What's Going On ...

Busy as a bee...

I've been working on the English Tweed sets...I've created a little chart so I know who ordered what, and how many of each to make...Organization - what a cool concept...

I do have a couple of strands of beads for ya...I may post them tomorrow...I made them over the weekend and figured ya'll were 'beaded out' from Sunday...

Alrighty, time to get to work...no errands, no chores, just beads...lets roll...

PMC is fun...tell me more...

I had the best time in my class yesterday!!! I went in with a completely open mind, and just played and experimented...no stress, no plans, no expectations...I didn't know if I'd love it or hate it but Sarah (our fearless leader) made it all very easy...What's so funny is I didn't keep any of my pieces shiny...I used the liver of sulfur and dipped everything in sight! I was so enamored with the colors that I didn't leave anything shiny - how weird is that??? And look how the pendant matches that frit bracelet - excellent! I bought lots of supplies and plan to be making more of these goodies, yes indeedy...I have metalsmithing supplies, but hauling them out is always a pain - PMC seems much easier and I get immediate gratification with it...

Of course I'm now looking for ideas, suggestions, tips, tricks and anything else ya'll might know about PMC. My friend Mick suggests I take a series of classes from Celie Fago...her stuff is fabulous! But I promise - beads are my first love, beads are where I will stay and beads are what you'll see from me on a regular basis...I promise!!

Here's a link to LOTS of PMC related sites and suppliers...PMC me!

If you're looking for the Pickings page from yesterday, never fear - you can find it here: English Tweed Pickings

Picking are ready

Whew! Well, that was much faster than anticipated...I didn't get a chance to mark sets as 'sold' and so if you've placed your order, I will definitely be making beads for you. and as always, if you'd prefer a refund instead of a remake, just email and let me know...i'll go mark the page 'sold' as now...and I WILL refund the combined shipping, so if you spent 7.50 on shipping, I'll issue a PayPal refund...I'll do that when I get around to shipping these bad boys...

If you missed out this morning and see something you like, please email and let me know...I know what I'll be doing the next few days...rock on sistas!!

Howdy ho...Here we go...Pickings be ready...

Pickings Info: Please read..

I forgot I will be in a PMC class tomorrow afternoon, so I need to offer my Pickings in the morning. Here's the info:

Date: Sunday August 29
Time: 9:00am CST - *morning*
What: "English Tweed" Series (neutrals of cocoa, sage, Earl grey with lots of gold accents and even some groovy colorful frit beads)...I will post a pic in a bit so you can preview what's available (and get up early if you spy something you want)...

Email me if you have any questions...Please don't call - I'm busily cleaning beads and taking pictures now so I'll be ready tomorrow...groovy...

I worked all day and night yesterday, can you tell? Why are they Pickings for Sunday?? Cause today we are hitting the Austin Farmers Market and a local Hot Sauce Festival...but we'll be back later, I'll clean and prep these guys (can't wait to look at them myself!) and they should be ready by tomorrow...I'll post a round about time of when to expect them, I have no idea if it'll be morning or afternoon...its supposed to rain, so taking pics might be dicey - I'll figure something out...
The colors I worked in are neutrals - tweeds, greys, with gold accents...I also used some of the new Raku Jitterbug frit so there's a splash of color on some beads...plus I have a new shape bead which I will explore more...see ya'll later today or at least tomorrow!

I'm charged and ready to go...

Halloween is on its way and I'm ready to go...Halloween is my favorite holiday, I think its the colors, the scariness of everything and all the pointy hats...I'm at the torch all day today, and I'm just gonna let things go in whatever direction I feel like...sometimes I get 'clogged' with trying too hard, and I need to just let my imagination take over and not worry about anything else...I did start a new set yesterday but I could tell it wasn't 'flowing' like I wanted...usually I make a complete set at one time, but this idea I have in my head is still rattling around and not coming out at the torch the way I'd like...so this set might be one of those 'multi-day' processes...so we'll see how it comes out, if at all...

What's that buzzing...?

