Fun fact: English sailors used to avoid getting scurvy by sucking on lemons and limes (thus the derogatory name "limey"). And I avoid winter depression by squeezing them into just about anything I eat or drink. Thought you'd like to see this week's spill of Vitamin C... aren't those colors pretty on a drab winter day?

And here's this week's fill of beadblogging happenings. Check out these wonderful links...another way to avoid those gray winter weather blues:

About.com Jewelry Making: Owls are making a comeback from the 1970s and an owl charm was the inspiration for two jewelry tutorials.

Art Bead Scene: We celebrate some of our artisan bead crafters from across the pond with this treasury of UK bead artist awesomeness

Beading Arts: Cyndi works through the first steps in turning an antique key into a lampworked pendant.

 Carmi's Art/Life World: Ruby Violet necklace kits are fun and easy to work with!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles: Melanie shows off a new creation using the new Pantone Crystal Mixes from Fusion Beads

Resin Crafts!: A dollar store butterfly becomes a necklace center piece with resin!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! There is a remarkably beautiful new jewelry store on Etsy! Come read all about it, and learn who is behind it!

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Ruth Bernstein commented on 29-Feb-2012 02:44 AM

Jean, try squeezing lemon or lime juice into a baked YAM!!! I think its outa sight and is even better with a big dose of butter. Ruth in St. Paul

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Last week the folks at Interweave got a wild hair about making a video filled with "Stuff Beaders Say." I immediately jotted down about 30 lines...they flowed out so easily. I suppose that would be the case since I happen to bead (or do something concerning beads) most hours of every day.

Beadwork magazine's editor, Melinda Barta, volunteered to be the actress and did one helluva job. I wasn't in Colorado when they filmed, and Melinda added in lots and lots of her own lines, so it was a fun surprise to see the results. (I especially like the vacuum bit at the end--Melinda's brilliant touch.)

Enjoy!

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Mary commented on 29-Mar-2012 09:24 PM

omg, that is hilarious!

Heidi commented on 27-Feb-2012 04:22 PM

How funny! I laughed out loud and now the cats are giving me that "Mama's gone crazy stare" again.

Cyndi L commented on 24-Feb-2012 07:37 AM

Aaaaayup to all of it! Can I get a witness?

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Look at the tasty bit of goodies that came in the mail this week:

These findings by Becky Nunn at Nunn Design can be had at your local bead shop (Nunn Designs is a wholesaler, so you'll need to order them from your local bead shop. Click here to find a store near you).

 I'm got my eye on those big silver tube things...they'd look pretty nice wrapped with some square or peyote stitch done with Delicas. Another future project! I'll keep you apprised of my progress...

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The highlight of my week? Hands down: I taught Emma how to solder!

She had a pair of earrings that needed their jump rings closed, and so she dove right in, fixing them up herself. Way to go, daught! Double pneumonia can't get you down, girl.

Find out the week's highlights of my beadblogging friends through these links:

A Bead A Day: Lisa's sharing some extra Swarovski sparkle! You won't want to miss the glitz!

About.com Jewelry Making: This month's feature jewelry designer is Jean Campbell; read about her beading and editing life.

Art Bead Scene: Check out all the great pieces the Art Bead Scene readers made in response to last month's challenge

 Beading Arts: Nobody ever likes to talk about that necessary evil...pricing!

 Earthenwood Studio Chronicles: Melanie reveals a new bird carving that will become a new pendant design.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading going on!: Jean is so READY for Michelle Mach's Suddenly Spring Challenge! Check out the whole story!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton: Andrew announces three new limited edition components available by pre-order!

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Look what came in the mail yesterday!

I love it when Swarovski sends me their latest line of elements. Receiving this "sneak preview" box is hands-down my favorite benefit of being an Ambassador. I get to see all kinds of elements that we beaders don't usually see, like buttons, rivets, and interestingly shaped beads that aren't always at my local bead shop.

Another bonus is that I get to share them with you, too! Here's the tour:

Crystal Pearls Update String: Gemcolors

Wave Family: Wave Flat Back Hofix (2788), Wave Bead (5525), Wave Pendant (6525)

Crystal Blend: Fern Green-Topaz Blend (724), Burgundy-Blue Zircon Blend (723), Crystal Vitrail Medium P (001 VM), Oval Bead (5050)

Rose Peach (262), Crystal Rose Peach Pearl (001 674)

Column Bead (5534), Xilion Bicone Pendant (6328), Ellipse Pendant (6470)

Rhombus Flat Back Hotfix (2709), Rivoli Snowflake Fancy Stone (4747), Shell Fancy Stone (4789), Organic Oval Fancy Stone (4855)

Crystal Luminous Green (001 LUMG)

Crystal Mesh Ball (40515), Mini Rondelles (4720/101 and 4720/102)

Chessboard Family: Chessboard Decorative Button (1786/101), Chessboard Jeans Button (1796/140), Chessboard Rivet (53 600)

My favorites? Well the Crystal Luminous Green is definitely the thing I went to first. It is absolutely stunning in person! And that Rose Peach pearl is pretty delicious, too. What are your favorites?

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Kat BM commented on 08-Feb-2012 10:11 PM

the rivet! the rivet!! that is way wicked kewl.. have to be very very careful using it, but I can think of soooo many things I could do with it!! I normally do a tube rivet and then use a crystal head pin.. but this would be so much kewler!

Allie commented on 06-Feb-2012 12:43 PM

I love the fern-green/topaz blend! It's amazing how different finishes can completely change a color. E.g., I am not a big fan of plan fern green items. However, Fern AB2X? Love it! Same with this blend.

Jean Campbell commented on 06-Feb-2012 10:47 AM

Lori-that column bead is drilled across the middle. I guess I'd like to see it drilled lengthwise instead, but it's pretty nice as-is!

Lori commented on 06-Feb-2012 10:39 AM

Love that column bead! Can you tell me how it is drilled? Down the length? Across the top? the middle? Liking the new green as well, and some of the pearl gemcolors!

Kashmira commented on 06-Feb-2012 07:59 AM

Such amazing colors!!!! My favorite has to be the gem colored pearls! So sweet!

Renata commented on 04-Feb-2012 02:14 PM

I love the rose peach and the crystal rose peach pearl!

Sharon Wgner commented on 03-Feb-2012 06:55 PM

I have to agree with about the Luminous Green, particularly the button. I also really like the column bead you show. I really like that it comes in both single and two hole versions. I am vey curious to see the new blends in person, those look intriguing.

Mary A commented on 03-Feb-2012 06:46 PM

I like the gem colored pearls!

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