My Shop at Zibbet

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Bling it On

Hello my bloggy friends. Well I finally managed to get a  little bit of beadweaving done. I say a little bit, because over the past two weeks all I managed to make was a bracelet and a pair of earrings. And the earrings aren't even beadwoven. Anyhow, I was thinking that I needed more holiday items for my Zibbet shop, so I made a bracelet for New Year's Eve and some earrings for Christmas. So first I'll show you the bracelet. It's another flat spiral, but this one puts all the others I've done to shame. I used black ab Czech Glass beads and clear silver lined seed beads. The clasp is a silver plated leaf design toggle.  Maybe you better get your sunglasses on before you look, because we are talking pure bling here. Anyhow, here it is:

What did I tell you, pure bling, right? So, like I said, I also made some Christmas Earrings. They are not quite as blingy as the bracelet, but they are nice just the same. Seeing as they are for Christmas, I used red and green Czech Glass beads and gold  chandelier earring components. These babies are long at 3 inches, so in their own way, they also pack quite a punch.
So once again, we are all caught up. From now until Christmas, I'm sure I'll be busy trying to promote my shop and of course making beady presents for family and friends. My blogging schedule has been a bit sporadic lately, so if I don't make it back here before Christmas, I'd like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday.

TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Sunday, November 14, 2010

What the Heck is a Z Box?

Hi there Blogland. Sorry I've been missing in action for a while. All I can say is that sometimes life gets in the way of blogging (and beading). Anyhow, it's all been good. Happy to say that I have been busy finding a better job. More money, more advancement, etc. Just a little further to travel and longer hours. Also been busy with family stuff and connecting with an old friend, who I just happened to turn into a beader. O.k., so now that we're more or less caught up I can answer the question in this post's title.
Q:   What the heck is a Z Box?
A:    A Z box is a sampler of great items from many different Zibbet shops. We are talking variety here. These boxes are on sale at Zibbet and contain samples of items from a great pool of  artistic and crafty talent.
So not to leave you pictureless, here is a sample of my contribution. I have made 15 pairs of earrings. One pair will go into one each of 15 different sample boxes.
You can learn more about the Z boxes here http://www.facebook.com/#!/samplezbox . If you would like to purchase a Z box, you can purchase one here target="_blank" http://www.zibbet.com/SampleZBox . O.k, so that is the most recent project I have been working on. Now we are all caught up. So hopefully, I can  get back to my beadweaving which I haven't had much time for lately. Like I said earlier, sometimes life just gets in the way. Looking forward to showing you new goodies soon, so as usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more.

TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Snuck one in for Halloween

So I told you that I really enjoyed learning Bead Embroidery, right? Well did I also mention that I have been very busy buying up cabochons and cameos all over the Web? So one of the first ones I ordered was a little something for Halloween. Now please be warned that this cameo is not half as pretty as the cabochon that I worked with last time. In fact the cameo is down-right grotesque and hideous. That's right, I did say grotesque and hideous, but I meant it in a good way. Now that I've peaked your curiosity, Here is my latest:


Now I finally have something Halloweenish in my Zibbet shop, without a moment to spare. At first I thought it would be too big for a necklace and was going to make a brooch. But the teenager known as  Miss Thang Tammy insisted that it was not too big for a necklace. For some reason I took her advice and after seeing her model it, I am glad that I did. So, I will say it now for all of blogland to read and to record it forever - "Thank you Tammy. You were right." Oh well, just wanted to blog it here first, before listing in Zibbet. But first I have to go prepare dinner for the very helpful (and hungry) Miss Thang Tammy. Gotta Run.

TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Monday, October 11, 2010

I Finally Did It

O.K., So as promised, Here I am posting my latest project. Remember?-, the new technique I should have tried years ago. I really don't know why on earth I waited so long. Maybe because, I've become very comfortable with the beadweaving that I already know how to do. Maybe because I'm a perfectionist and was afraid to mess up. Oh well, all that doesn't matter now. What matters is that I finally got off my lazy butt and did it. O.K., so with out further ado, here is my first bead embroidered pendant:

Can you believe that I have had the beautiful vintage glass cabochon for about a year, and hadn't done anything with it until now? So, for my first stab at bead embroidery, I decided to keep it simple. But now that I have finally tried, I can't wait to try more with it. I really could kick myself for not digging in and learning this earlier. From now on, I am not going to be such a wimp about trying something new. I believe there is a lesson to be learned here. So in closing I'll leave you with a few inspirational quotes on learning.

