Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

If today's post seems a bit abbreviated, it's because I have so much to do before I leave for my show in L.A. Also, my daughter is here for a holiday visit, so I'm a bit pressed for time this morning. I'm just going to highlight just one post at a few of my favorite Beadosphere stops today.

There's a very good chance that because of the show, I won't be able to post a Wandering's next week at all, but we'll see.

As ususal, there's something fun and fabulous every day at A Bead A Day, but Lisa's post about her book is the one you absolutely must not miss! Congratulations, Lisa!

After Hours Art Glass shares a collage of new items

Beading Arts - necklace (work in progress) inspired by "Lady of Shalott" by Tennyson

The Beading Gem's Journal is another one that's hard to choose just one post from, since it's full of wonderful ideas and links each week, but I think this one about contemporary style earrings is a good representative sample. Plus, I really need to work on more earrings, so any bit inspiration helps!

BunnyBlogs - I think this is the first time I've mentioned this blog - and this post is a must read. Drea's friend is fostering two girls from Alabama and their story, until now, was heartbreaking.

See Wendy's creation Time Flies from her Rings & Things blog partner items at Craft Dinner.

Davinia shows off the great finds she made the other day and wonders how to seal the finish on some cool beads. If you have a suggestion about that I hope you'll leave a comment on her post at Deez News.

Earthenwood Studios' Melanie shares how she used the Rings & Things wooden chain and Idea-ology clasp in a wonderful necklace

It's hard to pick just one post from Just A Tish this week to feature, but since I seem to be sharing a number of Rings & Things blog partner posts, here's her very cool design using the Idea-ology antiqued plate and chain for a dramatic brooch.

Over at Silver Parrot this week she's been sharing the entries to a design contest (entry deadline is today at 5pm Pacific) she's having, and it's nearly impossible to feature just one post - but this is my favorite entry so far, so it's the one I'll link to.

Nikon Sniper - What might the picture in this post inspire you to make?

Willow Walker asks what you think of her ideas for a name for this gorgeous dichroic glass pendant.

Artbeads blog - Artbeads featured in 2009 Best of Stringing

Beadalon blog - beaded decor

The Beadin' Path - Weekly Beadditude by Dara: Oxidize your own jewelry

Friendly Plastic - I was skeptical until I saw the finished piece

Objects & Elements - announcing their new ICE resin site

Ornamentea - Thrifty & swiftie gifties

Rings & Things - 5 Favorite Things

SoftFlexGirl November Spotlight - and a "Double Feature", read about The Beadin' Path, their featured store!

In case you don't visit again beforehand, Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful that you share some of your time with me and doubly thankful for the great friends I've made around the Beadosphere this year.

Supplier Sales Saturday

Well, Thanksgiving is just five days away and Christmas is 5 weeks off. I'll be out of town, seeing my family and displaying my jewelry at LosCon after that. My husband and daughter are staying home, so it won't be a perfect holiday, but I'm certainly looking forward to it.

"Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" are looming - me, I plan to do a lot of shopping on-line, but I'll be driving home on Cyber Monday, so I guess I'll miss those deals. Meanwhile, you don't have to miss a one of these!

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abeadstore.com Save 20% on All Items within this category. You must enter the coupon code ABSSUPERSALE as you check out. Offer expires on November 25th. Coupon codes also appear on the home page, D100 for 10% off orders of $100 or more and D250 for 15% off orders of $250 or more. You can bookmark their blog "Daily Bead Buzz" or get the info via email Newsletter, signup at this link for notice of special offers.

*Limited to items within the category and to the stock on hand. Only one coupon per order please. Valid only at abeadstore.com.

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If you're into mixed media the Alpha Stamps site has some great supplies and project ideas for Christmas. Right now Adirondack alcohol inks in singles and sets are on sale, scroll further down that page for the paint dabbers, also on sale.

If you want to see everything on sale at AlphaStamps, it's all on one page, too. If you're not familiar with AlphaStamps, you need do visit right away. Even if you never work with anything but beads, stones and findings, you'll still want to visit. They've got findings and charms and more stuff you can use. Sign up for their newsletter here.

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Lots to see over at Artbeads with new ZambaPro Metallite metallized plastic beads and 70 new Natural Treasures products. There is a great newsletter special going on, so you'll want to subscribe right away, it expires Nov. 27th. The weekly coupon is 5% off $75 or more SCW5P-75, expires at 9am (PST) on Friday, November 27, 2009.

Finally, check the Clearance items & Weekly Specials. - there's just too much stuff on sale to list here.

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Purchase $30 worth of Gift Cards from The Beadin' Path in any combination, and receive a $10 shopping voucher. Offer expires Wednesday, December 24th by 12pm noon EST. Shopping vouchers will be handed out or emailed at time of gift card purchase. Vouchers can be redeemed from January 1st, 2010 - March 1st, 2010. One $10 voucher for every $30 worth of gift cards purchased. Be sure to check the their "Sizzlin' Sale Beads" too.

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ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Select 14k gold filled, plated and vermeil. Save 10% on items sold within this category. You must enter the coupon code CJSGOLDBEST. Offer expires Nov. 27th.

*Discount will be applied after entering the coupon.Limited to stock on hand. Only one coupon per order please. Valid only at ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com.

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Consumercrafts.com Use promo code GR83PBZ and save 15% on all purchases. Valid thru 11/30/09. Promotion can not be combined with any other promotion. Find their discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

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Create for Less: Use promo code GR83PBZ and save 15% on all purchases through November 30th. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

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D&I Beads 40% off all orders $35.00 or more. Enter code:THANKSGIVINGSPECIAL40 This offer expires on November 27th, 2009.

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Dreamtime Creations - Follow them on Twitter for their Twitter only specials (currently running at 10% off coupon). Sign up for the newsletter to get their offers as they come out.

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Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry use the code, TURKEY in the comments box in the shopping cart during checkout to receive 25% off your entire purchase of beads, findings and jewelry. The discount does NOT apply to shipping fees.

Shop through Thanksgiving weekend. This Thanksgiving Sale is only valid between 12:01 am, Friday, November 20 and 11:59 pm, Sunday, November 29.

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Earthstone - Check the sales pages for the "last few strands" of limited items. Quite a variety of stones I don't see everywhere.

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Fusionbeads.com - 20% of on their entire collection of sterling silver finished chains through Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, 12 noon PST.

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A Grain of Sand - German Polka Dot beads are 25% off. Orders over $75 get free shipping within the U.S. There's also the Jabber Blabber Specials and Closeouts to take note of.

*This special does not include *net priced items or closeouts.

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JewelrySupply.com weekly sales refresh every Monday and Closeouts are offered while supplies last. Newsletter sign up is here.

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Lima Beads Lunch Specials are great deals you can take advantage of every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

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Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was Apetite last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing. Additional, generous, discount codes (10% break at $75) can be found on the closeout page, too if you scroll down.

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At Rings & Things you can see all the specials and sales on one page.The 5-day sale is scheduled to start on Nov. 25th, haven't seen anything that suggests otherwise.

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Sedonastones.com - Check the Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

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I get the weekly newsletter from Shipwreck Beads as well. I don't recall seeing any coupons or discounts, though. They do offer flat rate UPS shipping for $5 in the 48 contiguous states and a huge selection. Plus every week newsletter subscribers have a chance at a prize drawing of at least $250. Every now and then it's $1000 (This coming Friday, for example). On January 1, 2010 they'll announce the winner of their $2500 shopping spree. Sign up for the newsletter here.

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Soft Flex is having 72 hr Holiday Sales, Mondays thru Thursdays. For a really deep discount, try the cool "Mystery Package" spend $25 for $100 worth of materials.

Sign up for the Soft Flex newsletter email to get Early Bird specials and advance notices + other fun news.

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Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

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Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!

Friday Pick - Just A Tish

Normally for my Friday Picks (when I do them), I feature selections of beads from suppliers, but today I'm going to kick off a new feature where my Friday Pick is an artisan. In the future I'll feature the glass, stone and ceramic artists whose beads have caught my eye and been incorporated in my designs. For the premier pick, I've chosen Just A Tish, whose work I greatly admire and am proud to own.

Tish is a true friend of beaders and jewelry artists - she's so supportive and eager to share her knowledge, trials and tribulations and promote others, too. She's often given me ideas that encourage me to try something new, take a chance, be a bit less straight-laced about designs.

Tish has had her designs published numerous times in Bead Trends and has done jewelry for fashion shows and gallery shows. She also has her work at Gifts With A Heart, in Raleigh, North Carolina and other stores, including one here in California (Sherman Oaks). I need to find out what store so I can stop in when I'm down in Southern California!

Back in October, I was the *very* lucky winner of drawing at Just A Tish's Facebook fan page. Do click that link and be a fan of hers, if you're not already - she's had great offers and giveaways there.

The prize I received was a gorgeous heat treated agate pendant that Just A Tish had made. It is adorned with garnet, citrine, crystal and sterling charms. I've been looking for just the right beads to make a necklace to hang it on and the other day at Lima Beads I found these gorgeous 6mm faceted carnelian rounds which looked like a good match and turned out to be perfect. I've put some sterling silver saucer spacers from Artbeads in the mix, too.

So, Tish, I hope you know how special you are and how much of an inspiration you are to me! Thank you for the encouragement you give and the beauty you create. Here's my new favorite necklace:

See her work for sale at Just A Tish's online store, check out what's new on her blog, and at Facebook (check out the photo albums, too!). And, if you're on Twitter she's @JustATish.

