Well hello there!

My apologies for neglecting my blog for so long. But I have a good reason!! In September I gave birth to my daughter, Azure. She's a healthy, happy baby, and I am absolutely blessed! Now that 6 months have passed, I'm finally getting a handle on this mommy thing...and learning time management is a biggie!
Hopefully you'll be hearing from me again soon.
Peace!

Lighthouse by the sea

When I was a young girl, my Nana and Grandfather would spend a week in Cape Cod, in a small cottage by the ocean and I was lucky enough to go along with them. Some of my fondest memories stem from those carefree days on the beach. I would spend all day splaying in the sand and surf, coming back to the cottage only for a quick bite to eat before rushing back out to play.
Lighthouses always bring me back to that time and make me smile.

I've created three versions of this lighthouse bracelet pattern, available in super wide, wide, and thin.

Eye of the Tiger

I've been working on some lovely peyote stitch and loom bracelet patterns lately, but this one has got to be a favorite of mine. It is not really for the "beginner beader", as it has a whopping 35 different colors of Delica beads to give it a realistic look. You can bead up a tiger bracelet of your very own with the help of this pattern, which includes a full color pattern, a large easy to print black and white symbol graph with key, manufacturer bead color # and exact bead count needed. Also, I will send you a large, hi res pattern photo that you can zoom WAY in on. Make sure to send me pictures of your finished bracelet, I love seeing my patterns made by fellow beaders!

Take a look around my shop...if you buy 2 patterns, you get a 3rd at no cost!

Getting ready for the holiday season?

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I've been getting prepared for Christmas early this year! Not only have I been beading up jewelry to give away as gifts, but I've also been embellishing LOTS of shatterproof bulb ornaments with a netting technique. It works up fairly quickly, and makes the ornament so pretty!

If you are interesting in making these pretty ornaments for yourself, or to give away as gifts for the holiday season, you can download my easy to follow step by step tutorial with full color photos for each step, available here: Netted Ornament Tutorial

Try using an out of the box color combination for added fun!

Happy beading,
Joanna

Army Men Bracelet

Remember when you were young, and the long summer day seemed to last an eternity? Ya know, when kids used to bring their toys outside to play instead of sitting in front of the tv for hours? I've brought the nostalgia to your wrist with wearable art that will bring you back to the simper days!

I wove this bracelet bead by tiny bead using peyote stitch and the incredibly uniform Delica beads. A sterling silver slide clasp adds value and a touch of class to the piece. Woven on a 6lb test quality beading thread, this bracelet should outlive you when treated properly!

The bracelet is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.



For the crafty folks out there who prefer to bead up their own bracelets, I also have a pattern available for purchase HERE. Purchase of my original patterns entitles you to make AND sell your wares. Please give credit to the designer though! Happy beading!

Speaking of animal print...

...how about some zebra print fun?! I recently finished weaving up this super wide peyote stitched cuff using Delica beads and my favorite beading thread. It measures 7-1/2" long and a whopping 2" wide.

Want to make one for yourself? You can! I have detailed zebra print patterns available in 3 different widths AND different color combinations. Check em out in my Etsy Shop.

All of my patterns come with a full color image, delica bead number and bead count needed, a large easy to print black and white symbol graph, and a word chart. I also email you a hi res photo that you can zoom WAY in on.

Get WILD!

Leopard Peyote Stitch Bracelet

Animal print, when you over do it, can be just awful. Gaudy, I guess is the right word. When done right, though, it's downright classy. The RIGHT way to wear animal print (and I know this because I have seen at least 20 episodes of "What Not to Wear" lol) is to accessorize with it. You know, animal print shoes, animal print purse...
Animal print jewelry!


This bracelet was woven using Delica beads using peyote stitch. If you'd like to add a little touch of "wild" to your wardrobe, it is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

If you are a bead weaver yourself and would like to make this bracelet, I have patterns available in three different widths: 2" wide, 1-1/2" wide, and 1" wide.
All of my patterns available for purchase are my own designs, and come as a PDF with an easy to print symbol graph, full color picture, and word chart. You may also sell bracelets that are made with the pattern!

Hello again!

Hello beady friends! My sincere apologies for not delighting you with more consistent posts. I have been spending a lot of time designing patterns and creating tutorials so that other can learn how to make pretty things too!
Whether you are a beginning beader or more advanced, you should be able to find a tutorial or pattern to tickle your creative bone in my etsy shop. There are a bunch of funky peyote stitch bracelet patterns too, if you're into that sort of thing.

One tutorial that is not available in my etsy shop but in my jewelrylessons.com teacher page is "Peyote Stitch - Finishing Touches".
That is a free tutorial (you just have to sign up for an account on the website, it's free), that will help you with many of the things beginner beaders struggle with. It shows (with words AND clear, close up pictures) how to weave in new thread, knot, decrease rows, increase rows, add a clasp, and add a loop. Really all the things you need to know to finish a peyote stitch project. Check it out!

Tutorials now available!

