On my beading mat today...

Hawkeye Embroidered Pin...size 11/os and 8/os

15 days till Iowa Hawkeye football...

July is "National Horseradish Month." Yes, it is.

"Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck." ...Dalai Lama

Beautiful Knotted Classwork...

What a great class today of three delightful ladies who create three very different and creative knotted designs! The first photo below, is a picture of Joanne's knotted bracelet. It is absolutely stunning with different shapes and textures of Miyuki and Czech glass beads!
The second photo below is the first strand of Linda's necklace. It is a striking blend of knotted jute and Czech glass beads. And, can you spot the silver washers that are incorporated in her design? It is just a great combination of black, beige, and silver!

Below is Barbara's necklace in progress. Look at the beautiful "Cristina Leonard" bronze button she is incorporating in the clasp. Can't wait to see this finished...such fantastic work! Barbara also took my morning class and created a beautiful peyote stitched cuff. It was a stunning combination of copper metal and Delica beads...I apologize for not taking a photo, Barbara!

Here is Linda's finished "Lazy Daisy" bracelet from a previous class...so very well done, Linda!

Sara and Matthew Craine...what a beautiful married couple!

Lazy Daisy class...

Look at the beautiful work done by (starting on the left) Linda, Pauline, Becky, Kathy, and Jane! Beautiful job, ladies! ...and here is Jane's finished bracelet!

Look at he beautiful job Sherry did in the Caterpillar class that I taught at Bead Haven this evening. She will be able to wear this with so many things! Great work, Sherry!

Happy Mother's Day

Betty's, Anita's, and Jeanne's beautiful mother...Joe's, Karl's, Bill's, and Matthew's grandmother... Lindsay's, Jessie's, JJ's, Carter's, and Cole's great-grandmother!

I'll have quite a few wrapped and hammered pieces at the Women's Show. Here is one I made today...

Here are some newly created pieces for the Iowa Women's Conference. I like how the necklace below came together and how it looks-I really enjoyed making it-one of a kind! The second photo is a vintage metal zipper that I made into a 20 inch necklace with embellishments and wrapped wire loops. The zipper works-so you can really change the look of this when you wear it! The zipper necklace is surrounded by 3 new zipper pendants...

New work...

Some of my new work for the up-coming Iowa Women's Leadership Conference...

On Saturday, one of my two classes that I taught at Bead Haven was my "Sun Goddess" necklace... Pictured below you can see three beautiful Goddess that are works-in-progress, done by Becky, Jane and Kathy. They are three very talented beaders that was my pleasure to have in class! Aren't they doing a fantastic job? (I'm sorry I didn't get these posted on Saturday night gals-please accept my apology.)

Some new bracelets...

Two very different looks...same technique.

New work...

I am playing with ideas again...assorted fabrics, different vintage zippers. Can't you see it on a jacket for spring? (hope so)

It's Valentine's Day!

(Click to enlarge, for full cuteness.)

Arabesque bracelet from BEADWORK (design by Julie Walker)...I was surprised how easy this was. And, one length of thread (Fireline) did it all, with reinforcement! Click to enlarge and zoom in.

Arabesque Bracelet...
...a new easy class from BEADWORK to be held at Bead Haven on Wednesday evening January 26!

Precious "Sleepy Puppy Dreaming"...from Sara, to Matt, to me, to you...

<br/><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/sleeping-puppy-dreaming/1jrvt9h8b?src=v5:embed:&amp;fg=sharenoembed" target="_new" title="Sleeping Puppy Dreaming">Video: Sleeping Puppy Dreaming</a>

Things that make you go hmmm...
It is right now 11 degrees on 1-1-11.

"The Heater From Van Meter..."

Bob Feller was born and raised in the small town of Van Meter, Iowa. His father was a baseball fan who ran the family farm, and his mother was a teacher & nurse. As an Iowa farm boy in the 1920's, much of Feller's childhood consisted of chores. He credited milking cows, picking corn, and bailing hay with strengthening his arms and giving him the capacity to throw as hard as he did as a pitcher. He refers to his farm days in Iowa very fondly, saying of them, "What kid wouldn't enjoy the life I led in Iowa? Baseball and farming, and I had the best of both worlds."
www.ESPN.go.com web site has a wonderful tribute to this outstanding Hall of Famer and gentleman.

No animal was harmed during the taking of this photo...
The photographer, however, is in serious but stable condition and may be able to leave the hospital by New Year's.

I'm watching the Thanksgiving Day National Dog Show. They make me smile...some more than others, but they all bring a smile to me. Clooney, the Irish Setter just won the first group. (John

O'Hurley is really good hosting this event.)

Happy Halloween!

Cooper, you make me smile...

Chase, the beautiful Cocker Spaniel mix, you make me smile...

Fiber Bangle...

Here's another "fiber bangle" that I will have at the Fall Trunk Show at Bead Haven this weekend. I am also offering this as a new class at Bead Haven on October 27. So quick, fun and easy! Perfect for this coming season...you won't be able to stop with just one!

My dog, Buff and cat friends...

On my beading mat....

...I am experimenting again with fibers and beads. I was inspired by jewelry artist Shannon Levart when I created this bangle.

On my beading mat...I really should finish this.

Today, I was very honored to be presented with an Award of Merit and cash prize from the Historic Valley Junction Foundation, of West Des Moines, at their 2010 Fall Art Market. I was so pleased they thought my improvisational art jewelry was deserving of this award. They run a class act juried Art Show twice a year and I am very appreciative.

It was a great show...a bit rainy, but great!

Another Hawkeye win!

Hawkeyes Win...

Are you ready for some football? Go Hawks...