Angelque Creations

I am really quite bad at keeping up with my blog, mostly because I really don't know what to write about or what people (anyone) might want to read on my blog.  I follow quite a few beading blogs from my Etsy Beadweavers team and think I should have written something like that, but then I never do.  SOOO what am I going to write about today, let me see , Uhm, well, I don't really know, hence my absence. Since my last post regalling you with my busy Xmas schedule, I took a break (not from beading) but away in the sun.  My sister and brother in law (refered to as K&T in an earlier post) and my hubby spent almost a month on the garden island of Kauai in February.  My hubby was amazed that I pack up some beads and dragged them off to Kauai, and was even more amazed when I found some Toho beads in ACE Hardware (of all places).  I spent my days laying on the beach getting a great tan, and my evenings drinking MaiTai's and working on the various projects tha...

This year I decided that I was going to concentrate on my Etsy Shop to see if I could generate some pre-Christmas sales and joined the Etsy Success team and their Holiday Boot Camp .  This is week 1 and we were tasked with several things to complete: Read this weeks blog post A Flying Start Fill our your Holiday Budget Print out and apply your Holiday Boot Camp stickers to your calender Share your holiday goals Find your Holiday Boot Camp Buddy I have completed all the items on this list and created a few more for me to accomplish this week: Renew items and evaluate for relevancy.  This is the new search mod for finding things on Etsy and I am not so sure that I have gotten the gist of it and so I am spending some time tweeking to see if my work moves up on the Etsy pages.  I still seem to be burried in the back of the pack. Sign up for Search Ads starting Sept 27, budget of $5/week and monitor to see if it is worth the price you pay. Make Poppy pins in preparati...

It is a sunny Saturday here in Vancouver and my hubby (Mike) is off racing again on J (a 33' J boat) with his friend Rick.  They left early this morning and hubby forgot to move his bike from behind the car so that I could take my Mom out for lunch so I am stuck on the boat on a Sunny Day.  Oh drat, darn, etc.  No really I don't mind it at all, our boat is a great place to be on a sunny day.  It is very bright and I can work on my beading with out any additional lights.  So while my hubby is tillting around the bay I had a very productive morning working on my second ever bead embroidered piece.    During our trip last May (has it really been a year) we visited the ruins of Ephesos on the coast of Turkey.  As part of our tourist package of the cruise ship we receive a moulded clay focal of Ephesos.  I did not like the leather strap that came with the necklace so I immediately removed it knowing that one day I would use the focal for somethin...

Once again the theme for the monthy challenge of the Etsy Beadweavers "Light as a Breeze" has inspired me to create a new entry.  My entry is "Ocean Breeze" and while I was creating the bracelet I wished that I was once again traveling down the coast of Mexico and experiencing those soft Ocean breezes.  I especially wanted to be south again as our friends on R. Genesis transversed the Panama Canel last week and are now heading up the east coast of Panama and I think why are we not with them.  Oh well someday Mike and I will go again.  In the meatime I sit here and dream of days gone by.  The voting will start on April 9 and run to the 15th at http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ so be sure that you stop in and vote for your favorite entry.  Once again I think that there will be some amazing work come out of our group.

I have finally finished a new project that I started a couple of weeks ago when I received my 10 free beads from Nomad Crafts .  I had signed up on Nomad Crafts facebook fan page to be part of a group of artist that would be sent 10 free beads to use in a project.  Janelle of Nomad Crafts made these wonderfull yellow and black lampwork beads and they inpired me to create my Dark Dreams Dream Catcher necklace.  I used 9 of the beads and then realized that Janelle had actually sent me 15 Lampwork beads.  Whoo Hoo I now have 6 more of these wonderful gems to make a second project.  Gee what will I do, stay tuned.  If you would like to see more of Janelle's lampwork glass just click on the shop name above and the link will take you to her shop.

After a long dry spell with no activity I recently sold 3 of my beadwoven items.  One of the items that sold is my March "Fairy Tales" challenge piece called Tinker Bell's Pixie Dust cuff.  This bracelet is 2" wide and created with 3 mm Japanese lime green square beads, size 6 rainbow cream soda Japanese seed beads, 11/0 pink and gold silver lined Japanese seed beads, white and pink fresh water pearls, and lime green dyed (MOP) mother of pearl donuts.  This so far is my favorite piece that I have created and I am glad that it has gone to a good home where it will be worn with pride. The other two pieces were my Artist Exposed for VickiDiane - Baja Desierto bracelet with 6/0 desert mix Japanese seed beads, fresh water pearls dyed Iris gold and the 3rd bead woven piece is my Cotton Candy bracelet.  Cotton Candy was listed at 50% of in my shop AngelqueCreations and there are still several other beautiful items listed at 50% off.  I am trying to create room in my s...

