Back to Work....

Not Work

The trouble with being off from work, whether for vacation or for other reasons, is that the work does not go away.

I got up this morning. Showered, drove to work. Ugh...I should be home walking my dog. So much more fun.

Directly across from my office is the "butt Doctor". Well...I guess it is better to go to work than have to  visit that doctor. That office is always busy, and the people waiting never look too happy. I can't blame them.

Work

So, at least I am happy not to have to open the door across from my office.

I entered.

Place still looks the same. Really, how much can an office change, particularly a State office, in 3 weeks?

Stuff was piled on my desk. My crashed computer has returned. Sampling equipment has come back from calibration (I am in charge of the sampling equipment in my office) and new assignments (of places to go inspect) are waiting for me.







I caught up on email, entered time sheets for the last 3 weeks (easy as it was all sick leave), pondered about my assignments, and then it was time to go home.

Enough for one day.

Tomorrow it is time to "saddle my horse" and head for the hills and do inspector type activities.

In my office, chair full of stuff for me to do.
I am not as happy as I look!

Yes...I would rather be home walking the dog, wasting time on the computer and beading.

A Routine I Could Get Used To

Today is my last day of "Freedom". Back to my day job tomorrow. I am so not looking forward to it. But I need to work, so I should be glad I have a job, right?

Anyways, my routine the last two weeks is something I really got to enjoy (the first week post surgery doesn't count as I did nothing. It is hard to do much with the ball and chain the hospital sent me home with).

MORNING


Up by 7-7:30 as a rule. There was the occasional morning that I slept in till 8. Shower.

Feed Lucy (parrot), putz around in the kitchen putting away dishes, sweep floor (especially around that messy bird).

Check email. Waste time at the usual internet time sinks. Spent some appreciable time setting up my new blog (http://travelingbracelets.blogspot.com).

Walk dog. On average, according to my pedometer, I logged in 3 miles, 45 minutes, 6180 steps. Not bad. I need to move. Dr said no gym for 8, yes 8 weeks. I tried 3 times during the end of week 2. Half hour -35 minutes each day on the eliptical. Should not have done that. I might have messed things up. He didn't say anything about brisk walks though.

A little home maintenance. Vacuum. straighten house. Do you think I got to the long awaited cleaning/reorganizing projects I should have had time for during the last 2-3 weeks? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!! My house is still a disaster, especially my "studio". I don't DARE to go into the garage unless I absolutely must! I might never get out of that black hole.

What!!! NOON already?? Can't be where did the time go??

LUNCH!! (did you note I am not a breakfast person...so it's time to eat). A few times Steve took me out for lunch. BAD!! Oh, I enjoyed it, but it's not good for the wallet or my waist line (diet). Most days it was lunch at home. My favorite summertime lunch: BLT! Tomatoes from the local fruit stand (wonderful tomatoes...my own have are just beginning to fruit), turkey bacon, romaine lettuce, a tad of mayo, lots of pepper and some sea salt, topped with basil from the garden on soft white or sourdough. Iced tea (herbal or black) or....a tall glass with a lot of ice and a splash of Sangria. All enjoyed outside at the patio table.

AFTERNOON

Another walk with the dog right after lunch. Shorter this time. Perhaps a mile/mile and half.

Check email again, and waste time with the usual internet time sinks. (why do I like doing that?)

Next a few errands. The grocery store, the garden store, Steve's Dr appointment, assorted this and that.

Back home. Maybe try to do something productive for a bit, just to make myself feel good. Ok, I swept up around Lucy again (a full time job). So I did some work.

Time to bead. Or maybe as I did a couple days, take a short nap, then bead. Or a few minutes working on patterns. I have been so bad on keeping up with the patterns I should be doing.

You gotta be kidding! It is 5pm already!!

EVENING


Time to fix dinner. Some nights I spent time fixing something that was a bit involved. Other nights not. Grilled some chicken, smoked some ribs (started that in the early afternoon), made asian chicken salad with scallion pancakes, enchiladas, for the most part dinner was light and healthy. Especially if we went out for lunch.

Another walk with the dog. The shortest of our walks. This one was perhaps 1/2 - 1 mile at most.

Check email again...usual internet time sinks....this is crazy!!

Then it was time to sit and watch some dumb show on TV or watch a movie, with my beading tray on my lap, beading those bracelets for the Traveling Bracelet project I started.

11pm, off to bed. Read for a short bit and go to sleep.



