Inspiration

Someone recently asked how I can put together such asymetrical sets (or maybe they were referring to jewelry!)I've always loved monochromatic color schemes. When I had my flower shop, customers would come in just for one of my bouquets made in all pinks, lavenders or peaches. So when I'm looking to create a set of not so matchy-matchy beads, I look for a color palette that will make a pleasing to the eye set of beads for jewelry making. Not all the glass is the same and sometimes even diggerent shapes go into the set. I look for color inspiration in magazines, Google images, clothing catalogues and of course...Design Seeds.

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.