Ten Dollar Gift Cards for Ten People!

I am sure many of you are rushing around because time is running out and you still got all these family and friends on your list and you need to buy them gifts, and the weather is awful, and how can you get to the malls, and what can you get them???

Well, here is one way to get 10 people off your list and its free and you can do it at your computer in your PJs, while sipping a cup of hot chocolate, hot tea, hot coffee, red wine, whatever your beverage of choice!

Have I got your attention?

But there is just one catch!

You need to be an Artbeads.com customer!

If you are a beader and you are reading this, the chances are you have shopped at Artbeads.com.

But wait there is more... you have only till Wednesday December 22, 2010 to get the names and addresses of your 10 people to Artbeads.com and the gift cards must be used by February 29, 2011.

Artbeads will use This information will only be used to fulfill your free gift card requests. They will not sell or distribute any of this information nor will anyone be automatically placed on any of their email newsletter or marketing lists.


Thank you, Artbeads that is very important to us.

The Beauty of Spring continues to unfold...

I continue the celebration of Spring (and the end of the tax season!) with my bouquet of Swarovski Elements Flowers that I received from Artbeads.com as part of their 'Beauty of Spring' design campaign. I have noticed that many beaders have used and written about these beautiful delicate flowers.

I received a pair each of Jonquil (yellow), Aquamarine (blue), Light Rose (pink) and Violet (purple) flowers. These five petaled crystals have their hole drilled slightly off center and so perfectly dangle when threaded or wire-wrapped.
What better way to use this perfect posy, than a pair of spring hoop earrings.

To the flowers I added leafy green Peridot Swarovski Crystallized Elements Roundelles and a brightly colored Fuchsia butterfly also from the Swarovski Crystallized Elements collection.  Oh so pretty! The crystal flowers are lightweight and come in a variety of colors, perfect for earrings and other delicate designs. Think of the sparkle the clear or AB Crystal flowers would add to any bridal design... I see endless possibilities.

Talking of this being the end of the tax season and everyone breathing a collective sigh of relief, check out the Tax Relief Sale now on at Artbeads.com. Hurry to make your pick from the storewide selection. Sale ends April 22, 2010.

Check out my previous 'Beauty of Spring' design and watch for more Spring delights. Also take a look at the more than 200 jewelry designs by fellow beaders all celebrating the joy of Spring.

Disclosure: Some of the beads described above I have received free of charge from Artbeads.com.

I have been asked to review these beads/supplies and give my honest opinion of them.  I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my endorsement of any of the products received and reviewed in my blog postings.

May You Always Have Enough...

A friend at work sent me this poem today, and I want to share it with all my friends, my fellow beaders, my neighbors on Ruby Lane and everyone who stops by for a visit.

I do not know who wrote this poem or the origin of it, if you do please let me know.

May you always have enough...

Happiness to keep you sweet,

Trials to keep you strong,

Sorrows to keep you human,

Hope to keep you happy,

Failure to keep you humble,

Success to keep you eager,

Friends to give you comfort,

Wealth to meet your needs,

Enthusiasm to look for tomorrow,

Faith to banish depression,

Determination to make each day,

Better than the day before.

Wishing you all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2010.

Happy Beading!

The Color of 2010 - TURQUOISE

This posting is being written with family and friends in mind, including clients of Sundancegems and fellow bloggers, who live between W. Virginia and Maine, and are dealing with what the weathermen (and women) are referring to as the 'Blizzard of 2009'. As you look out the window let your mind wander to tropical shores, sultry breezes and swaying palms to warm your heart and body.

I was first introduced to Margie Deeb's work by Pearl in her posting about the Fall/Winter 2009 Color Report. ( www.beadinggem.com/2009/10/review-2009-fallwinter-color-report-for.html ). Margie Deeb specializes in color for bead artists. Her book The Beader's Color Palette has received many rave reviews and was voted the Best How-to Craft Book of 2009 ( http://colorforbeadartists.com ). I must confess I have not read the book, but I have just added it to my wish list. Visiting Margie's website this morning, I learnt the the 2010 Color of the Year is Turquoise. This color was chosen by Pantone  ( http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx ) a world-renowned authority on color. According to their website they inspire design professionals with products, services and the latest in technology for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. The Turquoise color they have chosen is not the familiar blue, but the blue-green.  They tell us that the color was chosen, because it invokes "inspiring thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being".

Turquoise is one of my favorite gemstones, and nothing compares with natural genuine Turquoise. The key to purchasing genuine Turquoise is to deal with venders that you know and trust. I always sacrifice a bead from a strand of Turquoise I have purchased to break/cut in it to determine if it is really the real thing and not dyed. So many gemstones, such as Howlite and Magnesite are colored to resemble and even sell as Turquoise, and it is not easy to visually tell them apart. Currently I have three items displayed for sale in my shop that feature beautiful tropical Turquoise. You can learn more about these pieces by visiting Sundancegems at Ruby Lane www.sundancegems.rubylane.com .

Turquoise with Bird and Nest Bracelet

 (http://www.rubylane.com/shops/sundancegems/item/RMS4611 )

American Turquoise Nuggets Necklace and Earrings Set in Sterling Silver

( http://www.rubylane.com/shops/sundancegems/item/RMS4498 )

Turquoise and Sterling Silver Hammered oval chain Necklace with Bird Charm and Earrings

( http://www.rubylane.com/shops/sundancegems/item/RMS4606 )