Great Movies to Bead by...Holiday Edition

Emmet Otter's JugBand Christmas (1977)

The Story: Emmet and Ma Otter live along the river in a tiny shanty. Ma washes and mends neighbors' clothes for money, and Emmet does odd jobs around town with his late Pa's old tool chest. When the opportunity comes to enter a talent contest that offers a large cash prize, both Ma and Emmet enter hoping to win the money and buy the other what they most desire. Will one of them win the contest and save the holiday? Watch and see ;)

What I like: Based on the holiday favorite Gift of the Magi, this Jim Henson movie is a lost gem. This is another one leftover from my childhood. When it came out on VHS, I had to snap it up! Kermit the frog makes and appearance as the narrator and, of course, he's my favorite Muppet. The fantastic band of 'bad guys', The Riverbottom Nightmare Band, are appropriately hilarious, and may have been spoofs of popular musicians of the 60's and 70's. The gift of the Magi has always been one of my favorite holiday stories, and this version doesn't fail to deliver, and even allows children to understand that what matters at Christmas isn't 'stuff' but family.

Little Women (1994)

The Story: The Marches, once a fine and noble family, have fallen on lean times. The mother (Susan Sarandon) does her best to clothe, feed, and educate her daughters while her husband is away at war, and her efforts get her four young women who know their minds and aren't bent on 'frivolous' things. The eldest daughter Meg (Trini Alvarado) is bent on marriage, next in line, Jo, is destined to be a writer, the third daughter Beth (Claire Danes) is happiest at home, and the (Winona Ryder) youngest and fairest, Amy (Kirsten Dunst), is sure that she'll make a rich match. When handsome Laurie (Christian Bale) shows up next door, the Marches know their lives will never be the same. They have their ups, they have their downs, but what they really have is eachother.

What I like: By now, you are all aware of my love for period films. I love the costuming, the manners, and the thought of a 'different time', but most of all I love the sense of family that this film imparts. Like Jo, I do wonder what it would be like to be Belle Gardner with 10 pairs of gloves and 5 marriage proposals. Not that I'm not happy with the one I ended up with, but it never hurts to dream ;) I can't keep away from any movie that involves a strong woman, and this movie has at least 5 of them! Throw in a dose of hottie Christian Bale, and dark and mysterious Gabriel Byrne, and I'm sold.

Sneaky old Christmas ;)

I will be the first to admit that Christmas kind of snuck up on me....okay, it totally ambushed me in broad daylight while I was looking straight at it, but you get my point.

On top of this being my first holiday season in my shop, I had 3 shows in the first couple weeks of December.  Two of the shows were in one day, with the first being at my shop, and the an evening show with Raqs Nova for their Troupe Show.  Needless to say I was exhausted at the end of it all.

I taught a couple Free Demos with inexpensive kits available to go with them:  one a Leather and Lampwork Bookmark, and the other my Queen of Hearts Snowflake Ornament. (you'll see them pop up in my Etsy shop soon ;)

I even managed to find some time to craft some Disco Ball Rings for the TribalTique Funky Town Show.

And I created something else that I can't show you until I get a chance to show it to the person it's intended for ;)

Other than that it's been a very quiet holiday season for me with my husband out of town, and my Assistant Tara visiting her family.  I had 3 whole days off in a row which is unheard of, so I was thankful for that, and I'll have another 3 coming for New Years too.  I hope that you all of your Holidays were both Merry and Bright, that you got everything you wanted, and made everything you intended to (unlike me ;).  Merry Christmas everyone!

Great Movies to Bead by....

Great Movies to Bead by....

I'm not sure how I missed getting this out in November, so you'll get a double dose of GMTBB this month!



Sweet Home Alabama (2003)

The Story: Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She is a fabulous up and coming fashion designer who has just nailed her first major fashion show and she has just become engaged to the most eligible bachelor in New York City (Patrick Dempsey). What's the problem then? Well, for starters, her name is really Melanie Smooter, she has a less-than-elegant family in a small Alabama town, and, oh yeah, she's already married to her high school sweetheart (Josh Lucas)! Can she get a divorce in time to avoid having to tell anyone, or will her nosey future mother-in-law ruin everything?

