Sand Fibers

While you're waiting

2009-07-10T14:12:00.002-04:00

for our regularly scheduled programming to resume...

While I love this cuff, I am seriously tired of seeing it in my store. Should someone decide to purchase it before noon (Eastern Standard Time) tomorrow, I will send them a $20 refund. So there.

Be well, get going, enjoy your weekend!

Truncated Thursday...

2009-07-09T21:00:00.004-04:00

An apology...

Yes, there were treasury appearances for Sand Fibers this past week, and, yes, I will properly thank the curators of these collections...but not until next week, when I hope my world will feel a little more balanced than it does now. In the meantime, I offer my apologies.

A listing...

A week late, I finally wrote up the pattern for Pop Art and got it listed this afternoon:

A challenge...

The New Horizons Challenge for the Beadweaving Emporium on 1000Markets is now open for voting until July 15. Please take moment to stop by the BEM blog and place your vote:

My entry is You Are My Sunshine, a collaboration with Lisa Peters that I showed you last month. In case you forgot, however, here it is again:

Thank you for your patience with me. Now...be well and get going, my friends!

Your regularly-scheduled posts

2009-07-07T16:51:00.004-04:00

have been interrupted by my life experiences. Please be patient with me; I hope to be back on track by next week. In the meantime, for your viewing pleasures . . .

A storm that never materialized Sunday evening:

A custom cuff using plated delicas in 24 kt gold, copper, and sterling silver:

And my immediate family:

A visitor:

Be well and get going, my friends! I'll be back soon ;)

A Wish. A Feature. A Pattern.

2009-07-04T15:55:00.004-04:00

A Wish.

Everyone here at Sand Fibers Enterprises (that would be me, myself, and I) wishes you a Happy Independence Day, if you are resident or citizen of these United States of America, and a Happy Saturday, if you are not. ;)

A Feature.

A few weeks ago I was contacted for permission to use a photograph in an upcoming piece on Ornament.com. Well, the wonderful article on Wearable Ornaments is up for your reading and viewing pleasure.

I love that I make wearable ornaments and not "just jewelry" :D

A Pattern.

Only a few days later than I had originally planned, my pattern for Log Cabin Braid is now listed, for your beading pleasure:

I would love to see what color schemes you can come up with for this! :D

Be well and get going, my friends!

Bargello for Coffee Lovers and More

2009-07-03T17:15:00.004-04:00

Gotta love a customer with an idea for a great color scheme! Last week, I received a request for a bargello ribbon using chocolate, beige, ivory, and white. The result was this lovely piece, which I am now offering as a made-to-order listing:

Coffee with Cream and Sugar

I said I would list patterns for Log Cabin and Pop Art next. I lied. I finished the work on Houndstooth instead and got it listed yesterday.

The pattern can be used to create 1.25", 1", and 0.6" wide bracelets in my adaptation of the houndstooth design. Log Cabin will follow in the next day or two.

I have decided not to renew listings for any of my "for commercial use" patterns. If you want to purchase a "for commercial use" edition of any of my published patterns, just contact me here or by email (SandFibers[at]yahoo.com) or through Etsy, and I will get a listing up for you in short order.

Be well and get going :D

Thursday's Treasur(i)es

2009-07-02T21:28:00.004-04:00

It's been another great week for treasury appearances for Sand Fibers! :D I feel so blessed and honored by this attention. Thank you, dear curators!

A Panoply of Peyote

SalamanderHouse included my Brilliant Bronze Choker with Pearls in this collection.

Please visit her shop for beauties like Copper Canyon Sunrise Necklace

Don't call me Dotty!

dorothydomingo included my Autumnal Dots Peyote Cuff in this collection.

Please visit her shop for beauties like Metallic Blue Disc Bracelet

BAD HAIR DAY

FebystanDesigns included my What's Black and White and Red All Over - Pop Art Peyote Cuff in this collection.

