And the Winner is...

Hi all, hope you are doing well. Happy New Year to all my friends & family out there, as the first day of spring is the first day of the New Year for Persians. here is a link to my extensive posts about this holiday at least the way I know it to be.
I have added a few new sets of beads to my etsy shop, stop by and check them out, let me know what you think of the new beads...
And the Winner of the last blog post giveaway is Leslie Crane of Canada...thanks so much everyone for playing, I will have another giveaway soon.
Thanks for stopping by, Life is Good...
Jelveh
Peace

Happy Father's Day New Beads...

Happy Father's day to all...I added some new beads to my etsy shop...check them out...

Thanks for stopping by...life is good

Jelveh

Peace

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

2012, Here we Go...

Happy New Year everyone, hope you had the best of Holidays...we had a blast...since time is such a fleeting thing & short in supply in many of our lives, I thought I would start the new year with a quick blog post/newsletter...

Beads: I have tons of them, been listing them in my etsy shop...photo below of some of them...

New Class: Check out Graceful Studios blog for info on John Rizzi's one day Fish class on Feb 4th.

Your Design, My Beads: Check out this cool ring that my friend Ros made with one of my beads...mark your calendars The 2012 Spring Beauty Contest will start on March 1 2012...

The Flow: My Zentangle beads made it in to the 7th Annul Women in Glass issue of The Flow Magazine.

Bead Giveaway: The last bead giveaway of 2011 goes to Sioux. from CA. The bead on the top of this page is the new giveaway, I love this bead, its organic, yummy & tactile. Measures about 34mm. You can enter to win it by making a comment on this post about your beading habits these days...

Thanks for stopping, 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 & Workshop in Turkey...

Hi all, hope your summer is going well, ours has been very nice so far...not as hot as it usually gets which is kind of cool...

NEW BEADS: I have made a ton of new beads the last few weeks photo above & have been listing them in my etsy shop, including some very yummy disk beads made with a brand new tool from Graceful Customs the above photos shows off some of my new beads...

WORKSHOP in Turkey: I am getting ready for my next class in Turkey at the Glass Furnace, from September 10 to the 17th, six days of Intermediate to advanced glass bead making from 9am to 5pm, for this workshop you stay at the school in the dorms, and see all kinds of other glass work in person, from their stadium seating hot shop to their 18 seat lamp working studio, cold-working, fusing,  kiln casting & any other glass technique you can think of, the Glass Furnace is a great glass school run by a very nice group of people who go out of their way to make your stay at their school and in Istanbul great...contact me for more information, there are 2 spaces still open, I have students coming from as far away as India & Australia & all over Turkey, not only I have the best time teaching at the Glass Furnace but I have made life long friendships & met so many nice people from all over the world...below is just a taste of some of the beads I will be teaching in this workshop...

In other news: I am told some of my beads made it in to the new Fire Mountain Gem Catalog...have you seen them? I am so proud as they are for a good cause, to raise money for the fight against breast cancer... I ordered a catalog as soon as I get mine I will post photos...

Silversmith: This last weekend I took an awesome silversmithing class with a the lovely Carmen Martinez, I made a yummy sterling silver ring with a mother of pearl stone, every student walked out with a finished product & most of us had never done any silver work...Contact Grace to get information on Carmen's next class...Here is the link to the blog post about the class...

Quote of the week: Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave. by Indira Gandhi 

Bead GIVEAWAY: The yummy fish goes to Katie D. of Northern California, please send me your address...for this week I have one of my yummy golden organic ribbon beads for your beading needs up for the giveaway...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

Thanks so much for stopping by and for all the love, life is good...
Jelveh
Peace