Be Very A-Frayed!

It's less than two weeks until Halloween! Do you have your decorations up, the pumpkins carved, and the costumes made/purchased. I don't let my husband buy trick-or-treat candy until a couple days before beggar's night, or we'd have it all eaten ahead of time!! My daughter is less than fond of this time of year in the stores since the scarier costumes are just too frightening to even look at on display. And speaking of being afraid, I have a-fraying topic for my blog readers today.

While I do caution my customers that the denim beads on my jewelry will fray with wear, it's a matter of personal preference how it's worn once the fraying becomes more prominant. The bracelet I made for my sister gets worn quite frequently--thanks, Sis. She showed it to me when I visited her last month.

If you like the affect of the fraying, feel free to wear it with fringe swaying. If you want, you can carefully trim the strings for a cleaner look. If you've worn it totally out, return the piece, and I will make it look new again.

Happy Halloween!!!

2009 Vacations are BEAD-utiful!!!!

A long overdue post to my Casual Day Designs followers!!

I discovered some great bead shops in my travels this past summer! And with the snow we had today, I guess it's safe to say the summer is over! Which means I beader get back to beading!

The owner of 2nd Street Beads in St. Charles, Missouri gave me a great tagline for my jewelry when I described my unique craft--"It's the denim you flip over your head" [instead of stepping into one leg at a time].

At 1/8th A Bead Shop in Schroeder, Minnesota, the owner provided me with some very helpful information about some authenticity questions I had regarding my recent acquisition of grandma's jewelry.

The sales associate at String Along With Me in St. Charles, Missouri revealed some secret strands of assorted beads in the store's backroom that she let me sort through since my sister and I were the only ones in the store.

On our trip up the North Shore, we stopped in Superior Beads in Duluth where I found some beautiful stone beads and sterling bead cones. I made a necklace that I grew quite fond of. However, like any good beader, I sold that one from around my neck when a customer at the craft show last month inquired about it.

Each bead store, like my denim beads, is unique. I think I could become great friends with all the proprietors. They are unique individuals themselves and it is definitely reflected in their stores. I also know that I could spend hours and hours in each bead store.

My husband and I planned a romantic getaway to a B&B in Stillwater, MN last month for our 14th wedding anniversary. Tucked away in the basement of the Art N Soul on historic main street in Stillwater is a wonderful nook called Stillwater Beads. I found some one-of-a-kind treasures hidden away there. After my second stroll around the store, my very patient husband excused himself with a cell phone call and waited on a bench outside while I finished shopping. Thanks, Honey!!

Casual Day Designs Denim Jewelry for Sale at Local Florist

My good friend Connnie, who owns and operates Flower Zone By Connie in downtown Northwood, has graciously offered to display my denim jewelry and children's books in her shop. I was in to see her this week and had an immediate spirit boost with the breathtaking flowers, colors, and arrangements both inside and OUTSIDE her store. Connie takes great pride in her work and her store, and I very much appreciate the opportunity to have my creations showcased in her beautiful business. Thanks, Connie!

First Denim Jewelry Creations Using Grandma's Jewelry

The creative juices really flowed when I took Grandma's jewelry and combined it with my unique denim beads. As you can see from the pictures, these pieces will be great fun to wear this summer with a red, white, and blue theme in the set and fun summer colors to match any outfit in the necklace.

I will have my Christian Casual Day Designs on display in a couple weeks at my mom's church in Marshalltown. Stop by the Congregational Church from 8am to 2pm on Saturday, May 16, and check out my salvation necklaces and bracelets as well as the WWJD and Breast Cancer Awareness bracelets.

Mother's Day and Graduations are coming up fast! Casual Day Designs denim jewelry makes great gifts!!

Denim Beaded Jewelry Update

First of all...a long, overdue thank you to everyone who attended my denim jewelry open house showing last month. I appreciated everyone coming and hope you are all enjoying your purchases!! Also congratulations to Joan P. who won the door prize drawing. I hope to have another open house in the fall. Check out my website for the dates and times.

I haven't been in the studio doing much beading lately because I have been busy sorting through my grandma's vintage jewelry collection. It's been a sentimental journey to say the least!! So many pieces I, of course, remember grandma wearing and can even picture what outfit she wore them with. Other brooches, necklaces, and earrings I have no recollection of her wearing. I hope to incorporate some beads from Grandma's collection into some of my denim jewelry designs in the near future, while other pieces will remain intact for posterity.

