What's Going On ...

Did you miss the Buy Now button?

I've had a great time reading everyone's emails the past couple of days...Most were funny, some were poignant, some made me appreciate my rather quiet life compared to your quite eventful ones. If you didn't get anything, not to worry - there will always be more beads. I enjoyed this 'lottery' version, but I will be going back to the 'buy now' buttons for the immediate future and use the 'essay lottery' only occasionally. Just trying to mix things up for ya'll, make it interesting and give everyone a chance to participate...

The bead fairy did not make a visit to my kiln last night, perhaps she visited yours instead...I did get 12 hours of sleep, though (in bed before 10:00pm) and I needed it...the night before last I got almost no sleep, so it's all balanced out now...Today I can work at the torch (if you call it work) and get some new and groovy stuff done. I'll be balancing the remaining Orders with the New work and plan to get everyone taken care of...eventually...

When will I be opening the catalog again? Well, if you have an urgent need, please email me and we'll work something out. I know some of you are designers who rely on beads and we need to get you loaded up with beads. I haven't made a decision on when to officially reopen it, but I do have some ideas in mind that I'm considering...Maybe open it 1 week a month, take orders during that time, then close it till the next month...What I don't want to have happen is getting too far behind in making orders, and not getting a chance to play and come up with new pieces. Its a balance that I'm still trying to find - and while I appreciate your ideas, I realize this is one area that I have to find my balance with, since I'm the one at the torch. Sometimes I have to be my own patrol officer.

Is that the Bead Fairy?

She's delivered a plethora of beads to my kiln overnight while I slept...so I am now cleaning her handiwork and will have sets available for you...Same process as yesterday, so if you missed out - get your Big Chief tablet and No. 2 pencil and write your essay "why I would like some Blackberrybeads..."

oh, and don't be afraid to leave comments - i'm always sad to see a "0" next to the comments line...boo hoo...

Beads abound...

Alrighty - the Pickings are ready for sale...Again, to combat the many 'I missed out' emails I always get, today I'm doing something different...instructions are on the Pickings page...

Regarding shipping- I've been alerted to the fact that the Pickings I mailed on April 20 have not arrived for most of you...I do see they are in transit, so hang in there and I believe they'll arrive. The more time I track packges, the more it takes away from making beads...i'm trying to balance it all and do it all for you, but please know that once they leave my house, they are out of my hands. And when I talk to the post office, they let me know to 'wait' and eventually they DO arrive...sorry for the delay..if you want faster delivery, lemme know and we can work out Express shipping or overnight if you prefer...i'm flexible!!

yep, i was up until 12:30am making beads...and the pic shows the stash of goods...I thought today I'd try something different (for me) - something Corina has done in the past...Instead of making you be here 'on time or miss out' on your favorite set, I want ya'll to email me with what set you want and why you should be the new owner. Anyone can email me, its open to any/all people. Yes, you'd still have to buy the beads. I'll have more info once I get the sets made and posted...come back later to see what's up for grabs...

Its time for fun!

while i'm getting caught up on my orders, I'm going to continue making Pickings and eBay sets..so today is 'fun' day, since yesterday was 'order' day...Expect some fun things tomorrow morning...!

Its wonderful here today - sunny, 65, birds are chirping, cats are playing...i have to go get some printer ink, check on an overseas shipment and swing by the PO box and hit the bank...errand morning!

We went to Alamo Drafthouse and saw Amelie last night..cute French film that is whimsical and very French...I've mentioned Alamo before -they serve pizza/drinks during the movie (the only way to watch movies!) and last night the promo with the movie was some free Creme Brulee...what a treat..and on a Monday - who ever goes to the movies on Monday night? not me, typically...

I answered another qeustion from Sheila (keep them coming, i'm happy to explain what i'm doing if you're curious) on yesterday's Comments, but I'll post it here, in case you don't go back and read old comments...

From Sheila:
Good Morning, Miss Donna-
Question for you: What is your lentil shaper of choice? I love the size of your lentils-and your round beads and everything that comes out of your torch!! Am still trying to get a nice, lovely, squat, and fat yet small round bead. The balance between trying to get a good footprint size without too much glass or, not enough glass is evading this frustrated woman here in Indiana. Practice, practice, practice, I know. Why does my family need to eat anyway?

