Total Exhaustion

I'm home. I arrived at 12:30 yesterday morning. Then I got up at 9:00 and headed to Natalie's house to pick up Ariel. Needless to say, there was a nap yesterday afternoon. I'm still feeling tired, but it will pass in a couple of days.

How do I describe Bead and Button? Wow. It was not as overwhelming at the Houston International Quilt Show, but it was still pretty big. There were quite a few people but reports from experienced attendees indicated that attendance was down as were sales. All in all, it was a pretty good weekend (barring a few unforeseen catastrophes).

I did get to visit with the fab Kate McKinnon, the wonderful Cynthia Rutledge, the marvelous Lisa Peters (I bought some of her pieces -- my B&B souvenirs), the talented Heather Powers, and the cheerful girls from Beads East. I saw friends from Austin and Houston. I also got to see the Bead Dreams entries in person as well as the Treasures of Toho competition entries and the Convergence exhibit. Wow! Otherwise, I pretty much stayed in the booth and worked, worked, worked! Carol had so many new goodies, it seemed like an endless stream of unpacking, pricing and merchandising. Then we would drive back to the hotel and collapse on the beds only to get up and do it again the next morning. I did go in search of several beaders I wanted to meet but, alas, our paths never crossed.

I have over 300 pictures to go through with a story for every one of them. Plus, Carol has some of them so there will be some swapping before I get them all posted. But there will be a great road trip pictorial! Later, beadlings!!

All Packed

I'm pretty much ready to go except for those little last minutes things (like throwing my toothbrush in the bag). I'll leave early in the morning for Carol's place and from there we hit the road for Bead and Button. I'll try to check in during the week and maybe even put some pictures up for you. I know, it will be nothing like being there but I'll do what I can to bring you along in spirit. If I could, I'd stash you all in my bags and take you along. Alas, that just won't be possible because you won't all fit in my one suitcase (I had to have room for my beading projects!).

"See" you soon!

Who's Panicking?

There was just a moment this morning. There was just a little moment of panic, but it has passed. I have actually achieved quite a bit, even after procrastinating. T-man has said for years that I work best under pressure. Giving myself deadlines is just not the same as those imposed by others. So circumstances stepped in this morning and results have been achieved.

Then I had a little panic about packing. After I made my list I realized that I just don't have that much to pack! Carol, however, is packing like a mad woman! She's the one who has to load up the goodies for Bead and Button. She will, for instance, be packing the instructions and supplies for making her lariat (designed by yours truly).

Remember, we'll be in booths 746, 748 and we look forward to meeting some of you. Have a great weekend!!!

Sure Happy It's Thursday

Do the acronym and that is exactly my feeling right now! Where did my week go?

Okay, not much news here. Today is an errand day but tomorrow I get to do lunch with my friend Joyce. I haven't seen much of Joyce these past two years as she has been Regional Director for the South Central Region of the Embroiders' Guild. I am taking her the sample for the piece I'll be teaching at next year's seminar in Dallas:



This weekend I'll be packing for my road trip with Carol to the Bead and Button show. Yes, we are driving. It would cost an arm and a leg and a kidney for Carol to ship all that glass, so we are hauling it up there ourselves. Actually, I love road trips. There is always so much to see along the way. And yes, I plan to take a camera.

So I'm off to get things rolling. More tomorrow. Bead on!

Event On The Horizon

Carol and I leave for Milwaukee on Monday! I cannot believe it's that close. I better make a list of things that need to get done so I don't forget anything. I'll try to take the computer and hopefully I'll be able to type a little each evening. Actually, I'm hoping we are so busy that we barely have the energy to fall into bed each night and drag ourselves out again the next day. I really, really want Carol to go home with a MUCH lighter load (and not just because it's less to pack up).

As for the jewelry, I'm going to attempt to finish a necklace I've started, but I'm not sure there will be anything else I can get finished before we start selling. The earrings have garnered lots of compliments when I have worn them. I absolutely love the ones made with the vintage Chanel chain (tease, tease, tease). By the way, we will be in booths 746,748. Look for Jeweled Treasures on your program.

Thunderstorms are getting closer. Of course it is raining in Austin, which is where I'm headed this afternoon. Bah! It figures. Oh well, I don't melt -- I must be a good witch, huh? Later, beadlings!

Lots Of Words And A Few Pictures

First there is the necklace made from goodies from Carol, modeled by my darling Natalie. Just so we are clear, I don't do wire and chain work. This is made with a Vintaj bronze hook and ring clasp, two types of bronze chain, 20g wire in vintage bronze (wire wraps by yours truly), some beautiful glass rose beads (she has these in several colors!) and a flower which adorned a bracelet in a previous life (there are quite a few of these in the booth). She even has all the tools you need to create your own wearable work of art. I'll be wearing this next week at the Bead and Button show. I'm making another pair of earrings today (in addition to two pair I have already made -- pictures next week) and I'll lay out another necklace to be put together this weekend.

Changes! Okay, no changes here yet but changes in ME! Yes, me. Be prepared for what happens next. I want you to be sitting down and not have anything in your mouth. You know how I dislike pictures of myself, but here you go:

This picture was taken by Clara back in March. Yuck. That is NOT me. That woman CANNOT be me. Then we went looking at bridesmaid dresses Wednesday and Natalie shows me what she wants me to wear at the big celebration next year. Oooookaaaaay. Hmm. Add to all this a visit with the doctor yesterday and changes are going to be made. I found these Ezine articles, which I absolutely love. You would not believe what a difference it has made to just tell myself that this is going to be done and it can be done. I feel like the Not-So-Little Engine That Could. So, you'll get a new picture of me every month. What did T-man say? He said "Good. I can't wait until we can get back to doing things we used to love to do." Crap. He had that "let's go rock climbing" look in his eye. Do you think it's like riding a bicycle? And bicycles! He wants to ride bicycles! So, here I go getting back down to my fighting weight and I have until November 2010, if not sooner. And no, I won't tell you how much needs to come off. You'll just have to check the pictures each month. And you know how I love moral support, so lay it on me! And I hear you over there, wanting to know what miracle I found. Nope, no miracle and I'm not deluding myself into thinking this is going to be easy. It's going to be a lot of hard work and a totally different way of thinking.

It's apparently a holiday weekend (my days just run together, you know) so I want you all to have a nice, relaxing time and be safe! Oh, and work in some beading while you're at it!

I Am In Love!

I just love this picture! I love the color palette, love the lights and shadows, and just absolutely adore the model. Have you noticed that she's wearing a beaded neckpiece? Take a closer look. I'm not sure how the photographer could tell the anole is a female, but that's what the photo information says. I also love Wikimedia Commons for those days when I don't have a good picture to share.

This weekend I'll be in San Antonio at the San Antonio Bead and Ornament Society's Spring Bead Bazaar, and I will again be helping the lovely Carol Wille. I just adore her and love working with her. Let's just say there is not a dull moment between the two of us. I also heard a rumor that PAM is going to be there. Yep, and I got that info from Pam herself. HAH! I happen to know she's been working a few things and can't wait to see them in person.

Those changes I was talking about the other day are in progress. I may just have a big ole unveiling this summer, you never know.

So, if you make it to the bead bazaar come by to say "hi". That's where I'll be -- caressing the beads, touching the beads, fondling the beads, oh yeah -- and selling the beads!