What I love about this movie? Having lived in the South for a while, I appreciated the scenes where Mr. Smooter and company are re-enacting the Civil War. They really do have them down there, and sometimes the South even wins!

I enjoy the 'fish out of water' element of the New Yorkers visiting Alabama, and also the romance element centered around what lightning does to sand when it strikes. This one is a must-have for any beader's collection in my opinion ;)



Made of Honor (2008)

The story: Platonic best friends Tom (Patrick Dempsey) and Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) accept eachother the way they are. He's a serial dater whose bed hosts a new girl every night, and she's simply looking for Mr. Right. When Hannah takes an extended vacation to Scotland, Tom begins to realize what he's been missing in his relationships all this time....Hannah. When she comes home engaged to a Scottish Duke and asks Tom to be her 'maid' of honor, Tom accepts so that he can be close to Hannah to win her over. From New York for the bridal shower to Scotland for the wedding, Toms' comical attempts to appear 'mature' to Hannah are entertaining and endearing. Will Tom be able to win her back in time, or is he destined to lose her forever?

What I like about it? First of all, I just like wedding movies, and this one is set (partly) in Scotland with a sort of 'traditional' theme . What girl hasn't dreamed of marrying some version of royalty and living in a castle? And if attractive Scottish nobles isn't your thing,who doesn't want to marry Patrick Dempsey? Just sign me up!

The scenes in Scotland are beautiful, and the Highland Games are full of men in kilts, most of which I would take as a mate. (Yes, I bought my actual husband a kilt which he DOES wear, complete with boots that nearly reach the long kilt ;).

The comedy hits the mark each time, whether you're dealing with the evil would-be female Maid of Honor, or watching Patrick Dempsey attempt the Highland Games in a mini-kilt. All around a fun movie with a satisfying ending.

Turkey Dinner with Me, Myself, and I

This year, with my husband and best friend out of town for Thanksgiving, I opted to spend it alone in silent bliss.  I made myself a turkey dinner, complete with all the trimmings, spent the day beading and glittering things, went out in the evening for a doorbuster sale or two (I got the Making Memories Embellishment Center at a stupid discount), and went to the shop to decorate a bit in preparation for Black Friday.  No pics of the shop yet, but here's a pic of my dinner:

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

An unexpected pleasure :)

A customer came into the shop the other day.  Being a new customer, I asked "How did you hear about us?" expecting to get the usual answer of "Google.", and she said " I saw your mention in Denver Magazine."    First off, we had no clue that we were being mentioned at all.  Secondly, we were part of the feature article naming "107 Exciting things to do in Denver".  Woohoo!  We were honored to be mentioned.  So here's the cover of the current edition which we're part of on page 84:

And here's a little picture of the article:

And here's a link to the online version of the article:

Denver Magazine November 2010

So thanks Denver Magazine for including us!  We really appreciate it :)

Halloween and Other Stuff

Well, Halloween is over.   I only dressed up once for the Rocky Mountain Bead Society costume party, and that was enough for me.  Halloween is also my anniversary, but my hubby was out of town for work that weekend, so that was a no-go.  I didn't even have any trick or treaters come to the door.  Weird.

So here's a picture of me in my Pirate Gypsy costume on my way to the RMBS party:

And a picture of my husband and his Airsoft Team ZERO on their way to kill a greyhound racetrack full of zombies.  Yes, zombies.  My husband is the one on the bottom right ;)



Jade's Necklace

When I came back from the Bead&Button Show this past June, I brought with me some fabulous vintage Swarovski Crystal cabochons, and graciously agreed to share some with the shop.  They didn't last long.  When Jade of 5280 Platinum Studios stopped by, she just had to have me make something with the Smoked Topaz rounded triangles, but what to make?  We decided on stacking them as a centerpiece with a bit of beadweaving around them, and I set to turning the crystals into a pendant.  The pendant has been done for a while, but the rest of the necklace wasn't really coming to me, so I let it sit and stew until I found the perfect accompanying pieces.  Yesterday, I think I found a great combination that not only looks fabulous, but allows the centerpiece to shine.  Here's what I've come up with:

I used an irridescent purple natural pearl, double-drilled shell spacer bars in purple, Swarovski Crystals in Amethyst and Smoked Topaz, and added antiqued copper daisy spacers and slightly tarnished copper balls.  It still has a way to go (for one I need to figure out which clasp will work best), but I think I'm on the right track....what do you think?

