still here!!

wow.. hard to believe it's been over a month since I logged in here.   This working full time, sure takes a big chunk of your time.  After working from home for seven years, then being unemployed for a year and a half, it seems like I'm never home anymore!  I know Daisy is finding it much harder than Keila.  But, I am so glad Keila is now part of our family, and keeping the Dais company while I'm at work.
I have been finding it harder to fit in beading time, and then throw Christmas in on top of that, I'm lucky if I even remember what day it is.. lol.
I just entered a draw for some Apple prizes, and thought I'd share the link... in case anyone else would like a chance for a nice start to the new yr.
http://promo.dealfind.com/?sub=1?&utm_source=promo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=appleprizepack

hope all is well with you and yours.. talk soon

the daily beading continues

I did my beading Thursday after I blogged.  Friday night I was late getting home from work, and missed going to the football game, so instead, watched it on tv and beaded.  Eskimos won and locked up first place in west!  go Esks!!
 Saturday, I got distracted by some new beads that had arrived earlier in the week, then I started checking to see who had sales online, and ended up putting in another order.   LOL .. shopping online is waaaay too easy =)  After all the looking at new beads, I never actually did any working on my current project!
Today was kind of a lazy day.  I played with the dogs in the yard for a bit, then we all came in and had a nap - great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!  Went to visit Mom tonight, she is very happy I am keeping Keila.  Mom loves Kee's little white tip on her tail.  Been playing on FB since we got home, and catching up on the forum, so will stop now and get at least a few mins of beading in before I'm off to bed. 
Hope everyone had a good weekend and is ready for another week.  =)

NaSeeBeMo

I've taken up the challenge posted on Beading Daily blog:  http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2011/11/01/national-seed-beading-month-let-s-do-some-seed-beading-every-day.aspx
With this new job, I am going to have to learn to plan beading time.  My free time has been severely cut back!  lol   So, I am going to spend 15-20 mins on a bead soup herring bone bracelet I am working on, then I'm off to bed.  Both dogs already curled up and fast asleep  =)

Happy Halloween!

Boo!! 
I can't believe it's been two weeks since I made an entry here!  Life is speeding along these days...
I've started a new job... so much for my retirement.. lol.  I like the job, but will be on a steep learning curve for the next few weeks.  Big decision tonight... do I try and come up with a costume to wear to work tomorrow??  Have I left it too late to pull something together? (oh darn.. lol)
Then last Sunday, Daisy was sick.  Nothing like rushing a wobbly, vomiting greyhound to the emergency vet.  They kept her over night as she was pretty dehydrated - they suspected she'd eaten something toxic or moldy because of the vomiting... whereas I was more concerned with her stuggling to stand and walk.  Took her to our own vet a day later... turns out she has an ear infection.. which most likely affected her middle (inner?) ear, so she was dizzy with veritgo.  She's been getting eardrops all week and is doing much better!
And, I am officially adopting my laste foster... Keila.  She's been with us a couple months, and is an absolute sweetheart.  (no bias of course!! hee hee).  I'll have to get some pics posted .. she and Daisy look so much alike.  Mind you, the longer she's here, the less she looks like Daisy to me!!  I'm also happy Daisy has her for company now that I will be away at work all day. 
No more all-night computer sessions!!  I'd better get ready for bed.

Hope you get all your favorite candy tomorrow!

Found my buttons and a great giveaway..

I found my bag of buttons!!  I was going thru my stash of gemstones and what do you think I found?  I have no idea what was going thru my brain when I put my buttons in that drawer of my bead cabinet.  lol  No wonder it took me so long to find them!  Now I can finally finish my 'Stained glass' bracelet.   Anyone ever wonder what happened to that piece?   I want to get it finished and then I'll post pics (as soon as I find the battery charger for my camera!)

Another thing I want to share with you.. Fusion Beads is having a great giveaway!  A really nice selection of gold-filled findings.   Here is a link to the contest: http://fusionbeadsblog.com/2011/10/13/gold-filled-basics-giveaway/  Good luck everyone.

I gave the collars for adoptable dogs to the rescue group... and they were very well received!  I hope the collars are good conversation starters for anyone seeing one of the dogs wearing it... and it leads to another retired greyhound finding their forever home.  That's not too much to ask... is it?!   =)

what next?

