Etsy goodies getting the better of me :)

I had so many things that I should have done this week but didn't Lol :)  I found myself caught up with all the lovely goodies in my favourite Etsy shops.  Oh dear .... I got very distracted.  Does that ever happen to you?  Well it happened to me big time this week!  I have beading goodies coming from J-Lynn Jewels, Indian Creek Studios, White Clover Kiln, and Suburban Girl Beads.  Check out their Etsy stores for lots of scrummy eye candy!  Yippee!  Can't wait :)  Will share photos when I get my stash!  I received some gorgeous boro beads from Christina Burkhart this week and am eager to use them in a new design.  Hop on over and check out her Etsy store for more beautiful beads. 

Today I have accomplished over half of my to do list so I'm feeling pretty good about that. I also sneaked in a bit of beadie time and revamped a couple of designs I wasn't happy with.  I added blue and purple freshwater dyed pearls to the embossed butterfly blank and put a regular clasp on it. The filigree butterfly has Czech glass rondelles and cathedral beads. 
Have a wonderful evening ~ Karen :)

A Cup of Bead Soup and Winter Arrives

Good Morning! :)  Woohoo!  I am excited to be participating in the 5th Bead Soup Blog Hop.  My blog partner is Helene Goldberg from Australia.  Check out her blog 25reasons on our sidebar.  Can't wait to see what beads I receive and have a pretty good idea about what I am going to send to Helene :)

Well we finally got some cold weather and snow!  Yesterday was very windy.  Snow was blowing across the driveway and I had to shovel for the first time this winter.  Pretty good for Iowa!  I took this photo of our screen door this morning.  It has funky snow and ice patterns on it.  So pretty!

Yesterday I received my package from J-Lynn Jewels.  I love J-Lynn's tiles.  The colours on these latest tiles are just beautiful.  Photos don't really do them full justice.  I made some earrings with the dog tag tiles and have two heart tiles to design with.  Aren't they gorgeous? 

Have been working on a design for "Saving 2nd Base" to raffle at their Relay for Life event on June 2nd 2012 in Shelton, CT.  Will be mailing the necklace this week.  If anyone wants to help out with a donation please visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/mysaving2ndbase for details. 

Have a great day!
~ Karen :)

Yay! Clean Studio!

  

Messy Table #1



A little more light

This morning I decided it was way past time that I cleaned and rearranged my studio area. I started with a very messy table - well actually two very messy tables Lol :) Well no wonder I can never find what I need! I had three bead mats stacked on top of each other with projects at various stages. There was wire, pliers, paints, inks, stamps - you name it was there. It seems the more I create the more mess I create along with it. Here are the before and after photos :) The light in my basement space is not good so I have now turned my main table round to face the window.  I have an Ott lite which is great but a little extra daylight is good too. Wonder how long it will stay this tidy!  Does anyone else have trouble keeping their table clean?  I just can't do it :) Had fun though!  Feel free to leave a comment if you think I could arrange things a little better - feedback is good!  Hope you had a great day ~ Karen 

  

  

 



Aaah blue beads :)



  

Messy Table #2





This makes me happy :)

More Storage















Some Goodies



Storage



 









































To Blog or Not to Blog - that is the question

Oh dear.  I have neglected to blog for so long but am bound and determined that this year I am going to blog more often!  That's my New Year's Resolution. The holidays are over and there are no more excuses!  

I have just registered for the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party for the first time.  Very exciting.  Hope I am one of the 200 random names.  If you are interested in joining in the fun you can click on the following link for more information.

Click here for more details of the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party

What are your plans and resolutions for this year?