Giveaway!

I'm almost at 500 Likes on my Facebook business page! To help me reach this goal, I'm having a giveaway! This beautiful scallop shell bead will be given to the 500th Like. So tell a friend and good luck! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stone-Designs-Lampwork-Glass-Beads-and-Art-Jewelry/288413853646

Bead Soup!

The final list for the 8th annual Bead Soup Blog Party have been announced! My partner is Melissa Muir, a very talented metal smith. Here is her website http://www.melissamuir.com/ I look forward to working with her and can't wait to see everyone's designs! A big thank you to Lori Anderson and her family for putting this together through a lot of personal struggles. Have some pie Lori!

8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party

It's that time again...Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop Party! I can't wait to find out who my partner is this year. This will be my third party. I'd like to thank Lori for all she does for the beading community...especially since she has struggled with so many health issues. You can find out more about this fun bead swap party on her blog at http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-few-things-to-mention-before-sign-ups.html Sorry...no eye candy today, Blogger won't let me upload a photo!

Happy New Year!

While engaging in a discussion on one of my Facebook groups, I learned about a new site called http://www.indiemade.com/ It is an artist website builder with a store, blog feature and galleries, with up to 17 pages if you like. There are several levels on the payment plan, but the good thing is, there are no extra fees or listing charges like Etsy, and some other sites. The other thing I like about it is, it looks like a professional website, not a store in another collective site like so many others. Also, there is a shopping cart! All you need to set up your own, is a PayPal account. I had fun designing my site too. It still needs a little work, but I think it looks pretty good so far and I've already had 2 sales! A couple tips I have to help you set up your site...add the Handbook to your Favorites so it's easy to access. I also opened two windows in my browser for my shop while designing and just refresh one to see how it looks when you make changes. It allows you to change the color of the font in several areas, the layout and design. Oh...and they have a 1 month free trial period, after that you are charged monthly, instead of yearly like Zibbet. In the meantime, I have been trying to stay warm in the studio, adding new listings of the beads I made over the holidays, in between all the holiday bustle. I'm so looking forward to some warm weather and Spring beads! http://stonedesignstudio.indiemade.com/

As 2014 fast approaches, a time to set new goals with fresh ideas, I have decided to place my Blog on my website as well as here. Truthfully, I am not a very dedicated blogger...a goal to reach for! With that in mind, I also have many new bead ideas, jewelry designs featuring the new Shibori ribbon and Soutache. I have tutorials that I need to get out and practice, like my new one from the uber talented Lydia Muell. I have had a very successful and happy year and hope you have too! Without my customers I would be lost...or buried in beads! Look for exciting new changes to my website too...like a shopping cart! In March, I will be participating in a collaboration between a wonderful metalsmith, named Jennifer Lawrence Bennett from Seattle. We are 2 of over 80 artists ( 40 glass bead artists and 40 metalsmiths) in this art project called 3 X 2 Redux, which will culminate in a gallery tour starting in Seattle in April at Facere Gallery, then on to Fisherton Mills in Salsbury, England and last to the Contemporary Crafts Museum in Portland, Oregon. Needless to say, I am very excited and honored to be a part of this wonderful project. There will be 3 pieces designed and they will be for sale. I will keep you updated on this venture! In the meantime, Happy Holidays and a very happy and prosperous new year! Sheila

Ramblings

Every time I check in on my blog to share something, I can't believe how long it's been since the last time I blogged! Where does the time go? It's been a busy summer, what with canning and freezing food out of the garden, bead shows, keeping up with Stone Designs on Etsy, and the day to day routine. Even though I am "retired" I am busy as ever. But Fall is definitely upon us! We went for a drive yesterday and the Fall colors are beautiful right now. Very inspiring for a bead maker! My bead fans will be happy to learn, I bought a new camera! It's a Canon Rebel DSLR. I am just learning how to use it but the pictures are so much more clear. Until next time....

Jewelry Displays

The best things in life are free....or cheap! For my upcoming show in Fresno, The Heart of California Bead and Adornment Expo, I found some vintage silver trays to display beads on. Some of these I already had since I am a junk store junkie! I think they will look so cute with my lampwork beads in them and add a continuity to the table.

I am also so excited about my new earring cards! ( I know...it's the little things!)I was surprised to find how little selection there is for earring cards. Some of the best choices are on Etsy. I found these at Julry Partz. She was very easy to work with and a very reasonable $4.00 for a digital download that I can print as many as I want. I would recommend a heavy cardstock for these. I use plastic earring card adapters from Rio Grande, cut them in half, because I'm frugal...and punch holes for the earrings. (Always use earring nuts to keep them on the cards. I couldn't believe a recent thread on Facebook about whether to use them or not!)