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

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

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

Forgot to show Bead Soup Beads...

I have been so busy these past two weeks, we had several birthdays, a trip to Reno to see Bill Maher, mom having knee surgery...well you know as they say life happens...so I got this very yummy bead soup from Jeanette Blix weeks ago but failed to show a picture of them, I just love the ceramic beads, all that sterling & the gorgeous goddess focal & amazing oval shape clasp...I have been working on some ideas, but I decided to go with something totally different than my sketch shows...so you have to wait and see the results on March 3rd when the blog hop is on...

Thanks for stopping by...life is good

Jelveh

Peace

Happy December & New Beads....

Hello all, hope your December is off to a good start...ours has been good so far, on Sat we gave my dad a big happy surprise 75th birthday party, it was so much fun & we saw a great movie called Hugo...it was awesome, great story, well acted, well told & directed...so far December has been good to us...
In Bead News: I made some new beads & other goodies & have listed in my etsy shop...check them out below, click on the one you like & it will take you to that item & my shop...I have 52 items up & there is more coming...

Quote of the week: “Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose” by Eckhart Tolle

New Tool: Graceful Studios has an awesome new tool called Ripples & Ridges, I have made a few angels & fish with it & its a great tool to use for all your ripples & ridges needs, such as angle wings, fish fins...

Weekly Giveaway: Last week's yummy pair of golden red earrings goes to Designs By Dawn Marie, please send me your address...I will also email you...also the winner of the tree bead Julie T. of Sparks NV, please send your address, I could not fine it...sorry...OK on to this week's giveaway...I have a encased organic flower pot bead with a metallic rim...I love the way it came out, its about 25mm tall...enter to win it by making a comment on this post, maybe about what kind of gifts you will be making by hand or purchasing that are handmade this holiday season...

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

Wow, Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Hi all, I thought 2010 was a fast year, 2011 feels even faster, does this mean life is good...? I am having a good life & that's why the years seem to pass by fast...in any case I am so very thankful for my good life...hope you have a great safe & happy Turkey day & weekend...

New Beads: I had made a ton of Christmas Ornaments & brand new design of rings for our Holiday Boutique at Graceful Studios, which went very nice by the way, our 3rd year was the best year so far, we had a very nice group of artists of all kinds showing their art, lots of local guests visited us & we had a great time, we hope you had a good time too, we shall see you next year...I will be listing on Friday before Noon California time in my etsy shop all kinds of yummy items, from brand new beads to earrings & ornaments. Use the coupon code HOLIDAY20 at checkout for 20% off of your purchase from my shop...

Quote of the week: "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." by Echhart Tolle

Bead Giveaway: Last blog giveaway of the yummy Tree bead goes to Julie T of Sparks, NV. For this week I have a gorgeous pair of earrings for you, my lampwork golden red beads with Sterling Silver findings...enter to win them by making a comment on this post...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Life is indeed good...

Jelveh 

Peace

Gratitude to our Veterans & New Beads...

Hi all, hope you are doing well...I wanted to send out a "Thank you so much for your service" to all veterans out there...you are the best...
We are doing well here in Crazy Weather California...one day its warm the next day its wet & cold, wish it would make up its mind. We took our first Bikram Yoga class last weekend, it was fun, I survived the 90 minutes in 105 degree high humidity room, did about 85% of the 26 poses too...so proud, hubby did much better...came home & got sick right on cue, have bronchitis, which my Dr. Thought it was pneumonia at first, but got down graded...doing much better now...Thank goodness for drugs & breathing treatments...

New Beads: got a chance to list some new beads in my shop, more will come on Sat & Sun, including some yummy ornaments...

Quote of the Week: As we Express our Gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." President John F. Kennedy

Holiday Boutique: Visit us during our Christmas Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, 1:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. at Graceful Studios, lampwork glass bead making demonstrations, open torch time (make a bead yourself), finished jewelry, soaps, quilts, lapidary stones, and other handmade crafts by various artists available for sale! Hourly raffle of gifts. We also have Glass Rods, Firt & bead making tools available for sale. Snacks and drinks served! 10730 Center Ave., Gilroy, CA 95020, Contact Grace for more information & Directions 

Bead Giveaway: The yummy pumpkins from the last post go to Jackie G. of the UK. For this week I have the yummy tree bead you sea above, I really like this bead as there is a full moon landscape on the other side, there is a lot of detail in a small space, this bead measures 24mm long x 20mm wide. Enter to win it by making a comment on this post...perhaps you share your Thanksgiving plans...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Life is Good...I love you Java girl (shout out to my sister)...
Jelveh
Peace

Twice in Two Weeks...wow

Hi all, yes its true....I am actually blogging twice in two weeks, don't get used to it, may just be a fluke...hope you are having a good week. All of a sudden all the leaves got orange & fell off our tree, its obviously finally fall where I am... earlier today there was a crisp wind in the air too...so its official, cold weather is coming...I have to say I like the weather like this...not so hot that we are boiling & not so cold when you have to wear a blanket to leave the house.

