HANDMADE FELTED BOWL SHOP is live!

One month ago today, I opened my second shop on Etsy called deboraBstudio.

My jewelry shop BeadinByTheSea has been open for 3.5 years and now with over 1200 sales, I am feeling inspired to expand my horizons. Oh, my jewelry shop is still my first love, but I love knitting too! 


While making silver jewelry involves loud hammering, toxic chemicals, messy hands due to polishing, hot torches and trying to see tiny details with my 40-plus eyes, knitting can be a welcome break as I relax in the chair, knitting needles in hand with soft, vibrant colored yarn. The most stressful part of knitting is trying to keep my cat Ace from running off with my project!

My mother taught me how to knit when I was a little girl, and I've been knitting projects on and off my entire life. Recently I have become fascinated with the process of felting. Something magical happens when a knitted piece of fabric that resembles a hat comes out of the washing machine looking like a sturdy bowl! 

You can check out my shop by clicking here. I absolutely love these little bowls and think that everyone could find a use for one. They are the perfect solution for any odds and ends that you need to put away around the house. I have one on my bedside table to store hair clips and my husband has one for his loose change. They are great for rubber bands, paper clips, you name it... and they won't scratch your furniture.

I was encouraged to have my first sale within a couple of weeks and I have been included in so many lovely treasuries. I've also had the privilege of being on Etsy's home page twice. I think my bowls are popular for treasuries because of their vivid colors and they are just so darn cute!

So please check out deboraBstudio. To celebrate my opening, I am offering a 10% discount on all purchases.

Just type in NEWSHOP10OFF in the coupon code when checking out. This offer is valid until November 20th, 2011. Just in time to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping.

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you check out my shop!

Hello there, it's been awhile...

Well, here it has been almost a full year since I've posted on my blog. How sad is that? The truth is that since I started a Facebook page for my Beadin by' the Sea shop, I have taken the easy way out and I tend to post my latest news there. You can find me on Facebook by clicking here.

As you can see, my cat Ace has been up to his usual antics, being in places where he's not supposed to be! I've been keeping myself busy with my jewelry shop, volunteering as the Editor of our High School Newsletter, participating in church activities and generally being a busy Mom-of-a- teenager! 

I'm also working on starting another shop on Etsy. Stay tuned and I'll let you know when it's up and running!

I also wanted to let you know that I am hosting a giveaway of this beautiful fall inspired acorn necklace. Here is the link:
http://etsydreamteam.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-beadinbythesea.html

I can't imagine who wouldn't want to own one of these necklaces! They also make great gifts for your nature-lover friends. The link to the item in my shop is here or just click on the photo. Good luck, and make sure you complete all three of the items in the mandatory entry to make your entry count!


Have a fantastic Monday!
Debora XO

Back for an Artbeads Review.... Colors of Fall

Once again, Artbeads has invited me to do a review of products on their website: Artbeads.com and I was very happy to oblige! I have ordered supplies for my own personal jewelry making and my business Beadin' By the Sea for many years and have always been very happy with their products and their wonderful customer service. I also have the added benefit of being in the same state (WA) and I receive my order very quickly; usually the next day after they ship. The theme for this review is the "Colors of Fall". I was encouraged to use Pantone's Fall Color Report for 2010. Here is the link to view it online:
http://www.pantone.com/images/pages/20710/2010-02/index.html

The traditional colors of Fall; warm browns, reds, russets and golds, remind us of the glorious displays we see in nature as the temperatures cool. I have been using more brass elements in my jewelry lately and paired with Swarovski pearls from Artbeads, this metal just seems to capture the feel of Fall with a vintage vibe. I also love working with the pearls from Swarovski. They are so reasonably priced, they have a gorgeous luster, are perfectly round and they are weighty just like the real ones (without the price or care needed in cleaning).

Although Artbeads does not carry these exact bead caps used in these "acorn necklaces", they do carry a large variety of brass findings and chains that are perfect for Fall themed jewelry.

The antique brass filigree components that I used in these vintage-style earrings (below) are available at Artbeads. I was very impressed with the detail and quality of these findings; just beautiful paired with Swarovski pearls in light gold and lever back ear wires.


I found this page inspiring by BabyPhat in the Pantone Fall 2010 Color Report. I have always been fond of the color purple and I was inspired to combine Amethyst Swarovski crystals and gunmetal components in this necklace. This one is for me, but I also received some of the Swarovski teardrops in Siam AB ( a gorgeous dark red) that I plan on using for a similiar necklace, perhaps to list on my website.

Here is a better photo that shows how this necklace drapes. I actually started to make this necklace using oxidized sterling silver chain but I found that I needed something that had some weight to it, as the "swags" tend to get tangled up with a very lightweight chain. I changed the entire design to gunmetal after running into this little problem and consequently spent way too much time on this design. Hopefully the next one will be easier!


