Sunday, December 12, 2010

Well It's All Over for 2010 ..... Onto a New and Exciting 2011!!

A quick little picture of Sissy & Jack w/Santa (he came down from the North Pole just for this)!!


Well all of my shows are over and the last of my custom orders have been boxed up and will go in the mail tomorrow. Here are pictures of Tiffany and I at the Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe (it was spectacular) along w/ baby Rhyan who was a trooper to attend at four weeks old.


















The Sisterhood of the traveling Bead Box is ready to leave Cindy Wimmer's Sweet Bead Studio and a new recipient is going to picked on Wednesday December 15th. OH PLEASE let it be me!
The box needs some metals and metal stampings.

Here is more information about the Bead Box from Cindy's post:

For those of you that may be stopping and by and the “traveling bead box” is something foreign, I’d love to share with you a link to the original post! It was fun to go back and see how this traveling phenomenon all began. Beginning with a studio destash, Heather Powers set this creative Give Away in motion. Heather boxed up all sorts of beads and placed them in a small flat-rate box, ready to travel around the U.S. The box has grown and now warrants a medium flat rate box. When the Sister received the box, she simply selected beads and then replaced them with beads from her own stash that were of comparable value. I was happy to join the Sisterhood as the 11th bead box recipient. Here’s a look at where the box has been so far (thank you, Becky for compiling this):

1. ? The Founding Sister ? Heather Powers of Humble Beads- San Antonio, TX.

2. Mikki Ferrugiaro of MFD Beadwork Originals- UT.

3. Nancy Dale of NED Bead -Vermont.

4. Hanna Rosner of Good River Gallery- NM

5. Chris Neit of Good Quill Hunting-Maine

6. Sandy Spivey of Sandy’s Treasure- California

7. Katie Nelson of Katie’s Creations- TX

8. Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay- PA

9. Lorelei Eurto of Lorelei Eurto Jewelry- New York State

10. Becky Caldwell of The Gritty Bird- North Carolina

11. Cindy Wimmer of sweet bead studio - Virginia

Here is a glimpse of the beads that I found I couldn’t live without:

traveling-bead-box_1

I was happy to see there were still some Humblebeads left from Heather’s original give away. And oh, just look at the handmade beads and pendants! I chose some gorgeous polymer clay beads from Christine Damm, a one-of-a-kind pendant from Mary Harding, and some sweet Gritty Beads by Becky Caldwell.

traveling-bead-box_2

traveling-bead-box_3

There are many treasures awaiting you, should you be the next Sister of the Traveling Bead Box! Here is a peek of what is inside the box now…and I have more to add before it goes out!

traveling-bead-box_41

You will find these gorgeous focals/pendants by Jangles, Artisan Clay and Gaea among others….

traveling-bead-box_5

The giveaway: The entire box of goodies, NOW WELL over $400 worth of beads.

The stipulations: Must have an online forum to host the next giveaway. Must be living within the United States to enter and be willing to pay for shipping: $15.00 for flat rate priority mail billed via Paypal.

The rules: You’ll take what you want from the box, add in items of equal value from your own bead stash to replace the items you took and then do the same giveaway on your blog. We’ll keep the beads traveling for as long as we can.

To enter: Leave a comment below, be sure to include your email.

Bonus Entry: Blog, facebook or twitter about it to enter more than once. Leave another comment letting me know how you helped spread the word.

Deadline To Enter: Comments will be accepted until Wednesday, December 15th, at 6pm (eastern time).

UPDATE (by Becky Caldwell)

I wanted to quickly share why it is that artist who do have blogs, journals or facebooks cannot enter the give-away as this is being asked of me as well as commented on… This Give-away was started with the intention that the box would travel around the states and in order to do that the winners/sisters need to have some sort of online forum to host the give-away on instead of just passing it along to friends.

I hope that this is something understandable as it is not meant to leave any one out. We just want the box to travel as long as it can and to cross as many states as it can.

Those without blogs, journals, or facebook pages may consider using this idea to create a more local or private community traveling bead box of their very own….. :)

I do hope that everyone has a safe a healthy holiday!

Stacy :)


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Finding Time to Homestead

I have been taking an e-course with an artist that I admire Stephanie Lee. The class is for five weeks and I have only been able to practice what I learned from week one. I have been chomping at the bit to do more, but alas life gets in the way. I have a huge 4 day show Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe starting Wednesday and I had one last Sunday, plus I have a job, husband and kids (go figure!). Hopefully I will get to it in a week or so.

In the mean time, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate lots!

See you soon!

Cheers,
Stacy

Friday, November 19, 2010

My Friday Favorite ....

