Chance to win an iPad from Artbeads but you've gotta hurry!

I know I said my last post would be the last post of the year but this is too good not to share!

Artbeads is having a giveaway for a new Apple iPad!  It even has 3G capability so you can get online just about anywhere.  Everyone who places an order between now and the end of the year will get an automatic entry for a chance to win. There is an alternate way to enter for those who don't want to place an order.   Click here for more information and to enter!

Sweepstakes ends 12/31/10.  Good luck!  

I'm heading over to Artbeads to do a little shopping!  Be sure to sign up for their newsletter to receive information on the lastest products, sales, coupon codes & more!

Thank you, Artbeads,  for allowing me to be one of your design partners this year.  I look forward to working with you in 2011!

A "Winning" Combination

"Audrey"

In earlier posts I told about winning a couple of blog giveaways.  This is a combination of beads that I won.   The larger beads are 8mm Fire Polish beads in "Crystal and Rose Porphyr" that I received from Jewelry by Jessica.  (Porphyr beads have "swirled" colors.) The seed beads are some of the seed beads that I received from JustATish.  They're a perfect match!  Thanks again, girls!

The center section is crocheted and I made a matching spool knitted "chain" to connect to each side.  I originally planned on attaching regular chain but nothing I had looked right so I decided to add the spool knitted pieces.

I like to give them names so I'm going to call this one "Audrey".  It's such a soft romantic piece and that name just seems to fit to me.

~Today's Quote~

"You may delay, but time will not."

~Benjamin Franklin

Isn't that the truth!

I am SO Lucky!

Look at what I won from Tish at JustaTish Designs! 

Oh my gosh!  This beautiful pendant and all of these seed beads!  I love this wire wrapped pendant.  I've never had anything like it before and I will treasure it!  It came wrapped in that cute little fabric pouch.  I was so excited about the pendant that I completely forgot about the seed beads Tish was generous enough to include!  She had purchased hanks and shared half of them with the winner! 

Besides making the most beautiful jewelry, Tish has been a great source of inspiration for me.  Thanks for always encouraging me, Tish!  Please check out her blog where you will always find something interesting.  It also includes links to her website where you can purchase her jewelry, facebook and twitter. 

Tish also has a great love of animals.  There is a cause near and dear to her heart, "Christmas for Chamberlin".  Tish will be donating 15% of her sales from now through Christmas to help Chamberlin.  Please click the link above to read the story and see a video of Chamberlin.  Tish says, "He needs more surgery's, more PT, more love, and more support. Along with the donation to Chamberlin, I am also offering a free pair of earrings with every order.  Do a little something for yourself, and do a lot for Chamberlin."  What else can I say after that, except...

Thank you, Tish, for everything.  I thank you and I'm sure Chamberlin does.

~Today's Quote~

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

~James Matthew Barrie

I'm a Winner!

I was the lucky winner of this pretty little organza bag full of goodies from Jewelry by Jessica!    She published her 100th blog post and celebrated with a give-away.  What a fun prize.  Just look at everything I received!  These are going to be some fun things to work with!

Hop on over and visit Jessica's blog, To Bead or Not to Bead What a Question,  and look at the beautiful jewelry that she makes!  Thank you so much, Jessica!

I've been lucky!  I also won another blog give-away that I can't wait to share when it arrives!

Here's a little update on what's going on with me lately~

  I received an Etsy order for 13 matching bridesmaids necklaces!  (Yay!)  I've been working on getting those done.

My jewelry is now for sale at the local consignment shop.  It's on display in their glass showcase.   I've already sold a few things, so that's exciting!  She wants me to make up some earrings to bring in, too.  

The local "Pecanfest" is coming up in November.  This will be the third year I've had a booth.  I also need to be working on jewelry for that.  It will be here before we know it!

Each year when fall arrives I get the urge to get out the yarn and crochet.  I recently discovered the Knifty Knitter and have been a little obsessed with it!  It's like the spool knitted jewelry only on a larger scale.  It's so relaxing.  You don't even have to think about it and this perfectly knitted piece comes out!  I never learned to knit so I'm pretty amazed with how it turns out!

And with all of this going on I've had a little "creative block".  I have a closet full of beads and just can't seem to get an idea of what I want to do! 

I went to the doctor this week (which I just don't do unless I'm seriously sick and that seldom happens) because my kids forced me to.  My youngest daughter actually made the appointment for me.  I had a really ugly mole on my back and a spot on my nose that just wouldn't heal.  Thank goodness, the mole was nothing to worry about and the one on my nose was pre-cancerous.  Both have been frozen and I'm good to go.  I'm glad I finally had them checked out because it has been a nagging worry.  It's just so easy to put off making the appointment.

Well, that's what's going on in my world.  Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

~Today's Quote~

Nothing is as frustrating as arguing with someone who knows what he's talking about!

 ~ Sam Ewing

I'm the lucky winner of this beautiful bracelet!

One of my favorite blogs is Rose Binoya's blog, Ahtee's Blog.  She says that "making pretty things is what I love doing" and making pretty things is what she does!  She offered this beautiful bracelet as a giveaway on her blog and I was lucky enough to win!  It arrived Monday and it is SO pretty! 

