Gosh, it's only Tuesday and what a busy week it's been for me, but it's all good! I got an awesome email Monday from Steve at Artbeads.com, one of the suppliers I purchase beads and jewelry supplies from. He said that he ran across my blog and he was impressed with my jewelry designs. He went on to say that he was putting together a group of a few select jewelry designers who blog and was offering us an opportunity to "blog for beads." He asked if I would be interested. Now I ask you, how awesome is this? Who doesn't love free stuff and especially beads! Of course I emailed him right back and said I was definitely interested.

Now I have to tell you that it came at the perfect time. I wanted to make some Birthstone rings. Artbeads is currently having a 15% off sale on Swarovski crystals and I needed some to complete the rings. Steve came to my rescue (thank you Steve!) He is sending me all of the birthstone crystals in return for my very first "Blog for Beads" entry. I am sure you have heard it before, but just in case no one's told you lately, Steve, you ROCK! I have now completed most of the rings, with the exception of February (Amethyst) and September (Sapphire.) I should have those crystals in a couple of days so, I will have all of the rings available. What a perfect gift for a Birthday, Mother's Day, graduation. I can also combine crystals to make a Mother's or Grandmother's ring. What a treasured keepsake it would make.

The rings are currently available at both my Etsy and ArtFire stores.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22437617

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=139349

If you have any questions or would like more information please email me at lvsbeadsnthings@aol.com.

Kreativ Blogger Award!

This 'Kreativ Blogger' award was given to me by Mingo http://flamingojunctiontoo.blogspot.com/. Thank you

Here are the rules: List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people...tagging them and letting them know they won! You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KReATIV!

1. My Mom! She's the best!
2. My Brothers and Sister
3. My kids!
4. My Huskies!
5. My awesome friends!
6. Sunshine!
7. Creating and making my jewelry and crafts!

I pass this award on to:

Jo http://gallagj.blogspot.com/
Julie http://creativespiritoriginals.blogspot.com/
Rhonda http://thecozyloft.wordpress.com/
Chicky http://chickypez.blogspot.com/
MK http://missknitsetsy.blogspot.com/
Rae http://simplyraevyn.com/blog/
Sharon K http://sharonkaydesigns.blogspot.com/

Peruvian Blue Opal - WOW!

Those of you who have come to know (and love) me, know that I love Opals in all sizes, shapes and colors.  The Peruvian Blue Opal is one of my most favorites and yesterday I decided to wire wrap one of the stones I had picked up in my travels.  Here is the finished product.

It is currently for sale at my Etsy store:  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21575096

The Best Blog Daily Thinker

Rhonda (TheCozyLoft.Etsy.com) just gave me my first blog award, The Best Blog Daily Thinker.  Thank you so much my sweet friend. This is such an honor and I will in turn pass it on to others who's Blogs I enjoy.... yet there are so many wonderful bloggers out there.

If I have missed you and you would like this award... just grab it for yourself.

The rules are simple!  Copy this award and paste it on your Blog and pass it on to (10) of your favorites who you feel are deserving of this awesome award.  

Here are 10 of my favorites in no specific order:

http://aimeedars.blogspot.com/

http://uname-it.blogspot.com/

http://missknitsetsy.blogspot.com/

http://2kute.blogspot.com/

http://gallagj.blogspot.com/

http://overtherainbowmom.blogspot.com/

http://simplyraevyn.com/blog/

http://flamingojunctiontoo.blogspot.com/

http://sharonkaydesigns.blogspot.com/

http://chickypez.blogspot.com/

Pin Keep Penguin

Hmmmm..... I got this new prim pattern for a penguin pin keep. Now my understanding of a pin keep is that it is a pin cushion??? This completed folk art/primitive seems to be much too large for that, (over 13" wide and 10" tall,) but it would make a great shelf sitter or dresser display. I am pleased at how the first attempt turned out..... even though it took me 8 hours to complete.

I am going to try to make a smaller version that I think would make a really cute pin cushion.

I also have an owl that I will be making next. I really do enjoy making these primative critters.

They really are works of art!

Stumpy the Cat!

Recently I ran across folk art and primitive animal patterns and I fell in love with the style because they were different, unusual! I was getting bored creating the same things and let's face it, jewelry, although beautiful, is a hard sell because so many people are making it. I knew that in 2009 I wanted to introduce some new lines... make some needed changes! I've decided I will make primitive/folk art critters and also my add my North Wood wee people series.

I had all good intention of making my next wee people set until I received the Primitives pattern that I had recently ordered. I vowed to give myself some time off after the Christmas rush and recharge/renew my creative energies........... but, I just kept staring at the Stumpy cat pattern and I just had to rip it open and drag out the sewing machine.

