ANOTHER BOOK SIGNING!!!!!!

I'm beside myself!   After an email from Sherry Serafini and telephone conversations and emails with the publisher and marketing departments, City Beads will be the first store in the U.S. to have a book signing for Sherry and her newest publication, Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery. 

It's a good thing I never took down the tables!  I'm over the top with excitement.  On Friday, March 18, Sherry will sign her new book AND her pages in Beading Across America where she is co-author and contributor (a great pair of earrings representing Pennsylvania).  That, plus three days of wonderful classes -- oh what a weekend!

But wait.  Tomorrow,  I'm going to San Francisco  for Beading by the Bay with great friends and teachers Marcia DeCoster, Maggie Meister and Jean Campbell.  Two great beading weekends in a row!  What more could a girl ask for?  Maybe some rest, but you know what they say.  There's no rest for the wicked!

A Wonderful Weekend!

For those of you who hadn't heard, City Beads had it's first book signing this weekend.  Being the perfectionist I am (although if you saw my house right now, you wouldn't believe it) I approached the event with great trepidation.  Would anyone show up?  Would I have enough books?  What should I serve?  Would the weather cooperate?

There was a steady flow of customers all day long, and Beading Across America was well received.  Everyone was delighted to have both NanC Meinhardt and Paulette Baron available to sign their book.  There was plenty of food, and the weather cooperated until about 5 p.m. Chicago time, when the rain began to fall.  All in all, the day was a great success.

My thanks to everyone for a wonderful event!  To the many old time beading buddies, thank you for traveling long distances to share in the celebration.  To all the newcomers, it was a treat to meet you and I hope to see you again soon.

And now, off to bed.  The work week starts again tomorrow, but it will be a short one.  I'm treating myself to a weekend in San Francisco at Beading By the Bay, where I'm sure much fun will be had.  Until the next post, Happy Beading!

I'm Playing With Beads Again

Today's post is short and sweet.  I've stolen some time to play with beads -- especially some new ones that have come in from a favorite supplier.  When I opened the box, my initial thought was, "What in heaven's name am I going to do with these?"  (well, not exactly . . . )

They're called bubble beads, or mushroom drops.  I'm sure there's more you could do with them, but I'm off to prepare for the Beading Across America book signing.  Why don't you give it a try?  Hope to see you soon!

THE BOOK SIGNING!

OK.  So you'll all just have to forgive me for not blogging in a while.  First, there was preparing for Maggie Meister's classes.  Then, there was recuperating from Maggie Meister's classes.  From there, on to Tucson.  Then, pricing the 150 plus pounds of beads that were shipped back to Chicago from Tucson.  And now, City Beads will be the FIRST STORE IN THE COUNTRY  to have a book signing for Beading Across America!!!

The folks at Kalmbach have been a big help, together with Paulette Baron and Amy Katz.  Now, to get raffle tickets ready for the drawing for the Sherry Serafini Runway Earrings class,  put out extra tables for the book signing, restock all the AIKO's, as 50 more colors plus the new permanent finish just came in, find a spot to put all of Paulette's kits for the trunk show, prepare refreshments . . . 

If you're in the area, please stop by next Friday.  And if not, find a way to get here.  We're going to have a BLAST!

Names, anyone?

I'm definitely in a blue period.  As affirmation, I've just finished this . . .

I've been told by several members of the family that it's a bit too glitzy for me, so of course, I should give it to them.  There's lots of bling -- it's a new 36 or 38mm rivoli (I can't remember; am I really too old to wear it?)   The base of the piece is a wonderfully soft royal blue leather that's splattered with metallic paint.  I've no idea what to call it.  Names, anyone?

The Blue Period

For those of you that know me and my beading habits, you know I tend to metallics and earth tones in my beadwork.  I can think of one thing -- a bracelet -- that I've beaded in blue beads.  Historically, blue just isn't my color.  Maybe this is due to the fact that I grew up in a home decorated in the 1960's with blue moire wallpaper throughout.  The memory gives me the shivers.  However, as my mother used to say, the function of the mind is to change.  Following that train of thought, I discovered a cabochon (Gary Wilson of course) that peaked my interest when paired with some new fire polish that came in this week, and one thing led to another . . .

I may be entering my blue period!

Dad's Hanukkah gift

As many of you may know, I have the MOST wonderful father in the world.  He turned 80 this year, and I wish I had the energy at my age (you notice I don't say) that he has at 80.  He works full time, works out every day,  and never stops pushing me to be the best that I can be.  I can honestly say I think both of us are having fun with this bead thing.

Hanukkah is this week, and dad is not the kind of guy for whom you can make jewelry.  For all the years my mom and dad were married  (47 before she passed away) he never wore a wedding band, and to this day he wears a pocket watch rather than anything on his wrist.  Buying a gift for him is IMPOSSIBLE; he has everything he wants, and what he doesn't have, he buys for himself.  With that in mind, as a tribute to him and all he's done for his family and community, I just completed this

which I will give to him this evening at our family Hanukkah gathering.  It is one of Julia Pretl's Little Beaded Boxes, this one entitled "Tree of Life."  Here's to you, dad, the man who's planted the deep roots of our family from which strong branches abound, and for many more healthy and happy Hanukkahs together!