LABOR DAY WEEKEND SALE

Both stores have sales this week, including Labor Day.  For lampwork and ceramic beads head over to Havana Beads and use code: "LABORDAY11" in the little blue box when checking out to get 15% off entire order.  For handmade jewelry head over to Gentle Wind Designs and use code: "LABORDAY11" in the little blue box at check out to get 10% off entire order.  Here are some pictures of new items in the stores.  By these colors, I'm obviously in Fall mode.

AUTUMN DROPS - Head Pins

AUTUMN SPLENDOR

PEACH SANGRIA

I'll have to dream of fall since we don't see much difference between summer and fall in South Florida.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

P.S. - Don't forget to enter my "freaky beads" contest below.  Winner will be announced tomorrow tonight.

FREAKY BEADS - AND A GIVEAWAY

Last week I purchased a bag of "Freaky Beads".  The look of the beads themselves aren't freaky, I'm the one freaking out.  The purchase of these beads went like this.

Excuse me sir, how much is that small bag of beads, $$$$. 
I look at them a little closer.  They're really organic looking, really cool and old looking.  They look like wood.
Excuse me sir, what are these made of; are they wood?
They're bone.
I gasp. All of them!
Yes, and I have a way bigger bag of them. Would you like to see it.
That's o.k.  I walk away.
Can't stop thinking of those beads, they're so cool. I'm thinking of things to make with them.
I inch my way back down his table.
O.k. can I see the big bag.

So to understand why I'm freaking out you have to know me a little better.  For the past three years I've been trying not to eat meat.  I did really good for over a year and only ate seafood and veggies.  That was a start.  But little by little chicken and turkey have started to appear in the evening menu.  I'm trying.

So here are some pictures of my large bag of "Freaky Beads".

Earrings I made with my "Freaky Beads"

I took a handful and put them in a baggie to give away.  If you would like to share some of my "Freaky Beads" let me know what are the strangest beads you've ever purchased.  I will pick a random winner on Friday night.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

LABOR DAY SALE!

Labor Day Sale all week at Havana Beads.  I have soooo many beads its time to have a good long sale for my wonderful customers.  I'll keep adding beads all week so check back often.  Here are some new beads I added recently.

PRALINE SWIRL

VIOLET MEADOW

SEASHORE DREAMS

FALL LEAVES

VIOLET MEADOW LEAF

ROLLING BROOK

For my East Coast Friends going through Hurricane Irene, please stay safe!

Enjoy your day,

Raida

BEAD SOUP BEADS SENT TO MY PARTNER

My blog hop partner Rebecca of Artybecca has now received the beads I made for her for the Blog Hop Party.  Here are a couple of pictures of the beads I sent her.

I made a large focal with transparent and silvered glass and added coordinating beads to match.  I included a black hand dyed silk cord, picasso finished czech glass beads and my own handmade sterling silver clasp.  See previous post for the beads Rebecca sent me.

Enjoy your day,

Raida

LOTS OF PICTURES - BEFORE HURRICANE IRENE PASSES THROUGH

First I want to thank all the wonderful ladies that came by my booth this past weekend in Georgia.  You made me feel so welcome and I really appreciate it.  Southern hospitality at its best!

I finally made it outside to take pictures of the beautiful beads my blog hop partner Rebecca of artybecca sent me.  Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene is sending some heavy winds and rain our way so not much sun to take good pics.  Here are my amazing Blog Hop beads.

POLYMER CLAY BEADS BY REBECCA OF ARTYBECCA

Some new ceramic and lampwork beads I posted on Etsy.  Some of the ceramic beads have a couple of different styles and colors so check the Etsy store for more pictures.

RUSTIC BLUE BEE

BEE TRUE

New necklace on Gentle Wind Designs with my Bee Ceramic Pendant.  I was inspired to make this necklace by Cherrie Fink's necklace "Sedona Swag" featured in this months Stringing Magazine.  Cherrie was my Blog Hop Partner on the last Blog Hop Lori had and we've kept in touch and developed a long distance friendship.  Check out her blog at En Lalumie're to see her necklace and all of her beautiful jewelry pieces.

PISTACHIO BUTTERFLY

ANTIQUE ROSE BUTTERFLY

TENDER HEART

ADOBE TREASURE

ALASKA LANDSCAPE

TEAL ELEGANCE

JUST FOR YOU

DREAMING OF YOU

OCEAN TREASURE 1" LENTIL

SEA SPRAY

OCEAN TREASURE SPACERS

LITTLE GHOST

REMEMBERING YOU

OUT ON A LIMB

BLUE VINTAGE ROSE

MARIGOLDS TOGGLE/CONNECTOR

Well that's all for today.

Raida

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

I'm headed for Georgia!  I'm so excited to be doing the Intergalactic Bead show in Georgia this coming weekend.  Here's the info.

Saturday, August 20 and
Sunday, August 21st

Gwinnett Center
6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Duluth, GA 30097
 
10:00 a..m. - 5 p.m. each day
 
$2.00 Admission Discount Coupon
 
I hope peaches are still in season.  My husband and I have a great place in Lizella that makes the most wonderful peach ice cream.  I'll take some pictures when I'm there.
 
If you're in Geogia come by my booth and say hello, I'd love to meet you.
 
Enjoy your day,
 
Raida

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY PARTNER

My partner for the bead soup swap is the wonderful polymer clay artist Rebecca Watkins of artybecca or Artybecca on Etsy.  She makes the most amazing polymer clay beads.  Can't tell you much about the beads I sent her since they are in transit.  But I'll tell you it's one of my favorite style of beads to make.  Once she receives them I'll post pictures of the beads I sent and the ones I received.

Mini Pumpkins - Earring Pair

Little Mummies - Earring Pair

Enjoy your day,

Raida