Wishes to you for a relaxing fall weekend...

Here's my "Drinkin' Bracelet!" Not really...but notice the Samuel Adams bottle-cap bead? The bracelet has a little bit o' bead weaving, (herringbone stitch, peyote stitch and square stitch with loops) and a little bit o' stringing (Swarovski, Sea of Glass Lampwork, a dichroic, more lampwork, and of course, good old "Samuel Adams.") Click the picture to see closer detail...

Glass Bead Lovers...
Yesterday, I saw this book for 50% off at Barnes and Noble!
Come on...you know you need another bead book!

The 5th Annual Bead Bash is Oct 12 and 13th. It takes place in Marshalltown, Iowa- the Best Western Regency, just off Hwy 30.

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." ...Langston Hughes

Angela finished beading around her cabochon tonight in class. The camera really does not do it enough justice. It's really awesome! She plans to use it as a focal point in a necklace. It is really a beautiful beaded creation...

great job!

Quick earring idea...silver, gold, copper with freshwater pearls. Because of the three different metal colors - these earrings go with just about any outfit! Click the pic, to zoom in...

Thank you for your nice emails about my zippered cuff appearing on the cover of the current BEADWORK magazine. I really appreciate it...

Here are some stunning beaded crochet bracelets made by Betsey. Bead-utiful! She also wove the shawl. What a talented lady! The colors and textures are just great. Click on the pic... to see more detail.

I was told that my embroidered cuff would be in the Oct/Nov issue of Beadwork Magazine...but was I ever surprised when I discovered this past week that it was on the Oct/Nov cover. I am truly honored and just tickled that they chose it...

Here is a closer look at an "in-progress" beaded embroidered cuff. (Sept. 2 posting also.) I love purples and blues together...but as beaders, are there any colors we don't like?

Here's a quick fun bracelet that I made with a "little bit of everything" ...pearls, Sea of Glass Lampwork, Czech glass, Miyukis, a sterling silver noodle bead, vintage silver disks, elements of pewter, brass, silver & gold, and of course a woven "spikey" bead!

While in Atlanta, we visited the CNN Studios. It was a very neat tour of the building and studios! Of course, security is very tight and we were not allowed to take any pictures in the studios. This is the "approach" to the studios via a very long and high elevator that takes you up inside this huge globe! Click the pic to zoom in...

While in Atlanta, we also visited the "New World of Coca-Cola." These gigantic bottles of Coca-Cola are representative of different cultures and countries. They are located in the lobby as you enter the building. All of the bottle structures are amazing, but of course I was partial to the bright, beaded one! The beaded Coca-Cola bottle is approximately 12-15 feet high and 4 feet in diameter. Very cool...

Here is a close-up of the gigantic Cola-Cola Bottle. It was beautifully made by African Beaders. It is a type of "Netting Stitch."

Who's that on the "American Idol" Coca-Cola Couch?

Many of you know that I recently went to Chattanooga Tennessee, where my son Matt is doing his second internship. We visited Rock City, which is atop Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's a beautiful place with fantastic rock formations and a beautiful falls. Here, Matt is crossing a suspended, swinging bridge that I personally thought was just a bit too "swingy!"

That is Chat- tanooga Tennesse in the background. You can view 7 states from Lookout Mountain. Click the picture to zoom in...

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.