A Tranquil Soup Mix Revealed....

I would love to be able to say that I finally received my soup mix from my Bead Soup Partner, but the fact of the matter is, I received it a couple of weeks ago, but I'm just finally getting around to taking some decent photos. Some of you may have already followed the link to my partners page (Erin Siegel) and seen the mix there.  Nevertheless, here it is and I'm loving the calm feelings the colors are giving me.   

Here you have a shell floral focal bead, and a silver metal flower button.  I can't say that I've ever worked with a button before, so I'm really looking forward to doing something neat with that. Using the currant seed beads and the button, I could make a toggle closure or  maybe it will turn into the focal. 

 

This shot gives you a better view, of the Lemon Turquoise..yummy. These beads have some brown mixed in with them - do I see wood mixed in their future?  I also have here some ruby red glass beads, and garnet glass. 

Here's one more shot that showcases it all together.  I've sketched a few designs out so far, but I still haven't decided what I'm going to do. I'm just hoping it all comes together before February 26th, when the final reveal is happening. I do my best work under pressure, so as far as my brain is concerned ~ I have plenty of time to doodle! ~ Nothing like some healthy stress, eh? 

Unveiling in ideas,



Amazing Wednesday's Artwork...

"Ibentina"

At first glance, I had no idea what was responsible for this beautiful artwork!  See this photo and more and learn about Jennifer Maestre over at Shibori Girls Blog.  There you'll also find a link to Jennifers website for more of her amazing art!   

Unique Woman In Business Big Event Weekend!!

I am a proud member of a wonder group called Unique Women in Business.

UWIB has been gearing up for their first team event and it started today! I'm not participating in this first event, as I'm still getting back in the swing of things, but I'm super excited about all the wonderful shops participating.
Both Etsy shops and independent businesses are having sales. Qualifying items for each shop vary, so please see each individual shop for their promotion.

Etsy shops participating will have a shop announcement: Unique Women in Business Etsy Team will be having a FREE SHIPPING event starting Friday, January 22 thru Monday, January 25.

Search on UWIBTEAMFS to find all shops/items participating. Just copy paste into the search box under handmade on Etsy and all participating items will appear.

To immediately start searching, click here.

If your looking for Independent Businesses participating, here's a list and their links:

Glitzy Events - Use coupon code UWIBFREESHIP at check-out on our website http://glitzyevents.com

The Angel Company - Rita Wetzel, Independent Demonstrator - Send email to Rita at stamp2stamp2@yahoo.com with a list of item numbers, description, quantity. Rita will email you order total. Payment via PayPal or Credit Card.

Charms~N~Things - coupon code FSJAN2010

Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup - Everything ships free all the time. No code needed.

Naughty and Nice Lingerie - Shipping is always free within the US! Fast, free shipping, dollar rewards and free gifts with certain purchases! Check out my store for more details or email me at sales@naughtyandnicelingerie.com. Ask me how to get an additional 10% off your purchase!!

Please stop by and visit these ladies this weekend for some fabulous specials, you won't be disappointed!

Unveiling others,
Dee
Visit my jewelry website to see more of my jewelry at Runako Designs

Flu Season Giveaway!!

Appropriate for this week, since I'm not feeling very well, Angelina Fong has designed the most adorable little tissue holders, and she's offering two lucky winners the opportunity to win one for FREE. Incidentally, Angelina has been sick this week as well. Isn't it Amazing what life's experiences lead us to create. I created something today as well that relates to my illness, will be posting soon as I'm up to taking photos. In the meantime, visit Angelina's Blog and enter for your chance to win!
Unveiling,

Ugly is in the Eye of the Beholder

Every year for the past 7 years, The Land Of Odds has held an Ugly Necklace Contest. They call it the Jewelry design contest with a twist!... "I'll Say!!" They are actually looking for the best tangled mess...can you believe? The first place prize is $992.93...don't ask, odd number I agree, but you have to see it to believe it:

Coffin Nail Necklace

Now, the necklace has to be well designed, functional and ugly. Easy you say? Well, not so! When you're creating art, your eye and brain won't let you go there. They are designed to correct the incorrect and you struggle with avoiding anything as absurd as this.

The contest ends July 15th, and it is in it's final stage of the 6 semi finalist. Take a look for yourself, and get your chance to vote for the ugliest necklace.

