We're finalizing our September issue and designing the last few projects for Parties, but I wanted to post a quick note about one of my Bead and Button Show buys.

These handmade furnace glass beads are from Lark and Corrie at Olive Glass. I love their squiggles (I've made many a Christmas ornament with them and with the pillow beads — check out the November 2005 issue). But I stayed focused on the matter at hand: finding different shades of blue for a baby-shower bracelet for our Parties issue. These beads are 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and 1 inch long, and I especially love the texture of the teal beads, which remind me of flowing water.

Be sure to look for my bracelet; Parties hits newsstands at the end of August.