Sunday, November 4, 2012

You Better Vote & Giveaway...


Hi all, hope you are all doing well & staying happy. Sending some love to my friends on the East Coast. Sorry for the long absence, I have been melting glass and listing beads in my shop, but not sending out emails about it. I have also been really busy getting ready for our 4th Annual Holiday Boutique, once a year Grace, Frank & I, invite all of the local Crafting Artists we know to come by the studio & set up a table with their lovely wears for our Holiday Boutique which is on Sat. Nov 10th from 12 to 6pm at Graceful Customs in Gilroy, California. Let me know if you want to attend as a vendor or need the address. There will be all kinds of handmade goodies on sale from Grace's yummy handmade soaps to Beth's lovely jewelry...there will be refreshments and a drawing for prizes every hour. Also a few of our in house teachers, like Carmen Martinez & myself will be doing some demos.

VOTE: Please get out there and vote on Tuesday, I don't want to go through the same story every time there is an election, about how my family came here from Iran 33 years ago. But I just want to say that VOTING is a Right we Americans have, where many in other parts of the world do not have this Right. I almost feel like we should not only celebrate our country & our rights by voting & staying in charge of our system of government but also in a way honor this right & those who do not have it by making sure we vote.
Giveaway: Last blog posts winner was Roni of Bead by Roni, thanks everyone. For this blog post giveaway I am giving a way one item that the winner likes from my shop. A set or a focal or a tool or any one item of their choice. Please enter to be in the drawing by making a comment on this blog post about: What are your favorite colors & or your plans for your spring collections?

Thanks so much for stopping by, Life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Happy Autumn & New Beads...giveaway too...


Hello all...Happy Happy Autumn to you...hope all is good with you, life is good around here...I have been making some beads & finally I decided to add some more to my etsy store... Photo below of some of the beads I have been making & listing...The Etsy15 coupon code is still in effect for a 15% discount...

This week I have a focal bead for the giveaway...photo above...it is one of my ribbon focal beads with 2 bubble blue eyes, one on each side, the bead measures about 33x27mm & the blue gray green colors of it shimmer like mother of pearl here and there under the clear encasing...at times it looks like a fish...
enter to win it by making a comment on this blog post...
thanks for stopping by...life is good
Jelveh
Peace

Friday, September 14, 2012

Holly's Class & New Beads...

Hello everyone...as you may know Holly Cooper was here last weekend teaching a class at our studio in Gilroy...Graceful Customs Studios hosted a great class, as always Grace, Frank, myself & Carol were delighted to host this class for such an awesome teacher with a truly lovely group of students...all kinds of fun was had by all & we all learned a lot of new glassy things, most of all we learned that the reason Holly's beads are so amazing, is that she is a very amazing person...with a lot of patience & elegance Holly gave us all the little tricks that make her art glass so yummy...blow are some photos of the class & the beads we made...
Holly at the torch...with day two beads...
Demos on Friday at meet the Artist open house...
Day one beads, including the photo of the red dog bead, there are 3 beads in this collection that 
Holly made, can you guess which ones?
Thanks again to Holly and everyone that made this class wonderful...I have added some new yummy beads to my etsy shop...use this coupon Etsy15 code at checkout for a 15% discount on your purchase.
Thanks for stopping by...life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Saturday, August 11, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party, 2nd Reveal...

Hello all, glad you stopped by to see the 2nd Reveal of the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party...first a reminder of the yummy soup that the lovely Jo-Ann Woolverton sent me.

Now for the fun I had with the collection I got, did you know Owls have been seen as a good & or a bad omen of a bird through out history in many cultures around the world...??? most however love the wisdom of the owl & their patience & insightful-ness is talked about in many a tales...below is a tale of a few yummy owls that ended up on my work bench...

first up is one of the bigger focal owls cradled in a halo of a vintage (really old necklace I got at a estate sale)   brass medalian...then I added a few beads of my own...plus the yummy owl clasp...

close up of the owls...
here I have a simple stretch but oh so very colorful & fun bracelet, the only findings of mine I used in this one was the sterling head pins & the rings to hold them to the bracelet...yummy

 Magnasite in a yummy shade of turquoise added a pop to this pair of earrings... 

last buy not least my favorite piece that I was wearing yesterday, is this one owl focal with some turquoise color ceramic beads & some metal disks that I put on a easy purple leather necklace...with sterling findings... 

