Murrini Monday

In last week's edition of Murrini Monday, I happily showed what had come in the mail from Lori and Kim. This week you'll see what I made with it. And not surprisingly, I'm not the only one who couldn't resist the latest batch of Lori and Kim murrini ~ two of my favorite critter bead artists are using it, too. Now let's just see if they can stop . . . I didn't think so.

This is the beach umbrella murrini ~ I knew it would make cool owl eyes!

The heart murrini on the right is from my new order, the star on the left is one I already had.

Herbie the love pug is showing off his pink and purple heart, too.

My friend Nikki, aka The Sheep Goddess, from NLC Beads, finally gave in to the magic of murrini, and now her colorful critters are sporting hearts too. And I didn't think they could get any cuter. Check out Nikki's ebay bead auctions here.

And this little piggy skipped the market and went straight to the tattoo parlor for a murrini tramp stamp, according to its creator Gelly Davis of gelly on Etsy. The pig is up for auction on ebay, along with lots of other goodies (including more murrini adorned beads) here.

Ernie Wins a Contest

And the winner is . . .

That's right! Our little Ernie Boo won a prettiest kitty contest! I had actually forgotten that he'd entered. I had purchased some catnip toys from Kittybags on Etsy when we first got Ernie and Bert. The owner, Dave, says in his shop announcement that he loves to receive photos of kitties playing with his cat toys. So I sent in the above picture of Ernie, and also one of Bert playing with a catnip ball. Dave was kind enough to ask if I wanted the pictures entered in his monthly Pretty Kitty Contest at Catnipetc, so of course I said ok! Today I got an email newsletter and there was Ernie's picture on it as the March winner! How cool is that? I just hope it doesn't go to his head. Thanks, Dave! And everyone who voted for him - thank you!

I have to say, Ernie and Bert LOVE their catnip toys from Kittybags. We got them a couple Organic Catnip Mice and a few Catnip Balls. The order even came with some organic catnip, which all three of our kitties love to roll around in.

Every cat toy at Kittybags is handmade in the USA with love and catnip ~ what more could a kitty want?

Ernie and Bert are always scrambling around with one of these catnip balls.

Therapy Thursday ~ The Bright Side of Life

Ernie and Bert have trapped Buzz in the toilet. Buzz's day can only get better from here, so let's have some therapy.

I know I didn't post an upper last week on Thursday, but that's because I was busy blogging about GABE - the Global Animal Blogging Event I'm involved in, complete with a giveaway! Today is cold and gloomy looking, so I'm hoping my blogging/following friends will join me in looking on the bright side of life. Let's share some good news! It can be big (you just won the lottery! but what are you doing reading my blog?) or small (you didn't miss the bus after sleeping in) - let's just keep it positive. What's good in your life this week?

I'll start: Back to GABE, I'm really enjoying reading all these animal/pet blogs. I never knew they were out there! And I'm getting all sorts of ideas for beads from looking at everyone's pet pictures. I'm also reading a great book called House Rules by Jodi Picoult, and Survivor is on tonight. The day is looking better already!

Murrini Monday ~ Afternoon Edition

Sorry it's a little late today, but I was waiting by my mailbox . . . . and I was not disappointed! I ordered new murrini last week from loriandkim, and I just knew it would arrive today - after all, it's Murrini Monday!

Looky what I got!

This blend is called Beach Umbrellas, and when it's melted onto a bead it looks like a mini rainbow beach umbrella. I can't wait to use this! I had actually tried out a few pieces like this because they were part of the Spectrum blend I won. So when I saw that Lori and Kim were selling it in one pack, all different colors, I had to have it.

I don't think I have to explain why I bought not one, but two of the Sweethearts blend - duh! It's adorable and beautiful and colorful and heart-shaped! Plus, in the description Lori and Kim wrote, they said, and I quote "we know people make critters who might need hearts . . ." and I believe they were talking to me directly. Yes, they were. =)

I know at least a couple other lampworkers who purchased the Sweethearts blend, and I can't wait to see what they do with it. So far, I've just looked at it and admired it. But look out, my critters are going to start wearing their pastel-colored hearts on their sleeves, or their shells.