My response:
i've not tried all the lentils tools out there - TapCraft, ChristyL, Target Ice Tongs, Mag's Mashers and probably others...but the one that I use and enjoy is the Corina Bead Stamp (CBS). You can find them on her website (www.corinabeads.com) and they offer various sizes/designs. I have almost all of them (just got the Saturn in, am waiting on the sparkly spacer one) and the size I use the most is the XS lentil maker. It makes lentils about 12mm in size and I like how they fit w/ the rest of my beads.

To get a fat ROUND bead, make a foot print thats a *barrel* and add disks of glass to either end of it, so it looks like a wooden spool. Heat the center of the spool and the disks will melt into a round shape. Corina shows this in her PTF book and it works great. I can draw or take pics if you need them...

Back to work

I did manage to get a little set of beads made in some springy colors...I saw SO many possibilities with these colors that it made me go giggly...so I hope to have more to offer very soon...!

The Freebies this week are a garden combo - fish and caterpillars...Fish fertilize your garden and caterpillars eat your luscious vegetables, so of course they represent Spring...! The caterpillar has feet, so she can stand on your computer and sing to you...always amusing...

After a weekend of rain, its sunny and beautiful today - time to get back to work! I have nothing on eBay at the moment, and my Pickings are truly slim, so its time to get back to the torch...Yesterday's demo at the show was fun and it was a hoot to hear people get excited when I put lips on a fish, or encased a floral bead. It gave me a new appreciation for making beads and making folks excited again...I definitely need to get out of the house more often!!

BlueMoon ArtShow Day

The show was fun, I talked from 10:00am until 5:00pm straight...but I made lots of beads, twisties, cones and florals...saw a bunch of folks and met a bunch of new people...and even a few beads were sold...amazing! :)

I've just pulled the winning name out of the 'hat' (yes, its a real program called 'the hat' and the icon is a little black tophat w/ a magic wand...) and Margie is the lucky winner...I'll have something new and different to post tomorrow, its too dark to take the pic tonight...look for it here in the morning...

I'm running late, the show starts at 10:00 and I need to be there a little early to setup..i loaded my car last night w/ all my tools/glass/beads - was thinking ahead there...i hear sprinkles outside, so this will be an interesting day..i may end up w/ all the crowd inside with me! heh, i could be so lucky...

I'll draw a winner after I get back later today and post some new Freebie beads for this week. Thanks to all who vote and keep me up there on the lists...I do appreciate it and ya'll are the BEST!

back later...

Sleepy Saturday

Here's the necklace I spoke of this morning...Simple little lentils w/ gold accents, hanging daintly from a gold chain. A great idea for lentils, hearts (that's next!), florals, or even the Sunshine Day sets..(oh, maybe I should keep the two remaining sets for ME!). I got the chain at Funky Hannah's in Racine WI (there on business years ago) but The BeadShop has lots of chain to choose from right in the comfort of your computer...Make some for you and send me pics - we'd love to see your imaginations run rampant...!!

Tomorrow I'll be at a local art show demonstrating beadmaking...last year I had a booth outdoors and we baked in the sun...this year, I'm INdoors and not necessarily selling (although I'll bring some beads for fun, just in case) but I enjoy just making beads and talking to the crowd, so that's the plan...This way, whether its 90 or rainy, I'm safely cool and dry...see? i'm not such a dummie!!

What else is going on? I need to work on some Flower beads for Corina's challenge, and her next publication. She's asked me to submit floral beads, but she wants me to put a 'spin' on my existing floral...i'm not sure what I'm gonna do yet...so its time to play at the torch!

The Lego page is filling up, send me your submission (i'll crop/border/name it for you if you like) and take your place in the hall of fame! I love my little Goth girl, I just wish I had the code to make the starwand sparkle like it does on the Lego-maker site...oh well, i'll survive...

Time to watch Kill Bill Vol 1 again...rock and roll!! (just finished it - loved it AGAIN...now I want a yellow motorcycle, jumpsuit and a kick ass sword)...

Its Friday - Everybody dance!

Uh oh...a NEW designer program! Make yourself a LEGO character, email it to me and I'll start a new page of people....If you want...otherwise, just enjoy Donner in her Goth outfit! hahaha...

