Off to the Beach

I'm off  to the Beach for a few days......of course, I'll be beading.   Got the Primrose Lane Spring Show to get ready for.  Aaaaah, just being close to the ocean makes me feel good!

Until then...........Happy Beading!

Should You take it for a Test Drive?

Can you really be sure that your jewelry is really going to look and feel the way you think it should look and feel when someone's purchased it and actually wearing it out in the real world?

I mean, really, do yo think those pearls are going to actually hang down her back all evening without wanting to......slip off her shoulder, hang down in the front?

Some of  what-I-think-are-great-ideas for jewelry turn out to be "what was I thinking?"

I could let Margot wear them for a bit....and don't get me wrong, she's my Dream Assistant, but she's got her limitations!!!!

So, with all that said.....I take my jewelry for a test drive by actually wearing it (and I could also be secretly looking for compliments).  On many occasions after wearing my jewelry, I have to go back to the drawing board so that the "what was I thinking" can turn into "that's more like it"!

I think it's a good idea and it's always worked for me!  I want someone who wears my jewelry to really enjoy wearing it....they won't if it hangs lopsided, or an edge is too sharp, or basically doesn't look as good wearing it as it did on the bead board (if you use one....maybe that's my problem!)

I want to thank my Dream Assistant, Margot, for her always excellent assistance and my "pearl" model for her patience and her ability to be absolutely still during the shoot.

Until then.............Happy Beading! (and test-driving)

7000 Bracelets of Hope-Blog Hop

Thank you to all who visit in support of the Global Genes Project and 7000 Bracelets of Hope project.  The bracelet I made for this project has a beautiful lampwork glass bead made by Alana from Flameboyance Glass.  Supporting this focal bead are czech glass beads of varying shades of blue along with a dangle chain with tiny glass dangles of blue.  The heart charm and chain symbolizes the love I send to the recipient of this bracelet and that it will give them strength.

Please support this important project by visiting the blogs of the other contributors to 7000 Bracelets of Hope and thank you to Lori Anderson of Pretty Things for inviting us to participate.

 1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got To Doodle

3. Kym Hunter, Creatively Kym

4. Mandy Duffy, Beads for Brains: 365

5. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer

6. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

7. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry

8. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire

9. Amy Severino, Amy's Beads

10. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by Jennifer Pride

11. Jenny Cameron, Glass Addictions

12. Susan Ferguson, Windrock Studio

13. Mortira vanPelt, Inspirational Beading

14. Brandi Hussey, Brandi Girl

15. Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design

16. Angela Barribou, Re: Angela Rae

17. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

18. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous

19. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading To Be Done!

20. Nicki Keller, Nicki's Reef

21. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

22. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon

23. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T

24. Deci Worland, Gem Trails

25. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium

26. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals

27. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio

28. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

29. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady

30. Deb Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs

31. Suzette Bentley, Ellies Bijoux

32. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

33. Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

34. Kate Gardenghi, The Tropical Blonde

35. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

36. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

37. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.

38. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

39. CJ Baushka, 4 His Glory Creations

40. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash

41. Sandra Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

42. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs

43. Kim Roberts, Bahama Dawn

44. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

45. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia's Studio

46. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss

47. Sue Kennedy, Sue Beads

48. Raquel Amaral, Raquel Amaral

49. Robyn Hawk, Daily Jewel

50. Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

52. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry

53. Andrea Robinson, Madame Magpie's Shiny Things

54. John Rasmussen, Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry

55. Breana Fry, Vault 31

56. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

57. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts

58. Dot Lewallen, Speedie Beadie

59. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

60. Heather Pyle, Aquariart

61. Adrienne Campbell, Adrienne Designs

62. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs

63. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs

64. Susie Hibdon, Vintage Susie & Wings

65. Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

66. Norma Agron, Norma's Clay

67. Ana Novak, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

68. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

69. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

70. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

71. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs

72. Catherine Pruitt, Boo Beads

73. Deana Hager, Just Deez' Art & Life

74. Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner

75. Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

76. Janet Bocciardi, Honey From the Bee

77. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life

78. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Design

79. Sally Russick, WireWorked

80. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

81. KJ, KJ's Beadacious Beads

82. Lana Kinney, Something Unique by Lana

83. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman ... Art, Life, Love

84. Karen Bien, Everyday Gypsy

85. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads

86. Cyn Gagen, Creative Edventures

87. Niky Sayer, Silver Nik Nats

88. Deb Beechy, Beetique

89. Marian Hertzog, M's Place

90. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

91. Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

92. Charlene Gray, Gray Girl Studio

93. Erin Fickert-Rowland, Elysian Fields

94. Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

95. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art

96. Christine Altmiller, One Kiss Creations

97. Eileen Bergen, The Artful Crafter

98. Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry

99. Rebekah Payne, Tree Wings Studio

100. Mari Aparicio, Mis Amores

101. Tracy Statler, Make Bracelets

102. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy

103. Kim Stevens, Picking Poppies

104. Karyn White, Releases by Rufydoof

105. Elisabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals

106. Lisa Hamilton, Simply Irresistible Jewelry

107. Serena Trent, All Things Made Jewelry

108. Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Artwerks

109. Debbie La Rue, For the Love of Beading

110. Maggie Towne, Maggie's Bead Towne

111. Cassandra Watsham, Designs by Cassandra

112. Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

If you are just learning about this and would like to make a bracelet to send in, send your bracelet, including a business card and a note to the family receiving your bracelet to:

7000 Bracelets of Hope/Global Genes Project

24701 La Plaza

Suite 201

Dana Point, CA 92629



I Must Have Gotten Busy........

because I totally forgot to tell you when the Primrose Lane Spring Show is going to take place.  Mark your calendars for April 28, 29, 30 in Coburg Oregon (just north of Eugene).  It's quite the Spring Affaire!

So grab a friend.................

  

   Until then...............Happy Beading!

I tell Myself to Stay Calm

 I may appear calm on the outside but.........

.......there's a show to get ready for.  What have I been doing?  Anything?  I'm running out of time!!!

So no matter how much I tell myself to be calm, it just isn't working....

But, it always seems to work out in the end....there's nothing like a deadline to get those creative juices really flowing.

I always have such great fun at the upcoming Primrose Lane Spring Show as I get to hang out with three wonderful gals that all love creating beautiful jewelry.  Most importantly, we support each other and have learned so much from each other. 

Until then..........Happy Beading! (and stay calm!)

7000 Bracelets

Me and 110 other creative types are participating in
The Global Genes Project, 7000 Bracelets for Hope. 

A call went out for participation from Lori Anderson of  Pretty Things.  Please show your support by letting others know through your blog or your website about this community of millions that have a rare disease.....awareness is just the beginning.

Off the Beading Path...........

It's late but I wanted to post....nothing involved, nothing elaborate, but a reminder, not only to myself, but to everyone because...........

It really does!

So, try a.....

Everyday!

Until then.............Happy Beading!