New Beaded Key Bracelets

Spring is here and warmer weather brings people outdoors for family activities and exercise.  Whether you are going for a walk or taking the dog for a walk, my new key bracelets are a “must have” accessory. 

Beaded Key bracelets are beaded bracelets strung on multiple coils of memory wire with a lobster clasp strung along with the beads enabling you to easily attach a key to the bracelet.  Memory wire coil bracelets are easy to put on and take off and very sturdy since the memory wire coils return and hold their shape.  Attach your door key to the bracelet with the lobster clasp, slip on the bracelet, and off you go with both hands free while your key is held secure and easily accessible.   No more worries about no pockets, a hole in your pocket, or lost keys on your walk, while exercising, or taking out man’s best friend. 

The key bracelet or key minder isn’t just for your door key.  It can be used to attach id badges, security key cards, car keys, mp3 players, small cell phones, anything that is light weight and can be attached with the lobster clasp to the bracelet.

Here are pictures of some beaded key bracelets I have made up in my webstore.  Don’t forget that I can make these in any color(s) you would like too.

You can see the complete description for the key bracelets at KC Bead Designs under the Beaded Wrist Badge Key Holder category. 

“till next time!

 

 

Bright Colors for Spring and Summer 2008

The color forecast for spring and summer 2008 is very bright and vibrant colors. I’m sure you have already seen many of the new shades available for the upcoming seasons in your local stores and malls. Bright greens from lime to grass green, hot peony pinks, blues in saturated shades from light to royal blue and aqua to teal, peach shades in cantaloupe and salmon, citrus yellows, and don’t forget the bright reds.

The jewelry trends are still big and chunky with lots of circles, metal rings, metal components and chains everywhere. The big bold bright colored acrylic and resin beads are showing up everywhere too. What’s really nice about the acrylic and resin beads is their light weight. You can add some really stunning beads without them weighing a ton! Metals are being mixed together with some pieces I have seen including silver, gold and copper metal beads or chain all together. Models in magazines and people on TV are wearing multiple necklaces in different lengths at the same time. This season you can pretty much set your own style and establish your own signature look.

I have added several new pieces for spring and summer. Here is a preview of some of my favorites.

 Aqua Black Dots & Rings Necklace Set - $30.00

These fun acrylic dot beads are approx. 3/4 inch and the black acrylic beads on either side are approx. 10 mm.  The colored rings are transparent acrylic and the wavy discs and chain parts are silver plated.  I have made necklaces with the dot beads in aqua (shown here), hot pink, and bright green.  I will be adding all of these necklaces to my website this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Crystal Acrylic Beads with Silver Wire Stars - $28.00

The acrylic beads in this necklace set look like faceted crystal and are 3/4″ size.  The wire wrapped stars are silver plated and very light too.  Check out my website for more necklaces in hot pink acrylic crystal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aqua Acrylic Barrels with Stripe Beads Necklace Set - $28.00

The aqua beads are barrel beads in incremental sizes from the large center focal bead to smallest at the clasp ends.  The white beads and stripe beads are also acrylic and are approx. 14mm size.  I have the stripe beads made up in black and white and pink and white also.

Inspirational Rings and Beads Necklace - $28.00

This necklace has inspirational sayings around the larger rings and a quote on the donut pendant.  All metal is silver plated in this necklace and the bead dangles are Czech fire-polish faceted beads.  This one is one-of-a-kind and will not be repeated.

River Shell Drops and Ant. Silver Chain - $38.00

The shell drops are natural river shell dyed lime green and deep purple in teardrop, diamond and round shapes.  The chain has an antique silver brushed finish and there are small drop tabs in round and diamond shape in this same finish too.

Summer Fun Lime Green and Bumpy Beads Necklace - $25.00

This fun necklace has a lime green Rare Earth Pendant™ and beads with white acrylic round beads and 12mm - 14mm lime bumpy lampwork beads. 

Lampwork EYE Beads with Cat’s Eye and Copper Bracelet - $25.00

I love these beads!  Bright blue lampwork beads with white, aqua and black “EYES” are 14mm coin beads with yellow 8mm cat’s eye beads and copper spacers and toggle clasp.  I have these beads made up in a necklace and earrings too.

That’s all I have time to preview for you today, but there are many more new items being added to the website, KC Bead Designs.  

’till next time!

