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I haven’t been online as much due to an addition to my household. Meet Isabelle. She’s a Papillon so yes, her ears are supposed to look like that.

Brenda Branson (AKA My Sister’s Beads) suggested the Beadaholics start a new beading challenge. We’re calling this one “Bead In A Brown Paper Bag”. If you’d like to participate, bring an “interesting”, “unique”, “pretty” or “fun” focal bead or pendant to our May 22nd Meetup at On A String Bead Shop to swap. (If you forget to bring your bead, you can always purchase one at On A String.) We’ll place everyone’s beads in individual brown paper bags and you will choose a bag. The challenge is to design a piece of jewelry using or inspired by the bead you receive in your bag.

And if that isn’t enough to get your design juices flowing, Anne at On A String recently returned from a bead buying trip. She brought back more than 2000 new strands of beads and dozens of new chain styles! That’s right…I said 2000!! I just love this shop.

We’ll bring our brown bag bead challenge pieces to the June Meetup. (We’ll also be doing an exercise to help us hone our design styles. More on that later.) Hope to see you at On A String on the 22nd! (Not a member of the Beadaholics? No problem. Join Us!)

Ira Glass, of This American Life, gives such sage advice for anyone who makes things that I had to share this video with you. When you’re struggling with a technique, when you’re disappointed in a design, when you break a piece because you pushed it further than it was meant to go, ask yourself what Ira would do? And in your head (or online), you’ll hear him say, “”It takes a while. It’s going to take you a while. It’s normal to take a while. You just have to fight your way through that. Okay? You will be fierce, you will be a warrior, and you will make things that aren’t as good as you know in your heart you want them to be.” But as he mentions earlier in the video, the cure is “do a lot of work”.

Yay! I will be participating in the Valentine’s Day Craft Attack at Amelie’s on Saturday, February 6th from noon to 5 pm. I’m furiously making red and white jewelry to stock my table with. Ok, not everything is red and white but I have made a few Valentine inspired pieces.

If you’re not familiar with Craft Attack, it’s the brain child of the Hornet’s Nest Crafters (Charlotte’s very own Etsy Street Team). Craft Attack started as an outdoor show and they’ve added a few informal, mini versions at Amelie’s. Haven’t been to Amelie’s yet? You don’t know what you’re missing. It’s a 24 hour French bakery and cafe in NoDa. They have amazing baked goods but I also heart their soup.

If you’re in the area, you should stop by!
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This is a design I created for a necklace that can be worn in its longest state or taken apart to wear as separate pieces. Take a look at how to wear my “Metamorph” design.

Examples of necklaces created with my Metamorph design:
Quartz with Blue and Green Swarovski Crystal
Quartz and Pink Swarovski Crystal
Quartz, Swarovski Pearl and Crystal
(the necklace in the video has already been sold)

This is a design I created for a necklace that can be adjusted to adapt to different neckline styles. Here’s how to wear my “Changeling”.

Examples of necklaces created with my Changeling design:
Opalite with Chain Tassel (necklace in video)
Lime Turquoise and Peridot
Fossil Coral and Carnelian
Mookaite, African Opal, Hematite, Swarovski Crystal and Jasper

Since some of my pieces offer more than one “wearing opportunity”, the Hornet’s Nest Crafters suggested I create a few videos to show you how each design works. Here’s the idea behind my “Look Look Look” necklaces.

Examples of necklaces created with my Look Look Look design:
Crazy Lace Agate, Hematite and Black Labradorite (necklace in video)
Jasper, Carnelian and Smoky Quartz with Hand Forged Wire Rings
Wood Jasper, Bronzite and Freshwater Pearl
Jet Swarovski Crystals with Hand Forged Wire Rings