"One of the greatest and simplest tools for learning more and growing is doing more." - Washington Irving 

 "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."    -   Abigail Adams
 
TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Friday, October 8, 2010

Busy Learning Something New

Hello Blog-Land,
Haven't had time to blog yet this week, because I have been keeping very busy learning something new. Something that I should have had the courage to try years ago, because I just love this technique and have adapted well to it.  So now that I have gotten your curiosity, I have to tell you that I can't post my project yet, because it is still incomplete. I am just trying to decide how I want to finish it off  and what kind of findings to use. Don't worry, I think it will be well worth the wait.

So in the mean-time, I decided that I don't have enough earrings in my shop. So here is what I did complete this week:
Just a simple pair of earrings that I came up with while playing with beads. These are really quick to make, so I decided to whip up a second pair.
Yes, the second ones are definitely for Christmas. I wasn't smart enough to plan ahead in order to make up some Halloween items for my shop, so I am trying to get a head-start on Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, I also downloaded a "Days Til Christmas" countdown widget for my shop. I know it's kind of early, but at least now I won't forget to do it later.

Well, just wanted to let you all know what I've been up to and I do hope you stay tuned to see what I have created with the new technique I've been learning. Hopefully, I'll be right back here blogging about it in a few days.

TTYL and make it a good day,
Debbie




Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Beads of Many Colors

I don't think that I have kept it a secret that I like Czech Glass beads. Well, actually that is an under-statement. I absolutely Love Love Love Czech Glass beads. Especially the multi-colored ones. Lately I've been posting alot about wanting to explore color. What better way to explore than with my all time favorite beads. So here is my latest creation. It is so colorful that I can't even pinpoint what color it is!!!!
Here's the long view.
The bracelet is embellished right angle weave made with multi-colored purple and green Czech Glass cathedral style beads. I also used a seed bead mix of coppery browns and metallic purples for the embellishment. When you are wearing it, the second you move your wrist, the colors seem to change right in front of your eyes. The play of light is also quite interesting with all the iridescent beads in this piece.

You can plan on seeing lots of multi-colored Czech Glass embellished with seed bead mixes from me in the future.  After all it is a no-brainer for someone wanting to play with color without having to spend a fortune on beads. In closing, I'll leave you with another pic. This time a close up. And by the way did I mention that I Love, Love, Love Czech Glass beads?


TTYL and make it a good day
Debbie

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Is it Autumn yet?

Just now, as I'm writing this post, I am realizing that I really need to get outdoors more. My favorite season has got to be fall. You know, not too hot and not too cold. So as I'm typing, I'm wondering to myself, " Is it even really fall yet?" So I'm trying to picture what colors the leaves on the trees are. Then I realize, that I really don't have a clue!! Anyhow, I just now went to ask.com and got my answer. The fall equinox happens at 11:09 pm on September 22. So, now that I know, I can't wait for it to officially begin.

I'm sure you heard the saying that there is no where quite as beautiful as autumn in New England. Well, that saying happens to be true. Here is a video to prove it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_QaXZiLhro

Hope you enjoyed the video. Anyhow, here is my latest project. It is a netted choker in autumn colors. The colors in the Czech glass beads, honey and Sapphire, and the gold bugle beads remind me of the Autumn sky line here in New England. Specifically before it gets too dark, when the sky is a very dark blue and the moon is gold and the trees are full of amber colored leaves.
Yes, Autumn in New England can be very inspiring. Now I just need to get out there more, after all it is my favorite season!! OK, seeing as I've been blogging a while now and you still don't know much about me, I'll let you in on a little secret............One of the reasons I love fall so much is because I sneak most of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups out of Tammy's and my nephew's Halloween candy. After all, chocolate can be inspiring too, right?

TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The Color Purple

Ok, so I fnally beaded something which to me, is in fall colors. I have always thought of dark purple as kind of a fall color. Not dressy enough for winter holidays, and not the light purple you see all spring and summer long. Anyhow I beaded up some earrings in a dark purple and mettalic gold. Golden Glow is also a color on the Pantone fall color chart I posted a while back. So, here they are, another pair of brick stitch earrings. This time I also designed the pattern myself. 
According to Margie Deeb (The Beader's Guide to Color), this is a luxurious color pallette. I tend to agree, as this dark purple and mettalic gold together remind me of royalty. I think the best thing about the earrings is that I made them with a small amount of beads that I already had in my stash, left over from other projects. You will probably be seeing a lot more earrings from me, since it has become a recent goal of mine to seriously play with color without spending a small fortune on new beads. As usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more. In closing,  I'll leave you with a few color pallettes I found on the web. The first is royalty and the second is luxurious. TTYL and make it a good night, Debbie.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Blog Giveaways are Cool

I've been checking out blogs forever, it seems, but hadn't been an active follower until just recently when I started this blog. Now I actively follow many blogs, because the world wide web is full of amazingly talented and creative people. One of my favorite blogs has got to be Inspirational Beading by Mortira. She posts alot about what inspires her and then shows her resulting beadwork. She also has alot of other info such as beading tutorials. So anyhow, she recently had a blog giveaway, and the color of the beads was so incredibly vivid, I just had to enter. This was the 1st blog giveaway I had ever entered, so imagine how special I felt when I won the gorgeous beads from one of my favorite beaders!! Here's a pic of the beads. They are 8mm round cobalt vintage lucite beads. The color is even more amazing in person.

