A Necklace for Michelle

"First Ladies of Style"

Length: 28.0"

Pendant: An exquisitly beadwoven geometric pendant made of delica beads compliments the design of the entire necklace. This necklace is made for Michelle Obama - and if there ever was a "Lady of Style" (the theme for our August challenge) it is truly this First Lady.

I have spent some time studying the colors and styles this first lady wears and enjoys. It started out as a bit of a dare and ended up a reality! This is truly a one-of-a-kind; exclusively for our First Lady. It will be sent to her after our challenge is over.This is my current entry in the Etsy Beadweaver's August monthly Beadweaving Challenge. The subject of the challenge is: "FIRST LADIES OF STYLE". Beadazzled is a proud member of this creative, beadweaving group.

Vote at: http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

Voting Dates: August 9-15th

AND ALWAYS SEARCH: for the tags EBW TEAM (for unique beautiful beaded creations) and EBWC (for our monthly challenge entries) in your Etsy searches. See you there!

"HERE COMES THE BRIDE"; EBW Challenge

The VOTING has begun at the Etsy BeadWeavers team, the challenge theme is "Here Comes the Bride" These friendly & fun challenges are beneficial to our market for several reasons. They are a great way to increase our beadweaving skills, inspire us in a new and unexpected ways, and give us the opportunity to showcase our works. I ask that you please take the time to review the challenge pieces and vote for your favorite at: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com.

The voting polls will be open from July 9th through July 15th, 2009.

EBW JUNE CHALLENGE: "HUMOR"

Etsy BeadWeavers' June Challenge: "Humor"

Length: 27" Pendant: 4.5" wide

This is my current entry in the Etsy Beadweaver's June Monthly Beadweaving Challenge. The subject of the challenge is: "HUMOR". Beadazzled is a proud member of this international creative, beadweaving group.

While recovering from recent hand surgeries, when I wasn't able to actually bead, I made the wire mesh chicken pen and attached this fabulous hand-blown glass lampwork chicken pendant. I tossed it into my "unfinished" basket. When this challenge subject was presented, my mind went right to that piece ~ and I decided this unique beadwoven necklace just had to be Mexican! Pizazzy in all the primary colors, this necklace is a OOAK (one-of-a-kind) piece that will encircle your neck comfortably and turn all heads with a wonderful chuckle. And we can all use more laughs, can't we?

The entries for the challenge are in and you are in for a real treat! Twenty Etsy Beadweavers have the talent and took the time to create these exciting and humorous challenge pieces! Please take the time to visit each entry and read their story about how their piece relates to the theme "Humor.

Using tiny little beads with a needle and thread and incredible patience, EBW bring these selections to you to vote and choose your favourite.You can click on the item in the text list below the mosaic which links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detail of each piece! Cast your vote, June 9th thru the 15th!

1. Adios Pollo - BeadazzledofOregon

2. HOUSE for RENT with Garden View - enchantedbeads

3. Jolly Jester - ArtfulAr

4. WEED Necklace - HauteIceBeadwork

5. Riot of Color Sparkly Rope Necklace - roseworksjewelry

6. Curly Black Rock Bacelet - SpringColors

7. inside jokes - thebeadedlily

8. Clown Fish Join the Carnival - beadsandblooms

9. Where's Waldo - Oops... I Mean Where's Lizard - fashionsfrome

10. Tartan Scottie Dog beaded cuff - Crownrosegems

11. Gone Fishing---Cat and fish bracelet - vanishingpearl

12. HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU Blown Glass Eye Pendant Set - caraway

13. Curiosity killed the Toilet Paper - LiciaBeads

14. Where Is My UFO - binkaminka

15. NOT My Mother - PfordCustomJewelry

16. Money doesn't grow on trees Necklace - CieloDesign

17. Harlequin - Free Form Beaded Cuff - ThreeFatesDesign

18. Punch-Line Bracelet - FrancescasFancy

19. Pond Frog Bracelet - savoystudio

20. Harlequin - jmackgems

Voting begins on Tuesday June 9th and ends midnight June 15th. You can show your appreciation for the efforts of these EBW artists by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. Again, the individual pieces are listed below the mosaic on our EBW blog site below where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link. Thank you, enjoy and be sure to vote! Many thanks to Ann of Francesca's Fancy for creating a beautiful mosaic of the Challenge pieces.

VOTE @: http://www.http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

THE EXCITEMENT HEIGHTHENS....

