Tucson Treasures

I've spent the past week filing paperwork for the upcoming meeting with our accountant. Urgh... I hate tax time. I have finally finished and now have some time to put my Tuscon goodies away.
Before we left for Tucson, we were down in Orange County for the CHA show. While at the show I stopped by the Soft Flex booth to say "hi" to Sara Hardin and Jamie Hogsett. While I was talking with Sara, I spied a fantastic lampwork glass bead on one of the samples. I completely fell in love with this enormous, bumpy boro bead. Sara wasn't sure who made it because it wasn't one of her samples. I just couldn't shake the memory of this bead.
Fast forward to the Best Bead Show in Tucson, which by the way, is appropriately named... Lo and behold, right there in the lobby was the maker of my coveted bead! It was Martha Proctor of Liquid Sand Studio. www.liquidsandstutio.com Below is a photo of the gorgeous "honker" of a bead with yummy bumps in tourmaline colors. I can't wait to make something with this treasure!

Memories of Tucson...

I had a wonderful trip to Tucson this year. Not only was it bead heaven, but I also got see old friends and make some new friends. Among the many wonderfully talented friends I ran into at the Interweave party this year was Andrew Thornton. He is a fabulously talented designer and artist who most of you know through his working with his family at Green Girl Studios. While at the party Andrew gifted me with this sweet artist trading card.

The following night I had the good fortune of sampling some of Andrew's cooking. He and Greg Ogden (also of GGS) treated us to some fine culinary magic. They even converted me into liking brussel sprouts! This fine dinner took place at the beautiful home of another talented artist, Kate McKinnon. Her home is a perfect combo of contemporary coziness & retro cool stuff. It made me want to move right in!I managed to snap of few pictures before my camera battery died. Doh!
Pictured below is Marcia DeCoster alongside the gracious hostess Kate McKinnon.
Bottom left are three beautiful women: Jean Campbell, Jamie Hogsett & Sara Hardin.

Deadlines

After having been gone for three weeks, there's a lot of catching up to do around here. One of my priorities is getting my Stringing submissions done and written up for the Fall issue since the deadline is rapidly approaching. Here are a few sneak peeks of the beads I used. The first is a snapshot of a gorgeous lampwork glass flower made by the equally lovely & talented Lisa Kahn. Lisa amazes me. She does it all: beadwork, lampwork... and everything she does is fantastic.

Second, is a lovely little borosilicate honeycomb bead that my awesomely talented friend Rashan Omari Jones made. I actually dropped this bead on concrete last fall and he had to put it back in the kiln to fix it. I owe him big time for this! Now I need to get busy and type up the directions...

Valentine's Day Bead

When I returned from Tucson last week I pulled out all of my treasures to drool on them while Barry and I were watching TV. I decided to "work" while I was drooling so, I got out my lil' Ziploc baggies and a sharpie so, I could mark and label all of my new goodies. As I was going through my receipts, I came across my Gary Wilson receipt. The last item read "special secret item". I asked Barry if he knew what the heck that was to which he smiled and replied, "yes".
Alas, the mystery was revealed on Valentine's Day when I received this super cool heart shaped pendant that Gary Wilson cut from a billiard ball!

Home Sweet Home

Ahhh... I'm finally home from my three week trip to southern CA and Tucson. I was so busy the whole time I was gone that I slacked in the blogging department. At least now I have lots to talk about.
I had a wonderful time in CA even though everyone blamed me for bringing the rain with me. My Mom took a week off from work and I got to spend some time with her, which is always much needed. I also got to spend some time with my Dad, two brothers and Grandfather.
While in Huntington Beach I taught two classes at my friend Erin's store Beadology. Check it out: www.beadology.net. The first class was my right angle weave class "Better With Crystals". Much to my surprise, all 7 students finished their bracelets. They did a fantastic job and it was such an inspiration to see their color selections.
The other class I taught was my "Bottlecap Earrings". Erin made a lovely pendant out of hers with a super cute owl bottlecap from a Japanese brew.
There is still room in the Bead & Button show sessions of my bottlecap earrings. For details visit: http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/bnbshow/default.aspx
Hey! My class is the pick of the day here! Or go to: http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/bnbshow/default.aspx?c=classsearch&mode=results&ins=T635