My first stop at a Fresno bead shop

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new beads

Yeah, I meant for the title to rhyme.

Stopped by the bead store today and got a handful of cool new beads. This bead shop is in Clovis and is called Beads Etc. It is a cute little shop with lots of different kinds of beads. Lots of vintage and unique things for every beading personality. Personally, I’m a bold, funky, and retro gal. I thought the little monster beads were particularly funny. They reminded me of Russian stacking dolls. I really dig the big beads best! I met a nice lady named Aileen told me that they have several beading classes. As you probably know, I’m all about the simple project, but these bracelets and necklaces they had on display for their classes were really cool and it never hurts to learn a new technique. Also, since I’m new to the area, I would like to make some new friends and I’m hoping a creative course would be a great way to do so!

And very off subject, does anyone know about stumbleupon and how that brings you hits to your web site. I noticed a lot of hits to my trashy valentines was coming from it. I researched it a little and I get the concept of it, I just don’t know how it exactly is linking to my blog.

I’m pretty tired tonight, so this is a quickie post.

Hope you have a great day tomorrow Swellions!

Alexa

Pumpkin Jewels

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pumpkin jewels

Even though the “Biggest holiday of the year” is upon us, let’s not forget about that one that is just a few weeks away…the one where we throw our last hurrah for fall beauty!

I wanted to create a pretty pumpkin project for those of you not sure what do do with those autumn accents! Adding bling to your pumpkins is super fun and easy and something you can do in mere minutes. I did a couple different versions as you will see and here’s how to do them:

Jeweled Pumpkin Stem

Supplies:
– Mid-weight gauge wire (I used copper)
– large seed beads, crystal beads, gold spacers
– pumpkin with long stem
– round nose pliers

Instructions:
1. Cut off a piece of wire about 12” to 18” long. This will vary based on how long your stem is.
2. Create a small loop at the end of wire with round nose pliers
3. String beads randomly onto wire until desired length is achieved.
4. Make a coil at the end with the wire to finish it off.
5. Wrap it around pumpkin stem and display!

Curly Coils Pumpkin

Supplies:
– Mid-weight gauge wire (I used copper)
– large beads and charms in various sizes (I used resin pendant drop beads, large ab faceted beads, and even a heart toggle)
– ring mandrel
– round nose pliers

Instructions:
1. Cut several lengths of wire in various sizes (mine were anywher from 6” to 12” in length).
2. Coil wire ring mandrel to make long curly design. If you don’t have a ring mandrel, use your finger or a round tube (like lipstick or mascara tube).
3. Stick end of wire securely into pumpkin.
4. Place beads on ends of wire. Make small loops to hold into place if necessary. Since I created this for temporary décor, they just loosely hung on the coiled ends, kinda like ornaments on trees.

Hope you enjoyed this project and are getting inspired for the Thanksgiving days ahead!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

The best of intentions

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If you craft like I do, I’m assuming you have the best of intentions with every purchase from a craft store. You leave inspired with thoughts of that next great craft project churning in your head. Well, if you’re also like me, you find that plastic bag several months later, revealing the sad reality that you never actually accomplished that said project. Case in point:

i intend on making stuff with these

These are random things I purchased over the past couple of months from Hobby Lobby and Michaels with intentions of making stuff. I just haven’t gotten around to it. Don’t know when I will. I’m pretty sure I purchased these things cause they were 50% off or on sale. I’m such a sucker for sales and 40% off craft coupons (about the only time I actually redeem coupons)!

Anyone who comes to my house really can’t believe the amount of crap that I do have. They are always telling me that I should weed some of it out a.k.a. purge, but I can’t do that. Even with vast array of ribbons, pens, scrapbook papers, glues, glitters, paints, beads, felt, etc. there is always, always, without avail, something I have to go to the craft store for. A true crafter has stuff coming out there ears! If they are smart, they somehow find a way to organize it efficiently. I need to study up on that one! Anyway, one purchase I gave into tonight that I did not have on hand was these (I swear, I’ve been eyeing them for a year)…

I finally bought some...

I do have restraint most times when I do go to the craft store. Sometimes, believe it or not, I leave empty handed. These stamps only cost $2, but they are something I always want, but deny myself. Tonight I gave in. It’s not such a bad thing, I just need to find a cool project to use them for now.

I also walked away with this lovely magazine, Stringing. This is actually a splurge for me. I am super cheap when it comes to magazines, but the cover was just so darn pretty and there were a lot of inspiring ideas in there. I just had to get it.

stringing magazine

Yes, this is my workspace. The rug in front of the TV. It’s a mess, but how I do it. I like being able to watch something and relax in the floor. I’ve always done this since I made friendship bracelets taped to my dresser drawer. Must have been 9-10 at the time. Some habits never change.

I seriously wish I had more time to accomplish things, but I guess it’s nice to know I have a stash waiting for me if I ever want to get reinspired by one of those projects. I really need to do that, rather than spending more moolah on stuff I don’t really even have the space for! I seriously need a bigger space.

Be proud of me swellions, I ate pretty healthy today and I walked tonight. Yay. I’m not going to buy bigger pants. I’m not going to buy bigger pants!

Until tomorrow, Swellions!

Alexa

All content/photos copyright, © Alexa L. Westerfield, 2008

Feelin’ Earthy

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bracelet and earring set
Originally uploaded by swelldesigner

I just typed a long blog only to have my program lock up on me. Boo…

This is my creation for the night. I’m happy with it. The natural/earthy look came through (based on the assignment I was given by a friend). It’s nice to feel a sense of accomplishment on a project well done. I don’t know how painters do it. I like being able to whip something up in an hour, photograph it, and upload it and throw it out to the universe. Something very satisfying about that, if you ask me.

Something also very tiring about it…speaking of, I’m outtie.