Copper Sunset Ring

When my copper swarovski crystal met my metallic iris raspberry delicas, I knew it was meant to be. Seriously, these 2 colors together are amazing! The iris rasperry delicas could quite possibly be my favorite color delica, I've been using it a lot lately. How can you not love a color that is gold with flashes of purple?! The color of the beads is best seen in the 2nd and 3rd pics...in the 1st pic the crystal is getting all the attention.

I just get tickled every time I finish one of these. They're just so fun to make, and they're so sparkly!
It kinda has a vintage feel to it...like a flapper in a speakeasy, gold tassel dress, short slicked hair, and her finger shimmers every time she raises her glass to her lips.

Visit my Etsy listing for all the juicy details.

What I've been up to

This past weekend I stitched up a custom goddess dreadlock bead for a very friendly etsy customer. She had ordered one, a purple goddess and it was a little large for her, so she gifted it to a friend (how nice of her). She wanted another for herself - in green, red and orange. I was happy to oblige. Its woven in peyote stitch with size 11 delica seed beads.

I was doing a bit of organizing in the studio, and came across some beads I haven't seen in a while, and immediately thought of doing a stretch bracelet. This one is woven in herringbone with betel nut beads, and wood beads. I love the earthy look of this...I think it would look great on the guys and the gals.

A bloggy award

Kay's K9's has been kind enough to give me this award! Thanks so much!

The Rules for the Award are as follows:

1. Mention the blog that gave you the award & comment on their blog when you post the award.

2. List 6 things you VALUE & 6 things you DON'T VALUE.

3. Then, pass the award onto 6 other blog buddies!

Six Things I Value:

1. Love - the emotional and spiritual connection I have with my husband is something I cherish above all. A different but still very strong love is something I have for family and friends (see #2 & #3).
2. Family - Families have good times and bad times, all families have them. I'm so glad my parents didn't stop having children with me. It's been incredible seeing my sister go from little girl to powerful woman in a seemingly short time. I love my family.
3. Friends. There is nothing like sharing time with a friend over dinner, or just doing absolutely nothing but chit-chatting and being goofy together...it ties into #1 really.
4. Art and the creative process - Art is another joy for me, whether creating it or observing it. The creative process is all about getting into that right side of the brain, and along with it comes a medetative state indescribable to those that have never experienced it. Music is another form of art. I could not live without music. I have to experience live music at LEAST once a month. It's healing - and I get to be with friends at the same time.
5. The earth - I try to be as eco-conscience as possible. I spend a good amount of time keeping up to date with green technologies, and try to incorporate the small things I can do on a personal basis to do my part. Recycling, composting, being aware of where my products come from (I love handmade clothing, and I *really* try to not buy stuff made in china).
6. My body - I only have one and I'm trying to treat it right. I am an avid food label reader. I know all the key "bad" words that you should NOT see in your food. I eat my fruits and veggies, try not to eat too much meat, take my vitamins and exercise on a regular basis. Balance postures and yoga are my favorite, which rolls right into hooping. Hooping is a great exercise for body and mind, and fits right in with #4.
   

Six Things I Don't Value:

1. Objects. Sure, computers are convenient, and pretty shiny things are fun...but at the end of the day if you don't have have a sense of belonging, and family/friends to love, all those things you own mean absolutely nothing.
2. Ego. I don't care if I'm better than you at that or you're better than me at this...yada yada yada. To completely let go of one's ego is something I strive for.
3. Hollywood & celebrities. I really couldn't care less who wasn't wearing panties and stepped out of a limo and flashed her who-ha, or who's in rehab or who's anorexic or who's fat (according to unreasonable and unhealthy standards anyways).
4. Junk mail and spam. Junk mail is a waste of paper, and spam is a waste of my time.
5. Negativity. I like being a happy person. I try to stay away from people who are chronically negative, I don't want it to rub off.
6. Tuesdays. Sure, every day is a gift so I do value Tuesdays a *little* bit. But they're the most useless day of the week. At least Monday is the start of something...Wednesday is the middle of the week, Thursday it's almost Friday and Friday speaks for itself. Tuesdays...they just get in the way of the rest of the week.

OK, so now I am needing to pass this on to 6 other blogs. Here goes:
http://lizzytdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://mygypsygoods.blogspot.com/
http://arosebyname.blogspot.com/ http://www.hotrocksglassjewels.blogspot.com/ http://www.outofthepinksky.net/ http://www.pandjcrafts.blogspot.com

Halloween Sale in my Etsy shop

I have some funky Halloween jewelry that I'd love for someone to appreciate for the rest of the month (and beyond).

The sale will last until Oct. 26th. Buy before then, and you're guaranteed to have your item before Halloween. I'm slashing prices on the following items, get em while they're hot kids:

What's really in your cleansing products and cosmetics?

I rarely stray from the topics of crafting, beading, and art on my blog, but I feel this information is especially important to women. It IS breast cancer awareness month, after all. (Don't forget to click on the pink ribbon on the upper left column, you'll give a free mammogram to a woman who can't afford one).
Having just been reminded by Bill Nye that some cosmetic companies put lead in lipstick, I decided to do a little investigation of the products I use everyday.
After a little 'googling' online I discovered the Cosmetic Safety Database. This site has ingredient lists and potential hazards for all of the most common "health and beauty" products found in drug stores.
I was almost sick to my stomach to discover that my soap, my shampoo, my proactive cleanser, toner, and moisterizer ALL had ingredients linked to cancer and birth defects. The industry isn't regulated at all. Cosmetic makers can put whatever ingredients they so choose, and the safety of the product is never questioned. If you want to be informed, click on the database and type in the search bar whatever product you are curious about. But beware, it may make you throw out your entire bathroom of beauty regimen products. I know I'll be doing a complete personal-care rehaul. If anyone has a natural cleansing products they recommend, please let me know. I'm a little worried that now that I've stopped using proactive, my face is going to turn into a connect-the-dot puzzle.