"WHAT INSPIRES YOU?"...Won't You Join Me?

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QUICK! Don't Miss this Opportunity

Some fun news for those of you who frequent the Artbeads website and especially for those of you who may not have found this mecca for all our beading needs. Artbeads has recently launched a new contest called the 'Bead IQ Trivia Sweepstakes.' You can test your bead knowledge by taking the short quiz and then enter the sweepstakes for a chance at winning a $250 'Bead Genius' Prize Package, which includes a $100 Artbeads.com Gift Card and $150 worth of beading and jewelry supplies.

Deadline is around the corner! This is a great contest to share also with your family, friends, fellow beaders and blog readers! This sweepstakes is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) 18 years of age and older and ends on September 16, 2010.

To play the Bead IQ Trivia Sweepstakes, please follow this link: http://bit.ly/ajdrDF. Good Luck!

Another Artbeads Offer:

This is just a quick update on the new Instant Savings at Artbeads.com. We wanted to explain how the new Instant Savings works. You no longer have to search for or remember to enter coupon codes. With Instant Savings, all you have to do is meet certain total order values, and the discount will automatically be applied at checkout. For instance If you spend $45, you will receive a 5% discount. Spend $95 to get a 10% discount. You can even get 15% off your entire order when your order reaches $175!

To save even more money make sure you are signed up with our email newsletter for exclusive coupons. You can then combine these coupons with Instant Savings for even greater discounts. To redeem coupons, simply enter the coupon code at checkout and click "apply."

Note: Instant Savings takes effect on sale prices and after eligible discounts are applied. Shipping costs are not included in cart value and are not discounted by Instant Savings.

If you have any further questions regarding Instant Savings please contact Artbeads.com and feel free to share this information with your family, friends, fellow beaders and blog readers.

SUMMERTIME GARDEN AT NIGHT

"Summertime Garden at Night"

PRODUCT REVIEW CORNER

There are a few color combinations that I believe we all feel go together and one of them is black, yellow and white. With that in mind, it was time for me to get searching for the components to use in Artbeads "Summertime" theme.

Murano Glass Curved Diamond Pendant- Yellow Millifiori
Product Code: MRG-PEND006

LINK: http://www.artbeads.com/pendants.html

Measurements: Height 40mm,

Width 41mm

Color: Yellow

Material: Glass

Shape or Style: Diamond

Place of Origin: Italy

This lovely yellow Murano glass curved diamond pendant has a large hole for threading ribbon and is decorated with random fields of white and yellow flowers. The white and yellow flowers lay on a yellow field. The design of each of these handmade pendants will vary according to the artist's wishes. To create a pendant, the artist cuts multi-colored glass rods into thin circles that display a floral pattern. He adds these into his diamond design, fuses them together and shapes the diamond into a curve.

Venetian Glass 20mm Zanfirico Millefiori Disc - Jet

Product Code: VZDC-JET20

LINK: http://www.artbeads.com/glass-beads.html

Measurements: Length 22-23mm,

Width 22-23mm,

Height 11-12mm

Color: Jet

Material: Venetian Glass

Shape or Style: Disc

Place of Origin: Italy

These millefiori disc beads are among the most famous Venetian glass beads being used today. The literal translation of millefiori is "thousand flowers," and the intricate flower embellishments in these beads are infused using world famous Murano glass rods and adorned with brilliant gold foil. These beads are created with the Zanfirico technique, which consists of heating glass rods, twisting them together, and coating them with a clear glass encasing. This results in an intricate filigree effect. The combination of the gold foil and black glass gives these beads beautiful color. Use these Venetian beads as focal points on necklaces or simple earrings, or string them together for a beautiful effect. Artbeads suggests to use wire when working with these beads due to slightly ragged glass edges. I always work with Fireline and that has worked beautifully. Once again, the quality of these pieces are extraordinary.

As you all know, every few months I am privileged to write a product review for Artbeads, a Washington-based full scale bead company. As the artist, I am asked to choose my product, free of charge, from a list of potential items, and give my readers an honest review.

Disclosure: These items were kindly provided free-of-charge by Artbeads.com, within the frames of Artbeads.com blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.

THE BEAUTY OF SPRING

The Components

I just love it when these little packages arrive from Artbeads! They always use this wonderful purple tissue that wraps around each and every delivery. In the photos above, you can see the products I used in my "Beauty of Spring" piece.

Everyone I talk to is waiting for spring!! How about you? Depending on where we live, for some it's early, others later. Here in southern Oregon this last week has been beautiful: cold in the AM's and warmer in the afternoons. Trees are in bloom and have been for a few weeks and the daffodils and tulips dot the hillsides.

So, with spring in the air, I wanted to work on a spring necklace with products from Artbeads.com. As you all know, every few months I am privileged to write a product review for Artbeads, a Washington-based full scale bead company. As the artist, I am asked to choose my product, free of charge, from a list of potential items, and give my readers an honest review.

I decided that a freeform piece would be really fun with this spring Bulgarian ceramic donut. In my opinion, the focal piece is another wonderful Artbeads pendant, and not too heavy. A nice glaze finishes off the handpainted focal piece. I also used Czech glass flowers to compliment the pendant design. Since a photo is worth ...well, you know...here they are.

Company: Artbeads (Artbeads.com)
STONEWARE DONUT PENDANT:
Measurements: Height 38mm, Width 38mm
Color: Light Green/Red
Material: Stoneware Clay
Shape or Style: Donut
Place of Origin: Bulgaria

PURPLE FLOWER:
Measurements: Length 14mm, Width 14mm
Color: Purple
Material: Glass
Shape or Style: Flat Flower
Place of Origin: Czech Republic

I invite you also to check out Artbeads and their fabulous sweepstake offers:
http://www.facebook.com/artbeads#/artbeads?v=app_28134323652

Disclosure: These items were kindly provided free-of-charge by Artbeads.com, within the frames of Artbeads.com blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.

