Busy is good!

Is it June already? Whew! - I am losing track of time......................
I cannot believe we are at the half way point! It has been a whirlwind of a year and the change of pace is very welcome. I am tunnel focused on growing my business and turning it into a profitable full time job - hopefully! I have many new and exciting opportunities on the horizon, some of which I won't speak to yet but all exciting and making me spread me wings.

I have many new jewelry items made but have not photographed them as they are going with me to next weeks show. My findings shop is stocked with over 150 NEW products and I hope to get them added to my Etsy shop when I return from next weeks adventure.

Next week, I am off to Milwaukee, WI for the 10th annual Bead & Button Show. I have been working like a mad woman for the last month  - I was fortunate to be offered a booth space from a cancellation that came up. This will be the largest show I have done and I am excited and nervous all at the same time. My daughter is going with to help out so I am most grateful to have her to see me through and keep me company. Wish me luck - Milwaukee or bust!

Below are confirmed events I will be doing this year:

The Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI - The worlds largest consumer bead show!
June 10th - 13th, 2010 at the Midwest Airlines Center - http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com


The Creative Connections Event Handmade Market - Minneapolis, MN
A 3-day conference and market for creative women and women entrepreneurs.
September 15th - 18th, 2010 - The Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An event presented by Stampington & Company http://www.thecreativeconnectionevent.com/wp/

Twin Cities Bead Bazaar - Hopkins, MN
October 23-24, 2010 to be held at Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy 7, Hopkins, MN 55305

Twin Cities Bead Bazaar - Hopkins, MN

March 19-20, 2011 to be held at Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy 7, Hopkins, MN 55305

Art Glass and Bead Show - Madison, WI
March 26 & 27, 2011 - Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall - Madison, WI

This list may grow as I am trying to figure out the logistical nightmare of product transport for some East and West coast shows that I would love to do - I will keep you posted here!

If your in Milwaukee for the big show, please stop by and say hello!

New Year - New Opportunities!

It is shaping up to be an interesting spring, still officially un-employed and still looking for work but I have several irons in the fire and am hoping they will all help expand and grow my little business. I will be doing a small Artisan Show - Saturday Jan. 30th 11 am - 4pm at 42nd Street Station - a New coffee shop in the Camden Area recently opened by an old friend. They have great live music every Friday and Saturday night - highly recommend this coffee shop; great food and coffee, great service, warm atmosphere and free wi-fi!

As always, March brings the Spring "Bead Bazaar" March 13th & 14th in Hopkins at the Community Center, which I will be selling my findings at. The following week, March 18th, 19th & 20th - I have been invited to bring my findings to one of my favorite local bead stores "Beadbury" in Osseo, MN to be a part of their Spring Bead Show where they will be show casing all their treasures and finds from the Tucson and California bead shows - do join us!

Spring blooms with a new opportunity at a new Artisan and Farmers market that will be running mid May through most of October, Saturdays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Goose Lake Farms Winery in Nowthen, MN - I didn't even know we had a local winery until they contacted me!

Although my blog has been quiet, I have been busy with holiday festivities, family and trying to keep my consignment venues and my shops in stock. I am always working on new creations but there just never seems to be enough time in one day. My most current items have yet to be photographed but below are some recent creations - Thanks for stopping by!









Iron Belle Flower Muse

Guinevere's Garden

Glitz

Vanity Can Be Fatal - Spider and Fly Collage Art Locket

Nesting

A Change of Season's

Of Darkness and Light- Chiaroscuro Gothic Chandelier Earrings

Faded Rose (The 2nd in a Series ) - The Secret Garden of Doctor Moreau

Champagne and Roses

In my next life................?

Wow!! It has been far too long since my last post. Life has been busy and brought many changes since September. I am currently adjusting to life as a displaced worker after recently being laid off my job. It is a strange feeling to say the least. I have been working for nearly 30 years and I am trying to figure out how all those years slipped by? One good look at my kids and in the mirror tells me that sadly, they certainly have.

Next week, I will get rid of five years of accumulation, clean out my office and shut the proverbial door. There will be no call backs.

So, on to the next chapter...........................................................

I am going to throw myself into ramping up my online shops, creating more art and jewelry and of course trying to find a new job. Maybe I will be blessed and find out I can get by on my own ingenuity (if the new government doesn't undermine my efforts). I guess now would be the time to find out. Who knows, with a little luck, and a lot of effort, it could be blessing in disguise??

I have spent the cold winter working with fabulous yarns and fibers and crocheting up a storm. There is something comforting about working with big fluffy fibers and yarns on cold winter day. I think we all have scarves, wristlets and neck warmers for every day of the month. My most recent creation was a gorgeous long wrap shawl made with a mix of mohair, baby alpaca and eyelash yarns. Yummy colors and super soft and snugly. Oh - I made my first full sweater too :) My Mother would be proud. It is actually wearable! A thick chunky wool Chalet sweater, I actually surprised myself. I was sure it would end up mishaped, one arm longer that the other etc....

This is only relevant because I have not crocheted since I was about 9 and my Mom is no longer around to help me out. I think she must have been sitting on my shoulder - lol :)

I hope to begin blogging on a somewhat regular basis again so if anybody stops by, please send a shout out :)