All he needs to do is learn the words...

Look what a beautiful job Amy did tonight in the Even-Count Peyote class. This was Amy's first bead stitching class and she did just a fantastic job...AND, with Fireline thread. Way to go-can't wait to see it finished...

Filigree Fandango...

I finished this necklace yesterday. It will be offered as a class in January at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The centerpiece is a new filigree finding from the store. The dangles hanging from the filigree were made with wire, using some basic wire-working techniques and incorporating some fun, easy shapes. The unit slides on leather cording. The leather cord has an easy closure technique that will also be covered in class.

Works in Progress...

Tonight I taught the Sidewinder Bracelet class at Bead Haven. Look at these stunning Sidewinder bracelets created by Natasha (Fuchsia/Pink) and her Gromit (Blue/Silver)! Their work is always so very well done. It is such a pleasure sharing and spending time with these two lovely people!

Snow Day Project...

Snow Day Cleaning Mission: To clean up my beading work surface area. Here pictured is a before and after photo of my studio worktable. So nice to see the wood grain surface again-it has been a while!

This is the view today from my condominium deck. We have around 10-12 inches of snow and it is now drifting with wind gusts up to 50 mph. I am glad I do not need to leave my home today.

It's starting to snow

and it's beautiful...

Snowflakes from today's class...
The top two are Stefanie's snowflakes. The photo just does not do it justice. Stefanie's main beads have a gorgeous Crystal AB finish and just glistened-like snowflakes! Beautiful work, Stefanie! Click on the photo to see detail. The bottom two snowflakes are mine.

It has turned cold here in Iowa...

That's a Wrap!

Have you seen a copy of the annual Bead Star magazine by Interweave Press? It is jam-packed with prize-winning jewelry designs selected by readers. I was tickled to be given an Honorable Mention for this wire-wrapped bracelet I called "That's A Wrap". It is composed of sterling silver wire-wrapped Czech glass beads, Bali silver beads, and Miyuki seed beads. Since the closure is a lobster and soldered chain, the length is adjustable. The silver funnel bead (with the seed beads flowing out of it) is up-side down in the magazine photo-but hey, I'm thrilled it was featured along with such other beautiful jewelry designs.

Dec. 1st: Happy Birthday dear Matthew, Happy Birthday to you..

On my Bead Mat...

I am working on a new pattern with Miyuki rounds 11/0s, 15/0s, Miyuki Delica 11/os, Swarovski Pearl and 4mm crystals...

I am tickled to say that my bracelets pictured above are in the current Dec/Jan BEADWORK MAGAZINE. The article is called "Memento Mosaic". My bracelets feature tiny treasures that I have collected and then stitched with seed beads. The photograph in the magazine article is far better than this one, which was taken several months ago. I just recently received the two bracelets back from the publisher, so if you'd like to see them in person-they are presently living at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Are you shopping today? ...better you, than me.

Wishing you a restful, peaceful Thanksgiving...

Tucker, how cute are you...

How many grooves are there on the edge of a quarter?
(NO googling allowed.)

Sneek Peek...New Fall/Winter Earring Line

The PMS (Pamper Myself Ladies Day Out) will be held this Saturday, November 14 at the Riverside Casino Event Center from 10am-4pm. I will be there again with my jewelry along with other vendors. This is a well organized event with free admission, door prizes, fashion show, and just a fun day out! (I hope the chocolate-covered strawberries are there again, AND the Martini Bar!)

The above are earrings of silver, Czech glass, pearl and shell.

Above circles are earrings made of copper that I pounded the heck-out-of and then they were torched by-thank you, Julie!

The earrings here are made of Czech glass. Don't the faces look like metal? But they are 100% Czech glass and I wish I had more of them!

"Echo"...what a cutie! ....cutie, cutie, cutie

Look at all these beautiful Sidewinder bracelets that were created today in class at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Starting at the top of the photo is Rebecca's, below that is Sharon's, then Deb's and Shelley's! Click on the photo to get a close-up at all the stunning color combinations and workmanship done by this talented group of ladies! Way to go, gals!

