This 'n That

Artbeads is my favorite bead and findings supplier, and they have just announced a new sweepstakes! The Artbeads ‘Road to Tucson’ Sweepstakes! The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to Tucson, AZ to attend the 2012 ‘Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase’! The prize package includes round-trip airfare for two to Tucson, Arizona and 3 nights accommodation. The winner will also attend classes with well-known beading instructors and have access to the biggest shows. What better way to spend 3 days in Arizona!

To enter, click the banner below.

To shop with Artbeads, click the banner below. You will find a huge variety of Swarovski crystals, sterling silver components, tons of beautiful beads and gemstones, and design ideas. They also have some really amazing weekly specials and closeout deals. Plus, you will receive amazing customer service from friendly people!

Kansas in July…. a time for big yellow sunflowers with bright green leaves, amber waves of grain with the beautiful wheat fields, and fields of green corn (sweet and field corn).   To capture the colors of Kansas in a new piece of jewelry, I created my “sunflower” necklace using items from my favorite bead supplier… Artbeads.

For my inspiration piece, I chose the beautiful Stoneware Rectangle Pendant – Sunflowers.

Stoneware Pendant - Sunflowers

I then needed something for the “petals”.  I found the perfect bead with some Flat Teardrop Pendant beads in amber.  To compliment the amber and yellow, I wanted a pretty green bead for more color for my piece.  I just love the Wasabi beads that Artbeads has, and I found some beautiful Wasabi luster glass brick beads that worked perfectly!

Sunflower Necklace

I couldn’t decide how I wanted to attach the teardrop pendants to the necklace at first, and then I remembered that I had a huge bag of vintage sterling silver bails that my Mom used to sell at her antique shop (she carried native American jewelry in her shop in addition to some silversmith supplies).  They were just what I need to attach the teardrops.  I also wanted to add some brown tones to the necklace, and found some rectangle Tiger Eye beads leftover from a previous project.  They work well with the new Artbeads components that I was using for this Sunflower necklace, and with a few small seed beads for accent, I started my work.

The result is this “Sunflower Necklace”.  I think it reflects the beautiful colors found in Kansas in July… what do you think?

Sunflower Necklace

Disclosure: I have received some of the components used for this design from Artbeads free of charge. I am posting an honest review of said products and have not been paid to endorse said products.

My favorite bead supplier has graciously offered a coupon code for my readers to save 10% on your total order from them!  I am one of their design partners, and because of that, they sent me this coupon code and asked that I share it with my readers.

Artbeads has some of the best prices and selection of crystals, gemstones, beads and components that I have found on the internet.  They offer outstanding customer service also!  If you are a beader, or even a jewelry lover, you are sure to find something at Artbeads that you just can’t live without!

To take advantage of their offer, use coupon code SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0125 at checkout.  10% will be deducted from your total purchase.  This coupon expires on 7/31/2010, so hurry!

Thanks, Artbeads!  You guys are the BEST!

It’s been dreary in western Kansas all week long, and I needed something to brighten it up around here. ..

I just made a new necklace, and I’m calling it “Spring Fling”.  It’s bright, cheery, colorful and fun, don’t you think?

Spring Fling necklace

My inspiration bead for this piece was this big, beautiful Green Plum Blossoms porcelain bead from Artbeads.   Also used in the necklace were some Wasabi Oval beads with a gold abstract design and some fun acrylic rectangle beads, also from Artbeads.  I also picked out some colorful square resin beads in greens, yellow and pinks to add some real fun to this necklace.

Spring Fling Necklace

Spring Fling Necklace

For Christmas last year, I received some fun dice shaped glass beads in different colors, and I had some mother of pearl square and rectangle beads in my bead inventory.   I picked a few that worked well with the other components, and made this asymmetrical necklace.  I also used a couple swirled glass beads in complimentary colors.

To keep with the spring motif, I used a large sterling silver flower shaped toggle clasp, another sterling silver clasp that I got from  Artbeads.

The final piece turned out great, and it is just perfect for this time of year!  The necklace was made so that you can show off the beautiful clasp by wearing it at the side.  The porcelain focal bead is meant to be worn on the opposite side of the clasp.

The beads that I received from Artbeads were just gorgeous, as always!  It’s no wonder they are my favorite supplier of beads and components.  Their items are always shipped immediately, and I can always find the items that I need in the quantities that my custom work requires.

Disclosure: I have received some of the components used for this design from Artbeads free of charge. I am posting an honest review of said products and have not been paid to endorse said products.