A gift

Wanted to show you what I made for my mother in law for all the help she provided last weekend while I was away at the bead and button show.  I LOVE how these beads turned out and will definitely be making a set to post to the web site.  They have a beautiful opal look that is super hard to photograph, but are absolutely wonderful.

The big 3-2

What a fun morning...  Today is my birthday and the kids have really been trying hard to make it easy and special for me.  They have helped with laundry, attempted to make lunch for themselves, secretly making pictures and cards for me and the funniest is they called me from downstairs on the same phone line (so when I picked it up it says "someone from your party line is trying to call you")  Anyway, when I picked it up  they all sang Happy Birthday and were laughing and laughing all the way upstairs.  Lukin comes to me very proudly and tells me that was them singing happy birthday mommy ;)

Here are my goodies from my shopping spree at the bead and button show.  I got some glass (of course), silver, pearls, semi precious stones, czech beads, and seed beads.

I'm Back!!!!

What a great time, but it feels so good to be home.  I had a successful show, but I missed the kids so much and am so happy to be with them again.  

As I think I wrote before, I was really nervous about doing the Bead and Button show and wasn't quiet sure how I would fit in.  Plus being alone in Milwaukee for a couple days (I knew some friends who were there and checked on me ~ Thanks Cris!) it was a really different feeling for me.  Overall the show was a ton of fun, and as I think back on it I can see how the Lord really blessed us in every aspect from traveling,  the actual show and how our children were taken care of.  I have never left them except for when I did the show a few years ago, so this was kind of huge for us.  I met new people, people who follow my blog/website (Hi Gina!), traded some beads for beads, sold LOTS of beads, saw lots of interesting people and jewelry, talked to a few new bead stores who want to carry my beads, got a little along time AND an editor from Beadstyle magazine bought a boro flower focal and is hoping to make something with Topaz to publish in the November issue of the magazine ~ how fun!!!!!  Attendance did seem to be a little down this year from previous years.  My best seller was probably the nugget focals followed by the boro flowers.  I sold a lot of those.  I didn't sell many bent beads, which I was surprised about because those are my best sellers on the website.  Ya just never know what people are looking for.

I did get some shopping done on Sunday and can't wait to make some jewelry with my new beads.  I did take some photos for you to see what I bought, because I know that I LOVE to see people's stash's of beads.  I will try to post that tomorrow sometime.  

A few pictures for you all to see...

Bead and Button

I am off for the show.  Chat with ya later when I get back on Sunday/Monday.

New necklace

Not the best picture in the world, but you get the idea.  This is my new design using one of the boro flower focals.  Would love to hear what you think!!!  Anyone going to the bead and button show?????

Countdown begins....

The countdown to school being over (tomorrow) and me leaving for the Bead and Button show (on Thursday morning).  I have been crazy busy getting the last minute organizing, packing display, etc things done.  Went to Pier 1 and looked for some cool bowls or dishes to display.  Found some things that I hope will work.  I will be sure to take pictures for you at the show.  I made a necklace to show how to use one of the flower beads.  Justin just loved it and thinks it is his favorite design yet.  I will try to get a picture today of it.  This is a picture of my display for the flower focals.  Trying to decide if I need to make a few more...

Graduation

Hope you all had a wonderful 3 day weekend.  Wanted to show you some beads that I need to add to the website.  I also made about 15 new boro flower focals that I need to photograph.  So much to do.... AND the kids only have 5 days of school left.  I can't believe another school year is almost over.

Speaking of school being over, my sister graduated from high school Sunday.  Here is a picture of Kristyn, my brother Bryan and me.  Then one with the girls below.  Her party is Saturday, so I will be helping my mom get ready for that this week as well.  Have a good one...