New Series

My newest series of lampwork lentil focal beads is named after exotic hardwoods. While researching names for the beads I learned that American Hardwood is a sustainable and abundant resource as deemed by the U.S. congress. I love the look of hardwood floors. These beads are a loose interpretation. This is 'Cherrywood'

New Look

After reading alot of blog posts in the recent blog hop, I decided to change the look of my blog. What do you think? I still can't get the lettering on the right hand side to change color..but I guess it looks okay. I think it will make a better background for my beads and not so hard to look at as the black! I've been busy working on a trunk show for my niece and sister-in-law's bead store, but I'm done now so will be posting lots of new beads this week...especially now that the weather has warmed up a few degrees, I can work out in my studio without freezing!

New Components

Some new components have been coming out of my studio this month. I love making these and there are so many design possibilities. A hole at each end provides inifite design ideas. Attach a wire wrapped dangle to one end and hang from the other end in a necklace. Use as a bead frame, or an interesting focal in an asymetrical necklace.

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

Beading guru Lori Anderson is hosting another blog hop...this one is a little different. To read about the story behind this hop and a list of the participants (130 in all!) visit her wonderful blog. Thank you Lori! http://www.prettythingsblog.com/ Grab a box of tissues and read about everyone's tribute to someone who has touched their lives. My bracelet is dedicated to my beautiful sister Marcia, who passed on in 2004 of ovarian cancer. I miss her terribly. She loved flowers and iris was one of her favorites. When I owned my flower shop in California, she used to come down from Washington to help me on Valentines Day. We worked hard but had so much fun, I couldn't have done it without her. That's her on the left. This picture was taken around 1982.

This bracelet was a new endeavor for me. It started with my lampwork cabochon which I did some beadwork around and backed it with gray ultrasuede. I wanted to do something different this time so I incorporated it with antique brass wire and more beads and crystals to form a beaded cuff bracelet. Like Marcia..it is earthy, multi-faceted and unique. Now I'm off to see everyone elses creations and read their stories.

New Beads

I've made a few more of my vase style beads in an antiquities style. I love this look! Inspired my Google images of ancient vases and jugs...Google images are a great place for inspiration.

Wow! What happened to the last month! I can't believe it's been a monthe since I wrote a post. Well. I'll try to be better in the new year, even if it's just a picture of new beads. I've cleaned up my studio, my beading area, which is a small corner of the living room and am ready for new adventures in beading. I cleaned out my Czech glass beads and have a bagful to donate to A Little Something, a group of refugee women in Denver who make jewelry. I learned about it from Rena Klingenberg's Jewelry Making Journal. http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/welcome-to-the-jewelry-making-journal-bead- If you would like to learn more about it, visit her page. Now is a good time to clean out all thise beads you bought years ago and haven't used!

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