Bead and Button Show

The day is near...I leave tomorrow for Milwaukee to attend and sell my wares at my first Bead and Button Show. I would like to again thank the ISGB for this opportunity. I received a place in the show among 2 other artists as a marketing opportunity from the Society after applying about 3 months ago. Bead and Button is the largest consumer bead show in the U.S. it is 2 weeks long with many, many classes by expert teachers. The Marketplace is open to the public starting Thursday evening with a sneak preview and continues through Sunday.

I forget from time to time, how much goes in to doing a show not to mention, putting on a huge show like this. I have been making beads for months to set aside so that I don't deplete my Etsy shop and forget about my loyal customers. Making beads for both has been a challenge. I have a carry-on full of beads and some stashed in my suitcase too! Display items, lights, cords etc. have been mailed to the hotel so they will be there when I get to the check in. List after list of thing to remember, things to take, don't forget this, don't forget that....

The worst part (if there is one) is not knowing what to expect. Since I have never attended this show, I have no clue as to how many beads to take! But, I can only take so many and whatever is left will be listed in my Etsy shop as soon as I return.

Happy New Year!

And now let us welcome the New Year Full of things that have never been. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

It's kind of odd how we mark one year into the next when in reality, it's just another day. Without clocks or calendars we would never know and probably wouldn't care. But in our busy lifestyles, we are constantly reminded of time. What do you dream of for the coming year? Your dreams can come true...write them down and create a plan. Follow your heart, do what you love and find your passion! I have been fortunate in my life to have found glass. I hope to bring you many new beads in the coming year. I plan new classes and shows, learning from my peers while finding inspiration in my constant love of nature, art, textiles and not to mention, Google images! Happy New Year!!

The Big Reveal!

Today is the day hundreds of jewelry makers reveal their creations for Lori Anderson's 8th annual Bead Soup Blog Party! It has been a pleasure for me to work with my Bead Soup partner, Melissa Muir of Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox She is a metalworker and does lots of reviews of new product lines. Check out her blog to see what she did with the soup I sent her... Below is a photo of the soup she sent me.Lots of pretty gemstones, sterling silver and some handmade components.

The beautiful handmade sterling silver pendant which I incorporated in my first necklace, and I also used the cute handmade "S" hook and eye clasp that she made in this design. I made a set of lampwork beads in cool colors of teal, dark blue and pale aqua, and used coordinating Swarovski crystals to tie it all together.

This is a 27" necklace and will be listed in my Etsy shop after the blog hop.

The coordinating earrings are made with the cute sterling silver flower beads and matching lampwork beads and crystals. I love these earrings!

The second necklace I designed using the oval copper piece and the gemstones. I textured the oval and ran it through my torch to give it a patina, then polished it with Renaissance wax. The lampwork beads I made are one of my favorite designs, with beautiful silver laden glass that really accents the gemstones. I made a copper clasp to finish off the piece. Time ran short for me so the earrings are still in the design phase!

Last but not least...I fell in love with the copper and silver components that Melissa made. So I made a pair of earrings for myself with my lampwork beads! I wear a lot of black and earth tones, so these will get a lot of wear.

I'd like to thank my partner, Melissa and our hostess with the mostest, Lori Anderson for another fun Bead Soup Blog Hop Party. Be sure to check out the other bloggers in this list.

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....

A new blog site has opened up in the last couple weeks that features daily lampwork bead posts by lampwork glass bead artists. It's called Glass Beads Daily Be sure to check in often as artists post different beads everyday. Here's a little eye candy of mine!

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 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.

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

Spring is in the Air!

My favorite month( because I have a birthday this month)April!Thanks again to Art Bead Scene for mentioning me in their blog,it has brought me a lot of traffic.If I have been a little absent lately,it's because I am trying to put my own website together.It has been a very frustrating journey and it's still not finished.I will post the URL when it is.I have been making beads of course, a few custom orders and now going to concentrate on some spring designs in floral motifs,some shells for upcoming summer designs and continuing with the Malawi series.

New Selling Venue

After hearing alot of good things about ArtFire.com I decided to open a shop with my handmade Lampwork beads.They make it fairly easy,you can upload your listings directly from your Etsy.It was kinda fun too! They have a color feature where you get to pick the main color in your item.( I just love color)I have to figure out how to make a banner,I used one from my stash,but I would like it to have my beads on it.
If anyone can help me with this,I'd appreciate it!I have professional pictures but don't know how to size it without it looking like you're in one of those funny mirrors at the circus! Here's the link:
http://www.artfire.com/users/StoneDesigns