Stringing wire. Who knew? (AND a giveaway!)

Several weeks ago I made an impassioned call to my friend, Lorelei, from a local crafts shop. "What is this stringing wire stuff and what kind do I get?!! What are crimp beads? I need a special tool for them??" OK, so I wasn't that incredibly ignorant, just mostly. I've been wanting to add a little flexibility to some of my pieces so stringing wire seemed like a good idea and now I'm loving the stuff. Nothing like being late to the party, eh? The only problem I've encountered is feeling like each finger is the size of a Genoa salami when trying to string seed beads. Seriously, I don't know how you seed bead weaver people do it! The small amount I used on this acanthus bracelet (above) nearly drove me out of my mind and made me long for some neon colored pony beads.

Anyhoo, this bracelet includes three of my own porcelain components and various glass, wood and natural stone beads. It was fun and fast to make so I foresee much stringing wire in my future. Thanks for the help, L!

In other news, WOW, has my new Facebook fan page been growing! A big thank you to everyone who has become a fan! It has been quite unexpected so in celebration I am going to have a giveaway AND something I am calling a Flash Sale. The necklace shown above is going to be the giveaway prize. Just as soon as I finish this blog post I will post the giveaway on my fan page - so run on over and become a fan so that you can enter. :) The Flash Sale is going to be a short one-day sale in my jewelry shop and free shipping in my Extra shop. Again, you have to be a Fan to take advantage so check out the details on my page. Hurry, hurry!! :)