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Showing posts from 2008

My Trade with Lorelei

I recently did a trade with Lorelei Eurto (click the link to go to her blog!). It was the first trade I ever did - it was fun! I picked out a necklace from her shop, and she had two specific bead sets in mind that she wanted of mine. The first photo is of the necklace I chose from her shop, and the next two photos are the beads that she chose! The neckalce is beautiful and incredibly well-made - I highlly recommend her! You can check her blog today, too, as she has a post about the trade! I'll be exicted to see what she makes from the beads.

Focals in Etsy Shop

Hi everyone - last night I put four new focals in the etsy SueBeads store - have a look! They are quite nice, and would make excellent centerpieces for your necklace creation! It's a beautiful day here in Pittsburgh - one of our 65 days we get sun! It's actually warm, too! Also, all bead listings in the SueBeads etsy store that were listed in September or October are on sale for 20% off before the listings expire! Get some good bargains!

Christmas Hangover!

Do you have it - that Christmas hangover? Where you can't seem to get anything done? You ate too much, maybe drank too much, maybe had too much fun, concentrating only on the holiday and how much more work it causes you, to the detriment of all your other chores and activities. And now, it's the day after, and you have to get back into life, start working again, mailing things, creating things, paying bills, laundry, and everything else? I have it! It makes my head fuzzy. I made some beads today, one set for a special order. She specifically asked for 3/32" mandrels to be used. You bet, I said, no problem! Guess how I made the beads? On a 1/16" mandrel. Good thing she doesn't need them tomorrow. Now, it's not like I can't sell the beads I really made for her. They turned out great, if I do say so myself, and I don't think they'll be that hard to sell. But that hangover thing made me stupid, and I have to make most of them all again to

Happy Holidays!

Hi everyone - just popping in to say Happy Holidays ! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. You can still buy beads - I will definitely be working over the holidays. Meantime, here's a photo my daughter took of one of the icicle ornaments I made, hanging on our tree (click on it to see it bigger)! Hopefully, next year I'll have some available for sale! Got to get that Cheetah (torch) out and buy some boro glass! Cheers!

I won!

I never win anything, but I won the Art Bead Scene Studio Saturday contest! I am so excited- I get a Jennifer Jangles pendant! I just bought her book , too, to see if I can start in with clay. Don't know if I will or not, but it's great eye candy and always fun to read about new techniques and crafts! By the way, the beads in my etsy store are offered right now with free shipping. I will give it back to you in the form of a refund - there are just too many listed to go through and take the shipping charges off each one. We had a nice visit with my friends last night, and the Steelers are on, and frankly I am not feeling well - I have some kind of bug that causes nausea, headache and fever. So I am just doing nothing - except telling you all that I WON!

FREE SHIPPING

I'll still offer free shipping in the SueBeads etsy store, so if you want some beads already made, go for it! I'll mail them out first thing, and there's a chance you'll get them by Wednesday!

Sweet Spiced Walnuts Recipe

I got this recipe from Epicurean.com - I make them every Christmas for the teachers and Sunday school teachers . My daughter's school has a "no bought gifts" policy which I really enjoy - if you do the Secret Pal (not Secret Santa!) or give teachers holiday gifts, they should be hand-made. So here's the recipe I use, and they are very tasty! Enjoy! Sweet Spiced Walnuts 1 egg white 1 teaspoon water 5 cups walnut halves or pieces 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice Beat together egg white and water in a large bowl with a fork. Add walnuts; toss to coat. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and allspice Sprinkle sugar mixture over walnuts and toss to coat. Spread nuts in a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake, uncovered, in a 325 oven for 20 minutes. Transfer to waxed paper to cool. Break into clumps. Makes 7 cups.

More Free Shipping!

Today I will still offer free shipping in my SueBeads Etsy store, and in the BellaHannahJane store. I will refund your shipping charges for U.S. and Canadian customers (since you're most likely to get your goods before the big holiday!). So get shopping! www.suebeads.etsy.com

Listed Some More!

