8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party Partner: Rebecca of SongBeads

I can't believe the last time I blogged on this website was the last Bead Soup Blog Party! I guess I've let this blog and my jewelry designing fall by the wayside in favor of my other blog and trying to make myself some money on a regular basis.

I'm sad I can't contribute more time to my designing and this website but ultimately I have to do what's going to bring in the income, especially if I'm planning on moving out within the next year or so!

That being said, the 8th annual Bead Soup Blog party put together by our ever gracious hostess Lori Anderson of Pretty Things has been one for the books-it seems like we're all having health issues (at least the hostess and I), so things seem to be getting pushed back. The original reveal date was set for the 3rd of May, but Lori pushed it back a week due to impending health issues.

Quite honestly while she was apologizing I was doing a little dance of glee since I was WAY behind from my own procrastination, busy schedule, and health setbacks! I heard a few other people where in need of the extra week as well, so I don't feel as bad ;)

One thing I wasn't able to get up until now was my partner introduction post! I was lucky and got paired with a blogger and jewelry designer that I have admired and followed since my first BSBP back in August of 2012.

Meet Rebecca Anderson of Songbead!

Rebecca hails from Northern Ireland (my first international partner...squeee!) and not only does she make some gorgeous, very whimsical jewelry, she sells her jewelry on Etsy and her own website, as well as running a supply shop, The Curious Bead Shop.

Some of my favorite pieces of hers...

You Are My Home Bracelet (Reserved)

Mocha Smile Necklace

Botanical Handmade OOAK Earrings

I waited like a patient little puppy for my soup to arrive and when it did, I couldn't help but admire the package it came in. Since I have a natural and insatiable wanderlust, anything from outside the country fascinates me, including packaging!

I took a little while to admire the foreign package with it's colorful and decorative tape (courtesy of Rebecca herself) as well as the stamps, custom form, and other markings I'm not use to seeing.

Then came the moment I had been anticipating for nearly two weeks! Opening up a bead soup package is much like opening up a present on Christmas-you've been waiting and anticipating the arrival and have NO idea what you're going to get until you have unwrapped presents, a.k.a beads, in hand.

This is my 3rd BSBP and it never ceases to amaze me the beautiful and unique components that are sent. The moment that package is ripped open you're in awe of what you receive while simultaneously fearing it as well because inevitably, you're getting something that will challenge you to think outside your normal creative bubble.

The soup Rebecca sent me did just that! 

Included in the soup I got a lovely notecard detailing what was sent; ttrands of Czech glass beads and some gorgeous handmade findings from Rebecca's supply shop, The Curious Bead Shop, a ceramic bird focal from Captured Moments on Etsy, light teal ceramic beads from Smitten Beads, and finally a polymer clay owl focal from Something To Do Beads on Etsy.

We also decided upon our first emails back and forth to include something non-bead soup related so inside among the beautiful beads and purple tissue paper used to wrap everything I found a roll of colorful stickers!

I'm such a kid at heart because I big. puffy. heart. stickers :)

Now for what I sent MY partner...

Make sure to come back Saturday to see what I whipped up with this soup and visit My Partner as well to see what she made with hers!

Nina Designs Earring Voting Contest & Your Help!

Those of you who know me know I love, love, LOVE contests. Not only contests but giveaways, sweepstakes and anything I can win something for nothing. Hey, I'm not the wealthiest person so any way I can afford something I want or need without spending a dime, legally and within reason of course, I'll gladly do it!

The only thing when it comes to contests I don't normally do is voting contests; Sure, there's a LOT out there and I have entered 1 or 2 in the past, but I always feel so bad asking people to vote for me.

That being said, I happened upon this Nina Designs Facebook contest for jewelry designers and I thought, 'Oh heck, why not?' and entered!

All you had to do was create or submit a pair of earrings made by you and get people to vote for your pair. The top 3 who get the most votes will be judged and a winner will be chosen from there.

I decided upon this pair to enter:

You think they're contenders?

Now onto the begging part...