So excited!

In May of 2009 I participated in the Bead Unique Magazine Bead Swap.  When I received the box of goodies from other beaders, I went to work and created 7 items to send to them.  I was elated that October when I opened the Winter 2010 edition to find a little picture of one of my bracelets with my name beside it on the page describing the Bead Swap.  In February of 2010, as I was opening the first storefront location of my bead store, I was contacted by Joanna Feller, Managing Editor of Bead Unique Magazine requesting the instructions for my Medallion Bracelet, stating that they had it in mind for their Winter 2011 issue (hitting newsstands in October 2010).  I was both humbled and honored to even be asked.  I quickly sent along the instructions for the bracelet,  and waited.

A few months went by.  I was asked for a few more sets of instructions, 2 of which I have sent along, and one which I have yet to get to (I'll get there I swear).  I was beginning to give up hope on the winter issue when I received the fall issue, and near the back was a large teaser picture of my bracelet saying 'Coming in next issue'.  Woohoo!  Now I knew for sure that I would be in that issue!  Yesssss!

 

So, without further adieu, I give you the Winter 2011 issue of Bead Unique Magazine, complete with my Medallion Bracelet article.  The picture of my bracelet was taken by Pamela Hawkins, Editor in Chief of BU (you can visit her blog here).  Thanks Pam for making my item look its very best.  I appreciate it more than you could know :) .  Here's to the first in a long line of fabulous articles!

Great Movies to Bead by....

The Worst Witch (1986)
The Story: Mildred Hubble is accepted into Miss Cackle's (Charlotte Rae)Academy for Witches based solely on being descended from a long-line of respectable Witches. Her potions making is terrible, her broomstick riding is attrocious, and she's the only girl in the school with a grey kitten. Daunted by a nasty fellow student bent on her demise, a head teacher (Diana Rigg)who simply hates her, and a band of wicked witches trying to take over the school, Mildred (Fairuza Balk) has to dig deep inside herself to save the day (and meet the Grand High Wizard (Tim Curry).


Why I like it: I admit, this is a favorite from my childhood. I wouldn't go trick-or-treating without seeing it. I love that Charlotte Rae plays both the head-mistress of the school Miss Cackle, and her wicked twin sister Aggie. Diana Rigg (with her fabulous cheekbones) portrays a very believeable mean teacher out to get the nice girl, but redeems herself a bit in the end. And if those aren't enough for you, it's totally worth seeing Tim Curry dance around in this hilarious solo where a green screen ( new technology for the time) was used to show not-so-scary Halloween scenes in the background while he sings about my favorite holiday. True, it's a show made for kids in the 80's, but I rather enjoy the cheesy graphics and the cute coming of age story; I hope you will too!


Practical Magic (1998)

Born into a legacy of witches with a dark history, Jillian (Nicole Kidman) and Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock) have never been 'normal'. Raised by their aunts after their parents' death, the sisters grew up in a household that was anything but typical--their aunts fed them chocolate cake for breakfast and taught them the uses of practical magic. But the invocation of the Owens' sorcery also carries a price--some call it a curse: the men they fall in love with are doomed to an untimely death. Now adult women with very different personalities, the quiet Sally and the fiery Gillian must use all of their powers to fight the family curse and a swarm of supernatural forces that threatens the lives of all the Owens women.


Why I like it: Beyond Sandra and Nicole's fabulous hair in this movie (yes, we know they're extensions, but that's hardly the point), I always enjoy a good love story, and Practical Magic delivers. I am a big fan of midnight Margaritas, and chocolate cake for breakfast if I can get it and, no I wouldn't mind very much if Aidan Quinn showed up at my doorstep bent on being my new love interest. Stockard Channing and Diane Wiest have long been favorites of mine, and they are laugh out loud hilarious in this movie at times. It has action, adventure, (needless to say) magic, and a few scenes with a hot undead guy...what more could you want for your Halloween viewing?