I listed some more bead sets on etsy - small sets in case you just want to make a nice bracelet for someone special, even you! I wanted to post these pictures because I just love love love these two sets of beads. They were all wound on a 3/32" mandrel, which is a little bit bigger than the ones I normally use. However, the beads are more substantial and would look lovely even on a ball chain or snake chain!

Beads on Etsy

I put some beads in the etsy store and will have more later - some snowballs and the Florence White frosty beads that I love so much! All three sets are perfect for a last minute bracelet for your favorite bead lover! I'll ship same day or next day depending if the mailmail already came! You should get them in time, unless you live in Tuvalu - which would be quite interesting, I think!

Holiday Project Idea

Hi there - I was in Pier One Imports today - I love that store - and I found these heart ornaments. I knew they wanted to hang from my new chandellier in my dining room. I am having friends over on Saturday for dinner and wanted to get decorating (I'm a bit behind - tree tomorrow!). Since I could not find the ornament hangers, and because they wouldn't match the antique brass color of the chandellier anyways, I decided to get out my 18 gauge copper wire. I twisted it with my pliers, and wrapped the top around a bottle top to get the round shape to hang it from the chandellier rungs. Then I just put the little ornament on the bottom, and voila! I think this is a great project. The ornaments were on sale, and the copper wire wasn't that much either! Hope you like it! Click on it to see it bigger!

Yay Steelers!

I forgot to mention, the Steelers clinched their AFC Division last night against Baltimore, so they'll be going on to the playoffs! We have had a really hard season this year, and haven't been winning all that gracefully, but I guess what counts is the final score! Go Steelers!

Etsy Shops Open!

Ok, I got both of my etsy shops open! Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday I'll have a bunch of Available Work on my suebeads.com web site for you to peruse. There is still time to order for the holidays! I'll mail every day to make sure you get your items! This slider will be on the web site - if you want it, let me know now and I'll save it for you! It's ASK Silver Cinnamon, Raku Jitterbug frit by Val Cox, and some intense black stringer lines. It's very earthy and would fit your pandora, etc., but you could also make it into a bracelet by stringing several matching colors and various sizes of seed beads through it (that's what I'm going to do with mine). You could also just put it on a simple chain!

Book Review - Lost On Plant China

Last week, I had the great fortune to have the time to read four books (!) and this was one of them. My friend Jill and I have read all three of his books (J. Maarten Troost) - they are quite funny! I have to say, while I laughed the entire time I was reading this book, it really reinforced my idea that I really have no interest whatsoever to travel to Planet China. My boyfriend/partner travels a lot in his line of work, and I get to go along with him if my schedule and wonderful parents allow (paying my own way of course, for you know who you are). I have been to some great places, and he knows that someday, he will have to go to China - but I think when that trip comes around, I will just say no! I feel I'm a pretty competent traveler these days, and while he is busy working or professing, I spend quite a bit of time alone sightseeing, etc. I don't think I have the inner fortitude to handle China alone for a day! This was, as I said, a great book, and you should definitely

I'm BAaaack!

I'm back from what was a very lovely time, mon, and I will hopefully be getting my web sites up and running tonight. There will be lots of beads in etsy and available work on my web site in the next few days, so make sure to check frequently! There is still time to have me mail you your goodies before Christmas! And remember, No Pressures, No Problems! That's for the Big Bamboo!

French Word of the Day

Just had to share, I added a widget - it's the French Word of the Day widget! Both my kids take French, and I did in college. I found this widget on a widget search and thought it would be fun! If anyone has a problem with it, let me know. If anyone likes it, let me know! Buy art pendants before I have to remove them from etsy tomorrow!

Time to Make the Donuts!

