Friday, March 19, 2010

Spring Beading

I seem to have trouble remembering to photograph items before I turn them into jewelry! Thanks to Artbeads, I again have received some awesome spring-y items to try out. I chose a range of flowers, leaves, vines, pastels, and bright spring greens to make a range of pieces well suited to the changing seasons.

This first necklace uses these really cool felt beads. A friend of mine makes really cute needle felted creatures. Similarly (but not nearly as cute!) are these beads. I've modernized the look by combining the natural, fuzzy feel of the beads with clean lines of metal. A string of bright turquoise delicas finishes out the necklace to keep it from getting too big.


Next, I had to get my Swarovski fix! I chose to use a peridot twist pendant combined with simple wire wrapped crystals. I also made a wire wrapped bracelet using amethyst polygon crystal beads, along with some real amethyst faceted rondelles.


I chose a couple of neat leaf components. The first is a leaf pendant from Tierracast. I kept the design simple since the leaf is neat by itself. The other is another lariat (similar idea to what I did for the Valentine beading post). The toggle is a really cool leaf and branch design. I kept that to the front and mixed it with lime chalk turquoise, peridot crystal, and a simple chain dangle from the clasp.


After months of seeing the vine bails for the Swarovski briolettes, I had to give it a try. I went with a large, uber-sparkly crystal AB briolette with the silver vine bail. They're really simple, but pack quite a punch!


Finally, I made a ton of earrings, as usual. I've always wanted to try making earrings with the resin flowers. I did just that, and combined them with a bunch of miscellaneous bead caps and spacer beads I had stashed away. There's a copper and olivine version of the above earrings, some felt earrings to match the necklace, and finally, I tried some glass flower beads.

Right now, Artbeads is having a sale! More details HERE.

Please note that I have received the products free of charge from Artbeads.com and that I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid to do so.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

RNEST Giveaway

I'm providing one of my pendants valued up to $17.50 for my local team, The Rochester NY Etsy Street Team. There a bunch of ways to enter. The following is copied directly from the RNEST blog.

Wednesday Wellspring: Beadwork by Amanda
The well is bubbling over with the excitement of being able to bring you what you requested: a giveaway from Beadwork by Amanda!!


Amanda is giving away any pendant in her shop, valued up to $17.50 - yes, indeed, that includes several gorgeous circuit pendants that you were all so interested in! And here's a little more information about how Amanda creates these upcycled works of art:

Recycled circuit boards are hand cut and ground into a variety of shapes. The boards rest in bezel cups and are covered in clear resin. These circuit pendants also work excellent as key chains.

Now, in addition to being an artisan of amazing beadwork and upcycled creations, Amanda is also planning and hosting a new, indie arts and crafts show: MayDay! Underground. Located right in the heart of downtown Rochester on May Day (May 1st), this show promises to be a feast for the eyes, ears, and soul with lots of beautiful and unique crafts and works of art, plus live bands! Check out the site and apply to be a vendor if you're a local artist or grab a coupon and plan to attend if you're in the area!

Now, for the giveaway rules (This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY)(Go to the RNEST blog to enter. Entries here don't count):

MANDATORY ENTRY #1: Go to Beadwork By Amanda, heart the shop, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item.

MANDATORY ENTRY #2: Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment letting me know- or if you are already, leave a comment saying you're a loyal follower (for this, go to the RNEST blog, since entries here don't count).

BONUS ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):
1. Follow the Beadwork by Amanda blog.

2. Follow Beadwork by Amanda on Twitter.

3. Become a fan of MayDay! Underground on Facebook.

4. Follow MayDay! Underground on Twitter.

5. Tweet and blog about this giveaway and leave a comment here with the link.

6. Bonus entry for Rochesterians: Add the MayDay! Underground badge to your blog or print and hang a flier at your place of work.

The winner will be chosen using the random number generator on Tuesday, March 16 and will be announced in the next Wednesday Wellspring.