Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show

I had a booth at the To Bead True Blue Show this year.  The show was great and I was lucky to be near some wonderful people.
Next door on one side was Julie Picarello.  I bought her new book.
On the other side was Paula Best with her lovely whimsical multi media beads.
Acrosss from me was Karen Ovington.  Her husband helped in her booth and ordered pitchers of margaritas at 5pm.  How cool is that!
Next to Karen was Barbara Minor and Chris Hentz (of Chris's cables).  Her enameled beads are unbelieveable!
And down a few tables was Steff Korsage.  Steff has used my glass beads in her jewelry; and I was lucky enough to purchase a ring from her. 
And behind Steff were two friends from Dayton OH...  Bridget Beck and Colleen Girard
And right behind me was Amy who made raku beads. 
I could go on as every booth in the show was spectacular.  Had a great time!

My Cover Bead - The Gatherer

I was away at the Synergy 2 conference in Baltimore, MD when my Winter 2010 issue of the Glass Bead arrived. Last year I entered the call for entries from the ISGB - International Society of Glass Beadmakers for a bead that would grace the cover of the ISGB's annual meeting publication. The theme was "Beyond Boundaries" and I entered a mixed media bead (lampworked bead with metal clay) called the Gatherer. I had just returned home from a vacation in Palm Springs where I went on a great hike. The guide showed us examples of rock art. There was one cave like area with a large rock that overhang the area like a roof. All of the petroglyphs there were of images with large hands. The guide explained that this area was for gatherings, and the large handed pictoglyphs represented protection of the people who gathered there. So I made my bead complete with a metal clay gatherer and it was chosen for the cover. The annual meeting of the ISGB is called "The Gathering" and it will be held in Rochester, NY this year.

I have decided to display my bead at home; and I purchased this great suspension gift box from Rio Grande for my bead. Now I need to make some more.

Historic Bear's Mill Greenville OH

Bear's Mill was built in 1849 in Greenville, OH
It's been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977
I's a real place and is still used to grind cormeal, whole wheat and rye flour
It's an inspirational place and is host to a store on it's first floor where each month artists are invited to show their work. And I was asked to be one of those artist's for the month on November.

So if you live near Greenville OH come take a look at the beautiful mill ...................

and my beads and jewelry.

Convergence Show

This is the necklace created by Heidi Kummli incorporating my lampworked beads. It was juried into the Convergence Show which was co-sponsored by Bead and Button and the ISGB. The show was exhibited first at the Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster, OH. Then it traveled to Milwaukee, WI for the Bead and Button Show. That's where I saw it for the first time. And wow! What an incredible piece.

Now that Bead and Button is over the show travels to Miami, FL where most of the pieces will be auctioned to raise funds for the CREF. It was really amazing to see all of the entries displayed so nicely at the Bead and Button Show. Amazing amount of talent. The ISGB has a catalog of all of the entries and I imagine you can contact them to buy one if you want.