Only One

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

~George Cooper

Birds of a Feather

Thanks for all the input on your favorite Humblebeads the other day.  The winner of the egg bead is Elizabeth!  Please email me your address. 

I am busy working away on beads.  Along with the new beads yesterday, I listed a few things that have been sitting on my desk for a while.  Three toggle clasps in a summery blue sky background and a grab bags filled with owls, birds and eggs - I had quite an overstock.  They are earlier versions - still cute as can be, but just not quite what I want to take to Bead & Button. 

Humblebeads on Etsy

I'm making new beads today, some willow branch disk beads - like my branch disk beads only with a willow design.  I'm pretty excited and will take pictures this weekend.  Enjoy your Friday!

Bittersweet Tales

My dear friend Erin asked me to work on a special collaboration for a jewelry series she is creating.  She is asking beadmakers to create beads based on the paintings in the gallery that shows her work.  For me she picked an artist who creates the most amazing paintings on metal.  I love them. The artist is Ann Singsass.  You can see the inspiration painting here.  

I really love the color combination and floral design. I can't wait to see what Erin creates with them.  I've been wanting to add some beads in a fall inspired color scheme and these just what I needed.  They are limited edition series for now.

I love working with jewelry designers to create something so personal and amazing.  You guys always have the best ideas!

Possible Designs

I've been thinking of design ideas for the new pendants.  Here are two that I'm loving.  The Willow Fields necklace pairs melon glass beads with elongated Vintaj brass chain. For summer styles I tend to go longer with necklaces.  I'd use a simple over sized brass hook and jump ring for the clasp.  For the pendant, I would wire-wrap a bail, attach it to a large jump ring and add on a few accent dangles in crystals that match the pendant.  Beads, Vintaj findings and chain can be found at Bello Modo.  Pendant is in my etsy shop.

I want to pull out the waxed linen and work up some summer-inspired designs.  I think the linen with it's lightweight and texture works nicely for those of us in hotter climates.  For this one I'd create another wire-wrapped bail.  And then  I would knot the glass drops and Elaine Ray ceramic cubes on the linen.  I'd use a few strands of the linen for some visual interest.  For the clasp, I'd create a braided loop for the closure and use a branch disk bead for the button part.  All the beads and linen can be found at Ornamentea.  The pendant is in my Etsy shop.

Bead & Button Prep

Okay folks, the countdown has begun!  I have a new booth number for Bead & Button, #1212.  I like that!  There are so many little details to think about along with making beads and making beads and did I mention making beads? 

I designed postcards, business cards and two banners for my booth.  I ordered the banners from Vista Print.  I hope they turn out.  I ordered them early enough that I can come up with a back up plan if they don't.  That is my banner design above.  I also did a banner for the Bead Cruise. They are 3' x  2.5'.  I use Vista Print for postcards all the time, so hopefully the banners will rock.

How cute is this?  They put the image on all sorts of products and ask if you want to add them to your cart.  And why yes, yes I did.  They also had it on a coffee mug and journal and that has me thinking about opening a little zazzle or cafe press shop with some of my bead images and inspirational quotes.  I mean, I know you like Humblebeads, but I'm sure you'd rather have some nice little saying on a bag or journal rather than my business name!

Okay, you've read this far - let's have a nice giveaway today.  I will pick on random winner on Friday to win an egg bead.  All you have to do is answer this question - what Humblebeads would you like to see at my booth at Bead & Button?  It's okay if you are only dreaming about going, I'd still like to hear from you!