Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Sponsor of the Week: Fox Den Beads

For those who love seed beads you'll want to run over to Fox Den Beads before the end of the month - they are having a great deal on shipping.  Orders over $30 get Priority Mail shipping for $1.25 until October 31st.  Be sure to check out the new tiny drops and Tila beads.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

RAW Practice

Are you signed up for Marcia DeCoster's classes on Bead Cruise 2011?  Brush up on your right angle weave before we set sail with Marcia's Terracita Bracelet project
Or try out this free ebook from Beading Daily. 


 Marcia's classes for Bead Cruise 2011:

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sponsor of the Week: Hint

We love our Bead Cruise sponsors and invite you to check out one of our favorite online shops each week.  First up is Hint.  Hint is an Etsy shop featuring fine silver charms by Beth Hemmila.  Each one is a tiny treasure!
These two autumn inspired ones are my favorite.  Hint has many different symbols including animals, birds, flowers, trees and more - each one tells a different story. 

Hint:
Etsy Shop
Blog

Friday, October 8, 2010

Cruise Memories: Bead Shopping

We went on a little bead Scavenger hunt in St. Thomas on the last Bead Cruise.  We had heard about a few tiny bead shops on the island and decided to check them out.  Our adventure led us to an alley lined in cobblestone, flowers growing out the walls and hand painted signs pointing the way.

The bead shop was tiny with mostly Venetian Glass.  We enjoyed the excursion but saved our serious bead shopping with our Bead Vendor on the ship! 

You may not be able to find a bead shop in your port of call.   The day before you get to the island ask the cruise shopping director (or whatever they are called!) if they know of any bead shops on the island.  If none are to be found, scout out for unique handcrafted silver and stone pendants that will be a reminder of your trip.  Or pick up a strand of shell or wood beads from a local street vendor to take apart and use in a design that fits more with your style.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Pendant Project: Woodland Pendant

On the 2011 Bead Cruise we are hosting a Handmade Pendant Exchange.  I'm looking forward to seeing the pendants our group creates!  Until the cruise I will share a different pendant project each week to help inspire our participants. 

An eclectic charm pendant that features a hammered brass ring and art beads is a fun way to use one-of-kind beads from your stash.  This one features a ceramic leaf from Every Heart Crafts, a disk bead from Humblebeads and a silver hummingbird charm from Hint.  Brass components are from Vintaj.

To view the step by step instructions click here.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Welcome!


Welcome to the new Bead Cruise blog. 

We have decided a blog is still the best way to get our group excited about our upcoming adventure and share about our past cruises.  Join us Monday through Friday for our regular features including spotlighting our sponsors, instructor news, ship and cruise tips, photos and stories from our past cruises and a weekly pendant project.

2011 will mark our 6th annual Bead Cruise!

So whether you are ready to pack your bags and join us in March or you'll just be following along and dreaming about a future cruise, we want to say an official hello.  Looking forward to hearing from you and sharing the creative journey.

Happy Beading!

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