My good friend, LOUISA MEECE (Beaded Extravagance) has recently entered one of her fabulous beadweaving neck creations in the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads annual conpetition and just this week she was notified that her "gem" has been accepted into the second judging.

"I finally heard from FMG! Martian Queen's Necklace has been accepted into the second round of judging. Now I have to pack her up and ship her out your way. I'm a little nervous about that seeing as it is my most expensive piece but I'll be sure to insure it. It's just that it's not replaceable and I'd hate to lose it! It was one of those necklaces that I didn't like in the beginning but I went with my gut and finished her off and fell in love! I've decided that I'm going to make a cuff and a pair of earrings to match and sell them as a set- if I can. I've found that when I make a set with a very expensive necklace customers are willing to buy the less expensive parts of the set... I guess to have a part of it or something.

P.S. Well, I'm off to research Locks of Love. I made a drastic change yesterday and had 16 inches of my hair cut off! My husband isn't too happy with my decision, but I just had to get rid of all that hair! My daughter says I look like a 'young mom' now! LOL! It feels so much cooler and healthier!"

You GO GIRL! We are all so behind you ~ wish we could all vote for that fabulous piece!

See Louisa's crreations at: http://www.beadedextravagance.etsy.com.




NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

What's On My Beading Board Today?

He's just wonderful!!
I was browsing the web one day, came across "Amee Runs With Scissors". OK, now if you came across that as a name for a shop, wouldn't you check it out? Of course, so I did. Amee does some fabulous multi-media work but this old gal fell absolutely in love with her lions.




Alas, I couldn't locate an actual outlet shop for her so I contacted her and asked if she ever made these fellas for sale. Well, no, she hadn't...so I pleaded (and I'm really good at that) and Amee agreed, making me 4 lions with the most fabulous, individual personalities you ever saw. I couldn't wait to get started on one...but other work got in the way. Finally last night I poured the accompanying beads onto my beadboard and began.

Follow this guy as we proceed together to a finished piece. I'm thinking he needs to be called "It's A Bad Hair Day". What do you think?

Find Amee at: http://www.ameerunswithscissors.com/home



NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

A DEAR CUSTOMER'S CUSTOM REPORT

This custom necklace I made for a dear friend of mine in Mesa, AZ. Donna is one of those people who wears jewelry like a model (or is it queen?). She has commented on the responses she gets from admirers about how the neckpiece looks like it is part of the top she is wearing - it drapes easily and gently around the neck, as a loose-choker style. Donna wears lots of beiges, blacks and browns so you can imagine the mileage this necklace gets; yahoo!

We'll be working on another custom piece for her soon - I'm just waiting for her color selection. Here are a few more close-ups of the beadweaving. It's such a joy to make special items for special people that you have a relationship with!! ThankX for these photos, Donna! Wear in the spirit of good health and harmony, my friend. Sending lovies...

WHAT'S SLID OFF MY BEADING BOARD TODAY?

"Rainbow Symphony"

(custom order)

This colorful necklace is a custom request that I've been working on for a while now -

the going is slow since I had another major hand reconstruction just 2 weeks

ago and am tucked back into a full arm and hand cast for the next 2 months!

The buyer had already purchased a salmon choker in the same style and she

wanted one with more color in it. I hope this meets her expectations! It's been

a bit of a challenge but the doctor left 4 fingers outside the cast this time so I was

able to barely figure out how to grasp the end of the string between index and middle

fingers. Hardest part is threading the needle and getting each piece actually started

and worked so that I have something to hang onto! Ah, challenges...

1-26-09: I sent this photo to the buyer in Texas and this was her return reply.

"Hi Dini, How are you? First let me just say - OH MY GOD - what a fabulous necklace!

I wish you could hear the amazement in my expression! The necklace looks stunning....

I just love the colors! What a great piece! And you did this with your hand in a cast??!!!!!

I am blown away..... " Whew, me thinks!!

She promised to have her hubby take a photo of her wearing it when it arrives.

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

Cleopatra Was Here

Networking DOES work! Team play DOES work! And this is a wonderful example of how....

I finished a necklace today using one of Jan Geisen's fabulous pendants. It excited the "bajezzus" out of me when I first bought it from her: the colors, the shapes, I couldn't wait to get started on it! When I got it finished, I posted it in my Etsy shop. Then I sent Jan a photo so she could see the end-product, (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19283902) as I always try to do. And the following ensued....