Well, it's 9 am and it's the last day I can make beads until after the 13th! That's fine with me, I think I need a break. Not a good time to be getting a break (right before the holidays) but things have been so crazy here for the past week that it's just as well, for my sanity. I will be selling at Ellis tomorrow night and all day Friday. If you live in Pittsburgh, stop by. I'll have beads, scrabble tile pendants, stocking stuffers, pandora bracelet beads and even some paper airplanes for the boys! In the meantime, some eye candy! I won't be making beads until after the 13th, but you can still order them!

Goofy Squirrel!

This is so funny! My daughter has a bird feeder attached to the outside of her bedroom window. Occasionally, she puts seed in it for the birds. This one brave squirrel has figured out how to scale the house and get to her window sill, so he can have a buffet! The funny thing is, my boyfriend got to about a foot away from the window to take these pictures, and the squirrel didn't care at all. You know what he was saying... Root for the Steelers this afternoon, against those nasty Patriots!

Finally! My Flamecicles!

Here's a photo of my flamecicle - one of them - that I made at the Pittsburgh Glass Center class I took! Fun, huh? They actually look like icicles that hang down from your eaves during the winter. If you click on the photo, it will make it larger for you, and you can see it better. I think they'll make great tree ornaments, or even hanging in the window. If I ever get some boro glass, I may make more to sell! They were really hard to photograph.

Art pendants

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday yesterday. We had a very nice day - 15 at my house, I think everyone had a great time! I listed some new beads and some new pendants in the etsy stores - I'll just show you a Kandinsky pendant I listed - I really like it! Have a great weekend! And shop from home, instead of going out in that craziness!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you have a wonderful holiday! My boyfriend's parents arrived safe and sound, and we made the stuffing at my mom's! My boyfriend picked up my icicle ornaments - if I can get him to take a picture, I'll post it! They were fun! Have a great holiday and thanks to all my customers for their orders!

Didn't get my icicles...

I didn't go to get my icicles, I had to make beads today for the holiday shoppe, and I feel completely overwhelmed with Thanksgiving, holiday shoppe and trip all on my plate for the next week. By the way, I think I mentioned, I'm going to be taking down both etsy store inventory for the shoppe, so if there's anything you want in either store, better get it now!

Winterberry Beads on Ebay!

I did just put some beads on ebay - holiday ones, called Winterberry Sparkles. Make of uroboros clear, dipped in Winterberry frit, and wrapped in pure silver wire. They are quite cute for the holidays! Earrings, or a couple bracelets! Go for it!

Class Today!

I had my class today. It was a little bit different than I expected (working with boro, which I've never done, and completely different icicles than I was expecting!) but I did enjoy myself. I wasn't feeling all that great so I was thinking about skipping it, but my geek boyfriend talked me into going, and I'm glad I did. I can't get my work back until Tuesday, though, so I'll try and post a photo as soon as I do! Where did this weekend go? We're having Thanksgiving at my house this year, and my boyfriend's parents are coming in, too, so we'll have a full house! Lots of fun! We did a lot of work this weekend getting ready! I had ordered a new chandellier for the dining room, and we had to put it together and put it up. It's much better than the old one. We got carpet too so had some furniture moving in the basement - it's so much better, I think the kids are really going to like it a lot more! I know I do. And my tile in the entryway w

YAY!

Yay - I found out there was a cancellation in the Flamecicles Class at the Pittsburgh Glass Center on Sunday - so I get in! I have always wanted to make those pretty icicle ornaments, but reading a tut didn't really do much for me! Here, I get to see how exactly and make them myself! I'm excited I got in! Hopefully my daughter will return the camera she borrowed from me, and I can post some pictures! This is a picture of the glass center, located in the Friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Waiting...

I am waiting waiting waiting for things to arrive in the mail. I have lots of ideas and things to make for the Holiday Shoppe, but since we have a marked lack of supply stores here in the Pittsburgh area (fusing things, wire things, aanraku bail things, etc.) I have to mail order, and I am waiting for so many things to arrive. It puts a hold to all I can do. I have lots to do in the house this weekend, to get ready for Thanksgiving (yep, having it here!) so I assume all the things I have ordered will arrive on Saturday... Meantime, here's a picture of some random beads - just for eye candy until I can get photos of my new things, if anything ever arrives in the mail! These were minis that I made, and sold on ebay, after I read a post by Kerry Bogert at Kab's Creative Concepts blog. She made a necklace out of multi-colored mini beads. I made mine with just two colors each. Some I really liked a lot! I think they would make a really cool colorful bracelet.

Nothing New!

I'm just checking in to let everyone know, there's nothing new right now! The Steelers squeaked out a win in a very horribly officiated game on Sunday - they play on Thursday again - let's hope they do better! I did make some beads today (for the holiday faire I'm participating in) and I made some big big focals that will be turned into ornaments if I like them enough! If so, I'll try and put one together to show you! Meantime, have a great day! Pretty much only a week until Thanksgiving!

New Beads in SueBeads Etsy Store

Hi everyone! Don't know about where you live, but it's cold and blustery here today! On and off snow flurries - the kids wish it was the real thing, but it's not. I listed some new beads in the SueBeads etsy store - the one I'm featuring here is called Garland - that's what it reminds me of, Christmas garland that you'd hang on your mantel! Have a great Sunday - cheer for the Steelers!

Artful Home

OMG - my mom just gave me this catalog, http://www.artfulhome.com/ , it is amazing! You MUST buy some of the beautiful glass ornaments (Click on me, baby!) that can be found in the back of the catalog. Incredibly well-known glass artists are selling their fabulous beautiful holiday ornaments! Please take a look! They are fantastic!

Update on SueBeads

There's some new beads ready for you to buy on my web site, http://www.suebead.com/catalog.php?category=3 . Take a look! There will be more added this weekend!

Another one of 300...and Whoopie Goldberg

Well, let me try this again. I wrote a big post, then blogger decided it couldn't save it... Today was another one of our 300 days without sun here in Pittsburgh. Do you know we actually have less sunny days than Seattle? Hard to believe, but apparently statistically true. Something on The View today made me so sad. The hot topic was gay adoption. Apparently a certain state passed a referendum that gay people cannot adopt children. Whoopie Goldberg told this story that someone told her - that a 12 year old boy, who was considered "unadoptable" because of mental issues, was finally adopted by a gay couple who happened to work with emotionally disabled children. The boy said, "Somebody wants me!" It made me so sad to think of a child who lived his life believing that nobody wanted him... Also, they had this Manhattan circus on. The Pound Puppies is one of the acts. They adopt puppies from the pound who would have otherwise been euthanized. While I do not attend ci

Art Pendants in Etsy Store

I listed some more art pendants in the BellaHannahJane etsy store. I'm really liking these! I think the girls at my daughter's school will really go for them - at least I hope so! I will be taking down all the inventory in the etsy stores before I attend the holiday shoppe (which I can't believe keeps getting closer and closer - I still need to make some beads for it!) so if there's anything you want, you should get it in November! I put a picture of the Chinese Horse up here on the blog - I really like it! I'm making it for a friend and her daughter, too - ssh - don't tell her!

More Beads in SueBeads etsy store!

I just listed three sets of beads in the SueBeads etsy store - two sparkles and one set of green frosty gumdrops! The gumdrop beads are fun to make - I will be glad to make them in any color you wish! You can pair them with other beads to make a bracelet that looks like candy! Or even use them to make a Christmas Tree ornament! I'm sure you creative people can come up with lots of designs!

Art Pendants in Etsy Store

I just listed two more art pendants in the BellaHannahJane etsy store - Vermeer Girl With a Pearl Earring, and Klimt The Kiss. I'll be listing more later, but I need to go and eat lunch and get ready to go to the Steeler game. I'm so excited - it's cold and windy here, and we're probably going to lose, and the game starts at 4:15... oh well, wish us luck!

Snowballs!

