0 Fabulous Friday 8/3/12

What a day.... I have so much to do, so many beads to play with... so many designs in my head.... 

BUT, first I have to show off my daughter.  She has been at camp this week and let me tell you, the photos I have seen..... amazing!!  But this one, I am not sure why, but this one caught my eye!  She is NOT all made up, she isn't in fancy cloths and she deffinately isn't posed, but for this mom, that is what BEAUTY is all about!!! 

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I want to show off my creation from yesterday, These beads are BIG, BOLD and Beautiful too, the color is just soooo rich and deep.

Red Sesame Jasper and Gold Necklace Set

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Today is the last day to enter to win this necklace.... want to enter???  Just click on the photo!!

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And now for what is on my beading try this morning... just look at those colors!  And YES, the frame will be used too?!?!!?  If you want to follow along throughout the day, simply follow me on my Fan Page or Google+ page for updates.

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My featured artist today is Revisions and Reversals.  This amazing Mother Daughter team has some great finds in their studio.  Mom helps on the creative side - since she hasn't gotten a hang of the 'newfangled Internet thing'.  But they both are very creative women with talent that most of us envy.  Please go visit their studio, can't you just see this great Hippo wanting to find his home with you???  Remember to support handmade creations and artists whenever you can. 

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And to leave you with this thought;

Friendship is woven from vibrant strands of loyalty, kindness and warmth like color-rich embroidery on a sampler.

2 The Re-Launch of Krafty Max Originals

Here is an exciting give-a-way to start the 'kick off' of the Re-Launch of Krafty Max Originals!!  Come join in the fun with me and remember to keep checking back to see a new featured artist, new creations, and just plain fun postings!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

15 A Re-Launch of Krafty Max Originals!!

Here is an exciting give-a-way to start the 'kick off' of the Re-Launch of Krafty Max Originals!!  Come join in the fun with me and remember to keep checking back to see a new featured artist, new creations, and just plain fun postings!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 Terrific Tuesday 7/31/12

I am not really sure what has happened to my last posts.  I did them, I promise.  But, they are gone!  I typed them, edited them and published them.  Then I saw them on the blog, but now they are GONE.... and I do mean GONE!  I can't find them in my drafts, in the published or on my blog.  I don't know where they are, but there are several days posts out there somewhere in cyber space floating around for people to read!!  Oh well, I did a test post last night and I think it is working again, so.... here goes a Terrific Tuesday post... I hope!!

First, before I get to my beading, let me now show off some photos of my wonderful kids... I love the pool, it wears them out, they have fun and I get some 'quality' beading time!!

OMGoodness, my kids are getting so big - so fast - is there a magic 'pill' out there to make them stay KIDS???  PLEASE, if you have anything, SHARE!!!

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First, let me show off my creation from yesterday - this one was another one that you watched grow, row by row and got to guess what it was.  I think it turned out very cute - simple, but cute!!

Loving Your Doggie and Proud of It Bracelet - Krafty Max Original Design

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And then, since several of you were watching me show off rows of this little gal, I'll show you the finished bracelet... I have gotten SOOOO many comments on her, I might just have to make another... doing something else... uummmmm....

Ballerina Girl Beadwoven Bracelet - One of a Kind Krafty Max Design

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Don't forget....so far there aren't many entries... you could win this necklace - just click on the photo to go enter!!

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I will close today's post with this quote:

Enduring friendship is characterized by an open heart and an open hand!

2 Tantalizing Thursday 7/26/12

I really didn't feel like throwing a Tantrum today, so I am posting a Tantalizing Tuesday post instead!  Did everyone see the posts yesterday for my 'little cutie's' new rows???  She is almost done!!  Here are the photos I posted yesterday....

And now.... the finished design..... you're the first one to see it!!!

Now to just do the finished work - the ends, the clasp and to do a photos shoot for her... I should be able to list her later today!! 

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Did you see my new listing?  This beautiful centerpiece is from my Grandmother's Stash!!  I cleaned it, coated it with a non-tarnish coating and it looks simply beautiful!! I just love the Crystals and Silver Plated findings I matched with it!  What do you think?? 

Blue and Silver Great Crystal Necklace Set - from Grandmother's Stash

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Don't forget....so far there aren't many entries... you could win this necklace - just click on the photo to go enter!!

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And of course I have a new featured artist, it is DragonfliesCeilidh.  An amazing artist who started out making jewelry and then discovered glass making.  The creations are just so beautiful!!  This description might explain it even more that I can; "Dragonflies Ceilidh is a celebration of the celts and of dragonflies. I have tried to capture both in my designs."  Now, for any of you that have followed me for any length of time know that I just LOVE dragonflies!  These are some of the most beautiful I have seen!  Please check out all the dragonflies, oh, I mean creations, in this great studio and remember to support handmade artist when you can.

http://www.dragonfliesceilidh.co…

 

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I really didn't plan it this way, but I guess today was a day of BLUES.  All of the creations (except my little ballerina - are blue).  So, I guess I'll close with this quote;

One today is worth two to-morrows.

