Beading to save my life

For all of you who aren't my friends on Facebook, I have had an extremely trying few weeks, probably the worst few weeks of my life, and every time I was getting myself down, I would turn to my beads to help.

Last weekend was the worst, and I bought this gorgeous pattern from my friend Helena Tang Lim and it completely absorbed my entire being. I had my share of problems (got my fireline tangled around EVERYTHING, seriously Helena 1.75 metres of fireline could wrap me from head to toe lol) but at the end of the day this complex pattern helped me concentrate on something other than how crap my life has been. In fact when I was finished I then varied the pattern and made the "Jo" version.

So here are both of them: Helena's snowflake and Jo's cross.

Now NOTHING makes me happier than a good giveaway, so I am GIVING AWAY BOTH OF THESE!!! More details at the end.

BUT if you'd like to learn how to make Helena's snowflake check out her site, it's available as a hard copy or an immediate download.

I have been playing around with the new twin beads for a while now, and have come up with 2 new patterns in the last few weeks.

The first is a bracelet pattern. The twin beads lend themselves really well to Right angle weave, so that's  what this latest pattern is. Very simple and works up in less than 2 hours, it is the perfect way to fill an afternoon, and you have something gorgeous to show for it.

It comes with 3 variations of the same pattern hence why I named it "Triple threat"

 This is now available in my etsy store, so run to your local bead shop, buy some twin beads and test it out!! :)

And The also work really well in Netting so I'm in the process of making a netted twin bead pattern that will be available next week sometime.

I would like to thank you all for your support and help in sharing what I love doing, and what has literally saved my life in the last few weeks.

I have just added a bunch more items in my Etsy store as well.

To the giveaway…….

If you would like the chance to win EITHER Helena's snowflake or Jo's cross, pop on over to my etsy store, buy something (anything, doesn't matter how big or small) and you're in the running.

The more things you buy, the more entries you get, so check out some of my patterns, buy yourself some bling for christmas and the 2 lucky people who win, will have their items sent off first thing MONDAY morning, so you have the WHOLE weekend to check out my store and find something you like.

SO until Sunday night when the winner is announced, have a LOVELY weekend.

Jo xxxxx

Another Ring GIveaway and a sale

Hi All,

I have been super busy since I posted 2 days ago!!

I finally finished a cuff that I've been working on for around 2 weeks while we were moving. I was super stumped for a name so asked my Lovely FaceBook friends for their input and was given the name "Emerald Empress" which I thought was an awesome name for it.

I was in a bit of an emotional turmoil at the time and couldn't figure out whether I was coming or going and this was the result. The sides of the cuff are ALMOST identical but opposite, and it's like looking in a warped mirror.

I also finished a hair barrette today, which was nice and easy for a change.

The Barrette is called "Deep Purple" and I am quite please with the end result of my "quick" project.

Now onto the giveaway…….

My car died on me the other day….literally, blew the engine, it was covered by warranty BUT my warranty company decided it was too expensive to replace the engine on the car and said they would give me another car to replace it…….NOW that's excellent……except……the dealership is a 2 hour drive away, I have no money, and I have no car to get there…..One of Hubby's friends has kindly offered us his car BUT we still need money to put petrol in his car to get there and money to put petrol in the new car to get home…….

SOOOO…….My offer is, Blog, tweet or Facebook about the 25% off sale I am having in my Etsy shop to (hopefully) raise funds to go and get my new car so hubby can actually get to work again, and go in the running to WIN this gorgeous (If I may say so myself) ring…..It's an adjustable sterling silver ring, bead embroidered with sterling silver  and matte blue seed beads around a Lyn Owen's dichroic glass cabochon which is super stunning in itself……

After you have ranted about my sale, come back to my blog, pop a link on the page to where you did it, and go in the draw which will be drawn this Saturday the 1st of September.

The Coupon Code for the sale is BLOGSALE and the discount amount is 25% off….and remember, the more you share and talk about this, the more likely I am to do another giveaway LOL!!!

Don't forget to check out my Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/josjewels1

Thank you in advance for your help

Until next time

Happy Beading

Jo :D

BSBP Reveal and my Battle of the Beadsmith troubles

So, my blog has been super neglected, not for a horrid reason but because my life has been totally turned upside down in the last 3 months.


