Bead Hoarders Bog Hop

I always love this blog hop and I AM a huge bead hoarder. Lol.  I have a whole crowded room full of beads and lampwork bead making supplies. needless to say I love beads. :o)

This first bracelet is very special to me. First of all I love the celini spiral used to make the seed bead portion of it. I used rich matte brown and accented those with rosy light brown beads. But the most important part is the lampwork focal bead. It was made by another lampwork artist , Shawn, using boro glass which I don't work in. I bought them from her at a show here in town several years ago. I had  a 10 year old dog at the time that I was very close with. She was the love of my life. She had been sick and had surgery for cancer. I was hopeful that we would have more time together as she recovered and after a month I thought she would like an outing. We went to the craft show together where I bought these beautiful beads. She waited in the car as I viewed all the fab art at the Webb School Annual craft show where I bought a set of these beads. I got back out to my car and my Jasmine and I took a walk through a wooded area surrounding the school. We explored a stream and listened to animals rustle in the dry grass. She thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a big day and went home satisfied. That night turned out to be her last. These beads mark that wonderful day for me and I am forever grateful that she had such a wonderful last day. Don't be sad though. Three years later I  met and adopted another funny, sweet and wonderful doggie that has the same markings Jasmine had and my heart began to heal. So, now this bracelet is a sign of joy.

The next two pieces are made with lampwork beads that I made. They are probably around 18mm and were made before I had tools to help shape beads. So, they are hand shaped and I was pleased with the donut shape but they also have three layers to them. So, for me they were challenging. Encasing is tricky in itself and then I challenged myself to add ( woops)  surface decoration.  First a base layer of opaque glass, then they are encased in a corresponding color of transparent glass and then polka dots on the surface! I waited forever to decide to use them but finally did and now I want to make more of these polka dot beads! lol
Now off to blog hop and see all the pretties everyone one else has made.

Happy Thanksgiving

The turkey is in the oven baking - with stuffing in it!  :o)  We like mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, etc. etc. I want to express how happy it makes me to be a part of the lampwork and jewelry community . It brings such richness and joy to my life. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you wonderful and creative people. I take joy in knowing the people I have met from the lampwork/jewelry community and hope to meet more in the future.

So Here Are The Copper Chains

that i am offering right now. I plan to get in some ball chains that are solid copper. And a couple more designs - rolo chain, which I love. I always try to keep a good selection on hand for custom designs but now I want to offer them for customers to use for their own designs.

I Am Offering Chains To Go With My Lampwork Beads

I have started offering chains to go with my lampwork beads as well as my etched copper components. So many people make their own jewelry now but they don't always carry a selection of chains. I will offer them in brass and copper - antiqued and shiny. Of course, if you like a chain that is not antiqued I can antique it for you.

This is my current selection of brass chains. They range from 5mm down to 2.5mm. I like to have a good selection of sizes for different size beads and pendants. I plan to do this in copper as well.

Gossipping Goddess GiveAway

I am going to start off with a photo to make it more tantalizing to find her blog!

Well, are you ready to find the link to here blog to sign p for the giveaway?! I love the enameled leaves. And the crow pendant, and the ceramic pieces..................ok, I also love the headpins!!! You can sign up several ways to give you more chances to win. Check it out here:

http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/

New Jasper Gemstone Earrings Listed Today

I have a sweet and simple pair of new earrings that I call Simply Zen. They are made of brecciated jasper on top, red jasper in the center and red creek jasper at the bottom. I adore all jaspers and these are three of my favorites.  If you see something you like in my Etsy store you can use coupon code 'Lucky13" and get 13% off of your purchase.

I Need to Get Off ThisTrain for Awhile.....

Does anyone know how to stop the spinning? Well, the last two months have been doozies! My daughter broke up with a boyfriend but he continued to pursue her. He text-ed, facebooked, came to the house 3 times uninvited ( two of them totally lit) and then topped all that with a restraining order! LOL! I say 'lol' but we were pretty shocked. We have never been through anything like this before.
 He said he 'just wanted to talk' and when she wouldn't he text-ed her saying he would make it so she couldn't talk to him. There is more but I don't want to go into all the gory details! The court date is in a week and I believe we are prepared. I hope.

Then the dryer went out a month ago and it just got fixed after 3 visits from the repairman and 2 different parts ordered.  The garbage disposal died and then I saw that the back door threshold  had some water rot going on under it and up the sides of the door frame. The carpenter is coming over the 13th to do that repair and then I will find out how extensive that is. I truly do not like to complain as it wastes time and does no good but come on! I need a break!

Well, here's more pleasant things to talk about. I have made a few changes to my Etsy store. I decided to split up my jewelry and my lampwork beads and etched copper components. So, I have re-opened my old store. Having them all together sort of seemd like preaching to the choir so I have a new Etsy store called Cabari Beads Jewelry.  It's really no more work to have separate stores  except that I have to log out and log back in with my other name. I sold a pair of earrings and I am thrilled. I have been going rustic and more detailed. What do you think?

I had made this previously with stunning blue/green Peruvian Opal! When it didn't sell I then added the dangles with the copper/brass oval beads and the one atop the pendant. We'll see! lol

 I LOVE the ceramic dangles I got on Etsy from Scorched Earth. I have started adding a little bead wired on to my hand made earwires for a more complete look.

 My own etched copper moons and gorgeous Moonstones!

 This is the pair I sold. I was afraid they were too long at 6" but they were the first of my new designs to sell! I love them! I felt daring using feathers!