Little Moments.

How was your Fathers Day? I had my Dad over for a "Dottie" dinner. Dottie was my Mom and she was a great cook. I know he misses my mom's cooking so I tried to recreate it as best I could and I think he was happy.

My son is home visiting for awhile before he heads back to school. I cherish these moments when the whole family is under the same roof. I ache for those days when we were all in the house together. I didn't cherish them enough. We are on to other things. Daniel is gone at school and Allie is going to be flying the coop soon.

So last night I yelled down to them to undo the dishwasher and the banter between them was delightful. Arguing, laughter, and general brother, sister stuff brought back so many memories. Every single moment of their lives was a joy. Not saying we didn't have really tough times, but we were a tough bunch and came though it a stronger family.
Oh and are you following Denise Yezbak Moore's blog? You should. Look at her great give away!

Long time no blog.

Back from Bead and Button. Whew. Great show, lots of good friends, cool shopping, dismal sales....
So sad to see so many talented people make little to no profit. Many of my friends will not be returning to the show next year.
I plan on submitting a proposal to teach with a fellow beadmaker Brad Pearson. We taught together in Ashville and noticed that our minds kind-of think in similar ways when it comes to glass. So next year hopefully we will co-teach a class together and then I hope to be working for the great gals at Susan Lenart's booth Objects and Elements
That way I can teach, work and visit friends that I love dearly.

So much has happened in the last couple of months with teaching, doing shows, baby showers, and my Son's graduation from Mizzou. I couldn't be more of a proud Mom.
Here is a picture of him and his girlfriend whom he has been dating for 8 years this July. Yep you heard it right. They have been dating since they were freshman in high school and then went to the same college (both graduating at the top of their classes) and now they will both be attending Mizzou with Celsi getting her Masters and my son Daniel entering the Doctoral program in Biology.

AHHHHHHH

That just about sums it up. I am readyish for Bead and Button. I will be seeing tons of friends and lots of cool things to buy. If you are going, make sure you stop by my booth #1000 next to Kate Mckinnon who does have tons of stuff.

When I get back I will have less time at work and more time at home. I have many things planned like painting the kitchen cabinets, cleaning out the basement and organizing. I made the mistake of watching Horders on TLC. Yipees. My house is pretty void of lots of clutter but there are hidden closets and cabinets and storage rooms that need attention.

Off I go!

Home for a Bit and then.....BEAD & BUTTON

Well Blue Moon rocked it. What a great studio and such great hosts. I stayed at Jim and Rose's house so I got to meet the dogs and had a wonderful time.
The class was great with incredible students. I love it when I am teaching a new technique and it pushes everyones abilities. Then when it turns out, they beam with pride and excitement. It really rocks my world when they "get it".

Ohhh girlfriend, do I have cool stuff for Bead and Button. Sets they are colorful crazy good, pairs for killer earrings or accent beads, really rockin PMC pendants with a totally bit@#en technique that I am keeping under wraps cause it is wicked smart, and KITS. Yep I have earring kits. I never make kits but everyone tells me that is what the people want.

Oh and guess what...I am a great aunt. My lovely niece Sarah had a boy! Some of you know my older sister died of Ovarian Cancer almost 2 years ago. We lost her too soon at age 55. Sarah is her oldest daughter so it is bitter sweet, but I am sure she is looking down and smiling. Hopefully pictures soon. She lives in Chicago soI am going to go and see her after Bead and Button and will get pictures of the new addition. Plus I am so the Baby Whisperer. That kid needs his Aunt Libby.

Off to Austin!

I am off to teach at Blue Moon
If you are in the Austin area I will be doing a demo on Sat. night at the studio so stop by and say HI.
When I get back it is balls to the wall making and finishing stuff for Bead and Button. I will post some pictures so if you are coming to Bead and Button you can see all the goodies I will have. I have some pretty cool new stuff that you are going love.
Off I go!

To post or not to post....

That is the question.
We in the jewelry/glass beadmaking/metal/ fine arts are a small bunch. We all know people who know people. There are plenty of "famous" blogger artists, forum artist, Etsy artists , Ebay artist, those who make a small to medium living from making beautiful things.

We all know each other in some small way, and we all form opinions and cliques that may or may not be beneficial or true. I will be the first one to say I have fallen into the gossip and sometimes not so nice behavior pointed at certain people, and for that my apologies, truly.

But you know what I have found out as I have grown older and pulled away from it all...no one is perfect, absolutely not one person. We have all been mean, been forgiven and forgiven others. We at times are caring, have been taken advantage of, not been given credit, and not given credit. Been the focus of invalid criticism, and maybe valid criticism.

But we all need to take a closer look at how we interact with others, how we handle ourselves as adults. I am not perfect and I cannot hold others to a standard that I am not willing to hold myself to.

At one point I joined in the mocking of an artist. He/She was the snicker we had in the corner of the room. We reveled in our "coolness", thought we were all that. I slowly began to notice that the "cool kids" were not so supportive of me in ways I had been supportive of them. The give and take was very one sided. It began to hurt and I pulled away.

A couple of years later I taught with the artist we had made the butt of our jokes. He/She was a delight. Kind, thoughtful, funny and very talented. Then in a moment He/She supported me in a way that the "cool kids" never did..ever. Imagine my horror as I realized my arrogance. One of my big "ah ha " moments. Shame on me.

I will still be kind to the "cool kids". They have their paths to go down, and I have mine. I by no means am any better or worse. I am just trying to not get caught up in useless thoughts.

You know what is important, to look inward, decide what feels right, and what feels wrong. Graciousness, what a wonderful word. Let us all be gracious, strong, caring and thoughtful before we decide if being one of the "cool kids" is really worth it.

And before you decide to take someone on, look inward, be an adult, stand strong, but for goodness sakes, stand with graciousness.

Graduation!

Yep my little boy is Graduating from Mizzou (University of Missouri -Columbia)this Saturday. I am so proud of him. He has decided to go for an advanced degree and was accepted into the Doctoral program starting in Sept. Here he is giving me the stink eye..

Feeling the pressure to get things done for Bead and Button, preparing for teaching next week and then re-stocking the studio at work AND then start making stuff for the Gathering (glass bead making convention). Yipees.