Digging in

I'm trying to switch gears after being in sci-fi/fantasy/writing mode the last few months. I've got lots coming up and need to come back down to earth!

After I turned the book in I hit the ground running by working on Beadwork magazine's August/September technical edits. You know as I edit these pieces, I'm struck at how much the beading community has matured artistically. Man, when I started Beadwork 11 years ago there wasn't anyone doing this kind of off-loom stitching. Pieces by Jamie Hogsett, Lisa Kan, Nancy Cain, Marcia DeCoster, Gwen Fisher, Tina Koyama, Barbara Ellis, and Scarlett Lanson have all passed my desk the last week, and I'm amazed, not only the technical prowess, but by the beauty of the work. It's a great time to be beading and I learn something everyday.

I finished my Beadwork DOY project for August just in time to add it to my edits (it's just plain weird to "edit" your own work). It's an Autumn-themed necklace that's very fun to make--combines both freeform and circular/tubular peyote-stitch techniques. I'll be curious to find out how readers like it.

On today's to-do list is a bunch of Q&As from Fire Mountain Gems customers. If you haven't checked out their site lately, do! Their Resources section is filled with great articles, how-tos, and wonderfully thorough and well-written answers (couldn't resist the horn-toot) to pressing jewelry-making emergencies.

Another item on the list is to write a post for an upcoming Beading Daily. I'm really procrastinating on that one, though, since it will involve an office clean. I figure you probably shouldn't write about organizing your studio when there's only a small trail of open rug from the door to the your chair!