Update on THE Bag

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been inspired to work on THE Bag in months. I remember sewing a few beads onto it at the Bead&Button Show, but that's about it. So I took a picture of what I had done in June shown here,

and actually got to work on it a bit last week. I'm really not that far from having this part of it done, but I have at least 4 more piece to go (nowhere near this large). Wish me luck!

Great Movies to Bead by...

Legally Blonde (2001)

The Story: Elle Woods (played by Reese, of course) has never had anyone expect more from her than to be a Victoria's Secret model. After being dumped by her long-term boyfriend in favor of a dull, brunette (He needed to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn ;), she decides to get him back by attending Harvard Law along with him. To her, and everyone else's, surprise, she has more legal savvy than many of the hoity toity students at the school. She has her ups, she has her downs, she has her mini Chihuahua named Bruiser, and she's out to prove to everyone that blondes can be more than beautiful.

What I like about it: Firstly, I love Reese Witherspoon. Really love her. I love her bunny costume, I love her attitude, and, let's face it, I love her hair. I admit, this movie is a guilty pleasure of mine. I watch it when I need a little pick-me-up, or when I feel the need to see a dog in a costume. I even own it on VHS....shudder ;) I've always had a thing for Luke Wilson, who plays her eventual love interest, so that's a big plus for me. And I want a little Bruiser dog, really I do.

Vanity Fair (2004)


The Story: Rebecca Sharp's (played by Reese Witherspoon) father was and artist, and her mother a French opera singer. Being orphaned at a young age, she is forced to be a servant in a boarding school until coming of age. Armed with only her wits and obvious beauty, she decides to raise her lot in life as best she can starting a governess in a Squires' home. 'Described by some as 'Not merely a social climber, but a mountaineer', we watch the trials and tribulations of her launch into (and out of ) society.

My take: You know I love a period drama, and this one leaves no costume un-polished. Reese Witherspoon actually sings in this movie. She sings a beautiful rendition of 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal' which is certainly worth hearing. This film is directed by Mira Nair. Famous for her ability to capture the mood of a film impeccably, she adds in flavors of India in all the right places. There is even a dance number sung to a tune familiar to me (and most other bellydancers) with an Indian feel. Fleshing out the cast is James Purefoy as Rawdon Crawley, Gabriel Byrne as The Marquess of Steyne, Romola Garai as Amelia Sedley, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the naughty George Osborne

A few of my Favorite Things....

We're coming up on my favorite time of the year....fall. The crispness of the air, the crunch of the leaves, the Halloween costumes, my Halloween wedding....all of it comes to mind when we have that first cool evening. The retail stores are teaming with spider webs and witches, pumpkins and bats, and I want them all. Glitter-covered skulls seem to be popular this year and I saw a lot of owls while I was out and aboutI am now creating crystal spider, and beaded witch earrings, and I have added one more item to my Halloween repertoir: Spider web ornaments! Here's a picture to give you a better idea of what I'm talking about. I may be offering it as a class at the shop next month, so keep an eye out ;)

Unspoiled Weekend

This past weekend, I hit the wall on my 80 hour weeks for the past few months. After doing a show on Saturday, I promptly melted onto my couch, where I pretty much stayed until Monday afternoon when I took my husband back to the airport. I barely worked on anything at all, shopped for a little polymer clay to use in some Halloween pieces, and read 300 pages into Twilight. I had popcorn, apricot toast, and a SlimJim and a pickle for dinner last night.....no kidding.

I haven't decompressed that much in months if not longer. At first it felt like I should be doing something, then my very wise husband says "Just sit here", so I did.

Here's a picture of the little table I had at the show, pretty much the only productive thing I did all weekend, for which I am proud.

Blog Challenge: Still a Disaster Area ;)

This past weekend, I had a chance to tackle a little bit of my beadroom... mainly the huge table in the center of the room. Now It's no secret that I'm not a clean crafter, but what had started out as "I know what's under that little pile there" became a giant mountain of shiny that required a topographical resource map to find anything. I'm pleased to say that it's coming along nicely and, with only a couple of weeks to go in the challenge, it couldn't have come soon enough. So here's what it looks like now...I can almost see the bottom of the pile...er, I mean....I can almost see the table!

