voting for the July EBW Challenge

I'm moving the regular Saturday link list post to Monday for this week so I don't have to delay announcing the newest EBW challenge.

Voting is up and running for the July EBW Challenge Sizzling Sunshine and Soothing Water!  Voting takes place on the EBW blog July 9-15.  If you can't see all of the entries at the top of blog, click here.  The voting link is on the right side of the blog.

Here's my entry again.

If you missed my early posts about it, you can go back and read them here and here.

Please check out all of the entries and vote for your favorite.  Here are a few of my favorites for this challenge.
I love the shapes in this piece.  And the pop of bronze with the turquoise is priceless.
Sea Kite Bracelet by the Amalfi Coast - Turquoise, aqua, and clear crystals cuff by LaPerLaA

I had to include this piece because it features one of Kristie's ceramics.  What a gorgeous way to showcase it!
Sunsplash Sparkling Beadwoven Necklace by beadn4fun

This is another great combination of turquoise and bronze.  I love the pearls and crystals paired with the tiny seed beads.
Baja Sunlight Bead Woven Necklace by AngelqueCreations

July EBW Challenge Entry

Even though this was a crazy month to create, photograph, and list a challenge entry, I didn't want to pass up the Sizzling Sunshine and Soothing Water theme.  One of the aspects of this challenge was that we had to base our entry off of a specific photo.  I really wanted to use one of my own photos, and I really wanted it to include sand as well.  I'm a huge fan of the Indiana and Michigan Dunes and was disappointed that I didn't have a photo that really fit this theme.  The last time I was there, it was pretty overcast, and I don't have any other digital dunes photos.  But I found another one that worked perfectly.  This is me in Honduras in early January 2008 on a cruise excursion.  I love how you can see the sand right through the water.

I was also inspired by this photo from our honeymoon in Hawaii Dec 06/Jan 07.

Some of you may remember this post with a lot of the beads that I used for this piece.  I also used the new cream and yellow seed beads that I posted about here and some seed beads from my regular stash.

I created a right angle weave base.  I haven't done a lot of multi-row right angle weave pieces, but it's pretty straight forward.  I added a second later of right angle weave embellishment, which is when I added the shells.  The third and final layer was the real challenge for me because I'd really never attempted anything freeform with beadweaving.  I'm pretty pleased with the result.

I have to mention that I got inspiration for this shot from Cheryl of littlestonedesign (see this example).  The weight and general structure of this cuff made it tough for me to use some of my regular poses.

I know that there weren't any shells in either of my pictures, but I felt like the piece needed something besides seed beads.  The color of these shells fit perfectly with the sunshine component of this theme.  The metal sun button also fit well.

I'm not planning to make more cuffs like this any time soon.  If I do, they'll be simpler embellished right angle weave cuffs.  This was still a lot of fun, though.  Some of you may know that I often think of myself as creative but don't think of myself as an artist.  I feel like I actually created a little piece of art for this challenge.

You can purchase my challenge piece here.  Voting will be the beginning of July.  I'll have more details about it when it gets closer.

new background, treasury feature

I experimented with a new photo background today.  I'm very happy with the results.  You'll have to let me know what you think.

Here's another sneak peak shot of the pearl bracelet.  I'll share all of the pictures with it after the recipient has it.

I tried shooting a few of the pearl pictures on the music background, but it made the bracelet look really yellow.  I'm really pleased with the gray for it.

Here are a couple more gray shots from today of older items that needed updated pictures.

Etsy has been running incredibly slowly and not very well the last hour so I guess that I'm done there for tonight.  I'll have to upload my shots of the final item here on there tomorrow.  I had a sale on Etsy tonight, woohoo!  I'm planning to reveal my new product line tomorrow. :) Stay tuned.

Finally, I just found this treasury: Sobby included my Button Bracelet - Double Yellow in her Sunshine treasury.

new listing, back in stock, treasury feature

I listed a new pair of earrings tonight: Red/Blue Button Dangle Sterling Silver Earrings.

I sold a pair like these at the Arts Festival back in June.  I have another similar pair finished and yet another similar pair in the works.  I don't know if I'll have any luck with them on Etsy, but they were a huge hit at the Arts Festival.  I could have sold more if I'd had more available.  If I had pierced ears, I would wear earrings like these.  They're simple, fun, and very lightweight.

I restocked one of my best selling designs yesterday: Purple Shell Beaded Bracelet.  I actually gave the last version to one of my Iowa friends who helped me with the tear down process after the Arts Festival.

There will be matching earrings for it on Etsy at some point.  You can preview them here.  One of my aunts bought the first pair last week, but there is a second pair ready for someone else.  I would like to make a green version of this bracelet with matching earrings eventually, too.  I have the shell beads already.  They're a great subtle olive tone.  I just need to get around to making the bracelet.

Finally, Chris Maj (beadn4fun) included my Sunshine Gold Accented Skinny Peyote Cuff Bracelet in her Over the Rainbow treasury.  16 EBW pieces in all different colors!  I just took new pictures of this cuff this afternoon before I knew about the treasury.  Sometimes timing works out really well. :) I made sure to get a screen shot after I'd updated the listing.

You can view this treasury live by CLICKING HERE.

sale and a couple of features

I sold my first pair of earrings on Etsy today! A woman who lives in Iowa not all that far from me bought my green striped peyote triangle earrings. I'm very excited that I had another Etsy sale and that my first pair of earrings sold so quickly.

Marina (LevyMarina) included one of my pieces in another one of her color themed treasuries. She must have been picking up on my recent minor green obsession because this time she included the leafy series - spring in her 7 Colors of the Rainbow.Green treasury. Thanks Marina!

You can view this treasury live by CLICKING HERE until Wednesday March 10 11:02AM EST.

Finally, another EBW member, Ruthie, included my sunshine gold accented skinny peyote cuff in her newest byhand.me spotlight. You can check it out on her blog by clicking here. Thanks Ruthie!

completion of my international order and button trade, new listing

One of the bracelets that my first international buyer ordered was my Valentine's Day button charm bracelet. I sold the original during the spring so I put together a new one for her. I snapped a picture of it before I packed everything up.


I made another one to list as well. I am going to wait until I can take some outside or natural light pictures of the new one before I relist it on Etsy.

I uploaded the pictures of my button trade with Kelly tonight. Here's a picture of my full stash.
Ever since I saw my dad's parents back in August, I've been searching for maroon beads and buttons. My grandpa is a professor at Texas A&M, whose colors are maroon and white. I'd like to make a few A&M items that my grandma can sell or give as gifts to friends. Maroon is VERY hard to find, though! Kelly was so nice to go pull some maroon buttons for me, which is why those are all separated. I am also so excited about all of the SMALL buttons in the mix. They'll be perfect for button embellished right angle bracelets.

I also took a picture of just a few of my favorites.

Finally, Kelly attached this neat vintage fish button to the card that she included in my package. How cute is this?!
Thanks again, Kelly! :)

And now: my new listing for today: my newest wrapped skinny peyote cuff.
I'm thinking about a blue gold-accented wrapped cuff next. As always, I'm open to suggestions!