I have been looking thru my beads, going thru magazines, reading the forum and blogs... and still can't decide what I want to work on next.  I have done 3 more collars since I did all the ones for the picnic.  These latest will be donated to Chinook Winds for their available dogs to wear at meet & greets.  One says 'Please adopt me', the next says 'forever home wanted' and the last says 'you know you want me!'.   I really enjoy making these, but need to sell a few before I make more I think.   So..... what to work on?  I have an order for a really nice looking pair of earrings (from the Fusion Beads inspiration page), but have to wait for supplies to arrive before I can make them.  Suggestions...?

..batteries for the camera died after I got 1 pic of the last one.. and I can't find the charger.

greyhound picnic and what I have been doing

This past Saturday was the annual picnic and fundraiser for Chinook Winds - the local greyhound rescue group I have been volunteering with.  I was invited to set up a table with the other vendors and sell my merchandise.  So, for the last few weeks, I was madly beading trying to get enough collars and jewelry decorated with greyhound/dog charms completed.  I received lots of positive comments, but sales were not quite as high as I had hoped (talking to the organizers after, all the vendors had lower sales this year.. sign of the times I guess).  I did give out several cards, so hopefully, it will lead to future sales. 

Here are some pics:

 

 

 



cell phone / backpack charms



Eclipse... my hero!!

So this blog is not about beads... but thought you'd enjoy it!

The other day I thought Eclipse had been getting into the kleenex in the bathroom garbage.. I was wrong.

Apparently, he was being a hero and saving me from an evil roll of toilet paper!!  It was a close call, the tp roll was in the hallway, not far from my bedroom!  Eclipse managed to wrangle it out of it’s hiding place, the plastic package, and after what looked like an extensive battle, defeat it.  Large chunks of tp were strewn at the bottom of the stairs, across the living room, and on his fave dog bed!  Not to worry, I checked him closely, and he suffered no wounds in the battle, and after a treat for his bravery, was resting comfortably!!



the face of a hero!




 

Eclipse

I just realized I put a pic of Eclipse up on FB, but not here!  I have had him for a week already, and he seems to be settling in.  We're still leaning some of our house manners, but he is such a happy boy, I probably let him get away with too much!
 He had bad rash spots on his back, so is on antibiotics for it.  His skin is clearing up, but getting the pills into him has been interesting.  Took 2 days for him to figure out the pill was inside the peanut butter, and spit it out.  Took 3 days for him to find the pill inside a sealed pocket made from a cheese slice, and spit out the pill.  Next attempt was hiding the pill in a piece of hot dog.  He figured that out the first time I tried it!  So.. until I can think of another way to hide the pills, we're down to sticking my fingers down his throat to get him to swallow!  Neither of us are thrilled with this, but it's for his own good... and I can wash my hands.. lol.


Eclipse and Deb (from Chinookwinds)

 

Eclipse and Cloudy,  brother and sister!





Daisy and Eclipse... nap time!



Give aways!

Two of my favorite blogs are having giveaways!

Therese's Treasures
She has reached 50 followers and is giving away a gorgeous bracelet... Congrats!!

and...

Trolles Verden

A woman of many talents!

Softflex giveaway!

Hop over to Softflexgirl's blogspot and enter the 'first fridayof the month' giveaway.  I hadn't seen this before, but looks like they have some pretty nice stuff they give out every month.
http://softflexgirl.blogspot.com/

greyhound collars

I just found out today, there could be 150-200 people at the greyhound picnice.  I better get beading if I want enough collars.  I was coming up with some design ideas the other day... now just have to get them into patterns.  I think I might do a few single strand collars, with a large split ring, that can be used as tag collars.  Some with lots of crystals and shiny metal beads, for those dogs that like some bling  =)  I'll have to use the heaviest gauge wire possible to make them sturdy.   I've got some interesting lampwork style, and ethnic beads that would probably work really well too.  hhmmm... ideas just flying thru my head.. lol
But... I really want to get these bunny bracelets done first.. so, it's back to work for me. 

back in the bunny business!

