Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Finds from Whole Bead and Rings & Things

Part of My Rings & Things Stash

I love going to bead shows!  It’s always a good chance to pick up the basics that I need.  Plus, you never know what you’re going to find that you can’t live without.  That was the case at the Whole Bead Show and the Rings & Things Bead Tour last weekend.

First, at Whole Bead, I came across 2 vendors that I was familiar with but had not encountered in person before: “The Bead Goes On” from Virginia Beach, VA http://www.beadgoeson.com/, and Sonoran Beads from Scottsdale, AZ:  http://shop.sonoranbeads.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y.

Here’s what I snagged at Bead Goes On http://www.beadgoeson.com/:

An intricate “Beaded Bead”:

and some cool fiber rings:

And got these beautiful borosilicate glass beads at Sonoran Beads http://shop.sonoranbeads.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y:

Rings & Things www.rings-things.com was fun, too.  I usually try to get there right when they open, and make a bee-line to the chain and findings section at the back, ’cause the things I want and need tend to disappear quickly.  I found exactly what I needed, then systematically moved from table to table, row to row searching for the unusual.  This time, I was particularly focused on large, organically shaped stones that I can wire wrap.  Here’s what I found:

Some beautiful, large Amethyst nuggets :

And Peruvian Blue Opal smaller nuggets:

I did buy more things there (see the pic at the top), but these two particularly struck me.  I will be posting jewelry made with these soon in my Etsy Shop www.sarascreations.etsy.com.

Beads, Beads, Beads!

Wow!  Three different bead shows in one week!  How lucky can a bead-a-holic girl get?  It’s spring break, which means I have a whole week off, AND there are 3 bead shows!  There’s just something about seeing the beads in person and feeling the coldness and texture.  A real sensual experience!  If you live in the Austin, TX area – check ’em out!

The first one is today and tomorrow (March 13-14).  It is “The Whole Bead Show”, held at the Palmer Event Center, in Austin (900 Barton Spring Rd.).  It’s $5.00 admission, but you can get $1.00 off if you go to their website and print a coupon:  www.wholebead.com This is for wholesale and retail buyers.  It’s usually a fairly small show, but I have found some interesting beads there before…

The second, is the “Rings & Things Bead Tour”, Sunday, March 14, ONLY, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Austin (6121 I-35 N.).  The admission is free, but it is WHOLESALE ONLY (must have a tax ID#/resale # to enter).  This is a fabulous show.  Rings & Things is one of my favorite wholesale bead companies, based in Spokane, WA.  They have many things on the bead tour that are not in their catalog or in their online store www.rings-things.com, PLUS they offer an extra 15% discount ON TOP of the wholesale price.  They also bring along popular findings, cord, wire and tools for sale.  I always spend WAAAAY too much money at their annual bead tour!

And last, but certainly not least is the ever popular “International Gem & Jewelry Show” www.intergem.com, March 19-21, again, at the Palmer Event Center (see address above).  This one comes twice a year to Austin.  It’s not as large a show as when they go to Houston, but I always enjoy going, and ALWAYS come home with a new stash.

I’m hoping that while I’m off this week, I will have time to create some new and interesting jewelry with my finds from this week…  More to come…

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ah, Valentine’s Day!  A day of love!  A day to celebrate the heart!  A day to enjoy staying home (it’s Sunday) and playing with beads (ONE of my loves)!

Although they’re not heart or valentine related, I pulled out some great beads that have been patiently waiting for me to do something with them since I bought them at the last International Gem and Jewelry Show.  I think it was October.

Here are some cool peace sign beads that make a great basic pair of earrings:

I think they’re ceramic, but I’m not sure.  I purposely broke one so I could see if it was stone or ceramic, but I still couldn’t tell for sure.  They are turquoise color all the way through, except where they the design is  cut out and the hole drilled.  There, it is brown.  I really need to remember to ask the vendors about the beads when I buy them, but they are always so busy!

Here’s some other beads that came from Inter-Gem.  Dyed Mother of Pearl cut outs:

I got the cut outs from one vendor and the round beads from another, but they match!

