Autumnal giveaway at Tree Wings Studio

Autumn is beautiful. Today the sun is shining down on the colourful aronia bushes and trees from a blue sky -- and yesterday I found these sweet little critters in my blog feed. And, lucky for us, Rebekah of Tree Wings Studio is giving them away! I mostly share giveaways/challenges/contests via Pinterest, but these are something special worth mentioning here too in case someone reads this blog but not follows me on Pinterest.

If you love her polymer clay work you might also be interested in knowing that she's having an autumn sale too at the moment.15 % off through monday, 14/10 (which is also the last day of the giveaway).

Read all about the sale and giveaway in her blog.

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 24-25

Medieval silver beads and jewellery (1100-1500 AD)
[Photo: Statens historiska museer/Gunnel Jansson, cc by-nc-nd 2.5 se]

It's over a week ago since the last blog post before the blog vacation was posted, but it wasn't until now I got a little time to sit down and do the last recap for this season. This time you can find everything from contest tips and beaded flowers (bouquets and boutonnieres) to historical bead charms and jewellery to turkish beaded lace.

All this and more after the break!

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 18-19

The cold is getting a bit better (and even more so, my throat which was horrible raw and sore this morning is better) so I thought that I might as well take the opportunity to post a recap already on a friday. Before forgetting as usual. Hope you find something of interesting to read on or via the posts!


It's time for another recap of what I'm blogged about on Manekis Pärlblogg, my blog for beaders and jewellery makers. This time subjects range from sustainable precious metal and jewellery art to silk ribbon projects and new swarovski colours to contests and cake.

All that and more after the break.

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 16-17

As usual I've managed to round up my posts from my beaders' and jewellery makers' blog. After the break, you can read more about everything from new contests, bead humour, creative projects, interesting magazines and bead info. And of cause, a call for all swedes to help me create a list of shops/groups/people/places that offer local bead meets, courses, workshops etc.

Maneki's bead blog recap weeks 14-15

I'm finally catching up with the bead blog recaps. Here's the round-up of the last two weeks's posts. After the break you can read of everything from bead trivets and colourful stretch bracelets to lead-free crystal and jewellery colours that matches the wedding dress. And more. After the break.

Maneki's bead blog March recap

I've finally finished working for this week and way not take that time to catch up a big on my blogging and more precisely my recaps of what I've written on my beaders' and jewellery-makers' blog, Manekis Pärlblogg. During march, I covered everything from beaded eggs (including real ones!), new bead shapes and tree root jewellery to contests, bead sculptures and notebooks for pearl lovers. Read all about it after the break!

Bead blog recap weeks 48-49

New Baroque finish. Photo courtsey of Miyuki Co, Ltd

A little belated, but here it is: Manekis pärlblogg in review, a summary of the last two weeks of blogging on my other blog. Everything from bead shop guides and bead embroidery techniques to contest tips and new bead finishes (I so want some of those Baroque seed beads now!).

Bead blog recap weeks 46-47

Almost forgot it, but here's the recap of my two last weeks of blogging at my other blog, Manekis pärlblogg. This time there's no less than three book reviews on top of the usual project tips, info on glass bead colours, bead embroidery techniques, contests and colourful leather cord.

Bead blog recap weeks 43-45

I've once again forgot to do a recap last week... Probably should do them weekly instead of biweekly in order to remember it better. (Last weekend was my birthday, but it's not much of an excuse, seeing how I don't really celebrate it and therefore didn't have much more than usual to do. At the most, I planned some shopping as I got a little money from my parents and aunt. Yay, new stuff!)

So three weeks of writing, what has that produced? This time around you can read about new contests and challenges, inspiring beads, colour inspiration, project and techniques such as repairing foilbacks (se photo above) and drilling in stone.

Any contest, challenge or swap that's too late by now has been left out from this list of posts. If curious, you can find all the challenge and contest tips on my blog here.

Bead blog recap weeks 38-40

Pages from La broderie perles by Yukiko Ogura

I'm so rubbish at remembering my Manekis pärlblogg summaries! Probably should go back to posting every weekend again... Anyway, here's what I've been writing on my blog for beaders and jewellery makers the last three weeks.

This time you'll find challenges, german pearl exhibits, bead embroidery, bead shop map help wanted, cakes and more -- and a note on the fact that I've now written over 1 500 posts on Manekis pärlblogg!

