New Year's Sale and Giveaway!

* * * This sale and giveaway has ended. * * *

Thank you to everyone who entered, shared and shopped!

I hope everyone had a most wonderful Christmas! Now it's time to celebrate and prepare for the coming year—I sure hope that 2014 is everything we each imagine it can be.

And… it's also my turn to give a few presents to you! Just one last Thank You for making 2013 a very successful year for Tree Wings Studio.

First off, everything in my shop is 15% off when you use code NEWYEAR15.

Just enter the code at checkout on any order placed thru January 11th.

I'm working on restocking (again—you all sure keep me busy!) so if you see anything that's sold out, but you must have it, let me know. I may be able to set it to pre-order status so you can still get the discount now.

And, now…

It's giveaway time!! Here's what's up for grabs…

 "Red and Blue Skies"

"Honey Orange and Wild Horses"

"A Little Color at Dusk"

There will be 3 randomly drawn winners, and as always, international bead lovers are more than welcome to play along.

The Rules:


To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment in the comments below. And you get extra entries by leaving additional comments for doing one or all of these:

1. Becoming a follower of Tree Wings Studio blog
2. Sharing my GIVEAWAY on your blog, facebook, twitter, or pinterest
3. Sharing my SALE on your blog, facebook, twitter, or pinterest

Be sure to leave ONE comment for EACH thing you do.

And don't forget to leave your contact info.

(Feel free to use any of the photos posted here when sharing.)


This giveaway and sale will end on January 11th at 11:59pm EST.

Giveaway winners will be announced on January 13th.

Happy shopping and winning!

Remembering

My little girl and very best friend, Pepper…

It was one year ago today that I loved her most. One year ago today that I said goodbye.

I know that I will always miss her, but there are a few more smiles than tears now…

on most days.

She was my childhood dog, the dog I grew up with, but most certainly not the dog I had thought I would ever come to call my own. As a little kid, I had wanted every breed imaginable—usually changing it daily, every kind from the tiniest fluffy haired dog to biggest and fiercest dog. I finally narrowed it down to one—a Golden Retriever.

A couple years later we had just moved to rural Virginia (I was eleven) to experience farm life and a dear friend asked if we would like his 18 month old Rat Terrier.

She came with her name included, a worn out collar, a chain leash, food and water bowls, and a light pink house filled with cedar shavings. And she chose me. Not right away of course—she was shy, untrained, a picky eater, and disliked most toys. I taught her manners—how to sit and stay, to not run away, to not bark, to not steal eggs. And Pepper taught me friendship, the true meaning of commitment, and most importantly love and patience.

She came to be my shadow and she always knew what it was I asked of her even without words. She was sweet natured, inquisitive, fearless (in her own small 20 lb. way), and always so full of life.

No, she was not the dog I would have chosen, or even the dog I had wanted, but I know in my heart that she most definitely was the dog I needed. The dog meant for me. And that is all that matters. She truly was a gift and was a very special friend indeed.

Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. ~ Winnie the Pooh

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~ Kahil Gibran

This hole in your heart is in the shape of the one you lost—no one else can fit it. ~ Jeanette Winterson

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~ Winnie the Pooh

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~ Unknown

Mourning is love with no place to go. ~ Anonymous

And, somewhere out there, there will be another dog meant for me…
one day.

Wishing you a very, very…

With lots of yummy treats,

the gifts you wished for most

but, more than that…

good times with family,

reflection of happy moments past

and the making of new memories…

all on this very special day!

On AJE Blog ~ Beadyness from 2013 and Plans for 2014

In my latest post on Art Jewelry Elements blog I was reflecting on my bead making of 2013, new ideas I have experimented with…

And a new technique I hope to explore and learn in 2014…

Bead Crochet from Chudibeads

 Join me here and share your plans for the coming new year!

Icy Morning

My view this morning…

Thankfully I had nowhere I needed to go (only two hungry horses to feed) and plenty of beads to keep me busy. And a big mug of hot chocolate!

Happy Monday!

AJE November Component of the Month Reveal ~ Fading Sunset

November's Component of the Month Challenge at AJE Blog was a pair of these beaded lovelies by Kristen Stevens. We each got to choose our favorite color and I, of course, chose the rusty orange ones… and how could I not? Orange is my favorite color!

Come see what I made with them…

I paired them up with two of my own polymer beads in purple… because purple is one of my favorite colors to go with orange (a lot of favorites going on here!) and strung them on textured spiral headpins that I formed myself.

A simple design, but one I totally love! The color combination brings to mind a winter sunset, when the colors begin to soften, the moment just before they fade away. I titled them "Fading Sunset".

Aren't Kristen's beads just gorgeous?

And one last favorite thing about these earrings—they are a perfect complement to my new favorite sweater! Thanks for such a fun and beautiful challenge component, Kristen!

