THREE SALES IN ONE DAY !!!!

I was having a big debate in my head today...you know the kind, where you just can't figure out what to do and you're asking the dumbest person on the planet for help...YOURSELF? I was trying to figure out what I would have to cut out of this month's budget just to scrape by. Why all this soul searching...I had to buy groceries for me and Squeakers...mostly I really needed Toilet Paper...CRISIS, YES!!!

So I came to the conclusion that I could still have time to cancel my quarterly pest control service and maybe the $94 that would save me could let me scrimp by on RAMEN for the next few weeks.

I spent over $100 at two stores...some was for Easter gifts for the grandkids. I got home after splurging at the local authentic Mexican food drive thru $3.24. Dispersed all my purchases to their relegated sites then popped my butt down in front of the computer for some info on what's what in the world...VOILA, I go to my Etsy page and something was amiss...three items were missing...huh?? I didn't think I had any expirations till 4/11..then OMG, I checked the SOLD items and there they were...MY SALVATION!!!

I really have been killing myself the past few weeks trying out Handmadeology's plans for sale along with the Etsy Success stuff. I do want so badly to be a productive member of the Etsy Group...for my own sake!!!

So Spring is Sprung, the Grass is riz and I just got MY FLOWERS even if it is only 41 degrees in SUNNY Tucson right now with snow predicted for tomorrow morning in the desert southwest...Yup...SNOW on April 10 2011...gobal warming for sure!!! ROFLMAO

3rd Anniversay Celebration GIVE AWAY

On April 7 2008 I made the BIG LEAP to online selling!! I joined the Etsy Group of fabulous handmade Artisans! Now I want to celebrate that event with a Give Away-type Contest. I am sending invitations to all of my 3737 Friends on my personal page of Facebook and I am inviting the immediate WORLD!! Here's the details....

Go to my Facebook FAN PAGE:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beadacious1221/135420969835596

Become a Fan if you aren't already one. Then you can click on the MY ETSY app on the left of the wall page and choose an item from my Etsy shop that you like...post the link to that item on my Fan Page with what you like about it...could be just one word like "charming". VOILA...you are entered in the drawing on May 1st, 2011.

The item I am Giving Away is here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71606993/spiralific-bead-crochet?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=App_Seller&utm_campaign=fb_seller_item&utm_content=items

Photo of it is at the bottom of photos on this post.

The items above it are my recent additions to the shop...there will be more pieces being added every day so keep checking back...some really nifty Mother's Day gifts in the group, PROM, SPRING, Easter too!!

You will be hearing about VOTING in the Etsy Beadweavers April 2011 Challenge real soon too...get on those laptops & vote vote vote...LOL!

Thanks so much for participating in this little event of mine...there will be more!!

EBW Team April 2011 Challenge ENTRY

Here is the Before, During and After photos of my Very FIRST entry in an Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge. The theme for this April 2011 Challenge is "Spring Around the Corner".This is my attempt at designing a one of a kind Bead Crochet Rope masterpiece in homage of SPRING...a season I never fully appreciated until I lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina for four years.

While I perform every technique and manner of beadweaving....for the past seven years I have specialized in bead crochet ropes as an Instructor and Artist This is a very exacting & time consuming pusuit which was right up my alley.

The first step was designing the pattern on bead crochet graphs (I use Judith Bertoglio-Giffin's version)using 19 different colored pencils. It is much like creating a counted cross stitch chart, but with many more limitations. Step two is putting the graph on a magnetic board & using magnetic strips to hold my place as I string the EXACT pattern one tiny seed bead at a time onto the heavy duty polyester thread...my pattern area was 18 inches before repeat so there was no margin for errors in stringing...which I made several times and had to start over and over to perfection. I used size 8/0, 10/0 and 11/0 Japanese and Czech glass seed beads as well as Czech pressed glass mini drops in the construction of the main body of the 40 inch long lariat. The fringe contains an additional 10 colors of pressed glass Czech beads. The 40 inches of seven beads around necessitated approximately 280 inches of strung pattern. After all these beads are strung precisely as designed, the crocheting with the tiny 1.25 steel crochet hook begins. In the case of this particular piece it took three plus weeks from start to finish...i am not real good about tracking my time as for me it is a labor of LOVE not Business.

I am SOOOO enthusiastic about being permitted to participate in this challenge with the Best Beadweaver Artists on Etsy....Please CAST YOUR VOTE for your favorite design in the Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge of April 2011 at:

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

ANYONE can vote...the entries are awe-inspiring. That is how I was drawn into the Team...maybe YOU will be too.

Proof Positive...Just a Few of My New Items on ETSY!

I'M REALLY WIRED!!!!

Im Really Wired!!!

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

THREE ARTFIRE CRAZY TRAIN RIDERS!

