2 Manic Monday 3/31/14 (Sea Turtle, Silver and Gold and lullabyloo)

Wow, what a week I had last week.  Even though I didn't win the contest I learned a lot!!  I learned about my fans/followers/family, I learned about contests and I even learned that I have lost touch with many of my supporters over the last few years!!  So, I do not see how I am NOT a winner....who cares what the numbers ended up being!! 

So now, on to the bigger, better parts of this post!! :)  

Many of you were very excited about this 'little' turtle!  I am VERY happy with the way it turned out!!  I hope that it goes to a good home soon!!  Click on the photo to see the rest of the photos!!

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

And then there is this bracelet.  I started it over the weekend and have had such a fun time with it.   Just look at those silver and gold plated beads....talk about a statement!!  If you want to come over and to my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day you can watch it grow!!

Today I would like to feature the winner of the #ArtFireWorks contest; lullabyloo.   This amazing artist has taken her talent 'to the next level'.  She has over 60,000 sales to her name and produces wonderful items for all types of parties.  Trust me, you'll find more than one thing in her studio that you like!!  And remember, always support handmade artists, they create out of love!

Find me online @:

http://www.lullabiestolollipops.… 

http://pinterest.com/partyinvita…  

http://www.facebook.com/lullabie…  

http://www.zibbet.com/lullabyloo

Today, think about this;

Carry laughter with you where ever you go!! ~Hugh Sider

0 Manic Monday 3/24/14 (ArtFire Works, White and Copper and VelleMere)

Oh, it is a MANIC MONDAY!!  I have to tell you that I spent most of the weekend sharing my time between beading and messaging people and asking them to vote!  I have been so consumed with this contest over the last few days!!  Hubby says that he is surprised I left my computer to even bead... well, I did and it kept me calm (mostly)!  The big thing that we found out is that the contest is NOT once per day, it is once per IP address, so now I am asking everyone to not only vote, but to ask your friends / family / fans / neighbors (ha ha ha) to vote too!!  I know that it is just a contest and that either way I am already so very IMPRESSED and HONORED at how many votes I have received, it is just that the advertising that this contest provides to the winner....well... it could send me to the 'next level'!! 

So, PLEASE send anyone/everyone you know over to vote!  And, understand that I will be posting a little bit more and obsession over this contest for the next few days....but then it will be back to normal Krafty Max life!! :)

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I hope to be able to finish this one today....if nothing else, the nervous energy will help!! Come on over and to my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day to watch it grow!!

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This isn't a NEW listing, but I just love the way it looks!! What do you think?  

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Today's featured artist is; VelleMere.  It is easy to see the love and detail this amazing artist puts into each of her creations.  Here studio is full of Crocheted Catholic Chapel Veils, scarves and many other creations.  Looking around I really couldn't find anything I DIDN'T like!!  You'll find a range of detail, pricing and colors!  Remember to always support handmade artists, we all create out of love!

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change the way you think about it!

0 Manic Monday 3/17/14 (Lady Melantha, A NEW Project, and jeliza)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I hope your day is full of 'GREEN'!! 

Today I get to show off a creations I finished over the weekend and the one I am currently working on!!  I also get to wish my son (an young adult) a Happy Birthday!!  As he gets older it gets harder for me to realize just how old he is (it makes me feel - and get - older)!!  But, to my first, oldest and wonderful son - Happy Birthday!!

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Here is the one I am working on now... so 'spring' like and fun!!  Come over and to my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day to watch it grow!! 

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Here is the one I finished over the weekend!!  I really like the way this one turned out, it is soft and delicate, but also strong!  What do you think?

And here is the 'making of' video if you want to watch!! 

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Today's featured artist is; jeliza.  This wonderful artist started taking photos when she was just a teenager!  And, like many of us she wondered into a different career but then, came back to what she loves.  And as much as I love original photography I am coming to love digital manipulated photos as much, if not more!!  This is simply wonderful!! There are just so many things to see in her studio... you really must go look for yourself!! And remember, artists and crafters create out of love, always support them whenever you can!

http://www.jeliza.net/ 

http://www.alacartealbums.com

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Today I will leave you with this thought;

Luck is believing you are lucky!  ~Tennessee Williams

0 Manic Monday 3/10/14 (Blue and Green with a Flower, New Project and mykidstudio)

Manic Monday, hu?  Well, I guess! :)  I am not sure where the weekend went, but beading, kids and lots of beautiful weather made it just *poof* disappear!! I hope your weekend was just as wonderful!

If you made something over the weekend, please leave a link in the comments...I'd love to see it!! 

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I was able to finish this one, the way I wanted!! I hope that you like the flower on it, for me, it just adds so much to the look!!  And then when I found the Lucite flowers for the earrings...perfect!! Please let me know what you think!!

