One of My Favorite...

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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!

One of my favorite "beady" poems...

CHOICES by Suzanne Cooper

Pencil flies
Designs emerge
Choose the beads,
Colors to blend
I know it's here
A shade so rare
Beads, beads,
Everywhere.

Looking
Searching
It's here somewhere,
I know.
Piles of beads begin to grow
It's here somewhere,
I know.
I know.