Where did I go?

Well for a while I was in bed, not easy for this workaholic! But the flu/cold season hit the humble household hard! And then I rushed over to this place...

Yep, a week in the Big Apple. Do New Yorkers actually call it that? Probably not, they are way too slick for such hokey stuff. What was I doing there? Attending a Children's Book Conference for the organization that I volunteer for, the SCBWI. We work a little, but we get to attend the events and they are amazing. One of my dreams is to illustrate and write children's books. As much as I love beads, I do have a degree in art and would very much like to put that training to use making books! Slowly but surely I'm getting there. Of course there will always be beads, but when your muse calls, you must answer.
Okay back to the city, here is Times Square which was a few blocks from the hotel. Way too much excitement and hype for me.
Rockefeller Center is more my speed. We went to the top of the building to the observation deck. Breathtaking! I went sight-seeing at Central Park, the NY Public Library and Grand Central Station. My biggest regret is not making time to hit the bead shops, there is a whole block of them. Next year I will have to go there!

Oh and my little eyes got to feast on such things as this. Dare I dream? I never thought I'd see this painting in real life. It's at the Museum of Modern Art, where we did not spend enough time.

And then I got back home and I hit the ground running, getting ready for the Bead Cruise. My to-do list is still way longer than my days, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Or maybe that's the plane lights at the end of the runway? Either way this time next week I'll be in Florida getting ready to sail off into the sunset.

I don't know if I'll have time to post again before I leave. But I promise to share all sorts of exciting things with you when I get back. Until then, happy creating!

Ornament Thursday - Love Story

Well, those crafty gals who brought you Ornament Thursday in December have decided to keep the fun going all year round. On the last Thursday of each month, you'll find a great collection of projects and inspiration from an eclectic and talented group of designers. "Ornament" is being used very loosely as it covers anything crafty that fits within the monthly theme. This month the theme is Love Story.

* Scroll down for the list of participating designers!

Gather up a collection of raspberry pink, lavender and lilac seed beads to accent this cuff bead in garnet. What was my inspiration? Why the lovely hues of Valentine sundries at the supermarket that have been showing off their cheery shades all through drab January. Want the instructions? You can find them on the Beads, Baubles & Jewels website here. Need seed beads? I like Charlene's Beads, Cindy's Crafts and Foxden Designs. (Seed beads are one of my secret loves. "You had me at matte metallic.")

Materials:

Garnet Cuff Bead

Memory Wire

12 - 2mm silver beads

6 different types of seed beads (I like to add in a few strands of size 8/0 seed beads, they are larger and thread faster.)

6 accent beads - pearls and crystals are a fav.

6 - 1" headpins

2 - 2" headpins or 4" of sterling silver wire, 20 gauge

*big hint - one of my customers used a bead spinner to thread the seed beads, she used the memory wire instead of the hooked needle and said it worked like a charm. You have to love that!

Ornament Thursday Designers:

Hali's Flowers of LOVE in Ancient Bulgarian - 2 paintings in stylized Cyrillic spell out L-U-V

Art Bead Scene - The designers at Art Bead Scene have two jewelry love stories for you! Elaine Ray links together a little love with her ceramic heart components while Melanie Brooks Lukacs tells a little tale of romance in a Gothic Garden

Cindy Gimbrone Beads - Cindy's Love Story is about a hook and beads

Earthenwood Studio Bead Blog - What is sweeter than a mix CD for your Valentine? A yummy gift box in which to present it, filled with candy themed decorations, including a cute bracelet and cell phone charm!

Heart mobile - Jenny’s painted paper pulp hearts.

Humblebeads - Heather shares her favorite bracelet design in a Valentine inspired color scheme.

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles - Jennifer has made a fun "Ornament" for her neck that looks good enought to eat.

Joolz by Lisa - This "Love Story" will last all year long! Lisa shares how beads and books work together.

Katie's Beading Blog - Here's a happy little heart project for you - use it to embellish a bag or your jeans, or as inspiration for a necklace or bracelet.

Kriss Cramer - Art Interrupted - Grow Love! Nurture and care for your loved ones every day. Use this heartfelt book, you can make yourself, to remind you of all the love you have to give.

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine - Linda's love story project is a dress she embellished by stenciling dancers and a big band along the hem. Read why and learn how to do it yourself on the Make It Mine blog.

Michelle's Love Story... - The band is getting back together again! Ornament Thursday celebrates the story of love...

Ornament Thursday Blog - January is coming to an end and Valentine's Day is looming on the horizon. Whether you wish to shower the people you love with love or show yourself a little well deserved affection, the Ornament Thursday Gang has a bevy of beautiful ideas to inspire you!

Savvy Crafter - Candie's love affair with big rings continue...she's making her own now! Love Stories and more over at the Savvy Crafter! XOXO!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! - Ah, Love ! This satirical creation of Jean's immortalizes certain women's profound affecton for their ... handbags!!!

Strands of Beads - Love speaks many languages. Learn how to say "I Love You" in an untraditional way with Melissa Lee's whimsical jewelry project.

SwellDesigner - Alexa shares with you her truly swell and punny Valentines!

The Impatient Blogger - Love is in the air at The Impatient Blogger! Margot shares two vintage inspired jewelry designs that are oozing with romance...in a good way!

It's Alive!

I had some serious technical issues when I tried to publish my website yesterday. It took me until around 3pm to finally have the shopping cart and new beads up and ready to go! Oh computers, we love them and we hate them.

Don't forget I'm giving away free beads this weekend! Visit my site for more information. Humblebeads.com

A few of the new beads. Many of the new items have had a short run on my etsy shop, but are now part of my regular line. This includes my Van Gogh Beads, Winter Branches and William Morris Blue Cuff.

Toggles! Use them as buttons or clasps. I love these. I have them in my Branch colors and in bright leafy designs, called Petals.

Monet Cuff beads, possible the most beautiful beads I've ever made! I have disk beads that match. Yeah for art beads inspired by artists!

Some of my new Petal beads, including toggles and disk beads. The cuffs are my ol' favorites, but now they have buddies.

Are you ready for the snow to melt? (I'm still wishing for the cold) Spring Branch beads will help! I love these ones too!

And a set of matching disk beads. Isn't polymer clay just the most amazing stuff on the planet?

Now I want a day to play with beads and work up some new designs!

Still working on the site, including updating my links and some of the other pages.

Whistle while you work

I work much faster with music in the background. I love using Rhapsody to create playlists of my favorite songs or albums. Lately I've been feeling a little mellow, so Paul Simon, Carole King and Johnny Cash are keeping me company in the studio. I also like accu radio, you can listen to Broadway hits, Celtic music or punk, whatever fits your mood for the day.

The website is coming along nicely, I think I've come up with a good solution for easier navigation. I use templates and just plug everything in with a little html for customization. I can't wait to show you my new beads, so above is a sneak peek.

I'd love to exchange links with you if you have a website, leave the link in the comments section and I'll add you to the list!

Random Bits:
How often do you hear your husband say this in the morning, "Don't put away the sewing machine, I'm going to use it after work." What will that man of mine make now?

Website Relaunch

Well, I have been working away hoping to have my website ready by tomorrow. Ha, nope. My grand re-opening will be Saturday, January 12th. I just need a few more days.

I have two prizes that I'll be giving away during the weekend. The first one is a $50 gift certificate to my shop. Each customer that places an order Saturday & Sunday will be entered. And I have a $25 gift certificate for new newsletter subscribers that sign up during the weekend. Winners will be randomly drawn on Monday.

In the meantime, my etsy shop is nice and full. Here are two of my latest creations: