Friday, June 17, 2011

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!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

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
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
Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass