Sue Beads

Kristi, of Kristi Bowman Design, created some fabulous big hole components and decided to have a challenge! I did not win one of the giveaway beads, but I did purchase one to take part in the challenge! I love the one she sent me - sunflower! I had an idea in my head immediately what I wanted to do!  I created the disc bead from a peach colored Bullseye glass, and connected it to the big hole bead with a floral copper bead cap and a copper disc, and a hand-made balled-end head pin!  I made the bail, too, as a way to connect it!  Turned out quite cool! I used this gorgeous copper patinated clasp I received from someone (sorry, someone, I believe is was from a bead swap or challenge) because it just matched so perfectly. I used GORGEOUS sunstone beads that I had in my stash, and copper seed beads in the design too! I made the necklace slightly asymmetrical by stringing the sunstone beads that way, and finished the necklace with copper chain and a gorgeous oran...

I was lucky enough to be contacted by Interweave and asked if I wanted to participate in Lorelei and Erin's big book celebration this weekend!  Of course, I said YES!  I love both of those ladies and to help celebrate their book is a great way to tell them how much I admire them!  If you haven't seen it already, here's a photo of the cover - it's a sweet book! I wanted to make something inspired by a design in their book, and I finally settled on making this bracelet after Erin's project, Fleur-De-Lis.  It's on page 89 of the book, if you want to take a look at her design.  I always like to use my own beads in jewelry that I make, although I don't always have to.  However, Erin used some corrugated wood beads and they looked very similar to the ribbed round beads I make, so it ended up being a perfect way for me to incorporate some of my beads.  I made the beads in a very light amethyst color, and coated them with orchid enamel.  I love the lo...

The very cute and funny Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio hosted a fun art bead earring swap. She's done this before with just one partner, but this year we got two partners! My partners were Fay Wolfenden, of Torchfairy, and Sharleen Newland, of Shaterra Clay Studio ! These are the earrings that Fay sent me!  She made the gorgeous fused glass cabs, and attached a copper bail on the back, to hang them from the ear wires. You can see the dichroic glass better in this photo - I love it!  So sparkly!  You can see more of Fay's work in her etsy store - FayWolfendenDesigns - and at her web site - Fay Wolfenden Designs .  She also makes these fantastic silk flowers!  I love them!  She sent this cute little barrette along as a gift - so nice! My second partner was Sharleen Newland of Shaterra Clay Studio.  You may know her ceramic work.  She sent these gorgeous earrings made with beautiful tubes of clay!  The colors are so pret...

Yep, I have a web site!  Did you know?  It's here, at SueBeads ! It's for all my made-to-order sets of beads, although you can buy some individually as well.  It is hosted by pappashop - it's not the best web site, and it does cost me money to run it every month.  But I have my whole catalog on it - if I change, I would have to go and redo a lot of things and that's just not possible right now with preparing for Bead Fest Philly and the Delmont Apple N Arts Festival.  I do not get a lot of traffic on my web site anymore - it seems like everyone knows about etsy.  I would love to have some made-to-order orders, before I decide to just scrap my whole web site.  That's why I'm removing the shipping charges for a few weeks on my web site, so if you place an order, you get FREE SHIPPING !  I'd love to have you take a look and see if there's anything you'd like me to make you!

Just a little idea of what you can do with the nugget beads you can find in my SueBeads etsy shop!  I used two lotus flower charms from Fusion Beads and made my own ear wires!