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".

Cute Jutes...

Below is what was on last Saturday's worktable at Bead Haven. Stefanie and Alice were creating multi-strand necklaces out of knotted jute! Stefanie used red and black beads for her knotted necklace...very cool! Alice used blues and browns for her project...beautiful! The last photo is my project-multi color beads & circle components from old costume jewelry. We had a fun afternoon - great job ladies!

Trios...

Have you used the Trios Wire by Soft Flex, yet? You should. It is great wire and in gorgeous colors. (And of course, available at Bead Haven In Cedar Rapids, Iowa.) I called this bracelet: "Rolling Green Fields"... the fields around here are still quite green after all that rain last week! There is a little bit of autumn creeping in, but it's still pretty green for this time of year.

Wally, you make me smile!

My Booth at Brucemore...

Here are some pictures from last Saturday at Brucemore. It was a great day and I want to thank those for stopping by and visiting! My sister was such a wonderful help-I couldn't have done it without her! My booth was located on the Brucemore courtyard by the visitor's center. (Click on the pictures if you'd like to take a closer look.) The weather was beautiful--I don't think it got over 72 degrees so it was perfect weather for visitors to walk the grounds and take in all the various exhibits.

Brucemore Mansion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

The Brucemore Garden and Art Show is tomorrow, Saturday August 22, 9:00 AM - 4:00 p.m. It is celebrated as a festival of products and information for art enthusiasts and gardeners of all types. Headline presenters, unique products, and fine arts are featured. This juried show features more than 35 artists of pottery, painting, jewelry, sculpture, glass, and textiles. I will be one of them, so come visit me--it should be a beautiful day Saturday...sunny and in the 70's!

Here are two cuffs I made using even-count Peyote stitch. I like the clean lines that the Delica beads and the metal cuffs create. I need names for these two...any ideas??

On my beading table this afternoon..."Desert Skies...a medley of handcrafted Lampwork, Mother-of Pearl, Czech glass and copper.

Until one has loved an animal, part of your soul remains unawakened...

Below are two Twisted-Herringbone bracelets that I finished this evening. First, is a herringbone stitched tube featuring fall colors along with a Melissa Rediger lampwork bead flanked with Nigerian resin beads to each side.The second bracelet features, along with the twisted-herringbone tube, a spiked-fringe beaded bead along with chunks of coral and sterling silver.

On my beading table tonight: Indian Corn...

I finished two Sidewinder bracelets today-an olivine bracelet and the blue one pictured below. This one is made with Czech firepolish. The photo is a bit dark, but you get the idea. The olivine bracelet photo was just to dark to post--it was done with Swarovski crystals.

Below are a few new bracelets..two Caterpillars and a Spiral in the middle.

Some bracelets I'm working on today...

Meet Honey...you make me smile!

This afternoon, Pam and Leslie took my Freeform Stringing class. What great beginnings both gals have for their necklaces! Pictured directly below are two photos of Pam's project and two photos of Leslie's project. I think you'll agree that the color choices are stunning. Well done, ladies!

This afternoon I taught the "Lovely Lentil" class. Picture below is Pam's beautiful lentil bracelet. Pam's bracelet features a large agate stone bead and lentil beads of Czech glass. Click on the photo to see greater detail. Great job, Pam!

I made this bracelet incorporating Spiny Herringbone Stitch Spacers. This Herringbone stitch features 15/0 & 11/0 Miyuki seed beads. Each variation creates its own spacer between the faceted, oval, Czech glass beads.

Today I taught two classes. The morning class was: Even Count Peyote class. I didn't have my camera at that time so I am sorry that I didn't get any pictures of Dell and Laurie's bracelets. Trust me-their bracelets were beautiful! The bracelets were made with multi-color, size 8/0 Delicas. This mother-daughter team is a riot to be around. It was Laurie's first time stitching with beading needle & beading thread and she did a beautiful job! Laurie is the proud mother of three and Dell is her mom and proud grandma! (Also, Dell is a fantastic cook, I must add, as I devoured several ginger snap cookies during class!)
My afternoon class was the Sidewinder bracelet. Stephanie finished her Sidewinder bracelet in class and her stunning Austrian crystal bracelet is pictured below. This photo really does not do her bracelet justice...sometimes I think the crystals just go crazy with sparkle when they are photographed! It's beautiful...great job, Stephanie!! (I was experimenting with some Czech firepolish glass and two different colors of 15/0 Miyukis-that's the Sidewinder on the right.

Finally finished...

Here's my "Ring Around Your Wrist" bracelet sample, to be offered exclusively at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in August. Of course the beaded closure is optional, but I think it's kind of a cute addition...and functional.

Today at Bead Haven, the store had the pleasure of having Sheree taking three...count 'em... three classes in a row! Sheree started with a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) lentil class with Cris, then a beadweaving class with me (Twist 'n Shout bracelet, pictured below) and then back for another class with Cris in PMC toggles. Sheree knows how to spend her afternoon off from work, doesn't she?
This first picture below features the beginning of Sheree's "Twist 'n Shout" bracelet with 3mm Czech Firepolish beads and size 15/0 Miyuki seed beads. Beautiful combinations! The second photo is Sheree's finished embroidered cuff from a previous class that she took from me. What interesting and fun detailing...great job!

Bottle Cap 6-Pack Class!

My, oh my, we had fun this afternoon and early evening pounding away, dooming, and designing our "Bottle Cap 6-Pack" bracelets! We really did make some noise, didn't we? And, we didn't even have the beverages inside! I was really proud of what everyone created-what a nice job! Drum roll please...here, pictured in no particular order, are the wonderful bracelets! Each bracelet has two views-the whole bracelet and a close up.

Here is Mary's bracelet... Don't you love the Sioux City root beer cap?

Pictured below is Sara's...Don't you just love the colors?

Here is Pam's bracelet...Isn't the Goose Island cap precious!

Below is Karen's bracelet...Aren't the vintage soda pop caps a riot?

And here is Nancy's bracelet...Isn't it so much fun?