Hurry to enter the bead book giveaway!

Just a quick reminder than Friday is the last day to enter the giveaway to win a copy of A-Z of Bead Embroidery.

If you want to learn bead embroidery or want some romantic floral patterns to be inspired by, this is a great opportunity so don't miss it! Do feel free to share this giveaway and borrow my photos to do so.
 
Click here to go to the giveaway post.

Bead blog recap weeks 36-37

It's time for yet another round-up of my Manekis pärlblogg posts from the last two weeks. These weeks I've posted about challenges and contests, Swarovski innovations, cool Pébéo paints, padded bead embroidery, a jewellery exhibit in Stockholm, bead shopping at Swedish sewing and mineral shows and more. (If you or beaders/jewellery makers you know are going to Stockholm -- or Sweden in general -- you might want to read this as there's an unusual amount of shopping and exhibition tips here.)

Enjoy!

Bead blog recap weeks 34-35

 
Since Manekis pärlblogg is back on the usual schedule again it means the biweekly summaries of what I write over there are back too. I started off the "autumn term" with everything from cute bead-embroidered dolls (don't miss those!), beaded brollies and painted rhinestone jewellery to french schools, odd jewellery supplies and jewellery-creating larvae.

There's a few contest tips too (as a heads up, there'll be the monthly design challenge summary and -- hopefully -- a giveaway next week so pop over so you don't miss a deadline between my posting there and doing a recap here).

Also, I've done a few design changes so if you haven't been over to my other blog in some time, you're welcome to take a look and give some feedback on the changes. More about that below.

Giveaway notice

 
Well, after having spent time doing everything from sorting out my parents' new computer (the one I'm sitting on right now so it was partially selfish reasons for doing it) to judging finalist entries in a swedish beading contest where I'm a juror, I know what I'll do this weekend -- I'm going to start a few new embroidery projects (must begin doing something for the sequin blog hop). And... preparing for a new giveaway!I'm so excited. I love giving stuff away.

And, no, the giveaway doesn't have anything to do with the photo. I just didn't have a relevant pic to illustrate the post and so added this image instead. You might recognize the scene from this post. The photos are rather big so be sure to click on them for a full-scale view.

I'm digressing. Being too chatty. So -- back to the giveaway.

This post is really just a notice that you might not want to miss my posts -- on this blog and/or Manekis Pärlblogg -- next week if you're interested in a chance to win a bead embroidery book (that's all I'm revealing right now, got to keep you curious, right?). And if you know someone who might want to win, it's not too early to let them know about the upcoming giveaway. I really hope I'll be able to have everything sorted so the giveaway will be published next Friday or there around. Not a promise because you never know what can get in the way, but fingers crossed...

Since the giveaway will run on both my blogs, I'm going to do a (bilingual) form rather than have people write a comment to enter. That way all entries are in one place and there's no worries on how to merge entries into one list, nor do I have to refer readers of one blog to the other in order to enter. Haven't planned on doing the whole "spread the word and get more entries" even though it's a good way to encourage people to spread the word. Basically trying to make sure I don't break some stupid lottery law, especially now that the prize is sponsored by someone other than myself. Anyone got opinions or suggestions on how I've planned the giveaway, you're welcome to voice them (this weekend, later is too late). As usual, you can always e-mail me if you don't want to write a public comment.

Same pic, different colourway

The sequin stash

Sarah of Saturday Sequins announced her first blog hop, Sequinastic September, not long ago. Of cause I was temped to join in. I have only used sequins a few times since I grew up (of cause I craved sequins a lot as a kid). Once for a fun wirework necklace, once for some sort of garland. Never really used it in my beadwork. Sure, there have been a few ideas, but in the end I often stick with other materials I like better.

That said, I do have a small stash of sequins that I've both either because they looked pretty or because I got one of my weird ideas of using unusual jewellery materials. As they are often bought in bigger packs than I need or in mixes, I end up with lots of leftover. Some I've destashed a couple of years ago, but much I chose to keep for one reason or another.

I have two favourites in this pile of plastic:

• The matte bronze sequins. I bought these on sale because I really liked the colour and the flowers were so cute. My sis bought the third shape available: you can see part of one of the oval sequins she got in the back.

