Halstead Beading, Inc. Giveaway - I won!

I've entered many giveaways in the past, but it's a very rare occurrence to actually win.  Of course, it's nice to spread the fun around, too, so I don't enter all the giveaways, either.

But this time it was my turn!  Halstead Bead, Inc. was giving away a set of tool organizers to 3 lucky winners.  They are perfect for my new work bench - and I'm hoping I will get a few more metalsmithing pieces done with my lovely, new, and organized bench space!

Thanks, Halstead! 
PZ

Tidy Crafts: Get Your Studio Makeover!

OFFICE MAKEOVER

BEFORE

AFTER

I was contacted by Tidy Crafts through Etsy a couple months ago.  They were looking for crafters and artists to test their products - or so I thought.  I happily replied that I would love to try out their organizers (I can ALWAYS use more organizers for my crafts and beads!) and expected them to send me one of their organizers.  I thought I would get to use it for a while, and then write a review on what I thought of it.  I also shared this information with my local Etsy Group since Tidy Crafts was looking for local testers.

More of my mess.....

Well, a month later I found out that Tidy Crafts had actually been searching for a messy studio/craft area to redo for FREE!  They chose my mess to organize and I was blown away.  Really, me?  Are you sure I'm the one you want to give this amazing gift to?  It's actually kind of embarrassing that my space is such a disaster area.....  A couple weeks later they came by, looked my space over, and started making plans.  A couple days later they came and organized my beads and supplies! 

Baggies + tackle boxes = mess!

The guys were very friendly and VERY generous.  They gave me several spinning organizers, a back board, more little organizers for that, tool hangers, and more.  I couldn't believe the difference in my space.  I went from having a 1 by 2 foot working space to my ENTIRE 6 foot table to work on!  I admit, the entire table didn't stay completely clear, but it's still mostly clear and I can not only bead in my space, but also sew or do other crafts.  It's amazing and wonderful!

I've been loving everything they gave me to try.  The little containers are the perfect size to hold most bead strands, including full hanks of size 11 seed beads (which I use a lot....).  The carousels are awesome for storage, display, and finding the beads I want.  I organized by size and color, and it's so easy to find what I want now!  The little cases are clear, too, which makes it easy to see what's in them and match colors up quickly.  The carousels come in a couple different models, and the one I have "locks" the cases in place so I can travel with them easily.  They seem sturdy and well made, but can be a little brittle in the extreme cold.  So don't drop it in freezing weather!  But really, what isn't brittle when it's that cold outside?!?!?!

 Some of the carousels and other organizers!

My only concern has been with the storage of my pearls.  Pearls are notoriously difficult to store, and I had to come up with a different storage solution than what Tidy Crafts provided.  Pearls need to breath, and can react poorly to plastics or papers, including cardboard.  So I have them stored in open glass containers - it's really helped keep them lustrous!  I've had pearls "rot" on me before (the luster faded and holes appeared in the body of the pearl), so I make certain to store them correctly now!  This isn't an issue with glass pearls, however.

 Look at that space to work in!  (Snowflake tutorial here)

I know this has sounded like a huge promotional advertisement, but I really do appreciate what Tidy Crafts did for me, and I really have liked their products.  I'm not getting paid to endorse them, I'd simply like to give back to this generous company.  They didn't even ask me to carry flyers or business cards with me when I attend craft fairs, or to post on my blog, or anything!  It was a free giveaway with no strings attached.  Very generous! And it's helped me stay organized, design more jewelry quicker, and even do other crafts (such as sewing) in the same space!  How awesome is that?!!?

Tidy Crafts is giving away a monthly makeover (I'm not sure how long this promotion will be going on), so if you live in SE Idaho, go check out their Facebook page for details.  It's a makeover for any craft, not just beading!  If you live elsewhere and still want to check out their supplies, here's their website. 

Happy Beading,
PZ

FTC Blog Jewelry Giveaway: Round 2 Winner!

