A Black Cat Charm for Halloween

I've been anxious to start on the patterns from Barbara Elbe's Beaded Image II book and I'm pleased to say that I just completed my first project using one of her designs.  The pattern is the Persian Cat that I modified by using black and gray seed beads to celebrate Halloween.  Here is my Black Cat charm.

Black Cat Cell Phone Charm

Materials Used:
*Toho size 11 seed beads in jet black, opaque gray, opaque frosted oxblood, silver-lined grayand silver-lined light topaz.
*Fireline 6 lb, smoke
*Cell phone strap
*Aluminum bell

Weaving Technique:  Brick Stitch

Pattern by Barbara Elbe
On sale at Handmade + Cute

Beadwoven Owl Cell Phone Charm

I got side-tracked.  Instead of completing the other side of my fan earring, I worked on a owl charm.  I do that quite often...getting distracted and wanting to start a new design.

Here's my owl:

Beadwoven Owl Cell Phone Charm

Materials Used:
*Toho size 11 seed beads in jet black, opaque terra cotta, opaque oxblood, opaque light beige, opaque lustered pumpkin, opaque green apple, silver-lined green grass.
*Fireline 6 lb, smoke
*Cell phone strap
*Aluminum bell
Weaving Technique:  Brick Stitch

A design by Handmade + Cute.

Christmas Tree Earrings

Having my red and green silver-lined beads out, I decided to make more Christmas earrings. 




Christmas Tree Seed Bead Earrings


Christmas Tree Seed Bead Earrings using brick stitch technique.

Beads Used:
* Toho size 11 round seed beads in silver-lined red, green, light frosted topaz. pink, and blue
* Toho size 11 seed beads in silver-lined smoky topaz for the trunk and Toho size 8 opaque sunshine for the tree topper.

Other Material:
* Surgical steel silver ear hooks.
* Jump rings.
* Clear Size B FireLine thread.

Measurement:
* 2.75 cm. in length
* 2.25 cm. at its widest point.
* Dangles appproximately 4.5 cm. from ear hook.

Design by Handmade + Cute

Christmas Ornament Earrings

In my mommy life, I am just starting to think Halloween. In my crafty life, I am already creating for Christmas. Yikes! 



Beaded Christmas Ornament Earrings

Christmas Ornament Beaded Earrings - seed beads woven around a clear acrylic bead core.

Beads Used:
* Toho size 11 round seed beads in silver-lined red, silver-lined green, silver-lined light frosted topaz.
* Toho size 8 seed beads in silver-lined light topaz.
* Clear acrylic round bead for center.

Other Material:
* Surgical steel silver ear hooks.
* Jump rings.
* Clear Size B FireLine thread.

Design inspired by Netted Beadwork, Diane Fitzgerald.

Handmade + Cute!


Fire Truck Charms

I have been working on these Fire Trucks and could not decide which one I wanted to list so I decided to list all three.

Here is my fleet of Fire Truck Seed Bead Charms. 

Come check these out at Handmade + Cute, Etsy

Firefighter Helmet, Boots and a Fire Hydrant Charm

These firefighter designs have been made by special request but these handwoven beaded designs will live on and can be yours too.  All accessories may be special ordered if you do not see it in my shop at Handmade + Cute, Etsy.

This firefighter collection includes a helmet...

... boots...

and a fire hydrant...

Fire Truck and Axe coming soon.

Pug Charm

Those who know a pug, know that there is much in this little dog. A great friend and companion, carry this cute pug seed bead charm with you wherever you go.


Handmade with Japanese seed beads, this pug measures 2.5 cm. at its widest point and 2.75 cm. in height, without hardware. The charm is attached to a silver spring clasp and is accented with a tiny aluminum bell. The total length of the pug charm, with clasp, is approximately 4.75 cm.

I'm happy to say that this pug will be adopted soon but if you want to place an order for the next litter, visit me at Handmade + Cute, Etsy.

Cheerleader Charm

Rah-Rah-Shish-Boom-Bah!

Cheerleader Seed Bead charm - a perky and cute cheerleader with her festive pom-poms.


Handmade with Japanese seed beads in turquoise, brown, beige, silver-lined aquamarine and gray, The pom-pom is layered for a shiny 3D effect. The charm is attached to a silver spring clasp and accented with a little red bell.

Available at Handmade + Cute, Etsy.

Santa Cell Phone Charm

Yeah, yeah...I know!  I, too, get a little bothered when I see Christmas decorations up in the shopping malls when we haven't celebrated Halloween yet. But I'm getting into to the spirit of Christmas in July and added a Santa Cell Phone Charm to my shop.

Bah Humbug to you too!



Hamster Cell Phone Charm

When I think of rodents, I think of beady eyes and nasty gnawing teeth. This hamster, however, is a different type of rodent - a handbeaded seed bead charm that is so domesticated and tame that it will hang out on your cell phone or anywhere you want it to be.

Sweet and enjoyable, this hamster is carefully beaded with Japanese seed beads and measures 3 cm. in width and 3 cm. in height. The charm is attached to a yellow cell phone strap and includes a tiny aluminum bell. This cute accessory has a total length that is approximately 9 cm.

Available on Etsy, Handmade + Cute!

Feather Earrings

Thank goodness I didn't need to pluck any birds to create this feather earrings!  These are handmade seed bead feather earrings that won't tickle your ear.  They are lightweight and fun to wear!