See you tomorrow for the Supplier Sales Saturday feature!

Rhodonite & Filigree Necklace

I have had this rhodonite oval bead glued to a four leaf filigree from Accessories Susan, in which I had curled each of the leaves into a tube shape, sitting on my worktable for ages. I liked the idea, just wasn't sure where to go with it.

Then I found these huge rhodonite ovals at Michael's and thought I'd try making it into a pendant that hung under the filigree piece. I used the same chain and a long eyepin to attach it. I thought it looked too plain, but I wore it anyway to see if it got any notice. Didn't get a peep.

Got home and set it on the table to ponder it some more. Then I got the idea to embellish the huge oval somehow, maybe use some filigree to wrap around it. Finally decided to glue an embossed sterling silver plated filigree piece to it and added a little rhinestone to the center. I think I'm going to add some clear Swarovski bicones and filigree tube links on the chain next.

This has been a very busy week at work and when I'm home I'm pretty tired, although I do manage to do a piece or two each night. As I mentioned yesterday I was focusing on bracelets and meant to get some earrings done, but I keep making new bracelets - I'll show them and possibly a new necklace, if I finish it in time, tomorrow.

The countdown clock is ticking away - I'm starting to obsess about my display now, and how I'll get it all in the car for the long drive to L.A. Since my daughter is coming up over the weekend to spend Thanksgiving week here, I'll have to clear all my stuff out of her bedroom which doubles as a photography "studio" and storage for all my displays and other related stuff. The dining room is going to be overwhelmed since it will become my staging area until I pack it up for next Wednesday's trip.

Hope you'll drop by again tomorrow!

Mid-Week Mutterings - Bracelet Frenzy!

As promised, here's most of the output (aside from the Beadin' Path design partner bracelets I showed the other day) of my bracelet frenzy this weekend. There's one more I hadn't put the clasp on to and I've got a couple under construction, as well.

I wanted to work from the fall color palette, so I kept it close at hand as I selected the beads for these. I did consider mixing it up a bit in terms of using contrasting colors in the bracelets, but ended up only doing the one (in the center) with two colors that I wouldn't have normally put together. The bracelets feature a lot of gold filled beads and gemstones (except for the two on the far right and the copper one on the far left). I also liked the way the on the mookaite strand were pretty random, so I strung that bracelet straight off the strand with gold filled spacers between each faceted rondelle.

I used CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements bicones in each design, except for the two directly to the right and left of center, the pearls in the far left and third from the left are Swarovski, but the ones on the amethyst bracelet (second from left) are freshwater cultured pearls.

Which are your favorites? I really like them all, but I think my favorite is the dark brown and antique brass. The copper with carnelian and the mookaite ones are my next favorite.

I'm pretty close to having what I think is a fairly decent inventory of bracelets, so I may focus on earrings for a while. My inclination is to make sets - earrings that match either my necklaces, lanyards or bracelets - what do you think?

Tuesday Tidbits - Re-worked Rings & Things Blog Partner Design

I mentioned in the post last week about using the "M - Moments" charm that I wasn't quite satisfied with how it turned out. The other night I sat down and re-worked it. I'm now much more pleased:

I've moved the second gear to the same side as the first and used two large faceted carnelian stones with a couple additional CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements Red Magma bicones to the other side. It's still got balance but the effect is definitely asymmetrical. To close the chain I turned the large 'spinner' into a toggle to go through the gear - may need to use a smaller spinner, though. The copper "M" Moments Muse Token and spinners that were part of the package Rings & Things sent, the rest of the items were in my stash. Gears came from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology collection.

I made a bracelet that sort of coordinates, but I'm thinking about using more copper gears and the carnelian to make one that's more in line with this design.

Speaking of bracelets, come back tomorrow to see the bracelet frenzy part 2 post!



FTC compliance disclosure notice of material connections: All items referenced in this post were personally purchased, with the exception of the Idea-ology Muse Token & Idea-ology spinner, which were provided by Rings & Things as a promotional gift in exchange for my design ideas and/or review of the product.

Monday Miscellany - Beadin' Path Design Partner Baby Blues

Later in the week I'll share more about it, but this weekend I was in a bracelet frenzy. I've got tons of necklaces and lanyards for the show next week (yikes!) but not many bracelets, and I could use some earrings, too.

So today I'll share the bracelets I made with the vintage baby blue German glass faceted beads The Beadin' Path sent me in my recent Design Partner batch (the bag on the right in the picture below). By the way, the only beads left from that batch that I still haven't figured out what to do with are the opaque baby blue "bones and pods" strand (second from the right). Yep, that's what they look like to me and they're driving me crazy. I've got an idea for the yellow disk beads (second from left) but I haven't started working on it yet - maybe later this week.

Anyway, I made 6 bracelets so far from the faceted baby blue vintage glass. They still need to be finished, but it's getting late and I need to get this post done so I can go to bed! I'll add the clasps to them soon.

For the ones above, along with the vintage glass beads, I used CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements opaque turquoise bicones, sterling floral bead caps, silver beads and a faceted glass roundel in the one on the left. The one in the middle has the faceted, rounded cube and bicone beads I got last year in Fayetteville, NC plus silver, and the last one has Beadin' Path sea-glass style beads and silver. You can probably tell the vintage faceted beads have an iridescent coating, but the picture doesn't do it justice (nor to the iridescence of the rounded cube beads).

The bracelet on the left above, uses gold filled disk spacers and beads with the vintage glass. The center one has Golden Shadow CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements bicones and gold beads. The one on the right has copper bead caps and Padparadscha CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements bicones. I wanted to use a really different color and thought the unusual pink/red of Padparadscha made a very interesting contrast and looks nice with copper.

I have really enjoyed working out how to use the Beadin' Path beads over the last few weeks - they've been challenging, but once I got an idea, it was a lot of fun trying to make it work out. If only I could figure out what to do with those bones and pods. I've still got plenty of the faceted blue beads, so one of those bracelets may have a matching necklace, soon.

Hope you'll be back tomorrow - I think I'll write about the rest of the bracelet frenzy and show you what came of it.




FTC compliance disclosure notice of material connections: All items referenced in this post, with the exception of the vintage glass baby blue faceted vintage German glass beads provided to me for use as a Design Partner, were personally purchased.

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

Another beautiful fall Sunday here in Silicon Valley. It's cool and clear outside, the leaves on the little pear tree out back have changed and are starting to fall. Here's hoping the talented residents of the Beadosphere are having a similarly lovely day. Let's see what they've been up to this week!

A Bead A Day kicks off a week of sharing her Rings & Things blog partner items with "Forevermore" and wraps it up with a really beautiful bracelet she made using a number of the goodies.

Bead Origami made it to the Rings & Things traveling bead show.

Beading Gem's Journal - the week's "bookends" were Fabric Jewelery Tutorial links and Wire Wrapping Cabochon Tutorial links but in-between are some incredible designs using Swarovski, LED lights and a lovely pair if earrings to go with a leopard skin patterned wood bead necklace.

Wendy at Craft Dinner has been having a winning week! First it was cool goodies from HHH Enterprises, then the Rings & Things Guest Blog Partner drawing! She's also a regular Beadin' Path design partner and shared about the cool Lucite beads she just received.

Also Mrs.B at The Daily Whine posted a while back and I missed it, but she's planning to compete in the Rings & Things "Your Designs Rock" contest

Across the ocean at Deez News, Davinia's creating new earrings with interesting materials and her usual flair.

ErtheFae's "ArtBead" day, Elvensoul featured at the Art Bead Scene, and a coupon code you can use from Artbeads.com.

Just A Tish found inspiration on Sesame Street, had an idea in her head work out perfectly using her Rings & Things blog partner goodies - the wood chain creating the perfect backdrop to copper chain and gorgeous stones, very early morning beading, "life saving" memory wire and a reminder that the Bead Trends May deadline is nearly upon us!

Ladybead talks about Twitter.

Silver Parrot got her Rings & Things goodies, shares a lovely pink lampwork bead necklace, and the Friday bead porn post should definitely be on your weekly reading list.

Smutopia explains her recent lack of posts - it's *very* good news, congratulations Jessica!

WillowWalker's been very busy! Check out every day, but my favorites were Ice Queen, Eclipse, and Aurora. It's not only that she makes gorgeous dichroic fused glass focals, but the wire work she finishes them with is so beautifully done.

Artbeads Blog - A cool program for beaders with Nintendo DS, beautiful fairy themed necklace by Andrew Thornton using one of the lovely painted onyx focals.

Beadalon Blog - a great idea for finishing off a multi strand necklace.

Friendly Plastic - Contest going on, ends the 18th.

Objects & Elements shares cool texturizing techniques & a great torch safety post.

Ornamentea's Shiny Little Things blog challenges you to try mixed metals.

Rings & Things blog featured "shellies" last week.

SoftFlexGirl announced the winner of the drawing, shared a "how to" post link for "Lucky Earth" necklace, and shared some fashion clips featuring designer love for yellow this fall.

Supplier Sales Saturday - Bargains for Making Holiday Gifts & Crafts

11 days 'til Thanksgiving! Which also means 42 days until Christmas (I think - math was never my strong suit). If you're thinking of making someone a special gift, or perhaps decorating your home, here are the latest bargains and coupon deals from over 20 suppliers of craft and jewelry supplies.

