I was on Artfire front page

So excited and just had to show you.

Thanks Artfire and Abacusbeadcreations for putting me on the front page.

A Fresh Delivey

I was in awe when I opened my package from Aunties Beads.

It was full of seas glass beads, I love them.
I got working straight away and created a lovely foamy necklace with matching bracelet. As Australia is coming in to Summer I thought this colour was so cool. To me it represents a beautiful blue sky with a calming sea. Although Aus is well known for it's excellent surfing.For the focal of the necklace and bracelet I used handmade lampwork beads and teamed them with
Sea Glass 8mm Round Bead Strand, Seafoam
Sea Glass Round Bead Strand, Opaque Sky Blue, 6mm
Sea Glass Round Bead Strand, Seafoam Green, 10mm
Wire wrapped each bead together and topped and tailed the Sea Glass 8mm Round Bead Strand, Seafoam with scalloped bead caps.You can check out my new Artfire or Etsy store for more creations.

A Few Things From The Sydney Quilt & Craft Show

Sunday was a trip to the Sydney Quilt and Craft Show. I was fairly good with the spending - sort of. Had a great day meeting up with a couple of peeps from the Etsy Dust Team.
As I say I was pretty good with my spending but have just noticed how girly and pink my I must have felt that day.

Take a look at a couple of creations I made this week with the beads I purchased.
Funny how a purchase can reflect the mood you are in.

Jet Team Bead Challenge - This Weekend

The Jewelry on Etsy Team wants YOU to visit their blog this weekend to vote for your favorite entry in our very first JET Bead Challenge!

Two weeks ago, the ten JET members received two beads. The beads are six sided yellow mother of pearl or shell. The only rule was ... anything you make must have both beads used in the design! No restrictions means ... plenty of imagination!

Each participant has made something entirely different! This shows exactly how talented and imaginative our members really are. The variety of the pieces entered is simply amazing! Every one of these designs is a winner, no matter the outcome of this challenge ... each entry is special and truly one of a kind, just the way handmade jewelry is supposed to be.

Here is a quick look at the entries but please visit here to place your vote.

1 - Judy of JemsByJBandCompany submitted:

Mangoes with Cream

Mouthwatering mother of pearl beads in deep yellow and creamy white are surrounded by a wealth of complimentary accents in this bracelet.

There are bronze freshwater pearls, yellow quartz and white freshwater pearls. Squares of shells and Swarovski crystals shimmer to add more pizazz!! A silver starfish charm adds the feel of the summertime waters to this design. A sterling silver toggle clasp, with a braided texture, secures this piece.

This beautiful bracelet measures 8 1/2" long.

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2 - Victoria of DBVictoria submitted:

Bees Do It - Black Glass and Orange Crystal Necklace with Shell


The shell beads I received were paired with rounded rectangles of antique glass, light topaz (or yellow-orange) crystal bicones, and black flat faceted crystal discs.

They are strung with an antiqued brass bee charm on tigertail, and fasten with a lobster clasp and chain.

The necklace can be worn from 18" to 22".
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3. Barbara of CapitalCityCrafts submitted:

Primary Geometry Earrings

Bright primary colors with bold geometric shapes make these earrings stand out. Hot pink quartz with brilliant yellow shell and blue pearls, rectangles, hexagons and ovals in a sterling silver circle.

Summertime fun on sterling silver euro wires!

These earrings are big and bold, 3" (75mm) overall in length, the sterling circles are 1 3/8" (35mm) in diameter.

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4. Dawanna of PeacesOfIndigo submitted:

Sunshine Charm Bracelet - Yellow Glass and Wood Beads

The beads are shell and reminded me of the Sun. I created a metal clay charm that is double sided. It is pure silver. It says 'shine' on one side and has a hand drawn Sun on the other. I oxidized it to make the details stand out.

There are two beaded strands on one side of the charm. One is antiqued yellow glass, the other is wood. The accents are all sterling silver. The chain on the other side is sterling. It allows the bracelet to be adjusted from 6 to 8.5 inches in length.

I added a pretty faceted smoky quartz bead to one side of the charm. It adds a little color and jazzes it up a bit. This is simply a fun summer bracelet!

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5 - Bob and Terry of Jewelry24Seven submitted:

Silver and Shell Bracelet

The back part of this bracelet is a viking knit cuff. The bracelet is a combination of fine and sterling silver; It was oxidized to give emphasis to the two bezel set yellow shell beads. The front panel is about 1" wide and 2 1/4" long.


The entire thing is handmade with fine silver bezels, sterling silver sheet and bead wire. The front was decorated with silver casting grain to give it a unique appearance and texture.

One end is attached to the cuff bracelet back; the other opens, with a simple pressure fit hook closure.

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6. Tammy of ArtMadeByTammy submitted:

Under Construction gold Cuff Links -
OOAK Hand Drawn Steampunk Wearable Art

Made with ~Yellow mother of pearl hexagon beads -

18mm x 20mmBlack InkGold Plated Cuff Links -

Lead safe Vintage Watch Movement Gears and Parts

Glue and Sealer.