And I am finally able to post our winner of Round 2 of my jewelry giveaway - Heather Garner!  Congratulations, Heather!

This took so long because I took so long to complete this prize - my apologies all around!  It's a busy time of year.  Heather chose a random pattern of green beads - and this is the lovely result of my interpretation of her directions!  I think it is gorgeous - reminds me of emeralds and snakeskin.  That might not sound beautiful to you, but I think snakes can have lovely patterns and be a great source of inspiration!

If that isn't your cup of tea, what does this bangle remind you of?!

PRIZE: Custom Peyote Stitch Bangle

Enjoy, Heather!

And for those of you who are crafty and want to try to make your own bangle, here are some good directions for the tubular peyote stitch!  If you have any questions, please ask, and I'll try to help you out, but I'm not up for making my own tutorial on this - there are some really great ones out there already!

Free Tubular Peyote Tutorials:  A Video From Fire Mountain Gems & several sets of directions from Bead Jewelry Making

Round 3 begins when followers reach 84!  I'm thinking that since I'm getting more followers (hopefully!), and that means a smaller chance for you, my faithful readers, to win (which isn't a good way to encourage you to share this blog with others!), that I might giveaway 2 prizes instead of a larger prize.  What do you all think about that? Let your voice be heard or forever hold your peace!

Happy Holidays!
PZ

Double or Nothing: Jewelry Giveaway - Round Two!

First off, my apologies for the long long long delay in posts!  A lot has happened in the last couple months.  Our move was successful, we're enjoying our new house.  Lots more space than the apartment!  Our girl is loving the yard and the neighbor's kittens!  I won't bore you with the other details, but let me say it's been very busy and stressful around here for a while.  I'm glad to be back posting, hopefully it'll start up with some regularity again!

AND NOW FOR ROUND TWO OF THE DOUBLE OR NOTHING JEWELRY GIVEAWAY!

While I was gone, more followers joined up!  So, it's time for the next round of my giveaway event.  I have chosen to offer up a single peyote stitch bangle for the lucky winner!  

Options are:

1-3 colors of your choice - I have most colors of the rainbow, so pick away!

pattern of your choice - mixed all together (picture a calico cat), stripes/bands, a swirl, or a solid color

size of your choice - I need to know size to make sure it'll fit over your hand!  These awesome bangles roll over your hand with no need for a clasp!  One size fits most, but not all.  For example, my husband and I can wear the same bangle, but it's a tight fit for him and strains the bangle more than is necessary.  Also, if you like looser jewelry, you may chose a larger size!  Or vice versa.  I'll send the details to the lucky winner!

Bottom line, you get lots of choices!  Please see images below for examples of these amazing bangles.

And of course, the rules!

To enter:

Follow my blog and comment here that you would like to be entered.  

Leave an email address where I can reach you.  Worth one entry.

ENDS November 19th, 2010 at Midnight, as timestamped on comments.

This end date will hopefully give me time to complete the prize over Thanksgiving break, so you can get it before Christmas!  

For extra entries (each in a new comment):

1. Post about my jewelry, blog, and giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, your Blog, etc.  Leave a link.  If you post in more than one place, leave each link in a new comment.  Each post is worth one entry.

2.  Comment here with a suggestion for future blog topics, including tutorials you'd like to see me post.  Each suggestion in a new comment is worth one entry.

3. Visit one or both of my galleries, as my shops are under construction.  DeviantArt or Flickr.  Comment here on a piece you especially liked and why.  Each new comment is worth one entry.  
_______________________________________________________

Next Rounds:

84 followers giveaway:  Necklace with Stone Pendant

168 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven Necklace

End of June Update

First off, let me apologize for the lack of updating this month!  There has been a lot going on in my already busy life - I've been attending one of the local farmer's markets as a vendor (which is surprisingly going okay even with other jewelers there), having family visiting for my daughter's 1st birthday, went to get portraits done, and my little girl has polished her ability to walk!  Which means I'm spending a lot of time with her, and not on the computer....in fact, she's attempting to climb things already!

