Hazel, I'm not!

Happy Sunday, Everyone! Boy, am I whooped. I did a major "cleaning of the house." By no means is this my favorite job. I wish I had the ability to just snap my fingers and it be done, but alas, that doesn't happen. But I'm working on getting organized and cleaned up because next week I'm teaching at Scrapbook Cupboard in MA and the Tuesday after that I'm having my right knee surgery!

This week will be busy with Claudine Hellmuth coming to NJ to work on her new product line with Ranger. That will be great, but busy!

So now I'm off to finish prepping for the classes, so I'll be ready to go. Enjoy this weeks bevy of beadbabe bloggers!

So clean on my friends!

• About.com Jewelry Making Catch up on some jewelry product reviews and sign up for the About.com Jewelry Making bi-weekly newsletter.
• Art Bead Scene Step into the world of faux-tiques and impossible objects. It isn't Alice in Wonderland, it's the world of Lynn Davis!
• Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie offers a rare glimpse into an even rarer sight: her clean beading
• Jewelry & Beading Need a new idea for bead embroidery? "Treasure Chest" will have you running for your stash! studio!
• Katie's Beading Blog Make these Butterfly Bliss earrings in an evening (okay, so they're really moths...)
• Make It Mine Magazine New online content: shrink art videos and a downloadable pendant project
• Naughty Secretary Club The king of the chain gang, Justin Giunta’s Subversive Jewelry comes to a Target near you.
• PearlEsq. What a Hoot! Check out the artfully individual Owls of Massaustraliranger. HUH?!
• Savvy Crafter It's a Pearl! Click over to Candie's blog to see where pearls come from and a pair of earrings!
• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! My cool bracelet which I made with wonderful components by Green Girl Studios!
• The Impatient Blogger Madge is off to Japan for a designer exchange between the CHA and the HAJ! Check out this e-newsletter excerpt for the 411.

Taking a stab at...Needle Felting!

Hello, Everyone! Hope you had a good weekend. It was bound to happen, but I succumbed to a cold and have been out for the count for the past 5 days. What a bummer. It really kicked my butt. Brian took good care of me, though, bringing me lots of soup! I'll be back to work tomorrow, but I'm just keeping quiet so as not to have a coughing fit. Ugh!

In the interim, since my trip to Absolutely Everything, one of the things that I got sucked into was needle felting. I've seen a few projects in magazines, on line, as well as the new products that Clover has unveiled this year. Kate had some felting needles, roving, etc. and she gave me a quick lesson. My first go 'round was a felted bead from Art Girlz to which I added some swirlies. It looks like a furry marble. I never do anything half way, so I then began going onto the 'net looking for more information. I purchased a great pattern for needle felting a bear from Marie Spaulding, so I took a shot at it. The bear head was pretty cool, but I ran out of the matching roving and his body looked too thin, so it almost looks like a short Pez!

I then attempted a cat. I used what I had, which was some multi-colored greenish roving. I worked on it here and there, but at least I finished it. For my first attempt, not bad, but I could critique the bejeebers out of it. Of course I then ordered more stuff to improve on this. I will definitely get working on some fun decorated felt beads, and who knows, maybe some felted kitty beads!

I also wanted you to go and check out Hero Arts' new blog. Shari Carroll asked me to create a card for her blog, which she posted last Friday. It was fun to do..."bandannaed", of course!

Because of being away and then with my cold I was remiss with my beadbloggers! Please check out these wonderful blogs! There's some new additions...so click away!

About.com Jewelry Making With the cost of metals on the rise, many jewelry makers are turning to copper. Here are some copper connections for you.
Art Bead Scene Free Project at ABS!
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie digs in deep and picks at the heart and bones of her creative process.
Jennifer Jangles Blog Jennifer shows a sneak peek of a project from her new book, Ceramic Bead Jewelry, due out June 3rd.
Jewelry & Beading What do cherry donuts have to do with jewelry? Come find out ;-)
Katie's Beading Blog Look what happens when spring fever meets beads! A colorful necklace is born.
Make It Mine Magazine A challenge: transform something unpurselike into a purse
Naughty Secretary Club Bead Simple: Essential Techniques for Making Jewelry Just the Way You Want It - A book report by Jen.
PearlEsq. Robin reports on her fun trip to Absolutely Everything and her "Kate's Neighborhood" Creation!
Savvy Crafter Hey Everybody, it's a wrap! Candie shows some finished pendants from the wire wrapping workshop.
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean interviewed Melanie Brooks Lukacs for Jean's book, Links, as Melanie is a terrific ceramic artist!
The Impatient Blogger What's your Googleability Factor? Madge coins a new phrase and discovers that she's quite Googleable. Help her select a new promo photo too!

