Do Be Do Bead Do

Los Angeles Regretsy Meet Up-- SOLD OUT!!!

2012-01-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

~~Almost~~ Sold Out~~, Today Is Your Last Chance~~!

If you're looking for the place to pay for the Los Angeles Regretsy Meet-up, you've come to the right place. Please pay for the tickets individually so that we will have a complete guest list at the door. Thanks and CF4L!

A Valiant Steed - Rest In Peace

2011-11-30T10:00:00.001-08:00

Twisted Heart Series

2011-11-11T10:05:00.001-08:00

These are the first two in a series of my newest line of pendants: The Twisted Heart Series. As with all of my beads and pendants, they are individually named for a Sinatra song. The heart on the left is "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" and the other is "It's Almost Like Being In Love." They are currently in my Etsy shop. I have no idea how to link pictures to the listings -- if one of my readers can help me with this, I will send you a twisted heart of your very own in the color of your choice. I also want to thank all of the Veterans, their loved ones, and all of the men and women currently defending and serving our country, keeping us free. May G*d bless and keep you out of harm's way.

Just in time for Halloween, I'm feeling a bit batty

2011-10-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

A lot has been going on behind the scenes here at Do Be Do Bead Do. Although things are positive, change can be a little bit overwhelming for me and I find myself in a bit of a funk. Please stay with me for there will be a lot to post about in the coming days, weeks and months. Have a safe Halloween and enjoy your treats!

Pumpkins, They're Not Just For Halloween

2011-10-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just listed on Etsy. 10 Tiny Smashing Pumpkin Buttons.

Bead Soup, Second Verse

2011-09-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

I had enough soup ingredients from my wonderful partner, Marianna, to make this sweet bracelet from the leftovers.

I love this almost as much as the necklace that was my official piece for the reveal, and I've worn it quite a bit since finishing it.

Look how wonderful Marianna's lamp work bead looks with the sweet sterling bead caps that I added. It really paired well with the sterling connector bead that was part of my soup ingredients. In fact, all that I added out of my stash to this bracelet were the bead caps, the daisy spacers, the purple crystals and the sterling lobster clasp. I wired everything together easy-peasy and there you have it. More Yummy Soup!

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

2011-09-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to be paired this time around with Marianna Boylan of the blog Pretty Shiny Things. She is a talented bead maker and jewelry designer who runs the etsy shop Star Girl Jewelry. I don't design with lampwork beads too often, so I was beyond thrilled to be partnered with a lampwork artist. Just look at the lovely things that she sent me.
There is a wonderful set of Marianna's lampwork, a terrific ceramic pendant, a cute little bird charm, a sterling connector, pearls, jasper, twisted silver rings, crystal bling and a wonderful three-strand silver clasp -- deliciousness, I tell you. The minute I opened the package and saw the pendant and little bird, I had an idea for the focal piece of my design.

I had a lovely silver rose bead that my dear friend, Amy, had given me in my stash and the minute I saw it, an idea for the design for my piece came to me. In fact, I immediately set to work to make the pendant. I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of the design. I immediately went to my stash and pulled some lovely mat seed beads in moss greens and some pretty deep pink metallic seeds. I also raided my stash of crystals for some tiny purple bicones and some really pretty golden yellow rondelles. Then I hit the box of pearls and pulled some really pretty magenta fresh water pearls that I've been wanting to use. Then I hit the gemstone box and pulled all of this yellow turquoise that I bought on sale and viola. Without further explanation, I'll just show you my piece.

I am very proud of this necklace. In fact, it is the most ambitious piece that I've ever made, using all of my skills and then some. I put my heart and soul into it and hope you all enjoy. Now, go and visit the other wonderful designer's blogs who are participating in this wonderful party. Start with our wonderful host, Lori Anderson and make your way through the entire list of over 300 participants here. Enjoy!

Happy Blue Curlicue Beads and Bead Soup Eve

2011-09-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

I just love these happy beads. Check them out on Etsy. All proceeds from your purchase will be donated to Beads of Courage.

Have a wonderful weekend, everybody. I know what I'll be doing in my free time: Bead Soup! Won't you join the party? There are over 350 designers from all over the World participating in this round of Lori Anderson's semi-annual blog hop. This is going to be some party!