What a great time I had last week in St. Joseph, Missouri visiting my wonderful son, Matt! It was so relaxing spending time there. We did many things, and visited many fun places.
Sara's parents took us all out to a fantastic and historic restaurant there in St. Joseph called "Hoof and Horn Steakhouse." What a nice evening we had!

Matt and Sara also took me back to Boudreuxs, and not to be forgotten "Foster's" martini bar. Those Dirty Blue martinis are sure tasty!

Sneakers...you make me SMILE!

Here is Jolyn's stunning formed cuff from a previous class. I still need to get a pic of Shannon's. (Jan-your cuff pic is still in Cindi's camera-hope to get it early this week, sorry.)

Here are a couple of formed cuffs from last week's class. They were created by Margaret and Kim. Aren't they beautiful? I still have 2 more to post from the class...Great job, ladies!

What a great game! Iowa over Michigan: 15-13

That's 8-0!

Go Hawks!

What a rainy day today here in Iowa!

Also, sorry but the cuff pictures did not turn out from yesterday. I have phoned the gals that took the class and asked them to bring them to the store, so that I may photograph them at that time.
Bead Haven Trunk show is this Friday evening and all day Saturday! Come visit!

They Will Appear...

To the gals that took the Formed Cuff class tonight at Bead Haven: The cuffs will appear on tomorrow's blog...really, they will!

Hello...it has been a time since I last posted...much has been going on the last month (as I know with all of you), a couple of shows, a great trip to South Dakota with my sister, some dental surgery, trips to the computer shop, AND my computer is now working.
Tomorrow I teach this wire-wrapped formed cuff at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids...

Hawks over Cyclones: 35-3!

Have you heard...

You have probably heard part of this song on a recent commercial. It's so great to hear Cat Stevens again-even if it is on a T-mobil commercial. Here is the entire song...

Pluto...you make me smile!

Today, my sister and I went for a walk at nearby Lake Macbride. Some signs of Autumn were showing...

Here, two dogs were enjoying the water with their owners.

The lake was beautiful. So many people were out enjoying the area.

There were so many different kinds of boats on the lake.

It was a relaxing afternoon. Hope you are having a nice Labor Day weekend!

Want one?

Earlier in the summer, our aunt shared with us her secret to the perfect kolache. What a nice day we had.

Puppies in trainning...

Here are pictures of "Canine Companion for Independence" Puppies in training! The organization, established in 1975, enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Read more about the organization and see more photos on today's "Daily Puppy".

Cute Jutes...

Below is what was on last Saturday's worktable at Bead Haven. Stefanie and Alice were creating multi-strand necklaces out of knotted jute! Stefanie used red and black beads for her knotted necklace...very cool! Alice used blues and browns for her project...beautiful! The last photo is my project-multi color beads & circle components from old costume jewelry. We had a fun afternoon - great job ladies!

Trios...

Have you used the Trios Wire by Soft Flex, yet? You should. It is great wire and in gorgeous colors. (And of course, available at Bead Haven In Cedar Rapids, Iowa.) I called this bracelet: "Rolling Green Fields"... the fields around here are still quite green after all that rain last week! There is a little bit of autumn creeping in, but it's still pretty green for this time of year.

Wally, you make me smile!

My Booth at Brucemore...

Here are some pictures from last Saturday at Brucemore. It was a great day and I want to thank those for stopping by and visiting! My sister was such a wonderful help-I couldn't have done it without her! My booth was located on the Brucemore courtyard by the visitor's center. (Click on the pictures if you'd like to take a closer look.) The weather was beautiful--I don't think it got over 72 degrees so it was perfect weather for visitors to walk the grounds and take in all the various exhibits.

Brucemore Mansion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

The Brucemore Garden and Art Show is tomorrow, Saturday August 22, 9:00 AM - 4:00 p.m. It is celebrated as a festival of products and information for art enthusiasts and gardeners of all types. Headline presenters, unique products, and fine arts are featured. This juried show features more than 35 artists of pottery, painting, jewelry, sculpture, glass, and textiles. I will be one of them, so come visit me--it should be a beautiful day Saturday...sunny and in the 70's!

Here are two cuffs I made using even-count Peyote stitch. I like the clean lines that the Delica beads and the metal cuffs create. I need names for these two...any ideas??