Thank you Mortira for your generosity and your inspiration. You can check out her amazing beadwork and blog at http://inspirationalbeading.blogspot.com/ .

Since then, I have been paying more attention to giveaways. I plan on having one soon, too. I think it will be good karma, seeing as I just won one. I just need to find a decent prize. In the meantime, check out this giveaway on the talented Andrew Thornton's site. Auntie's Beads is giving away some Chinese glass beads. Here is the link http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2010/09/thursday-giveaway.html .

So now its time for my latest beadwork. Another flat spiral bracelet. This time I got to play with a little color.
Remember the Pantone fall colors I posted a while back? Well, this bracelet comes pretty close to matching 3 colors on the chart. I used  some two toned crystal and rose Czech glass beads which resemble living coral from the chart and then I used  blue lined purple seed beads which resemble the lagoon and purple orchard from the chart. I think the colors look nice together, but to me it doesn't look very fall-like. What do you think?

Oh well, fall has just begun, and I am still studying color, so sooner or later I guess I will come up with some Autumn colored beadwork. As usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more.
TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Friday, August 27, 2010

A Surprising But Welcome Request

In my last post, I stated how excited I was to be studying color, playing with bead soup, and thinking about fall colors. Well, since then, I got and read the book The Beader's Guide to Color by Margie Deeb. Then I had started reading Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors. I couldn't wait to start beading fall colored jewelry. But then all of that got put on hold, because I got an urgent request from the most unlikely of all people. So I immediately dropped everything else and completed this project for my new biggest fan. So first I'll show you the pic, and then I'll tell you why this piece is now my favorite and why I am so proud of it.

Ok, so the pic is not all that great, but it is a heavily fringed bib-style necklace. The colors are a gunmetal black and a silvery blue. This necklace is definitely meant to be noticed and makes quite a statement. Either you are going to love it or hate it, no in between. Well I happen to love it. And so does the thirteen year old named Miss Thang Tammy. 

Now, there is a story with a moral about this necklace. I started beading this at least a year and a half ago. It was a project in Bead & Button Magazine. At first I wasn't too sure about it, but then fell in love with the colors which have to be seen in person to be appreciated. I even named it, "Ebony & Icicles" You know, like the song Ebony & Ivory.  Any how, Tammy was a bit younger then and really didn't like my beadwork at all, especially this piece. She just loved to tell me how my stuff was too "out there" for normal people. That was her opinion, and she was entitled to it. So right after she told me that, I accidentally spilled coffee all over it. Not just any coffee, but coffee with extra,extra,extra sugar in it. I carefully cleaned it up with hot water and dish suds, but it felt a little weird afterwards, so I just threw it into a box and thought to myself, well maybe Tammy's right. It is a little out there. I was about halfway through the fringe, and figured I'd rip it apart and use the beads for something else. 
So, moving on with the story, the necklace got put in a box and thrown into a bigger box in the closet where it sat, unthought about for over a year and a half. Then all of a sudden, last week, Tammy comes up to me with the necklace in her hands, and says,  "You never bead anything for me. You have to finish this necklace, and I want it for my Bday" "Please?". So I checked it out and it no longer felt sticky. I immediately sat down and started working on it, and fell back in love with it. Tammy now wears it alot and tells everyone it was made  just for her by her mother who owns Abracadebra Designs, where you can get the coolest beaded jewelry!
Now you know why this is my favorite piece and why I am so proud of it. As to the moral of the story......
Pouring coffee on your beadwork makes it look nicer. No, just kidding. The moral is that if you are unsure of your beadwork, set it aside for a while. Maybe when you pick it up again, you will see it differently.

TTYL and make it a good night.
Debbie

Thursday, August 19, 2010

It's All about the Colors

"Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment." Claude Monet

"The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!" Coco Chanel

As I posted last week, I was getting pretty tired of beading with pink beads, so this week I decided to bead up something in my favorite colors. By favorite colors, I mean the colors that look the best on me. So here is a pic of my latest project.
Now that I am done with pink beads and have used my favorite color combo of black and red, I have to start doing fall colored stuff for my Zibbet shop. As I was going through my bead stash, I noticed that it is getting quite low. I am not totally out of  beads, but what I have is mostly beads leftover from past projects. Little bits of many different kinds of beads, but not a whole lot of any one type or color of bead. So instead of  buying more beads,  I ordered the book Beaded Colorways by Beverly Ash Gilbert. She makes amazing freeform beaded jewelry using bead soups. Bead soup is when you mix a whole pile of color-related seed beads, gemstones, crystal, etc together creating colors and textures of great depth. I plan on making lots of bead soups to use up all my left over beads. The book comes with two color wheels and templates to use with them to explore many different color schemes. The book has gotten me very excited about color.

