Ringing in the New Year

Wishing you a Happy New Year and only the best for 2011!

I'm bringing in the New Year with some of my favorite people and in my favorite place.  Life is very good.

Thank you for visiting my blog, following along and encouraging me on my creative journey. 

Thank you for supporting my business and using my beads in your amazing creations.

Thank you sharing your trek into this fun and wonderful bead-filled world.

May 2011 bring peace, happiness, health, joy and dreams fulfilled!

Merry Christmas

I hope your holiday is filled with:

*

joy

love

hope

peace

wonder

feasting

laughter

miracles

surprises

merriment

family

Wishing you the best and brightest for the New Year!

I'm off to enjoy my holiday vacation and will see you in 2011.

The Best Christmas Present Ever

In March we'll set sail for the 6th annual Bead Cruise!  After the holidays the cruise is my big focus.  There are kits to put together and plans to finalize.  Along with running the show on the cruise I have two classes I will be teaching.  I work hard to bring you an event that is fun, creative and relaxing.

Above is the polymer clay pendant class that I'm teaching.  You'll learn to make tropical flower canes, beads, create a bezel pendant and embellish it with Vintaj brass and crystal components.

Another class I'm offering is a bracelet and necklace focusing on asymmetrical design.  Learn my secrets for fearlessly combining beads without a pattern!

I've gathered together 5 other amazing instructors including Dallas Lovett, Tracy Stanley, Marcia DeCoster, Beverly Herman and Jean Campbell.  Classes range from beading, resin, polymer clay, metal and wire work.  There is something for everyone.

I put together this awesome mini-magazine for our guests.

It's filled with projects, tips and resources.  Last year I used components from our sponsors in each project.  (If you are a bead shop or beadmaker you can become a sponsor for next year, click here for details.)  Our guests receive gift bags that are filled with goodies from our sponsors.  Ornametea donates a cool tote bag for us each year.  We love our sponsors!

We are heading to three tropical islands next year: Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.  In Cozumel we have an optional day planned that includes going to the state park, there are gardens, beaches, snorkeling and eco tours there.  We'll enjoy lunch on the beach and shopping in town after our day at the ocean.

On the cruise along with classes, workshops and demos, we have a Bead Bazaar with shopping with Bello Modo and our instructors.  There is also a fun cocktail party, group photo, casino night and time to bead together and work on projects.  It's 7 days of beady fun with like-minded bead-obsessed creative people.

Oh and then there is this whole amazing cruise ship to enjoy with delicious meals, shows and all kinds of entertainment and parties.  You'll need a vacation from your vacation!

We still have a limited number of spaces available.  Just think about what your hometown looks like in March?  I live in Texas and it's cold and bleak still.  Now think about sitting on a tropical beach, drink with umbrella in hand, surrounded by beady friends?  Ready to give yourself that gift for Christmas?  Head on over to the Bead Cruise website for all the details.  I would love to have some of my blog friends join me!

My Holiday Wish List

Hello dear readers!  I hope you are having a fab holiday season and not driving yourself too crazy.

Here is my holiday wish list:

1. snow

2. playing cards with my family

3. goofing off with my brother

4. baking with my sister (I wonder if I can talk her into cherry fudge?)

5. seeing my girl's faces when they open their gifts

6. a candlelight church service with traditional hymns

7. time to recharge my creative batteries

8. sleeping in

9. time to read & sketch

10. a week to not think about deadlines!

So how about you, what did you ask Santa for this year?

My Christmas elf and I can help! 

(That's Jesse in case you were wondering.)

Tomorrow is the last day to order from my Etsy shop for Christmas delivery. 

If you don't need it by Christmas I'm offering free shipping until the 20th.

If you need it by Christmas you can upgrade to priority mail at a discounted rate.

I have almost 50 last minute gift items in stock and of course there are around 80 beads to make your holiday merry and bright.

After the 20th my shops will be closed as I take some time to spend with my family and enjoy the festivities.

Merry Christmas!

Last Minute Gift Project - Wordy Bobby Pins

Here is a super easy project to whip up for last minute gifts or stocking stuffers. I knew I had a hit when my girls were trying to sneak away with their favorites. I made a dozen or so for nieces and my daughter's friends.

You'll need the following:

Plus: paper towels and small bowl of water.

To finish them you can use an acrylic matte varnish or Renaissance Wax.

Optional: 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper.

Skill level: beginner

1. Condition a small amount of clay until it's soft. Roll a pea-sized ball of clay and press it into the bezel.

2. Use the cutting blade to cut the clay flush to the bezel - skim the blade over the bezel horizontally to cut off the excess clay.

3. Stamp with the letter stamps.

4. Bake according to the manufacturers directions.

5. After they cool, brush on a thin coat of paint and wipe off the excess with a paper towel. Let dry and coat with varnish or wax.

Variations: I used a headpin to draw designs into the clay like the leaf and snowflake here and owl above. The dots were made with the headpin and the owls eyes were made with the flat end of the headpin.

To create the distressed look I rubbed the painted design on the sandpaper after it was dry.

To create an antiqued finish like the "why not" set above, coat with a second layer of dark brown paint and rub off the excess.

Remember to create a left and a right side bobby pin when using letter stamps.

Depending on the design you create these are perfect for toddler through teen.

All my gifts have been created, the tree is stuffed with goodies underneath awaiting the big day. I'm looking forward to taking some time off to spend with my family. My last day for orders is the 20th and I will be on vacation until January 2nd. Hope you are finding some joy and peace amid the hustle and bustle!

Forgot to mention that all items can be found at Hobby Lobby both in the store or online.