On my beading table this afternoon..."Desert Skies...a medley of handcrafted Lampwork, Mother-of Pearl, Czech glass and copper.

Until one has loved an animal, part of your soul remains unawakened...

Below are two Twisted-Herringbone bracelets that I finished this evening. First, is a herringbone stitched tube featuring fall colors along with a Melissa Rediger lampwork bead flanked with Nigerian resin beads to each side.The second bracelet features, along with the twisted-herringbone tube, a spiked-fringe beaded bead along with chunks of coral and sterling silver.

On my beading table tonight: Indian Corn...

I finished two Sidewinder bracelets today-an olivine bracelet and the blue one pictured below. This one is made with Czech firepolish. The photo is a bit dark, but you get the idea. The olivine bracelet photo was just to dark to post--it was done with Swarovski crystals.

Below are a few new bracelets..two Caterpillars and a Spiral in the middle.

Some bracelets I'm working on today...

Meet Honey...you make me smile!

This afternoon, Pam and Leslie took my Freeform Stringing class. What great beginnings both gals have for their necklaces! Pictured directly below are two photos of Pam's project and two photos of Leslie's project. I think you'll agree that the color choices are stunning. Well done, ladies!

This afternoon I taught the "Lovely Lentil" class. Picture below is Pam's beautiful lentil bracelet. Pam's bracelet features a large agate stone bead and lentil beads of Czech glass. Click on the photo to see greater detail. Great job, Pam!

I made this bracelet incorporating Spiny Herringbone Stitch Spacers. This Herringbone stitch features 15/0 & 11/0 Miyuki seed beads. Each variation creates its own spacer between the faceted, oval, Czech glass beads.

Today I taught two classes. The morning class was: Even Count Peyote class. I didn't have my camera at that time so I am sorry that I didn't get any pictures of Dell and Laurie's bracelets. Trust me-their bracelets were beautiful! The bracelets were made with multi-color, size 8/0 Delicas. This mother-daughter team is a riot to be around. It was Laurie's first time stitching with beading needle & beading thread and she did a beautiful job! Laurie is the proud mother of three and Dell is her mom and proud grandma! (Also, Dell is a fantastic cook, I must add, as I devoured several ginger snap cookies during class!)
My afternoon class was the Sidewinder bracelet. Stephanie finished her Sidewinder bracelet in class and her stunning Austrian crystal bracelet is pictured below. This photo really does not do her bracelet justice...sometimes I think the crystals just go crazy with sparkle when they are photographed! It's beautiful...great job, Stephanie!! (I was experimenting with some Czech firepolish glass and two different colors of 15/0 Miyukis-that's the Sidewinder on the right.

Finally finished...

Here's my "Ring Around Your Wrist" bracelet sample, to be offered exclusively at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in August. Of course the beaded closure is optional, but I think it's kind of a cute addition...and functional.

Today at Bead Haven, the store had the pleasure of having Sheree taking three...count 'em... three classes in a row! Sheree started with a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) lentil class with Cris, then a beadweaving class with me (Twist 'n Shout bracelet, pictured below) and then back for another class with Cris in PMC toggles. Sheree knows how to spend her afternoon off from work, doesn't she?
This first picture below features the beginning of Sheree's "Twist 'n Shout" bracelet with 3mm Czech Firepolish beads and size 15/0 Miyuki seed beads. Beautiful combinations! The second photo is Sheree's finished embroidered cuff from a previous class that she took from me. What interesting and fun detailing...great job!

Bottle Cap 6-Pack Class!

My, oh my, we had fun this afternoon and early evening pounding away, dooming, and designing our "Bottle Cap 6-Pack" bracelets! We really did make some noise, didn't we? And, we didn't even have the beverages inside! I was really proud of what everyone created-what a nice job! Drum roll please...here, pictured in no particular order, are the wonderful bracelets! Each bracelet has two views-the whole bracelet and a close up.

Here is Mary's bracelet... Don't you love the Sioux City root beer cap?

Pictured below is Sara's...Don't you just love the colors?

Here is Pam's bracelet...Isn't the Goose Island cap precious!

Below is Karen's bracelet...Aren't the vintage soda pop caps a riot?

And here is Nancy's bracelet...Isn't it so much fun?

