Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!

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A Bead A Day
A new beading component is on the market, created by and named after our fellow bead blogger Katie Hacker.

About.com Jewelry Making
As part of the "Start a New Hobby" theme running through About.com's hobby blogs this week, Tammy takes a moment to think about jewelry as more than a hobby. What about jewelry as a job?

Art Bead Scene
Want to capture a bit of the summer? This week's collection of sea beads will keep those summer memories alive all year 'round.

Beading Arts
Want to get in on a fantastic giveaway? Cabbing Rough is offering a Kingman turquoise cabochon on Beading Arts!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi was at CHA in Chicago and has a fabulous post about Prima Marketing.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
This week's rewind makes a statement.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean reviews a SUPERfantastic new book by all star stamper and metalworker, Lisa Niven Kelly!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew's blog recently marked its four year anniversary. Celebrate with him, by entering to win a HUGE bead stash via this week's Thursday Giveaway!

Wednesday Wire - Guess!

Okey dokey, Wireheads - I've got some fine gauge wire on the way from Parawire.  I'm going to use it with my Skully Bowz.

I'm not ready to unveil it. But try to guess what I might make? Ring? Necklace? Bracelet?

Coffee Talk: Order and Orders

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned cleaning and bathroom remodeling. After doubling the length of time we were told it was going to take, the remodelers finally finished the bathroom yesterday. Here's a quick shot:

It's a small bathroom but it functions well. Even better now that the ugly old tile and pink bathtub are gone (I'm talking ugly pink!) Everything is in order now.

Remember the adjustable ring project using the Double Dips in Step by Step Wire this month? It's the fourth time I've had a project published in the magazines yet the first time I've had a run on orders for my work.

Other beadmakers had told me to watch out when you published a project, you'd get a run on your beads you wouldn't be able to keep up with. Well, that didn't happen the first 3 times I published. So I was taken off guard the fourth time around.

Needless to say, I'm furiously working on the orders with the extra day I have off from the sign language interpreting but I'm very sore from over-use.

Let that be a lesson to me, fourth time is a charm! I've got order in my house and orders on the table - what more can a beadmaker ask for?

Mad for Monday

Vacation is coming and I'm dreaming of the beach. I'm sure to take along my iPad but what to carry it in? I've got a few ideas for today's Mad for Monday....

I might need to put a credit card, a few dollars, a pen and a few other things into the case. So this Ultimate traveler iPad Case from feltu on Etsy would do the trick.

But maybe I want my playful side to show through. If I do, I could pick up this Owl iPad Sleeve from BoutiqueID on Etsy

What if I want something "girly-er?" I might have to get out my sewing machine and get busy making this floral iPad case by Heidi

I love Book Book but they're not available for the iPad yet. So I've found a tutorial to DIY one. It's a how to make a hollow book and I think it will come close to looking like the Book Book. Now where can I find a book large enough?

I better get to work - which one do you think would make the best vacation-mate?

Sunday Photo

Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Let's see what our Bead Bloggers have been up to this week....

A Bead A Day
If you enjoy recycling, Lisa shared a bracelet idea using an "old" canvas belt.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy catches you up on some of her latest free jewelry tutorials.

Art Bead Scene
It's the Art Bead Scene Monthly Carnival Blog. This month's theme is "Commitment."

Beading Arts
You won't believe the goodies that Mama's Minerals in giving away on Beading Arts this week!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has completed the necklace featuring her "found again" bezel!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Mad for Monday features Cindy's new Step by Step Wire Jewelry Double Dip Adjustable Ring Project.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A shopping spree at an antique mall grants Melanie with some new old treasures! What will she make with these little bits of history?

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei's blog ended up on the Wikio.com Craft category, check out the others!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean made some summer fun earrings for Artbeads and they are soooo pretty! Go see!

Strands of Beads
Melissa has finally hung out her shingle and opened a modest store-front on her website.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Up for grabs in this week's Thursday Giveaway is an organic, lampwork glass bead by Susan Jones Designs.

Wednesday Wire: Get out there and make some rings!

