quote: Marcel Proust. "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it ... The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you.

Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry by Cathy Jakicic

Right from the start I was charmed by the cover photos of the jewelry, and the way they were combined with pictures, discs, and frames, as I held the book Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry, by Cathy Jakicic, editor of BeadStyle Magazine in my hands. Everything looks so fun and delightful to make!
In fact, that is the case, as the reader delves into this unique jewelry book. Using all sorts of scrapbooking, crafting, and beading resources, the author shows you how to make wonderful memory jewelry. You can now wear a favorite memory upon your wrist or around your neck. That is an irresistible idea!
Just so you know, Cathy is a lovely person who initiated a column in BeadStyle called "Beads of Change". This column appears in every issue. It always employs beads from third world countries in order to help the sales of the bead makers who hail from those countries. How great!

To return to the book, I note that the author has a super and strong personal style, which is great for a design book which encourages memories and reflectiveness.
After the introduction, a well photographed selection of materials, tools and techniques, there are four sections. Each section offers a "super quick project" as well. This is wonderful for people like me! And maybe you! I love to whip up fast jewelry which looks like I bought it at a boutique.That sort of jewelry has my name all over it!

The Project sections are called:
1) milestones
2) hobbies
3) vacations
4) remembrances

At the end of the book is a fantastic resource section so you don't have to spend your time going crazy trying to figure out where something came from, with the exception of special one-of-a-kind charms which are meant just for you, and call out to you alone!

I was immediately taken with the two wooden bangles ("Home Fires") which comprise the first project of the milestones section. I lived in the same house all my life as a child. How I wish I had created some memory bangles like these to help me remember the beauty which surrounded me. One bangle has lightly worn pictures on it, and the other is a soft layered suedelike blue which resembles the actual walls of the author's house...a house she no longer lives in. I love the sentiment expressed here.

The "Memory Book" necklace and earrings is fabulous too. You are delighted to see a tiny notebook framing reduced photos, with a glittering briolette drop on the bottom, as the focal (you learn to create this). It is strung to all sorts of beads in tones of turquoise and green in chunky shapes and briolette shapes. The earrings are briolettes as well. I am delighted to see new concepts in jewelry books, and even if this jewelry piece might take a bit of time, I expect and accept that. It's just as milestones should take a while to achieve,
After all, every moment will be worth it!

In "Gifts of Style", one of my favorite items makes an appearance. The "Sea Glass Celebration" necklace, with faux sea glass made of glass bottles, and some small bicone crystals, just completely knocked me out! It is a must try! I cannot describe the LaLique lustre but it is soft and yellowish white and looks like beach glass in the sun.

"Hobbies" offers a necklace("Great Performances") commemorating the author's daughter's performance in a play. The focal is great! Because of the chain, the actual necklace could be worn by any age person. It is a sweet,loving piece. Even if you didn't design it exactly the way the author does, it is a wonderful start to make a focal and choose your own chains or ribbon, using your own ideas.

"Pop Culture" in Hobbies was a string of lush deep orange carnelian colored rounds interspersed with smaller green crystals, with a striking green, orange and white resin rectangle on the front. How cool! It is so great to learn to make resin art pieces and jewelry! It is so popular today! Check out the earrings on this one, too! Really pretty!

"Garden Variety" is in hobbies as well.
How much did I love the bracelet called "Best Sellers"? As a reader, I couldn't help myself! The books are individually laminated and there are silver beads and starfish (we all love to read on vacation, right?) with white pearls arranged between the book charms. I lost my heart to that one.

The following section is vacations. "Euro Chic" is featured on the cover. It is an extremely glamorous triple strand of coins and beautiful dangles. You could go anywhere in this one! "Taxi driver, please take me to the Plaza! I am having high tea!"
"Cent-imental Style" has a similar sensibility, but the stamped ovals on the single chain make a big difference in look. The beads appear to be antique.It is a coppery colored necklace and the stamped coins are actually "smooshed", according to the author. I have never seen a smooshing machine but I will be looking for one now, you can bet!

