Simplicity, Breathe and Listen...rules for me to live by.

The other night I was frustrated because the seedbead bracelet I was working on for a class was turning out to be not great class material- too challenging for me to see it correctly (15/o seed beads- aaghhh!) so I knew it would be that much more difficult to teach. As I sat looking for inspiration in our beading books, I came across a book that had this funky odds and ends for jewelry making. I loved the look of it! But we carried nothing like that....or so I thought!!!

I took a stroll over to the scrapbooking aisle and low and behold there were the "Idea-ology" by Tim Holtz! The scrapbooking manager was slowly bringing in the line. I grabbed what I could and got to work. I tried a new technique with alcohol inking. Pretty fun!

The tags are perfect for me. Simplicity, Breathe and Listen....I need to be reminded of that often! Too bad, when I wear this I can't see it! hmmm....matching bracelet?

I am thinking this will perfectly replace the seedbead bracelet. :)

Bobbles and Bangles (Fall)

I am sure a Bangle is not just an 80's band but also a bracelet that is worn by Indian women to signify matrimony. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangle So I guess this is just Bobbles! Oops! It is one of my classes this month, and I am not changing the calendar now! This is the next popular thing to hit Utah since the WATCHBANDS!!!!! haha Seriously, they are so easy to make and that makes it fun! Sign up and have a girls night out! The Bead Shop at Ben Franklin: 801-444-1177!

Original Chains and Charms

This is a design I taught for only a couple of classes until they discontinued the beads and chain. :( So this is pretty much a one of a kind! But it did mutate into my second Chains and Charms which faired pretty well but will rest until Spring.

The Evolution of the Marshmallow

I we got these fun big pearls in the shop with the cute and fun matching vintage looking ones, I had to make this bracelet! It is a combo of beaded bracelet and charm bracelet. At that time, I decided it would be fun to name my jewelry. I must've been hungry because I named all my designs after food!! (Another passion of mine.) Well, it worked! People were curious and my classes to fill up to take the Marshmallow bracelet and Licorice necklace!

Well, you can't have Marshmallows without toasting them! The Toasted Marshmallow.
I retired the class for awhile and then this summer....The Firecracker!!
I feel kind of like a Harley girl with the wings on my Silver Marshmallow! Fall is coming, I am thinking we need an Autumn Marshmallow and then, of course, Candy Cane Marshmallow?

Bella on Steroids!!

So, once I had made a few Bella's, we received some new Chinese crystal beads in the shop. They were huge bi-cones beads! Perfect for making a HUGE Bella! So I tried it and it worked! I had to get a pretty big pearl to fit in the middle but I like how it turned out!

The Bella!

This is one of my classes I teach at Ben Franklin. It is made with Swarovski Crystals and it is fast and fun to make! This one is a choker but I have made them into earrings and also another really large one with big crystals in a big dangling necklace. So pretty and perfect for any prom in any color!

Custom Watchband orders: check!

I spent the day yesterday listening to Fablehaven and beading. I made some adjustments and repairs on some previous orders and created a new one (the crystal one) for a neighbor/friend. I think they turned out pretty good! I LOVE the yellow and orange! It turned out better than I expected.

Pretty in Pink Lanyard/Necklace

$20 or 2 fer $30- Feel free to mix and match!!

Halloween Lanyard

$20 each or "2 fer" $30!

Teacher,s Pet or "Patient" RN lanyards

My older children (numbers 1, 2 and 3) are working on their own beading project. They are trying to earn money for sports and piano. In our school district, the teachers are required to wear a badge while they are at school (at least for the elementary schools).

So, we have come up with a few variety of lanyards that are adorable. But I do have a practical side. I like two-fers or even three-fers! So we made Bobble Toggles to wear with them when they are not used as a lanyard! Genius! I know! In fact, they are interchangeable so we will make some more neutral ones and extra Bobbles and Toggles to change them out. (If you are going blind like me some of these can be used as eyeglass holders....making them a 3-fer!!! woo hooo!!!)

They are selling them for $20 each or ....wait for it...."2 fer" $30!!!

Each lanyard/necklace is unique due to availability of beads they may never be alike! But, of course, they are all cute! I think the kids did a great job! This one above it called Ice Blue and the one below is Key Largo, this is one of my favorites. I love that I was able to find some larger shells for the Bobble that match the necklace!

Junkyard Gems Bracelet

I have been teaching this bracelet for over 2 years! I found the original in a beading magazine and thought is was beautiful. Just my style. It was my first attempt at striking out on my own for a class. My idea and I had no clue how it would be received. Well, two years later and I am still teaching it! This is my revamped version of the "Yoga" bracelet.

For my oldest daughter's birthday this year, I had an idea to use some leftover beads and make her a bracelet using her favorite colors, turquiose and brown. The result was so fun! I can't believe it took me that long to figure that out! When I showed it to my friend she said, "It's a Junkyard Yoga!". I loved that! And so inspired me to change my business name! And rename this bracelet to be the Junkyard Bracelet, since you can use just about any small beads and make it beautiful. It is made with a spiral technique, using a needle and Fireline.

I will be teaching this again at Silk Petals in Farmington. My first class there went great! I met the most fabulous, stylish ladies that have never beaded before! They were super! And having Wade and Connie there to keep us company was a blast!

I had this made into a kit and the for the kit and the class - I thought it pretty reasonable, just $25! You can choose between the one with the copper clasp and stones or white and clear glass.

I do not have a schedule ready for Silk Petals but I am working on it for August. Let me know if you are interested.

Beach Glass Necklace

Last month, I had to fill in my classes for July at Ben Franklin Crafts. I mostly had repeat projects but I wanted to do

something new and fresh for July. You could tell my mind was missing the beach and the outdoors. This helped me with my name for this piece, Beach Glass. Yep, Summer had hit me! So I picked up all the supplies I thought I would need to make the idea I had in my head. ...And then I sat on it. With June here and all my 6 children at home and the house falling apart around me, my creative juices were depleted. Well, nothing helps motivation like a deadline! This coming Wednesday is my class and do you think anyone has signed up for it? No. Why would anyone sign up for something unseen?

So yesterday, I made myself "get er done"! And I love the outcome! It seems letting an idea stew in my brain is a good thing!

This class is available to take on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, Wednesday August 4, 2010 at Ben Franklin Crafts, Kaysville, UT (801) 444-1177 for sign up. $17 class fee +supplies (supply est. $20-25) Availability of sample beads may vary.

It is also available for purchase from me for $40.

Note: The pendant is removable. I will post pendant options.