EtsyNEAT Pincushion Swap

A swap related to needlearts is something I don't want to miss. Gretchen of juneatnoon, and I had a one-on-one pincushion swap and she surely does know how to spoil her partner. Just look at the tree inspired pincushion and yummy goodies she sent me.
And here's a travelling etui - with pinbed (pincushion) and needle pages underneath the pinbed - that I made for her. Gretchen also blogged about this swap and I love the fact that she had adorable helping hands that helped her to showcase the etui... so don't forget to visit her blog for more photos and her shop of course for her stunning needlearts for sale. Thank you so much for a wonderful swap Gretchen!

Bead Embroidered Hair Pins

The 3 small ones had been sitting in my UFO pile for quite a while... run out of idea what to do with them but I think they look cute on bobby pins. The baby blue one was completed recently, with a pearl coin from the stash that Cat sent me.

Enjoy beading all!

Button Swap Reveal

The reveal day has finally come for the button swap organized by Michelle Mach! My partner is Cyndi Lavin, and here are the buttons I mailed for her.Cyndi sent me my buttons super early, in which I had to use a couple right away... as a clasp for this leather wrap bracelet. And this huge MOP shell which I knew right away will be a focal on one of my bead embroidered pendants... it can be used as a brooch as well.

These are the other buttons which are still in the works. I will reveal the finished pieces in the next few days.Michelle is hosting a button giveaway so don't forget to visit her blog for further details. Here's the list of the button swap participants which you really have to check out - and while you're blog hopping, make sure to leave a comment to maximize your entries at Michelle's giveaway.

1. Cat - Boo Beads

2. Cindy - Sweet Bead Studio
3. Cory - Art with Moxie
4. Cyndi - Beading Arts
5. Dita - Alankarshilpa
6. Donna, Marti, and Michelle - Beads & Books
7. Erin - Treasures Found
8. Hope - Crafty Hope
9. Inca - Zerenity Design
10. Katrine - Army of Sock Monsters
11. Krista - French Elegant Jewelry
12. Kristie - Artisan Clay
13. Linda D. - Lutka and Co.
14. Linda L. - Linda's Bead Blog
15. Lody - Lody's Beadworks <<<< YOU ARE HERE!!!
16. Lori - Pretty Things
17. Loretta - Loretta's Boutique
18. Malin - Beading by Malin de Koning
19. Mary - MK's Creative Musings
20. Maryanne - Zingala's Workshop
21. Melinda - Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs
22. Saskia - Perlendistel
23. Shannon - For My Sweet Daughter
24. Shirley - Beads and Bread
25. Stephanie - Confessions of a Bead Hoader

Fabulous Stash From Cat

Cat spoiled me to rotten with a bunch of yummy beads! We did a trade recently wherein I made necklaces for her girls and she sent me these goodies in return. Thank you soooo much Cat! I love everything to pieces and can you tell I was so excited I had to sergregate them right away?

Pendants & Focals: MOP shells, abalone, polymer clay hearts,ceramic, resin, lampies & a button

Beads & Brass: brass chain & stampings, coin pearls, rondelles, dark blue rounds, alexandrite rounds, bell flowers, freshwater pearls, lucite flowers, mixed glass, seed beads, and cabs

Pearls & Glass Beads: freshwater pearls, glass pearls, frosted teardrops & faceted rectangle beads

BTW, I got the package yesterday and had to use some of the beads immediately! Enjoy beading all!

Leather Wrap Bracelets For Family

It was our domino day yesterday and we played at SIL's house - from 12:30PM to early evening. It was a fun day as usual, not to mention lots of food. MIL made a pound cake - so yummy as she used fresh eggs... SIL prepared fresh fruits - strawberries and pineapple... I brought assorted chocolate cookies... others brought summer sausage, cheese, and girl scout cookies! In between games, we had coffee too - perfect with all those sweets. LOL

Our aunt who custom ordered a "Red Hat Society" theme necklace was there and below is the piece she picked-out.

I was wearing one of my leather wrap bracelets and MIL & SIL loves it so I'm making some for them. SIL prefers black and brown, while MIL wants turquoise.

For SIL

For MIL

And though I love this piece, I think I better add this in my shop as I have way too much wrap bracelets already. This piece is extra long, about 26" - it's quadruple wrap for a 6" wrist or triple wrap for an 8"-8.5" wrist.

I will make more of these wraps once I get smaller stones.:) Enjoy beading all!

Cows And Chickens Of MIL

We were at MIL's yesterday afternoon and I managed to take a few shots of her chickens and cows. She had 50+ chickens orginally but I think they're just 40+ now as some of the baby chicks didn't make it plus coons got some of them. She get so much eggs everyday... needless to say, we've been having fresh farms eggs for months.

DH started to pick up some empty shells this week and he got me 7 pieces so far. Hopefully, the cold weather will be over soon so I can start picking them up myself! Planning to add daggers or bicones with these.

Beady-wise, here's a simple pair of earrings with howlite turquoise, hematite & repurposed faceted glass beads.

Enjoy your weekend all!

Gotta Love Purple

I'm in the mood to play with my purple beads today... and I managed to make 2 simple necklaces. The cabochons will be in my next projects. Gotta love purple!Happy April Fool's Day everybody!

Simple Bridal Earrings

I made these batch of earrings while watching "American Idol" last night. I'm cheering for Thia, Pia, Scotty & Paul.

Enjoy beading all!

Cyber Monday: Spring Ring Swap And Some Beaded Keys

Some of the rings had been mailed and recieved... Vicki advised me that she got the ring I made for her already. I used a obsidian cabochon as focal, netted with seedies.

And here's the pretty ring Evalie made for me. It goes well with my jewelry collection and I'll definitely wear it often. Thank you so much for a lovely ring Evalie - it's perfect in every way!

I'm still busy with my beaded keys. These are some of them - just waiting to be put on a chain or cord. More of these will be shared soon! Enjoy beading all!

Just Assortment Of Earrings

These are some of more than 2 dozens earrings I made recently. I'm trying to finish some "affordable" pieces for my shop and I went for earrings galore!

Don't worry, bead happy everybody!

Something Blue For EtsyNEAT Team Challenge

Today is the reveal date for EtsyNEAT's first team challenge, while voting will follow immediately after all participant post their linkies. The theme is BLUE and my entries are 2 small accessories - a bead embroidered bobby pin and a fiber bracelet.

Don't forget to drop by at our team blog to vote for your favorite embroidered piece!

Fire Mountain Gems Notable Artist Feature

Doing the happy dance! I got an email from FMG that my jewelry making story will be featured at their Facebook page today. If you want the full scoop, you can go directly at the Notable Artists section of FMG site. Thank you so much Diann for letting me know and FMG for making my day!

Beaded Key Series

Thanks to Cat's encouragement, I decided to start a new collection and list them in my shop - "Beaded Key Series". They're my new addiction! I almost beaded all my skeleton keys yesterday so I gotta find the supplier where I got these from. LOL

A Cross & A Wing

A Cross & A Dangle

Baby Pink

A Cross & A Green

Will post more of these on Monday!