Bead Trends Giveaway!

When the editor of Bead Trends asked me to be the Featured Designer for the October issue I knew right away that I wanted to create a series of jewelry that reflected the seasons, my love of nature and incorporated art beads from some of my favorite artists. The 11 designs featured in the issue are some of my favorite pieces that I've ever created. Tomorrow I will share more about the art beads used in the projects.

Projects In the issue:

1. Water & Seed Necklace and Bracelet

(Pictured above, photo courtesy of Bead Trends Magazine)

A woodsy combination of seeds, wood and water inspired beads.

2. Blue Skies Calling Bracelet, Necklace and Earrings

Nests and birds take center stage amid blue lace agate, yellow opal nuggets and copper.

3. Seek Wisdom Necklace and Earrings

A wintery blue set with branches, kyanite and ceramic beads in frosty hues.

4. Tiger Lily Necklace and Earrings

One of my favorite flowers of summer, this tiger lily set features a mix of copper disks, keishe pearls, rutilated quartz and gunmetal chain.

5. Letting Go Necklace and Bracelet

A seed of knowledge: letting go of our worries will help us get closer to our dreams. This is the theme of this set with harvest inspired beads, trees, leaves, acorns and wood.

Did you know you can purchase a digital copy of the magazine? I did this the other day and it's awesome! You subscribe to one issue for $4.99. You pick which issue you want, uh go for Oct. 2009 to see my goodies, and it's instantly available online. You can download the issue to your computer. You can make notes, there are direct links to the suppliers, it pretty much rocks. Although I still like to hold a magazine in my hand, this is a budget-friendly alternative! Click here for more details.

To celebrate being the featured designer in the October issue of Bead Trends I am hosting a giveaway on my blog this week.

The prizes: Bead Trends has donated one 6 month subscription to their magazine (a $49.95 value) and I am giving away a $30 gift certificate to Humblebeads.com!

To Enter: Make a comment to this post. If you don't have a blog, please make sure to include your email so that I can contact you if you are the winner!

To Win: One random winner will be drawn from all of the comments on Monday, October 12th.
One entry per person.   This drawing is now closed, thank you!

Let's give you something to comment on other than kudos, although I do appreciate those:

From the 5 themes/projects mentioned above which one appeals to you the most?

You don't say? Part 2

(Insert funny caption here!)

I had such a fun time reading every one's comments last week that I decided to do another round. Leave a funny caption for week's photo in the comments and I will randomly draw one winner on Saturday for a free squirrel bead.

And the winner is...

The winner of this week's funny caption contest is CraftyHope. Please email me your address. I have a little winter bird to send your way.

Thanks to everyone who participated. You guys had me chuckling all week, it was good medicine. If you haven't read all the comments scroll down to the "You Don't Say?" post and read them, funny stuff!

In fact I had such a fun time with this that I'm going to do it again. So come back on Monday for round 2.

You don't say?

(insert funny caption here.)

I just wasn't witty enough to come up with a funny caption for this image, but there seems to be a story here. Leave a caption for this photo in the comments. I'll draw one random winner on Saturday for a free Winter Dove Bead. Yep, they are new.

The little house sculpture is about 3" tall, I wish I could remember the artist's name. We picked it up at an art fair a few years ago.

Free Stuff!!!

Here is a round-up of contests, drawings and free stuff you might enjoy:
First, the upcoming Bead Art Originals trunk show that I told you about earlier this week, sign up for the newsletter for a chance to win earrings or a pendant from some of our members.

The newsletter will have upcoming events, news, specials and articles from our members, should be a good one!

Next up is the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge with beads from Gabriel and Elaine Ray as the prizes. The theme this month is a Dark and Stormy Night. Here are the contest details.

And it's Saturday, so there is always a free bead giveaway for Studio Saturday on the ABS.

Free inspiration: my buddy Jennifer from Jangles has an awesome newsletter with 10 weeks of free holiday projects. Visit her website to sign up for the newsletter. You have to scroll to the bottom on the front page.

And one more from me for good measure! Free shipping this weekend in my etsy shop. No need to do anything, the listings are already adjusted.

Happy 4th of July!

These new beads remind me of fireworks!

I always miss home on the 4th of July. It's when my little hometown is at it's most quaint. Starting with the parade down main street in the morning. Followed by an afternoon of grilling, watermelon and sparklers. Finished off with the beach and fireworks display at night.

I'm counting down the days until I can go home. 10, in fact. I'm off for the day. Heading to the market to buy some strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream! Then it's a day with family and friends. I'll be back tomorrow with Studio Saturday at the Art Bead Scene and more new beads!

Are you online today? Leave a comment and I'll draw a name for one of my new beads tomorrow morning! (sorry, the contest is now over.)