A Valiant Steed - Rest In Peace

Twisted Heart Series

These are the first two in a series of my newest line of pendants:  The Twisted Heart Series.  As with all of my beads and pendants, they are individually named for a Sinatra song.  The heart on the left is "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" and the other is "It's Almost Like Being In Love."  They are currently in my Etsy shop.  I have no idea how to link pictures to the listings -- if one of my readers can help me with this, I will send you a twisted heart of your very own in the color of your choice.  I also want to thank all of the Veterans, their loved ones, and all of the men and women currently defending and serving our country, keeping us free.  May G*d bless and keep you out of harm's way.

Just in time for Halloween, I'm feeling a bit batty

A lot has been going on behind the scenes here at Do Be Do Bead Do.  Although things are positive, change can be a little bit overwhelming for me and I find myself in a bit of a funk.  Please stay with me for there will be a lot to post about in the coming days, weeks and months.  Have a safe Halloween and enjoy your treats!

Pumpkins, They're Not Just For Halloween

Just listed on Etsy.  10 Tiny Smashing Pumpkin Buttons. 

Bead Soup, Second Verse

I had enough soup ingredients from my wonderful partner, Marianna, to make this sweet bracelet from the leftovers. 

I love this almost as much as the necklace that was my official piece for the reveal, and I've worn it quite a bit since finishing it. 

Look how wonderful Marianna's lamp work bead looks with the sweet sterling bead caps that I added.  It really paired well with the sterling connector bead that was part of my soup ingredients.  In fact, all that I added out of my stash to this bracelet were the bead caps, the daisy spacers, the purple crystals and the sterling lobster clasp.  I wired everything together easy-peasy and there you have it.  More Yummy Soup!

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

I was so happy to be paired this time around with Marianna Boylan of the blog Pretty Shiny Things.  She is a talented bead maker and jewelry designer who runs the etsy shop Star Girl Jewelry.  I don't design with lampwork beads too often, so I was beyond thrilled to be partnered with a lampwork artist.  Just look at the lovely things that she sent me.
There is a wonderful set of Marianna's lampwork, a terrific ceramic pendant, a cute little bird charm, a sterling connector, pearls, jasper, twisted silver rings, crystal bling and a wonderful three-strand silver clasp -- deliciousness, I tell you.  The minute I opened the package and saw the pendant and little bird, I had an idea for the focal piece of my design.

 

I had a lovely silver rose bead that my dear friend, Amy, had given me in my stash and the minute I saw it, an idea for the design for my piece came to me.  In fact, I immediately set to work to make the pendant.  I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of the design.  I immediately went to my stash and pulled some lovely mat seed beads in moss greens and some pretty deep pink metallic seeds.  I also raided my stash of crystals for some tiny purple bicones and some really pretty golden yellow rondelles.  Then I hit the box of pearls and pulled some really pretty magenta fresh water pearls that I've been wanting to use.  Then I hit the gemstone box and pulled all of this yellow turquoise that I bought on sale and viola.  Without further explanation, I'll just show you my piece.

 

I am very proud of this necklace.  In fact, it is the most ambitious piece that I've ever made, using all of my skills and then some.  I put my heart and soul into it and hope you all enjoy.  Now, go and visit the other wonderful designer's blogs who are participating in this wonderful party.  Start with our wonderful host, Lori Anderson and make your way through the entire list of over 300 participants here.  Enjoy!

Happy Blue Curlicue Beads and Bead Soup Eve

I just love these happy beads.  Check them out on Etsy.  All proceeds from your purchase will be donated to Beads of Courage.

Have a wonderful weekend, everybody.  I know what I'll be doing in my free time:  Bead Soup!  Won't you join the party?  There are over 350 designers from all over the World participating in this round of Lori Anderson's semi-annual blog hop.  This is going to be some party!

Just Listed on Etsy -- Golden Sari Beads

Golden Sari Beads

Have a weekend filled with Treasure

Here's hoping that all of my American friends enjoy their long Labor Day holiday weekend and that we all take the time to celebrate all of the treasures in our lives.  I am lucky to have a four-day weekend and will be home enjoying my family, finishing up my bead soup pieces and making new beads.  I will leave you with this, Buried Treasure, my newest listing on Etsy.  Have a great weekend everybody.  See you all next week!

