Elle’s Beads – Funky, Eco-Friendly Fashion

Last Updated on Friday, 30 July 2010 07:26 Written by Elle Friday, 30 July 2010 07:26

Hi everyone!  I’m Elle, the creative force behind Elle’s Beads.  By day I’m a public interest paralegal and by night I’m a committed player in the Handmade Movement!  No, it’s not as exciting as if I donned a cape and roamed the streets fighting crime, but it’s an integral part of my life and something I’ve grown to truly love and cherish.

Elle’s Beads was never intended to be a business venture.  I started beading and making jewelry as an outlet for dealing with some of the depression and anxiety I was going through after starting my first “real” job in a new city after college. After a few months of encouragement from family and friends, I decided to open shop on Etsy and I’ve been selling my work ever since.

The designs I make are almost always one of a kind and reflect my personality and eclectic sense of style.  I have a line of LGBT pride jewelry as well as dozens of other funky, colorful pieces.  This year I’ve added lines of metal bookmarks and beaded cell phone charms, perfect even for those who don’t wear much jewelry.  I also make fabric accessories, including brooches, pins, and barrettes.

Environmental responsibility is a big issue for me and so a lot of my work reflects that.  I only use scrap fabrics for my accessories and often incorporate broken vintage jewelry, vintage buttons, and other second-hand embellishments into my work.  I make beaded and resin magnets and often use recycled bottle caps or even creative items like old keys and eyeglass lenses in my creations.  

You can find Elle’s Beads (and me!) all over the web.  I have shops on Handmade Artists Forum, Etsy, Zibbet and my own website.  I have an active Blogger blog, Tumblr blog, YouTube channel, Twitter, and Facebook page.  I’d love it if you stopped by and dropped me a line.  One of the best parts of starting this business is the wonderful friendships I’ve made with other artisans and lovers of handmade!

Until next time,

Elle

Road Trip HAFteam Challenge

Last Updated on Monday, 21 June 2010 12:19 Written by Chainmaille By MBOI Saturday, 5 June 2010 09:09

The  HAF Etsy team is at it again, this time it is a Road Trip! Our wonderful team members have put on there creating helmets and have produced another wonderful selection of entries.  The winning member will receive two weeks of free advertising on the Handmade Artists’ Forum, HAF Blog, Chainmaille By MBOI, and Makin’ The Best Of it!

All who vote, leave a comment saying that you voted, and you will be automatically entered to win this beautiful necklace by Haffina Creations!  The necklace is made with Non tarnish copper wire in a  Jens Pind chainmaille weave and ribbon with a wire wrapped pendant featuring Czech fire polished crystals. We will put the names of all those who comment in a basket once the voting is completed and pull a name. We will then email the winner for shipping instructions. Good luck and remember you can only vote once!

Pink Ivory Cuff by Jewelry by Janelle	Can’t Get Away by Jewelry by NaLa	Leather Journal by Penny Farrow
Sunburn by paradisepurls	Trucks by iKnitQuiltSew	Vrooom Vrooom by TrueJune
Night at the Ritz by cascreates	Romanov by Jewelry by Saniki Creations	Edinburgh Police Boxes by Rachel Elliot Glassworks
Looking for summer by Scenic New York	Free Formed Raku Bowl by earthtoartceramics	Time to Explore by Tamsy Trends
Copperhead Road Teardrop Wire Wrapped Necklace by Snips and Snails	Camp Fire Girl by Pearlie Girl	Summer Day Poppies by HJM Art Gallery
Sunset Dock by Moonlight Beadworks	Fleece Lined Vinyl Laptop Sleeve by LazyTcrochet

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Voting ends June  20th at 12:00 pm EST!

Nature Calls HAFteam Challenge

Last Updated on Sunday, 18 April 2010 01:33 Written by Chainmaille By MBOI Saturday, 3 April 2010 07:47

Choose your favorite HAF Etsy team members’ work, the whole premise of the challenge is just what the title says, Nature Calls, so if one of these entries spark your interest then vote!. The winning member will receive two weeks of free advertising on the Handmade Artists’ Forum, HAF Blog, Chainmaille By MBOI, and Makin’ The Best Of it!

All who vote leave a comment saying that you voted and you will be automatically entered to win Serpentine Earrings by Trusk4! We will put the names of all those who comment in a basket once the voting is completed and pull a name, we will then email the winner for shipping instructions. Good luck and you can only vote once!

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Irish Eyes Earrings by JewelrybyNaLa	Primrose Path by trusk4u	Tree hugger messenger bag by Penny Farrow
Hand Knit Toddler Hat by Paridise Purls	Tulipwood Rosewood Cuff by Jewelry By Janelle	Spring Waterfall necklace by Designs by Victoria
Garden Of Good by A Touch of Glass Jewelry	Garden in a Bottle by Rachel Elliot Glassworks	Cherry Blossom Tree by Curly Pearl
Jonah Greenspan by Grandpa Toys	Glitter Butterfly by Artistic Will	Spring Nimf by Iryna Hamilton
Macrame Triple Bracelet by Pleasant Peasantry

Voting ends April 15th at 12:00 pm EST!