Group Hug....!!!!
be sure to stop by my soup partner's blog Jo-Ann Woolverton to see the yummy she made with the soup I sent her...

Now stop by and visit all the participants starting with our Hostess , Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 
Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners
Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 
 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead
Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio
Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads
Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae
Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place
 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 
Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art

Thanks for stopping by...
have a great weekend, life is good
Jelveh
Peace

Thursday, August 2, 2012

My Bad...The 6th Bead Soup...

Hi all. I thought for sure I had posted about my 6th bead soup partner, Jo-Ann Woolverton of It's a Beautiful Creation... Jo-Ann sent me the most lovely soup of clay owl beads, paper beads, sterling beads, an awesome owl clasp & lovely crystals...in all my favorite colors of purples & blues...so far I have made one item...below is a photo of the yummy collection I got from Jo-Ann Woolverton, stop by her blog to see her yummy work & to see the soup I sent her...our reveal date is Aug 11th, be sure to come back then for a visit...

below is a photo of the soup I sent Jo-Ann, can not wait to see what she comes up with...


The Hole Bead Shoppe: Also I forgot to mention, if you get a chance stop by my friend Kelly Burns place The Hole Bead Shoppe, they have a very nice on line shop but of course if you are near Bartlesville Oklahoma you should stop by & see her in persobn...Kelly is one of the most talented jewelry designers around, her work has been featured in many bead & jewelry publications...For years Kelly & her family have worked very hard to offer their community a great place to learn about beads & find their findings & supplies...they have always been there for everyone in this community...now they need a little help from us to make sure they can keep the shoppe open...stop by & look around, you may find something you need at a great price from an awesome seller...
Thanks for stopping by, life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

She made us...The Beads

Hello all, hope you are having a wonderful summer...I have been kind of slow this summer, this blog post is actually from 100s of beads I have made that are still on the mandrel and need to be cleaned and photographed & listed...but I have listed a whole bunch of new beads in my etsy shop for you to check out...

About the giveaways...the last bead set of giveaways goes to Lori Anderson of Pretty Things...thanks for playing...I am looking for new and exciting ways to have bead giveaways, most people seem to be bored with the way I am doing it now...So please leave a comment on this post about a cool way to hold giveaways on my blog...if I pick your idea, you will get your choice of a set of beads or focal bead from my etsy shop...
Other than that life is good...there has been so much going on from our pretty garden my friend helped me put together to taking a great class last month with Joy Raskin at the studio... Dont forget the awesome Holly Cooper is teaching a lampwork class at the studio this September 8 & 9th. I think there is one space left in class...
Thanks so much for stopping by...
Jelveh
Peace

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

June, New Beads, News...


Hello all, how are you doing? how is your summer shaping up? hope all is well with you...things are great around here. Although I have not updated the blog for a month. No worries all is good here, I have been battling & winning against Psoriatic Arthritis. I had to cancel my class in Istanbul & I am sorry to all the students who had already signed up, but I had to take some time to heal. In general life is good. Last month for my birthday we went to Shell Beach for 5 days. Photos below, we had a blast, just enjoying the ocean & relaxing. We live in one of the most gorgeous areas of the world, I love when we take a moment to really enjoy it all...