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abeadstore.com Save 10% on all Czech glass items in this promotions category*. Enter the coupon code ABSCZECHGLASS as you check out. Offer ends November 18th. Coupon codes also appear on the home page, D100 for 10% off orders of $100 or more and D250 for 15% off orders of $250 or more. You can bookmark their blog "Daily Bead Buzz" or get the info via email Newsletter, signup at this link for notice of special offers.

*Limited to items within the category and to the stock on hand. Only one coupon per order please. Valid only at abeadstore.com.

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If you're into mixed media the Alpha Stamps site has some great supplies and project ideas for Christmas. Right now Adirondack alcohol inks in singles and sets are on sale, scroll further down that page for the paint dabbers, also on sale.

If you want to see everything on sale at AlphaStamps, it's all on one page, too. If you're not familiar with AlphaStamps, you need do visit right away. Even if you never work with anything but beads, stones and findings, you'll still want to visit. They've got findings and charms and more stuff you can use. Sign up for their newsletter here.

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Lots to see over at Artbeads: "Cornocopia of Crystal" sale - save up to 35% on their top 500 Swarovski products. Also, the weekly coupon is a good one, save 15% on select holiday items when you use coupon code SCW15P-HIS at checkout. Coupon expires at 9am (PST) on Tuesdsay, November 17, 2009. Only one coupon may be used per order.

Buy More Save More Coupon codes: $5 off orders from $40 to $75 - SCW5D-40, $10 off orders from $75 to $100 - SCW10D-75, $15 off orders from $100 to $150 - SCW15D-100, $25 off orders over $150 - SCW25D-150. Coupons expires at 9am (PST) on Thursday, November 19, 2009. Only one coupon may be used per order*.

"Saturday Night Bead Fever" newsletter subscriber special through Thursday, Nov. 19th, Subscribe to the newsletter for that offer and other exclusive newsletter deals.

Finally, check the Clearance items & Weekly Specials. - there's just too much stuff on sale to list here.

*Please note: This e-coupon is ONLY for orders placed directly on the website. Only one coupon may be used per order. Smaller orders CANNOT be combined to qualify for the discount. Coupons cannot be applied to the purchase of Gift Certificates or Gift Cards. All orders placed with coupons that include either of these items along with additional products will be reviewed and discounts will be adjusted as needed.

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The Beadin Path has "Sizzlin' Sale Beads" and a new batch of limited vintage glass. You can get 5% off purchase of $50 or more using coupon code NEWIN*. Also, Spend $50 on Lucite and get $5 off using coupon code LUCLRN at checkout.**

*Offer expires Tuesday night, November 17th at 11:59pm EST or store close. Offer valid to both retail & wholesale customers & valid for in-stock merchandise only. Coupon does not apply to beading classes, Beads-in-the-Mail-Club memberships, or gift cards or gift certificates. Merchandise is always limited when dealing with vintage, so orders are filled on a first placed, first filled basis.

**Details: Offer valid to both retail & wholesale customers, for one time use. Discount will be applied to Lucite items purchased "online only" at BeadinPath.com. Offer extended to Monday, November 16, 2009, at midnight EST.

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ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Sterling Silver beads, findings, wire & chain. Save 10% through November 20, on items within the category*, including crimps, round beads, rings, head pins, crimp covers, etc. You’ll also find some specialty items like pearl enhancers, pinch bails and ear clips.
Coupon code CJSSSBEST.

*Discount will be applied after entering the coupon.Limited to stock on hand. Only one coupon per order please. Valid only at ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com.

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Consumercrafts.com Use promo code GR83PBZ and save 15% on all purchases. Valid thru 11/30/09. Promotion can not be combined with any other promotion. Find their discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

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Create for Less: Holiday Sale on Sulyn products (looks like a lot of glitter and 'spangles') plus save up to 70% off when you shop the CreateForLess Clearance Department. Craft, scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Save on idea books, patterns, paper, stickers and more. Quantities are limited. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

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D&I Beads 40% off all orders $35.00 or more. Enter code:THANKSGIVINGSPECIAL40 This offer expires on November 27th, 2009

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Dreamtime Creations - Follow them on Twitter for their Twitter only specials (currently running at 10% off coupon). They're running a sale on Iron-on Christmas Appliques for 25% off, and place any order over $50.00 you can choose to receive free piece of sterling silver jewelry as a gift.

They've got a limited amount of Swarovski sew-on emerald margarita beads (great for Christmas tree earrings) - not on sale, but apparently a discontinued, and hard to find item, that may sell out quickly, so I thought I'd mention it here.

Sign up for the newsletter to get their offers as they come out.

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Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry 10% off Bead & Findings orders over $150. Free 1st Class Shipping for orders $50 and up (US). Doesn't look like a coupon code is necessary.

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Earthstone - Check the sales pages for the "last few strands" of limited items. Quite a variety of stones I don't see everywhere.

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Fusionbeads.com - save 10% on beading hoops you can use to make holiday stemmed glass markers at FusionBeads.com through Nov. 16, 2009, 12 noon PST

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A Grain of Sand - in their latest "Jabber Blabber" newsletter (subscribe) they're promoting a "Sparkle Special"! for 10% of all regularly priced Swarovski Crystal as well as the new and very popular Swarovski crystal encrusted filigree beads, through November 20th.

To take advantage of this special, write the words "Sparkle Special" in the comment section during the checkout of your online order*. You have to ask for the special to receive the special, they will add the discount during the processing of your order so you will not see it until the shipping confirmation. There's also the Jabber Blabber Specials and Closeouts to take note of.

*This special does not include *net priced items or closeouts.

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JewelrySupply.com weekly sales refresh every Monday and Closeouts are offered while supplies last. Newsletter sign up is here.

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Lima Beads Lunch Specials are great deals you can take advantage of every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

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Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was 15 to 30% off Turquoise beads last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing. Additional, generous, discount codes (10% break at $75) can be found on the closeout page, too if you scroll down.

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Rings & Things - 5-day sale on #5000 faceted round beads by CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements ends tomorrow.

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Sedonastones.com - Check the Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

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I get the weekly newsletter from Shipwreck Beads as well. I don't recall seeing any coupons or discounts, though. They do offer flat rate UPS shipping for $5 in the 48 contiguous states and a huge selection. Plus every week newsletter subscribers have a chance at a prize drawing of at least $250. Every now and then it's $1000. On January 1, 2010 they'll announce the winner of their $2500 shopping spree. Sign up for the newsletter here.

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Soft Flex is having 72 hr Holiday Sales, Mondays thru Thursdays. For a really deep discount, try the cool "Mystery Package" spend $25 for $100 worth of materials.

Sign up for the Soft Flex newsletter email to get Early Bird specials and advance notices + other fun news.

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Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

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Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!

Vintage Glass & Gold Beading Chain Necklace, Plus Another Last Minute Creation

Last night I was looking over the rest of The Beadin' Path vintage glass (pictured above) - there was still a strand of light blue opaque glass and the bag of faceted light blue iridescent finish beads (far right), a strand of yellow & white glass disks (second from left), and a strand of red fluted roundels in the same shape and size as the amber colored ones I'd used the other day (in the center).

Since I had a good amount of those amber glass fluted roundels, I thought I'd see what I could come up with using them with the red ones. As I was staring at them trying to think of what I might design, I remembered I'd bought a set of lovely lampwork autumn leaves and matching spacer beads from Mermaid Glass and thought those would look lovely with the red and gold.

First I strung them on beading wire, but then I thought it would be interesting to try using some gold filled beading chain I had. The spacers are gold vermeil daisies. The round bit that finished the end that the lobster claw clasp is on is a Scrimp cable-end from Beadalon. The necklace is 18" long.

I'm very fond of this necklace and look forward to showing it off.

Speaking of showing off...this morning I had some extra time before work, so I decided to make a bracelet to complement the copper and green glass necklace lanyard I had picked out to wear. Took about 30 - 35 minutes because I used wrapped loops. I am thinking about adding some Swarovski to it - I've got some huge bicones (10 or 12 mm) I picked up at Global Beads - I forgot to ask the color, they have an AB finish and are a orange-y tone, perhaps the color is "sun" but I'm not sure. The fancy antiqued interlocking arcs copper beads and bright, smooth copper spheres (no longer listed) are from Lima Beads and the chain is from Michael's. I've had the clasp in my stash for some time and don't recall where I got it.

I seem to get some pretty good ideas when I'm trying to figure out what to wear to work.

Do come back tomorrow for a great list of sales and bargains tomorrow!




FTC compliance disclosure notice of material connections: All items referenced in this post, with the exception of the red and gold vintage glass beads provided by The Beadin' Path, were personally purchased.

A Handmade Holiday Giveaway and Two Limited Time Sales

Taking today and maybe Friday, too, off from my usual post about a design or two and showing some pictures of the work. I'll be back on Saturday with my usual Supplier Sales post. Before I go, there are a few things I wanted to mention, though.

1st is the giveaway at Create for Less - "Handmade Holidays Drawing"

Send us your best handmade holiday creation, from Christmas cards and ornaments to holiday gifts and home décor. We can't wait to see your holiday creativity! Simply pick out your favorite holiday project, enter below and you could win a $100 CreateForLess shopping spree!

Entry form link

The second is Rings & Things 5-day sale is going on now through Sunday, and it's a 15% off price on Swarovsky round beads. If you're thinking of making really special holiday jewelry as gifts or to dress up your holiday party outfits, this is a good deal to take advantage of!