Nothing beats the smell of a new Craft Store!

Happy Saturday...as usual, where does the day go? I was just not in a super motivated mood, although I should be with all that I need (and want) to play with amongst my stamps and other inky accoutrement at home. I was curious to find out if the new Michaels near my house (within 2 miles, mind you) was open. Alas, it was.

Anymore, when I go to these stores, it's not as much as a shopper but as one that is "in" the industry. I look with such a different eye. How are our products displayed? Does it make any sense? What stamps do they have? What new stuff do they have? What other companies' stuff do they have? What are shoppers looking at? Does the staff have a clue, or more importantly, are they TRYING to get a clue (I'll take anyone that is trying over someone that doesn't give a rat's you know what).

My overall impression was that I was pleased with the display of our products and was thrilled to see they had Tim's Distressables 2 Book there and even more psyched to see the "Ink Essentials" book, right in front of the stamp pad aisle! Regarding stamps, I still think they need to update what they've got, but I totally understand the immense undertaking of trying to bring in a "basic" offering of stamps. Lots of alphabets, though, which is always good for the cross-over with scrapbooking.

I was pleased that a sales associate did come up to me and asked me if I needed any assistance. My brain couldn't help but think to itself "I could probably help you more than you can help me." In the jewelry aisle I did actually help a young male associate try to understand from a customer where the earring back thingies were...he was so happy when I was able to help point out what they were (I had just scanned that portion of the bead aisle!).

My most favorite part of the trip was walking down the widest aisle in the store (this used to be a Rag Shop, and it's a long space rather than wide, so it's different than from what you see at other stores; There in the "main" bead aisle were Margot Potter's, a.k.a. Miss Impatient Beader & Blogger's 3 BOOKS! All them, sticking out on a display thing from the pegboard, 1, 2, 3. I had to call Miss Beady on the stop and let her know... she was so excited! How cool is that?

All in all, I really think that if a "new" crafter has a good experience in a "big box" store, that will send them to search out the independents. I really believe that's another reason why I'm so vigilant about education. The more information out there, the more any level of crafter can learn and (hopefully) will want to learn more. So, I may just volunteer to do a few demos at what I can term as "my" (geographically speaking") Michaels store. I also met the manager of the papercraft area of the store; of course her first question was, "Have you met Tim Holtz?" When I said that we worked together, she almost plotzed...always fun!

My other adventure of the day was getting a new phone. Today in NJ it is now a primary offense to talk on the phone with the phone...you must be hands-free. I, of course, am a bad girl on that front, and my phone is over 2 years old and beat to sh*$. So, off to the AT&T store and I ended up with a Blackberry Pearl. I have to say that the sales associate was super. She gave me the straight scoop on what there is to offer and I came in on a good day, as I got their Bluetooth Bundle with all the other stuff so that I won't get stopped...now I just have to figure this new monstrosity out!

Please also check out the wonderful BeadBlogger Links of the week!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy has news about a unique jewelry design contest going on at a relatively new site for designers of all types.

Art Bead Scene A Fit to Print Review that Sparkles!

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi takes a little trip into macrame land in an attempt to find something new to do with a V pendant!

Katie's Beading Blog The Triple Take projects for April are online for free download now! Read Katie's post for previews and links. And, don't forget to scroll back and visit this week's Ornament Thursday post.

Naughty Secretary Club Shame on Jen for spreading Cyber Gossip!

PearlEsq. Robin shares a fun technique with Ranger's new Adirondack Pigment Pens and Maya Road's new Sheer Sheets-it's sheerly colorific.

Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done! Aardvark art glass repost: with my hand-made sterling 3 in 3 necklace, I teamed up with Cathy Lybarger, an amazing glass artist, as she experimented with painting on the insides of her hot glass beads, using enamel! This is now in my Links chain maille gallery on my site!

The Impatient Blogger The Crafty Chica and The Impatient Beader share their craftastrophies in a no holds barred conversation. Yes, even the pros make crap sometimes. Leave your own True Craft Confessions in the comments!

Well, off now to do some more fun inky stuff! Enjoy the day, everyone!

Robin

Show n' Tell Sunday!

