MaroonBlue Designs

Tuesday's Treat :)

Miyuki has released some new shapes of beads this year, Long Magatamas and Berry Beads are some of the newest shapes.  These new shapes are inspiring creative designs by beaders.  Sharon is a new customer to Red Panda Beads this year and she was kind enough to share photos of what she created with Miyuki's new Long Magatama beads.

She used golf filled rings to create this 3 in 1 half-persian necklace with a focal piece of the Miyuki Magatama beads.

Here you can see just how this piece drapes.

 She also did matching earrings.  Sharon has been beading for over 10 years and her friends and family have enjoyed buying and receiving her beaded creations as gifts.  She decided to branch out of her warm market and entered a piece in the Fire Mountain Gems Swarovski contest last year.  Her design, "Simplicity in Motion" made it to the finalist group, so she decided to start selling her pieces to a larger audience.  Here is a photo of the piece she entered into the contest.

Sharon is in the process of stocking up her Etsy shop to feature her unique designs.  She also used the magatama beads to make a very fashionable watch....

I can hardly wait to see what she adds to her shop.  Thanks Sharon for sharing photos of your stunning work with magatama beads!

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Beyond Beads

When I started this blog last year, for some reason I thought that it needed to be "pure" beads and bead related.  But I've come to realize, that I'm more than a beader and bead vendor!  For one, I am a confirmed foodie as well as a beader and I love to cook.  My cooking has taken a really creative turn in the last few years and I have started creating my own recipes.  My latest is Fresh Bruschetta.  I'm sure it is similar to some others out there, but I have a few unique ingredients that I think take mine over the top!  And it is too good not to share!

First the eye candy.....

doesn't it look delicious?  I can testify it is!  :)

Now the recipe.  This recipe is "to taste" so there are no real measurements.  If you like one item more than another, you can add more of it.  If you hate an item, just leave it out or substitute one of your favorites instead.  For instance, in stead of black olives, you might prefer green.  That's the spirit behind this recipe - make it your way.

Fresh Tomato - chopped - of if they are out of season you can substitute sun dried tomatoes 

Marinated Artichoke Hearts - chopped

Capers - chopped

Black Olives - chopped

Parsley - fresh or dried to taste

Oregano - fresh or dried to taste

Garlic Power - or fresh chopped - to taste

Red Wine Vinegar - to taste

Olivado Oil - Omega Plus, or Avocado Oil - to taste

Onion Juice - to taste

Kosher Salt - to taste

Freshly ground Black Pepper - to taste

Mix all the ingredients together.  I like to thinly slice a ciabatta loaf and lightly brown the slices in butter before topping with the bruschetta.  You can also add a layer of fresh mozzarella cheese and broil until the cheese melts.  The delicate flavor of the Olivado oil and onion juice help blend the other flavors and the red wine vinegar gives the tang.  This is so easy to make and tastes so fresh - I'll never buy bottled bruchetta again!