Lastly, The Beadin' Path is having a sale special through this Saturday only on their Lucite items. If you're not subscribed to their newsletter mailing list (the sign-up box is on the home page), you're missing out not only on deals like today's, but also on great information. For example, the current email is all about the what, where, when and how of The Beadin' Path's fabulous collection of vintage Lucite - the story of how they found their vintage Lucite flowers is really interesting!

Oh, and the sale? Spend $50 on Lucite and get $5 off. Order $50 or more Lucite using coupon code LUCLRN at checkout and get $5 off. Valid to both retail & wholesale customers, for one time use. Discount will be applied to Lucite items purchased "online only" at BeadinPath.com. Offer expires Saturday, November 14, 2009, at midnight EST.

Normally I do sales info on Saturday, but since both of these sales are ending over the weekend, I didn't want you to miss out.

Mid-Week Mutterings - Can't Decide...

Before I start with the bead stuff - as the granddaughter, daughter and sister of veterans, and the mother of a soldier on active duty, my honor, respect and prayers to all who have served and the families who stand beside them.

I can't decide if the picture below looks Christmas-y or more like a vegetable medley with cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. I'm finding the results of my design efforts tonight rather unsatisfying.

So here's how this evening's play with the vintage glass from The Beadin' Path went. I stared at the red set of beads. Remembered that I had a little box of what I think of as 'real' green beads I had bought last December and used in Christmas lanyards. Got those out. Strung the middle strand, above, using the red flower and "berries" beads from the vintage glass strand with the green beads.

I thought it was ok, but since there weren't enough for a strand longer than 12 inches, I figured I'd do a multi strand and attach it to something longer - ribbon, chain, wasn't sure then nor now. So I grab the faceted white opaque vintage glass I'd gotten in last month's Bead of the Month package from The Beadin' Path and strung those with the 'pod' beads and some red flower disk spacers - top strand above.

Maybe I should have stopped there, but I decided one more strand. Got out the only opaque red and white beads I thought might work - some diagonally drilled cubes and oval twists. Strung those with the green.

I think there's too much green too close together and that the size of the beads in the bottom strand needs to be bigger to balance out the larger white and red beads of the top strand. It's back to the drawing board. This time I work the pods in with smaller beads and the faceted white beads (which I'm starting to think of as snowballs) on the bottom with red diagonally drilled cubes.

And, nope, again. Sigh.

I'm too tired to try again tonight, but I'll keep working on this. The current thinking is the green and red strand will have to go, but I like it so I'll figure out a way to make it into a longer single strand piece.

Of course none of this is the fault of the beads - both the red set and the white strand are lovely and I enjoy working with beads that have history, which these vintage beads certainly have.

More tomorrow!




FTC compliance disclosure notice of material connections: All items referenced in this post, with the exception of the red vintage glass beads, were personally purchased.

Tuesday Tidbit - Rings & Things Goodies Have Arrived!

Yep, like a few of my fellow Beadospherians, I too have received my blog partner package from Rings & Things. There was much squeeing involved when I spotted it waiting for me.

I want to do a fuller post about the wonderful items, (and as you can see from Just A Tish's post, there were a lot of great goodies) but I didn't have a lot of time this evening*, so I'll just show you what I was immediately inspired to do with the copper "M" Moments Muse Token and spinners that were part of the package. The other items in the necklace were already in my stash from various places - the Swarovski red magma bicones, the Tim Holtz Idea-ology gears, and some copper chain. The piece is much longer than shown because I pulled it up to fit better on the smaller display bust I have in my workroom.

*I write almost all my posts the night before they publish.

Now, this is just a quick first pass at using the Muse Token. I have to let it "age" a bit while I stare at it and figure out what I want to do. The first thing that came to mind, after just a few minutes of pondering, is that I want to do it asymmetrically instead, and I'm probably going to add other crystal embellishments, maybe some pearls, and perhaps another chain. I think one of those open gears might be good as part of a toggle closure, or paired with a copper hook.

There are a number of ideas I've had for using the Moments charm, and I may indeed remove it (temporarily) to try those ideas out. The Idea-ology pieces have a nice patina and full packages come in three metal colors: antique brass, antique silver and antique copper. I'm not sure, however, whether they are the actual metal or a plating - I suspect plating but I haven't sacrificed a piece to check that.

The pieces are one sided, and the back side is textured, which I think is a drawback when used as a charm on a bracelet or on earrings. In a necklace it's not so much of an issue. The gears and keyholes are rather large, so whatever you make with them is going to be pretty bold. I like the delicacy of using gears from watches in my steampunk style pieces, but the Idea-ology line isn't a bad option, just a bit more 'mass market-y'.

One other thing from the goodies I'll mention before I wrap this up, is a length of ebony wood chain. The links are *huge*, the larger one is almost 1¾" long and the smaller one is 11/16 ". This may very well strain my comfie zone excruciatingly before I come up with a design, but I'm excited about the challenge. As a matter of fact, I got a length of brown polyester chain in my Beads in the Mail club package from The Beadin' Path the other day, and I have a glimmer of an idea about using it and the wooden chain together...we'll see.

I hope to have more time tomorrow night to take some additional pictures and discuss the rest of the Rings & Things items, so I hope you'll return for my Mid-Week Mutterings!





FTC compliance disclosure notice of material connections: All items referenced in this post were personally purchased, with the exception of the Idea-ology Muse Token, Idea-ology spinner and Ebony wood chain, which were provided by Rings & Things as a promotional gift in exchange for my design ideas and/or review of the product.

Today's post sponsored by:

Dawno

Sell Handmade

Monday Miscellany - Vintage Glass and a Lovely Chunk of Amber

I've been playing with the amber colored vintage Czech glass that The Beadin' Path sent me as a design partner, below, between the yellow and red.

Like the yellow glass, I spent a lot of time trying various combinations until I saw something that I thought would work. Then I went to my stash of amber colored glass beads looking for complementary beads to fill out the design. I'm not 100% sure of the leaves - what do you think?

The beehive shaped beads and the saucer shaped beads are from the Beadin Path, the amber nugget and larger bead caps are from my local bead store, Global Beads. There are also tiny bead caps from Artbeads in there. The other glass beads were from Blue Moon assortments bought at Michael's.

some additional shots you can click on to see more detail:

After I finished this and photographed it, I did some photos of a couple necklace lanyards. I also worked on descriptions, the main photos for some other listings and a couple other little touches. I'm trying to get all of my work into my ArtFire shop. You can see the new listings in the Rapid Cart below my signature.

Until tomorrow -

Dawno

Sell Handmade

FTC compliance disclosure notice of material connections: All items referenced in this post, with the exception of the vintage glass 'beehive' and 'saucer shaped beads', were personally purchased for the express purpose of creating this necklace.

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

Have you adjusted to Standard Time yet? Even after a whole week I'm still taken aback somewhat when it gets dark early. I've never been a morning person so taking advantage of the extra light at 6 or 7 am really doesn't work for me. Driving home in the dark from work isn't much fun either. Fortunately, there's no need to worry about the time of day around the Beadosphere, it's always brightly lit!

A Bead A Day went 'froggy' to kick off her week! I remember learning about frog closures when I was 11 or 12 and living in Taiwan. Many of the traditional Chinese clothing had lovely, embellished frog buttons on them. I may have gotten my fascination with macrame from thinking how cool it would be to learn how to create the knot buttons! It's been Arts & Crafts Week all week, so be sure to check each day's fun post on a different crafty topic.

I loved this week over at The Beading Gem. Read about bead addiction (I'm not addicted, I can stop anytime...yeah, right), neutral jewelry design and don't miss her post on the Maharaja Exhibition - lots of great pictures of the dazzling gems of India's Maharaja's.

Over (Under? Davinia's in Australia) at Deez News she expresses her dislike of "the drawing board" as in, back to the...how well I know that feeling! The lovely earrings from bits of a disassembled garland are gorgeous - a bit of ink, a smudge of 'silver rub and buff' (I need some of that!) and the result is delightful.

Wish a happy belated birthday to Melanie at Earthenwood Studios and check out the lovely ceramic art beads she's created. She also posted about the latest Art Bead Scene challenge and her "double challenge" offer which is a sweet prize of some of her latest beads!

Speaking of the Art Bead Scene challenge, ErtheFae's been inspired to submit this month - take a peek at her submission which uses one of the darling elf faces from Earthenwood Studios.

An Intergalactic Bead Show! As a nearly life-long fan of all things Science Fiction, (started in second grade, officially but probably got hooked earlier, or else why did I buy The Lost Race of Mars from Scholastic Book Club at school that day?) that would have definitely been my destination last week, if I lived near enough to go - Just A Tish got to visit, so I'll have to just enjoy it vicariously! Tish also shares her latest Rings & Things blogger review package (mine's not here yet and I'm so sad!) and lovely Beadin' Path design partner results, too - love what she's doing with the carnelian!

Ladybead's blog was new last week to my weekly round up and this week you can check out some special items for weddings - like custom invitation designs and wedding garters.

