Training Bras

I am currently reading a book that I am enjoying quite a lot. In one short scene, the mom makes mention of her soon to be teenage daughter and her “training bra.”

Training bra?

Having been long out of training bras (if I ever had one to begin with) and into the world heavy weight champion bra style myself, and my own daughter long out of need of “training” (I do not recall having bought her the “training version” either), I started to wonder…Training bra?

Although I am female and should know of these things, I am perplexed. Why a training bra? Do we have training panties? Sure, there is the one that is a go between from the diaper stage to the big-kid-who-never-poos-his-pants stage. But I mean something akin to the training bra. How about a training bikini or training thong?

Of course I had to do my research. Wikipedia describes a training bra as:

"Training bras are usually a soft-cup design, unlined and may resemble a crop top. They are often made of cotton and Lycra. Training bras are not usually available in standard cup sizes, but are sold in small, medium and large sizes instead. They offer little if any actual support. Some styles are padded to give the illusion that the girl’s breasts are bigger. The training bra is intended to help young girls become comfortable with the idea of wearing lingerie."

Let’s take the first part of the description: Sold in small, medium and large sizes. I see sports bras in the very same sizes. They too are soft cup design that resemble a crop top. I  am not so sure they offer a whole lot of support, at least not for my pair of cantaloupes. At best, they serve to smash me in tight so that I feel like I am in a body vice…but I digress…

Sports bras could be confused with training bras, don’t you think?

OH!! I GET IT!!! Training…as in athletic training. Sports bras and training bras. The same! Just intended for a different age group. Right?

No??

Ok then, let’s consider the next part of the description:

Some styles are padded to give the illusion that the girl’s breasts are bigger.

Hmmm…from this, I think some women never get out of the training stage, do they? With all the padded bras, push-up  bras and miracle bras I see, it seems as if some women not only fail the training but need extra remedial sessions. Forever the teenager? And why would we want a 13 year old to look racked like Pamela Anderson?

Now for the last part of the training bra description”

The training bra is intended to help young girls become comfortable with the idea of wearing lingerie.

Not being really hip, or fashion conscious, I could be wrong here. But my understanding of lingerie is that it is any sort of underwear. Yes, I understand Vicky’s Secret of slutty underwear is not the same as Walmart’s basics. But still it is underwear: bras, panties, hosiery, slips and camisoles. So why no training slips?

Yes, I can remember my first bra. Being at that stage of do I want to wear one and be teased by my classmates, or do I want to continue not to wear one and be teased by my classmates? In either case, you can see I was teased. I am sure most of you ladies have had a similar experience while growing up. Maybe our first bra should have been part of our wardrobes since we stopped wearing diapers. We never had to become comfortable with the idea of wearing panties on a daily basis once we were pottie trained. Why postpone the inevitable?

I wonder, do young men have a counterpart? Training boxers? Training tightie-whities? Or how about training sports cups? If not, then why not? I think boys have a time period where they are “sprouting” too, don’t they? Maybe they are smarter than us women and keep their training undies a secret.

Guatemalan Costume Progress 11/28/10

It has been a few weeks since I showed you how my project is coming along. I got a lot done this past week. Since my last update, I have finished both sides of the Huipil. Now I am working on the skirt. I still have a long way to go, but I am happy that I did get so much done!!

What the front will look like

New Patterns: Flower Keepers

I have a few new patterns on my website. These patterns can be used together in one project or mixed with other 3 X 3 "tiles" for an even larger project.  Even if used singly, they will still be fun. They are based on Arts and Crafts period tiles.

Bragging Rights: Carol Weinstein

Carol just finished Lady With a Fan (available here). This is based on Gustov Klimt's painting. Klimt is known for use of a lot of gold in his paintings, creating a richness unlike any other painter.

Carol framed this piece with black dupioni silk matting. I think it sets it off beautifully. The framed beadwork image shows off the gold beads' sparkle wonderfully. Stunning work!!

Lady With a Fan unframed

Lady with a Fan Framed

Swollen Bellies and Dog Farts

It’s hard to believe. Thanksgiving has gone by with the blink of an eye. And so is my week off from work. I had to use 3 furlough days before the end of the month and thought it would be great to combine it with the 2 days off we get for Thanksgiving to make a week of it.

I did not miss my day job.

What did I do? I cleaned up the house a bit. Shopped for groceries and did other errands, beaded (I will get you up to date on my Guatemalan outfit later this weekend) and of course, cooked and baked.

