Thanksgiving is almost here and no, I still didn't get any of those things on the list accomplished last weekend either. But I visited with friends and got some other things done, so it was productive none-the-less. And this weekend I'm focusing... Read More

'Sale' is a weird word when you say it several times in your head, as I did when I did was writing the title for this blog post! But it's a word that gets my heart pumping a bit harder and my feet moving a bit faster. Who can resist a good... Read More

In my last newsletter, I broke the news that our "Favorite Bead Store" contest will be offically launched in the March issue. I've already heard of some smart bead stores who have created some great ideas for campaigning. Good for them!... Read More

Bah Humbug. OK, that’s not very nice. But let’s face it. The kick off of Thanksgiving also kicks off a troublesome time for many of us. We get too worried about getting everything done. Over the years I’ve thought about the traditions I’d like to preserve... Read More

Even though any time is a good time for ornaments, I get especially fixated on them in November and December. Yesterday, after discovering beautiful glass and metal ornaments in my new Crate and Barrel holiday catalog, I went online to order. Not a single... Read More

Last week, Naomi blogged about Dean Harris’ line of jewelry at Target . Many of these designs could be adapted to projects you make on your own, especially if you like working with wire and chain links. This got me thinking about other stores that offer... Read More

It's less than two weeks until Thanksgiving, somewhere between 39 and 41 days until Christmas (amazingly, that's what I found as I searched the Web, and I'm so amused by the variance that I just don't want to count for myself), and 47... Read More

Last week I went to Wattens, Austria, to learn more about the Swarovski company and their Crystallized elements. It was a wonderful trip. This is a picture of me taken at CrystalWorld, a fabulous museum/art installation created by Swarovski. I love this... Read More

After reading Naomi’s post , I began thinking about store bought jewelry. I can’t remember the last time I bought a piece of jewelry from a regular store. Oh sure, I always look at the offerings. I especially like jewelry from Anthropologie , Urban Outfitters... Read More

I just saw a print ad for Dean Harris' jewelry line at Target. Target's press release notes that the pieces are reminiscent of nature, "fusing organic shapes and designs to create feminine and delicate adornments." Harris, a self-taught... Read More

This will be my first holiday season as a beader, so I am making a few jewelry gifts for friends and family. Having never done this before, I am learning as I go how to make jewelry that the recipient will like and hopefully wear. Here are some ideas... Read More

This weekend, I am hoping to get to the Milwaukee Public Museum to see Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition . I've been meaning to check out the exhibition since it came to Milwaukee a few weeks ago, my knowledge of all things Titanic having exponentially... Read More

What I thought might be a creative weekend last weekend turned into an eventful weekend, and creative in a different way--I went from being a straight-haired blonde to a curly redhead. And though I did get to test-drive that quilting machine (which was... Read More

Recently, the medical challenges of Karen Longoria and her triplets Kiley Rose, Megan, and Tyler were featured on local TV newscasts. Their story is likely to be featured on an upcoming NBC Dateline episode, with Ann Curry. Through Kapco Inc. and One... Read More

I just voted at a school two blocks from my house. The line was much longer than in past elections, curving around the hallway and out the door. A few dejected souls — including a man whose wife had car trouble and needed to drive their daughter to school... Read More