I've been a bit shy....

I've been a bit shy taking advantage of the February Bead Trends Issue!!  Have you had a chance to take a quick peek?  You can find it at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Barnes & Noble, and JoAnn's.

It was such a privilege to be contacted last July by Tatia Meyer of Bead Trends Magazine if I would be interested in being the designer highlight for February 2013.  She told me my vintage, romantic style would be perfect for their Valentine Issue!

 

 

 

Wow, what a compliment that was!!  I had only been published in the magazine a few times and had admired all those that received the special highlight section as Designer of the Month!!

 

The designer of the month would come with a photo and a bio along with 10 pages of special designer jewelry!   When I said yes, it was time to get to work!!

 

Here are a few of my pieces I created!  The first set was an emerald set (little did I know it would later be chosen the color for 2013!!).  I used some of my great artist friends and their jewelry creations for some of my pieces.  I also pulled in many vintage pieces to give it that artisan vintage feel!  This set features Marsha Neal and Karen Totten.  I used a vintage drawer pull, vintage key lock, Vintaj Brass, and czech glass beads!    

 

 

 

This bracelet features a vintage snoopy, brass dog tag, and a Gaea heart!

 

 

This set features swavorski crystal, brass crown, and a 1950 earring (up cycled!)

 

 

 

This last set features all mother of pearl vintage buttons and Vintaj Brass.  This piece is currently for sale at the Blue Pomegranate Gallery in Benson, NE

 

 

 

 

I hope you might all consider taking a quick peek at the publication before it goes off sale at newsstands later this week!!  It has been such an honor to be recognized!

 

 

It's time for some BEAD SOUP!

It's Bead Soup Time....no I didn't mean to say chili, potato soup, or vegetable soup....

This isn't soup you eat, rather a very creative mixture of beads that come to you, ready to be developed into a work of art! 


It all began with Lori Anderson and her wonderful idea (now trademarked) of being paired with a partner and exchanging  your soup!  Lori even wrote a book all about it!

This year it is my pleasure to be paired with Laren (pronounced like Karen just with an L) Dee Barton .  I hope you will take a peek at her facebook page and give her a like!

Laren lives in Washington and although across the country from me, we bonded right away!  Laren has a love for nature and enjoys beading!  She has 2 daughters and after a tramatic loss of her husband when her kids were toddlers, she remarried and has been married 35 years! 

She lives in the countryside with 4.5 acres and has chickens, ducks, 3 dogs, and 2 cats!  She also has two grandsons.

In her past, she was an owner and full time designer of a floral shop, has been involved with arts and crafts her whole life, and opened an etsy shop in the last year.   She is also very active with her blog and you can see the blog post about the beads I sent to her!

The reveal will be on March 30, so be sure to stop back and see what I created!!

Here is what I mailed to Laren!  It includes czech glass, pearls, vintage clear beads, Marsha Neal Studio focal and earring charms, bronze clasp (chain and earring pairs too), and silk sari cream ribbon.

And here is what Laren sent to me!  I was very excited to find lots of czech glass, a glass focal, and bronze findings!!  Lots of ideas floating around and she was very generous in all the beads she sent to me!  Be sure to come back and visit March 30!!