Jacqueline’s Bookmark and Red High Heel Charms

 This is a story about an author who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, contacting an artisan jewelry website for a jewelry artist living in Missouri and red enamel high heel charms.

A few weeks ago I got an email from Jacquie Gum on the contact form on KC Bead Designs asking if I would be interested in designing a custom bead bookmark for her to use in her promotion packets for her newly published book, CONFESSIONS OF A CORPORATE SLUT.  She gave me a link to her website so I could see the book cover art and check out her book.   The book title peaked my interest and after reading her bio and the review saying the book was inspired by a true story, I decided I wanted to work with her if my ideas for her bookmark met any of her expectations.

  I was interested in what she had in mind for her bookmark and its use for her book promotions.  I emailed her back and said I definitely saw a bright red high heel charm dangling from beads for her bookmark.  After sending my reply to Jacquie, I started seaching the web for “hot” red high heel charms.

When Jacquie emailed me back, I found we had similar ideas about the design of the bookmark and I went to work making a sample and taking pictures to email to her.  After a few more emails (isn’t this medium wonderful) we agreed on the design, the components, and price.  Now I had to order the beads, bookmarks, and charms to make a large quantity of the bookmarks for Jacquie and her schedule.

I was excited as each of the ”parts” were delivered and couldn’t wait to start putting the bookmarks together.   Naturally, the most important “part” (the red high heel charm) was the last thing to be delivered.   When I emailed the final picture to Jacquie her reply said “I love the bookmarks!”

The bookmarks are all finished now and sent to Jacquie and her publicist has sent out the press release packets for her book.  Jacquie will be making book signing appearances and you can check out her dates here on her website.

     

What I love about this whole experience is how two people met through a virtual store and established a working business relationship.  I enjoyed working with Jacquie and think I made a new friend as well.  Jacquie and I decided to put links to each other’s websites on our websites and she has graciously put a link to the bookmark for sale on her site also.  I wish  her much success with her book, CONFESSIONS OF A CORPORATE SLUT, and hope to work with her in the future.

Jacqueline Gum’s Website

Jacqueline’s Bookmark (purchase)

’till next time!

Spring Bling For Your Home Decor - Beaded Chain Pulls

Spring is just around the corner and its time to think about adding some BLING to your home decor!  When spring rolls around we put that heavy warm wardrobe away until next fall.  Why not do the same for your home?  Brighter colors, lighter fabrics, sparkle, metallic, and glitz are still in the fashion forecast for our wardrobe so dress up your home too.

To help you with updating your spring decor adding some BLING, I have added NEW pretty practical jewelry for your home decor . . . Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pulls.

Beaded fan lamp chain pulls/pendants can be used to brighten up a ceiling fan, a closet light, a lamp or anywhere a bead chain or string is pulled to turn on or off an electrical switch.  

My beaded fan lamp chain pulls are strung on multi-cable stainless steel beading wire or strung on heavy guage craft wire with an attached wire pendant ready to attach to your existing bead chain pull.  The pendant section length varies by design and style, but each beaded fan lamp chain pull is a total length of 12″ and the bead chain is easily adjusted to accomodate your particular needs.

I have several styles and designs available in my webstore designed with wood beads, glass beads, crystals, acrylic beads, lampwork beads and more.  All of my beaded fan lamp chain pulls are priced at $15.00 each and can be found under the Home Decor category in my store. 

Click the titles under the pictures to see the full description and more pictures at KC Bead Designs. 

Fan Lamp Chain Pull - Aqua & Teal Lampwork Beads

Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pull - Blue Green Silver

Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pull - Cinnabar & Chinese Coin

Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pull - Peridot Lampwork Wood Silver

Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pull - Amethyst Glass Leaf Gold

Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pull - Multi-Color Lampwork Dot Beads

Beaded Fan Lamp Chain Pulls - Amethyst Beads Gold

I have more colors and designs available in my store, and you can always request a custom order in the colors of your home decor.

Next time I will be posting pictures of my new sun catcher designs!

’till next time!

Genuine Amethyst Teardrop Fan Necklace Set

I just completed another fabulous February necklace set. 

 

Amethyst Teardrop Fan Necklace Set  

This necklace features genuine natural amethyst teardrop fan pendant beads and round amethyst beads separated by Swarovski crystal bicone beads in peridot color.  The amethyst and peridot color combination is hot for the upcoming spring season.  I have strung these beads on sterling silver beading chain for a simple elegant look. 

