Candy Colors

Among other excursions, we took the Short One to tour the Jelly Bell factory in Wisconsin last weekend.

As my husband commented, there's something perverse about taking a diabetic to a candy factory. However, it's a fact that the SO's favorite treat are sugar-free Jelly Bellys, which come in ten great flavors, including Buttered Popcorn (my personal favorite). From my perspective, these have really been a lifesaver, as just a few will satisfy my son's pre-schooler sweet tooth, and they also have proven quite easy to calculate into his daily carb count. I really don't know what we would do without them.

Thrillingly, we found even more sugar-free flavors (the sour Bellys) and even sugar-free taffy - which the SO had never tried - at the factory, so it ended up being a big hit from the SO's perspective. He didn't even seem to notice that the other 99% of the store was off-limits, for which we were quite grateful.

Anyway, here's a pic of the favorite candy in our house right now, in all of their glorious colors. Doesn't it just make you want to go out and design something bright and fun to wear for the summer?

Here are your bead and jewelry links for the week:

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Honoring a friend who passed away, Andrew hosts a necklace auction on his blog to raise money for a good cause.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene offers up a unique inspiration piece for July. Stop by and take the ABS Challenge!

Beading Arts
Cyndi wants to know: what does your work say about YOU?

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie reviews some of the Song Lore pieces she has finished in the first half year of the project.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva This week's Wednesday Wire is in the mood - in the mood to make something special so she turns to a fabulous tutorial.

Carmi's Art/Life World
A Napoleon themed medallion is this week's resin project with Carmi!

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has been thinking about Christmas in July this week, starting with beaded ornament covers.

A Bead A Day
If you are a fan of turning flea market finds into shabby chic treasures, stop by A Bead A Day to help Lisa with ideas for using a bead reminiscent of an antique treasure.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei was a participant in the first Designer Challenge at the Art Bead Scene. Come over and see what she made with her Humblebeads!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
This book review by Jean discusses making fabulous earrings in 30 minutes flat! How cool is that?