Both of these earrings can be found in my shop: www.sarascreations.etsy.com

Feeding the Need

I am hopelessly and completely addicted to beads!  I feel O.K. about it because, 1) It’s legal, 2) It doesn’t harm anyone or myself, and 3) I am actually able to support my “habit” by selling the fruits of my labor!  I have a wonderful husband who fully supports my addiction, as well.  He’s learned not to buy me jewelry anymore – just the parts to make it!  For Christmas he got me these great pieces…

…All from Nomadic Notions, here in Austin  (www.nomadicnotions.com)

He also got me a gift certificate to their store so that I can take a couple of bead classes.  They have FABULOUS classes – really top notch instruction.  I signed up for 2 this month- “Friendship Rings” and “Wire Wrapping Stones, Rocks and Crystals”.   The best part is that he (my husband, David) is actually going to take the wire wrapping one with me!  Here are the pics they posted with the class descriptions:

Friendship Rings:

and Wire Wrapping Stone, Rocks and Crystals:

I love taking classes there, and can’t wait to take these!  I haven’t taken any in a long time!  Watch for my posting of OUR versions of these sometime late Feb. or March…

My Jewelry at Alexia Gavela Bridal

My connection with Alexia Gavela, in Austin, TX, began with my niece.  She purchased her wedding gown there almost 2 years ago.  When I went with her for a fitting, I began talking with the owner, Geri, and he encouraged me to bring some jewelry to him (on consignment) to see if it would sell.  I have sold many pieces there and it’s turned out to be a pretty good venue for me!  Here is a partial picture of some of the pieces I have there.

There are a lot of beaded combs pictured here that are not in my Etsy shop.  They’ve been fun to make, but take quite awhile.  Here’s a link to the one set of combs I DO have in my Etsy shop.  They are currently sale priced at $21 for the pair: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22559937

The owner, Geri has a knack of really listening to the bride and finding the perfect dress for them, and the dresses are gorgeous!!  He knows his stuff and is easy to work with.  He’s really good about suggesting jewelry to go with the dresses, too,  and it’s working!  I would tell any bride-to-be to go check out his shop!  He is super!  www.agbride.com

January Clearance Sale Now In Progress!

I don’t know why I haven’t done this before.  Regular stores have clearance sales, why not my Etsy shop?   Here are a few of the pieces that are on sale:

The sale section in my shop has 22 pieces that have been in my inventory for awhile, and I’m ready for them to find a good home.  Maybe the lower prices will entice someone!  Plus, I always offer FREE SHIPPING in the U.S. and very low shipping to all other locations.   Stop by and browse awhile!  Here’s a link to my sale section:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SarasCreations?section_id=6712828

“Unchain My Upside Down Heart”

I found these beautiful upside down heart filigree components at one of my favorite bead shops in Houston, TX:  Bead Traders/SS Traders.  Here is a link to their online store: http://www.sunnylookdesign.com/

The online shop is a little different than the physical location.  They are tucked in the center of a little shopping area on the corner of Fondren and Westheimer that has sort of a little courtyard and shops behind other shops.  A little hard to find if you don’t know where to look!  I did bit of wandering the first time I went there…  They have tons of charms and components, as well as a good selection of seed beads and a smaller section of glass and gemstone beads, chain and tools/supplies.  Their main thing is charms and components.  They are always very helpful and I’ve gotten a free gift every time I’ve been there!

I thought these earrings would be a beautiful addition to the jewelry I have on consignment at Alexia Gavela Bridal, here in Austin.  I also have them posted in my Etsy shop.  You can read all the specifics about them here:  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38166615

Check This Out!

Thanks to Ana of Art-By-Ana for including my “Jingle Bell Clusters” earrings in her “After the Holidays Sale” Treasury on Etsy!  She chose some great items from different shops on Etsy to be featured.  All of these shops are having after Christmas sales.

For those of you new to Etsy,  treasuries are composed of a collection of 12 handpicked items by Etsy members.  There is a limited number of treasury spots available, and it is very difficult to grab one of those spots to list your favorites!  Often the Etsy Administration picks items from treasuries or even whole treasuries to be featured in the coveted spots on the home page of the Etsy website.   Here’s a link to Ana’s treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=103397

We’re all hoping for the front page!!  Thanks again Ana!

Holiday Earrings Sale Extended Through 1/3/10

Wow!  I can’t believe it’s the end of the year and my last blog was in July!!  New Year’s resolution includes updating my blog at least weekly…  And, since I’m here now, I wanted to let you know about a 25% off sale on my Christmas earrings, extended through January 3 (for those of you who really want to get ahead for next year!).  My snowman earrings above are one of the pairs on sale.  Here is a link to that section in my shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SarasCreations?section_id=6546705

Also, one of my goals is to list at least one new item a week in my shop, so check back often!

Happy New Year!

~Sara

Key Lime Pie, Anyone?

I just added a pie/cake server to my shop.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28328582

It is wire wrapped with bright, lime green beads.  Perfect for serving up a delicious slice of Key Lime Pie or any other…  Makes a great hostess or bridal shower gift!  One special thing about my servers – I place a decorative, flat swirl right where your thumb would go so that it’s easy and comfortable to use.  Questions about the wire? Custom colors?  Go to my Etsy shop listing above.