So in closing, here is the new fall 2010 color guide for women from Pantone.  Pantone is a world wide authority on color across several different industries including fashion and interior design.


I hope you find these colors as inspiring as I do.
TTYL and make it a good day,
Debbie

Monday, August 9, 2010

All Pinked Out

OK, so I finally remembered to purchase the beads I needed to finish the project I told you about in my last post. Remember, the project that I was really excited about? Well, I did whip right through the project and  I did thoroughly enjoying beading it. I kept forgetting to stop at the Bead store though, to pick up the Swarovski crystals I needed to complete the project! The bead store is between my work and my house, and every morning I would tell myself that I would have to remember to stop at the bead store on my way home. Every night, though when I would sit down to watch tv and bead I would kick myself for forgetting. I guess that's what work does to one's mind :) Anyhow, without further ado, here is my latest project:
The pattern is from Christina at Good Quill Hunting. She is very gracious to let me use it. If you want to see some major beaded eye candy, you need to check out her work at http://goodquillhunting.wordpress.com/ .

These earrings were done in the second stitch I ever learned, which is brick stitch. I hadn't done any brick stitch in a while. When I first learned it, I must have done about 20 pairs of fringed brick stitch earrings in a row! No wonder why I haven't done it in a while, I guess I just got sick of it.  Anyhow, the earrings are beaded with galvanized purple and light pink delicas. At the bottoms and tops are a 4mm purple Swarovski crystal bicone bead.

OK so, as the post title says, I am all pinked out, so while I was waiting on my purple Swarovskis, I beaded up a fall themed piece. No pink involved. Here it is:

I had seen some necklaces like this for sale at the Brimfield Antique Show & Flea Market, and I thought to myself,  "Hey, I can do that" so I had the Donut and the chips in my bead stash, and filed the thought away for later. So while I was waiting on my Swaros for the earrings, I remembered that I was going to do the necklace, so here it is, just in time for fall. The gemstone chips and the donut are Fancy Jasper. The seed beads are metallic rainbow green.

Well that's all I have to show for now. As usual, I have already started my next project. This one is going to include a bezeled focal stone. The only problem is that I have never bezeled anything, so the project will be a learning process for me. Hopefully it turns out well. I'll be sure to let you know.

TTYL
and make it a good night
Debbie

Monday, July 26, 2010

Not Much Going On Here

Wow, I think this is the longest I have ever gone without posting. Probably because I don't really have much going on lately. So I guess I will update you on the craft show I was telling you about. Well, I sadly underestimated the whole show. I thought hardly no one would be there, including  both sellers and buyers. So to make a long story short, I got lazy and only set up a small table with about 25 items. Bad mistake. There was a bit more action than I thought, including 2 other jewelry vendors each with about 200 (or so) items for sale. I did manage to get a bit of traffic though, and somehow made my booth fee back. Oh well, I am just going to file the whole thing under "Lesson Learned" and move on.

Ok, so moving on to better things, Here is a cute pair of cloisonne earrings I whipped up. Very summery.


And here is another bracelet made with the pink glass pearls I used for the last bracelet. This one is in a different stitch, though. It is done in a flat spiral stitch. I also used a different color of seed bead in this newer bracelet. The seeds I used are transluscent light purple luster. Anyhow, here it is.

So that's about all I have for now. I should be posting again very soon though, because I have already started a new beading project which takes me back to the 2nd stitch I ever learned. I am thouroughly enjoying working on this project and feel it will turn out really well. So as usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more.

TTYL and make it a good day,
Debbie

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A new Bracelet

Hello. I hope everyone is enjoying summer and is not too hot. It is very hot up here in New England and Tammy hasn't wanted to go swimming yet. I can't go swimming without her, because I am a water wimp and I usually don't get into the water until she literally pushes me in!!! Oh well, more time to bead.

Well, I finally was able to start and finish an entire bracelet. It is an embellished right angle weave bracelet. I used medium pink glass pearls and transluscent light pink luster seed beads. Anyhow, here it is:

So now for the 1st time I get to say,- "This bracelet can be found in my Zibbet shop." - Now I just need to figure out how to actually link to the item in my shop. Oh well, another thing to add to my ever-growing to do list. First things first, though. I still need to put a clasp on the spiral rope bracelet I also whipped up over the past week. It is light green, light blue, and gold and matches the necklace I posted a while ago. I also found a pretty little lampwork bead that matches perfectly to dangle off of the extender chain. I think I'll whip up a few more spiral bracelets in summery colors for the craft show I'm doing later this month. So that's another thing to add to the to do list,  if only I could find it!!! I'd better start looking for it now, before I find something better to do, like bead --- or swim!!! 

