A Farewell to Winter

Even though my last fall and winter were very busy with the development of my new permanent studio in the Torpedo Factory Art Center (Alexandria, VA), I couldn't miss this season and not to create another winter piece. I didn't have enough time to design something like Lone Snowflake Necklace:



that made the First place in Ice Queen Challenge held by Bead Mavens, and idea to create a smaller necklace came to me. So, I went to Artbeads.com...


Then I narrowed my search to pendants... Good choice! But I had to go further, and my search for pendant crystals gave me the result I was in need of.


I decided, just two sorts of beads: TOHO 11/0 clear transparent and TOHO 15/0 black. In addition to that, amazing coral-like Coral Crystal pendants by Swarovski I found out on Artbeads.com became a perfect match to "coral brunches" woven using seed beads.



What about focal? I continued my search and discovered on the site a beautiful Flat Baroque Pendant Crystal by Swarovski, that looked like a flower, frozen in ice! Done! I believe you can guess the name of the necklace: Flower, Frozen in Ice.

Disclosure. Being a reviewer of Artbeads.com products and a participant of its blogging program I received Swarovski crystal pendants free of charge. This post reflects my honest opinion; and Artbeads.com is not compensating me for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Keep going reading Perlen Poesie!

This month the new issue of Perlen Poesie, Number 8, is out! I love it, what about you? In that issue:


• Bead-Pop-Art. Suzanne Golden: Large beads in bold colors - Suzanne creates pure eye-catchers. Read about this artist and admire her fabulous designs;

• Weben mit Rahmen. Gisela Hoffmann: One of the few German artists who is very successful in her range but not well known. Meet this outstanding loom and off-loom bead artist and create her loomwork bag "Hana-Bi";

• New outfits for beads. Refinements & Finishes: Beads do not only convince because of shape and color but also because of further finishes. Selected beads and their special definitions;

• Beadwork-Engineer. Martina Nagele: She plans everything precisely before she starts working; this is the way she works. The results speak for themselves!

• And of course 14 new incredible instructions!

The magazine is published in Germany by Beaders Best Verlag Company, you can subscribe it. If you live in the USA, you can directly or via Internet buy single issues of the magazine at the Beads by Blanche bead shop.

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Fashion Colorworks 2011. Meet the sponsor: Beads Unlimited

Beads Unlimited aka The Brighton Bead Shop at 25.

It's hard to believe that it's 25 years since Beads Unlimited aka The Brighton Bead Shop opened its doors for the first time. On that first icy Brighton day in March 1986, notable for it's three-inch snowfall, the shop was sparsely populated and less than fifty pounds was taken. A quarter of a century on and Beads Unlimited is now a highly successful, stately, silver haired lady and an essential part of the beading community.

To celebrate their Silver Jubilee, Beads Unlimited is running bucketloads of competitions, give-aways and charity events throughout the year. One of the most important parts of their Jubilee year is their charity pledge. Beads Unlimited aim to raise £10,000 for the RNLI. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is run solely by volunteers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. They provide 24-hour lifeboats and seasonal lifeguards dedicated to saving lives at sea.

To help reach their target, The Brighton Bead Shop will be hosting a ton of in-store events and some of the staff will be competing in various sports fundraisers including a Brighton pier to pier swim! Beads Unlimited also launched their charity bead in January 2011. You can purchase this special bead for a suggested donation, when you check out at Beads Unlimited. If you would like to help Beads Unlimited reach their £10,000 for the RNLI target please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/BeadsUnlimited. For full details and all information on what's happening now and what's to come, please visit www.beadbarmy.com and www.beadsunlimited.co.uk.

Fashion Colorworks 2011 Beading Contest Rules