While I was teaching class last night, the Bead Fairy showed up and put together some groovy sets of beads (and even made earrings - I wonder what she's up to...)...When I went outside to take pics of everything, I found her in my lounge chair, eating chocolate donuts and reading the paper...As you can see, I tried taking her pic, but she started zooming all over and all I was able to get were just flashes of her...I can see that she's been petting the cats..

Sets are sold, thanks for supporting me once again...Ya'll are the best! Who wants chocolate??

All's quiet today...

I forgot to mention that I'm 'teaching' a class at BlueMoon (our local stainedglass/lampwork shop that is right down the street from me, and where I love to hang out) tonight...

the 'class' is all about the Corina and Zoozii (Amy) bead presses...I'm not so much teaching as I am demonstrating and assisting - the folks in class will then be on their own to press beads using all my different tools. I have nearly all of the tools that both chicks sell (um, yes I just said that), but you know - I've never used all of them...So while I'm no 'expert', I do have enough of an idea of how to apply the glass, how much is too much or not enough, how to remove or add glass, how to reheat and press, etc...Some of the stamps are harder (pill box, anyone?) than others (lentil - my fave)...
The plan is for all 8 students to use my own stamps, and then they can buy stamps and take them home - how cool is this - I wrote to Corina/Catt (the manufacturer) and Amy telling them that we were offering this class and both of them sent 1ea of their stamps! So hopefully the 8 students can find 8 different stamps they like and everyone can take one home...Plus we've asked students to bring any stamps they've already purchased and are having trouble with...the more the merrier...I think this will be a fun and low key night of just playing and enjoying the tools...at least that's what I'm going to yell at them before we get underway..heh...

Nothing new to offer...am working on stuff, tho...I got a great idea in the shower this morning and want to get after it...If something interesting comes to mind, I'll be back to post...

I dunno, what's a good title?

i think the hardest part of updating for me is coming up with a title for each day's writeup...sheesh...

So I'm never afraid to offer opinions to Corina, as i'm sure most of you aren't afraid either...isn't it groovy to see your name in a publication that you didn't write? I didn't make it into the 1000 Beads book (I didn't submit, my beads were crap at the time) and I wish I was in there - the book is fabulous...I have made it into a couple of other Corina "Spotlight On..." publications, and hope to work with her on one down the road, if we ever get there...(hmm, that's a bit of a hint now, isn't it?)...If you aren't a beadmaker, her latest Spotlight on Marketing may not be of interest to you, but for those of ya'll who, like me, are trying to find their little place on the information superduperhighway, its a good reference book.
my next task is to update my packaging - its been bothering me for a while, and friends have suggested I spruce it up - SO...if you have any examples or suggestions of what you think I should do, please email/comment and let me know...In fact, I'm going to be adding a new 'feature' on my site to reward suggestions, so stay tuned for that new addition coming up this week...

I'm off to an appt., back this afternoon to make some lovely beads for all of you...ta!

Amelie and A/C

Yep, there's a new kitty in our house..not on purpose, mind you...we think she belongs to *some*body, but she's ended up at various homes and we took her in...she prefers to stay inside and hang around us and the toys more than go outside - which is kinda odd...most cats love playing in the dirt w/bugs and getting in trouble - not her...I took her to the vet last Monday to at least get her fixed - and she already IS fixed...so she was someone's little friend at one time...we're having fun with her for now and we'll see how long we keep her (hint - I've given her a name...when that happens its usually all over)...

AND, we had our A/C completely replaced, new ducting, insulation and window screens installed in our house about 3 weeks ago - and of course now the thing isn't cooling...heh...so I've got the company coming by this morning to replace whatever is broken there..thank goodness we have a second A/C for the studio and a small window unit for our bedroom - so we aren't sweltering in the heat...but wouldn't you know it - our 10 yr old A/C worked fine and our brand new unit blows in 3 weeks...the same thing happens with new cars - all the stuff that's gonna break happens when you first bring it home and then it settles down for the next 5 years...why is that?

Its Sunday...what a fun day!