Over all, I think I have accomplished something. Especially in regards to the Traveling Bracelet idea I had. Just as I was getting in a routine, and finding ways to use time more efficiently, the big time sink of going back to work is going to cramp my style. Sigh....

I think the dog will miss her 3 times a day walk sessions.

Ukrainian Bracelet is Done, Now I Need Your Opinion Again!

So now I have the second bracelet done!! And now I am ready to send off the bracelets for their adventure (and my new project).

I am second guessing myself if this is a good idea, or a stupid one. So I would like your input.

This idea came about while I was off from work, and while I was walking the dog. There are two things I really love. Traveling and beadwork. How can I combine the two, even if by proxy? The other thing that inspired this thought, was all the emails, comments and cards I received from so many of you. You sent me encouragement, well wishes and positive energy that really helped me get through my surgery.

While I have always believed in the power of positive energy, you really proved the value of it to me. As strongly as I believed in it before, I believe in it even more now.

With that thought, I wondered if I could keep that thread going. Why not share positive energy with others? So this is how my idea came about.

I thought I would make a bracelet, thinking of positive healing thoughts all the while. I would pass this bracelet on to someone else who would have it for a week and then pass it on to someone else. On and on this would go.

I would ask each person to send me an email with a photo or two of themselves with the bracelet and or something to show their experience. They would also send me a little commentary on their experience/thoughts of this little endeavor.

This would be all posted on a new blog I created for this: http://travelingbracelets.blogspot.com/

Then I thought if one bracelet would be fun, then why not 2?

One will start in the US, the other in the UK. Where they will go from there will be out of my hands.

What do you think? Dumb or fun?? Take the poll on the side bar/leave comments as to your thoughts! Oh...and sign up as a follower on the new blog!  http://travelingbracelets.blogspot.com/

Bragging Rights: Billur Alanyali

There is something about Turkish art that grabbed my heart when I visited Turkey a few years back. Actually, there is something about Turkey and the Turkish people that grabbed my heart too. Istanbul is a magical place unlike any other place I have been. Turkish people are warm and welcoming.

I love the Turkish tiles I saw in the Mosques. I love the use of tulips (which originated in Turkey, not in Holland as many of us might think). This pattern is typical of the Turkish style which can be found on tiles, plates, fabric and all sorts of other items. It is simple, but elegant.

Billur Alanyali is from Istanbul. She beaded this necklace using my design. I was flattered that someone from Turkey actually liked my interpretation of a Turkish classic!  The strap and "bail" she created for the panel is very complimentary and balances the piece beautifully!

Well done Billur!!

If you like this pattern, you can find it on my website in both pattern and kit (strap is different).

Kit:  http://www.beadedbear.com/shop/viewitem.php?groupid=2&productid=84

Pattern:  http://www.beadedbear.com/pat_misc_down.htm

Too Much Time Off??

This is now my 3rd (and last) week off from work. Despite the reason for my extended time off from work, I have to say, I love not having to go to my day job every day.

I could get used to not going in to work.

I have lots to do at home. Getting bored would not be an issue. I think what I like the most, is that the time off has cleared my mind. I have found things to inspire me. Some of what I found to inspire me are things I found on the internet (which I rarely have time to explore) and also just going through some of my own bead stash and books.

There is a downfall, I suppose to this. Finding things I like on the web sometimes means that I buy things I should not spend money on. But how can I resist when I find something so unique, so wonderful that it makes me smile?

The beads I found on the Etsy shop Veradacraft  was one of my splurges. Bright, colorful, whimsical. Those are the qualities that usually catch my eye. The beads made me smile....and pull out my wallet. I just had to have some!!

So these are what I bought.

Don't you just love these??

Close up of the Leaf Bead

These beads are handmade by Pikalda who lives in Thailand. I love her beads. They are much more beautiful than my pictures show. Take a look at her shop! Maybe you will see something you like too!

Paisley Bracelet is Done!

I will be using the Indian Paisley and the Ukrainian bracelets for my "special" project. Your votes helped me decide to use these two patterns. Thanks to all who voted on the May 14 post.   :)

The Paisley was my favorite of the group, so I got that one started almost right away, and finished it last night.

Today, I will start the Ukrainian pattern.

Once this one is done, in about a week or two, I will have a new blog where these two bracelets will become the center of attention.

What could that possibly be, you wonder?? Stay tuned!! I hope this will be lots of fun!

