Wednesday 23 August 2017

Seadbeady's Finds on Etsy - Belgium

Today I decided to make some promotion for my fellow country shops - All made in Belgium

The state Belgium was founded in 1830 after the Belgian Revolution, when it separated from the Netherlands. But Belgian history goes much further back. In the prehistoric time the land was populated by different Tribes, like for example the Nervli and the Eburones under Ambiorix reign.

Some facts about Belgium:
  • Belgium has more than 800 kinds of beers.
  • Per year Belgium produces 220,000 tonnes of chocolate.
  • The first skyscraper to be built in Europe was built in Antwerp in 1928.
  • Adolphe Sax invented The saxophone was invented in the early 1840's in Dinant.
  • A few famous Belgian companies: Côte d'Or, Neuhaus, AB Inbev, Spa, Materne, Vandemoortele, Natan, Delvaux,...
And last but not least these Belgian Shops I picked for you. 

Black and White Handmade Lampwork Beads

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/546989945/witte-zwarte-kralen-handgemaakte?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_13

Asymmetric Tunic with Graphic Prints - 100% Cotton

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/238070009/asymmetrische-tuniek-met-grafische?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_43


Carved Candle with led light, decorative Candle

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/482678683/carved-kaars-carved-kaars-met-led?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_20


Panda charm, beaded panda, panda keyhanger

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/277403570/panda-charme-beaded-panda-panda?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_25

Skull and Flowers Poster - Yellow Roses

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/188798521/schedel-met-bloemen-poster-gele-rozen?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_39

Personalised, Custom Made Horseriding Fleece Sweater

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/467763794/gepersonaliseerde-paardensport-fleece?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_29


Trendy Leather Tote Shopper Bag - Eco Friendly and Handmade

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/232343184/trendy-lederen-shopper-eco-vriendelijk?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_40


Wooden Greating Card - Break-Out Viking Boat 

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/175266418/houten-wenskaart-break-out-vikinger-boat?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_36


Blue Pattern All Stars, Diamond checkers sneakers, pastel All Stars

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/387335948/blauwe-selectievakje-patroon-converse?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_45


Cat Art Print, Sphynx the cat, geekery whimsey kitty

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/176453339/kat-art-print-tattoo-affiche-sphynx-de?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sr_gallery_23

And believe me there is still soooo much to find on Etsy. I could go on - not for hours - but for days showing you. But can't have you falling asleep on me now can I ?

So we'll call it a day........Hope you enjoyed reading.........Until next time

Renata (Seadbeady)

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Confessions of a Seadbeadaholic part 5

Last time I told you about my Fimo episode. Haven't made any more beads lately, but that doesn't mean I will never make them again. Never say never, that's something my husband always says. Actually he says it in Dutch "zeg nooit nooit" .

In my surfing I also discovered the art of beading. Surfing on the internet off course, although I did surf ages ago. Well not that long but I was 22 when I attended a Windsurfing Camp. Nope I am no longer a spring chicken. Ok if you really wanna know I am 54. Eek yes stop reading all the rubbish of this stupid old lady haha.

So now for the ones that are still interested 😁
Here is one channel on youtube that blew my mind away:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Beading4perfectionis
Really you should go and check it out. And I also discovered a magazine that really inspired me
http://www.facetjewelry.com/magazine/bead-button
You might as well check that out at the same time 😎

At first I started with pretty cheap beads I found in the Veritas (Belgian shop) from Gütermann size 9


And I made of lot of pieces with them. Like this one that I made in 2013 😀


The necklace wasn't too bad but a terrible picture again. It's only since 2 years that I have been working hard on improving my pictures. Let me show you one that's in my Etsy shop now and a bit similar to this one.


https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/486821866/kralentouw-juwelen-zus-kralenketting?ref=listings_manager_grid

You could say that there is a slight difference between those pictures. I know what shop to pick if I had to choose between these two pictures. Wouldn't you??

But at the time I didn't see it, don't ask me why? Maybe I was a little too subjective?
So I opened an Etsy shop, thinking my pieces would be good enough to sell.

Eh noooo, off course not. So after half a year of waiting for my first sale I decided to close my shop again.

And I am ending my blogpost too for today.......Until next time.......Hope you enjoyed reading

Renata (Seadbeady)



Sunday 20 August 2017

Seadbeady's Finds on Etsy - Girls Dresses

Time for some more Etsy finds. Today it's all about Girl Dresses.

Aren't they super cute those little girl dresses. I have a sweet granddaughter of one and a half and I just love seeing her in a dress. And I am sure all you grandmothers are like me when you go shopping for clothes. You have to tell yourself noooo this time I am gonna buy something for myself. But I know those cute dresses are so irresistable.

