Whoooo's ready for the weekend!

Kimmie here-


I really can't complain, this week just flew by. The creativity has really been flowing; I am so excited about these little (10mm) lentil animals, I have about ten different ones already! I'm going to make myself a bracelet with one of each...might have to make it two strands the way things are going.

These owls will be posted on my site tomorrow, keep visiting the blog to see the rest of my tiny menagerie!

**and if you have a request or suggestion, please let me know! Post it in a comment here in the blog :-).

I have been asked recently how I my pictures turn out so well, and I must say it is pure luck. The workshop where I'm set up has a big skylight so all I have to do is plop the beads down and snap a photo. My camera is so old that it will only hold a charge for 10 minutes or so, so it's a good thing I don't have to do a lot of fidgeting! I do have one good tip though: instead of a spendy gradient sheet or tricky backdrop, I use parchment paper from the baking section of the grocery store. Just unroll it -drape it over something if you need a background- and roll it back up when you're done. Great stuff, and it keeps cookies from sticking to the sheet... ;-)

Bead Dreams Come True

Kimmie: Here's my entry for Bead Dreams, a 3 1/2 inch tall wool bead!

Joan suggested I enter the new Handmade Beads category with some needlefelting and this is what I came up with. I really like it! I have already started on another, and hope to have at least 3 for my booth at Bead and Button. They're very lightweight, should be great for designing with.

Joan: Super thrilled that both Kimmie and I are finalists in the same Bead Dreams category, Handmade Beads or Buttons. I went with a veggie theme and buttons. I always think since the magazine is still called "Bead & Button" there should be a few buttons. Here is my set of Buttons that made the cut. I won't be at Bead & Button in person this year so I am glad my veggies are representing for me :)

Thanks OC!

The Art of Adornment was a great show, thanks to great beaders, great weather, and a beautiful venue. Our booth sits in a corner with gorgeous tea roses bordering two sides, next to a giant palm tree. It doesn't get any nicer than that. We're already looking forward to next year! Thanks as always to the Bead Society of Orange County, who really treat us right.




These little guys are just so happy it's Spring that they are apparently joining together to sing! They'll be posted on my website today.

Joan and I both had our entries accepted for Bead and Button's Bead Dreams competition! We will be putting our virtual heads together for a joint post to show them off. I'm so excited to see my bead in that big glass case!

The Art of Adorning - Orange County Bead Society Annual Bead Bazaar

OC Bead Society Show this Saturday in Santa Ana, California. Come out and see lots of great beads and meet Kimmie and Penny in person. My beads will have to speak for me but I sent ALOT of them. Like I said on my FB Page ...Come and pet the beads! They love it and the drool just makes them a bit shinier.

Wishing I was there. Joan

Mad about Mad Hatters!

I did some new Mad Hatter doll pendants featuring Penny Michelle sterling silver top hat, arm and boots. I have been doing the white rabbit and queen of hearts for some time. Mad Hatter was a bit more of a challenge. He will be travelling to California for The Art of Adornment at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana on April 24. Come join the tea party!

Glass and felt from Kimmie

I added these guys to my etsy store last week, I think they are so happy! It will be challenging to figure out how to display such tiny animals at shows, but I have a few ideas.
Speaking of shows, set your calendar because I will be appearing at Bead and Button in Milwaukee in June! Joan and I have both sent in entries for their Bead Dreams contest, which Joan WON in the handmade beads category a couple of years ago. Maybe she will post a picture of those prizewinning beads for us. That was an exciting year at B and B; my friend Wayne Robbins and I received the People's Choice award for our collaboration, "The Collector":

He was my first big felted project; creating him really reiterated the importance of having a good stash to draw on! He lives in Palo Alto, California now, in the library of a home up on a hill. I'm sure he is very happy there, but I do kinda miss him sometimes.

**Don't forget to go see Joan at BeadFest Wire this weekend!

-and wish us luck on our Bead Dreams entries for this year...I think we are both going to be superstitious and not post pix till we know if they've been accepted ;-).

Free Passes to Bead Fest Wire

I will be exhibiting at Bead Fest Wire at the Valley Forge Convention Center, April 8, 9 and 10.

I have Free Passes! Just join my email list and I will email you a printable free pass.

I will have new beads, pendants and dolls. I have a supply of Penny Michelle pewter bead critters. Of course I have some of my beads in stock that go great with these. I also have a nice assortment of hippo bellies. Hope to see you there!

***Hi, Kimmie here, just wanted to let you know that if you clicked on the link to my website at the bottom of the page and found yourself on the wrong site, don't give up! I have fixed the link, and it now goes to my website, cuteglassbeads.com.