And if you want to, you can watch the 'making of' video!

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Although I didn't get much done on this one over the weekend, I will be working on it again this morning!! Remember, you can come on over to my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day to watch it grow!!

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Want to be a part of my HUGE blogiversary party (in just over a week)?  Contact me know.... if you are interested in adding something to the 'pot' in exchange for some publicity, please let me know!!  max@kraftymax.com

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Today's featured artist is: mykidstudioc.  Although there isn't much of a bio in this studio it is easy to see that these dresses are beautiful and perfect for ANY occasion that you want your 'little one' to be dressed up!!  You will have to go look through the studio to see all the beautiful colors, styles and accessories!

http://www.mykidstudio.com  

http://blog.mykidstudio.com  

https://www.facebook.com/mykidst…

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

I am an optimist.  It does not seem to much use being anything else.  ~Winston Churchill

2 Manic Monday 3/3/14 (X's and O's, The Start of A NEW Project and ThreeRingCircuits)

Today really is one of those MANIC MONDAY'S!!  I just can't seem to catch up!!  Crazy how you can do the 'routine' 20 times and it is the 21st time that nothing goes right!?!!?  But, I am off to a day of laundry, house cleaning and beading... so, all things considered, not toooo bad!! 

What do YOU have on your schedule today?? 

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I was able to get the X's and O's bracelet done and listed, so, that is today's new listing.... and I think it turned out AMAZING!!!  (And I am still waiting on my first sale in my LaJuliet studio, there will be a 'little' extra in the order!) What do you think?

And here is the 'making of' video, just in case you want to see....

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For me there is no better day than the day that I finish one project and start another.  I think I must have green on the brain, because this one is in the 'greens' family too.  This is one of those NEW centers I picked up at the last bead show.... alright, time to go bead!! :)  Remember, you can come on over to my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day to watch it grow!!

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Don't forget, I also have a give-a-way going on!!  This one is special, there will be two winners.  One will win the bracelet and one will win the necklace.... and remember to come back and do your daily entries.

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Today's featured artist is; ThreeRingCircuits.  This amazing couple of artists were 'green' before green was even popular!!  Recycling parts and pieces that are usually destine to the landfills they make some of the most beautiful and creative items I have seen!!  I just love these 'animal' brooches that they have in their studio, but you will also find earrings, necklaces and all types of unique items.  Simply put - wonderful!!  Go check out their studio and remember to always support handmade artists...we create because we must! 

http://DebbyArem.com  

http://DebbyAremDesigns.etsy.com  

http://ForeverInStyle.etsy.com  

http://EurekaEureka.etsy.com

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

Experience is the best teacher of all.  And for that, there are no guarantees that one will be come an artist, only the journey matters. ~Harry Callahan

4 Manic Monday 2/24/14 (LaJuliet Exclusive, Bead Show Finds and CribCreations)

What a weekend!!!!  I took the weekend off from beading, but I spent the whole weekend planning on beading!! On Saturday I went (by my self - THANK YOU HUBBY) to a bead show.  My intention was to just find a few clasps and/or focals to add to my 8th Bead Soup Blog Party soup, but just look at what I purchased.... 

I know those aren't the best photos, but you can see it all, can't you??  I am so excited.  Other than the few Cabs and a couple of other things - I already know what I plan to make with each item!!  This is a problem for me, though, I have so many ideas in my head.... I just can't bead fast enough!!  

Did you start a new project recently?  

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Today I am starting a new project!  Do you remember the fossils that I picked up on a trip to St. Augustine a couple of weeks ago?  Well, they have been 'pulling' at me!! So, today I start with the brown one... you can come on over to my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day to watch it grow!!

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I DO have a new listing for today and it is an EXCLUSIVE one to my La Juliet studio.  Just look at the deep - rich - colors in this necklace set.  You can wear it with or without the knot!!

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Do you remember me showing you these beads from my Prima Blog Team Member kit from Jan/Feb?  Well, I am finally done!! I will be showing off the creations I made tomorrow and Wednesday.  Please check back and see them.  They are creations that YOU can make, no matter your skill or experience level!!

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Today's featured artist is; CribCreations.  You can clearly see that these beautiful creations come from the heart.  There is everything you can think of for your baby.  This little blanket is actually a match for a larger one.  This is a security blanket....wow, what a wonderful idea!  This great handmade artist also has lots of fabric and other creations to look at, so remember, always support handmade artists!!

http://www.cribcreations.com  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cribcre…  

http://www.facebook.com/cribcrea…

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Today I would like to leave you with this thought;

Start each day with a smile and get it OVER WITH! ~W.C. Fields