Black Friday Sale and a GIVEAWAY!

Click to visit Sea Chelles Design Etsy Shop

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The largest Artisan shopping event
for Cyber Week...Ever!! 

Click here to view the Artisan Whimsy 2012 collection

 
It starts this Friday

Nov. 23rd through Nov 30th

All participating jewelry designers will be offering a discount on their stores &

will be promoting a giveaway.  
Winners will be chosen individually by the blog owners.

For event wide discount code use: AWHOLIDAY

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Earring Giveaway!

These earrings feature beautiful Blue Kyanite gemstones and Swarovski Crystals in blue and brown. Measuring about two and a quarter inches long and finished with silver earring hooks.

To enter: Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight November 30th. Be sure to leave a contact email/link. One entry per person. Value of $32.00

CLOSED

2012 Holiday Jewelry Designers Collections

1. Ema Kilroy  2. Cynthia @ Antiquity Travelers  3. re-maker  4. Gail Accinelli  5. Melinda Orr Designs & Bandana Girl Jewelry  6. Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry  7. Linda Younkman  8. Lisa Lodge (Pine Ridge Treasures Jewelry)  9. Whimsical Monkey  10. BrisingBeads Designs  11. Vonna Maslanka (justvonna)  12. Goldkisses Art  13. Alicia  14. Kashmira (Sadafulee)  15. Donna Bradley  16. Lisa Liddy (Metal Me This)  17. Linda Landig Jewelry - Etsy  18. Linda Landig Jewelry - ArtFire  19. Priyanka Alva  20. Tammie Everly  21. Michelle Buettner - MiShel Designs  22. Chandra (Juniper Goods)  23. Sharyl McMillian-Nelson (Sharyl's Jewelry)  24. Collette Collins  25. Francesca Watson Designs  26. Rochelle M. Brisson (Sea Chelles Design)  27. Shelley Graham Turner  28. Claire Lockwood  29. Aimee Biondolillo  30. KristiBowmanDesign  31. Sheila Davis  32. Sela Designs - Ashleigh Becker  33. Emma Todd (A Polymer Penchant)  34. Carolyn Collins  35. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Visit these participating Component Designer stores for great discounts!!! 

1. Lea Avroch  2. Marti Conrad  3. Ema Kilroy  4. Susan Kennedy  5. Natalie McKenna (Grubbi)  6. Metal Me This  7. Claire Lockwood  8. Kristi Bowman Design  9. Emma Todd (A Polymer Penchant)  10. Carolyn Collins  11. Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry  12. Marsha Neal Studio  13. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Class in a Box: A Prima Bead Review

As you may remember, I was recently contacted by the Prima Bead company, sent a great 'Class in a Box' gift and asked to write a review here on my blog.

I have to admit that a kit with predetermined designs was not what I had in mind when I received my gift. After all, I would not consider myself a beginner, however I really do like these beads and components a lot.

I decided I wasn't going to create the designs in the instructions booklet. I wanted to use the materials as I would any other; this way I can give a real and honest opinion about the Prima Bead products. You can see the jewelry designs intended to be made from this kit above. Below is the jewelry that I have created using the same beads and components.

 Maroon glass pearls and Quartz 'icicle' beads

 Earrings with pretty bow charms and teardrop shaped links

For this necklace I used the brownish glass pearls and the heavy chain from Prima's kit. I love how this chain is two toned bronze and silver.

I still have a lot of the beads and components left over and will defiantly be posting more of my creations soon! So, how would I review this Prima Bead 'Class in a Box' product?

Here are some pros:
· An abundance of different materials to work with for a little price.
· The kit comes with a beading mat!
· The designs are current with the latest styles. You're gonna love wearing your pieces.

Here are some cons:
· I felt the tool was not the greatest, and you're going to need more than one pair of pliers.
· Plated, base metal findings. I typically prefer better quality metals, at least for the earring hooks.
· The quality, overall, is much more 'crafter' than 'artisan'

Final rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Conclusion:
While there are many great quality Prima Bead and Cousin products that I use regularly, this "Class in a Box" kit isn't something I would have purchased for myself. I think this is great for beginners or crafty people that create jewelry as a hobby.

Creamy Asparagus Tarts

I knew as soon as I had tried this recipe, that I wanted to share it with my readers. This would be great as Hors d'oeuvres for your holiday party, though I often enjoy them on the side, with a salad.

Creamy Asparagus Tarts

Ingredients:
1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough
1 pound fresh asparagus spears
3/4 package (6 ounces) Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 pinch sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Remove pastry dough from freezer and let thaw for 10 minutes.
Unfold dough onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Cut into 4 equal rectangles. Separate rectangles slightly on sheet. Wash and trim asparagus so they will fit on dough rectangles.

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped basil leaves and lemon juice.
Spread cream cheese mixture onto each of the pastry rectangles, not quite to edges.
Press 4 asparagus spears onto each rectangle, alternating directions. Sprinkle pastries with sea salt and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until pastries are golden brown.
Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and serve.

Photo Credit | Recipe Inspiration

Bead Table Wednesday

I thought I'd share a picture of my very messy desk today.

See that black tray in the back there? That is full of all miscellaneous beads that need to be sorted and put away. The clear box has all my "to be made" necklaces and bracelets, and the ice cube tray has "to be made" earrings. I clearly have to get to work!

Currently, I am...

Fall inspired designs

 

The blues-rock sounds of The Black Keys

 

Enjoying beautiful New England scenery

 Exercising my civic duty!

What's new?

A few things I've made recently...

A vintaj brass butterfly blank with the hand stamped word 'Fly' and czech glass beads create this pendant which is hung from a strand of vintage glass beads and vintaj brass chain.

Black glass and Red Malaysian Jade create bold contrast against the bright silver chain and spike beads in this bracelet.

This blue and green hued necklace and earring set features Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and glass pearl beads strung to hold a large faceted glass pendant.