Hopefully I'll be able to find some time in my busy schedule soon to clean a little bit more. Wish me luck ;)

Great Movies to Bead by....

Having had a very hectic past couple of months, I have neglected to write this column, so, without further adeiu, here it is!

Sense and Sensibility (1995)
With the recent death of their wealthy father, and the estate entailed away from the female line, the Dashwood girls must learn to fend for themselves in a world where money and status are everything. This version stars Emma Thompson as the sensible Elinor, and Kate Winslet as passionate Marianne (and let's not forget Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon). The costumes are beautiful, the people are beautiful, and I think this will always be my favorite.

Sense and Sensibility (2008)
Taking a small liberty with the book, the main cottage is located along a beautiful seaside. Although this version boasts less stars in the main cast than the 1995 version, you will recognize many of the supporting actors from other BBC films. Included are Mark Williams as Sir John Middleton , and the incomparable Linda Bassett as Mrs. Jennings.

That being said, I found the main cast very likeable and believable. Elinor being among my favorite characters of all time, I am very picky about the part, and I really liked Hattie Morahan (whom I was unfamiliar with up until this point) in the part. David Morrissey as Colonel Brandon took a bit of getting used to, but he grew on me.

Both of these movies are available through Amazon.com, and the pictures should be clickable links to their pages.

Dropped off the Radar...

Sorry that I've dropped off the radar the last few weeks everyone. I had some major deadlines to make for bead magazines, bead shows, show vending, and the list goes on.

To update you on the progress of my Bead Room Challenge, here's a picture of the disappearing mound on top of my beloved bead table:

I've got 5 weeks to go, and a big show to plan for in a couple weeks, so we'll see what gets done eh? Check back with me and see ;)

New Creations

Jade, who owns 5280 Platinum Studios next door, has commissioned two pieces from me. The first is a pair of earrings to match the beautiful silver and gold bracelet that her husband bought her for their anniversary, and the second is a necklace that hasn't even begun to make its way to fruition yet.
So we'll start with the earrings: First I made a short version which I really do love in all antiqued silver.
The bracelet has the CZ's surrounded by a gold bezel, so I decided to make the same earring in the same silver, only with a little gold bezel near the crystal so that they would match. That little change let to a much more bold earring as pictured here:
I love them! They are very sweepy and dangly, but they aren't heavy at all. I plan on keeping this style in my line-up. I haven't come up with a name yet.

Thus far, Gaslight Globes, Fun Globes, and Cats Eye Crystal have been suggested, along with Deux Jolies (which means two pretty in French). Any additions?

I Spy Treasury

I am honored to be included in an Etsy Treasury named 'I Spy' by curator Katnawlins. One of my Mata Hari Bindi Boxes was featured here (my favorite bellydancing spy!). You can view the whole treasury here.

Blog Challenge: 10 Weeks to go!

Two whole weeks are down in my challenge to create a cleaner, and slightly functioning bead room from the disaster area it had become.

I began by cleaning off a small space to put a bead mat on in the work station area, then proceeded to clean off the workstation table a bit at a time. This is what I came up with by the end of the first week and a half.

I know it doesn't look like much to your neater folk, but it's a big improvement over the old clutter. For one, I can actually bead at this station! Maybe I'll actually get some work done this week...crazy, I know, but you never know ;)

The Peacock Shop is 6 Months Old!

Many of you know that I own a bead shop called The Peacock Shop. My little bead shop has grown from a corner of my livingroom, to its own bead room,to a kiosk in a bitty mall, to its current incarnation (and first storefront location) a 170 sq.ft. shop. My goal is to continue growing incrimentally until I have a mini Beadlush (a wonderful bead shop that I used to work at, located in Charlotte,NC. Stop by to see Lydia, Vanessa, and the girls if you're ever in town;). Eventually I would like my shop to occupy around 1500-2000 sq ft, but I've got a long way to go!