Ah yes a bit of history first maybe. In the Ancient world both men and women wore a similar garment that resembled a dress and was in general called tunic.

From this tunic the dress developed into cassocks, worn by both female and male priests
.


And into Fustanella, worn by soldiers


An ancient Greek Tunic inspired an early twentieth gown designer to create the Delphos gown.


In the 19th century Dresses increased dramatically to the hoopskirt and crinoline supported styles.
Since the 1970's, no one dress type or lenght has dominated fashion for long. Short or ankle-lenght they all appeared side by side in the fashion magazines and catalogs.

Nowadays you can find a lot of girls dresses that are very much influenced by trends in adult wear.
But I have bored you enough with history - I know - you wanna see those cute little dresses I chose for you 😮😮


Girls Flamingo Party Dress Girls Dress Birthday Dress

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/490605628/meisjes-flamingo-partij-jurk-meisjes?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_35


Ankara Girl's Dress sizes 1 month - 14 years, Matching Adult Dress

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/240599017/ankara-girls-jurk-maten-1-maand-14-jaar?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_38


Girls Dress Vintage Retro Hippie Flower 70's 60's Dress

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/532046853/meisjes-jurk-maat-3-4-jaar-vintage-retro?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_46


Crochet girl dress, handmade dress, girls clothes, child dress

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/290142961/haak-meisje-jurkje-handgemaakte-jurk?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_37


Red baby dress, Baby girl dress. Baby girl dress special occasion dress

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/503388569/rode-baby-kleding-baby-meisje-jurkje?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_28


Flamingo dress - girls dress - party dress - flamingo clothing

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/541721733/flamingo-jurk-meisjes-jurk-partij-jurk?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_23


Baby Clothes, Baby Girl Outfits, Baby Girl Dresses, Baby Girl Gift

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/516968288/meisje-van-de-baby-kleding-baby-girl?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_28


Girls Dress, Summer Dress, Art Deco Print, Retro, Kids Clothes

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/463358943/meisjes-jurk-zomerjurk-art-deco-print?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_25


Girl's Dress, Jungle Animal Print Dress, Child's Dress, Handmade Dress

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/502912762/girls-jurk-jungle-dieren-print-jurk-kind?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_20


Amazing Bow Sequin Flower Girl Dress Tulle Party Tutu Birthday

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/524429808/amazing-bow-sequin-flower-girl-dress?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=girl%20dress&ref=sr_gallery_4

You have to admit they are all super cute..........Hope you enjoyed reading.........Until next time 😀

Have a great day

Renata (Seadbeady)




Friday 18 August 2017

Confessions of a Seadbeadaholic part 4

And it's story time again today.

The wire necklaces I made were ok. But that's definately not the end of my bead quest.
I was thinking what if I made my own beads with Fimo Polymer Clay. Then my necklace would be even more special.

So I started experimenting after a quick glance on the internet. Couldn't be that hard I thought. Haha wrong off course. I rolled my beads - nothing wrong at that time. But then they needed to bake in the oven. Ok no problem, I took some tooth picks and pushed them in the clay. But none of the clay beads kept their shape when being pushed on the tooth pick. But I managed to get them shaped again more or less. And in the oven they went.

Great my first badge was ready. After they had cooled down I put on the varnish and waited for a day to let them dry. Finally the next day it was time to get them of the sticks. What did you think happened? The sticks where stuck - couldn't get the beads off. There they went, all in the trash can. 😢

So I decided to buy this book on Bol.com - they even still sell it :)

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/making-jewelry-from-polymer-clay/1001004010363347/

After a bit of training I succeeded into making some reasonably nice beads. Like the ones in this necklace I still have 😊


But I must say making those beads is pretty labour intensive. First softening the clay and making shapes or mixes with them. Then rolling out the beads. And the step that I didn't know about before was putting them in the fridge for about 15 minutes to harden the clay again. And I used special bead baking pins to put the beads on. So then they went in the oven for 35 minutes.

After they had cooled down I put on a first coating with varnish. Then I had to wait until next day to put on the second coating. And finally the third day I could take them of the pins and start to use them in my jewelry.

Some people liked and others did not. And I did sell a few on markets. Yes indeed always enough to cover my costs and buy a few new materials. But I wasn't getting rich - no way. My business was still bringing in just enough to buy me some more beading stuff. And I was still happy with that.

The end for now - gonna tell you more about my bead addiction later

Hope you had fun reading.......Until tomorrow......Have a great day

Renata (Seadbeady)

Thursday 17 August 2017

Seadbeady's Finds on Etsy - Scarfs

Today I wanted to show you some more of all the wonderful handmade things you can find on Etsy. 

Ok you can have a guess on what my feature item is this time.

