Chat Archives

Chat of the Day Archives

These archives date back to 9/17/05

Friday, May 16, 2008

Hi all! Spring is almost over here, and school is almost out. I am really looking forward to having the kids home for the summer, even though it means less time to work. I have to admit, I don't like getting up at 6 a.m. to get the kids up for school, I do much better getting up about 7 a.m., so I am looking forward to that extra hour of sleep every morning.

My daughter Rachel just completed her first year of college and is moving into an apartment on Monday. I can't believe how grown up she is! Her first apartment! She'll need lots of stuff, I hope to be able to help her with some of it...

Ginny "graduates" Kindergarten next Friday, and NEXT year, Chelsea will graduate high school. Chelsea attended her first prom last weekend. Look how beautiful she is! :)

Of course, I am a proud Momma!!!!

OK, folks, there is new stuff listed in What's New! I just listed three new large hole beads, a sweet fishy pair, and two LARGE fishes, ideal for pendants. Take a looksie!

Oh yeah, there are still LOTS of fantastic goodies ~ some NEW some not-so-new ~ up on Just Beads and lots of beautiful 99 cent lampwork accent beads on ebay! I just know you're not gonna wanna miss a thing! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, May 5, 2008s

Hi all! I hope you are doing well and not suffering too terribly with these horrid gas prices! Stay home! Don't go anywhere! Do your shopping on the internet! ;) Seriously, though, have you changed your summer vacation plans? We have. We were planning to go to Colorado this summer, but we've decided to stay closer to home. We might spend our vacation in Hot Springs, instead. It's a shame, but I refuse to let the oil companies get any more of my hard earned money than what is absolutely necessary. It's the principle of the thing, you know?

Anyway, today was my youngest child's birthday. Ginny turned SIX! Can you believe it? Seems like the time has passed just too quickly. She'll always be "my baby" but there is no "baby" left, she is all little girl now, and growing up way too fast. SIGH!

We had a nice dinner at home, Tim grilled some baby back ribs, and we had cake and ice cream. While Ginny was at school, we brought some cupcakes to the class for them to celebrate with her. All the kids loved it!

Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but I am the FEATURED ARTIST OF THE MONTH on www.justbeads.com this month. I am really honored and really excited to have been chosen. I plan to list several exciting new beads this month to celebrate. I've already gotten started ~ there is already sooooo many really great beads to see there! Be sure to check them all out! Woo~hoo!

I've also just listed several new floral pairs, fishy pairs and some dynamite sculptural flower bead necklaces on the What's New page. I've been really pleased with the quality of my work lately and I hope you are, too! :) Take care!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, April 21, 2008

Hi all! The show in Memphis went great, but I got home in time to develop a killer toothache. I lost about 5 hours of sleep last night as a result. I already had a dentist appt. scheduled for Thursday this week, but when I called, they were so booked up they could not move it forward. So, in the meantime, I'm one hurtin' puppy. I'm eating Ibuprofen like candy, and I've been applying oil of cloves to the tooth, which really doesn't help much... Oh well. Just trying to keep my mind off it by working.

Look for some new beadsets up on Just Beads today! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, April 18, 2008

Hi all! Just a quick note ~ I am leaving for Memphis in a few minutes, for another Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show! I am so excited, I love the beaders in Memphis! I'll be meeting with my friends Chris and Mary tonight for dinner, and I can't wait to see their new goodies. Chris makes the most fun lampwork beads and jewelry ~ fun, just like her personality! Mary likes to make a lot of beautiful, delicate jewelry with a lot of seed bead work, often incorporating Swarovski crystals and lampwork. Her work is always breathtaking. I am sure we'll have a blast!

Tomorrow night, I'll be meeting with Rosie, a fellow Arkansas Bead Society member, whom I met at the bead show in Jacksonville, AR, a couple weeks ago. We're going to sit and play with beads, working with peyote and brick stitch. It'll be fun.

Oh, and I'm SURE I'll have fun at the show, too! I can't wait to see all the familiar faces! :) If you're in the area, please come see me!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, March 29, 2008

Hi all! OMG! I thought I would NEVER get in here! I have been unable to publish changes to my website in WEEKS and I don't know why... I need to call my web host because I STILL cannot send out email from my website, which translates to no newsletters. It has been so long since I've sent one out, I bet many of you have even given up on me.