I'm on a ring kick so I spent a few hours over the weekend watching YouTube wire wrapping ring videos. This one from Auntie's Beads is about 2-3 years old but it's the best of the bunch. Get out your craft wire and make some rings!

Mad for Monday: Bathroom Remodel

Normally, "Mad for Monday" is a collection of some of my favorite things but this week's inspiration comes from being "Mad AT the Bathroom Remodeling." Seems this is the remodel that goes on forever, we're going on day 11 and I'm tired of having to be ready at 7:15am for the work crew to come in. Truth be told, I threw a 2 year old temper tantrum last Friday because I overslept and had to be ready in 15 minutes. My hair won't cooperate in 15 minutes! Nothing puts in me in a bad mood more than a bad hair day. I looked like a drowned poodle the whole day.

But there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. They've GOT to finish, right? So today's "Mad for Monday" is the accent pieces I'm considering for the bathroom.

I love the shape and color of the natural coconut soap dispenser from FLCoconuts on Etsy. But let's say I change my mind and don't want liquid soap. What else might I like?

There's nothing like peppermint to invigorate you. When I have to get up at 6 am to get ready for an early work assignment, this Sacred Waters Soap Company's Peppermint Pickup bar would be the perfect morning tonic.

But what to put the soap in?

DGordon's little trinket dish can double as a soap dish and reminds me to take it one day at a time.

The remodelers WILL finish and then I'll have a nice, new bathroom....one day at a time!

Sunday Photo

Silly Saturday and Sensational Links

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Kiki and US Marine Brian Chambers

Thanks to Unique Scoop for this story:

Kittehs Kiki and Keykey have found a home in the midst of war. And it’s all thanks to three US Marines, Brian Chambers, Chris Berry and Aaron Shaw. They started a mission to help find homes for stray cats that they found while serving in Afghanistan. After finding Keykey injured by a c-wire, Berry took care of his wounds and nursed him back to health and the two of them have been best friends every since.

And now Keykey is living with Berry’s parents in Michigan while Kiki is living with Chambers’ parents in Texas and both are enjoying their new loving homes! Those Marines are definitely heroes in our book as is also the group of Royal Marines that started the organization called Nowzad in 2007. This organization rescues stray and abandoned animals in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Let's see what our Bead Bloggers have been up to this week....

A Bead A Day
Lisa learned quite a bit this week about the need to clean beads if they have a powdery residue inside. Stop by if you have a chance for some safety tips.

About.com Jewelry Making
Who says jewelry tools are mainly for metalsmiths? There are plenty of cool tools and gadgets for beaders too!

Art Bead Scene
It's July and the Art Bead Scene has a new monthly challenge. Wondering what the prizes are for this month? Come check them out!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts As she gathers inventory for her show, Barbe wonders why no one buys bracelets these days.

Beading Arts
Cyndi has a copy of "Beading In No Time" to give away! Pop on over and sign up to win!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi makes a new necklace featuring the funniest artwork images!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
The schedule has been crazy and the studio is in disarray. Cindy is going to take back her workspace by....brace yourself.....cleaning!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Summertime is the inspiration for a new necklace using glass flowers from Artbeads.com and Earthenwood Studio birdie and lumber themed components.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei gives a sneak peek to the new Craft blog ratings from Wikio.com

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean is thrilled that Margot Potter's latest oeuvre, Bead Chic, is already available at Amazon! This is a super concept for a jewelry design book, and Jean will explain why!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew creates a necklace called, "The Keeper of Memory" around one of Anne Choi's sterling silver beads.

Mad for Monday: Rings and Commitment

Summer is the season of weddings, graduations and street fairs. Weddings are a traditional show of commitment while graduations are the celebration of years of a commitment to schooling. Artists and craftsmen gear up in the spring for a round of summer street fairs demonstrating their commitment to sharing their artwork with others.

I've seen the fruits of my labor in the publication of two easy wire projects in Step by Step - Meandering and my Double Dip Adjustable Ring:

Rings are a symbol of lifelong commitments so it seems appropriate for this month's Carnival Blog theme to take a stroll through some of my favorite handmade art rings.