 

The matching earrings have a 2″ drop and are dangling from sterling silver fish hook ear wires. 

 

Amethyst Peridot Gemstone Bracelet 

To complete the look for those who like to wear bracelets too, I added a single strand bracelet with the amethyst round beads, amethyst nugget beads and the peridot Swarovski crystal bicone beads.  The bracelet is adjustable with a sterling silver spring ring clasp and heart link chain closure.

You are invited to browse and shop in my store: KC Bead Designs anytime - 24/7. I hope you subscribe to “Reflections . . .” and enjoy sharing my passion for artisan jewelry.

’till next time!

My Newest “Hearts” Design - Chain of Pink Hearts!

Hearts, whether they are in jewelry or on greeting cards are a universal symbol of love and sweethearts everywhere.  Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is the holiday for saying “I love you” and “please be my valentine” with lots of hearts and flowers and gifts for all ages.  Personally, I like and use hearts all year long in my jewelry designs and not just for Valentine’s Day.   Since I am a traditional person, I always design at least one jewelry set for Valentine’s Day.  Here is my 2008 design. . .Chain of Pink Hearts.

 

Chain of Pink Hearts - $30.00 - Buy Now

Necklace has 19 light pink matte finish Czech glass hearts that are approx. 15×15mm with 3mm silver plated balls top and bottom with handwrapped loop to silver metal cable chain.  6mm transparent pink Czech faceted rondelles with silver lined seed beads handwrapped are spaced between the  hearts.  Length of necklace is 18″ adjustable with lobster clasp.  The matching earrings dangle from fish hook ear wires with a drop of approx. 2″.  This is a one of a kind design and I have featured it here on my blogsite.  This necklace set is not available anywhere else. . . so if you love it, buy it here. 

 

You are invited to browse and shop in my store: KC Bead Designs anytime - 24/7. I hope you subscribe to “Reflections . . .” and enjoy sharing my passion for artisan jewelry.

’till next time!

New Squidoo Lens - Personalized Name Bracelets

I have been working on my website doing a little maintenance and preparation for the seasons coming up after Christmas.  I know, Christmas isn’t here yet and you don’t want to think past that date yet!  We here online have to plan and think ahead to keep up with the internet.

In doing some rearranging in my Mother’s Bracelet category and after the orders I had for them for Christmas, it was time to update the pages and item descriptions to reflect current trends.  While I was doing this, it occurred to me that this subject and content would make a good Squidoo lens.  I have published a lens promoting my website and featuring items I sell on KC Bead Designs so this will be my second Squidoo lens.

I would like to invite you to check out my new Squidoo lens, Personalized Name Bracelets for Mothers, Grandmothers, and Everyone Else! and see what you think.  While you are visiting my lens, please visit my Guest Book and leave me a blurb.  If you have an online business, website, blog, or your own Squidoo lens there is a links list where you can add your own links and then vote for your favorites.   I’ve added one of the new fun modules too.  InStyle.com gives fashion, trends and celebrity news to keep you in style and on track. 

I hope you check out my new lens.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to You All!!!

’till next time! 

Acrylic Crystal Gems - Sun Catchers / Tree Ornaments

I’ve added a new line to my Home Decor Jewelry category — Sun catchers / Christmas tree ornaments made from large acrylic crystal faceted gems, beads and shiny metal components.  I had seen a collection of Christmas tree ornaments made similar to these in a store and they were so pretty I decided to try to make some of my own.  I made several variations to draw attention to various displays during my show last weekend by hanging them all around on my jewelry displays.  The sun catchers / ornaments gently swayed as people walked by my displays and really sparkled as they twisted and turned.  People noticed them and I ended up selling most of  the sun catchers / tree ornaments I had made.  I decided to see if people would like them available in my web store too.

Acrylic Crystal & Rings Sun Catcher - Ornament - $5.00
Large acrylic crystal faceted gems with silver plated metal rings in twisted and smooth finishes drop from a non-tarnish silver wire spiral hanger.  Total approximate length is 6″.

Acrylic Crystal Sun Catcher - Ornament - $5.00
Large acrylic crystal faceted gems with silver plated wavy metal disks drop from a non-tarnish silver wire spiral hanger.  Total approximate length is 6″ - 6.5″.