Hand beaded with Japanese seed beads in shiny metallic colors, these cute earrings measure 1.5 cm. at its widest point and 3.5 cm. in length (without hardware). Dangles about 5.25 cm. from a surgical steel, silver plated earwire that is nickel free for sensitive ears.

Find it here on Etsy, Handmade + Cute.

Squid Earrings

I won't ink on you! I'm cute li'l squid earrings. Imagine me dangling from your ears! Handwoven with tiny Japanese seed beads on surgical steel, silver plated earwires. Nickel free for sensitive ears.


The handmade cute squids measure 1.75 cm. at its widest point and 3.5 cm. in length without earwires. Total length with earwires is approx. 5 cm.

Available on Handmade + Cute, Etsy.

Lanterns of Love

I "un-vacationed" my Etsy shop so now it's back online and open for business. I've been able to work on a few new beaded designs but my vacation goal was to complete my order for the "Lanterns of Love" charity listing.

Originally called, Lanterns for Japan, I changed the name to Lanterns of Love - inspired by a wonderful customer. Now, when you make a lantern purchase, you can choose to make a donation to the Japan Relief Effort (Japan Red Cross Society) or the American Red Cross relief efforts in Alabama (Madison/Marshall County, Alabama, American Red Cross Chapter).  

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief enables the Red Cross to provide assistance  to victims of the U.S. tornado disaster.  Alabama was the hardest hit state.  The Red Cross has served meals, provided shelter, supplied clean-up, comfort kits and health services to those affected by the loss and destruction of the storm.  On rare occasions, donations may exceed the expenses for a specific disaster and in this case, contributions are used to serve those affected by other disasters.  To learn more about the American Red Cross relief efforts in Alabama, please visit http://redcross.org/ or call 256-536-0084.

Thanks everyone!

Sweet Summer Kisses

Summer is officially here in our household and we're running around in circles, chasing our wiggly tail.  I'm placing my Handmade + Cute Etsy shop on vacation while I adjust to our crazy new activity that often gets me dizzy!  I hope to be back soon with a clearer mind and better focus.  Thanks so much for your patience and support.

Sending you sweet summer thoughts.

Lanterns for Japan

I have decided what I want to do with these hand beaded lanterns that I have been making.  These are my Lanterns for Japan and will be sold in my Handmade + Cute Etsy shop.  100% of the profit received from the sale of these lanterns will be donated to one of the following organizations.

1. Direct Relief International, 27 South La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
tel: (805) 964-4767  fax: (805) 681-4838  EIN: 95-1831116.

*Read more about Direct Relief International on the Charity Navigator web site.  The independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities.
*To find out more about Direct Relief International or to make donations, visit the web site here.
*Find out how Direct Relief International is helping Japan by going to this link.

2. Japan-America Society of Hawaii, P.O. Box 1412, Honolulu, Hawaii 96806-1412
Phone (808) 524-4450, Fax (808) 524-4451, email: admindir@jashawaii.org

*Those in Hawaii may have heard about the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) through the popular statewide charity campaign called "Aloha For Japan".  JASH is partnering with Japanese disaster relief agencies and has identified the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) as the recipient organization.
*Visit the JASH web site and read more about the organization here.
*Read more about how JASH is helping with the Japan disaster relief here and find out the latest news here.
*Keep up with JASH on Facebook.

I chose both these organization for its reputation and because both charities have indicated that they are committed to using all designated funds toward the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster effort.
I'll be listing my lanterns shortly, come by and visit my shop.  Thanks so much for your support!

Happy Words that Made Me Cry

I just went to my Etsy feedback section and ohmygoodness...I got a comment that made me cry! I just have to share it with you because it makes me feel so good...so inspired to continue to do what I do...so grateful to my customers...so appreciated...so happy...reason to cry in happiness don't you think?

HandmadeCute is an exceptional business with an incredible creative mind behind the talent we see in the store. Not only is the product exceptional, but the customer service, shipping, and extra bonus are unmatched. I will be back time and time again. This seller has not only won my business but also my great respect. I cannot thank HandmadeCute enough for the job well done on my custom order. Truly incredible.

Just want to hug everyone one of you for reading my blog, for browsing my shop, for purchasing items from me, for befriending me...I am thankful!

The lesson I learned...always act out of love because you get back a lot more than what you give.
 
I need tissue.

Designer #2

Another person who inspires my beaded designs is my 8 year old.  I'll call her Kat.  Kat likes to draw princesses with long hair that cover one eye.  Kat is very possessive with her drawings and requires that I get her permission before I duplicate any of her work.  She also instructed me to give her credit whenever I use her work. 

Kat's princess drawing.

Transformed into a seed bead charm.

Thank you Kat.

Jingle All The Way

My Christmas Tree Seed Bead Bracelet is featured in a Treasury created by Brazen Design Group.



Enjoy a 20% discount on your first order when you become a fan of Brazen Design Group on Facebook. The coupon code is listed on the discussion board in Facebook.

Marvelous Mustache

Did you know mustaches are a fashion trend...actually, it's an artsy trend according to an Etsy Storque article I just pulled up.  I thought it would be fun to work on my own mustache (not a real one on my face).  Here it is...

Have a great day!

Santa Seed Bead Charms

Here is a set of cute handmade beaded charms I just completed.  The Santa design is a pattern I found online, created by Jennifer Creasey.  These Santa charms make a great accessory for the holidays and keeps you in a jolly spirit year round. Use charms for cell phones, bags, backpacks, key rings and more...

Find it here on Etsy and get 15% off using the coupon code 15OFF.