I love the talented http//www.artfire.com/users/ldphotography I believe the fabulous pendant below is a FINE example of their artistic prowess!The item below is from Yours Truli http//www.artfire.com/users/YoursTruli. She specializes in the vintage, antique style jewellry of bygone eras! Her quality is exceptional & creativity is extraordinary!

And finally http//www.artfire.com/users/acadienne
or ACADIENNE items are the following two photos. She tells a really interesting story in her blog on her studio page about the origins of her shop name.

This particular studio is near & dear to my heart for two reasons: first, I have experienced making hardanger items myself; second, she is located in Tucson, my hometown.

I encourage everyone reading my blog to visit these fabulous studios on ARTFIRE!!
While you are there, consider their handmade artwork for your own or gift giving pleasure.

I am finally trying to catch up on all my blogging endeavors now that a bit of the dust has settled from my mother's passing. Don't get me wrong, the turmoil continues, I am just trying to return to some form of normalcy for my own SANITY!

New Crazy Train Rider: GRAVEL ROAD JEWELRY

I am simply bowled over by all the TALENT we have on ARTFIRE and in particular in our group the CRAZY TRAIN!
http://gravelroadjewelry.artfire.comThe link is for the most spectacular wire wrapping I have ever witnessed!
I think the best example to start with is the above pendant!

But she is not just limited to pendants and necklaces, she also does RINGS, EARRINGS, BRACELETS....

I marvel at this ability to wrap wire because I have tried and tried to even just make a simple hook for my ornaments and cannot bend wire the right way to save my soul.

So I will list her studio again:http://GravelRoadJewelry.Artfire.com

Please do yourself a favor and visit to see the ultimate in Wire Productions!

A LITTLE BIT OF PRETTY...GIVEAWAY

One of my fellow Travellers on Handmade Highway is having a GIVEAWAY and it is Fabulous!!

Look at some of the wonderful items you COULD win...(above)

Her name is Kim and she lives in Saskatoon SK, Canada.Here is where you go to enter this contest:

http://littlebitofpretty.blogspot.com

Her jewelry is simply gorgeous and she is very generous with her choice of giveaway items so be sure to visit her blog ASAP..

THE CONTEST ENDS NOV 1ST

Artfire Crazy Train Rider for Oct 6 - 7, 2009

Today I am spotlighting one of my favorite sellers on ARTFIRE

CAT IN A LIFE
catinalife.artfire.com

Her work is eclectic and stunning.

The first piece is a copper wire wrapped necklace with brilliant faceted glass beads worked in such an original design on the pendant. I know I MUST have her pendants soon as I can just visualize them blending perfectly with my seed beads on a rope chain suspending them.

This next piece is done in intricate chain, wire and Czech glass beads in the most splendid color green.

It is a bracelet with lots of life and sparkle!


I chose another copper wire wrapped pendant this time using faceted cat's eye fiber optic beads. The combination of turquoise and copper is always so elegant, but especially in this particular piece.



You must check out her studio. Her prices are amazingly affordable for the quality and breathtaking beauty of her designs.




I am finishing with this egyptian collar all of coiled wire in an exquisite color combination once again.

This lady is truly an ARTIST

http://catinalife.artfire.com

Sweet Whimsy Rides The Crazy Train Today!

Sweet Whimsy is our Crazy Train Rider

for Today 9/24 - 9/25






sweetwhimsy.artfire.com



She makes these really beautiful pendants. This paisley one is from a scrabble tile wood and is only $8.50

This wire wrapped pendant is fascinating to me....
She describes the process and I still cannot believe it is not composed of metal. To see what it is made of go to:
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=375802

WHAT A WONDERFUL LITTLE SNAKE!!

AWHILE back, I was cruising the Etsy site just shopping for lampwork beads. I came across the superior Glass Artist and SRA Karen Klomparens! I think I also became one of her best customers...at least my purchases from her are greater than from anyone else...

This cute little green fella is one of my favorites! He was actually meant for braided hair or dreadlocks, but he just spoke to me and I knew he REALLY wanted to climb my bead crocheted ropes...so I got him and some of his friends too.

The problem with ALL of Karen's ART GLASS is I deem it just too beautiful for my unworthy bead crochet ropes, so it sits in anticipation of when I can create a worthy compliment to it. Well this little guy just BELONGED on my woodsy hand spun mix of brown beads.

Then I stumbled upon some kitten hook clasps and the piece was formed.

This is listed on my ETSY and ARTFIRE sites so far. The hits on it have been super...as for Karen, you can find her right here at:

http://fire-n-sand.blogspot.com or go to her Etsy shop:

http://giapet.etsy.com

I went there again when I finished this necklace to sent her a convo and ended up with 3 more of her treasures in my cart...so stay tuned, you will be seeing alot more of her ART showcased on my pieces!