Happy Anniversay!

December 23, 1983 was a VERY COLD, WINDY day. The weather today reminds me of that day 25 years ago. I think the wind chill then was like 30 below or something. Anyway, it was a cold day to get married! We expected that it would be cold and possibly snowy or icy -- but wow! It probably wasn't the best choice of days for a wedding. In our youth, we just didn't understand how busy the Christmas season gets for people! Our wedding was small and intimate, but lovely. I think there were about 30 people in attendance.

Fast forward to almost 25 years later............. We were caught up in the business of December -- we had gone to the Smoky Hill Vineyard with our friends, Todd and Shelly, the night of the 5th for a murder mystery dinner to celebrate Karl's birthday (the 6th), then on Saturday I had a show in town all day and Karl worked at getting the outdoor Christmas lights put up, and we were planning to go to dinner with Todd and Shelly again to a steak place we'd heard a lot of good things about in a little town nearby. We wouldn't normally go out two nights in a row, but I originally couldn't get tickets to the Vineyard to surprise Karl so Todd set up the dinner on Sat. night to celebrate both Karl and Shelly's birthdays (hers is the 8th). Midweek before, Karl questioned if we ought to just wait for the steak place until January........ but Todd said they already had a sitter so we'd go. So, ..........

Todd and Shelly picked us up that evening and as we were heading out of town he stopped by our church first. He said there was something that he needed us to settle for them. They never bicker and they were going back and forth about something with the door handle - whatever. I had trouble with it the week before and Karl said he didn't, so I figured it was that. Well, when we opened the door, the lights came on and we heard, "Happy Anniversary!" and were greeted by a sea of familiar faces.

They had been in kahootz with our family for quite a while planning this event. We were quite surprised! The celebration started with a DVD of photos throughout our marriage and then we enjoyed a soup supper. There was even a wedding cake and punch--- except for the missing fountain, it was exactly like our original wedding cake.

It was a wonderful surprise - everyone did a really good job of keeping us in the dark - I think the whole town and everyone I work with knew what was going on though! We began to suspect something was going on late in the afternoon -- just little things began to come together -- but we just thought that if anything was going on, maybe our kids and a few other friends or family members would be at the restaurant when we got there to surprise Karl for his birthday. There were 40 guests in attendance - some from as far as about 300 miles away.

Happy Anniversary to us! (And, yes, I'd do it ALL over again!)

(L to R) Our daughter, Rheann. Our son, Christopher and his his wife, Susan.

Orange Crush

Orange Crush. Gunmetal chain and clasp on the anklet with orange millifiori chips and Swarovski 4mm crystal bicones. It is a little out of season for an anklet -- but a great deal at $8 for today.


The matching necklace, bracelet and earring set can be yours for $17 today.

Today I am offering this necklace, earrings and anklet set of Black Mother of Pearl and Freshwater Pearls in Peacock (purplish/black). The clasps are silver tone snaps and the ear wires are sterling silver.

Chunky Unakite Cross

This chunky 33mm Unakite cross is one of the new pieces I purchased recently. It is very nice. I've accented it with 8 mm round Unakite beads, seed beads and copper clasps and ear wires.

Austrailian Blue Opal

17x12mm Austrailian Blue Opal and silver plate charm chain. The ear wires are sterling silver.

Copper & Adventurine

This set includes Red and Brown Adventurine and Brown Amazonite accented by copper. It is a combination of warm neutral colors.

A Little Bit of Christmas/Winter Bling

I have a few pair of Swarovski crystal Christmas tree and Snowman earrings (Swarovski and Chezk glass) who would love to "hang around" with you throughout the holidays. The Swarovski is very sparkly.

They are either on 14K gold filled ear wires or sterling silver.

Be sure to get 'em while I still got 'em! They make a great little secret pal or teacher gift.

Scrabble Anyone?

Scrabble Bauble necklaces come in all colors -- and every letter of the alphabet. They are made with an assortment of recycled (GO GREEN) vintage beads. They are fun necklaces to wear - and I can even make you a coordinated bracelet or pair of earrings if you wish. They are also fun to hang from your rear view mirror for a little conversatioinal bling in your car. The Scrabble Bauble necklaces shown without the side dangles are appropriate for boys. (And, they are not just for kids -- adults love a little whimsy now and then too!)

Choose a color (or maybe give me a couple color choices) and your letter and order by Saturday, December 13 and I will guarantee delivery in time for Christmas.

The Scrabble Bauble necklaces retail for $10 each. Your price through December 13 is $5 each for a one letter Scrabble Bauble necklace. Add $2 for each additional letter you might want.

