Texas Toast

We have been in Round Top Texas for the last 4 days and it is just a tad toasty...it is sooooooooo HOT with temps over 100 each day!! I do not tolerate the heat so well, so to be out and about in this heat is just wearing me out! On the flip side of my whining I must say I have made some wonderful purchases! I am so pleased with the the show here in Round Top. It is more than just the show, its the Texas hospitality, all the cowboy "flavor" (yum) that I just love! Sheriffs on horseback, the western apparel and don't forget the long horns!

 My honey's name is Ed so this just caught my eye...how sweet is that! Unfortunately when I went back to buy the book is was sold.

Texas is in dire need of some rain, the pastures are all burnt up and the ponds are all dry and cracked. One rancher said today his yard had cracks so big his cats were falling in them! Yesterday we did get a few raindrops but it never really amounted to much in this area. Pray for Texas!

I have lots more pictures to share but Wifi is hard to find and very slow so uploading pictures takes forever. Hopefully tomorrow I can post them. I will leave you with these great pictures.

Birds of a Feather

 Birds of a Feather on Etsy

Yes, I know it is rather a predictable name for this bracelet but it required no thinking! I have no time to think about anything but my trip to TEXAS! I am leaving in the morning for Round Top to attend one of the biggest, baddest antique shows in the country. My heart is all a flutter at all of the cool things I will see! 

 These are all packed.....

...even if I do not wear them they are going. How can I go to Texas without my boots! 

I will be keeping you informed about the show as I have a VIB (very important blogger) pass from the Marburger Farm Show. I can't wait to share with you all that the shows have to offer. 

 See you in...

Creative Jewelry

I am excited to say that I have two pieces in  Creative Jewelry. This is interweaves 10th edition and it is filled with 130 wonderful jewelry projects!

Unlock Your Dreams

can be found on page 76

this piece is created with an antique brass cabochon pin, lampwork beads from Beingbeads.etsy, lapis and antique watch fob chain.

Glory Be

you can find this piece on page 116

Etched, hand stamped copper is the background for the metal cross, along with wire wrapped hematite beads, matte Czech glass spacers, rhinestone roundels and repousee copper beads.

I am still struggling to see all the wonderful creations made for the Bead Soup Party. I say struggle because of the blogger issues I continue to have. It seems I can comment on blogs via the comment link on my email but can not comment directly on the blog without Mozilla shutting off. It is most frustrating, especially when I have written a comment only to loose it.

Blog Partay!

 Welcome and thanks for stopping by!

  Today is the day! 362 folks from all over the country are paticipating in this bead soup blog party, Just a few weeks ago each person listed below received a nice little package of beads in the mail. We were paired randomly with a partner to whom you had to send a focal, a clasp and some accent beads, one of the rules was you had to use the focal and clasp. This is what I received from my partner Karen Sinowski.

Karen created some beautiful lampwork beads in a variety of sizes. She also included some swarovski crystals, sterling Hill Tribe spacers, some sterling charms she made and a metal 4 hole clasp.

When I sat down to my work table I started on a simple wire wrapped necklace, I felt bored by it and could not figure how to incorporate the 4 holed clasp. I struggled and struggled...the sun went down and came back up. I finally just put some of the elements aside and decided to just focus on a few of the beads and made a multi layer long necklace.

I used several different styles of vintage chain and created a leather link to compliment the dark brown in the beads.

Here is the clasp that talked back and gave me all the trouble. Vintage lightweight steel chain solved my problem, perfect size without the heavy weighed down feeling.

 You can find the list of participants on our Hostess Lori Anderson's blog. Thanks Lori for another fantastic party!

VIB Countdown

This "Very Important Blogger" (huh, who does she think she is...)

is so very excited to be counting down for my trip to Round Top Texas.  I have never been and look forward to going to one of the biggest Antique Fairs in the country.

