A Tribute to Pumpkins

What is it about this roly-poly gord that makes us smile. Each year it marks the beginning of the fall season and we just have to rush out and get one. Whether we carve it out, just set in on our porch or bring the faux ones out of the closet, they add charm and warmth to our lives and homes. Just a few snaps of the ones that inhabit my house.

Bead Expo 2009

Saturday was a beautiful day so it was off to Doylestown, PA for Innovative Bead Expo 2009. As usual there were tooooo many choices but here's some pics of the show and the items I purchased.

New Etsy Item

Just posted a new necklace to my Etsy site. Check out more photos at www.jujuzbeads.etsy.com

The Next Bottle Bag

Just thought I'd give you a sneak peak at my next bottle bag to be added to my Etsy shop (jujuzbeads.etsy.com). I'm still knitting but once it's done it's off to the washing machine along with a pair of old sneakers to felt it to size. I love the colors and I've already strung the beads that will embelish the leather ties. Hope you like it too.

Bead Expo

I'm pumped - The Innovative Beads Expo 2009 is in town next weekend. An entire gymnasium filled with beads - it is not to be missed. While it can be overwhelming I plan to arrive with lots of time and money - well maybe not a LOT of money - but I'm sure I won't walk away empty-handed. I'll let you know what goodies I uncover.

Felted Beads

I found a knitting pattern for making felted beads. How cute is that?? So I got out my trusty needles and started 'knitting" beads. Four stitches, four rows and sew the circumference. How simples is that. I made about a dozen in about an hour, took them to the bathroom sink and submerged them in hot sudsy water. I rubbed and I rubbed them around in my palm until they felted. Then I set them out to dry.

Next I discovered that you can't get a fine gauge head pin through the felted wool. Back into the hot water they went and wha-la - the head pin went through.

Now I have to get creative and add some smaller finishing beads and a bead cap or two and wire wrap them into a charm bracelet.

Here you see the before and after shots of the "knitted" bead. More to come....

Newly Created Items

I just finished posting the items above on my Esty page (@ www.jujuzbeads.etsy.com). I love going to my local bead shop where they have a wide array of classes and, of course, the beads and materials you need to create to your heart's content. I hope you like what you see.