New Pinterest Board

I have created a new Pinterest board called "Jewelry Other People Have Made with My Beads" Here's a link: http://pinterest.com/stonedesigns/jewelry-people-have-made-with-my-beads/ If you have made jewelry with my lampwork beads and would like to be featured in this board, just contact me through my Etsyand I will add you! Meanwhile, here's a new beadwork necklace from me.

Cabochons

I was fooling around with some new necklace pieces on my bead table and came up with this great use for my lampwork cabochons using a filigree component from Filigree and Me Gently bending the edges of the metal around the cab, secures it in place and adds a beauitful backing to the piece. I just slipped a jump ring through the back and it's ready to use in my new necklace.

Bead Soup Blog Party

It's time for Lori Anderson's annual Bead Soup Blog Party 7! I have a great and talented partner, Rain Hannah of Honey and Ollie. Here's a link to great Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyandollie?ref=search_shop_redirect I recieved my bead soup and it has so much inspiration! I'm thinking at least 2 designs from all that. Our reveal date is March 30, 2013. So with 500 participants this year, Lori divided it into 3 reveal dates. Lots of blogging going on!

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.