How do I become a Lego?

If you missed out the festivities last night, there are a couple of sets left as well as a set of lentils that I'll happily take orders for if you desire them...

I think the Evening Pickings went pretty well...About the same as the morning selling...so I'll be doing another evening sale again..I'll post the date/time ahead of time so ya'll can setup accordingly. would the top of the hour be better?

Blackberry season starts next month, I'll put the link to the cobbler back up shortly...we still haven't picked strawberries or gone wildflower viewing this year and its supposed to rain again this weekend. There's a joke that goes "What do you call the day after 2 days of rain in Austin? Monday"...cause it RAINS on the weekends more than it does during the week...heh...

Evening Picking night

Evening Pickings = Good times...I will have to do this again soon...thanks to all who picked up sets, they are already packaged and ready to go...

I'm gettin' to bed (bead?) early tonight so I can get a head start in the morning...Have a good night all!!

Its always fun to have dinner with friends...I met with Mick and Dodie (see pics on my Corina class page) and snagged their Lauscha purple from them so I can make a few more purple beads for ya'll. Lauscha hasn't sent purple glass over from Germany for months and we have no idea when it'll be back in stock - so I sent out an APB to my beadmaking buddies who came through for me...I also got a nice little Bullseye order from Lydia (also on the Corina page) so I've got groovy neato glass to play with...now it's time to make some beads...back later!

Ha! i'm early today!!

I'm updating early today, but alas - no new beads...I think my next Pickings will have to be tomorrow evening..7:30...i'm working on orders today, they are really starting to pile up and I need to get a handle on them. But never fear - I WILL conquer them and everyone will get their happy little beads...all will be right in the world..

Sheila posted a bunch of questions in the comments section a few days back, so I'm going to address them now...

Here's what Sheila asked:
Questions for you:
1. When you sit down to create beads, do you ask yourself what color mood you are in and choose those rods and limit yourself to just those at that time?
2. Do you pull stringers first?
3. Make canes?
4. What is your game plan for a good bead creating session?
5. How many hours do you work at one time?
6. How long does it take you to create a set like you'd
put on Ebay.
7. Do you come up with those beads in one"beading session"
or, does it take more than one?

Great questions - lets jump right in!
1...When I set out to create a set for eBay or even the recent Blue Pacific Pickings sets, I start looking through my jars of rods to see what I feel like working in. I do kinda go with a mood - purple mood? blue mood? bright mood? and then I start pulling rods. I will add/subtract colors to the basic set of colors until I get a palette I like. I usually add Black because I LIKE how it works with colors, but not always. And I typically add gold dots because I LIKE it, but again - not always...I DO try to use colors I have not put together before, and I'm also trying to use colors I hardly EVER use, like Lt Blue...

2. I do pull stringer first, and I have a jar of left over stringer that I go through and pull colors from as well. Sometimes I end up w/ stringer from there that might not be a rod I've pulled, but having a small stringer of the color would add to the set, so I use it. So, I get all my stringer lined up, opaques separate from transparent. If I mix everything, I can't find it when I need it. So my work station is very orderly and organized. People always laugh and make comments about my neatness, and that's fine with me - its just how I work...

3...I look though my stock of twisties and if I have some that work w/ the set, I use those..if not, then I make 2 or 3 twisties from the rods - assuming my style of beads warrants twisties. I don't automatically make them unless I think I'll use them.

4..My game plan - I work best from 6:00pm to midnight, so I've learned not to try and force anything during the day, unless it feels right. I do my business/errands during the day and make beads in the evening. (although Monday, I made beads all day). I like to just sit and look at my jars of rods until i pull colors i want. Sometimes I do it the night before if I'm inspired, and have the rods ready the next day. then I pull the string and make the cane as needed. I typically start with a bead that is easy for me to do - like a bead w/ a stringer applied - just to get a feel for the day. typically my first bead or two is not that hot, and sometimes I just sit them on the desk or plunge them in the water...then I get a feel for what I'm doing and start making beads I enjoy...

5. I'll be at the torch for 6 hours - but I do take breaks, get up and walk around, get snacks, pet the cats, etc. I guess my long stretch might be an hour or two at a time, then a break...I also watch tv while torching at night and that helps the time go by quickly.