I've just been relaxing, enjoying the paper and Chex cereal..listening to my Sunday Jazz station and then caught some new PowerPuff Girl episodes on Cartoon Network...I used to have a massive PPG collection but have given most of it to my buddy Dodie for her daughter Devin...I still enjoy the show, but don't devote as much $ or time to it as I once did...

I'm also completely enamored with a BBC America show called "Location, Location, Location"...two hosts/realtors take buyers to various properties and show them around...As a huge Anglophile, it fills my need to see the English countryside (and town) without having to be there in person...Plus I get to see the insides of a lot of different homes -something mosts tourists don't get to do..I'm amazed at how much the homes look like undustrial buildings just inches off a busy street - only to be someone's home. And the 'garden' is about a 5x5 spot of grass in the back with a cat roaming around...Not much mowing there...and no pool to speak of...but still, Britain is fab and the show is wonderful...i'm just glad its on during the day so I'm not up till 2:00 AM watching...!

Boys, Girls and Midnight Squirrels...

I'm workin hard...will be ready at 1:00pmCST...see you then!

Howdy my bead minions...The Fairy was here very late last night, and thus the kiln is still too hot to even open...I think I was last on her stop before she hit the local clubs downtown...So, I need to wait before I can get started...That means YOU get to enjoy your morning and eat your Cheerios without choking...Grab those blueberries, slice those bananas and come back later today...I'm thinking maybe around 1:00pm CST?? There are a lot of beads to clean, and assuming they all survive the kiln gremlins without problem (this house is like a Wild Things book) then there shall be a bounty of goodness...I'll keep ya'll aprised of the progress...mmm...bananas...

What in the world could those be?

I've made 4 sets for tomorrow's Pickings...they are in similar but not exact colors, and they are using the Pillow, Pill Box and lentil shapes...we're heading downtown to celebrate Brian's birthday (Tuesday) but if we get back in time, I'll try to get a few more sets made...the auction goes live at 8:30CST tonight, tho...woohoo, rock and roll kiddos...!

Hey look, I made beads! I was trying to decide how to break these guys up, but I liked the look of all of them together...I'm sure I could get more $ for them if they were Pickings, but that isn't the point - I want them to stay together as a group and let whoever owns them decide how best to use them...and I can always make more...I am so fond of the transparents - I use them 90% of the time in my designs (its the 'shiny thing'), but I had this vision to play with the earth colors...and not just browns, but add some pale green, terra cotta and plum into the mix...stir things up...get things going...and of course I had to add a bit of shine - I just couldn't bring myself to etch the goldstone lentils, so they are still shiny...some things will never change...

The 'mystery' tool-
I've had a few emails about the little brass tool shown in the picture from yesterday - that's a little 'magic wand' that Corina sent to me asking for some feedback...I've been using it for a few days to burnish, shape and marver and so far its working great. I don't know when she'll go into production with them, she's got a guy on the Island who's making them and it all depends on his schedule, the price point, etc. But keep an eye on her site and I'm sure she'll do a promo when she's ready to launch it...

I do have beads...hey!

This is what happens when an airpocket runs the length of your rod- its 'splodes all over and pretty much is destroyed w/out being used at all...I hate when this happens...!

Its expensive, yes...there are a few reasons for that - the cost of the glass, the availability of the glass and the fact that the glass will burn out if overheated (its fussy and will burn quickly)...I have just the 1 set w/ the pearls, but will happily make more of the sets w/out pearls so you can design however you like..perhaps you have a ton of pearls you're not using...hmmm...I bet I have more pearls hiding in my cupboards......i love the 'peacock' black pearls, one day I hope to have some Tahitian pearls...

I got some of the new glass in from Frantz yesterday and made one of the 'black pearl' bracelets like Miss C had for sale the other day...that may be about all that's worth anything in the kiln, tho...but I have a hair cut this morning and won't be able to post anything until after lunchtime...

i'm headin' out, but I'll be back...

