Sweet Bead Studio — Handcrafted jewelry by Cindy Wimmer

Happy Thanksgiving!

by Cindy on November 26, 2009

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Hope this finds you enjoying a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving Day (if you’re stopping by from the US – or even abroad and celebrating). Are you getting ready to cook? Do you have an oven full of delicious food and a house full of that incredible aroma? Or are you nearly passed out from over-eating all of those yummy dishes that you waited all year to eat?

After my son’s Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast, we packed up and took a long drive south. We’re known to take a nice day trip to see the local sites….but this time, we went a little further. Can you guess where we stopped en route to our Thanksgiving destination?

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We took a quick tour through Savannah, Georgia today! We are a long way from home. I would love to come back to this city…there are SO many beautiful things to see there.

We’ve reached our final destination (as “GPS girl” says), and we’re in Florida. We’ll be celebrating the holiday with my brother, sister-in-law, and my 2 little nephews.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And safe travels to all who are traveling!

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Color Challenge

by Cindy on November 22, 2009

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See this bright bangle bracelet? Would you believe it was inspired by a caterpillar? I’m not sure what originally inspired the lampwork artist (Moon Stumpp) to make her beads, but I pulled out this set of beads and set out to create a bracelet all due to a colorful caterpillar……this one to be exact:

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Kelly over at the Silver Parrot is hosting a bracelet challenge inspired by the beautiful colors found in nature. She chose a bunch of bright bugs and butterflies for the inspiration. I’ll admit I normally do not choose green beetles or caterpillars for inspiration…and maybe that’s why these whimsical lampwork beads have been sitting in my bead box for a very long time. Reminds me of Lori Anderson’s recent article over on the Watch Me Create blog….she had some boro beads that were presenting a design problem and let them sit unused as well. She challenged us to get out those beads that we chose to overlook and bring them to life. A little push was all I needed and now these beads are showcased in a coiled sterling silver bangle. Thanks for inspiring me, Kelly and Lori!

Making the rounds in other jewelry blogs, Julie over at Prairie Thistle is hosting a giveaway until November 26th. Julie’s giveaway is a wonderful gesture in support of a few of her blog land friends. Stop over and you’ll find out more about this beautiful Ave Maria necklace…this religious pendant is truly stunning. It is amazing the wonderful friendships that are made through our blogs.

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Dream, Soar….Fly – with blog friends!

by Cindy on November 17, 2009

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Hello Friends!

I thought I’d do a little show and tell today. I am the proud owner of this beautiful original piece of art by Julie King – a wonderful photographer and mixed media artist. There are a lot of swaps and trades that go on in this community of crafters and artists…and I was happy to be a part of one recently. A few months ago Julie contacted me saying that she liked one of my stamped copper bracelets, and would I be interested in doing a trade? Of course!! I couldn’t believe her generosity…she offered to create an original piece just for me?? “Dream Soar Fly Free” is a collage created with torn vintage sheet music and scrapbook papers. Julie also used pastels and ink to create this sweet piece….I just cannot wait to put it in my future studio.

lovelyblog Now on to more blog land friends! I was touched when Susan of Hot Rocks Glass Jewelry passed on the “One Lovely Blog Award” to me. I know so many of you feel the same way that I do – that our blogs have been a path leading us to far away places and new friends. Susan is a fun and talented jewelry artist in Canada who creates truly one of a kind pieces. I really like how she names her jewelry pieces after pop/rock songs. 🙂 Thank you for thinking of me, Susan!

kreativ_blog Now talking about far away places…I also received an award this week from the dynamic duo – Julie and Donna! Julie and Donna are twin sisters who create gorgeous jewelry together…with a vintage touch (my favorite kind!). They started their blog, Sissy Sparrows, fairly recently. I’m honored to have made friends with these sweet sisters from Australia.

There’s a little something extra with this award….I need to share 7 things about myself that you may not know. Hmm…what to say?

1. I have been to the Eiffel Tower, the Tower of London, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

2. I am a hopeless night owl….wait, I think many of you already know that!

3. I just started drinking coffee again after a 1 1/2 year break (it was inevitable on account of #2).

4. My husband and I joke around that one day we’ll be antiques (vintage stuff) vendors and travel around the country to different shows.

5. I iron my clothes every night (okay, not if I’m heading to StrollerFit). If I’m staying in a hotel, one of the first things I do is check to see if there’s an iron. I know you are rolling your eyes here.

6. I love nonpareils…or Sno-Caps.

7. Am I the only one that feels really strange sharing random tidbits? I do. Oh, I guess #7 should be that I don’t really feel comfortable being the center of attention.

…..and that’s a wrap! Have a great week!!

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