Happy Sunday...I've had a good and lazy Sunday of catching up on sleep. God Forbid I do something like clean the house. What fun is that when all of the "Oscar" movies are showing on TCM? Nothing's better than vintage movies with no commercials!

Besides that, I wanted to share the most awesome of kitschy presents I received the the uber-talented Terri Ventura. She makes these, so if you're interested, please contact her! It's a wonderful purse that she collaged, laminated, riveted, snapped...I can't wait to use it. She also made a neat billfold with a fun image that was already all glittery, but anything can be made that sparkly with Stickles(tm)! I am so honored to have received this...watch out, Terri!


A while ago I made my friend Ginny Smallenberg a Bandanna Plaque which safely made its way to Ohio and is displayed in her beautiful studio (you want to see an exquisitely decorated house, check out her blog)! Well I was bestowed with some cool items from her Small Studio Productions' online store. My hands are twitching as to what to make with all of these things, especially the Post Office Door Box. It looks like a robot face of sorts...I'll mull it over a while until I find the right box or piece to entrust and decorate it upon.

Also check out the Bead Bloggers Extraordinaire! With my being at CHA and on the road, I've been remiss in posting these lovely, talented ladies, so enjoy!

• About.com Jewelry Making Tammy updates you on some of the latest discussions going on over at the Jewelry Making Forum.
• Art Bead Scene Here's a tool just "bent" on becoming your favorite!
• Jewelry & Beading Heather Powers of Humblebeads catches us up on what's going on with her this spring!
• Katie's Beading Blog Katie's giving away 2 copies of Vintage Style Jewelry from the editors of Bead & Button. Comment on her post to be included in the drawing!
• PearlEsq. Read Robin's funny stories of her latest CHA trip and what a friend of hers has deemed, "Nailgate"!
• Savvy Crafter Candie’s sharing the dove-love over on her blog! Check out a pair of earrings she made using peaceful dove chandelier findings. While you’re there, leave a comment for a chance to win your own dove charms!
• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean made a pretty spring-like necklace using a Russian bead and Vintaj findings. It is titled, "Looking Out Her Window".
• The Impatient Blogger Margot shares stories of her first day at CHA (The Craft and Hobby Association Show) and why she prefers to do "fake demos" at book signings.

Have a Beadylicious Week!
Robin

Beady Friday

Happy Friday! I'm going to making bead mixes tonight for a knotted necklace class I'm teaching the local stamping club. If anyone is ever interested in me teaching this, give me a holler! Then I'm determined to solder. On my way home I headed to my local bead store, The Birds and the Beads and as usual, I couldn't help myself. I somewhat restrained myself, but it was tough. So, now no food for the rest of the week and just pay the bills! lol...

This is one of my favorite necklaces, from one of the most awesome beadmakers out there, Kim Miles. I'm always astounded by the detail in her work and have a nice little collection of her beads.

Here's the beadblogger links of the week...check out the wonderful techniques, samples and insight from the beady ladies. Have a great weekend!

Here you go!

• Art Bead Scene Stop by Art Bead Scene this week to see the winner of the October challenge and the theme and prizes for the November challenge. We are sure it will "wake up" your creativity!
• Bead Arts Never throw anything out! Not even Chinese fortunes...
• Jewelry and Beading Blog Is it a trick or a treat? If you are passing out these beaded Halloween cards discovered by Tammy over at the Jewelry and Beading Blog, more than likely your friends will think they are the perfect treat this year. Plus, no calories or cavities!
• Katie's Beading Blog Are you selling the jewelry you make? Katie compiled a list of links to articles that are full of helpful tips and info. Check them out or just add yours to the list.
• PearlEsq. Robin's added another Technique of the Week, showing some fun ideas with Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Embossing Powders and Color Wash, all products that work as wonderfully on paper as for mixed media jewelry designs!
• Savvy Crafter Not sure what to do with that handful of cloisonne beads? Head over to Candie's blog for some inspiration!
• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean just keeps loving to make those crazy little spiral seed bead bracelets. This one has a funny name!
• Stitch Austin / Naughty Secretary Club Jen writes for several blogs, one of which is for the Stitch Fashion Show and Indie Craft Bazaar that she produces. Stitch is Nov 10th at the Austin Convention Center and Jen blogged a roundup of all the amazing jewelry designers you will find at the show!
• The Impatient Blogger Got a restless streak a mile wide? Enjoy Margot's musings on how she's turned her 'creative adhd 'into a career. Impatient? Well, yes!