Jewelry Created with Cubic Zirconia

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of some beautiful cubic zirconia components I received from Artbeads.com and thought I would have a completed necklace within a couple weeks.

In the meantime, I did a bit of research. According to Wikipedia, "Cubic zirconia (or CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂). The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors."

Artbeads.com has hundreds of different Cubic Zirconia items including beads, pendants, drops, clasps, links and earrings in many different colors and shapes. I chose the CZ teardrop shaped drop and CZ round beads.

I had grandiose plans to create a necklace using all of the components in the same piece. But as things often go in jewelry design, I ended up not liking what I created. After five different "re-dos" I gave up and decided to go simple. I'm glad I did as the CZ components are really beautiful all by themselves and don't need anything added to really show off their beauty.

I created a necklace that can be worn two ways. The simplest necklace uses CZ round beads in two sizes strung with tiny size 15 rocailles. The sparkle is amazing and a bit hard to capture in pictures.

I wanted to use at lease one of the CZ teardrops as a dangle, so I decided to make one that is removable. By adding the dangle, you can dress up the necklace and add a bit of romance.


Since my original necklace design didn't work out as I had imagined, I had two pairs of CZ teardrops left that were just begging to be used as earrings. Fortunately I had some Swarovski crystal beads that go very well with the CZ.

I am so pleased with the CZ jewelry components I received from Artbeads.com. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to make classy romantic jewelry with lots of sparkle. One thing I learned is that the larger CZ drops are heavier than I expected. Things don't always work out like we plan, but I'm very happy with the end results.

As part of Artbeads.com blog group, I received these products free of charge and am giving my honest critique of the products received. I have not been paid for providing this review of their products.

Classy Glass Artists

Today I was nicely surprised by a new glass artist group I joined - Classy Glass Artists. They featured my work on their blog.

Classy Glass Artists is a new group on My Craft Corner. Currently there are 11 members and they are actively looking for more. So come check us out and join our group. Great things are going to happen I know.

The founders of the Classy Glass Artist group, Jason and Jannelle, have an Etsy shop called Nomad Crafts Etc! This set of 2 Focal Fish beads is one of my favorites from their store.

You can become a fan of the group page on Facebook here. Hope to see you there!

Sabine Lippert - Bead Magician Extraordinaire

Today a friend posted a link of her work on my facebook page and I was so honored. She used one of my dichroic glass cabochons and created a fantastic necklace using her magical beading powers! I'm talking about Sabine Lippert from Germany.

Here's the original dichroic glass cab.


And here is Sabine's necklace after she did some serious beading magic. Isn't it beautiful?!


Check out her blog to see more of Sabine's beautiful work http://try-to-be-better.blogspot.com/. If you are interested in seeing more of my dichroic glass cabochons, you can see them in my Etsy shop.

Gorgeous CZ Faceted Components from Artbeads.com

Have you ever looked at some special beads and thought "I'd sure love to have some of those!" Well, my fantasy was fulfilled yesterday when these beauties arrived in the mail. These CZ faceted flat teardrops and CZ faceted round beads are from Artbeads.com and boy do they sparkle!

Artbeads.com has hundreds of different Cubic Zirconia items including beads, pendants, drops, clasps, links and earrings in many different colors and shapes. I chose the orange, yellow and peridot flat teardrops because I love those shapes and I also love those colors together. The thing I like most about CZ components is the sparkle created by the facets.

Can you guess what I'm going to make with them? Stay tuned for the finished creation. I won't be finished too quickly as I have to make some beadweaving components to match the CZ beads, but hopefully I'll be done in a week or so.

Thank you, Artbeads, for getting my creative juices flowing with these lovely beads. As part of Artbeads.com blog group, I received these products free of charge and am giving my honest critique of the products received. I have not been paid for providing this review of their products.

Etsy Beadweaver's November Challenge Winner

This month's EBW challenge entitled "Beauty of the Flower" had 17 entries and received 685 votes. With 174 of the votes, the winner is number 13 - Hibiscus Necklace - grakowsky.


You can read more about the winning entry as well as the top ten winners on the EBW blog. Congratulations to all the beautiful entries.

EBW November Challenge Mosaic

EBW November Challenge Mosaic, originally uploaded by wMarlaine.

Check out the fabulous entries into the Etsy Beadweavers November Challenge entitled Beauty of the Flower. You may vote for your favorite between Sept 9 and Sept 15 on the group blog at
http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

700 Etsy Hearts!

I just received my 700th Etsy heart from The Sproutz Store. Wouldn't you know, this shop is full of one of my favorite things - FABRIC! So now I have to decide which fabric to purchase - to thank her for being my 700th! Here's some examples I have to choose from, but it's going to be a tough choice as there are 26 pages of fabric for sale in her shop!





If you love fabric as much as I do, you're sure to love browsing in The Sproutz Store!