Excellent suggestions - All!!

hmm...maybe I should just get one of these things...heh...Groovy Bed
Thank you to everyone who's emailed and commented with ideas and suggestions on how to get past my ailment....I will say I put a few into effect last night - I turned the tv off after the Olympics were over and I went straight to bed - and I didn't eat anything with high sugar/chocolate content right before bed. I also woke up with my alarm went off at 7:15 and have been awake ever since - no sleeping in. I slept better last night and feel better this morning. I'm heading out for a walk while the kiln fires up, so when I get back I should be ready for a great day of work...I'm going to review your lists and try to put more into effect just cause they are excellent ideas..

I do think the cable has a lot to do with it...I haven't had cable TV in about 2 years and since its come back, I've been like a kid eating Halloween candy all night...and I think it caught up with me. The good news is - there is a lot of junk on cable that I don't need to be watching. In fact, I can channel surf sometimes and not find ANYTHING to watch (makes me wonder why we pay for it now, heh)...

I put my new car cover on my Vampyr yesterday, so I have no intentions of going anywhere today...its a 'all bead, all the time' kinda day today and I won't even mind if some of the beads turn out icky...it'll just be nice to get back on the torch. Its been nearly a week...that's a long time for me! The colors are pulled, the ideas are there, its just time to get going...and now i'm ready... see ya'll soon!!

Maybe you can help me...

The past couple of weeks I've been suffering from insomnia...pretty badly actually...I've been going to bed at 11:30-12:30 but tossing and turning until 6:00am...getting no sleep...or finally sleeping until 11:00am...I'm not sure what the cause is or how to fix it...and now I'm finding myself suffering from it...I'm not into medication or pills - I hardly have any aspirin in the house, so bottles of meds aren't something I immediately turn to...I tried making beads yesterday, but was too tired to light the torch (its never a good idea to work at an open flame when sleepy....for obvious reasons). I don't drink soda/tea/coffee, so its not a caffiene thing...(what a weirdo, huh...)

So, I ask all you wise and intelligent readers - what are some successful ways to combat this? How do I get back on track and able to make beads? I feel bad that I haven't had anything to offer, but I've just not been able to get going...there's nothing like being exhausted every day...and I'm tired of it...nice pun...

Howdy!

Well, I have had a nice few days off...I rarely take days off, but boy did I need a few to just veg and play...I've watched some of the Olympic gymnastics and a little swimming and volleyball...I dig the Olympics and Bob Costas...some of the other announcers - not so much...

The good news is that I have some new inspiration for some new sets...the bad news is I haven't been on the torch since Wed, so I don't have any new beads for ya'll...I also need to draw the winner for the Freebie and post a new set...I'll get that taken care of today...Right now I have to run a couple of errands, but I'll be back...and I'll get caught up on my emails too...whew, there's nothing like taking a step off the merry-go-round - it keeps spinning and I have to run and jump to get back on...haha...

Where Am I?

I'm just enjoying a few days away from the torch..you know how anything is - sometimes you just need a break in order to get the gears going again...I actually do have some groovy inspiration in some catalogs that have arrived recently, so I plan to make some really nice Fall color sets soon...

I wanted to show ya'll the bracelet I made for myself the other day..i would have loved to have sold it to ya'll, but there are knicks in the glass where the beads touched each other, so its not in sellable condition, so i'm keeping it for me...Its very shiny, so of course I'm enamored with it...I made it on my Lynx, but I know the Minor will do different reactions to the glass as well, so that's my next experiment - to see what groovy things I can get from this glass on the Minor...will post those and hopefully they'll be something I can post for sale...

Have a good weekend, see ya'll soon!

Oh good...

I'm glad to hear you liked the organics offered yesterday...I will definitely do more, and I even bought some new purple enamel yesterday (hint hint)... Will I be at the torch today? i'm not sure...I have some new frits I want to play with, but I also want to get out of the house and go DO something, so I think that's going to win...but the allure of the torch always brings me back, so I'm sure I won't be gone from it for too long...

This crack cable tv is really killing me...I've got to get it out of my system so I can to sleep at a decent hour...

