I used Random.org for the book  giveaway, as promised. I eliminated Elizabeth's comment (and my own!) and that left 7 comments. I numbered the comments in order from one to seven and comment number 2 won! So congratulations to Jill, who has a lovely little daughter just the right age for the book! I appreciate everyone's sweet enthusiasm about this book, One Lucky Flower. Elizabeth did a great job writing it! It seems that the people who read it are quite touched by it, despite the fact that
 it is a children's book, and as such is short and to the point. However, that is Elizabeth's talent: she can WRITE, and does write, surrounded by beauty.
Elizabeth has always inspired me to do my best work. In fact, I dedicated a bracelet and earrings to Elizabeth, in my book, Links.

Here is a photo Elizabeth sent me last year when she was on a walk with her husband and her dog, near her home. I found it inspiring and framed it on "pic monkey" (where I spend way too much time)!  And here, once again, is her website: http://www.fourleafpress.com/

 

I love this little book, and thank you for entering this giveaway! It means a LOT to me!

Thank you so much, and love to you all,

jean xox

Do you remember last week when I showed off a product which I had received an email about, from Ezel Findings, a top notch company which I love? Usually I go there to look at all the beautiful and unique
components and findings which they offer (they are amazing! ), but this email was all about  their new
"Bead Pal". I thought it was great, and perfect for beaders, so I wrote about it!

Guess what! I got one! I am SO delighted to be the proud owner of the Bead Pal by Ezel Findings in the silver colored faux leather.
It is perfectly fantastic!

Ezel Findings will be at Bead & Button --May 29 - June 10, 2013. I recommend you all race over and see what these great Bead Pals are like in person! You will no doubt find that they are as handy as I have found mine to be. They are also very luxurious, with a soft, soft interior. They come with an easy zipper which the Ezel Findings logo on it . The zipper goes around  three sides of the case, so that it opens all the way and can lie flat on a table, or even on your lap!

Now,  I wish even more that I were attending Bead & Button. This is, of course, a great show. However I am wishing this, for the most part, just so that, on the flight from New York to WI, I might  pull my Bead Pal by Ezel Findings out of my carry on, and start to bead on the plane.
I am sure everyone passing by my aisle would stop and ask about it. It is really gorgeous looking!  It is PERFECT for beading on the go. The soft deluxe lining keeps your beads put, and the pebbled faux leather exterior impedes the case from slipping around. It holds a ton of beads for seed bead lovers! Completely chic-ly!

I should have photographed it with my new thread zapper in place (yes--I finally have one and I love it!) and some of my beautiful seed beads ( yes indeed I do use seed beads -- the size 11s for the most part--all the time!) in a rainbow of colors, but instead I decided to show you what I am making right now and
be real about this instead of  "setting up a shoot".

 

here is a little collage I made of some of my photos I took today, above.

Click on the photo to enlarge it!

 

This is what I am working on at the moment! See above! And here is the case with everything in it, below. I call this photo below "glowing silver" because the faux leather really does shine. I am so proud and happy to have this!

About what I am making:

This weekend I started making a bracelet of 6mm lapis beads, wired with silver wire. I am thinking about adding a Native American sterling and gold pendant to it, in which case I might make it a necklace. The lapis beads are individually wire wrapped, with an accent of silver on each bead which loops across the center of each one  (hopefully gracefully). This wrapping is harder than I thought, although I have done it in many variations before.  The 6 beads I have completed honestly took me all Sunday afternoon!

I want you to know how I was storing them. Ready to cringe? In a paper bowl! That was before the Bead Pal, bit NOW this is after!!! Hooray!

I am not perfect and I keep fantasizing that I will make ONE, really amazing earring, instead of a  necklace or a bracelet from my beads.  Yes, I get lazy! However, somehow, now that I have my new Bead Pal, I am encouraged to keep going. I will show you all what I have made when I am finished! It will not be an earring, I promise.

Just so you know, Sunyoung Park, is a major part of  this wonderful company ! She is such a gracious lady and epitomizes all the beauty that is Ezel Findings.  I hope you who are attending Bead & Button all stop by Ezel Findings, and think of me as you say hello to this lovely, beautiful company, which is based in Oregon. 

PS:  You could indeed pack all your wire wrapping tools in the Bead Pal, as I have,  but I believe it is totally suited to perfection for seed beading. As seed beading is all the rage right now, this Bead Pal is sure to be a complete hit at Bead & Button and for years onward!

I just LOVE  mine!  I could not be happier and more thrilled to have it!

--jean xox

Check out this exciting email which I received!

It is a Must Not Miss opportunity with one of the bead community's greatest talents!
Nina Cooper of Nina Designs!