Some Beauties Created in Germany

Where have I been and what have I been doing? Amazingly, I haven't been anywhere outside my four walls, but I have been busy.

To start with, I've been caught up with making dichroic glass cabochons. I just can't get enough of them. And while I'd like to do beadwork around each and every one of them, I only have 2 arms and there are just not enough hours in the day. So I started selling them in my Etsy shop.

Here are the first two cabochons that were purchased by Sabine Lippert from Germany.



I just love what she did with them. Her beadwork is always unique and I think she really shows off the cabs wonderfully!



You can see more of her work on her blog, Try-To-Be-Better or on her website, Try-To-Be. She also just opened an Etsy shop, Try-To-Be-Unique, where she sells her patterns. I am going to be one of her customers for sure!

Stay tuned for more dichroic cab updates and some information on the process of making them.

Beads, Beads, Beads Treasury on Etsy

When I see the word "Beads," it gets my attention. Just imagine all the beads it took to create all the lovely bead woven items in this Etsy Treasury.


SF Beads created this treasury and included my "Royal Affair" necklace with all the other lovely work. I checked out her shop and found many other items that could have been included, like this pretty "Summer Necklace."

This bracelet is called "Copper Age" would be perfect for fall.

If you've never stopped to consider the beauty of beads before, now is the time. You can find many beautiful bead woven items on Etsy, all handmade and created with love.

And the WInner Is ....

The winner of the Etsy Beadweavers September Indian Summer Dream Challenge has been announced. Lorraine of TrinityDJ won with her beautiful Indian Summer Sunset necklace.

You can read more about the winner on the EBW Blog and you can see more jewelry created by Lorraine in her Etsy shop.

Parvati's Grace necklace, created by CieloDesign came in 2nd.



Indian Summer Nights by Triz came in 3rd.


The top ten winners are listed on the EBW blog. In reality, everyone that entered was a winner as all of the pieces created were just outstanding.

Indian Summer Dream Beadweaving Challenge

The Etsy Beadweavers "Indian Summer Dream" Beadweaving Challenge has 33 beautiful entries this month. Voting is now open on the Etsy Beadweaver's Blog. You can click on the names below the mosaic to go to the shop of each artist to read about the piece they created.


Voting is only from the 9th thru the 15th so put on your thinking cap after checking out the entries and vote to choose which is your favorite.

BEM September "Fall" Challenge

As the winner of the BEM "New Horizons" challenge, Dini of Beadazzled of Oregon chose "Fall" as the September Challenge theme. She states "I love fall! I love the smells and sounds, the dryness of the leaves, the really cold mornings and the beautiful still warm afternoons. Above all, I love the fall colors."

There are 5 entries for the new "Fall" challenge. The first picture is by Bedazzled of Oregon and is entitled Shades of Fall.

This 2nd entry is by Nans Glam and is entitled Autumn Flora Brooch.


The 3rd entry is by Rachele's Originals and is entitled Inspire' d'Automne.


The 4th entry is by GG's Designs and is called Fall Bargello Bracelet.


The 5th entry is by Silver Dragon Creations and is called Autumn Goddess.


All of these entries can be seen on the BEM blog. Voting will take place from September 5th through September 9th. Stop on by and vote for your favorite.

Colorful Treasury on Etsy

Smadar's Treasure on Etsy created a Colorful Treasury and she included my Summer Garden Bracelet.

This bold ethnic necklace by Smadar fits this colorful treasury perfectly. She has so many beautiful items in her Etsy shop.


There is lots of eye candy and color in her shop. Stop by and give her some well deserved love.

Up For a Treasure Hunt?

Kitzbitz on Etsy has created this wonderful and fun Etsy treasure hunt treasury. It's only available until Wednesday, September 2nd - so join the fun now while you can. There are two great prizes available to the lucky winners.

My New Life pin was included in this treasury of gorgeous items available from Etsy sellers. The selections were chosen from members of two Etsy teams: FHF Team and HAF Team. Kitzbitz is a member of both teams. I am a member of the HAF team.

I Love This Stuff Treasury

My Silky Copper Bracelet was included in this treasury created by Little Stone Design.

Her June Garden Beadwoven Bracelet is one of my favorites on Etsy. But there are many many more beautiful items in her shop. Check it out!



If you aren't familiar with Etsy, you are missing out on some wonderful hand made creations. It's a great place to shop for gifts for everyone in your family.

Totally Turquoise Treasury

My Fantasy Three Blues bracelet was included in this Totally Turquoise treasury created by Beads and Blooms on Etsy.

If you want to see more gorgeous turquoise pieces, check out her shop on Etsy. For example, here's her Open Squares Turquoise bracelet - one of my favorites.

There are many more lovely items in her shop. Be sure to check it out!