It looks like I'll be busy doing lots of peyote bands in the next few weeks.  I have a new order for a couple more of the bunny bracelets.  Tomorrow I dig out the pattern and beads to get started.
I also need to get several dog collars done.  I will be attending a greyhound picnic in early Sept. and they are letting me have one of the vendor spots.  Thinking about doing these bunny bracelets, gave me the idea to find (or make) a greyhound silhouette pattern to do the same type of band for a collar!  Think that would look very cool, and be a popular item.

my first Dutch spiral

I finally finished this piece this afternoon.  It was fun to do, and, excepting a couple frustrating moments, I really enjoyed making it, and am happy with the end result.  Being my first attempt, I used a tutorial to get started... then kind of wandered off on my own.  It started me off with a spiral very much like a celini spiral, then you expand the bridge each row, till you get it to the size you want.  I was cruising along, then realized I would run out of the size 15/0's long before it was long enough to be a necklace.  Because of the loose weave, I didn't think it would work too well as a bracelet.. it would probably get caught on everything!  So... what to do??  I thought about adding a piece of chain to each end.. but that didn't feel right.
I decided to just keep going.  I decreased the bridge, and continued on with the celini type spiral.  That worked well for the side that followed the dutch spiral section.. but then I had to go back and complete the extension on the original side.  I tried to continue with the spiral, but soon realised I was spiraling in the wrong direction...  and where I had started this section, there was a marked kink/bend in the rope.  Another option was to start a new piece and attach it to the main section.  This way the spiral would at least be going the right way.  So I did a piece, about 2" long... and attached it.  Um... adding 2" on each side wouldn't even fit around Daisy's long skinny neck!  Extending the other end was easy... just keep stitching the spiral. 
Maybe, I thought to my clever self, I could keep going on the started side by doing the spiral backwards... lol .. this was very unsuccessful!  Back to the original plan.... stitch a separate piece and just attach it like zipping up any peyote piece.  So, as I get going on this new segment, a new realization, now I am going to run out of the dark purple size 8/0 beads!  egads.
To keep each side the same length, I'd stitch an inch or so on one side... then move to the other side and do the same amount there.  All in all, it was kind of a long drawn out process.  But I like the end result, how the dutch spiral just kind of flows into the narrower side spirals.  And, I think I learned a lot in this process!  I would do another one like this.  But knowing to start with the small spiral.. then tranisition to the dutch.. then back to the smaller spiral and keep it all one piece will make it much easier.  I hope you like it.

More fun from Friday... I got four packages of beads and things that had been purchased in mid to late June and early July.  These had all been held up by the postal strike.  I talked to the postal clerk last week to see what was the status on the backlog and new items being sent.  His  explaination:  all new items posted should take the normal shipping time.  Anything that was already backlogged, would be sorted and added to the current mail as time permitted.  Everything should be delivered by the end of July. 

At least I had fun going thru and checking out all the new shiney beads.  I had managed to catch a couple good sales at Brightlingsbeads.  happy dance.. new toys!!

But.....where is my Aug/Sept copy of Beadwork magazine!!!  As soon as I get that, I think I will be caught up on any mail sitting in the backlog.

Heddy

I tried one more time...  and finally got a couple pics of my newest foster girl!

still hanging around

Hello all,
I haven't been on here in a while, but have been keeping busy.  I have another foster, Heddy.  She is a greyhound / irish wolfhoung cross... like a shaggy greyhound, and has the most adorable face.  She is definately camera shy, so I don't have any pics of her.  She is very timid.  She is about 10-11yrs , was a brood mom, and was rescued from a bad situation.  I have been spending as much time as possible with her, helping her to come out of her shell.  For the first few days, she was hiding in the upstairs back bedroom.  In the last couple days, she has started spending more time closer to Daisy and I.  (both currently asleep on the flr beside my chair)  Now she will even take a treat from my hand. =)
Found out yesterday, an adoption is pending for her... she gets her forever home!  I am so happy for her, but will really miss her.  I'm getting quite attached to her... she is so shy and sweet.  I will have her for another week or so, and then her new mom will pick her up.
But, even spending time with the pups, I still managed to make a few new items.  I made a pair of earring for a long-time friend.. and she loved them.  Used shades of purple Swar crystals, and a charm with "karma" stamped on it.  She really believes in karma, so when I saw the charms, I just knew I had to get them for her.    (And she brought ice cream when she stopped by the day I gave them to her... definately good karma)
I've also done a couple memory wire bracelets; first one blue bumpy glass beads with silver, the second one a soft brown stone, aragon, with gold accents.  Then the other afternoon, I had some green crackle glass that wanted to be a necklace... so I obliged, and it worked out quite well! 
I still haven't found my bag of buttons, to finish the stained glass bracelet.  I also have my first dutch spiral piece that needs some finishing touches.. clasp, loose threads, etc. 

