Last of Christmas presents

Now that all the wrapping papers have been removed and I can reveal the last of the Christmas presents. A necklace with a recycled pendant (from dismantled earrings bought from Barcelona) teamed up with brass chain and findings, glass pearls, svarowski crystals and Vintaj Natural Brass charm.

Welcome 2010

Season's greetings

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Once more with the feeling

Has it ever happened to you...? Realising that even best laid plans don't always execute quite like you wished for.

Yesterday I had it all laid out. All my tools and (finally) well stocked beading pantry neatly arranged in front of me - but no inspiration. Somewhere between the US postal sorting office and my mail box I had lost my design. Hours of nervous twiddling later I gave up and and rummaged through the little less used section of my supplies. I was frustrated and itching to get on beading so I picked up something forgetten which I didn't mind messing.

I can't be sure if it was my favourite book (Shantaram) or the incense sticks I was burning (or both) what inspired me to create something quite unsual for me- India. Necklace made of Christmas tree green freshwater pearls and antique gold plated metals beads and findings.




First I was quite unsure of this colour combination, but more I see it, more I am convinced that I managed to take this away from frumpy old lady towards ethnic and hip.

Wintery nights

Silver grey and royal blue dominate the colours of my wardrobe and beading at the moment. Like sparkling silver stars in the blue night sky. Svarowski rondelles which came through the post few weeks ago were gorgeous -I wish I had ordered more on them.

I had visioned making lot of earrings so here's a good start with swarovski rondelles and Bali sterling silver.

Blogger improvements

I love this new feature on Blogger where the 'Next Blog' button on the top menu will take you to a blog with similar topics. How amazing is that? I read about it little while ago and just remembered to try it out. Instead of classic cars fan club or tortoise and frog poetry (yeah, I know!) I can find interesting pages by jewelry artists.

Beaded accessories

Coming season's trends are something to for the bead enthusiasts to get excited about. Spring 2010 RTW (ready to wear) runway show featured beads not only in their traditional form as jewelry but also as wearable accessories. Here are some of the coolest snaps from the show for all to admire.

Balmain's seed beaded and patterned sandals on left and right and bead and pearl embellished sandal by Vionnet. I'd quite like Balmain's colouful flat sandals for my spring / summer wardrobe.

All images in these photo creations have been borrowed from www.style.com

Trussardi's seed beaded accessories are remarkable creations of handicraft. I wonder if this trend is going to catch on retail fashion. If so, all of you talented beadeders get your bead purse projects underway now and cash in name and fame when spring comes!

More of jewelry trends from Spring 2010 RTW coming up later on.

Dear Santa,

I would like to think I have been a very good girl this year (like every other) so here's a little letter for you Santa to help you through the hurdles of Christmas shopping. See, I really AM a good girl ;-)

I would love a decent pair of hair straigtheners like GHD IV Styler and 'Smoky Eyes' eye make-up set like Dior's or Lancome's. Body Shop's 'Black Velvet Apricot' series has a heavenly scent and moistures the dried up winter skin. A gift card for Fusion Beads or H&M for little shopping or perhaps a relaxing facial at the Helsinki Day Spa. Blissful! Pentik's Verdi glass candlesticks are gorgeous way to light up the dinner table.

But most of all I wish relaxing time with the family, good Christmas food and plenty of snow!

Bleeding fingers...

and broken nails. I am so out of practice as it took me good 4 to 5 hours to complete this bracelet, but it was so worth it. This voluminous bracelet is made of sterling silver and freshwater pearls and has already been boxed and wrapped in Christmas paper.

Order In

I received my first order from Jewelry Supply :-)) With excitement I examined my package and was SO pleased with the quality of the findings. Since the bulk of my order consisted of ball end headpins I was dreading that they would turn out to be 'golf clubs' (flattened irregular lumps, resembling more a golf club than a golf ball).

My main reason for trying a new online shop was that I finally found a place that stocked larger collection of gun metal findings. Jewelry Supply has a great collection of gun metal chains and those much needed ball end headpins, which I could not find elsewhere. On top of that they appear to be of very good quality!


I my opinion Jewelry Supply scored high on;

+ Great metal selection on finding and chains available (14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold filled, Copper, Brass, Pewter and Base metals including Gun Metal etc.)
+ Good quality
+ Prices similar or slightly lower to other major US bead shops
+ Shipping costs to Finland only $5.27 !!!!
+ Appealing selection of copper beads and interesting looking Tibetan beads

I would give a small minus for

- Somewhat long delivery time (+ 2 weeks) which was due to long handling time (6 days)
- Gemstone selection. Althought many different types of gemstone were available, there are mostly just smooth rounds beads, which can be little boring.

Over all Jewelry Supply delivered to my expectations and I will most definately be ordering from here again.

Happy beading weekend to All!

Cleaning my closet

Out with the old, in with the new. It is time for the annual Christmas cleaning. In my case this does not mean scrubbing the kitchen cupboards and hard to reach places, but to organise my beading supplies. I have once again entered that desperate 'ME WANTS' stage and spent hours drooling at online shops. I managed to depart from a fair amount of beads and I am hoping to fill that space with some beauties. I still cannot decide whether I should be brave and buy from Etsy for the first time ever?

Tempting me for my first Etsy order are these beautiful gemstones

Amazing faceted black tourmalated quartz rondelles, and...

(Images borrowed from Etsy)

Blue faceted mystic quartz 3D cubes. Gorgeous, right? Just the right of bling for festive season.

I also would like some relatively inexpensive glass pearls for making personalised multilayered long beads in different shades. I found a nice selection of colours and sizes from Vitabeads, prices weren't bad either.

(Images borrowed from Vitabeads)

I know that lot of beaders from Helmetti have ordered from Etsy. Perhaps someone could tell me about their experiences? (Finnish: Oletteko tilanneet Etsystä? Minkälaisia kokemuksia teillä on ko. paikasta?)