Darwin, you make me smile...

Some of my "Curious Components" just born... Are you coming to the Trunk Show this weekend? More pics to follow. I gotta get back to work...

Chevron Chain Flower Bracelets...

What a great class today! Look at the fantastic workmanship these individuals did in class! The first photo below is Sheree's work, then Natasha's, and then Paul's...
These three talented people were so delightful to spend time with and they were so focused! This is a difficult bead weaving project and I was so impressed with their dedication to the construction of this stunning chevron weave. Great job...I can't wait to see them finished!

Fibula Pins...

Tonight I taught the Fibula Pin wireworking technique to Joie. We each made two pins--the top two are Joie's, and the bottom two are mine. Make sure you click on the picture to see Joie's beautiful detailing and workmanship! She really did an outstanding job on her stunning pins...

Introducing...

Barb and Mike's new puppy...Muffin!
Lucky, Barb & Mike...Lucky, Muffin!

A Few Curious Components....

On my studio table--a peek at some components just made. The first photo is actually an antique metal buckle that I wrapped and made into a pendent. It measures a beautiful 1 1/2 inch in diameter. You can get a closer look by clicking on the photos. Below is an antique key that I beaded around in tubular peyote stitch.

The last photo features a hammered copper toggle that I made. The pendent, on the right, is made with one of my favorite metal face beads. It has assorted goodies that move and dangle from the bottom. I would love your feedback as far as what you think "trunk show" shoppers might like, or find useful to their jewelry creations! Thanks...

Tonight's class was the "Chevron Ladder" bracelet. It was great to once again share time with this wonderful group of women, who also took the "Russian Spiral" together. Starting at the top of the picture: Paula's, Mary Jo's, Mary's and Sue's bracelets...beautiful work, ladies!

On my work surface---busy making jewelry components...no two will be alike!

The following are pictures from the Saturday classes! The first photo is from the "Caterpillar Bracelet" class. The brown bracelet is Pam's stunning bracelet and the beautiful blue bracelet is Vonnie's! This mother-daughter team did such a great job--I was really impressed. Way to go, ladies! Make sure you click on the pictures to zoom-in on their work!The second picture is from the "Catch a Star" class. Paulines's olivine crystal star is just stunning and the bottom star (I believe it was indocolite crystal?) is Sheree's beautiful star! (I didn't complete my midnight blue/Burgundy star.) These two ladies were so motivated...I don't believe they got up from their seats for 2 1/2 hours! They always do such impeccable work...

Echo...you make me smile!

My wonderful son sent these gorgeous flowers to me for Valentine's Day. I took the picture this evening and they are still in their prime after 5 days. I just love them-and as you can see, some of them are not open yet! They make my whole condominium smell so fresh, so "Spring". Love you, Matt!

Just finished....

On my beading mat tonight is a brooch I just finished. I made the face out of paper that is placed in a mold and then dried for 2-3 weeks. I then painted the face with several different colors and then sprayed it with a sealer. I then beaded around the cabochon face. The brooch is backed with a pin back and Sensuede.

Tuscon Show...

Don't we wish we were all at the Tucson Bead Show? I added a couple of links today that feature some photos from the show, for us that stayed behind to enjoy the snow! The sites: Beads of Color and Mad Designs have been added to "Some of my Favorites", located on the right hand column of this page.

The Blogger site is back up on line!

I am sorry that the Blogger site was down yesterday & today, so I couldn't post Saturday's class photos. So, with anticipation-here are the pictures taken from the class! Way to go---your bracelets are beautiful!
The first photo is of Joie's bracelet...


This one is Yannie's...

Here is Shirlee's...

And here are Bea's and Lisa's-ready for assembly...

On my beading mat tonight....knotted jute necklace with Czech/Japanese glass beads along with metal rings from recycled 80's jewelry...

Monday Trivia is back...

Did you know that this month marks the 50th birthday of bubble wrap?...well, it is!
I heard it on the radio, so it must be true!

Frosty Transformations...

We have had frozen fog in the morning the past two days-it was beautiful.

Mulligan, you make me smile...

Formed Cuff class...

This afternoon was the Wire-worked Formed Cuff class. What an outstanding job this group of gals did! Starting at the 12 o'clock position are Theresa's, Jan's, Lindie's and Maggie's bracelet cuffs. Way to go, Ladies!

Do I smell a bowl-full of oranges...Do I hear the Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band? GO HAWKS!

Catch A Star...

This is a new class for January, offered by myself, at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Have fun with color and work with simple peyote and netting stitch. Each "star" is made separately and then attached to each other to form this fun bracelet!

It's cold!!

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..