An amazing story

I get lots of emails from people all around the world, and sometimes I find it frustrating that I can't answer them all. My kids like to spend time with me!
Occasionally, I get an email that is incredibly touching, and this one from Bobbi Jean is one of those. For many of us beading is a bit of fun, something to do to fill in an hour or two, or maybe even make a small income from. And yet for some people, like Bobbi Jean, it's a whole lot more than that. Sometimes stuff happens in life that's pretty lousy, but if we look to the future and focus on making the most of where we're at, it's amazing where life can take us.
Thanks to Bobbi Jean for allowing me to share her story. I hope you all get something from this.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Dear Felicity:
I discovered my love of beads when I was a little girl and my cousins and I would sit on the floor, spread them out, hold them up to the light and string them on actual fishing line. (What can I say, we lived in North Carolina on a military base, hardly a center of artistic expression).

Anyway, I rediscovered beading when I was hospitalized for four months only able to lay face up flat looking at the ceiling as my spine had been shattered along with both my legs. I had very little fine motor control.

Needless to say I could only make one or two items at a time. I was, however, blessed with 5 children. I would design things for them and give them as presents.

Little did I know that my kids were walking advertisements. My sons always had the best presents for their girlfriends who showed them off to their sorority friends and my girls always wore unique pieces.. My younger daughter was in college and I had made her a particularly different necklace to match her formal dress. She told me that strangers would approach her wanting to know where she got her jewelry.

Years later I made my eldest daughter's wedding tiara and the jewelry for the wedding party. I did the same for my younger daughter. The same scene played out with the others. Pretty soon I had built up a client base without going to one show.

Believe me, I'm not suggesting everyone be run over by a drunk driver, but it just goes to show that sometimes if we are paying attention we don't have to look very far for the road that is given to us. God bless, Bobbi Jean

Gorgeous Jewelry Designs

Hi everyone
Want to get your creative juices flowing? Then take a look at this video from Montreal jewelry designer Renelde Napoli. It showcases the 2007 collection, and I think it's impossible to watch the whole video from start to finish without having a whole bunch of creative ideas pop into your head! I particularly like the interesting twist on fasteners - very few boring metal ones!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Get creative with your beading!

Hi everyone!
Jasvir sent me these photos of some of her work, and I thought they were so gorgeous I had to share them.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Making Glass Beads

Hi everyone
This is an interesting look at how glass beads are handmade.



Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)