My first sale on Artfire!

Wahoo!!  I was just doing a quick check of my online stores before I packed it in for the night, and found I had my first sale on my Artfire studio.  :D
It is a really pretty netted rope done in 15/0 purple ab seed beads.  
Doing a little happy dance.

A cool contest from Happy Mango Beads!

I just came across a new contest from Happy Mango Beads.  It really sounds like fun.  I am definately going to enter this one.  Prizes are gift certificates to Happy Mango... and they have some reallllly yummy beads!
The contest is called 'On Second Thought'; you make a piece of jewelry, then take it apart and make something new with the same beads!  Winners will be picked based on both pieces.  What a cool way to stretch your imagination  :)
here is the link:  http://www.happymangobeads.com/on_second_thought_beading_contest.aspx
Good luck to anyone else entering!

Forever home!

Spitfire is going to be adopted!  A really nice couple, with one grey already, wants to expand their family.  They met Spitfire at the Canada Day picnic and fell in love with him.. but how could you not?!  They will come pick him up on Sunday, so I still have a few days with him.   He is so sweet, I will miss him.  But being adopted locally, means I will get to see him occasionally!
Then.... on Monday or Tuesday, I will pick up Heddy!  She is an older girl, a retired brood mom.  She is a greyhound, irish wolfhound cross, quiet and shy.  She just wants a loving home to call her own, so there is a good chance she will be with me for a while.  :)
Needless to say, I've been spending more time playing with Spitfire than I have been beading.  I did however, manage to get a new piece started... my first Dutch spiral - inspired by a thread on Beading Daily.
Both dogs napping now... so, think I'll get a few more rows done on my spiral.

another houseguest

Daisy and I have a new housemate for the next few weeks.  We are fostering another greyhound - Spitfire.
He is a beautiful boy that has been thru a lot of changes recently.   We want to give him a chance to gain his confidence back and then find his forever home with a great family.   It will be a couple weeks before we start taking him to meet & greets.  I think I will have to make a nice collar for him.. who could resist him then?!  (hard to resist him now :) )

button, button, who's got the button...

I finally got the stained glass bracelet done.... and now I can't find my buttons!  I've spent the last 2 days looking for them.  At least, I've managed to do more organizing in looking for them.  Since I decluttered, I've found stuff that was 'lost', stuff I'd forgotten about, and managed to misplace my bag of buttons I used for clasps!    It has to be here somewhere.  
Besides looking for buttons,  I have managed to get a couple other pieces done.  The necklace is for my neighbor, Angela, for her highschool graduation ceremony.  The school (my alma mater) colors are red, black, and white.
The bracelet is one I have wanted to do for quite a while.  I love the jewel tone colors of these lampwork beads and always pictured them in a bracelet.  I couldn't decide if I should use gold or silver with them.  I think I came up with a good solution... silver fire-polished crystals, and gold beads/clasp.

stained glass pains...

Well... I am still working on this piece.  In the past, when I have hit a block, or had problems with a piece, I would usually put it aside for a few days (weeks, months.. ) and then come back to it when I felt new inspiration for it.   But this piece has me acting like a dog with a new bone.  I just can't put it down. 
I came up with what I think will be a great focal for the bracelet.... but actually creating it has become a challenge.  I first attempted to just stitch it as a break in/ part of the peyote band... not much luck with that.  Then I made a couple of attempts to stitch it as a separate piece and later attach to the band.  Not much luck doing it in peyote, but got the shape and size i wanted when I did it in brick stitch.  Unfortunately, I wasn't as successful in attaching it.  At least I wasn't happy with the result.  Mom was here the other day and said it looked fine... but she likes almost everything I make (moms are like that :) ).  So that last attempt has been broken down... and I'm back to the drawing board.  I spent some time this evening on my laptop working out a pattern to continue from the original peyote band.  My first attempts at this were done free hand, then from just a rough sketch, and that was probably why I couldn't get it to work.   I have a good feeling, this will be the right way to complete it.  I am looking forward to see if it turns out as good in actuality, as it looks in my head. 
oh.. and if this doesn't work... I'll breakdown and tell you what I'm trying to create and let you experts come up with a solution!  :)   With any luck.. I will have photos of the final piece by the end of the weekend!

