Does this give you any idea what kind of day I had subbing today?

Pictured above is my "Painted Desert" lariat made with Turquoise, Coral, Czech glass, and Miyuki seed beads. The tassels incorporate Bali Silver bead cages and cones.
I am still working on my May 14 Stringing Project - I still do not know when it will end. I think I'll work on it some more today and then that will be it! So many beads, so little time...

...weekend!

I finished this today-if you click on the photo, you will see closer detail of the stripe seed beads which are Czech glass!

Luka, I'm waiting...

This is part of a necklace that I am currently working on...it is all stringing with .018 Beading Wire and Fireline. It is one of those projects that I never know if it is finally "finished".

This evening, and early morning, I have been working on a new design for Split Cuffs. I have incorporated five of my Mother's antique buttons, Miyuki seed beads and gold wire into this new Split Cuff Bracelet. Do click on the picture so that you can see the beautiful detail of these precious metal buttons...

Crochet Bracelet...

(No subbing for me today.) This is my first attempt at a Crochet Loop Bracelet... It was fun to make and for a person who really doesn't know much about crochet-I was pleased with my end result. Give a click on the above photo to see a clearer/brighter picture of the bracelet. Do you think it would make a good class?

Happy Mother's Day!

Aren't they beautiful? They are from my wonderful son, Matthew!

Signs of Spring...my Aunt's beautiful Tulips!!

Yes Luka, I'll be there tonight...

same time, same place.

Melissa from "Sea of Glass" created this beautiful necklace that features one of Cris Leonard's exquisite PMC toggles as a focal piece...stunning combination! Click the pic to enlarge.

On This Day...

May 5, 1961: The First American in Space... From Cape Canaveral, Florida, Navy Commander Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 space capsule, becoming the first American astronaut to travel into space. Alan Shepard's first flight into space lasted only 15 minutes and 28 seconds, traveled at a maximum velocity of 5.134 miles per hour, reached an altitude of 116.5 statute miles, and traveled a distance of 303 statute miles.
I vividly remember this event! I was in elementary school and the whole class was so excited-we all sat at our desks around the classroom television set and anxiously awaited the event that had been talked about for so many weeks previously. I remember all the hype - we were going to watch history in the making! I recall how much we looked forward to that monumental event, but before we knew it the 15 minute suborbital flight was over! ...I had hardly gotten settled at my desk!

Seed Bead Beginnings...

I have been working this evening on a Seed Bead Bracelet. I don't know where it's going yet, but I'm excited about it. (It needs to be finished tomorrow.) Melissa's "Sea of Glass" lampwork beads are my muse... Click the pic to enlarge photo.

Deadwood SD Snow...

The blizzard that blew through the Black Hills on Thursday and Friday left 28 inches of snow in Deadwood and 54.5 inches on the ground in Lead. That's more than any previous May blizzard on record. The 60 mile an hour winds also left drifts that reached to rafters of some houses. The blizzard trapped many northern Hills residents.

These are from tonight's class on Beaded Rivoli Clasps. They are beautiful "works in progress". Starting at the right, going counter-clockwise, are Rene's, BJ's, Mary Teres, and mine. We all selected the same color of Swarovski Rivoli but they all looked very different because of the seed bead combinations. Please click on the picture to see a clearer and more detailed view of the stunning work. Way to go!!

Spring Crocus!

Beautiful purple and yellow...

Mona Lisa Monday...

This is a beaded Mona Lisa Cabochon Pin that I made in circular peyote stitch and then added some crazy fringe. It was beaded with Miyuki 8/0, 11/0 and bugle beads...(Cris is now the owner of Miss Mona.)

What a week I had last week...but then again no one said that this substitute teaching "gig" in public schools would be easy. Here's hoping for a better one this coming week.

Saturday classes...

Today there were three classes taking place at Bead Haven! Cris had an all day PMC class in one classroom where the students made fantastic pendants. I had two weaving classes in the other classroom. The top photo features Betty's and Mary's wire-woven Split Cuffs...awesome work gals! The lower photo is of flat Herringbone weave made with size 11 triangle seed beads. The beautiful "beginnings" were made by Kathy, Becky and Linda. Great combinations gals! To see the stunning details, please click on each picture to enlarge the photos!

Luka, Luka, Luka...

It's Thursday night you know...

Hurray, ...big...blue...beautiful Spring Hyacinth!!

Some say they're blue, and some say they're purple, but however you say it - they are fantastic!