I thought I could get more done. But I didn’t. I still have Saturday and Sunday at least to try to do some of the things I did have planned.

My favorite Turk with his first Turkey!

Steve’s mom, Jenny came in from San Francisco on Tuesday. Jasmine and Ozgur  drove up from Fresno on Wednesday. It was Ozgur’s first Thanksgiving!

Jas and I were cooking fools on Thursday (I warmed up for the cooking marathon on Wednesday by making a Jamaican spiced pumpkin pie, and a cake with currant preserves and marzipan). We had the usual turkey, home made cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with chipotle,  brussel sprouts and roasted beets in balsamic sauce and home made bread.

It was a special dinner as it was Ozgur's first Thanksgiving. He never had a whole roasted turkey before. It was a first time experience for my favorite Turk! :)  

Here we are...I am behind the camera

Trouble, all dressed for the occasion!

Trouble (our dog) loved being around all the cooking. Here and there some tidbit got thrown to her. Actually a bit too much was thrown to her. Lucy (my parrot) also had more than her fair share. All of us had swollen bellies. But of all us, I think Trouble had more than a belly full. Between all of us “sneaking” a bite to her, and some scraps, her ever wagging butt-hole told the tale. Her tail conveniently fanning the churning of her digestive system.

She was ushered outside after we decided it was not Steve who laid the bombs.

Jasmine then decided to make Stollen (a traditional yeasted bread with dried fruit, almonds and we add marzipan to the middle). The recipe was from a German cookbook. It was not evident how many loaves it made, unless you read the whole recipe and read the part that said “divide the dough into 3 loaves”.

Jas and I before the dough rose

I grew suspicious when Jas asked me for 2 cups of rum to soak the fruit in. I thought it to be a lot for 2 loaves of Stollen. But Jas assured me, she had simply doubled the recipe so that we would have one loaf for Steve and I, and one for her to take home.

The large mess hall sized mixing bowl I had was full of dough, and rising. I wondered if we were going to have a kitchen like the Lucy episode where the dough takes over the kitchen.

Friday morning, Jas finished her bakery scale production of  Stollen. There were 6 huge loaves! But as good as it is, even these will not last long!!

5 of the 6 loaves of Stollen

Everyone went back home today. I miss the company already. But, it won’t be long before we have another feast together. Just enough time to recover!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

You know the song. Here are my "lyrics". Sing it...the lyrics fit...kind of!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

all the year long year

Christmas sales in July,

Santa’s face on Pumpkin pie

Even Uncle Sam looks like Santa in disguise

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Season without end

I’m beginning to understand

What Scrooge said time and again

Bah Humbug to all the girls and boys

Christmas recipes in June cause my weight to balloon

I have to test each and every one

There are Cookies and Cake and Pies to try

And that’s not counting the goodies I will buy

Oh I can hardly wait to start my diet once again

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Bills always at my door,

every month there are a few more

a reminder of how it never ends

I wish the charities were for me

I wish it would stop being Christmas

All the year long year

Lets keep it in December

Other Holidays to remember

The rest of the year!

Miserable Mabel: What is Wrong with Being American, and Flying The American Flag?

H-E-L-L-O Bead lovers, you lovers of tiny shinny insignificant pieces of glass! Crazies, all of you!! All of you, Crazies!!

Just what the hell is wrong with our country? I am sick and tired of white wimpy assed people who won’t stand up for what is right. We used to.  Do you remember your history classes? We used to take pride in our country. We used to take pride in being American. We used to defend our American-ness to death. Remember how the Colonists fought to become American?

No longer.

In the effort of being politically correct, in the fear of being called “prejudiced”, “Racist” and a host of other names, we allow those who do not belong in the US to take over. Yes…take over.

We are to be ashamed of being white, of being American, of speaking English, of having freedom of religion (or no religion), or working hard to try to earn those things we would like to have.

Now this…

A 13 year old middle schooler in small town outside of Modesto CA was told he had to remove his American Flag off of his bicycle, which he had in honor of Veteran’s Day. Why?? Because some found it “Offensive”. Who??

Gee….let’s guess.

The small town is in the midst of a mostly Agricultural area. A lot of Burritos and Tacos are eaten in that town.  The air smells of bean farts. A lot of Spanish is spoken there.

Does that give you a hint?