We have literally JUST finished moving house!! It was not something that we wanted to do, but after a "disagreement" with our neighbours at the last house it was recommended that we leave (and for all of those who know the story, stop laughing LOL)


On top of that, my car has continuously had problems in the last 8 weeks. It finally gave up on me last Friday and is now in the workshop around the corner getting a new engine (which is THANKFULLY covered by warranty as it's a lease car)


I had the Battle of the Beadsmith which was an AWESOME, AMAZING and very humbling experience!!! Humbling because I got knocked out in the first round, but Awesome and amazing to be included in this SPECTACULAR group of people.


I had so many problems coming up with the right piece for the Battle. I wanted it to be beautiful, and colourful, and represent me without being too much like my other work. In the end, I am my own biggest critic and I ran out of time so I had to stick with project attempt number 6 which I called "Soft Metal"

ALAS my beads were the FIRST thing to be unpacked in the move (after the kettle, and coffee mugs), I opened the box to absolute TURMOIL!!!!


I can't find ANYTHING in this mess!!! I'm still trying to sort through everything, BUT I am going to apologise to my Bead Soup Partner Mandy as I forgot to photograph the "soup" when I got it, and when I went to photograph them last night I couldn't find HALF the things that you sent me!!!!


So here are some of the gorgeous things that Mandy sent me.

Not pictured is a gorgeous blue donut (which I have great ideas for) a bracelet/cuff blank thing, some super cool huge purple beads and the pendant I used!!! (I apologise if I forgot anything Mandy)

I LOVE the gorgeous feathers that Mandy sent me, I am currently working on a project (in my head) which includes feathers in a cuff but I'm sure you'll hear more about that when I finally start really making it!!!

Everything was so gorgeous, but with limited time and trying to make something whilst moving, I made a simple spiral rope pendant necklace with a gorgeous purply/blue/white focal. I couldn't quite capture the gorgeous colours in the focal so you may have to use your imagination LOL!!!!

I ended up using the really cute bronze clasp at the front of the picture to clasp it!!

It has a very nautical feel to it I think, and looks perfect with a blue shirt (I'm actually wearing it as I type, with my favourite blue shirt LOL)

Mandy I hope I did you proud, I will get around to working with everything else that you sent me, and I will post them as I make things.

I sent Mandy some Bead Embroidery items as she said she'd like to try it and has never done so before. I can't wait to see what she made!!!

And hours later I'm not editing because I thought I should actually give you a link to Mandy's blog so you can check out what she made with the goodies I sent her…...http://mimisbeading.blogspot.com.au/

And also a link to ALL the other people that participated because they ALL deserve an honourable mention

So Happy hopping……

Until next time, Happy Beading

Jo xx

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous


Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs


Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Hi All,

I seem to have gained quite a few new followers since I joined the lovely beading babes group on FaceBook and would like to thank ALL of you for following me in my beady ramblings.

To find out more about the lovely ladies from Beading Babes (or to find out what we do and how to join) check out The Blog of the LOVELY Karyn who runs the group!! :)

http://releasesbyrufydoof.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/beading-babes-project-5-mayjune-2012.html

I have finished my piece for this seasons Etsy Bead Embroidery Guilds challenge. The theme was Fairy Tales!! I originally wanted to do Cinderella's Glass Slippers but the bead embroidered version. This didn't end up happening as I didn't think about how much it would cost for a nice pair of white shoes to start with lol!!

Soooo I came to the conclusion that Cinderella COULDN'T have been only wearing a shiny pair of shoes  as then everyone would have spent the whole night staring at her feet, it may have been the way that the prince found her but she was definitely wearing some other type of bling. Therefore, the Cinderella cuff was born.

It took me a few days to make and a LOT of white beads but I think I got it right.

I'm hoping that it will be picked up for a June Wedding.

The 3 large focal's are faceted mirror glass cabochons, and when they catch the sun they set off a rainbow (as my girls pointed out to me EVERY time this happened lol)

It's also got some REALLY light pink freshwater pearl cabochons, over 100 white Swarovski pearls, and over 200 3 and 4mm crystals in it!!

The bling on this one is overwhelming lol!!

I have SO many things coming up in the next few months (The Battle of the Beadsmith being the biggest and MOST daunting) so I thought that today whilst I had a child free day I would throw together a few really simple projects.

I made 2 rings and a hair clip/barrette. My friends on Facebook think I'm either Superwoman or a Vampire but seeing as I have neither died in the sun or been able to fly I think I'll just settle with being super beader lol!!