Just Listed on Etsy -- Golden Sari Beads

2011-09-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Golden Sari Beads

Have a weekend filled with Treasure

2011-09-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

Here's hoping that all of my American friends enjoy their long Labor Day holiday weekend and that we all take the time to celebrate all of the treasures in our lives. I am lucky to have a four-day weekend and will be home enjoying my family, finishing up my bead soup pieces and making new beads. I will leave you with this, Buried Treasure, my newest listing on Etsy. Have a great weekend everybody. See you all next week!

Just Listed on Etsy Peaches and Coffee

2011-09-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

New bead sets just listed in my Etsy shop: Juicy Peaches and Coffee Swirls for your consideration.

I know it's only been two days, but ...

2011-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

After many, many moons of internal discussions about whether or not to sell my beads I opened my Etsy store. You can see it there in my side bar with all of my pretty beads and pendants. I guess I was hoping for a grand opening sale or two. Am I crazy to be a little down that I haven't had even one sale? Are my beads too expensive? I know that I need to work on my photography, but in looking at other shops mine isn't horrible. Do I need to describe things differently? More "artistically" name my beads? Is it the economy or are my beads just not good enough to sell? A word or two of advice from some of my readers that have shops would be a big help. Words of encouragement wouldn't hurt either. Just sayin. I will surely thank you and appreciate your support.

My Son the Artist

2011-08-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

My son Steven is quite the talented potter.

Just look at this lovely tea pot that he has designed. It really is amazing (not to mention, dishwasher and microwave safe). It holds approximately 3 cups of water.

The pot is glazed in the most amazing blues and seafoam greens. It's lovely and available for purchase by clicking on the handy-dandy "buy it now" button you see here. All proceeds with go to help him with his education. He just started his second year of college today. I am very proud!!!

Shop Do Be Do Bead Do

2011-08-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that Do Be Do Bead Do beads and pendants are now available for purchase on etsy. Please see the link to my store at my side bar. I will continue to list items daily in my shop. Please send me a message, either here or at my shop if there is something that you would like to see. Wish me luck!!!

To Be Do Be Do Bead Do

2011-08-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

"Instead of spending your time analyzing your current position and planning your future, it's time to get out and do the exciting things you have been dreaming about."

My horoscope for today couldn't be more on point. Please come back on Monday for my special Grand Opening. I have to thank Lori Anderson and Lisa Crone (and you, my faithful readers) for inspiring me to follow my dreams.

To be is to do ~ Socrates

To do is to be ~ Sartre

Do be do be do ~ Sinatra

Do be do bead do ~ Sandi

To my friends on the east coast, please batten down the hatches and stay safe. G*d bless you all.

More than just beads ...

2011-08-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Pendants, too. One of my favorite things to do with polymer and part of the reason that I love it so, is mix it with stones to create pendants. Polymer is such a wonderful medium, it can do just about anything, be just about anything you can imagine it to be. Maybe polymer and I found each other just because of that. Growing up those are the words that I heard so often: "you can be anything you want to be, anything you can imagine." What I want most of all is to bring my beads to designers across the world. I'm so close that I can feel my dream coming true. For now, dear readers, what I can say is that I will begin to post beads for sale here on my blog. Until I get the whole "store" thing figured out. If there is interest, send me a message and we will work out the details of payment and shipping. Look Mom, my dreams are coming true.

Ingredients and Inspiration

2011-08-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

My bead soup ingredients arrived on my doorstep late last week. I kept them to myself for a couple of days, but really, how fair is that? Take a look at the wonderful lampwork that Marianna sent my way. And that pendant, it's ceramic and amazing. She also included a three-strand (!) clasp, a cute little pewter birdy, a wonderful silver connector and some lovely glass, crystal, stones and pearls. My photography skills leave a bit to be desired, but I'm working on that and will be much improved (or will have my son take the pictures) in time for the big party on the 17th.

The minute I saw these lovelies, a design idea started brewing in my head. A design much more intricate and involved than any I'd made before. That's the beauty of this party, to stretch our limits and get us thinking outside of our little creative boxes. For me, this party will do just that. Inspire me to stretch my design wings.

Speaking of inspiration, I'm sure all of you are familiar with Lisa Crone, author of "A Bead in Time" and one of my favorite blogs, A Bead A Day. Lisa and I emailed back and forth about me being a featured designer on her blog. The mere idea of being featured on one of my favorite blogs is a dream come true. Well, go over here, to see my dream become reality. Leave a comment for a chance to win, too. Thank you so much, Lisa for the honor of being featured. I'm thrilled.