I put these new beads up in my etsy shop this morning. I love the way they look like snowballs. They are made with white glass, and clear frit, which was melted very carefully to avoid melting it all the way in and to make it look like snow or ice! Pretty cool. Check them out!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today's my mom's birthday, so I just wanted to say Happy Birthday! And, Happy Birthday to her sister Kathleen, whose birthday is tomorrow!

New Beads in SueBeads Etsy Store!

I just listed some new sparkle beads in the SueBeads etsy store - take a look!

Art Scrabble Tile Pendants in Etsy Store

I have a couple of new pendants in the BellaHannahJane etsy store - more to be added. They are art scrabble tile pendants. I think they are great - if you have a specific piece of art you really really like, these are for you! Of course, they have to be out of copyright (person dead for over 50 years). I'm going to sell them at the Holiday Shoppe I am participating in, but you get a sneak peek!

My First Bird Bead!

I'm so happy! I made this bird bead, from Jennifer Geldard's tutorial (thanks, Jenny, for being so generous with your knowledge!). I love how it turned out. It's not perfect, and I won't sell it, but I'm for sure making myself a little pendant out of it, since I am so proud of it! Just thought I'd share it with you. I hope everyone voted! No matter who you voted for, it's not only your right, it's your duty and privilege to vote. So many people fought and died for our right to vote, especially women and African American. And thank goodness it's over!!!! I couldn't take ONE MORE phone call....

I HATE the end of DST...

I really hate the end of daylight savings time. I hate when it gets dark at 5:15, and I feel like going to bed at 7pm. I just hate it.... Beads in etsy store tonight, above, and beads will appear on ebay at about 9:20 or so. Holiday beads on ebay - it's time to start making your holiday jewelry!

New Beads in Etsy Shop!

I haven't been doing too much with ebay lately - I know some people like the whole bidding process, because you can get some darn good deals, but it's been so slow, I'd rather sell on etsy and my web site since etsy doesn't take as much in fees. I try to keep my prices fair but ebay fees can really get excessive. I put two new sets in the etsy SueBeads store this morning - another set of Painted Desert because they went so fast (and I can make more!) and a set of frosty sparkles called Prince of Tides. They are all pretty! You can buy them by clicking on them!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! This year my kids are old enough to go around by themselves, unescorted, and even though I'm happy about it, I feel left out! I like seeing how excited they are and I like walking around with my friends and talking while the kids are running! Oh well, that's how life goes. The Pretty in Pink beads sold fast. If you want some, I have enough of the frit to make at least one more set, maybe two. If you do, shoot me an email or a convo on etsy! Have Fun!

Pretty In Pink!

Here's some beads I just put in my etsy store - Pretty In Pink Frosted Sparkles! I loved that movie (showing my age here!) - my friend Lisa and I would listen to the "tape" all the time (really showing my age here)! The frit used to make these beads is called Pretty in Pink and the beads were wrapped in pure silver wire, and etched - I think they are very pretty! Hope you do to - you can click on them to buy them!

Gum Drops!

Hi everyone - new beads in the etsy store - Gum Drops! They are really cute - as you can see, they look just like gum drops! Don't give them to small children, though! You could make a cute holiday bracelet out of the set, or order more for a necklace or lots of earrings to sell at your craft fair! Speaking of which, a reminder that I will be taking all my inventory to a craft fair at the beginning of December, so please purchase what you want from the etsy store inventory in November. This also includes all the scrabble tiles. BTW, I have been getting several special city requests from people for the scrabble tile maps. I really have fun doing these - they would be fantastic stocking stuffers! Let me know if you want one in a particular city. I also have lots from places all over the world! I'll be putting some up soon, but they will go to the craft fair as well.

Update!

The holiday beads shown below were sold already! They are relisted as Made To Order - I'll be making them tomorrow, so not a real wait, anyways! Also, if you want more or less, please let me know! I'll be MORE than happy to make you a set or two or three... I love making them - they are so festive!