Spring in The Village, Beadwork by Nese Zial

I love humor. Along with that comes a deep appreciation for whimsical art and a love for riotous color.

Owl on a Cherry Branch by Nese Ziyal

My work has been critiqued by those who I respect in the upper worlds of art as being too whimsical. I must be more serious.

While I might respect that opinion, I am not so sure I agree with that. Since the last time I was told this, I have spent a lot of time looking at other artists. There are a lot of "Serious" pieces out there. They are beautiful. Perhaps I should go in that direction.

But I found the that  artwork that is bright and colorful are the pieces I really gravitate to. It is the pieces that have a sense of play and fun that I admire.

Art should make both the creator and the viewer feel something. Some choose art to be a platform for politics, others for technical ability.

My choice has always been beauty and something to make my spirit smile.

Bird on a Cherry Branch by Nese Ziyal

I think that Nese Ziyal from Istanbul, Turkey must think along the same lines as me. When I found her Etsy Shop: Spring in the Village all I could do was smile. Nese's pieces are bright and cheerful. They are just plain FUN.

Nese started out in crafts like many beaders, with cross stitch before gravitating to beadwork. She has a love for birds and began making patterns for making beaded birds. Nese starts by drawing birds on felt, cutting out the pattern then stitches the beads onto the felt. She turns her beaded birds into delightful broaches.

In addition to birds, Nese also stitches butterflies, flower baskets and angels. All are delightful.

Flower Basket by Nese Ziyal

Nese sells her creations in IKSV Design Shop in Istanbul. She is excited by this opportunity.

Seeing art like Nese's gives me hope that I do not need to become too serious in my own beadwork style. Perhaps art can be colorful, bright and happy. Perhaps I do not have to join the serious, somber art club after all!

Book Review: Beaded Fantasies

First, my disclosure....The Publishers at Lark Crafts/Sterling Publishing sent me this book to review on my blog. They do NOT pay me for the review, other than the book(s) that they sent me for review.

Beaded Fantasies: 30 Romantic Jewelry Projects

Sabine Lippert

Lark Crafts/Sterling Publishing

2012

Hard Cover 144 pages $27.95

ISBN 978-1-4547-0246-7

I know that most beadwork/jewelry books I have received from Lark Jewelry and Beading have impressed me. Each had at least a few projects that made the book a “keeper”. Each had a few projects that maybe did not impress me, but that is to be expected. One does not need to like each and every single project in a book to make the book worth having. There needs to be just enough to inspire and learn from.

I have long been a fan of Sabine Lippert’s work. I visit her blog now and then to oooh- and ahhh her work. When I saw that she was authoring a book, I just knew it would not be anything short of spectacular.

As usual, Lark Jewelry and Beading does a wonderful job with layout, photos and all that publishers do. But the projects are always the creation of the author. And Sabine is a master, no question about it.

I tried. I tried again. I tried really hard to fine one, just one project that did not appeal to me. There always is at least one in every book I have reviewed, that is until now. Not one project was anything less than fantastic.


I have come to the conclusion that Sabine is not human. She is some sort of divinely inspired and talented beading goddess. Each and every project is as exciting and inspired by some beading deity that lives inside of Sabine’s creative mind.

I wish I could borrow that beading deity for just one day.

This book is a must for every aspiring beader. If you cannot find a project in here that you can’t wait to create, then go find another hobby!

A New Project Idea (that will be secret for a while)

Not going to work and sitting home, walking the dog and doing a lot of nothing has allowed me to clear my mind a bit and clear my thoughts for my creativity. I am thrilled to feel a bit creative again!

Yesterday, while walking my dog, I came up with something that I think will be lots of fun. It involves a little travel, and two bracelets. That is all I will tell you for now. I need to make two of the bracelets below.

Help me in choosing which two I should use (which do you like best)? These two bracelets will become stars in their own right! Once I get them made, the fun will begin.  I am soooo excited about this special project. I think you will find it most interesting! Once I get them done, I will let you know all the details!

So, for now, take the poll on the right had side bar and let me know your two favorites!

Among the Walking Wounded, but BETTER!

I would not recommend a hysterectomy for something "different" to do to pass the time away. Not even if you are into extreme experiences. However, if this is needed, then I guess it could be much worse.

Last Friday, I was up in Sacramento by 8am, being prepped. By 10, I have no idea of where I was. I don't even know what time it was when I came to. My first words I do remember.

"I have to go pee!"

Odd, they thought, when I still had a catheter in me.

