YOU'VE BEEN INVITED TO A PARTY...

but you have to hurry...

...& there are guidelines, too....

...........(someone's got to keep us in line!)

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting another virtual BEAD SOUP PARTY.... I participated for the first time last year this time & it was a BLAST...so I decided to join her again!

You need to have a blog to participate.... so if that's YOU, hurry yourself over to Lori's blog & get all of the details. You have until January 14th to sign up!

Check it out... who knows, you may end up w/ something from ME! :o)

Can't wait!!

I'VE BEEN CHALLENGED...

I've been asked to do the Challenge Bead for the upcoming Madison Art Glass & Bead Show (AGBS) in March! How exciting! I've decided to do a heart bead design that represents the newer work that I'm doing these days. They will range in size from 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" long.

Registration for the show, classes & challenge will begin this coming Saturday, January 15th. The Challenge Bead will be unveiled on their website on the 15th as well, so you're getting a sneak peek!

There will be 25 beads available to purchase for the challenge, with delivery in early February. If you simply want to purchase a challenge bead for your collection, there will be an additional limited number of beads available for purchase @ the same reduced rate, just choose this option when ordering w/out the obligation to participate in the challenge. Between now & the show @ the end of March, these heart beads will ONLY be available for purchase through the AGBS website.

HOW DOES THE ART GLASS AND BEAD CHALLENGE WORK?

• Purchase the Challenge Bead from the Madison Art Glass & Bead Show Website (at a discounted rate!).
• If you accept the Art Glass and Bead Challenge, you will create a wearable piece of artwork using the Challenge Bead and any other materials of your choice.
• All entries need to be received on or before Friday, March 25th, 2011, the eve of the show. (Participants do not have to attend the show to be eligible.)
• Your entry will be displayed and judged by your peers and participating vendors on Saturday during the show. 
• Winners will be announced on Sunday. There will be 2 winners... POPULAR VOTE (peers) & HONORABLE MENTION (vendors) 
• See AGBS website for complete info & rules. 

NEW BEADS...

I shared these beads on Facebook a few weeks ago, but I never posted a picture of them here. I love these.... organic & contemporary all @ the same time. 
(click image to enlarge)

I made them for a customer to check out & pick a few & the rest will go up on Etsy soon. She loved them. They have larger, Pandora size holes... copper caps & sterling silver lining. They're not petite bracelet size, more necklace focal size... so I've designed a necklace that these will fit perfectly on.... just ordered the chain & findings to make them. Will be debuting that sometime in the near future.

Till then....

Julie

2011...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

...recycling last year's New Year's post...

My wish for you

is a new year full of

blessings

good health

wise choices

& much much happiness.

For myself, I wish the same.

Still looking for that balance that I've mentioned the past three January 1sts, but life IS so good.

2010 was another fantastic year of growth & exposure... many firsts w/ much excitement & emotion. Great times w/ friends & family... travel, tattoos, celebrations, etc. 

2011 is going to be another year w/ many possibilities... my resolution, again, is to take full advantage of these possibilities & make great things happen!!

Happy New Year, all!

Till next time...

~ Julie

SOMEONE'S IN THE STUDIO W/ JULIE NORDINE...Lisa Kennedy - Part 2

Here is the PART 2 to my first SOMEONE'S IN THE STUDIO W/ JULIE video that I posted back in August. Now it's my sister's turn to give it a try @ the torch. She did a great job & was even initiated, too, into my world w/ her first burn! Don't worry, it's not graphic & I give you a little countdown to when she does it.

That was just her 2nd bead. If she were a real student, we wouldn't be jumping in like that... she didn't learn anything about making a bead round, how gravity works or really how to hold things correctly, etc. She definitely jumped in w/ both feet & did great, though!!

Later...

~ Julie