Stuff I Want Treasury

My Limeonade Medallion Neckace was included in this beautiful treasury by Kitzbitz Art Glass on Etsy.

Here's some lovely Liquid Oil lampwork beads I found in her shop.


Kitzbitz and I are both members of the Handmade Artists Forum (HAF) Team on Etsy.

Walking in the Woods Treasury

My boulder opal bracelet was included in this lovely treasury created by Smadar's Treasure on Etsy.


If you feel like shopping for some beautiful beadwoven items, check out her shop. Here's one of my favorites (it was truly hard to pick just one!).


I met Smadar through the Etsy Beadweaving (EBW) Team Group on Etsy and she has truly been an inspiration to me.

600 Hearts on Etsy! (But Who's Counting?)

I received my 600th heart on Etsy today from Blessed Republic, and Etsy shop that sells handmade bags, belts and scarves. Here's a picture of a laptop tote from her shop.

Thanks for the 600th heart, Blessed Republic!

Thanks For Your Votes!

Oodles and oodles of thanks to everyone who voted for my necklace in the Abeadstore.com Beaded Impressions contest. My entry came in 2nd place and I won a $50 gift certificate! Here's my necklace but you can view all the winners here.

I'm sure you won't be able to figure out what I'm going to buy with my $50 gift certificate! Happy shopping tomorrow!

Voting Change - ALERT - Voting Change

Due to some technical difficulties (the main mod is on vacation) the location for voting for the Etsy Beadweavers August Challenge "First Ladies of Style" was moved to another blog.

Please go here to vote. You have until the 15th to vote for your favorite.

Thanks for everyone's understanding and love of beadweaving!

First Ladies of Style - EBW Challenge

Thirty Etsy Beadweavers Team members entered the EBW August challenge entitled "First Ladies of Style." Using tiny beads with a needle and thread and incredible patience, each EBW member used their talents and creative spirits to design wearable art. You can click on the item in the text list below the mosaic which links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detail of each piece!

Be sure to visit the EBW Team Blog June 9th thru the 15th when you will be able to cast your vote for your favorite piece.




1. Nefertiti's Treasure Beadwoven Choker Necklace - RachelesOriginals

2. All That Glitters ... Is Not Gold - beadsforever

3. Gaia Goddess Beadwoven Bracelet - cigarboxbeads

4. Punk Rocker Bracelet in Blue and Black - roseworksjewelry

5. Peyote bracelet for Queen Maud of Norway - PFordCustomJewelry

6. Shades of the Southwest - beadsandblooms

7. Black and Gold - ArtfulAr

8. The FIRST Lady of Style - BettyStephanBeadwork

9. Bright Young Thing - copperwaycrafts

10. Luthien - MadeByOlga

11. Black Beauty jewelry set - BeadCatcher

12. Mademoiselle Coco Couture Wrist Cuff - gypsyeyesjewelry

13. The Elizabethan - daynamiles

14. For Sofia - Choker - triz

15. Brigid Flower Necklace - SpringColors

16. S.W.A.L.K -'Sealed With A Loving Kiss' - Astersadler

17. Just Our Style - 1BeadAtATime

18. Coco Chanel Inspired Cuff Bracelet - GinjaGirlDesigns

19. Lagoon Lustre - sutkibeads

20. A Necklace for Michelle - BeadazzledofOregon

21. Royal Blue - Marie-Antoinette - StudioAnnieVeillette

22. 2 in 1 Multi Strand Silver and Blue Iris Necklace - SmadarsTreasure

23. Princess Jezebel's Jewels - Fivefootfury13

24. Memories IN Style - trinitydj

25. Victorian Cameo Brooch - enchantedbeads

26. Aphrodite - GreenEnvyDesigns

27. Classic Celtic Braided Bracelet - AmethystRavenstar

28. Alexandra's necklace - CieloDesign

29. Turtle Dream Weaver Necklace - kraftymax

30. Montana Sapphire - beadwoman3

Etsy Beadweavers August Challenge Entry

All the members of the Etsy Beadweaver's Team are finalizing their entries into the August challenge entitled "Ladies of Style." The mosaic showing all entries will be prepared and ready for viewing and voting on August 9th on the group blog.

Here is my entry into the challenge. I chose to make a simple bracelet combining an old technique with modern bling.

I began with a netting base. Netting, which dates back to well before the Christian era, is the stitch with the longest history. Lacy and soft, netting has lots of open spaces. You can see the diamond pattern on the backside of the bracelet.

To the netted base, I added over 200 6mm Swarovski bicone crystal beads in various colors of blue giving it lots of flash and sparkle - sure to get attention is this day and age of bling. The closure is a new and modern 18" Swarovski Rivoli crystal enclosed in a peyote stitched bail.

If you don't want to wait until August 9th to see all the entries, just go to http://www.etsy.com and search using the search word "EBWC".