It is a part of an outfit. Both women and men wear them.
They can be long or short. You have them in silk, wool or cashmere.
Nooo not socks - have you ever worn silk socks ? I don't think so 😏

Ah you got it indeed scarfs. Or you could have read the title maybe 😕

Scarfs can be tied in many ways including for example the pussy-cat bow (tied under your skin), the square knot (decorative knot that forms a square shape), the cowboy bib (surely everyone knows what cowboys wear), the ascot knot (a mans neckband with wide pointed wings), the loop (has no ends), the necktie (something that makes men uncomfortable lol), and the gypsy kerchief (Gypsy women head scarf).

In Ancient Rome a scarf was mostly worn by men and used to wipe the sweat from the neck and face in hot weather.
The scarf became a real fashion accessory by the early 19th century for both men and women. By the middle of the 20th century, scarves became one of the most essential and versatile clothing accessories.

I have lots of scarves in my closet in many different colors. They make such a wonderful addition to your outfit. And in winter time they are so warm and cosy. And most important if you gain or lose a few pounds. No reason to worry the scarf will still fit.

Here are some of the examples I found.



Long silk scarf ' Trees in blue ' hand painted scarves

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/125106329/long-silk-scarf-trees-in-blue-hand?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_20


Chunky knit cowl scarf,  wool knit cowl with soft faux lamb lining

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/163359650/chunky-gebreide-cowl-sjaal-snock-wol?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_22


Infinity Scarf / Chunky Knit Scarf / Winter Shawl / Loop Scarf 

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/246819608/infinity-scarf-chunky-knit-scarf-winter?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_47


Felted Scarf, Ruffled Wavy, Holes Fringes Scarf

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/180410987/aangepaste-volgorde-gevilte-sjaal?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_38


Cranberry Knit Scarf Knit Infinity Scarf Chunky Winter Knit Scarf

 https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/199110058/cranberry-gebreide-sjaal-breien-infinity?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_23


Handmade Grey Shawl "Charming rose", Knitting Russian Shawl

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/511352624/handmade-grey-shawl-charming-rose?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_32


Winter scarf knitting kit , Scottish tartan infinity scarf , stripy scarf

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/257444342/winter-scarf-knitting-kit-scottish?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_15


Fancy Shawl Scarf in Rainbow Colors Bleu Red Purple Pink

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/260979748/omslagdoek-sjaal-stal-rainbow-blauw-rood?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_32


Mens scarf, winter scarf, infinity scarf, mens winter cowl scarf

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/210377177/heren-sjaal-met-winter-sjaal?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs&ref=sr_gallery_12


All Eyes, Kids Shawl. Double Warm Jogging Fabric Scarf for Boys/Girls

 https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/168152394/all-eyes-kinder-shawl-dubbele-warme?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=scarfs%20kids&ref=sr_gallery_7

Did you know that handcrafted products are green. Handmade work takes less energy than a mass production assembly line, which makes it better for our environment.

Hope you enjoyed.......Be back tomorrow.......

Have a lovely day 

Renata (Seadbeady)



Tuesday 15 August 2017

Confessions of a Seadbeadaholic part 3


Time to tell you a bit more about my story on my tiny bead addiction. A big addiction, but tiny beads off course. Last time I told you my necklaces where far to simple and I had sold a few to colleagues. But my business wasn't thriving, if you could call it a business at all.
I needed to find something better if I wanted to make it in the Jewelry business at all. Since my physical health problems had forced me to give up my music (who knows maybe if I have the courage one day I might make a short video of me singing). I really needed to find something to keep me busy during the time my body needed rest. So I had no intention of giving up on this. Must have herited some of my fathers stubbornness. 
I remembered seeing something with thin metal wire that another colleague made. So I started searching the net again to find out how to make those. The net aaah such a wonderful invention, but careful you could get addicted just like me to my beads. And I haven't found a cure. Actually I am still not sure if I even want that cure. I hope this picture is not too shocking, but this is what my first wire necklaces looked like.

I know that's a hideous picture. Sooo sorry 😉 Way to dark, my own shadow on it and way too yellow, or should I say brown. But the necklace itself wasn't that bad, and I did sell a few of those to colleagues again. Haha those poor colleagues, but sweet, they must have felt sorry for me.
But I decided I had bothered them more than enough. I wasn't gonna bring my jewelry pieces to work anymore, only if they asked for it. That's when I found out about creative markets. I bought some materials to be able to make me a stand at those markets. I used an old pasting table and some lawn chairs to be abele to present my goods.
The biggest reward I got on those markets were the great comments from people who admired my work. And I even sold some pieces. Seriously I am not pulling your leg. After deduction of my costs I had about 30 or 40 euro left for buying new supplies. Just like a little girl in a candy store 😀
But the biggest downfall was the pain I was left with afterwards. So much that I could hardly straighten my back. My husband could not understand why I still wanted to do this. He actually really got mad at me sometimes, cause he didn't like to see me in so much pain for such a lousy bit of money.
That"s it for today - hope you enjoyed
Have a great day
Renata (Seadbeady) :)