TTYL and make it a good night,
Debbie

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Mission Accomplished

Yay. I did it. I listed my 1st item in my Zibbet shop late Tuesday night. I listed three more yesterday evening. I was working on the 4th when Tammy came home. I haven't been able to get to the computer or my camera since then, because Tammy has been using them both non-stop since she got home. She finally went outside with some friends just now. So I am jumping on the chance to use the computer to report my progress.

Listing the items was actually pretty easy. Zibbet is very user friendly. The hardest part was, of course, getting decent pics up. I am going to have to break down and buy a better camera eventually, but for now I have to make due with the one I have.

Maybe I'll list some more stuff tonite, but I kind of feel like taking a break from it for now. I am itching to start a new beading project. All this Zibbet stuff is taking away from my precious beading time. There is an award winning beader named Laura McCabe who has named her business "Just Let Me Bead" . I think I now know how she feels.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to tell you that I will be setting up a booth at a craft fair on July 18. This is big news for me because I work every Saturday and can't really do craft fairs. This one is on a Sunday night, so I can do it. Our town holds concerts on the common on Sunday evenings during summertime. This year they are trying something new and inviting vendors. July 18th is crafter's night, so of course I jumped right on board. I am hoping that I can generate some traffic to my Zibbet shop and have already updated my business card with my shop's web address. I think the card came out really nice. Here it is if you want to see.


Ok, so now I am finally done with my "quick" update. Now I can go bead. It's about time.

TTYL and make it a good night
 Debbie                                      

Monday, June 28, 2010

More UFOs Completed

Hi, just checking in to say that I am still on schedule to open shop by the end of the month. I completed two more of my unfinished objects. I have been writing the item descriptions and taking the photos of them as I complete each one. I really wanted to get outside yesterday, to see how they looked shot in the sunlight. Sunday is major chore day around here and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't grab a few extra minutes to do it. I did play around with the Kodak Easy Share Software, though. Previously, I was using Windows Picture Viewer. I can't tell which program I like better, maybe a cross between the two.
Anyhow, here are the pics of my recently completed items.

Tonight, I plan on completing a few more ufos. Tomorrow is Tuesday and then Wednesday is the end of the month. I have no idea how easy or how hard it will be to actually get the items listed. But I will tell you this, I do love a challenge, so come Hell or High Water my shop will open on Wednesday by 11:59 pm est. Another reason that I am very determined to meet this deadline is  that Tammy bet me $20.00 that I won't. How's that for motivation?
Ok, so that's my update and now I need to get off this laptop and get busy beading. As usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more.
TTYL and make it a good night
Debbie

Friday, June 25, 2010

Bracelet, Zibbet, & Thoughts of Murder

Yes, you heard me right, I did say murder. But you'll have to wait for the story. First I want to show you my latest bracelet, seeing as I didn't show you any pics last post. This is a bracelet woven in a flat spiral stitch. The inner beads are multi-colored blue czech glass. The beads spiraling the edges are smaller blue bicone crystal beads woven in with shiny whitish seed beads. You'll probably be seeing alot of these in my Zibbet shop, because these are pretty quick to do as far as beadweaving is concerned, and I must have every color of czech glass bead in the world.



 Speaking of Zibbet, I am still on schedule to open by the end of the month. Along with my profile, I now have all my policies done. It was easier than I thought. So now all I need to do is complete a few more items, and figure out how to post them.

 Now we can move onto the good stuff. --- Thoughts of murder. Well those who know me will have already guessed that the person I want to murder is none other than the preteen named Miss Thang Tammy. So now you are asking why would Debbie want to murder poor sweet Tammy? First you must know that I live for summer vacation. A week in Lake George, NY.  Well to make a long story short, I was just informed that Miss Thang has to attend summer school, and of course some of it falls during my scheduled summer vacation.  She assured me she had picked up her grades, was no longer goofing off, and actually was now attending school to learn ,not to socialize. We even had one of those talks (you know the talk I mean- the one where mother goes psycho on poor kid and puts the fear of God into her). Well because of Tammy's assurances and the fact that I wasn't contacted by any teachers, I believed we were good to go, so I scheduled my vacation at work. And then on the last day of school, she pulls the paper out of her back pack for me to sign. Talk about being pissed off. So of course, the rest of the calendar at work is already filled up with everyone else's vacations, and there is no decent week left for me to take. Oh well, you will be glad to hear that after alot of thinking, I decided to spare the child her life. There are always long weekends and day trips. Besides, I don't think I would be able to bead in jail!!

