The Bee's Knees, Bling'in Saturday & Beady Links

Happy Saturday! those getting ready for CHA, I know you know that it starts a week from tomorrow! We'll be leaving bright and early on Friday and will be back the following Friday. I always say getting ready for this show is like preparing for a wedding-in the blink of an eye, it's over!

As for those that have been so sweet in asking me about my knee, I did in fact follow up with the orthopedist, and as suspected, I do have a torn medial meniscus in my right knee. At least this knee is not as bad as my left one, but the timing of this could not be worse. It's also my body telling me to "lighten the load", but one thing at a time! So, sometime this spring I'll likely be going in for arthroscopic surgery for the right knee. So, don't make too much fun of me at the show when you see me wheeling around in a scooter...and I apologize now for anyone I may run over!

Those that check Ranger's website, regularly, know that the front page is updated every month. Since that's Marketing's Department, I always am not aware of what's going up in a particular month. I was happy to see that my Perfect Pearls(tm) sample is being featured. I like this one because it does show all the things that you can so easily do with this product: the flowers are painted in, the sentiment is stamped with Perfect Medium(tm) and dusted on and the Cuttlebug dry embossed background is covered with Perfect Medium as well and dusted. Also don't forget about the pearly splotches! Instructions are on the site; if anyone has any questions, let me know!

Being only a week away from CHA, it's probably not out of line to tell you what's new from Ranger! We've finally got a new pigment ink! Adirondack(r) Pigment Ink Stamp Pads will start out with the coordinating Lights/Brights/Earthtones for the following colors: Cranberry/Terra Cotta/Butterscotch/Bottle/Denim/Eggplant. There's also Pitch Black and Snow Cap. I've probably worked with them the most and I really like them! We've also got the Inkssentials(tm) White Opaque Pen and the Inkssentials(tm) Craft Spinner, which will hold eight of the Ink Blending Tools for the Blending Foam or Alcohol Ink Felt! I love the retro look of it. You've probably seen Tim using it during demos, etc. I'll be demoing on how to work with the pigment inks as well as the other coordinating Adirondack(r) products (dye inks and acrylic paint dabbers).

Finally, definitely stop by Ranger's Booth (4264) and also check out Amate's booth (4871); I've worked with them, as I've said previously, and will have over 30 samples of finished Glossy Accents(tm) Collage pendant bracelets and UTEE(tm) pendant necklaces between the two booths. I was so glad to finally get this jewelry completed and photographed. They, as well as Beadalon and Stampers Anonymous have also been so wonderful in providing donations for the Jewelry class that Suze and I will be teaching at the show.

In addition, also find this week's list of Beady Links-Enjoy!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy's got a new book review posted, and it's all about links. In fact, it is written by a fellow Bead Babe. Way to go, Jean!
Art Bead Scene It's Studio Saturday at ABS! Take a look inside the colorful studio of Creative Impressions in Clay!

PearlEsq. Robin's seeing the end of the CHA prep tunnel with a Bead Crochet Creation to share!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Margot Potter initially told the tale of the Kazuri beads in Simply Beads Magazine which Jean remembers reading about, and recalls here. Jean shows a photo of a green necklace her aunt requested her to design which led her to choose these stunning ceramic hand-made beauties!
The Impatient Blogger The gang that brought you Ormament Thursday is back with monthly themed projects to jump start your creativity. Check out Margot's project and a link to the bevy of beautiful designs from our talented roster of artists!

The End of the Tunnel...I see it!

Hey, Everybody! I know I've been MIA lately, but it's just been too much to do prep for CHA and then blog...I've had blog guilt! I'm going to try and get some sneak peeks out of some of the jewelry I've been making for Amate and Ranger.

On the knee front, I had the MRI of my right knee. It's been a few years since I had the left one done, and for the most part, I've been lucky in not having to have many tests, etc over my 45 years. The funny thing is that you're not supposed to move your leg. So, what is it that you want to do? Move your leg! I have to say I was a good girl and that darn knee did not move a bit...but not for my brain wanting to make it move just to f&*$ with me. All I think of is that I'm listening to a science fiction movie from the 50's with all the weird sounds. Needless to say, I'll be seeing the doctor Thursday and will get the results. I think I learned from my mistakes of the past by seeing the doctor right away and not letting it go.

Here's one of the necklaces that I put together. I go hot and cold with bead crochet, but I do love when it's finished! I learned from my friends in MA and when I see what they've created I always want to go back and crochet, crochet, crochet! The pendant is a stamped image from Hero Arts, one of my favorites. The background is Wrinkle Free and "bandanna-ed". It was sealed with Glossy Accents(tm)! I made the crocheted necklace so long it was no problem to double it, but then I needed a larger bale. Thus, I twisted the wire and made the double loops and then the smaller one so the pendant would hang properly. I can't wait to bring it to the show!

One of the things that I always want to "perfect" but have not yet done is to make an invisible join with bead crochet. When I have patience, I'll do it for a bracelet, but when it comes to these necklaces, a Bali-Style magnetic closure works great!

I've got more necklaces finished that I'll try and get photographed, tweaked and blogged!

I also wanted to thank everyone for their supportive thoughts...I so appreciate it.

Have a great evening!

Robin

Beadalicious Links and Show n' Tell

Hello, Everyone! I've been sampling and necklacing and inking my heart out this weekend! With CHA weeks away, there is not a lot of down time to relax! I'm not used to blinging up necklaces like my buddy Miss Margot, but I did okay! Thanks to some awesome new things that I got to play with from Beadalon, I actually did some things using some of my stash that I've had "in inventory" for a while.

This is a pendant from Amate International. Armondo and his wife Erika are such great people. Their website is down right now, but you can contact him here. I created a background with Wrinkle Free Distress using a page from an old book. I then added some of Tim's Distressables, then filled with Glossy Accents(tm)!

The chain looks like it is heavy, but it's light as a feather, from Beadalon. I decorated the chain with adding decorative touches with CZ Gem Dropz, Swarovski(r) crystals and wonderful beads from Melanie at Earthenwood Studio...I'm dying to play with more of them, but one thing at a time! What is so great is that it's easy to decorate these chains, even if you don't have a lot of jewelrymaking experience!

Here's another one where I used the flying bird charms from B'Sues Boutique on the chain and embedded in another Amate Pendant. I just love how this will look when worn with a black shirt (or any color shirt for that matter!) with the birds flying all around.

There's a lot more that I've made, but I'm holding on as we get closer to CHA.

Well, I'm headed back to prep, prep and more prep! Hope you enjoyed the necklaces, and enjoy the beady links! Have a great week!

About.com Jewelry Making Do you like two tone metal jewelry? Are you a metal clay jewelry maker? Tammy tells us about a new product to help you mix up metals using metal clay techniques.

Art Bead Scene We are feeling groovy here at Art Bead Scene, as we celebrate our own Tari Sasser's recent press with her tie dyed beads. What trippy thing would *you* make with them?

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi has a free book giveaway going on! You can enter to win a copy of "Crazy About Jewelry" simply by leaving a comment on this post! What could be easier?

Naughty Secretary Club Thinking of selling your jewelry for a living? Jen has some tips on free promotion and suggested reading to get you started.

PearlEsq. Check out the latest adventure of a rubber stamp that's made its way to Australia!

Savvy Crafter Finding the findings is always an interesting experience in Candie's part of the world. This week she shares a couple of pictures from a trip to Hong Kong.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Beautiful (...possibly even...sexy?) champagne coin pearl chandeliers by Jean!

The Impatient Blogger Need a dose of inspiration? Check out this video blog post by Margot Potter as she traverses a whole new dimension of bloggy goodness!