Spotlight on Bayouland Beads and a Happy Mardi Gras

It's Fat Tuesday...Happy Mardi Gras!!

In honor of this festive day I want you to meet Peggy from Bayouland Beads.  Wait till you see what she does with her Mardi Gras beads...

Fleur De Lis Mardi Gras Bead Art

  OMG aren't these fun!!!

Mardi Gras Bead Art Mask

I actually ran across these fabulous framed gems while creating a treasury of Etsy artists.  My hubby is from New Orleans and a HUGE Saints fan so this one caught my eye...

Mardi Gras Bead Art Saints

I love that Peggy uses Mardi Gras beads and upcycled frames for her artwork too.  Her beads come from the many parades she attends with friends and family.

LSU Mardi Gras Bead Art

Peggy has been making fun things with Mardi Gras beads ever since she was a child.  Luckily everyone she knows gives her all of their beads.

Mardi Gras Bead Art BayoulandBeads

She told me "Everybody loves to catch them, but no one knows what to do with them after the parade. They usually wind up at the bottom of someone's closet or getting thrown away."  What a wonderful way to recycle those beads!


Peggys recent retirement has given her much more time to enjoy her crafty side and open a shop on Etsy.  She also hopes to add more ways to use these beads to her Etsy shop soon. 

Cross by Bayouland Beads Mardi Gras Bead Art

 Want something custom made just for you or as a gift, just ask...Peggy is so friendly and I am sure she would love to work with you on a special design.

You can check out her shop BayoulandBeads or join her on facebook to learn more about this talented lady.

There are so many fun, beautiful ideas that can be made with this technique, which one is your favorite?

and My Valentine is...

I have a winner...

Comment #30 is the winner of my adorable Valentine's Day Ring!!

Congratulations to Gari Anne!!  Please email me your mailing address so I can get this ring right out to you!

Thanks to everyone for playing, I love giveaways and will be doing more soon so stay tuned!!

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY to everyone...hope you have a day full of love and surprises!

Be My Valentine Bling...I Mean Ring, Giveaway

Be my Valentine Giveaway!!

I recently started making these incredibly SPARKLY rings with Swarovski crystals. I just love the AB2X crystals which have extra special flash added to them.   I chose this gorgeous pink ring for a Valentines Day giveaway!

Swarovski Crystal Pink Ring

Want to win this ring????

Just follow these instructions:

• For each action you complete, please put a comment onto this post.
• Each comment is one entry into this giveaway.
• Please make sure to include your email address in the comment, so I know how to contact you if you are the winner!

1. Follow this blog. (1 comment)
2. Go to my Etsy Shop and tell me what your favorite piece is (1 comment and/or link)
3. Like my facebook page (1 comment)
4. Blog about this giveaway - include link in comment (1 comment)
5. Tweet about this giveaway - include link in comment. (1 comment)

Up to 5 entries available!
In one week, on Valentines Day...Wednesday February 14 at 8 a.m. (CST), I will draw a number using random.org. The winner will be contacted for mailing information.

Good luck!

Here are some of the other colors I have made so far

Swarovski Crystal Bicone rings multicolors

 (the last one, all the way in the back, is done with 6mm crystals, I was thinking of calling it Bada Bling Ring, lol)

A HUGE thank you to Kelly Dale from Off the Beaded Path for showing me how to make these!!

Because Everyone Should Sparkle

Now Introducing...my new Motto! 

Because Everyone Should Sparkle! 

And a new logo design!!  Do you love it?   I do...it just came to me and I knew it, like when I first fell in love with my husband and I knew it felt right. I am going to work on revamping my Etsy shop and pictures to represent my new Motto. I am also waiting on some incredible Swarovski ab2x crystals that will make anyone sparkle! More to come very soon...

Thank you to The Tiny Cottage for working with me on my new logo.  Mindiydoes great work, if you are looking for a logo, Etsy Banner, Business Cards, etc check out her shop.