Behind the Scenes at Beads, Baubles, and Jewels

Had a great trip to Cleveland to do three segments on Beads, Baubles, and Jewels this week. It was a quick in-and-out after spending a couple days gathering, preparing, and practicing. I'm proud to say that I'm finally getting the hang of this thing. No fainting (yes, that happened once)and no shaking (has happened every time!).

One of the nicest things about this PBS show is the production staff, Kathy Stull and Katherine Lamancusa. They provide such an upbeat, comfortable atmosphere. And I just adore the host, Katina Forte, who is a Minneapolis girl like me.



Here's Katina and me on set. Check out that makeup job on the girl you might not recognize on the left! Karen, the makeup artist is truly a master...better than Botox because you can just wash it off...



Leslie Rogalski, Marcia DeCoster, and Marlene Blessing were in the Green Room on Wednesday. Leslie did a million segments--she's like the Energizer bunny, I swear. It was wonderful, as always, to see my buddy Marcia; we could blah blah blah the day away! And she's so smart...I always learn from her. Of course it's always great to see Marlene--since we've worked so much together over the years via email, face to face is a treat.



Here's a view of my mess in the Green Room. We set everything we're going to bring on set onto these big silver trays. Since I was just a talking head this time (no how-tos), I brought lots and lots and LOTS of junk. (Packed it and all my costume changes in a carry-on--yea me!)



Oh, here's Marlene with Kathy and Katherine at dinner, where everyone was letting their hair down a little...just a little, though, since most of us had to get up early the next morning.



On the set, setting up my segment on Resin Beads. (Thank you thank you Judy for all your help with this!) This was my last segment, and after it was done Kathy came in and said, "That was your best one...it really flowed and you were very relaxed." Never thought I'd hear those words.



The best part of going to do this show is meeting all the other artists, and this time was no exception. Here's a snap of me and Kerry Bogert (who details her trip so vividly on her blog this week). I've been editing her fabulous book Totally Twisted, and we'd never met in person. She is an absolute sweetheart! She even let me borrow some of her work for my Beading for Boys segment. She did a great job, and this was her first time on camera...



Here's a cool artist I'd never met before--Diane Hawkey. She makes wonderfully whimsical ceramic beads and is pretty dang funny.



When you're in the Green Room you can watch what's going on in the television studio. Here Kerry, Mark from Rio Grande (another cool, talented guy!), and Kathy's daughter are watching Melanie Brooks from Earthenwood Studio do her Steampunk segment. Melanie is so dang talented. She'd never been on television before either, and she was so smooth, so natural.



Ah...a nice crew, eh?