Do you find this unbelievable? Check Here: http://hotair.com/archives/2010/11/12/video-school-tells-student-to-remove-flag-from-his-bicycle/

There are a lot of Mexican flags sailing from cars in Central CA. Why is that? Someone please tell me. If people are willing to risk their lives and leave their country to come here illegally, if they want to work and reap the benefits of our American tax paying citizens, would they not want to be American? Would they not be grateful for those benefits? Shouldn't they want to cover their homes, their cars, the very clothing they wear with OUR flag in a show of gratitude?  If not, then why don’t they go back home, to whatever countries they come from. Let them fly their own flags there.  Not here. Unless it flies next to the American Flag in a sign of friendship.

In case anyone has forgotten, this is AMERICA. Our flag should be flown freely with respect since it symbolizes our love for our country and everything it stands for. And no one should have the audacity to find it "OFFENSIVE".

If anyone is against this, I consider the sucker to be a traitor. Give them a one way ticket back to their home land. Hand them their own flag, and gag them with it so they cannot protest. Maybe their flag should be soaked with gasoline, stuck up their southern orifice and lit, so they can rocket their way back to their land, free and fast.

If you are not proud to be here, especially around a day like Veteran’s day, you do not belong. Leave!

I am fucking sick of people who live in America and put America down. They chose to be here. Why can't they be happy like so many legal immigrants are? Why are they so pissed since they are here illegally and still get the benefits of school, social services and health care. And they DARE tell AMERICANS that they are offended when an AMERICAN flies the flag of his own country?

Something is very wrong. Don't you think?

Americans need to stop be apologetic and remember their pride in their nation's achievements, and even their own individual achievements. There is nothing to feel sorry about, AMERICANS have earned it. Put the pinkos who think otherwise and are offended in their place.

So until next time, you crazy Beaders, bead up some AMERICAN flag bracelets, wear them proudly, give them to every one you know, especially the illegals and don't forget to get off your asses once in a while and exercise! The beads will wait!

Bondibeads: Wonderful Lampworked Cabs!

One of my splurges at BABE was a cabochon by Pam Killingsworth from Bondibeads.com. In fact, I got a couple of cabochon from Bondibeads last year too. I have not worked with either of them yet…but I want to (So many beads so little time!).

Bella Vino

I really LOVE Pam’s vineyard themed cabs. They make me think of Italy. Warm, rich and elegant. The pictures of her cabs on her website do not do the cabs justice. They are exquisite! I think my berries (that were used in the Berry Me in Beads challenge) could do a good double as grape clusters. Paired with the vineyard themed cabs they could make a fantastic and fun necklace to wear to a wine tasting party.

Wild Orchids

Pam also has a wonderful cab she calls Wild Orchids. They make me think of Van Gogh’s Irises painting. I imagine it in the center of a piece that is bead embroidered with more irises, similar to the painting.

Autumn Oak

Some of her pieces such as Autumn Oak have a fabulous Arts and Crafts period feel. Oh the things I can think of to do with that style!

Visit bondibeads.com. Tell Pam I sent you. If you are looking for elegant, beautiful cabs that you won’t find anywhere else, you can’t go wrong with Pam’s wonderful work!

Tipsy Tuesday, 11/16/10 : Beaded Gifts

This week’s Tipsy Tuesday Question is from Mary Anne in Pennsylvania. She earns a free pattern for her question. Keep sending in questions to earn a free pattern!

"With the Holidays coming up, do you make many of your gifts? I can imagine that your family and friends would be thrilled to receive your beadwork!"

My Response:

Sadly, I have to say that my family is not appreciative of my beadwork. They still think of it as a silly hobby for me, that I would at a moment’s notice quit and do something else. That I have been beading for over 26 years does not impress upon them that I will likely bead for 26 more!

For my mom, what I do is too gaudy. And I don’t really think my sister understands what I do. Other members have similar feelings. Jasmine will of course bead for herself, and if she would like anything, she knows all she needs to do is ask. In short, I do not make beaded gifts for my family. They just don’t understand what I do, or what it means. So I will buy them gifts that seem to mean a lot more to them.

Don’t think for a moment that this bothers me. I would rather not give them something they don’t appreciate, especially for the time involved. It is easier to buy them something than put hours into a gift they won’t fully appreciate. I am good with that.

I choose who I gift my beadwork to very carefully. Those who do receive that gift, I know love it. In many cases, it is like finding a pet a new home. I want it to go to someone who will love it and care for it.

Norm the Gnome in the Know’s Response:

My lovely wife Olga always makes gifts. She bakes for weeks! We have to sample it all first to make sure it is good enough to give. Because of this we get fatter and fatter over the Holiday season! We have clothes for the Holidays just for our bigger, softer Holiday girth and smaller summer clothes.

