The above are bracelets I recently finished.

The above is a hammered "Metal Swirls Pin" that I made yesterday.

Here are some things recently created that will be going to a gallery. I have a thousand ideas going in my head and I just can't do them fast enough. Today and tomorrow are serious work days to get things done before Friday evening. I have one class to teach this late afternoon and then I will come home and get back at it. I have not taken any substitute teaching jobs this week so I hope all this creating will pay off. With the present economy who knows what people will be buying for the Holiday season. I hope they will still value and purchase local art whatever medium it may be...

Iowa's Derreck Robinson celebrates with fans after the Hawkeyes' 23-21 victory over Purdue Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. (...and we beat Penn State last weekend!)

The above are from Wednesday's Fibula Pin Class. The origin of the Fibula Pin comes from ancient Rome, where such pins were fabricated from wire and used to hold cloaks closed. The Wednesday class created their own modern day Fibula Pins. Starting at the top and continuing clockwise, are beautiful pins created by Michelle (blue), Valerie (Mom pin), my Jingle Bell pin, Valerie (teal), and Cindy (brown and blue/green). Great job, ladies!

This is a dangle necklace that I finished yesterday. It features sterling silver, copper, and gold-filled metals

along with assorted beads.

I'm working tonight on a new class for December. The above is part of it. I am naming it "Midnight Snow." Click on the pic to see detail...it has Czech glass, Miyuki seed beads and Swarovski 4mm crystals.

Deadwood, South Dakota-45.7 inches!

The above pins are from last night's class, created by Cindy (moon) and Valerie (wreath). They were made using the great mesh screen findings available at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. What great Christmas presents can be quickly made using various mesh findings sold at the store!

To quote the front page headline of the Cedar Rapids Gazette... Yes, He Did!

Mystery person of the day...

Born on this day in 1933, I was the Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 1988. Who am I? (No googling allowed!)