A New Year

Indeed it is -  a New Year.  Glad it's here and hoping for the best.

Making glass beads is still my #1 all time favorite thing to do.  The torch was and is my salvation from a frustrating year.  I can't help it.  I feel alive when melting glass.  Kinda how I use to feel when going to the ocean.   It's true that my designs have gotten "easier" as others might think.  I have no choice.  As I get older, my hands and arms have gotten shakier as it were which doesn't allow me to do much, if any, detail work perfectly.  I've accepted that fact and do what I can.  I have all the necessary tools to try to help "fix" that problem and some of it helps somewhat but it is what it is.  I will continue to enjoy playing with and melting glass in whatever methods I can muster.  I mean, what choice do I have ?  lol !  It's sorta in my blood.  :)  

That said, I haven't posted anything related to the actual making of beads in a long time.  I've been at the torch on and off quite a bit lately.  So many other things happening with the holidays and all sometimes there just wasn't any time.  Now, I intend to make up for that no matter how chilly it gets.  lol !  Today will most likely be the day I start.  It tends to get pretty cold in my "fun spot" as I call it, during the winter months even though it's not really very cold where we live.  Anyway, it requires I prewarm some of the glass so there's no shattering or at least less of it.  Sometimes that's a pain but for the most part it's not so bad.  I just don't like exploding glass rods.  Who does ???  

All that said, I've made a few things that are simple, pretty little beads.  Things I like to do.  I plan on trying a few new things as I've recently gotten 2 new molds.  Those always take a little time to work through.  In the meantime, here a few sets I've done over the last couple of months.

 

Thanks for coming by.  Come visit me on my Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/AllMyBeads  for beads or at my Esty shop:  All My Beads Etsy shop  for silk cords/strings, kumihimo braids, jewelry and some Mykono's greek beads.

     

Whoa ..............

.............  I just didn't realize it had been sooooo long since I posted here.  Good thing I finally visited my own blog.  lol ! 
   
                 So here we are in April now and I'm still not at my torch.  The pollen is still flying but I think the numbers are coming down a bit now.  Can't open windows to let in that stuff until the numbers are almost nil.  It's been a rough season for us allergy wise as it is.  I am anxious to get back on the torch too not only because I LOVE it of course but also because I have some new equipment, tools and most importantly IDEAS !  The ideas have been coming fast and furious and I should be keeping notes.  Alas, I am horrible at that thinking I'm gonna remember.  lol !  

                With no new beadies to show, I'll cut this post short.  Been going thru my bead stash organizing, destashing and listing some of the beads I've had but never listed.  Mostly 2 pair sets for making earrings, that sort of thing.  I have about 10 sets so have been listing a little at a time.  

                 I do have something to say about a blog post I recently read about shipping costs and destash items.  The blog post was about how the writer disagreed with paying what they considered pretty high prices for shipping destash items.  For example:  Say I list something for destash and charge $5.00 for it and shipping of $3.95.  The writer disagrees with that amount.  Says it's too high.  The actual shipping cost is $2.54, which in many cases is true.  Not all as some are higher but the basic small item that weighs a couple ounces costs that amount.  That said, that is ONLY the post office charge for postage.  That price does not include the bubble envelope needed to protect the item or the extra wrapping used or the box used or business card included or ink and paper a receipt is printed on if being used.  The writers costs for these items are very different from my cost of these items.  The writer says to use what you already have like bubble wrap you've saved from a purchase of something or small boxes that you've saved from previous purchases, etc.  All well and fine - if you have them.  If you do not have such items, you must purchase as cheaply as you can.  Everyone that sells jewelry, glass beads, etc  have these issues.  The writer says these high cost shipping charges is a HUGE "turn off" to potential buyers.  Well then those people need a lesson in such things or at least a reminder.  Yes, selling destash is meant to be a way to eliminate items you don't need or want or use anymore so you offer at discounted pricing.  That said, the post offices charges don't change nor do your shipping supplies costs. 

All of that said, of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  I bear no ill feelings  or whatever however others need to remember - what you spend or have in shipping supplies may be or is probably quite different than what I may have or have to spend.   If I could afford to give free shipping, believe me, I would.  Would certainly make things a lot easier that's for sure.  :)    

So if you are buying destash and feel the shipping is too high - please please please remember, we are only charging what it is costing us.  At least I am.  :)  Ok maybe I shouldn't say "we".  lol ! 

For a little eye candy, here's what I've been listing lately.  Pretty little earring pairs.

                                 

Check out my Facebook page sometime.  ALL MY BEADS  
          
Thanks for coming by.  Hope you come by again.  Hope you're having  a great Spring ! 