Stones and Lentils and Shine, oh my

The Pickings were a bigger hit than I expected - I know I don't work in them often and you don't come to my site to see organic beads, so I wasn't sure if any of them would sell, actually...so I'm delighted that they were snatched up as quickly as they were...I'm taking the day off today to enjoy the cool front that came through - its only 85 today instead of 100 like it was yesterday, so I'm headin out in the Vampyre and going to get in trouble...I have some ideas for some new work, so I'll be back at the torch soon, never fear my dear...

Ok, now that I've had a chance to go through the beads and clean and string a few, its not a total loss...i've had to adjust to my original ideas, since some of the beads didn't turn out, but there are others there that are perfectly functionable, so I'm not as disappointed as I was an hour ago...I'll get these guys cleaned and shot and let you decide if you like anything...gimme a couple of hours, as i'm still cleaning, so i'm no where near ready to post...

i'm feeling better...

I was up really late last night making beads..I even gave up a dinner invite to stay home and play...and I've just pulled the beads out of the kiln this morning and at least half of them are bad...Its what happens when you 'go organic' and let the bead fairy take control...I'm still evaluating the problem to see if i can figure out what went wrong. I pulled some new redux stringer in the middle of the session and I'm wondering if its not what the package says it is...cause it didn't reduce at ALL..(although in the flame it looked great). SO - what does all this mean to YOU you ask? Well, I'll see if I can scrounge up anything as a Picking for you, but don't hold your breath. If I find anything it'll be a miracle...I know this is one of the possiblities when working w/ organics, I just hate when it happens to me, and in such a big way...hours and hours wasted...argh...

The Blog is Back

Brian bailed me out and fixed the broken blog...we're back in action!

You can read Rachel's comment in the Comments field now...and see her Lego in the Lego Gallery...Good job Nurse Rachel!

New set going up on eBay tonight, I know, blah blah - you've seen it all day now...would you rather I hide it from you like C does and just let you come back and see what I post? The waiting is the hardest part...heh...

i'm feelin' organic, are you?

I've been enjoying playing with the silver blue reduction frit and the new 'mystery' frit that I used to make the Autumn Dance lentils with - so I think I'll play with more organic styles today...I love science and I love surprises, so going organic is perfect for me....maybe i'll even pull out some of my enamels for Sue...

i'm trying to get all the links back to normal, but you might run across one or two here and there until I fix everything...thanks for the continued emails about the Hunt, but its over for now...all the prizes and beads went out in the mail yesterday...

I was up late videotaping the Lance Armstrong interview on OLN...the party is this Friday downtown and 60K folks are expected..I'm not big on crowds, so I haven't decided if I'm going yet or not...we shall see...

Evanescence Bracelet

Click for more info Evanescence

Here's a quick bracelet I made this morning using left over Evanescence beads...the crystals match wonderfully - Indian Sapphire (light blue) and a dark blue metallic (i can't remember the name, i'll go look it up)...some of these beads shine more than others - its all about the flame itself. If I used the 'dragon's breath' flame, which is a gigantic propane flame, I got the dark blue squiggles (like the set I offered yesterday). If I reduce using a mix of propane/O2, I get a higher mirror effect, but less blue. So I mixed the two together to help tone down the super-shine..tossed in a couple of lentils that were sitting around and this is a nice, light bracelet that I forget I have on...Now, go make some cool bracelets yourself!! (your beads are on their way..)

Raise your hands...I was having fun, making beads and watching the XFiles on cable...Brian has started calling it 'Crack Cable' and he's right! But its still fun, and I'm being productive, so I'm not ready to cut it yet...I made 5 sets of Evanescence for everyone who's ordered (and there are 2 sets of Autumn Dance that will be mailed, and 2 more will be made today for shipping tomorrow)...and I even made myself a bracelet from some left over Evanescence beads..I'll show ya'll in a bit, once I get this shipping stuff under control...LOTS of stuff is going out the door...and then I'm jumping back on the torch. I love when my calendar shows the day completely empty - no interruptions! Back w/ pics in a bit, time for some breakfast or maybe even lunch...?

