It's Been Awhile, Eh?

So....I know.  Almost a year since my last post.  I have tons of excuses, but blah.  And I'm not here to make any empty promises or resolutions, either.  I'm really not a great blogger....that is obvious.  And I'm not super into networking - social or otherwise.  I make beads.  I make jewelry with my beads.  And then I have a hard time showing and telling! :-)

What I WILL tell you is that I will be updating my website (www.bucklebottom.com) with new pictures and items very shortly.  I have to take pictures and get them downloaded, but that will happen sooner rather than later.  I got a fab new camera that I'm hoping will jumpstart my year of getting back on the website, blog, bead track.  I get back to my regularly scheduled program next week when the kids get back in school.  SWEET!

In the meantime, let me know you're out there.....  Leave me a message and let me know you read this blog.  Just a "hi" will do.  If I get enough comments, I will update more regularly and keep you in the loop much more frequently.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The New Year!

I'm excited for all the "stuff" this year has to bring!  I'm in the process of getting my studio cleared out so that I can create in a space that feels a bit more comfortable!  The torch hasn't had it's usual pull....and I don't like that.  So, in effort to get that feeling back, I am reorganizing.  I hope to be back by March with new items and bead sets. :-)

Deck the Halls....and the Website!

BuckleBottom.com is filling up with Christmas goodies!  I've got B-Creative interchangeable necklaces, B-Feathered Earrings and brand new BuckleBottom originals all over the website!!!  PLUS, the Jingle Bell Sale will continue until the end of the month!! 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!  I plan on settling in and spending time with loved ones, books and good movies!  What are your plans?  Please share.....my blog gets lonely. :-)

2nd Annual JINGLE BELL SALE

Hey folks!!

It's here - and I apologize for the delay!!!

Check it out - www.bucklebottom.com, baby!!

 EVERYTHING on the website is on sale, but check out my 2nd annual Jingle Bell Sale for some even deeper discounts!  Charm necklaces, silk ribbon pendants, bracelets, earrings..... Yeah!

My plate is full with custom orders so I can't take any more that are needed by Christmas.  (And current custom orders are in progress, so response time to e-mails might be a tad longer than normal.  Bear with me.)

Thank you and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS from BuckleBottom!

Where Did It Go?!

It's November 1st already?  Sheesh.  Sorry about that!

Don't be mad, k?

I have loads of pictures to take, lots of work I'm behind on and plenty of goodies that need to go up on the website, but......

but.....

but.....

No excuses.  I'll try and get that stuff done this week. :-)

Klutzy, Clumsy and All That Jazz............

So, I got back to the torch.....FINALLY.  It's still really hot out there, but I figure if I don't start now, I might as well forget having anything new for this holiday/boutique season! 

And I feel so LAME!  My beads are wonky (yes, that's a glass term!) and ugly.  I'm serious!  Nothing pretty about them.  I can't even consider them "organic" and naturally misshapen.  They are just baaaad! 

I will not give up.

I will not back down.

I will not let that crazy glass win.

Blaze and I will TRIUMPH!

Just some other day, I guess!

In other news:  I will be adding a new page to my website shortly.  An informational page about taking care of your jewelry.  Things like how to keep your silver shiny, what environmental factors may damage your jewelry and more on what goes INTO my jewelry and glass beads.  So - stay tuned.

Here's to FALL and cooler weather!!


***A long-time friend of mine from my ballet days and a recent bead customer passed away last weekend.  I didn't want to post on my blog without mentioning something about her.  She was special to me.  Please lift up her family in your prayers if you're so inclined.  She was my age and this has been rough on those that loved her most.  Thank you.***

I Heart Glass

I really do.  I love everything about it.  I love color, too.  So, colored glass makes me swoon.

And right now I miss melting colored glass. 

Cooler weather, where art thou?

Yep. It's time.

My muse hasn't made an appearance in quite awhile.  I think she melts in temperatures above 99 105 110 degrees.  Or in humidity in a place that is supposedly a DRY HEAT. 

Phooey.

But - it's time.  On Monday I shall light up Blaze.  (That's my trusty torch for those that are new to the BuckleBottom gang.)  Bring on the fire!  Bring on the glass!  And, God willing, bring on some good rain or something to make the heat a TOUCH more bearable!  We'll see - but.... I. WILL. TORCH.

Probably in my bathingsuit.

Probably after a dip in the pool.

Probably only for about 5 minutes.....

....until I have to jump in the pool again.

But I will make a bead.  Maybe two.

Pray for me. :)

Last Day for Summer Daze Sale!

Get 'em while they're HOT!

I will continue to keep some things on sale throughout the summer....but not all!  Since custom orders and new items will be limited for the next few months, you definitely don't want to miss the opportunity to grab these goodies at such great prices!

Happy Summer!

SALE IS ON!