I love the Holidays. There is always much to share!

Barney the Brainy Bruin’s Response:

I help Norm taste all the goodies. I don’t have to worry about getting fatter and wearing different clothes like he does. I too love the Holiday goodies. I vote for having the Holidays all year long. Or at least once a month!

The Bead Show

Oh those  bead shows!! I love them, I hate them, I love them….

My class on Friday went really well. I had the best, nicest ladies in my class. We had a great time, we laughed, and we shared personal stories as if we had been friends for years, when we had only met each other for the first time in class. I really hated seeing the class end. Oh…and yes…they learned the project! I hope they will send me pictures once they have them completed.

I set up my table after class. The table is so much easier than a regular 10 X 10 booth that I have at the craft festivals, but still, it is work. I had everything ready to go by 8pm and went to have dinner.

The sales at the show, I would have to say, are still slow for most people. I don’t care what the economists say, people are still holding on to their money tightly. There were some booths that did well, but I think most people I talked with said that sales were still way down.

Nonetheless, I loved being at the show. I loved talking to artist-friends that I see only at shows. I love catching up on what has happened to them since I last saw them. I love stealing away from my table to see what people are selling and getting inspired by the lampworked beads, and beads that I have never seen before. There is always something that makes me add to my list of Want-To-Do-Projects! As if I didn’t have enough already!

I also love talking to people who stopped by my booth. So many of them told me how they enjoy my patterns, and that they love my blog. These folks are truly my inspiration and fuel to keep me trudging onward. Where would I be without them!!

So, those are all the things I love.

For what I hate…

I should not be allowed away from my table. I rarely get to a bead store, I do most of my ordering on line. To put me in a bead show is like putting a starving person who has not eaten in many days or even weeks in a buffet line. Over indulgence  is to be expected.

The idea of doing a show is to come home with money, hopefully a good amount of money. I tried to be good, really, I did. It was a good thing that Whim Beads was at the far end of the exhibition hall. I had to run over there before the show started in the morning. I loaded my tray with goodies (NEW colors of seed beads!) and left them so that I could pick them up at the end of the day.

Since Whim Beads was on the other side of the hall, it meant that I had to pass by many booths on the way back to my table. I was somewhat restrained. But I did find more goodies. And spent a few more dollars than I should have. Sigh….

Just a few of my new treasures!

Saturday night, I went up to my hotel room. I spread out my newly bought treasures on the king sized bed. I fondled each one.  I grouped them together, mixing colors. I took the lampworked beads I bought, and paired them with the seed beads trying to decide which colors they looked best with.

As I looked at all the beads strewn on the bed, I had all I could do no to roll around naked in them. I wanted to. Like a dog rolling around in the back yard, with his legs up in the air, with a stupid happy expression. I could have done that.  I would have enjoyed it.

What kept me from it??

I could imagine the beads getting stuck in my body's crevices…and having to pull them out. So I thought better of it, and didn’t.

But I did rub my face in them…

I know…I am sick. I am pathetic.

I can’t help it.

The beads do that to me.

Perhaps it is a good thing that I don’t get out to too many bead shows after all!

One More Day of Work!

One more day of work this week!! Well...that is one more day at my Day-Job! I will be working harder than I do at my day-job, that's for sure!

While I spent last weekend packaging kits and printing out patterns, I am not close to being done. I have Thursday off (Vetrean's Day), so I will spend the day finishing up what I got sick of doing this weekend.

For those of you planning on going to BABE this weekend, there is still plenty of room for the class I am teaching (Cleopatra's Radiance ) on Friday. So sign up if you are interested! Also, if there are any kits you are interested in, let me know so that I make sure I bring it, as I may not have room for all my kits on that one table I have.

Hope to see you there!

Guatemalan Costume Progress 11/07/10

I am making steady progress on this piece, as busy as I am getting ready for BABE which is next weekend!

I think I am done spending time packaging up kits for the show. Now, I can go back to working on this piece today!

I am already planning the next piece which will be a traditional Hungarian dress It will be very challenging as it has a skirt, a blouse, vest and apron! I am looking at a lot of pictures to decide on an exact style. There are many regions and styles to choose from!

Bragging Rights: Pat Rivera

Pat did this colorful tapestry of Girl in the Mirror by Picasso.

I think it turned out really cool, don't you?

The Trees That Shouldn't Be!

