Dawn's necklace

One of the many perks of doing shows and having an online business is ALL the amazing and nice people that I have the opportunity to meet. Dawn is one of those people. She is so kind, always sending me messages or posting comments on my posts. She lives in Wisconsin and came to the Bead and Button. It was so fun to be able to meet her. She bought one of Jayla's pendants and made this necklace within days of buying it. She wrote up such a nice little note about it on her blog. Isn't it amazing??? Thanks so much Dawn!

All about Vintaj!

I hope I don't repeat myself here too much, can't remember what I have said in previous posts (yes, I know I could scroll down and read through my previous posts, but I am too tired to do that right now) Anyway, from June 15th to July 15th I was asked to be Vintaj's Art Bead partner and of course I jumped at the chance. The theme is Caribbean Sunset. They sent me a swatch with 6 colors to design some beads to match. I will admit I was super nervous as I was packaging up the beads to be mailed away. I wasn't sure if what I was sending would match, or would be what they were hoping for, etc. I was so relieved when Jess let me know she got them and they were perfect. As I look at the home page and the colors, I think it is a perfect match. There was a team of 4 ladies that split up the beads and designed some necklaces, bracelets and earrings with them. They made some amazing pieces. Throughout the month they will be showcasing them on their blog and you can also see some of them on their website. Today they posted about a giveaway and how to win some free beads, some of my lampwork beads and some of the Vintaj products. I wake up each morning and can't wait to see what they are going to show us.

I made a category completed dedicated to this theme. You can check it out here.

Bead kits posted this weekend and MORE

This year at the Bead and Button I made up some kits that included one of my focal nugget beads along with a mix of various matching beads. They sold really well and I have some left over that I will be adding to the website this weekend (that's the plan anyway ;)

ALSO, I have some super exciting news. I am Vintaj's Art Bead partner for the month July. The theme is Caribbean Sunset and the colors are just wonderful. I will write more about it on Monday, but in the meantime make sure to check out their blog and website for inspiration.

What I found...

So this year at the Bead and Button I had planned on saving my money and not doing much shopping. I didn't even really have the desire the first few days, but after I started I the urge came back and I just couldn't stop walking the isles. I didn't spend as much as I normally do so I was proud of myself for that, but I still spent a fair share. Hope you enjoy seeing my stash and what I got ;)

Here are some patterned brass sheets that I make for my hollow metal capped beads.

A couple kits from Vintaj, goldstone to make beads with, silver daisy spacers (the only silver I bought at the show), metal hole punch and some dichroic glass.
Various beads

Glass shards that I make beads with.
I bought a hole punch (see below) to make earring cards and a template to make this neat little stand.

Some polymer clay pieces from Heather Wynn
These stone etched beads match Heather Powers from Humblebeads creations perfectly.

Some great fibers from Fiber Goddess and polymer clay from Heather Powers.

Back from the Show

Well I survived yet another year of the Bead and Button show. It is always so much work to get ready for and 4 long days of talking/selling beads, but it always ends up to be so worth it. Here are a few pics for you to enjoy. I didn't take as many as I would have liked, but did remember to get a few.

The place is super big with lots of vendors!

My helper friend Kim. This was her first year at the show. She helped me out so much!
The Vintaj team picking out some beads.

People loved JetAge's rings...

And I am off!

I am finishing up getting ready for my show. I will be at the Bead and Button show from Thursday to Sunday in Milwaukee. For the past few years I have sold some of Renee's murrini from JetAge Studio. This year she sent me some amazing ring tops to display, along with the murrini. Hope I can sell lots for her. They are so fun to look at.

Orders placed through Sunday the 12th will be shipped when I return home.

Some news...

Wow, so here we are ~ the last day of school for the kids. I can't believe how fast this year went. Next year I will have one starting middle school and one starting kindergarten. Lots of emotions will fly this fall. I also want to share with you that this fall I will have a new responsibility added to my list. I am going to be the new kindergarten teacher here in my home town. I am super excited, but really nervous. I am feeling super overwhelmed at the moment with all I have to do, but know I need to take it one step at a time. As I was going through the process of trying to decide if I should apply or not, then after I made the decision to apply, I just kept praying that the Lord would bless out family with what is best for all of us. I never really prayed to get the job (although when I thought of not getting it I did get disappointed) So now that I have the job, whenever I start to feel that I can't do it or won't do well, I try to remind myself that the Lord would not have blessed us with it if I was going to fail. What does this mean for my beads and jewelry??? Well, I am not quiet sure. I am gonna work hard this summer (with 4 kids at home it will be challenging) and make LOTS of beads. I will keep my website and update as time allows. I want to keep making beads because I love it so much, but needed something more financially steady for our family. Thanks for all your support through the years and your comments.

What's on my agenda right now?? Getting ready for the Bead and Button show which is next week!!! Can't believe it is here already. I have lots to do so I better get moving. Enjoy some new boro sets I added.

Boro 32

Boro 31
Boro 25
Boro 24
Boro 21