Please visit her shop for beauties like TIME stops, when a kite FLIES - Crocheted earrings in teal and aqua, beaded in black and aqua.

crimson and cobalt

loveartworks included my Audacity of Hope Peyote Triangle Pendant in this collection.

Please visit her shop for beauties like IMAGINE -Sunrise Dove Peace Vase

My Last Treasury

PipingHotPapers included my Icicles Peyote Triangle Pendant and Choker in this collection.

Please visit her shop for beauties like Matchbook Notepads - Sun, Sand and Surf - set of 12

Thank you so much to the wonderful Etsians who have singled out my creations for their beautiful treasuries! I get such a thrill every time I see a gold star next to a list :D

Tuesday's Weather and a Triangle

2009-06-30T21:35:00.003-04:00

This is how my day started:

The monsoon season has definitely arrived in southern New Mexico! We've had more rain in the last week than (I believe) we had had all year before that.

Since the day began on a rainy note, I thought it only appropriate to end it on a sunny one with today's Tuesday's Triangle:

Petite Summer Simplicity

As the name implies, this one is meant for a tiny wrist: 5"

Be well, stay dry, and get going!

BAO Item of the Week and Sterling Silver Nights

2009-06-29T18:05:00.002-04:00

First, thank you to those who left such sweet and caring comments on yesterday's post about Kyra's death. Every one of them means so much!

And because Kyra was my sunshine, I chose You Are My Sunshine for my BAO Item of the Week.

If you purchase this before midnight on July 5 AND mention BAO (or Kyra) in the Notes to Seller, I will send you a refund of $10. Not a bad deal, if I say so myself ;)

And here are the other eight BAO Items of the Week. You can find details on the Bead Art Originals blog:

You probably know by now that, if I make a custom order with results I really like, I often decide to offer that piece as a made-to-order selection in my shop. Sterling Silver Nights was just such a piece. Now up and listed:

Be well and get going, my friends ;)

Sweet Kyra

2009-06-28T13:24:00.004-04:00

My sweet, sweet Kyra died yesterday. She waited for Terry to get home from work, said good-bye, and died in the car, in the driveway. She made sure that we would not have to face that horrible "did we put her to sleep too soon" question that so often weighs heavily on the hearts of pet "owners."

Thank you, Kyra, for all the love you brought into our lives. We all miss you terribly already: Terry, me, Callie, and Tatum, poor Tatum who has actually been crying off and on since yesterday evening. Her entire life has revolved around you, where you were, what you were chasing, whether your ears needed cleaning . . .

I Should be Ashamed of Myself!

2009-06-27T13:46:00.004-04:00

And I really, really, really am :( It has taken me a month and a half (yikes!) to get the prizes for the Name That Line contest made and mailed. Granted, I did tell the winners it would take a week or two, but not that it would take a week or two TIMES THREE! Melody and Summer have been great sports and I thank them doubly: for a wonderful name for my line and for their patience.

Melody's Transitions: Coloring Outside the Lines

Summer's Transitions: Coloring Outside the Lines

Coincidence that both of these ladies requested green and purple?

Be well and get going!

Thursday's Treasur(i)es

2009-06-25T22:17:00.003-04:00

Once again I almost let this day go by without preparing my Thursday's Treasur(i)es post. This is becoming a habit I must break!

I was fortunate to find my work in two beautiful treasuries this past week. The first was windyriver's Robust Reds in which she featured my Dramatic Abstract Peyote Cuff

Visit her shop for some great jewelry, including some beadweaving like these Deco Chandelier earrings which would have fit right in with her treasury.

The second treasury I was in this week was thebeadedlily's you'll never know in which she included my You are my Sunshine 3-in-1 Necklace

Please take a few minutes to visit this wonderful jewelry artist's shop. I covet so many things she creates, like this magnificent new piece - siren-- long necklace-- collections II

And, yes, I did actually get something new up in the shop today: Ambrosia Transitions - Coloring Outside the Lines

I have several more of these in various stages of production, so you will be seeing them over the next few weeks.