Just Listed on Etsy Peaches and Coffee

New bead sets just listed in my Etsy shop:  Juicy Peaches and Coffee Swirls for your consideration. 

I know it's only been two days, but ...

After many, many moons of internal discussions about whether or not to sell my beads I opened my Etsy store.  You can see it there in my side bar with all of my pretty beads and pendants.  I guess I was hoping for a grand opening sale or two.  Am I crazy to be a little down that I haven't had even one sale?  Are my beads too expensive?  I know that I need to work on my photography, but in looking at other shops mine isn't horrible.  Do I need to describe things differently?  More "artistically" name my beads?  Is it the economy or are my beads just not good enough to sell?  A word or two of advice from some of my readers that have shops would be a big help.  Words of encouragement wouldn't hurt either.  Just sayin.  I will surely thank you and appreciate your support.

My Son the Artist

My son Steven is quite the talented potter.

 


Just look at this lovely tea pot that he has designed.  It really is amazing (not to mention, dishwasher and microwave safe).  It holds approximately 3 cups of water.

The pot is glazed in the most amazing blues and seafoam greens.  It's lovely and available for purchase by clicking on the handy-dandy "buy it now" button you see here.  All proceeds with go to help him with his education.  He just started his second year of college today.  I am very proud!!!

Shop Do Be Do Bead Do

I'm thrilled to announce that Do Be Do Bead Do beads and pendants are now available for purchase on etsy.  Please see the link to my store at my side bar.  I will continue to list items daily in my shop.  Please send me a message, either here or at my shop if there is something that you would like to see.  Wish me luck!!!

To Be Do Be Do Bead Do

"Instead of spending your time analyzing your current position and planning your future, it's time to get out and do the exciting things you have been dreaming about."

My horoscope for today couldn't be more on point.  Please come back on Monday for my special Grand Opening.  I have to thank Lori Anderson and Lisa Crone (and you, my faithful readers) for inspiring me to follow my dreams.

To be is to do ~ Socrates 

To do is to be ~ Sartre

Do be do be do ~ Sinatra

Do be do bead do ~ Sandi 

To my friends on the east coast, please batten down the hatches and stay safe.  G*d bless you all.

More than just beads ...

Pendants, too.  One of my favorite things to do with polymer and part of the reason that I love it so, is mix it with stones to create pendants.  Polymer is such a wonderful medium, it can do just about anything, be just about anything you can imagine it to be.  Maybe polymer and I found each other just because of that.  Growing up those are the words that I heard so often: "you can be anything you want to be, anything you can imagine."  What I want most of all is to bring my beads to designers across the world.  I'm so close that I can feel my dream coming true.  For now, dear readers, what I can say is that I will begin to post beads for sale here on my blog.  Until I get the whole "store" thing figured out.  If there is interest, send me a message and we will work out the details of payment and shipping.  Look Mom, my dreams are coming true. 

Ingredients and Inspiration

My bead soup ingredients arrived on my doorstep late last week.  I kept them to myself for a couple of days, but really, how fair is that?  Take a look at the wonderful lampwork that Marianna sent my way.  And that pendant, it's ceramic and amazing.  She also included a three-strand (!) clasp, a cute little pewter birdy, a wonderful silver connector and some lovely glass, crystal, stones and pearls.  My photography skills leave a bit to be desired, but I'm working on that and will be much improved (or will have my son take the pictures) in time for the big party on the 17th. 

The minute I saw these lovelies, a design idea started brewing in my head.  A design much more intricate and involved than any I'd made before.  That's the beauty of this party, to stretch our limits and get us thinking outside of our little creative boxes.  For me, this party will do just that.  Inspire me to stretch my design wings.

Speaking of inspiration, I'm sure all of you are familiar with Lisa Crone, author of "A Bead in Time" and one of my favorite blogs, A Bead A Day.  Lisa and I emailed back and forth about me being a featured designer on her blog.  The mere idea of being featured on one of my favorite blogs is a dream come true.  Well, go over here, to see my dream become reality.  Leave a comment for a chance to win, too.  Thank you so much, Lisa for the honor of being featured.  I'm thrilled.

Winner, winner chicken dinner

Ok, so no chicken dinner, but yes, WINNER!  Look at these lovely paper beads that I won on Jeannie's blog.  Go check out her designs, they are lovely!!!  Thank you, Jeannie!!!

