Beads and Beading Supplies

Sunday, August 2, 2009

I have been asked by several people what beads, tools, stringing materials, etc. are needed to start a business.

Let me tell you, you are treading on dangerous ground! I am a beader with no bead shops. How sad! The closest one is about 200-250 miles away. I have only had the opportunity to visit 4 bead shops in my entire life. So, my answer to your questions is to buy everything you can get your hands on. Know what the online shops have and look for it in stores so you can see what the bead really looks like, then buy online because the prices are so much better.

I like to buy my focal pieces from shops, so I know for sure what I'm getting. I'd hate to tell you what my bills are at one of the shops! Thank Heavens it's 600 miles away and doesn't have a web site.

For tools, buy one of the kits at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Use these until you know which tools you really need and like, then buy the best you can afford.

For delicas, I try to keep about 50 colors on hand, but there are still some that I need desperately and have to order. The same with the Miyukis. For gem stones, I rarely know what I'll need, so I try to keep lots on hand. I would much prefer to buy them in person, even if they
do cost more, but this isn't a viable thing for me to do.

The Best of Luck to You - and your bank account!

Ruth Ann

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Valentine's Day 2009

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Good Morning and Happy Valentine's Day!
Ray got up early this morning,
did his exercises,
and fixed my breakfast -
Smithfield Bacon
and
Orange Danish Rolls.
Yum! Yum!!!

My gift was storage compartments for my jewelry components.
The compartments were stuffed full of
Valentine M&Ms
and Valentine Reese's Hearts.
Yum!!!
Of course, we'll have to eat until it's empty before
I store my beady things.

It was a lazy day for all of us!

My two most favorite people in the world!

Ruth Ann

http:/www.glamorouschic.etsy.com

Evening Projects

Friday, February 13, 2009

I wish I knew to whom I should give credit for this lovely piece of handwork,
but, alas, it is just a picture that I found on the Internet
and kept for inspiration.

I make jewelry and handbags all day long
when my back allows it,
but, when evening comes,
I prefer to relax in front of the fire
with hubby and doggy.

We love to entertain with Mexican food and music,
so I thought this would make a perfect cloth for the side table.
(No! I won't allow anyone to eat from it!)
I'm going to make smaller versions
for hot mats.

I'm still going to use my
Mexican Mug Mats
for coasters
so the yarn will have to match.
These mats are available in my Etsy shop.
http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com
Have a great day!

Ruth Ann

The World's longest Yard Sale

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 

The World's Longest Yard Sale

now in it's 21st year, begins at the Ohio/Michigan border
and ends in Gadsden, Alabama, spanning 654 miles.

The sale, set for August 7th through the 10th this year,
officially begins the day after tomorrow,
but vendors in the Dunlap/Pikeville area began setting
up a month ago to get prime locations.

The rules of the show state that there can be no
used clothing or commercial vendors,
but there will be both - with all things in between.
Last year, we found a dried rat for sale.
That's pushing it a bit, in my opinion!

Our house is located directly on Highway 127.
We will not be selling, but will be out shopping.

See you on the road!

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com/

Bubbles, Bumps, and Baubles

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

It's too hot to get out and do anything, so I'm experimenting with a new version of Peyote stitch - at least it's new to me.
I saw a picture of a bracelet similar to this and decided to figure it out.
I think I did pretty well.
More bracelets in this style will be appearing soon!

A Sip of Tea

Thursday, June 5, 2008

"Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea.
The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos,
the fountains are bubbling with delight,
the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle.
Let us dream of evanescence,
and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things."

Heather Marek

 

 

http://www.glamorous chic.etsy.com

First Flowers of Spring

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 

Despite the winds and chilly weather, our flowers are becoming quite lovely.
The roses are full of blooms this morning, but pictures are impossbile because the rain is peppering down.

It's a wonderful morning for sitting by the window and sipping cappuccino.
I've become addicted to my beading.

It has been many years since I beaded professionally, but the minute I picked up my needle and thread, the bug bit yet again.
I have decided that the direction I should take is toward designing and offering kits for jewelry making.
I will be offering a few finished pieces for sale in the galleries that I worked with in the old days, but I'm getting too slow to offer finished jewelry on a regular basis.
I will post on this site when new items are on offer.