This artwork is 100% hand-drawn (not a print, print-out or lithograph), and designed by Me, the artist.

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7. Phyllis of SendingLoveGallery submitted:

Fiesta Bracelet Mother of Pearl, Aventurine,
Glass, Wood Beads and Antique Brass

The bracelet has a large glass bead in the center handpainted with a bird surrounded with flowers and leaves, flanked by wrinkled metallic glass beads, the 2 mother of pearl golden yellow beads, aqua glass beads, and 2 yellow "Miracle" beads at each end. In between them are bronze seed beads and purple aventurine beads.

Then I added charm dangles between all of these - they are made of wood cylinder beads that reminded me of firecrackers, hot pink mother of pearl dangles, tiny round beads, metallic beads, flower beads, etc., etc.

The findings and toggle clasp are antique brass. The length is 8 inches and will fit up to a 6-3/4 in. wrist. The large center bead is 1 inch across, and when the bracelet is flat the width is about 1-3/8 inches across.

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8. Deb of stoutdg2 submitted:

Sunny - Lampwork, Gold Filled and Vermeil Bracelet

Sunny was made with two lampwork disk beads wire wrapped with matching crystals, two hexagon beads with vermeil daisy spacers, a vermeil triple link, and gold filled chain.

I've added a gold filled spacer bead with vermeil bead caps and a gold filled chain to provide a fun, whimsical look.

The bracelet measures 7-1/2" in length with a 1" extender chain. The lobster clasp is gold plated.

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9. Mandy of BeadsMe submitted:

Yellow Mother Of Pearl Earrings
With An Added Cluster Of Czech Glass


Earrings are created with yellow/orange mother of pearl hexagons, lime, cream and clear multi faceted czech glass.

The hexagons are wire wrapped to sterling silver ear hooks by a looped head pin, whilst the wire wrapped cluster of czech beads are attached to silver tone chain.

Earrings drop is 3 inches (7½cm) from top of ear hook.

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10. Ida of AdroitJewelers submitted:

Purple Peace Jasper and
Yellow Mother of Pearl Copper Bracelet

I made this chunky bracelet by alternating purple peace jasper stones and the hexagonal yellow mother of pearl beads. The jasper stones are each approximately 18 x 26mm and the yellow mother of pearl beads are approximately 18mm x 20mm.

It is connected with copper wire and has a hand-formed dragonfly on one yellow bead and a hand-formed flower with purple seed bead center on the other.

The bracelet measures approximately 8 inches and fastens with a hand-formed copper clasp.


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The JET Team will be actively promoting this challenge and vote on the Promotions thread of Etsy this Saturday and Sunday. Please visit each item page to see the full description, more pictures etc. Once you've decided, please vote at the bottom of this page!

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Don't forget visit the Jet Teams blog to place your vote.

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New Additions to Beadsmeonline.com

Just added some new additions to my website - http://beadsmeonline.com
All three pairs of earrings are created with beautiful glass lampworks handmade by a fellow Etsian - "Imakebeads"Teamed with the lampworks are Swarovski crystals, great for that touch of sparkle.

You can purchase these or others like them from my on line store beadsmeonline

What Do I Do With This Lot

The cabinet is complete and full of beads, findings,gemstones, etc. I have about 2 drawers that are empty and awaiting my next bead spend.

Now the problem. I thought the men of the house would be fighting over the boxes but there they sit, empty on the dining table.

Hmmmm! One way of solving this problem is ....... Buy MORE beads....

Cabinet Update

How many days have I had it now - 3? I am still trying to sort all my goodies out, inbetween having a bead fondle now and then, coming up with ideas which I sure have forgotten.

I am on the last stretch and need to sort out my purchases that still sit in bags, and to price them up. Oh my that means I also have to remember what the gemstones are, this is a nightmare to me. I can see my Flickr pics increasing and questions flying.

Just a quick post and hope that I can update better over the weekend, I have another gift idea coming up.

Oh and don't forget to check out this post and help a wonderful family in need.
http://beadsme-mandyharvey.blogspot.com/2008/08/pull-together-to-help-someone-darnell.html

Those who have supported we thank you very much.

I Think It Is About Time We Had Our Dining Table Back

As you can see from the first picture I had taken over the dining table as my work bench. The boxes are full of beads, gemstones and findings and this is not all. Quite a few more boxes are laying in the spare room on the spare bed.

So at the Stitches and Craft Show in Rosehill I bit the bullet and bought a craft cabinet from Arnolds Scrapbook and Craft Supplies. $525.00 was so expensive but I never did get an offer from my 'shopfitting apprentice' son to make me one, so what choice did I have if I wanted my dining table back, I had to buy it. (My excuse anyway).