 

Look at this!!!  

 

here is the link for Jewelry Making Daily, for this special Jewelry Business Webinar !

Go to  is the same link to read more info on Nina's 10-step jewelry business plan! and to JOIN

So Launch Your Jewelry Business With Nina Cooper of Nina Designs! You couldn't have
a nicer, more creative, yet vigorously business savvy guide.

Happy beading from your friends at Nina Designs,

Nina Cooper
Nina Designs Ltd.
1-800-336-6462
nina@ninadesigns.com
www.ninadesigns.com
www.ninadesigns.com/blog

also there is this!  Double Yay!!!  jean xox

"Neffie"--a collaboration by Cindy Sowers and me a few years ago.  She did the fashions, I did the jewelry.--jean

BEADBLOGGERS!

A Bead A Day What does blogging mean to you? Lisa's sharing her thoughts on the beauty of blogging, check it out!
About.com Jewelry Making A new "frame" necklace tutorial up that incorporate some amazing mirror crytal beads.
Art Bead Scene-Color Cord Mixes and a Free Bracelet Project Are you looking for a place to start on a jewelry design to enter into our Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenges? Lorelei has been creating color cord combinations inspired by the art piece chosen by the Art Bead Scene team.
Beading Arts Cyndi has worked out an easy way to hang odd-shaped pieces from wire!
Resin Crafts Blog! Making textured, coloured and rubberstamped pendants is a breeze with Jewelry Clay!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! It it National Children's Book week! Jean has a giveaway on her blog for a children's book written by a famous author, Elizabeth King Gerlach, which Jean herself illustrated! Come over and sign up! It is adorable!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Using the Now That's a Jig!, Andrew made some fun earrings for a local musician!

Create Your Style With Red, White And Blue!

From Fusionbeads.com:
"You have an amazing opportunity to win up to $500 worth
of Swarovski Elements Crystal
in the My Patriotic Heart Beads…
Red, White and Blue Create Your Style Design Contest!
All you have to do to enter is send them a photo of the sparkling patriotic design you create
using Swarovski Elements Crystal!
Head over to create-your-style.com for all of the details on how to enter this fun contest!
To sweeten the deal, we’re teaming up with Swarovski
to offer you 10% off ALL Swarovski Elements Crystal!
Use the coupon code CRYSTAL10 to save 10% on all
Swarovski Elements Crystal through July 5, 2013 @ 4 PM PDT!

So, purchase your crystal from FusionBeads.com today
and get started on your patriotic masterpiece! Contest ends July 4, 2013.

They will be selecting winners based on the creative use of Swarovski Elements
you use to create the patriotic design!

1st Prize: $500.00 worth of Swarovski Elements
2nd Prize: $250.00 worth of Swarovski Elements
3rd Prize: $150.00 worth of Swarovski Elements
happy beading and good luck to those who enter! – Allie"

note from Jean: There may be other bead stores running promotions and teaming up
with Create Your Style -- when I hear I will let you know! Good luck to all!!!
xox jean 

note from Jean: this looks very useful and well designed.  If I had this in gold or silver I would carry it everywhere!

Ezel Findings presents the latest must-have for beaders, the “Beading Pal” Carry your beading project super-organized and in style. We are very pleased to introduce our new Beading Pal. Please visit our website, www.ezelfindings.com to view our new Beading Pal. The Beading Pal has a high quality faux leather outside, produced in beautiful gold and silver with gold plated zipper pull. Inside, a very soft faux suede cushions the beading area and provides a hand rest. The Beading Pal measures 10¼″ x 8¼″ x 1⅔″. The inside of the Beading Pal features elastic bands that can hold bead tubes, a thread burner, or scissors. A mesh pocket holds tools and other supplies, such as pliers, a spool of beading thread, beading needles, etc. And, of course, there is room for one or more beading projects, with cushioning to protect them. Shown in Gold and Silver Ezel Findings will be at Bead & Button in Milwaukee, WI. The Biggest Consumer Bead Show in the World. May 29 - June 10, 2013 great, huh? no... it doesn't come filled but you knew that deep down in your heart!!!! We can always wish, though! --jean

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

ONE LUCKY FLOWER

by Elizabeth King Gerlach

Illustrated by Jean Yates<--me

From Elizabeth, author of this lovely book:

"I'm excited to announce the publication of a new children's book!
One Lucky Flower
is now available for purchase [see here-->] on amazon."

 

For ages 3-9.

A brave little flower is rescued by a girl who takes her on many adventures.

Even though the flower is scared at first to leave her home

in the garden, fun and surprising events unfold.