I love this set of two rings by Happy Go Lucky with customized sayings on them:

Then there's this sweet stitched heart duo by Express Yourself

How cute is this bow ring by Pauper's Bounty?

So as we continue through the summer, what are you committed to?

Sunday Photo

California? No, Hillebrand Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada.

Silly Saturday and Sensational Links

A Bead A Day
If you are a fan of turning flea market finds into shabby chic treasures, stop by A Bead A Day to help Lisa with ideas for using a bead reminiscent of an antique treasure.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has been thinking about Christmas in July this week, starting with beaded ornament covers.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene offers up a unique inspiration piece for July. Stop by and take the ABS Challenge!

Beading Arts
Cyndi wants to know: what does your work say about YOU?

Carmi's Art/Life World
A Napoleon themed medallion is this week's resin project with Carmi!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
This week's Wednesday Wire is in the mood - in the mood to make something special so she turns to a fabulous tutorial.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie reviews some of the Song Lore pieces she has finished in the first half year of the project.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei was a participant in the first Designer Challenge at the Art Bead Scene. Come over and see what she made with her Humblebeads!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
This book review by Jean discusses making fabulous earrings in 30 minutes flat! How cool is that?

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Honoring a friend who passed away, Andrew hosts a necklace auction on his blog to raise money for a good cause.

Wednesday Wire: Meandering in Easy Wire

I share how I make the Meandering Earrings with the readers of Easy Wire magazine in the summer 2010 issue.



If you'd like to "Meander" on your own, you can pick up Double Dips on my website.

Manic Monday

 Yes, I seemingly dropped off the planet for the past two weeks. Eventually, my crazy work schedule caught up with me. Then The Teen graduated and my anniversary. Tomorrow, the work crew comes in to gut and remodel our bathroom. They'll be here for a week to ten days. Apparently, we'll be without a shower for a day or two. Consider this your warning, Co-workers!

All this change and remodeling talk started me thinking about my own office space. You know the room in your house that you plan to fix up but you don't? You end up putting things in willy-nilly and then you try to add storage but it never quite comes together?  Well that's my office. See for yourself:

I probably should be embarassed to show it to you but I'm showing it anyways. All of the clutter under the desk is years of school work from The Teen. I think it goes back to middle school. I kept all of it because I was sure at some point the school would send home a letter and say he had to turn in something or he couldn't graduate! Now that he actually has the diploma in hand, I think I can throw these papers into the recycle bin.

Basically, I have lots of bare wall space and not enough storage for tiny things - like all those beads and books! I've got a plan, though. Here it is:


1. Clean out the paper.

2. Clean out the bead stash so I can have a HUGE SALE and GIVEAWAY!

3.  Decide on some REAL storage! Pegboard? Cupboards? Both?

While I'm cleaning and readying for a HUGE SALE (which I will announce formally in a few days), I've got lots to do and it's already Monday! 

Wish it were Sunday....it's another Manic Monday!

Sunday Photo

Silly Saturday and Sensational Links

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

About.com Jewelry Making
Fiber is a fantastic medium to add to your jewelry designs. Tammy takes a look at some fiber jewelry books she has reviewed in the past.

Art Bead Scene
Stumped on this month's ABS Challenge? This post just might help you out!

Beading Arts
Do you like beaded beads? Cyndi shares a tubular peyote bead that takes center stage!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi transfers some images to shell in order to make this simple necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
The deconstructed watch makes an encore appearance.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
What's new pussycat? Melanie finds inspiration from more than one source to create a new line of Kittycat pendants

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei teams up with 4 other designers to take part in the first Art Bead Scene Design Team challenge.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean observes that all art has something in common (pssst! it doesn't all come down to jewelry design, every time!) when she reviews the new digital eMag from Interweave: check it out!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her necklace design that won second place in the Metal Clay category of Bead Dreams 2010.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Kate McKinnon generously offers up THREE copies of her new book, "Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry", in another installment of Andrew's Thursday Giveaway.