If you like Pina Coladas -or Lampwork Glass- and Getting Caught in the Rain

And now find yourself humming the Jimmy Buffet song like a life-long parrothead... then you really ought to check out this uber special sale my dear-friend-almost-sister-except-we-don't-share-any-familial-blood is having in her store.

This was my first "Zit Bead" from Juls - Do you see the imperfection? Neither do I! 

She's collected a whole lotta orphans (and you know I have a thing for lost orphans that don't have a mate in the lampwork world or they aren't perfect) and she's having a lottery with them.  First, let's define orphans.... orphans are those lampwork beads that are leftover from other sets.  Some of them aren't perfect, but none of us are (side note: I've bought many, Many, MANY of Juli's orphans in my time and ALL of them are stunning!) 

Circa 2010- See, Zit Beads turn into beautiful butterflies too! Promise!

She's put some special orphan collections together and is selling them as sets.  When they are sold out, Juli is holding a lottery and refunding one persons all of their money!  So, FREE beads... it's a game worth playing if you love really high quality lampwork glass!

Here's her link... hurry, only 10 sets are left last I heard! http://studiojuls.bigcartel.com/product/trash-to-treasure-free-bead-lottery-sale

And because I know you're now singing that Jimmy Buffet song and bustin' out the blender for a early morning frozen beverage... here's a treat for you!


http://youtu.be/QVdhZwK7cS8

Hope your weekend is full of sunshine, fruity happiness and dancing!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Fine Print: Doesn't include coconut bra.

Carnival - All Sorts of Fun in a Bead Embroidery Masterpiece

Am I the only one that finds doing what one shouldn't be doing rather than focusing on the task that's really important to finish really fun and slightly naughty??  Okay, I've always been a procrastinator and I've always said I do my best work under pressure (insert Queen & David Bowie humming lyrics here.)

So why would it be any different for packing and moving my studio, right?

That's what I thought!  So rather than trying to pack and move all my itty bitty treasures in my studio, I found this wonderful lampwork treasure from my friend Juli ( StudioJuls if you're new to my blog, or you've been hiding under a rock).  The swirly iridescent spiral on that focal just mesmerized me... so much so I forgot (wink, wink) that I should be packing.

Instead I pulled out all my purples and greens and just lost all track of time (days, weeks even) but the end result is total worth it.  SO in lieu of throwing caution to the wind and pushing all packing aside allow me to introduce you to Carnival!  A splash of fun in every bead!

Available in my Etsy Store:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/93992345/carnival-bead-embroidered-necklace-with

Thanks all for taking the mind wandering journey with me!  And now back to your regularily scheduled program.
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

FYI, if you'd like to try your hand a bead embroidery, THIS is STILL the best book I've found to help you get started.  Why?  Because it shows you two different methods and allows you to create your own style, stitches and method by blending the two!

What Every Woman Wants Giveaway

The twelve days of Christmas are full of presents... so to is this blog post!  I have the joy of partnering with a dear friend of mine again this year for her "What Every Woman Wants" giveaway!  

Sky Purington is a fabulous author... if you love Celtic romance, throw in a dash of ghost adventures you'll love Sky's books.  This year for the event, I wanted to host two giveaways.  One is going to be on Sky's blog and one is right here on this very post!  Keep reading to see how you can win these GORGEOUS earrings and then hop over to Sky's blog to enter to win that give away too.  (AND she's giving away a $100 Amazon gift card to someone at the end of the event!)

Up for grabs is this gorgeous pair of earrings.  I truly love these beads that were handcrafted by the wonderfully talented Juli Cannon of JulsBeads.  After purchasing a set of these and making an incredible necklace (that sold) I had to get more of these awesome psychedelic ribbed rounds.

The earrings are accented with light amethyst and crystal AB crystals.  Finishing off these beauties are sterling silver fishhook style ear wires.  SO you like them?  Are you drooling?

To qualify to win follow this blog (upper left corner of your screen... yep, click follow) and leave a comment letting me know you did.  If you already are a follower, that counts too.  (Heck, I might even kiss you for that!)

Sorry so short, I'm off to do some Christmas-ing today with Chris' mom.  It's the prep part of cooking for Christmas Eve dinner.  SO.... one last thing, the deadline for this giveaway is December 23rd at 12:00 a.m. EST.  If it's 12:01... so sorry!

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season.  Merry Christmas with Love!
~Hugs!~
Dawn

www.Facebook.com/DesignsByDawnMarie

Baby Christian Needs our Help

Hey friends, 

I don't normally blog about some of the most sensitive subjects in our world.  But this one is really important.  So if you'd please, read the whole post, I'd really, really, REALLY appreciate it.  