What am I doing to ensure survival? you ask....On top of working my 45 hour week as the sole (yet unpaid) employee of the shop, and lone teacher of classes both public and private. I often wander home at the end of the day and continue working (bagging, tubing, pricing, searching for the next cool thing) until it's time for me to pass out, and do it all over again. My 'days off' are spent taking pictures to list on one of my Etsy sites (Gypsybeads and ThePeacockShop, if you're interested), testing class 'ideas', and sometimes teaching private lessons. I blog, I Tweet, I update my shop's Facebook Page a couple times a day most 'working' days. I host Crafternoons, I teach at bead shows, as well as the shop, and sell my jewelry in person at shows both night and day. In my 'spare' time I come up with new ideas for classes and kits, and teach private lessons. Recently I've been working with Bead Unique Magazine in the hopes of getting some of my work published more nationally.

For those of you who are wondering: Yes, I am married, Yes, I do make time to 'be married', and Yes, I am exhausted most of the time....but I'm hoping it will pay off in the end :)

How do I do it? With the world's most fantastic support group, of course! From my best friend Shannon who gives advice both personal and professional, and is always ready with a Margarita, to my husband who seems to understand when I need to just run with something, and not be bothered, to my wonderful beaders and crafters who purchase things from my brick and mortar and online shops, and let me know what they want the next 'big thing' to be, I thank you all! I really couldn't have done it without you.

So here's to the first 'real' 6 months...May there be many more to come!

Blog Challenge: The Disaster Area

As promised, here are some shots of the Disaster Area that I call my bead room. Shameful, I know, but it was mine once, and I will reclaim it!

Clutter Alley
A view from the door.

A view from the work station.

The Workstation....shudder....

Updates on progress coming soon :)

Blog Challenge: 12 weeks to a cleaner Beadroom!

Yes, you read it right....BEAD room. Two years ago, when my husband and I were looking for a house, my one stipulation was that it had to have a BEAD room (for those of you who are wondering, HIS stipulation was that it had to have a place to build a PUB.;)
So, we found a house, we moved in....I found the perfect French Blue and Frosty White to paint my Beadroom. I painted it, my husband laid hardwood floor, and I moved in a little table and chair. For my birthday a month later my husband hand-built a beautiful bookcase,

large bead table with storage cubes,

and a work station, complete with shelves in what used to be the closet.

Within two weeks, I had the vast majority of my crafty stuff moved in. Within a couple of months, the room looked like.....we'll just call it Creatively Cluttered ;).

Three or Four months later, I 'noticed' the clutter, and decided that I was trying to fit too many crafts into one room, so I took over a small room in the basement as my 'sewing' room to keep all of my fabric and sewing notions (I have yet to sew there...) . The clutter stayed about the same for the next few months with one little space cleared off on the counter of my workstation for me to work at, and a space at the table that stayed relatively clear....then I opened the kiosk...and then the bead shop....and then product for the new shop took over, and the little spaces I had cleared off suddenly became pricing stations.

When I needed somewhere to bead, I found a tray, and retreated to the couch....whether my husband was there to keep me company or not. It's gone on like that for months now, and I started to wonder why I had a bead room that I can't bead in. Why am I digging for the Modge Podge every time I use it when that I use it often? Why are my old cd's in easy reach (they're already on my IPod), and my soldering iron is on the other side of the room? The solution? Organize and clean!

I'm giving myself 12 weeks, starting now, to get my room into some semblance of a working order. Why 12 weeks? I have no clue. It seemed like a nice round number that was a little down the road so that I can pretend that I'm going to get something done.;) Now, notice that the title of this post is a 'cleaner' Beadroom, not a CLEAN one, so don't expect the room to shine like the top of the Sears Tower, but anything is a start at this point... Pictures of my disaster area coming soon!

Wish me luck!

The Peacock Shop is 6 months old!

Many of you know that I own a bead shop called The Peacock Shop. My little bead shop has grown from a corner of my livingroom, to its own bead room,to a kiosk in a bitty mall, to its current incarnation (and first storefront location) a 170 sq.ft. shop. My goal is to continue growing incrimentally until I have a mini Beadlush (a wonderful bead shop that I used to work at, located in Charlotte,NC. Stop by to see Lydia, Vanessa, and the girls if you're ever in town;). Eventually I would like my shop to occupy around 1500-2000 sq ft, but I've got a long way to go!