Margot Potter is so energetic I get a great workout just clicking through her posts! (Wouldn't that be wonderful if you *could* burn hundreds of calories reading blogs? I'd lose 30lbs on my Sunday postings alone). Margot and her daughter got featured in an ad, tells how she made the adorable Mom & Daughter shirts you see in the ad, gives a sneak peek at two of the designs she'll be doing a PBS Creative Living show segment about, is doing a subscription to Totally Creative Magazine giveaway (post your comment before Thursday!), and then she was off to QVC! *whew*

Orion Designs shared a necklace the other day with a very unusual (to me) focal stone - 'stitchite' That led me on a merry chase (via Google) looking for suppliers selling that stone.

Silver Parrot took the Humblebeads challenge and shared her work last week. Check out her use of ribbon as a bail, unusual use of findings and horizontal focal posts. As a bit of an interlude hope you enjoy her adventure at the deli counter as much as I did, and of course, bead porn! I wonder if she looks at her analytics to see what kind of searches end up on that post when she does them... :-)

All week long WillowWalker has been sharing her lovely "Create Art Every Day" challenge posts - do go look at her beautiful glass work (I love these adorable pink earrings)!

I'm sorry to report that there have been no posts from Smutopia or Shoozles last week - hope they come back soon!

Over at Artbeads there's a lovely "I Remember Summer" charm bracelet and some Holiday Card inspiration.

Beadalon is offering a giveaway if you comment on the Swarovski flatback + gluable bail post - ends either today or tomorrow, so get over there. Yes, even if I lower my chances to win, you should check it out. Also, there's a Katie Hacker's post about color as beading inspiration.

The Beadin' Path's Dara has a great post about the history of La Peregrina Pearl, from Mary I of England to Elizabeth Taylor.

Clever new uses for Friendly Plastic are shared at The Art of Friendly Plastic blog. Even if you don't use the product, it's got inspiration, especially around color.

Jeanette Blix (Fundametals.net) talks about riveting.

Objects and Elements - PEPE tools for dapping and cutting metals and simple and stunning designs.

Ornamentia (aka. shinylittlethings) shares Elaine Ray designs and a lovely pearls and ribbon necklace tutorial.

Rings & Things - Do you know about CERF? Now you do! Plus, snowflakes and *sigh* Swarovski price bump is coming. But the best post is about the winner of their guest blog partner drawing - Wendy Gibson! Congrats, Wendy!

SoftFlexGirl featured guest blogger Jamie Hogsett's DIY paper box instructions, shared their banner ads for the Flex Your Creativity contest (lookie! My design got on one of the ads!!*faint*), reminded you about the giveaway drawing for new Soft Flex Trios variety packs (winners announced on Nov 9th, so hurry!) *and* a contest for designing with recyclable materials!

Well, that's it for this week. I keep adding new blogs to follow and trying to share interesting posts with you from each of them, hope it's useful! Let me know if you have a blog you follow I could mention next time.

If you like keeping up with the Beadosphere here, do consider becoming a follower of this blog (there's a handy button at the top left of the page in the blue blogger banner, that says "follow blog" just click!), I'd love to reciprocate as well, so mention it in the comments so I can.

Also, on the right side of the page, in the sidebar, is my Facebook widget. I'd love it if you'd be a Facebook fan of Dawno, too.

Supplier Sales Saturday - Christmas Will Be Here Before You Know It!

If you haven't already started working on other holiday items, you've only got 18 days 'til Thanksgiving and just a few weeks after that comes Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanza, etc., and then the New Year...here's where you'll want to be shopping for your sparklies and goodies!

abeadstore.com Save 15% on all the items within their Sparkly & Shiny Beads category. Enter the coupon code ABSSPARKLE as you check out. Offer ends November 11th.

Limited to items within this category and to the stock on hand. Only one coupon per order please. Valid only at abeadstore.com.

Everything on sale at AlphaStamps all on one page! This is my go to place for mixed media projects. It's a richly designed site, lots of ideas and inspiration. If you're not familiar with AlphaStamps, you need do visit right away. Even if you never work with anything but beads, stones and findings, you'll still want to visit. They've got findings and charms and more stuff you can use. Sign up for their newsletter here.

Artbeads This week only, more than 1,000 items on sale for just $1.00. Sale ends at 9am (PST) on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Also, always check the: Weekly Coupons (this week: save $10 on orders of $75 or more when you use coupon code SCW10D-75 at checkout. Coupon expires at 9am (PST) on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Only one coupon may be used per order.) Clearance items, Weekly Specials. - there's just too much stuff on sale to list here. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive newsletter deals, too.

The Beadin Path Sizzling Sale Beads "Bargain beads & beads on sale from all departments including sale Czech glass, sale Swarovski, sale vintage Lucite, sale shell beads, sale gemstone beads & freshwater pearls and more. Some of this stock includes closeout beads, or beads & components that we have a lot of stock on hand."

ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Save 10% on the Bali-style Beads & Findings sold within this category. You must enter the coupon code CJSBALIFALL. Discount will be applied after entering the coupon. Limited to stock on hand. Only one coupon per order please. Valid only at ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com.

Consumercrafts.com Use promo code GR83PBZ and save 15% on all purchases. Valid thru 11/30/09. Promotion can not be combined with any other promotion. Find their discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

Create for Less: Save up to 70% off when you shop the CreateForLess Clearance Department. Craft, scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Save on idea books, patterns, paper, stickers and more. Quantities are limited. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

D&I Beads 40% off all orders $35.00 or more. Enter code:THANKSGIVINGSPECIAL40 This offer expires on November 27th, 2009

Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry Ends Tonight at 11:59 pm, 30% off entire purchase of beads, findings and jewelry. The discount does not apply to shipping or insurance fees. Use the code, HALLOWEEN in the comments box in the shopping cart during checkout.

"Just Found 'Em" - A new to me supplier, Earthstone - I was looking for "stitchtite" and found this supplier. Theyv'e got a sales page "last few strands" so the items are limited.

Fusionbeads.com - , entire collection of beads handmade by artists is 20% off through Nov. 9, 2009, 12 noon PST. "Choose from our popular bead designers like Heart Bead, T-Beads, Bernadette Fuentes, Taina Hartman and many, many more."

A Grain of Sand - in their latest "Jabber Blabber" newsletter (subscribe) they're offering 10% off $100 if you enter code "Welcome Grandbaby" in the comments at checkout (congratulations on the new arrival!). There's also the Jabber Blabber Specials and Closeouts to take note of.

JewelrySupply.com weekly sales refresh every Monday and Closeouts are offered while supplies last. Newsletter sign up is here.

Kalmbach Bookstore (Art Jewelry, Bead & Button, and BeadStyle Magazines) is having a Special Editions sale.

Lima Beads Lunch Specials are every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was 30% off Peridot beads last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing.

Rings & Things - new 5-day sale starts November 11th.

Sedonastones.com Check the Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

I get the weekly newsletter from Shipwreck Beads as well. I don't recall seeing any coupons or discounts, though. They do offer flat rate UPS shipping for $5 in the 48 contiguous states and a huge selection. Plus every week newsletter subscribers have a chance at a prize drawing of at least $250. Every now and then it's $1000. (like yesterday...which I didn't win... again) And on January 1, 2010 they'll announce the winner of their $2500 shopping spree. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Soft Flex Early Bird Sale. Save 20% off Extreme Flex Wire. Enter coupon code EARLYBIRD at checkout. Offer valid between Friday November 6, 2009 and Monday November 9, 2009 at midnight PT. This offer is not valid with any other discounts. If your purchase qualifies for two or more discounts, you will receive the best discount, but not a combination.

Don't forget the Soft Flex monthly specials, either. (and here's a handy link showing how to enter a coupon code at checkout!)

Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!

Taking a Day Off

Not feeling 100% and didn't have the chance to make something, or research, or even just read something I could share today. I will have the usual weekend features, though, so do come back!

Took a Tropical Turn Tonight with the Beadin' Path Design Partner Challenge

The Beadin' Path sent me some vintage Czech and German glass beads to feature in some Design Partner jewelry designs back in October.

I've really struggled with what to do with these - partly because of the colors and partly due to the shapes. Well, I finally figured out what to do with the yellow strand on the far left. I started with just re-stringing the beads this way and that. Then it occurred to me that I could pull out the hyacinth druk beads and some Lucite flowers I had played with this summer to mix in with them.

Necklace #1 uses each of the shapes on the strand, except for the larger oval one (I keep calling them 'pods'), and a orange Lucite flower. The bright orange beads I've added are modern hyacinth Czech druk beads.

(I think this is darling, if I say so myself.)

Necklace #2 uses the pods and some dark orange Lucite flowers with a larger yellow one. I put some yellow seed beads between the flowers and pods since they didn't hang well without them.

There were some problems making the second one. I couldn't find enough of the original yellow seed beads and at the end I had to use a different yellow bead. And of the eight orange flowers, seven were matte and the eighth was shiny - I put that one at the end. The large yellow flower looked brighter, and more like the yellow in the 'pod' beads, in the light I have in my beading room than the light I used to take the picture, too.

I'm quite happy with these, especially since the ideas didn't come easily! Now it's off to figuring out what to do with the others.

Hope to have more designs with the Beadin' Path beads soon.

FTC compliance disclosure, notice of material connections: All items in the previous post, specifically referenced as from The Beadin' Path, were provided as promotional gifts by for review or design partnership purposes.