I walked into Borders just today. And there, right in the entry were two items that in my opinion should just never exist. It is an abomination, it is horrendous, there should be a law. Never mind that the “Season” should not even be upon us. We just barely got past Halloween, and Thanksgiving has not even arrived.

That aside…as I said, there they were. They made me gasp. One nearly blinded me. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not afraid of color. I am not afraid of the wild and wacky. In fact, I LOVE wild things! I am anything but somber in my color choices.

BUT!!!

This was more than I could handle. Two unadorned artificial Christmas trees sat at the store’s entry. One a very beautiful deep jewel toned purple, a dead ringer for Delica Bead #610 (Isn’t it disgusting that I can relate colors of things I see to Delica beads…and not even have a need to look up the color??) It was something to behold.

The other…well… this color exists no where in nature. I would not associate it with Christmas. It would make Mary Kay pink look menopausal. It would make Barbie pink looked sun bleached. If I had to give this color a name, I guess I would call it Whore-House-Pink.

Who in God’s name would want either of these two trees? OK…maybe…just maybe I can understand someone wanting the DB #610 tree. Maybe someone obsessed with the Red Hat Society would want to adorn this purple tree in all sorts of red ornaments. It might even be very striking.

But Whore-House-Pink??

For Christmas Trees, I am a traditionalist. I like green trees. Dark green. I drew the line at the spray on artificial snow. It might be ok for stores, but I would never want one. Something about it makes me want to puke.

I don’t mind a nice looking artificial tree. I will go that far. Save a tree, save some money, and no need to clean up a mountain of pine needles. I will spray pine scented air freshener if I really miss the "real tree smell".

I like old fashioned ornaments. But I also like the Hallmark ornaments. I see nothing wrong with blending new with old on my dark green canvas of a tree. Unlike my parents who buried the tree with those silver slivers of tinsel, I try to keep my tree looking fairly simple.

I stood and looked at the Whore-House-Pink tree. I wanted to touch it, but I was afraid to. How did they get it that pink and that bright? Was it radioactive?

What kind of person would want a Whore-House-Pink tree? How could someone stand to look at it for more than 5 minutes without getting cataracts? I think if someone were to put this tree in a field of white snow on a sunny day, it would questionable if someone would suffer snow blindness or pink tree blindness first.

I would bet that this tree in white-blinding snow would be visible in outer space.

I bet that it isn’t biodegradable. Can you imagine worms eating this tree? They would probably glow in the dark.

No Whore-House-Pink tree for me thank you. Not even the DB#610 tree, as much as I love that color. Leave me with a simple dark green tree that looks like a tree!

Royalty in the Bead Shop

While I was in the back of a bead store quietly looking at beads I noticed an excited commotion in the front of the store. What could possibly have three grown women all aflutter?

I continued with my agonizing shopping. Deciding what I wanted, forgetting what I needed, yet quite happy that no one here recognized me or if they did, that they didn’t care. I was quite happy to be alone in my deep thoughts and spurts of inspiration I had while looking at the beads without interruption.

The waves of excitement in the front of the store continued.

“Look!! There SHE is!! See?? SHE is getting out of her car, and coming in here!!”

I tried to see what the women were looking at. Or rather, WHO. Was it some pop star? Lady Gaga perhaps? Or maybe it was Maria Shriver, or the Queen of England herself, or…some other celebrity that I was oblivious about.

A lady walked in the door. She was a regular every day looking lady. No one I recognized. Must not have been her that the women were all atwitter about. I continued looking outside from my spot in the back of the store wondering who was outside that caused such excitement.

The three women cried out in 3 part harmony. "Hi Queenie!!" (not her real name) "So Nice to see you!! Let us help you if you need anything, anything at all!!!"

Wow!! The lady who just walked in the door was the cause of the women’s excitement. Who the hell is she??

One of the women came running back to where I was standing to grab a bunch of beads I was admiring from the wall. They were strands of beads on a shower hook that I had never seen before. I was about to pull a few strands off, when the woman snatched them from my fingers.

“Do you see???” She exclaimed breathlessly. “Look, Queenie Beader is here!!”

I vaguely recognized the name. It took a moment or two to filter names and beadwork through my forgetful mind. Ah yes…I think I know who she is.

“Cool.” I replied, with nothing better to say.

“Isn’t it??” The woman gushed and ran off to Queenie to show her the new beads that I wanted some of.

I watched as Queenie looked at the beads. 

“Pretty.”Queenie said, disinterested.

