Treasure!

Found my items featured in a whopping three treasuries over the weekend! That's a lot for me. I feel honored to be amoung such talent...check out the other featured artisans as well:

Tetris Necklaces

8-bit has never looked so good!

These little guys have been in the making for a while now - on and off for the past 6 months or so. I really wanted to show each one off as soon as I was done with it, but I felt it would be best to "release" them as a set.
This idea has been in the making (in my head) for YEARS now...I just didn't know how I was going to pull it off until I started working with right-angle-weave, the perfect stitch for this geometric endeavor. It wasn't until I started weaving (in size 11 toho beads) that I fully understood what an endeavor it would be. This truly was a labor of love...the entire set together took me approximately 40 hours - that's almost an entire "work" week! Worth the time, though. They are all structurally sound - these babies are not hollow. They are built up layer by layer - you can't really SEE the beads woven in the center, but they are there...and that what makes the piece strong and able to hold its shape.

Because I really wanted the shapes to be the total eye catcher, I finished these necklaces off by stringing them on illusion cord - so that the shape appears to be "floating" on your neck.
After spending a good part of the weekend finishing up the last one, I'm ready to work on something a little less rigid!

Now available in my Etsy shop:

"T" Shape

"L" Shape

"I" Shape

"S" Shape

"Square" Shape

Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer update

Starting in 2005, Jeanette Shanigan, with the participation of hundreds of beaders, has put together beaded quilts to be auctioned at the annual Bead and Button show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - and the proceeds go directly to breast cancer research. The 2009 Bead and Button show finished up last week. This year just about $2150.00 was raised!

I feel proud to have been a part of this, and I will definitely be beading more squares for Jeanette's future quilt auctions.

Below is a picture of the finished quilt I was included in (I put little red boxes around my squares).

Please visit Jeanette's website to see pictures of the finished quilts in all their beaded glory!

Please vote for my photo!

I just entered one of my favorite beaded rings in Timothy Adam's "Etsy Worthy Photo Contest". The winner recieves a month of ad space on Timothy's website - who doesn't need a little exposure?!
If you're not entering the contest yourself, I'd be forever grateful if you wandered on over to Timothy's blog and put in a vote for me!
I'm on page 2 right now...and I'll keep you informed as that changes.
Here's the link!
VOTE HERE

Congratulations LiciaBeads

Congratulations to the winner of the June EBW Challenge, LiciaBeads with her necklace -Curiosity killed the Toilet Paper. What a great job she did interpreting the theme, "Humor"!Runners up worthy of mention:

Second: Where's Waldo - Oops... I Mean Where's Lizard - fashionsfrome

Third and Fourth are a tie between WEED Necklace - HauteIceBeadwork and

Pond Frog Bracelet - savoystudio

Fifth: Adios Pollo - BeadazzledofOregon

Sixth: HOUSE for RENT with Garden View - enchantedbeads

Seventh: Harlequin - Free Form Beaded Cuff - ThreeFatesDesign

Eighth: Money doesn't grow on trees Necklace - CieloDesign

Ninth: Where Is My UFO - binkaminka

Tenth: Curly Black Rock Bacelet - SpringColors

Etsy BeadWeavers are already at work on the July Challenge - "Here comes the bride..." . You can read all about it here.

Wrapped Crystal Donut

Ever since learning how to use the netting technique to wrap a donut, it's been one of my favorite things to do. They work up *fairly* quickly, and are relatively easy to do. I say *fairly* quickly, because counting is very important in this type of project. Count your beads wrong, and you'll have to start again. Luckily I got this one right the first time, but when I was learning years ago I don't think I got anything right the first time! I actually taught myself - and then about a month later got an issue of Bead and Button with what else on the cover but seed-bead wrapped donuts. Funny how that works.
Anyways, the donut I encased is a genuine swarovski crystal. The cut is stunning, with enough precisely cut facets to make it sparkle to the max. At first I was concerned about covering it up too much, but I kept the weave open enough to see plenty of the shimmer - while still holding it securely inside. I'm quite happy with the result.

Etsy Bead Weaver's Challenge - Humor

The entries for this month's Etsy Bead Weaver's challenge "Humor" are in and they are so FUN! All the colors, and the imagination of the team makes me grin ear to ear.
Take a closer look at each entry by clicking on the individual links below, then head on over the the EBW's Blog to vote for your favorite! Voting is open until June 15th at midnight. The Etsy Bead Weaver's appreciate your taking the time to choose!

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

Purple Argyle Bracelet

Ah, peyote stitch, my first love. I can't say that it was love at first sight though, as my first few attempts at the seemingly easy stitch resulted in me throwing my beadwork across the room. A lot has changed in seven years though, and peyote stitch for me is a constant, a standard - a feeling of "home", if you will. It will always be a favorite stitch of mine. Granted, it takes a while to work up anything substantial, but the feeling of accomplishment when you are finished is priceless.
I did a spring colored argyle cuff bracelet not too long ago, and immediately started on another one. They are just so fun looking! I am FAR from "preppy", but I think this bracelet could accomidate a variety of personal tastes - from punk to hippie.
I can definately see doing this up in some other colors sometime in the future!

Etsy Treasury

I found one of my items in a treasury of beautiful rings. It's always makes me smile to be included among such talented artists.

Have a look for yourself, and don't forget to comment, and have a closer look at all the beauties!

Cinco de Mayo Challenge Winner

Congratulations 2goodclaymates, winner of this month's ArtFire Artisan Jeweler Guild Challenge!

Be sure to visit 2goodclaymates ArtFire shop for more wonderful handmade goodies. Some of my favorite items from their shop are featured below, have a look!

How adorable are these flip flop earrings?! A perfect compliment to your summer outfits.

This is a great and unique idea - a candle collar. Stop that wax from spilling all over your table in style!

Last but not least, here is a great way to dress up your standard drab switches with a fancy switchplate cover.