6. The set she's referring to is the Tarantula Goes Dancing - (i think)- That set took me a couple of hours to make. What i did was pull the inital Bright colors and looked at them...I debated on adding Periwinkle to the mix - it would have gone, and was it the look I wanted, so I added it. I wanted the Purple (EDP) as well, but we all know how it devitrifies when working with it, so I decided to make it into spacers instead - it'd stay pretty purple and still add color to the set. I also debated adding the Black - but decided I LIKED the way it looked, so I did....Then I wondered what styles to make - these are all opaques, so my traditional beadstyles would not work...also, some of these colors don't like to be encased, so I stayed away from using clear. Once I decided the black would do all the decorating, I started making designs that would work. With this particular set, my idea was to make 5 different designs from each of the 4 colors - that would get me at least 20 beads for the set. I made 12 purple spacers, not knowing if I'd even USE them all, but I waited until I was cleaning/designing the next day. I like to make extra beads that allow me to design later...

7..I typically make all the beads for a set in one beading session. I know some folks make sets over time - a few beads each session. A lot of folks don't like making sets at all - they get bored- and I can appreciate that! I'm not great at making focals - after awhile, i get bored working on the same bead...and Loren Stump has a great saying about that - "the more you work it, the better it does not necessarily get' or something to that effect. I will overwork focals to where they are in a state of garbage...I have to get in -and get out. That doens't mean other people can't make them - I know someone who spent 7 hours on one bead...but I can't do that myself. I like the instant gratification of bead after bead - this one is done, lets do the next one. Its just how I like to work. But I know it's not how most people do it...I also TRY to make small sets, but I have a hard time coming out with ONLY 7 beads at a time...I can do it - I did it with the Blue Pacific sets, and I did set out to make small number sets, so I know I can do it...but its not normal for me to think in those terms. I tend to think LARGE and try to pare it down. I have another set of Its a Sunshine Day beads just waiting to be offered to ya'll - but it would have made the original offering like 30 beads (again), so I split the sets into 2...

here is an example of how I get inspriation for beadsets...can't you see a set of beads in these colors? Nigella's website (just look at the first page, that's all you need...

Thanks for reading all this and lemme know if you have any questions about any of it...I need a banana and some breakfast...

Wow, I'm late in updating!

I can't believe it's 11:00am already...well, I did get up a while ago, i've been cleaning and shipping lots of beads this morning, and sending emails and PayPal requests for money...I'm only *now* bothering to look around and see what's going on...and I see it's 11:00 already...but at least the 'business' aspect of my day is done (except going out for more propane and ink cartridge refills - anyone know a cheap place to get HP printer cartridges online?)...yet another overcast day here - perfect for indoor work. its still 85 today, but the sun is taking a break and we aren't cooking to death...that'll come soon enough...!

More orders today, and some Pickings to get ready for Thursday..I did make 1 eBay set that I need to photograph and list...some soft pastel lentils with gold dots on the edge...elegant and simple - I really like them! Will post them soon...

I'm workin' this week

Morning all...I'm busily packaging up sets and mailing them today...and working on orders..and pickings...and eBay...its a good day for beadmaking - overcast and kinda rainy...no reason to venture out of doors.

I put some Advantage on one of my cats to fight her fleas, and she layed down under my neck and I've inhaled the fumes..and its made me kinda sick. my head is filled, my throat is sore and I have a cough. I guess she 'got me back' for giving her the meds, but really...this stuff sux. It makes me unhappy...

I still need to answer Sheila's question from the other day...i'll definitely do that, just need to get some other stuff done first...will talk to ya'll soon!

Pickings are ready..!

Next up: Pickings are ready to go...Hope you find something you like...!

First up: Freebie winner for the pink/green pairs is Autumn H! Yea! New freebie is posted, if you like purple, its your lucky day!

Lots going on this morning - I have Pickings for you...am working on those right now...Need to pull the Freebie name and put up the new set....and I'll answer Sheila's comment here instead of in the comments field - so that everyone can see it...assuming you're interested in how I come up with my beadsets...Keep checking back, new stuff will be posted throughout the morning...!! wheee...its Sunday!

