Scottsdale Bead Supply

For all of you who don't know me, I'm a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and lawyer who happens to love to designing and making jewelry.  Because of my job, I travel to Phoenix, AZ every other week.  On one of my earliest trips a few years ago, I discovered a wonderful bead store, Scottsdale Bead Supply, and I'm poorer because of it.  They do sell wholesale so that helps a bit but I've spent a ridiculous amount of my hard earned money there.  When you look at it like that, it seems a bit depressing.  I could have been saving that money or giving it to charity...think of all the people I could have helped.  Oh, but think of all the beautiful jewelry I've been able to create.  Now, it doesn't seem like such a waste of money.

I visit Scottsdale Bead Supply on just about every trip to Phoenix.  The store itself is gorgeous.  They have an amazing supply of gemstones in cuts and styles that you just won't find at your average bead store.  Here is a picture of what I purchased last week when I was there.

I didn't do too much damage.  But, getting back to Scottsdale Bead Supply, they have amazing handmade silver findings.  In addition, they have a whole line of findings made from Old World Bronze.  Here is a picture of a carnelian necklace I made using Scottsdale Bead Supply's Old World Bronze findings.  I love it!

Scottsdale Bead Supply also stocks Swarovsky Crystals, fire polished Czech beads, seed beads and other beading supplies.  In addition, the staff at the store is made up of accomplished jewelry designers who can provide guidance on any stones or techniques that you haven't used before.

The owners of the store run a gallery right next door where you can enjoy seeing their very beautiful custom designed jewelry and other treasures.

If you ever find yourself in Phoenix or Scottsdale with a bit of free time, I encourage you to visit Scottsdale Bead Supply (address below).  You won't regret it!

If you have a favorite bead store that you think is special, regardless of where it is, I'd like to hear about it.  Please send me note or make a comment.

• 3625 N Marshall Way
• Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
• T: 480-945-5988
• F: 480-945-4248

The Joy of Womanhood

This morning, when I was getting dressed, I happened to notice that my toenails were a mess.  My polish was beginning to peel and otherwise look pretty sad.  So the first thing I did when I got to the office was, of course, make an appointment for a pedicure.  My appointment was this afternoon at 5:30.

While I was sitting in the pedicure chair enjoying the massaging chair, my feet soaking in hot water and some smelly things, I started thinking that I was really glad that I was a girl.  Can you imagine going through your life without getting to do or wear the things women do.  I know men can get pedicures but they usually don't.  This is something that I cannot understand.  Why wouldn't you want to have someone massage your feet and legs?

Can you imagine not wearing jewelry?  Who can live like that?  I know some women talk about the joys of being able to carry a baby.  They believe that this is the ability that makes us special.  In fact, I guess it does but I don't often think that I'm glad that I'm a woman because I can give birth.   First of all, giving birth is something that most women choose to do early in their adult lives.  It's not like you can keep having children forever.  Sooner or later you're going to stop.

I'm glad I'm a woman because I get to have pedicures and wear jewelry.  And, I don't have to stop getting pedicures or wearing jewelry until I die.  Who could ask for more?

Ways to Spoil Your Red Hot Mama - Part II

Since I ran out of room on my last entry, I'm going to pick up where I left off.  I think we were discussing this wonderful piece from Shadow Dog Designs.

Here is the link to her store:  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=89310

And finally, something to spoil your "red hot mama" from my store:

Or for something a little dressier, you could try this:

And, of course, pair them with these great earrings:

Here's the link to my Artfire store:  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=3009784

Or, if you prefer, you can find more of my jewelry at my Etsy store:  www.jillsjewelry.etsy.com  You're always welcome to come in and browse for awhile.  Hopefully something you find there will make you smile.

Ways to Spoil your Red Hot Mama - Part One

Whether you are a man looking for a gift for that special someone or a woman looking to spoil your internal "red hot mama,"  someone in our guild, "Jewelry Creators Unite in Numbers," is sure to have the perfect piece.  I've spent some time looking through all of our shops to pick out a few items that I think are sure to please.

I found this wonderful bracelet in Katyanne's shop on Artfire.  Here is a link to her store:  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2259596

This necklace and it's matching earrings I found in Nancy's Crystal Fantasies Jewelry shop on Artfire.  Here is a link to her store where you find a lot of wonderful things:  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&page_no=1&display=20&op=new&sterm=&sort_cats=0&seller_id=103241&sc_id=0

Next I found this wonderful Moroccan necklace in Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs, also on Artfire.  Here is the link to her store:  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=30154

Another lovely find was this Red Sea Glass Rope Necklace that I found in Tali's Creations.  She has many different styles and colors represented in her shop and all of them are beautiful.  Here is a link to her store:  http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=55795

The next store I visited was Shadow Dog Designs where I found this lovely piece of work:

Planned Parenthood Auction

I agreed to make a necklace to donate to this year's auction at Planned Parenthood - Baltimore.  The event is on April 7th and should really be a fun evening.  Here are some shots of the necklace I'm donating.

I hope it helps them raise a lot of $$.  God knows they'll need it the way things have been going lately.

New Creations

Here are a few items that I've recently finished and listed with Etsy.  I haven't managed to list them at Artfire yet but I will.

Sorry for some of the messy picture backgrounds.  Marty hasn't gotten them cleaned up yet.