Monday, August 30, 2010

WE HAVE A WINNER

The winner of my "Fall Grace" beads is "Pretty Things".  Please email me at havanabeads@yahoo.com with your address and I will send these off to you.  Congratulations!

A couple of weeks ago I had another giveaway and I was never contacted and I wasn't able to contact the winner.  So being new to blogging I really didn't know what to do.  These beads need a new home.  Well I was looking at Andrew Thorntons' blog and he had a similar situation so he picked another name.  So I thought that's a great idea.  So without further ado the person winning this set is Kym Hunter Designs.  Here is a picture of the beads.  Please contact me at havanabeads@yahoo.com with your address so I can send these off to you. 



NEW HALLOWEEN BEADS

HALLOWEEN TREATS II - SOLD

HALLOWEEN TREATS - SOLD
PUMPKIN PATCH - SOLD

The last set of Halloween beads did so well I made some more.  I'll try to list these tonight, if not check tomorrow morning.  You can go here to see more pictures and info. havanabeads.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

FALL COLORS & GIVEAWAY

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a set of my Fall Grace beads.  Go here Fall Grace Giveaway.  I'll be picking a winner Monday night.

I was just over at one of my favorite blogs Art bead Scene and they have a great Color Trend Chart for Fall with beautiful pictures of jewelry from their contributors to correspond with some of the colors.  You can go to their blog here Art Bead Scene.  You can go here for the chart PANTONE Fashion Color Report Fall 2010.  I have to go through my bead stash and pull out some of these colors.  This also helps when I'm making lampwork beads.  Sometimes I sit in front of the torch saying "what shall I make today".  Trust me this happens often.  This chart just gave me a couple of ideas.

Have a great weekend,

Raida

Thursday, August 26, 2010

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ETCHING

If you are considering learning to etch your own pieces, here are a few things I've learned (the hard way) in the past couple of weeks.

1. When cutting and sanding your own metals wear a mask and do it in a well ventilated area.  This stuff is really terrible to breathe and goes all over the place.
2.  Make sure when you stamp or draw on your plate you use permanent ink pen or ink pad.  If not all your ink will go into the liquid and you'll end up with no design.
3.  The stuff really stinks so make sure you're done before hubby gets home and starts complaining about the smell.  Just kidding!  But seriously it stinks and it's strong.
4.  VERY IMPORTANT!!! Wear gloves, don't let this stuff any where near any part of a steel sink you care about, including the little steel ring in the center of the drain.  If you do, it will be etched.  Not pretty!
5.  I found I couldn't use the stuff twice so use only what you need to cover the pieces.  I think it's because all of the ink that ends up left over.  No sure.
6.  I've read of two different ways to stop the etching effect.  Submerge the pieces in a 50/50 ratio of ammonia (very strong smell) and water and the other is to rub with baking soda.  I picked the second choice.
7.  To discard solution pour baking soda into left over etchant and when it stops bubbling mop it up with an old rag or paper towels and wrap in a plastic bag.

These are all different steps I've read in books, have researched and my own personal experience.  If you'd like to try it, do some research of your own and please be careful with these chemicals.  Use them safely and follow their instructions.

Now to show you some pieces I just made.



These earrings can be found in my Etsy store here gentlewinddesigns.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

FALL GRACE - GIVEAWAY



















Can you tell by the colors lately that I'm done with the Florida heat.  We don't have fall in Florida but I have had the opportunity to travel up north and seen the magical change in the landscape.  It's really breathtaking when you see it the first time.  I would like to give this set to one lucky winner to enjoy.  All you have to do is leave a comment for one entry, become a follower for another entry, or blog about it for another chance to win.  If you blog about it please leave your blog address.  Please no returns or exchanges on free gifts, thanks.  I will pick a winner next Monday.

Good Luck,

Raida

NEW BEADS AND EARRINGS

I've been asked at times to make my standard size lentils into petite lentils.  These are great for those of you that like smaller bracelets or would like to make earrings with them.  These little guys are approx. 14mm each.  They're listed on my Etsy shop here havanabeads.

