And I'm just the gal to give it to you.Okay, that didn't sound quite as creepy in my head. It's possibly a bad thing that it's only 10 AM and I'm already eating chocolate at my desk...Whatever. Here's the porn:More of the sale stuff I got from Earthenwood - I just forgot to post it when I posted the others.Some great fall ceramic beads from Mary Ann Carroll. I don't know why, but I'm really into the whole clay and ceramic thing lately. I'll probably always be a lampwork girl at heart, but it'... Read Full Story

...or at least it's supposed to rain today. So far, it's a no go. We'll see. Rain would be nice for a change.I have had the most boring week imaginable. Which is good in that I was getting kind of tired of all the domestic disasters and "life lesson" events I've had to deal with this year, but it also makes for super-boring blog posts.Which is why I am ripping off my friend's work to show you...cuz I got *nuthin'* today:My friend, Julie, made this necklace and when I saw it, I about fell over... Read Full Story

While I've really enjoyed playing with all the different base metal chains and wirework and asymmetrical designs lately, it took a reminder from a friend (thanks, Julie!) to help me remember that my first love will always be lampwork with silver and crystals. I can't help it, there's just something magical about each individual lampwork bead - like there's an entire universe captured in magical (and sparkley!) glass.Julie made an awesome necklace with some great lampwork beads and Swarovski r... Read Full Story

Got my package of Rings 'N Things freebies in the mail over the weekend. In the past, they've let us pick our own stuff, but this time, they made the selections and sent out some really unusual things.I picked the items I liked best out of the package to show:Two different kinds of really cool chain in shades of copper and black. I'm not sure how to describe it other than to say it looks like copper chain that's been blackened in a fire? I'm excited to figure out a way to work with it. I've g... Read Full Story

It has finally happened. I have joined the entire rest of the human race and opened up a Facebook profile. I believe I'm officially the last person on the planet to do so, but hey, better late than never.In other news, Lorelei and I have officially started a bead diet. 1 month with no bead purchases. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Didn't she try this a few months ago and she couldn't even go 2 weeks?" And yep, you're right. But, I didn't have a support system that time. THIS TIME IT WILL ... Read Full Story

Okay, a few housekeeping items before we get to the bead porn:1. Thank you to everyone who has left a comment or exchanged e-mails with me this week. I get such a kick out of all of you! It's been fun and informative. I even learned a few new words!2. Lorelei - I couldn't find any REALLY ugly beads so...either don't read the rest of this post or else start your diet on Monday. I recommend Monday. It's really the internationally approved official diet-starting day, anyway.Okay...on to the good... Read Full Story

How me it is to do the #1 challenge on the last day. Bassackward as always, but this particular design has been giving me fits all week. I drove home Monday thinking I had this totally awesome idea for it...then started working on it that night only to discover that hmmm...not so much with the awesomeness as I originally thought.Plus, in my mental imaginings, I always have the PERFECT thing to finish off a design. Then I crash down to reality when I search through my stash only to discover th... Read Full Story

KJ is conquering her fear of metal…oh, yes she is. With the help of my new friend, Lorelei, I am exploring more metal techniques than ever before. She and I are both blogging about our latest metal experiences and having lots of fun trading stories in the background, too.And without further ado (because we all hate the excessive ado, no?), here’s my latest experiment:This project is based on an article by Cindy Wimmer in the most recent issue of “Easy Wire Jewelry.” It features copper wire s... Read Full Story

Oooh...looky...I killed off another follower.Awesome.(pauses to take deep bow)Okay, on to the real news. You knew it had to happen sooner or later, right? That the deli counter at Ralphs would ultimately defeat me?I have fought the good fight for the better part of 10 years. I give up. I am done. Just exile me to the island of Elba already and get it over with.(by the way, this blog entry will work much better for you if you are humming "Waterloo" by ABBA while reading it, trust me.)So, ... Read Full Story

This part of the challenge is to use findings in an unusual way. Since Heather was nice enough to say that "clasps in the front count," I present:This gorgeous lampwork toggle clasp came from Everafter Artistry on eBay. Sometimes, I just haveta get my girly-girl on, ya know? And what could be more girly than pearls with pink crystals and a butterfly?Still working on challenge #1. I flaked out last night - just too tired to look at it. I had hopes of working on it at lunch today, but that's... Read Full Story