Hope you are enjoying whatever is starting to bloom in your part of the country!

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for".

~ Georgia O'Keeffe

This is a new bracelet I made showing the wrapped-bead technique. It was created using Sterling Silver 20 gauge wire, Bali Silver, Czech Glass and Miyuki seed beads. Please click on the picture to see a better and clearer image. (Sorry for the dark photo-I don't know what I am doing wrong lately with my camera!)

I made this bracelet I call "Prickly Pear" today. It was created using two-wire stringing technique. The lovely lampwork beads were made by Melissa Rediger of "Sea of Glass". Click on the photo for a brighter, more detailed picture of the bracelet...

Here is Cindi's picture of the bracelet beginnings from tonight's class. Aren't they fascinating? They are all made with antique buttons. Great work gals....what beautiful work done with this two-needle technique! Way to go!!

Luka: Thursday 9pm

See you...

Pencils could be made with erasers at both ends, but what would be the point?

The embroidered scissor case is almost finished...

...maybe tomorrow if I get some time.

Click on the photo to see the butterfly in the Texas Bluebonnets.

Oh, it's been a long...

been a long...

been a long...

been a long day!

I am working today on a new class to introduce people to basic bead embroidery. This is the beginning of a beaded scissor case to house our precious scissors. It will have a bit more bead embroidery and a beaded edging. What do you think?

Luka...will you be there?

9 pm tonight...ER: NBC

Yes, Luka...I've set my watch for nine o'clock tomorrow night! You know I'll be there...

I had one of those days where nothing seemed to go together. Ever have one of those? I'm goin' to bed...

We're in the 60's today...

...temperature that is.

(And, Luka will be here soon!)

Here are three simple knotted multi-strand bracelets that I finished yesterday. They are made with "Vegetable Ivory" buttons and various glass beads. I used the "Tri-cord Knotter" on all three bracelets. Don't we love that handy little tool! Click the above photo if you'd like to see a huge photo of the buttons and beads.
(Oh, and only 5 more days till Luka...)

Happy Friday!

Here is David Archuleta's performance from Tuesday April 1. It is a Dolly Parton song called "Smokey Mountain Memories". Results tonight on American Idol...

Here is a new Square Stitch bracelet I call "My Coat of Many Colors." Remember the song by Dolly Parton? She's on American Idol tonight. Have you ever been to Dollywood? It's a great place to visit and beautiful country!

Back to the bracelet-I'll teach it this month at Bead Haven. It's a fun and easy off-loom beadweaving project. Click the pic for detail...

One of My Favorite...

Click the arrow to listen...

Peyote Bead Variations...

I wanted to come up with some new class designs for Peyote stitch... These are beaded beads made out of Tubular Peyote. Each bead is created individually and then strung with Czech glass beads. These bead variations will be taught at Bead Haven in April. Please click on the picture to see a brighter and more detailed photo of the beads...

Luka, so glad you're coming back in less than 2 weeks! My Thursday night at 9 o'clock is always waiting for you...

I finished my bracelet clasp today. I will teach this design I created using a Swarovski rivoli as the center of the clasp next month at Bead Haven. Click on the pictures to see clearer details...

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
Will Rogers, US humorist & showman (1879 - 1935)

I'm betting you didn't know that this week is: "Root Canal Awareness Week"...

It's a celebration we would probably all prefer to miss.

A Monday Challenge...

While you are sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction and there's nothing you can do about it!

Today I had two classes at Bead Haven. The first was an "Earring Class", the second was making your own charm bracelet called-"Oh So Charming". I forgot to get pictures of the earrings that the gals made with beautiful wrapped loops! They did an fantastic job! I did get pictures though of the charm bracelets. Pictured above, you will see Rose's stunning charm bracelet with accents of pink and Melissa's awesome bracelet with accents of purple. (Make sure you click on the picture to zoom in and see detail.) What beautiful work, girls!!

Yes, you're right, this is a picture of potatoes. And why? I remember that on "Good Friday" of each year, my Grandma Barta would be in her garden planting potatoes. Why that date? That was just the day you were suppose to plant those potatoes. Did my Great-Grandmother plant her potatoes on "Good Friday"? I bet she did... And as regular as clockwork my Grandma would plant her potatoes on "Good Friday" and she would grow great crops of potatoes year after year.

My, oh my, I miss you Luka! Where are you?

It's Thursday you know...

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.