Sneak Preview

I have been busy creating! I made this bracelet tonight. I will probably list it in my shop over the weekend...after I get some better pictures.

And after the compliments I received on my pink flower ring, I was inspired to make another ring in that style. This one I will probably save and debut it at the show in a couple of weeks. The pictures just don't do it justice!

And I have to admit...this ring is going to be mine. I hadn't set out to make it for myself. When it was done, I slipped it on my finger and it fit so well. I just can't bring myself to part with it. The good news is that I do have more of the square black beads, so I could (and probably will) make another one.

This week's Featured Artist of the Week is coming soon. I'm a little behind this week. Look for it tomorrow! I have a really good choice picked out!

Woo Hoo...I'm in!

I received a fabulous piece of mail yesterday from the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce. It's official. I have been chosen as one of the over 70 artists for the Annual Graylsake Arts Festival. I had the pleasure of attending the festival last year. It is a wonderful event. Great variety of artists, music and other community sponsored events. (click here for more info) This is the 12th year of the festival, and it is growing every year!

For anyone who is in the area...mark your calendars:

Grayslake Arts Festival 2007
Center Street in historic downtown Grayslake, IL
Saturday, June 16, 2007 10am-5pm

Gemstone Spotlight~ Lapis Lazuli

The gemstone spotlight is a new feature I'm starting. I am not a gemstone expert, so this is all information I have collected. I want to introduce my readers to some gemstones while learning more about them myself.

Lapis Lazuli is one of the hot gemstones for this spring/summer season. This lovely gemstone gets its name from two Latin words; "Lapis" meaning stone, and "Azuli" meaning blue. Lapis Lazuli is sometimes used as a semi-precious substitute for the September birthstone, Sapphire.

Lapis Lazuli is a blue gemstone bearing flecks or feathering in silvery white or brassy yellow The depth of blue color varies greatly as well. The white inclusions are created by white calcite and the brassy inclusions are created by pyrite. The finest Lapis Lazuli has even blue color with little or no veining from other elements.

Does this post leave you craving more knowledge about Lapis Lazuli?? Well then check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_lazuli

http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/lapis.html

Featured artist of the week~ May 23

Bitsy Creations

http://BitsyCreations.etsy.com
Simple graphics, greeting cards & other paper creations

If you've never worked with her before, I have to tell you that Joan of Bitsy Creations is a wonderful, talented artist. I had the pleasure of working with her a few months back, when she made a set of custom thank you cards for me.

Take a moment to browse her shop and you will see a lovely variety of greeting cards, collaged blocks and more.

Purple Hand Stitched Flower Greeting Card

Cherry Blossom Thank You Cards

Hope and Joy Decorative BitsyBlock

Joan also offers business card design along with a number of custom items including stickers, shop banners, address labels and business cards

No matter what the product, BitsyCreations features lovely colors and designs, excellent craftsmanship and friendly service. Take a few minutes to browse her shop and see what she has to offer. Be sure to tell her you saw her here!!

Featured Artist of the Week~ May 16th

This week's featured artist:

LuAnne Payne

of

Silvery Moon Art

LuAnne describes her artwork as whimsical, uplifting and nostalgic. Her artwork is her outlet. Her paintings are primarily acrylic, like the flying pig shown above. She also does lovely collages using some great vintage papers that she has stashed away over the years. Take a look around her shop and you will see quite a few birds, which are my personal favorites in her shop.

Many of her collages are these neat little collage blocks:

Another newer item in her shop is this lovely altered collaged journal, which highlights her talents very well.

Take a minute to browse the rest of LuAnne's shop today and see what she has in store for you! Be sure to tell her that you saw her here!

EtsyBEAD May Trunk Show!!

EtsyBEAD will be holding our monthly trunkshow & sale on May 19-22, 2007!

The May sale will feature

jewelry for brides, bridesmaids and the honeymoon in all prices & styles.

Not looking for bridal jewelry? No problem!

Every piece of jewelry in each participating shop is on sale.

Please see below for a complete list of our participating designers!

Save 10% on all purchases!

Receive a free gift with all purchases over $30!!

Please mention code etsyBEADMay with your order to receive the 10% discount and a free gift with purchases of $30 or more. Sale ends midnight EST on May 22, 2007.