OHMYGOSH!!

Is This Heaven?

Woke up to a rainy Saturday morning, untangled myself from around the dogs and rolled myself upright ~ turning a few corners, just a few more feet and I was in my little studio. Now I used to have the whole back room in the back of our house - but, but, but the computer wasn't in there, no TV (though usually I listen to music or the Food Channel) and worst of all, little natural light and no visual access out a window. Well, I don't mean to sound spoiled, (and I am) but after a few years of making quilts and doing beading in there, the frustration mounted.

So this winter I slowly started transferring my books and graphic supplies to the back room and schlepping my beading inventory into the front tiny office. Many trips, many, many trips!

Now I am all squished into this much smaller space but, but, but...I have huge windows that look out on the forest that we share with our 4-legged creatures, a tiny TV in the corner and my computer. I have a little bubbly fountain on my work desk (necessary for creating) and feel totally content surrounded by colors and textures, soothed by the fountain and music, and with my two hairy darlings stretched across my feet and under my chair.

What I noticed this rainy morning as I gazed at my table is that I'm very close to being out of control here! (Gads, please don't tell my husband I actually said that). I absolutely never have only one project in process together; more like 4-6, and then I'm pulling colors for a 7th, well, you get the picture. While one piece is drying (E-6000) I'm working on 2 others, and casting glances at a few projects still in very early stages to see where I'm going to go from there with them. This last week I had 3 projects going, and all in greens. I got bored with the color ~ and voila, time to start something new in a different color just to keep my interest up!

The result is what you see above. And that's only the view in one direction! I suppose your workplace is organized and free of clutter? No reply necessary. Oh well, Onward!!

THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP

It was raining yesterday here in southern Oregon, again. The mailman came and went and I decided to wait until a break in the rain to go out and collect the contents of our mailbox.

Later....piles of catalogs, a few bills and a Priority Mail box from Michigan. Ahhh, the few wonderful poly pieces I had just purchased from RachelesOriginals for my own work. And another surprise package!

Rachele and I are good friends. We are also partners in managing The Beadweaving Emporium market which we founded at 1000 Markets. We are also team members together at Etsy BeadWeavers . I have always admired the exquisite work this woman does. And now I am the proud owner of this very generous gift; one of Rachele's magnificient creations!!! More thank yous, Rachele ~ so very much!

See Rachele's creations at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelesOriginals

http://www.rachelesoriginals.blogspot.com

http://www.1000markets.com/users/rachelesoriginals

PRODUCT REVIEW CORNER

This product review seemed to come right on the heels of the last one but the timing was wonderful, as far as I'm concerned! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, look at this beauty that I choose to work with.

As you all know, every few months I am privileged to write a product review for Artbeads, a Washington-based full scale bead company. As the artist, I am asked to choose my product, free of charge, from a list of potential items, and give my readers an honest review.

I mused over several ways I could work with this great lampwork glass heart and found, in the end, that all it really sung out for was an elegant, simple Herringbone necklace to show case the pendant. Anything else would have detracted from the centerpiece.

Company: Artbeads (Artbeads.com)
Product: #1839959 JC-HTRED
Description: Red sparkle swirl dichoic heart pendant
Measurements: 50 X 30 mm,
Material: Glass
Place of Origin: USA

I invite you also to check out Artbeads and their fabulous sweepstake offers:
http://www.facebook.com/artbeads#/artbeads?v=app_28134323652

The eye-catching detail and craftsmanship of this artisan dichroic pendant makes it a perfect focal piece for your jewelry designs, not just holiday time. Each bead is handcrafted in the USA. There are no sharp edges and colors are accurate and intense. Their quality is indisputable ~ at least, this is my own opinion.

Disclosure: #1811995 LMP-0054, Hot pink and purple free style Kalera Beads, were kindly provided free-of-charge by Artbeads.com, within the frames of Artbeads.com blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.

PRODUCT REVIEW CORNER

Kalera Lampwork

Every few months I am privileged to write a product review for Artbeads, a Washington-based full scale bead company. As the artist, I am asked to choose my product, free of charge, from a list of potential items, and give my readers an honest review. This time I choose one of their wonderful lampwork pendants and I designed a simple necklace around 2 of them together.

Company: Artbeads (Artbeads.com)
Product: #1811995 LMP-0054
Description: Hot pink and purple free style KaLERA Beads
Product Link: http://www.artbeads.com/lmp-0054.html
Link: http://www.artbeads.com/cubic-zirconia-jewelry-beads.html

I invite you also to check out Artbeads and their fabulous sweepstake offers:
http://www.facebook.com/artbeads#/artbeads?v=app_28134323652

Measurements: Length 38.5mm,
Width 19-20.5mm
Color: Pink/Purple ~ Hot Pink and Purple Free Style Kalera Bead
Material: Glass
Place of Origin: USA

The intense detail and craftsmanship of this artisan lampwork bead makes it a perfect focal piece for your jewelry designs. Each bead is handcrafted in the USA. Despite the tiny variations between each bead, (I got 3 each) the incredible similarity from one to the next will astound you. There are no sharp edges and colors are accurate and intense. Their quality is indisputable ~ at least, this is my own opinion.

Disclosure: #1811995 LMP-0054, Hot pink and purple free style Kalera Beads, were kindly provided free-of-charge by Artbeads.com, within the frames of Artbeads.com blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.