I vow to blog more often!

Okay Okay Okay! I have not been a great blogger. So now in front of all of you I will vow to blog atleast twice a month. I know...not a lot but certainly better that what I've been doing. And that is what life is about; doing a little better each day as you take the time to enjoy the day. Today I found a huge amount of joy from watching my little boy eat a bowl of ice cream. You see he has several food allergies and today we found an ice cream made from coconut milk (soy free and dairy free) and he absolutely loved it. It was an unexpected find and I am amazed how something so simple could make both of us so happy.

In the land of jewelry and beads it has been a busy month and getting busier next month. I have several classes I am teaching at the Sandwich Community Center (www.scslearn.org) as well as many craft shows. Check out my website in the news and events section for my upcoming schedule. I am also so excited to be heading to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI next week. This will be my first time and I hear it is like the Oscars of the bead/jewelry world. If any of you are there please come by and see me at The Beadin Path booth. Many of you may not know but I am a sales representative for Beadin Path and am lucky enough to travel the country attending bead shows. I love it!

Hope to see you guys at a show, class or on Twitter and Facebook. See you in two weeks at the blog!!!

Tucson's Treasures

Wow, what a trip! Every year in February, Tucson becomes the Mecca for jewelry designers everywhere. The entire town turns into gem show city. With over 30 shows to take in I had my work cut out for me. I’ve been attending the shows in Tucson since 2000 and every year I discover a new find. Something that inspires me to create that piece that will define the next year’s collection.

This year I found something so exciting and unusual. Like many of the items I use it is limited in quantity which makes it even that more special and unique. I have found ancient Roman glass made into amazing stones and beads. These pieces are made from ancient vessels, hand cut and formed into beads and stones for setting. Many of the stones I picked have opals on them. Opals are formed when a rock or glass in this case is left in a sandy area with lots of flowing water. Some of the beads have an entire sheen of opal on them.

The colors are amazing. Being inspired by the ocean and living on Cape Cod I knew these would evoke a sense of the sea when paired with sterling silver and gold accents. I can’t wait to start playing with my new finds. Hope you love them as much as me!