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..

On my Bead Mat...

I am working on a new pattern with Miyuki rounds 11/0s, 15/0s, Miyuki Delica 11/os, Swarovski Pearl and 4mm crystals...

I am tickled to say that my bracelets pictured above are in the current Dec/Jan BEADWORK MAGAZINE. The article is called "Memento Mosaic". My bracelets feature tiny treasures that I have collected and then stitched with seed beads. The photograph in the magazine article is far better than this one, which was taken several months ago. I just recently received the two bracelets back from the publisher, so if you'd like to see them in person-they are presently living at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Are you shopping today? ...better you, than me.

Wishing you a restful, peaceful Thanksgiving...

Tucker, how cute are you...

How many grooves are there on the edge of a quarter?
(NO googling allowed.)

Sneek Peek...New Fall/Winter Earring Line

The PMS (Pamper Myself Ladies Day Out) will be held this Saturday, November 14 at the Riverside Casino Event Center from 10am-4pm. I will be there again with my jewelry along with other vendors. This is a well organized event with free admission, door prizes, fashion show, and just a fun day out! (I hope the chocolate-covered strawberries are there again, AND the Martini Bar!)

The above are earrings of silver, Czech glass, pearl and shell.

Above circles are earrings made of copper that I pounded the heck-out-of and then they were torched by-thank you, Julie!

The earrings here are made of Czech glass. Don't the faces look like metal? But they are 100% Czech glass and I wish I had more of them!

"Echo"...what a cutie! ....cutie, cutie, cutie

Look at all these beautiful Sidewinder bracelets that were created today in class at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Starting at the top of the photo is Rebecca's, below that is Sharon's, then Deb's and Shelley's! Click on the photo to get a close-up at all the stunning color combinations and workmanship done by this talented group of ladies! Way to go, gals!

What a great time I had last week in St. Joseph, Missouri visiting my wonderful son, Matt! It was so relaxing spending time there. We did many things, and visited many fun places.
Sara's parents took us all out to a fantastic and historic restaurant there in St. Joseph called "Hoof and Horn Steakhouse." What a nice evening we had!

Matt and Sara also took me back to Boudreuxs, and not to be forgotten "Foster's" martini bar. Those Dirty Blue martinis are sure tasty!

Sneakers...you make me SMILE!

Here is Jolyn's stunning formed cuff from a previous class. I still need to get a pic of Shannon's. (Jan-your cuff pic is still in Cindi's camera-hope to get it early this week, sorry.)

Here are a couple of formed cuffs from last week's class. They were created by Margaret and Kim. Aren't they beautiful? I still have 2 more to post from the class...Great job, ladies!

What a great game! Iowa over Michigan: 15-13

That's 8-0!

Go Hawks!

What a rainy day today here in Iowa!

Also, sorry but the cuff pictures did not turn out from yesterday. I have phoned the gals that took the class and asked them to bring them to the store, so that I may photograph them at that time.
Bead Haven Trunk show is this Friday evening and all day Saturday! Come visit!

They Will Appear...

To the gals that took the Formed Cuff class tonight at Bead Haven: The cuffs will appear on tomorrow's blog...really, they will!

Hello...it has been a time since I last posted...much has been going on the last month (as I know with all of you), a couple of shows, a great trip to South Dakota with my sister, some dental surgery, trips to the computer shop, AND my computer is now working.
Tomorrow I teach this wire-wrapped formed cuff at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids...

Hawks over Cyclones: 35-3!

Have you heard...

You have probably heard part of this song on a recent commercial. It's so great to hear Cat Stevens again-even if it is on a T-mobil commercial. Here is the entire song...

Pluto...you make me smile!

Today, my sister and I went for a walk at nearby Lake Macbride. Some signs of Autumn were showing...

Here, two dogs were enjoying the water with their owners.

The lake was beautiful. So many people were out enjoying the area.

There were so many different kinds of boats on the lake.

It was a relaxing afternoon. Hope you are having a nice Labor Day weekend!

Want one?

Earlier in the summer, our aunt shared with us her secret to the perfect kolache. What a nice day we had.

Puppies in trainning...

Here are pictures of "Canine Companion for Independence" Puppies in training! The organization, established in 1975, enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Read more about the organization and see more photos on today's "Daily Puppy".