and descriptions can help sell your jewelry and beads. People love to be romanced and since online shopping is strickly visual, the right name and description is very important. This set sold the day after it was listed.

Cabochons

While at the ISGB Gathering last July I purchased 2 cabochon mandrels (among other goodies. I am having a ball making these cabs! Although I am not a silversmith, I am a seed beader. I had alot of fun with this bracelet made in freeform peyote stitch that incorporates my cab along with freshwater Keishi cup pearls (love them!)Swarovski crystals and lots and lots of seed beads.If you've never made one of these and are looking for instructions, Sherri Serafini has several online instructions, including one on Fire Mt. Gems website. My next challenge will be ovals.

New Beading Chat Site

I just found out about this site called Artisan Whimsy. It's a great chat format site where you can discuss all thinkg jewelry and beading. You can post pictures of your beads, jewelry etc. Several groups have formed and it looks like a fun site! All mediums are discussed from glass, enamel, clay, metal, seed beads...well, you get the idea! Here's a link to join in the fun! http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/

Art Bead Scene Blog: October Monthly Challenge Finds

Art Bead Scene Blog: October Monthly Challenge Finds
I was thrilled to see my lampwork disk bead in the October finds on Art Bead Scene blog! Thank you ABS!So many wonderful beading components in this post. Check it out!

New Bead Show

This coming weekend I will be selling my wares at the Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo in Fresno, California. The event is on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23 from 10:00 to 5:00 both days. I will have LOTS of beads including sets and focal as well as unique glass jewelry components like clasps, bead cones, head pins, slider rings, disks,glass leaves, bobbins, vintage skeleton keys with a bead on them and adorned with Swarovski crystals, Auntumn leaves, pendants and more! Here's a link to the Facebook page for this event: https://www.facebook.com/HeartOfCaliforniaBeadExpo See you there!

In The Pink

The secret's out!! In support of Lori McDaniel Anderson for all the hard work she does for the beading community, especially the Bead Soup Blog Hop party and Bead Soup Cafe, a group of 137 women (and maybe some men?) have put together a Facebook group called "In the Pink" We have kept this a secret from Lori and now it's time to reveal our "pink hair" As Lori has part of her own hair dyed pink, the tribute was to either dye your hair or add some hair extentions, pink feathers etc. As I did not have time to dye my hair, I set out to the dollar store to see what I could come up with. Well...hair extentions were found in the kids section! (too tacky) No feathers to be found, so I ended up with hot pink curly ribbons. The worst part of all this was trying to take a decent picture of myself!

Thank you Lori for all the wonderful selfless things you do for the beading community!

New Bead Show

I have been busy getting ready for the Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo

in Fresno, California on Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23. Trying to juggle an online store and doing shows is quite a job! I have always been an effeciency freak, so I'm pretty well organized. In between making beads, photographing, editing and listing, filling orders, doing online marketing...there's a garden full of vegetables to be preserved! Only one or 2 more things to can, Bread and Butter Pickles and tomatoes...if we get enough before the cold weather sets in.

Bead Soup Blog Party 6 Reveal!

Today is the big reveal for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party 6! My partner Karin von Hoeren from Germany http://www.creativeideen.de/sent my bead soup which included the beautiful beaded bead focal she made.

I decided to make 2 pieces of jewelry, one with the beaded bead as a focal and a bracelet made with the cute wreath toggle clasp. I used one of my lampwork glass beads as the focal in the bracelet and some of the creamy white pearls Karin sent.this bracelet can go from Fall right into Christmas!

I had fun making the necklace. As a full time lampwork artist, I don't take the time to work with seed beads like I used to...and I realized how much I miss it when I made the spiral rope for this design. I added some of the beads from Karin, a few Swarovski crystals and one of my lampwork beads. The challenge was trying to attach the bead wire without adding a clasp. Can you tell where I crimped it together?

I attached the beading wire to the seed bead rope inside the gold bead cones. The 2 wires are crimped together at the top next to the bead cone on one side. A matching gold ball on the other side balances the crimp cover.

Be sure to check out all the other participants in the Blog Hop. Again, thank you Lori for all the work you put into hosting this event. And thank you Karin for the beautiful beads!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Exploration

One of the things I love about working with glass is all the possibilties. I recently purchased 2 cabachon mandrels and am having alot of fun with them. They are easier to use than I thought too! The uses for these cabs is endless. I am currently working on a beadwork bracelet with the cab as the focal. Another idea I'm working on is glass rings. I've made a couple but need to get the proper mandrel for that too. Again...so many possibilities.

