Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, warm, and happy holiday. I hope you get to spend quality time with friends and loved ones...because that's really what it's all about folks.
The new year is just about upon us and it is time once again to look inward at ourselves, and at the goals we have made. Did you reach your goals? I reached some of mine. The others need attention. Why didn't I achieve what I set out to do? Was my bar set too high? Are there smaller steps I can take to achieve my large scale goals? These are all questions I will be pondering over, and I'm sure many others can apply them to their life goals.
Looking forward to 2009, I can tell you there are some exciting things coming down the pike. As an artist, I've been expanding my knowledge of techniques. I have several projects sitting in my head, anxious to get out. There's just no time right now though, so, next year!

"Snow Queen" winner announced

Congratulations to Karin of Gypsy Eyes Jewelry who won with her Queen of the Frozen Tundra necklace. Isn't it devine?!!



Karin says about this piece:
The Queen is an exquisite hand sculpted and painted porcelain pendant by the fabulous artist Pat Swyler. The patina of her complexion is a lovely icy blue. The crown jewels of her woven head-dress are a shimmering raw silver-gray diamond and magical boulder opals, their brilliant flashes of color reminiscent of the Northern Lights.The necklace represents her kingdom: frost covered branches, snowflakes and icicles - all lovingly hand-beaded/ woven with tiny glass delica beads, opal, aquamarine, rainbow moonstone, pink kunzite, blue topaz and freshwater pearls.

Second: 27. Queen of the Snow - savoystudio

Third: 18. Yuki Onna - Japanese Snow Woman - SmadarsTreasure

Fourth: 11. Frozen Waters - Cuff - triz

Fifth: 7. Snow Queen necklace - CieloDesign

Sixth: 4. A Royal Affair - beadsforever

Seventh: 19. Anastasia choker - MCDdesigns

Eighth: 1. mirka collar - thebeadedlily

Ninth: 23. Snow princess necklace - FleurDeIrk

Tenth: 21. Snowflake Fairy - BeadazzledofOregon

Congrats to all the winners and everyone who participated. Voters, the Etsy Bead Weavers really appreciate you taking the time to vote, so thank you!

Bumps in the road...

For the past couple years, I have been using Photoshop CS on my husband's desktop computer to create graphics, and also for cropping and color-balancing photos. Sunday his computer died. Ironically he had ordered a new laptop which he just recieved Monday. Maybe the desktop got jealous and decided to pout.
Because there's no need to fix/replace the old computer (other than my need for PS), I'm outta luck when it comes to photo editing. We have ransacked the house looking for the Photoshop disc but cannot find it anywhere...ugh!
So, until I can find the PS disc, or find a suitable replacement for it (suggestions welcome), photos may be a bit scarce.

I do have a couple earrings to share however, I got these done right before the computer died.

This first one reminds me of feathers. I wove them with cylon blue seed beads, black bugle beads, and matte purple/blue hex cut beads.



This second pair I call "Cabernet & Rust". Deep maroon red bugle beads really compliment the metallic gold delica beads. I finished these off with antiqued brass wire guardians, and antique brass foldover earwires.


Both are available in my Artfire shop HERE.

Etsy Beadweavers December Challenge

The entries for this month's challenge - Snow Queen - are in, and they are beauties baby!! I personally didn't have sufficient time to participate, however there are LOTS of amazing pieces to choose from. Vote for your favorite HERE. I still don't know who has my vote yet, it's so hard to pick just one!

The Spreader of Love Award

I was perusing through my comments and was delighted to find that Nicole of Beadwright has bestowed to me the Spreader of Love Award. Nicole is a super talented bead weaver, I've loved her creations for quite some time now. Head on over to her shop to see some of her lovely items.

Here are the rules to spread the love!(1) Post a copy of the award on your blog post. (2) Mention who gave you the award. (3) Pass the award on to 6 others. (4) Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honor has been bestowed upon them
Here are my choices:

1: Three Fates Design
2: Holy Cuteness
3: Modus Vivendi

4: Jael's Art Jewels
5: Womens Self Esteem

6: Time2Cre8