This is also at Rock City. That's my son, Matt on the overhanging deck and that's my brave sister on the side...

Wendy made this bracelet yesterday in class. Isn't it stunning! Click on the pic to see more detail. The colors that she chose were great-don't you think? The freshwater pearls are nestled in Miyuki seed beads and Czech pinch beads...
Rose and Sandy worked on Part I of their Amulet bags in another class. And just maybe, you'll get to see those pics after they finish Part II in a couple of weeks! All three gals are such talented beaders and it is such a pleasure to spend time with them!

Oh my Luka...See you September...

September 27th to be exact...

ER Season Premiere!

Swirls of Blue...

Here is one of my embroidered pieces waiting to evolve into a jewelry cuff.

It's been hot and humid here today. I wish I was at the ocean with a cool breeze...like Sara here! This is such a cute photo of her. (And of course, Matt thinks it's a pretty cool picture too!)

Here's the Cellini Spiral Necklace that I finished this past weekend. This hollow tube consists of size 11 Delica beads, size 11 Miyuki round seed beads, and size 8 Miyuki round seed beads. I will teach the Cellini technique in September at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Baseball Weekend...

This weekend, the Cedar Rapids Kernals swept the Peoria Chiefs. This game, which took place on Friday August 17 was a fun night at the ballpark. Weather was perfect for an evening game....and the Kernals beat Ryne Sandberg's Peoria Chiefs 6-4!

It was a sold-out crowd here at Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Stadium ... and a beautiful cool evening!

Yes in deed, Ryne Sandberg is in this picture... some-where!

Hello, it's been a few days since I posted! I've been busy...but haven't we all. I just finished the September calendar for my classes at Bead Haven. There are 3 new classes along with some new twists on several classes. I would suppose the calendar for the store will be posted some time this coming week. Time to think about new jewelry for the upcoming fall season...

Right Angle Weave...

This is a right angle weave bracelet that I finished today. The squares are formed using size 11 Miyuki beads (dark blue lined topaz luster) It is a stunning color that does not show it's true color on camera! The 4mm centers are turquoise with some additional bronze Swarovski pearls to add some random zing! Click on the above photo for more detail...

Jester's Folly Bracelet...

Looking for fun with texture and color? This stitch will be taught at Bead Haven in September. I made this bracelet with size 11 & 8 Miyuki seed beads. I used metallic and luster color beads and the colors together are quite beautiful (if I may say so myself), but I just couldn't capture the interplay of colors on camera. It will be on display at Bead Haven soon for the September calendar...

I visited Kathy today and the new location of her bead and art store, Facettes. What a great location on main street in Central City, Iowa. It is north of Cedar Rapids and so worth the very short trip!
Kathy is always so helpful and upbeat, and the new location is so inviting. Do visit! She still offers her great and varied selection of beads and supplies! http://www.facettesinc.com/

..."as one goes through life one learns that if you don't paddle your own canoe, you don't move."

-Katherine Hepburn

Hot today...

It's HOT today in Iowa-but my flowers are loving it!

These are beautiful purple petunias that I received for Mother's Day. They get bigger and more vibrant every day. They so love the sun!

Beginnings...

These beautiful beginnings of (Kate, Nikki, and Tami-left to right) "Fringe Pendants", started evolving today in the Sunday "Forget Me Not" necklace class. The girls chose beautiful shapes, textures & colors and I can't wait to see them finished! More fringe will be added to each pendant and then each will find its home as a focal point in three outstanding 3-strand necklaces! Each pendant has it's own distinctive personality even though they are all the same technique! What a nice afternoon with such creative gals! Click on the photo to zoom-in and see their stunning detail...

More Vacation Pictures...

What a fun trip...Matthew took us to so many wonderful places in the short time we were there!

Matt took us to see Multnomah Falls...such a fantastic place located by the Columbia River Gorge! I took this photo from the bottom of the falls near the lodge where we also had lunch on the lodge patio overlooking the falls. We took a delightful little hike to this bridge. What an awesome sight! It is the second highest waterfall in the nation-a 620 foot drop. Click the photo to zoom in...

Rainier Cherries...have you had these? They are absolutely wonderful! Matt introduced us to them when we were visiting the area around Columbia River Valley/ Mt. Hood, where they grow abundantly. These two-toned beauties are the best tasting cherries I've ever had. They are available in the stores now--worth every penny!

Matt in front of Mirror Lake and Mt. Hood.

This was a wonderful Marina Restaurant in Portland. The photo was taken right from our table! It was a beautiful evening and fantastic food.

So Cool, Melissa!!

