Let Me Introduce - Christine Burgess

It all started with a simple Etsy convo. Chris contacted me to let me know that she liked my "Going Green" bracelet and had added it to her favorites which she has posted on her blog. So of course I had to check out her blog - Chris' Comments - which was a very pleasant experience!

The first thing that greeted me was a beautiful picture of where Chris lives in Florida. Isn't this beautiful? I know I could create in that setting!

Chris creates mosaics and she has started sharing the process on her blog. You can read part 1 by clicking here. She also has an Etsy shop called Memories in Mosaics where she displays her work. Here's one example called "Garden Harvest Mosaic."

Her work is beautiful and I can't wait to read the next part of her "how to" series on her blog.

I believe Chris found me because I joined a new Etsy team called HAFteam (Handmade Artists Forum Team) which I'm just getting familiar with. More to come about this new team!

Thanks, Chris, for your convo. It's been a pleasure meeting you.

Red, White and Beadweaving Sale-e-Bration!

The 1000Markets Beadweaving Emporium Market (BEM) is gearing up for a July 4th Firecracker SALE-e-BRATION!

Many of the shops that are members of The Beadweaving Emporium (BEM) market at 1000 Markets have teamed together and are planning a fantastic 4th of July SHOPPER-TUNITY SALE in their shops. Items on sale will be designated by their SALE-A-BRATION badge; some shops will have selected items and others may have every item in their shop on sale.

Participating beadweaving shops will be:

1. CigarboxBeads...................Marilyn

2. BeadsForever....................Linda

3. NossubGallery..................Ana

4. KeepsakeTreasures.........Tanya

5. Enchantedbeads...............Ileana

6. SilverDragonCreations....Patricia

7. ConlinsCreations..............Amanda

8. BeadazzledofOregon........Dini

9. RachelesOriginals.............Rachele

10. LittleStoneDesign...........Cheryl

11. GoodRiverGallery...........Hannah

Be sure to check out each and every designated shop for outstanding handmade items and generous sale prices! Look for the SALE-e-BRATION badge in the participating shops for their SALE ITEMS.

Below is your own invitation to join us at BEM anytime the first week of July in our own Independence Celebration. Use the scissors to cut out this reminder ~ Shop right here at home!

RED, WHITE and BEADWEAVING SALE-e-BRATION!

DATES: July 1 through July 8th, 2009

WHERE: http://www.1000markets.com/groups/bem

WHAT: unique and creative beadwoven art

HINT: shop early for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and more!

Bead Giveaway Contest

Bead Giveaway Contest Reminder!

Okay, so the contest ends TODAY - Friday, June 12th, but you still have time to enter - until midnight tonight. Check out http:/silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com for more details. Click here to read the wonderful logic behind this big givaway. This is one wonderful woman who can give away beads!

If I'm honest, I really don't want anyone else to enter because I want to win all the loot for myself, but we gotta follow the rules!

Here's some concrete evidence of what a LARGE pile of beads you can win and what a great opportunity it will be for someone. See how the entire cardboard box is overflowing? Free Beads - WHEEEEE!

A closer look at the FREE BEADS!

In this pic you can see lots of cube beads, large delica beads, some Czech glass black cat beads and a whole bag of black hex-cut seed beads.

Pretty cloisonne beads and large pink fiberoptic oval beads. Also, a baggie of clear/pink Czech firepolish ovals in the upper left corner.

Some green size 10 delicas and some Miyuki pink/amber triangle beads.

Getting into the blues and greens here: A strand of blue lace agate graduated rondelles and barrels, some green cube beads, green/clear Czech glass flowers and a green stone star.

Some mini bugle beads and a pink rhodonite donut peeking out in the center of the picture.

In this bag? A strand of genuine emerald oval beads.

And this is just a taste of what is in the box.

So, get out there and post on your blogs and leave a link in the comments on Silver Parrot's Blog before midnight on Friday, June 12th, to be entered!

Need a Good Laugh?

If you need a good laugh, check out the Etsy Beadweavers (EBW) blog to view the 21 entries into the June beadweaving challenge entitled "Humor."

If you click on the item in the list below the mosaic you will be taken to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you can read about how each artist came to create these fun pieces of jewelry. Please visit the Etsy Beadweavers Blog and VOTE for your favorite June 9th through the 15th!

1. Adios Pollo - BeadazzledofOregon

2. HOUSE for RENT with Garden View - enchantedbeads

3. Jolly Jester - ArtfulAr

4. WEED Necklace - HauteIceBeadwork

5. Riot of Color Sparkly Rope Necklace - roseworksjewelry

6. Curly Black Rock Bacelet - SpringColors

7. inside jokes - thebeadedlily

8. Clown Fish Join the Carnival - beadsandblooms

9. Where's Waldo - Oops... I Mean Where's Lizard - fashionsfrome

10. Tartan Scottie Dog beaded cuff - Crownrosegems

11. Gone Fishing---Cat and fish bracelet - vanishingpearl

12. HERE'S LOOKIN' AT YOU Blown Glass Eye Pendant Set - caraway

13. Curiosity killed the Toilet Paper - LiciaBeads

14. Where Is My UFO - binkaminka

15. NOT My Mother - PfordCustomJewelry

16. Money doesn't grow on trees Necklace - CieloDesign

17. Harlequin - Free Form Beaded Cuff - ThreeFatesDesign

18. Punch-Line Bracelet - FrancescasFancy

19. Pond Frog Bracelet - savoystudio

20. Harlequin - jmackgems

I've already voted. Please join me in selecting your favorite humorous creation.

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

We've all heard the old saying, "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained." Today, I'm repeating it to myself because I have scary butterflies in my stomach about a new line of jewelry I'm determined to pursue.

While I'm scared, I'm also excited. Why? My mother taught me to sew at a young age. First, I learned to sew hems with a needle and thread. Then Mom was actually brave enough to set me in front of a sewing machine. I fell in love with needles and thread, fabrics and scissors way back then and while I put this love on the back burner for several years, it's been poking my conscious mind for quite a while now and finally I am listening.

My sister from South Dakota makes beautiful quilts. While visiting my family there recently I went with her to her quilt group and a fellow quilter had some beautiful batik fabrics for sale. Well, how could I resist? She also gave away some awesome quilting magazines where I saw true art created from fabric, beads and buttons. My imagination took over and the next thing I knew I was designing jewelry made from fabric, beads and buttons!

Here is the first fabric cuff I've created. I call it Nostalgia. Not only has it brought back so many fond memories, it's inspired me to get out the sewing machine once again. I hope it's the first of many new fabric creations. My sister gave me the beautiful vintage button.




So I've come full circle (funny how that happens in life)! To be able to create with fabric, beads and buttons - it doesn't get much better than that. I'm so thankful for the gifts God has given me and for the ability and opportunity to use them!

Obsessed with Cuffs

If you are a bracelet lover, you'll enjoy checking out the fashion blog by Terry Mulligan, an owner of two shops on Etsy, who did a series of posts on cuffs on her fashion blog. My Striped Rose Cuff was featured in Part IV of her series.

Terry has two shops on Etsy. Her Raw Leather Gallery Shop features handcrafted items cut from raw leather from Italy. Here are two items from her shop. The first is a genuine python leather cuff she made and the second is a pair of striking geometric shaped leather earrings.



Her other shop on Etsy is called Original Treasures and features art and handmade treasures in many different mediums.

Thanks, Terry, for your kind gesture in featuring my cuff in with so many other unique and beautiful cuffs.