The first ring was made with a cabochon similar to the ones in the cinderella cuff but in Aquamarine.

The second ring I made with one of My friend Lyn Owen's GORGEOUS cabochons.

Lyn's cabs are AMAZING. To see more of her work OR to buy some of her work, check out her Artfire shop (I think I may have left SOMETHING in there for everyone else)

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/silvermoonlyn

Now it's time for another giveaway!!!

I made this hair clip today and I wasn't sure it was entirely perfect so I thought that I would do a giveaway with it!!

All you have to do to win this gorgeous clip is share my blog and/or an item from my Etsy store (http://etsy.com/shop/josjewels1) on your favourite social website (facebook, twitter, pinterest etc.) come back here with a link to where you shared it, and you're in the draw.

I'll give you all a few days to do this and will pick the winner out of a hat this Friday the 11th of May.

Good luck to you all and until next time HAPPY BEADING!!!

Jo :)

P.S. If you do see something in my shop that you LOVE and are my facebook friend, send me a message on FB and I will do a mates rates discount for you, cause I'd rather see my work being loved by someone than gathering dust in my cupboard!!

Treasures of the Deep

Hi All,

I have finally finished my entry into the Etsy Bead Weavers monthly challenge for May.

I was super please with the outcome, and so was the lady who made the original seahorse stamping!! She is actually using a picture of it in her listing to show people what they can do with her amazing work!!

Check out Claudia's shop as she has AMAZING items for bead embroiderers in there!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CalliopesAttic

So here is the finished necklace!! I'm hoping to actually get some votes this month as I put A LOT of work into this piece.

It features Swarovski pearls in 3 different colours and sizes, heaps of Swarovski bicones to imitate the sparkle of the water, natural shell beads, shell buttons thousands of seed beads and of course the beautiful Patina'd steam punk seahorse from Calliopes Attic!!

Although this isn't the best picture of the necklace it gives an idea of where it would sit, and it drapes beautifully!!!

If you love this piece don't forget to pop over to the Etsy Bead Weavers Blog between the 9th and 15th of May to vote for this (or your favourite)

etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

I feel extremely honoured at the moment as I have been asked to join in in "The Battle Of The Beadsmith"

This is an elimination based competition involving 80 of the worlds best bead artists.

On May 15th the first pairing of competitors will be announced and then everyone will have 7 weeks to come up with an original piece of work!!

It's very flattering and overwhelming as this competition includes a lot of my idols Whether they be judges or competitors!!

I am also glad to announce the winner of my ring giveaway Is Kristen!! Congratulations Kristen and if you could get in touch with me at jobrowne@live.com.au with your address so that I can send it out to you!! 

Don't forget about my mothers day sale going on at the moment. With only 3 weeks until Mothers Day if you would like one of my OOAK bead embroidered items at 20% off you'd better get in quick!!

Until next time, Happy Beading

Jo :)

A Give Away, A Sale and A new listing

Hi All,

Mothers Day is fast Approaching and I would like to announce a sale in my Etsy store to help you (and me lol) prepare for it!!

A few of the members of the Etsy Bead Embroidery Guild are having this sale so we have a group coupon code. In my store the amount will be 20% off and the coupon code is EBEGMOTHERS.

I did a leather cuff this week using one of Agi from Moon Safari Beads gorgeous polymer clay cabochons.

The cabochon has a butterfly on it and rather than going "cutesy" like everyone else does with butterflies I thought I would make something that represents me instead.

Matte green iris, bright purple, and pink lined blue seed beads and enough Swarovski Crystals so that the person half way down the street can see you, This is the "Not so Sweet" Butterfly cuff.

I recently received some gorgeous Dichroic glass cabochons from my Facebook friend Shirley McManus for free and I was wanting to share with you as well so…..

Now for the giveaway……(I got this idea from my Face Book friend Nancy Dale who recently ran a giveaway for a gorgeous cuff.)

What you do is you share a link to my Etsy shop and my blog on your favourite social network Site (FaceBook, Pinterest, Twitter etc) Come back to my Blog copy the link on here (So I can see where it is) and write your name after it. Also following my blog would be really helpful too!! :D

At the end of the week I will write everyone's names down, put it in a hat and get one of my girls to pick one out!!

The winner will receive this gorgeous Dichroic Glass Ring that I made with one of Shirley's Cabochons.

It's attached to an adjustable Silver plated ring base and surrounded with Black, Purple and Silver Seed beads.

