Sale is over!

Thank you, everyone, for looking!

(And don't worry, 2010 will be full of new promotions and deals...  I have an entire book full of ideas!)

Proof that I did go to Beadazzled...

Remember when I posted about going to Beadazzled over the holidays?  I just remembered that my mother documented the trip with a photo.  So, behold--it really did happen!  

Me, Surrounded by Amazing Wonderful Beads (tm)

There really were beads everywhere.  *wistful sigh*  I will go back, I'm sure...  until then, I will content myself with enjoying the beads that I purchased there.  (Which, I did more of today, I might add.  Overall, I was extremely productive, and I am excited to take pictures and post some things here.)

Also, for fun, here are pictures of the dragon that my mother bought for me on that same shopping trip (not from Beadazzled).  Woo for early birthday presents! 

My Dragon, Looking Studious

My Dragon, Riding on the Way Back Home

It really was a beautiful time...  A chance to just remember that the world is a beautiful place, filled with beautiful (and shiny!) things.

Happy New Year!

It has been a beautiful day--full of resting and beading, taking the time to nap and work on a custom order for someone at work (pictures may be forthcoming).


This is the time of year that people often reflect on the year past, and create goals and plans for the year to come.  I did most of that yesterday...  Today, I am just happy to sit still and be at peace.


Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope that it is full of lovely and beautiful things to come.

Showcase Time!

One of my items is featured in the Gift Guides Showcase today!  Whee!  Can you guess which one it is? (Hint: there is an ever-so-subtle black box surrounding it.)

That's right!  It's this one!

Those are my Coffee and Cream earrings, found here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26534678...  They are on sale until tomorrow, so get them while the getting is good!


Yes, it's shameless self-promotion...  but I am very fond of these earrings, and I want them to find a good home.

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!