I think what I liked about it the best is that it also satisfied the "artistic" side of me. I got to get out my acrylics and fabric paints and bring this little fellow to life. I really had fun making this
fabric kitty. I am looking forward to making other folk art/primitive critters.

Stumpy Cat can be purchased from my new ArtFire store: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=39956

Wintertime Frostivities Contest!

Well the winter has certainly settled in quick! We are getting sub-zero temps, frozen pipes, and it amazes me how some people try to drive in these conditions. I have seen more sideways vehicles than I can count on one hand.... yikes!

But tis the Season! These are busy and hurried times for most of us, hustle and bustling, finishing up last minute shopping, trimming the tree, putting out decorations, baking, and for us Artisan's, busy creating!

This year I decided to take on something totally new. I entered two of my creations in a Etsy Wintertime Holiday Frostivities contest! The contest runs from 12/13 - 12/19/2008. I would like to thank all of my family and friends that have voted for me. I really appreciate your loving support.

You can see my two items at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18468813 (Currently in 1st Place)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18482108 (Currently in 2nd Place)

If you would like to vote you simply heart these items.

I would like to wish everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. Stay warm, dry, and most of all stay safe out there.

Peace and Blessings,

LV

1/1/2009 Update: The Nativity Scene won 1st Place and Baby Bear came in 2nd! Wooohoo!

Just a blue-sy day......

Oh those days.... everybody has them. You can never pin-point any specific reason why you are in a funk, so you just have come to learn to chalk it up as one of those days. I think the cold weather and thoughts of winter setting in might have something to do with it. For the life of me today I just couldn't get warm. I tried to light a fire as I knew that would help. Even the wood wouldn't cooperate.......

So I decided to create! That always helps. Is it any small wonder the pendants I ended up with?

Yep, both are blue. The breathtaking blue of the Blue Lace Agate and equally as beautiful, the Blue Lapis Lazuli. I absolutely love both of these semi-precious gemstones.

Here are my blue-sy creations.

Ammonite Fossil Pendant and Beaded Necklace

Thes are two of my Ammonite Pendant Necklaces that are available at my Beads n' Things Etsy store: lvsbeadsnthings.etsy.com

Ammolite! Awesome!!!!!

I have to tell you, now that I have actually worked with the Ammolite gemstones, I am drawn to these incredibly beautiful stones. I love both the Ammolite and Ammonite, as both are equally beautiful in their own way. The Ammolite looks like the prehistoric that it is. The Ammonite is so beautiful the way the colors are ever changing, like a Kaleidoscope as you move it from side to side.

This particular pendant necklace is my favorite piece. I am seriously thinking of giving it to myself for Christmas, so I will not be too heartbroken if this one doesn't sell.

Too see more of my Ammolite and Ammolite necklaces, that are currently available, see my Beads n' Things Etsy store: http://lvsbeadsnthings.etsy.com

Ammolite

Ok, for those of you that know me, you know I just can't resist buying rare, unusual, or stunning gemstones. Up until now Opals have been my most favorite gem.... that is until I ran across Ammolite.

Ammolite is similar to an opal and some of the Ammolites that I have seen are opalized giving them even more beauty than their original state. I have been most fortunate to find a wonderful seller (on Ebay) who has been so kind and patient with me and educated me a bit about this rare and precious gemstone.

Ammolite is the rarest gemstone in the world! In 1981, ammolite became recognized by CIBJO, (the Colored Stones Commission.) It is the latest of only three new gemstones introduced in the last 50 years. It is also only one of three organic gemstones, (including amber & pearl.) It has been compared to opal and has a superficial similarity to the Austrian mineral lumachelle whose iridescence is also provided by the fossil ammonite carnites floridus.

Ammolite is also known as aapoak, (Blackfoot for small, crawling stone,) calcentine, korite, ammonite shell or gem ammonite. Ammolite is the fossil shell of the upper cretaceous ammonites: Placenticeras meeki, Placenticeras intercalare & Baculites compressus. Ammolite is only found in the Bearpaw formation that extends from Alberta to Saskatchewan in Canada and south to Montana in the USA.

Ammolite comes in various sizes, shapes and forms as you can see by the pictures above, but one thing is for sure. In any form Ammolite is the most beautiful stone that I have ever seen. I have seen these stones easily sell from $100 - $600 and a whole shell sell for $3000 - $10,000. Ammonite is increasing in value at a rate of 40% a year because it is becoming more and more scare. Because of this, naturally I had to get some Ammolite gemstones and fossilized shells and will be making up jewelry pieces for loved ones. I don't think you can give anyone a finer gift. Native American's carry one in their medicine bag to bring not only wealth and prosperity, but also for grounding.

I will be offering some Ammolite pendants at my Etsy store, http://lvsbeadsnthings.etsy.com so check out my store in mid to late November.