Then they decided they would not send me home, as they had hoped since my heart rate in recovery hovered around the mid 30's.

As I faded in and out of sleep (as they gave me morphine since I said I hurt at about a level 5). They carted me to my room where I was to spend the night.

They gave me jello and crackers. Even after not eating anything solid for 2 days that was enough. Crackers were like sand in my parched mouth. But the jello was so good that I asked for another, even though the nurse never did show up with it (darn those shift changes).

So I spent the night. I didn't sleep well, as I was woke up every 2 hours for "vitals". Gee, did they really have to take blood and my blood pressure that often?

I guess better safe than not.

In the morning, the surgeon called, and I had a visit from the oncologist. The GREAT news was that the spot of cancer that was there appears to have stayed in the endometrial lining and did not go into the wall. But the final real confirmation will come from the lab in a few days from today.

That was great news!! I could have leaped up from my bed and hugged the oncologist if I didn't have so many tubes attached to me. And if my belly didn't hurt.

Saturday afternoon, it was nearly time to send me home. They yanked out the catheter and made me drink water so that they could see that I could pee.

Three hours later, I still hadn't gone pee.

Four hours later, I tried. Not much luck. With an instrument that looked like a microphone they could tell that my bladder was full.

Long story short, they put a catheter back in. (Not a fun experience) and sent me home. Leaving me in a panic because I thought: "OMG!!! Something happened with my plumbing! I will never be able to pee on my own again!"

They did not explain to me that this is a common side effect of the anesthetic.

I found that out later.

So, by yesterday, I had become attached to my ball and chain so to speak. I carried my "purse" around everywhere. What was I supposed to do? Drag it? That would HURT!!

Sitting was a problem. Think of it, ladies. You know your anatomy. Guys, you can imagine it I am sure.  The tube exiting my body had an uncomfortable position as I sat. I had to sit very carefully.

Every few hours I would have to empty my external bladder. I had to pee like a man. Grab the nozzle and aim the stream..... then just like a man, shake...then I rinsed (I don't think guys do that part). I would have LOVED to have gone into the Men's room and try out a urinal. Can you imagine? It would have been a HOOT!

Yes, so I was attached to my man-peer.

But I was so happy to have it removed yesterday. I can sit without feeling like I have hemorrhoids where you would not expect to find them.

So, I am recovering. I am in better spirits. I won't be going to the gym soon, might be a week or two before I gently go back.  I could, I suppose, drag myself back to work on monday, but since I have nearly 1000 hours banked sick leave, I will indulge myself with another week off.

Maybe I will even pick up my beads!

Thanks to all who left me good wishes on my last post, and to those who emailed me and sent cards. I really appreciate the support and concern of all my friends!

The Trouble With Having a Vagina (and other womanly parts)

I am taking an unwanted hiatus from my blog, and from most things fun in my life. On May 4,

I am going to have surgery to have my womanly reproductive parts removed due to abnormal cells and other problems, which will be tested to see how far the big “C” has invaded. If all goes well, then I will return soon. If not…then…I can’t say when I will be in good enough spirits or shape to be back.

 

As I fearfully face a total hysterectomy  in just a few days, I can’t help but think that men have it easier just by being men. There are a lot of things that men don’t worry about, or have to deal with simply because they are not women.

Here is my (partial) list of things of which I think men have it easier/less expensive than women do.

1. Boobs 

Why Men have it easier: they don’t have boobs like us women (at least most don’t).

Too big, too small, nipples pointing up, nipples pointing down. Nipples too big, nipples too dark, We just are not happy with our "girls". Some so much so, that some women have boob jobs to increase or reduce the size of their boobs.

Mine are always in my way. They cause furrows in my shoulders, cause gaps in button shirts,  they cause my head’s shadow to look like Mickey Mouse between 11 am and 1pm since the shadow they cast is at ear level. My boobs arrive 5 minutes before I do at my destination. I hate have having big boobs.

We are self conscious as we begin to “bud” in our early years. We might go through several sizes until we have become “fully matured”. Just when things have settled down, so to speak, then come the baby years.

Even for those who remain small breasted, the boob fairy bestows breasts to the seemingly unfortunate. Women have to endure breast feeding. Oh the pumping, the leaking, the soreness. What man can relate to that?

We like it, and we hate it when men notice our breasts. We have a love hate relationship with them (boobs that is…ok fine, men too at times) But no matter how unhappy we may have with what has been gifted to us, we are even unhappier if they are taken away by some horrible disease.