Well, that's all I have for now. I need to submit this article before this Fall season turns to winter! Please be sure to check out Artbeads for their great prices and awesome selection of jewelry making supplies!

FTC disclaimer: I have received these products free of charge from Artbeads.com . I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for this endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

The Real Deal... Hawaiian Petroglyphs

I am back from vacation... oh, you didn't know I was gone? Yes, our family took some much needed down time and went to Maui for 10 days. It was the first time since starting my jewelry business that I put my Etsy shop, Beadin By the Sea, in vacation mode, and it was absolutely glorious to do nothing but read books, explore the island and best of all, enjoy swimming in the beautiful warm Pacific Ocean.

It didn't take me long, however, to start thinking about my jewelry. While looking at the rental car map of Maui, I noticed a couple words that caught my attention- Olowalu petroglyphs, and I knew I had to go see them. These are drawings done by the ancient Hawaiians by carving into rock. The word comes from the greek words, "petros" for rock, and "glyphein" to carve.

Some of you may have seen my pendants made from precious metal clay that are engraved with an image of a Hawaiian petroglyph. I began making these when my son requested a necklace of the paddler (photo above) that was on a baseball cap we bought in Kauai. I then listed one in my shop and since then I have had requests for custom pendants- mostly the kukini runner (on right), but I've also done the paddler again and the surfer (below).

The largest concentration of petroglyphs can be found on the Big Island and they are estimated to be about 300 years old. The drawings on Maui have been hand carved into the face of Kilea, a volcanic cinder cone in the v-shaped Olowalu Valley.

Sadly, it looks like this ancient site is suffering from neglect and vandalism. A once helpful staircase in now broken and one must circumnavigate the rocks to get a closer look. There are also signs of amateur graffiti mimicking the genuine petroglyphs so one doesn't know which ones are indeed "ancient" - although it's fairly easy to tell. It's definitely not one of the main attractions of the island but we saw several couples make the 1/2 mile trek each way to view them. It is inland and much hotter without the ocean breezes so we found ourselves at Olowalu General store (at the 15 mile marker) afterward for some refreshment. If you go there you must try their Hawaiian shaved ice done the old fashioned way. My husband and son will testify that they are the best they've ever had!

Aloha, and until I have something else to say...
Have a great day!
Debora

Waiting for Summer...

With one week left before school's out here in the Pacific Northwest, we are not seeing many signs that summer is near. Sure the flowers are blooming, the days are getting longer and the birds are singing but we have been getting a rather large dose of rain and chilly temperatures this May and June. We do get the occasional sun break to tease us that summer is coming but it's been pretty short lived.

I think this picture of my cat Ace illustrates it well. When the sun shines here in Washington state we make darn sure that we bask and revel in it, even if it's just for a fleeting moment!

... may you have sunshine this weekend!
~Debora

Czech glass & a little bird.. an ARTBEADS REVIEW

Hi everyone! Here I am for another Artbeads.com review. This time, I was asked to select some beads from their glass bead products and pendants. I opted to spend the bulk of my "allowance" on the sweet little sterling and resin bird pendant you see pictured above. With the warmer weather approaching, I thought it would be the the perfect accent for a summer necklace (for me!). I also ordered some czech glass rondelle beads in various sizes and colors.

Here are a few more detailed photos of the necklace. I paired the off-white pendant with a mix of brown and off white owyhee jasper beads from my bead stash and interspersed them with blue opalite czech glass from Artbeads. I was originally going to use all glass, but I needed something to tie in the white from the pendant- also the beads I ordered just seemed a little too large except for the 5X4mm czech glass roundelles which were perfect.

In an attempt to go for a natural look, I used Griffin silk cord (also available from Artbeads) and created a floating bead design with knots. I'll just say that this technique is harder than it looks! It's the first time I've tried it and I definitely have a new appreciation for those who make knotted necklaces!

The larger beads are perfect as an earring accent especially when paired with fine silver charms made from PMC. Artbeads also has a wide variety of beautiful sterling silver charms that can be used in place of my handmade components. Below are some earrings that I made with 5X7 mm Czech glass rondelle beads in turquoise. I just love this color!

One more pair: These use the opalite blue/purple beads that I used in the bird necklace with more pmc components. The glass beads I chose have the "Picasso" finish, meaning that the ends are a different color that the middle of the beads. It really gives the glass interest and a more rustic look. I opted to oxidize all of my components with liver of sulphur and rubbed them for a soft antique finish.
Well, I hope you are inspired to try out Artbeads.com. I have found their customer service, prices and quality of products to be outstanding, and I often shop at their website for products for my jewelry business Beadin By the Sea.

And until I have something else to say...
Have a great day!
~Debora

FTC disclaimer: I have received these products free of charge from Artbeads.com . I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for this endorsement as it pertains to the products received.