The Hive

I am pleased to announce that Elan Studios hand-beaded jewelry is now available at the boutique located in THE HIVE Waxing Salon in Encinitas, CA.

Amanda Maxwell is the new owner of the Salon, and has the cutest assortment of fashion goodies for sale in the boutique, in addition to the services that they perform at the salon. (Ever hear of a "Fun Betty?" I hadn't til I went there.) Amanda and her mom discovered my work at one of the springtime jewelry shows I had at the Carlsbad Inn and they both fell in love with my beadwork. The HIVE now carries beaded earrings and bracelets in fun, summertime colors.

Check out their website at TheHiveWaxingSalon.com and go visit them sometime!

Spring Shows

I had two springtime shows in April at the resort in Carlsbad where I have shown my work before. It is a hotel and timeshare resort, right by the beach, with a vibrant and ever-changing clientele. The guests come from all over the place, and I enjoy meeting them and having a chat. It seems that the winter holidays bring more foreign visitors and people from northern climates whereas the springtime holidays appear to pull in just about anyone, including locals who come to use the resort facilities just for the day.

We had a gorgeous, warm day today, and I had brought all the pale and pastel beaded jewelry that I had to display. It made a nice statement, as my table was set up in the lobby, and the Easter-like colors stood out against the orange and brown and white decor.

I also had the good fortune to meet a potential wholesale client and will follow up with her next week. Mumms the word on that right now, but will keep you posted.

Now off to bead a special order bracelet to go with the necklace one of my clients purchased today.

Facebook Forgiveness

So I have been paying a lot more attention to my Elan Studios Facebook site than I have to my Beads, Beads, Beads Blog site since last summer. Really shouldn't do that as I reach a different audience through the Blog.

I am starting preparations to open an Etsy shop sometime soon. Thanks to a very cool tutorial on La Bella Joya's blog, I learned how to make a banner for my web shop. First one is very basic:

Maybe a few more tries before I get it right, and then I will take the plunge. I have some new beaded earrings that will go on that site right away (unless they are sold to a blog-reader or FB fan first), so take a peek on my Facebook page to see them. (I have still not mastered the skill of inserting photos where I want them to be on this darn blog.)

Bead and Button Show

All I can say is I am already starting to save $$ for next year's show. I was inspired, entertained, creatively challenged, productive, and worn out by the end. I met some great people and saw some amazing beadwork. If you are a bead addict like me, do plan on attending this show and taking classes, if you can afford them.

Off to The Bead and Button Show

I am so jazzed. Last week I bit the bullet and booked a flight to Milwaukee for the Bead and Button Show this month. I used to go to this event back when it was called Embellishment, and was usually held in Texas or Oregon. I haven't been since the 1990s and am very excited to go again. It is sponsored by the Bead and Button Magazine, hence the name of the show.

My goal in attending this show is to be inspired. Not that I'm not already, what with all the talent and creativity on the internet, but to be awed by what I see in person. I also want to make new friends who share my passion. New Bead Buddies...

There will be an exhibit, Bead Dreams, of a juried competition of bead artistry from around the world. They have categories of Seed Bead Jewelry (my favorite), Crystal Jewelry, Finished Jewelry, Wirework, Handmade Buttons and Beads, Metal Clay, Polymer Clay, Non-Jewelry Objects or Accessories, and Lampwork items.

There will be a Marketplace with hundreds of booths, selling everything from beads and buttons to tools and books and anything related to making jewelry. I don't really need a darn thing (thanks to Tucson) but will just browse for anything that strikes my fancy and gives me an idea.

If anyone who happens to read this post also happens to be going to the show, please, please drop me a line. I would love to meet more beaders from anywhere.

Another Bead Buddy

A week ago I went to another Beadwork Meetup and saw fellow seed-beader Doreen. She does exquisite work and inspires me. (She has beaded miniature teapots and wedding cakes, among other things!)

I scooped up the items she had brought to show that day and took a quick picture. Here they are.

She made the bracelet that you see in the magazine picture (green, center), and several others using seed beads. You can also see a little vessel she made (above the bangle), and there were two 3-dimensional pendants, too. I was in awe.

Here she is.

Doreen

Instant Fashion

I did something this weekend that I used to do all the time but have not been in the habit for a while. I bought a new shirt and came home and made jewelry to match, the same day. That used to be the norm for me. Shop. Bead. Wear proudly. But not lately. So, maybe this is the beginning of a new trend for me. (I hope.)

It is a sunwashed tee, with a graphic and little copper studs on the front. I was showing my hubby a different necklace I had made last week and he suggested I make one to match this shirt. So here it is! Yellow jade nugget, copper chain, assorted glass beads dangling from the lower chains, and a springy pair of earrings to match. I think I'll wear them tomorrow. :-)