Its a Sunshine Day

I'm all recovered from my Kill Bill marathon - 12 hours of sleep will cure anybody! I'm all invigorated and ready to go...Today its Yardwork, tonight its beadmaking....a well rounded day, indeed..

Another new set for eBay - bright and silly stuff...I hope to have Pickings for you either tomorrow or Monday...I also need to do an Evening Picking for ya'll who can't attend the morning Pickings...I'm thinking maybe Thursday - now that The Donald has finished his tv show for the Spring, I can squeeze a Thursday night in...I don't watch Friends, so I'm not into the finale and dunno when the show is even on...I DO watch CSI, tho, its on at 8:00? so maybe we should do the evening picking before then - say 7:30? It not like I'll have 50 sets or anything as exciting as that...so don't cancel any plans if you've already made them. I'll still have my regular morning offerings, this is just for ya'll who asked for an opportunity in the evening...I'll put it on the calendar...

I have some new Bullseye coming in from my friend Lydia in a few minutes, so I'm excited to see what's there. I also plan to get a bunch of the new Gaffer cane from Val (when she offers it - gotta be quick, I do) and I have another order in for some more Opal Yellow and Tangy Coral - its more yellow than pink...like a tangerine...very fun.

The new eBay set was my first adventure into using multiple colors on each other - most of the time I find a palette I like and make lots of beads using the same colors...yesterday i was all over the map trying new stuff. it was a little intimidating for me - its definitely 'outside the box' for my way of thinking, but I like the end results so much I hope to get more made today...!

Kill Bill kicked my...

Austin is such a cool place to live...We went to see a Double Feature Kill Bill movie last night. Only 2 theatres in the country were doing this - one in LA and one in Austin. We got to the theatre at 8:30pm, and watched some live Jujitsu acrobatics by a local troupe...Vol 1 started at 10:00pm (we'd seen it previously, we are huge fans) and at the Alamo Drafthouse Theatre, you can order buckets of beer, pizzas, burgers, queso and dessert...so we loaded up on pizza and Smirnoff and kicked back for the first movie...(keep reading).

At midnight that movie ended, and we were forced to wait until 12:30pm for Vol 2 to start....It completely ROCKED and we loved it...but we got out of the theatre at....3:00am! I am SOOOO tired right now...4 hours of sleep...I need a nap...and to top it off - I've picked up some bug and am getting sick...but we had a blast and I wouldn't have traded it...Brian did the Lord of the Rings Trilogy - where all 3 movies were shown in succession and I could not hang with that...but 4 hours of Kill Bill was mucho fun. I'm ready to buy a Hattori Hanzo sword and learn how to slice up a watermelon with it...fabulous!

New set for eBay...more Tarantula colors - am trying to stay in the Bright Spring Color Scheme...so far, so good...I've pulled some transparents (thanks Carol) and hope to get to them today...depends on how well my eyelids stay open..hee...

I have 1 little set that matches today's set - i'm not sure how to offer it, though...maybe a contest? I dunno...maybe I should hold it and make more to match so there'd be 4 or 5 to choose from? what do ya'll think?

Tarantino Tarantula

Remember me saying I attended a Bridal shower at a ceramics place a couple of Friday nights ago? I finally picked up my completed pieces yesterday and as it turned out, it was great inspiration! I am one of those 'weirdos' who likes spiders, snakes and bugs...So when I spotted the ceramic tarantula on the shelf, I knew I found a soulmate. He took awhile to paint, what with all the legs, and stripes, and fangs...but I am really happy with how he turned out. He keeps me company on my desk while I'm making beads, and he's pretty quiet...most of the time...

The tumbler was a lot of fun - 'structured chaos' I suppose..I'm never one to stray too far from symmetry and pattern, so I tried my best to go a little 'out there' with my lines and colors...I have this guy on my desk as well, holding all my boro punties and chopsticks so I can make twisties and pull stringer. The colors just sang out needing to have a set made in their honor, so the Tarantino Tarantula set magically appeared...

I think today, before I jump on the torch, I'm going to visit my local bookstore and grab a fistful of magazines. I get great inspiration from them as well, and its time to stock up...where do you like to find inspiration?

Its a beautiful morning...