This week I had some fun making beads & a few items I don't usually make, like jewelry with my beads, trying to get ready for two shows. But now I am thinking I may just do the 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique at Graceful Customs Studios in Gilroy on November 19th from 12 to 6pm...check out the studios blog for more information contact Grace...or me...

Oh I will also be doing an online craft show at Pretty Things with Lori Anderson...Nov 26th to Dec 3rd

Bead News: I listed some new beads this week as well, you can find them in my shop, photo below...you can get a 10% discount if you add the coupon code Weekday10 at check out...

Quote of the week: "The past has no power over the present moment." by Eckhart Tolle

Bead Giveaway: Last weeks bead goes to Fireborn, please send your address...for this week I have the pair of yummy pumpkins for giveaway...they are almost small enough to be a great pair of earrings, or you can use them in other ways...enter to win them by making a comment on this post...

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

Jelveh

Peace

Bead Soup, New Beads...

Hi all & a happy September to you...just got back from visiting Grandma & Grandpa for their 90th birthdays & 70th wedding anniversary which is on the same day as ours...Drove from California to Montana & back with Mooshi, she did really well & was a hit with the Grandparents. Save for the time that she jumped in a fast moving river after her ball & did it again right after hubby fished her out...this dog has no fear...had a great time with Grandma & Grandpa, they are so cool, the stories they tell. Lets face it they lived through a lot more than most of us, so far they have made it through a few wars & a few recessions & all kinds of fun stuff in between...I asked Grandma, what has been the best times & the worst times so far in their life, she said The Best Times were when were together & The Worst Times were when we were apart...brought tears to my eyes,so sweet & honest...love them...

In BEAD News: I have only made one set of beads since we got back, the rest in the photo I made before we left...Check out my shop on etsy...The Drum Roll Beads in the photo is my new set & I hope you dont mind, I am making them in to a bracelet for myself, I love them so much...I made them with Grace's Disk Shaper...  Also you can now purchase my finished Jewelry at a lovely shop in Morgan Hill California called Carta Luna, check out their facebook page for more information...Its a great store, with tons of cool things from their clothing boutique full of timely fashions to their handmade gift cards & gifts, lots to see & enjoy...

Bead Soup News: My very lovely & creative Bead Soup Partner Jenny Davies-Reazor sent me this (photos below) awesome collection of beads & findings including not one but two of her great ceramic focal beads, I am so inspired, I am hoping I can make the design that is swirling around in my head with this collection...I am going to use all of them in one large piece, its a lot of out of the box thinking for me, even theough she does not know me, to send me two focal beads one a tree and the other a face with the word vision, you would think we were best friends, as these are exactly the themes I love & I identify with...thanks so much Jenny...come back on the 17th of September to see what I came up with...Click here to check out Jenny's Blog

 A lovely box & note...

An amazing collection of handmade ceramic beads by Jenny, sterling silver, fresh water pearls, mother of pearl, several different kinds of yummy gem stones & even a heart locket, I have decided to use them all in one piece, wish me luck, come back on September 17th to blog hop...Check out Lori of Pretty Things Blog for more information on the Bead Soup...

Bead Giveaway: The yummy focal from the last post goes to Kiersten, please send your address so I can ship the bead to you...for this week I have a yummy set of 3 beads modern shin mixed with organic feel...love this mini set, hope you do too...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

I am getting ready for my trip to Turkey for my workshop...there is one space left let me know if you are interested...Thanks so much for stopping by...Life is good...

Jelveh

Peace

New Beads, Doggy Dock Diving & More...

Hi all, Happy March to you...the sun is finally out today but on Sat we had snow in Gilroy, when we had our bi- monthly meeting at the studio where we hosted Beads of Courage...lots of beads were made for the cause, thanks again to Lena Rhoeds for letting us be involved in this good cause.

Thanks to also all who came to make beads and give their support, Frank, Grace, Lena, Kathy, Sally, Kim, Barbara, Sioux, Joann, hubby, Lani, Pat, Jim, Jennifer & me, hope I am not forgetting anyone, oh yeah Mooshi also came by for a visit...photo above is of some of the beads...

In Bead News: I have a whole bunch of spring fun beads that I am listing in my shop tonight & on Wednesday...photo above is of a few of them...


In Pet News: Mooshi is still very jealous of Ari & Mr. Snuggles...hopefully one day they can all learn to get along...couple of Saturdays ago we took Mooshi Dock Diving with her class mates, all of whom are 40 pounds or larger...she had a blast, she only swam in the water once, not a diver yet, had the water been warm I think she would have jumped. Her photo below was taken by Kelly Frazer, she is very talented, if you need some great photos she is your girl...

For the rest of the time we were there she just waited on the short walk in to the pool for the bigger dogs to jump & bring in the toys...she was so funny & was having fun...

Bead Giveaway: Last week's landscape bead goes to Fireborn of SC, send address please...for this week I have a set of beads in a yummy light coral with some pearl & silver & some murinni from John...enter to win the beads on the first picture above by making a comment on this blog post...