Remembrances is the last section.
A very touching necklace ("Memory Chips") employs Photofetti. These are blanks you affix your own personal photos to (not the real ones, but copies of them!) and then string them together with beads into a wonderful love of a necklace is really moving.
This whole section is going to get to you if you are sentimental, as I am.

What a great book. I believe the author, Cathy Jakicic has a huge amount of talent and originality, and a lovely big heart.

John, Jim--my son, their manager, Jason and Mark

The group
Find it at www.rusemusic,com

Jim and Kate, my DIL--and a guy in the middle who could be her bro--I will have to ask !

Earlier, they played from 4 - 5
for the partygoers outside the stadium. It was a first and a big success!

My son wrote:

"Shots from the U2 show.....Lot of fun....

The crowd for U2 was the largest I've ever seen."

Then he said, " We had a big crowd- I'd say about 10,000 people were in our area for the pre-party, with about 1000 or so watching us at any one time...."

WOW!

A Bead A DayDoes a simple design equal a "Zen" experience? Lisa would love to hear your thoughts on when simple designs are able to make an impact.

About.com JewelrymakingAfter posting a new jewelry book review for a very cool mixed media book, Tammy is looking a head to other reviews coming up very soon.

Art Bead Scene You've heard of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? Well, this Sisterhood shares bracelets.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten ArtifactsBarbe gets tangled up with Chain Style book review

Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi decided to finally use her bead stash from Paris.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaCindy's got some new findings from Ornamentea. What's she going to make with them?

Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesThe inspiration for Melanie's Machinery of Nature necklace comes from science, steampunk, and nature.

Jean CampbellJean struggles through the creative process while bezeling some unusual crystal shapes

Jewelry & BeadingLittle beaded flowers are addictive to make, and before you know it, you've got enough for a complete necklace!

Katie's Beading BlogCheck out Katie's ideas on making your old beads new again- and make some affordable gifts along the way!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioBetter get on board, Lorelei is having the last of the Enchanted Adornments giveaways. Leave a comment to play!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!Jean has a little Boo power going on for her in this hand made Halloween bracelet!

Strands of BeadsMelissa shows off metal clay goodies from Rings & Things

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew revisits a bracelet design and creates six others.

note bottom one looks particularly like a skull

in shape
Snooze study finds Philip Stern watches aid sleep October 22, 2009

Philip Stern's new "Actif" single-time-zone line includes the men's rose gold chronograph and the ladies rose gold timepiece, retailing for $500 and $400, respectively.


Miami--Watch brand Philip Stern, which has long touted the beneficial physical effects of the natural frequency technology inside its watches, says a new study supports claims from its customers who say wearing the watches has improved their sleep.Dr. Michael Breuf, a board-certified sleep specialist who specializes in clinical sleep disorders and neuropsychological testing, oversaw the independent clinical study, which was commissioned by Philip Stern itself. The data is now being prepared for submission for peer-reviewed journal publication.

"Over time, we received numerous testimonials from people wearing Phil's watches reporting about their positive experiences with regards to sleep," Philip Stern President Will Stern said in a media release. "It was important for us to back up these anecdotal testimonials through a clinical study and to show the beneficial effects of natural frequency technology in our watches. We engaged Dr. Breuf to confirm what we've heard from our customers--that Philip Stern watches are an asset to people's well-being and provide a natural alternative to improve sleep quality."

All the doo dah-day!

Jean: I have a question: who here remembers the copper bracelet fad of the sixties? Worked like a charm on arthritis!

According to the brand's Web site, the natural frequency technology is delivered to wearers through a metal disk inside the watch that has been infused with key frequencies in a proprietary process. When worn on the wrist, the watch exposes frequencies and information to what the company describes as the "biofield" or "master energy field" of the wearer.

Jean: whoa, look at the time!

