Is it Spring yet??

I'm so ready for Spring!!! Today was the first day in a long while that I actually went out without wearing a jacket! The sun was out, the birds were chirping, and Craig (hubby) and I went running around all afternoon. Yard sales are something we both love going to, but since it's not quite the time for yard sales yet, we decided to go hit a few thrift shops. We wern't looking for anything specific...we just wanted to get out, drive around in the sun, listen to some rock music, forget everything on the "to do" list, and maybe find a few treasures too. And speaking of treasures....I did find a few things, a big beautiful round copper color plate to set on my dining room table, a brand new lil fountain with rocks ( it takes batteries, but what the heck!), a lovely springish table cloth, a really pretty spring-style vase, and a cool hardback book about angels. Not a bad haul for one day of thrift shopping! :D

"Blue Skys"

Lately, I'm really into different styles of vases. I like incorporating them into my jewelry photos, and they're really nice for wrapping necklaces around so the clasp is shown in the front. The necklace above is one of my newest pieces. It consists of African Sodalite gems in the form of puffed pillows and coins with sterling silver chain. You can see more photos at The Jewelry Box. The weekend is here.....my Mother-in-law's (Flo) b-day is tomorrow, and Sunday is the big Rings&Things bead show. I'm looking forward to both events! I just hope the sun shines all weekend!

Check This Out!

Every Tuesday, on the Artisan Beaders Blog, Vicki of *Orion Designs* will post "Technique Tuesdays" giving tips and techniques for jewelry making. This week, she shares a lil hidden trick for making your wrapped loops even more beautiful. So...check it out, leave a comment, and have a great day!! :D

Patty of *Broken Teepee Designs* - Handcrafted Gemstone Jewelry-Made in Montana.

Patty is one of my fellow team-mates from the Artisan Beaders Street Team. She is also a great friend that I am very happy to know. This stunning bracelet of Patty's, "Lemon Lime Ice," is just one of the many gemstone jewelry pieces you will find at her Etsy Shop, *Broken Teepee Designs." Patty has a unique gift for combining just the right gemstones and colors to end up with gorgeous high-quality jewelry. She creates all of her jewelry in the beautiful state of Montana, which really comes through in her pieces.

Patty has a few other talents as well. She raises the cutest goats, which play a big role in making the most wonderful scented soaps in all kinds of shapes. She uses their milk blended with ingrediants, such as, shea butter, mango butter olive oil, and apricot kernal oil to name a few. You can find her delightful soaps at her *Happy Goats Soap* Etsy Shop. You can also read and get to know her goats at their "Wise words of Pricilla" Blog. And...as if this sweet friend of mine isn't busy enough, Patty also manages a destash Etsy Shop selling gemstones, crystals, pearls, and more at *destashables.* I don't know where Patty finds the time to do everything she does, but I do know she is a very talented artisan and loves what she does! :)

I won an Award!!

I was recently given the" Marie Antoinette Award" from Nicole of Beadwright! It's not really known what the award is for, but no worries, I am happy to receive it! Nicole is an extremely talented artisan, and I'm proud to call her my friend. Once you view her amazing art pieces, you will see she creates from her heart. You can find Nicole's beaded art on her website, her Etsy Shop, and her Artfire Store. Thank you so much Nicole for this award and for being such a good friend!

Now for the rules of this award. The rules are as follows...

1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on your blog.

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them. And that's it!

I hope this award will make the following artists as happy as it made me!

1. brandi-girl

2. Creative Treasures by Donna

3. Orion Designs

4. Signature Sterling

5. Jewelry Elegance by Jill

6. Candles and Crafts

7. Rosevine Design