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…