Who likes scavenger hunts?

Whew! Looks like everything has quieted down, if you're still looking for all 5, go right ahead, but I WILL be posting the answers a bit later, so everyone knows where they were all hiding...

I think this turned out fun, I know some of ya'll were frustrated, and that wasn't my intention, of course...I hope next time out it'll be easier for ya...I DO plan on doing this again, although not right away...maybe I'll make it a monthly kind of event, where you will be alerted far enough in advance to plan some time in the day to go hunting...and maybe you'll hunt for something else, but beads will be the 'prize' (like an Easter egg hunt, only you win beads instead of eggs)...

I don't want ya'll to get bored when you visit, so I'm trying to mix things up a bit, keep it fresh and fun...I'd love to do a trivia contest, but with Google you can find the answers so easy...my friends and I would enter weekly trivia challenges here in Austin and we'd kick the other teams in the rear. We won shirts, trophies, beer and just had a blast...I love 'worthless' trivia...Here's one for ya - Who was the first guest on David Letterman back in 1982? I know this answer - how useless is that??

Ok, we do have a winner in the 'Found all 5' contest...but there are a few of you very close, so keep going! i might find a few more prizes to distribute to ya'll who are now bald from pulling your hair out...

I've added PayPal buttons on the pages who's sets are still available...there are a couple of sets that I'll remake a few of, so if the button is gone - the set is not one I'll be remaking...

Keep going, hope you're having fun regardless...or go get a lemonade and relax...I need to give some intravenus lemonade to Rachel right now...poor kid...

NOTE: Please tell me if you WANT the set or not when you email me - if you don't specify, then I'm going to assume you're just looking for all 5 sets, and I'm not going to mark it sold...so far only 2 sets are sold - the Psychodelia and Wild Wild West..everything else is still up for grabs...good luck!

To be fair, I posted a pic of the sets up for grabs, that way you know if you even want to begin the hunt...The site is ready, the sets are buried somewhere on the site - one clue I will give you - I've not put anything on the Gallery page - I thought that would be too tedious to go through all the pics on there, and this is supposed to be FUN not a drag...

Each set has its own page w/ an email link on it, a small write up on about the set and the price. If you find a set but don't want it, but just want to email and tell me you found it, that is perfectly fine...Sometimes the hunt is more fun than the prize...If you find all 5, email and tell me where they are and the first person to do that will get a prize too..hey, why not?

Get Ready...Get Set...Go!

I am ready to go sooner than I thought I would be- I can post this around 1:00pm CST if ya'll are ready too...I think this will take awhile, so I don't think it will pose a problem for anyone who waits until 2:00 to come back...

ok, see you are 1:00 - about 15 min or so...
I thought I'd do something a bit different to break up the bead-frenzy that happens when I post Pickings...so many folks miss out and get disappointed so I thought "what if I hide them all over my site?"...so that's what I'm going to do...There will be 5 sets of beads hidden all over my site today...you will have to click on links or pics to find them, they won't be so obvious as just sitting out in plain sight...If you find a set, email me the name of the set and whether or not you're interested in buying it. The Name and Price will be included in the picture, and I'll need to know the name of the set, so don't forget to include that in your email...
Now, when will this take place? Well, I still have to clean/shoot everything, as well as hide them...its 10:08am right now, so I figure to have this going around 2:00pm this afternoon (CST)...I can keep you updated as to how many sets are still available, when everything has been found, etc. Remember if you find a set and you don't want it, you don't have to email and tell me - maybe the next person will find and want it...no problem! I'll have more details once I get everything 'planted', so check back in awhile. Please - no phone calls or emails asking me for more info, I'm heading to the cleaning station to get this underway and won't be able to catch the phone...

go eat breakfast and enjoy your morning...!

