Day 60

New Beginnings....

Great day here in the Pacific Northwest! Woke up to beautiful snow flurries this morning. Then the day turned to a wonderful sunny day.

Booked my tickets to Milwaukee today for the Bead and Button Show. Got a great price on my ticket. I am taking Tim McCreights Masters Class! So excited about this class.

I will also have a table at Meet the Teachers on Wednesday night (June 6). This is a must go to event if you are in the area. The night is crazy busy with all kinds of wonderful products and jewelry to be bought! Lots of things sell out before the main show ever opens. Stop by and say hi!

Tomorrow I plan on playing with a new tool that I just received. I will give you a review on it tomorrow.

Have a wonderful night

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day 58

Day 58

The cow pasture down the street from our home.

I took the photo with my iPhone and then used the app ScratchCam to alter it. This app is so fun! Thank you Kathy D for introducing me to it.

I made some beads over the weekend and posted them to my Etsy today.

This photo is one of the Sea Garden beads. If you get a chance check out my Etsy Shop and see some of my new beads and bracelets.

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Tool post coming soon!

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Thinking about Maui..... maybe time to go see the whales I love so much

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Got some new tools to talk about later in the week!! One can never have enough!

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Woke up to sunshine! What a beautiful day.....

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First things first! Photo of the day...

BTA

Now onto my tool of the week.... This is a tool that I can not live without. I have never understood how jewelers use their bracelet mandrels without a cradle. I have spoken with some that use it in their lap.... or off the side of a bench... Well I have tried both of these techniques without much success and with much frustration!

My great friend Jim Moore came up with this awesome 3/8" steel cradle with delrin attached to it to hold the mandrel. This has sped up and my production tremendously! Not to mention saving my hands.

Jim makes this cradle and sells it along with both a round and oval bracelet mandrel. I believe that he sells the whole package for $250. If you make bracelets and want to speed up your production and save your hands this is a must have tool. I know it isn't on his website yet but if you email him he will get you all the info you need!

I am looking forward to sharing more tips in coming week!

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Painting arrived! Tool update tomorrow !!!

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I love our redwood tree!



Stay tuned for some tool tips and other fun facts/tips that I will be sharing!

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A beautiful "sun break" today!

Creatively working away in my studio today and much to my surprise I look up and see sunshine!

I am having a great time in my studio already looking forward to making new jewelry and beads for The Whole Bead Show in Seattle! This is a new venue for them and sure to be another great show! Nicole Valentine, Jeff Barber, Laura Lutrick and Sarah from Aloha Beads (she has amazing vintage buttons) just to name a few! And then there is Ava with all of her beautiful chain, findings and beads. I can't wait to spend time with these awesome people and visit with many of you!

Tomorrow...... looking forward to another wonderful day in the studio.... what's up in your world?

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After being in Tucson for almost 2 weeks I kinda got used to the sun! The forecast here is rain for the next week. Today, walking up town, I saw this bouquet of flowers in front of a shop.... I guess you need to find your own kind of sunshine sometimes!

I am looking forward to a creative weekend in my studio with friends. Maybe going snow shoeing as well... maybe we can get up past the clouds and catch some rays!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Hello!

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More please...

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Happy Valentine's Day

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Love!

Share the love!!!

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My studio awaiting my return...

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Home from Tucson.

It always feel so good coming home to my wonderful Husband and Towanda.

We had a great time there. The show was good to us. It was great to see and visit with so many great friends and meet so many new ones.

The desert was also good to us. We enjoyed the desert museum, Saguaro Park and hiking in Sabino Canyon (my muscles may not be saying quite the same thing!)

Nicole and I had a blast! We had fun at the show, shared lots of laughter with so many and we both exceeded our goals. We both look forward to the new venue for The Whole Bead Show next year. They are moving the show to the Viscount Suites. It will be closer to the other shows, offer better shuttle service and the hotel is awesome! We went and checked it out before we left. They have large sky lights which offer tons of natural light. No reason to have to go so far out of your way now to come to the show! Also the show will have many more artisan booths!

Well off to enjoy some family time... Have a great weekend!

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saying goodbye to Tucson.... you have been very good to us. looking forward to next years show and new trails to explore!

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celebrating life!!!

Nicole and I had an amazing day at Sabino Canyon. We took the tram to the end and then went up through a mile of switchbacks to telephone line trail. What a beautiful hike! We hiked at least 6 miles today. Really we have so much to be thankful for..... just look around and find the beauty!

Tonight when we got back to our resort we enjoyed soaking our sore muscles in the hot tub while looking at the stars.

This has been an incredible trip. The only that would have made it totally perfect would to have had Whit along with us!

Remember to look around you and find joy in so many things.... walk away from the negativity!

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I couldn't pass up this painting! It is painted on an old glass window. This will go very well in my studio!

We went to Tubac today. If you are ever in the area when the art show is going don't miss it! One of the best I have been to. After that we went to Madera Canyon.

Tomorrow Sabino Canyon

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Love is everywhere

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Fun buying an iPad for some of my favorite people!

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Desert sky...

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Another cactus today....

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Love all the different cactus here

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Special people in my life