 Our 1st Professional Family Portrait!

Next, I'm excited to say that since my sales went well this month, I have another decent donation ready for the National Wildlife Federation for cleanup efforts!  Please see the previous post for more information on what you can do about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster.

And finally, I only need one more follower for the next giveaway event to start!  I've decided that the next prize will be a peyote stitch bangle bracelet in the winner's choice of colors.  I haven't decided how many colors I'm allowing, but probably 1-3, in a solid or spiral pattern.  More info and pictures to follow when the next round starts!

Hopefully, regularly scheduled posts will start up again this week - starting with Thursday!  I'm not sure on the topic - maybe it's time for another tutorial?

The Expectacular Mega Giveaway

I am participating in another giveaway put together by Solange. 

It's the 

Expectacular Mega April Giveaway 

and goes from April 9th until April 30th.   

Forty-five shops are participating, and  

45 winners 

will be chosen!

I will be giving away another pair of earrings, this time a chip bead stack in a color to be chosen by the lucky winner (green malachite, red tiger's eye, light green aventurine, or blackstone).  It's another chance for you to win!  Prizes are wide ranging, from jewelry to pet products, framed art to gift certificates.  Follow the link above to read more and to enter this amazing giveaway!

Prize from PZ Designs:  1 Pair of Chip Stack Earrings

Double or Nothing: Jewelry Giveaway - First Winner!

And our first prize winner here on Free Time Crafts is Sabrita!   She has been randomly picked as the lucky new owner of a pair of chip bead loop earrings and has chosen the lovely green turquoise as her stone of choice.  Congratulations, Sabrita!

Round One Prize: Green Turquoise Chip Bead Loop Earrings

Only 8 more followers needed and I will start the next giveaway!  See my previous post for more details.

Regular posts to start again this Thursday.  I apologize for the delay, but I did enjoy the break and Easter Weekend.  Hope you did too!  Unfortunately, I have a sick little girl at home, and regular posts will start again next week....

Double or Nothing: Jewelry Giveaway - Round One

I have decided to host a jewelry giveaway every time my followers here on Free Time Crafts doubles!  My first giveaway starts now!

To enter:

Follow my blog and comment here that you would like to be entered.  

Leave an email address where I can reach you.  Worth one entry.

ENDS APRIL 1st, 2010 at Midnight, as timestamped on comments.

For extra entries (each in a new comment):

1. Post about this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, your Blog, etc.  Leave a link.  If you post in more than one place, leave each link in a new comment.  Each post is worth one entry.

2.  Comment here with a suggestion for future blog topics, including tutorials you'd like to see me post.  Each suggestion in a new comment is worth one entry.

3. Visit one or both of my shops (Etsy or 1000 Markets).  Comment here on a piece you especially liked or on how I could improve my shop.  Each new comment is worth one entry.  -OR- Make a purchase and comment here.  Every $5 spent is worth one entry (shipping charges included) and you are guaranteed at least 2 entries.
____________________________________________

21 followers giveaway:  A pair of chip loop earrings, as shown below.  Earwires are handmade from sterling silver wire.  Color to be determined by winner!  Available colors include green malachite, blackstone, brown tiger's eye, lapis lazuli, aventurine, green turquoise and red tiger's eye.

Turquoise Blue Chip Loop Earrings

Brownstone Chip Loop Earrings

____________________________________________

Next Rounds:

42 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven bracelet or bangle set.  More details to follow, but colors most likely to be chosen by winner.

84 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven necklace and/or pendant.

168 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven jewelry set (necklace & earrings, brooch & earrings, necklace & bracelet, etc.).

For more ideas as to what I will be giving away by style, you can visit my beading gallery at DeviantArt!  New designs are uploaded almost weekly!