Bead Soup Blog Party

Here's a picture of my Bead Soup from Karin von Horen all the way from Germany. She made the beautiful beaded bead. Now to come up with a worthy design for the focal bead. Since I'm a seed beader also I'm thinking I should use a spiral stitch or something like that to coordinate with the bead. I already made a simple bracelet with the wreath toggle and one of my floral lampwork beads in red. August 25th is the Reveal date for these and many more designs from Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.

Time Flies!

So much going on this time of year, I can't believe it's been almost a month since I blogged! I had the most wonderful time at the 20th annual ISGB Gathering. Exhausting...but fun. I learned alot, met new friends and reconnected with a few. The hotel was very nice, the food was fantastic and the lectures very insightful. Had alot of fun at our Lampwork Etc. bead exchange too, and got to try Vegamite for the first time....yuk! (thanks Deb!)This is a picture of my booth at the Bead Bazaar.

Lori Anderson Giveaway!

Beading guru Lori Anderson is having a great giveaway on her blog Pretty Things.There's tools, beads, books and more. Here's a link to join in the fun: http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/07/finally-five-bead-and-button-bead.html

ISGB Gathering

It's only 3 weeks until the 20th annual ISGB Gathering in Bellevue, Washington. The International Society of Glass Beadmakers will converge on the Hyatt Regency from July 26-29, 2012. I can't wait!! I am getting more beads made for the Bead Bazaar on Saturday, which is open to the public for only $5.00. See the top lampwork artists in the world displaying the best work.

Lori Anderson's 6th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party is in full swing!Everyone gets to play this time and I was assigned my partner today. Her name is Karin von Hoeren and she's from Germany. (thanks goodness for Google translator!) She does beautiful beadwork designs. Here's a link to her blog: http://www.creativeideen.de/ This is going to fun!

New Shows

It's been a busy time in the studio, getting ready for the Bead Bazaar at the ISGB Gathering at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington on Saturday, July 28. If yoy would like to attend, it's ony $5.00 to get in and I guarantee you will see some of the most beautiful lampwork beads and sculptures ever, as well as metal, fiber and jewelry. I will also be at the Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo in Fresno, California on September 22 & 23, hosted by Bead Artistry. I'm really excited about this show as it is a little different, there will be lots of beautiful beadwork, fiber art and clothing. I can't wait!

Adorable Bracelet and Earrings!

Today's customer feature is a beautiful bracelet made by my niece, Lisa Suver. She designed the bracelet and earrings with my lampwork "Southwest Summer" beads. I have seen this set in person and it is TDF!! If you would like a set of these beads just visit my Etsy If you don't see the beads, they probably have sold(they have been very popular) so just contact me and I will custom make a set for you. If you would like a bracelet like this one you can order one from Lisa through her Etsy

******FREE OFFER!!!!**** To celebrate my 1000th sale, I am having a thank you promotion starting Friday, April 20, 2012 at 4:00pm PST until Sunday, April 22 at 8:00pm PST. Buy any lampwork focal or set and recieve a FREE pair of earring beads in your choice of colors. (an $8.00 value) Just mention in the Note to Seller what color you would like. (Does not apply to custom orders) http://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneDesignsbySheila?ref=si_shop#

Customer Jewelry

I love to see what my customers make with the beads they purchase from me. This beautiful bracelet in the link below was created by Jeanie of Knot in Love Designs.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97543116/lampwork-bracelet-sunset-spring-fashion
I just love this bracelet!

Win a Set of Letter Stamps!

Jewelry and Bead Soup Blog Party guru Lori McDaniel Anderson is having a giveaway on her blog for a set of Impress Art Letter Stamps and a stamping hammer! Here's the link to her blog so you can enter to win!
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/04/win-set-of-impress-art-letter-stamps.html
I've been wanting to try my hand at some more sophisticated metalwork and I think these stamps would be so much fun and the perfect compliment to my lampwork beads.

