Is it Really Bead Soup Blog Party Time Again?

It's fun, it's challenging, it invites friendship, it provides a medium to promote your blog, and you get a really kewl surprise from your partner!

To find out more about the BSBP, go to Pretty Things.

My partner is Cynthia Tucker and she is a glass beadmaker and instructor.  Check out Cynthia's blog, Sea of Glass and her Etsy shop, Sea of Glass Lampwork.  You will find some amazing beads there.  Cynthia has many interests from quilting to vintage tea cups to egg coddlers....really!

It's time to put my bead soup ingredients together so I can simmer it awhile...

Until then.....Happy Beading!

Let's Talk Pearls.......

Pearls....they've been on my mind lately and I'm not sure why other than the fact that I love pearls and how fun they are to incorporate into my jewelry making.  I like to add a single pearl dangle onto my bracelets no matter what the style is.     

I'm in no way a pearl expert and knowing a little bit about them would really be to my advantage.  Do you buy certain pearls because you like their shape, their color, their size, or how they're drilled?  I thought I'd do a little reading-up on them and also share that information with you.  OK, there's a lot of information there....maybe more than you want or have time to read....pick one thing about pearls that you want to know more about and read on.

Coco and her Pearls

So Versatile

Pearls have evolved with Time

I love the way pearls go with just about everything.....dress them up or dress them down.  They look good with a sequined dress or a pair of jeans and a t-shirt!  Pearls have an elegance about them and in turn make the wearer very elegant! 


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

Vintage Costume Jewelry.....Is it Right or Wrong?

You've seen it....vintage costume jewelry and it's in absolutely perfect condition. No stones missing, no scratches in the metal, the clasp is intact....that kind of stuff.

A lot of jewelry artists are incorporating these pieces in their creations, just as I'm attempting to do.

So, my question is......do these vintage pieces have to be in perfect condition in order to sell your jewelry creation if they are only a part of the total design package?  Is part of the beauty of these pieces the fact that maybe they aren't so perfect?  Does it allow us to embellish these pieces in other ways that we might not have done if they were in perfect condition?

Maybe this topic isn't THAT important as not everyone that creates jewelry wants to incorporate vintage costume jewelry as part of their piece.

Picture Courtesy of 
Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

So, what do you think?       



   Until then........Happy Beading!

A Handy Man

Watching an emtpy room transform into a beautiful new workspace was possible because of A Handy Man.  They say that a picture is worth a thousand words....or something like that.  So I think I'll let the pictures tell the story...

 

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

Lonely No More

OK, I was feeling a little guilty about Margot not only having to fill the role as my Dream Assistant but not having a friend!  Displaying jewelry, travelling to shows, always having to look your best is a big responsibility.  Sometimes you just need someone you can lean on a little bit........

When I spotted Babette (she's on the left), I knew she'd be the perfect friend for Margot!!   I was a little nervous when I introduced her to Margot but they hit it off immediately!  Now Margot doesn't have to travel to shows or be on display by herself. 

They're both the perfect props for my jewelry and find that they both add interest to my display table at shows.

It was a match made in mannequin heaven!

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

Coming Up............

Can Margot really be happy by herself?  Did she really look her best in her debut appearance?

This and more about my Dream Assistant will be coming in a post very soon!

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

What do you Wear? Is Anyone Looking?

Do you participate in shows, events or fairs to sell your jewelry or other related items?  If so, do you think about what you're going to wear, what image you want to portray, or just really never thought about it?  I'm one of those people who kinda hopes that someone pays to attention to what I'm wearing when I'm out there trying to promote myself and my jewelry.  What do my clothes say about me?  I hope it says that I'm a fun gal that does FABULOUS jewelry.  This is a time when I can go outside of the day-job-fashion-attire box.

So, I'm thinking about what I want to wear for several of the upcoming Pomegranate French Flea Market events that I will be participatnig in this summer in Bend Oregon .  One evening while in Etsy I saw what I thought was a really kewl skirt.....after that first thought, I then immediately went to the next thought of "you're too old to wear something like that....what ARE you thinking?  The second thought didn't last too long as I went to CreoleSha and browsed through the shop.  I found the top of one dress that I liked and thought that I'd like that attached to the kewl skirt that I first saw.  Thus a dress was born just for me. 

romantic Funky Eco Cream Tattered Pixie Mini Dress

Yep, this could really be outside the box for a few of you but it was love at first sight for me.  Throw on a pair of capri tights and it's an outfit....well, almost. 

Now I've got the bright idea that I want to wear cowgirl boots with this dress.  I have a good friend (who is an excellent second-hand store shopper) on the prowl for some used cowgirl boots.  Do you think she'll be successful in making this outfit what I envisioned it to be? 

Well, whether you like my funky dress or not, maybe you'll think about what YOU'LL be wearing at your next jewelry show event.  After all....it kinda is about the GLAM of it all!

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