Mid-Week Mutterings - Onyx Lanyard and Bracelet

Yesterday morning I got up pretty early and was ready for work with about an hour to spare before I had to get in the car. I was sitting in my workroom checking emails and looking at Facebook and the Bali silver beads I had used the night before were still out on the table. Looking at them , it occurred to me that I could make sort of a 'negative' to the pearl lanyards from yesterday. So, I got out my box of onyx beads and made a lanyard and a bracelet before work.

The onyx came from my Rings & Things bead tour purchase (oval, rondelle & round are listed online), the silver Bali-style bead caps, sterling beads, and Jet Swarovski 6mm bicone (on sale until Thursday at 9am Pacific, for 21% off) on the bracelet are from Artbeads. The Bali silver beads on the lanyard are from a local store, Beads after Beads.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, my colleague ended up buying the lanyard with the larger pearls, even though it was more expensive.

Tuesday Tidbit - Trying to Keep the Cost Down

A colleague of mine asked me if I might make a lanyard for her using pearls, and showing me her bracelet of pearls with Bali-style silver beads, said, "in this style". She was hoping I could keep it under a certain price as well. The final constraint is the length, as she wanted it to be 32" long. I knew that with the pearls I already had I wouldn't be able to come close enough, especially with silver Bali beads.

I managed to find a great deal on freshwater pearls on sale the other day at JewelrySupply.com, so I bought several 16" strands. I already had some Bali-style beads I bought at the Rings & Things bead show that, if I wasn't too generous with them, would keep it pretty close in price. Here's what I came up with (click to enlarge):

(shown doubled to feature badge clasp)

I also had some large, irregular freshwater cultured pearls that I thought I'd string and see how they looked. I've pretty much decided that I'm going to re-do it and take out the bead caps I've used to set off some groups of three pearls (they're about mid-way up on the first picture and close to the clasp on the second one), I'm not happy with how that looks. But otherwise, I like it. Unfortunately this one prices out to $20 above what my friend wanted to spend. (Update - yet, it's the one she purchased!)

(shown doubled to feature badge clasp)

I really like making necklace lanyards with pearls, I've made several. People think they're beautiful, but the price ends up being too high for everyone who's admired them so far, though.

Here's one I made that's been at every show I've done and was on Etsy for a while. It's had a lot of admirers, but no buyer. It's a long one, 32", with gold filled beads and beautiful malachite and some very nice freshwater cultured pearls. (In case you're curious, I'm asking $85 for it).

That's all for today, thanks for stopping by!

PS - here are the necklaces posted above that are on sale at Artfire:

Dawno

Sell Handmade

Monday Miscellany - Leopard Skin Jasper and Gunmetal Necklace, part 2

I've been fiddling with this leopard skin jasper necklace for some time now. Back in September I posted this:

I mentioned that I thought something was missing. I went back to work on it this weekend and now it looks like this:

Now I'm not entirely sure that the chain part still works, but I certainly do like the addition of the new strand. I don't have enough crystal volcano to do another strand like the top one, so the decision is do I order more and replace the chain with another one like the top? I'm leaning in that direction. By the way, the chain is a bit challenging to work with when it comes to connecting it because of the way the links are made - they're like little cages that clasp through each other in one direction. At one end of the chain it's pretty secure, but at the opposite end the clasping part tends to bend apart too much and it's nearly impossible to close them well.

I enjoy reading the thinking processes of other designers, so I hope that these little glimpses into mine are interesting or even valuable to you, too.

'Til tomorrow -

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

November already! Seems like it was Summer just yesterday. I can certainly tell it's Fall, the evenings start sooner and last night we set the clocks back an hour, too, so my time sense is going to be all wonky for the next week or so. It's gotten cooler here, but still not what most people (outside of the southwestern states) would call cold. I've seen in the news that some folk have been getting significant snow. Hope it wasn't snowing on your Halloween! Well, I'm sure you're here for the Wanderings, and not my verbal meanderings - so strap on your snowshoes if you need 'em and off we'll go around the Beadosphere.

A Bead A Day started the week off with some "edgy chain" and wrapped it up with cute "arts & crafts" bracelets. Be sure to check out the rest of her posts. On Fridays she does a featured designer, too.

Beading Gem's blog did a great week of Halloween themed posts with links to "how-to's" you'll want to bookmark for next year.

Deez News "When Designs Go Pear Shaped" - Davinia re-worked a bracelet into a necklace but thinks it's boring. I disagree! It's lovely, elegant in its simplicity. Check out the cool earrings, too!

Melanie at Earthenwood Studios has a new line out (which you can follow at the Now Showing Studio blog)- read about it starting last Tuesday and check out the "Seed of Chucky" bracelet she posted yesterday.

Tish from Just A Tish has been showing off her Beadin' Path goodies in some really lovely designs, starting with this beautiful "Cremescicle" design - that fire crab agate is really cool, I'm going to have to grab some for myself! These bracelets are gorgeous showcases for side drilled and center drilled vintage Lucite spheres in the most lovely colors. I really love how Tish shows how versatile and dramatic copper jewelry can be. Oh, and while she calls this one an "epic fail" it's still lovely, and I'm sorry that I giggled a bit at the trials she went through, but...well, read it and you'll see what I mean.

Ladybead's blog is new this week to my weekly round up with her beautiful designs. And her niche? Beach jewelry - adornments for barefoot glamour, especially beach weddings! But with the cooler weather coming up, there's also boot jewelry (what a cool idea!) Met her via Twitter, by the way.

Margot Potter talked Halloween most of the week, but wanted her readers to share this particular post about Haiffaa Ali so I do hope that you'll read Margot's post and then follow the links to Haiffaa's story and feel compelled to pass it on.

I haven't mentioned Nikon Sniper lately, but this post...well, if that gorgeous scene and those amazing colors aren't inspirational, I don't know what is!

Check out these gorgeous earrings featuring Swarovski briolettes from Artbeads at Orion Designs. What a great eye she has for colors that really grab your attention.

Here's a design from SCDiva in polymer clay - and I bet you'll have as much trouble as I did believing it's clay. I swear I'm going to start *any day* figuring out how to make great beads, too. Any day!!

Shoozles: Wear Your Art blog has a lovely thought piece "Giving- The Creative Contiuum"

Silver Parrot had a guest blogger - Dr. Frankenstein! When I need a good giggle, I can usually count on Silver Parrot's blog.

Over at Artbeads they show this lovely "Quality of Mercy" necklace and announce the winner of the treasure hunt.

Beadalon announces the winner of the Katie's Beading Secrets drawing and shares a crystal web necklace designed by Margot Potter

The Beadin' Path's Dara talks about pricing your jewelery.

I'm not sure if this goes above in Artisan blogs or not, but The Art of Friendly Plastic blog is another new one on my reading list - it's amazing what beautiful designs they come up with.

Jeanette Blix (Fundametals.net) shares "The Down Side of Stamping" and a "Fabulous Art Exchange"

Objects and Elements - winner of the "Put Me In a Bezel" contest and Preserving Nature tutorial

Rings & Things - this week they gave us Christmas lampwork beads, The Spokane Keychain Experiment, and "Ten Tips to Top Designs".

SoftFlexGirl announced a great give-away (new Trio's!), talked about the CPSIA “Statement of Policy: Testing and Certification of Lead Content in Children's Products” and shares a Halloween greeting and sale


Well, that's it for this week. I keep adding new blogs to follow and trying to share interesting posts with you from each of them, hope it's useful! Let me know if you have a blog you follow I could mention next time.

If you like keeping up with the Beadosphere here, do consider becoming a follower of this blog (there's a handy button at the top left of the page in the blue blogger banner, that says "follow blog" just click!), I'd love to reciprocate as well, so mention it in the comments so I can.

Also, on the right side of the page, in the sidebar, is my Facebook widget. I'd love it if you'd be a Facebook fan of Dawno, too.

Supplier Sales Saturday

If you haven't already started working on other holiday items, now that Halloween is here and you've only got 25 days 'til Thanksgiving and just a few weeks after that comes Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanza, etc., and then the New Year...here's where you'll want to be shopping for your sparklies and goodies!

abeadstore.com Beads, Findings, & Beading Supplies are 15% off through November 4. Dare to Bead Different items are 25% off enter the coupon code ABSCADARE as you check out.

Everything on sale at AlphaStamps all on one page! This is my go to place for mixed media projects. It's a richly designed site, lots of ideas and inspiration. If you're not familiar with AlphaStamps, you need do visit right away. Even if you never work with anything but beads, stones and findings, you'll still want to visit. They've got findings and charms and more stuff you can use. Sign up for their newsletter here.

Artbeads Pendants and Charms on sale, 15% off until 9am (PST) on Thursday, November 5, 2009 - enter coupon code SCW15P-PCS at checkout . Also, always check the: Weekly Coupons Clearance items, Weekly Specials. - there's just too much stuff on sale to list here (but the Red and Black sale has my attention). Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive newsletter deals, too.

Update! The Beadin Path just sent me info on this deal: "Lucite Bead Coupon! Fresh vintage lucite has just been added. Retail customers: Use coupon code FRESHLUC to save 20% on your entire purchase. Wholesale customers: Use WFRESHLUC to save 10% on your entire purchase. Offer valid now through Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at midnight EST or at store's close. Offer available for in stock items only. Orders are filled on a first ordered, first served basis, while supplies last."

According to my newsletter, Blue Buddha Boutique has "LOWERED prices slightly for18ga and 16ga AA rings".

ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Save 15% on economy jewelry findings, more than 80 jewelry clasps & findings on sale.