I've delved into the world of tutorials and am happy to announce that I will be offering instructions on making some of my creations.
Tutorials will be available via www.jewelrylessons.com.
Right now I have a free tutorial for peyote stitch, as well as tutorials for my beaded ornament cover, and beaded bangle bracelet, with more on the way. Have a look!


Unique You Tutorials

Holiday Ornaments and Snowflake Earrings

I can't tell you how excited I was to find a variety of shatterproof ornaments at k-mart this year. When I saw so many colors I went a little crazy and bought lots of them. Shatterproof is the way to go IMO, why bother with glass ornaments if you'll be worried about your child or pet hurting themselves with glass.
I'm not sure how many more ornaments I'll be doing, as it's time to be working on holiday gifts!
Here are the ornaments I have so far, all listed in my etsy and artfire shops.












The snowflakes I used for the last 2 ornaments, and for the snowflake earrings below are an original pattern from Sandra D. Halpenny, and is used with her permission. Thanks Sandra!
The snowflake earrings would be great for holiday parties or even everyday wear. They're cute and they weigh next to nothing.

Holy beading Batman!

For a good portion of the summer I didn't do ANY beading - I was too busy being outside and working on my hoopdancing to be stuck inside.

Now that the leaves are all on the ground and a little bit of snow has fallen, I'm back to hibernating and beading like a madman. Recently I finished this Batman cuff bracelet. It's woven with delica beads in matte black, yellow, and steel. The steel makes it super shimmery when it moves, yet it's not exactly feminine either. It measures 7-1/2" long, and 2" wide at the widest part of the cuff and is finished with a sterling silver slide clasp. Elegant indeed!

Hello again!

Hi there readers, fellow bloggers, fellow jewelry designers, and everyone who stumbles onto my humble blog. It seems that I've taken a bit of a hiatus. See, I spent so much time taking pictures and blogging and doing the social networking thing - and I just got a little burnt out. I'd much rather be beading but I suppose it comes along with the territory. SO, I'll be back here every so often with some beady goodness. I can't promise it will be every day or even every other day, but it will happen. Once a week sounds like a reasonable goal right?!
I just got started on some Christmas presents, so I'll have those for you to oogle shortly.

Hope everyone had a happy halloween last night! My husband and I had a good number of little ghouls and goblins come to the door, but not quite enough...we still have way to much candy left over!

Paisley Peacock Necklace

I've been itching to show this one off, but I had to wait! It was a custom order for a friend, and he gave it to his fiancee for Valentine's day. He says she absolutely loved it - which I absolutely loved to hear!

When he first came to me for a custom order, he said she loves mettalic colors, swirls, and anything peacock. I came up with a quick sketch design and sent it off to him. He approved the design and off I went!

I started with a glass swarovski pearl, teardrop shaped. Around that I beaded with delica beads, in brick stitch. After finishing the four petals I assembled them the way I thought they would sit best, and added a swarovski crystal drop. The chain is gold filled, and the ovals are large enough to clasp on to, so that the necklace can be worn either long or choker style. I can't wait to see the necklace on her, she is very beautiful already...so I'm sure this necklace compliments her well!

Well hello again!

It's been awhile. I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday season, one filled with lots of love, family, egg nog, all that good stuff!
Unfortunately for me, things got a bit hectic at my office job. Without delving too deeply into everything, I've had less time to do more. Suffice to say, my internet presence and social networking have taken a back burner.
I still have made time to bead, but I haven't been as aggressive as I usually am about it. Last year, I put a lot of time into photographing, descriptions, listings on online auction sites, and marketing. While I can't say that it did nothing for me, perhaps I had a few sales from it all, it's not how I want to continue to spend my time. So, I decided that this year is going to be for me. Sure, I'll put a few items on etsy from time to time, but I have one main goal - to have fun! There's a bunch of patterns out there I want to try, ones in magazines that I enjoyed looking at and "mentally beaded" along with, that I never actually physically did. There's some cross needle 3-d patterns I want to try - because they look fun, and a bit challenging. If I get around to listing them for sale, that's fine, if not, that's fine too. As long as I am having fun, it's all good.

Not to leave you completely without beady goodness - here is a little something I made for myself for New Years Eve. The necklace was inspired by Russian beading, and the earrings are a classic Russian Leaf. I wore a lovely black and gold sequin dress and gold sequin boots, so this set really completed the outfit for me.

Bracelet winner!

Congratulations Jen (aka Kashmir6), you've won the pretty red bracelet! I'll be in touch shortly for shipping details.

"Peace Piece"

The December 2009 Etsy Bead Weavers Challenge has such a great theme, I think. The winners of the last challenge, SmadarsTreasure and AngelqueCreations, chose "Peace Piece" - to represent peace and the winter olympics.

I started an entry but unfortunately due to my more work at my office job I wasn't able to finish in time. I did finish it this weekend though, so there shall be some pictures for you later this week - after the giveaway.

There are some great designs to choose from - so please take a minute to take a closer look at the entries by clicking on the links below. When you have decided on your favorite, head on over to the EBW Blog and vote. Thanks so much!