Today is a great day! I get to meet and have dinner tonight with Lorelei Eurto. She writes a blog that I read almost everyday Inside the Studio. She creates beautiful jewelry and often incorporates components from other designers. This was all put together by Cynthia Deis owner of Ornamentea, the best bead store in the world! Go check out the online store. Also joining us is Susan "Boo" Reynolds and Elaine Ray. Lorelei uses Elaine's ceramic beads a lot in her designs. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall tonight!!

A few months ago Lorelei was making a custom piece and she asked me to make a stamped component for it ... I was so honored!

Well I need to get busy working so I can go to dinner tonight. If you are in Raleigh come visit me Sunday at the University Club's Holiday Shoppe 1-5 pm. Have a great day!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Learning How To Flood Solder

I am taking this great e-course from the wonderful Stephanie Lee. I have admired her work and style for quite a while. What I like the most is she uses materials that are readily available at your local hardware store.

We have learned how to flood metal with solder and add bezels. Here is the metal flooded with
the solder:

One of them I have stamped with an alphabet metal stamp. Stay tuned for the samples of these with the added bezels.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads!


You must check out Lorelei's blog about the traveling box of beads where people contribute to the loot. If you win, you take whatever beads you wish and replace with beads from your stash! The above picture is the box that she received along with a journal to add an entry if you so choose.

Here's what you need to know to play along:

The giveaway: The entire box of goodies, WELL over $200 worth of beads.

The stipulations: You'll pay for shipping: $15.00 for flat rate priority mail.

The rules: You'll take what you want from the box, add in items from your own bead stash to replace the items you took and do the same giveaway on your blog. We'll keep the beads traveling for as long as we can.

To enter: Leave a comment, be sure to include your email.

Bonus: Blog, facebook or twitter about it to enter more than once. Leave another comment letting me know how you helped spread the word.

Deadline: Comments will be accepted until Friday Nov 5th, at 5pm
[the box will then be shipped Monday Nov. 8 to the winner.]


The winner will then have 2 weeks to go through the box and pick out their items and contribute to the box, and then host their own giveaway.

All I ask is that each time it passes hands, the winner will email me when the next giveaway starts so I can enjoy the traveling and help promote your giveaway!

International bloggers: I'm sorry, but due to shipping only those in the U.S. can play along. But I'm suddenly feeling really bad for my non-U.S. blog readers. If you are outside the states leave a comment and I'll also draw one international winner for a bead grab bag from my own stash of beads.


Hop on over to her blog and check her out. You will be glad you did. Bonus for me .... I get to meet her when she comes to Raleigh in two weeks. I can't wait!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

New Stuff

Well we are well on our way to the Holiday Season. Only 8 1/2 weeks until Christmas!! I can hardly believe it. Things have been busy around here, traveling to VA for a couple of shows last month and being the regular mom taxi from swimming to baseball every week.

I have managed to make a few new things for a couple of big shows I have coming in November and December. Take a look:


New Insignia Initial Charms



Sister Necklace

I would love to know what you think. Please leave a comment if you so choose.
Until next time ........






Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Pricing - Am I Doing This Right??

Jessi of Rosy Revolver had a call on her blog looking for input on how designers price their work. Though I am not at all in her league, I felt that I could contribute what I have learned over the last 4 years. As said before by others it is an evolving process everyday.

Always remember that your time is worth it!! Then it is onto all of your material costs (even the little stuff), design time, cost of putting it in your shop if you are on Etsy, packaging, show costs,etc.

Let me turn you on to a few others that can do this better justice than me and that have already contributed to Jessi's post Bella-Bijou Jewellry and Nova of Sweden.

Cheers!
Stacy

Monday, June 21, 2010

What a GIVEAWAY!!!



You must hop over to Denise Yezbak Moore's blog for this giveaway. It is the best bead stash ever!! Thanks Denise for your generosity. Pick me Pick me!!

Bead Soup - Revealed At Last




Well I will have to say this has to be the hardest challenge I have ever had. It was totally out of my comfort zone. But, I guess that was what a challenge is all about. I LOVE color and the pallet was black, white with a touch of brown.

Before:
I added some dyed red coral to give it a pop of color, along with a copper ring that I enameled.

