Sunday, July 31, 2011

SATURDAY AT AMY'S AND NEW GOODIES

I have to share the great day I had yesterday.  I went over to Amy's Beads to play with paper and resin.  I had the pleasure of spending the day with Luci our teacher and "PAPER GODDESS".  I made two pieces one with a copper heart which I warn you copper is very reactive so keep this in mind when choosing it as your base.  My paper was red and the copper turned it this beautiful blue color.  Still happy with the results.  I also made a pendant on brass with a lovely pair of birds from a very talented artist on Etsy, Art Cult.  The little butterflies are 3-D.  And last but not least my paper rose.  I don't think this is part of the class but Luci showed me how to make it anyways.  Isn't it the sweetest!

Contact Amy's at 954-530-2029 for information on this class.  I believe it's every other Saturday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Come early though, you'll need the time to pick out your components and paper and to let the pieces dry some before you take them home.

AQUARIUS

GOLDEN MEADOW

PEACHES AND CREAM

OCEAN MIST

WILDFLOWER MEADOW

NORTHERN LIGHTS

These are earrings I made with my Northern Lights Beads and some great components by Susan Lenart Kazmer

These are made with Ocean Mist and also with Susan Lenart Kazmer components.

"PLAYFUL"
I know what you're thinking, I don't make colorful beads.  Well, every once in a while I take out all the colorful rods and go at it.  This project took me a while to make and since I am more of a neutrals type of person I left it on my work table for a while before I finished it.  Could be all that bead wrapping I was dreading.  It's a long necklace and I'm sure someone will give it a great home.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

HANDS OFF!

I can't keep my fingers out of the new ceramic bead stash!  I'm in real trouble here.  Here's a little bracelet I made today with one of my ceramic links and one of my lampwork beads.  Also a new color combo in the lentil beads.



This is "Bear" he goes outside with me to take pictures of beads and jewelry every time I go outside.  Not sure what he's doing here since that pool pole isn't much of a hiding place.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

New Happenings

Last week I finally did a full load of ceramic beads in my Little Paragon kiln.  I took pictures of the beads before they went into the kiln and wrote little notes on a pad with the different glazes I used.  When they came out there were some I really liked and some where just o.k.  I took pictures of the finished beads and matched them with the pictures and the glaze information so I can repeat the good combinations.  Here's my little full kiln and some of the finished pieces.  Also some picture of new lampwork beads I posted on Havana Beads today.  Lots of pictures today.











I purchased these little tags from Office Depot and put one of my little round stickers on it and stamped them.  I used one of my little baggies to keep the card clean.  To keep the pieces in place I used these little glue dots I purchased at Michael's called Zots.  They hold the pieces in place and come right off.

I made this bracelet with some of my new ceramic links, leather and one of my lampwork beads.  I dangled one of my ceramic leaves with copper beads and a faceted blue czech glass bead.

Some new lampwork beads I posted today on Etsy.








Have a great Evening,

Raida

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

TRUNK SHOW AT AMY'S BEADS

This week has been a little crazy preparing for the trunk show at Amy's Beads this weekend.  I'm working on a new tray of 1" lentils with coordinating beads and I'd forgotten how long it takes to fill one of those trays from scratch.  I have some new ceramic beads that are going in the kiln today and will hopefully be wonderful tomorrow when they're done, fingers crossed.  Here's a little collage of some of the things I'm bringing along.  Hopefully I'll get some pictures of the new tray and some of the ceramic beads before the weekend to share.  Havana Beads and Gentle Wind Designs will be closed on Friday and Saturday this weekend for the show.  Here's the info. on the Trunk Show.

Amy's Beads
220 South University Drive
Plantation, FL  33324

Friday:  11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hope to see you there,

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Friday, July 15, 2011

New Jewelry and Fishy Beads

The clay pieces where starring at me "make something with me".  Here are a couple of pieces with my new clay links and birdies.  Also, a couple of new fishy lampwork beads.

FOREST TREASURE - New Ceramic beads, large hole lampwork beads, czech glass and beautiful hand dyed silk cord in green and hints of blue.

RUSTIC CHARM - Antiqued brass, pearls, glass beads, handmade ceramic bird, one of my handmade lampwork head pins for a little dangle.

This is "ROMEO"

This is "JULIET"

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Beautiful Bracelet Giveaway at En La Lumie're

Head on over to Cherrie's blog Enlalumiere and leave a comment for a chance to win this beautiful bracelet.  Cherrie is a wonderful jewelry designer and was also my bead soup partner this year.

Raida

Thursday, July 14, 2011

WE HAVE A WINNER

Sorry about the delay!  I've been out of Internet service since yesterday morning.  Now for the lucky winner. The winner is "Camille Grizzaffi Petrocelli".  Thanks so much to everyone who commented here and on my Facebook page, I really appreciate it.  Camille please contact me at havanabeads@yahoo.com to claim your prize. 

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New Beads on Etsy

I've been playing with glass again!  Not that I have the time, but I love to mix different types of glass to see what I get.  Not very productive when you get an ugly batch!  Not this time, I think these are keepers.  I better write down the glass combinations so I don't forget.  Unfortunately, that happens often.  What do you think of my new goodies?

OCEAN MIST - Blues, turquoise, violet and white

DEEP BLUE SEA - Amazing  blues, brown and white

TIE DYED - Blues, greens, violets, yellow ochre

Don't forget to go below and leave a comment to enter my Beach Time Giveaway.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

Thursday, July 7, 2011

BEACH TIME GIVEAWAY

Thought you guys might enjoy a Florida conch shell of your own.  I love making these shells and I'm sure you guys will think of something wonderful to make with it.  If you don't make jewelry, don't worry I'll make it into a pendant that you can wear with your favorite necklace.  Here's how to enter:

1.  Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite beach.
2.  For another chance follow my blog.  If you already follow, leave a second comment letting me know.
3   Like this giveaway on my Facebook page for another chance to win FACEBOOK LINK.
4.  Blog about it to your followers, and leave me another comment.

I will pick a winner next Wednesday evening the 13th of July.

CARAMEL CONCH SHELL

GOOD LUCK!

Raida

NEW BEADS ON ETSY

I spent a good portion of the day yesterday taking pictures and adding beads to my Havana Beads Etsy shop.  I've had some large orders from local customers that have really kept me busy lately and I'm really grateful!  I have a new size lentil focal that I think will be popular.  This lentil is larger than the standard 18-19mm for bracelets and necklaces and smaller than the focal lentil I use for my floral focal beads.  This is a 1" lentil focal bead.  Here are some pictures.

EMERALD SEAS - 1" Lentil

EMERALD SEAS - Coordinating Beads Sold Separately

MONTANA BLUE - 1" Lentil

MONTANA BLUE - Coordinating Beads - Sold Separately

WAVES - 1" Lentil 

RAINFOREST - 1" Lentil

RAINFOREST - Coordinating Beads - Sold Separately

SEASIDE DREAMS

The following three beads are all red earthen clay.  These are some of my first pieces from my new kiln.

TRINKET KEEPSAKE - CONNECTOR

WHAT A HOOT!

LITTLE BROWN BIRD

FOR YOUR LOVE - LARGE LENTIL FOCAL

DREAMS COME TRUE - LARGE LENTIL

STILL THE ONE - LARGE ROUND FOCAL

Enjoy your day,

Raida