I guess we should just be happy, right?

2. Undergarments

 A. Bras

Why Men have it easier: They don’t need to wear any since they have no boobs, (see above).

Beginning with the prepubescent years, girls just have it tougher. Our bodies change. Our breasts grow, we need bras. First the “training bras”. Then we grow out of them and need another size.

 

It is said that most of us wear a bra that is not the correct size. I guess there is some sort of art in choosing the correct size to keep our chest orbs firmly contained.

Even if we know the right size, then there is the decision: padded or not? Underwire? Demi cup? Balconette? Full coverage? Minimizer? Push up? Strapless? Racerback?.

Did a man ever think that our “girls” could be molded into so many different configurations by such flimsy (but expensive) material? I wonder how many will notice the difference should you wear a push up versus a demi cup?

B. Panties

Why men have it easier: Choices for men include boxers and briefs (and rarely thongs).

Women have agonizing choices: Full briefs, bikinis, high cut legs, thongs, cheekies, boyshorts, hip huggers, no line and seamless….phew…

Heaven forbid we wear the wrong undergarments at the wrong time. And that is without considering shapers, girdles, slips (half and full), camisoles, butt padders, stockings…did I leave anything out? No wonder a man visiting Victoria;s Secret is frightened. A man goes into overload. He simply cannot handle it.

3. FASHION

Why men have it easier: Pants and a shirt. Jeans and a T shirt. Throw on a hat for good measure and a rakish look. Men are dressed!

Women have pants, and jeans full length Capri, pedal pushers and cropped. We wear burmudas, and regular shorts and short shorts,. We have gym pants in 3 lengths and leggings. We must decide when we should wear a skirt, or  dress in short, mid length or maxi. Should they be casual, or artsy, or perhaps the peasant or boho style. Should our formal wear be maxi, tea length or short?  How about a hat and gloves?

Let’s not even get into our choices of jewelry. We all know that agony, right?

Speaking of agony, how about shoes? Flat or heels? If heels, how high? One inch, or two. Forget the Ho-Strollers…I cannot walk in those 3 inch spikes. Round toes or pointed? Sling back or closed. Opened toe or not? When can I wear sandals? How about my Birki’s? What happens if I wear the wrong shoe with the wrong style of clothing? Will the fashion police arrest me?  I think men’s choices of shoes are much easier. What man has as many shoes as I have in my closet? Yet I still never have the right shoes for the right dress/occasion.

Yes, men have it easier. Less choices, less confusion, less chance of mixing up the wrong combinations.

4. Womanly Necessities

A. Makeup

Why men have it easier: They don’t wear any

Blush, bronzer, foundation, highlighter, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, lip liner, body glimmer, nail polish and stuff that even I have no clue as to what they are. If it baffles me, the male mind must deconstruct when faced with all the stuff women have to paint their faces. Every woman is an artist by virtue of the artistic materials available to her that men don’t use.

B. Hygiene

Why Men have it easier: Men brush their teeth…shower, slap on a bit of deodorant and perhaps he shaves his face. A touch of aftershave is optional. He is done.

Oh the womanly necessities for hygiene!! Where do I start? The choices in soaps, fruity or flowery? Tropical or musky? The choices can make the grand buffet look sparse. Should I use aroma therapy in my shower? Or how about Black Sea salts in my bath?

Shampoo and conditioners are agonizing. Do I need frizz control or shampoo for fine/limp hair. What if my hair is oily, or is it dry? Will it destroy the hair coloring if I decide to color it? Do I want  my hair to smell like an ocean breeze or a fruity cocktail? It takes me a half hour to make a choice at the "limited" grocery store supply.

Does the average man care about this?

We may not shave our faces as men do, but we have more real estate to shave. Legs and armpits need to be mowed with regularity. Should we shave “down there”? If so, how much? ARRGGHH…

We have ample shaving selections: Razor or electric? How about the hair eating lotion you hope not to leave on long enough that it eats away your skin. As if those choices were not enough, there is waxing, and plucking, and who has tried electrolysis for the final removal of unwanted hair?

So when a man cries about that little shaving nick on his neck, I will show him where I nicked my….well never mind. Let’s just say I don’t feel sorry for him.

We also have necessities that scare the hell out of men. And the choices are especially troublesome. Tampons or pads? For a trickle or for something that resembles Niagara Falls? Deodorant or not? Night time or sport? Regular length or mattress sized? Where is the flow-chart to help women make these decisions? If a man needed to wade though so many options, I am sure he would have a flow-chart to help him though the decision making process.