I just don't know no how long it is going to take me to transfer all my goodies into this cabinet. Tonight I spent an hour just sorting through my Swarovski crystals and glass trumpet flowers. I have so much more work to do that crafting is going to have to take a back seat until I have finished. Only one problem I still need to use the dining table to actually work at, at least I will have more room.

Gift Idea #4

Want to keep in touch with loved ones, dear friends and family or would you like someone to keep in touch with you? This notecard and gift set is ideal for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

The beautiful paper purse has hydrangeas and butterflies on the front and back. The front is accented with glitter and a blue rhinestone. Inside is a set of four notecards with matching envelopes and cute little envelope seals. Another gorgeous creation from Southernscraps at Etsy.com

From myself you could add a little touch of dangle with my Blue Ice Earrings. Created with blue glass cats eyes and Swarovski crystals attached to a silver tone metal snowflake. What a great combination.

The Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair, June 11-15, 2008

Got up a bit late today but managed to head off for The Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour,Sydney at 10.00am. Weather was yuk, very windy, big grey clouds and cold. At least the halls were warm and there was plenty of coffee places. Not sure what time we arrived but we left at about 3.00pm. My feet ached like mad but it was an enjoyable day.

Not only did I get a good little stash but a new toy to play with - drill and coiler mandrel set...yaaayyyy.

Now what did I get? Many coloured glass beads, czech glass, silver metal fancy spacers. many sizes of silver wire, gorgeous pendants, head pins, eye pins and ribbon and string necklaces. I think thats it. Oh some semi precious stones. Best of all is my new toy drill and coiler mandrel set.

Oh, and this is where we ended up before we headed off home. The Belgian Bar on Sydney Rocks. Last time we went to Sydney we knew about this place but couldn't find it, must have spent a night walking The Rocks looking for it. Barry had curried mussels and me, pork, mash and sauerkraut (I think that is how you spell it but I didn't like it). To be boring I had a diet coke and barry a glass of Leffe.

No drinking for me I have to be up bright and early tomorrow morning at 8.00am for a day of fire brigade training. Ouch!

A Beading Mess

This must be a beaders worst nightmare. A whole box of sorted beads falling on the floor. Must have been thousands of 4mm bicones.

I am sure it took me at least 4 hours to pick and sort them out again in their relevant colours. Sitting on that cold wooden floor really helped to get a numb bum. As for the silver headpins a few of them still remain in the grooves of the floor.

Another thing for my "to do list" - buy a handheld mini vacuum cleaner.

I've Got The Blues!

Have you ever purchased something and want more but haven't got a clue who you got from. Well that's me.

I just fell in with the large swirly blue beads in these creations. I remember getting them from Sydney Bead Show 2007 last year but who the supplier was I cannot for the life of me remember. i just attended the show and spent and spent and spent, coming home with a bag full of goodies.

I suppose it's good in a way then I cannot repeat my designs. Also the fact that no one else will like them LOL.

Lesson learned - I MUST DO A SUPPLIER LIST!

Do I, Don't I???

Well I have signed up for the Lava Jewelry Spring 08 Beading Challenge . Got my beads just over a week ago and toyed with many ideas. Easter Friday was spent putting the beads together and I came up with this........

I am very pleased with the end result but not too sure about the photos. I have until 1st of May to enter the pics..........

I Just Adore Handmade Lampwork

Just take a look at these glorious pendants I put together using handmade lampwork beads, swarovski crystals, daisy spacers and cones. Attaching them to more than one chain has a great effect. The blue lampwork bead was purchased from http://rufsandroxy.etsy.com/ and the mauve/aqua lampwork from http://calumeydesigns.etsy.com/ . Don't you agree they are exceptional artists.

I bought a Domain

My goodness I bought http://www.beadsmeonline.com/ and I donot have a clue what to do with it. At the moment it is linked to my Etsy shop so eventually I will need someone to give me a hand.

New items in my Etsy shop

At last I have found some time to make something different and eventually get them listed on my Etsy shop. Even though these items are matching they are available in my shop as separate items. I have described them as an English Tea Set. This idea came from the lady in the shop where I purchased them. As I am a Pom living in Australia the description must have popped into her head when she heard me talk. I just fell in love with the blue and white terracotta beads immediately then proceeded to search her shop looking for other beads to go with them.

Just Listed/Relisted on My Etsy Shop

Just listed these items on my Etsy shop . http://www.beadsme.etsy.com/

Had to re do some pictures and tidy it up. Trying to get ready for Valentines Day. I have spent so much time promoting over the past few weeks that I haven't had chance to make anything new.

My Lava Jewelry Winter 08 Beading Challenge

This is my entry for the Lava Jewelry Winter 08 Beading Challenge. Check out the photo pool for the challenge. There are some great designs from talented artist http://www.flickr.com/groups/winter08/pool/

Closing date is not until 1st February 2008 so keep looking, bookmark it, set yourself a reminder there will be more.

I would also like to wish all participants good luck and say "A job well done to all".

I have now put my masterpiece on my Etsy shop so check it out and give me a heart LOL.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9056470