New Beads

It's been awhile since I've blogged as I'm busy getting ready for Bead and Button show, the largest consumer bead show in the world! I'll be there June 4~7 at the Marketplace. I don't have a booth number yet, but I will be in the artisan row. It's in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Center. Meanwhile, here's some new beads!

I love the new blue and ivory glass from Effetre called Amazing Avorio. It's got great marbling.

Facebook Sale!

A quick blog this morning before I hop off to the dentist! I am having a Facebook sale on some beads I just listed in my Etsy shop. Be sure to Like my business page to get in on marked down NEW beads! For FB only! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stone-Designs-Lampwork-Glass-Beads-and-Art-Jewelry/288413853646

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....

Pinterest

Pinterest can be very addicting! Although I'm not one of those addicts, I find some very beautiful inspiration there for my beads. I've created a Pinterest board featuring jewelry made by my customers using my beads in the designs. If you would like to be invited to Pin on this board, just leave a comment in the section below with your email. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email on a public site, just contact me through my Etsy shop and I'll add you!

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.

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.

Cyber Weekend Sale

I'm having a Cyber Weekend sale in my Etsy shop.... Friday through Monday. Free shipping on lampwork beads, use coupon code shipmybeads. Also, all earrings will be on sale at 15% off. Sale price will be reflected, no coupon needed! http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.etsy.com/ I'm also giving away a pair of lampwork earrings made with my handmade lampwork beads. A $32.00 value! All you have to do is leave a comment in this post and I will be drawing the lucky winner on Saturday, December 1st. This is in conjunction with Artisan Whimsy Market. They will be collectively giving away over $1300.00 worth of jewelry and components! There will be 45 winners.For the event wide discount use code AWHOLIDAY in the search and all the participating shops will come up.

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!

Adorable Bracelet and Earrings!

Today's customer feature is a beautiful bracelet made by my niece, Lisa Suver. She designed the bracelet and earrings with my lampwork "Southwest Summer" beads. I have seen this set in person and it is TDF!! If you would like a set of these beads just visit my Etsy If you don't see the beads, they probably have sold(they have been very popular) so just contact me and I will custom make a set for you. If you would like a bracelet like this one you can order one from Lisa through her Etsy

More about one bead...

Here's another bracelet my niece, Lisa Suver made with one of my lampwork "orphan" beads. I just love it!
Be sure to check out all the participants of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party going on today!
http://networkedblogs.com/uGXnb

Bead Retreat

I'm so excited to be attending my first Fire and Rain bead retreat today! Fire and Rain is the local group chapter of the ISGB, International Society of Glass Beadmakers which promotes the ancient art of glass beadmaking through education. We will have demonstrations,classes and fun! I know I will walk away with a ton of new ideas,techniques and knowledge.
Here is the latest set in my Italian series,"Italian Plum"

Tuesday's Tip

You can easily make your own earring cards by using a nice cardstock,maybe one that coordinates with your jewelry style.Design the cards on your computer,cut them up using a paper cutter and attach a plastic earring card adapter.You can get them from http://www.riogrande.com and their very inexpensive.I even cut mine into thirds to make them go farther! Use a large needle or small hole punch to make holes and voila!Earrings cards. I make up a bunch at a time so their ready when I go on an earring making spree!