Bead Shopping; African Trade Bead Frenzy!!!

I went out last Thursday for my fix on bead shopping and I was so drawn to the African Trade Beads.  I had in mind to buy some specific items, but I was pulled to the African Trade Beads and spent quite some time rummaging through all they had, which was plent.  So in the end I went way over budget on the Trade Beads, because I found them some intriguing due to their heritage and history.  I will have to wait for other day of bead shopping  to get my other item.  I am enjoying researching the different Trade Beads I picked up and learning more about the history that goes along with them. 


                         This is a sample of some the beads I found!!

                                        

Follow your heart!

Okay, because of Halloween vastly approaching I thought I would create some fun Halloween jewelry, so I sit down and try something out, I don't like it, soI take it apart and try a new Halloween design, and once again I am  not happy with it, and end up taking it apart. Mind you in the back of my mind I keep thinking about the cool twisted silver metal tubes that I had just bought so I figure I could use them in my Halloween design? Well I tried and guess what I ended up taking it apart and I personally felt I don't want to waste those tubes on my Halloween jewelry, so I eventually listened to my heart’s desire and made two great necklaces with the silver twisted tubes and decided to sell the Halloween beads so someone else could create something fun for Halloween. So the lesson I learned from this was we need to listen to our heart and sometimes tune out our head :). And it only took me two weeks to figure that one out. So all you crafty people out there follow your designer heart!

Here are the two necklaces I ended up making!!! I love them, hope you do too!

Some of my lastest work

I though I would share some of my previous work, I  created this about a month ago, it is made with 8/0, and 11/0 seed beads, bugle beads, and the vintage crystal bead. 

Website tips on increasing google searchablity

Well, I have not spent much time creating, I have been busy researching how to increase the searchability of  my etsy site with google. I found a tool that is new to me, but others might know about it.  The site is http://www.google.com/addurl   it is really simple to use just enter your web site name and then add comments or for the fellow etsians tags.  Also, remember to share your site with facebook, twitter and all the others, plus creat a blog.  So get your name out there.  Hope this helps, and my goal next week is start creating.  Have a great weekend!

Beads, gems, and charms oh my.... What to make. Tips on how to get started

Well I have been bead shopping twice this week and oh my, the beads, gemstones, and charms I have found. I have discovered that others must go with me, or I would be there all day and spend more money than I have. So, one of my dear friends (a.k.a. myfabricsnob.blogspot.com) ventured out with me on the first go round, I tried to remain conscious of the time I was spending, I thought she might not enjoy the beads as much as I do, but I think she enjoyed herself, come on who could not love bead, gems, and charms; right! She understands my passion, she has a love for fabric like I do for beads. For the second outing I took my husband, let me tell you he kept me on task, to say the least it is not his favor store to hang out at, but I picked up some more beads before we were out the door, and he was a good sport. So now I sit here in awe of all the beads, gems, and charms I have purchased and asking myself where to start? Well I have a little tip for myself and you too if you every need help.....


Tip
First figure out what color combination you would like to use. You ask how do I do that? Well one suggestion I have is chose 2 similar colored beads or gemstones they do not need to be the same style or kind of bead or gem, and they could be one of each. This will give you a distinct look to your jewelry. Then after you have found your similar colors you choose a bead or gem that is on the opposite side of the color wheel, you can do a search on Google images for color wheel if you need a sample. And now you have your colors picked out, not so hard.

So I guess I am off to follow my own advice and get busy creating a masterpiece!

Until next time Bead and Rock On!!!

How it all began….

One summer day about 5 years ago, my daughter and her friend wanted some projects to work on during the summer to keep them busy, so off to the local craft store we went. While wondering through the store we came upon the jewelry section, and whoa, I was sucked in to the jewelry abyss in an instant! Needless to say I bought some things for them and also for me, when we arrived home we got right to work, and wow did we create some real jewels! As the summer went on, we started to become me, and by the time school started back they had grown tired of their summer projects, but I kept going strong. I starting creating jewelry on the weekend and sometimes on my way out the door to work, but during this time I had not uncovered the vastness of the beading world. That came one weekend when my family and I made a trip to visit the in-laws, low and behold my sister-in-law had taken up a new hobby, you got it…making her own jewelry, and oh my, my eyes opened to a world of jewelry making that I did not even know existed. So here I am today starting my own online store in hopes of sharing my passion with others.