Monday Musings

It wasn't a terribly productive weekend for me. I did an overhaul of my family's farm blog, which I think only I am interested in, so it has become my adopted project. Hahah! Today there's a recipe (sort of) and yesterday there was a lovely quotation from Thoreau's Walden; if you scroll down a little, there are the pictures of baby turkeys and goats I promised last week! They are so freakin' adorable.

At any rate, I grabbed the newest copy of Belle Armoire Jewelry when we took my sister birthday shopping at the mall. It's as gorgeous as ever and there are some really nice project ideas in there. Hope over at Crafty Hope blog had the brilliant idea of writing thoughts and ideas in the pages of her magazines. Somehow, though, I can't bring myself to do it with the Stampington publications; they're just too darn pretty.

Magazines are not the only place I look to for inspiration. These recent finds on etsy had me ooo-ing and ahh-ing:

peeno123

therustytreehouse

RootsJewelry

GrandmasNook

I want to try my hand at making something similar to the bird's nest. There were some ideas floating around in my brain and I wondered if someone else out there had made something like a fake bird's nest. So I went to etsy and found that beauty. The whole shop is delightful. All of them are!

Here's to an inspired week. :)

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Things!

Because of a silly negligence on my part, the Mid-Monthly Themed Challenge Hop reveal date is postponed until Saturday, June 11th! Sorry about that, folks. This is definitely a learning experience for me! XD I'll post another reminder when there's a week to go. You folks are so nice and understanding!

The other thing I wanted to share with you concerns a cryptic email I received yesterday. It seems that Michaels craft stores have decided to join us in the 21st century and have just launched their own rewards card! ;D While I love to shop online for art beads and at small, ma-and-pa stores, I do also love Michaels. Heck, whoever sells beads has earned my love. Hahaha!.... Wait, does that make me a bead whore? D:

At any rate, looks like very exciting things---discounts, coupons, and special offers. I'm a dork and went right out yesterday to get my card. No purchase necessary, or you can apply online at the Michaels's Web site and have the card sent to you.*

 *This blogger was not compensated for this blurb, although she kind of wishes she was... in beads, of course.

I've been experimenting with electro-chemical etching and plating, and will have some stuff to show for it early next week. I don't know how much I like the process; it's messy and somewhat unpredictable (out of about thirty test pieces, only nine of them turned out), so I don't think I'll be sharing a how-to. At least, not until/unless I discover a better process. The pieces that turned out, though, are rather nice; they'll be posted sometime this week, along with some pirate-y things already promised.

AGAIN, don't forget! Memorial Day in the States means 21-gun salutes; be on the look-out for empty brass bullet casings---they can be used to make unique jewelry pieces! I've already promised my little brother a dollar for each one he brings me. ;) Ahhh, it's great when you can put the little ones to work for you, eh? Hahaha!

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!!! <3 <3 <3

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Playdate and New Stash!

Yesterday's meet-up with Patty from My Life Under the Bus was so much fun!! She got all the fun pictures, but I have some sparklies and a new stash to share from the day out. ;)

We both arrived fashionably late and made our bleary-eyed way over to Starbucks for some lattes. She talked me into getting the most delicious cinnamon bun. It was yummmmm. Then we went all starry-eyed into a bright, beautiful bead store that contained so many pretties, it kept us enthralled for over an hour.

The shop of which I speak is called Sugarbeads and there are actually two locations in Connecticut. The ladies were super nice and the selection of stone beads, seed beads, beading materials, and Czech glass was phenomenal!

Apparently, I haven't mastered the art of holding the camera level. XD

I was so happy that they had the enameled wire I love; I've been looking for some of this stuff for months!

There were all kinds of filigree in all kinds of metals, so many different kinds of findings. I was definitely experiencing sensory overload.

*Drool!*

Still haven't mastered holding the camera level... I'ma blame in on my heavy purse!

When we were finally able to tear ourselves away from the bead store (our poor pocketbooks!), we had a lovely Bento Box lunch at a delightful little Chinese/Japanese restaurant tucked in a corner. It was delicious!

Now for the good part.... the stash!

 

Four different kinds of brass stampings,

pewter clasp that looks like ocean waves,

tiny stamped metal rectangles with floral embossments,

large copper flower bead caps,

blue AB-finished Czech glass grape leaves,

some pretty sand-and-water-colored swirly lampwork beads,

green frosted glass leaf beads,

three strands of tiny Czech glass faceted beads (frosted green and two kinds of violet),

dyed jade faceted rondelles in olive green (gorgeous!),

large carved dark magenta rounds,

four cloisonne owl beads,

a silvertone crab charm (for my fiancé),

two vintage-style brass fairy charms,

two spools of my favorite wire in different gauges and slightly different colors,

a spool of dark brown waxed linen (beautiful!),

and, last but not least,

a small set of multi-colored Czech glass that Patty and I thought were so pretty, we both had to get some!

We're each going to make something with these beads and

share them in our next Bead Table Wednesday post.

Stay tuned!

Did you all have a nice weekend?

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*We were not in any way compensated by the store for this feature, 

though I was tempted to bring a sign that says "Will blog for beads!"

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ATTN: BEAD SOUP POST IS BELOW.

If you're here for the Bead Soup Blog Party, the post is one below or you can find it here! Thanks.
I am still hopping blogs myself and am having so much fun! :D

Two great things to note, though!

I just got an email from the Rings & Things blog (I'm a blog partner, if you can't already tell by my little badge on the right!), and I was one of the ten winners for this month's goodies pack drawing! What a wonderful birthday present. :D My fiance and I always drool over the Rings & Things ads in the magazines, so it will be an absolute thrill to work with some of their materials. I can't wait!

And one of my necklaces that I blogged about a while back was featured in an etsy treasury. :) I feel so honored! This is only my second treasury and I think it may be the same piece, but either way, I'm tickled pink. :3 I love the theme, too: "woodland mystique."

'woodland mystique' by Vanessaisms

hi friends

Twin Baby Fawns Woodlan... carriveau $30.00	Tree Stump Pincushion hitree $22.00	Photo Card - Bunny Love... PhotographicEy... $20.00	Retro Daizy Chain jamberrysong $24.00
Chocolate Leather Flowe... bijubrill $30.00	Forest friend plush - D... thumbly $19.00	A Natural "Nest&qu... nestibles $10.00	Junco and Lilacs - 5x7 ... ThePaperButter... $8.50
Paper Lace Earth Light ... paperplanet $9.00	Solitude, 11x14 Sepia F... olivetto $25.00	Photo Tree Frog Portrai... clockworkgh0st $3.00	2 Ceramic Owls BROOKLYNrehab $24.00
toadstool mushroom ring Vanessaisms $19.00	Petite Nest Handmade Bi... dreamsbythesea $34.00	Autumnal Gold Earrings ... BanditOctopusC... $18.00	Cream poppy bowl PrinceDesignUK $28.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Ah, I can't wait to walk out among the leaves and flowers again! Soon, soon...


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Backcountry Heart I

I.

Yours was an empty chair, a track of earth
scuffed into the rug. Along window-
sills were seashells you had brought back,
and stones silk-smooth from gushing water.
In winter, your shadow darkened the snow
where you huddled to watch deer creep
down to ice floes; you wanted to see
their tongues touch water, were still
enough for cardinals to fleck trees
around you. You possessed such quietude.

'Backcountry Heart I' by jamberrysong

Adirondack Chair simplyrustic $399.00	Semi Antique 9x12 Oriental M... ecarpetgallery $385.00	Into Memory - 8x10 Fine Art ... JenMurray $25.00
Reclaimed Shells - Total 580... SoapSudAlley $20.00	felted wool stones in shades... lilfishstudios $12.00	Crystal Snowflake 6x6 Tile GretchenKramp $48.00
Winter Path with Beech Leave... StephenRemick $60.00	Deer dictionary book page co... Txalteredart $8.00	Ice Floe Earrings of Gray Mo... PoleStar $76.00
Heirloom Red Deer Tongue Let... myvictorygarde... $1.75	Jingle Bells - Photo Note Ca... timkantphotogr... $3.50	Dark Blue Superior - waterco... reneeanne $18.00
Little Cardinal - 4x4 bird p... elgarboart $5.00	Winter Red MarisStellaPro... $50.00	Bone Moon and Sun Brooch freespiritheid... $110.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

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World Travels

I may have mentioned the emergency road trip to Texas that I had to take for family reasons. Everything turned out swell, and I had a great time. Even though it was four days straight of twelve hours' worth of driving, it was nice to see the country. :)

I wanted one selfish thing on this trip: to stop at one bead store. Google maps provided the means of checking all along our route for the perfect location, and I found a great one situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, called A World of Beads. Although getting to the store required driving through crazy traffic and road work, it was definitely well worth it. This shop has the biggest selection of Swarovski crystal I've ever seen! And there were findings, walls of stone beads, a whole section of wall devoted to African "ethnic" beads, the most beautiful artisan beads you can imagine, and a wonderful selection of lucite. The staff was very friendly and helpful (at one point I asked to see a gorgeous strand of turquoise discs. It was way out of my price range, but I felt I had touched a treasure. The girl and I both stood wistfully drooling over the blue stones before she put them back. It's nice to know you're not alone!), and I was left to browse alone when I wanted to and was responded to almost immediately when I needed help. A very pleasant experience, and I grabbed a bunch of delightful things, some of which are slated for my Bead Soup Blog Party partner. ;) (Those that I am sending are not pictured; wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!)

