For my bead stitchery I just LOVE FireLine! It is strong, doesn't stretch, and is great with sharp-edged crystals and other similar beads. It comes in "smoke" and "crystal" colors in 4#, 6#, and 8# tensile strength. I almost always use the 6# FireLine. The smoke color blends in nicely with any kind of stitchery using blues, greens, purples, reds, darker and/or more vibrant colors. The crystal color is really whitish in character, so I use it more often for pale and light-colored bead designs, or in designs where the thread just doesn't show.

But look at all of the different colors available in Nymo beading thread! This is a color-grouping of 10 different colors that came in a tube. I purchased it at a  local bead store. Nymo comes in different weights. So far I've used "D" weight, which is I think a little heavier than 6# FireLine. A step down is "B" weight, which I've just started using. So much depends on how big the beads are that you are stitching. If you're making many passes through tiny 11o or 15o seed beads, the lighter weight thread would be a better bet.

I always prep my threads with beeswax, Thread Heaven, or both! It seems to give the thread a little more "body." I find that Nymo thread is a little more difficult to thread onto a needle (size D on a size 12 beading needle.) If anyone has a hint, please share! I've been a bit frustrated managing this task. I even tried a needle-threader but broke it on the first past!

Either way, you can't go wrong with either FireLine or Nymo.

The Little "Beaded Bead"

I am fascinated with beaded beads. If you're not familiar with this term, a beaded bead is a selection of different beads and crystals hand stitched into a compact little ball shape. The bead can be used just like real beads incorporated into different designs. Recently, I've taken a single pattern and have created variations on a theme using different colors, different sized beads, crystals, seed beads, etc. See what you think. Which one do you like best? My personal favorite it the necklace I created with dark hematite-finish chain and hand-stitched beads made with opal-look Swarovski crystals (third and last pictures.)

All are available on www.noellelabellejwelry.etsy.com

The QwikSwitch concept!!!!

Here are some pretty blue earring dangles. They are from my QwikSwitch collection. This collection features a brass ear wire from which hangs a brass lobster clasp. The clasp allows you to change from one dangle to another with ease!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/71000957/qwikswitch-vintage-look-brass-fish-motif

The beautiful Hydrangeas that my two boys gave me as a Mother's Day gift. I love the brilliant cornflower blue of the blossoms and the bright green of the foliage. I am contemplating what semiprecious stones I can use to emulate the color scheme of this beautiful color pairing.

I'd like to hear from you! Introduce yourself on my NoelleLaBelle Jewelry to Adore Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/NoelleLaBelleJewelry2Adore?v=app_201143516562748

Are you on Pinterest?

If you're on Pinterest, look me up and follow my boards! Many of my jewelry designs are featured on "Home Grown Illinois."

2,000 VIEWS!!!! Alright!

WOW!! My blog has had 2,000 page views! And I thought nobody was out there.

Sometimes I feel like Julie in the  movie "Julie & Julia," the story of a young woman in New York obsessed with her mission to cook all 524 of Julia Child's recipes in 365 days. She starts a blog to chronicle her journey -- and soon faces the reality that she's blogging in outer space. After weeks of diligent journaling, finally....a response! But it's only her mother. Any giddy hopes of success she might have had are instantly dashed. Over the weeks her husband becomes increasingly frustrated by the manic devotion and attention she directs towards her quest. Oh boy, does that sound familiar or what?

The end of the story is that Julie actually succeeds. I like that part. I have always believed that one can achieve anything that one wants to achieve. Well....I've got to qualify that a bit. Know-how, talent, time, and energy are big determining factors. If you are lacking any of these ingredients, the journey is more challenging, more difficult. It is true, however, that what you get out of something is proportionally related to how much you put into something.

So what do I say about all of this? REVEL in each moment of the journey! Love what you do. Immerse yourself into the pleasure of pursuing your dream. Enjoy sharing your passion with the world. The world might be listening and watching after all.

You just never know.....

APRIL SALE extended!!!

Only 12 (yes TWELVE!!) mailing days left for your NoelleLaBelle purchase to arrive just in time for Mother's Day -- May 13th. Treat your Mom to a beautiful sterling silver necklace, or a sparkly bracelet. She will love it! Check out the pretty pieces below.

www.noellelabellejewelry.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73337438/april-sale-labradorite-and-sterling

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69487813/april-sale-classy-crystal-studded-gold

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95562432/april-sale-brass-fringe-earrings-with

When you browse through my shop, if you spot something you like that's not marked as a SALE item, send me a "condo" via Etsy or an email to noelle_la_belle@yahoo.com. I may be willing to strike a deal and sell you two items at a reduced price.

Hand beaded drop earrings....

I have recently been into creating darling hand beaded drop cluster earrings. When stitched up, they look like little raspberries suspended from an ear wire. I've got a gazillion million ideas on how I can switch up the color and bead combinations. The possibilities are endless! You can use either pearls (I use Swarovski crystal pearls, generally,) Czech fire-polished glass beads, or other beautiful gems or stones. Here are some variations on a theme.....

 I do custom work, so email me with what you think you'd like to see!

I've been working diligently on improving my Facebook Fan page! Each time I list an item in my Etsy shop, I link the listing to this page. You can "like" my pieces, add comments, and tell me what you're thinking! Your opinion matters!

Stop by and take a look! I also have an initial Welcome screen that tells everyone about any special sales or special deals going on for the month. See you there!


www.facebook.com/NoelleLaBelleJewelry2Adore.com

Jewelry for your Love on Valentine's Day..

So pretty! This bracelet is 100% sterling silver with added charms of sterling silver, genuine cultured pearls, Czech glass beads, and brilliant Swarovski crystals. It contains approximately 19 grams of silver, which is 2/3 of an ounce. Even the headpins for the charms are made of quality sterling silver. Thus, if you're looking for a piece that your darling honey will love forever, this is it!

Click link to see it on Etsy!
Lucky in Love Valentines Charm Bracelet

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2012!!! It's hard to believe that here in Chicagoland we have no snow. It feels a little weird, but I think I'm liking it!

REDUCED TODAY: My QwikSwitch Interchangeable Earring pieces. Through the month of January, you can buy an earwire/lobster clasp combo in antique brass for $4.00, and many, MANY different earring dangles - each for $10.50. That's a very reasonably priced pair of earrings, and the price goes down the more dangles you buy! For instance, for three interchangeable pairs, you'll spend just under $12.00/pair! That's a great deal!

 I love these pretty Swarovski crystal star shaped dangles -- but then, I'm really addicted to the brilliance of these finely cut crystals.

Send me a message if you see something you like, but it's not the right color. I will be glad to make a custom piece just for you!