Oh well, after that long rant, I'm pretty tired, and that's all I have for now.
TTYL
Make it a good night
Debbie

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Extra! Extra! Read all about it

We interrupt this blog to bring you an important news update. That's right you heard it here first. Now that I got your attention, here's the the big news.............................................................
Abracadebra Designs will soon be opening up shop on Zibbet!  Well, it's big news to me at least. Remember a while ago, I said I was undecided on where to open my shop? I finally decided on Zibbet and spent a good part of the day designing my shop banner. I also chose a photo for my profile. It took at least a few hours to get these things done, because as we all know, I am not even close to being anything like a techie!!! But now I know how to use MS paint and I know exactly what a pixel is. So now all I need to do is set up my shop profile & policies, and last but not least, I have to get my jewelry up on there. For those of you who have never heard of Zibbet, here is a link  http://www.zibbet.com/  and better yet, here is a link to their about us page http://www.zibbet.com/aboutus and if you want to see what my shop looks like so far, just out  of    curiosity, here is the link  http://www.zibbet.com/abracadebra I plan on opening shop by the end of the month. Maybe it will be fun to chronical a countdown til opening day, seeing as I am a technically challenged procrastinator, who can't take a decent picture to save her life. Oh yeah, I also have to wrestle a preetenager named Miss Thang Tammy to get the computer away from her, so I can use it. Yes, this could get very interesting. As usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more.
TTYL and make it a good night
Debbie

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Before & After

Hello there. I hope everyone is doing well. Today I have before and after pics to show you. Just to be different, I'll show you the after pic 1st because I can't wait for you to see it. Yes, I am that impressed with it. Shameless bragging-I know. A nettted chevron in eggplanty purple and pinkish seeds, embellished with peacock colored side drilled pearls. Once again the picture does no justice. The luster of the pearls really plays off of the rest of the necklace. Anyhow, here it is.

Ok so now for the before.  This necklace was planned to be a quicky chevron choker with just the purple and pink seed beads. The peacock colored pearls weren't even on my mind. I had basically completed  the project before I had put away the pearls from my last project. ( My usual method of madness. I have beads & supplies everywhere.) Anyhow, for some odd reason, I decided to pick up a bit so I went to put the white pearls from the last project away, where they belong, in my bead box containing all my pearls. All of a sudden, the peacock pearls which were sitting on top, just started shouting out "Pick me, Pick me!!"  Then a light bulb went off in my head, and viola- The birth of what I feel is my most beautiful creation yet.

So anyhow, here is the before pic. Not a bad-looking simple netted choker. Teens really like these

You must be wondering why I am showing the before and after. Well, its all about the inspiration. I was inspired by the color of the peacock pearls. Their color and luster were a perfect match for the shine of the purple and the matte of the pink beads. With this project, I feel I learned a great lesson in design. The lesson is to ask myself, "How can I take this project and step it up a notch? How can I make it even better than it is now? How would it look if I added this? , etc, etc, etc.  Wow, now I am totally motivated to conquer that heaping pile of beads that need to be put away, just so I can be inspired again.  No Time like the present. Gotta Run, Can't wait to see what I'll find.
TTYL and make it a great day
Debbie

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Twins (Kind of, sort of)

Today is my older sister's birthday. We are 11 months apart. Since we were born less than a year apart, some people say that we are Polish Twins. Other people say that we are Irish Twins. Either way I'm proud to be both, since I have a bit of Polish and a bit of Irish in me.  So now you know something about me that you didn't know before. Maybe I'll start giving you a random fact about me in every post and before long you'll feel like you've known me forever. Anyhow, talking about twins, I have two almost-twin necklaces to show you today.
I decided to do something a little different than my usual work. I have been seeing these necklaces all over Etsy lately, and I said Hey, I can do that. So here are my almost-twin necklaces:

They are both made with glass pearls & Swarovski Elements flowers with rhinestones in their centers. The 1st one has ivory colored pearls, a gold toned flower & is hanging off of a gold chain. This will be given to my sister when we have her Bday party over the weekend. The 2nd necklace has pinkish-lilac pearls, a black flower, and is hanging from a silver chain. I really had fun making these. They were very quick to do. I definitely plan on doing more of these in different colors & with different beads, too. Of course I have to do some with my beloved czech glass. I swear I can't live with out my tiny colorful bits of glass.
Ok, I guess that's it for now. Gotta go through my bead stash. My head is swarming with all the different color combos. As usual, I hope you'll stay tuned for more.
TTYL and make it a good night.
Debbie

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine...