These fields--which are referred to in alternative medicine circles--regulate the body's functions and inform it to relax and become more resilient to stress, the company says.The company commissioned NeuroTrans Research, an independent clinical trans organization, to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Jean: did a little submarine go into Raquel Welch?

Each of the study participants was given a watch, at two different times: Half of the watches contained the frequency technology, and the other half did not. Study participants and researchers did not know which subjects wore the active watches and which did not.

Jean: The placebos also came with a free pack of the new Starbucks instant coffee. "It really does taste as good!"

The subjects--both male and female--were all poor sleepers who reported having troubled sleep for at least the past three months, but none had a serious medical or psychological condition, the company release said. All told, 96 percent of those who wore the watches with the frequency technology received a positive response of some sort.For those who wore the watch with the frequency technology only during the day, the following results were noted, according to the release.

Jean: were they "poor" sleepers? or poor "sleepers". Wish someone would take this skull watch away from me and pay my bills!

43 percent of those who wore watches with frequency technology and responded to the study reported feeling refreshed in the morning compared with those who did not wear watches with the technology inside.

Jean: did they have a rooster
sitting on their windowsill and then on their bed who just left and wandered down the middle of an empty road? I wonder. I saw a bunny. However, I hallucinate.

47 percent of those who wore watches with frequency technology and responded to the study reported falling asleep faster compared with those who did not wear watches with the technology inside.

Jean: if you hit a special button, it plays the Jeopardy theme repeatedly. I found that centered me. My chakras aligned faster than a speeding bullet. I started jumping tall buildings.

39 percent of those who wore watches with frequency technology and responded to the study reported falling asleep faster and sleeping more minutes compared with those who did not wear watches with the technology inside.

Jean: how did they know if they were asleep? Did their Moms watch over them? Did Cyndi Lauper sing All through the Night? Questions. So many Questions.

52 percent of those who wore watches with frequency technology and responded to the study reported dreaming was more pleasant that night compared with those who did not wear watches with the technology inside.The technology cited in the study is available in various timepieces, including the brand's new "Actif" and "Clint Eastwood" lines,

Jean: Active: you dream you are beating Serena Williams at Wimbledon...

Classic: you dream you are watching Clint portray Hamlet on Broadway, for one month only!

its first forays into single- movement timepieces, which still incorporate their latest "natural frequency technology" but are more affordably priced, the company said ... will be:

Jean: yes! They WILL BE coming ! AND!!! the name for them will be "The SWATCH", I hear!

last but not least:

suggestions from Jean:

to save money and go green, buy skully art pieces, snuggle up to them, and sleep wearing them instead!

Saving money helps you sleep! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Here are some cool skull producers!

Cindy Gimbrone

Green Girl Studios

Anne Choi

Melissa J. Lee

Aardvark Art Glass

Joan Miller and Penny Michelle

Earthenwood Studios

if I left you out, let me know!!!!

It's late: I see my bunny has shown up at the windowsill

I have always had a special place in my heart for this holiday bracelet, so I thought I would re post it, considering my most recent Beadblogger post was all about Green Girl Studios pewter skull, wire with a 10 mm Crystallized Element round and a bitty ruby Element bicone on the top...and Melanie of Earthenwood wild flaming-red, black trimmed bat wings ( they seem to say, "Don't mess with us!!!" to me--any thoughts? And past those her more calm but very lovely moon and star charms in black with white. Simple sterling Rollo chain with Snapeez jump rings hold the charms. What is a good touch? Wiring the Green Girl Studios sterling toggle instead of attaching it with jump rings. It adds a sort of hand made look which is what Halloween is ALL ABOUT.

See you later. Going for a bubble/broom ride! Wheee! Look up Billie Burke. I prefer her. :)

jean

I got an email this morning from my son in LA. He works a day job as well as playing with his band, writing music, singing and playing the guitar. I think he likes his job, and they like him, too. Anyway, this is what his email said, along with this photo:

"This is the new coffee at my office- VERY fancy, as you can tell."