Would my friends, fans and readers be so kind as to give me their votes for this contest? If so, you can vote HERE.

There's no sign up required and you're allowed to cast a vote once per day. The voting period ends February 22nd at 11:59pm PT.

So, what do you say? Will you vote? Pretty please with a beaded cherry and sprinkled seed beads on top?! ^.^

If not for me, then for some of the other deserving artists who've submitted earrings--I've definitely got some real competition! 

Innovation & Determination-Rozies Pearls

Personalized Handcrafted Newborn Twin Girls Bracelets-$20.00

Welcome to TEE Jewelry Tress, Randy and Rozie of Rozies Pearls on Etsy! 

Rozie, Rozies Pearls namesake

Hailing from Orlando, Florida but moving to the small town of Centerton, Arkansas, Tress and Randy own and operate today's featured shop alongside their downright adorable German Shepard, Rozie.

Rozie is the inspiration behind the name of their Etsy shop, Rozies Pearls which specializes in making personalized bracelets for newborn babies. They also offer crocheted baby blankets and sewn bibs and towels.

As a day job, Randy works for a warehouse driving a forklift and Tress takes care of the house and puts her time and energy into maintaining their business.

Creation of their Etsy business came after years of learning a variety of different crafts so she could give family and friends a more personalized gift for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.

Aside from the adorable handcrafted baby bracelets you see, Tress also enjoys creating Christmas decorations and designing ornaments and ceramics. Working with these different crafts, you can understand a bunch of different materials are used, some of which are sewing material, ceramics, beads, lace, wood and yarn.

From our conversation and browsing their shop, I can tell you Tress is quite the determined and innovative individual! "The photos you see are very special to me. It's a great accomplishment when I think of our shop. I built the whole shop from our cell phone and continue to work from it to this day."

If that's not truly impressive I dare you to tell me something that is!

Advice from Tress: "Take your time and make the item look great before sending it out. Everything you make is a reflection of who you are so take pride in your work and people will love it." 

Crocheted Shell Design Blanket Set with Hat, Booties & Bracelet

Things to keep in mind about Tress and her handmade creations:

*Every handcrafted bracelet is sized for optimal comfort and comes with its own decorative pouch.

*Make sure to follow Tress, Randy and Rozie on Facebook and Twitter @Rozie_101!

*Bulk orders of 5 or more items are available at a discounted price of 20%. What a great offer!

*For shipping, payment and other important need-to-know information, check out her Shop Policies Page.

I wanted to take a minute to stop and thank Tress, Randy and of course Rozie of Rozies Pearls for taking the time for this great interview!

Artemisia's Studio & a Giveaway Win

This post is unfortunately way late in coming, but better late then never, right?

Back in the beginning of December I received an email from Emanda of Artemisia's Studio letting me know that I had won a handmade ornament from her website!

To be honest, I had NO idea what the ornament looked like or even how I won it so it definitely came as a welcomed surprise. Looking back, I now know It was won from a comment I had left on Emanda's Challenge of Color post, a challenge we both participated in at the end of November.

After chatting with Emanda for a little bit over email, she told me to expect a package in the mail within the next couple of weeks. When it finally arrived, I was surprised once again, this time by it's contents!

Not only was there the most beautiful blue, green, and silver colored Angel wing ornament that literally took my breath away, Emanda also included a gorgeous pair of Rose Quartz and 'New Jade' earrings for me to enjoy.

Breathtaking. Literally! 

Merry Christmas to ME

I couldn't wait to add Emanda's ornament to our Christmas tree! It actually turns out that Angel wing was one of the first ornaments to adorn our tree this year. See for yourself...

Make sure to check out Emanda's Etsy shop, Artemisia's Studio and her Blog! She has some beautiful things to offer and is such a kind and wonderful person :)

Body Parfait Giveaway ends TONIGHT!

For those of you who haven't entered this blog's first every giveaway, you still have time!
Who WOULDN'T want this incredible handcrafted bath and body bundle?

Giveaway ends tonight at 11:01pm CST! 