Note: I can also make a pretty funky keychain with these fun little jewels!

Pewter and ??

I really don't know what these reddish/brown beads are -- but I sure think they are pretty rocks! They are combined with pewter accents and the closure is a silver tone snap clasp. (Everyone loves the snap clasps!) I will put the earrings on sterling silver kidney ear wires.

African Turquoise & Jade

African Turquoise oval beads are accented by Red Jade round beads and Australian Aquamarine chips. The bracelet and necklace have silver tone toggle clasps; the kidney ear wires are sterling silver.

The finished length of the necklace is about 17 inches - the perfect length to wear with a round neckline or even an open collar on a button up shirt.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Something about this set just makes that crazy song start playing in my head - although I don't usually break out in the dance! Oh, yes -- here's why!

The striking pendant is Egyptian Lapis Lazuli and 100% solid copper. It is accented with 7.5x6mm oval copper beads, 17x14mm 100% solid copper fancy beads, 6-8 mm Egyptian Lapis Lazuli coin beads, 14x4 mm Persian Lapis Lazuli oblong beads and 4mm copper round beads. the clasps on the necklace and bracelet are copper hook and eye and the earring findings are copper.

The Lapis Lazuli beads and pendant have tiny, tiny very fine glittery highlights of a goldish/copperish color in them. You almost have to really look for them to see them.

The necklace is about 20 inches long and the pendant adds another 1.5 inches.

This set is fit for a queen. It is a one-of-a-kind design.

End-of-the-year daily specials!

Note: This text is from a copy of an e-mail I sent out last night. If you would like to be on the e-mail list, please reply on this blog and I will add you to the list. Please forward the link to the blog to any friends/family who might be interested in the great end-of-the year deals I will be posting between now and 1-1-09.

Hi Everyone,Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas will be here in three short weeks! Time is really flying. We had a great open house last weekend and then I ended up missing work for two days with a nasty chest cold. I'm still battling it but feeling much better. I went back to work today and did pretty well but sure could have used a mid-day nap!I told Karl that I knew I really must not have been feeling well when I didn't even pick up a bead those two days.

Looking back, I'm not sure what I did with all that "free" time except sleep and think. Thinking is where this newsletter comes in...... read on.

Karl and I have been talking about the direction we want this business to head and I thought up all kinds of ideas while I was resting! Those of you who know me well are probably shaking your head --I love thinking up new ideas! So, here are a couple:

1. I am going to have some major first-come, first-serve sales between now and the end of the year in an effort to move some inventory so I can streamline the finished pieces I take to shows. I am never able to display it all. I am not going to fill your in-boxes with e-mail. I will post it on the blog. So, be sure to bookmark my blog and check it every day. Most days there will be only one item or set up for grabs. If something sells early in the day - I just might post something new on the same day or that evening. It will be a surprise. Check back often! You can send me an email if you want to purchase one of the items, or you can post right on the blog. Both methods will record the time of the request and I will honor the first. If you want something that someone has already spoken for on the blog, go ahead and post your interest just in case something falls through. I'll post on the blog when an item is sold.

NOTE: If you are not a registered Blogger, is very easy and secure to register and set up an account to blog. Just follow the links when you try to post a comment.

2. I am exploring the concept of girls' night out beading parties starting in early 2009. You could bring your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, mothers, (get the idea?) and come pick out your beads and design your own jewelry. I'd be available for assistance and instruction -- maybe even have some classes on different techniques. Have I told you yet that I LOVE the latest beads I've ordered. They are top quality and gorgeous. And, I have more on the way.

3. Wait, I said a couple. I think that is two. I'll stop there. I have to leave something for you to wonder about!

But, one more thing. We will be at the Holiday Open House at the Scout Hall in Minneapolis (in the park) on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Stop by if you get a chance.I'm not sure when I will post the first great deal-- probably sometime in the next 24 hours. Get your list out so you know who you have to shop for yet -- and be ready!

Open house today

We are hosting an open house this afternoon (Saturday, Nov. 29) from 3-7 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Minneapolis.

We are offering 25% off all pre-made jewelry and custom orders placed today.

Please stop by today for some hot cocoa or cider and a cookie or two -- and see how many people on your Christmas list you can take care of in one stop!

Be sure to register for the $50 gift certificate drawing.

And ---- I just added eight new necklace/earring sets that are at great gift giving prices. I recently purchased some very nice gemstone beads and pendants at an awesome discount and am passing savings on to you - my valued customer. I've included a few photos here. You can expect to find these sets at about 1/2 of the "normal retail" price -- plus today we will take an additional 25% off.