Be well and get going, my friends!

Tuesday's Triangles and Bargello from HELLo

2009-06-24T10:23:00.003-04:00

While Tuesday's triangles truly were posted on Flickr and mailed out to their intended recipients on Tuesday, I didn't get a chance to create this blog entry until this morning.

Last week, I saw this incredible necklace on my etsy friend Tresijas' Flickr photostream.

Tresijas has been working with damaged vinyl records to create some incredible pieces lately. I just really really had to have this one, which she so wonderfully titled Hot Asphalt. We decided on a trade. Tresijas picked one of my triangle pendants, but this left her on the "short side" of the deal, so I told her I would make it up to her. She has three little girls, but only two are old enough to appreciate these (made in their favorite colors!), my Tuesday's Triangles for this week:

Another trade, this time with my Bead Art Originals colleague Dee of Malodora, has had me working on a custom version of my Bargello Hearts design. Dee chose pink and olive.

This piece has been fraught with frustration for me since the onset and so my pet name for it has become Bargello from HELLo. First, it took some time to get the right olive beads; those in my (rather extensive) delica stash were all too dark or too harsh for the pinks. Then, it took me more than twice as long as it should have to do the actual beading because I had to frog stitch (rip it!) as much as I had to stitch. And I would always find my mistakes an inch or two AFTER making them. Some mistakes can be fixed "inline" without unbeading; these could not.

And then, as the parting insult, I wove in my final thread, ready to make the closure...only to find that I had mismeasured and stopped a half inch short of where I needed to be. LOL

But this has been worth it! I received my part of this trade a month ago (I am never this late!!! but Dee has been incredibly patient and knew there were a few other things on my plate that came first!) and LOVE IT! I want you to know this is the only charm bracelet I own; THAT's how much I love this wild and crazy piece.

May your Wednesdays be as perfect as Wednesdays can be :D Be well and get going!

BAO Item of the Week and Some Fun!

2009-06-22T19:10:00.006-04:00

Summertime and the living is easy ... :)

After spending hours working on the published pattern last week, this week's BAO Item of the Week for me had to be

Silver Hugs and Kisses on Purple

Purchase and pay for this by midnight on Sunday, June 28, AND leave "BAO" in the Notes to Seller, and I will include a special SandFibers-created gift in your package. You won't be disappointed.

Speaking of not being disappointed...none of these items will leave you disappointed. Check out the details on the Bead Art Originals blog!

This post is a little later than usual on a Monday because I spent the middle part of my day meeting a new friend in person: Jennifer of BlestBeads and TocadoraLeather. I don't think I've ever had such fun meeting with a stranger who just really wasn't a stranger. The internet makes unusual and wonderful friends!

I had teased Jennifer about not having cuffs that fit "us larger gals" and, wouldn't ya know it!, look what she had in her bag of (wonderful, fantastic leather with metal) goodies today:

Triangles? Copper? Who would expect me to resist? LOL

Jennifer and I have plans to collaborate on some exciting new cuffs, so stay tuned!

I hope your Monday was as exhilarating as mine. Be well and get going.

Respect Copyrights, PLEASE!

2009-06-21T09:28:00.004-04:00

Here's another sad tale of copyright violation. Heck, outright theft! Please read this blog post by the wonderful, talented Theresa Buchle and, if you're in Texas and can figure out which store (three locations in the state) she's talking about, boycott that store. Theresa's too much of a lady to come right out and name them, and so I won't do it either.

Comment on her blog and show her the moral support that is the least any artist in this situation deserves. Thank you!

Hot Off the Sand Fibers Presses!

