Around the Next Corner

You just never know what lies around the next corner. 

One day you send in some pictures to a Beadsmith Kumihimo challenge on Facebook and the next day you are speaking on the phone to Steven who is a sales rep for Beadsmith.  Never in a million years would I have expected to find that around a "Kumihimo corner."  What a pleasant surprise it was!

Not only did I meet an interesting person in the beading industry, but I was given the opportunity to receive two gorgeous Elegant Elements clasps!  My first introduction to these clasps was from one of my German beading friends a few years ago who said they were Helby clasps. I have lusted after them ever since.  

Steven sent me a link to a pdf file containing their beautiful clasps.  The first clasp I chose is a slender 5 strand gold clasp that I planned to use on a freeform bracelet.

Before the clasp arrived, I had almost completed the freeform bracelet.  Since the clasp was 30mm long, I created a bracelet to fit that size and I think the simple but elegant clasp suits it perfectly.

I used 24k gold and silver plated Delicas, seed beads and fire polished beads, bronze colored beads, and miscellaneous accent beads in those same colors.



I call my bracelet "Enticement" and it will soon be for sale in my Etsy shop.

The 2nd clasp I chose is a dazzling 2 strand silver and crystal clasp which I plan to use on a necklace.  It's a beautiful clasp and I hope I will do it justice with my beadwork.

I am very thankful to Beadsmith for this opportunity to work with their beautiful clasps.  Click this link to visit their website and find out more about the products they offer.  Their products can be found in a local beadstore near you.

Calling all Kumihimo Lovers

Beadsmith is sponsoring an event on facebook titled "Beadsmith is looking for the best Kumihimo braiders in the land..."

They are looking for photos to be sent to them at kumihimo@beadsmith.com displaying your best Kumihimo work in either of two categories:

     Beaded Kumihimo (braid must be at least 50% beads)
     "Naked" Kumihimo (braid must feature a large focal bead)

You can read more about the great opportunity and the prizes offered by going to the event page on facebook.

I shared 4 of my Kumihimo necklaces with them.  This first necklace features a  cabochon by Artisan Clay.

This necklace features a porcelain sliding pendant by Amazing Porcelain Fantasies.

This necklace was created around a stoneware cabochon by Lisa Peters Art.

This necklace features a polymer clay focal bead and clasp by Mikki Ferrugiaro.

I created these necklaces on a Marudai, but they can be created on a Kumihimo disk as well.  You can purchase Beadsmith's Kumihimo products at most local bead shops.  There is also a link on the facebook event page to get more information about where Beadsmith products can be purchased.

Congratulations to the Winners!

The drawing for my Thank You Celebration was held last night.  My husband drew three names out of his lucky fishing hat.  And the winners are ....

The first name drawn was Kristen.  She has a wonderful blog called "My Bead Journey" where you will be inspired, highly entertained and learn about many fantastic beading artists.  Kristen won the book 'The Art of Bead Embroidery' by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini along with one of my more wild and crazy dichroic glass cabs.

I stole this picture from her facebook page - so cute!  She calls it Owl's Knot.

The 2nd winner was Therese who won two of my dichroic glass cabs.  She has a lovely blog called Therese's Treasures.  She also has a facebook page called by the same name.  This is her facebook profile picture and I love it!

The 3rd winner was Beatrix (from Germany) who can be found on facebook here.  I could not find any pictures from her so I hope she will share something with the dichroic glass cab I will be sending her.

Once again, thank you to all who entered my giveaway and have supported my creative adventures.

Giveaway Prizes

Here are pictures of the drawing prizes I'm giving away to celebrate all my fans on my Facebook BeadsForever business page.  If you haven't already entered, take a moment to enter now.  Just "like" my facebook page (if you haven't already) and leave a comment on my blog under either of the two posts about my giveaway and you are entered.  It's that easy.  My husband will be drawing three names out of the hat on Friday, October 21 at 6pm PST.  There will be three names drawn and three prizes given away.  Be sure there is a way to contact you if you are the winner.

If you want to have a 2nd chance, share this blogpost on facebook and for a 3rd chance, share it on twitter.  Be sure to let me know where you shared it so I put your name into the hat for each share.

OK, so ready for the prizes?  The first name drawn will win one of my larger, more wild and crazy cabs as well as a fabulous book on bead embroidery 'The Art of Bead Embroidery' by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini.  You can view a picture of the book on Amazon here.

The 2nd name drawn will win these two dichroic glass cabochons - both are hot out of my kiln.

The 3rd name drawn will win this dichroic glass cabochon.

Good luck to everyone.  Most of all, THANK YOU to all my fans for your support and affirmation!