You betcha! I feel like a cup right now!!! How bout you?

jean!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Barbe gets a mini art-piece from Artbeads.
About.com JewelrymakingFall is in the air, at least in some areas of the world, so it is time to think about making fall jewelry.
Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi makes some resin filled embellishments quickly!
Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaThere's a new addition to the Heartz n Skullz Family. Come check out the new Skully Bowz!
Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesMelanie heats things up with some fire inspired crystal and porcelain beads in her newest necklace from her Art Beads crystal week
Jean CampbellJean reviews Wendy Ellsworth's wonderful new book, Beading--The Creative Spirit.
Jewelry & BeadingCyndi shares the instructions for a special necklace that she made for a friend, called "The Fourth Day of Creation"
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioLampwork glass beads always end up in Lorelei's work, and she passes on links to one of her favorites!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!Jean is wowed by the plethora of activities a beader can find this weekend, both online at Earthenwood Studio and also at the super great classic, Soft Flex Glass Art and Bead Festivals!
Strands of BeadsMelissa shares her new work, "Natural Selection", that placed Second in the Necklace category of the Bead Arts Award 2009.
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton See what Andrew whipped up when he sat down in the studio after a dry spell.
A Bead A DayDo you have a distinctive style or do you go where the wind blows you? Lisa would love to hear about your design process.
Art Bead SceneABS shares a motherlode of giveaways for October.

I got another email from my son's band:

Friday, October 16, 2009

The Ruse are giving away U2 Rose Bowl Tickets
THE RUSE
are giving away U2 Rose Bowl tickets at our shows tonight and tomorrow. As you know we are playing the Picnic In The Park on Sunday Oct 25. This is the pre-show for U2 at The Rose Bowl. U2 wants people to come early and avoid the traffic. They are so serious about this that they have given The Ruse tickets to help promote the Picnic in the Park from 12noon-5pm at Area H. If you want a chance to win tickets come to our show tonight or tomorrow and mention The Ruse Rosebowl show in order to get your raffle ticket. If you already have U2 tickets, go to Pasadena early!More info on Picnic In The Park here:http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/Rosebowl_picnic-in-the-park.htm

check out the "Make it Take it" educational aspect of this exceptional Beadfest--some examples above! You can do it! It is part of other exciting festivities, INCLUDING many of your DREAM bead stores and beaders who will be selling their goods this weekend at the classic NYC Festival,

There's more! Read on!

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is fascinating. FIT is fashion. They are also design, fine arts, packaging, computer animation, marketing, advertising, merchandising, production and more.
We are very excited about our new home for the Soft Flex Glass Art & Bead Festival in NY!
Festival exhibitors:
Bead BizBead Palace, Inc.

Crystal Myths, Inc.

Ezel Findings

Fantasy Beads

Forest Corner

Ghost Cow Glassworks(Bronwen Heilman)

Green Girl Studios

HandFast designs by Kim Fox

Jane's Fiber & Beads

Jess Imports

Joan Miller Porcelain

Kabela Design

K. Gottfried, Inc.

Lisa Kan Designs

Lisa Peters Art

Ms. Maddies Beads

My ELEMENTSPema Arts, Inc.

Silver in Style

Soft Flex Company

T-BeadsThe Bead Goes On

The Urban Beader

Join us this weekend in New York City!
It is that time of year again. Time for the Soft Flex® Company Glass Art & Bead Festival in New York City. It will be the Most Spectacular East Coast Beading Event of the year. Join us at a new location! The Fashion Institute of Technology Campus on October 16 - 18!
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology Campus Conference Center / John E. Reeves Great Hall Entrance West 28th St between 7th & 8th Ave. New York, NY
Show Times: Friday, 10 am - 6 pm Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm

Shopping: October 16 - 18, 2009

Juried Show: Beads, gemstones, findings, collectible glass art & jewelry
An Entrance Fee of $5.00 will be donated to The Bead Society of Greater New York.This donation will help the BSGNY maintain and expand their educational & informational programs for their members and their surrounding community. Their assistance in this endeavor has left us forever grateful.
Education: October 16 - 18, 2009:Free Make-It-Take-Its. No experience is necessary. A designer can make a beaded project and take it home with them in 30 minutes. Beginners as well as advanced designers are welcome! The Make-It-Take-Its are a great way to learn a new technique with hands on assistance.
Free Make-It-Take-Its during this show sponsored by Soft Flex Company and demonstrated by BSGNY. Examples of Make-It-Take-It Projects for New York 2009 shown at top of this entry!

For those of you who cannot visit this wonderful collection of delights, Melanie of Earthenwood Studio has her OWN internet presentation of something very special to check out. Here is what she told me:

HI! I am running a really big studio clearance sale in the Earthenwood Etsy shop this week. It is BOGO sale... buy one item, get one of equal or lesser value free. Wow! <--jean I need to make room for all the new beads I am working on! Melanie has several Halloweenie sets like these:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26629855http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31870134http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32092031

~Melanie~

Earthenwood Studio

http://www.earthenwoodstudio.com

http://www.earthenwood.etsy.com

http://www.earthenwoodceramics.etsy.com

http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com

PS: I have made one of my fav. charm bracelets featuring Melanie and GGS beads together with a 10 MM clear crystal, and I will try to show it soon!--jean

Rose Bowl!!! Oct 25!

U2 - 360° TOURPresented by BlackBerry®
U2 AT THE ROSE BOWL - OCTOBER 25: my son's band, The Ruse, playing first--no other bands! WOW! read on:

Area U2 fans: you need to plan your trip to the Rose Bowl in advance. Attendance for this event will be over 96,000 people, the largest concert crowd in the venue's history. The roads in and around Pasadena will have significant traffic and will be heavily congested.
The Rose Bowl has limited parking available on-site. To meet this extraordinary demand, and for your convenience, there are adjacent off-site parking options as well as shuttle rides to and from the stadium. We strongly urge you to consider taking advantage of these shuttles and to carpool when possible.
In order to have a great experience:
ARRIVE EARLY
PURCHASE PARKING IN ADVANCE
Preferred Parking
Limousine & Oversize Vehicle Parking
General Parking
PARKING WILL SELL OUT FOR THIS SHOW
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUSES
Due to record attendance some patrons will need to use this service
PCC Shuttle
Old Pasadena Shuttle
CARPOOL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES-->
ARRIVE EARLY:
Rose Bowl Parking Lots Open: 8 AM
Picnic In The Park Begins: 12 Noon
Park & Ride Shuttle Lots Open & Buses Start Running: 12 Noon
Doors Open: 5 PM
Show Starts: 7 PM
Not only will arriving early minimize your travel time, we have great pre-concert activities planned as well. Opening to the public at 12 noon, Picnic In The Park will give you the opportunity to relax and socialize with your friends in the comfortably shaded Rose Bowl grounds. Just bring a blanket, a picnic basket and enjoy!
In addition, many entertainment, dining and beverage options are available for purchase as well. Sports fans: you can enjoy all of the day's NFL action on multiple TV screens. Within Picnic In The Park, we will have live entertainment featuring The Ruse (http://www.rusemusic.com/) and other enticing activities. Picnic In The Park is located directly in front of the Rose Bowl on Lot "H."
Click Here for more information on Picnic In The Park.
Also, there are nearly 80 restaurants nearby in Old Pasadena, just a short walk from the Old Pasadena (Parsons) Park & Ride Shuttle area.
PURCHASE PARKING IN ADVANCE:
Several venue parking options are available for advance purchase through Music Today:
Preferred Parking
Limousine & Oversize Vehicle Parking
General Parking
Parking is available now! Advance parking is limited to one spot per transaction. For General Parking: one car - one space. No oversized vehicles or limousines.
Following your purchase, a non-transferable parking pass will be sent to you via mail by Music Today. Be sure to bring your parking pass with you. You will need it for admittance to the Rose Bowl parking grounds.
Based upon your zip code, we will e-mail you specific directions with the best route to the Rose Bowl in order to avoid traffic & congestion. On show day, this will be the best route to the stadium. There are many entrances available to the Rose Bowl from nearby freeways. As you approach Pasadena do not follow your Map Quest or GPS device. Use the directions we provide.
PARKING WILL SELL OUT FOR THIS SHOW:
All venue parking will sell out prior to the concert date. Don't miss out- be sure to buy your parking in advance!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUSES:
Due to limited parking at the Rose Bowl and the extremely high attendance for this event, it will be necessary for some of you to take advantage of the off-site lots adjacent to the venue. Park at either Pasadena City College or Old Pasadena (Parsons) and catch a shuttle bus to the stadium. These vehicles have private roads directly in and out of the venue, moving fans as quickly as possible.
Shuttle lots open and buses start running at 12 noon. They will operate throughout the show and then following the event.
Shuttle tickets are available now for advance purchase for $5 per shuttle seat (per passenger; round trip) via Music Today.
PCC Shuttle Old Pasadena Shuttle
Purchasing a shuttle ticket before show day guarantees a seat on a bus. Shuttle tickets will be sent out via mail by Musictoday.
CARPOOL:
We encourage you have at least 4 persons in your vehicle (be green). This will improve the parking and traffic experience for all fans .
PickupPal is a great way for fans to connect and organize carpools, helping to ease traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions at the same time. Check out their site for their U2 360 Tour offerings: http://u2.pickuppal.com/USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Leave your car at home and enjoy the convenience of our city's many mass transit options. For information go to: http://www.metro.net/
Please review transportation options and schedules to ensure that you are able to make your return trip home. The Memorial Park Gold Line Station is two blocks from the Old Pasadena Shuttle. -->
We recommend you plan for this concert as you would The Rose Bowl Game or the Super Bowl: plan to arrive early, enjoy Picnic In The Park as well as the other on-site amenities.
Thank you,-- The Rose Bowl Staff