These new earrings are made of cooper wire, textured, antiqued and buffed.  They have lovely faceted Czech glass rondelles in earthy colors.  They look so very pretty on, I really want to keep them.  I say that about everything new I make.  You can find these here gentlewinddesigns.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

ALICE ISTANBUL - BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAY

Look at this beautiful necklace made by Alice Istanbul.  To relaunch her blogspot she is giving it away to one lucky winner. Go here to enter her giveaway. istanbuldesigns

Friday, August 20, 2010

FALL PREVIEW TREASURY


Click on title and it will take you directly to the treasury on Etsy.

Look at this beautiful "FALL PREVIEW" treasury my new etched copper and lampwork earrings are in.  This Treasury was put together by JBMDesigns at Etsy.  Take a look at her store she has georgeous crystal jewelry.  I'm loving that witches brew pillow it's really cute.

Enjoy,

Raida

NEW LAMPWORK BEADS ON ETSY



















PUMPKIN PATCH - SOLD

SPUNKY - SOLD

These two new sets are up in my Etsy store.  Havanabeads  Don't forget, free shipping in both my stores until Sunday, August 22.

Have a great day,

Raida



Thursday, August 19, 2010

SWEET TWEET

These sweet little beads in light blue and khaki are up in my Etsy store. havanabeads

With the disc beads that I listed recently and the little blue polka dot beads and the little sweet tweet starring at me from the bead trays I had to make something cute.  This little bracelet is listed in my Gentle Wind Designs Etsy Store.  Gentlewinddesigns

Have a great day,

Raida

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

NEW DISC BEADS

GREEN & BLACK DISC - SOLD
These beads were just added this morning.  These little disc are great to make earrings, to use in bracelets and even on necklaces as spacers.  You can even dangle them on a necklace for a fun and colorful design.  You can find these at Havanabeads

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

SOME NEW BEADS ON ETSY

WOODSTOCK - SOLD
Here are some pictures of new spacer beads I just listed on Etsy. Havanabeads.  I'm working on some disc sets which I'll have listed hopefully by tomorrow morning so come back and check them out.  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a lampwork button.  See post below.

Have a great day!

Raida

Monday, August 16, 2010

NEW BUTTON CLASP BEADS


Here are three more of the button clasp that I will be listing on Etsy this morning.  These have a 4mm hole in the back that can accommodate size 8 sead beads, leather, ribbon and thick wire.  Don't forget to see previous post for a chance to win a botton clasp.Havana Beads

Have a great day,

Raida

Sunday, August 15, 2010

FANCIFUL DEVICES - YEAH!!!




I have been remiss in posting pictures of the fabulous array of ephemera sent to me by the marvelous Marina aka Fanciful at Fanciful Devices. fancifuldevices  A couple of weeks ago she was giving away ephemera just for the asking, and of course I asked.  After drooling over her beautiful creations for months I said definitely!  You have to go over to her blog and check out her jewelry.  It's like you were just transported to another time and place.  I'm going to have to dig out my soldering equipment and get to work.  Check out her blog here. Fanciful Devices. You can go to her Etsy store from there.  These are just a couple of pictures of the things she sent me.

Friday, August 13, 2010

NEW BRACELET / FREE SHIPPING BOTH STORES



This is a new bracelet I worked on today "Natures Way".  I added earthy ceramic beads, lampwork discs, a cinnabar bead, glass seed beads and antiqued brass.  Check out both my stores for free shipping through August 22. gentlewinddesignshavanabeads

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Raida

Thursday, August 12, 2010

SOME NEW BEADS


Large Hole Bead Flower - SOLD




I've had quite the crazy week and haven't been able to list new beads.  I got these two sets and this focal bead ready and I'll be listing them in a little while on havanabeads.Havanabeads

I'm working on a tutorial for a magazine and I've been busy making sure every step is explained properly and I have all the supplies and materials included.  Can't put pictures up yet, but I'll let you guys know as soon as the magazine is out.

Have yourselves a wonderful day,

Raida