Hello. I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day. In the Northeast (USA) we had the perfect weather for a good old holiday cookout.  Well, I forgot the newest bracelet I made at my Mother's house, so I can't show it to you until next week or so. A flat spiral made out of the most beautiful multi-colored czech glass beads you have ever seen. Oh, well enough about that.  In the meantime, I decided to lighten up and post some summery stuff, seeing as the last post featured darker things.

First is a recently completed spiral rope. Started it at least a year ago. Just needed a few more inches and a clasp. See, I told you I procrastinate. Anyhow it is very summery with lime green, turquoise blue, and bright gold seed beads. I have been looking forever for the perfect pendant to go with it. I'm kind of anal about that stuff. (Is anal a bad word? If it is I am sorry, but it happens to describe me to a tee. Ask those who know me well!!) Anyhow, I could write a book about that, but I'll spare you. 

When I got home from the cookout Monday, I was definitely in a summery mood, so I whipped up a cute pair of flower earrings. These are made out of lucite flowers and lime green & silver twisted bugle beads. Again, the pic doesn't do them justice.  I couldn't get a decent pic with camera and they wouldn't dangle correctly sitting on scanner. Oh well, here's the pic anyhow.

To wrap it up, I wanted to let you know about a very nice & talented group of people at the jewelry making forum at about. com. I have been lurking around there for years now, and finally decided to come out of my shell & join their group. They are all like a giant family and gave me a nice warm welcome. If you are into any type of jewelry making at all, you really need to check them out. You will be blown away by their collective creativity and talent.

Till next time,
Make it a great day
Debbie



Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Wishing I was a Techie

Hello got lots to share tonight. So I'll just jump right in. Well, my new digital camera has arrived. I played with it a little bit. Got a good pic of some earrings I've been working on. After installing software, went to upload pics to laptop. Darn thing doesn't even recognize my camera, oh well, I think I'm  going to delete the Easy Share software and just use Windows picture viewer.  Thank god for Tammy, she is good for something. She told me how to set up SD card. She is definitely the techie of the family. Anyhow, here is the pic of the earrings. It didn't come out too bad. Next time I think I'll try taking pic outside in sunlight, though.

The next thing I have to show you is the business card I came up with and promised to show you. I created it in Microsoft Works. (I'm too cheap to upgrade to MS Word). I had scanned a necklace I had made some time ago. The scan doesn't show the the red beads, necklace looks all black. But it does showcase my beadweaving skills. It is also different looking, than just plain strung beadwork.  Back to the card, I created it on the cheap. Instead of buying Business Card paper from Avery or whatever, I bought a pack of 100 large blank index cards for $1.00 at the dollar store.  They are not as thick or as white as regular business cards, but they will do for now, seeing as I don't even really have a business yet!! Ok, so if you put them through printer one at a time and rotate card 3 times, you can get 4 business cards per one index card. Do the math, that's 400 cards for 1 buck plus ink. I just printed a few for now, and I can change the pic or wording on card anytime I want. How's that for resourceful? Anyhow here it is in all its glory
Last but not least, I just wanted to say a fond farewell to Lost. This is not bead related, but this blog is the closest I have ever came to a journal and I feel that over the past 6 years Lost has become an important part of my life. Never before has a TV show or movie for that matter, had such a profound effect on me. Those who stayed with the show from beginning to end and truly understood will know what I mean. 
OK, well, I told you I had a lot to post about. Gotta get off of this computer now, before I kill it. Like I said, I am not a techie, and even Blogspot likes to give me a hard time.
TTYL and make it a good night,
Namaste,
Debbie

Thursday, May 20, 2010

I've Been a Busy Beaver

Hi. I've been a busy beaver lately. Well, actually, I've been a busy beader. I completed my latest 2 projects. The first one is a netted choker made of black czech glass beads, iridescent black bugles, and silver seeds. This is a very glamorous looking necklace. It would go perfect with a little black dress and is definitely not for every day casual wear.
The second necklace features a black and copper star hanging off of a spriral rope chain. The spiral rope chain has  galvanized gold beads in the center and a pretty dark blue, green and coppery mix for the outside spiral. This necklace has a very artsy feel to it and is definitely not to be worn by the wall-flower type, because it has "Look at me!" written all over it.

Well I am very proud of actually completing not one, but two projects. I have also been busy with creating a business card, reserving an Etsy & a Zibbet shop, and shopping on line for a digital camera. Yes, I finally broke down and bought one. The sad thing is that I have to wait up to 3 wks for it to be delivered Site to Store.  Oh well, this will give me time to complete some more of my UFOs before I decide to go with Etsy or Zibbet.  Yes, major newsflash, I have finally decided to try to sell my jewelery. We'll have to wait and see how that goes.

