Breakfast!

Yes, I have a fascination with fake food in all forms. I made this necklace from glass beads that I purchased from an amazing glass artist, Marcy Lamberson. She creates the most amusing and whimsical glass beads I have ever seen.

I guess I was extra hungry when I put this necklace together. I usually only have 2 eggs!

Marcy says a cup of coffee is on it's way!

Visit Marcy's fun blog to read all about glass beadmaking, bacon and vikings.

Vintage Glass Beads

OK, I admit to having a serious weakness for vintage glass beads. I've been collecting them for about 10 years. I'm always on the lookout for a unique shape or color. Old necklaces are a great source for these elusive beads. Such is the case with the green beads featured in these earrings.

They were part of an unattractive (yes, it was ugly) necklace I stumbled upon in an antique mall in Arizona. I cut apart the necklace and kept the very cool brass clasp and salvaged these wonderful emerald green glass beads. They are a fluted melon shape with a little bit of wear. I'm not sure why, but I love that.

These earrings are for sale in my etsy shop.

Mixed Chain Bracelets

When I first introduced these bracelets, towards the end of 2007, I was using up some short, left-over sections of a variety of sterling silver chains. The few I offered at my shows sold quickly and I consigned the remainder to some of my regular art galleries. They sold quickly at those places too.

Now, I've purchased more of those chain styles because this has become one of my hottest products! At my last 2 shows, I've sold 11 of them. A couple have sold on etsy this year as well.

The photos here are of the bracelet available in my etsy shop. I plan to list more within the next few weeks. If there's a certain color combination you're looking for, just let me know.

Custom Earring Order

While doing the Bad Girls of the North craft show in Fairbanks, one of my regular customers approached me requesting a custom pair of earrings. She gave me a few particulars and this is what I came up with. I love the fact they are double-articulated and will move around much more than if the entire length was on one piece of wire.


I emailed her the photo and she loves them. They went in the mail today. This customer just happens to be the mayor of Fairbanks!

Artisan Beaders Street Team on Etsy

Artisans who sell on etsy.com, often form groups with other like-minded artisans with similar interests and goals. These are called Street Teams. I belong to one group of fabulously talented women called Artisan Beaders Street Team.

This amazing team of mine is made up of 19 members. We all work with beads in some way, whether it is jewelry design, bead supplies sales, or as bead makers. Here is our mission statement:

Begin with a passion for beads. Combine with creativity. Mix with encouragement. The result is Artisan Beaders; a charismatic group committed to providing the knowledge, resources and support to help members succeed in their entrepreneurial dreams.

Artisan Beaders: Infinite Inspiration.

Doesn't that mission statement just make you want to get to know us a little better?

To help you out with that, our team hase put together a Holiday Gift Guide. There, you can see a few items from each of our shops, read a little bit about us, and have direct links to our etsy shops. If you'd like to search by type of item, look under the top banner, and you'll find jewelry and bead categories.

Blue Chalcedony Teardrops

This is a new style of earring that I introduced recently. I handcraft the earwire from sterling silver wire and embellish it with tiny gems on the leading edge. Not only is this decorative, but it keeps the main dangle from sliding off the back of the earwire.

This pair features stunning faceted blue chalcedony teardrop beads at the bottom. I used tiny faceted rondelles of mystic topaz on the leading edge.

These lovely earrings are for sale in my etsy shop.