Which brings me to public restrooms. Oh the lines…Men rarely have lines. But women…ha!! It is a mystery to men why it takes us so long to take a wizz…frankly, I wonder too why some take so long. I am in and out faster than most can unbutton their jeans. Must be a throwback to my racehorse years. No, I didn’t race with the horses…but I had to learn to hurry…a whole other story as they say. But…even this makes me think men have it easier!

5. Those Doctor Visits
 

Why Men have it easier: Women start much earlier having to have that gloved hand reach into our….well…you know where. Men don’t generally cringe at the snap of the glove until midlife. Also, men have fewer body parts to be examined.

From our early 20’s, we lay on that exam table, with our feet in the stirrups, waiting for it to happen. The pelvic exam and PAP smear. We hope we have practiced good hygiene. We hope we are “daisy fresh” and that we remembered not to eat a burrito the night before. By the time a man has his first intimate exam, we have lived through many.

But it doesn’t end with that. At about the same time a man will have his first intimate encounter with the physician, women face the monster machine which will take their breasts and squash them  and contort them as if they were Play-dough. I guess women have become too comfortable with the other exam, they had to throw in something else just to make us feel a bit of sympathy for our men-folk.

Right.

So as I venture with great trepidation to the OR on Friday, I will keep thinking how strong I am, just by virtue of possessing womanly parts.

Even though they will be taking them from me.

Book Review: Making Wire and Bead Jewelry

First, my disclosure....The Publishers at Lark Crafts/Sterling Publishing sent me this book to review on my blog. They do NOT pay me for the review, other than the book(s) that they sent me for review.

Making Wire and Bead Jewelry

Janice Berkebile and Tracy Stanley

Lark Crafts/Sterling Publishing

2012

Paperback 144 pages $24.95

ISBN 978-1-4547-0287-0

After spending a weekend at the Revere Institute and wondering how I might make my own clasps (use of commercial clasps was considered a big no-no when my work was being critiqued) this book arrived on my doorstep.

While the book is not a book dedicated to making clasps or findings, it does give great directions for making some. I was excited to see some of techniques I have been wanting to learn presented clearly with lots of photos, a wonderful list of tools and some applications of the wire techniques represented.

This book is staying in my collection without a doubt. It might just be the start of my learning new skills that would bump up the value and artistry of my own work. 

For me, this book is like taking a mega vitamin when I am just not up to par. It is inspiring and is making my creative cells feel all happy!  I think every beader could benefit from what this book offers. Highly recommended!!

The Revere Academy Scholarship for Beaders

Powell Street

For the first time, I finally won an award from a prestigious art institution. I won the first scholarship awarded to a beader by the Revere Academy in San Francisco. The Revere Academy is a well known, well respected institute that many a fantastic jewelry artist received training from. These artists work primarily in precious metals and stones. Many are at the forefront of artistry and successful jewelers from all over the country.

Entrance to the Academy

Class of Jewelry Makers

To say I was honored to grace the steps of what I had long considered to be the holy grail of jewelry schools was an understatement. Me...a lowly beader...amongst such talent and artistry.

I just could not believe it.

I had a difficult time choosing a class. Should I learn new techniques? Perhaps branch out to metal smithing? Or was there something I could learn that would build upon my experiences?

I chose to take "Prepare for Success" by Harriete Estel Berman. The class was a chock full two day intensive on important subjects such as photography, setting up a good booth at shows, pricing, record keeping, getting into galleries and a whole lot more. Do you want a taste of what we learned? CLICK HERE

Harriete and Me

Perhaps the most valuable segment for me, was an honest (not quite brutal) critique on my work. Some of the tips and pointers I had already considered, others I had not quite thought of. The whole way home, I could do nothing but think about what I learned. It was a good kick in my creative pants to steer me into the direction I had been looking for. Although, I am still a little uncertain, I certainly have much more of a focus of where I want my work to go.

So, thanks to the Revere Academy, and Harriete Estel Berman, I feel charged and excited about some changes in my personal work that I hope to develop.

The added fun, is being in San Francisco. I love the city. It is simply an amazing place. The restaurants are fabulous, the people are wonderful and colorful. Just like these twins! Aren't they great!??

If the Revere Academy offers a scholarship for beaders again, don't hesitate to apply. The experience is well worth it! Count yourself very fortunate if you win it!

The Twins