Thinking of Christmas early

I'm starting early with my Christmas gift planning. Since I have 4 nieces that are old enough to enjoy jewelry I made up some pieces for them. I was thinking of my nieces when I was making the jewelry and I enjoyed myself so much. I wish I could be there to see them open it and wear it but pictures will have to do. I won't share too much of my other gift planning because somebody might sneak a peek and that would ruin the surprise - LOL - let's just say I've been extra busy with that.
See the slideshow for my newest pieces.

Is it really that time of year again?!?!

Halloween is already in the stores. Pretty soon it will be Christmas. I don't know about you but I'm not ready for Christmas! Just in case you're looking for gift items.....
I am offering holiday specials on my jewelry site. http://love2bead.blujay.com
I'm hoping I can get rid of some of my inventory. I'm running out of room to display it.
I've made 7 new sets of jewelry. I'll add pictures soon. Two weeks ago at our jewelry beading I was crunched for time and only had time to make 2 sets. This past Monday I had more time and made 5 sets.
One of the sets is made with peridot fresh water pearls. Simple but very pretty!
Awhile back I had purchased glass chips in several different colors. I have since made 4 necklaces but ran out of ideas. Recently I was inspired by Dorene and made up 1 set with the chips. I have more ideas in my mind and can't wait for another lull to put the ideas together.

Can You Say BUSY????

I have had very limited time for extra activities such as beading. So, when I do have time I try to make the most of it. I'm very excited that I was able to make a Mother's Necklace with my children's names and birthstones and matching earrings. I intended to make a bracelet but as the design evolved I decided to make it a necklace. Bracelet is soon to come.
I've also made a butterfly necklace with 2 strands - my, what a challenge that is!!! The 2 strands NEVER lay right!!! I was happy to be done with it and go on to my next project.
See this site for my newest pieces. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v629/keren6/?action=view&current=29f88cdc.pbw

On a roll

I'm thrilled to be so busy with making special orders for friends and family. In the last few days I've restrung 4 necklaces and made at least 3 sets and I'm in the process of finishing 2 more. One of my most challenging designs I had to re-do with the help of my beading friends. I'm proud, or maybe I should say, satisfied, of the way it finally came out. It's always a learning experience.
I finally have pics to share of my latest projects. The 3 stranded necklace in the picture is the challenging piece. One of the others is a Tiger Eye necklace. I used a tiger eye pendant, tiger eye chips, tiger eye oval beads and gold spacers. I LOVE IT!!
The blue necklace is one that I just sold.

I'm in the process of finishing up an opal necklace set. I'm so excited about getting it finished. Will show pics soon.

Better Than Nothing

I had high hopes for getting several pieces
made today but I got a late start and got to Dorene's house late.
I did finish my necklace from last week
and finished the set (pictures to come).
I also started a new necklace which I had hoped to
finish tonight but will probably finish tomorrow.
Isn't that the way it goes sometimes?!
Ann, Dorene and I had a sweet time of fellowship and that
made it worth the while. Dorene is one of the best pie makers!!!
I don't know what that has to do with beading but every week she has a pie
ready for us. Today it was lemon meringue.
Over the weekend I received an email from a friend who requested
more of my jewelry. She has already purchased some and now
she is a return customer.
I've had several custom orders as well.
Pictures will be posted soon.

No Beads This Weekend

Yesterday was our 10th Anniversary. We had a great day!
We're celebrating this weekend. We're SO excited that we're getting away for
the first time in several years.
I don't know if I'm more excited about eating at the Olive Garden or the
solitude of the hotel or maybe it's the shopping.
Either way it's going to be so much fun.
Our kids are staying with some friends. They're looking forward
to this as much as Tim and I. They're in good hands and they'll
have fun playing with other kids.
I started a necklace on Wednesday but haven't had a chance to get
back to it. Hey, there's always Monday - our beading day!

How it all got started

Myself and the ladies at church were interested in doing crafts together. Dorene had just recently started making some necklaces and other jewelry and she invited us to join her in her home. I bought a kit and on the first day I thought it was quite complicated. What in the world are all these pieces for! One day out of the week led to another and almost a year later I'm addicted. There are 3 of us in our beading group: Dorene (it's all her fault - haha), Ann and myself. I have become very close to Ann and Dorene. They're like my mothers. I won't tell their ages but they are seniors. We get together every Monday afternoon and feed off each others ideas and inspire each other and most importantly FELLOWSHIP.
Several months ago Dorene started shipping her finished products to her daughter. At her daughters workplace she sells it and boy, is it in high demand there! This has become a very fruitful source of income for Dorene. Ann started taking her jewelry into a local shop and selling it on consignment. That worked out great until the shop closed.
I've been inspired by my beading friends and have my own website http://love2bead.blujay.com
where I have sold almost 15 sets.
I love to bead. It's very relaxing and I love to see the pieces evolve in front of me.
So, this is pretty long for my first post but I guess I needed to start somewhere.