2 Tantalizing Tuesday 9/17/13

Well, it is Tuesday and I have already been working away this week!  I am always surprised at how fast time flows!!  I was able to finish my Abalone bracelet last night and get it listed...this one has really gotten a lot of attention!!  I am surprised, for me I wasn't sure people would like it!!  BUT, one thing I have learned is that no matter what I make I have always tried to create things that I would willing give as presents....that means that I know the quality and creation is high enough for ME to give to someone!!

What do you give as gifts?  Is there any ONE thing you 'fall back on' when you need a gift to give?

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Well, here it is!!!  I think that it turned out amazing!!  YES, I actually bought the clasp first and was inspired to create something that would go WITH the clasp!!  Did I do it??  DO you like it?

And, if you would like, you can see the 'making of' video!

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And what happens when I finish one creation?  I get to start another!!  Here are my new colors... Please come on over and watch the creation grow on my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day !!

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Here are a few more creations from the  Prima Blog Team supplies.  These are all very simple, but, they are also wonderful to make for gifts!  Remember, you can go to most of your local craft stores and buy these supplies or you can go on-line ( Prima Bead)  and order them!!

Simple earrings....

And another Kraftydora Bracelet (my cute name for them).  I know that this one is silver and gold, but I really liked the GOLD showing through the silver beads... weird, but for me, it works!!

 

Here is a question for you....what do you think I should do with these?  List them and sell them?  Give them away?  Auction them off?  Ideas??

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The winner has been announced......was it you?  Come on over and check....CONGRATS to the winner!!

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Today's featured artist is a dear friend of mine!! Marsha Knox of Pandula Arts Creations (Earth Baskets).  She and I have been friends for almost 15 years!!  When I first met her she was not very 'crafty', artsy maybe, but not really 'crafty'.  I talked her into trying some cross stitch and a monster was awoken!!  In the years since she has excelled in cross stitch, crochet, knitting (socks of all things), fiber weaving and now, she is an amazing pine needle basket weaver!!  I have her baskets all over my house - and LOVE it!!  There is a basket to hold my phone on my bead tray, one on my table to hold our napkins and even one to hold out medicine on the shelf - and that is just a FEW!  They are just so wonderful!  

Almost all of them are organic and can - literally - be put in the woods and they will go back to nature!! They are made with pine needles, wood bottoms and often with cotton or sinew thread!!  I am just so very amazed at her talent - and I get the honor of saying that I helped awaken it!! 

Check out her beautiful creations on her blog and Fan Page.  Here are just a couple....

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Today I want to leave you with this thought:

It is easier to believe than to doubt!

4 Manic Monday 9/16/13

Today is the start of a new week!!  I am so excited about how this week is going to go!!  I should be finishing a project, starting a new one and also showing off the start of my Prima Beads Blog Team Creations!!  Boy, that is a bunch just on it's own!  BUT, I also will be closing out my The Prayer Box By Lisa Wingate book give-a-way and working on something new!!  Tired yet?? 

Well, let's get started!! 

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Yes, even with everything else going on I was able to make a new listing for this morning!!  This is a fun and bold triple strand necklace set!!  What do you think?

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Here is the last photo I showed last night - row 88!!  I finally got someone to guess it right over the weekend - it is an Abolone Shell!!  Just wait until you see the clasp!!  I am hoping to be able to get this done today and listed first think in the morning!!  Please come on over and watch the creation grow on my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day !!

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Remember all those wonderful supplies I was given as part of the Prima Blog Team?  Well, I have started making creations out of them!!  The first few are simple and ANY skill level can make them! These would be fun 'handmade' gifts for the holidays!  

And for a simple braclet.... 

Keep watching, I'll be showing off new creations everyday!!

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Today is the last day to enter...... remember, there is a 'daily' entry, so keep coming back to enter for extra entries!! 

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Today's featured artist is: thevintageartist. Just look at the fun ' lighthearted' look of this creation!!  I just love it!! There is a line in this amazing artist's studio that I just love - My main influence is vintage and primitive style because I just love the worn look of yesteryear.   Although they are 'primitive' they are wonderful and full of whimsey!!  You really have to go check out this studio - I am sure you'll find something you really must have and they will all make them smile!! And rmemeber, always support handmade artists - they create out of love!!

http://www.thevintageartist.com  

http://www.thevintageartist.com/… 

 http://www.vintageniki.etsy.com  

http://www.twitter.com/vintageni…

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

Where beams of imagination play, 

The memory's soft figures melt away.