A quiet and peaceful day

Its been a lazy day - we got up late, had a late breakfast at our favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant and I'm just now getting to my picture taking and bead cleaning...The weather has cooled off a bit and its overcast, so we're enjoying the day outside as much as in...I've got the kiln firing up and have more frit to play with, so I'm looking forward to seeing what freakish results come out...

The new Blooberry set goes up tonight - I used some new frit in it that I don't know much about...Val Cox sent me a few jars to test and I liked the color combo so much that I created this set of beads around it...I like when sets come together like this - not much planning, but great results...

I'm still catching up on emails, i have quite a few to answer, so if you haven't received a response, you will....!

Workshop today

My students are on their way from San Antonio, they'll be here in about an hour...i'm doing last minute sweeping and making sure the propane is hooked up nice and tightly...I have some beads, but think I'll post this set on eBay and make more for ya'll this weekend instead...there are only enough for about 1 or 2 folks, and I know the last set of Pickings flew so fast that many of ya'll didn't even see them...

Will check back with ya'll later...!

Studio cleanup

I forgot that I have a workshop here in the studio tomorrow and I need to get the place fixed up...a little vacuuming here, a little sweeping there and it should be ready to go...we scheduled this back in June and here it is August already...i'm still living in June..i'm always 2 months behind...I should come up for air more often!

Still playing with frits..nothing exciting to show ya'll yet...prob nothing till Saturday, but I'll letcha ya'll know if that changes...

I'm speechless - again

I've been trying to think of something witty (or not) to talk about and nothing is coming to mind...So, feel free to discuss topics on your own and I'll get on the torch and play with these new test frits...maybe something fun will come from it...

Wild Wild West...

Ok, the couple of sets have come and gone, but if you missed out and really like the Denim/Cocoa color combo, you'll be glad to know that I have a great big (21 beads) set going up on eBay tonight...and its only a 5 day auction, so it finishes this Sunday...these colors will work great in the Fall, with turquoise and silver, leather and metal...I'm sure you'll see more of this color scheme again, I'm diggin it big time!!

1:30 pm - Let the games being...

12:25pm - I've got 2 sets of beads to offer... will post them around 1:30 CST. If you like denim and chocolate, you'll like these..otherwise, no need to rush back...i'm working in bright colors today - and testing some of Val's new frit..so hopefully tomorrow my Pickings will be more substantial for ya...

back in a bit...

I've got a few beads today, but I'm not sure if any of them will be specials until i take a look at them and clean them up...so no rush in coming back - i might not have anything for ya'll today...lemme go look and see what's there...

Had a nice day off...

I forgot to mention, my Corina Stringer Control DVD arrived the other day and I finally had time to sit and watch it last night...very good information, and I must say that after taking the class and seeing this info first hand - the DVD is almost as good as being there!! So, I recommend it highly!! She and Don took a great deal of effort to shoot the action from different angles, so you should be able to see everything that happens when applying stringer decorations to a bead...Even if you're not a beadmaker, but are only interested in what exactly happens when these little bits of glass are applied to a bead, you might consider watching the video. You can find it on Corina's site..its about $25.00...

Cleaning day went well - Brian vacuumed and I did laundry and we have a new Purple Martin Birdhouse being installed...the foundation pole and concrete was set yesterday, today its all birdhouse, all the time...I'll take pics of the final assembly this afternoon...and then melt...its going to be heat index of about 110 all this week - welcome to August in Texas...Ya know how ya'll in the North have to suffer through January/February (and more) with the 9 feet of snow, and day after day of it being 0 degrees? Well, in Texas, our summers are our 'suffer time'...and we're crankin' up the heat baby, yeah...99-100 are the forcasted temps for this week, and the 80% humidity drives it up to about 110 out...if you want to reenact this, just crank up your shower as hot as it'll go and bask in the steamy room afterward...Its so fun...but hey - it could be worse - at least I don't have to shovel this stuff...

Cleaning Day!

I must say I am giggling at your 70's Idol comments - looks like we all had crushes on the same folks...such a fun time...
Today is 'clean the house' day- because it hasn't been done for ages...so, email and comment to keep me from jumping out a window (we have a single story house)...