Happy Birthday Lori Anderson

Congratulations to Lori Anderson on her 1000th Blog.  She's also celebrating her birthday (I don't think it's her 1000th though.)  Hope you have a fabulous, fun day today, Lori.

She is generously offering a chance to win a gift of handmade beads or jewelry to her blog readers that become followers and/or write about her big day on their blog.  Sign on to read her very interesting blog and maybe win a prize. :)   Click here. Lori Anderson

Polymer Clay Buttons

Friday has become my favorite day because that is when I receive my weekly video tutorial from
 Cindy Lietz, the polymer clay tutor.  I look forward to learning a new project with polymer clay, and this week she didn't disappoint us.  We now know how to make  her fun Polymer Clay Buttons.  These can be designed for any garment you have.  They can be large or small.  You can make fun dinosaurs or cupcakes or hearts for your children's clothes.  Whereever your imagination takes you. 

Besides designing with Polymer Clay, I also knit purses out of beautiful batik cotton strips.  The closure on these purses are usually large buttons, so now I can make my own and design them to fit the purse colors.

You too can learn the fun craft of making polymer clay beads and buttons by subscribing to
 Cindy Lietz weekly video classes.  Here is a sample picture of her buttons, and I will post mine when I get them baked.

A New Bead Stash

What a fun Yahoo Bead group we have.  Just received my Bead Stash from my trading partner, Marianna Boylan, from Star Girl Jewelry.  She wrapped them all up in a cute box covered with sheetmusic and flowers.  Here is my stash.

Beads are in the Mail

Marianna here they come.  My beads are in the mail to my Bead Swap partner, and I  hope she will be able to make some fun pieces with these.   I couldn't decide at the last minute what to send her.  Had about three piles of fun stuff.  I finally decided that I would send my "torn watercolor" and "jupiter" beads that I made using the Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor method.  Both were fun to make, and I hope you enjoy them, Marianna.  We were required to decorate a "Matchbox" to house our beads, and I chose to cover mine with flower stickers and include that cute little Ladybug sticker.

Bead Soup Exchange Matchbox

Well, I started my creative juices working and finally decided what I wanted to do to decorate my matchbox that I will be sending my beads in to my exchange partner.  I'm not through yet, but here is the start.

Bead Soup Exchange

As most of you readers know, I recently particpated in Lori Anderson's "Bead Soup Exchange". We had a Bead Partner, and exchanged beads and findings with that partner and then made something beautiful out of what we received. (See my design in the older posts). We had so much fun doing that so we formed a Bead Soup Exchange Yahoo group and will be exchanging beads with our partners (most likely a new one). This will be a piece of cake, or I think it will anyway, but the thing that is throwing me a curve is how am I going to decorate this little matchbox that I am supposed to present the beads in. I don't know why I am stressing over this, but I am. I have until March 3rd to finish this task and get it mailed. You might want to check back and see what I will come up with. :-) . Any suggestions?

Stella & Dot

As mentioned in my profile, I am a Stylist and Senior Consultant for the direct sales Company, Stella & Dot.  I have been with the Company since 2005 when it was know as Luxe Jewels.  At that time it was a company set up to teach jewelry making, and has evolved into a Multi-Million dollar, first class ready-made jewelry company.  Jewelry designs are selected by our Design committee headed by Blythe, and reflect the very newest trends in style. 

Stella & Dot offers you the opportunity to own your own business and establish a team that you coach and mentor.  The skies the limit in the amount you can make, and the opportunities for travel and pampering are yours for the making.  Contact me if  you are interested in information regarding this business opportunity, or if you would like to hold a catalog party to earn some fabulous jewelry for free.  Check us out at Stella Dot.

Fresh From the Farmer's Market

I have been eating and cooking "Bead Soup" all week so decided it was time to eat real food.  I was fortunate enough to win a free cooking class at Cooking With Class La Quinta.  Executive Chef Dave Schy demonstrated some delicious food, showing us how to use fresh foods from our local vendors.  He prepared:

Broiled Mayan Spiced Fish Filet
Mushroom Stuffed Mushrooms
Radish-Habanero Salsa
Fig, Pistachio & Orange Quinoa
Chicken-Lime Soup
Rocky Road Brownies

Check out these recipes at Dave Schy's website.  He has many vegan and vegetarian recipes too.

Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange

Whoo Hoo, I did it.  I visited all 85 Bead Exchange Participants blogs (some even twice).  Congratulations to all of you for a job well done.  This was so fun, and I hope we do it again soon.