Valentine Themed Beads & Findings

I received my package from Artbeads a few days ago, and I'm so happy to be sharing it with all of you! I've already made 2 pairs of earrings, just finished a necklace, and have another necklace in the works. If all goes right, meaning if I get all my pics taken & edited by this Monday, I'll be blogging them on Tuesday. ;)

 

So, here are all the lovelies I received. Hopefully, the package labels are easy to read. The Red Heart Pendant with Yellow Stars is one of Artbead's newest line of Stoneware Pendants. The quality is outstanding, and it makes a gorgeous focal for a necklace! I paired the Hill Tribe Flower Stamped Star Drop with it. The tiny pearl-looking heart beads are Glass Pearlized Hearts. I got them in Amethyst, Dark Olive, and Caramel Rose. I see more of these in my future! lol The key charms are Sterling Silver Key to Heart Charms, and they are adorable! The heart & flower spacer beads are really cute! Each set is Antique Silver.

Here's a closer look at the Copper Heart Pendant. The raised spiral design really adds to the uniqueness of it! It has 2 loops on each side of the back for stringing. The Copper Oval Chain matches it perfectly!

The Sterling Silver heart-shaped Peace Sign Post earrings are SO cute!  Peace signs & hearts are two of my favorite things, so choosing these was not hard at all! :D

These Sterling Silver Heart Links are so versatile! You can make earrings with them, use them to accent a necklace or bracelet design or part of a focal piece. The beads above are Blue Tiger Eye Flower Petals, and they are even more striking in person!

Here's a closer look at them. They are 13x8mm, and they string from the top, side to side.

I just love creating with Artbead's stuff! Each package I receive is always a delight! If you're looking for Valentine themed items, check out their beautiful Valentine's Day Beads & Components.

Thanks for reading! Come back soon to see what I've created with my stash from Artbeads!

Disclosure: I participate with Artbead's blogging community, therefore, I receive products free of charge in return for honest reviews. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received. Thanks!

♥ ♫ ♥ Valentine's Day Sale ♥ ♫ ♥

Valentine's Day is getting closer, and if you're looking for jewelry gifts, why not buy handmade this year, and check out my shop. I'm having a shopwide sale! Get 25% off each and every jewelry piece in my shop. Just pay as normal, and I will refund the savings to your paypal account. Easy peasy, and you get a quality gift, handmade with the utmost care. Here are a few new pieces recently listed to my etsy shop and are included in my Valentine's Sale.

 

Heart of Glass . Handmade Czech Glass and Lampwork Heart Pendant Sterling Necklace

♥ Sale Price ♥ $31.50 

   

Crystal Ice . Handmade Swarovski AB Crystal Heart Earrings

♥ Sale Price ♥ $16.50

 

 A Charmed Life . Handmade Jade Amethyst and Pearl Sterling Charm Necklace

 ♥ Sale Price ♥ $23.25

Fabulous Apron Giveaway

The Apron Goddesses is hosting a one-of-a-kind apron giveaway from Sally at Gingham Life.

This "Bungalow Heart Apron" is a classic 1940's style made with 100% cotton and has a cute heart-shaped pocket. The lovely fabric accents are from a vintage feedsack remnant. How cool is that?!

Go to The Apron Goddesses blog for all the details on how to enter to win this fabulous apron.

 And click here to learn more about Sally's fabulous aprons and her other handcrafted items. You will end up hearting her shop for sure! I know I did!

Now get going and enter for your chance to win this beautiful apron!

Have you heard?

Pantone announced the color of the year is Turquoise! Check out this great post by my good friend Vicki, here. I've got a very cool Turquoise bracelet in my shop just waiting for a new home! ;) And it's part of my 25% Off ♥ ♥ Valentine's Day Sale♥ ♥. Read more about my Valentine Sale at my etsy shop.

 Moody Blues . Handmade Turquoise and Black Onyx Chain Bracelet

And here's a gorgeous pair of textured silver Turquoise earrings from Orion Designs!

