Bead-O-Sphere Links

I know, I'm on vacation and yet I still find work to do! I listed these copper disks in my etsy shop along with marking down prices on my beach-inspired jewelry. I've spent the day whipping up some new jewelry designs that I will share tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy these inspiring links from the bead-o-sphere!

Strands of Beads Melissa wants to know what outrageous materials are in your beading stash?

Beading Arts Cyndi reports on her experiences with firing and finishing CopprClay pieces. This stuff rocks!

About.com Jewelry Making Heard about copper clay or coppr clay? Find out more about this great new metal clay product and check out some new metal clay projects too.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Stop by and say hello to Andrew in Charlotte, NC this weekend. Check out his new designs and some delicious new metal clay coins!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi tries Ice Resin and upcycles a greeting card into a necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva Cindy learns to make murrini and deals with mud.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Instead of continuing on with the tried and true techniques of jewelry design, Lorelei is finally ready to take the leap and try something new.

A Bead A Day Do you love Swarovski Crystals? Inspired by talented jewelry designer, Lillian Chen, Lisa creates a Swarovski “sculpture” ring.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Sometimes you need to have a jewelry makeover.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Even without a lot of time on her hands, Melanie finishes a clockwork themed bracelet using Swarovski faceted rings from ArtBeads.com.

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka! Jean gives a sneak peek of her next Beadwork magazine piece.

Katie's Beading BlogCheck out Katie's wire-wrapped dragonfly!

Humblebeads Bead & Button stash and Heather's inspired creations.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean gets her cool stash from Use the Muse II, and muses about it.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene gets creative with the "Best of ABS."

Don't forget to enter the Art Bead Scene's challenge this month! 3 great sponsors with a nice little stash of prizes. Here is a peek at one I put together.

Egg-cellent

She's got eggs, and she knows how to use them.

Okay, I'll spare you my ZZ Top impersonation and just let you continue to stare at these little beauties in peace and quiet.

In my Etsy shop and ready to find their way to your nest.

Nesting

After my mellow yellow post a few weeks ago I decided to try my hand at making nests. Ha! They are not as easy as they look. I have two books with directions, Semi-Precious Salvage and A Charming Exchange. These follow along the directions more of the Charming Exchange project but with a little of my own touch, because I seem to be incapable of following directions. (Good thing I can write them though!)

It took a good 4 or 5 tries before I liked one. I made the following one with steel wire and yellow turquoise. Yep, that's another Sue Bead frit spacer there, Sue Beads and Humblebeads like to hang out!

Bird nest tutorial here.

Beady Finds

Yes, I know I just went to Bead & Button. Yes, my bead boxes are stuffed to the gills. Oh yes I did go to another local bead show last week and oh yes I did find some goodies calling my name!

This was a small show, only 17 vendors I think. And most were the kind that sell remainders, those cheap strands of pearls and stones for $3 & $5. And while those can be fun and you can find some interesting items I was the hunt for a few specific things. In particular copper from my favorite local show vendor, Beading House. I picked up 2 strands of copper disks. They don't sell them on their website, I use them often and have people emailing where to find them. I'm going to list them in small quantities in my etsy shop.

Along with my copper I found a few out-of-the-ordinary things that caught my eye. A shell bead of some type, this carved wood bead (love you) and mosaic turquoise (uh, you mean reconstituted?) and my favs from the show those unpolished fire agate in the first photo, I love the teal blue ones. They remind me of a cross between beach glass and bird eggs. Oh how I have plans for you my friends!

Happy 4th of July!

Sunset Swimmers Haiku

Sherbert sky ablaze

waves chase after running feet

we drift aimlessly

Humblebeads Spacer, Sue Beads spacer, agate, copper and lotus pod beads. Copper clasp, directions for the clasp can be found here.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my vacation. Each day is such a blessing to be surrounded by my family. I'm looking forward to some time with my sister this weekend.

I will be back "working" on Monday with beads in my etsy shop. Internet is not the best here, so please allow a day or two if you email me.

Hatched

I didn't get a chance to photograph the eggs before they went to Bead & Button with me. I was tickled with them, they are so sweet and simple. Each one is handpainted with multiple glazes for the color and then speckled with numerous different colors and textures. I don't have any for sale, but if you email Bello Modo I know she has some on hand. I made them in 4 different colors: teal, green, pink and light blue. (The teal and the light blue match my birds exactly.)

The bracelet is created with a Vintaj bangle. I used a headpin to connect the middle and added a few charms: a key, dream charm and a little bird. You can find the Vintaj components at Bello Modo.

Funny Caption Contest & Bead-O-Sphere Links

First things first, the Silver Parrot is the winner of last week's funny caption contest. We had some computer issues for the last few days, so sorry this is a little late. Silver Parrot please email me your mailing address, I have a crazy squirrel who wants to come visit you.

And hey, why not do it again? The Rings & Things Russ Troll bead is back this week. He's made his way to the top of a polymer clay scrap heap in the studio this week. What would he say once he made it to the top? Leave a funny caption in the comments and I have Knobby Urchin bead to send to one lucky winner who will be randomly drawn next Wednesday.

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And for a little mid-week inspiration here are the top picks from the bead-o-sphere:

A Bead A DayLisa shares her selection of summery pink beads and crystals. The "Watermelon Crawl" bead mix is sure to conjure up visions of a family picnic on a warm summer day!

About.com Jewelry MakingTake these quick polls about wearing and making jewelry. Which are your favorite pieces?

Art Bead Scene The Trendy Bead shows off wood filigree pendants.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten ArtifactsRead Barbe's interview on the Objects and Elements blog.

Beading Arts Cyndi's initial thoughts on working with the new CopprClay. There'll be lots of projects coming this summer!

Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi hand felts a pretty bead from wool roving.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaA trip to glass city doesn't go as well as planned. Yet Cindy finds inspiration and few new tools!

Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesMelanie mixes up gunmetal chains and components with brass to make a necklace with one of her Toolbox Treasure pendants

Humblebeads Heather sketches out some new designs using this summer's hottest color.

Jean Campbell Ink: Eureka! Beading in the fresh air clears the mind, bringing fresh creativity.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Searching for some new inspiration? Lorelei's got just the place for you to find it!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews Wirework, a new book by the famous Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Strands of Beads Melissa shows off her new lunar phases and compass rose designs

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
While traveling in Florida, Andrew shares a new variation on a favorite skull bracelet.