2009-06-19T20:15:00.007-04:00

There really is something rather satisfying about crossing off items on a To Do list. These have been on mine for a few days now, but now they are off my list and on Etsy:

The next patterns up for publication are Log Cabin Braid and Pop Art.

~~~

And I'd like to share some goodies with you. I drove up to Las Cruces to visit with Jack Shaver, creator of amazing cabochons, spend a gift certificate to Unravel (my favorite yarn shop), and get some seed beads at Western Traders (stash house for beaders). This is what I brought home.

From Jack Shaver, opalized wood, cut from a piece mined from the site the Hatch, New Mexico, airport was built on.

From Unravel, various wonderous balls of fiber:

And from Western Traders, my eyes would only rest on seed beads (an act of amazing restraint!):

My $120 take in one glimpse:

Is it any surprise that I really really really enjoyed my Wednesday morning in Las Cruces ;o

Thursday's Treasur(i)es

2009-06-18T23:25:00.003-04:00

I can't believe I almost let this day go by without preparing my Thursday's Treasur(i)es post. Such a slacker I am!

Once again, I was fortunate to find my work in two beautiful treasuries this past week. The first was

dibabeads' ...Some Dots To Discover... in which she included my Autumnal Dots Peyote Cuff

Visit her shop for some great vintage jewelry, like this great Vintage .. Signed Dotted Scarf Clip which would have fit wonderfully in her own treasury.

The second treasury I was in this week was teaandsweets' And I'm feeling blue ... in which she included my Zircon Blue Jacquard Peyote Cuff

Please take a minute to visit this wonderful little bakery. I can just imagine how delicious these Cookies - White Chocolate Toasted Macadamia Nut Cookies are!

And lest you think that I have been a complete slacker, here's a glimpse of my current work in progress:

Be well and get going, my friends! ;D

Any Requests for Patterns?

2009-06-17T11:07:00.002-04:00

I've been asked to publish the pattern for Achromatic Color Ribbon

I will list that pattern later this week.

While I'm playing with my beading software (and Word and Adobe), I thought I had might as well take care of more than one bird

(Couldn't resist! These two left their nest yesterday and I've been having fun taking pix. ;o)

SO....if you have any particular pattern requests, now is the time to speak up! Just leave a comment here, send me an Etsy convo, leave a comment on Facebook, Twitter me, or email me at SandFibers@yahoo.com. I will try to honor your requests. ;o

Happy Wednesday...I'm off to Las Cruces for some shopping (including a trip to my favorite yarn store - Unravel).

Be well and get going!

The Perfectly Accessorized Gal

2009-06-16T20:33:00.005-04:00

wears this Tuesday's Triangle - Zircon Blue and Copper Simplicity

on one wrist and this Log Cabin Braid Cuff on the other

while her neck is adorned with Hello Dolly!

These last few days have been filled with hours upon hours of fondling gorgeous silver-lined zircon blue delicas and various copper colored beads. Yums!

It all started out when some beads I need for another project were delayed in getting here. I simply cannot not bead and so I went to my embarrassingly extensive stash of art bead goodies and found a beautiful button by the talented and lovely Mak of MAKUstudio.

The zircon blue beads just picked up on some of the button's colors perfectly. This closeup of the piece as a work in progress gives you a much better idea of the richness of the colors.

Once Hello Dolly was finished and listed, I couldn't put the beads away...the result is the Simplicity piece at the top of this post.

On my bead board right now are olive (the delayed beads), pink, and crystal delicas for a special, custom version of my Bargello Hearts. I should have something to show you in a day or two or three (hey, it's a complex pattern and takes some time to work up!).

Be well and get going!

BAO Item of the Week and Something to Vote on

2009-06-15T11:31:00.003-04:00

I decided to do something quite different for my Bead Art Originals Item of the Week: EVERY item in Sand Fibers is a BAO Item of the Week this week.

If you purchase, for instance, this Log Cabin Peyote Cuff by midnight on Sunday, June 21,