My SUMMER DAZE sale is on!!  www.bucklebottom.com!!!

EVERYTHING is discounted!  EVERYTHING has great prices!  EVERYTHING to treat yourself to something fun to celebrate summer!

WOO HOO!!

Bracelets - $10.00 off

Earrings - 20% off

Silk-Ribbon Pendants - $5.00 off

Charm Necklaces - $20% off
(plus free metal charm addition! Limited to one charm or $2 for each additional charm)

**As always, if you live in the area, please contact me before purchasing.  If I can deliver the items or have you pick them up, I can save you on shipping.**

So stop on by BUCKLEBOTTOM BEADS to check out the awesome prices on lots and lots of goodies!  Sale will end on June 1st.....maybe. :)

Happy Summer, everyone!

xoxo

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Sorry I've been MIA for so long.  I'm super swamped.  Had planned on a Mother's Day sale, but honestly, my custom orders have kept me uber busy.  I apologize.

Give me another week or two....and I'll have a spectacular sale....hopefully. :)

Peace out.

Charmed, I'm SURE!

*SALE* *SALE* *SALE* *SALE* *SALE*

I'm having a 40% off sale on my website from now until....well....indefinitely. :)

 www.bucklebottom.com 

 If you live locally, please let me know before purchasing.  If there is a way for me to deliver your purchase to you less expensively (like, in person!), I will do my best.


Thank you for your interest in BuckleBottom!!

Moody Blues and Other "Stuff"

I just can't seem to get it into gear!  I have a boutique I'm preparing for...I'm worried about...I'm SUPPOSE to be working on and getting ready for, but I'm like a deer caught in the headlights.  I use that expression frequently, but that's exactly how I feel!  I have soooo sooooo soooooooo much to do, but I just get overwhelmed and just....sit and stare.  I have all my beads out that I've made over the past few months (because past that, they are just old *snicker*), I've spread all my findings (silver, gemstones and such) out so I can see what I have and I literally just sit and stare!  I've called in reinforcements (you gals know who you are) and they have energized me a bit.  They've even offered to come help.  Well, until their bodies are here and are SHOVING me into my work, the stuff just sits there.

I WILL OVERCOME!

And a two-week spring break probably doesn't help.  I want to be outside with my kiddos.  I want to be doing something productive with my 8 year old daughter.  I want to be a vegetable, too, and watch movies with her and talk and goof around.  HO HUM.  (I've done a lot of just goofing around with her. Hee hee!)

But - the daunting task of getting it all done in 2.5 weeks looms over me. 

I WILL OVERCOME!

Wish me luck, k?

Symmetry

As I've stated before on this blog, I'm in LOVE with Boro.  I love the dimension it has, the depth I see in a bead and the infusion of color that this glass creates.  I literally DROOL over Boro every day.  I pour over other people's beads, look for fantastic color combinations and styles and dream of the day I can purchase more frit, rods and colors.

But it's not an easy task for me - to make a Boro bead.  For you glassies out there, I have one concentrator and a basic torch.  It's not a fancy set up and I don't get the heat that Boro truly needs to flow.  But I manage.  And I still love it. 

I can't, for the life of me, make more than two beads of the same size.  I don't know what it is.  I know how, I just can't get it done.  They look really cool, they sparkle and shine and look loverly.....

.....but they never "match."

So. For those of you that make jewelry and/or make beads, does it TRULY matter to have matchy-matchy beads?  Or does variety work well in a piece.  I tend to lean towards symmetry in my work, which I TRY to move away from, but it makes it really hard for me to "think outside the box" when it comes to mismatched beads - size, shape and color. 

Can I get some feedback?  Please?  I've seen some awesome sets on Etsy and Artfire and they haven't all matched in shape and size.  Do they sell?  Would you buy them if you are one that buys artisan lampwork beads?  Lemme know......please?

Sale Ends Tomorrow - Contest Continues

Last chance to take advantage of free shipping folks!  (If you've placed a custom order in the last week or so, you will still have free shipping come March 1st.)  The items on my website are still 10% off with the sale ending tomorrow, too.

As for the Tick Tock quote contest....for shame.....on me.  I got the quote SLIGHTLY off.....so let's try again.  Not very many people participated, so what's it gonna take?!?  Maybe NOW you'll catch it?!?  Hmmmm........

HERE IS THE CORRECT QUOTE:  "Now wait just a clock tick!"

Now try and guess.  Please comment on this blog with your try.  Multiple attempts are just fine!  But participation is key!  C'mon peeps! (Now, THAT is a daughter quote. LOL!)  Guess where the quote comes from and win a free Pandora-style bead on a cord! 


Next contest will be next week, so stay tuned.  What will it take to get YOU to participate?!?!

Now - Wait, Just One Tick Tock!

Another sale? What? 

Yes.