Something we didn't have time for was the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm and Museum. Did you know that the Tennessee River farm is the only freshwater pearl farm in north America? Because of its success, the pearl has become Tennessee's official state gem. Over fifty million dollars worth of mollusk shells alone are exported from the Tennessee River Pearl Farm to other countries around the world each year. That's crazy! They give tours of the farm to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year; someday I want to be one of those visitors. Pearls are some of my favorite materials to work with. :3

All the stuff I owe to people will be sent out today or tomorrow, depending on how fast I can get myself unpacked and organized. XD It's good to be back home.


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Beadecked Beads

Today I had the pleasure of going to a little bead shop in Southington, Connecticut, called Beadecked Bead Shoppe. It was an adorable window shop with trendy decor, friendly staff, and beads, beads, and more beads! They let me putter around with my camera and answered all of my questions.

My eyes went all googley once inside. There was a wonderful selection of natural stones, Swarovski crystals, porcelain pieces. I was very excited to see a display by the one and only Keith O'Connor, who was featured sometime back in Lorelei Eurto's blog. There were racks of findings, reels of chain, a nice set of silk cords and ribbons. However, by and large, the thing that draws people to this shop most is the fabulous Kazuri Bead offerings.

They had a whole wall devoted to their Kazuri Bead collection. These beads are handmade by underprivileged women in Kenya, Africa. Every single piece is colorful and unique.

The Kazuri Beads East company was founded in 1975 to help offer more opportunities for work and growth to native women in Africa. Today, more than 350 women make beads in this fair trade operation. I had a wonderful time wandering along the tables, picking up beads and pendants to admire them. It's truly a wonderful program and these pieces will add so much to anyone's jewelry. (For more information on this program, check out the Kazuri Beads East web site.)




Beadecked Beads used to be housed in a much smaller space. When they moved to the store they currently occupy, they were able to expand in a lot of fun and efficient ways. One happy addition was a separate beading room where they now host classes and parties. It is a bright, fun space with tables and bins and all sorts of organizational ideas that are well-suited to a studio.

It's hard not to fall in love with this beautiful little shop. They definitely live and breathe beading. <3

So, if you're ever in the neighborhood of Southington, CT, definitely check this place out. I know I'll be going back the next time I'm in town!

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Jewelry-making Supplies Feature: Delphine's Flower Bead Shop

One of the first things I discovered when I started beading was Lucite. I fell hard for those beautiful, frosty flower petals and leaves. So naturally, I went looking for a shop where I could find a variety of Lucite for a reasonable price. There were many online shops that carried Lucite, but when I found Delphine's Flower Bead Shop, I just knew I had a keeper! The quaint small-business feel, the excellent customer service, what more could a beader want? Not to mention the fantastic and ever-expanding selection of both new and vintage Lucite. Karen over at Delphine's was gracious enough to let me pester her with my interview questions, so please enjoy this sneak peek into one of my favorite beading suppliers.

 How did Delphine's Flower Bead Shop come to be?
Our shop began a few years ago when we were creating pieces for our own jewelry collection. It was important to us to find high quality Lucite flower beads at a reasonable cost. All but too often we would find other shops who had the items we wanted, but at a price that was out of our budget. We decided to spend a great deal of time researching Lucite beads out of a necessity for our own jewelry pieces. This is when Delphine's Flower Bead Shop was born. We have always used Lucite flowers in our own designs and wanted to share our beads with everyone. Over the years our Lucite inventory has grown significantly and continues to grow as our customers request new styles of Lucite flower beads. We hope everyone will have as much fun with our beads as we do! 

What is your favorite part about running this store?
I love that our customers share their jewelry designs with us! The beads start off as a blank slate, then someone puts their personal touch and their creativity to work and creates a beautiful piece of jewelry! It's really fun to see all of the different ways you can use our Lucite beads. I really enjoy the fact that the beads from Delphine's Flower Bead Shop have been a part of many people's designs.






What do you think makes you a creative shop owner?
I am a Graphic Designer by trade so I naturally love anything that has to do with design and creativity. Combining years of design experience with the love of beading motivates me to continue to bring new styles of Lucite flowers to our shop.

Delphine's carries more than just Lucite!

What do you like most about the products you carry?
I love that the Lucite flowers are not just limited to jewelry. They can be used in a variety of ways to add a girly touch to almost any project. I really enjoy knowing that our beads allow people show off their creativity to everyone.

Have you reached a big goal or dream or are you still working toward
one that you'd like to share with us today?
Our goals have always been to provide a fun place to shop for a wide variety of Lucite flower beads. We are driven by our wonderful customers to continue to provide the largest selection of Lucite flower beads around. We are always working to bring new products to our shop in order to provide the most complete beading shopping experience.





The following pictures are of work that was created with beads from Delphine's Flower Bead Shop: 




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