Ladybugs and Daisies

Some fun new beads in my Etsy shop!

Ribbonrose Critters

Dogs, cats, plus other animals and their accessories, like the bone below, are what makes up the group of Ribbonrose Critters. They are fun to make and each animal ends up having its own little personality.

A new chair and A Window into Whimsy

This is my new director chair for shows. Now I can sit without being so low to the ground! My EtsyWMI teammate Karin of www.awindowintowhimsy.etsy.com made the seat and backing. I just love custom, handmade stuff! Check out her shop for some great handmade items like the ones below.

A beautiful crazy patch bag with sturdy straps

A personalized family tree wall hanging

Inspired by the beach

I think these beads look like beautiful beach glass. Finding these washed up on the shore would be quite a surprise. Elements that I add while making these beads that make them "beachy" include silver and etching solution. These pendants make a great summer accent.

Sock Monkey!

Here is a custom sock monkey I made for a member of my West Michigan Etsy team.

Dulce of http://www.themonkeyshop.etsy.com/ makes some really cute sock monkeys that are a bit different from the usual sock monkey. Check out her shop, they are too cute!

Wearable Art

Here a couple of necklaces and a bracelet I have done recently:

My brown and aqua florals with sterling silver and lt azore swarovski crystals.

This is my sparkly green bling with sterling silver. The green beads have silver and glittery green aventurine flecks.

This bracelet with black, white, and yellow has daisies and a fun little bee. Also has sterling silver and a handmade clasp.

Inspired by Frederick Meijer Gardens

Since we have a membership to the local botanical gardens, we try to go frequently, especially now during butterfly season. In between attempts to keep my youngest child from tearing leaves off the plants or trying to get into the indoor creek, I get to look at the beautiful butterflies. Here is my attempt at a monarch type. We are enjoying our own little glass butterfly to look at here at home. :)

Random Spring Treasury

I found one of my beads on another Etsy treasury.

Etsywmi Team Treasury

Here is a (partial) treasury one of my beads is featured in on Etsy Treasury West.

Lovely spring items!

Color Combo

How do you like this color combo? These are not my usual colors, but I think they look rather nice.

Making a pretty cool jewelry clasp

Are you interested in seeing how to make this Egyptian clasp?



Kate Drew-Wilkinson is a glass and jewelry artist and a writer and she posted this YouTube video on Etsy. She is a wonderful instructor who tells how to make this clasp and what it can be used for. I enjoyed watching these two videos and thought I would share. Thanks, Kate!

Part 1 The hook

Part 2 The eye

A new batch is born

Here are some of the new beads I made over the weekend. All fresh and clean! Strangely, there are never enough! :)

The Story of Ribbonrose

I have always had my hands in some type of craft medium, including painting, sewing, embroidery, ribbon art, scrapbooking, beading, and the list goes on. Here are just a couple of examples:

In 2005, I became fascinated with these cool little pieces of glass art. In a quest to find the shapes and colors I wanted, along with seeing people make these beads on Crafters Coast to Coast on HGTV, I decided to start making them myself.

Melting glass in a torch flame is rather addicting and soon I had many, many beads around my house. I also enjoy turning beads into fun and unique jewelry. After surveying the growing piles I decided it was time to offer them for sale, because I really can't stop making them.

Each bead is handmade by me in my home studio. I use Moretti, Vetrofond, Lauscha, Bullseye, CIM, and ASK glass types. My beads are kiln annealed for strength and durability. Even though they are properly annealed, it is still glass and needs proper care especially when there are ears, appendages, petals, etc.

If you would like to see what others have to say about my work, please check out my feedback in my Etsy store.

Ribbonrose Beads Facebook Page is Ready!

Just finished setting up my Facebook business page

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Ribbonrose-Beads-and-Wearable-Art/56829131883?ref=nf

Easter Bunny and Carrot Beads

The Easter bunnies and their carrots. Below are a couple of ideas on what to use the beads for. You can also find this pendant and these earrings in my Artfire store in the right column on this page.

Working on some fun Spring stuff

With spring around the corner, I have been working on some different designs. They still need a bit of tweaking. The rosebuds are looking better (thanks Sabrina Design!). Loving that newest batch of P-260 Light Pink that is pretty dark. I am glad that there have been more and better pinks to work with lately especially since it is my favorite color.

Spring Craft Show

For any of you in West Michigan, come visit me at :

Sunshine's Spring Arts & Craft Show 2009

March 14, 2009 (Saturday)
9:00am-3:00pm

3300 East Beltline NE
Grand Rapids MI 49525

Check out the new stuff

I have changed things up a bit on here. I recently set up a shop on Artfire in addition to Etsy. I have started a mailing list, so if you are interested in any updates or info from me, be sure to sign up!

Happy Valentine's!