I hope you all enjoy and I cannot wait to see the rest of the soups! My bead soup partner Patti reveals her piece on June 23rd. Here is the complete list of reveals:
.
Saturday, June 19th - blogs 1-13
1. Lori, Pretty Things
2. Lorelei, Lorelei1141
3. Norma, Moonlit Fantaseas
4. Beth, EB Bead and Metalworks
5. Katie, KatieBead
6. Kimberly, Bahama Dawn
7. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
8. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
9. Kate, Tropical Blonde
10. Janet, Singing Woods
11. Julianna, Juls Beads
12. Erin, Treasures Found
.
Sunday, June 20th - blogs 14-26
15. Kella, Me But a Little More In Depth (Thats Me)
16. Emanda, Artemisia Studio
17. Marie, Skye Jewels
18. Loretta, Designs By Loretta
19. Stacy, Sissy and Jack's
20. Joanna, Filcowe
21. Diane, Diane Hawkey
22. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
24. Marcie, La Bella Joya
.
Monday, June 21st - blogs 27-36
27.Lisa, Alterity
29. Melanie, Kookie Designs
30. Christine, A Hot Piece of Glass
32. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
33. Sandi, Do Be Do Bead Do
34. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
35. Virginie, ViviBijoux
36. Janeen, Wild Vanilla
.
Tuesday, June 22nd - blogs 37-47
37. Filomena, Pink Velvet Bird
38. Lyn, Lyn Foley
40. Rebecca, Song Beads
41. Regina, Regina's Writings
42. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
43. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
45. Michelle, Life in the Bead Lane
.
Wednesday, June 23rd - blogs 48-59
48. Nan, Spirit Rattles
49. Amy, Copper Diem
53. Barbara, Second Surf
54. Amanda, Articulations
55. Heather, Humble Beads
58. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
.
Thursday, June 24th -- blogs 60-71
61. Wanda, A Frayed of Fibers
63. Marieke, Marieke's Blog
65. Maire, Maire Dodd
66. Shannon, Miss Fickle Media
68. Charlene, The Bead Dreamer
69. Elisabeth, Beads for Busy Gals
70. Cathryn, Chile Cats
.
Friday, June 25th - blogs 72-84
73. Valerie, Hot Art
74. Courtney, Beads by Breul
76. Shea, gr8findings
77. Julie, Pryce Designs
78. Jeannie, Jeannie's Blog
79. Patricia, Verre Design
81. Heather, My Muse
83. Sonja, Drachenei
.
Saturday, June 26th -- blogs 85-97
85. Melissa, One-Eared Pig Beads
86. Rebecca, 2SistersBeadwork
88. Denise, Bling on the Blog
89. Doris, Glaszwerg
93. Kristie, Artisan Clay
94. Jess, Vintaj
95. Suzann, Beadphoria
97. Michelle, bMichelle

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Bead Soup Reveal - DELAYED

I am sorry to say if you have stopped by today to see what I created with the beads I was sent you will have to wait until tomorrow! I have been swamped with my regular job, my children are out of school and I just have not had any time.

Please accept my sincere apologies.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Bead Soup Giveaway Winner

And the winner is ...... drum roll please ....... Kella!! If you will email me your address I will send it out.

I do have one request, will you send me a picture of what you make with it, so I can post it here on the blog and on my Fan page on Facebook.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

As the River Flows


Just a quick post ...... It has been, and will be a very crazy week. The kids finish school, Sydney has her end of year dance gala and I have a show on Sunday, Rebus Fest 4.

I will hopefully have more enamel pieces made by then!

Here is another sample of a necklace, "As the River Flows".

Hope to see all the local Raleigh followers on Sunday. Stop by and say Hi!!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

I Am So Excited about Enameling

Those of you know that when I love something I get very excited ..... Well this has made me very EXCITED!
I took Richard Salley's Enameling class at Art & Soul a couple of weeks ago and I am in Love. I made these little beauties today and they are a beautiful seafoam green. They remind me of those little round candy dots that you used to eat off the long pieces of paper (now I am really showing my age!).

Tomorrow I am making a little necklace in the same colors to show at the First Friday Market tomorrow night 6-10PM downtown Raleigh, 131 S, Wilmington St. If you are in the neighborhood stop on by.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Bead Soup Giveaway

I have decided to throw my hat in the ring and have a blog giveaway to my Bead Soup Party Goers! (or Bead Soup Yahoo Group) You can win one of my dragonfly etched pendants if you Follow my Blog and leave a Comment. I will use Random Tracker and pick a winner in Friday June 11th. Good Luck!!

P.S. Let me know if you are interested in etched focal pieces and we can talk ideas!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Bead Soup Party - The Stash

I have been a bit behind in my posting ..... Being away at Art & Soul for four days and then trying to get caught up with work, kids and house it has taken me a couple of weeks! Anyway here is the lovelies that I rec'd from my soup mate Patti Clark of PJ Clark Designs.

Below is what I sent to her. I was really feeling the mood for summer and the beach when I put these together. We had to send a focal and coordinating beads and a nice clasp to our soup mates.