It's Quite a big ring but if you are a fearless beader that won't matter (and if you aren't I'm sure SOMEONE you know would like it as a gift lol)

You have until the 26th of April (Australia time) to enter this comp if you would like to, so start sharing the link!!

Good Luck and until next time, Happy beading!!

Jo :D

Hi All,

I have been beading like crazy this last week and a half to finish my latest collar!!

This is probably my largest piece ever and it seemed to take me FOREVER lol!! What I thought would be a quick piece involved around 35-40 hours of beading.

I started it without naming it and when I posted a work in progress photo, a friend of mine told me that he thought it looked like stars in the night sky, I couldn't quite see stars as it was green but it reminded me of the storms that we get here in Northern NSW.

Before it storms here the sky turns green and you can feel the anticipation in the air and you can smell the rain coming, see the Flashes of lightning and hail in the sky. Hence the name "Before The Storm"

I am quite proud of how it ended up it features 3 dichroic cabochons from Pink Glass Palace on Etsy
     http://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkGlassPalace.

The "balls" of hail are actually Blue Zircon Swarovski flat back crystals that have been surrounded by thousands of seed beads and czech faceted crystals.

I tried to keep the clasp simple so as not to take attention away from the piece so I settled on a plain gold plated jump ring and parrot clasp.

One more picture. This is me wearing it. It sits just below my collar bone.

Thanks for reading.

Until next time, Happy beading!! 

Jo :D

My poor Blog has been majorly neglected for a while now. So whilst catching up on everyone else's blogs I thought I should catch up on mine too.

I have been so inspired lately by all the beautiful work that I have seen on FB, Etsy, etc. That it seems that there is only a 20 minute break between finishing a project and starting a new one, and sometimes I have actually been stopping half way through a project so that I don't lose the idea.

I have been so very lucky in sales in my Etsy shop in the month of March, My tutorials are selling reasonably well, and I have sold several of my bracelets. I would really like to thank all my lovely FaceBook friends for showing me support and all their lovely comments on my work as I would be absolutely nowhere without them.

One of the cuffs that sold was my whimsical wishes cuff. This was inspired by the beautiful cabochon that I bought off Lyn Owens from silvermoonLyn on ArtFire.

I have bought several more of Lyn's Cabochons and am planning on some more cuffs including words very soon. To purchase your own gorgeous OOAK Lyn Owen's dichroic cabochon visit her ArtFire shop at http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/silvermoonlyn

I am thrilled that the German Magazine Perlen Poesie has asked me to do a tutorial for their September Issue and that is the project that I am working on at the moment.

April is Also Autism Awareness Month. One of my Facebook friends Sharon Wagner (of Yadasi beads) has made some beautiful items to raise money for this cause. Sharon's son has Autism and my oldest daughters best friend (this week) has Autism also. I made a cuff that I have decided to donate the funds for this awesome cause, all proceeds of the sale of this cuff will go to http://cornerpieces.org/

To see all the beautiful work created for this cause take a look at the Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/dinadesigns

This is the cuff that I chose to donate the funds for Autism.

I would be so honoured if this cuff sold so that I could help do my part to raise awareness of Autism.

Until next time, have fun checking out the links, and Happy beading!!

Jo :)

Hi All,

Have had a Super Busy week this last week!! I spent 5 days this week roaming around the country to attend my Mum's 60th Surprise Birthday party!! :) It turned out awesome and she really enjoyed it so that was fantastic!!

This is my mum, Sister, Nephew and daughter.
The good thing is It was actually sunny down there so we got to soak up some vitamin D and get away from the rain and flooding for a few days!! :)

I did actually finish my collar for the EBEG fest before I left!! It seemed to take forever in the last few days, and I don't know if that was because I was too busy or I just lost enthusiasm for the project!!! It turned out better than I thought it would and hopefully this collar will be the first of many!! :)

"Midnight Fantasies" ended up having over 300 crystal pearls and several thousand seed beads in it but it was worth it!! :)

I also "threw together" my entry for the ebw february challenge "NEST".

I named it "spring fling" as it reminded me of Beautiful Spring days, birds chirping, blue skies, and flowers growing in the garden!! I got the gorgeous focal from Natalie from Peruzi.net She does beautiful work and I'm the proud owner of several of her Cabs!!

Voting for this is between the 9th and the 15th at http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com so I hope you will all vote for your favourite item!!




Until next time, Beady hugs


Jo :)