Some More Beads in Etsy Store

I just listed three more sets of beads in the etsy store - two holiday sets and one frosty olive sparkle set. They are all very pretty - I'm really happy with how they turned out! Good for your holiday gifts! Also, I just found out the gift I made for my mom for her birthday will be featured in a future issue of BeadStyle Magazine. I don't even know when, yet, but when I know, I'll let you know! Some of my beads were used, of course! It's a great, easy, stylish, versatile design!

Frosty Beads in Etsy store!

Hi - I have some frosty teal beads listed in my etsy store. They are made with Uroboros clear, so the clear doesn't etch but the frit does. It makes for an interesting effect. They were wrapped in pure silver wire. Very pretty! On another note, at the beginning of December I will be participating in my daughter's school holiday shoppe. I will be taking all my inventory from SueBeads and BellaHannahJane, so if there's anything you want, please purchase it during November. Anything that doesn't sell at the show will be back in the etsy stores, but not right away. I will be going away for a week to a very nice, warm location!

Pittsburgh Steelers and Take a Poll!

Hi everyone! Happy Sunday - I'm looking forward to watching the Steeler game today. Don't even get me started on the Santonio Holmes thing. If you don't know about it, click here . Not only is it stupid for himself, it's a disgrace to one of the best football teams this year. He messed the game up today for all his teammates, who I hope are appropriately ticked at him. On to another topic! Is anyone planning on buying any beads before the holidays, to sell jewelry or make things for loved ones, etc.? Would you take a second to hit my poll? Business is so slow, I'd love to know if it's just a little bit too early, or it's not going to pick up at all! Thanks!

Lauscha Red!

I just wanted to take a minute to post about Lauscha transparent red - my new favorite color! It is so pretty, but is also so easy to strike! The vetrofond striking red I have is not very nice, and moretti is even harder to strike than this red. Hopefully this weekend I'll have pics to show you of what I made with the red - pretty pretty! In the meantime, take my word for it, you'll love that Lauscha Red!

Beads Tomorrow?

It's one of those weeks, where every day and every night is taken up by some kind of appointment (or two) or activity. Tomorrow after my 7:40 a.m. appointment with my son's math teacher (another day....) I will finally be able to make beads since I think Friday? So, hopefully I'll have something new to share one of these days. In the meantime, here's a little eye candy from etsy store!

Beads on Ebay!

It's been really slow, I know it's because of the economy - it really trickles down! Anyways, there's two focal sets on ebay right now, that I personally think are very pretty and amazingly priced. Check them out!

Cool Earrings in BellaHannahJane

I just listed some very cool earrings in my BellaHannahJane etsy store! They are made from hand-blown caramel swirl hollow beads (not mine) and swarovski crystals and sterling silver findings. I really love these! I have others, too, that will be listed soon! Check them out!

New Charms in Etsy Shop!

Hi - I just listed three new purse charms in my etsy shop. I really like taking these extra beads that I have made, and coming up with little purse charms! It's fun, it's a way to be creative, and uses up all those extra beads that a lampworker always seems to have laying around the house. My friend, Jill, once said, "Boy, there's beads everywhere in this house!" I'm trying as fast as I can to use them up!!!!!

What A Find!

I just found out where you can get fine silver wire for your beadmaking, without paying A LOT! Monsterslayer.com has the wire, you have to buy it in a troy ounce (at least that's what I did) but even so, I got 192 feet of 30 gauge fine silver wire for about $24, including shipping!!!! I am so happy!!!!! :)

Check out my new bead pairs in my Etsy shop!

I just listed a few new bead pairs in my etsy shop - these are great for making earrings for your holiday gifts. I'm guessing that many people will need to cut back for the holidays, and making gifts is a great way to do that! Plus, I think that hand-made gifts are extra special. It's a great way to show someone that you really care, and that you know them and made something with just them in mind!

New Beads in Etsy Shop!

Hi everyone - I posted some new bead pairs in the etsy shop. Good for making earrings, especially if you are going to be making a lot of your holiday gifts this year! I guess I will be too! I think these cobalt beads are really pretty - the contrast between the cobalt and the turquoise is striking! You can click on the pic, and go to the shop!

