Tohos (and Miyykis) and Sunshine

Simply that. 😊

Many on the go

I don't know about you, but I tend to have a few projects on the go at the same time. Sometimes this actually really bugs me! Right now for example I got a good way into my second go at a GoodQuillHunting (http://goodquillhunting.com/) pattern with twin beads and realized the beads that came in the mail were the wrong size...
I really love working with these beads, they are a lot of fun, not to mention I wish I had the talent Christina has in coming up with such patterns!
Later, as I'm half-way into another of her patterns (I'm also good at buying patterns and taking a while to use them!) I realize I need to order smaller needles...
I have not worked in 15s much in a while. Of course now I'm loving it again!
So I guess I'll be starting something else later!

New Season

Well, it's yet another season of our lives!
Not long after I wrote the last post, let's say I get really tired. Really, really tired. I then lived in a tired  haze for quite some time made up of work, sinus headaches, soaking my feet and collapsing onto the couch.
We are having a little baby girl in November :).
So, needless to say my focus and what energy I had during the first trimester were not about beads. And then as my energy returned it was about getting through each work day and putting my legs up and resting when I got home.
I am now starting my third week home and not working as my legs would not handle eight hour shifts on them at a go. I am spending a lot of time organizing and cleaning, getting the baby's room ready and nesting.
But it also mean I have time and energy to bead! Yay!
My poor Etsy shop has been sorely neglected. I'm debating about finding a new street team on Etsy or waiting until after little girl shows herself and seeing how her days go first.
Either way, it's also a new season for my beading.
As yes, I have maternity leave and a bit of money with that, but not as much, I'm hoping to get back to selling a little more often and putting more efforts into that online I seem to have sold more in person over the last few years, but I have the time to try to advertise and such more now.
 It will also be a new season in that, since I'm not working right now not all the profits will go to missions. I will still have times where this is true though.
I have some pieces to photograph and listings to update, but mostly I'm excited to play with my beads again :)

I'm also excited to have time to look at other beady buddies blogs and get back into the beading community online :).

See you all soon!

Lovely Lady

I am so excited for what I will be creating from these! They were all handpicked for a custom order. Aren't they lovely together?
These are all available from the lovely Bobbithisinthat.

Resolution

Yes, my resolution is to get back to this :)
I really hate even the idea of resolutions, but , oh well, there you have it.
I think the main reason I had gotten away from it was the lack of a good camera (this is also why I haven't listed anything in a while.)
The other reason being I have been having so much more success in person.

I also hate that I missed taking pictures of some sort of two custom pieces I recently did, partially due to the camera issue and partially due to time!
One was a remake of a new design that I haven't listed yet-I was wearing the first one and someone wanted one like it! The colour combination they chose was like a sunset and I regret not having the photo!
The other was a netted bracelet done all in silver lined beads. Simple and elegant. I will have to duplicate this. I've thought of doing this in the past, and never had. I had a grandmother of the groom who is wearing silver custom order it. It was far lovelier than I even imagined-I love when that happens!

I was encouraged by a friend to try a Jewelery open house, and did so, with great success!
Next year I'm going to do it farther out from Christmas. I'm also planning on doing them throughout the year. I really think there is something to being able to touch and see beadweaving in person.

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas!!

MINE

Over the past year I've fallen more and more in love with Czech pressed glass beads. I have a favourite seller who I'm willing to share my source of because I LOVE sending business her way :).
Bobbi This 'N That (I've blogged about her before) is my go to gal for my Czech bead obesession.
I just got some goodies from her in the mail this week. Some of them are for a couple of custom orders I have, but you know ;).
There are two sets in particular that I saw and went "MINE" over!


I played around with these little beauties a bit last night, but the right thing didn't work out yet.

These very well may be my (current) favorite ever. I say current because I'm fickle any time I see a new set of beads. What can I say???
These beads, as per usual, were so much better in person than in her shop.
I cannot imagine if I were to shop from her in person how many I'd come home with!!
So, I will make these into something for me at some close point in time. After all, what is the point of being able to beadweave if I don't treat myself as well? I can also use the excuse that it is great advertising.
Today though, I am going to work on piece one of said custom order. All wilst sipping on a caffinated beverage and visiting with my quilter friend at a local coffee shop. I love my day off :).

BobbiThisnThat

Back in May Etsy made a few changes, and all of a sudden I could find beads!! When I looked, I didn't give up because everything was drowned in fished product, I was thrilled!!
Towards the end of the month I stumbled into an AMAZING seller BobbiThisnThat
Her beads drew me in, I loved the idea that she was in Canada so that I could get my goodies right away, but her amazing customer service kept me.
I have ordered from her again since and will return to her for my beading needs!!

Here are a few (of the many!) favourites!











I have some of these, some I am tempted to buy (but I should behave ;) ) and some are on the way to me!

Bobbi also has some beautiful silver findings and charms!
Whatever you do, go and check her out!! She makes it worth your while!!!