Strands of Beads Melissa is proud to be Soft Flex Company's Spotlight On... Designer for October!
A Bead A DayDo you buy beads for their "coolness" factor? What is your definition of "cool" when it comes to beads and jewelry?
Art Bead Scene The October Art Bead Scene Challenge gets folksy.
Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork DivaCindy shows off her new buckle charm necklace but what should she name it?
Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesMelanie brightens up her beading palette with some spring colors for her second Art Beads crystal blog post
Jean CampbellJean shares her delight with Cynthia Thornton's new book, "Enchanted Adornments."
Jewelry & BeadingBring home a souvenir, and figure out how to wear it!
Katie's Beading BlogKatie's mixing polymer clay with beads again - check out this new design!
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioCome join in on the fun of the 6th Enchanted Adornments giveaway, it's FROGS! Ribbit!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!Jean is swooning over the newest Crystallized Innovations from Artbeads!

Are the kids back in school? Are you beginning to think ahead to the holidays, and all the gifts you will be making? Do you have a tiny bit more free time than you had when you were busy with the little guys all day? Or possibly you just enjoy being the year round beader in the family, 365 days a year. Either way, you are guaranteed to be hooked on the latest colors offers by Artbeads from their vast collection of amazing CRYTALLIZED Innovations. Whether you use these as accents or glam it up with abundance, Artbeads has everything you need to stretch your creative muscles to the utmost degree.

I first heard about the great new colors which have arrived from my friend at Artbeads, Duchess. She wrote me on the 6th but we have been having some of that Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day Type weather which always comes at this year and manages to knock down 3/4 of the leaves which have finally turned fiery for autumn. I am consoled by Crytallized Innovations. They turn up the flame all by themselves. Buy by tonight an you get an extra percent off at the site. Sorry I was unable to alert you to that earlier!