A Sunshine blog award for AngelqueCreations, nominated by Ileana of Enchanted Beads .  Thank you so much Ileana I always love reading your blog Enchanted Beads Blog  . I am honored to be listed as a favorite Blog! The Sunshine Blog Award is given out to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. The rules for accepting the award are: 1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post. 2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers. 3. Link to the nominees within your post. 4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog. 5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award. I am nominating some of my favorite, who are working hard to create interesting and enjoyable articles in their Blogs: (in alphabetical order) Art Beadwork  - Iryna Hamilton Asterope Bead Creations - Carol Christines Beadworks - Christine FireDivas Lovelies From Mihana - Mihana Maryniky Designs  - Maryanne Mary ...

The voting has started for Etsy Beadweavers March challenge .  You can vote for your favorite "Fairy Tales" by using the link above, voting runs from March 9 until March 15 so be sure not to miss out.  Once again the voting will be difficult as there are many beautiful renditions on this Fairy Tale theme. Angelque Creations's Tinker Bell Pixie Dust's cuff is number #15 and although I would love it if you voted for my entry there are so many other wonderful entries I encourage you to vote for your favorite.  I love to enter these challenges because the themes are great and it challenges me to better my art form  To be included amounst such talent is a boon for Angelque Creations and a boost for my ego. (We all need a boost once in a while)

Well here it is again 3:30 in the afternoon and I am wondering where did the day go and what did I accomplish.  I spent a couple of hours this morning and this afternoon posting 6 feature shops on the Etsy Beadweavers fan page at http://www.facebook.com/etsybeadweavers . Completed, took photo's and posted my new bracelet in my etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40783286 . The photography process is a long one since I need to dig out the camera from its secure location, set up the photo shop area on the nav table (first removing all the junk that normally sits on the table), set up the back drop, find the lights (especially when it is raining in Vancouver), edit the photos and then post.  Carted up the laundry to the laundry room and washed two loads. (Still need to bring them back to the boat).  Joined Etsy Canada on line and Etsy BC on Ning, now I need to post my photos and blog in this location as well.  Chatted in the Etsy Beadw...

What do I do all day is a question that my husband asks me when he gets home from a long day at work.  I retired in the spring of 2008, the year we sailed our boat from Vancouver to the Sea of Cortez, and I spend my day beading and weaving.  Beading and weaving what does she mean by that one asks.  While I was in Mexico I learned to weave tiny little seed beads with a needle and thread into wonderful patterns that create beadwoven jewelry.  Since I have retired I spend most of my day working with these tiny little beads.  Some days I sit at SFU (Simon Fraser University) with my works on display hoping that something will sell, but mostly using the time to create something new.  I figure I am going to bead/weave anyway might as well be out where someone can see it and maybe purchase my labour of love.  Also I need to get out and meet people because I would go crazy not talking to someone sometime. Everyone told me that when you retire you will need...

Ileana of Enchanted beads snagged an Etsy Treasury so that she could show case the entries for the Etsy Beadweavers February Challenge - Ocean.  There are so many talented people in our group that it is worth your time to check out this wonderful treasury before it expires on Thrusday morning  Jan 14, 2010. My Ocean Garden Set is third row on the right. Here is the link to the treasury so that you can click and comment. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=105891

While vacationing in Hawaii I couldn't stand it, two weeks with out laying hand to needle, needle to thread, thread to beads.  So I went shopping with my sister and we found some lovely beads to satisfy my fix.  I know I am nuts and I should have been on the beach, relaxing and getting a tan.  I did that but at night in the cover of my room (not quite under the sheets) I would bead.  What would my husband think!!!!  Here is the result. Mango Bango Bangles, two different bangles that can be worn together or separately.  I learned to weave a tubular spiral herringbone stitch to create these beauties.