Soup is on simmer over at Marianna's place

Go on over to my partner, Marianna's blog to see the ingredients that I sent her for the party.  I simply can't wait to see what she makes with what I've sent her way.  In the meantime, head over here to read her post about what I sent.  Stay tuned for a sneak of what I receive from Marianna, to come just as soon as the mail cooperates.

And now a word from our sponsors

These are pictures of my sons, Jonathan Stewart, 20, (top) in photos taken this past weekend while he, along with his brother Steven Benjamin, 18 (seen below), were visiting their Aunt Marcy and Uncle Kenji in Seattle.  I couldn't be prouder of my boys.  

They are kind, generous, warm and very supportive of my artistic endeavors.  My heart swells just thinking about them.  I couldn't ask for better sponsors. 

Secret Ingredient

The Bead Soup Block Party hosted by the lovely and talented Lori Anderson is so much fun for so many reasons.  First and foremost for me is meeting new like-minded artists across the globe.  My partner for this round is the super-talented Marianna Boylan who writes the wonderful blog, Pretty Shiny Things.  I promised that I post a teaser shot of the secret ingredient of the soup recipe that I am sending out to her.  This isn't much of a hint, as I have really changed up the pixels and the color, but, I suppose it is still a hint.  I hope you enjoy cooking with the ingredients that I send you, Marianna.  I can't wait to see what comes out of the pot!  Stay tuned to this spot for the big party on September 17th.

Bead Soup Excitement

I was so excited to find out that my swap partner for this round of the Bead Soup Block Party is Marianna Boylan of the lovely blog Pretty Shiny Things.  I am in the process of pulling together her soup and will photograph a hint tonight.  Go visit Marianna's great blog and stay tuned to September 17 for the big reveal!

Don't Miss Out!!!

Don't forget to leave me a comment or send me an email before July 31 if you'd like me to send you a pair of my polymer beads -- perfect for earrings.  That's why I call them earring pairs.  Just leave me a comment, here or on my original post, below.  Up to you. 

Also, I think I've actually got enough of an inventory to actually open a store somewhere here on the interwebs.  I'm thinking etsy will be where I go.  I will link up from the blog as I stock the store.  Wish me luck -- I'm really excited to bring my beads to other jewelry artists.

Have a great weekend, faithful readers.  I'm so grateful to you all.  You are making my dreams come true!!!

Play Charm Swap

(Picture Credit goes to Sue Kennedy) 

Top Row (L to R): Erin Prais-Hintz, Susan Kennedy, Sally Russick

Bottom Row (L to R):  Sandi Lee James, Jennifer Cameron, Mallory Hoffman

 
Today is the reveal day for the Charm Swap with a Twist hosted by Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions.  This twist is that 2 sets of charms will be auctioned on ebay (set one here and set two here) for Beads of Courage.  I was thrilled to participate in this swap with these amazing bead artists.  In fact, when I opened the swap package I immediately felt like I was in a little bit over my head.  Jonathan (my 20 year old son) was with me and was amazed, too.  He said, "Mom, you really should start working with glass.  Those beads are amazing."  As you can see, he was right.  As for my inspiration, whimsy was my inspiration and that's exactly what I call the beads that I used to create my charms.  Whimsy.  I coupled my polymer bead with a little glass star and a crystal to match.  A little wrap and voila.

Please head over to the other artists blogs to see more of these lovely charms.  And, if you'd like a set of your own, they can be yours while contributing to an amazing cause.  Get to clicking.

Jennifer Cameron (our host):  Glass Addictions

Sandi Lee James (you are here):  Do Be Do Bead Do

Mallory Hoffman:  For the Love of Beads

Sue Kennedy:  Sue Beads

Sally Russick:  Wireworked

Erin Prais-Hintz: Treasures Found

It's Almost That Time Again -- Bead Soup Time

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting another party.  Seriously, I just don't know how she does it.  Anybody with an avenue to blog about it can join in.  Check it out, here and join the fun.  You won't be sorry!

