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...

Look at these gorgeous daffodils that my friend Linda gave me to say Happy Spring! They opened up wide the very next day. They are so very cheerful and add a lift to my day!

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

What a great group of gals took the "Collector Item Button Bracelet" today at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! As you can see, their bracelet beginnings are fantastic! (Click on the photo to zoom in.) The gals were focused and the results are stunning! I was very proud of all of them and I hope they continue creating with different types of beautiful buttons! Great work gals!

It's been a long day...

Last summer Matt took a picture of these cuties.

Click on the photo to zoom in...

This is my second time today that I have posted. I've been having some problems today with Blogger. I hope this time the beautiful poppies of El Paso, Texas stay up on the blog. It's hard to believe that they are in bloom around the Franklin Mountain area. Beautiful...
Here, lots of snow did melt today though!

"Ain't" it the truth....

I recently saw this Bizarro cartoon in a school workroom. It added a chuckle to my day. (Make sure you look at the expressions of the people seated behind the couple.)

Brrrrrrrrr it's cold...wind chill Saturday morning - 14 below.

Friday finally...

What a beautiful book by Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini. I highly recommend this bead embroidery book... It's a great book of inspiration and stunning work done by these bead artists!

"The world fears a new experience more than it fears anything. Because a new experience displaces so many old experiences." — D.H. Lawrence, English author (1885-1930).

Where is Spring?

Winter is back today. Can you see the squirrel seeking refuge in the tree?? I took his picture while I was looking out my bedroom window. Click on Mr. Squirrel to get a better look! He looks as if he's mighty confused by the weather we have been having.

...lots of snow melted here today!