Honey coloured oval lampwork glass earrings with gold plated surgical steel lever ear wires are a simple way to dress up any outfit. These chandelier earrings dangle approximately 1-1/2" inches Mazatlan has an area called the Gold Zone and we spent many a days walking along the beaches in front of the shops and restaurants. I created Gold Coast netted earings to pair with the Gold Coast Bangle as a reminder of my time spent walking along those golden beaches. The earrings are made with a continuous netted technique with 6/0 and 11/0 gold and topaz seed beads. gold plated surgical steel lever ear wire. Free shipping to all Canadian locations I am a proud member of Etsy Beadweavers Street team, please visit our blog at http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

This is the last bangle created for the Coast Bangle series. This bangle is a tribute to the calm and tranquile waters in the Sea of Cortez. The aqua blue 6/0 and 11/0 glass seed beads are the colour of the beautiful waters in this area. Having spent 6 months in the Sea of Cortez I find that I am very partial to this shade of blue. My favorite colour will always be green, but Aqua is becoming my second favorite color. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37909745 Diameter: Approx 7-1/2 -8" will roll over the folded hand Free Shipping to all Canadian locations

Angelque Creations has been very fortunate this month to be featured in a 3rd Etsy Treasury.  You saw me standing alone curated by Cheryl of Little Stone Designs can be found at  http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=104356  features my Moon Beam Herringbone bracelet. This lovely selection of fine artists illustrates the wide range of talent that is the Etsy way.  Angelque Creations is grateful to be included amounts these great pieces.  Lets help this treasury to get to the Front Page of Etsy by visiting, commenting and clicking on all the shops.  The more people that view, comment and click the more likely this treasury will be selected for a front page.

Angelque Creations is featured in this lovely treasury as an alternate.  There are many talened shops for this first treasry of 2010 so please take the time to stop by and view all the lovely selections.  Hopefully we can make it to Etsy's front page. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=103617

During this busy Christmas season, I have been spending weekends at various craft fairs through out Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.  I was recently at the Make it Vancouver show at the Croation Cultural Centre, Micky Macdougal Craft Fair in North Vancouver, Simon Fraser Craft Fair and the Abbotsford Farmers Market.  During these fairs I sold a couple of beadwoven pieces from my shop that I am very happy about. Here are the photo's of the pieces that were sold.     Break Water (Raw)                                    Sea Foam St. Petersberg Stitch Necklace 

It is time once again for the monthly challenge of the Etsy Beadweavers Street Team.  The theme this month is Peace Piece.and the voting starts today December 9 and runs until Dec 15.  Check out the web site at http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/ to view the 20 beautiful works of art.  Angelque Creations has entered this challenge with my Snow and Ice necklace (number 4 on the Etsy website).  I hope that you will all take the opportunity to visit the site and vote for your favorite piece.

Featuring Lorraine Coetzee, of Trinity Designer Jewellery, Cape Town, South Africa. Lorraine is one of the many talented weavers beloning to Etsy Beadweavers Street Team.  Lorranine has always been encouraging to the team members and was one of the first people to encourge my work as I entered this amazing world.  Lorraine works through some very difficult health issues.  She is an inspiration to us all as she is very active within the group and produces wonderful pieces of art.  Here is what Lorraine had to say. Tell me a bit more about yourself? Where you live, etc, I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Cape Town, South Africa. (A photo of Table Mountain across the bay forms the banner to my Etsy shop and Blogspot). Handmade arts, crafts and painting are my passion and from a little girl, I've done embroidery classes, cake decorating, painting, decoupage, sewing, dress designing and lampwork etc. Whilst raising my ownly daughter, I've also done a...

Here is a little insight into what makes Deb of BeadandBloom tick.  I was doing some research on Deb and found out that she is a SCiFi lover like me.  Hum, I find it amazing that we SciFi lovers seem to flock together in what ever we undertake.  I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy as well and my husband and I have been know to watch all three in one sitting on a rainy weekend. Here is what Deb had to say: Is there was any significence to the name of you shop? When I started selling my handmade items I couldn't decide which I liked to do more, beadwork or floral designs, so I decided to do both and became Beads and Blooms. Tell me a bit more about yourself? I'm a Kansas country girl through and through. I've always lived in small towns and enjoy the rural lifestyle. My day job is being the one-woman office staff for a long term care facility. Creating gives me much needed stress relief. When did you start beading and beadweaving?  I started beadweaving in the...