Winner of First Do Be Do Bead Do Giveaway

I love giving gifts.  Always have.  Always will.  There is just something about choosing that special something that is just perfect for that special someone.  It is all the more special when the gift goes to someone whom you really want to thank.  That's how I feel about all of my followers.  Stay to the end of the post for more on that.  Now, it's time to announce the winner of my first blog drawing for a pair of sterling and polymer earrings and a set of my newest polymer beads.

Pam of Wait Just One More Bead.  I will be contacting you shortly to get your mailing info. 

It was so difficult for me to choose just one winner.  So, what I've decided to do is to give everybody who leaves a comment on this post a pair of polymer beads perfect for earrings or whatever your creative talented souls lead you to do with them.  Leave a comment (and make sure I have a way to reach you) and I will get those all out next week.  Thanks again for following my blog and stay tuned for .  What a wonderful group of people there are in blogland!

Hey, I Made It!!!

Well, lookie there, to the left -- 50 followers!  I'm so freaking excited!  I will throw all of your names into the hat tonight and announce the winner of my giveaway tomorrow.  The winner will have a choice of a stash of beadie goodness or a pair of handmade polymer and silver earrings, or, more likely, both.  Stay tuned and thank you all so much for making me feel so loved!

Happy Birthday U.S.A.

Celebrate Independence, Eat BBQ, Thank a Soldier, Watch Fireworks, Be Safe & Sane

Happy Independence Day
May Freedom Ring

It's Almost Time For My First-Ever Giveaway!!!

It's hard to believe that there are actually 45 people out in the world, most of whom I have never met, that read my blog, not to mention the countless others that find themselves here from (according to my stats) ALL OVER THE WORLD.  It boggles the mind, I tell you.  What would really excite me, however, would be 50 followers.  It would, as is said, make my day, but not in the Clint Eastwood way, in the jump around with glee kind of way.  In fact, I have a little basket on the dresser in my bedroom/studio (ha, really, I sleep there every, single night -- it's my bedroom, but, I create my beads, jewelry and cards in the same space) that I have been adding little somethings to for weeks, just waiting for that day to come.  I really want to give these little pressies away, so, if you're reading this, become a follower, make my day, and leave me a comment.  I will leave this open until July 15 (a day that I am looking forward to for oh so many reasons:  Harry Potter 7.2, my first paycheck that includes my newly improved pay rate and I am going to see my lovely niece that I haven't seen for 6 months) at which time I will randomly pick a winner from my (hopefully 50) followers to send the gifties to.  Thank you all so much for being my bloggie friends, it makes my day!

A Generous Soul -- Andrew Thornton

Andrew Thornton of Green Girl Studios is an amazingly generous soul...  He hosts giveaways on his blog every Thursday of the most magical sort.  This week it's a massive collection from his recent trip to Bead & Button.

Take a hop over to his blog, follow it, you won't be sorry and enter for a chance to win all of this beady goodness.

Fairy Tale/Spring Blog Hop -- Bead Soup Blog Party Light

Lori Anderson has done it again!  This time with fewer players and a theme.  The swap theme was "Fairy Tales/Spring" and the only requirement was that we design a piece and post for today's blog hop.  Imagine my delight to discover that my partner was our hostess herself.  I don't know what thrilled me more, receiving beads that Lori had selected or the opportunity to have her design a piece using my beads.  I sent Lori a selection of my polymer and some accents, but you will have to visit Lori's blog to see what she created.  Lori sent me a wonderful selection of playful resin, flowers, charms and crystals along with two lovely lampworked beads.  The minute I opened the package I saw this:

Right here should be a picture of the beautiful charm
bracelet that I made with Lori's beads.  Unfortunately, I had camera
problems on Friday and asked my son to take pictures
for me early Saturday morning.  Much to my dismay, while
cooking, he sliced his palm, which led to the hospital and stitches
and life got in the way...  Life sometimes gets in the way of art...
Stay tuned (Please!).

I know that you are excited to see what everybody created, I'm sure everything will be amazing.  Without further ado, here are our swappers:

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul,  Beads by Breul

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box 

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design

Tara Plote, Newbie Beader

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterityart

Joanne Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Bead

Elizabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shai's Ramblings

Joanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sweet Addy Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

Anybody can join the Bead Soup Party.  Visit the group at Bead Soup Blog Party and join the fun!

The Biggest Giveaway I've Ever Seen

 

You'd be crazy not to enter.  Click Here.  Hurry, winner will be chosen on May 30th.

