Fashion Friday - Meow

This set was inspired by my friend Lauren's kitty butt and face earrings! Aren't they darling??? One of the things I love about glass bead jewelry is it's versatility. Frivolous and fun, dramatic and daring, high fashion, every day comfort... glass beads are perfect for every occasion!

Lauren, a/k/a MayBeads, sell all kinds of whimsical beads and jewelry designs.

Meow by holly-dare featuring leopard sandals

Challenge

Sometimes you need a spark of an idea to get you going. It's no big secret that I've been struggling to make beads since my sister passed away.  A few weeks ago, the Promotional Frenzy Team on Etsy announced a challenge for March. We were to make a new item for our Etsy shops using the following trends:

• Bright Colors for a Pop
• Florals
• Polka Dots
• Geometric shapes/patterns 
• Emerald Green
• Reclaimed Materials (Earth Day theme)
• Personalized Mother's Day Gifts
• Easter Themed

 I love the bead set I made!

 

The focal is here and the set is here.

Fresh Glass 3.25

This Week On Ebay

I have 50 listings up on eBay this week... My pup needs surgery and sales have been so slow since my sister passed. I've moved a bunch of beads over and some jewelry from my show stash.
There's also lots of parts from a brand spanking new xyron and a few collectibles as well. I hope you will take a l@@k! Auctions end Tuesday.

Lime and Mocha

This layout was inspired by the gorgeous glass bead necklace by Liz DeLuca, an Australian flameworker. I just LOVE this color combo!

Lime and Mocha by holly-dare featuring platform wedges

Fresh Glass 3.21 | Bittids

I finally feel as if I'm breaking my dry spell. There really is no substitute for parking my rear behind a torch and "just doing it!" Yesterday was productive and dare I say it??? Yes! Fun!  I finished two custom focal orders and got to play a bit... that weird one on the right will the be the subject of a future post!

I haven't been around much on this site and I thought I'd just give you a few Bittids* as to what's taking up my time besides trying to torch.
(*One of my dyslexic brain's favorite words!)

• I've been busy dealing my with about to be 90 year old mother. She lives far away and needs to move here and my sister's death has been a wake up call for both of us regarding  "taking care of business." 
•  I have TWO new websites in the works! One is live and one is still working out the kinks. 
• I've moved all my rubber stamping posts to the new live blog Food Safe Rubber Stamping. I realized the stamping posts were cluttering up my first love here and... there have a been a few "chefs" (quotes because they don't give a ____ if they get people sick!) spreading misinformation. So if you enjoyed those posts, you'll want to follow over there. I only anticipate one post a week...
• I'm building a new beading site for glass bead makers and jewelry designers to promote one another. I'm hoping to go live with it in another week... stay tuned for details! 
• The taxes are FINALLY done but I need to start spring cleaning! My mess is making me nuts! 
• My pup is sick and needs surgery and my sales have been slow so I have 50 craft, memorabilia, collectible, Jewelry and BEAD auctions going on ebay. I will post more on that over the weekend. In the meantime, here's the link to all the auctions.
• Be sure to check in tomorrow for Fashion Friday! I have a really fun color combo in the works!

Fresh Glass 3.16.13

I'm still in a battle at the torch. I'm not loving anything I make and while I could run through the litany of what is wrong with almost all of these... I won't bore you with my finickiness. I did have a breakthrough of sorts on this batch. I realized mid bead that beads were the subject of the last conversation with my sister. I sat there, sobbing, melty rod in one had and drooping bead in the other, hardly able to even breathe. It was that really ugly cry I've been waiting for; wondering where it was. It felt good to let it out. I miss her so and I always will.

On that oh-so-cheerful note: I hope YOU have a blessed and wonderful weekend! I'm teaching wire all day today and that always makes me happy with possibilities.

Fashion Friday: This Girl is on Fire!

This week's Fashion Friday layout is inspired by the red hot glass bead necklace and earring set by Laurie of Isinglass Design. Enjoy!!

This Girl is on Fire! by holly-dare featuring red lip makeup

I'm teaching Advanced Wire Wrap this weekend and meeting my tax guy on Sunday. Hoping things will get back on track around here after that! Hope YOU have a lovely weekend!

Beaded Kumihimo Bracelets

I never can remember to take photos in class until most of the students are gone. As luck would have it, the last two in class made similar Kumihimo bracelets...but I do love the black and gray with gunmetal bead caps! Maybe I'll do better next time!

Fashion Friday - Pretty In Pink

This week's Fashion Friday post is inspired by the lovely floral lampwork glass bead bracelet made by Jude's Jujus from pink dogwood glass beads by Donna Millard.

Pretty In Pink by holly-dare featuring low wedge sandals