Earring Earrings Earrings

Have just loaded over 20 pairs of earrings to my Ebay store http://stores.ebay.com.au/beadartdesign. I'm really excited about some of the new designs and the great new components I have found to include in my designs.

I love making one of a kind items because I think they reflect my creative inspirations and moods on certain days. This year I have decided to try to work more towards having a few "ranges" throughout the year so that I can cement some of my ideas & designs more formally. Of course there will still be plenty of one off items as I have soooooo many bits and pieces that need to be used up but I feel as though more consistency is now required.

I'll let my hair down once and while when I work on those more extravagant competiton pieces but at the moment I'm getting organised, so stay tuned...

SWAROVSKI Crystal World ,Wattens AUSTRIA

SWAROVSKI Crystal World- Swarovski Kristallwelten in AUSTRIA....some pics

Hi Everyone...well after a 7 week adventure through Dubai & Europe we are safely back at home and I am just starting to find my feet again. Kids are back at school, a mountain of paperwork awaits and
beads are resting peacefully!!

Just thought I'd share some of my photos taken at Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens,Austria (Kristallwelten). I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this place and have been very fortunate to have been able to visit there twice in the last couple of years. The artworks, installations and retail shop (including a retail shop for designers) is just amazing and very inspiring. It's also worth googling Swarovski Kristallwelten if you are a true Swarovski fan!

If you are interested in taking a peek at this sparkling crystal wonderland head over to my Bead Art & Design page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bead-Art-Design/62804332660

Make sure you "Like" my page while you're there so that you can be in the running for future giveaways. Enjoy.....

1st Place Winner 2010 Creative Beading Swarovski Competition

Congratulations to my son Nicholas Player for being awarded 1st Place in the Youth Division of the 2010 Creative Beading Swarovski Competition for his necklace Razor's Edge. Awesome work...enjoy your fantastic prizes. Nicholas' brother Matthew won 2nd place (see below post). Nicholas also placed 5th & 7th in this competition as well...hooray for beading boys! For more photos please see our Facebook page "Bead Art & Design".

Creative Beading Swarovski Competition Winner - 2010

Congratulations to my son Matthew Player for being awarded 2nd place in the Youth Division of the 2010 Creative Beading Swarovski Competition (Australia).

Breast Tests & Breast Screening

"The Z-Bra: Love the Skin You're in" by Melissa Player

When I was in my early 20's I lost an Aunt to breast cancer and saw first hand the devastating effect it had on her family & friends. Ever since then I have been very conscious to ensure I was tested on a regular basis. For the past 25 years I have had regular breast ultrasounds because there really is NO excuse not to have this simple breast screening procedure done on a regular basis. When I reach a certain age I will go from breast ultrasounds to mammograms.

Sadly, too many women ignore getting regular checkups and tests done because of a number of reasons or excuses. I know that one reason this simple procedure is often neglected is because many women are uncomfortable with their bodies or the "skin they are in" and thus they feel too embarrased to get these checks done (you know who you are!!!)

I put in over 50 hours of work in the "Z-Bra: Love the Skin You're In" to try to inspire and encourage you to have these simple screening tests done.

If you haven't had one before...or if it's been a few years then please make an appointment this week to see your GP to get a referral for either a breast ultrasound or a mammogram - don't ever think it can't or won't happen to you.

OPRAH Channel 10 Australia exclusive interview

It's been said that Oprah loves a good hat...she'd certainly look amazing in this one:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australiana-for-Oprah/126651277385001

You can see this exclusive interview with Oprah and Angela Bishop here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaCdoew2EDc

OPRAH in AUSTRALIA to wear an AKUBRA

As most of you know Oprah Winfrey will be winging her way downunder to AUSTRALIA in December along with a very joyous and excited selected studio audience from one of her recent shows.... who can forget the looks, tears and sheer shock on their faces when Oprah announced "WE are going to AUSTRALIA"- several times!!!!! Whilst here they will be doing some touring around Oz and also filming a couple of shows from the Sydney Opera House.

Oprah is coming to Australia ....let's give her a bit of sparkle http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australiana-for-Oprah/126651277385001

Now...my friend in the US (Diane Whiting) has created a Facebook page for a Swarovski Crystal Akubra hat that I recently created called AUSTRALIANA for the 2010 Creative Beading Swarovski Competition here in Australia. We decided it would be FUN to see how many LIKES we could get for the hat and then maybe Oprah staffers would be receptive to the idea of Oprah wearing the hat during one of her shows from Sydney - it's just brimming with Australian wildflowers!

Oprah is coming to Australia ....let's give her a bit of sparkle http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australiana-for-Oprah/126651277385001

So please...help us out with this social media exercise and "LIKE" the hat then forward it onto your friends.

Oprah is coming to Australia ....let's give her a bit of sparkle http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australiana-for-Oprah/126651277385001

Thankyou so much....Melissa
www.ebeads.com.au