Saturday, July 28, 2012

Time for the BIG Reveal!

Time for the 6th Annual BSBP R-E-V-E-A-L...

If you didn't see my post about the bead soup Jami Shipp sent me check this post out first: http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-bead-soup-has-arrived.html

The agate focal I received in my bead soup is very much outside of my color comfort zone since I usually lean toward brighter colors.  I was really glad though because one of my reasons for joining this party is to stretch my creativity.

I wanted to really jump in to this bead soup so I looked through my bead stash to see what I had that would work well with the focal and I decided to pair it with some turquoise beads (howlite maybe).  

Here is the necklace I made...
The toggle was copper which was great because I have been playing with copper lately. I was thrilled to use a metal I haven't used a lot but I really love!
The copper wire I had  was very bright and shiny which was not going to work.  I decided to antique it to match the toggle color better.  I put the wire into a bowl of vinegar and sea salt for a minute then let it air dry without wiping it off which worked very quickly in turning my wire dark and giving it a patina very quickly.
The tiny brown disks are shell beads from Michaels. I love the deep turquoise color of these little beads.
I got the silk pieces from Suzanne Berk a super sweet lady, a fellow artisan and HUGE animal activist...love that!!
I went much more artsy than I usually do and I got to use some new materials and techniques that I am happy about.

I also wanted to use the beautiful flat shell coins I got so here is a bracelet that also has some of the same tiny shell disks I used in the necklace. 

I handwrapped a tiny bell glass flower on a bronze ball headpin as well as a crystal in champagne ab.

I would love to hear what you think so feel free to comment below.

Now, on to the rest of the party, check out these blogs for many more reveals...

Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com

Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles
Alicia Marinache, All The Pretty Things
Amanda Tibbetts, Amanda Made
Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul
Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry
Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
Candida Castleberry, Spinning Spun Sugar
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle
Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Hendrickson, Clamworks
Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends
Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream
Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio
Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie
Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs  (THIS IS ME!)
Cris Peacock, Cris' Page
Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things
Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers
Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru
Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved
Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things
Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close
Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius
Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni
Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life
Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions
Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads
Jennifer VanBenschoten, Jewelry, Art and Life
Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design
Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me
Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica
Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry
Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston
Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
Judy Turner, Silver Rains
Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead
K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch
Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch
Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles
Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe
Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon
Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly
Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade
Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat
Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut
Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork
Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist
Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox
Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny
Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess
Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry
Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This
Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads
Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio
Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design
Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry
Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads
Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio
Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions
Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps
Mowse Doyle, HoCArt
Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs
Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart
Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs
Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft
Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink
Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts
Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky
Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media
Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks
Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread
Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads
Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance
Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic
Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs
Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux
Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily
Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau

Tina Bosh, Every Good and Perfect Gift
Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

 Thanks Lori Anderson, you are the BEST!!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Here is the Bead Soup I sent to my BSBP partner

Last week I posted a purposely fuzzy photo of the beads I sent to my BSBP partner.  We can't really show what we sent till our partners get their beads and since Jami already got it I can now clear up that photo and show it here...


I am so excited to see what she makes!  July 29th is coming waaayyy too fast!!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Lori Anderson's Giveaway

Lori Anderson is doing a 5 part giveaway from the stash she got at the Bead and Button show.  The giveaways she has put together are just delicious.

Lori Anderson's Pretty Things Giveaway
First, she has a great stash of beads and other jewelry related items from the B&B show.  The other items are a copy of Lori's Bead Soup book, her online book Blogging Inspirations, a nice large tote with the BSBP logo and a mystery soup that she is putting together herself (that's what I want to win!)

If you want a chance to win one of these great prizes better hurry, she is picking winners on Friday the 13th!  Click on Lori's name above to go to her blog for all the details.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

My Bead Soup Has Arrived!

My creativity is churning, visions of jewelry designs flowing through my brain.  I am so excited now that I have my Bead Soup!! 

My husband came by the office yesterday and when I was walking him out I saw a package with my name on it by the front door.  If you know me then you know that I lOvE surprises and gifts so an unknown package with my name on it...oh yeah!!  When I saw Jami's name in the return address I knew this was IT so I quickly ripped it open.

I'll let the pictures do the rest...


Copper Toggle
Lentil Shells
Agate Focal

Ruby Brecciated Jasper
Bead Soup


How do I feel?


 like the nose ring? Hehe

Thursday, July 5, 2012

My Bead Soup Revealed...Kinda


Here is a little teaser of the Bead Soup I sent to Jami Shipp from Celebrating Life, my BSBP Partner.  She should get it by Friday and she has sent mine too!!  I am so excited and nervous to see it and see what I can do with it.

More coming soon...

Monday, July 2, 2012

7 Simple Steps to Cheap and Easy International Shipping

Are you selling internationally?  No?  Well, let  me help you make that leap by showing you how cheap and easy it can be.  I have sold internationally for the past few years and, so far, it has been a very good thing.


Actually my first sale on Etsy (from someone I didn't know)was to a lady in Great Britain who bought a pair of my wire wrapped ruby earrings. 
Ruby and gold wire wrapped earrings

 I have sent jewelry to Canada, England and, just the other day, Germany where my cobolt earrings will soon be worn at an engagement party (which is going to be held on the sea coast of Albania)! 
Cobolt Blue and gold earrings
It gives me a special little thrill knowing that something I made will be travelling farther than I ever have and will be worn by someone in a different country.

So...let me demystify the international shipment a bit.  Now remember, I live in the US so this is just my experience from my perspective.  I have found that most people think shipping internationally is way too expensive.  Some of this is due to Paypal because you can only ship the more expensive ways through Paypal (ie: Global Express, Express Mail International).  If you go to USPS.com you will find good information and a MUCH cheaper way to send packages.

Here are 7 simple steps to shipping internationally:

1.  Go to USPS.com and rest your mouse over Ship a Package so the drop down menu displays.  Choose Compare Services

2.  Make sure you choose the International tab


3.  Scroll down and choose First Class Mail International by clicking calculate prices.

4.  Select the Destination and the shape of your shipment (mine are always packages which includes a box or a thick envelope.






 5.  Whoa...look at these prices!!


 6.  Don't worry, I told you this would be much cheaper right?  Click the First Class Mail International Options to see what I was talking about.


7.  Next, click on the Customs Forms and Extra Services button at the bottom right.  You can actually fill out and print the customs form online now.  You still have to go to the post office to pay and ship (unless you use a service like Stamps.com, I think you can actually pay and print shipping from there).

So that's it...not so scary is it?  Now get out there and try it, you might make additional sales by opening up your options to international shipping.

Good Luck!!