Hi everyone!!!

I just got back from spending a few weeks in Denmark for the holidays. Above is a picture of me and my wonderful boy, Stefan, out in the snow :) There was a snow storm right before we arrived so there was TONS of snow and it was absolutely gorgeous. Being a native Floridian, I'd never seen anything like it and had to run outside every so often just to look at the beautiful winter wonderland.

Here is Stefan with his mother, Anette, and niece, Caroline. Anette is extremely artistic and we had a wonderful time talking about our creative endeavours. Caroline is just about the cutest baby ever and she's so sweet and happy. She's an absolute joy!

Hi everyone!

I'm still preparing for the Big Bead Show (OMG - it's almost here!!!!) and I thought the Cupcake Queen (as I've been dubbed by the community) should probably have, you know, CUPCAKES for sale! I made a few up yesterday in various styles and sizes. I just love cupcakes! (Speaking of which: I may have bought a cupcake salt and pepper set and a cupcake tote bag the other day. The boy wanted to know why I needed the salt and pepper shakers since I already have some gorgeous purple Fiestaware ones. I shook my head sadly and told him that he would never understand. It's all about THEMES, people!! When I have a tea party and use all my cupcake things, how awesome will it be to have salt and pepper shakers, too?!? Of course now I have to find an excuse to cook food that requires salt and pepper for a tea party.. hmm..!)

And why stop at cupcakes? I've tried my hand at pancakes and eggs before but I hadn't quite had the nerve to try a coffee cup. HA! It's a teeny bit wonky, but I am VERY pleased with my first attempt! I see more of these in the near future.. maybe with some bacon and a glass of juice!

Hi everyone!

As many of you already know, I'm a serious game nerd. I wear the title with pride and have met SO many wonderful people through gaming. Having said that, I don't actually play Worms, a game that consists of ridiculously adorable little worm armies fighting each other. However, plenty of my friends do so I decided to make a little worm bead to make them giggle ;) There is an option for your little worm army to wear halos, hence the angel worm above. I think he's SO cute!

I've also been working on lots of orders and holiday-themed beads. I added some of these to my by keiara Etsy shop so if you like what you see, go have a peek!

Hi everyone! Happy Friday :) I've updated my shop and added new categories and LOTS of new beads! There are lots of new lampwork bunnies, spring and Easter beads plus St. Patrick's Day beads (which will be added to very soon!), more kitty cat beads to choose from and TONS of new Schnibbles beads sets! I have plenty of beads that are ready to go plus lots more made-to-order beads as well. You're all going to be spoiled for choice!

I've also added beads to my Etsy shop, if you prefer to shop there. Let me know if there's something in my lampwork bead shop that you'd like to purchase through Etsy and I can put a listing up just for you :)

So what are you guys up to this weekend? I have plans to.. uhh.. maybe.. *cough* take down my Christmas trees and decorations *cough*. What was that? Did you hear something?? As I was saying, yeah, I'm totally chilling this weekend. Just gonna lay about and do nothing.. *shifty eyes* Alright, so it's true! I haven't taken down my Christmas decorations (or trees) yet! And, really, the only reason they're finally coming down is because I have to put the Valentine's Day decorations up! But it's not my fault, I swear. It's.. Steve's fault! Yes, Steve. Steve is an evil hubby who prevents me from decorating! It's true! Ok, ok.. maybe it's not true. But, still, it's not my fault. Somehow. Maybe.

Ok, I'm off to make more spring beads. I seem to have caught Spring Fever and I'm loving it!

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Love,
keiara

www.bykeiara.co.uk
www.bykeiara.etsy.com

Happy Friday everyone! I'm still working like mad to get ready for The Big Bead Show. Yeah, that's me, plugging the show AGAIN! I've also had a few custom orders for necklaces lately (everyone just loves Diane's ribbons, of course!) and here are my two favourites (well, I have another favourite but I don't want to show it because it's a gift for a friend's sister - shhhh) Anyway! Above is my Golden Dream Tree Focal that I've turned into a pendant and hung from Diane's glorious ribbon. It is hard to see in the picture but the ribbon is a delicious variegated apricot with gold stitching. PERFECT for the Golden Dream Tree!

New bracelet kitties!! Whatcha think? I giggled the whole time I was creating these little cuties :) I've had so many requests for bracelet kitties and this is the first full set I've created. I enjoyed playing with the different looks and giving them all different coloured eyes.. heehee :) Keep an eye out for lots more of these to come!

And more Christmas beads today! I'm feeling very Christmassy and it makes me happy :) All these have already sold (can you believe it??) but I'm taking orders on more so feel free to contact me if you'd like a set or two :)

How was your weekend? I had a lovely weekend. On Saturday Steve and I drove up to Margate and went to the Shell Grotto which I thought was really cool. We also drove through Ramsgate which was very pretty. Ultimately we ended up in Folkestone town centre and I bought some cupcake socks (SO cute!) for myself and Kaia, some interesting bits to create bead displays and had some lunch at a cafe. We stopped by the grocery store on the way home to grab some strawberries which we turned into homemade ice cream for Steve's dad, Kevin. Kevin and Kaia share the same birthday! I baked a big batch of pumpkin muffins (one of Kevin's favourites of mine!) and then we settled in for the evening. It was a looooooong day! Sunday we went to the in-laws' for Kevin's birthday gathering. We brought along the muffins and ice cream (and some of my homemade cream cheese frosting that they all go nuts for) and had a really nice time. Everyone was there and at the end of the day we took some great group photos.

I really love this shot (I'm so hard to spot, huh?!). In this photo is Steve's entire immediate family including parents, grandparents, siblings and nieces and nephews.. also some cousins, spouses and partners.. and, in Sonya's arms (standing up 4th from left in red) the cutest Yorkshire Terrier doggie ever.. Millie :) They have the biggest family I've ever met! There's at least another 50 or so aunts, uncles and cousins not pictured here!!! I always wanted to be part of a big family and I certainly got my wish :)

It was also Kaia's birthday yesterday so I am officially the mother of a 14 year old now! I can hardly believe it! She had a wonderful day and really loved all the gifts I sent her. I made her one of my zombie kitties and turned it into a pendant plus made matching earrings. I also sent her some kitties from theothermousie which she went crazy over! I wish I could have been there and I can't wait to see pictures from her party :) I will be sure to share them.

Hope you all have a wonderful week! I'm off to melt some glass ;)

Love,
keiara

www.bykeiara.co.uk

www.bykeiara.etsy.com

Yes, in the land of keiara, it's time to start making Christmas and winter beads! I love holiday beads SO much as it gives me an excuse to go overboard with the whimsical stuff ;) First up is a set from last year that I loved so much I had to make another! Christmas Friends includes a snowlady adorned with holly, Santa with his hat, Rudolph sporting his red nose, a pretty angel with a glittering goldstone halo and a snowman in a top hat! Cute! I love their little smiling faces. I really MUST make myself a set of these for a bracelet this year. I said I was going to last year but.. well.. yeah, I procrastinated until it was too late. I ended up wearing my strawberry jewellery set just because it was red!! BAD keiara :(