Winner, winner chicken dinner

2011-08-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, so no chicken dinner, but yes, WINNER! Look at these lovely paper beads that I won on Jeannie's blog. Go check out her designs, they are lovely!!! Thank you, Jeannie!!!

Soup is on simmer over at Marianna's place

2011-08-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Go on over to my partner, Marianna's blog to see the ingredients that I sent her for the party. I simply can't wait to see what she makes with what I've sent her way. In the meantime, head over here to read her post about what I sent. Stay tuned for a sneak of what I receive from Marianna, to come just as soon as the mail cooperates.

And now a word from our sponsors

2011-08-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of my sons, Jonathan Stewart, 20, (top) in photos taken this past weekend while he, along with his brother Steven Benjamin, 18 (seen below), were visiting their Aunt Marcy and Uncle Kenji in Seattle. I couldn't be prouder of my boys.

They are kind, generous, warm and very supportive of my artistic endeavors. My heart swells just thinking about them. I couldn't ask for better sponsors.

Secret Ingredient

2011-08-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

The Bead Soup Block Party hosted by the lovely and talented Lori Anderson is so much fun for so many reasons. First and foremost for me is meeting new like-minded artists across the globe. My partner for this round is the super-talented Marianna Boylan who writes the wonderful blog, Pretty Shiny Things. I promised that I post a teaser shot of the secret ingredient of the soup recipe that I am sending out to her. This isn't much of a hint, as I have really changed up the pixels and the color, but, I suppose it is still a hint. I hope you enjoy cooking with the ingredients that I send you, Marianna. I can't wait to see what comes out of the pot! Stay tuned to this spot for the big party on September 17th.

Bead Soup Excitement

2011-08-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to find out that my swap partner for this round of the Bead Soup Block Party is Marianna Boylan of the lovely blog Pretty Shiny Things. I am in the process of pulling together her soup and will photograph a hint tonight. Go visit Marianna's great blog and stay tuned to September 17 for the big reveal!

Don't Miss Out!!!

2011-07-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to leave me a comment or send me an email before July 31 if you'd like me to send you a pair of my polymer beads -- perfect for earrings. That's why I call them earring pairs. Just leave me a comment, here or on my original post, below. Up to you.

Also, I think I've actually got enough of an inventory to actually open a store somewhere here on the interwebs. I'm thinking etsy will be where I go. I will link up from the blog as I stock the store. Wish me luck -- I'm really excited to bring my beads to other jewelry artists.

Have a great weekend, faithful readers. I'm so grateful to you all. You are making my dreams come true!!!

Play Charm Swap

2011-07-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

(Picture Credit goes to Sue Kennedy)

Top Row (L to R): Erin Prais-Hintz, Susan Kennedy, Sally Russick

Bottom Row (L to R): Sandi Lee James, Jennifer Cameron, Mallory Hoffman

Today is the reveal day for the Charm Swap with a Twist hosted by Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions. This twist is that 2 sets of charms will be auctioned on ebay (set one here and set two here) for Beads of Courage. I was thrilled to participate in this swap with these amazing bead artists. In fact, when I opened the swap package I immediately felt like I was in a little bit over my head. Jonathan (my 20 year old son) was with me and was amazed, too. He said, "Mom, you really should start working with glass. Those beads are amazing." As you can see, he was right. As for my inspiration, whimsy was my inspiration and that's exactly what I call the beads that I used to create my charms. Whimsy. I coupled my polymer bead with a little glass star and a crystal to match. A little wrap and voila.

Please head over to the other artists blogs to see more of these lovely charms. And, if you'd like a set of your own, they can be yours while contributing to an amazing cause. Get to clicking.

Jennifer Cameron (our host): Glass Addictions

Sandi Lee James (you are here): Do Be Do Bead Do

Mallory Hoffman: For the Love of Beads

Sue Kennedy: Sue Beads

Sally Russick: Wireworked

Erin Prais-Hintz: Treasures Found

It's Almost That Time Again -- Bead Soup Time

2011-07-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting another party. Seriously, I just don't know how she does it. Anybody with an avenue to blog about it can join in. Check it out, here and join the fun. You won't be sorry!