Blue Jean Jewelry Available at the Top of Iowa

I just returned from a great visit with Jean at the Top of Iowa Welcome Center and Rest Area. Jean and I met several years ago, and she has always been very enthusiastic about my latest artistic creations. Jean features a special collection of "Made in Iowa" products that she hand picks herself. I'm so excited to announce that my Casual Day Designs denim jewelry has just been added to that line.

The gift shop located in the Welcome Center off I-35 at Exit 214 is aptly named the Barn Boutique. They get quite a bit of traffic with the Diamond Jo Casino right next door. Stop in and see what all they have to offer while traveling this year.

Denim Bead Jewelry Show

Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're not wearing green, you'll be green with envy of those sporting a denim bead necklace, earrings, or bracelet!

Several people are taking advantage of my in-home show this week to check out my designs and maybe even add a piece to their jewelry collection. I've had fun serving green punch and green popcorn in honor of St. Pat, too!!

Think Pink! Pink Denim Bead Bracelet to promote Breast Self-Awareness

I'm so excited to be offering this special bracelet featuring my pink denim beads along with a breast cancer ribbon bead to help promote breast self-awareness. I will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each BSA Pink Denim Bead Bracelet to the Susan G Komen fund.

Casual Day Designs Denim Jewelry will be on display at the Upcoming Craft Show

The Spring Craft Show at the mall in Mason City begins exactly one week from today. I'm really looking forward to displaying my unique denim beaded jewelry for the first time at this show. I just hope the name "Spring" in the craft show title will have some warming effects on the weather. The streets are coated with ice here today after the thunder sleet, freezing rain, and snow mix we received yesterday. I am dreaming of green grass and temperatures that don't require a parka to venture outside!!

All the time inside; however, has afforded me the opportunity to create several pieces for the show. The set in the picture above is just an example of what I will have to offer. I have over 60 pieces of denim jewelry which will be for sale. Additionally, my dad has been busy making over 100 copper wire-wrapped rings. I will have his rings and friendship bracelets as well as the children’s story I penned on display and for purchase during the show which runs Friday through Sunday.

"WWJD" Denim Bead Bracelets

When my son was eight years old, he was given a book entitled "What Would Jesus Do?" (The Charles M. Sheldon Classic, "In His Steps" retold for children revised by Helen Haidle). I would read him a chapter every night about the adventures and predicaments of Claire and Bill at Bible School. Each chapter would end with a question and a Bible verse. Now that my daughter is nine, we've been reading from this book and posing the "What Would Jesus Do?" question at the end of each chapter. This nightly ritual was the inspiration for my latest handcrafted denim jewelry. Using alpha beads and white denim beads, these WWJD bracelets reminds us to think before we act.

Red, White, and Blue Jeans

I have been spending more time in the studio lately getting as many pieces made as I can since I have reserved booth space at the Mason City spring craft show. The show will take place March 6-8 at the Southbridge Mall during the mall's open hours. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I'm so excited to show more people my unique handcrafted denim jewelry that I just couldn't wait!!

There's so much more to think about then just making the jewelry now that I've made this commitment; but I think I'm up to the challenge. My family has been so overwhelmingly supportive and encouraging so that helps as well.

My hubby and I went out for dinner last weekend and I got a comment on the necklace I was wearing that night and a request to make something with red, white, and blue in it, so here it is...

Denim Jewelry for Spring

These pastel jewel colors mixed in with my denim beads remind me of spring and warmer temperatures. It's like Easter Eggs on a string!

Buckle Up with Denim Jewelry by Casual Day Designs

I'm so excited about this latest creation!! If you wear a belt with your jeans, you'll love this fashion statement. I used a belt buckle in this denim necklace design as the pendant. This was so much fun to make--I know I'll be making more.

Salvation Necklace

I made several Salvation bracelets for Christmas gifts, and one recipient had a request. She wanted to know if I could make a Salvation Necklace, so...

I've also been busy getting my web site designed and uploaded, so be sure to check it out at www.casualdaydesigns.com

"...you wore blue jeans with your pearls..."

Inspired by Collin Raye's song, "My Kind of Girl," my latest creation incorporates pearls with the blue and lavendar denim beads.

Dyed Turquoise Pendants

I attended the Bead Show in Hopkins, MN last October and purchased some beautiful dyed turquoise beads that I incorporated into my denim bead necklaces and gave for Christmas this year. Each recipient was looking forward to wearing it with a specific article of clothing in their closet along with THEIR JEANS!!