In Bead News: I have been making some fun beads this past week, I have listed them in my etsy shop. Here is a photo of the new goodies. Use coupon code ETSY15 for a 15% discount on your next purchase from my shop.
In Studio News: We had an awesome time at our last open house. Grace was so sweet, she got me a cake for my birthday & gave me all kinds of cool gifts, handmade by her, a gorgeous new apron with my name on it & several bags & some metal punches. She is the best Creative Partner anyone would want. Photos below. There are a couple of places open for Joy Raskin's class in late June. I am taking one of the one day classes. Contact Grace for more information on Joy's class, Carmen's Soldering class, Ed's next chain maille class, Holly Cooper's class in Sept. & intro or advanced lampworking classes with me. Don't forget to check out the new Graceful Customs tools.

Giveaways: Last months bead goes to Lorraine, send me your address girl. For this post I have the yummy set up top. enter to win it by making a comment on this blog post. Perhaps you can tell me what colors of beads you are in to these days & how your summer is going...

Thanks so much for stopping by & for all the kind emails you sent to see how I was doing. I have a great attitude about this whole illness (temporary inconvenience) teaches me to take care of myself more. I have been taking more naps & reading more & enjoying the summer movies like my new favorite Prometheus
Life is good
Jelveh
Peace

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day & New Beads...

Happy Mother's day...New Beads

 

Hi everyone, how is the weather your way, its been in the high 80s here...we escaped to the movies and saw the Avengers, it was pretty good...full of action & some comedy...some slow moments so each super hero could strut their egos...fun fun...love me some Thor...

 
I was going to do a blog update, but it seems blogger is not working for me today...so I am sending the newsletter but not updating the blog...

In Bead News:  I have listed a few beads in my etsy shop,  below is a photo shows off my new beads including the newest SUPER nautilus beads, they are the larger version of my Nautilus beads from my Ribbon Series, I made them on a brand new tool from Graceful Customs, check it out it is yummy... 


 
Open House: Next Sat the 19th of may we are having an open house at our studio in Gilroy California, between 12 and 5pm, there will be demos from me & a couple of other 
people, if you like to come by & show us what you are working on that would be great too...some food & some goodies given away every hour...see you at the studio, need directions, have questions, contact me 
 
Bead Giveaway: The bead from the last blog post which is actually made in to a pendant goes to Jacqueline fromFiddledeedee Jewelry thanks so much girl, send your address to my email to win the bead on the top of this newsletter enter by making comment on the latest post on my blog...

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day
Jelveh
Peace

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Silver Glass Mania....New Beads...


Hi all, has your spring been nice or a bit two minded like ours, one day its lovely, the next day its cold & wet...but mostly its been very nice around here...I have been busy making beads, I have kind of renewed my love of silver glass & gone a bit wild...you can check out the new beads in my etsy shop....and here is a photo preview below...

The last bead giveaway bead goes to Julia of http://beautifullywhimsical.blogspot.com, for this week I have this yummy silver glass pendant, with sterling silver findings, you can enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

Life is good around here, thanks so much for stopping by...
Jelveh
Peace

Friday, March 30, 2012

Awesome beads & Soup Winner...

Hi all, hope you are doing well & your spring is off to a good start...we have been getting some much needed rain in these parts...which is a great time to see movies, we saw The Hunger Games, which was good but not so spectacular as folks are saying & we saw John Carter, which I have to say was much more fun than reported...goes to show you we all have different tastes...in all life is good...

Bead News: I made a ton of beads the last couple of month, I have listed many of them in my etsy shop...

Teaching: I will be teaching a class at the Glass Furnace in Turkey in June...email me for details or click here...

In Studio News: Graceful Studios is hosting a ton fun classes this year, just to mention a few of my favorites Jennifer & Jim will teach a Lapidary class on April 7, the very talented Silversmith & Jewelry designer Joy Raskin will be teaching a week of different class in June & of course the amazing  Holly Cooper will be at the studio in September... I am also always available for 2 hour or 5 hour classes on any level of lampworking you are interested in...just for fun we are having Free torch time Fridays Through out April...bring your tools & glass & join me for some fun...have any questions contact Grace...