Just some of the participating shops:

Abbey753
http://abbey753.etsy.com
Abbey's Glass Art Beads: Tokens of Love & Friendship

Abelee's Handcrafted Earrings (a Fivetonine.com Production)
http://fivetonine.etsy.com
Well-made, Handcrafted Earrings in Many Beautiful Styles and Colors

BeBopGirl
http://bebopgirl1969jewelry.etsy.com

BeadGalDesigns
http://beadgaldesigns.etsy.com/
Modern Lines, Classic Beauty, Jewelry for Today and Tomorrow

Cassowary Jewelry
http://cassowaryjewelry.etsy.com
Handcrafted Jewelery with Heart

Cavanagh Craft
http://CavanaghCraft.etsy.com

CC Designs
http://ccdesign.etsy.com
Handcrafted Beaded & Wire Jewelry

Chic Bead Girl
http://chicbeadgirl.etsy.com
The perfect accessories for any occasion!

Crysallis Creations
http://CrysallisCreations.etsy.com
Exquisite Gems and Jewels

Dawn's Beaded Delights
http://dawnsbeadeddelights.etsy.com
Casual to Formal Jewelry and Polymer Clay Creations

Designs by Jenean
http://designsbyjenean.etsy.com
Handmade beaded jewelry to accentuate your style.

Kat Crociante
http://katcrociante.etsy.com
Handcrafted freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal jewelry.

KJ Beads
http://kjbeads.etsy.com
Eessential Elements to Accent any Ensemble

GalleriaLinda
http://gallerialinda.etsy.com
Hancrafted Jewelry with Pizzazz!

Intrepid Soulmate
http://intrepidsoulmate.etsy.com
Mama Trep's Designs Beautiful and Affordable Beaded Jewels and Handcrafts

Katy B Designs
http://katybdesigns.etsy.com
Beautiful Gemstone and Crystal Jewelry

Mod Custom Jewelry
http://modcustomjewelry.etsy.com
Custom is our Middle Name

My Friends and Me Design
http://myfriendsandmedesign.etsy.com
Cute Jewelry for Grown-Ups, Teens, Girls, and Dolls

Originals by Lynette
http://Originalsbylynnette.etsy.com
Artistic Crystal and Gemstone Jewelry

Passementerie
http://passementerie.etsy.com
A collection of artisan fine jewelry in Silver, Gold & Platinum

Sapphire Lizard Designs
http://sapphirelizard.etsy.com
Unique jewelry and accessories for every style!

Simple Pleasures Jewelry
http://simplepleasuresbyms.etsy.com
Jewelry and more for all your simple pleasures

Studio Marcy
http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com
Original glass lampwork jewelry combined with other fabulous elements

Time2Cre8
http://time2cre8.etsy.com
Artwork, jewelry, magnets, paper goods, and more!

ZestyB
http://ZestyB.etsy.com
Artist Crafted Jewelry & Accessories

Work in progress

Its not at all uncommon for me to have my hands in several beading projects at a time. Lately though, my mind has been all over the board when it comes to creative energy. So many ideas and not enough hands to be working on them.

Just wanted to share a couple of the pieces that are coming along. The first is a necklace I started last night. It is quite different from the styles you might normally find in my shop. There are 4 heart shaped hemalyke stations and chains of oval jump rings.

The second piece I was working on tonight is one that I've had in mind since I bought these beads weeks ago. When I started, I thought it was going to be a bracelet, but now I'm headed towards a necklace.

I hope to get both of these pieces finished this weekend. That way I can get them photographed in daylight and should have some rocking listings for next week!

Featured Artist of the Week: May 2nd

Zen Breeze

Art Gallery

at

http://laurali.etsy.com




As you enter this lovely shop, the banner says it all...


"Fine Art to Refresh the Soul"


The Zen Breeze Art Gallery features art by Laura Milnor Iverson. I can tell you first hand, that she does fabulous work. I have the privledge of owning one of Laura's handpainted trinket boxes, and it is stunning. Her work is even more remarkable in person than it is in photos.

Laura's art features lovely, serene subjects including butterflies, cherry blossoms, doves and much more. You have the opprtunity to enjoy Laura's art in many forms. She offers limited edition Art Cards, trinket boxes, paintings, and even pendants.

Adorn your home as well as yourself! Stop by today and check out her shop. Tell her you heard about her here.

Zen Breeze Art Gallery

Creativity running rampant!

I cannot wait until I get a chance to sit down with some beads again soon. After a much needed family vacation, I am back and feeling refreshed. I returned from vacation to find my most recent bead order waiting for me. I picked out a few items that are different than my "typical" items. I have a design idea that I think is absolutely fabulous!! It involves some rather large black agate rings and a whole ton of jump rings. This necklace has the potential to make my other work look very traditional. I think its going to rock!!!

Besides this idea, I have all sorts of design ideas coming together in my head. Keep an eye on my shop for some hip new items coming in the next few weeks!!