Wonderful day here! the cold front has moved on, so we're back to 80 again...and I'm having a great case of 'spring fever'...stealing away to go out in the sun, drive w/the top down and get out of the house as often as I can...yesterday was errand day, so not much came out of the kiln. I did finish an order, so I'm able to draw large black lines through my list on the white board. Love that feeling!

So....Ya'll hang out, enjoy yourselves and send me lotsa email. The Corina class pics are back, scroll down to her face and click right on her nose if you like!

I'll be at the torch whipping up some super groovy stuff for ya'll today...stay tuned!

How is everyone?

its sunny here, time to get out and into the 'real' world...my torch day went well, we had 2 Minor torches setup with the generator, and they worked wonderfully. So I feel good about having small classes here this summer. I did make a few beads, but as a host I tend to be busier taking care of everything else, and not on the torch much. But today is a lot quieter and I hope to get some really great beads made today..!

I have 3 sets of Pairs left, and ironically they match *perfectly* with the one set of beads I have today as a Picking...So, if you like amber/amethyst combinations, you'll like what I have to offer...but since no one bought these last 3 pairs of beads, I wonder if I should keep the whole shebang and send it to Michelle and have her turn it into a groovy bracelet instead...hmm...such a dilema... :)

Group torch day

New Pairs for your viewing pleasure...this series is the 'gold dot' group...fancy and fun, sparkly and shiny...hope you find something you enjoy!

I have 3 friends coming over to torch today...although I haven't heard back from all of them, so it'll be interesting to see who actually shows up...We get together periodically and make beads, practice techniques and solve world problems. Its still 48 out today, perfect for opening the door and keeping a bunch of loud-mouth women cool...

More Pairs are coming, I still need to shoot the photos..i have a few errands to run, so i'm not sure when they'll be posted, but I do hope to get them up for you sometime today...maybe I'll take pics now...hmmm...better go get my coat on first...

Went to see Eternal Sunshine last night...very interesting movie. We enjoyed it, but it definitely makes you pay attention to keep up with it. Not that there's anythig wrong with that. Jim Carrey was good, not his typically over-the-top mannerisms. Kate Winslet is great w/ an American accent..you forget she's English...If you feel like going on a very strange and fun trip, this movie is for you...otherwise, skip it or your head will definitely hurt from trying to figure out what is going on...sometimes I just want to veg and not think at all...!

Happy Easter

Freebie winner has been drawn...but there's a new set of beads this week! enjoy..
Its a quiet weekend...Hope your day is bright, sunny and filled with chocolate-goodness...I'll have more earring pairs either later today or tomorrow...

Yea for the rain..

Its 54 here and raining like crazy...it was dark at 3:00pm...winter has come screaming back to Austin and I must admit - its pretty sweet...Easter Sunday the high is supposed to be 58...woo!! the Easter Bunny will be chattering his big teeth while hiding those eggs...

We were going to take a drive to the Hill Country, but a cold front is coming, making today rainy and chilly...which is unusual for us...So we are staying home and working on chores, and that's good! The cats are bouncing in and out the doors, Brian is vacuuming and grocery shopping and I'm working. Might sound mundane to ya'll, but sometimes its just nice to stay home and enjoy your surroundings...today is one of those days..!

Not much was made at the torch yesterday, but more is coming, never fear...more earrings, Pickings and eBay sets...time to melt some glass!

New Feature: Pairs!

Ok, the page is up and ready..there are over 25 sets available, and I've used the 'shopping cart' instead of 'buy now', so you can add as many sets as you want w/out having to check out each time...NO rush - I'll have more of these and I'll be updating this page often, so please look around and enjoy...I'll mark the sets 'sold' as they go...

I spent all day working a something new for ya'll...pairs of beads perfect for earrings...! I still need to clean, shoot and post them - so gimme some hours to get all the work done, but I'll have a new permanent page in the Beads section where you'll be able to buy all the sets of earring beads you want...It was a lot of fun to make all these...

The plan is to make them 'cash and carry' vs 'ordering' - so you'll receive exactly what you see. I plan to make new sets and post them periodically, and this first batch is full of bright colorful opaques with lots of 'around the world' spirals (that's what I call them). Come back later to see what's up!