Pollen and All It's Glory

Yes indeed.  It's arrived and in full force !  Yellow, white, invisible.  Whatever the case may be - it's here !  And it sorta happened overnight one night last week.  Got up one morning and our silver/gray truck was green !  lol !  ICK ! Yes, I know, the yellow stuff is actually too big to get up in your sinuses to cause you trouble - that is of course if you're NOT allergic to it.  That said, all the rest of the pollen IS small enough to get up in there and THAT'S where I live.  UGH.  So, this time of year, I REALLY hibernate and only go outside when I must.  I know that's how I am in the summer too but moreso now.  No windows open so that means - NO TORCHING !  Whaaaaa !  And I'm in the mood too.  Figures but it's gotta be that way for several weeks.  At least til the actual count goes back to "normal" whatever that might be.  Yesterday the tree pollen count was in the thousands.  We live in a wooded area.  lol !  LOTS of pines especially but lots of hardwoods too.  Awful.  The other day, as I was looking out the window, I saw a couple of cars just moving along down the street and behind each one - a cloud of yellow, et al, pollen flew up behind the vehicles.  No joke.  It was so thick even on the road it was visible in the air when disturbed.  I remember once when we lived in NC, we got home late one spring night.  I turned on the outside light and literally saw a "storm" of yellow pollen falling in the glow of the light.  I was amazed at how thick it was. It looked like falling rain.  I had never seen such a thing before being from the north.  Amazing. 

So with all that there is no new beads to show at all.  I have some that need to be listed but have been so busy with destashing that those beadies just sit in wait.  lol !   Yep, the destash of jewelry making supplies continues in a big way.  Letting nearly everything go as I just can't get into making jewelry anymore.  I have a few places these items are listed.  Some on my own Facebook page and others in a Facebook group you need to belong to sell or buy.  It's easy and free to join.  I'll post links at the bottom of this page.  But I'll show a few photo's of what I do have available.  It's all good stuff but there are a few outstanding items - I think anyway.  lol !  Like:  

                                   Beautiful Butterfly Pendant of wood and shell.

                       Karen Hilltribe Handmade Fine silver butterfly pendant.

                  2.5 pounds of Czech Fire Polished Crystals - Sizes from 3mm up to 10mm with MANY colors .

                           Just a sampling of the Mykono's Greek ceramic beads I have available.

     

My FB Page Destash Album

Other FB Group My Destash Album

Click either link to go to the albums however as I mentioned, to see the album in the FB group you need to join up.  It's free though and easy. 

My Etsy shop is still open as well.  Just click on any photo or the link on the right of this post. 

Thanks much for coming by.  Come back again soon. 

Cool - Crisp - Autumn Air = Making Beads !

Indeed it does !  Equal making beads that is.  This is the time of year when I can and do make beads ALOT.  At the torch most every single morning.  I love the fall weather leading into winter.  Winter is THE BEST time of year for me.  If only I could live in a snowy area, I'd be in heaven !  lol !  The colors of fall are what inspire me.  When I went to bed last night, all I could think about was making fall color beads.  And that color palette is more wide open than people might think. 

Fall and winter color palette's are truly wonderful with so many deep, rich and vibrant colors to choose from.  Think of the changing of leaves on trees in the fall.  Rich oranges, bright yellows and reds, soft and mutted browns and tans and green in just about any shade you can imagine.  Even purples are considered fall and winter colors.  There is a website that's pretty much indispensable for color combinations.  Here's the link  http://design-seeds.com/  and as you can tell it's called Design Seeds.  You can get inspiration in your email daily if you choose.  I was doing that for a long time until I took a break from making beads.  I'm starting it up again as there are times I do need that inspiration.  I am one of those people that I can try to make the same color combinations and sometimes I do however I have found that when I do, I get very bored and most of the time the beads just aren't the same.  I am no good at "production" work.  Anyway, fall and winter colors are the prettiest in my book.  I feel "at home" when making them.  Don't get me wrong, I love bright colors too.  Oh and of course blues and reds..........oh brother, I admit, I pretty much love all colors BUT fall and winter colors truly are my favorites.  

So onto some eye candy.  I have been busy at the torch lately but did manage to remove myself from that torch for a few mornings last week.  Life gets in the way of torching mojo sometimes.  lol !  The days I did torch were mostly test beads.  Trying different color combos and playing with my new toys too.  :)   I did get a few sets done along the line. 