AND mention "BAO" in the Notes to Seller, I will refund your shipping charge. This deal is valid on ANY ITEM in my Sand Fibers store.

Here's a glimpse of the other 13 items of the week. For details, visit the Bead Art Originals blog.

And now for a complete change of subject...

I've entered Tim Adam's "Etsy Worthy Photo Contest#2" this morning. The winner receives fame and fortune, um, I mean a month of free advertising. My entry is this photo of a collaboration piece with Lisa Peters - Youthful Fancy Necklace.

Please visit the contest and vote for what you think is the best photograph -- if that happens to be mine, so much the better!

Happy Monday! Be well and get going and come back tomorrow for a view of some new Sand Fibers creations.

A New Horizon...of Sunshine

2009-06-13T19:30:00.005-04:00

The Beadweaving Emporium on 1000 Markets is having its first monthly challenge: A New Horizon. And, because it has been over a year since I've participated in anything resembling a challenge (oh, okay - lots of PRIVATE challenges here ;o), I decided to create an entry: You Are My Sunsine.

I associate the horizon with the sun as it rises and sets. And nothing quite symbolizes the sun for me as much as sunflowers.

I had this gorgeous hexagonal cab by Lisa Peters

and after spending so much time with those other two hex pieces, I was starting to go through LAP (Lisa Peters Art) -withdrawal... This was the perfect medicine!

I created a bezel by first bead embroidering around the cab and then using peyote to build up the front of the bezel.

And then I added some perfectly matched leather and continued to bezel to the back side.

I really like the finished look this gives to a piece.

Perhaps with the versatility of my Bronze Simplicity twinset in mind (the two bracelets that can be worn as a choker), I decided to bead a rope that could be quite stunning worn on its own:

but that would not distract from the beauty of the pendant when worn with it:

The circles double as an adjustable clasp when the rope is worn like this.

And because I miss the "Fiber" part of my existence, I crocheted a fiber necklace that the pendant can be worn with as well:

One necklace with three distinct looks:

Voting on the "A New Horizon" challenge begins July 9 on the BEM blog. Please take a minute to pick out your favorite piece! I'll be sure to remind you when the time comes ;)

In the meantime, be well and get going...

And here's a parting "teaser" of my current work in progress:

Thursday's Treasur(i)es

2009-06-11T20:02:00.003-04:00

I'm always thrilled when someone is kind enough to pick one of my creations for their treasuries on Etsy. I've had another week of great surprises thanks to some lovely curators!

derived of color

GreenEnvyDesigns included my Triangle with Attitu(b)e in Black in this collection.

Her Zebra Dangliez (black and white striped beaded dangling earrings) would fit into her collection perfectly :D

Aqua Vision

daphnecellophane included my Bright Peyote Triangle Pendant and Choker in this collection.

Her Sailing Girl Blue would fit into this list beautifully.

Spreadin' the Love!

dorothydomingo included my Soft Raku Dreams in this collection.

Her Breathe III - Wall Quilt would fit in this treasury seamlessly.

Fire and blue ice

daxdesigns included my Colorful Polka Dots Peyote Cuff in this collection.

Her Kumasa Zest brooch would complement these selections beautifully.

Thank you so much to the wonderful Etsians who have singled out my creations for their beautiful treasuries! I get such a thrill every time I see a gold star next to a list :D

Another combo post!

2009-06-09T20:25:00.004-04:00

BAO Item of the Week.

I've been feeling very "bronzey" (you'll see why later) and so it seemed apropos to select this as my Item of the Week:

Brilliant Bronze Choker

Purchase this by midnight on Sunday June 14 and I'll send you a refund for $30 ;)

Check out these other Bead Art Originals beauties on the BAO blog:

Tuesday's Triangle

And here's the reason I've had bronze on my mind these past few days:

Bronze Simplicity - A Beadwoven Bracelet Twinset

Wear the two bracelets on one wrist, or one each on two wrists, or combine them for a choker:

