Recovering From My Broken Fingers

So about a month ago, I broke three of my fingers on my right hand. Not conducive to jewelry making or blogging. However, they are starting to feel a little better and I'm hoping to be able to use them a little more soon.

I am suffering serious Bead & Button show envy. I went to the Tucson shows a few months ago, but I really wish I could have gone to B&B too! Does anyone know if you have to be a wholesale buyer for B&B or can you go as a retail buyer? I don't have a wholesale license and I don't sell my stuff - it's just a hobby/obsession.

For now, I'm going to tell you about some giveaways.

Andrew Thornton is having a serious giveaway of some of his B&B treasures.  Go here to enter.

So is Cindy - go here to enter.

And so is Lori, the Bead Soup Blog Party creator and genius. Go here to enter.

Copper Diem is also hopping on the giveaway bandwagon. Go here to enter.

And last, but definitely not least! Lana is having a giveaway and I've only recently found her blog, but I'm already hooked! You can enter here.

So...go and enter - hurry!

Fairy Tale Bead Swap - The Reveal (Delayed)

I belong to a Yahoo group for the Bead Soup Blog Party, in which I participated for the first time a few months ago and is moderated by the lovely Lori Anderson. She organizes mini-swaps through the Yahoo group and we just completed one.  The theme for this one was "fairy tale" and we were supposed to swap beads with another member with the fairy tale theme and then make something to be revealed on our blogs today.

I am, unfortunately, not able to post my creation today because a couple of weeks ago. I broke three fingers on my right hand and I can't hold a pliers. I will make something with these beads, though, and post it on here - I promise! As it is, it will probably take me three hours to type this with one hand!

I was paired with Christine Brandel of A Hot Piece of Glass (best blog name EVER!). She sent me this gorgeous selection of bead with a Little Red Riding Hood theme. I wasn't that organized when I sent her my beads - I just sent a selection of pretty, sparkly things.


Here's what she sent:

She DREW the card herself! I can't even draw stick people!

The lampwork was made by her, obviously, and there is a copper piece she made, some silver beads and some small black beads. I literally squealed with delight when I opened the package!  Want a closer look? I'll let the pictures do the talking...

When I get to the point where I can hold a pliers again, I have a couple ideas in mind for this stuff. IN the meantime, please enjoy everyone else's creations.

Fairy Tale/Spring Bead Swap Blog Hop

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul, Beads By Breul 

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design

Tara Plote, Newbie Beader (you are here!)

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterity Art

Joanna Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found 

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shaia's Ramblings

Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sweet Addy Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass