to this community and to Bead and Button / Bead Style Magazines.  I have been beading for about a year and have done some rudimentary projects.  I am enthralled by the endless possibilities.  I tend to like simpler-looking projects at this time.  I like the idea I saw in one magazine not too long ago w/ a lobster claw on one end of a strand of beads and a pen on the other end so you can clip it inside your purse and always be able to find your pen!  I have made a few of these and they are very well received.  I would love others ideas anyone is willing to share for simple everyday stuff like that, not just jewelry - if anyone would pass them on I would be grateful...

I have never been to a bead show and buy almost everything online, I have had a huge fetish for buying beads and then not having time to do much with them.  I want to this summer, tho -now that my daughter is graduated from high school.  I live in a very rural area and there are NO bead stores around...ugh!

 would love to hear from anyone and how they have worked their craft/hobby into their lives (like how you have made a "travel pack" to take along with you, etc.)  also how you market the items you make!

thanks, cindy