So, there you have it. A week in the life of a busy beader. As usual, I hope you will stay tuned for more. Next time I'll show you my business card and let you know how I created it on the cheap.
TTYL and make it a great day
Debbie

Monday, May 10, 2010

What I've been up to


Wow, I start off posting 2 days in a row, but then don't post for over a week. I guess I've been busy. Busy with what? Bead shopping, of course. I placed an order with Fire Mountain Gems, which every beader knows- you can waste a whole day searching their website. They must carry millions of beads. Don't worry, I only bought about 20 items. I also stopped into Sadie Greens Emporium and spent about 2 hours drooling over their gorgeous beads and creations. If ever you are in Sturbridge, MA, you have to stop in and check them out. They have the bead emporium along with a store full of their own truly unique beaded creations and other beautiful gift items. Last but not least, I spent at least an hour in the Flying Carpet Bead Studio in Woodstock, CT. This is also a small shop filled with beads and wonderful bead work.
***OK, enough about my bead shopping, & onto to the bead work. This week I have been working on a spiral rope necklace. I found an amazing focal bead for it. Almost finished. I'll post pic when done. Last week I worked on a necklace with fire polished crystals and bugle beads. Just needs a clasp. Will also post that when completed. I have decided not to post my ufo's (unfinished objects) anymore. Maybe then I will be more inclined to actually complete a project. Yes, that is why their is a spaceship hovering above my head in my photo. Remember, I am the queen of ufo's. When all my incomplete work is finished, I will remove the ufo from my photo!!
***I do have a pic, though, It is the most recent strung stuff that I promised to show you. Just a few items made recently. Again the pics don't really do them justice. The 2 bracelets really sparkle much more than you can see & the green and blue necklace is a feast of vibrant color. It looks much better when worn. The big beads end and the little beads start at exactly the right place.
***Well, that's about all I have for now - Except to say that I hope all the mothers out there had a very happy Mom's Day yesterday.
TTYL and make it a great day,
Debbie

Monday, April 26, 2010

A Pic of some of my beading

Well, as promised, here is a pic. As you can see, they are all indeed unfinished. These are the last three bracelets I have started. Had to scan them, as I have no working digital cam at the moment. It's the best I can do for now. You really need to see them in person to appreciate the colors and how they sparkle.
*The top one is a flat spiral done w/light green and white beads in the center and small blue crystals coming off of silverish/white seed beads. *In the middle is a pink and purple spiral rope. The bigger purple beads in the middle of the spiral really sparkle. I am going to finish this off with silver bead caps and one each pink & purple small lucite flower dangling off the clasp. *The bottom bracelet is a dutch spiral rope made with the tiniest of silver bugle beads and very light blue seed beads. In person, it is very dainty looking.
***
So now you have seen some of my work. Bead weaving with tiny beads is my favorite type of work. I find it very relaxing at the end of the day. Also, I love a challenge. Other than tiny seeds and bugles, I enjoy working with crystals and pearls. I do some regular stringing with bigger beads, too. Pictures of some of my strung stuff will come soon.
***
Ok, so that's 2 posts in 2 days. I'm sure I won't be posting everyday, though. I just wanted to get the picture up as soon as I could. Contrary to my daughter's belief, I do have a life, outside of this new blog. You know how it is-cooking, cleaning, waiting on a 12 year old hand and foot!! Gotta run, I hear the laundry calling me.
TTYL and make it a good day,
Debbie

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Finally got off my a** and started a blog

Seeing as this is my 1st post, I'll try to keep it short and sweet. My name is Debbie, I'm from a small town in MA and I have a twelve year old daughter named Tammy. I am very passionate about my bead work. For the most part, this blog will be about my beading. Sometimes, I'll also write about my often comical life and hilarious adventures. All right, so to get it over with, here is a pic of me in all my glory. I am 40ish wishing I was still 20ish. As I said, I really get into beading. Some other things I can't live without include: cheesecake, chocolate, coffee, shoes, roller coasters and Lost (especially Sawyer!!).
Now I'll tell you about Little Miss Thang Tammy. She is a typical pre-teen female. This means that she is always on My Space or her cell phone, constantly playing "Gangsta" music on her Ipod, always needing more clothes and/or money, never doing homework, never picking up, but most of all, always embarrassed by her "wack" mother. All this aside, she is my pride and joy. She is also absolutely, without a doubt, the coolest person in the entire universe. She loves taking pictures for her My Space page. This is her fave pic of herself that she has taken. She told me to tell you that if you are confused about who is who in the pics, she is the nice looking one and I am the old looking one. Go figure.
**
Did I say this post would be short and sweet? I guess I was mistaken. This blog is supposed to be about my beading. So where are the pics of my bead work? Well, lets just say that I am technically challenged, and haven't yet figured out how to get some decent pics up on here. Soon, though, I promise. For now, at least you have met me and Tammy. I hope you will stay tuned for more.
TTYL and make it a good day
Debbie