Beads for mom!

Mothers day is coming!
And Studio Marcy (http://StudioMarcy.etsy.com
http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com/)is having a sale!

Buy one get one half off, what a deal!
What she has to say about herself:
Hi, I'm Marcy Lamberson, a glass artist who loves making people smile through my whimsical beads and sculptures.

I use a 2000 degree torch and most of my glass comes from Murano, Italy. Every piece is kiln annealed for durability.

I teach private and group lessons and enjoy taking on custom commissions. While working out of my sunroom studio overlooking my garden and birds, squirrels, chipmunks and occasional wandering possums, sometimes I just made them into beads too! . I make them wear clothes and jewelry when turning them into little fun glass pieces.

Be sure to stop by her shop and see all her beauties and buy a few!!

Looking for some sparkle?

Find it in sparklystrandz's shop!
Sparkly Stradz
http://sparklystrandz.etsy.com
http://sparklystrandz.blogspot.com/

What she has to say about herself:
I've had a love for crafts, especially crochet for over 25 years ever since my grandmother taught me at age 5. It was probably the best thing she could have done for my parents because it would keep me busy for hours. During college, I developed a love for beads--not just because they're sparkly, but because beads have such a rich history to them from around the world, and can be made from almost anything imaginable. Also, as an occupational therapist, I am able to use a variety of crafts and activities in my therapy to make it more fun!

I combined my love for crochet and beads and began making jewelry, baby onesies, hats, and all sorts of gift items about 10 years ago. "Sparkly Strandz" is an online store that you can visit and create your own jewelry by choosing the right color bead, wire, and length you want for that perfect piece!!

A couple of samples of her work:

Nursing Necklace-Serpentine Jade Gemstone

Interchangeable Lever Back Earring Starter Set-CHOOSE YOUR 4 COLORS

Be sure to browse the rest of her beauties in her shop!

Dive In!!

"Below Sea Level"

Today I am featuring myfairladyvt4-http://myfairladyvt4.etsy.com
http://myfairladyvt4.blogspot.com/.

What she has to say about herself:
I love to bead. Seed bead weaving by hand and gemstones are my favorite.
I am a Wife and Mom. Currently I am a stay at home Mom, which I love. I have 2 great kids, a boy age 12 and a daughter age 10. They are both Basketball stars at the moment. We also have 2 cats and a toy poodle.

The amazing piece above was created for the Etsy Bead Weavers Monthly Challenge "Spring Break." (Be sure to come and vote for your favourite piece begining February the seventh!! http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com)

Like what you see??
Take a look at the rest of her beautiful shop!!

Hungry For Spring???

Today I am featuring cigarboxbeads
(http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com
http://cigarboxbeads.blogspot.com )

What she has to say about herself:
I'm a retired Home Ec teacher, loved what I did, love what I'm doing now.

Beadweaving is my joy, along with knitting, crocheting, sewing AND being with our twin grand daughters. Not at the same time though, they love to 'help'! We do have 'crafting time' every day that I watch them, so I hope I'm instilling the love of creating in them.

PS- I just opened another etsy shop---suchandsort-go there to read where THAT name came from!

The piece above, beautifully named Cottage Garden Bracelet, is her entry in the Etsy Bead Weavers Monthly Challenge ("Spring Break").
Be sure to hop over and vote for your favourite piece - http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/-Begining February the seventh!!

AND be sure to go and drool over the rest of Marilyn's work in her shop!!!!!!!

Are you looking Devine??

If not, perhaps you should check out my featured seller today: purrfectlydevine.
http://purrfectlydevine.etsy.com http://purrfectlydevine.blogspot.com

What she has to say about herself:
I am relatively new to beading and I love taking classes to learn new techniques. I began selling because co-workers liked my work and asked if I would sell to them. I opened a shop because people I didn't know would comment about how much they liked my jewelry. Friends encouraged me and helped me get set up and my husband is supportive of my efforts. I have sold a number of pieces through an Open House my sister held for me. I also crochet and am thinking about adding some crochet pieces to my shop in the future.

My full-time job is a special education teacher and I work in a grocery store deli part-time. My husband and I have one daughter who is pretty much on her own and planning to get married in 2009. We share our smoke-free home with 3 cats and one grandpuppy who are banned from the bead room.

Here are a couple of samples from her shop (and of course, be sure to check out the rest of what she has to offer!!):

Crystal Dangles Earrings

Pink Flower Bracelet

Luscious Beads!

are at BerryBeads !! http://berrybeads.etsy.com, http://blog.berrybeady.com

What she has to say about herself:

Hi! My name is Rosi and I have always loved crafts. It is especially nice when the things I make are practical as well as pretty. I have many different interests and making jewelry is a new passion to bring out my creative side.

Thanks for stopping by. Check back often as I add new designs.

Why not take a peak at her shop for something special for someone special this Valentines day, such as her

Copper n' Stone Necklace

or her

Sunny Dragonfly Bracelet?

