Thoughts on materials...

I love going on the hunt for the "perfect" beads.  


And by "perfect", I don't mean the most expensive or, conversely, the best value (although, sometimes both have been the case).  Instead, by "perfect", I mean beads that spark my imagination.


Beads that make me dream of what they could be.


I love finding materials in places that most people don't look: old necklaces that have been discarded, beaded Christmas garlands, fossil beds at the nearby stream, even basketball nets laced with glow-in-the-dark pony beads.  


Everything has potential...  It keeps me challenged to look for beautiful things in the most unexpected places!

Sneak Preview!

While I was out of town for the holidays, I visited a most wonderful bead shop called Beadazzled.  I have memories of this store from when I was younger--when I was already in love with beads, and just learning the tools of the trade.  I was gratified to find that it was still as wonderful as I remembered it--a spectacular array of colors and textures, shinies everywhere I looked.  There were strands of beads on the wall--elegant gemstones and brilliant crystal and organic African trade beads.  There were trays of individual beads arranged by color, cases of exotic silver, displays of jewelry designed by local artists.


I could have easily spent thousands of dollars in there (ahhh, maybe one day when I win the lottery).  Still, I was well-behaved, and walked away with many new ideas and one paper bag of purchases.

So, what's in the bag?

Behold!  My pile of goodies!

So, tonight, I made the first thing using the beads that I purchased at Beadazzled.  Using czech glass, Serpentine, and a ceramic bead, I created:

The Petroglyph Necklace

I bought enough supplies to make two of these beauties--one for me, and one to sell.  I'm also hatching a plan for matching hairsticks and earrings.  I'm also still plotting out a story for this, so it will probably be a week before it gets posted on my store.  Still!  Keep a lookout for it...  and more to come!  Ah, the wonders of Christmas bead shopping.  *dances*

~~ END OF 2009 SALE! ~~

Today, I am happy to announce my end of the year sale!  From now until January 2nd, select earrings will be 20% off.  


Which earrings?  Earrings like these:

Bumble Berries

Fair Lady of the Mountains

Ocean Dreaming

The Three Rogues - Ninalyra

For more, go to the Sale Section at my store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anafiassa?section_id=6664437


Enjoy!

After a long hiatus...

You may be wondering: where, oh where, have I been?

Then again, you may not have even noticed I was gone.

Whatever the case, I'm going to tell you anyway (it is my blog, after all).

Some major things have happened in the months since I last posted. My best friend moved to town, and is currently staying with my husband and me. Major pieces of furniture have been purchased, and subsequently our apartment is undergoing reorganizing (including my crafting area, which has enveloped a majority of the dining room table). My husband and I celebrated our first year anniversary. I once again won National Novel Writing Month, writing over 50,000 words in one month. The holiday season descended with dozens of cookies and presents and numerous trips to bead stores.

And I have been making lots of beautiful things. Beautiful things that I hope to post here soon. Keep on the lookout! 2010 promises to be an exciting year... I can't wait!