Here is Duchess writing me:

"Hello Jean,

I hope that you are doing well and have had a wonderful summer. I've just learned of some exciting news from Artbeads.com that I wanted to share with you. First, today we launched our New CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements Innovations line with over 150 new styles of Swarovski Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 crystal products! We have two new crystal colors - cyclamen opal and greige - along with the new crystal coral pearl color, the crystal metallic light gold finish! So make sure to check out the CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements New Additions!

Also, as I'm sure you know, Artbeads.com provides FREE Shipping in the US on every order. This is perhaps the biggest thing our customer's praise us for. Next to that, many compliment us for fast shipping. Well, we've decided to make it even faster and have just begun providing FREE Priority Shipping along with a 24-Hour Turnaround commitment on all US orders over $75. You can find all of the details here: http://www.artbeads.com/shipping.html

The last bit of news has to do with our four weekly specials. These discounted items are so popular they typically sell out before the end of the week. To make sure more people can get in on the savings, we're now selecting four special product categories and picking several items for each group. You can see all of our weekly specials here: http://www.artbeads.com/wkspc.html.

That's all for now. Please feel free to pass this news on to your beading friends and blog readers.

Have a great day!"

That sounds irresistible to me!

jean

Jean Campbell How do you use beads to decorate your house? Check out these photos of Jean's beady household decor.
Jewelry & BeadingHave you ever thought about trying glass fusing? The talented Wendy Talaro shares a fused glass primer this week!
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioLorelei is hosting a Necklace Round Robin, come check out the necklaces as they transform!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!Jean recalls and reposts a recipe for some cool October earrings, now that there is a chill in the air!
Strands of BeadsMelissa blogs about an intriguing new blog by lampwork artist Sarah Moran.
A Bead A DayHave a favorite piece of day-to-day jewelry? Lisa shares hers and reasons for leaning toward practicality.
Art Bead SceneTake a tour with the Art Bead Scene. We've got places to go and beads to see!
Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten ArtifactsBarbe has some more book reviews. This time the Simply Gemstones book review.
Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi creates a new necklace with heart shaped resin pendants she made.
Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork DivaTake a walk on the dark side and see what kind of jewelry Cindy comes up with.
Earthenwod Studio ChroniclesMelanie begins her celebration of a week of crystal pendants with an autumn inspired fairy butterfly necklace

"OWLIE" by Jean Yates, using pewter owl beads by the wonderful Green Girl Studios http://greengirlstudios.com/

I had a last year to meet some of my favorite people. I was so crushed that it didn't work out. I haven't really gone out of my way to mention it, but we have been sick here (mostly two of the kids), and this made the timing to meet people all wrong. In the long run, it was a fortunate thing that it didn't work out because one of Jim's customers lost the heat this morning (and it is cold here, today!) and Jim couldn't have "baby sat" after all while I went out... so everything would have gotten all bollixed up ( see what I mean about getting all English on you?--that is English slang if I ever saw it--although my spellchecker spells it this way, and I don't!) and Jim had to make a bunch of phone calls and do other things which preoccupied him, and then race out.

Yesterday, we were hoping however!

Guess who, who (?) <--is that grammar correct?Maybe it is for Owls! :) -- I was going to get to meet? You will never believe it!

Cynthia, Azalea, and Andrew of Green Girl Studios...the only one of their crew missing would have been Greg!

Jim even did research on local places to eat, yesterday! This is because it is always very exciting and incredibly unbelievable if and when I get to go out. It is about as rare and amazing as crop circles on our front yard. The last time I went out was when I went to a doctor. Geesh! What a dumb life I have.

Anyway, I had to call Greg back and back out when the kids started getting sicker. He was busy holding down the fort at home in NC while all the other GGS'rs were near ME in NYC at the SoftFlex Company Festival.

Cynthia and Andrew and Azalea were going to especially go out of their way and drive to see me here in Westchester!

