You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

Click on the Beadwork link at the bottom of this page. 

I'm suppose to get some big bucks everytime

someone does that.  We shall see.

xoxoxoxo

07/22/08 

I have still not recovered from the most amazing weekend I've had in many years.  (Sorry adorable husband of mine)  NanC Meinhardt was at The Bead Parlor on Saturday and Sunday and taught two stupendous classes and I was so inspired that I went home and tried to work on about ten different projects at once!!  I wanted to do this and that and froth and balls and Izzy......  and pretty soon I was almost foaming at the mouth.    I'm sure everyone that was lucky enough to join us, felt exactly the same way.  I was dead tired when I went home Sunday night, but I couldn't stop beading. 

And thanks to NanC, I am now booked to go teach at Beads by Blanche (New Jersey) next year!!   How in hells bells did this happen?   It still seems like just yesterday I was studying the diagrams, following the arrows with my finger trying to figure out where that thread goes, in the only bead book I owned at the time, trying to teach myself square stitch and thinking I would never figure it out.  I guess I did!!  The fact that someone likes my work enough to pay me to come to New Jersey and teach still has my head spinning.  And NO, I haven't even been drinking - YET.

Bead & Button advises me that the Ruffled Bangle will either be on-line late this week or early next week, so keep an eye on their website.   NanC could probably tell me what it means that I like ruffles and metal so much.  In her former (before beads) life, she was a psychotherapist.  I tried not to think about that as I was rambling.  

LOTS MORE SEED BEADS ARE BEING DELIVERED THIS FRIDAY.  I have no idea where they are all going to go. The company we purchased the old seed bead case from has gone out of business which I just found out today AFTER, of course, I had ordered way too many beads to fit in what we have.  But I keep telling myself, no matter what, I can never have tooooooooo many beads.  I will find a solution.  Haley is such a great organizer, she probably will have it all under control.    And if you have to get down on your hands and knees to see the size 6/0's, then  just consider it good exercise.  The only exercise I ever get is from mood swings. 

07/17/08

I got new seed beads out the Wazoo!!!  So you and YOUR Wazoo should come see us. 

Another new item is a new finish  in the metal seed beads, BLACK.  I can't wait to make a bangle out of the black.  I've got it up on my order page without a picture, but trust me, if you want black, this is an extra special one to work with.

On Friday, I will be getting in a "Mini Trunk Show".   So be sure you stop by and check that out.   I don't know at this time what specialty items will be included, but my trunk show lady is always good to me and and I'm looking forward to some beautiful semi-precious. 

07/02/08

The brand new August Beadwork is in, and there I am.  Another notch in my ever growing belt!! 

The version pictured in the magazine, opposite side, is a two-strander.  Here is a picture of a four-strander I made for myself (minus the crystals - replaced with 2.5mm cornerless cubes) because of course I do like to pile it  on. 

In addition to this one, I also made one that was a single eight footer strand!!  I can wear it with this one, I can wear it alone, I can wrap it around my neck several different ways, the possibilities are endless. 

This bangle that I finished last night reminds me of those expensive shoes that have the red patent leather soles.  You just get a flash of red every so often.  If anyone knows of a seed bead that looks like red patent leather, I would love to hear about it.  You won't see the gold on this bracelet very often either, just an expensive looking flash here and there.

6/24/08

I've seen many different versions of the Metalsmith Bangle, and I am always pleased as punch when someone takes it that step further.  And I often often "Damn, I wish I would have thought of that."  

Metalsmith Bangle Meets C. Cube

(no relation to Ice Cube, thank goodness)

Here is the scoop, babycakes.   The silver one is made just like the instructions in Bead & Button,  (six rows wide) and on the last layer (4th layer), I added the "base beads" as usual, but then I added the 2.5mm cornerless cubes as embellishment. 

The copper one is only five rows wide, and the cornerless cubes are on the third layer.  (There is no fourth layer).  It seems plenty sturdy to me and I've actually made many of them only five sets wide.  Saves a number of hours. 

Either of these bangles can be completed with just one strand of the 2.5mm cubes that I sell on "Shelley's Favorites" page. 

And of course you could always use 3mm Swarovski bicones to embellish.  BUT, the word "bangle" does have the word "bang" right in there, and I wondered about chipping the crystals.  But one day when I got nothing else on my plate, I will whip one up with the crystals for all those special occcasions.    Okay, I don't have hardly any special occasions, but it never hurts to be prepared.  Just like any good girl scout or boy scout, or whichever one of those two are always prepared. 

06/20/08

The last couple of weeks, I've just been running around like a crazy woman.  When I was little, my mom would always say, "You kids are going to drive me to Bartonville!!"   Bartonville was the name of the town that housed the local insane asylum.  (Keep in mind this was long ago).  Unfortunately, Bartonville is long closed or Mom and I could be roomies.    I hope my own children never get their own website to play with.  Who knows what dumb things I might have said in an "uncalm" moment that will years later be broadcast to the whole world?  Hi Mom!! 

I am counting down the days, hours and minutes for our weekend workshop with NanC Meinhardt.  If you aren't on my email list, let me fill you on. 

NanC Meinhardt