Another sale. 

I decided that I'd mark everything off 10% on my website for a couple reasons.

1)  Free Shipping on all things BuckleBottom ENDS March 1st.  BOO HOO. :(  In an effort to keep my items low priced, I had to up the shipping from free to flat rate. :(  I hate it.  But I'm not able to afford to offer it free any more.  That daggone cost 'o silver.  Arg.

2) I love ya'll.  It was just TIME for another sale.  But it's fast....and it's just until free shipping ends.  So, buy your goodies now!  You have 'til March 1st for 10% off everything on my webby AND free shipping.  (Does not include custom orders at this time.)

3) It's another opportunity to say HEY!  I'm here!  HELLOOOOO!?! :)  If you signed up for my newsletter, you would have heard about the sale HOURS ago.  Notice...some things are already sold.  AW SHUCKS!  Maybe you should have signed up sooner? ;-)  (But back to #2 - you KNOW I love ya.)

BONUS
If you guess where I got the title of this post,  I'll make ya a big hole bead for a necklace.  Heck.  I'll throw in a matching organza cord.  First correct answer wins, but you MUST POST IT AS COMMENT ON THIS BLOG.  Facebook, e-mail, phone call, etc....DOES NOT COUNT. :)

Ready?

GO!

BuckleBottom Does Cyber Monday!

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday, where deals are posted all over the internet.  Since I missed my original sale date last week, I think it's appropriate to post this sale TOMORROW!  Woot!

HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

I will be posting items throughout the week on my JINGLE BELL SALE page, so don't just stop by once!  I'm starting with 20% off select bracelets and will be adding tile pendants, earrings and my "solo bead" necklaces as the sale progresses.  Sale ends Sunday, December 5th at 11:59pm Arizona time.  Get a great start on those stocking stuffers, teacher gifts and unique items that you can't find anywhere else!  AT A GREAT PRICE!

There is only ONE of each of the items you see.  However, if you see an item that you want and it is marked "SOLD," just let me know.  I will do my best to recreate what you see.  (Due to the handmade nature of the glass beads and jewelry or the availability of certain jewelry parts, please know no two items will be exactly alike.)  These would be "custom order" items, so please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.  I can't guarantee a Christmas delivery, but will do my best.  If you don't want to wait, grab the original item fast! :)  I will try to keep up with updating my website as the items sell.

One last thing.  Since I don't have my shopping cart up and running yet, please just click on my email link below the item you'd like to purchase and send a quick email.  I will then send you a paypal invoice and we can go from there.  If it's a custom order, I'll get back with you on a time frame.

HERE IS THE SALE!

Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'm Sorry!

I know....I know....I said the SALE would be today.....

But I didn't get it done.  I thought I'd be able to get pictures taken yesterday and posted last night, but, I....uh....was a slacker.  It's not that I sat on my duff and didn't do it, but my daughter decided to come home after her Thanksgiving feast at school (with a friend) and then I was invited to spend some time with a friend who was visiting out of town.....  So, it didn't happen yesterday.  And I already knew that today would be shot.  So -

I'm sorry if you were anticipating it.

BUT

I will make it worth your while.  I will -- I WILL!!! -- be back after Thanksgiving with the best sale I can possibly manage.  Next week will be the sale of all sales!  Just watch.... :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!! Many many blessing to you and yours.

Peace out ~

A Biggie!

I'm going to be in a vendor fair this Saturday from 5-9 in the Synergy Chiropractic office (Safeway plaza) on the corner of Queen Creek and Power.  I really hope anyone nearby can make it.  There will be raffle prizes, yummy goodies and, of course, LOTS of opportunities to holiday shop.  I'm really looking forward to it....but am a tad nervous!  It's the first time I've been in something other than an open house boutique.  This will be my cue as to whether or not I should do MORE.

Wish me luck!

Screaming in Pillows

Last night I had one of those nights.  I tossed.  I turned.  I grunted and fumed.  I wanted to scream in my pillow!  Do you ever have those nights?  You KNOW you should be sleeping.  You KNOW there really is nothing keeping you up.  It's just your crazy head spinning and spinning and spinning......

And JUST when I'd start to doze......

"Momma!! Momma!! MOMMAAAAA!!!!!!!"

It's a good thing he's so darn cute.

I don't know what The Bears problem was, but he was NOT happy.  And NOT sleeping.  "All done, Momma! ALL DONE!"  All done, what? Sleeping? Being in his crib? All done being a sweet baby boy and turning into a TWO year old?  Ack.  All of the above.

Now *I* want my Momma.

I'm gettin' it done, though.  Really.  I am!  Boutique is THIS Saturday at 4:30.  I. Will. Be. Ready.  Promise.

Wanna come?  In the area?  Send me a quick note, comment or something.  I'll fill ya in.  I WANT YOU THERE!