HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR

Thought I'd share a sweet picture of my Miniature Schnauzer "BEAR",  today is his 9th Birthday.  Bear's my little companion when I'm at home working on my ceramic beads, jewelry and on the computer.  You can usually find him under my chair or sometimes laying on my feet!  I don't take him to the studio with me because I'm worried about the propane fumes and I think he would be bothered by all the noise my equipment makes.  It's great to come home after working and have him waiting for me at the door wagging his little tail.

Happy Birthday "Bear"

Every season I head over to Pantone Fashion Color to get a little inspiration.  Pantone has the new Colors of Fall on their website.  I try to take as many colors as I can and make beads inspired by those colors.

Here are the new colors of Fall 2012.

You'll be seeing some of these colors in the coming weeks!

Enjoy your day,

Raida

SOME NEW GOODIES AND A GIVEAWAY

This week has been slow for new beads.  I've been working on some large orders for customers getting a head start on their creations for the holidays.  Thank goodness!  Well here are the new goodies on Etsy.

Light and Dark Lavender "Puffy Heart Head Pins"

Aqua and Lavender "Puffy Heart Head Pins"

Have you seen the beautiful necklace Martha Thomas has featured in this months Fall issue of Stringing.  It has my little Acorn as a focal bead and some of my "Sahara" Beads.

Black Raku Sparkle Regaliz Slider Bead

Here's what it looks like on leather.

"GIVEAWAY"

Now for the GIVEAWAY!  Of course I made an extra set of heart head pins for you guys.  Leave a comment for a chance to win a pair of my new Aqua and Lavender PUFFY HEART Head pins.  I will pick a winner next Wednesday evening, August 22 by random.org.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

NEW GOODIES ON ETSY

I've been working on a couple of little projects this week that I'd like to share with you.  First up are the extra long brass and copper cones that we have all purchased millions, haven't we?  Well I thought they were kind of cool so I purchased 12 brass and 12 copper.  I have to confess I've had them for a while and really didn't have any idea what to make with them.  So I was playing with the brass ones the other day and thought I'd make a stamen type head pin to use with one of the millions of plastic flowers I own.  I know you have those too, don't you?  Well here are some earrings I made.

This is the set listed on Etsy.  I made these with brass instead of the usual copper to match the cones.

New Rose Petal Sparkle Headpins

While I was on a flower roll I made these little guys and finished them with a little piece of Sari ribbon.

I used my Fossilized Sand headpins to make these.  I purchased the little spirals from a store that is no longer open but I know I've seen them on-line somewhere.  If you've seen them can you let me know, please!

These are "Praline"  I used these to make my necklace "Soar" in Bead Trends this month.

New large hole beads.  These have a 5mm hole.  Great if you have Pandora, Biagi, Troll or even if you just want to string them on a chain or even earring hoops.

These are "Fossilized Seaside" similar to the ones I used in my "Deep Blue Sea" necklace in Bead Trends this month.  The only difference is these have more of a barrel shape to them.

New Wildflower pair

Thanks for coming by,

Enjoy your day,

Raida

NEW CERAMIC BEADS

I love the excitement when you first open the kiln and you see all your glazed pieces still hanging on their hooks without any of them sticking to each other or laying on the floor of the kiln.  It's a good day!  Here are some of the new goodies I just posted this morning on Etsy.

Bead Cones

The seahorse are live size pendants.  They look great on a long necklace.

This was also taken from a small live size starfish.

These are nice and chunky beads.  You can see them in my hand below, yummy!

ENJOY YOUR DAY,

RAIDA

BEADS, BAUBLES & JEWELS

I was visiting some of my favorite blogs today and happen upon Beads, Baubles & Jewels' blog.  This is a great show on T.V. with wonderful beading ideas and special guests.  The only problem is it's never available through my cable provider.  Well now they will be posting the shows right on their blog so you can see them each week.  Cool!  Here's the link to their blog Beads, Baubles and Jewels.

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Raida

BEAD TRENDS AUGUST - DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT

This is a very special Bead Trends issue for me.  I was chosen to be the Designer Highlight this month.  I can't tell you how honored I am.  To be chosen among all the wonderful designers that fill this magazine each month is truly an honor.  My friend Cherrie Fick also has three beautiful pieces using my lampwork beads and head pins.  Head over to her beautiful blog Enlalumiere to check those out.  Here are some beautiful pictures from the magazine.

This is my picture which gives you a closer look of the focal bead.

I couldn't help myself with this one.  I love cherries and August is always the time to enjoy them.

Hope you enjoyed my creations.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

WE HAVE A WINNER!

First, I'd like to thank all of my blog visitors for coming by and leaving a comment.  Random.org has picked #1, Sherri Stokey.  Please email me at havanabeads@yahoo.com with your address so I can send you your Sparkle Flower Head Pins.  Congratulations!

Enjoy you day,

Raida