Retreat Goodies

I can not even tell you how much fun I had at my retreat.  Can I do that 2 or 3 times a year?  Yeah, that would awesome.  It was the perfect weekend.  I can't remember how many times I relished the perfect moment!  But before the fun began I had spent a good month getting ready.  First up are the gift bags - what's an event without a little swag?  My aunt found the perfect bags for me - isn't she sweet!

Along with a copy of my book everyone received an issue of Bead Unique Magazine.

I put together little necklace kits featuring a Vintaj dragonfly pendant, silk ribbon, waxed linen, seed beads and a Humblebeads disk.  

Marie from MoreSkyeJewels gave everyone an awesome bird pendant - they are really amazing!!!  

My friend Angela Brittain donated silk dupioni cord in rich colors.  

Everyone was treated to Simple Truths pendants created by Erin Prais-Hintz.  She made a special one for each theme of the book: Woodland, Garden and Sea.  

And then people surprised us with extra goodies like forged and etched metal charms from Mary Newton.  

Other goodies were shared from our participants like nautical sketchbooks from Linda, shells from Terri  and tiny hummingbirds from Royelle.  It didn't take us long to warm up and we were soon making new friends and having fun reconnecting with those we already knew.

Along with preparing the gift bags, there were kits to assembly.  This was part of my Birds of a Feather class and Poetry & Beads workshop.

I filled each kit with with a Humblebeads egg, stones, a Green Girl Studio bead or pendant and charm from Pulga N Pansas.  The beads were put together with a poem and I broke everyone up into to small groups to brainstorm on how to translate their poem into beads.

Here are some of the finished pieces from the nest class and workshop.  It was fun to see how different everyone made their final pieces based on what they thought of the poem.

More kit goodness!  This was from the color workshop we did before we made our bracelets on Saturday afternoon.  Everyone was able to explore color theory as they picked the components for their bracelets.

Here everyone is showing off their finished work.  Some students had never created with seed beads and thread before.  Everyone rose to the challenge and most had their bracelet ready to sport the following day!  This is a project featured in my book.

I had students from all over the country.  Some had never made jewelry before, others had been creating with beads for years and years.  We had a great group, everyone was encouraging and loved sharing their inspirations.  Here we are during our walk in the woods. 

And my lovely bracelet models showing off their creations after a weekend of fun that flew by all too quickly.

I loved doing the retreat.  In fact, I'm already starting to plan a spring one.  And I have a one day holiday workshop that I am planning and I'm toying around with another class idea that's doing cart wheels in my head.  I could get used to this!  I would love to teach classes and workshops on a regular basis.  I love seeing that spark of inspiration set in as a I student discovers their creativity!

Before I go I must thank my three awesome helpers - that includes my Mom, my Aunt Rosanne and my very dear friend Erin Prais-Hintz.  They were the best!

Hello Again

I'm still here!  I feel like this little guy who was hanging onto this thistle as it swayed in the cool September breeze.

I've just finished a whirlwind tour of events this month, including a book launch, bead show, my Inspired by Nature Retreat (where I took all these photos) and then a 4-day trip to Galena for a Vintaj workshop and trunk show and book signing at Galena Beads.  

It's been filled with lots of moments of joy and some personal struggles over the last two weeks that have me playing catch up.  I don't share a lot of personal information here.  Just remember a blog only shows a snippet of what the writer wants to share.  My life is filled with many wonderful things, but everyone has their own cross to bear.  

Things are better today.  I am going to sit in the studio for the rest of the afternoon and work on some overdue orders.  Yesterday I sketched out new holiday beads and I have quite a collection of fall beads to photograph.  I'm finding I'm a bit drunk on inspiration - the autumn colors are overwhelmingly beautiful.  I have a lot to share with you, but wanted to say hello before another day passed.

Living an Abundant Life

As I've been working away this week, my mind has been focused on the idea of abundance.  Not just riches or material goods, but living a life filled with hope and expectation and how that differs from living a life filled with worry and fear.  We are given the chance to choose each morning how we will face the day.  

“You can’t predict, you can prepare. Experience the power of making decisions based on security instead of worry, readiness instead of reluctance, abundance instead of lack.”
~ Kathy Gates

"There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there's only scarcity of resolve to make it happen." - Wayne Dyer

"Life is a field of unlimited possibilities." - Deepak Chopra

“Gratitude is the open door to abundance .”
~ unknown

Open your heart this week to being more, doing more, sharing more, loving more, caring more.  The more you are and the more you offer to the world, the more you will have and the more the universe will send back your way.

Be more.

Live abundantly each and every day.

Book Launch Party

This weekend kicks off my official book launch and I'm celebrating like my book will be the only one in the store.  I mean, come on - how often does one have a book launch?  Over the top celebrations are certainly in order!  If you are in the West Michigan area I hope you'll stop by to celebrate with me.

And what's a party without presents?  I will be sharing some tips for blogging for creative businesses and we are doing a Make & Take project sponsored by Vintaj with these lovely dragonfly pendants. (Make & Take for the first 30 attendees.)

The Grand Rapids Press wrote up a great article last weekend about my return to Michigan and the book launch - you can read it here.

I will also have some of the jewelry from the book on display. 

Book Launch Party


1 p.m. Sept. 10

Barnes & Noble at Woodland Mall

Grand Rapids, MI

(Cupcake photo credit: Theresa Thompson via Flickr's Creative Commons.)

And finally, my gift to you:

20% off all orders from my Etsy shop!

Use discount code: Celebrate

Ends Saturday at midnight.

Not for use on custom or special orders.

(Present photo from Pinterest)

Bead Table Wednesday

It's Bead Table Wednesday and today's edition is coming to you from my temporary studio in Michigan.  I enjoyed sitting outside on the deck this morning and snapping these photos. Loved the chilly morning photography session - heavenly!

These are beads that are on the cover of my book and can now be found in my Etsy shop.

I also pulled out some autumn colored beads in coppers and purples.  Loving this combination for fall - it reminds me of stormy October skies with bright orange leaves clinging to the trees.

And here is some of the flora from my sister's garden.  It's her flowers that are featured in the garden section of my book.  I'm staying with my sister for a few weeks until Jess moves up here with the rest of our belongings.  My sister is as talented in the garden and kitchen as I am in the studio - it's a very enjoyable visit.

And the view from my studio.  I love looking out the window and seeing water.  In fact, nothing makes me happier - except for the first day I look out and see snow - I can't wait!

Here is a short video of my studio set up - my apologies for the video cutting off at the end.  I'm still learning how to put together the videos.

So that's it for my first Michigan edition of Bead Table Wednesday.  

Check out the flickr group to see what other bead addicts are working on this week.