Acrylic Crystal & Beads Sun Catcher - Ornament - $5.00
Large acrylic crystal faceted gems with silver plated metal corrugated and/or filligree 10mm beads drop from a non-tarnish silver wire spiral hanger.

Clicking any of the titles/links will take you directly to the page on my website where you can view, read, and purchase the sun catchers / tree ornaments if you are interested.

You are invited to browse and shop in my store: KC Bead Designs anytime - 24/7. I hope you subscribe to “Reflections . . .” and enjoy sharing my passion for artisan jewelry.

’till next time!

Marketing, Promotion & Advertising Resources

Small businesses and self-representing artisans are always looking for and researching new and existing sources and venues for marketing, promotion, and advertising.  Getting your name and products ”out there” on the world wide web is an important step to your business success.  The old “build it and they will come” adage needs some additional steps for internet businesses and online promotion.  After you build your website, you have to tell people where you are, what you have to offer, and provide links to lead them back to your site.   How do you learn the when, what, and where to accomplish these tasks?  One of the best resources I have found is sharing information and ideas through online forums.  In this post I will share some of my best resources with you.

I am a participating member of the Jewelry Collectibles Small Business Forum.   I would like to invite you to visit and join this forum.  The purpose of this forum is to give small business owners a place to network, share ideas, brainstorm, ask questions, get answers, & promote their small businesses.  This is a new forum that replaced another forum with resources for small businesses that I participated in for over a year.  Most of the main topics from the original forum were migrated to the new forum which is now hosted on an owner’s server with a totally new updated format. 

This forum contains valuable small business tips and resources for SEO (search engine optimization), discussions about eBay stores and other selling venues, information and shared wisdom on selling at shows and festivals, antiques and vintage collectibles, promoting your store or website, and as one of the members says, “work smarter, not harder” to grow your online business. 

I can say personally that my own business and website has grown and benefited from information and ideas shared by people participating in this forum and I would like to pass this on to other small business owners, store owners, artisans and collectors.  The current forum members are actively working to increase membership and invite new participants to visit and join Jewelry Collectibles Small Business Forum.  Click my link and register to join today!  I think you will benefit by participating in the forum and your knowledge and ideas will be welcome.

Along with the Jewelry Collectibles Small Business Forum, another resource available for promotion of your store or website is The Marketplace, A gathering of the small business community, provided and maintained by Jewelry Collectibles.  This is a blog-site where you can post articles about your business, your products, promote your business/goods and create your own business page if you want.  Even if you already have your own blog, posting here on The Marketplace  gives you another link out to the web.

The last promotion resource I will write about today is Jewelry Collectibles Top 100 Shopping Site List.  Sign up and join this list/directory today to promote your store, website, or blog.  When you sign up you will be given a code to place on your site for people to click on and a vote will be registered for your site’s position on the list.  The more votes you get, the higher your site appears on the list. 

You are invited to browse and shop in my store: KC Bead Designs anytime - 24/7. I hope you subscribe to “Reflections . . .” and enjoy sharing my passion for artisan jewelry.

’till next time!

Cheryl Skeens,
Jewelry Artist/Designer

KC Bead Designs Website
KC Bead Designs Squidoo Lens
KC Bead Designs MySpace Page
Jewelry Artist Direct Gallery

I’ve Added New Beaded Lanyard Id Badge Holders!

The requests for my beaded lanyard id badge holders has been steady since late summer and I have finally gotten some time to add to my inventory.  For those who have been waiting for new colors and designs, they are available now. The pictures below are teasers so you will want to look at all the new beaded lanyards.
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I have added 14 new beaded lanyard id badge holders in my web store, KC Bead Designs.  Some of the new colors and designs are for the upcoming holiday season so that your id badges can be festive too.

I have also added 4 new beaded lanyard id badge holders here on the blog-site.  If you are looking for a new beaded lanyard, be sure to browse the selections on both sites.

You are invited to browse and shop in my store: KC Bead Designs anytime - 24/7. I hope you subscribe to “Reflections . . .” and enjoy sharing my passion for artisan jewelry.

’till next time!

Cheryl Skeens,
Jewelry Artist/Designer

KC Bead Designs Website
KC Bead Designs Squidoo Lens
KC Bead Designs MySpace Page
Jewelry Artist Direct Gallery