When a new beading thread appears in the market, you’d better believe I take notice! And I have to say I was giddy when I heard from my friends at Beadalon that they are launching a new product: WildFire Ultra!… Read More
When I first joined the Bead World as a maker in 2002 (I didn’t turn it into a full-time profession until 2005) it was the golden age of Hill Tribe Silver, and it was everywhere. I instantly fell in love with the hand-made, detailed designs, and used the beads and findings liberally in my own jewelry making.… Read More
Hi Beaders!
I’m working late tonight, adding more than 100 new colors of Size 15 seed beads – both Toho and Miyuki, but this batch is mostly Miyuki. And as I was typing along, I realized that I could provide the information about which Miyuki Delica matches which Miyuki seed bead!… Read More
Our new Live shopping platform will allow:
I can’t help it!! I LOVE BEADS! I love their colors and shapes and the feel of them and, *sob*, when it’s time to discontinue some of them, I have to admit I play favorites!!!
It’s been far too long since I’ve taken a look at our sales statistics and weeded out the slow sellers across the store.… Read More
You may have heard me silently weeping a few months ago when one of my favorite bead vendors decided the time had come to close up shop. There have been so many significant changes in the bead world over the last few years, and this one hit hard!… Read More
Didn’t make it to the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee this year? Don’t be sad! Read on to get some exciting peeks behind the scenes at Meet the Teachers, plus I introduce you to some of my favorite beady people and there’s plenty of wonderful beadwork to drool over!… Read More
We’re delighted to launch a wonderful range of brand new limited edition kits and patterns to the Jill Wiseman Designs Shop, designed by the very talented Carol Dean Sharpe of Sand Fibers. Perfect for lovers of Delicas, our beloved Size 11 Triangle beads and peyote stitch, Carol’s abstract and intricate designs really explore the possibilities for cylinder beads.… Read More
I honestly thought my days of blogging were over, but I guess I was wrong! Because here I am! While my use of Facebook really took over all of my time and attention the last few years, sometimes there was info that just didn’t quite fit on a Facebook post.… Read More
What’s a Bead Garage Sale you might ask? Well, it’s lots and lots of beads at super bargain prices! Sometimes Jill makes ordering mistakes and orders WAY too much of a particular bead. Or maybe it’s some products we’re discontinuing so we can move fresh beads in.… Read More
Operation Refresh was a complete success! What a relief to get a break for a few days and see some people I adore, meet new people to adore, and acquire far too much fabulous yarn! I left home without a single bead project and while it seemed scary, it was the right decision.… Read More
I feel like I’ve spent the last 10 days arguing (and losing the argument) with my beads. It happens. You’re going along perfectly happy in your relationship, and suddenly you hit a snag, and for a while you can’t stand to be around each other.… Read More
I miss blogging. There. I said it. I’ve thought about it for quite a while – usually when I have a good story to tell, or some cool news to impart. Sure I can do that on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest – but for a story, nothing beats the format of a blog post.… Read More
I have a lot of new readers and new beaders coming to my blog now thanks to the traffic on my YouTube channel. So Hi there! That also means I need to explain to the newbies what Tucson is. Yes, a city!… Read More
You guys know me – I don’t sugar coat things. I try hard to be realistic about what it’s like being a designer and business owner and human being. I tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. And honestly, 2013 has been the embodiment of the Charles Dickens quote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”… Read More
Hi Beaders!
I have never been as excited about my job as I have been the last two months. Between being able to roll out a whole new website design with a spiffy new shopping cart system that makes my life and your shopping experience about a bazillion times better, I’ve also been conj
uring up this whole new YouTube Channel for beaders!… Read More
There’s always room for improvement in any business, and this one is no exception. I’m addicted to lovely, beautiful organization, but ironically haven’t ever really had the time to implement it. Things happen so fast around here that Mom and I are always throwing together a system that works in the moment, but might not be the best for the long term.… Read More
Mom mentioned today that I’ve been cranky for a while now. Dang. I was hoping I’d been hiding it better than I obviously have been. Even so, I do think a little cranky is way better than the deep depression I am usually overwhelmed with in December/January.… Read More
I’ve been bit by the bug. We all know that I’m a crystal slut. After all, one of Poppy’s middle names is AB2X. Need I say more? But my newest fun is gluing flat back Swarovski stones on things. Basically anything that doesn’t move away fast enough is at risk.… Read More
Things I found to do instead of writing the two sets of instructions due by morning:
