Today Is The Last Day...

... to log a comment and be entered for a chance to win my March blog giveaway prize, that beautiful necklace created by me and Mary Ellen of BeeTreeByMe! The cutoff time is 5:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. time. Log your comment here:

Thanks again, everyone!

Update: New Faux Jade Tutorial Has Arrived!

I just listed it in the shop. Yay! I am just overwhelmed by the interest the tutorial has received so far. I had a blast writing it and hope you all enjoy it and create lots of beautiful things with it!

Thank you, everyone!

Lynda

New Tutorial: How to Create Realistic-Looking Jade From The Six Color Groups of Natural Jade: Black, Green, Lavender, Red, White and Yellow

If you have wondered why I haven't been posting regularly this past month, the reason is because I have been in the studio feverishly writing a new tutorial, and I am pleased to announce it will make its debut this coming Friday, February 25, 2011 in my Etsy shop!

This tutorial is one I have wanted to write for about a year, and it is the first in a series of tutorials on recreating gemstones.

Many of you have been asking for a new tutorial, and I have been planning to launch a series on faux gemstones. First up is "Realistic Faux Jade."

This js a very comprehensive tutorial. It contains 55 pages, almost 150 color photos, and 16 color recipes from the six color groups found in genuine jade: Red, Lavender, White, Yellow, Black and Green. Most of you have seen various shades of green, and white of course, but did you know there was also red and black jade?

The tutorial also contains six jewelry projects, ranging in skill level from easy to intermediate, a detailed list of tools, materials and supplies (including a source guide); and three mini-tutorials on sanding and finishing; how to make the perfect, and I mean PERFECT, wire wrap loop; and how to use a plexiglas sheet to contour curves, soften edges and refine shapes.

I am also thrilled, and very honored, to announce that the new tutorial will be featured at www.voila.eu.com by my friend, the fabulously talented polymer artist, Christine Dumont, AND you could win a copy free! The first three Voila members who ask Christine about the tutorial the day it first launches will receive a free copy, so don't forget the launch date: Friday, February 25, 2011 in my in my Etsy shop! Visit Voila today for details. THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHRISTINE!

If you have not registered at Voila, you will need to do so. It only takes a few minutes and does not cost you a dime. If you have not experienced the beauty of Voila, you don't know what you are missing! If you are a polymer artist, or have thought about working in the medium, Voila is a feast for the eyes and a fabulous resource for inspiration and learning.

I had a blast writing the tutorial and putting together the jewelry projects for you. I hope you love it, and thank you so much!

Next up: Fabulous Faux Ivory you will not believe! You won't be able to distinguish it from the real thing... coming soon!

Thanks, everyone!

March Blog Giveaway - Win This Necklace!

My good friend Mary Ellen Parker and I collaborated on the giveaway prize this month. M.E. created the beautiful variagated blue floral beads. I created the image transfer pendant using one of my favorite Asian images, a bird on a branch of blue hydrangeas and a bunch of Vintaj Natural Brass components.





M.E. created the perfect beads to match the blues in the pendant, didn't she? This is the perfect necklace to ring in Spring! I hope you all love it as much as we do, and that we get lots and lots of comments. We are so excited to be able to send this necklace to one of you!

M.E. has a shop at Etsy called BeeTreeByMe. In addition to beautiful floral bead and bead sets, she also sculpts fanciful fairy pendants.





So you know what to do, leave a comment under this post. No purchase is necessary. I hope you will also visit M.E.'s shop and her wonderful blog.

I will leave the comments open for a week, and on March 1st, I will draw a winning name at random and contact the winner for your mailing address.

Thanks, and good luck!

My Cup of Soup For The Bead Soup Blog Party

My partner for the 2011 Bead Soup Blog Party is StaciLouise, a talented metal artist and jewelry designer who has a shop of the same name at Etsy and a fabulous blog. You can check out the goodies I sent her there, too.

Poor Staci had a time getting these to me. This is actually the second package. The first apparently got re-routed to another state and hasn't arrived. I don't know what was in the first one, but I'm so pleased to have this lovely fine silver focal made by Staci herself, and I hope I have time to do it justice. The big reveal is on 2/28, and I am on a deadline to finish writing a new tutorial due at the same time. YIKES! Staci and I are keeping our fingers crossed I make it in time.

This lovely selection does not show a string of beautiful, little gold potato pearls Staci also sent me, which I forgot to photograph in my haste to get this photo uploaded to the Bead Soup Party Flickr photo group. I'm so sorry, partner!

Staci also included these cute goody bags she recycled. I love them, they make nice little travel jewelry bags for my personal stash. Next time I go on vacation, I'll be sure to take them along.

Thanks again, Staci, and y'all visit the flickr site and see what everyone else's cup of goody bead soup looks like; and stay tuned for the 2/28 big reveal to see what everyone has created with their beads.