• The big flowers. This is from a package of big mixed sequins. Pretty much all of the big and colourful sequins in the first pic are from this mix, which included everything from stars and leaves to fish and turkeys. I think these flowers are fun and very retro. (BTW, they are purple, not blue.)

So now that I have signed up, what will I do with these sequins? To be honest I have no idea. The hop is on September 29th so there's lots of time to do something. With a deadline so far off, it doesn't feel like I have to rush any ideas -- but I'm trying not to get too lax as it's so easy to forget about it all and then sit up on the last night, trying to make something with the mind blank and stress levels rising.


I'm hoping to be able to create something without going shopping. I've seen lots of interesting sequins out there that'd be fun to play with -- and I do want to get my hands on some punchinella/sequin waste too! -- but it's better to work with the stash. Especially knowing how long these sequins have just been lying there in a drawer: even if I like them now, buying new stuff might just result in an even bigger stash of unused materials...


But, on the other, if I do use much of my sequins for this challenge, I have a legit reason to buy some new sequins, right? Some more useful shapes and nicer styles than the ones I have.

If you like sequins -- or if you want to be challenged to use them -- you should check out Sarah's blog hop. The rules for this creative challenge are simple: create original work using sequins -- it doesn't have to be jewellery or beadwork -- and post on your blog on the reveal date. And, finally, have fun! Sign ups are open through August 20. Complete information can be found here.

Lori's big giveaway and Nicole's bead backing giveaways

Lori's giveaway

I've got a second giveaway tip too. This time it's a big five-part giveaway, hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. The five prizes are:

• "Bits and bobs" from the Bead & Button Show (see pic above)
• A copy of the Bead Soup book (also pictured)
• Lori's ebook on inspiration for creative bloggers
• An "I'm a bead souper" tote bag (pictured)
• A mystery soup created by Lori

For your chance to win one of these prizes, check out the giveaway post on Pretty Things.

Two giveaways for Nicole's Bead Backing

• If you live in the US or Canda, don't miss Saturday Sequins' giveaway either. She's giving away a package of Nicole's Bead Backing to a lucky winner -- extra chances if you've never tried the product. This Friday is last day to enter.

• Via her blog I also found out that Nicole herself (aka Beadwright) is also doing a giveaway of her own, which is open worldwide. She too gives extra chances to win for those who haven't tried the product before.

PS! Don't forget to help choose a twin bead design to write a free tute on -- check out this post!

Art Bead Scene giveaway (and 7000 bracelets)

If you read Art Bead Scene Blog -- which is a very good read -- you know they have monthly design challenges. Well, this month is a bit special as the ABS team challenge for July isn't just about designing inspired by the chosen artwork, as per usual, but it's also about creating blue bracelets for the 7000 Bracelets for Hope project. Their goal is to have ABS challenge participants donating 200 bracelets during the July challenge.

If you follow/read my other blog, you've already heard about this so why am I repeating myself here, were I rarely write about the monthly design challenges? Well, because, in an effort to spread the word as much as they can, The ABS team have teamed up with a few sponsors to have bonus giveaways throughout the month. The first giveaway -- which might be of interest to those of you that like my patina posts -- is a collection of components donated by Melinda Orr (see pic above). If you want a chance to win these mouthwatering pieces, check out this post on the Art Bead Scene Blog.

Good luck!

Bead blog recap weeks 23-25

I've been so busy with other things as well as relaxing and doing nothing so I forgot the last recap before the blog break. So here, finally is a summary of the Manekis Pärlblogg posts for the last few weeks. (As usual I will do monthly colour inspiration posts and contest/challenge tips during the break.)

The posts include everything from slightly unusual jewellery materials (concrete and washi tape), embroidery techniques, challenge tips, seed bead glossaries, patinas, german bead shows, colour inspiration and more.

Bead blog recap weeks 19-22

I've forgotten to do my usual biweekly summaries of my other blog, Manekis Pärlblogg, for weeks so this time it'll be a long, long post. Contests, bead cruises, silk ribbon earrings, colours and margaritomancy are just a few of the themes from the last four weeks.

Bead blog recap weeks 17-18

It's been two weeks again. I'm not even going to comment on the speed of time this week. Just say that while I've been out with the camera today there won't be any photos posted on the blog until tomorrow hopefully. Today, though, it's time for another summary of my writings at Manekis Pärlblogg, the other blog I have. Several tips on challenges and contests, but also seed bead size charts, jewellery projects and bead tutorials.