Andrew Thorton blog bead giveaway

Great blog site (thanks Therese for sharing that!) giving away an amazing selection of beads.... oh plz pick me!  :)
Andrew Thorton blog

stained glass and Ellis

Here is the peyote piece I started yesterday...

I'm really please with it so far :)


and.... I picked up another greyhound for ChinookWinds, and I get to foster her overnight.  What a sweet girl!  She is going to her forever home tomorrow.  :)   This is Ellis

stained glass

I was watching a craft show on tv this afternoon, they were talking about a really pretty knitted blanket in a stained glass pattern.  Yup... I could picture in my head how great it would look worked up in beads.
I did up a pattern on my laptop, but to show the pattern the way I wanted, I had to make it 30 rows wide... a little big for 11/0's.  So, am doing it in 15/0's.  My color selection isn't nearly as good in that size, but I've done about 1.5" and am very pleased with how its starting out.  I might need some kind of focal for it, so get your thinking caps on!
Will take a pic tomorrow in the daylight and post.

my bead stash!

First off... anyone who really knows me, knows what a pack rat I am.   I recently fostered a rescue greyhound overnight.  It went well, she got along fine with my grey, Daisy.  But.. I very soon realized if I want to foster again, especially for more than one night, I need to do some serious de-clutter in my livingroom.  So... I had a couple friends help out - cleaning, decluttering, and most important.. keeping me focused!  Now I realize I had beads stashed here and there.. but I'm almost embarassed to admit, I found some I had completely forgotten about!  On the other hand, it has been fun the last couple days going thru some of the bags - feel like a little kid at Christmas!!  Also found that package of gold-plated fishhook earwires I knew I had!
So many beads, so many ideas... where to start!   Think I'll just close my eyes... and grab a random pack, and start to play  :)

Jamberrysongs' Challenge - Mystery by Indigo Girls

really enjoyed this challenge - creating from a piece of music.   I often create by how something makes my feel based on what I've seen.  So I went with that.. and listened to the song several times.. as just background music, following along with the lyrics, sitting back with my eyes closed and really just feeling the notes... 
What I came away with, is life changes, but there are always bits we keep with us and keep us connected.  So this bracelet is made up of individual dangles... some using the same beads, but all unique. 
The metal of the dangles change... as does our lives.  A sunburst bead used in the clasp promises there is always something new ahead.. another mystery to begin.

lol ... as I am uploading the pics.. I realize I've used dark blue - indigo - beads!!  That hadn't even clicked until now.. :)

I hope you enjoy all the other pieces done in the challange as much as I did participating.
Patty from My Life Under the Bus
Karen from BeadDelirium
Therese fromTherese's Treasures
Judy from Three Red Beads
Jacinta from Jamberrysong's Creations

There's no place like home!!

I'm not going storm chasing this year... but have been chatting with several chaser buddies and following some chases online (have to get my fix somehow!!).   I was cruising around some bead sites the other day and was intriqued by some 3d shoes on petersenarts.com.  Then, I was putting some seed beads away yesterday... and got inspired... :)  What do you think?

And this is the purple rope that was on my unfinished list.. now completed 

productive days!

I think taking stock of what I had outstanding was a good kick in the butt for me.  Of the six projects listed in my last post, I only have one item not completed.  I took pics of the blue necklace, and then the battery in my camera died.  So, while it is charging, I will post the pics I have.  The purple rope and the buckle bracelet pics will have to wait.

 

 

I like this type of necklace that can be worn different ways.  In this case, there are two peyote tubes to embellish the rope.  One is large enough to cover the clasp if you so desire.  Or, one or both can even be removed completely.

getting caught up!

There was a question on Beading Daily forum recently... how many beading projects do you have on the go?
I figured I had a couple.. then I actually counted... I had 6 pieces in various stages, uncompleted.
I know I will set aside a piece if I need addition beads/supplies, but I will also put aside pieces I am doing for myself or for my selling inventory, if a specific order comes in.
So.. this is what I have oustanding:
1. purple netted rope, with spiral pattern - had to order additional beads - okay those have come in
2. repair of bunny bracelet - completed and mailed back to client (also included bunny earrings as gift)
3. blue spiral rope necklace - just have to get the clasp sewn on, then get it in the mail
4. black cuff prom bracelet - completed and delivered on Sat.
5. dog collar - had been misplaced, now found and almost finished.
6. buckle bracelet - took a while to find the right color beads to complete the clasp
And... Sunday night, got an order for another dog collar :)
Tonight/tomorrow I have to get the blue spiral rope completed so I can get it in the mail!
But in the mean time... here is the black cuff bracelet for a good friends daughter.

