I actually got to bead last night and today. Joy! It’s actually been weeks since I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with my needle and thread – too much of the other pieces and parts of this job were more critical and time sensitive, so the beading had to wait.… Read More
Who, me? Mr. Cutie?
Just when we think Winston has grown up, he proves he’s got plenty of sass left. He’s 2 years old now…we’ve become a bit complacent. We have even been leaving our shoes out in the living room for the last six months because he’s learned to leave them alone.… Read More
Ready, set, ship out!
Making slow but steady progress in the mission to get the boxes shipped out on Wednesday for Bead Fest Portland. I’ve made eleventy billion kits and organized them all in their little bubble zip lock baggies. Another billion or so patterns are boxed up as well, and I’m both packing and creating a packing check-list for shows that I fly to.… Read More
Unintentional day off
When you’re facing down a pile of work and list of deadlines as far as you can see, you’re not thinking “day off” usually. And I wasn’t thinking that today…honest. It just kinda happened. First I slept late because I went to bed early (stick with me here…it will make sense in a second) which make me get up in the middle of the night and mess around on the computer for several hours before finally returning to bed at 5am.… Read More
It’s Amazing What You Can Find in the Bead Room
From June:
A while ago I was in our bead room and stumbled upon a freeform bracelet that I’d started a long time ago. I just love freeform because there are no mistakes! It’s all a part of the design.
… Read More A while ago I was in our bead room and stumbled upon a freeform bracelet that I’d started a long time ago. I just love freeform because there are no mistakes! It’s all a part of the design.
Anyway, I worked on the bracelet in between tending customers at the Austin Bead Society Show last weekend.
Nothing
Nothing – that’s exactly what I did on Labor Day, and it was blissful! I slept 18 out of 24 hours and feel mostly rested again. I caught up on reading the newspapers from the last week. I read magazines. Two!!… Read More
No longer in Dallas!
I’m very ashamed. I just got this email from my dear friend:
I have read about your leaving for Dallas 4000 times……..yes, we need an update on Jill. Hugs, Kath
And all of a sudden I realized it’s been like a WEEK since I posted.… Read More
Dallas, here I come…
It’s sometimes hard to put the last show behind me and refocus on the next one coming…but this week I’ve got no time for dilly dallying! I leave for Dallas on Friday afternoon to teach 3 classes over the weekend for the mighty Dallas Bead Society.… Read More
Yowza!
Philadelphia folks are SERIOUS about their beads!
What a trip it’s been, and it’s not over yet. I still have Sunday at the Expo Hall, and then the madness of packing the remains up in a semi-organized manner when the party ends at 5pm.… Read More
Making a list and checking it twice
- Massage to soothe the poor body which will be subjected to three solid days standing on a concrete floor. Check.
- Pedicure to soothe the poor feetsies which will also be subject to above torment. And to look cute. Check.
- New clothing to adorn the poor body which…yada, yada.
Not what I expected
I had PLANNED on having a full and fast-paced weekend. Right up until Friday, aka, the day Jill would like to have skipped. I had a more than full plate last week, between writing instructions for Saturday’s Evening Song class, getting my kits made and shipped out to Philly on Friday, and making some new color choices for Piazza Perline among others.… Read More
Accounting 101
Basic rule of accounting for small businesses. Keep good records.
Whoops!
I’m making up for a world of hurt at the moment, however. I found two new online services that are thrilling me beyond what any accounting type program should. The first is a simplified online bookkeeping system (Outright.com… Read More
Accomplishments, big and small
I have confessed more than a few times on this blog that I lack a certain amount of work ethic unless I’ve got deadlines to keep me on track. I think I may have found another thing that will kick me into high gear – getting so hopelessly behind that I’m about to lose my tenuous grip on control.… Read More
Pretty pictures
Oh, how I wish I had time to write the expansive and thoughtful blog post you all deserve to find here. But instead I’m sitting at the computer at 3:45am, chugging down ibuprofin and BBQ, trying to find a second wind to complete a myriad of supply orders that HAVE to be placed on Monday.… Read More
It’s been one of THOSE weeks
Oh, how happy I am this week is almost over. It’s been one challenge after another, none of them bead-related for a change!
I had a restful drive home from Shreveport on Monday. I’m SO glad I stayed that extra night.… Read More
Hanging out in Shreveport
Wow. What a retreat! The annual Shreveport Bead Retreat this weekend was a whirlwind of beady friend reunions and amazing classes and nonstop laughter, as per usual. There’s a reason why I look forward to the two bead retreats each year!… Read More
When Tools Attack
From June:
It probably says something about the state of (un)organization in our house that Jill could knock a whole rack of jewelry tools off the coffee table onto her foot. Or maybe the tools jumped. Who knows?
So we’re sitting there watching TV and calmly (I thought) putting together kits, when suddenly there is this crash and yelp from Jill.… Read More
Learning I’m normal
One of the great things about my job is that I get to work at home. But one of the bad things about my job is that I’m stuck at home. Usually alone and in a feedback vacuum. Logically, I know my beadwork projects and classes are good and that I have a large fan base.… Read More
Let’s nickname them Vegas Rivolis!
Check out what Swarovski is coming out with…Ultra Rivolis! No info on a release date yet. Thanks to Dulcey Heller for the info!
Introducing…
….some unnamed necklace that I finally finished designing and beading tonight! Woo-hoo! I’m so very happy with it. As usual, it looks even a million bucks better in person than in the photo. I probably spent more time working out the details of this design than any other of my previous projects.… Read More