Happy Murrini Monday to one and all!

Beads in Spaaaaaaaace

This just in: Glass bead makers from all around the world are vying for a spot on the next space shuttle. It's true! But the space they're competing for is less than 30mm long on every side. Surely even the tiniest glass bead maker can't fit in a spot that small. That's because that tiny spot is actually reserved for a space-themed glass bead. There are approximately 35 small spots on the next space shuttle - set to launch on May 14 - for beads. Lampworkers are being encouraged to make space-themed beads, and the ones that are chosen by a panel of judges will get to ride the rocket into outer space. And when they come back? They'll be bead heros, of course! Then they'll be distributed to children in hospitals undergoing treatments for various illnesses. Those kids will have these wonderful little souveniers that have gone where no bead has gone before. How cool is that?

This entire program is being spearheaded by TEAM Beads of Courage - Beads in Space, which collects beads for children in hospitals to string as they finish treatments. The beads that don't make the cut for the shuttle launch will still go to the children, so it's a win-win for everyone! Lampworkers: there's still time to make your space-themed beads! Bead entries are due by April 12. I'm so excited to see the entries!

Here's my entry. I channeled my love for Wallace and Gromit's A Grand Day Out, and made a space dog that looks a little like Gromit. If you haven't seen this short film, I highly recommend it. Wallace runs out of cheese, so naturally he and Gromit build a rocket to fly to the moon to stock up. But I digress . . . I also made a rocket ship and an alien. I'm not expecting one of my beads to make the cut, but I really had fun stretching my imagination and trying something new. That's what it's all about. And either way, these beads will soon be in the hands of little kids, and that's just plain cool.

Fire Divas Spring Jewelry Challenge

The entries are starting to trickle in to the Fire Divas Spring Jewelry Challenge and exciting entries they are! Come take a peek!

Kathy Dewey submitted these darling earrings made from a pair of Maybeads doggie beads:

Tinybeads2004 made this gradient African Helix necklace with a focal by LA Jewelry Designs.

Beadbell made a lovely copper bracelet featuring the beads of RiversEdgeGlass.

Diane of Earth and Sky Studio made this lovely pearl necklace with a focal by SomethingNew4U.

And KimforBeads made this pretty necklace featuring a focal by Lutrick.

If you make jewelry featuring Fire Diva Beads, we would love to see it! There's over $200 in prizes to be won and the deadline is April 15th! Click here for more information.

Global Animal Blogging Event 2010

Welcome, animal lovers, to the Global Animal Blogging Event 2010!

As my regular followers know, I write often about my pets - our dog, Chunky, our cat, Buzz and our kittens, Ernie and Bert. When they all heard about the Global Animal Blogging Event 2010 and realized it would be a way to make friends with other pets in blogs, they looked at me with puppy-dog eyes and big-eyed kitty faces (you know, like Puss 'N' Boots in Shrek) and I knew I would participate. Also, my friend Holly and her pup Mabel Lou are in on the fun over at CreekHiker, and truth be told, they're really the ones who clued me in. Check out their blog, too, for a really cool glass giveaway!

If you haven't been here before, you probably have figured out that I'm a lampwork bead maker. I specialize in critter beads, ie. dogs, cats, turtles - pretty much anything with a face. So for my pet giveaway, I'm offering a handmade pet bead (made by me) of your pet. Now, there are a few breeds of dog I'm not as skilled at making, and if you happen to win and your pet falls into one of those trickier categories, then I'll just make you a fun dog bead (blue dogs are very fun) or something comparable. But if you have a Boston terrier, a pug, a wiener dog, a chihuahua . . . you're in luck! Either way, you'll get a pet bead from me.

All you have to do is leave a comment after this post, and be SURE to leave me a way to reach you if you win. Winners will be announced on April 18. Thanks for stopping by!

An example of my custom dog bead work. More dogs are in my Etsy shop.

I'm really excited to be involved in the first year of this global pet blogging event. And get this - it's organized by a teacup chihuahua named Twinkie. Check out Twinkie's blog and book (yes, this little pooch has a book!) HERE. Then click the icon in my sidebar to visit more animal blogs in this global event!