Hope everyone is having a great June 1st!!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

My First Time ... Getting a Shout Out That Is


I am very excited that for the first time I am being mentioned in print. No, it is not a magazine (that is my next goal), but a great new blog dedicated to Southern (and not so Southern) moms Southern MOMentum.

It is full of very funny stories and antidotes that we can all relate to. They are having a Giveaway on the blog this month and it is from Sissy & Jack's. If you go to the blog and subscribe you will be Entered to win either a Initial Necklace or Name Necklace. The Winner will be drawn on June 11th. So go on over and read the cute blog and subscribe. Maybe you will be the lucky winner!!


Saturday, May 8, 2010

I Have Learned Something New!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. One day left to take advantage of 30% off on the website Sissy & Jack's. My husband just taught me to bury the link in my name!!

Yay for me! If you follow me you know that I am computer challenged. Happy Mother's Day to me. As he says what do you give someone that makes their own jewelry?!

Have a great weekend!!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Etsy Project Embrace



I want to tell you about a project that I am involved in, Etsy Project Embrace. It is a group of artists passionate about cancer awareness and research. 5% of selected items on my website will be donated to American Cancer Society (ACS). sissyandjacks.etsy.com



Each week we have a Challenge and this week it is "Mama Love" and here is my entry along with all the others: http://etsyprojectembracechallenge.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Bead Soup Party


What a great way to meet new artists and swap beads! Join the Bead Soup Party at Lori Anderson's blog: http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/. She makes beautiful lampwork beads and when I win the lottery I am going to buy one of her "Better Than Prozac" Necklaces!

You must enter by May 7th, send your beads May 18th and the party begins June 19th.

Everyone will post what they received and then what they made. Hurry May 7th is right around the corner.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Bottle Tag


Have you ever taken a bottle of wine or liquor to a party and at the end of the evening there are six of the same bottle? Well wonder no more! This hand forged Copper Tag will do the trick (unless someone has the same name as you!).


This also makes a great wedding or groomsman gift!

Monday, April 19, 2010

More Giveaways ...... Maybe I should jump on

Here is a great giveaway from the wonderful Lorelei Eurto. She has an wonderful eye for color and the way she puts her pieces together. She also has great connections on her blog for additional places to get great art beads. http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/


I was honored to make a piece for a custom order she did a couple of months back and I also own an adorable bracelet with her signature owl on it.

Go on over and check out her blog, you will not be disappointed.
Enjoy the day everyone!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Interesting Blogs and Giveaways


Here is a link to Less than Ordinary Designs, which is where I get my designs each year for my Christmas Cards. She has really great designs for all things that need to be said! Check her out .... If you did not get a Christmas card this year here is what it looked like. So go over to Sara's site and blog and register for her freebie giveaway!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Whew!!! I Did It .....




After a week of agonizing I finally put together my first Wholesale Package! I had a company approach me at the Ravenscroft Market and ask to sell some of my Charmed Series necklaces. They want to want to help promote local artists and I was floored that they asked ME!
So I have conquered my fear!! Since the Ravenscroft Market things have really been busy locally and off my website. Thanks to all of my customers .... you are the best.




Tuesday, March 16, 2010








Time Flys when your ..........



It is that time of year again for the Ravenscroft Market March 18-20th. I am honored to have been asked again to participate. I love doing this show. See somewhere on this blog, a page of FREE tickets (remember I am blog challenged and I never know where things I add will end up!)
When you come to the market stop by and tell me that you saw my blog and I will give you an additional 10% Off and if you Follow Me I will give you 15% Off!! Can't beat that.

I now am off to try and get some more pieces done for the show, I am a little behind. Here is a sneak peak at new charms and my new inspirational words. So I am off TO DO IT!!














Wednesday, February 10, 2010

OK Another Try .... at My Blog!




What a wind storm we had today ... knocked a HUGE tree down and it took out our swing set, fence and half went into our neighbors yard!

It Is About Time I Blog ......




























As I have always said I am VERY Blog challenged .... if there is anyone that has some good ideas to ease me into this I am open.














Fat Tuesday is upon us and here are Fat Tuesday earrings that I have made for the occasion. We are going in March for a wedding and I know that it is going to be alot of fun.






























Here are some other new pieces that I have added reccently.







Wednesday, January 20, 2010

What A Great GiveAway ......... I found this local artisian's blog and she has gorgeous stuff (and don't you Love her name!)! Check out her blog and the GiveAway below http://rosyrevolver.blogspot.com/. I have registered for this and hope that I win. Will keep you posted.