It's Bead Week at Michael's

Public Service Announcement:
I received an email from Michael's. Bead Week runs Sunday 10/24 through Saturday 10/30 !!
The "Bead Gallery" beads are 50% off. And lots of other beads and findings are on sale too.
I know you all shop there, since we all participated in Lorelei's challenge!

Click here to see the email

Family Tree

I am starting to try my hand at Tree of Life pendants. The very first one I made with cheapo beads, just to see if I could do it, has, so far, been my best. Go figure!
But I was thinking of making one for my Mom for Christmas, since she's kinda hinted around that she'd like me to make her a necklace. She wears mostly the fine jewelry my Dad has given her, so I never thought she'd want one of my brass necklaces. Plus, she's not really a "jewelry gal" like I am.
Anyway, I tried to make one with the birthstones of her children and grandchildren. It is ugly!!!! All our birthdays are in Oct, Jan & Apr (pink quartz or opal, garnet, diamond), and the colors did not mix well.
So, never mind about the birthstones! Now I'm trying to do 2 colors, green and gold. Not sure I like it. I think I'll try just one color again, maybe garnets for her birthday. But, I wore this one to work and actually got some positive feedback. So, now I need to decide - Keep it or trash it?

The blog hop is on!

Lorelei picked out beads at Michael's and invited everyone to play along!
The challenge: To find & buy the beads at Michael's and create a necklace.
Here's mine:



Now, quick like a bunny, hop to these other blogs to see everyone else's!!
Mary Harding
Hilary of Fryestyle
For My Sweet Daughter
My Life Under the Bus
Kristie of DreamSomeDesigns
Linda Landig
Copper Diem

Andrew Thornton
TyneBodenNecklaces
Raida of HavanaBeads
Erin of Treasuresfound
Molly of BeautifullyBrokenMe
Beading by Malin de Koning
Singing Woods

AuntieAnnie
Gr8Findings
Deborah M Purdy
Spirited Earth
My Critical eye

beads by breul
Beads for Busy Gals
Nayas Organized Chaos
Crafty Hope

Rosebud For the Love of Beads
Jamberry Song
Peacock Fairy
Elysian Studio Art
Designs by Debi

Love at first sight

OK, I love LillyPilly designs anyway. I saw this Mother of Pearl with black "Dandelion" oval and just knew I had to have it. The black glass leaf hangs over the pendant when worn, but I hated to cover up the pendant!

Lorelei's Michael's "challenge"

I'm posting earlier than the deadline, to make sure I don't miss it!
I went to Michael's and was able to find all the beads for the task! This actually was a challenge for me, because, while I like all the beads individually, I probably would not put them all together into one necklace. I'm usually more monochromatic. So, this was a good thing to try.



I actually made 2 necklaces, my favorite one is the symmetrical-ish one on the left.



And, they look good worn together!!

This was fun!! I look forward to doing this again! Thanks Lorelei!

Official calling cards

I'm saying "calling cards" because I made them oversized. I wanted them to be reminiscent of Victorian calling cards.

This photo is the entire background of the card. It's a photo of my husband's grandmother (& her little sister). I was hoping to upload the card, with the type in it, but I have not figure out how to get blogger to do that!