Queenie reached into her oversized purse and pulled out a package wrapped in dark tissue and laid it on the counter. She unwrapped it, while the three women stood watching in excited anticipation. They looked like little girls waiting for Santa to give them their gifts. Queenie took out the content of the package.

Squinting from the back of the room, I watched as Queenie held up a beaded necklace. From my vantage point I could not see what made the three women in the front of the store swoon while exclaiming “ooo’s and aaah’s”. I could only tell that it was a necklace and that it appeared to be in the dark hues of fall. Details were not visible to me.  I could not see what made the three women nearly pass out from the excitement that nearly consumed them.

Curiosity got the better of me. I edged a little closer. Then closer yet, until I was close enough to touch the piece myself.

“Look!” exclaimed one of the women. “Queenie will be teaching this class next month. Don’t you think this is beyond EXQUSITE?  We are sure the class will be sold-out in NO time!!”

“Um….yes it is!! It is incredible” I muttered. What else could I possibly say? It was not the time to play the part of the boy in The Emperor’s New Clothes.

“Yes it is.” Said Queenie Beader, smugly.

Shortly thereafter Queenie left. The three women were still atwitter. I was still trying to figure out why they were so excited. It was a nice necklace. I won’t deny that. But really, I did not think it to be that ingenious, or that striking that it would cause grown women to swoon or even get excited about. To me, it was kind of drab and common, and quite simply constructed.

I went back to my shopping. I did get those beads I wanted that Queenie snubbed her nose at. Perhaps with those beads, I will create something exciting, something in Queenie’s caliber, something worthy of being noticed. Perhaps with those beads made into an exciting project, I too will cause grown women to swoon and say “Look!!! SHE is here!!!”

Tipsy Tuesday, 11/02/10 : Bead Shopping

Barbara from Wisconsin provided today’s Tipsy Tuesday Question. She earned a free pattern for her question. Do you have a question on any topic? Send it in!!

Where do you buy your beads? Do you shop at local stores or shop on line?

I shop for beads where ever I can, and as much as I can. I love going to bead stores, or shopping for beads at bead shows. There is nothing like being able to see the beads. No matter how good the image is on a computer monitor or catalogue, there is no substitute for seeing the real thing, especially if you are looking for something new to use.

Since much of the beadwork I create become kits, I always need to make sure that I buy a lot of a particular bead. This is especially true for beads that are unique and cannot be substituted  without significantly changing the kit. I always try to have enough to create 40-50 kits. Then, once they sell out, that’s the end of them.

When using beads for kits, I try to buy them at wholesale, this helps to keep the cost down. Buying at retail could easily double the cost of the kit. There have been a few occasions when I bought beads at retail price when I know the beads are unique and can’t be found anywhere else. These beads tend to be older beads or limited production beads. The kits I had with these beads didn’t last long before I had to discontinue them.

I buy all of my Delicas in 100gm packages. I know many of you wish you could. Perhaps you can too. Buy the 100gm packages for the basic colors, and colors you like to use the most.  For example, buy 100gm packs in white, black, gold, and silver for starters. Then you can add more as you go. The big revelation in saving money hit me years ago. I used to go to my favorite place to buy Delicas at the time, where they sold them in 10 gm packages. I knew that 10 gms would not last me long, so then I decided to buy either 2 or 3 10gm packages of the colors I wanted. The person selling them to me said, “for only $5-6 more, you could have a 100gm package instead of 30gms”. At that time, the additional cost was like buying  just one or two more 10gm packages.

While much of my bead shopping is focused on creating kits, some of it is not. I do buy beads just to play with and to create one of a kind pieces. There is nothing like finding that special bead (or bead strand) that you love and you know will never be found again!

As for my favorite online stores?? Here are some (I won’t reveal all!!) in no particular order:

Whimbeads.com

Caravanbeads.com

Artbeads.com

Genbead.com

Tierracast.com

Shipwreckbeads.com

Czechbeads.com

Bobbybead.com

Norm the Gnome in the Know’s Response:

I don’t like shopping. I don’t have a favorite place to shop.My garden gives me everything I need. But my lovely wife Olga could spend hours buying yarn and fabric. I just don’t understand it. Why do women love to buy things that take work to put together when they could just as easily buy a sweater instead of yarn, or a dress instead of fabric?

Barney the Brainy Bruin’s Response:

I agree with Norm. Why go shopping? I could buy fish, but it costs nothing to stand in the river and have fish jump into my mouth. I could buy honey, but it’s much more fun taking the honey from the hive. Bears have no need for money, or for shopping.