Which of these is your favorite? (Double click on the photo to enlarge it.)


Mosaic inlay olive green sea opal shell (sorry, they do look brown here but they are a lovely shade of green and the tiger eye frames them perfectly!) with tiger eye and copper.

Rhodonite pendant and chips.

Fire agate, mother of pearl and carnelian. The colors in this fire agate are much more vibrant than my photography shows.

Purple peace jasper, pale pink agate nuggets, and amethyst sage chaldencony pendant.

For Jennifer's Review -- and Yours Too!

NOTE: If you double-click on the photo it will enlarge.

Jennifer, I've been holding the first bracelet for a customer who can't quite decide if she wants it. I'll check with her today. The beads on this one are all vintage. The dark beads are a deep plum color. The two larger glass beads are a pressed glass and they are a more gray color than clear. I found them in an antique store and fell in love!
Bracelet #2 is also all vintage. The bicone shaped beads look more blue in the picture but they are a very pretty shade of purple.

Bracelet #3 is also all vintage beads. The round faceted beads are a shade of purple too.

Bracelet #4 has pink/clear givre beads. The best to describe them is that it is a clear bead with the pink inside. I just can't even begin to describe them. They are some of my very favorite -- and these are almost the last of them.

I laid them all side by side for this photo.
Bracelet #5 - The accent beads in this bracelet are a light purple. All beads are vintage, including the gold fillagree.

I can show these to your mom tonight and she can give you a good idea of the colors. They are all very lovely -- and very shiny.

A couple more photos

Catch Up?

So, does anyone ever really get caught up or is it just something we talk about a lot - or in my case, obsess about a lot? A friend one time told me that I was always saying that as soon as I got past a certain busy time, or project, or whatever -- I'd have time to catch up and relax. She hadn't seen it happen yet and she had known me for about 10 years at that time.

I think about that often when I get overwhelmed with "busy" and try to mentally take a step back and truthfully look at the situation. I can get myself all kinds of stressed out about everything I am not getting done. The truth is, I do a lot of stuff. "Bored" is a word that just isn't in my vocabulary - at least not in the sense of bored because I don't have anything to do!

It's Sunday night and as I look at my to-do list for this weekend, I didn't get anywhere close to marking even half of the items off-- but I did get a lot done -- and I spent a great day in my pajamas yesterday making jewelry. I'll include a few photos here and I have updated the slide show. I had a great show a week ago and needed to replenish my inventory for next weekend.

Have a great week!

Love That Lasts

I just love this bracelet and what it stands for. It was a custom design for a great-grandmother. Jim loves Ruby. The Swarovski crystals represenst the birth months of their seven children and their anniversary month.

Young love turned to mature, committed love through years of life experience - probably a lot of really harsh times along with the times of great joy. There are great rewards for standing firm on the commitments we make in marriage.

If you want to celebrate the love of someone special in your life, contact me and we will design the perfect representation. The Scrabble(R) tiles are a fun, fresh, new look (using something old that evokes great family memories!) but I also work with alphabet cubes for personalization.

Shades of Purple with Sardonyx and Gunmetal Chain

Lemon-Lime

Here is another fun bead that Karl chose!

Pretty in pink

The pink/mauve foil lined glass focal bead and mauve crystal is very pretty with copper! Karl picked out this bead when we were bead shopping one day. He has a habit of adding strands of beautiful beads to my purchases that I have no idea what to do with! He has good taste though!

Slide Show

I have lots of photos ready for the slide show -- just gotta find time to do it! If this is your visit - please come back for photo updates!

Fall Schedule

I'm in a flurry this week trying to get all the final details worked out for my first show of the season. I've been working on a mailing and hope to get an e-mail out too. If you are not on my e-mail list and would like to be, please send me an e-mail and just ask -- it carries no obligations, I don't sell your name, etc. Just news and updates!

Saturday, October 4, I will be at the Stewart Elementary PTA 1st Annual Craft Show, 2123 Roach, Salina, KS from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sounds like a great Girls' Day trip! I'm anxious to see a co-worker's wife's booth. I've been told that she makes really cute tote bags -- and next to beads I think bags ranks pretty high on my list of things I love!

Here is a photo of some Christmas Tree and Snowman earrings. They are Swarovski Crystal and Czeck Glass for the Snowman's snowballs. These are already proving to be popular. The Christmas Trees are gorgeous and the Snowman is just too darn cute! If you click on the picture it should enlarge for you. It is a bit flurry -- sorry about that -- remember, I don't claim to be a great photographer!

Hope to see you soon!

