Etsy Treasury

Check out my Aquamarine Earrings featured in this Etsy Treasury titled "The Beauty of Spring."

Bead Dreams 2010

Well, I was notified today that I didn't make it into the Bead Dreams competition this year. My entry was called Fleur Noir, and was entered into the seedbead category. It is made with Delica beads, and Swarovski crystals.

I guess this just means that it is another piece for my portfolio! At least I am now able to show you the necklace that I made for the competition! Feel free to comment!

Portfolio Work

In between my orders from www.glimpsebeads.com I will be working on some new pieces for my portfolio. I am trying to build it up, so that I have something really great to take around to designers and beg for freelance work! (If you are a designer, and would like to hire me for embellishment or embroidery work please contact me!)

The start of my new projects will include lots of beads and sparkles! Here is a preview of some rivoli pieces that I am getting ready to include in my new necklace. These are Swarovski crystals surrounded by glass and 24k gold beads.


As I sit and bead, I can look out my window and appreciate the nice quite area of Paris that I live in. I do love the Parisian style window, and all the greenery outside!

Prada Sparkles

One good thing about living in Paris, is being able to window shop at all the luxury stores. I love walking by places like Chanel and Dior and seeing what is in their window displays. Prada is also another shop that I like to window shop in, and last time I was there I was dazzled by sparkles. This collection of beaded bags and shoes is delightful. The drop faceted crystals hanging from the shoes, and perched atop the bags add some whimsy to these great Prada pieces. I loved the bag, and could just imagine using it when I visit Florida!

Spring Flowers

Looks like Spring is finally here to stay in Paris, and the flowers are in full bloom! This weekend, strolling though the streets of Paris I came across many sights to prove that spring is here. Couples and friends lounging by the Seine, tourists eating gelato, and accordion players littering the small streets and parks.

Stopping by the park behind Notre Dame, my boyfriend and I sat on a park bench and enjoyed croissant armande nutella, which we had picked up from a bakery in the Marais district. Yes, they were as delicious as they sound!

Since we were in the famous Marais district, I just had to stop in at the bead shop there. Once inside, I was thrilled to find that they had got some new beads in stock. I found these wonderful resin flower beads that I can't wait to use in a necklace! They just seem very Parisian to me! So, keep a lookout on www.glimpsebeads.com for a design featuring these new flowers soon!

Galaxy Bead Pendant

I am officially addicted to making these galaxy beads! I made another one today and paired it with one of my lampwork beads, and Swarovski crystals. This beautiful pendant sparkles so much in the Paris sunshine! As I sit here in my little Paris apartment with my window open listening to the birds outside, I think I might just have to make another one! The only problem now is deciding what color to do next!

A Beady Afternoon

Yesterday I went to a fellow bead friend's apartment for an afternoon of beading. Myself and another friend of mine, happily spent the day creating and gaining inspiration for jewelry ideas. We did a little flamework, and a little stitching throughout the afternoon. It has been about two years since I have sat in front of a torch and created beads, so I was a little rusty to say the least. However, it was great to be able to melt some glass and create some beads again! These are the beads that I made yesterday. Hopefully I will be able to make some more again soon!

My friend was also nice enough to give me a pattern for a beaded bead to create. So, when I came home last night I got right into making it. The picture below is of the bead that I created out of delica beads and Swarovski crystals. I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet, but I sure I will be wearing it soon in one of my jewelry creations!

Paris Birthday!

There is nothing better than getting to celebrate your birthday in Paris. After spending a week in England, I headed back to Paris just in time to celebrate! First stop on my birthday celebration list was Angelina. This famous tea room is known for it's thick hot chocolate and pretty little cakes. I must admit that the hot chocolate was just like a melted chocolate bar. There is a pot of cream that comes with it, which does even out the strong chocolate flavor a little bit. Proust, Coco Chanel and many other famous fashion designers have passed through this charming, elegant tea room.


Next, my boyfriend and I went to Chanel to purchase a pair of earrings that I have been drooling over ever since I moved to Paris. As the guard held the door open at 31 Rue Cambon which was the original apartment of Coco Chanel, I got butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't believe that I was about to shop at Chanel!! As we were guided through the little rooms in the shop, I found myself in the accessories room surrounded by every kind of Chanel jewelry you could ever want. We found my earrings, got them packaged up and gleefully headed out into streets proudly carrying my Chanel bag.


As it was such a nice day, we decided to head over to the Jardin des Tuileries. We found a bench, and soaked up the sunshine. The flowers are all starting to bloom, so the views in the park were delightful. After we had enjoyed the Tuileries enough, we walked through the streets of Paris to the Jardin du Luxembourg. There we lounged back in the chairs and enjoyed the sunshine once again.


After all the walking and shopping, we were ready for dinner. We went to one of my favorite places in Paris called Indiana. I know, it is not exactly French, but they have a really nice veggie burger and fries! That was my ideal birthday dinner!

Overall, this was a fantastic birthday, and I know I will continue to enjoy these memories, and my new Chanel earrings for many years to come!