 

http://glamorouschic.etsy.com/

A Strange Message

Thursday, May 8, 2008

फर्स्ट फ्लोवेर्स ऑफ़ स्प्रिंग

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com/

A Fabulous Tablecloth

Monday, March 10, 2008

A Fabulous Table Cloth

This fabulous new tablecloth will appear in my Etsy shop tomorrow.
I just wanted to give ya'll the opportunity to see it first.
The center of the cloth is made of a polyester silk blend.
The silk gives the fabric a beautiful sheen while the polyester ensures great washability with almost no ironing required.
The tablecloth is a copy of one I saw while visiting Europe last year.

This wonderful Celtic minstral's harp was a gift from my precious husband and is not for sale.

The tablecloth measures 36 inches across and is perfect for a small tea table.

The lace is rayon embroidery thread that was made my little ol' me.
The colors are antique ivory and gold.

 

http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com/

Ruth Ann's Famous Dinner Rolls

Friday, December 21, 2007

Ruth Ann's Famous Dinner Rolls

This roll recipe was handed down from my favorite aunt to me. I have made some improvements in measurements over the year - she didn't measure anything, but the recipe remains basically the same. I raise my dough and rolls on the kitchen hearth. Truly the fragrance of home!

4 packages yeast

4 tablespoons sugar

2 cups lukewarm water

2 cups boiling water

2 cups sweet cream butter, no substitutes

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons salt

4 eggs, well beaten

8 cups bread flour

1 pound sweet cream butter, no substitutes, melted

Dissolve yeast and sugar in 2 cups lukewarm water; set aside. In a very large mixing bowl, pour the boiling water over two cups butter. Add sugar and salt. Stir until butter is melted. Stir in 4 eggs. Add as much flour as possible while dough is in the bowl. Turn dough onto work surface and knead in the rest of the flour. Dough should be slightly sticky. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, but do not add more flour. Place bowl in a warm draft-free place and allow to rise until doubled in bulk. Punch dough and allow dough to rise again until doubled in bulk. Spread work surface sparingly with flour (the remaining cup should be sufficient for rolling out rolls). Roll dough to about 1/2” thickness. Cut rolls with 2-3” round cutter. Totally immerse each roll in melted butter. Fold each roll in half and place in pan. By the time the pan is full it will be floating in butter – do not remove butter. At this time the rolls can be sealed in bags and frozen. When ready to bake allow rolls to rise until doubled again. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake 15-20 minutes until rolls are golden brown.

Christmas at Our House 2007

Friday, December 21, 2007

Christmas at our house is going to be a bit lazy this year. There are a few more gifts to be embroidered and lots left to be wrapped. A few more delightful dinner parties to attend and then there's just the three of us enjoying the fire and the tree. Maybe a few more games to play this year? And fondue for a quiet New Year's Eve. Ah, this is the very best part of the holidays!

Merry Christmas!
Ruth Ann, The Bag Lady
http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com/

Christmas Snow

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I've been spending my restful hours making snowflakes for our Christmas tree and for those of family and friends. It looks like this may be the only snow we get this year. At Thanksgiving the lows were around 22. Yesterday our high temperature reading was 76 degrees, making it hard to get into the Christmas spirit.

I've been making homemade rolls for our parties and friends. Candy making should begin tomorrow if the weather stays dry. Our annual Christmas party is this weekend. My poor darling husband is doing most of the work again this year. I know he'll be glad when I am fully recovered!

Christmas 2007 Purse Preview

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

The fall season has been slow this year at Ragg Baggs due to my poor health. The entire fall line was very small and sold out locally.

My Christmas line is in the making as we speak. The photo at left will give you a hint of the beauty of my holiday purses. They will be in the style of a Victorian reticule, but will be large enough to carry your holiday goodies. The limited edition of 6 purses will be elegantly trimmed in burgundy, forest green, and sparkling golds with great attention to detail. I'm playing with the idea of adding a mink topper.

All of the purses are handmade by me. A photo of the completed purse will be available on Thanksgiving day. Be sure to order early to add this fabulous purse to your holiday wardrobe.

 

Visit us at

http://wwww.glamorouschic.etsy.com/

Wecome to The Glamorous Chic!

This blog is a continuation of RaggBaggs.  For some reason, Blogger wouldn't go to the post page, so I've had to start over.  This may take quite a while, but do drop in now and then.

Please disregard the previous notice. for some reason, I now have RaggBaggs.blogspot.com back.  Weird!  But I'm glad.  I am no longer on etsy, but can be found at http://www.raggbaggs,com

Ruth Ann
http://www.glamorouschic.etsy.com/