Amuse Your Muse with Rebecca of Songbead

Hello ABS-ers! It's December.....I'm pretty sure I say this every month, but how on earth did that happen? How did we (almost) reach the end of 2014? I'm really not sure! I feel like I had so many more goals and accomplishments to achieve before the year's out. Well, we've got three weeks I suppose - we can still squeeze some in! 

For one reason or another, last month's holiday bead theme got cut short. Sometimes it happens like that, depending on what dates the Mondays fall on. So I thought - it's December, it's chilly, we're heading towards the holidays - be that Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, or even just downtime spent with family and friends (you can't really beat that, can you?) - let's carry on with the holiday beadzzzzzz. 

Shufflestudio

TooAquarius - These wee snowmen are full of character. 

Gaialai - Very cute, and full of colour - these dreidels are fab.

Polyclay Day OK, so this one is a necklace - but how sweet are Polyclay Day's handmade snowflake beads? I love their simplicity.

Jettabug Jewelry  - I love the particular holiday shades that Jetta has selected. What a gorgeously rich crimson red!

Now for a wee bit of housekeeping. I realised the other day that no winner had been drawn for my last Inside the Studio post. Oh no! And I certainly do NOT want the lucky winner to miss out. So I did my own little draw (with the help of random.org), and the lucky winner of two pairs of my handwoven beads is.......

Catherynne Henderson! Catherynne, email me to claim your prize and let me know which colours you'd like to receive. 

Don't forget to check out this week's Inside the Studio post for the chance to win one of Mary Harding's new silver metal toggle clasps.

And now for the BeadBlogger Links. Have a great week!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want a look at what's on Andrew's work bench? Take a peek at all the resin ornaments he has been making lately!

My New Book!
The Crafty Princess talks a little about her latest book.

Decoupage under Glass Using Holiday Theme Paper Napkins 
Use holiday-themed napkins to make inexpensive decoupage plates for display or serving.

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares a tutorial on how to make a silk flower necklace, including links to making your own silk flowers!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Elizabeth the first is the inspiration for this new necklace idea featuring vintage pink coloured pearls.

Blue Jean Baby
Cherie experiments with mixed media.

Amuse the Muse - Holiday Beads - with Rebecca of Songbead

It's Monday - it's time for your regular art beady eye candy post! Thanks to everyone for sharing your holiday bead finds - I love seeing what you stumble across during the week; finding new bead artists is always very exciting. Thanks to Liona, Colleen and Mary for this week's finds!

Odie Bell's Designs - Lampwork holly berry beads

Fire and Fibers - Snowman and Snowlady lampwork beads

Mick's Company - Hand-rolled paper beads 

Mary shared these lovely wee charms, new to her shop this week. Aren't they just gorgeous? 

Mary Harding Jewelry - Handmade Snowy Fir Tree Charms

State of Fusion - Lampwork beads in holiday colours

Midget Gem Beads - Poinsettia Christmas Beads 

Last but not least, and possibly my favourite of this week's finds - this beautifully icy heart bead. And Masque Beads are based just around the corner from me - they are also in Edinburgh! It's a small art beady world. 

Masque Beads - Sandblasted lampwork snowflake heart

Remember to share your holiday art bead finds in the comments below! 

And now for the BeadBlogger Links:

BIG NEWS!
Andrew shares that he'll be co-teaching two classes with his sister at the Bead&Button Show 2015 in Milwaukee! Check out pictures of their class samples!

Peace I Leave With You
Cherie reflects on John 14:27 and the topic of peace.

Bears, Bunnies, and Birds!
Enjoy some cute amigurumi goodness with episode 8 of Crafty Princess Diaries Podcast. 

Personalized Thanksgiving Clothespin Magnets 
Use these cute clothespins as place cards for the kids at Thanksgiving dinner or clip them to gift cards or a few photos of each child. After Thanksgiving, the kids can use them to post their artwork on a magnet board or refrigerator or just hold papers together.

Carmi's Art/Life World
The Happy Flappers Necklace with Fabric by Kelly Panacci features a new fabric line!

Beading Arts
Cyndi starts a two-part series on how to make some beautiful pleated shibori silk ribbon flowers!

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in Edinburgh, capital of her native land. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.

Amuse your muse - Holiday Beads - with Rebecca of Songbead

I'm back! Thank you so much for the superstar Tari (she's rather sassy, doncha know!) for taking over my weekly posts whilst I was away. I had a busy holiday, which included this beautiful wedding...

My brother-in-law and his now wife married on a gorgeous beach just off the coast of Florida, over two weeks ago now. It was a perfect day in every way, the weather was cool enough that we could all enjoy an evening on the beach, watching them begin this new chapter of their lives together. Am I the only one who always wells up a little at weddings? 

Anyway, it's back down to reality now - straight into the holiday season. How many craft events do you have coming up - are you exhibiting, or shopping - or both? I have five events between now and Christmas, and I am pretty sure I don't have enough stock for even the first event right now....Best get cracking! 

To help others in similar situations, I thought I'd find some holiday beads to get started. I thought about holding this theme back until December, when it's more wintery - but then, it's almost too late to shop for them, isn't it? Let's see what I found from the Art Bead Scene Team....and don't forget to leave links to your holiday beads and art beady makes in the comments below. 

Fox Winter Woodland Bead Mix Set - Humblebeads

Tiny Snowmen Charms - Humblebeads

Elf Shack House - Humblebeads

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight? - Tesori Trovati

O Tannenbaum - Limited Edition Christmas Ornament - Tesori Trovati

Crazed and Scorched ceramic bead set - or Snowballs! - Something to do beads

Tree of Life - or Winter Forest! - Ema K Designs

Winter Pinecone pendant - Mary Harding

Sweet ornaments from Tari Sasser

Share your holiday bead finds in the comments below! And good luck with preparing for your holiday craft season.

And now for the BeadBlogger Links:

Carmi's Art/Life World
Decoupage has really come along way with the addition of new tissue papers...check out this hot pink, cheetah pattern reindeer head. 

A Bead A Day
You've heard of sampler quilts and even a candy sampler, how about a Swarovski pearl sampler? Lisa was so taken with her sampler bead strand, she made it into a bracelet. 

Acrylic Paint Stamping Technique 
Pigment inks are the most common media for art stamping, but there are others. Eileen experiments with acrylic paint stamping as she starts designing her Christmas cards.

Beading Arts
Cyndi made some really fun new double-wrapped bracelets using Offray ribbon. Come see how it's done!

More Mini Canvases
Cherie plays with some mini canvases.

Rebecca is a Scottish jewellery designer; currently living in Edinburgh, capital of her native land. You can read more about her and her work at her blog, songbeads.blogspot.com and see more of her jewellery at songbead.etsy.com. She also has a supplies shop at thecuriousbeadshop.etsy.com.