The fires in Texas are miles from Round Top and are being contained, the weather is cooling off so It is looking good!  While in Round Top I will be going to the Marburger Farm Antique Show and  will be blogging on site. A VIB  package is available to bloggers so that they may keep their readers up to date on the show. Participation includes free admission with press badges, complimentary t shirt and swag bag. Free wifi is available on the show field. How cool is that?

           Now I am off to get ready for tomorrow...the biggest, baddest blog bead party in blog land!

                                                                   See ya tomorrow!



Countdown to Bead Soup

I can't believe the 17th is just a few days away and the Bead Soup Blog Party will begin! With 362 participants from all over the world this has turned into quite the international event. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is our hostess and event planner for this event, she does a wonderful job organizing everything and surely deserves a round of applause!

I finished my piece ahead of schedule which is rare for me. I found this swap quite a challenge, I know that is what this swap is all about, but I must say I did struggle and had a few choice words to say along the creating process. I will let you know on Saturday why I was so challenged. I was paired with Karen Sinkowski a new blogger and lampwork artist. She is so enthusiastic about this party and I just can't wait to see what she creates with what I sent her.

Pile of trinkets and a winner

I always like to save the best for last, so first let me share with you this little pile of trinkets I purchased at the antique shop. I am lucky to know a dealer that gets the best antique early jewelry odds and ends and calls me when she is coming up to the shop, (she's coming tomorrow, yay!)These little odds and ends are perfect for my jewelry designs. Some of you may look at this little pile and think what the heck is she going to do with those? That little pile is my piece of heaven!

 Here are a few of the pieces I created using some of the elements from the above pictures.

Vintage Eagle Medallion on Etsy

Victorian cuff link used as a connector (check out the tiny shamrocks on it)

Victorian Sway Assemblage Necklace

and now the best for last...

the winner of the $25 certificate for Vistaprint is..

Beadroe

The day our world changed

 It is as somber day filled with remembering and sadness  9/11/01....the day the world changed. Do you remember what you were doing at 8:46 and 9:02 am ten years ago?...I know I remember it like yesterday.

"For me and my family personally, September 11 was a reminder that life is fleeting, impermanent, and uncertain. Therefore, we must make use of every moment and nurture it with affection, tenderness, beauty, creativity, and laughter." -Deepak Chopra, M.D.

Vintage Button Earrings

I could not resist working with these vintage glass buttons, even though the buttons seem a bit like spring, I think the earrings would pair nicely with warmer fall clothes.

The red Czech glass beads are so deep in color and I especially love the picasso finish on them.

You can find these on Etsy

Is anyone else having issues with blogger? It has become very fustrating. I still am having a problem posting comments and can not access blogger from Moxilla Firefox. uggghhh!

I am having a super giveaway this week a $25 certificate for printing at Vistaprint.

 Be sure to enter here!

$25 Vistaprint Giveaway

As a special thanks to all of my wonderful blog followers I have a great giveaway for you! Something that will come in handy for many of you, a $25 gift voucher to use on printed materials at Vistaprint. It is a perfect time to restock those business cards or get some postcards for advertising your fall shows!

Enter HERE

Get Carried Away Vistaprint Giveaway!

lets get carried away...

As a special thanks to all of my wonderful blog followers I have a great giveaway for you! Something that will come in handy for many of you, a $25 gift voucher to use on printed materials at Vistaprint. It is a perfect time to restock those business cards or get some postcards for advertising your fall shows!

#1.To enter please leave a comment and tell me your favorite show to attend or exhibit in. It will be fun to hear about different shows around the country.

#2.For an additional entry share this post on your blog, facebook or twitter.

#3. If you become a new follower of JudithBDesigns on facebook or my blog you also get another entry.

and now for the fine print....very important!

~Just be sure to tell me what you did and leave me your email address so that I may contact the winner. This giveaway will end on Monday September 12th at noon.

~the vistaprint offer is not valid in the following states, NY, NC, CT, IL, CA, or outside of the US.

~No cash value/cash back

~Tax and gratuity are not included

~Entire value must be used in one visit

~Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion

~gift ceritficate must be used by November 10, 2011

you can find this piece on Etsy

Good Luck!