What a wonderful afternoon bracelet class today! Below you see vintage and antique buttons incorporated with beads . Starting from the right are: Pam's, Mary's, and my sample. What a nice time we had creating with these miniature pieces of art and history. Pam and Mary were so skillfully creative with their creations. Have fun wearing your bracelets ladies---and be ready for much deserved compliments! (Thank you Cindi, for taking the photos.)

Meet Pete...a seven-week old Jack Russell. He makes me smile.

Just so sweet...loving little Lizzie.

Bracelet beginnings. This is what I'm working on this morning. Any of you recognize the centers? Oh...I bet you do.

I have been working this afternoon and evening on a class for August...you know, the usual thing: testing different beads, shapes, different bead counts, what's the best thread & needle? what's the best size bead? bead finish? how can I make the class success oriented?
Below are size 15/0 and 11/0 seed beads. My eyes usually do not bother me, but tonight they are tired from working with these little guys...

Two Class Saturday

This Saturday we had twice the fun at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I taught two classes of two very different techniques. The first class was a new bracelet design that I call "Twist "N Shout". I think all were pleased as to how easy this technique was! Here are the five work-in-progress bracelets. (The bottom one is my finished Twist 'N Shout sample.) Look at the beautiful combinations that the gals came up with!! Starting from the top are projects belonging to: Alice, Linda, Mary, Becky, Kathy, and mine. It was such a pleasure sharing the time with this creative group of ladies!

My next class was the embroidered "Indented Cuff" class. The ladies were so creatively focused and did a beautiful job. Here are, starting at the left and going clockwise: Pauline's, Sheree's and Alison's embroidered beginnings!

The next photo is a finished cuff made by Wendy from a previous class. (I can't wait to see Saturday's cuffs finished-I know they will be outstanding!) The photo after that is my embroidered cuff with a matching organza storage bag.

I taught a beginning square stitch class this morning. Pictured below are Michelle and Audrey's square stitch bracelets in progress... Aren't they beautiful? This was the first class for both in beadweaving and I think they did a fantastic job. They learned how to condition & manage their beading thread; the square stitch itself; how to end & start thread; and how to add their closures. Great job, ladies!

Fibula Pins...

We had a great time in class last night making Fibula Pins. The four pins in the upper left cornor are completed and the others are in progress! Staring in the upper left cornor are: Nancy's (purple/grey), Alice's (brown), Sheree's (lime), Rajean's (copper face/blue iris), Nancy's (turquoise), and Pauline's (olive Swarovski crystal/brown). The two sterling silver wire fibula pins belong to Sheree (green/pink)and Pauline (topaz crystal/brown stone). These are stunning combinations...great job ladies! See greater detail if you click on the photo. (I apologize for not posting these last night after class.)

Pictured below is a new class for August - fun & fast to make. Are we back in the 70's? ...old tune, new lyrics..

Sterling Silver Swirl Earring Class Tonight! Pictured below are beautiful Swirl Earrings made by Pauline and Sheree. This is a unique technique in that a single piece of Sterling Silver passes through the ear and swirls around the central beads. Pauline featured a fire opal crystal in her design, and Sheree featured what I believe is Czech glass. Wonderful work, gals!

Just gotta love Cooper!

Wow, look what Pam brought to the class on Saturday-she finished her Russian Spiral bracelet! Isn't the sea foam color gorgeous? Below her spiral (in the same photo) is Saturday's Caterpillar bracelet that Pam almost finished during class-another beautiful example. Great job!Below is my Caterpillar that I finished this morning. Okay Pam, I what the above Caterpillar finished by class time Thursday! LOL

This afternoon, I taught the Russian Spiral stitch at Bead Haven. What a fun and creative group of gals! I was very impressed with this group's work. We stitched three beads at a time; we gabbed; we ate yummy treats from Sweetopia (Thanks, Cindi!); we admired color combinations; gabbed some more; shared beading tips with each other; ate a few more treats; and just had a great time. The top photo, starting from the left, features Lori's, Jeanne's, Suzanne's and Pam's bracelets in progress. The second photo is a closeup (from the top) of Suzanne's, Lori's, mine, and Pam's. Click on the photos, and you can zoom-in on their beautiful work.