         This first set I love !  Made on one of my new toys called the Baroque bead shaper.  LOVE !  This set has 3 graduated sizes of the baroque shape with donut spacers.  The color is actually 2 fairly new glass colors and each rod is a mix of two colors.  A good size set to be sure.  This is available on my Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/AllMyBeads

This set is quite organic.  With chocolate brown, silver, ivory and turquoise all swished, swirled and twisted about so it has no set pattern . I like that. :)  Sorry but this one is not available but I can make more !  This one I wouldn't mind redoing at all.  This sort of  technique is always fun to do.  You can contact me on my Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/AllMyBeads if interested. 

Yes, I'm pushing my Facebook page.  It seems to be the way these days.  So come on over and check it out. 

I am having a sale in my Etsy shop.  EVERYTHING expect the hand dyed silk cords is on sale for 15% off !  Come on over and do some shopping !  The link to my shop is on the right.

Time to start my day.  Thanks so much for coming by.  I hope you come back again soon !

They Love Pretty Jewelry Too

Yep, they do so I decided to finally take my jewelry making (bracelets really) into a whole new direction.  I have no idea if they'll "go over" or if anyone will like them or even if they'll sell but that's the thing about the unknown - one just doesn't know what's gonna happen.  lol !  The REALLY big thing is - at last, I got a little bit of mojo back !  lol !  Yahoo !  The jewelry making muse has made her return.

Ok so what am I talking about here ?  Well, as I get older, I have found it more and more difficult to manipulate clasps of all kinds except the magnetic kind.  I've made plenty of bracelets and necklaces with magnetic clasps and that's fine and dandy.  The magnetic clasps I use are super strong and can take ALOT of "punishment".   Still, there are those that don't like the look of the magnets on jewelry.  So what else is out there to make it easy for folks like me who have this issue of dealing with hard to handle clasps ?  What about tying cording ? Uhm, every time- no thanks.  Still too hard for some.  What about memory wire ?  Tried it for myself and just did not like it.  What about good ole' elastic stretch cord ?  I decided to give it a try recently for the very first time ever.  Made one bracelet, then another and another and etc, etc.  Yep, this is the answer I am thinking.  I always "thought" that elastic cord would cheapen the jewelry but why should it ?  If you use quality beads and componets it will look just like any other beaded bracelet except with no clasp.  The most important part, it will be easy on and easy off.  So, as it is, that is the direction I am taking on with my bracelets now.  Let's face it, we are all going to be older some day and still want to wear pretty jewelry.  This is for all of them including me.  :)  I'll still make pieces that have clasps.  I have quite a stash of all kinds but for now, it's all in the elastic baby !  lol !  These types of bracelets are for all of us that have hand, wrist and/or arm issues but also for everyone that just want's a pretty piece of jewelry that's easy to take on and off.  :) 

The photo below shows what I've put together so far.  There is one bracelet in there that I've used one of my own focals.  The rest are gemstones, OPB's, crystals, shell beads and seed beads.  I'm using up beads I've had forever and need to find new homes.  :)   I've had alot of fun putting these together and will be doing many more.  All are for sale and you can see some individual pieces on my Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/AllMyBeads 

      
Thanks so much for coming by.  I hope you come back again soon ! 

Information Please

Hello to one and all !  This weeks post is simply put, all about information about this and that.  Probably not going to be very long post but hopefully some fun and info about my little corner of the world.  :)

First of all, I am hosting a giveaway over on my Facebook page.  Click All My Beads Facebook  to go directly to my Beads page and LIKE my page.  Once I reach 100 LIKES on the PAGE (not on a post) then I will be hosting the giveaway and will post what the giveaway prize will be and the rules.  Don't worry, the rules won't be a hassle to deal with.  lol !  Some fun little game or something.  :)

My Etsy shop listings are finally dwindling down.  Slowly but surely.  Just an FYI - If you want anything over there, please shop now.  As all of the listings expire, I am not and will NOT be relisting any of it EXCEPT for the hand dyed silk cords and bellflower beads/headpins.  You can check out my Etsy shop HERE or click on any picture to the right in my Etsy shop.

With the heatwave still in full force with temps in the high 90's and with heat index temps of over 100 degrees, I'm still unable to sit at my beloved torch and make glass beads.  sigh.   Even very early in the morning it's still in the 70's with 100% humidity (we live near a huge lake).  Just can't justify opening that window to draw in back up air and heat up my work area anymore !  lol !  With a kiln set at garaging temp of 950 degrees to 960 degrees and the heat of the torch PLUS humid outside air, UGH !  Really not worth the impending heat stroke it will cause me !  lol !  So, I sit and wait for the cool.  sigh.  It'll come.  :)

Still no inclination what-so-ever to make, design, create jewelry.  Not one iota of creativity either.  What's up with that ???  lol !  Usually summertime, when I can't torch, is the high point of my jewelry making.  Not this summer.

