Having Fun With Polyvore!

Bohemian Designs - Great New Book

So exciting this week to receive my new copy of this great new book.  Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry by Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel.  The photos are absolutely gorgeous and detailed instructions make all the designs seem possible for us average beaders.  Here's what Amazon says about the book:

"Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry showcases 50 beautiful designs that explore the rapidly growing trend of using cords and ribbon in  jewelry.  Inside this colorful instruction book are clear steps for incorporating these trendy materials into designs as well as troubleshooting tips for finishing the ends using the right findings and how to care for materials such as 100% silk ribbon."

Bohemian jewelry is so popular this year and what a fun book to learn lots of new techniques. 

I was so inspired that I stocked up on the Waxed Irish Linen Thread for my Etsy shop.  What amazing colors and it is so fun to work with.  Here's some of my favorite colors:

4th of July in Tubac

What a great 4th of July.  I went to a BBQ in Tubac with friends.  It was my first time to go to Tubac (southern Arizona) and I absolutely love it - lots of cute shops and the food and fireworks were great.

Summer is here and also monsoon season.  We've been having some great afternoon storms and showers - definitely cools it off from the 100 degree temps.

I've been staying busy with my Etsy shop and also created my About page.  Those are such a great feature, love reading the ones written by other shop owners and seeing their workspaces.  I still need more photos for mine but had fun creating it.

New beads in my shop this week:

I've discovered several great blogs that I love reading.  One is Lori Anderson's Pretty Things - she has amazing photos and is a great writer.  She is hosting a great bead giveaway this week, check it out:

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/07/finally-five-bead-and-button-bead.html

Spring in Arizona and Leather Wrapped Bracelets

Hi from Arizona - it's already hit 100 degrees here so may be a long, hot summer!  But it's a "dry heat" and I love it!

I've been busy lately - lots of sales in my Etsy shop, lots of yardwork, my new addiction to leather wrapped bracelets and reading a great new book.

I'm absolutely loving this book.  It's a true story written by Cheryl Strayed who, after going through some major life problems, decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone.  It's such a great read and I love books about people overcoming obstacles and challenges in their life.

I've also been making leather wrapped bracelets like crazy, making my daughter wear them as my "tester" and figuring out ways to make the process easier.  I think I've got it figured out now!

Here's some of my latest designs:

I love turquoise so this is my favorite for now.  Not bad for someone who didn't know the first thing about these bracelets a few weeks ago!

Also, this one is a close 2nd to my favorite:

Love these little multi colored czech glass beads (see my shop)!

And this one with chalk turquoise beads!

I'm still practicing but love watching Netflix movies while working on these bracelets (when I should be doing something around the house instead)!

Lovely Easter Weekend

What a great Easter weekend - beautiful spring weather, going to church and lovely lunch with friends. 

I worked on some new bracelets this weekend - learning something new and having fun.  The leather wrapped bracelets are so popular now - see them everywhere.  I found lots of great articles and videos on the internet to learn how to make them.  I've got lots of ideas for more wraps and different colors.

 

I've been listing lots of new beads in my shop lately - lovely spring colors!

Got some new books to read also.  Got the new cookbook by Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman - just love her gorgeous photographs and recipes.  Also, the new mystery by Sue Grafton, and a new memoir named "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed - sounds like an amazing book.

Hoping everyone had a great Easter weekend!
 

Cold, Wet Sunday

Yesterday I was doing yardwork, exercising and getting a little sunburned and today it is cold, wet and we even had a little snow in Arizona!  Hard to believe.  Oh well, better enjoy it because summer will be here soon.

I've enjoyed being lazy today, made a pot of soup, watched some movies, posted some new listings in my Etsy shop and even made a bracelet - first jewelry making in a long time - need to get my mojo back!  I decided I want to learn to make the leather wrapped bracelets - I've seen some gorgeous ones on Etsy and would love to learn how to make these myself.  That will be my next project.

I always seem to gravitate towards the southwest colors in beads and jewelry - absolutely love turquoise and the bright colors to go with it.

I also checked out some blogs today - love reading the blogs of other Etsy sellers.  Such great pictures on all of them.

Here's some new beads I just listed in my shop - love the colors:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95244116/larimar-blue-aqua-terra-jasper-beads

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94407833/aqua-terra-jasper-long-barrel-beads

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95290178/czech-beads-blue-chunky-oval-beads

Early Spring in Tucson

We're having great spring weather in Arizona - early this year.  This means yardwork needs to be done, weeds to be pulled.  All I really want to do is spend time developing my Etsy shop and adding new items - beautiful beads, findings, etc. 

These are some of the beautiful desert scenes I see everyday when I ride my bike!  I love the desert!