This is a "new" antique button bracelet I recently made. It is made with all very vintage and antique buttons from my mother's wonderful, extensive button collection. All the buttons are metal with the exception of the closure button which is Czech or German glass. The glass button is the newest button-most likely a 1930's button. The leaves are new Czech Republic glass beads. I will offer this as a class one time in July at Bead Haven. Click on the picture and you will get a closer look at these intricate buttons-miniature pieces of art. Hope you like it-I think my mother would be very pleased...

This is my new "Bottle Cap 6-Pack" bracelet. It was so fun to make and will be offered for the first time ever this July at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I have had this idea rolling around in my head for a long time and I am finally pleased with the results after much experimenting (and ruining quite a few bottle caps)! The bracelet is inexpensive to make since you supply your own favorite bottle caps. So bring your 6-pack (bottle caps that is), get hammered (use our hammer and tools) and join in the fun creating with your favorite beverage bottle caps! Thanks Matt and Sara, for saving the great bottle caps. (Blue Moon is still my favorite bottle cap and beer.)

Wouldn't old vintage soda pop bottle caps be cool to use? So many possibilities...how about a necklace...12-pack?

This morning I taught my "Altered Treasures" class at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids. Look at the wonderful projects that Martha (red & black Russian bead) and Pam ( lavender Czech bead) are creating! They did such a great job. It was such a fun class-and as always I also learned many things from their insights. Thank you, Martha and Pam!

This third photo shows both projects plus Pam's embroidered cuff (from a previous class) which is still evolving. Didn't the gals do a wonderful job? Just beautiful work girls!! Make sure you click on the photos so you can zoom-in and get a closer look at their work!

Have you dug Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota? Here is the Wall Drug soda fountain where people are getting ice cream treats after having their free ice water, 5 cent coffee, chocolate donuts, onion rings, blueberry pie, maple donuts, buffalo burgers, fries, cherry pie, more 5 cent coffee, ...you get the idea.

Look at these "cuties" along the roadway as we rode through Custer State Park in South Dakota.

I will post over the next couple days some photos I took from our recent trip to South Dakota. Here is a photo of the annual VolksMarch up to the face of Crazy Horse Memorial - that's my sister Anita standing directly under Crazy Horse's left nostril...

Look at the beautiful flowers from Matt & Sara that surprised me when I recently walked out on my patio. How very fragrant they are! I love them. They cover just about the whole table!

More than 2,000 runners and walkers participated in the 2.5 mile and 7 mile courses of the Cedar Rapids Run the Flood run Saturday morning.The routes, which took competitors through some of the worst-hit areas from last year's flood, raised money for the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for Flood Recovery.

This is "Toby"...a precious Goldendoodle.

Today is...

"What You Think Upon Grows" Day: A day for promoting the idea that the power of positive thinking can turn your dreams into reality.

It's Friday...

...Joe Friday.

1) What TV program did the character "Joe Friday" star?

NO GOGGLING!

2) Bonus Point: Who was the actor?

(This photo reminds me of my Jr High Science Teacher.)

Meet Dempsey...

Dempsey is in training to become a "Helping Paws" service dog for an individual with a physical disability. He trains everyday, but he still has time to be a puppy and play! His favorite hobbies are meeting new people, looking for bunnies, and educating people about service dogs. Read more about Helping Paws at www.helpingpaws.org. See more photos of Dempsey on today's "Daily Puppy".

Hope you all had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend!
Matt was home so it was great having him here for the long weekend! Here he is Saturday practicing his swing. I enjoyed watching him and getting in a little reading. (I enjoyed going barefoot on the cool green grass at the driving range.)

The Cedar Rapids Kernels at "Perfect Game Ballfield"- Saturday, a beautiful night for a ballgame!

The beer was cold, the game was great-thanks Matt!

A beautiful Saturday evening at the ballgame...Kernels WIN 14-5!

Look Sara--Matt's smiling in a picture!

Fireworks after the game...

Sunday at Lake Macbride near sunset...red sky at night - sailor's delight.

Lake Macbride at Sunset...

Tonight it hit me as to why I like Gilles Marini so much--he reminds me of Luka! Yes, I still miss him. Thursday nights are just not the same.
And, even though Shawn Johnson is from Iowa...Gilles, you really should have won "Dancing With the Stars!"

"Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best. " ~ Henry Van Dyke

Here is a new necklace I started this morning. It is still evolving with fibers, vintage metal circles, and antique buttons.
The large hole ivory buttons are actually antique undergarment buttons. (No, they were not mine.)

If this doesn't give you a Friday smile, I don't know what will. So adorable...must be the name! He is Thursday's (5/14) adoptable puppy on the "Daily Puppy"...check it out!

Today is: "National Chicken Dance Day"...

Did you celebrate???

Hope you all had a great Mother's Day weekend. I sure did- my wonderful caring son was home for the weekend! I'm so proud to be his mom!

Here are two "Goddess" bracelets from my Saturday morning class. They were done by Beth (green) and Stephanie (pink). What a fantastic job done by this mother/daughter team!!

Just gotta' love "Colbie" from the Daily Puppy....

I AM BACK,
BECAUSE MY COMPUTER IS FINALLY BACK,
FROM BEING IN THE SHOP!
I apologize for any unanswered email-thanks for your understanding. Boy, you just don't know how much you miss your computer until you don't have it!
(I will post some photos soon, also.)

Here are a few things I just recently finished. Below is the "Cellini Spiral" necklace that I finished this morning. The next photo is a lime Sidewinder bracelet that screams "Spring is Here". I just finished this bracelet in the last hour. Don't we all have several projects going at once? Isn't that just a normal thing for jewelry artisans...are we crazy or what?And the last photo is of a wire-wrapped cuff that I formed myself and then wrapped with beads I like...pearls, turquoise, Czech glass, Miyukis, etc... etc... you get the idea?

Weird...

Did you hear about this one reported on April 13, 2009...

A five-centimeter fir tree has been found in the lung of a man who complained he had a strong pain in his chest and was coughing blood. The 28-year-old patient, Artyom Sidorkin, came to a hospital in the city of Izhevsk in Central Russia last week, Komsomolskaya Pravda daily reports. Doctors x-rayed his chest and found a growth in one of the lungs. They made a decision to perform a biopsy, but when they cut the tissue, they were amazed to see green needles in the cut.
“I blinked three times, and thought I was seeing things. Then I called the assistant to have a look,” says Vladimir Kamashev, MD.
The five-centimeter branch was removed from the patient’s body.
“They told me my coughing blood was not caused by any disease,” Sidorkin says. “It was the needles poking the capillaries. It really hurt a lot. But I never felt like I had an alien object inside of me.”
It is obvious that a five-centimeter branch is too large to be inhaled or swallowed, doctors say. They suggest that the patient might have inhaled a small bud, which then started to grow inside his body.
Meanwhile, the piece of lung with the little fir tree has been preserved for further study.

Note: I saw a photo of it-but I'm going to spare you a picture of it!

Did you know ...

Egg Salad Week begins today.

Wishing You A Happy and Blessed Easter

Look what "Esther" Bunny brought me! (Thanks, Anita!)

Saturday Classes

These two photos are from Saturday's classes. It is always wonderful to see all the creativity in motion! The ladies created projects with great color combinations! The first photo is of the morning Sidewinder bracelet class. Valerie did the bracelet, at the top of the photo, which was done with Czech 3mm Firepolish & Czech gem cut beads! What a stunning bracelet, Valerie!
I worked on the second bracelet. Scroll down to see the afternoon class project and remember that you can click on the pictures and get a closer look!
The afternoon bracelet class was called "Lovely Lentils." The gals wire-wrapped beautiful focal stones, and then embellished the soldered chain with Czech Lentil beads! Starting in the upper left corner and working clockwise are: Alice's (brown), Tina's (turquoise), Linda's(mauve) and Cathy's (purple). They did such a beautiful job. I hope all the gals enjoyed the day as much as I did. Great job, ladies!

Waiting For Easter...

Here is "Brook Trout" from yesterday's Daily Puppy. What a great face--you just can't help but smile...just what I needed today. Until one has loved an animal, part of your soul remains unawakened.