Unveiling a "HOT MESS"!
Dee
You can see Dee's creative jewelry designs at Runako Designs

I Don't Give Up That Easy...

Okay, so we all know how yesterday went with the Beaded jewelry class right? So you'd think I'd cut my losses and toss the thread, eh? Nope, I don't give up that easy, and nope, I didn't exactly finish what I started yesterday either, but, I did take on another project with thread and I completed it!

When I was a the bead store yesterday picking up thread, I was admiring a necklace a lady was wearing that I thought was very cute. She said it was crocheted. Well, THAT, I know how to do. So I picked up some silk thread with the intentions of trying to make it myself..how difficult could it have been? Minus the hassle of untangling thread again, (this was a tad bit thicker), I successfully finished what I think is a very cute necklace while watching TV, mind you.

So, my weekend of thread projects is done, I've challenged myself with a few new things, and I'm happily moving back to wire and gemstones.

Unveiling and untangled,
Dee

A Twist on DNA

I'll try anything once when it comes to learning to make jewelry. Having too many skills when it comes to jewelry making falls in the same category for me as having too many beads...there's never enough!

Every third Saturday of the month, I hold a jewelry making meet up meeting here in Richmond, where a group of interested jewelry makers get together to learn new techniques through classes or from one another. We share ideas, help one another and have great fun.

Well for today's meeting, one of our members taught the DNA Spiral Bracelet technique. Now, as you already know, I'm not a fan of anything too intricate that takes too long..chain maille ringing any bells? But I'll do anything with these women to support the group, and so it began at 2:00 pm, this day, the 16th of April, 2009, Dee learned to make her first beaded jewelry design, and here is about how it went.

After pulling out about 6 arms length of thread (yes thread), I had to untangle my mess. Then after about 8 tries, I finally got the needle (yes needle) threaded. Then it was time to start. I was only as far as step 2 when I already needed help... I had another knot! After Tracy, the instructor for the day, got me all untangled and back on track, it was time to move on. By step 3, I was stuck again, because I missed these directions, trying to get untangled by myself from step 2, so Tracy had to stop again to get me all caught up. My friends... I hope you have a very clear picture by now of how this class went for me, I would really hate to go any further with the details! By now, we're all laughing really hard because, I'm the one who's usually helping others in these meetings. Needless to say, I got less than half way through in 2 hours time(above picture). But I learned an important lesson. I can make beaded jewelry but IT is NOT for me!

There are some talented artists out there who make stunning beaded jewelry and art, and I admire their talent, patience and skills, but this is one project that I probably won't be taking on again. I do however, promise Tracy and the group, that I'll be completing my bracelet by next Month, because if I don't, I'll never live it down!

Because my project doesn't do the art justice, here's a beaded necklace by a fellow jewelry maker over at Blue Bonnet Jewelry Designs , Yvonne's work is absolutely beautiful! You can also follow her on her blog.Unveiling and still a tangled mess,
Dee

On a Mission...

Last weekend I attended BeadFest Philadelphia with a fellow jewelry maker, and had an absolutely grand time. BeadFest is sponsored by Interweave and its the largest beadshow on the East Coast. It's held in August and September on the East Coast and two other times during the year on the West Coast. There are at least 60 different classes you can take on wire projects in May and a combination of other things in August. Trust, I will be going back. I had the opportunityt meet Dale "Cougar" Armstrong a master in the art of Wire work, and picked up a few tips from her as well.

This was my first visit and while I didn't have the opportunity to take any classes (slept on that one) I met a lot of great jewelry makers, instructors and vendors. Attending the event this time, allowed me the opportunity to see the quality of a few vendors I've been eyeing on line, which was great. I'm a planner and as Elaine (my travel mate) put it, I can be a bit anal about a few things, but it worked to my advantage this time. To attend this type of show, you have to have a plan and I was all over that. If you don't, you tend to overspend, you miss good deals and you come home broke!

Here's how I tackled staying on task and not going over my budget:

1st - I scanned the vendor list before even going to the show, circling vendors I was familiar with or those I definitely wanted to see. I also made a list of must haves that I needed for my inventory.

2nd - When I arrived at the show at 10:00 am, I browsed every booth (160) and marked off those that were of interest to me and what items they carried that I wanted. I also jotted down prices, specifically silver and crystal to do a comparison. This literally took me about 3:00.

