Are you on the list?

I finally got around to sending out my winter newsletter to those who have signed up on my website mailing list. I have such good intentions of sending them out more frequently, but sadly this was the only one this year...and there was only one last year...oh, and the year before... So if you aren't on the list because you're afraid you'll be recieving a million emails from me, I think you can rest easy! If you haven't done the double opt-in email process through my website, it's not too late- go here and sign up then leave me a comment so I know you need the newsletter. I'll send it out to you so you can get in on the deal...and I think it's a good one... 15% off retail orders until December 13th, even on made to order items! (wholesale orders on in-stock items get free shipping)I'll leave it at that for this post, I have a pan of pseudo Cranberry Bliss bars cooling that need my frosting efforts (if cream cheese based frosting can be frozen that is)...

Ribbitt...

or the Frog Queen? As soon as I took this Moss Koi bracelet bar out of the kiln I had decided it was mine...but to be fair I did put it on my website for a day just in case someone (who isn't on a bead diet) REALLY wanted it. Since it wasn't claimed today I decided that it had a purpose other than just to join my excessive bead stash. You see, like many others out there, I have a problem with hoarding beads. I think most of the time it comes from the fear that I will use something fantastic (and one of a kind) and then change my mind, have to rip it all apart, start from scratch, and maybe still not find the perfect creation for it. This time however, things fell in place (well, grand scheme-wise, not ease of designing-wise... the whole strand of beads slid onto my carpet on three separate occasions!) and I actually used one of my hoard beads! I was the lucky winner of one of Lorelei's Green Girl Studio giveaways several months ago and received a goodie bag of GGS pewter froggy beads. They were so darn cute I had all but decided that they would simply sit on my jewelry table where I could admire them and not have to commit to a design. Until...I pulled the Koi bracelet bar out of the kiln...it just called for a frog and a little blingy kapow (...at least as blingy kapow as I get...I know, sad excuse for super sparkle but what can I say? I'm a khaki pants kind of girl!).Now, for anyone who might have had their eye on the Moss bracelet bar...let this be a lesson to you...snooze and I might just come up with a design for the component you had your eye on! (well... ok... I'll make another one for you if you want it... but you'll have to wait for another glaze firing... so next time just thumb your nose at the bead diet and go for the instant gratification!)

After the Turkey...

I spent hours with Photoshop! I managed to get three glaze firings in this week, quite an accomplishment alongside a dentist visit for three fillings (yes, three!! I swear I don't eat bon bons and drink soda all day!), a 5 mile pre-Thanksgiving meal walk, cooking a full turkey dinner (well the pumpkin pie came from Costco but I did bake Ina Garten's Outrageous Brownies...mmmm), cranberry margaritas with the neighbors, and reading the latest James Patterson novel cover to cover (meh... not sure why I keep reading them). So, I have quite a few new things to show off including three new glazes. A big part of two of the firings was devoted to a custom order so there aren't as many headed to the website as you might think but I'm pretty sure there will still be lots for people to choose from!

Jade is a rich, lush bluey green that is just the color of rough jade stones I picked up at Jade Cove in Northern California on a road trip a few years ago (haven't named this pattern yet):
I'm loving these Bracelet Bars, they're gently curved rectangles that fit nicely across the top of a wrist. Here's one in the pattern Koi glazed in my new favorite, Moss, a speckled chartreuse.A Lattice patterned heart glazed in Jade: Bubbles charm glazed in Jade:
A pair of Bzzz charms glazed with Twilight (I have them in the innie and outie versions):Cup O'Joe charms glazed in Rootbeer (a slightly darker and more pumpkin shaded version of my Harvest glaze): Another new design in Rootbeer (the outie version of the first pattern that has no name yet):Drizzle charms glazed in Peacock:A Patina glazed Magnolia circle:
A heart in my new Lantern pattern glazed in Moss:Here's a Bracelet Bar glazed in Jade (no pattern name on this guy yet either): Well, that should be enough with the photos for tonight! Now I need to start adding them to the website... might take a while- as always, if there's something here that strikes your muse drop me a note and I'll hold it for you.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Elegant...

necklaces by Marie Cramp of Skye Jewels! She whipped up a couple of stunning pieces using a Peacock glazed Plum Branch Rectangle and a Berry glazed Abstract Butterfly Square. Aren't they pretty? Pop on by her blog and check out her other work.Thank goodness SOMEONE is doing some creating so I have blog-worthy stuff to post! Yes, I've been terribly remiss in my blog updates this past couple of weeks but don't mistake it for a break in my productivity! My kiln has been full of pendants for a special order for a special customer... but I promise that there have also been other designs creeping into the mix. I pinky swear that I will have LOTS of new things to show you next week (including several new glazes!).

Eye Candy...

from across the seas!
Gunilla in Finland sent these lovely photos of her most recent creations using a Twilight Jakarta square pendant. I love the way she used little seed bead loops to connect the pendant.She also made this pretty, earthy set- see there at the front? That's a Coffee Zinnia pendant layered with all those other yummy components!
On the same day I received a set of beautiful photos from Vicki of Sasha & Max in Australia. This bracelet uses a little Coral Sari circle charm, I love the combination with the warm brass chain. Vicki's metal choices are just perfect to complement the glazes- silver with these Frost Sari circle charms and a little turquoise accent to bring out the blue. Last but not least, a super shiny pop of silver to contrast with the Matte Azure Leaf charms on these earrings. Hope you enjoyed a peek at the work of these talented ladies!

Going, going...

and they will be gone tomorrow!!! These necklaces by Mary Jane of http://mairedodd.blogspot.com are up for auction to support the Komen Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer research!

Necklace #1 Hearts aflutter (at $20 as of 8:30 pm Thurs)


Necklace #2 Hope will Set you Free (at $50 as of 8:30 pm Thurs)


Necklace #3 Hope Whispers ($30 as of 8:30 pm Thurs)

Auction ends at midnight PST on Friday October 30th!

You can see more photos of these lovely pieces on Mary Jane's Flickr account (as well as her beautiful quotes for each piece).

Necklace #1 is looking like a crazy bargain right now!! Head back to the original post... here ... if you'd like to claim one of these gorgeous pieces for yourself! Just add your bid in the comments.

One more day...

to bid on these guys...



Both necklaces are currently at bids of $25. Interested in trying to snag one or just making a nice donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation? You can go to this post and place your bid in the comments.

Thank you so much for all your support in these auction items everyone, I so appreciate it!