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!