While you're at it, subscribe to Art Bead Scene, it's the place to be.

Particularly Proud Pendant

In filling out an Application to be part of The Best Little Bead Box swap, I needed to include a piece of mine that I was particularly proud of.  Although I've gotten more advanced in my jewelry making/beading skills, I keep coming back to this pendant, made a few years ago, that I gifted to my dear friend, Gina.  My goal now in my jewelry design, is to include some of my own beads or pendants in every thing I make.  I have been a busy bee designing new bead sets and pendants.  Stay tuned for pictures ... weather permitting.  As for this necklace, the coral beads are premo polymer clay finished with acrylic paint, the pendant is polymer embellished with real turquoise.  The necklace is strung with silver spacers from Rings N'Things. 

PROM

This past Saturday, my youngest son, Steven, took a lovely young lady, Stephanie, to her prom.  They looked amazing!  I figured he'd kill me if I posted a picture of him with his date, so I posted this one of him and his mom instead.  He's a handsome lad, if I do say so myself.

Vintage Venitian Glass

Do Be Do Bead Do 008
Originally uploaded by Do Be Do Bead Do

I had these beads in my stash for a long, long time. I also had that pretty vintage button and a lot of hematite beads. Put them all together and this is what I got.

Lists...

Anybody who reads blogs or has a Facebook account knows about meme lists.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  If you aren't familiar, what happens is someone, somewhere starts a list:  "25 things about me," "The ABC's of me," you get the picture.  You fill out the list, tag a bunch of your friends and ask that they change the answers to their own, tag their own friends and so on, and so on.  Sometimes I fill them out, sometimes, I don't.  But, I always enjoy reading them.  Keeping with my word for the year ("Grateful"), here is my 3 things that I am grateful for list, in pictures:

 

AND

Don't worry.  I won't tag anybody.

It's supposed to rain in L.A. -- Time for Soup!!!

Even though I am a commuter, I love rain.  The smell, the sound, the look of it.  I love how rain clouds mute colors.  Speaking of muted colors, the picture is of my soup ingredients for Lori Anderson's bead soup blog hop.  Although I am finished with my pieces (I made a necklace, bracelet and earrings from the soup and some other materials from my private stash), I can't post pictures until the big reveal on February 26th.  Stephanie sent me really pretty soup.  A cameo as the pendant and a cute heart shaped toggle clasp.  Also in the mix were some shell ovals, a stand of absolutely beautiful big fresh-water pearls, some sparkly black a/b crystals and some rain-cloud gray glass round beads.  Please come back on the 26th to see my finished pieces and for a list of all 200-something blogs that participated in the hop this round.  Oh, and if you are like me, enjoy the weather!

I like to be mysterious!

I know that it's almost a full month too early to post our designs for the Bead Soup Blog Party, but in all of the excitement, I forgot to take a picture of my "raw soup."  I'm really happy with what I created with what my partner, Stephanie LaRosa sent to me.  Instead of posting hints to what I've made, I thought to post a picture of the pendant that I sent to my partner Stephanie.  I also neglected to take a picture of the clasp and soup ingredients.  I suppose this makes things more mysterious.  Yes, let's go with mysterious.  Stay tuned, the blog party goes live at the end of February!

Show Gratitute for Freedom (And Long Weekends)

Enjoy your long weekend.  While you are doing so, take a minute or two to reflect upon the civil rights struggles of your fellow man.  Remember the man for whom we celebrate.  Be thankful.

Grateful for Collaboration

Aren't these earrings gorgeous?  My dear friend from high school, Amy and I swapped some beads months ago.  These earrings are the product of my polymer beads and her wonderful design sense.   She really does beautiful work.  Her designs are magical.  I was so excited when Amy asked for more of my beads to design with.  Stay tuned for more of her talented designs and more of my beads. 

It's Soup Weather -- Bead Soup, That Is

More Gratitute -- This Time For The Young People In My Life

"I loved you the minute I heard your heartbeat. I loved you the minute you were born; then I saw your face and fell in love some more. You were only a minute old, but I knew I would die for you and to this day I still would."

The above is a status that people (mostly moms) are posting on facebook lately.  It's so true.  How could you not love those faces.  The picture above shows my nieces on the left and my sons on the right.  Ahhhh.... love.