Consumercrafts.com find discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

Create for Less: Save up to 70% off when you shop the CreateForLess Clearance Department. Craft, scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Save on idea books, patterns, paper, stickers and more. Quantities are limited. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

D&I Beads 40% off orders over $35.00 ends tomorrow - use coupon code BEADSPECIAL40 - you can also select a free shipping option (US only)

Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry valid between 12:01 am, Friday, October 30 and 11:59 pm, Saturday, November 7, 30% off entire purchase of beads, findings and jewelry. The discount does not apply to shipping or insurance fees. Use the code, HALLOWEEN in the comments box in the shopping cart during checkout.

Fusionbeads.com - check out this page for specials and a discount code good through November 2nd.

A Grain of Sand - in their latest "Jabber Blabber" newsletter (subscribe) they're offering 10% off $100 if you enter code "Welcome Grandbaby" in the comments at checkout (congratulations on the new arrival!). There's also the Jabber Blabber Specials and Closeouts to take note of.

JewelrySupply.com weekly sales refresh every Monday and Closeouts are offered while supplies last. Newsletter sign up is here.

Kalmbach Bookstore (Art Jewelry, Bead & Button, and BeadStyle Magazines) is having a Special Editions sale.

Lima Beads Lunch Specials are every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was 30% off Olive jade beads last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing.

Rings & Things - 5-day sale ends tomorrow.

Also, check out Sedonastones.com Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

I get the weekly newsletter from Shipwreck Beads as well. I don't recall seeing any coupons or discounts, though. They do offer flat rate UPS shipping for $5 in the 48 contiguous states and a huge selection. Plus every week newsletter subscribers have a chance at a prize drawing of at least $250. Every now and then it's $1000. (like yesterday...which I didn't win... again) And on January 1, 2010 they'll announce the winner of their $2500 shopping spree. Sign up for the newsletter here.

Soft Flex is offering 50% off their exclusive short strand gemstones through midnight PST Monday, November 2nd. Enter coupon code SWEET at checkout. This offer is not valid with any other discounts. If your purchase qualifies for two or more discounts, you will receive the best discount, but not a combination. Don't forget the Soft Flex monthly specials, either. (and here's a handy link showing how to enter a coupon code at checkout!)

Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!

Hot Air Balloon Earring Experiment

I spent quite some time experimenting last night with wire mesh tubing (Rings & Things) some brass beads (Blue Moon Royal Boheme at Michael's) and glass disk spacer beads (Rings & Things) in an attempt to create an early hot air balloon style earring. I went searching for an image to give you an idea of where I got the balloon inspiration - found a pretty close one on some Tissotti wrapping paper on the Amazing Papers site.

See how there's a mesh of ropes holding the gas balloon to the basket? That's what I was hoping to at least suggest by covering the beads with the wire mesh.

I'm not sure if it's worth the effort - the mesh doesn't stand out that much on this bead and I'm having problems making it neat. See the little stray threads? I was trying to trim some tiny openings in the mesh so the little balloon passengers would be able to get on board...

While I realize that's a bit crazy sounding, I was going for as much realism as I could with the materials at hand. If I thought I had the skill and patience to create (or if I could find some to buy) a tiny rope net and wicker basket with tiny bags of sand ballast, I'd probably try it. I do have enough sanity left to know I shouldn't. The idea is to make something I can create relatively easily, and in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable price that looks enough like a hot air balloon, and make several pairs that I can put up for sale. (And wear myself because I like the idea a lot)

Anyway, it's quite difficult for me to do the trimming well because the scale is so very tiny - the disks are 6mm to give you an idea of scale, the whole earring isn't much more than the size of a quarter. I think just attaching the disks to the brass bead will accomplish the suggestion of the balloon without the mesh since the bead itself is made of open work that looks like mesh. I'm not completely giving up, though - I'm going to try the mesh over a large glass bead and see how that looks next.

Then, with the mesh I have left over, I'm going to try some necklace or bracelet ideas that have come to mind as I was working on this.

Well, that's it for today. I was able to buy a membership to the World Fantasy Convention (it's in San Jose - quite near by) from someone who ended up not being able to attend, and I have plans to visit it tonight and tomorrow. I expect I'll see some great jewlery and interesting costuming. I'll try to remember to take some pictures and tell you about it!

'Til then -

Thursday Feature - Supplier Site Review + Extras

This is the first of my 'official' supplier site reviews - they'll pop up on Thursdays now and then, when I find a cool feature or think something's not so good, either, on a supplier's site. I've done some incidental reviews in past, like posts where I mentioned finding the Fresh Pick on LimaBeads.com Today, however I was directed to a feature at Rings & Things via Twitter that I found very helpful and thought I'd feature it.

When you go to this link on Rings & Things it takes you their page of Pantone Fashion Trend Report Colors for several seasons. When you click on one of the links below the color, for example, here's where clicking on "crystals" under Tomato Puree, Spring 2010 takes you, you can see what products Rings & Things has in that category for that color. If that's not a huge time saver and fabulous feature, I don't know one.

Screen capture of Rings & Things Search by Trend Color Page used by permission

I so appreciate how the Rings & Things site continues to add helpful things to their site.

Speaking of Fashion Trends - I see there's a Pantone iPhone/iPod Touch App available for $9.99. Also, do you have Margie Deeb's Fall/Winter Color Report, a $9.95 download (pdf)? Did you know that Jesse James Beads sells color trend bead mixes?

And Tish - did you know that your blog comes up on the first page of search on Google when you type in 'color trends beads'? (at least it did for me!)

And that's it for today. See you tomorrow!









PS: I do occasionally get compensated by Rings & Things to blog about products. I get compensated by other suppliers, too. There are also those I talk about that don't offer me anything at all beyond the occasional coupons or discounts anyone could get, as I do, by subscribing to their newsletter or reading their blog.

The only compensation I receive from any supplier, by the way, is the product I review, and nothing more. I am not paid by the post or paid to post for any supplier. I am also always free to say whatever I want, be it good or bad. Every post that isn't about a specifically indicated promotional product is my uncompensated opinion. Like this post was.

Mid-Week Mutterings - Final Touches on the Halloween Necklace

Cat Picture from Graphics Fairy

Well, I blew it - was going to enter at least one more thing for the April 2010 Bead Trends call and totally let it slip my mind over the weekend. I was so focused on black and gray lanyards I didn't think of anything else. But all is not woe and gnashing of teeth (which isn't good for teeth at all). The May 2010 call for submissions is up:

Bead Trends is currently looking for designs with the following themes for our May 2010 issue

* Quick & Easy
* Fashion Favorites - Features designs from a variety of styles and mediums that can be a personal favorite or necessary staple in any wardrobe.
* Birthstones (Emerald/Chrysoprase)
* Anything Goes - The beaded possibilities are endless and not just limited to jewelry. What about pillows, table runners, picture frames, lamps, clothing, candle collars, wine glass charms, and home decor. This category can contain jewelry and a whole lot more!
* For Mom - Jewelry is the perfect gift for Mother's Day!
* Necklaces
* Vintage styles - Vintage or vintage inspired jewelry.
* Simply "Charming" - All those fabulous designs incorporating charms and dangles.
* Eclectic Design

If you would like to submit your work to this publication, please e-mail a photograph, the name or title of your piece, and contact information to: beadsubmit@beadtrendsmag.com.

If submitting multiple pieces, please send a separate e-mail and photograph for each design.

Deadline for the May 2010 issue is 11:59 p.m. MDT, November 25th, 2009. All ideas should be your original work and not previously published.

We will review all submissions, and if selected, we will contact you by December 1st with additional information. All pieces will need to be shipped to us directly for photography and arrive in our office by December 11th. Your creation will be returned to you insured, after the issue has been printed.

I need to put something on my calendar in big red letters this time. Of course, with getting ready for my table at LosCon, I might end up having to pass on this one.

Today is the office Halloween pot-luck lunch and I finished my necklace last night - you may recall that the items for it were a Friday Pick last month, and that I posted a 'behind the scenes' look at what I was doing.

I've replaced the gold colored ends with gunmetal ones, and used a "Mighty Crimper" to fix them tightly to the rubber tubing (the other ends kept slipping off the gold tone ones that I tried to affix with glue - I'm certain I was doing something wrong). I also used a Chisel Tip Sharpie pen to color the wooden beads orange. I was tempted to try and draw a Jack o' Lantern face on them, but since they were already on the necklace, and I'd have to take the whole thing apart in case I messed up, I decided not to. Note to self for next time - color the beads before assembling the necklace.

But even after I'd taken the picture above, I still wasn't happy with it. So I simplified it way, way, down into this

It's ok, I guess, but definitely not what I'd imagined I'd be making. I'll keep fiddling with it some other time, but that's what I'll wear tomorrow along with my nifty pair of candy corn earrings from Lori Anderson Designs.


Oh, one other thing. I got a folding magnifying glass over the weekend. It is so wonderful. It's small, folds up into a nice flat rectangle that can be slipped into a beading tote and does a great job of helping me handle little fiddly things like the screws on Scrimps. And see the hole in the side in the picture below? That's a smart feature, too. The whole thing is 6.25" x 5.25" x 1.5" and was $5.99. Thanks Fry's!

That's it for now, hope to see you again tomorrow!

Tuesday Tidbits - More Lanyards in Fall Fashion Nomad, Crème Brûlée and Iron + Black

Image from The Graphics Fairy

I came this <----> close to calling today's post Tuesday Tid- "Bats" but spared you the agony...