Very soon I will be updating some posts I've made in the past.  One in particular, tips and tricks for using the bellflower press.   If there are any other posts you'd like to see updated or revised, please leave me a comment below.  :)  It won't show up immediately but it will be posted.  :)

Below are just a few of my favorite photo's saved from the web. 
I don't know the photographer or even remember where I got the first photo but isn't the color amazing ! 

Just for fun.  I LOVE Snoopy.  One of my all time favorite characters.

Think Snow !  :) 

Ok that's it for now.  Thanks so much for coming by !  I hope you come back again very soon. 

 



 

Glass Beads In The Works

So much to say, so little time.  lol !  The past week has been so hot and humid.  Typical for this time of year and now the coming week is suppose to be hotter and more humid.  Problem is, no rain predicted !  We need it badly too while other parts of the country are drowning in rain. 

Even though we had all that heat, I did have LOTS of torch time.  Every morning I was at the torch trying new goodies and a new technique.  I REALLY want to talk about the technique I played with but I must carefully think that over.  The new goodies are the press I got recently, new sparklies and some silver.  Fun, fun stuff.  So I played all week. 

I made lots of little bead sets over the last couple of weeks and lots of focals.  Focals have always been my favorite thing to make in the last few years.  The bigger the better.  But playing with the new sparklies made it even more fun.  Check out these beads.   All focals, all encased.  Left to right:  pretty lavender, aqua in the center and amber rose on the right.  Yummy colors !  These were so much fun to make and each one took a while to make.  I've never been great at encasing so it takes me a while to get it right.  Boy, but when it's right, what a treat !  lol !  If you look closely, you can see the light shining thru the beads except for the lavender bead.  That is not transparent glass.  ALMOST transparent but not quite.  lol !  These are for sale on my Facebook Fan page HERE  if your interested in purchase.  All of my Beads on that page are for sale.  :) 

I have no other photo's to show.  lol !  I have a bunch of beads I made and still have not taken pictures of any of them other than these.  lol !  I have NEVER done that before.  Talk about lazy.  Well, not entirely.  I was pretty busy LAST week doing other stuff.  Since I won't be able to torch for the next several days (at least) due to heat, that will give me plenty of time to do the photographing I would think.  lol ! 

Time for me to get my day started.  I hate starting late.  Thanks much for coming by.  I hope you come back again very soon. 

Remember to check out my facebook fan page with the link above.  Also, check out my Etsy shop for hand dyed silk cords, some jewelry and some beads from long ago.  lol !  When the bead listings in my Etsy shop expire, I will NOT be listing them again.  If you want any of the beads that are left, now's the time.  :) 

 

Kumihimo Necklace

EDITED

ALL MY BEADS FACEBOOK PAGE


This necklace is in my Etsy shop.  Come on over for a look at hand dyed silk cords, my lampwork beads, jewelry and braids.  

    

Bead Addictions Can Be Costly !

I'm sure that's true for any addiction but at least with a bead addiction, it's fun, it's colorful, it can be creative.  :)  All of the afore mentioned is where it's at for me these last going on 10 years !  Wow !  I just now realized it's been 10 years on my bead journey.  Something I began 10 years ago has grown to include many things that branched out from beads.  Like Kumihimo, dyeing silk cords, Viking knit and the list goes on.  :)  But the real true love, the one I continue to always come back to that's deep in my heart is melting that glass into a pretty little bead.  :)  Doesn't matter the size, the outcome, the colors, it's ALL good.  :)  Yes, costly indeed.  :)  Still, I regret not one penny spent.  It has taken me to a place I had not known prior to the discovery - a place of knowing where I belong and what I was suppose to do for ME.  It took me a very long time to arrive.  I DID arrive there though and that's what it's all about.  :)  

For now, that glass melting is on hold due to weather and all that's keeping my mind preoccupied with family stuff.  Still, with the discovery of those fabulous Greek beads, I do get the opportunity to play a bit and make a piece or two of jewelry.  These beads just have my complete attention at this time !  This past week I put together a few more pieces using those beads.  :)  I was able to "test drive" a necklace and earrings I'm keeping last night and I loved how the necklace felt.  Lightweight and easy.  I purposely did not put a clasp on it since it's long enough to go over my head.  I prefer my own necklaces to be like that.  Anyway, it worked perfectly with my dark orange shirt and became the focal piece of what I was wearing.  That makes me happy.  :)  

So here's what I worked on this past week.  Two more sets pictured below.  The first set is very similar to the original set I made pictured in the previous post but has more earth tones & the necklace is longer.  The second set is much more earthy and organic in color, there are less beads used and a lot of the beads are smaller.  I left the bracelet unfinished so that whomever purchases it, I'll be able to fit it to their wrist.  :)  Both sets are in my Etsy Shop now.

