My First Award!

from Ann Marie at Heart's Desire Jewelry

http://heartsdesirejewelry.com/blog/

Be sure to check out her entry about pinks for spring! I love pink...

And now to pass it along:

Elizabeth Golden http://thelastdoordownthehall.blogspot.com/

wonderful collages and she gives away great freebies!

Val http://valsalteredheartjourney.blogspot.com/

lovely creations, most featuring hearts, with instructions!

and Szarka http://szarka.blogspot.com/

lots of eye candy, love her style!

OK girls, now it's your turn, go and nominate someone fabu! :)

Fresh Kiwi Jade Set Finished!Necklace & Earrings

Bracelet

Fresh Kiwi Set

Closeup

I finally finished the Fresh Kiwi Set for my daughter, I was about 2 weeks late for her birthday, but she thinks it was worth waiting for. I think the addition of the kiwi jade rounds to the necklace helped balance the design. And I decided to add the butterflies to complement the clasp - plus my daughter LOVES butterflies. I had a lot of fun doing this... now I need to start something new!

The watch is still on hold, can't find those beads, I may have to take it apart and remake it... :(

What is everyone else working on?

YIKES where have I been?

I can't believe I've not blogged in almost a month! Here's the dish: I got a new job and promptly became ill, so all I've done is work, sleep, work, sleep, etc. You've got the idea! And I haven't finished my daughter's set and her birthday is in 3 days! Will probably have to do a rain check.

But one of my groups has honored me by voting my Sun-Moons-Stars set as their fav and posting it on the main page! I'm not sure if you can see it as a non-member or not, but you might consider joining yourself!

It's at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handmadejewelry/

Sheesh, working FT sure does cramp my beading style! I am feeling better so maybe I can get back to beading soon!

Michael's to the Rescue!

I decided that my daughter's necklace needed something more... After almost finishing it, it seemed that there was not really a repitition of the exact color of the kiwi jade in the necklace proper. I scanned all my many boxes of beads, but couldn't find anything that exact color, texture and opacity. I went to Michaels and found the same stone - they were calling it Korean Jade - and then was able to find more beads in that tonal range. I may or may not use all of them in the design, but I was delighted to have more options!

I haven't been to Michael's in a long while, and I was delighted in the variety of beads and findings that they had. Of course some of it is junk and you need to know what you are looking for. I probably wouldn't buy my main stash there. But it's good to know I have a local resource.

I couldn't find the teal beads I need to finish the watchband though. I heard from BeadFX, they WERE bought there, but are now discontinued. I'll wait a little longer and see if any turn up, but otherwise I'm going to have to take the watchband apart and remake it. Unfortunately, with all the knotting I've done, it's probably going to have to be SNIP and redo. Will keep you posted.

Got a full time job, started yesterday, so I don't know how that's gonna affect my beading. I'm working 3 to 11:30 pm for training and not sure what the regular schedule will be.

Free Patterns!

I've really enjoyed posting on my blog so far, and I hope you've enjoyed it too. It occurred to me that some of you may not have visited my website as yet and took advantage of my free patterns.
Angel Jewelry
Beaded Cabochon
Beading Basics
Cowgirl Valentine
Gem Heart Bracelet

Let me know if these are helpful to you. Bead Blessed!

Fresh Kiwi Update

I had some time tonight to work on my daughter's necklace tonight. I finished one side of the necklace and the clasp. I may interweave another row of seed beads if I can find the right color, I haven't decided for sure yet.

I also started on the bracelet. I've been looking for a full time job and finally found one... so my beading time may suffer! You either have time to bead and no money to buy more beads... or no time to bead and still no money to buy beads! My hubby thinks the number of beads I have already is scandalous and says I can't die until I use them all up. I may live forever or even longer! LOL

Beads Needed for Watchband

Hopefully this pic shows a little more clearly the beads I need... They are a slightly flattened, very rich teal, transparent glass bead about 9x5mm. I thought I bought them from BeadFX but didn't see anything like them on the website. If you have any idea where I can get a few, please let me know! I probably need less than a dozen. Thanks!