Voting for the Etsy Beadweaver Challenge "Nest"

Last week I blogged about my Honeycomb Bracelet - my entry in the Etsy Beadweaver Challenge "Nest".

I want to let you know that voting has begun and will continue through the 15th.  Anyone can vote for their favorite by stopping by the Etsy Beadweaver Blog.  I really encourage you to stop by and see the amazing entries. 

Here are a few of my favorites from my talented teammates.  I love the creativity and skill these entries demonstrate.

First Out of the Nest from The Bead Beach

Cocoon Beadwoven Bracelet by Bliss Works Studio

The Nest of A Beaded Bead by Boonie Beads

Loreng the Goblin's Nest by Flagrant Designs

Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Skinny Wrapped - Nest by Random Creative

Driftwood Carnelian Nest Necklace by annamei

These are just a few of the fabulous entries - please stop by and choose your own favorite!

Tydying Up

I've been making a mess of my workspace.  It's in a good cause, but when I make snowflakes, I tend to get out lots of different kinds of beads.  I also have lots of left over beads from other projects that I've avoided (I stick them in a little tupperware container for later).  These left overs have been accumulating for months now :(

This last week I've started putting everything away.  It's a time consuming but satisfying process.  Sometimes I have so few left over beads of each color that it is not worth it to separate them out.  I've started collecting these beads into color mixes.  When I get enough of them, I will use them in a project.

Recently Duni posted about how she uses her leftover fabric to make these very cute scrunchies.  I got to thinking, I wonder what all our other crafty friends do with their leftovers?  What do you do with your extra fabric, yarn, beads, thread, paper or other supplies?

Making Beaded Snowflakes

At this time of year, I particularly enjoy making snowflakes.  Even though they are a relatively small project for me, they completely take over my beading space when I work on them.  My beading mat fills up with dozens of tiny piles of beads.  

I like to mix many different textures, shapes, sizes and colors.  I mostly use glass beads, but sometimes I add a pearl, shell or gemstone bead.  So far I have used bright colors sparingly, which is why some of my bead piles are so small.
 

It is amazing how many different kinds of white there are.  So far my work has been strictly in cool whites; I haven't even broken into my boxes of warm cream colors yet.  I want to make some ivory snowflakes too, maybe with amber touches.

Each snowflake has been unique - I make up the pattern as I go along.  This takes longer than working from a set pattern.  Sometimes I try something that doesn't work very well and it takes me several tries to get the get a snowflake to look right.  I keep meaning to make copies of some of my favorite snowflakes so far, but it's more fun to try something new.

How about you?  Do you have a favorite winter project?

Voting for the Picasso Challenge

A few weeks ago, I posted about my progress on my entry in the Etsy Beadweavers Picasso Challenge.  At the time, I was not quite finished.  I was worried about what kind of clasp I would put on the bracelet.  As it turns out, a box clasp worked quite well.  I was able to finish the Dance of Veils and enter the Challenge.

The entries in this Challenge are amazing!  I would really like to encourage you to stop by and see for yourself.  You can vote for your favorite on the Etsy Beadweavers Blog.  Please stop by and participate - anyone can vote!

Thank You Thursday

OK, I know is will probably be at least Friday when you read this, but I did write it on Thursday :)

I had the good fortune to find myself in several treasuries over the last week.  I wanted to say "Thank you" to the treasury curators.

I love the fall colors Aviva has found in this treasury - thank you for including my waterfall bracelet.

'We all enjoy autumn.....' by AVIVART

Autumn for adults and children

ccrainz $12.00	AddictionToCol... $18.00	AsteropeBC $58.00	cegibbons $36.00
EJbutik $42.00	Biagreen $27.00	hiddenbead $18.00	33norashmora33 $65.00
olganna $15.00	SugarAndPaint $10.00	DiscoBeach $18.00	BOVETTA $25.00
builtonbranche... $17.50	TwentyLittleLi... $40.00	SassyStitchesb... $32.00	mizufusion $12.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Aviva of Avivart makes beautiful artwork out of recycled plastic bags.  The range of color in her art, from vivid to subtle, is amazing.  This is one of my favorites from her shop - I just love the brilliant autumn colors!

Original Abstract Contemporary Colorful Recycled Art - By the Sea -

Next is a beautiful, rich purple treasury that reminds me of the grape vine on my back porch.  Thank you for including my harvest grapevine necklace.

'Grape Harvest Season' by wingswhispersoftly

andabodi $15.00	gsakowskidesig... $45.00	mizlisasdesign... $5.00	Cultivar $115.00
32NorthSupplie... $6.95	MrsGibson $29.50	Peggers $8.95	EastEtsy $21.00
youreitclothin... $31.50	dancingleaffar... $42.00	NoneVero $21.00	summerroad $35.00
bellafiore2009 $46.00	AsteropeBC $57.00	laurannicole $10.00	spiralgypsy $18.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

 Leslie of WingsWhisperSoftly makes the cutest birdhouses, nests and cages as statement art and jewelry.  I just love this red pagoda cage.

Chinese Red Birdhouse Pagoda with Birds Nest and Birds Egg Twigs Moss and White Bird Feathers

This next treasury has such rich colors!  Thank you for including my jasper necklace.

'~ <3 GRATITUDE <3 ~' by TheMusesCall

Paying it forward to Etsians who have featured my work in their treasuries. Thank you!

kaerl $40.00	SewUpscale $15.00	gardenjewels $30.00	OneHeartJewelr... $26.00
dewdropdaisies $70.00	ElementalHandc... $39.99	sarahsquiltsnc... $18.00	pondhopper $147.00
bigshedglass $25.00	AsteropeBC $19.00	rusticrevivals $73.00	SilverBeachSea... $42.00
TenChi $18.00	moondogfarm $30.00	LossiDesigns $28.00	franciebelle $16.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

I really enjoy browsing through the Muses Call, where I can find inspirational, beautiful cards and bookmarks.  This is one that really spoke to me:

Handmade Greeting Card (sympathy) with 'Perhaps they are not stars....' Eskimo legend

This last treasury is very stylish and sophisticated.

'Rojo con gris' by JemmDeeCreations

baconsquarefar... $30.00	orloSubito $25.00	granatina $35.00	MySecretFace $26.00
brokenhalleluj... $10.50	WildWomanJewel... $31.00	YannPendaries $75.00	AsteropeBC $45.00
BeatriceInBlue $12.00	oktak $22.00	RecycleBuyVint... $18.00	socksandmitten... $74.99
clevernettle $10.00	MommaGoddess $24.00	lapisbeach $40.00	IraRott $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

JemDee Creations is a fun shop where broken, chipped and unwanted china is transformed into jewelry, magnets and decorative items.  What a great idea - I have always loved china patterns!  I thought these magnets were just perfect for fall:

Recycled China Plate - Abstract Geometric Design Colorful Magnet - Set of 4 By JemmDeeCreations on Etsy

As always, thanks to all of you for being a great community!  Is there anyone you would like to thank?