 

That's all for this week.  Thanks so much for coming by.  I hope you come back again soon to see what's goin' on.  :)

 

 

   

Etsy Shop

Check out my Etsy shop for some great deals on Destash Beads ! 


www.allmybeads.etsy.com

Also have some opb's on Ebay.  Search for:  allmybeads

A New Week - Even Though It's Friday

I don't know if that even makes sense but I guess in a way it does.  Depending on when your week "starts".  lol !  I figure mine starts today cause it's kinda been a rough week.  Anyway, enough of that and on to more fun things.

I finally figured out how to add my Etsy shop to the links over there to the right of this writing.  :)   Took me a while but finally got it right.  So no more posting my shop in my posts.  Just click on any of the photo's and it'll take you right over to my shop. 

Speaking of the shop, the Grand Re-opening Specials are still going on but only for a limited time now.  Check them out.  I've also run out of Destash BEADS  to list as far as those go, that's it. I still have lots of other goodies to get listed.  More jewelry, some kumihimo braids and Viking knit and more beady supplies possibly.  

Ok so onto the really fun stuff !  I've been back at the torch a bit for the last few days !  Yay !  It's kinda like riding a bike but then again it's not.  lol !  Just depends on what I'm trying to accomplish I guess.  I've been making those great little bell flowers, some organic stuff and then a lot of stuff is ending up in the water can !  lol !  I got some new presses to use and I'm just not use to those at all.  I rarely used them in the past.  In fact, for many years I only had one and that was it.  So now, I have 5 brand new ones plus one I got at Christmas.  So lots of PPP has to take place before I can get a handle on them.  Just trying them out the last few days has been lets say a tiny bit frustrating so back to relearning. It's just a matter of figuring out how much glass to add for the mold and then pressing.......and pressing..........and pressing.  lol !   

So here's one focal bead that is worthy of showing right now.  Using my favorite color blue then adding silver foil and my all time favorite frit over that.  Thing is, I put it in my Etsy shop one night and the next morning it was sold.  :)  I really didn't expect that but hey, I'm glad it did sell.  :)  I made it using one of those new molds and got very lucky with the shape.  :)  It is BIG coming in at 12x30mm and the second mold in that group of two is even bigger !  lol !  I'll make more of these for sure.  I love the look.  I need one for myself.  lol ! 

 

So it's time for me to get my week started.  lol !  Thanks so much for coming by.  Please come back again soon.  And if you get a chance, come by my Facebook page and like me or make a comment or just enjoy. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/AllMyBeads 

 

Still Nothing New To Report

Just thought I'd put in an update.  No torching just yet.  The nasty yellow pine pollen is in full swing which also means all outdoor pollen is in full swing.  No open windows for ventilation right now.  Hopefully in 2 -3 weeks.  sigh............That pine pollen has our black outdoor grill looking pretty green right now.  Ick.  I can't wait to get back to the torch and do what it is I LOVE to do the most - melt glass - make beads !  :)   

Still working on the reopening of my Etsy shop.  Just click on the link or any of the photo's below to go there to see the new items I've been listing all week.  :)  I had forgotten how much work is involved but that's ok.  I have all these beads that need to find new homes and much more to come !  :)  Right now, you will still receive FREE SPACER BEADS with every order.  There will be other specials for the entire month of April for the Grand Re-opening so come back often to check it out.  :)  And as always, FREE SHIPPING.  That MAY change in the near future so now's the time to order if you have something in mind.  :)   



Thanks so much for coming by !  I hope you come back again soon.  :) 

GRAND REOPENING OF MY ETSY SHOP !

Yes indeed, it's finally open now !  I've been working hard for the last month on this and finally it's here !

THE GRAND REOPENING STARTS TODAY !  You can go directly to my shop by clicking on any picture in the mini shop just below or click on the link to the right under "Awesome Websites To Explore".   I'm trying to figure out how to add the mini permanently over there but haven't figured it out yet.  lol ! 

There are GRAND OPENING SPECIALS GOING ON AS WELL !  This week it's FREE SPACER BEADS with every order !  And always FREE SHIPPING ON EVERY ORDER unless otherwise marked in the listing. 

So come on by and check it out !  I'll be adding new listings daily !
 







Thanks again for coming by and I hope you come back again very soon !