Email from Jan: (view Jan's multi-talented shop at: http://www.jangeisen.com)

Hi Dini.

That turned out real nice. I think it was the appropriate piece for you to incorporate in your work at this time.. Hopefully there is some truth to the myth associated with the symbol. It is the Eye of Horus, but I prefer to call it by its earlier name Udjat (eye). It is the symbol for health, healing and completeness.

I also have written a couple of blog entries about our collaborations. Check it out: http://jangeisen.blogspot.com/ Now, just FYI, you might check out Jan's site ~ exposure and marketing works...but it does take communication and a little bit of extra time and teamwork!

I encourage all of you, if you're doing a collaboration with any other artist, to give them just a bit of space on your page - surely the favor will be reciprocated and everyone wins!

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

BRACELET COLLECTION

These are a few samples of various beadwoven,

bead-sculptured bracelets that are available

in our Etsy Shop.

CLICK: http://www.beadazzledoforegon.etsy.com/

to enter shop.

ETSY BEADWEAVERS TEAM DECEMBER CHALLENGE

Etsy Beadweavers' December Challenge - "Snow Queen"
The entries for the challenge are in and they are simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Imagine that all of these entrants took the time and talent to create these inspiring challenge pieces! You can click on the "item title" in the participant list below and it links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detailed photos of each piece!

Be sure to come back on the 9th when the poll will be available for you to cast your vote, December 9th thru the 15th! (Details below....)

1. Mirka Collar - thebeadedlily

2. Snow Queen Musical Box - enchanted beads
3. Winter's Court necklace - AmethystRavenstar
4. A Royal Affair - beadsforever
5. Snow Blind - artzilla
6. Ice Crystals Holiday Bracelet - arosebyname
7. Snow Queen necklace - CieloDesign
8. Jadis , Beadwoven Cuff - RegalBeads
9. The Snow Queen's Dandelion - divina
10. Snow Queen Choker - njema
11. Frozen Waters - Cuff - triz
12. Queen of Ice and Snow Necklace - HannahRachel
13. Snowdrop - ErtheFae
14. Ice Dream - nemeton
15. Queen of the Frozen Tundra - gypsyeyesjewelry
16. Snow Queen Beaded Cuff - celestialfoundations
17. Snowflake - ArtfulAr
18. Yuki Onna - Japanese Snow Woman - SmadarsTreasure
19. Anastasia choker - MCDdesigns
20. For the White Witch of Narnia - ThesePreciousThings
21. Snowflake Fairy - BeadazzledofOregon
22. Snow Queen - cigarboxbeads
23. Snow princess necklace - FleurDeIrk
24. Snow Queen Collar - LiciaBeads
25. Royal Crystal Necklace - SpringColors
26. Snowfall - beadsandblooms
27. Queen of the Snow - savoystudio
28. Snow Queen amulet bag - PFordCustomJewelry
29. Snow Queen Paisley Bracelet - myfairladyvt4
30. Victorian Icicles Necklace - FrancescasFancy

Again, voting begins on Tuesday, December 9th and ends midnight December 15th. The best way to show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists is by taking on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. The ballot will appear on the side bar on the right side of the Etsy Beadweaver's Blog site on December 9th.

GO TO: ETSY BEADWEAVER'S TEAM BLOGSITE: CLICK HERE:

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

Again, the individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information and more detailed photos of the entries by following the link.

Thank you, enjoy and be sure to come back to vote between December 9th and 15th!

"LAPIS SHIELD"

Handmade lapis shield focals this mixture of blues,

mauves and genuine turquoise.

Price: $200.00

Status: Available

Item: 601-08

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

"CONTEMPORARY MIX"

Great metal focal piece compliments your necklace ~ dress it up or down.

Price: $145.00

Status: Available

Item: 599-08

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

"Kookamonga!"

A mixed-media of wire bead weaving and bead sculpture engulfs

this African mask bead. I have one more unique bead left for your custom order.

Price: $200.00

Status: SOLD

Item: 588-08

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

"Seaside Illuminations"

The poetry of the sea is captured in this

sculptured beaded display.

Price: $220.00

Status: Available

Item: 584-08

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.

"Underwater Flora"

Delicate array of beadwoven flowers similating

the laciness of underwater growth.

Price: $230.00

Status: Available

Item: 575-08

NOTE: Double click on photo for close-up view.