The charms have inspiration words, and the dangles are Swarovski to match her dress.

giveaway!!

Fusion Beads is having a sneak peek give away of some new Vintaj pieces.  Go to their blog to enter.. and good luck!     Yea Fusion beads!!
http://fusionbeadsblog.com/

Zoe's collar

Do you ever have that one piece, that for whatever reason, you are just not that happy with, and it is hard to actually get it completed?  I really enjoy doing peyote stitch pieces, except for Zoe's collar.  I started it last fall, then it got put aside and misplaced. I have recently found it and really need to get it completed. 
I think the issue with this piece is the actual beads I am using.  I purchased the beads for it at a LBS when I was on vacation, and am sure they are czech left overs (now know why the price was so good).  I tried culling, but was left with not enough of any one size/shape.  The problem is not the hole in these beads, it's the size and shape.  Some are wide and flat, some tall and narrow, some tall and wide, etc.  I considered just scraping it and redoing it with new beads.... but....   when I started it, my neices got to pick out flower colors, and 'helped' me work on it while I was visiting.  I'm not sure if they would even notice if it was a different collar, but I would know it was not the collar they had a hand in making.  (and Zoe is their dog!)
I feel guilty if I work on another piece, knowing this is still unfinished.  It is getting closer to being done, as I have set myself a deadline.  I have to have it completed by the end of the May long weekend.  I know I will definitely be happy when it is finally done.   I guess that is enough stalling for today.. lol

bit of this... bit of that...

Worked on a few different pieces this weekend... stuff that has been floating around unfinished.. and are all still unfinished.  I couldn't seem to focus on any one piece.  Something I did notice, I seem to have an abundance of blue in my Artfire studio... gee wonder what my fave color is??  lol.
I want to get more earrings listed.. which means, time to get some photos taken.  I have a few sets of flower earrings done with those cool acrylic flowers.  Want to get them listed, good time of year for them I think.
Ok... so enough stalling.. time to get to work!

the sun is up!

Daisy just came by... seems she is wants out, and is ready for breakie.   This means I have been up all night again.  I have been editing photos and adding items to my artfire page and apparently forgot to go to bed.  Think I should get one of those addict warnings:  you have been on the computer for more than 2 hrs.. look at the clock!
At least it was a productive night.  Today was going to be for yardwork.. but will have to see how the weather holds.  It is blowing like crazy.  I like the wind.. but... not having dirt flung in my face!  :)
oh darn... guess I'll have to stay inside and do some beading..  :D

Ange's prom jewelery

Just completed and delivered the earrings and necklace I did for my neighbor, Angela, for her up-coming high school grad.  The original order was just for the earrings, but I couldn't resist doing a necklace to match, and she was thrilled with it!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all those moms out there.  Hope you all have a great day!

Had a cold that has wiped me out pretty good.  Finally getting my voice back.  Sounded kinda squeaky most of the week.  Haven't been doing too much beading this last week because of that.  I did get some new items listed on Artfire.  Still want to get more listed.  I reactived several items on etsy.  My inventory was sitting at 0 for quite a while.  Hard to make any sales that way.  I also have to send link to Chinookwinds.  Hopefully that will provide some sales as well.  Word of mouth locally is still providing most of my sales.  But that can only be good!  :)

Also heard back from Northern Bead co.  They will put a link to my artfire and esty pages on their site.  More exposure can only mean more sales.  Need to keep putting pics up in forums and on FB.

Summer Rain

wow... doesn't seem like two weeks since my last entry.. but it is. 
The bunny bracelet was completed and sent.  Unfortunately it didn't get to it's destination by Easter.  And, when it did arrive this week, part of the clasp had broken during transit.  The client will send it back and I'll repair and return it.   I feel bad this happened, but will do my best to make things right.

Sent pics to Northern Bead Co. of bracelet I'd made from beads purchased on their site.  I was really happy with the outcome of the piece.  I hadn't used 'atlas' beads before... don't think I'd even heard of them.  They are like overgrown hex beads.  I call this piece Summer Rain.. what do you think?