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!