-Benjamin Franklin

2 Wonderful Wednesday 7/25/12

Yesterday I was able to bead and work on a custom order.  It was very nice!!  I have been working a lot too (at my part time job).  So, for me the moments I bead are my relaxation!!  There are so many people that I know that feel the same about their craft....their 'life' gets in the way of their beads (or whatever their passion is for). 

Here are the photos of my current bracelet that I posted yesterday.  If you want to see the 'rows as they progress' you can check out my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day for updates.  If you want to see the early photos, you can see my Terrific Tuesday post from yesterday.  

I think she is turning out just tooo cute!!

 

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I also listed this new set yesterday.... please don't tell my daughter, if she sees this it will be 'stolen' for her collection!!  

Blue and Black are Signs of Peace - Necklace Set

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Today's great new featured artist is LuckyGirlOriginals.  This great artist has found the balance between taking time for herself and her family.  Her creations are amazing and fun.  These little shower gifts would be loved an appreciated by any mom to be.  Just check out all her other creations!  Remember to support your handmade artist and let her know what you think of their creations.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/LuckyGi…  

https://www.facebook.com/LuckyGi… 

 http://pinterest.com/ahardin101/ 

 http://wanelo.com/luckygirlorigi…

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Don't forget to enter... you could win this necklace - just click on the photo to go enter!!

 

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And for a closing thought....

Life is half spent before we know what it is.

- George Herbert

2 Terrific Tuesday 7/24/12

With my Re-Launch starting yesterday my numbers are actually picking up!  YA HOO! I am always so surprised at how much my fans and followers support me.  I can not tell you how much I value these wonderful people!!  For any of you that didn't see it there is a give-a-way going on that includes some great BONUS entries for people who 'share' or 'post' the give-a-way on their page!  

Here is what you can win!!

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Then there is the listing from yesterday.... I think this one turned out very nice!  I just love the way the endcaps 'off set' the colors!

Orange and Pink Necklace Set - Creations Color Challenge

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Today my featuered studio is - FireOakStudio .  This amazing artist says that her "art is a meditation. Each line takes me closer to serenity" and you can see that in each of her creations.  I am just so impressed with these unique and very detailed designs.  You really have to go check out her creations, there are several ways to find her listed below, but as always, support handmade artists whenever you can!

http://fireoakstudio.wordpress.c…  

http://fireoakstudio.artworkfoli… 

http://www.facebook.com/FireOakS… 

http://ladyfireoak.deviantart.co…

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So, many of you are watching one of my hand designed hand beaded bracelets, I thought I would post the photos I have posted so far.  You can watch my Fan Page or Google+ page to watch for updates throughout the day.  

Watch for more!!!

 

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And now, for a closing thought;

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

- Lord Chesterfield

4 Marvelous Monday 7/23/12

My goodness, what a weekend it was!!  I spent some amazing time with my family!  Yesterday we actually went to the movies to see Ice Age 3 - it was great!!  Another great movie I would highly recommend for the ENTIRE family to see!

I also was able to start a couple of new projects that I have been setting aside for a while... I'll show you soon!

Another part of the weekend was spent on 're-working' my business and marketing plan.  I have had to make some really BIG changes lately in the way I do business.  I currently run Krafty Max Originals (my hand beaded design studio) and also Krafty Max DESTASH (a studio to destash all my 'extra' items).  I have a Fan Page, Google+ Page, Twitter Page, and identities on about 5 other social media sites.  Ironically I find that most of my leads come from twitter or more specifically from the tweets that are re-posted via Triberr (please let me know if you would like to learn more about Triberr.... I am ALWAYS interested in gaining new tribe-mates).  The posts that are tweeted and re-tweeted are primarily posts from this blog!  It is odd to me that with that 'big' of a footprint on the social media sites I still get the majority of my leads - ultimately - from my blog - the words that I write!

So, as part of this 're-working' I will be focusing more on my blog, and more on the actual WORDS I write for a while to see if that really does make a difference.  I also think that getting back to the Marketing Plan I had a year ago will help too - that is a topic for another day.

What about you?  Do you see a high number of views, sales, hits or such from one site over another?

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Over the weekend I was able to start a new beadwoven bracelet... here are the colors!!

Any guesses what it will be??  Watch my Facebook Fan Page or my Google+ Page throughout the day of row updates and watch this bracelet grow 'right before your eyes'!

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And to kick off the Re-Launch of Krafty Max Originals I have decided to give-a-way this amazing necklace that I created.  Want to win??? Click on the photo and you'll go to the entry post....

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So, for today, that is enough... I think?!?!  So, I'll leave you with this thought....

Sow good services; sweet remembrances will grow them.

-Madame de Stael