Get your Turquoise on and find more styles of turquoise jewelry designs from the Artisan Beader's Team by clicking here!

A Watercolor Sonata

Check out this beautifully designed focal glass bead featured on one of my newest bracelets! It's official name is, "Czech Glass Turquoise/Gaspeite Mix w/ Picasso Grooved Rectangle" and it's one of many available at Artbeads.

I purchased the Antique Copper oval link rollo chain from Artbeads, and I love the way it accents the focal. I came up with the title of the bracelet because this gorgeous Czech Glass bead reminds me of a picture painted with green, yellow & turquoise watercolors. 

When you turn it over, you can see more of the grooved patterns blended with turquoise, yellow & green. It's doubly appealing with the gorgeous colors on both sides of it, and I love that you can wear it both ways!

Here is the completed bracelet. I attached a few of my own findings; a Jade gemstone & two crystals with a Copper moon charm for some added flair. To see more of my bracelet, click here.

To see more of my handmade jewelry & other new listings, go to my etsy shop.

Many thanks to Arbeads for giving me the opportunity to create a beautiful piece with their lovely Czech Glass Grooved Rectangle beads!

Disclosure: I participate with Artbead's blogging community, therefore, I receive products free of charge in return for honest reviews. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the product received. Thank you.

Silver & Glass!

I had the wonderful opportunity of receiving some Silver and Glass components from Artbeads last month. I've had the following jewelry pieces completed for a while, but I got a new camera for Christmas and have been busy learning all the the bells & whistles on it. So...after much learning and lots of picture taking, here are the pieces I created with my Artbeads order.

I designed this bracelet around a gorgeous Hill Tribe Flower Stamped Puffed Coin accented with clusters of Turquoise/Red Roundelles, Metallic seed beads, Glass Turquoise Druk beads, and Apple Jasper gemstones. I used my Argentium Sterling wire for the links, Sterling Silver rings & jump-rings, and finished it with a Silver-Plated toggle clasp. I also used Sterling Silver ball headpins, which leave a nice finish for all the wirewrapped beads.

While I was searching Artbeads for a silver focal piece for a necklace, I came across this very cool Green Man Charm, and I fell in love with him! er....fell in love with it! LOL! Anyway, he is my favorite, and I just had to have him!

I wanted the design to be just as unique as him, so for one side of the necklace, I made links with Fire Polished Lumi Green Czech Glass beads and connected them to Sterling Silver Marquise shaped links. For the other side, I used some of my own Sterling chain and a few more Lumi Green beads to accent beautiful Salmon/Peridot w/Half Picasso Roundelles.

I finished the necklace with a lovely Leafy Toggle Clasp. I think the toggle clasp blends nicely with the Green Man charm. I like for my designs to be different, and this one is a conversation starter for sure, as well as a definate head turner!

Check out Artbead's New Hill Tribe Additions & their exceptional Glass Beads!

Many thanks to Arbeads for another great opportunity to create with their awesome products!

Disclosure: I participate with Artbead's blogging community, therefore, I receive products free of charge in return for honest reviews. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received. Thank you.

James 27th Birthday!

We celebrated James (my son) 27th birthday yesterday, Jan. 3rd. I can't believe my baby boy is just 3 years away from 30! Gawd...makes me old!! LOL! We had a good time. I baked him a strawberry cake with real slices of strawberries in it with vanilla frosting and blue frosting for decorating. As you can see, Craig went a little crazy with the blue frosting! And yes, my Christmas tree is still up, but not for long.

I love this shot! Hope his wish comes true. :)

Just look at my handsome son...striking a pose with his beautiful wooden gun cabinet.

He was really shocked over his gift! He had no idea that for the past month, Craig had been going into work on his days off and working on the cabinet, getting it ready for Jame's birthday. He was a happy camper for sure! Not to mention the gift card & cash in his birthday card too. ;) All in all, is was a fun time and a wonderful day to turn 27!