Winner Announced: Remember my 5th Bead Soup Entry for Lori Peterson's Bead Soup Blog Hop, well I entered everyone who commented in to a drawing & the winner of my "Illusive Freedom" necklace & earrings is Cindy Cima Edwards, thanks so much to everyone for your great comments, I have a great time with Bead Soup & will play again.

Bead Giveaway: The bead above is up for grabs, it is a yummy 33x27mm focal bead, enter to win it by making a comment on this blog post...

Thanks so much for stopping by...life is so very good...
Jelveh
Peace


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Cherry Blossoms...

A couple of days before the rains came, we saw a whole lot of cherry blossoms on the trees, a promise that spring is right around the corner...they looked sweet...after the rain, my car was covered with little pink petals... I love cherry blossoms...check out these cool tiles I found on etsy from artist Marieanne Cavaciuti
Hope you are having a Cherry Blossom Day...

Have a great weekend...Life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Thursday, March 8, 2012

So Now I know, New Beads & Winners...

Hello all...so where to start, short & sweet is the best way to go...I have been under the weather (= lot of pain for a long time in Jelveh speak), for a while now, skin, bones joints hurting, so now I know, its Psoriatic Arthritis, just like my brother, he has had it for years, poor thing...me, I went from skin issues before the fertility drugs to full on Psoriatic Arthritis, with a cherry of Fibromyalgia on top... so I am on drugs, a few weeks now...feeling much better & better everyday...
life is good, I have bead news & bead soup news & winner announcements...

New Beads: I listed a bunch of new yummy beads if I say so myself...click here to see & of click on one of the items below...

            Bead Soup: I was lucky to be in Lori Anderson's 5th beads soup blog hop party. And lucky again when I got paired up with Jeanette Blix...so click here to see what I made with the yummy Jeanette sent me...click here to see the awesome necklace Jeanette made with the bead soup I sent her, she really is one of the most talented artists out there...thanks again for Lori for having this party & I will be playing again in the summer... indecently the necklace and earring set that I made with my soup is up for a drawing enter to win it by making a comment on this blog post...about anything you want or how you liked Jeannette's & my results...

Speaking of winning: The winner of this bead from the Feb 2nd post is Leslie C. of Canada...Thanks everyone for playing...

Thanks so much for stopping by, life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Bead Soup #5 Reveal Day...

Hi every one, as you may have read in my last post, I got a yummy bead soup from Jeannette Blix...here is a link to the bead soup I got...

It is always the same with me when it comes to making jewelry or when I am melting glass & making beads, I change my mind in the middle all the time...I call this set Elusive Freedom...I will leave the interpretation of this piece to you, there are several ways to explain this set based on the name Elusive Freedom...Please make a comment about what you think it means and I will enter your name in a drawing for the set...sorry about the bad photos, I will try again later...

goddess focal & some of the ceramic & silver beads, I added the orange beads that someone told me were actually heat treated turquoise, I am not sure if such a thing exists but I liked them in this set...
The goddess focal bead,,,I wire wrapped her to the necklace...

The yummy clasp, I decided it looked great in the front left side of the necklace...

group photos, I was having the hardest time with my camera, I dropped the camera right before I took the photos...
different background and the earrings that match, but not so matchy matchy...enter to win this set by making a comment on my blog. I also added the sterling silver wire & the sterling charms, chain & rings to go with the yummy sterling silver I was sent...
After you enter the drawing here, check out my partners blog... Here is the link to Jeanette Blix's blog...
and the of course check out the rest of the blgos below...

Hostess, Lori Anderson


Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer
1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)
21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs
32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
34.  Diane Cook and Lyn Foley
35.  Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge
37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)
41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
42.  Erin Grant and Jean Wells
43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday
45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
57.  Karen Hess and Linda Landig
65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)
67.  Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver
68.  Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna
 72.  Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons
76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)
84.  Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)
87.  Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne
89.  Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson
92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)
100.  Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum


Thanks for stopping by...life is good...
Jelveh
Peace