Denise Yezbak Moore

I received a surprise package in the mail today from Lori Flanders. Check out the picture of these fabulous handmade lampwork "bone" beads. They are funky and fun! I have about a week to create a necklace out of the bones for my 2010 Fall submission deadline to "Stringing" magazine. Lori sells her small wearable works of art that are different from anything you have ever seen on Etsy. You can buy her edgy birds, hearts, cupcakes, acorns or skulls ready to wear on a chain or the beads alone. Visit her Etsy store "LORiOLA " or her website site at www.Isabelsrose.com .

On Monday, I attended the CHA Winter Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center here in California. Craft exhibitors from around the world came to display their new products. I was looking forward to seeing the Vintaj Natural Brass Company. Vintaj is a fabulous line of brass components for jewelry making and scrap booking. It was a treat to meet Jess Italia Lincoln (pictured above) and Wendy Mullane. Their booth was incredibly beautiful and creative. Vintaj won the CHA Winter "Exhibiting with Excellence" award and the girls deserved it. Their "make and take" items consisted of brass altered blanks that could be impressed with the Cuttlebug by Provo Craft . After the impression, acrylic paint dabbers and alcohol inks from Ranger were applied. The result is a beautiful rainbow of color that has a antiqued feel. Of course you could also stamp a word or rivet a butterfly on to your piece. It was a truly inspiring booth! I plan to make my son Gar...

I have always drawn to earth tone shades. Green is my favorite color. I probably have more shades of green beads in my stash than any other color. This year with my Beadstar winnings, I decided to purchase books on color theory. Margie Deeb has a fabulous book called "The Beader's Guide to Color". It is a fun and informative read! I laughed last night when I read about the color "green". Margie says "It is the easiest and most restful color to view." No wonder I am always drawn to that color! For more information check out Margie's web site www.MargieDebb.com . She has a great free color column called Margie's Muse.