Beadblogger Sunday

These are toothpicks. I'm using them to keep my eyes open.


I knew this month was going to be difficult, but I didn't count on it being quite so challenging. I sleep about 4-5 hours a night, get up and write instructions, do my magazine editing work, then spend the rest of the day designing, beading, schlepping kids, slinging hash, and staving off complete and utter garbage house syndrome. I've definitely bit off more than I can chew, and am currently quite frayed around the edges...

But the reality is my work is incredibly enriching. I feel so filled up that I get to do what I get to do everyday. My favorite work project right now is The Book (will be released a year from now). I've got quite a bit more designing and writing to do for it before we leave for the holidays. It's due January 1, so I really need to crank. I don't think I've ever beaded so much so quickly in my entire life. My hands are even starting to cramp... but I really feel good about the results so far. I hope readers will like the results, too.

Here's the design on my work bench today. I'd been going round and round with it, but had a wonderful construction epiphany yesterday afternoon. Now I feel I can plow forward and get this sucker done today.


I don't think my current mania is much different than lots of you who read this have experienced. Oh, mine might be a bit more intense this week than other people's, but it seems to me that many of us artists do a intricate life dance to juggle work, family, and creative expression. Seems like it'll be a lifetime for me to figure out how to do it gracefully.

Want to read more about what other creative people are doing? Check out these links for the Beadbloggers:

A Bead A Day
The sun shines brightly on A Bead A Day when happy yellow cubic zirconia's are used in a simple necklace design.

About.com Jewelry Making
Give a beaded jewelry gift that gives twice.

Art Bead Scene
Be Inspired! Think about creating jewelry that tells a story.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Artbeads Crystalized Elements!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi is selling jewelery in a show for the first time and is trying not to "jinx" her favorites!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
Meet the newest addition to the Through the Looking Glass Nugget Charm Family - Alice Blue!

Jean Campbell
Jean discusses how Steampunk jewelry design fits into a larger "Poetic Couture"

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi is sharing a series of Gift Guides for handmade jewelry lovers!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Taking ya back to the Open House 2008! Now stay tuned for pics for Open House 2009 on Dec. 5!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
The ever breathtaking beadmaker Kim Miles pulls out all the stops for the Holidays and gift giving. But that is not all! If you have the "secret word" on the secret day" every week, you get a fab discount!