*New Website*

Bei Mondi Jewelry has a new look!  Please check us out and let us know what you think of the changes.

www.BeiMondi.com

New Pretties in the Shop

New Creations for the Etsy Bei Mondi shop!

Moonstone Copper/Silver Free Form Necklace

Striking Blue Kyanite Slab Dangle Earrings

Copper Creativeness Lampwork Bracelet 

Chaos Bracelet #2

Bamboo Agate Dangle Earrings

Ocean Jasper Keishi Pearl Necklace

Moonstone Copper/Silver Free Form Necklace

Some of these haven't made it into the shop just yet but should be there shortly.  I hope all my friends are having a wonderful weekend with their families this wonderful Sunday!

Mini Etsy Entrepreneur

Each year Lauren goes with my husband for "Take Your Kid to Work Day".  This use to be lots of fun for her when she was younger exploring what dad does all day sitting in front of that computer.  Dad is a software engineer who works in a big glass building.  Pretty impressive to a small kid but Lauren has been there year after year and was hoping for something a little different this year.  When I worked in the laboratory I was envious of my husband's "kid day" and would have loved to show her what I did all day.  Unfortunately, kids aren't allowed in a lab with toxic chemicals and expensive glassware (go figure!) so I never got that chance.

So, this year things were a little different.  I'm now working from home being my own boss and it was time to enlighten her on what I do.  Little did she know what all was involved with this little business mom called her job.  My husband thought it was a great idea to open her mind to the thought of being an entrepreneur one day.  She can be anything she wants so why not, right?

We discussed emailing, Twitter, blogs, and Facebook and the importance of networking with other artists.  Then we talked about creating a website and how the Etsy shop works and all the cool features.  Next we decided it was project time.  I gave her some supplies and told her I had a client (grandma) who wanted a specific design and it was her job to create it for her.  She made a wonderful necklace that she then took photos of.  She then wrote up a description, name, and a price.  We then listed the item on Etsy so she could she her hard work in action.  She then packaged up the necklace along with addressing the envelope and sealing it with a nice ribbon and handwritten note.  We were then off to the post office.

We later itemized all the pieces she had used and she estimated the time spent on making the piece.  We found out her price was a bit less than what it was supposed to be and she came up with ways to bring the price down.

I hope the experience helped her learn to understand what small business owners responsibilities are and maybe she might want to try it for real one day.  But, of course, when dad asked, "What did you learn today?" her response was, "I learned how to make a necklace and shop on Etsy."  Oh well, maybe I didn't rub off on her exactly the way I had hoped but I think she did learn something :)

Here's the necklace she created for grandma all on her own!  Oh, and these are the pictures she took too!

Karma Fairy Necklace

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Old News?

Several months ago I was contacted by Christen Olivarez of Stampington & Company.  She had seen some of my work on my Flickr account and wanted to feature it in the Belle Armoire Jewelry Spring issue.  I had never been published in a magazine before and so was extremely excited at the opportunity.  I had hoped to get just one of my pieces in the issue but to my surprise they featured FOUR in the magazine!  My jaw hit the floor when I saw how gorgeous the pictures were.

Inspiration Copper Lampwork Bracelet

Believe Copper Lampwork Bracelet

  Robin's Rendition of Joy Necklace and Hardware Bracelet

Taking pictures of a magazine was a challenge so please excuse the sloppy photos.  So, "What's Yet to Come?"  Who knows.  More publications in the future?  I hope.  New techniques and surprises?  Of course ;)

A Walk Through My Yard

We'll call this a Silent Sunday.  Enjoy the walk!

Pink Bleeding Hearts

Purple Hyacinths

Crabapple Tree in Bloom

Lauren Hanging in the Crabapple Tree

Grape Vines in Bloom

Apple Tree in Bloom

Dutchman's Breeches

Kiddo in the Crabapple Blooms

Daffodil

Happy Sunday to you!

BeadFest Wire 2010

BeadFest Wire this past weekend was a BLAST!  I had so much fun.  Can't even communicate into words.  I was lucky enough to nab a spot in Debora Mauser's Wild Woman Bangle class.  This class was full and even had a waiting list.  I can totally see why.