Wouldn't You Know!

This past weekend, my daughter came down with food poisoning from eating chicken at the zoo. She feels a lot better but I am curious - should I call them and tell them - what do you readers think? Based on the symptoms, we think it was a case of an employee coughing or sneezing on the food, or touching it after coughing or sneezing on their hands. This, to me, is gross, and makes me think about all the times we eat out - how many times could we get sick from a restaurant worker doing that? Makes me sick! On another topic, the kids went to the Scarehouse this weekend. For her birthday, my daughter wanted tickets to this haunted house because the "Ghosthunters" were going to be there, signing autographs. Poor thing got sick while she was there, but some nice person in charge let her ahead of the line to get her pictures and autographs before I picked her up. They had a great time! The sale on my web site is over - thanks to everyone who ordered beads - but I'll give you

New Map Pendants on BellaHannahJane!

Hi everyone - Happy Tuesday - or not so happy depending on how you feel... like if you stayed up late to watch the Steeler Game, or you followed the stock market... Anyway, there's some new map scrabble tile pendants up in my other etsy store, BellaHannahJane (named after my daughter) and you might find your city. If you don't you can ping me and I'm sure I can make you one! These are very cool to give to someone for a stocking stuffer or holiday gift; I think it would be particularly cute to give to you child of a place you visited, or if you are a boyfriend and you spent a special weekend with a special someone in a special place! Good guy gift! Have fun shopping!

New Beads on Etsy!

Whew - that was a busy weekend. My son takes tang soo do , and on Saturday he did his recertification test for his second cho-dan patch for his black belt. He has been doing this for five years, and last year at this time was when he received his black belt (at 9 years old!). Next year at this time, hopefully, he will be getting his e-dan patch! Yay for you S. My daughter went on a "cabin camping" trip to Ohiopyle with her school Trailblazers club and apparently had a great time because she came home exhausted. Thanks to my friend, Tod, who so graciously offered to pick her up - what a guy! Then, we had some friends over for dinner and had a really nice time! Early this morning, get up for Sunday school. It's cloudy, so it's a good day to have a lazy day! There are some new beads up on etsy - some swirly ones and a pair of chinese lantern beads but in the lentil shape. Check them out! Oh, yeah, don't forget to take my poll to the right - I would like to know wha

Customer Makes Dog Leads with my Beads!

I have a great customer who requested some of my designer beads with a large hole. She was making dog leads and wanted to embellish them with lampwork beads. I have made a series of these for her, and she graciously gave me permission to post a photo of one of the leads she made with my purple galaxy bead. Her name is Linda, and if you are interested in her work, you can find it at www.dreamweaverpoms.com/leads.html . They are really cool and she does custom work!

Check out my Poll!

Hi everyone - I just created a poll to the right of this post - I wanted to know what size or type beads you prefer when making earrings. I like to list earring pairs on etsy, and I'd rather make bead sizes that you want! Thanks in advance to everyone who answers the poll! You have until October 1! If you prefer a different size or type totally, leave me a comment!

New Focal on Etsy!

If you like focal beads, here's one for you! It's new on etsy - a teal raku bead that measures 25x22 mm and was wound on a 3/32" mandrel, it comes with two teal spacer beads as well. You can always ask for more, too - I'm happy to make more beads! You can click on it to go right to it in my etsy shop!

New on Etsy

Here's a new bead in my etsy store - a Halloween style large hole bead! Measures 15mm wide, 7mm high with a 5mm hole. Enjoy! You can click it to get there!

Scrabble Tile Pendants on Etsy Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

I've just relisted a bunch of scrabble tile pendants in my BellaHannahJane etsy shop . They make really great stocking stuffers or holiday gifts. The map ones are fantastic if it's a place you live, have lived, or visited and has special meaning to you. The stamps are fantastic because they are vintage and just so colorful! All the stamps now are self-stick - these are great! Please check out the shop, and tell your friends!