By day, I'm a Software Quality Assurance Analyst Lead with an international company in the Financial sector. I love my job, I love the work and I love the people I work with. =)

A few months ago, in desparate need of a cell phone charm, I started shopping online for one. My brand new Sony Ericcson was naked and that just willn't do. Not only did I not find one that I liked, I felt like I could do better with the resources that I had. I bought a set of jewellery tools, bought some lovely beads loose and bought a buttload of findings. I put my head down and went at it. The results are in my Etsy shop:

http://applejade.etsy.com

And maybe they're not flying off the shelves, but it serves as a very therapeutic contrast to The Day Job. I use a very different part of my brain for work, so it's very relaxing to come home to my beads and charms. =)

I have also never been such a magpie with shiny things as I am in my world of beads, handmade merchandise, buying and selling online.

Since I've been asked a few times: no, I don't make my own beads... yet. =) I buy loose beads from local suppliers. The beads are handmade though. The one that you receive can be slightly different from the photo for that reason. I make each charm by hand with the beads, findings and other components from various other suppliers.

So, beads: handmade, yes; by me, no. =)

I'm planning on taking lampwork bead workshops when I have time and can afford it.

I do take my own photos. I have no natural light in the Pacific Northwest in the winter, so I decided to do all studio-like shots to keep it consistent.