Let me first start off by saying that Debra is one heck of a gal.  She is so lively, witty, and funny.  She's a southern gal like myself so I guess that's why I loved her sense of humor and spirit.  And she had no problem teaching a full class and seemed to really enjoy doing it.  She's definitely part of what made this class so much fun.

The kits that came in the class rocked!  These were stuffed with beads made of silver and copper, silver and brass bolts, and lots of twisted and straight wire.  My eyes gleamed when I saw this stash.  Debora gave us some instruction on how to make handmade twisted wire, kuchi beads, and showed us a demo on how to make the finished bracelet.  I can't believe she made one in like 15 minutes while she was answering numerous questions.  "Go, Debora!"  Debora also stressed the fact that anything goes with these.  There is no right or wrong in your design, just be crazy and wild.

So, here's my "Wild Woman" creation ...

Not bad if I do say so myself.  Truthfully, I've worn this bracelet every day since I made it in the class.  And it's actually not as heavy as it looks and I tend to forget that I have it on.  So, now I'm a mad woman looking into my stash to see what more I can create.  These are definitely addicting!

Another great part of this trip was meeting some wonderful artist friends for the first time!

(Stole this picture from Cindy.  Starting from the upper left we have Leslie (me), Kerry, Cindy, Shelby, and at the bottom left Lori and Jeanette.) 

This is a great group of gals!  Each one was extremely nice and great fun to talk, shop, and enjoy dinner with.  "Thanks, girls!"  I think the people at the restaurant thought we were nuts for taking so many pictures but that's ok, we are all a little nuts!

Shelby from Sundown Beads was my roomie and we stayed up past midnight chatting and laughing like old friends.  I loved "picking her brain" about her amazing wire creations.  I was even lucky enough to get a Sundown Beads original as a gift from her.  I'm one lucky girl!

Oh, and I almost forgot, the goodies I bought.  Well, truthfully, I didn't buy that much since I bought so many gemstones the week before but I did see a few I had to have.

Let's see, starting from the top left we've got numerous silver and copper beads, some crazy lace agate, silver charms from Hip Chick, oodles of pearls, more crazy lace in chunk form, some dainty silver chain, and finishing off with turquoise.

And my favorite purchase was...

White coral branches and solar quartz.  So pretty!

So, before I thought I would try BeadFest Wire and skip BeadFest in August.  But now I see that's not an option.  This show is supposed to be much smaller than the August show and there was so much to offer.  I can see that another 4.5 hour drive is in my future.  It's well worth it for all the fun BeadFest has to offer.

And the Winner Is...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: 

Result:

18Powered by RANDOM.ORG

The Random Number Generator pulled out #18 which is..Pam from Cool Jewelry Design!  Congrats, Pam!  I'll be sending the bracelet and the April issue of Bead Trends to you shortly.  Thanks so much for everyone who blogged, tweeted, Facebooked, and commented.  You gals are great!

Giveaway Extended Till Tonight

Hey guys!  I've got lots to share with you about my trip to BeadFest Wire but that will have to come a little later.  I just wanted to put in a quick reminder that my giveaway for the Punalu'u Black Sand bracelet is ending today.  I'll be extending it until tonight in case you haven't signed up yet.  Here's the original post and PLEASE leave a separate comment for each way you entered the giveaway.  These comments will be put into the random number generator and a winner will be announced around 8pm eastern time tonight.  Forgot what you can win?  Here's a picture.

Punalu'u Black Sand bracelet

April issue of Bead Trends

Also, the giveaway on Indie Pretty's blog for the Honey Bee necklace is ending tonight as well.  That is a separate giveaway so please visit Ashley's blog to enter.  Enjoy your Monday morning!

CAUTION - EXTREME GEMS

I've been drooling over so many gems lately.  I think it's my new porn.  hehe  Don't get me wrong, my favorites are stones with lots of earthy, rustic character.  But every girl loves sparkly topaz and sapphires, right?  So, I was faced with a dilemma.  There are so many businesses to buy from and who is going to give me the "best bang for the buck"?  I've been stalking this company from India for a few months carefully watching their feedback and marveling over each and every gem they have to offer.  My problem was that I'd never ordered anything from India and I, as most of you might be, was wondering if it would end up as a good move or just a horrible mess.