Well, I thought I'd finished two lanyards tonight, but it turns out one of them has a major mistake about halfway through the strand, and will have to be redone. See if you can find it - I didn't see it until I went up to take the photographs. I have been trying to watch some shows on Hulu while beading, guess that's too distracting.

The top lanyard is jet black Czech glass with silver plate spacers and sterling beads. The lower one is dalmatian jasper, a stone that I'm quite fond of, and a few Czech Druk beads in jet black. Here's a solo shot of that lanyard.

Turns out that the colors in this stone are pretty close to the fall fashion colors of nomad, crème brûlée and iron. I had originally thought to pair it with snowflake obsidian, but that stone has pure white markings and, as you can see, the dalmatian jasper is gray/beige with black. I couldn't really tell when I made the order online.

I ended up pairing the snowflake obsidian with white howlite, and they worked quite well together. I'll be doing a few more pieces in that combo before long, so I'll be able to show you what I mean.

That's it for tonight, busy day at work tomorrow, need to get a good night's rest!

Monday Miscellany - Lots of Black & Gray Lanyards

People at work who are interested in my lanyards seem to be drawn to the black or dark gray ones. I ran out of those, so I spent my beading time this weekend making lanyards with jet black Czech glass, hematite, and hematite colored Czech glass. At the end of Sunday evening I'd finished 9 and was almost done with a tenth.

I've managed to get three of these listed on Art Fire for now, too. I'm going to try to get all of them, and a few others up there this week. I am also going to try and finish my Halloween necklace before our office Halloween pot-luck this Wednesday...wish me luck!

Hope you have a great week - see you tomorrow!




PS - here's the three listings I mentioned, in case you'd like to see closeups

Dawno

Sell Handmade

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

Welcome back! Or maybe it's welcome for the first time - either way, I'm glad you're here to tromp around with me in the wilds of the Beadosphere.

A Bead A Day started off the week with a collection of beads that she focused on individually during the week. Blue glass "sticks", smooth round stones (look kind of agate-y to me), pearls that remind her of butter mints, and finally the big reveal - how all these beads came together in a splendid cuff bracelet inspired by a lovely hand-crafted card from a dear friend. Lisa, it's wonderful - thank you for taking us along through the process all week! And Happy Belated Birthday, too!

Just A Tish - wow, what a week you've had, Tish! I'm breathless just reading about it, I can't imagine trying to keep up with you in person! Two gorgeous stone necklaces on Monday, her Beadin' Path design partner beads on Tuesday, a bold and beautiful necklace inspired by a favorite song on Wednesday using blog partner beads from Artbeads, Sand and Sea necklace with Beadin' Path design partner beads on Thursday (have you needed to sit a spell and catch your breath, like me yet? *whew* she's been a whirlwind of creativity this week!), Friday she shows off an entire set of jewelry she had just made! (love the bracelet - you should do more!) and Saturday is about her new display pieces for her work that will be at Gifts With a Heart in Raleigh.

(I'd like to note here, in a bit of an aside, that I've neglected to mention that last Friday, Tish tapped me with a Kreativ Blogger award after receiving one herself from Gold Lily - thank you very, very, much, Tish, for your kind words! I'm so sorry it's taken me over a week to even mention it.)

Deez News Davinia shows off a lovely new necklace in bold beads and color plus fun with new tools!

Check out ErtheFae's Gothic Roots, Mythical Medusa necklace and a beaded setting for a fun fairy button pendant.

Jolicious talks about the polymer clay class she took - you simply must go look at the delightful beads and pendants she's made.

Over at Katie's Beading Blog she shows a darling "upcycled" necklace featuring a spinning brass 'love detector' from Ornamentia.

And at Margot Potter - The Impatient Crafter ^TM blog, have you been following Madge's Terrorific Tuesdays? Only one more left! Wednesday was a free how-to for a special 'in case of emergency' Halloween craft mixed media necklace. Saturday she shared that she'll be in Manhattan at Michael's signing books and hosting a 'make it, take it' - sure wish I could be there!

Lori at Pretty Things points us to a wonderful post by Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio and her give-away of some fabulous stuff in celebration of Easy Wire 2009 which has her beautiful bracelet on the cover. Be sure to visit both blogs and enter that contest!

Silver Parrot did a whole lotta catch up last weekend, shared a number of really lovely pieces (the daisy necklaces are just...wow...) had some questions about hammers, got answers and worried about oxidizing her hair. Now usually on Friday she posts some 'bead porn' and her posts ended Wednesday. I hope everything went well with her liver of sulphur experimentation!

SmuTopia finds herself in a treasury with a "Where's Waldo?" theme, shares her wish list and some home decor items in green.

Artbeads shows off one of their customer designs - and that customer is our very own Just A Tish! You can also download some inspirational screensavers/wallpaper for your computer.

Beadalon announces their YouTube channel and spreads a bit of wire wrapping mania.

Read a fun bracelet exchange story from Dara's Weekly Beadditudes at The Beadin' Path.

The wire work on the necklace Jeanette Blix shows on this post is so impressive - those double spiral links are perfectly done - I've tried that pattern and would love to be that good at it! Of course you'll love the darling nails and toes at the top of the post, too - no, I'm not explaining that, you'll have to go see for yourself. (This is posted under Supplier's Blogs as Jeanette is the proprietor of Fundametals.net)

See the last of the entries into the Objects and Elements "Put Me In a Bezel" contest.

Rings & Things asks "What are all those stacked up beads?", Kurt Madison talks about winning designs, Russ Nobbs explains 'trade beads' and Rings & Things is designated a Bicycle Friendly Business.

SoftFlexGirl does some Tool Talk, points to the October Spotlight articles on the SoftFlex site, and goes to New York for the Soft Flex Glass Art & Bead Festival.

Well, that's it for today. I keep adding new blogs to follow and trying to share interesting posts with you each week from each of them. Let me know if you think of ones I'm missing!

If you like keeping up with the Beadosphere here, do consider becoming a follower of this blog (there's a handy button at the top left of the page in the blue blogger banner, that says "follow blog" just click!), I'd love to reciprocate as well, so mention it in the comments so I can.

Also, on the right side of the page, in the sidebar, is my Facebook widget. I'd love it if you'd be a Facebook fan of Dawno, too.

Supplier Sales Saturday - Hidden Gems! (and glass and other stuff, too)

Don't see your favorite online shop here? Just leave me the link in comments and I'll be sure to check them out and share their specials and sales here.

Also, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss a sale because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

OK - with out further ado - here's what you came for:


abeadstore.com Dare to Bead Different items are 25% off enter the coupon code ABSCADARE as you check out.

Artbeads Glass Harvest Sale - up to 40% on more than 1,000 glass beads. Sale ends at 9am (PDT) on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Also check on: Weekly Coupons Clearance items, Weekly Specials: Swarovski Cubes, up to 23% off; earring components - up to 30% off; magnetic beads - up to 47% off; head & eye pins - up to 26% off. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive newsletter deals, too.

Baubles & Beads (1676 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, California) Email offer: 40% off any ONE item of your choice in the shop, one time use only, not valid on net items, classes or books #10111, expires Nov. 1st, 2009. You may need a printout of the coupon to guarantee the sale price. Feel free to email me: dawnosbeadedlanyards (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll forward you the offer email I received.

The Beadin' Path is "...chipping away at cases and cases of vintage glass beads from our most recent old bead score...". Use coupon code VINTST1 at checkout for $5 off any order of $50 or more.

ChoiceJewelrySupplies.com Save 15% on economy jewelry findings, more than 80 jewelry clasps & findings on sale.

Consumercrafts.com Fall savings offer - ends Sunday Oct. 25th - 15% off total order + free gift with coupon code: ARL7G10X plus many other discounted items in the Hot Buys categories.

Create for Less: Save up to 70% off when you shop the CreateForLess Clearance Department. Craft, scrapbooking and sewing supplies. Save on idea books, patterns, paper, stickers and more. Quantities are limited. Also, check the Weekly Specials.

D&I Beads 40% off orders over $35.00 through November 1st - use coupon code BEADSPECIAL40 - you can also select a free shipping option (US only)

Fusionbeads.com - 14 pages of "holiday picks" are 20% off through Oct. 26, 2009, 12 noon PDT.

Kalmbach Bookstore (Art Jewelry, Bead & Button, and BeadStyle Magazines) is having a Special Editions sale.

Lima Beads Lunch Specials are every Tuesday - sign up for their email reminder.

Magpie Gemstones has a number of great deals going on - check here for the closeout specials (it was 20% off Lapis last time I checked) and if you subscribe to the newsletter before November 30th, you'll be entered in a $200 shopping spree drawing.

Rings & Things - check the 5-day sale for next week, starting Wednesday, Oct. 28th. Those sales are run on the second and fourth Wednesday thru Saturday each month.

Also, check out Sedonastones.com Clearance items pages and subscribe for great email offers.

Don't forget the Soft Flex monthly specials, either.

Trader Lou's has many gemstone pendants on clearance sale you could incorporate into your work. They also sell beads, gemstones, and supplies.

As always, sign up for the supplier newsletters where offered, to get special offers and early notification of great deals. Most of the info you see here, you could have seen earlier this week in the supplier newsletters, 'cause that's where I found it!

Come back tomorrow to Wander the Beadosphere with me - so much to see out there!