From the Postman

It was a typical week here in my studio...lots of editing to do...4 deadlines to make. Stress, general crankiness, and not much sleep. Why do I continue to do it? To be honest, I think I do it for the postman. Look what he brought me this week!



Yesterday these pocketwatch faces from Steampunk Supply came. I'll be incorporating them into kits I make for my Le Temps Necklace class I'm teaching for Swarovski in Tucson, 2010. Melanie Scardina, the woman behind the Steampunk Supply curtain is just a gem--friendly, timely, personalized service and a wide assortment of goodies.


I finally got my hands on Diane Fitzgerald's new book Shaped Beadwork. I'd seen a lot of this work in person when I was traveling with Diane earlier in the year, but seeing it all laid out in the book with instructions is such a bonus. Diane is truly a genius when it comes to experimentation, and this book is the perfect vehicle for showcasing that talent. She explains how to form basic geometric shapes, then combines them to create a whole host of interesting designs. And when I say whole host, I mean a TON! The variations alone are staggering. I see J'Aime Allene (she's Bonnie Brooks' daughter, by the way) did the illustrations, which is clearly why they're so good. And my buddies Judith Durant and Nathalie Mornu edited it, so I'm sure the words are great--can't wait to dive in and try a few out.



This was something 3 years in the coming, and doesn't have anything to do with beads... Backstory: When my dad died we didn't have the proper papers to get him is WWII Vet internment flag. Well, I finally gathered up the proper papers, tracked down the correct government form, and found out how to get the flag...from the postman! It was a bit of a surprise to receive it this way--I guess I envisioned something more formal? Like with a letter from the Army or something? Oh, well. It really is a beautiful, high-quality flag. My next job will be to iron it out, then learn how to fold it into the proper triangular formation. I'll send it to my oldest brother, who I guess is traditionally supposed to receive it.



Had lunch with Bob Sorenson of Bobby Bead in Minneapolis on Monday. We had a good discussion over Amazing Thailand about the state of the beading business. At the end of the lunch he gifted me this lovely pair of earrings hanging on this sweet earring display, which I love for its Olive Oyl silhouette. Bob has been selling these in his shop for a very reasonable price--he has a huge display of them! Very pretty.



Speaking of gifts, I've been meaning to post these really great ceramic beads by Diane Hawkey since I returned from Cleveland. She was so sweet--just walked up and handed them to me...just like that! I'm always amazed by the generosity of people, and I really like Diane, so this gift is extra special.

Anyway, I love these beads, especially the little birdie, which is both figurative and abstract at the same time. Really, really nice.

Did you receive anything in the mail that helped you get through the week? Tell us what it was! (Even I have a whole lot of that "vicarious living" thing going on...)