Congratulations to my friend Melissa (Sea of Glass) for being published in September Bead Style Magazine. Her curved lampwork beads are awesome, and now thousands of readers will also see her work featured in this national bead magazine! Melissa's stunning lampwork has always been "ahead of the curve" with me. I'm tickled for you Melissa!

My friend, Sue, showed me this cool stitch. I made it with size 11 Miyuki seeds, Miyuki drops, and 4mm Czech beads. The fantastic PMC closure was given to me by Christina Leonard. Lucky me! Chris does such wonderful work and it looks beautiful on this bracelet. (This bracelet's for me...)

Beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon...

Click on the above photo to see one handsome young man! (My son, Matt!)

I'm Back From Portland - City of Roses...

What a wonderful time we had in Portland Oregon and also at the ocean! What a fun-filled 5 days seeing the sights and how fantastic having my son Matt show us around! More pictures to come...

The above is a cool embellished "Modified Square Stitch" bracelet done by my cousin, Shirlee! The colors and textures are awesome... Click on the photo to zoom-in on the detail!

I recently finished this Right Angle Weave bracelet done with assorted 4mm round gemstones.

How tranquil... What a beautiful photo Matt took of Trillium Lake and Mt. Hood...

Here's my handsome son on one of his recent Portland hikes to the top of "Tom Dick and Harry Mountain" (Yes, that's the name of the mountain.) That is Mt. Hood in the background. Click on the photo to see more detail...

Matt is presently working on his internship at Shriner's Hospital in Portland, Oregon towards his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I'm so proud, and so glad he is taking advantage of the beautiful surrounding area-what gorgeous country!

And here they are...

Freeforms-in-progress from the Sunday class! Starting from the top of the photo are Freeform beginnings belonging to: Terri, Cynthia, and Shirlee! Aren't they cool? Great work gals! Click on the above photo for closer detail...

Sunday Freeeform Class...

What a "great group of creative gals" (Cynthia, Shirlee, & Terri) took the Freeform Peyote class this afternoon! No break for these gals - and 3 hours of fantastic work! Photos posted tomorrow. Bridges-and-ruffles-and-beads, oh my...

I finished my Ladder Stitch bracelet this evening. Click on the above photo to zoom in for detail... Now I'm going to catch up on some of my "Young & Restless" tapings from this week!

Tell Me It Ain't So !!!!

Guinness Record: Most piercings: 4,250

Elaine Davidson of Scotland

Class Tonight...

Ladder stitch time tonight in class! What a nice time we shared...and what great work the gals did! From the top of the photo, are Lee's, Joan's and Jeanne's bracelets in progress. Click on the above photo for closer detail.

Best in Show!!

The "Best in Show" at this year's Bead and Button Show went to Nicole Schlinger from Brooklyn, Iowa! Way to go Nicole!! For more pictures of the Bead and Button Show, go to http://sql.whimbeads.com/personal/bnb.html - thanks to the Iowa Beaders for this link. I'd love to hear from anyone that went to the show...what were the highlights for you??

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

Just had to share with you some very beautiful Chevron Bracelets (that are at various stages) which were created in class tonight. Starting from the bottom of the photo are: Angela's bracelet, then Kathy's, Lee's, Becky's, and Joan's! What awesome color combinations the gals came up with and they all "mastered" the Chevron Chain technique! Great job, gals!! Click on the above photo to zoom in and see more detail...

The above is a even-count peyote stitched bracelet. I made it with size 11 Miyuki Delica beads. The closure is a beautiful button from my mother's antique button collection. I love wearing it. Click on the above photo to see more detail.

Matt at the majestic Mount Rushmore and here's Sara at the world famous Wall Drug in South Dakota! (with another cowboy!)

Remember how wonderful and proud it felt to get a new box of beautiful crayons? ... "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."...Pablo Picasso
Wouldn't it be nice to just take-a-day-off and "color"?

Portland, Oregon!

My son, Matt, is in his second week of Clinical Internship in beautiful Portland, Oregon! He is at the Shriner's Hospital for Children. I am so very proud of him, and always have been. I miss him. I know he is doing great and important work there at Shriner's...They are fortunate to have him there and he is lucky to be doing an internship with them. I'm hoping to go out and see him in July. Isn't this a beautiful picture?

Chevron Bracelet...

This Chevron Bracelet was fun to make. There are two different 4mm Czech Firepolish and two different size 11 Miyuki Japanese beads used along with additional 4mm Czech round beads used in this bracelet. The interplay of the different colors is unique to this bracelet composition.

Click on the above picture if you would like to see more detail...