 I love her logo and packaging...

It was in a pretty box and tied with ribbons. She also enclosed a sweet handwritten note.  I told her that I had just ordered a new turquoise top and that the bracelet would go perfectly with it.  She surprised me with a matching pair of earrings!  How stinkin' cute are they?!  The bracelet and earrings both feature buttons!

Hop on over to her blog where you can shop her Etsy shop, become a fan of her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter!

THANK YOU, ROSE!!!

I LOVE THEM!

~Today's Quote~

True contentment is not in having everything, but in being satisfied with everything you have.

All the way from Australia!

I was lucky enough to win a bracelet giveaway from Davinia in Australia!  It arrived today and let me tell you I got the royal treatment!

Inside was a nice handwritten note and a very cute decorated tin...

She even included some extra goodies~ a pair of her wallpaper earrings and two pendants that she made using Tim Holtz memory frames!

AND she sent the cutest little koala...!!!

She made me feel so special! 

The bracelet is awesome and includes a hook clasp that she made herself.

I can't wait to make something with the pendants!

Drop by her blog, Deez News, to see her latest creations and take a look in her Artfire Studio!

Thank you so much for Everything, Davinia!

~Today's Quote~

You give but little when you give of your possessions. 

 It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

~Kahlil Gibran

~♥~

Giveaway Winner & Spring Celebration Bracelet

It's time to announce the winner of the giveaway.  I'd like to thank everyone who bared their soul so we could get to know you a little better!  I was touched & inspired by your comments and even giggled at some of them! 

And the Winner is.....Tish! 

 Send me an e-mail with your address and I'll get the necklace in the mail to you!

I think Spring may have finally arrived! 

 The grass is green and daffodils are blooming!

This bracelet celebrates spring with it's green and yellow theme and little bird charm. 

Have a Happy Easter!

~Today's Quote~

"Daffodils"

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

"Callie", Inspired by California Dreaming

♫ "California Dreaming on such a winter's day..." ♫

I was working on this necklace this weekend as 10" of snow was falling.  I must say it was just a little depressing for the first day of spring!  The colors in these beads cheered me up a bit.  They remind me of  beach glass.  It was nice to imagine a nice warm walk on the beach on such a nasty day! 

I used a mixture of Czech glass beads, Czech Fire Polished Beads, and 6/0 seed beads to make the focal point of this necklace and completed it with silver chain.

Don't forget you have until March 31st to enter the giveaway in my previous post!

~Today's Quote~

There are many things in life that will catch your eye,

 but only a few will catch your heart...

Pursue those.

~Anonymous

Five Things about Me & You Giveaway!

 Inquiring minds want to know!

I'm always curious about the people behind the blogs.  Let's share a little about ourselves!

As an incentive I'll give away this necklace.  To enter, leave a comment listing five things about yourself.  They can be serious or silly!  You don't have to have a blog to enter, but be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you're the winner.  On April 1st (No Fooling!), I'll  randomly draw one number from the total number of comments and the winner will receive the necklace.

I'll go first!

1.  I live in the very southeast corner of Kansas, not very far from the Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri borders.

2.  My husband & I run a small trucking company from our home.  I do all of our office work, bookwork, DOT compliance, payroll, etc.

3.  I get up at 6:15 a.m. seven days a week.  I'm not a morning person, but I feel better if I stick to the routine.  I have to admit I get up, but I don't get around!  I have to have my "coffee time" before I get the day started!

4.  I have a Cosmetology license.  I haven't worked in a shop in years, but I keep my licence current just in case I ever want to again!

5.  I ride a candy apple red Harley trike and love every minute of it!

Please share!

~Today's Quote~

"Laughter is an instant vacation."

~Milton Berle

Oh, Lucky Me!

Look what came in the mail today!

I'm the lucky winner & proud owner of this bracelet!   It's called "Aberdeen Ferns" and was created by Erin of  Tesori Trovati, which means "Treasures Found".  I follow her blog & made a comment on one of her "give-away" posts. Imagine my excitement when I found out my name was drawn!

I had to include a picture of the beautifully coordinated packaging, too!  It was inside a gift box tied with a matching ribbon and included a tag decribing the inspiration behind it and the items used to create it.  Also included was a hand written note. All very special!  Erin's "signature" is the skeleton key, which I love.  The first thing I looked for was the little metal tag stamped with a skeleton key attached to the bracelet.  As one of her blog followers, I knew it would be there!

Erin, Thank You!  I love the bracelet!

Halloween Bracelet Giveaway!

I've been thinking about doing a Giveaway for awhile now and thought one of these little halloween bracelets might be a good place to start!  These are from my September 24 blog post. The winner can choose their favorite from the three shown.

To enter, just leave a comment!   Due to the shortage of time, this will be a quick one!  I'll draw a random number at noon on Friday, Oct 23.  If you don't have a blog, please be sure to include your e-mail address so I contact you if you're the winner.  Happy Halloween!