Vacation Creation

Greetings! I've actually been designing some here and there this summer -- but haven't taken the time to photograph and post. I made this set with the butterfly pendant and wooden beads while on vacation in July. I'm currently working on some custom bridal designs for a March wedding and making several new things for fall shows. I added the slide show today (after much frustration with the computer!) The golden vase in the photograph was a 50th anniversary gift to my great grandparents -- I think they received it in 1949.

Great Photography - Check it Out!

There is a link to the right of the page.

Plum Bazaar

I love to find bead shops when I travel - for any reason! While recently in Branson we visited Plus Bazaar. Not only did we (yes, my hubby gladly shops with me -- he said he has always loved rocks!) enjoy shopping there, but we made a new friend. Susan and two of her sisters own the shop and also one in Emporia, KS. We visited on 3 different days and I learned a few new techniques and bought some really cool beads that I am anxious to incorporate into new designs for the fall. If you are ever in Branson, go check out Plum Bazaar. It is located at 123 Main which is at the bottom of a large hill in historic Branson -- and not too far from the fun, new Branson Landing. I love the name Plum Bazaar, but for me it might have to be Plum Bizaare because I am crazy about all shades of purple AND beads! Now, wonder when I might have a need to travel to Emporia?

Summer Craziness

Well, we made it through another successful season of selling fireworks. Still have paperwork, inventory, and other fun stuff to do! I don't have much time for making jewery right now but wanted to post so everyone knew I was still alive and kicking!

New Clothes - New Jewelry - part 2

This is the first set I made to go with the outfit mentioned below. It is black Mother of Pearl and Freshwater Pearls that have a little bit of irridescent purple. Earrings, necklace, and ankle bracelet. Click on the photos to see the detail better.

New Clothes - New Jewelry

I LOVE being able to go to my studio and make something new to wear when I get a new outfit. Of course, this is the second set I've made to try out with a black and white skirt outfit I recently purchased! I was fighting boredom last night (the kind where you just don't WANT to do anything - I had plenty to do!) - guess I just needed to create. It wasn't boring at all! The small oval stones are Zebra Jasper, the large ovals are Picasso Jasper, and the white is Howlite.

Orange Crush

The top photo is an ankle bracelet that is adjustable in size. The second photo is of a necklace, bracelet, and earrings that compliment the ankle bracelet. I'm still battling photo software (gotta love change - can't get it to edit without locking up now) - so I may change the photos once I figure out what I am doing with the software! The detail of the photos is much better if you click on them to enlarge.

I've been spending a little more time designing and that is always good to help relieve stress.

Done!

Well, here it is - and it looks much better than the bits and pieces in my last post! I estimate that it took me 7-8 hours to make it (not including the time to learn the techniques, rip out and re-do mistakes, and interpret the pattern!) I purchased this kit with it in mind to make and give to a friend of mine. But, now I must decide if I will take apart and re-do the clasp because I know it is too big - or start all over and make another one. Hmm. I am sure the next one I make will not take nearly as long!

This project is great to take along for those times when you have a few minutes to fill here and there. It is made in several different components that are put together towards the end so you don't have to carry "everything" with you. It fits nicely in a little plastic travel soap box.

I'm glad I took the challenge as I am not nearly so fearful of seed beads anymore!

Learning Something New!

I visited my mom in Oklahoma for Mother's Day weekend and on the way I stopped at a little bead shop in Bartlesville. While there I discovered that one of the owners was the designer of a gorgeous seed bead bracelet that was on the cover of Beadwork magazine. So, I bought a kit. I've not done much at all with seed beads. To be honest, I've been a little bit intimidated by them. But, how hard can it be? OK, not so hard once you figure out the stitch -- but boy, is it time consuming! I'm sure as I do it more I will get faster and my stitches will get more even, but one of those 4.5" pieces takes me 1/2 hour! (The bracelet has 9 of them.) I was surprised that the teeny tiniest beads were the easiest to work with. My bits and pieces don't look like much yet, but they have aspirations of looking like one of the bracelets shown below! My beads and flowers are brown and turquoise.

After I got to Mom's, I checked Stephanie's blog (PixieBug) and she had a new post on about The Whole Bead -- and that is where I was! I just thought that was really cool. Small world. Stephanie lives in Nebraska, I'm in Kansas, and The Whole Bead is in Oklahoma.

Maybe someday soon I will finish my bracelet and post a picture. It may be a while. I'm having a few technical difficulties these days with equipment (uugggh!) and have a really busy week and weekend coming up -- family visiting from out of town, wedding, graduation, Memorial Day service, and birthday cookout for our son. Then back to work on Tuesday and start all over again!