Last week my dear friend Juls posted on her blog that her nephew was born pre-mature - not just a little, but by 4 months.  I've not had children, but I know that those last 4 months of development are so very critical to the baby.  So prayers, support, and lots and lots of healing energies were immediately and are still being sent up for Baby Christian.

Juls did an update post about Christian over the weekend.  That wee little guy, he's such a fighter.  Here's what Juls shared on her blog:

"Christian is in NICU at UAB.  He is on blood pressure medication, an oxygen ventilator, in an incubator obviously, has to be given blood and a myriad of other things I can't remember right now, weighs 1lb 3 oz and is 11" long.  He is so tiny that he wrapped his entire hand around my brother's fingertip.  His vitals are good, he is properly developed for the stage of pregnancy he was born during, and his oxygen intake is slowly but steadily improving.  The overall prognosis is that his chances are good.

Please continue to pray for our Christian.   He is so loved."

Because Juls' heart is bigger than the rest of her entire body combined she just posted today about a sale she's having in her Etsy shop.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Julsbeads  All sales will go toward Christian's treatment and the expenses incurred by her bother and his wife.  They've have not yet gotten into the Ronald McDonald house, so every night that they stay in Birmingham, is out of pocket expenses.  And who could leave their first baby... so tiny, and such a fighter?  If I were in their shoes, I'd be there 24/7 too.  

So right now, if you make a purchase from Juls Etsy store, use the coupon code CHRISTIAN at the check out for 25% off your order and all the funds raised will go to support baby Christian and his family.  

If you've read this far, from the bottom of my heart I thank you.  Juls is like family to me and I only wish I was there to help her stay strong.  If you want to spread the word, grab the button on the right!  (If you're reading this on The Hive, visit my blogger blog:  http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com) It'll link to Juls post about the special sale for Christian.  She's going to be the best Auntie this little guy could ever ask for.  

Hope your day is filled with blessings and love!

{Hugs}

Dawn

P.S.  If you want to help, spread the word to help baby Christian.  Share or re-tweet this blog post to spread the word far & wide.  Thanks in advance... I know you rock!

UPDATE on Christian

It is with very heavy heart that I have to share this news.  Christian passed away on Friday, Aug. 12th, his Daddy's birthday.  He was a gift to his family for just a mere week, but he'll be treasured forever.  Prayers and love go out to Juls and her entire family though this difficult time.  Juls, we're so very sorry for your loss.  If I could hug you in person, I've give you 8,452,129 of them!  

Thanks so much to everybody that shared Christian's message, and that offered words of support and love to Juls and her family.  You are all a treasure and a blessing to be friends with! 

The woman is crazy - like completely off her rocker CRAZY!

Honestly, when someone's done gone and lost her mind, can we help her find a support group?  I'm working on it, but I'm drooling all over my keyboard and it's getting in the way!

I'm talking about our sweet southern lampwork artists Juli Cannon y'all (her y'all not mine.)  She's been crazy making beads the last few days and even crazier listing them in her StudioJuls Store!  What's really crazy... these sets of beads are only $10 each... that's nuts!  I don't care if it's walnuts, pistacios, peanuts or almonds... she's a whole mixed bag of nuts listing these sets for $10.  That's 1/2 price y'all (again, her y'all, not mine.)

So before she comes to her right mind (or I find a support group for nutty glass artists) I'd scoot your little patootie over to Studio Juls right now and scoop up your favorite sets! 

Like the beads but don't make jewelry (Stacy, Jenna, Kathy and so many more) pick some up and ask Juls to ship 'em this way!  I'm happy to make you something custom with these delicious baubbles! 

So don't wait... she might find the mind she's lost!  http://studiojuls.bigcartel.com/

Have a Wacky Wednesday! :o)

**Fine Print:  All images belong to JulsBeads.  All Rights Reserved.

What's the next best thing to free?

A big A$$ sale!  You heard me, I'm sharing the abundance of love display by my super friend Juli Cannon - JulsBeads.  The sale started yesterday (and I'm a bit slow) so I'm telling y'all (Juls word) about her super.duper.fantastic tax sale!  It runs through Wednesday so y'all can still get in on the good stuff!

Here's the link to Juls' Etsy Store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Julsbeads

Still Available in Juls Etsy Store

When you go there, the message is at the top for getting free shipping AND FREE BEADS!  Yes, I didn't have a typo there... free beads! 

Mine, Mine, Mine

If you've been drooling then now's the time to act!  Scoop up some of these gorgeous lampwork beads and I can't wait to see what you design with them!  I got these in the mail on Monday and I have to tell you, it was love at first sight!  Honestly!

Sent to me for a custom order!

♥ Peace & Beading! ♥