What am I doing to ensure survival? you ask....On top of working my 45 hour week as the sole (yet unpaid) employee of the shop, and lone teacher of classes both public and private. I often wander home at the end of the day and continue working (bagging, tubing, pricing, searching for the next cool thing) until it's time for me to pass out, and do it all over again. My 'days off' are spent taking pictures to list on one of my Etsy sites (Gypsybeads and ThePeacockShop, if you're interested), testing class 'ideas', and sometimes teaching private lessons. I blog, I Tweet, I update my shop's Facebook Page a couple times a day most 'working' days. I host Crafternoons, I teach at bead shows, as well as the shop, and sell my jewelry in person at shows both night and day. In my 'spare' time I come up with new ideas for classes and kits, and teach private lessons. Recently I've been working with Bead Unique Magazine in the hopes of getting some of my work published more nationally.

For those of you who are wondering: Yes, I am married, Yes, I do make time to 'be married', and Yes, I am exhausted most of the time....but I'm hoping it will pay off in the end :)

How do I do it? With the world's most fantastic support group, of course! From my best friend Shannon who gives advice both personal and professional, and is always ready with a Margarita, to my husband who seems to understand when I need to just run with something, and not be bothered, to my wonderful beaders and crafters who purchase things from my brick and mortar and online shops, and let me know what they want the next 'big thing' to be, I thank you all! I really couldn't have done it without you.

So here's to the first 'real' 6 months...May there be many more to come!

As Promised.....

A view of Dustin's Missile which was originally a lollipop holder of some sort. He painted it himself, and worked it into a class example tower of wonder. You can purchase his kits through Nikia Angel at Buy the Kit.com. She has them in her traveling show right now, but I'm sure they'll be on the website soon!

B&B Last Days

On Friday, I got up to help my friend Suzanne at her booth A Grain of Sand. I worked a couple of hours, then took Crystal Elements II. Afterwards I went back to work, getting off an hour before the show closed to shop a bit. Saturday, was my main shopping day, so I got up really early, and was at the show doors when they opened..... I'm lying. I got up at the crack of 10 or 11am, took my time and a shower, and wandered over there around noon-ish. I made a mad dash through the first row ( I love lampwork, but wasn't in the market just then :), and then started buying in the second. My picks:

True Red Shell Pearls: I saw the shell pearls for the first time last year, and didn't pick any up so that I could see how well the coating lasted.

Turquoise Magnesite Skulls: I bought these in both Turquoise and regular cream magnesite. I loved the shape of them. They were very Dia de los Muertos :) I might put little crystals in some of the eyes....not sure yet.

Ammonite Pairs: Laura McCabe put some nautilus components in her Primitive Origins piece, and I've been on the lookout for such neat items. I bought one for myself last year, and thought I would bring some home for you all!

Is that everything I bought? No, but it really was too much to post here. After their debut last Tuesday, a lot of you stopped by to buy beads, and I thank you for it :) Still a bunch left for those of you who are still considering it ;) You can find them in store only at The Peacock Shop. I'll see you there!

B&B Second Class and Shopping Preview Night

Thursday, Shannon and I took our all day class Hoity Toity. The instructor, Shelley Nybakke, was very warm and amusing, and the project was stunning.

This is what the finished project is supposed to look like:

And Shannon and I got about one and 3/4" of one of the double-sided wheels done. Step 7 or 8 said " And make 15 more of these", or something of that kind....needless to say, we didn't finish the project in class ;) Here is a close-up of the front and back of one of the wheels I did finish.

Thursday is the night when the show floor is open to show attendees only (meaning those who registered for a badge and classes) for a limited number of hours in the evening before it opens to the paying public on Friday. It's sort of a prestigious thing to go because you feel special with your 'badge' and all.

This is Keshi, the B&B mascot to greet us at the entrance :)

The show floor is huge, and there are everything from seedbead vendors to purveyors of vintage crystal, and everything in between. We showed up a fashionably late so that we didn't have to wait in line, and the floor was packed by the time we got there. Here are the first things I picked up that night.

It was a little tough to get in to the booths, and Shannon and I were hungry after Hoity Toity, so we cut out a little early to the Applebees, only to wait an hour to get the wrong meal. After a talk with the manager, we walked down to an Italian restaurant to eat before we passed out for the day.