Wednesday Classes at Bead Haven...

Look what people made in today's classes! The first one pictured below was created by Shelia in the Goddess bracelet class. Her bracelet features Czech firepolish glass & seed beads.What a beautiful job! The next photo shows the Russian Spiral class. Starting from the top of the second photo are: Sue's, Mary's, Mary Jo's and Paula's bracelets made with various stunning combinations. Thanks to all you gals-it was a fun day and I learned a lot from you, too! Happy new bracelets for a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Do you know...

1) What grade was Ralphie given on his themed essay "What I Want For Christmas"?
2) What was Ralphie's favorite radio show?
3) Where did Ralphie's younger brother, Randy, hide when he thought that Ralphie was going to be in trouble when his father got home?

Icy in Iowa...to be followed by more freezing rain and snow...

My sister just adores poodles...how about this one, Anita?

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..