Weekend Wind Down

Yesterday, Joe and I headed out in the rain to the Annual Clinton Arts and Music Festival in Clinton, NY. It's a pretty nice craft and music fair, when it's not raining. The rain let up finally and we were able to walk around a bit and take in some local craft artisans. Our first stop was at my friend Tara's jewelry booth. The Beaded Bird had a pretty sweet set up there, with beautiful ceramic birds, branches, and iron bird baths displaying Tara and Barbara's jewelry. The third lovely lady in their group, Patti, has started creating some nice jewelry displays that she had for sale at the fair. I bought one, and I absolutely adore it. Anything with buttons and keys and old things, I love- but make into a functional piece and it's coming home with me!!

I also found a local lampwork glass artisan, Heather Leyh, that creates the coolest jewelry and glass beads. Heather trekked her way to Clinton all the way from Ballston Spa, which isn't too far from Albany, NY.

I bought a couple of Heather's lampworked glass buttons but wanted one of each thing in her shop. She had some really great rings, and pendants, and these silver rings that you can build yourself with some of Heather's funky and coloful glass rounds.

Heather sells her wares on her own website, HeatherBeads.com, and has an Etsy shop too at HeatherLeyhDesigns.

I've already put one of Heather's heart buttons into one of my bracelet designs! I felt it only fitting, to keep the button with other buttons, and paired it with

these grey shell buttons and some other lampwork glass and ceramic beads.

Check out what the other Beady Bloggers are up to this week, here are the weekly links:

The writing and art of Andrew thornton. Beadfest Philadelphia was packed with talented artisans and bead-makers. See what Andrew picked out!

Jewelry & Beading Looking ahead to the fall, Cyndi shows how to make a new necklace called "Autumn Arbor".

Katie's Beading Blog Katie's mixing metals and a fun peyote bail with a giant crystal disk.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei is hosting a Necklace Round Robin, but you have to leave a comment to be entered to win a spot!

Earthenwood Studio Chronices Melanie shows off some fun experiments that she has seen coming out of her studio, mixing copper and pewter

A Bead A Day Have you ever used sterling silver curly-Q tubes in your jewelry designs?? Lisa is searching for cool ideas for these adorable tubes.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene expands the editorial staff and welcomes Lorelei Eurto!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Cindy unveils a new series of Art Nouveau inspired beads. In French it's known as "Stile Floreal" and in English it's the "Floral Style."

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi uses shrink plastic to make a neat little bracelet.

About.com Jewelry Making Do you use blogging to promote your jewelry business? Tammy has some thoughts for you on this.