Friday, April 29, 2011

Pearls, Pearls & Pearls

I'm a huge fan of pearls, traditional cream or white, yes, but I just love the multi- colored pearls available...last fall I did a post including Artbeads.com pearls and Pantone 2010 Fall Colors in the same sentence. It was very exciting to look over the "new" colors such as Endive, Golden Glow, Living Coral, Lipstick Red, Purple Orchid, Chocolate Truffle, Lagoon, Oyster Gray, to name a few...aren't they delicious names?



It is funny because as soon as I saw all the gorgeous colors I decided to look for pearls that would be in the same family...while I didn't find all the colors in one strand I found enough to satisfy myself.
You might remember I chose two gorgeous strands of multi-colored pearls along with a delicate sterling silver hook clasp and leaf link. Below is a better look at the beautiful silver items.
I new right away what I wanted to make...something simple, elegant and classy!

...there are 6 strands of pearls at the front, light but still substantial in appearance, I'm always conscious of weight when it comes to a necklace...I attached the strands with sterling silver ends...on one side, the leaf link and the other the hook clasp situated so both should be visible when the necklace is worn; I try not to hide such beautiful clasps and connectors when ever possible...the back is a solid strand of pearls.
(Please excuse the lighting in the photo below it's a bit bright)

I was trying to show something of the back of the piece, while still showing the front...rather hard with this necklace...below a close up of the clasp.
I loved these pearls so much I ended up buying more and made myself a triple strand necklace...I wear it constantly!

Many thanks to Artbeads.com.
Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers

*FTC compliance disclosure* the products attributed to Artbeads.com in this post where provided as a promotional gift by Artbeads.com in relation to the blogging program. My comments pertaining to these products are my personal opinion, no compensation has been received for the comments.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Make it for Mom Challenge

Artbeads.com is doing it again...another great contest...or shall I say a challenge!

They have just launched their latest jewelry design contest at Artbeads! The Make it for Mom Challenge is all about creating that perfect design for Mom while have some fun. The winner of this jewelry design contest will receive a $250 Artbeads.com Gift Card and their winning design will also be featured in the Artbeads Learning Center. All design submissions must contain at least 50% products available at the Artbeads.com website. Contestants must be 18 or older to enter and this contest is open to entrants worldwide. The winner will be determined by a public vote on Facebook starting at midnight (Pacific Time) on Mother’s Day.

As if that isn't enough they are also having a sale...hurry over as it ends tomorrow Saturday April 23rd, you can save 15% on your order of $45 or more in their Make it for Mom Sale going on right now. Just enter coupon code ZZ-MOM15 at checkout to take advantage of these fantastic savings. Don't forget to hurry over...

Make it for Mom Sale

A heart felt "thank you" our friends from Artbeads.com...
Cheers

Friday, April 15, 2011

The beginnings of organiztion

Tomorrow I will be a vendor at the Powassan 14th Annual Maple Syrup Festival, in the community of Powassan, so this morning I'm beginning my organization/pack-up. This year the organizers offered space inside the Sportsplex so I jumped at the opportunity...the weather this time of the year can be so iffy! I have to say I'm so happy I did as the forecast is not good...I sure hope the weather forecast is wrong...otherwise the outside vendors are in for an unpleasant day!!!

"Cloudy. Snow beginning in the morning changing to wet snow mixed with rain and then to rain late in the afternoon. Snowfall amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind southeast 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 4".

I've cut back on shows this year, I actually started last fall, besides I'm in the finishing stages of a major renovation and it is taking up a great deal of time...not to mention emotions.

This is the first of my shows this season, (I missed all my Sudbury friends this year)...so everything is in a bit of a mess, time to go through it!
Thought I would let you see what I was up to this morning...

There is paper, jewelry, bags, tissue, etc., cluttered around right now...for some reason I seem to work in these kinds of conditions...not sure what it is?

My pretty organza bags, boxes, bags, not sure where my tissue is and a hand held mirror on the side...

In the past I've used hand held mirrors partly because I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for and partly because I do a great many out door shows/markets and I was always afraid the mirror would get blown over...which it definitly would have in some of the weather we've been in. Having said that I've managed to break 2 hand mirrors...I'm hoping the second mirror negates the first in the bad luck department? :0) I found this mirror the other day and decided, go for it...it is difficult to tell in the photo but it is just the right size for sitting on the table.

The some of the "girls" as my daughter calls them...

Enough...time to go get things under control!
Enjoy the weekend.
Cheers

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

$100 Artbeads Gift Certificate

Our good friends from Artbeads.com are have a great contest, just in time for Mothers' Day!

The prize is a $100 Artbeads Gift Certificate! You can enter this giveaway just by leaving a comment on the Artbeads Blog for Beaders, stating what your favorite Mother’s Day themed product is and what you would create with it. Hurry, this giveaway ends Friday, April 15 at 9am Pacific Time. The winner will be selected at random and announced on their blog.

I have a difficult time deciding on just one favorite...there are so many wonderful items on Artbeads.com

One favorite would be their porcelain hearts...

Wouldn't this beautiful heart hanging from a chain or leather cord be a wonderful Mothers' Day present?
They have others as well...how about this one?
I've had this black/white pendant and can say it is gorgeous...as are all Golem Designs!!!
So much to choose from...
Hurry to enter the contest...not much time left!

Enjoy your day.
Cheers