Torching all afternoon

Back from Target - I couldn't resist and I bought ya'll more Dove Chocolate Easter Eggs...so, you might get some melty goodness but I'll try to secure the candy in a little ziploc so it doesn't get all over everything...I mean, how could I resist the chocolate? I did buy some Tootsie Rolls when it gets *really* hot here, and I'm sure you'll get those eventually, but when it comes to Dove chocolate, there is no substitute..

Income Taxes are completed and picked up, we get a nice refund this year...it'll help pay off our house taxes that are astronomical...living in Austin is not cheap...and I'll be glad when we pay off this house, but I'm not wanting to move. Brian wants me to turn 65 so we can qualify for the Senior Citizen break...that's only 24 years away...right around the corner! hee...

I'm up e-a-r-l-y this morning...nothing like a bad dream to jarr you awake at 5:30am...but look at all this extra time I have to be productive! On the agenda for today...visit the CPA and pick up our taxes...mail them to the IRS...pick up more candy for my packages (ya'll will have to do w/out chocolate, unless you prefer your packages all melty and gooey)...Target run...and then fire up that new generator and holding tank...

I did get it all configured yesterday, but I realized I was using the wrong generator, so I had to get that straigtened out...one of the units has a switch built in that turns the machine off once the holding tank is filled..and of course that machine was still in the box while I was working with the other machine that doesn't have the switch. But its all straightened out now, and I only need 1 little piece to complete my multi-torch setup...Monday is a trial run w/ some friends so we'll see how all this goes!

In the Summertime...

Ya'll are GREAT! Look at the number of votes I have on Artzee! I wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all the times you've voted and are keeping me at #1...!!! and the 'Out' number is really groovy too - that's how many folks have come to my site *from* looking around on the Artzee site, so it looks like being on the top of the list means folks are curious to come see what fun we're having here in Blackberrybeadworld...and if you are a new visitor, welcome to the bead-madness!

i'm in the middle of putting my generator and holding tank together...and to keep things interesting, I sliced my left hand knuckles with the razor knife while putting a new brass fitting on the end of the oxy hose...good thing I'm a vampyre and the site of blood doesn't scare me...(just kidding on the vampyre part!...or am I?... >:[ (that's an ASCII vampyre if you look at it sideways)...

when the weather is fine...never a truer statement was made...it'll be 80 today, sunny and perfect. We're taking a spin in the Vampyre this weekend out to the Hill Country for some wildflower viewing...maybe go pick some strawberries...and plant our ladybanks roses we bought 2 weeks ago and haven't had a chance to put in the ground. our neighbor brought us some special rose enhanced compost from his bin (we provide green material, he gives us dirt...but i'm going to start my own compost pile soon). Its going to be a great weekend on all accounts...

My generators arrived yesterday, we've unpacked one of them and the 30gal holding tank, but I have to call the company and ask some tech questions...there are some additional mystery pieces that I'm not sure belong, and I don't want to blow the engine by doing something stupid...I hope to be torching w/ the new air by this afternoon....very sweet!

Michelle Neff at Twisted Thoughts has updated her boutique, if you're looking to spend some hard earned cash, take a visit and see what she has available...some cool purses and jewelry await you...

The Cats in the Garden set will go on eBay tonight and I hope to get a few more sets up in the next few days...dunno when I'll have Pickings again, depends on how the orders go...but i'm sure I'll have something for you soon enough. I do enjoy posting beads for ya'll!!!

Cats in the Garden

all Pickings are sold today, but i'll have more soon...thanks everyone!

Just to show that I really DO go back and revisit color combinations when I say I will, you might recognize the new eBay set as 'Victory Garden' colors...I've added a new twist to this set - Lentilized Kitties...!

Pickings at 11:00 am CST

Like Peeps? Like practical jokes about dudes who work in cubicles? go Peep...

I stayed up too late last night and now I'm paying for it. Brian and I had lots to talk about after the Star Wars wedding...i've posted pics of the day here....

The Peacocks were all over the place, and are very very loud. After awhile you just get used to them screaming..The rain held off until 8:00 and then we came home and its been raining every since. So the Wedding Weekend dodged the 'rain-bullet'....and now I'm home and back in the swing of things...

i hate the week of Spring Daylights Savings time - I have a hard time getting up in the morning - I'm much more a night owl and can stay up till 1:00am easily but I also want to get up early (beads in kiln - fun fun fun)...but I can't do BOTH, so I suffer in the mornings...ugh....

