Off to the Bead and Button Show!

Well I have been really tardy with blog updates lately as I haven't had much time on the computer as of late! I've been a busy little bee in the studio creating as many last minute beads for the show as humanly possible! I always wish I had more beads than I do but I know this will be a fantastic show and I am excited to see the friends I made there last year. It will be a blast! One other thing I am excited about is to debut my new swan beads at the show this year. I just LOVE making them and hope they are popular so I can make more! My favorites are my "Storybook Swans" that have a cute little crown like the Swan Prince! I may do more fairy tale inspired beads in the future - so many ideas I want to try!!

So, if you are in Milwaukee for the show, drop by and say hello! My very talented friend, Stephanie Dieleman (www.stephaniebeads.com) will have her fabulous ocean beads there as well and we will be at booth #1157 - same as last year! Oh - and check out the new issue of Bead Trends and Belle Armoire Jewelry as Stephanie has her gorgeous creations on the cover of both magazines this month! What a rock star!! :)

We hope to see you at the show!

p.s. I will be listing new beads in the store towards the end of next week when I am back from the show and if you are purchasing a tutorial, I will still be able to send it to you from the road! Happy Beading!

Palomino Filly Focal Bead!

Oh how I love horses and creating them on my beads is so much fun! Each of them has their own personality and expression and I love the way this little Palomino turned out - you can just tell she's eagerly awaiting her apple!

Hope you have a great weekend! Happy Trails!

New! Tapestry Scrollwork Tutorial is ready!

Well it's been months in the making but I am so excited to announce that my first beadmaking tutorial is ready! While it was designed with intermediate/advanced beadmakers in mind, it will also help refine the skills of beginner beadmakers as well! Now available in my Etsy store!!

Raven with a pearl.....

Here is another of my raven beads done with the richly saturated enamels I just adore. Bright stars in fine silver thread shoot across the night sky while this raven holds his found treasure..... a pearl!

I'm back in the studio having fun at the torch so more new beads will be listed soon!

Stay tuned!

Designer's Gallery!

I wanted to share a new page on my website that I am very excited about! My new Designer's Gallery is a showcase of talented jewelry artists who have used my beads in their creations. I am thrilled to have such talented artists use my beads in their work and hope you will check out their websites to see the other great designs they do! Today I am featuring a lovely necklace made by Christine Cooper. You can view more of her work at www.chunkykitty.etsy.com!

New Horse Bead!

I have always loved history....especially early history - Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Medieval periods fascinate me. Looking back on the art, sculpture and architecture of those periods I am amazed at what those civilizations accomplished without the use of the technology and power we have today. I have been enjoying exploring new subjects on my beads as of late - horses being one of them. This particular horse I call "Varro" who is inspired by the powerful classical bronze and marble statues created during the Roman Empire. The powerful way they depicted their horses tells us what an important role they played in daily life and in the growth of a civilization. What could be more inspiring than that?

2009 Bead Invitational at PISMO Fine Art Glass - Denver Colorado

I'm so pleased to have my work as part of this fantastic exhibit at the prestigious PISMO Fine Art Glass Gallery in Denver, Colorado! The exhibit runs all month and features an amazing roster of 50 talented bead artists from around the world. My good friends Debra Kallen (www.debrakallenart.com) and Stephanie Dieleman (www.stephaniebeads.com) are helping me represent Canada in this amazing show!

If you are in Colorado, check it out! www.pismoglass.com/events.php