6 Fascinating Friday 9/13/12 (Friday the 13th)

I am not usually on for believing in superstition, but I have to say that this morning...if it can go wrong, it has!!!  I am not sure what I did when I woke up, but I must have upset the 'beading gods' somehow!!   I have dropped things, locked up my computer (TWICE), both kids have gotten up in bad moods (one 2 hours early) and I even 'spilled the milk' when I got my breakfast!! SO, I hope that everyone else is having a great day!!!!

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And here, it is!!  I have looked and looked and I am sure that this really is a piece of LAVA!  I have to say that between the Lava and the Crystals...this one is very unique!!  What do you think??

And if you want to see the 'making of' video, here it is!!

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And for any of you that missed it yesterday, I have listed (now about 30) Jewelry Making NEW books in my DESTASH studio!! There are also some 'other craft' books in there too, along with beads, mixed media findings, and even cross stitch kits.... something for everyone!!  Here is just a couple of the books I listed yesterday!

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With the finish of a project means that I get to start a new one!!  I have already picked the colors and am on my way!! Any guesses??  Please come on over and watch the creation grow on my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day !!

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Oh my goodness, all I can say is that I LOVE this book!!  IF you haven't entered (or already bought this book) you are missing out!!  Please go enter and remember that there is a 'daily' entry, so keep coming back to enter!!

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.

0 Thoughtful Thursday 9/12/13

Today I am supposed to be THOUGHTFUL, but all I seem to be is THANKFUL! I have had a couple of great custom orders lately, and for me, that is the biggest form of flattery!!  Having someone contact you - weather it is to make a pattern or design something you've never don before - means that they have faith in your creations and designs!  For me, the only thing better is seeing people wearing/using my creations!!!  I love being published and I enter many contests and I love to win, BUT, for me, seeing someone wear a a necklace I made.... AMAZING!

Do you feel that way?  Is there something you make/create that means more to you than the others?  When do you feel the 'PROUDEST' of your creations?

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Today I am showing off another of my creations that may not be new, but is simply beautiful!!  This one would be great for fall, or just about any other time of the year! And it is VERY reasonably priced!!

I also want to mention that I have listed many NEW books in my DESTASH studio.  These books are NEW and listed at a BIG discount from their retail prices!  Here are just a couple if you are interested... you can always find more books, magazines, beads, mixed media items and even kits in my DESTASH studio!  I also plan on listed about 15 more today, so make sure you keep checking back!

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Here is the strap for my current project!! I hope to get it done today and listed in the morning... would that be great??  That would mean that I get to start a new creation for the weekend?!?!  Please come on over and watch the creation grow on my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day !!

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And here, is everything I received!!  Can you believe it??  I am just 'over the moon' about all these supplies I get to create with.  Starting Monday I'll be showing you how to create some thing of your own with the 'tis the season' theme to them.  They will be creations that any level of beader/crafter will be able to make.  They will be geared towards 'gifts' that you can create and give at the holidays.  Come and back and see all I create with my goodies!!

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There are still a few more days to enter to win this amazing book by Lisa Wingate - The Prayer Box.  I am over  1/2 way through and I have to tell you, it is the best so far....at that is saying something, because I love all her books!!  It will make you feel so good and inspired with LIFE!!  Please go enter and remember that there is a 'daily' entry, so keep coming back to enter!!

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Today's Featured artist is: uptownartsgranburytx. This studio has been created to show off the work that is displayed in the Uptown Arts Gallery in Granbury, TX.  Although it is a 'brick and morter' store their studio shows off the creations of several artists, so please make sure that you check it out, there are many different styles to look at.  And remember, whether it is on-line or in person, always support handmade artists if you can.

http://www.uptownartsgranburytx.…  

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Uptown… 

http://stores.ebay.com/uptownart…

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

It's not what you go through that defines you; you can't help that.  It's what you do AFTER you've gone through it that really tests who you are.