Monday 14 August 2017

Seadbeady's Finds on Etsy - Cats

Today I wanted to show you some Etsy finds on cats. 
Since I am a huge Cat fan all my finds will be featuring cat's in one way or another. Don't you just love those little creatures that sit on your lap purring their hearts out.
Sometimes I even wonder how it would be like to pet a Lion or a Cheetah. That has to be an amazing experience except when you get eaten. That would be just a tiny bit less fun 😀
I even read somewhere that these lovely animal friends give us more benefits than just an emotional support. House cats are said to be good for our health with their cat purrs.
Some Scientist say that cats have been living with people since 12.000 years ago. In ancient Egypt society cats were even considered sacred. So why not honor them :)


FUNNY CATS - embossed, engraved rolling pin for cookies

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/205278068/funny-cats-relief-gegraveerd-deegroller?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_28

Cat planner stickers - 84 cat mood tracker stickers for planners/journals

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/505461061/kat-planner-stickers-84-kat-stemming?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_13


Life size sitting cat sculpture. For garden or indoor display

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/264686002/levensgrote-sculptuur-van-de-kat-zitten?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_30


Bengal Cat Print - All Curled Up - Limited Edition Kitty Art Print

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/54147353/bengaalse-kat-print-alle-gekruld-up?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_48


Crazy Cat Lady Tank Top / Crazy Cat Vest / Cat Lady Tops 

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/257285420/crazy-cat-lady-tank-top-crazy-cat-vest?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_48


Crystal AB Cat Czech Glass Beads, (8 pcs) 13x12mm Cat Beads

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/280278590/crystal-ab-kat-tsjechische-glaskralen-8?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_17


Cat decor | Cat lover gift | Animal lover | Pet decor | Orange cat

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/505223471/cat-decor-cat-lover-gift-animal-lover?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_20


Book Lovers Pillow, Pillow Cover, Book Pillow, Writer Gift, Couch Pillow

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/496329102/book-lovers-pillow-pillow-cover-book?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_45


Linnen Pocket Book Protector "Cats and Butterflies"

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/480032929/beschermt-pocket-linnen-kat-en-vlinders?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_18


Cat Keychain - Glass Keychain Cat - Glass Cat Keychain

https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/172770872/kat-sleutelhanger-glas-sleutelhanger-cat?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cats&ref=sr_gallery_4

That's it I think I harassed you enough for one day? But if you want to get some more. Ah some people just can't get enough. No worries I will be back again tomorrow with a fresh new post. 

Have a great day  😄

Renata (Seadbeady)

PS Let me know if there is something you sell or make that you want me to brag about 😎

Saturday 12 August 2017

Confessions of a Seadbeadaholic part 2

Time to continue my story on how I got to be addicted to those little tiny beads.
You can find the first part of my story on the page Seadbeady's Blog 
My bead journey started with larger and less expensive beads. I didn't have the need to go out and follow workshops so I started my search on the internet to teach myself how to make jewelry. I soon found out that Youtube was a great way to do that. Who knows maybe some day I will be putting on my own tutorials there if I have the nerve lol. But I was really amazed to see out how much you could find there.
So after a bit of studying, I decided to go find the right store to get the supplies I needed. I got myself a pair of flat nose pliers, metal wire, a bead board, scissors, some lobster clasps, split rings, crimp beads and some lovely beads to work with. And this is how my first necklaces looked like.
Would I buy this in a store, oh no sorry not good enough. But at the time I thought they looked wonderful. Ok I admit that I was a little (just a tiny bit) subjective. You can imagine I made a lot more of those, and I wasn't gonna keep them all to myself. At first I gave them away to my nieces or my sisters (I still do sometimes). My daughter wasn't such a fan. Couldn't really understand why not, but I supposed It must have been a matter of taste, right???
But I wanted to make more, and even though they were not the most expensive supplies, they did cost me. So I took my (gorgeous) necklaces to work, to see what my colleagues would think. Who knows maybe I could sell a few. I suppose they must have seen the desperate look in my eyes, cause they did buy a few. Oh my I was over the moon. And as you suspected I went out to buy me some more supplies. To make more necklaces and sell them again. But I soon ran out of colleagues to sell to, even though I was almost begging them. So that was the end of that, and also the end for today.
More about my addiction next time - have a great day
Renata (alias Seadbeady) 😁

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