Busted beads budget....(how's that for alliteration?)

You know how you tell yourself that you can't spend a single cent more on beads? And then you do? Well, I do this. A lot. I've busted my beads budget about a hundred times over and I still get sucked into buying more. I blame it on the discounts and sales, especially this time of year. Sometimes though, it's just my lack of willpower that's to blame. Someone teach me to resist the lure of pretty beads....please!

Some of the goodies over which I busted my budget:

Aren't they drool-worthy? 

Gaea's Giveaway

Good news for all fans of Gaea Ceramic Bead and Art Studio! Gaea's bead bundles are now available from Lima Beads, and to celebrate this wonderful news, she's having a giveaway of those ceramic lovelies you see here. Just head over to her blog and leave a comment by Oct 16 if you'd like to a chance to win. 

Covetous

Is what I've been feeling lately. I've spent waaayyy too much on beads in the last 2 months, and there are still more beads that are calling my name. Here's a peek of just six of the many, many, many (ad infinitum) lovelies I've been coveting.

Are they calling your name too?

Yes! It's another giveaway!

I don't know what it is about bead artists, but they sure are a generous bunch! Heather of Humblebeads is having a great big giveaway. All you have to do is to head to her blog and leave a comment about your favourite HB bead. A winner will be drawn on Tuesday. Good luck!

Yes! I won!

You see that beautiful ceramic link up there? Can you believe I actually won that? Yup, me. The very same me who never ever ever wins anything when it comes to lucky draws or giveaways or things of that sort. Lovely, generous bead artist Gaea is doing a special run of giveaways now - be the first to comment on a post and you might just win the giveaway bead of the day. Head here if you want to have a chance at getting your paws on her gorgeous beads.

Amazing bead giveaway!

These are just a few of the fabulous beads that the Art Bead Scene Blog is giving away. Aren't they to-die-for? The giveaway is in honour of Beads 2011 which is out now. I flipped through the magazine and was transfixed for close to an hour drooling over all the luscious beads. If you want a chance to win these goodies, you can go here and leave your comments. Good Luck!

Beads and more beads

I ordered a whole bunch of beads and things the past 2 months and have only just unpacked them. They're now in their little storage boxes waiting for me to use them. I got several artbeads this time around. Yes, they're a luxury I probably shouldn't be indulging in - but they are just so darn pretty. Enough talking...here's my loot :-)

Aren't they lovely? Here are some close-ups in case you're curious.

From the top: enameled yummies from Gardanne Beads, scrumptious Keith O'Connor ceramic beads, followed by a length of enamel chain - it's actually a lovely pastel blue although it shows up as white in the photo (must be the lighting) - and some rubber o-rings..both from myElements. 

By special request

An old friend surprised me a few weeks back by asking if I would make some jewellery for her. She's started being a little more adventurous in terms of her fashion and was lamenting that she didn't have jewellery that could match her new clothes. She specifically wanted a long necklace. And if I could come up with some earrings, that would be great too.

I decided from the start that I would stick to a silver/neutral tone for the pieces so she could wear them with almost anything in her wardrobe. And I also knew that the pieces would have to be fairly simple and understated, while incorporating some 'bling' if possible. This is what I came up with. 

Finally...

Yay! I finally got off my butt and started a blog. I also started an Artfire shop - thanks to a dear friend who's been pestering me (or should that be encouraging me?) to do something about my jewelry-making hobby. This blog will be about my on-going obsession with beads and the battles I have with creativity - or lack thereof.