She learns that with a little faith and trust,

things can turn out even better than expected.

Fanciful and colorfully illustrated,

this story is filled with flowers, cupcakes, paint and love!


Here is Elizabeth's website

and here is Elizabeth!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth King Gerlach

Elizabeth is a writer living in Eugene, Oregon with her husband, Scott,
and black Lab, Luna. She is the mother/stepmother of four wonderful young men.

I have known Elizabeth for years and years and she is a remarkable person.
I could make a
list of the ways she is remarkable, but it would be miles long!!! And take it from me,
you would not be bored! She is that amazing.

An accomplished and well known author,
this is the first time Elizabeth has written a book which is entirely fictional, 
however because Elizabeth loves nature
and all the beauty which surrounds us, this book
pays tribute to that love in a delightful and very real way.

To enter this giveaway,
please leave a comment on this entry.

I will choose and announce the winner using random.org next Wednesday, a week from
today. If you are the winner, you will be one lucky person!!!

Thank you,
jean xox

note: Giveaway limited to the US. Thanks again!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Everybody! A quick heads-up - I'm closing my Etsy Shop tomorrow, so that makes today the last day to shop! If there was something you wanted there, better go grab it! Eat Your Greens! xo Kim Kim Miles - Vegan Ambassador - Positively Vegan PV Website - http://positivelyvegan.weebly.com/index.html PV Blog - http://positivelyvegan.blogspot.com/ Shop - http://www.positivelyveganlife.com/shop.html Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PositivelyVegan Twitter - https://twitter.com/PositivelyVegan

As you can see, I am showing you our banner for our team project, For the Love of Blythe.

Look at the date when we started this blog concerning our project. It is a long time ago now--almost a year and a half ( and we began before we put up this blog, For the Love of Blythe.

Cindy Sowers had the initial idea and Fanny Zara and I are the co-administrators of  the project with her. The project is world wide in scope and involves customized Blythe dolls and a book.
We will be showing our dolls proudly at Blythecon in NYC in October of 2013, and we will be selling our book, as well. You can get tickets for Blythecon on Facebook, here:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/446261702071423/?fref=ts

Here is Blythecon NY's logo.

 Blythecon is not directly connected to our project, but Erica Duh (yeah some of us go by pseudonyms--I am jny_jeanpretty because I am so beeeyoutiful, hah hah) who has spearheaded the whole convention, has graciously
given us a venue table for our dolls and books. This is so kind, because our project is a charity project and this helps us immensely.  Our dolls will be raffled off at Blythecon, and everyone who buys a raffle ticket from us will have a chance to win one of the greatest works of art that the Blythe World has ever seen.

I am incredibly excited to be involved with this.


My dear friend Moon Rouge created the lovely banner at the top of this post for us. In case you do not know Blythes by sight, this is a photo of Moon Rouge's "Goldie"  Blythe, wearing different team colors. That is Moon Rouge's signature, on the red shirted Goldie.
Moon Rouge and I are both on Team Pink. Moon Rouge made the accessories for our dolls (yes, we have TWO!) and the pull charms, and I made the jewelry.

I didn't understand until I had to let the "girls" (dolls) go, the attachment I felt to out team dolls. People had talked about it, but I didn't "get it" until I was finished with my part and had to pack them up and send them on. It really hurt to see them go!  I have my own Blythes ( as you may have noticed)  but to know that other people had created these dolls; other people who are some of the greatest Blythe artists of our time, made it an incredibly moving experience to say goodbye.

I know I will see the dolls again at Blythecon, and we will have the book we can remember this experience by, but I doubt very much that anything in my life will have quite the same impact as this sweet work of charity, contributed by so many lovers of beauty, on me, in my life.

jean xox

Beadbloggers!!!

A Bead A Day Looking for a way to get more involved in the beading & jewelry making industry? Becoming a Jewelry Making Ambassador could be your next step!
Bead addicts, Jewelry Making Machines & Connoisseurs of Handmade (Art Bead Scene Blog) "Vase With Flowers in Window" by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, 1620 is a vibrant inspiration for May's Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge. Here are some handmade art beads and components to inspire your designs for May!
Beading Arts Cyndi has kicked off "Wire Month" on Beading Arts by sharing a quick and easy earring project!
Resin Crafts Blog! It is amazing what a little acrylic paint can do on resin clay pendants. Carmi focussed on creating the look of a ceramic pendant without the kiln!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews a great book by Anna Elizabeth Draeger: Crystal Play: Fun & Fabulous Designs for Stitched Jewelry
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Trying to help out those who want sell their work in stores and galleries, Andrew sheds a little light on the process from the other side of the counter.