Be sure to check out the rest of her shop as well!!

Two and a half weeks!!

Until Valentines??? Still no gift??
Then why not check out thumbelinacreations!
http://thumbelinacreations.etsy.com/ http://thumbelinacreations.spaces.live.com/

More about the artist!

Jonquil Thiessen is a stay-at-home mom of three boys who loves to be creative in many different ways. She loves to sing, knit, crochet, draw, scrapbook, write music, and make jewelry. She would feel lost if she wasn't able to be creative.She started young, singing in church and at weddings at three years old. Music and art have always been her passion. She took art classes and music lessons all through school and college. During college, she met her husband, Keith. They have been married for almost ten years. He also enjoys music and encourages her to further her interests. (Or maybe he justs puts up with it.)He does say sometimes that she has too many hobbies.Jonquil's favorite medium is ... well ... It's hard to pick a favorite. She likes jewelry, but is considering opening a knitting store as well.She has tried to pass on her passion to her boys, but as you may know, little boys do not have a long attention span. Some of the boys are off to school know, so she has a little more time to focus on her art.Her main priority is her family. Etsy has become a valuable method of continuing with her art and still being able to love and take care of her family.

A couple of samples from her shop:
Heart Necklace


RED button earrings

Be sure to pop over to her shop and check out the rest of her goodies :)

Enjoy Berries??

Check out the work of Berry Patch Designs!

http://berrypatchdesigns.etsy.com/ http://strainsasylum.blogspot.com/

What they have to say about themselves:

Stephanie Strain is a pseudo-geek and jewelry designer, working on further developing more advanced wire and silversmith techniques. I love the varying colors, textures and patterns of gemstones and study lapidary and gemology, as well.I have 3 shops on Etsy:BerryPatchDesigns (this shop) I work with my two "sisters" who also create lovely earth-based jewelry.http://SilverShadow.etsy.com (AKA SilverShadow Designs) is my own primary shop, though many of BerryPatch's pieces are mine, as well.UnderCurrent http://UnderCurrent.etsy.comis my shop for edgier and experimental designs and is still in development.

I love to combine the varying colors and textures of the natural world. There are so many feelings and places to love about our world!Sterling silver and copper join in the visual symphony; they have their own brightness and feelings to contribute. Gold filled or vermeil will sometimes "drop in".Hearing and seeing that people enjoy wearing my jewelry is one of the best things about designing jewelry.SilverShadow Stylings is the work of Stephanie Strain of Orlando, FL.

Below are a couple examples of the lovelies in their shop:
Turquoise Bear Fetish Necklace

Turquoise Spiral Bracelet

Be sure to check out their other two shops as well :http://undercurrent.etsy.com/ http://silvershadow.etsy.com/

Love giving unique Valentine gifts??

Then come and check out Crafty Moose!
http://craftymoose.etsy.com/ http://craftymoosecrafts.blogspot.com/

What she has to say about herself:

I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. I am self-taught and have enjoyed painting, needlework, quilting, polymer clay and jewelry making. Most recently, I have found myself drawn to beads and have returned to the art of french beaded flowers. I enjoy making original, one-of-a-kind butterflies & dragonflies. I am also introducing a new line of one-of-a-kind beaded art dolls and suncatchers. Custom requests are welcome. All my items are lovingly created in a smoke-free, pet-free environment.The name Craftymoose came about because of my love of crafts and my husband's love of moose. My avatar is the head of a 4'+ tall moose I made him one Christmas!

I picked a couple of Unique Valentine gifts as a sample, but you should check out her shop-she sells such a variety!!

Hearts and Flowers Treasure Box

Red, Red, French Beaded Roses

A Taste of Brazil

Come and get one at CONTASBRASIL (http://contasbrasil.etsy.com/ http://contaskoeln.blogspot.com/)!

What she has to say about herself:

Since 2005, the brazilian Suzy Wortberg designs in Cologne custom jewelry together with two artists from her native country, Bebê de Soares and Ana Vilas Boas. Brazil meets Europe. Where different cultures meet, ideas spring up. Contrasts produce exciting new concepts. Jewelry is the expression of personality. Thus all ContasBrasil products are handmade, unique pieces, developed with a taste for things special. Inspired by the Brazilian light, it's many-sided culture and the countless riches of the Brazilian soil. Motivated by the desire of bringing people the unique feeling of life in Brazil.

Pop over for a special piece this valentines such as:

"I love pearls"

or

"Shades of Red"

CONTASBRASIL also has a supplies shop :http://contascoeln.etsy.com/

RED!!!!!!!

The Etsy Bead Weavers December-January Challenge is almost here!!!!
Come and vote for your favorite piece beginning tomorrow, January 7th!!!!!!!
http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Passion

Just wanted to put up my newest piece :)
It was a stinker for some reason!!
I only wish I could truly capture it with my camera!
I made this piece for the Etsy Bead Weavers Challenge!!
Come and vote for your favourite piece starting February 7th! (http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/)