And because I can never not be beading, here's the current work in progress, as a little tease for the end of the week ;)

Be well and get going, my cyber buddies! :D

For Your Viewing and Beading Pleasures

2009-06-05T15:34:00.005-04:00

For Your Viewing Pleasure

If you're at Bead & Button and haven't been to Lisa Peters' booth (#1213) yet, what on earth are you waiting for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go see my "little pieces":

And for all I know she may have some of the pieces made for last year's B&B with her as well (I won't trouble you with those ;o).

And make me jealous by getting to see MaryLou's (time2cre8) creations as well:

(I've got to get myself one of those "classier" busts, like MaryLou's, me thinks.)

And last, but not least, the wonderful brooches that Grace of GraceBeading created with Lisa's cabs:

And for your BEADING pleasure,

I've listed two more patterns today:

Now be well, get going, and have yourselves a wonderful weekend! :D

Thursday's Treasur(i)es

2009-06-04T20:50:00.002-04:00

I was sure this post would consist of nothing this week since, even if there were treasuries with Sand Fibers items in them, I couldn't get the Treasury feature to load to see them. But my internet woes seem at bay right now, and I found these goodies within the last day. If you put my work in a treasury and it's not here, the oversight can be blamed on my internet problems. Send me a screenshot and I will feature it next week :)

Beadweav Summer

MacrameByMaja included my Partial Lime Swirls Peyote Cuff in this collection.

Look at this wonderful Summer Memories - beadwoven bracelet in her shop!

Naturale

sweptfromthesea included my Olive Green and Sand Peyote Cuff in this collection.

I really love this Sterling Silver Sea Glass Jewelry - White Lariat Necklace and Earring Set in her shop!

It's a Bit Unusual

Lynnaddison included my Romantic Ruffles Peyote Cuff in this collection.

Take a look at how she has used vintage beads and memory wire in SIMPLY GOLDEN German GLASS BEAD BRACELET with Dangles.

MORE THAN WORDS

zerva included my Peach and Greys Log Cabin Braid Peyote Cuff in this collection.

Look at this wonderful Bead Embroidered Handbag-tote in her shop!

Summertime

SmadarsTreasure included my Pink and Grey Peyote Pendant on Wire Choker in this collection.

Can it get more summery than this Variable Crocheted Pink, Silver and Crystal Lariat in Smadar's shop?

Thank you so much to the wonderful Etsians who have singled out my creations for their beautiful treasuries! I get such a thrill every time I see a gold star next to a list :D

BAO Item of the Week and Tuesday's Triangle

2009-06-02T12:28:00.005-04:00

I'm having some internet speed "issues" and uploading and downloading and doing just about anything is cumbersome, at best, and impossible, at worst. I have no idea what's causing the issue or how to resolve it, so my blogging may be more sporadic than usual for however long this takes. My apologies.

BAO Item of the Week

My friend/bead buddy/cosmic sister MaryLou of time2cre8 was kind enough to upload all the graphics for the Bead Art Originals blog post announcing this week's Items of the Week. Thank you, MaryLou! And because loading graphics to my blog is so hard right now, I will forego posting the mosaic here this week and will just ask you to visit the BAO blog directly to see the other ten items. It's worth the trip; I promise!

Since I'm having internet attitude issues, I thought my Sand Fibers with Attitude cuff would be an appropriate choice for my Item of the Week.

If you purchase and pay for this by midnight on Sunday, June 7, AND leave "bao" in the notes to seller, I'll refund the shipping costs and include a special surprise gift with the shipment.

Tuesday's Triangle

It's time for another in the Simplicity series of bracelets: Lavender and Purple Simplicity!

Color Blocks

And, while I've got your attention, here' s a quick look at the custom Color Blocks cuff I sent out to its new owner a few days ago:

31 colors of delicas, none used twice. The original used 22 colors, aquas and greys:

I think the next one of these needs to be in reds.

Now be well and get going. (I will post as I can, when I can.)