3rd - After browsing, I started at the beginning again and started shopping. I shopped until about 6:45 pm. Only visiting the booths that were checked off on my list. Then it was dinner time and much damage had been done, but not complete.

4th - That night, I made up a new list of remaining vendors, to include those with the best silver prices and was ready for the next day of shopping.

5th - Saturday morning, started all over again, hitting my final list and finishing up about 2.

I came home with some beautiful beads! Of course this isn't everything, but wanted to share a few of my favorites.

There was just about everything you can imagine there for jewelry making, including tools, of which I got a few. Crystals were all over the place. If you've ever shopped for crystals online it can be a bit overwhelming, but seeing them all right there was even worse!So, there you have it, my first trip to Beadfest. Sorry I didn't get to take more photos, but as you can see I was on a mission.

Unveiling,
Dee

Running out of Time, but shopping!

Just checking in briefly, as I'm getting ready for an event tomorrow to benefit the American Heart Association. Preparing for a show or event can be very stressful. Mainly because I don't prepare in advance...wonder why that is?

Any who, wanted to quickly tell you about some cute accessories I found today from Miss Gina's Designs. They are handcrafted right here in Mechanicsville, Virginia. There was a cute clutch bag that caught my eye right away and I had to have it...just purchased it 5 minutes ago! I got my eye on Purse 031 as well!

Stop by Miss Gina's and I guarantee, you won't be disappointed. While you are there, pick out two items you would like to have, then drive on over to Mommy Enterprises, where she's holding a review and give-way for one of Gin's cute clutch purses. Good Luck!

Unveiling and packing,
Dee

New at Runako Designs - Pearls, Pearls, Pearls

Pearls, Pearls, fabulous Pearls. I just got in a shipment of pearls and they are, well, gorgeous and I just had to share some of them. Pearls have become so popular lately, and not just for special occasions, but just as everyday wear. Just wearing a single strand necklace adds a glow to your skin. Try it out on one of those mornings, you're just feeling blah! As Mother's Day, Prom and wedding season quickly approaches, I wanted to make certain that I had a few pieces designed from some beautiful premium strands and that's just what I got!
First Lady Michell Obama, is a fan of pearls as well. You probably noticed that during the campaign season.

She recently posed for her White House portrait and she looks stunning in her double stranded necklace. Well, don't let her have all the fun, get some pearls in your life and unveil too! Keep watching for new pieces with some of these beautiful pearl strands. Leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts on pearls, I'd love to hear them.

Unveiling,
Dee

Runako Designs - What's New?

Things are still a little crazy on my end, so, I'm still popping in and out. I've started uploading new pieces to the jewelry website, so make sure you stop by over the next few days to see what's happening. Don't forget to leave your name suggestions for Monday's post. There may be a name on the site, but I'm still looking for suggestions, and you have a chance of winning a Free pair of Earrings..now how easy is that. Before I go...here's another treat for you:

I'm just calling this one Scarlet, I love this necklace. Simple, Bold and makes a statement. Match it up with a white shirt and jean jacket...FABULOUS!

Unveiling Spring and Summer,
Dee

Hang Me Pretty Please

If you're anything like me, you hate digging through a jewelry box to find your favorite pair of earrings. That's why I was so excited when I found these cute earring stands at Tammnoony Art from the Heart shop on Etsy.com to share with you. Kati Rapaport makes these whimsical and fun colored earring stands by hand. They come with the frame for hanging your earrings as well as the stand to hold them up. Kati's two greatest loves are, teaching art to children and caring for animals, which is very apparent in her designs and colors. (see samples below)

(photos courtesy of Tammnoony.etsy.com)

Kati also offers other whimsical gifts such as clocks, wall hangers, hair pins, etc. But I must admit the Earring stands are my personal favorite! The colorful designs would make the perfect gift for any girls bedroom. At Tammnoony's shop, their philosophy is that a happy client makes a happy seller, so if you see something at the shop, but need a different design or color, they will customize it just for you!

For the entire month of March, Kati is offering 15% OFF all wall clocks and jewelry displays. Scroll on over to her shop and take a look around. After visiting Kati at Etsy, leave a comment and let me know what you're favorite products are, you already know mine.

(Kati Rapaport. lives in Israel and makes mostly wood handcrafted products, and sells them out of her shop at Tammnoony Art for the Heart or www.tammnoony.etsy.com)

Unveiling,
Dee
www.runakojewelry.com