Sunday

I have new Pickings for ya'll tomorrow..already photographed and good to go, so be ready tomorrow with your lightening fast fingers...!

New 3-day auction goes up tonight. I've not done a 'quick turnaround' auction before, thought it would be a fun experiment and you could have these beads by the end of the week instead of 2 or 3 weeks...I think i'll be doing more 3-day, i've had some requests for them and I'd like to 'tuck them in' between my longer auctions just to punch things up a bit..

Today's wedding is at 4:00, Brian had to be there early for pics. Its a nice day, more overcast than yesterday but only 73 out. The guys will be in lots of drapey cloaks, so the cooler outside the better...I'm taking pics of this one, so I'll post them later when I get a chance.

Good job to Tracey A - she won the Pottery Beads in my random drawing. I've downloaded a neat little randomizer tool so I don't have to write each name on paper - I just add it to the program and it shuffles everyone around for me. Remember, I put your name in as many times as you vote, and Tracey had the most entries/votes so she had a great chance of winning...

this week, I have some cool gold lace beads for you...great for earrings or a little bracelet...let the voting begin for the week!

I will draw the Freebie winner and post soon...i've got new beads to show this week and a new eBay set, and who knows what else...snuck some time in on the torch last night, haven't even been to the kiln yet to see what's in there...back later...

Saturday

Its the eye of the hurricane...i'm heading off to my first wedding of the weekend...the party last night was fun - we went to a ceramic store and painted our own pieces. I missed dinner due to my sleepiness yesterday (that seems to have passed, i'm wide awake today) and painting was fun. I chose a tarantula to keep me company and a tumbler that is destined to hold stringer on my table.

I'll get pics of the pieces posted when I get them back..dunno when, a week or so? they didn't say and I didn't ask...

Got to take my lit fangs out for a spin again last night. the worst part is - i can't hear the reactions to anyone who might see them and think 'how cool'. So i'm just *assuming* folks think the lit fangs are cool....I know that's the reaction *I* would have!

Its a beautiful day here...70 so far and no rain unitl this afternoon. Good day for a wedding...just glad I don't have to be the center of attention! i'm hungry, think i better eat before I go, tho...talk atcha soon!!

Friday

I just realized I've never posted photos from my Corina class. Come see...

OOooo....tired....i've been staying up too late making beads and getting up early to clean and string them...I've never had a job like this - where I wanted to stay up all night and then couldn't wait to get up early the next morning...
I have a great time EVERY day and am so glad I'm able to make beads for ya'll...

I tend to do my best work between 6:00pm and 1:00am...i'm on a roll around 10:00pm when the Simpsons comes on...sure I've seen these reruns a million times, but they're still more fun than watching the all-too-depressing news. So today, I'm going to work all DAY before I go out tonight...i wonder what disasters and catastophies await me...hahaha...all I ask is that I don't burn my house down...if I can keep that from happening, its a 'good day' at the torch...!

Thursday

Pickings are ready to be picked...hope you enjoy them!

(Top 25 has reset - its the first of the month - so if you're looking for me on the list, you have to vote to put me back on it...just answering a question, not shilling for votes...that's a first, huh!)

I was going to have some neat little April Fools joke for you, but I was afraid it might backfire, so I've decided to play today 'straight'. No jokes here, although I will try to be as lighthearted and silly as I like to be.

New Pickings today, but nothing new till next week...(read on)

I have a jam packed weekend - 2 weddings! Fri night Bachelorette party at a local 'paint your own ceramic' place, then Sat morning our friends Julie and Tim get married..Sat night Brian is in a rehersal dinner, then Sunday our friends Anissa and J.Allen get married. Brian is IN that wedding, and it's a Star Wars theme, so he's got a Jedi costume to wear. I bought him a light saber for Christmas (not the plastic one, the 'big bucks' one from Master Replicas) so he's gonna be all decked out. Course, its supposed to rain all weekend, and this wedding is outdoors...should prove interesting..

but as you can tell, i will be home sporadically at best, and on the torch probably little to none..I will try to get time in as much as I can of course...and I'll update here, but don't count on any little beads for a few days at least...