SRA, What it Means

There has been alot of discussion in the lampwork community about SRA handmade lampwork beads versus mass marketed lampwork beads.The letters stand for Self Representing Artist and is comprised of a large group of individuals who make the beads in their home studios. Being an SRA member means they are selling the beads they made and pay close attention to detail with every bead from making the bead, properly annealing the beads and cleaning them of all bead release before selling them. When shopping for lampwork beads, try to search for SRA artists. To learn more about this group or look up the members list, click on the link below.
http://www.self-representing-artist.com/index.htm

New Website

After a year long journey to create my own website (long story) I finally have my own website! It has lots of pictures of my beads and jewelry and even a cool slide show in the gallery section.Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://stonedesignstudio.com/

New Bracelet

"Rustic Manor" bracelet was featured in the March issue of Bead Trends magazine!
I love the simplicity and earthy feel of this bracelet. When I opened my latest issue of Rena Klingenberg's Jewelry Business Success online newsletter I found it also in the Highlights from the Handmade Jewelry Gallery. If you do not recieve Rena's newsletter, here's a link to a wonderful, informative newsletter for the jewelry community.
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/newsletter-168.html

Dahlia Bracelet

I love it when a customer takes the time to let me know what they have made with the beads they purchased from me. This adorable bracelet made by Diane Scott combines one of my lampwork lentil focals with seed beads and assorted Czech glass beads and pearls. I love it!!
You can view more of her work at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DichroDivaDesigns

More about one bead...

Here's another bracelet my niece, Lisa Suver made with one of my lampwork "orphan" beads. I just love it!
Be sure to check out all the participants of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party going on today!
http://networkedblogs.com/uGXnb

One Bead?

I often include one pretty lampwork bead as a thank you gift when people purchase beads from me. I want to suggest a few design ideas using one bead. First...here's a link to my nieces adorable bracelet made with one of my lampwork beads.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81663560/lampwork-bangle-bracelet-silver-black
She has made a cute bangle style bracelet with the bead as a focal and coordinating beads on each side.
Some other ideas include making the popular purse charms. Use a large lobster clasp and make a dangle with the bead and some coordinating crystals and metal. The same can be used for key chains, zipper pulls on clothing, diaper bags, backpacks even fan pulls and mini blind pulls.
Use in a mixed media designs for an eclectic look that's so "in" right now.
Of course, one beautiful handmade bead makes the perfect pendant, adorned simply and strung on a chain, leather cord or satin ribbon.

Winning Bead

I was so excited to learn that my "Northwest Sun" bead was chosen to be a part of the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers) virtual tour for the Venture exibit running from March 1st through July when the beads will be displayed at the annual Gathering in Bellevue, July 25-29,2012.The beads were judged in 2 categories, Under 2 years experience and Over 2 years.Mine is in the first category. My score was 59 out of 75.
If you would like to view the beads, here is a link to the ISGB website:
http://www.isgb.org/

Zibbet

I've joined a new online market place called Zibbet! It started in 2009, but they have recently been promoting it and are planning to do more in the future, like major magazine ads. Like Art Fire, they do not take a percentage of the sale, but charge a monthly fee. Right now you can sign up for $79.00/year. You can even start with a FREE basic account. Here's a link to my Zibbet shop:
http://www.zibbet.com/SheilaDavis

Bead Soup

Well, I wasn't chosen by the randomizer for the Bead Soup Blog Party..but my niece, Lisa was! Conrats Lisa! I can't wait to see what her and her partner come up with.
I like Lori's idea too for those who weren't chosen.
Here's a link to her popular blog to find out how it works!
http://networkedblogs.com/sIQWn

New Magazine

The
February 2012 issue of Bead Design Studio (formerly Bead Unique)includes an article by Rachel Baron called Marketing 101, Pricing Your Work. I was asked to contribute a pricing tip in conjunction with the article. My issue came in the mail yesterday and I found a picture of one of my bracelets on the first page of the article! The next pages have tips from 2 other jewelry designers and mine. Be sure to check out this well written article as well as lots of cool projects!

Jewelry Tips and Ideas

Jewelry guru Rena Klingenberg has a newsletter packed full of info about jewelry design, display and marketing called Jewelry Business Success News. I find useful information in each issue, as well as designs ideas, forums, challenges and more.
Here's a link:
http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/newsletter-164.html

Bead Soup Blog Party

This is my first year to hopefully participate in the very popular Bead Soup Blog Party! 200 lucky beaders are chosen to join in the fun. They each send out a collection of beads to include a focal, nice clasp and coordinating beads to an assigned partner. They design jewelry with the beads, take pictures then post it on their blog. On Party Day, everyone visits all the blogs to see what everyone else made! I can't wait!