Thanks so much for stopping by...life is good, the sun was out today...
Jelveh
Peace

Happy Thanksgiving New Beads & Coupon...

Hi all, hope your holiday weekend is going well...we had the best time at our house hosting the family for Turkey dinner, everyone brought a dish and together the meal was very yummy...from the start to finish here is a photo collage of our party, loved the yam yummy I made in the orange cups with marshmellows...

New Beads & Goodies: I added a few items to my etsy store, more ornaments & icicles (all gone now sorry) & more beads & goodies, you can use the discount code NOV2010DISCOUNT to get a 10% holiday discount when you purchase any item from my shop...

The puppy is doing great, here she is telling me, no way it was not me, I did not chew the button off the chair, it was not me, no way no how...she is so cute...we are so happy to have her...

Last week's yummy focal bead goes to Rickie, please send your address girl...this week I have a set of 3 beads for you in the shades of red, & opal golds...very yummy, enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

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

Where have I been & New Beads...

Hi all, again two weeks & no blog post from me...what is up with that? well I have just been busy with other things in life...Thinking about all kinds of things like how smart is the idea of trying to become a mom at this stage in my life...? even though I ask this question of myself often, I am very excited about trying to have a baby, I think hubby & I will be good parents. I know we will try to be anyway...but first we have to get pregnant & have a baby...so we are still a long ways away from parenting...

I did make a ton of beads the last couple of weeks, I just started to list them in my etsy shop, so there are all kinds of new beads. Stop by & take a look...let me know what you think...

You still have a few days to enter the Beauty Contest...I am loving all the goodies so far...you can enter items made with my beads no matter how long ago you got the beads...

I have also been getting ready for my Silver Class & Glass Ornament class this coming weekend...there is 4 spaces in the Silver class & 2 left in the Ornament class, send Grace an email if you are interested...

Melissa M. wins the bead in my last post...enter to win this week's yummy bead by making a comment on this post...

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

Photos, New beads & October...??



Wow its already October...!!! do you wonder where this year has gone, I sure do...the weather does not know its October yet or that is was September last weekend when we had our first ever of many to come I am sure, SBG NOR CAL meeting at the studio...photos below, it was great fun for all, sadly Sharon Peters could not be there, she hurt her ankle & could not go anywhere...
New beauties have been added to the beauty contest, click here to check them out...

I made some fun beads this week & have been listing them in my etsy shop...enjoy...

I have two classes coming up, first one I am teaching a class on all the fun tricks you can do with silver glass & how to do them...this one day class is on Sat 10/23/10, for intermediate students & costs $180.00 it included lunch & all supplies & materials...you can bring your favorite tool if you like...

The second class I am teaching is on 3 different Christmas Ornaments, 2 blown ornaments & one not...this one day class in on Sun 10/24/10, for intermediate students & costs $180.00 it included lunch & all supplies & materials...you can bring your favorite tool if you like...

Last & certainly not least last week's bead set goes to Ginny of Florida...for this week I have a very lovely bead from my Deep Sea Ribbon series, the question is which photo do you like from it best, please make a comment on this post about that or anything you like & you will be entered in a drawing to win the Deep Sea Ribbon bead...

Thanks for stopping by, life is good...

Jelveh

Peace

Beauty Contest Fall 2010

Hi all, its October 28th and time to announce the winners, congrats to all who participated & the winners, you will be able to enter another contest of mine in the Spring time...for now here is the email that I got this morning from the lovely Susan & Marlynn from Fire Mountain Gem...thanks again everyone...

Dear Jelveh,
Thank you for having us participate with your contest. On Behalf of the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Designer Team of the Content Development Group and The Jewelry Making Contest Team; the Winners are below.
1st Place: Mellisa Meman: Copper links Blue and Green Beads
2nd Place: Samantha’s Designs ?: Pink Black and White Swirl beads and Silver charms
3rd Place: Lori Anderson Designs: Silver ,Pearl, Pink and Blue
Sincerely,
Susan Phelps
Marketing Events
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
541-956-8246
Phelpss@firemtn.com

http://www.firemountaingems.com/


Hi all, welcome to the fall 2010 Beauty Contest, where you will get a chance to showcase your beautiful Jewelry and or other Accessory art made with my beads...

Here is the important information:
Winners will be picked by Fire Mountain Gem as usual...

* 1st place winner will get a $100.00 gift certificate to my etsy shop
* 2nd place winner will get a $50.00 gift certificate to my etsy shop
* 3rd place winner will get a $25.00 gift certificate to my etsy shop
Rules:

* The pieces that you enter have to incorporate one or more of my Lampwork Glass Beads in them...
* You can enter up to two items...
* You need to send me a high quality photo of your item...
* Let me know if you like your name or business name on the photo, I will add it...
Deadline:
* The deadline for entering the contest has been extended to 10/21/10...winners will be announced 10/28/10
* As photos are sent in I will add them to this blog post...
Looking forward to seeing all the yummy designs...thanks so much for playing...
Jelveh, Peace...
PS I will add one photo to the top, one to the bottom everyone time there is a new entry...