Enter Here

Krafty Max Originals Special Deal!

Get a jump on your holiday shopping with this incredible opportunity courtesy of Max of Krafty Max Originals handcrafted jewelry!

Until the end of the year, she's offering more bang for your buck-Just take a look at this deal....

If the promise of extra money doesn't entice you, just feast your eyes on some of the absolutely gorgeous items in her shop. She's truly one incredibly talented jewelry designer, that's for sure!

 Connect:

Website

Twitter 

Facebook

Blog

Items in Post: 

Top Left: Zaira Teal Free Form Beadwoven Necklace with Silver Plated Beads

Top Right: Green Pine Cone and Acorn Swarovski iPhone or Smart Phone Charm

Bottom Left: Ballerina Girl Beadwoven OOAK Bracelet

Bottom Right: Carnelian Leaf and Swarovski Crystal Necklace Set

Disclaimer: I was compensated for the above post. All opinions expressed above are 100% mine and mine alone unless otherwise stated.  My opinions are strictly informative; please make sure to do your own research into a company and/or particular product before committing to purchasing.

Eternally Grateful--RazzleDazzleMe

Welcome to TEE Jewelry Roslyn of RazzleDazzleMe on Etsy!

"My grandmother was a beautiful seamstress. I hated sewing. My mother could crotchet and knit, but they made me tense. My husband and brother were master woodworkers, but the lathe and saws scared me. My other brother could paint. I draw like a five year old."

A retired teacher who still works part time with testing students, Roslyn lives with her husband in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the above quote was taken directly from her About Me page, which starts her artist journey better than I could have ever written it!

Even though she tried several times and didn't quite find her crafting 'forte', eventually her husband would drag her to a jewelry class to which she told him, "I would go, but I would not get hooked on it."

Guess what? 

"From the first lesson 2 1/2 years ago, I was addicted and have made jewelry almost every day since."

If you take a look through her shop, she has quite a lovely collection of jewelry, mostly pierced and non-pierced ear cuffs, ear pins, and cartilage earrings made of everything from chains and feathers to gold filled wire and charms. Her favorite things to work with, though, are sterling silver and swarovski crystals.

Like many of us artists, Roslyn sells her wares because she would have way too much of it if she decided to keep it all! That and it's exciting when someone likes something you've made enough to actually buy it--"I am grateful for every customer I have ever had," which is quite a lot! 3,287 sales since March of 2010, and that's just through Etsy.

Advice from Roslyn: "The best advice I could give crafters who want to sell is to work hard and keep changing and growing. I remember that I did not want to sell online because I did not know how to ship my items. Now when I tackle something new and feel nervous, I realize that in a month or so, I will be very comfortable with it. It takes a lot of work to sell online and you have to have the time and dedication to be successful at all."

Things to keep in mind about Roslyn and her jewelry:

*She loves working with customers to create a very special piece of jewelry, so custom orders are definitely available!

*Make sure to like RazzleDazzleMe on Facebook and follow on Twitter @roslynla.

*Also, don't forgot Roslyn's Pinterest and Google+ account!

*For payment, shipping, and other important need-to-know information, make sure to check out her Shop Policies Page.

Thank you to Roslyn of RazzleDazzleMe for taking the time out of her schedule to grant me this lovely interview and feature! I'm thrilled to have had her on the website!

If you're interested in seeing a review of Roslyn's jewelry, head on over to the Fall Fashionista Event on Insignificant at Best! There's even talks of a giveaway that's going to happen *winkwink*






Items in Post:

Purple Rooster Feather Ear Cuff Wrap Earrings

Sterling Swarovski Crystal and Cream Pearl Cartilage Ear Cuff Wrap

Antiqued Silver Non-Pierced Owl Ear Cuff

Bead Soup Sneak Peek--Shhhhh....

Can you see it!?

Make sure to come back to see the necklace in all it's beautiful glory ;)

(veeeeeery soon)

If you need a reminder on what downright delicious looking soup I got, head HERE.