Here's the thing, a good portion of the gems that you see started up in Jaipur, India.  This is known as the "Pink City" and they export gems to countries all over the world.  Google Jaipur and you'll see what I mean.  Sounds like a good enough reason to check it out.  But, wouldn't I have to wait a decade or two to actually get my gems?  I mean, India is so far away.

Well, you never know until you try, right?  So I took the plunge and did it.  And after less than a week I got my purchase!!!

*Warning - If you are on a bead/gem diet please look away!*

Crystal quartz stars, pink amethyst, and rose quartz

Rainbow moonstones and blue mystic quartz

Hessonite garnet and smokey quartz drops

Beer quartz and black rutilated quartz

Mystic pearl quartz, rose quartz, black spinel, rhodolite garnet, green amethyst, blue topaz, and hessonite garnet

Now even though I had them in less than a week and all of my order seemed to have shipped perfectly, I was still on guard.  I checked each gem extremely close to find any imperfections.  The only problem I found was that one of the crystal quartz was faceted more than the other and since I am using these on two separate projects it really didn't matter to me anyway.

In fact, this order was better than I had hoped for.  It's hard to portray the real sparkle and flair for a stone through the lens of a camera unless you are a professional.  Each and every one of them is just stunning in the sunlight.

And now I have to do these beauties justice with some stellar creations although I kinda want to hoard them.  I just keep gazing at them like new found love.  I'm sure my hubby is laughing at me when I'm not looking. 

So, if you are facing the dilemma of ordering from out of the USA please give it a try.  If you are worried just try placing a smaller order at first.  Although, the way to really save money is on bulk since the shipping fees can be pretty expensive.

Well, that's it for me this week.  I'm off to BeadFest Wire tomorrow to meet with some blogging buddies and have fun!  Don't forget there are two giveaways for Bei Mondi pieces that are ending on April 12th.  Here is the one on the Bei Mondi blog and here's the one on Indie Pretty's blog.  Have a great weekend!!!

Honey Bee Giveaway

Here's a chance to win the sweetest honey bee necklace made by ME!  

This piece is being given away by the Indie Pretty blog during their giveaway week.  Just follow the link and get yourself signed up.  The winner will be announced at Indie Pretty on Monday, April12th at 8pm.

And while you're there, take a look at this blog.  Ashley is amazing!  Not only is her blog interesting and oh so beautiful but check out her Etsy shop too.  She makes the cutest stationary.  I really like the Paper Cut States of Michigan.  Very unique!

And here's a few more newer pieces at Bei Mondi that you might not have seen!

Summer Berries Lampwork Swarovski Bracelet

Sea Breeze Lampwork Moonstone Earrings

Drops of Jupiter Lampwork Swarovski Earrings

The sun is shining and waiting for me to go outside and play.  Enjoy your day sweet friends!

BeadFest Wire - Here I Come!

Oh yes, the time is upon us for...

How do I put into words how happy I am?  Ecstatic, joyful, stoked...  You can use whichever one you choose I suppose.  I'll be making my way over to King of Prussia, PA on Friday morning where I'll meet Shelby Foxwell from Sun Down Beads, Cindy Wimmer from Sweetbead Studios, Lori Anderson from Pretty Things, and Jeanette from Fundametals.  Have you seen these girls work?  Something they all have in common is amazing wire work, and I do mean A-MAZ-ING!!  Miss Shelby will be my roomie for the weekend.  Hope she can deal with my snoring :)  And I'm signed up for the Wild Woman Bangles class with Debra Mauser on Saturday.  Just look at what I'll be making.

So much twisted lovely wire.  I'm drooling just looking at it!  Did I mention how excited I am??  Ok, I need to control myself.  "Get a grip, Leslie!"  

And here's some newbies in the Bei Mondi shop!

Wings of an Angel Pearl Blue Topaz Earrings

Striking Satire Swarovski Sterling Necklace

Ocean Jasper Wire Wrapped Necklace

Botswana Agate Pearl Bracelet

One more week left to sign up for the giveaway!  You can find the original post here for a Bead Trends April issue along with my piece featured in the magazine.

Happy Monday to you! :)