Studio Updates

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has participated in my giveaways.  You guys are sweet, wonderful, supportive, and informative.  I am happy to know my creations are going to such lovely people, and I wish I could give something away to each one of you.  Thanks to you all!

Second, for reasons I don't want to get into I will not be able to complete my loan process with Kiva Zip.  I was not turned down or anything, rather decided to step back and attempt to obtain a loan with a local bank.  It should not be a hard process (hubs and I both have good credit), and I will probably be able to get started even faster with a local loan.  I would still recommend Kiva Zip to anyone not able to obtain a loan through the usual channels.  I hope to go with my husband next week and get signed up as a member of our credit union, open up a business checking account, and apply for a personal loan for $3000.  If all goes well I should be able to go shopping for tools and materials by the beginning of November.  Let us hope.  :)

My third update to share with you is that I am in the process of making my first Native Bloom tutorial.  I am teaching a workshop at my local Hobby Lobby on November 2nd, so I thought I would share with you guys the information I will be teaching in my class.  I will have a blog post for you with links to a PDF and a YouTube video.  I decided to present  my tutorials using all three methods since my readers like a variety of teaching methods.  So whether you like a good ol' blog post, prefer a PDF to print out and take with you, or need to be taught visually, your method will be covered.

Here's where the magic is happening.

It's my dining room, and it is a hot mess.  Just keep in mind that I have a four-year-old and a one-year-old running around me the whole time I am doing this, and they constantly vie for my attention.  They scatter toys and confetti the room with small round cereals that crunch under my feet, draw all over my furniture, and scream for "pink chocolate" (strawberry milk) and snacks the entire time I create.  That's not much of an excuse though, and the truth is that if they were not here I would still be surrounded by a mess.  It's how I roll.  

I should have all of this ready by Monday, so keep an eye out.  It is going to be a beginner tutorial, just stringing and learning to use crimps and such.  Don't worry, I will also have a variety of intermediate tutorials up soon.  I plan on working on tutorials for the Painted Rosette necklace next, followed by a multi-strand bracelet, and then my Charmed Brass Book necklace.  

Thanks again to you all, hope you enjoy the rest of your week and have a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Blog Giveaway - Painted Rosette Necklaces - Comments Closed

This giveaway is over, please see THIS POST to find out who won.  :)

Another giveaway, same rules.  But this time I'm going to add something.  If you are a minor, make sure you get permissions from your parents or guardians before entering.  

This necklace was featured in the Autumn 2013 issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine.  If I get 100+ comments on this, I will draw for a second winner and give away the other rosette necklace featured in the article.  

To enter the contest you must comment below.  Each one of the following types of comments counts for a vote.  I will use Random.org to determine the winner, so make sure to make each entry count by listing them INDIVIDUALLY.  International players are more than welcome, this prize is very light weight.  ;)

1.  Comment with an answer to this question - What types of jewelry tutorials would you like to see on this blog?  (Examples: beginner beading, resin and bezels, polymer clay, metal clay, stringing, mixed media jewelry, etc.)

2.  Follow my blog!  I'd love for you to follow me, and I will be offering tutorials and giveaways so it will be beneficial to you too.  Try me out and if you are not happy with my content after a few weeks, just unfollow. Just leave me a comment that says something like "Hey crazy jewelry lady, I am now a Native Bloom follower."  If you have a blog, feel free to include a hyperlink to yours, I will return the favor (and other readers may too).

3.  Tell me, are you interested in blog posts about the process of getting published in magazines?  What do you wish to learn the most about being published? 

4.  Like my Native Bloom page on Facebook.  When I start my jewelry sales the beginning of next year I will use this page to offer deals and discounts.  Leave a comment letting me know you liked my page (along with your FB name).  

5.  Share this post on your Facebook page (include a link to your post in the comment).

6.  Repost this on your blog (make sure to include the link in the comment).

7.  Pin this picture with the headline "Painted Rosettes Giveaway by Native Bloom - ends 11/01/13." Once again, include the link please.

That's seven ways to win!!!!!  Once again, make sure to post each entry individually to give yourself extra chances to win.  I'm going to let the giveaway run until Saturday, November 1st, 2013 at 11:59 PM Central.  A winner will be announced in a separate post on November 2nd, so follow my blog or make sure to check back on that day.  I will give the winner(s) a week to email me their address and claim their prize.  If no one responds after a week, I will pick another winner.

Here's another picture of the prize.

And here is one of the second place prize I will offer if we reach 100+ comments.

Comment away, and know that I am working on getting some tutorials ready for you guys.  I am really trying to find out what you are the most interested in learning.  Thanks for your feedback, I want this to be a place where you can come and learn and get some good inspiration.  Hope to hear from you soon!

Blog Giveaway Celebration - No More Comments Please

We've got a winner.  Go to THIS POST to see who it is! 

To celebrate the start of my new blog, I will be giving away one of my Charmed Brass Book Necklaces (seen in the picture above)!  They were featured in the July 2013 issue of Bead Trends magazine.  I only have one left, and it is my favorite; but I want one of my readers to have it.  So here the skinny folks:

To enter the contest you must comment below.  Each one of the following types of comments counts for a vote.  I will use Random.org to determine the winner, so make sure to make each entry count by listing them INDIVIDUALLY.  International players are more than welcome, this prize is very light weight.  ;)

1.  Comment with an answer to this question - What types of jewelry tutorials would you like to see on this blog?  (Examples: beginner beading, resin and bezels, polymer clay, metal clay, stringing, mixed media jewelry, etc.)

2.  Follow my blog!  I'd love for you to follow me, and I will be offering tutorials and giveaways so it will be beneficial to you too.  Try me out and if you are not happy with my content after a few weeks, just unfollow. Just leave me a comment that says something like "Hey crazy jewelry lady, I am now a Native Bloom follower."  If you have a blog, feel free to include a hyperlink to yours, I will return the favor (and other readers may too).

3.  Tell me would you rather learn by watching a video, reading a blog post, or downloading a PDF (or a combination of two or more of the three)?  

4.  Like my Native Bloom page on Facebook.  When I start my jewelry sales the beginning of next year I will use this page to offer deals and discounts.  Leave a comment letting me know you liked my page (along with your FB name).  

5.  Share this post on your Facebook page (include a link to your post).

6.  Repost this on your blog (make sure to include the link).

7.  Pin this picture with the headline "Charmed Brass Book Giveaway by Native Bloom - ends 10/11/13." Once again, include the link please.

That's seven ways to win!!!!!  Once again, make sure to post each entry individually to give yourself extra chances to win.  I'm going to let the giveaway run until 11:59 PM (Central) on Friday, October 11th, and announce the winner on Saturday, October 12th.  I will post the winning comment on a new blog post that Saturday, so make sure you are following my blog or check back with me on that day.  I will give the winner one week to send me their email address.  If the winner does not contact me by that date, I will choose again.  Game on guys and gals!

Here's a picture of the necklace as it appeared in Bead Trends.  

You guys are rocking the comments, thanks so much!  I'm reading them, just don't want to comment and mess the count up.  Thanks guys for all of your feedback!!!!

Easy Bracelet Tutorial - Free PDF

Hi guys!  To say thanks for checking out my new blog I'd like to offer a free PDF download of my tutorial "Easy Multi-Strand Beaded Bracelet".  Go HERE to view or download the PDF.  Just click on the little arrow icon that is right beside the print icon to download.   Please enjoy, and leave me a comment if you like it or have any questions for me.