Time Machine Challenge Winner Announced by the Etsy Beadweavers!

It is always exciting when the Etsy Beadweavers (EBW) Team announces the winner of their latest challenge. The April challenge theme was "Time Machine", and without further delay, presenting

First Place Winner

"Time Machine" by Zsuzanna of BeadsbyVezsuzsi

Congratulations Zsuzanna!

Visit Zsuzanna's Etsy shop by clicking here.

Visit Zsuzanna's blog by clicking here.

Second Place Winner

"For the Women of the Future" by Smadar of SmadarsTreasure

Congratulations Smadar!

Visit Smadar's Etsy shop by clicking here.

Visit Smadar's blog by clicking here.

Third place Winner

"Sticks and Stones" by Marsha of HauteIceBeadwork

Congratulations Marsha!

Visit Marsha's Etsy shop by clicking here.

There were 31 entrants in the EBW Time Machine Challenge. You can view all of the entrants and learn more about the Etsy Beadweavers by clicking here.

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BAO Welcomes Spring!

Bead Art Originals is having a sale to Welcome Spring! Lots of discounted prices, free shipping offers, and gifts with purchase. Additionally, the team is having a giveaway DAILY! WOW! Be sure to click on the poster picture or click here to visit the team blog and read about each team member's special and sign-up for the giveaways!

Don't miss this chance to save some $$$ ... treat yourself to that special piece of jewelry or special bead that you have been coveting. And, don't forget you'll need gifts for Mother's Day, graduations, proms and weddings!

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Etsy Beadweavers Time Machine Challenge

The Etsy Beadweavers Time Machine Challenge has been posted to their blog, and voting is now open! There are 31 entrants this month. Etsy Beadweavers are an amazing group of individuals who have come together to share their common love of weaving tiny beads, and each has their own style and interpretation for the monthly challenge theme. We love to have people visit our blog and share in the love! Please click here to visit the blog and vote for your favorite! Voting closes on April 15th, so don't delay!

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Bead Art Originals IOTW

It's time for the latest mosaic from Bead Art Originals! Click here to visit their blog for the special offers associated with each item.

Contributing artists this week are:

Time2cre8
SalamanderHouse
Malodora
SmadarsTreasure
GwenBeads
Triz
TheBeadedLily
TheJadeDog
BeadsAndWeaves
CieloDesign
SandFibers

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Bead Art Originals - Item of the Week

The Bead Art Originals (BAO) group has put together some gorgeous pieces for their Item of the Week specials. There are 14 artists contributing this week. I usually give you the names of the artists with direct links to their Etsy shops, but my hands are bothering me again, so please forgive me for not doing the extra typing.

If you will please click here, you'll go to the Bead Art Originals blog where you'll find shop links and all the special offers.

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What Comes First?? Jewelry, Clothing or Shoes??

When relisting this bracelet today in my Etsy shop, I gave it a new title and tweaked the description. My thoughts wander as I write descriptions, and I began thinking, "Do women first chose the clothing they will wear that day, or do they start with a pair of shoes or a piece of jewelry?"

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Certainly our planned activities of the day and seasonal weather will determine the style of our dress, but I'm thinking in general. Do you think about the walking involved and chose your shoes first? Do you chose the new bracelet or earrings that your friend hasn't seen yet or the new sweater that's as soft as butter?

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My choices are directed by the fact that I have tender feet, thus shoes are first on my list. Clothing is second and jewelry third. My final thought ... I am a fortunate person to have such "choices".

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Cat's Meow March, 2009

This month my Cat's Meow is this bracelet, "After The Storm", designed and woven by Olga of MadeByOlga (her shop on the Etsy website). I fell in love with this bracelet the first time I saw it ... which was in an Etsy Beadweavers Monthly Challenge.

Olga says, "Inspiration for the piece comes from my childhood memories about the sea side back home in Latvia. I have embellished it with small pieces of natural Baltic amber and tiny carnelian chips."

I grew up half a world away from Olga on the eastern Connecticut shore. When I first saw this bracelet, my mind instantly carried me to the days of playing on an off-shore sandbar while my grandfather fished from his boat near by. My little fingers carefully sifted through the thousands of shells and rocks washed up by the Atlantic Ocean, loving each one and wondering from where they started their journey.

From the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, I feel this bracelet tying itself not only to Olga's memories, but to my memories as well, and reminding me how much I am like someone a half a world away.

Visit Olga's Etsy shop, MadeByOlga, by clicking here.
Visit Olga's blog by clicking here.

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