I had to tell Greg that everyone had gotten sicker (I didn't go into the exact details of this and I won't do it to you, either) and having lunch together wasn't going to happen. I was really crushed. They are my favorite people in the world. I had all these fantasies of giving them CHOCOLATE, AND CRAYONS AND COLORING PAPER, AND A Book, Discover Beading, along wth the exact cover bracelet which actually got my career started , which has their charms on the ends--and those charms made all the difference. I love to give beloved people things. So that was my plan. Damit!I can't even think of any good things about not meeting up with them... 1) we picked out a restaurant already

2) I actually look like my photos, so I wasn't going to scare the heck out of them. Well, maybe I am a little wrinklier.ha ha

3) even if they were tired from the show, the excited feelings I have about meeting them would have caused me to go into talk overdrive. There would not have been any lulls in the conversation, I assure you. Probably they would have had to hold their hands over their ears, eventually, just to get a break from me! They could have had a nice refreshing nap without me noticing 4) I think these people are the nicest people I know, right up there with Kim and Eliz and Margot. So today I am pretty darn sad that this lunch and visit didn't work out, but to make up for it a little...I have these cool earrings to offer you, using their beads. This is a design which I have never shown anyone, nor have I written out the instructions either. Now I made them, in their honor, because they are SUCH WONDERFUL PEOPLE, including Greg. And I am giving you these earring instructions! I hope you like them and I hope you make them! Thanks!

"Owlie", by Jean Yates

note: we all know Andrew loves owls, but Cynthia has owl stories too... I love the amazing, beautiful owls she carved for these earrings. They are called "Bubo Owls". For information on the origin of the name, please go here: http://www.theseventhvoyage.com/bubo.htm

Materials for project:

2 pewter Bubo owls, item #149, Green Girl Studios

1 pair sterling silver fig leaf earrings, item # AT407, Nina Designs

4 Hyacinth colored 6X8mm oval CZs, item # CU0155, Fusionbeads

4 Topaz AB 2x bicone Swarovski crytals, 4mm, to top the CZs,# 04BI0265, Fusionbeads

4 sterling 2.5x4mm stamped Hill Tribe silver beads, item # TH6019, Fusionbeads

2 sturdy 22 gauge 3" head pins, sterling

4 lighter weight, slimmer head pins with three balls on the ends -- head pins won't fit through the CZs if they aren't a bit skinnier!

Believe me, I have learned the hard way! I got these at Nina Designs. They come in a pack of 100 however, so be prepared to lay out more money than you really need to if you want the same style of the ones I used. I believe they are 26 gauge.

Tools:

chain nose pliers

round nose pliers

wire cutters

Method:wire wrapping (what a surprise!)

Instructions for one earring:

1) Place a Hill Tribe bead,

a Bubo owl, and another Hill Tribe bead on a 22 gauge head pin

2) Wrap this to the bottom loop of the fig leaf and make sure it is facing the same way (forward) as the leaf. Cut the excess wire of the head pin.

3) Take two 26 gauge headpins and add a CZ and a Topaz AB2x crystal to each.

4) Wrap to the left hand and right hand loops on the fig leaf earring component, making sure the oval CZs are facing flatly forward. Cut the excess wire.

5) Repeat for second earring.

note:Why I like particularly like these earrings:The design is cool, the silver of the components and the pewter the owls are made of have the same amount of oxidation and go together well, even if they actually aren't the same metal.

The mood is right, too. The lovely colors of the hyacinth orange and the little bit of topaz emotes a feel just like the cosy warm tones which shine and glimmer through the autumn leaves at this time of year.

Plus, those fabulous Bubo Owls knock me off my feet every time I see them!

So, Green Girl friends, I am so sorry I missed you this time around.I think about you all the time, and always with great love and affection.

As you know, you are sort of like my second family. I need more relatives: and there aren't many people that can say that!

Corny as it sounds, I adopted you (not like you had any choice about it!) waaaaaaay back."A Green Girl item a day"definitely takes the blues away!

jean