1. Serenity Cuff Bracelet - BettyStephanBeadwork
2. Tara (Goddess of Peace and Protection) - noritadesign
3. Dream Medallion - sagescupboard
4. Snow and Ice Necklace - AngelqueCreations
5. Peace Piece peyote cuff - randomcreative
6. Tide Pool EBWC December - JoniLynn
7. Golden Creamy Bouquet Necklace - bead4me
8. When Red meets Black - BeadsAndI
9. In Heavenly Peace - HauteIceBeadwork
10. La Donha - SilverDragon
11. Black and White Twist Necklace - MoreThanSomewhat1
12. Dove of Peace - ArtBeadwork
13. Peace on Earth - SmadarsTreasure
14. Go For The Gold - carosell
15. Peace, Love, and Beautiful Hair (Clip) - adinahalperndesigns
16. Winter Necklace - AsteropeBC
17. Snowball Necklace - BeadedExtravagance
18. Purple Frost Necklace - SpringColors
19. SIOBHAN - Beaded cabochon necklace - Stellaltinaan
20. Ray of Light - Lauralia

Bracelet Giveaway

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it would be a great time to give away a bracelet. I made this following Sandra Hallpenny's pattern, she offers the pattern for free. If any beaders out there want to make one for themselves, here is the link: Round Lace.

It is woven with size 11 toho seed beads in a pretty matte red color, and finished with a gold plated swivel lobster clasp. I just love these clasps because they keep the bracelet from getting twisted up on your wrist.

Rules/How to enter:
Entering to win this bracelet is simple. The giveaway is open to all residents of the USA and Canada.

• 1. Visit my ArtFire shop and find your favorite item.

• 2. Post a comment on THIS blog post telling me what your favorite item is. If you are not a blogger member please leave a way for me to get in touch with you for your address in case you win.

• 3. Extra entry: To up your odds of winning, tweet about the giveaway on twitter. Your tweet should include a comment and link to my blog. Let me know that you have twittered by leaving an additional comment with your twitter ID so I can see your tweet - this will be your extra entry.

That's it! Easy peasy.
The winner will be chosen December 16th via a random number generator.

I will contact the winner immediately. If you get back to me with your address before the 20th, you'll be recieving the bracelet just in time for Christmas. The bracelet will be shipped in a pretty box, suitable for gift giving - just in case you plan on gifting the bracelet to someone else.

Men, don't be afraid to enter - I'm sure there's a woman in your life that would be delighted to own this lovely bracelet!

Some more beaded rings

I liked the first batch of rings I created so much that I needed to make some more. Rings usually take an hour to three hours, depending on the complexity of them. That's "instant" gratification to a bead weaver - many of my projects take 10-20 hours or more to complete. Sometimes I just need something I can finish in an afternoon...and these rings are just perfect for that.

These first two are in the same style as the ones I posted about a month ago - a bit of right angle weave with embelishments. They were woven with bugle beads, and size 11 and 15 toho seed beads.

These last 2 rings were woven in good ol' right angle weave, with size 11 toho seed beads. I added and "edging" to it to give it a nice even band look. It was a bit of extra work, but really worth it. Makes for a more distinct looking piece, in my opinion. What do you think?

I am admittingly bad at finding time to photograph my jewelry. I work a 40 hour regular office job in addition to my beadwork. Every day I wake up at 5am, my dear husband even earlier. By the time I awake, my coffee cup is waiting for me on the living room table. After a few minutes of yawning and snuggling with my hubby I reluctantly find something to wear and get ready for work.

I commute 45 minutes to my office. The work day goes by - sometimes fast, sometimes slow. I drive another 45 minutes to an hour home. We make dinner, we eat dinner. Now it's 6pm. Do I bead? Do I exersize? Do I take hundreds of pictures and sift through them all to find the good ones?

More often than not, I bead. I'll take breaks and do some wii fit, or some stretching and hoop dancing. Before I know it I'm yawning again...and it's time to get ready for bed.

This is my day. Not super exciting, I know...

The weekends, however, is my "me" time. I bead lots, I clean a little. If the mood strikes, my husband and I will get out and hear some local live music. But THIS weekend I promise I'll take some pictures and get some good stuff to you next week.

I even have a bracelet all made for a giveaway (that I still need to photograph, of course), that will most likely start on Monday. Stay tuned! In the mean time, here are some simple yet lovely netted bracelets I made recently.

"Beauty of the Flower" Winner Announced

Congratulations to this months winner of the Etsy Bead Weaver's challenge - Melissa Grakowski. Melissa created a beautiful hibiscus flower necklace with a variety of seed beads, swarovski bicone crystals, and freshwater pearls. Isn't it fabulous?!
Take a minute to check out Melissa's Etsy shop for some more of her lovely beaded creations.

Next month's challenge is an interesting one - "Peace Piece". It's been awhile since I've had the time and ambition to participate in a challenge, but I have an idea swirling around in my head...hopefully I can bring it to fruition by Dec. 5th!