Look at these disk beads from Melissa's Sea of Glass! This photo is from Melissa's website. Just beautiful, Melissa! These will blend with so many different shades of seed beads. They will be treasured in a new "Altered Treasures" bracelet that I will make "someday"...

Simple, pertinent...

St. Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.

Lovely Lentils...

Do you like to work with lentil Czech beads? Do you have a special focal bead you'd like to "showcase"? Pictured below is a bracelet class called "Lovely Lentils" that I am offering at Bead Haven this coming Saturday, April 11 from 2-4pm. It really goes together quite fast and no previous experience is needed! And as Martha would say,that's a good thing!

April Open House at Bead Haven & Trunk Shows!
Friday, April 3rd 5-8pm and Saturday April 4th 10am-5pm
Discounts! Treats! Prizes!

Look at these beautiful sets of wrapped beads done tonight in class at Bead Haven! The top set was done by Dell and the bottom set was done by Diana. Really nice work gals! Click on the photo if you would like to get a close-up of their outstanding work!

Today (March 30) is "Grass Is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day", a time to honor those who did not jump ship, did not quit, did not leave because things appeared to look better somewhere else.

Springtime Surprise in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! This is a photo of the patio table on my deck this Sunday afternoon...and to think we had 70 degree weather last week!

Several inches of snow fell over Eastern Iowa overnight, but with temperatures reaching the mid-to-high 30s Sunday, the snow won't stick around for long. Below is a confused Robin hopping around in the snow at Jones Park today...

Springtime this week in Fosston, Minnesota!

Here is a bracelet I recently made for my sister. It is a Sidewinder bracelet made with brown and pink-gold luster Czech beads.

Today is "National Puppy Day", an unofficial holiday designed to encourage the adoption of 10,000 puppies...

Wishing you a nice Sunday.

Today I made several things. Below are the last two projects. The first is a strung bracelet featuring a large lampwork bead from Melissa Rediger's Sea of Glass. Czech glass donut beads slide on a sterling silver noodle bead for a bit of added movement to the bracelet. Below is a small "Zipper Swirl" pin that is bead embroidered. It features many different kinds of metal and glass.

Here is a bead embroidered pin I finished this afternoon. I created the cabochon face from paper, applied several different color shades of paint and then clear sealed it. I have made several different faces that I hope to bead around soon. This beaded pin will be available at the Riverside Casino Women's Show this Saturday.

Happy St. Patrick's Day...notice her beads!

So sweet...Bagel Ria, the beagle mix, 6 weeks old! See more pictures on today's (March 15) THE DAILY PUPPY. Hey Sara, I know you like beagles!!

I have not done a Caterpillar bracelet for probably over a year, so today was the day to make one. I have been making things to sell at the Women's Show - Riverside Casino in Riverside, Iowa on Saturday March 21, 10am-7pm.

I've used the Herringbone stitch to make these three "beaded beads" that are incorporated into this simple strung bracelet. Because of the lobster and soldered chain, it is adjustable to various wrist sizes. This type of closure technique sure beats any re-stringing, doesn't it?

Here is my finished Harlequin Butterfly Pin. It is approximately 2 1/2 inches long.

I am working on a new bead embroidered piece this morning. The centerpiece is a vintage hand made glass opal cabochon also known as Harlequin art glass. No two are ever alike. This particular color is vintage and quite rare. A metal butterfly bead hovers over the Harlequin glass.

Today is National Napping Day...did you get your nap?...me neither.

Today, while my sister and I were driving back from visiting our other sister, I just had to take a picture of this great barn. This painting of "American Gothic" is just west of Mt. Vernon on Hwy 30. Isn't it great? The colors are so vibrant against today's stormy blue sky...beautiful! Click on the picture to see detailing.

This morning a creative group of ladies made their "Goddess Bracelets" in a class at Bead Haven. We had such a nice time and the gals did a "royal" job! Starting at the left, are bracelets made by Sandy, Wendy(also the start of her necklace), Pat, and Jeanne. Click on the pictures to zoom-in on the detail... Goddess charms to complement the bracelets...Wendy stayed later after class and also finished a necklace. Here is her beautiful "Goddess" necklace & bracelet set! We hadn't seen Wendy in the store for a while so it was great seeing her and watching her do her beadweaving magic!

It's the weekend...