My Julsbead necklace

Ok, Julianna said that it was ok to post. There has been so much talk around copying others work without giving credit. So this is like one of her necklaces that she made. I love her bumpy beads and could never figure out what to make. Her beads are so luscious and full of life. Without further ado, here it is. (this is strictly for me, not for sale)

You can find her blog at Julsbeads and her Etsy is here.  Her work is absolute wonderfulness!

Thank you and a few new pieces

First, I wanted to thank all of you for your supportive comments on my interview. Thank all of you, it means alot. You are all so supportive.

Now, on to a few new pieces. Again, Friday night and then Sunday during the football game (oh do I love that theme!).

Hand hammered silver sticks and hoops with beautiful boro beads. I apologize, I don't remember where I got these.

Fun beads from Julsbeads.  I love her work. 

Another of Julsbeads! I also created a necklace very similar to one that Julianna created but want to make sure it is ok with her. It is a piece for me, not for sale, and with all of the issues that have surfaced lately, I just want to make sure that it is ok. I hope to be able to post soon. I love it especially much! I wore it to work and got the comment "I love that, it looks like something you could eat!"

As always, any comments are more than welcome! 

A big step for me

I was contacted by a journalist who writes a post in our area and she wanted to interview me! She found me on Etsy and it went from there. Have to admit that I was absolutely terrified. For me the whole stepping outside my comfort zone is tough. I love what I do, but am not good at promoting myself. But, I did say yes and it was a 5 minute interview, really not long and she put me on the front page of her cyber journal/blog/news site.  I was blown away! Below is the link. Small steps.  :)

http://colesville.patch.com/articles/shop-local-qa-with-beads-by-breul-founder

She included pictures and links to both my Etsy and Artfire sites. I have seen my hits go up drastically on both. Psyched! Let's hope it generates some sales........

Lori Anderson's new web site

It is up and running! Absolutely beautiful. The colors, her pictures, navigation. You did an amazing job Lori! Congratulations. Please go over and check it out ~ Lori Anderson Designs.



Lori Anderson's free eCourse

Good Morning,
Lori Anderson of Pretty Things and An Artist's Year Off is offering a very interesting free eCourse on blogging. Definately worth the hop over and read. I am looking forward to participating in this and can say that in the first post, I have learned a few things and have had some of my decisions validated.  Her words are very thoughtful and true.  Please go over and check it out.

Thank you Lori.

Monday Morning! with a picture.

And how did my Monday start you ask?  Well, I opened my email to find MY FIRST SALE ON ETSY! Yeah Me!

A picture was asked for, so here it is.  It has one of Kelley's wonderful eggs!! Thanks Kelley.  Thank you all for your words! (and figuring out that whole paypal thing, geez.)

New Beads!

I couldn't resist any more. I finally had to get some of JulsBeads beads. Her use of color and texture. I love them. So I got home yesterday and my package was here!!! (I remembered to take pictures before I ripped into the packages.

How cute!

Look at the color and texture.

Beautifulness!

And, she sent this as a gift! Thank you Juls!

Coordinates with one of my sets! So kind. 

I. Can't. Wait. To. Play!

Friday Joy!

My joy this week is my family. I know that sounds funny, so let me lay the ground work.  My son is in middle school, 7th grade to be precise.  Last year, 6th grade, was a rough year for him. Not academically, he made Honor Roll all four quarters.

 Now, we don't have a "home school" where we live. We have the choice of three different middle schools and chose the one that held the most interest for him. His school's emphasis is robotics and engineering and he loves it. Loves his computer classes, loves the teachers and I think has made some friends. I say this because not many of his friends live in the neighborhood.  Over the course of the last school year, we had a series of bullying incidents - issues on the bus, gym locker kicked in, binders and notebooks destroyed, issues on the playing field. Not one child, apart from the bus, but a series of incidents. I know that bullying is the worst in middle school and his school has been SUPER responsive. We have dealt with the principal, head of security and his counselor.  They have all be very supportive and most importantly, responsive. My son is a good kid, very trusting and nice, just wants to be liked by folks.  Now, school has started and the issues with the little creatin on the bus have started again. Interestingly, the majority of this stems from his being white in a predominately hispanic and african american school. He tells me that the teasing has started again and just doesn't want to have another year like last. He wants to transfer out. He is tired of being called names. We have gone down the "just let it roll off your back" route among others. Personally, I wouldn't want to go to school every day wondering what was going to happen, not a good learning environment.  Did I mention that he is bigger (taller and stronger) than this little shit. (forgive the language) This hurts my heart.

So to my Friday Joy. At dinner last night we all had a very long conversation with each other and him. Dinner was about 1 1/2 hours long. No TV, no music, just us talking. I mean really talking. Sharing the past (hubby and I), sharing my daughter's middle school experience, talking about how to make it better, without inciting anything and running the risk of his being jumped when he gets off the bus. For one and a half hours we all talked, shared and supported my son.  Everything else stopped. Asking what he thought and how he thought this could be fixed. Listening to him.  Explaining that transferring might not be the answer as there will always be little shits around. Now, this makes us sound like we never eat together and always have other thing happening during dinner. We do eat as a family EVERY night. Very important to both my husband and I.  But this meal was amazing. The love and support that was directed to my son. He was very teary all dinner. But I  think that he has a better understanding of possiblities and possible solutions and hopefully, the understanding that we all support him and will do what every needs to be done, even if it means transferring schools. And that we all love him tremendously.

I love my family.  My kids are wonderful, caring, bright people. My husband, strong, supportive and an amazing father. I am so lucky.  So there is my Friday Joy.   May your Friday be filled with Joy.

ps - I will keep you posted on what happens and would love to hear what your thoughts are. Please.

Little things

I have a "heart" in my Etsy shop! Go Me!

Cindy Gimbrone's Not-So-Famous Missed Anniversary Bead Giveaway!

Cindy's beads are so wonderful! Please go over and check this out. The stash of giveaway beads, mmmmm, beadilisciousness! (yup). Her blog is Lampwork Diva.

Look at this wonderfulness.  Well, off to work. Have a great Tuesday!

(Hey, at least I didn't send you all hopping off again! :) )