Bollywood Splendor Earrings

I've finished my Etsy Beadweavers September Challenge "Bollywood Splendor". . .finally. It's been a long three weeks! I was initially going to make a necklace. I finally got all the components beaded and put together. Then I started on the strap and discovered that I didn't have enough gold beads to make it the way I wanted to. Nothing else that I had looked right, it was too late to order or borrow more beads as there was no time for shipping and no local sources. I almost cried.

Then I decided I had NOT done all that work for nothing, I would have an entry. I took the focal point apart and made a pair of earrings from it. I may not be very well organized, I may leap before I look, but I'm still resourceful!

Voting on the September challenge will start September 9th and run through the 15th. Don't forget to drop by the Etsy Beadweavers Team blog and pick your favorite!

Summer's Ending

Just a few more days of summer left. The weather's cooling off here and the fall flowers are beginning to bloom.

I haven't been doing much beading or blogging lately.  I sliced my right thumb slicing cabbage for slaw about a week ago. It's really hard to bead or type with a bandaid on your dominant thumb.


In spite of that my Etsy Beadweavers September Challenge piece is coming along nicely and it looks like I just might get it finished by the deadline. You can go to Etsy  and type ebwc in the search box to see the entries that have already been posted.

I received a review of this sticky bead mat from Carrie of  DJBeads yesterday.  I've seen sticky mats before, but several reviews on them said they left the beads feeling sticky.  Carrie has tried these and declares they are the best beading aid yet.  I really need one of these.  I bead in my easy chair with a lap tray.  I'm constantly managing to send beads flying in all directions, and of course, as if I couldn't make a big enough mess by myself, my cat "helps".

EBWC August Challenge Winner

The Etsy BeadWeavers August Challenge winner has been announced!
You can find the name of the winner and the 10 runners up at the Etsy BeadWeavers blog.

Thanks to all who viewed and voted.

Next month's challenge will be "Bally Wood".  I can't wait to see the entries for that one!

Right Angle Weave Tutorial

I've just published a tutorial on Right Angle Weave also known as RAW or cross weaving. "How to Work Beaded Right Angle Weave"

It's been one of those Murphey's Law days and it's taken me two solid hours just to get this tutorial up. Computer problems added to everything else that's gone wrong today. I'm calling it a night.  If I didn't know better, I'd think it was a full moon.

Etsy BeadWeavers August Challenge

Voting for the Etsy BeadWeavers August challenge "gold and silver" has begun. This month, with 50 entries, there's a large selection to choose your favorites from. Please go to the Etsy BeadWeavers Blog and cast your vote.

Another Great Contest at Art Beads!

More great news and fun from Artbeads.com! Here's an excerpt from the newsletter.

Some fun news! We just launched a new contest called the ‘Bead IQ Trivia Sweepstakes.’ You can test your bead knowledge by taking the short quiz and then enter the sweepstakes for a chance at winning a $250 ‘Bead Genius’ Prize Package, which includes a $100 Artbeads.com Gift Card and $150 worth of beading and jewelry supplies.

This is a great contest to share with your family, friends, fellow beaders and blog readers! This sweepstakes is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) 18 years of age and older and ends on September 16, 2010.

Play Bead IQ Trivia Sweepstakes

New Instant Savings at Artbeads!

I just got word that Artbeads.com has introduced a new "Instant Savings" feature. You'll no longer have to search for or remember to enter coupon codes. With instant savings, all you have to do is meet certain total order values and the discount will automatically be applied at check out.

They'll still be having exclusive coupons for the people on their newsletter list, so be sure to sign up for that and get all the news and know when the best sales are.
Best sales? What was I thinking. All their sales are terrific.

Bead Patterns Galore

I hope you're all keeping cool (or warm depending on where you live) on this fine August day.  I spent some time working in the yard this morning and feel pretty good about what I accomplished.  Even though it's pretty hot here, even in the early morning, It feels good to be able to get out and do yardwork.  Now I'm back in the house contemplating which Christmas ornament pattern to start on next.

The Pattern of the Month is up at The BeadCoop.  Each month, 4 or 5 patterns by various artists are presented for a single low price.  This month features designs by Suvasi Creations, SujenJewelry Designs , Grandma Marilyn, Sand Fibers AKA Carol Dean Sharp, and Divine Ms M Designs all for a low, low price of $10.99.  Be sure to stop by and check out the pattern of the month and all the cool new designs that have been put up lately.  Our designers have been busy!