See what everyone else dreamed up here:

Special Guest:
Alice Alice Dreaming

AJE Team Members:

Jennifer  Glass Addictions
Lesley  Gossiping Goddess
Jenny Jenny Davies-Reazor 

Caroline  Blueberri Beads
Melissa Melissa Meman 
Rebekah Tree Wings Studio
Sue SueBeads 

Kristi Kristi Bowman Design

Diana Suburban Girl Studio
Linda Linda's Bead Blog

Something to be thankful for…

To all my dear bead loving friends: I just want to take a moment and say thank you to each and every one of you today… thank you for giving my little creations new homes in your amazing jewelry designs, for following my ramblings here (even if they are sometimes few and far between) and for being awesomely supportive. Tree Wings Studio wouldn't be the success that it is with out you! You mean so much to me!

Thank you!

And, of course it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a sale! Right now, starting today—November 28 thru Monday, December 2, you can get 20% off any purchase in my shop when you use code THANKYOU2013. Go here to start shopping.

My teammates at AJE blog are also running Thanksgiving sales. Check out the deals here. 

On AJE Blog ~ December COM Giveaway!

It's my turn to host the Component of the Month giveaway on Art Jewelry Elements blog!

Four rustic speckle beads are up for grabs!

Go here to enter!

* Comments posted here will not count… they must be entered in on AJE blog. *

In dusky eggplant purple…

Queen Anne's Lace focals…

And speckle beads…

See them here!

Snowy Bunnies

New bunnies in white have been softly hopping around the studio! I'm not sure if they're Arctic Hares or Snowshoe Bunnies—I'll leave you to decide…

Whatever they are, I think you'll agree that they're super cute! (If I may say so myself!)

The first seven just made their debut in my shop here. 

And then they gathered together for one last nap with their Jackalope and Cottontail cousins before they head to new homes…

Little kitty friend had to remind us that he is cute too. Yes, he is!

And as an extra nice surprise I'm doing free shipping in my shop on all orders over $60!

Happy Friday!

New in the Shop!

New ivory-white faceted crackle beads—from my COM bracelet, Copper Seas. I love these beads!

And finally, Queen Anne's Lace pendants!

In stormy blue, with a flash of gold at the center.

And frosted copper.

 

See them all here!

AJE October Component of the Month Reveal ~ Copper Seas

For October's Component of the Month Challenge at AJE Blog, we received a stunning copper bracelet focal handcrafted by Kristi Bowman. Each one is made from copper clay and carefully textured with ammonites. They are stunning!

I've never used copper in my jewelry, so I was really excited to be finally working with it!

Here's what I made:

I continued with the sea theme of the ammonites, choosing colors and textures to echo the roughness of broken rocks, the sparkle of waves, and seashells found on the beach. I call it "Copper Seas".

I started with a loop of pearl seed beads—I wanted something more than just a simple ring attached to the focal and I liked the luster it added. Then I continued around with a mix of my own polymer beads, ceramic beads from Michaels (I love the color and "watery" glaze of those beads), opalite, and one single faceted Czech glass bead.

The faceted beads, I created specifically for this bracelet, mixing pearlesent white and ivory, and forming the fine copper veins with acrylic paint. Sometimes making new beads for a project can prove disasterous and not a match at all, but these happily were perfect. They add a nice touch of roughness to the design. I also put in one lone polymer seashell bead—a leftover from projects years past.

And a pretty copper clasp to finish it off—one of only two I had in my bead stash—I really need to get more copper components!

Finally, at the clasp I made a little collection of charms to dangle.


I hope you enjoyed seeing my process. A big thank you to Kristi for providing us with such gorgeous works of art!!

Be sure to check out what everyone else made!

Guests:
 Kym Hunter Designs
MiShel Designs

AJE Team Members:
Jennifer Cameron Glass Addictions
Lesley Watt Gossiping Goddess
Kristen Stevens My Bead Journey
Caroline Dewison Blueberri Beads
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
Melissa Meman 
Rebekah Payne Tree Wings Studio
Francesca Watson
Sue Kenney SueBeads
Kristi Bowman Design

The Winnners Are…

Cheri—she won the red fox set!

Kym Hunter Designs—she won the owl set!

moonlitfantaseas—she won the fawn set!

Congratulations ladies!

And an enormous thank you to each of you who entered, shared and shopped!!

This was so much fun! I'm already planning the next giveaway…

:-)

Fall Sale and Giveaway!

* * * This sale and giveaway has ended. * * *

Thank you to everyone who entered, shared and shopped!

The sleepy critters and all their beady friends are looking for new homes—it's time for a sale! Use code AUTUMN15 for 15% off any order thru Monday October 14th.

4 days only!

And for extra fun, I'm having a giveaway! You all know I love to do giveaways… and with my giveaways there is always more than one winner!

Here's what you could win…

One of my brand new frosted copper Queen Anne's Lace pendants, with a sleepy fox, owl, or fawn. There will be 3 randomly drawn winners!

The Rules:


To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment in the comments below. And you get extra entries by leaving additional comments for doing one or all of these:

1. Becoming a follower of Tree Wings Studio blog
2. Sharing my GIVEAWAY on your blog, facebook, or twitter
3. Sharing my SALE on your blog, facebook, or twitter

Be sure to leave ONE comment for EACH thing you do.

And don't forget to leave your contact info.

Of course, international bead lovers are welcome to enter too. :-)

(Feel free to use any of the photos posted here when sharing.)

This giveaway will end on October 14th and I'll announce the winners on October 15th.

Happy winning and shopping!