(HOPE NOT!)

Anyway, I don't know why the website is working now when it hasn't for so long, but at least it is... so I am sneaking in a quick hello. Who knows how long it'll be before I can get back in...

Well, one good thing, I just listed three new froggies, four new floral focals and a really cool black and white focal too, all on Just Beads, my favorite website for bead auctions! Have fun looking! Hoping to be back soon!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Hi all! Just a quick update... I have really been unable to update my website due to the fact that I am in Florida and my mother does not have wireless internet, so I could not access the internet from the laptop. I've been able to check email using her computer, but that's about it.

I was at the AKS Bead Show in Tampa this last weekend and when I found out there was another show, the Down the Street Bead Show, also in Tampa NEXT weekend, I decided to stick around and try to get into that. The timing really couldn't be better since my mother was going in for gall bladder surgery today and I got the feeling that maybe I should stick around for that.

I'm writing from the hospital and the nurse JUST came to tell me that my mother's surgery went well, but I will still have a while to wait before she comes out of the anesthesia.

This morning I noticed my name was on the vendor list for the Down the Street Bead Show so I guess I can assume from that that I'm in the show! Yay!

I miss my family, but I will be home next week. Meanwhile, I guess I'm just gonna enjoy the Florida sunshine (which is a tad too warm for me, but that's OK) and enjoy visiting with my mom and brother and his family. Afterall, they're all really worth sticking around for. :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, February 29, 2008

Hi all! Another week has flown by! The weather is finally starting to warm up a bit, and the daffodils are starting to show their little yellow heads. Spring is almost here! :)

I've just listed several new critters, a sweet tropical bead set, a few new large hole slider floral beads, a few large lentil focal beads, a couple new bead pens, a couple bracelets and a pair of earrings, all on page one of my What's New section. WOW!

AND, there's still a bunch of great stuff on Just Beads just waiting for you to notice and bid on! Woo~hoo! 3in1's! Florals! Beadsets! Lotsa goodies! :)

In just five days, I will be embarking on my long journey from home (in Arkansas) to Tampa, Florida. I estimate the drive will take me about 16 hours, so I will be stopping for the night along the way, somewhere around Atlanta. I'll be doing the bead show in Tampa along with visiting my mom. The visiting my mom part is the icing on the cake. I really miss her! Sniff sniff! It will be great to see her again...

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Hi all! I am just now getting over the flu, which really stunk! I really felt more sick than I ever have in my life, it was the worst cold I've ever had. I am still coughing a lot and I still have a lovely runny nose, but I am LOADS better than I was a week ago. At least I feel well enough to work anyway.

Because of the flu, I missed out on an exciting class this past weekend with Dustin Tabor. I am so sorry I missed that class! Oh well, maybe someday I'll get another chance. Meanwhile, I need to get ready for my next show, which will be in Tampa! A long way to go for a show, but I'll get to visit my mom and my brother and his wife and family. That'll be the icing on the cake, for sure.

Anyway, the show is March 7 - 9 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, so if you're in the area, stop by! I'd love to see you! :)

I've just listed several hollow sets, a couple new florals, and a few large hole floral slider beads here. You really should take a peek! I especially love the hollows, they're so fun to make and I love how the light plays with the glass. They're so pretty!

In addition, there are lots of goodies available on Just Beads, surely you could find something you can't live without! :)

Remember that bad storm we had recently, the one with all the tornados you heard about in the news? Well, that storm knocked out my computer phone line and a tech came out to fix it. While he was here, he told us we could get DSL! Oh boy! I ordered DSL the next day and now we have it! Yay! What used to take ten minutes now takes a split second. I have been discovering You Tube and all sorts of goodies! I'm lovin' it...

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Hi all! It has been too long since I updated the website, so you'll be happy to know, I just did! I added some new things in What's New and updated some pages in the "beadset", "specialty focals" and the "pairs" sections. Should be good to go for a while...

Meanwhile, we had the freakiest weather ever. Last night, thunderstorms and tornadoes ripped through this state and three others and over 50 people were killed. That is really, really sad! My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this time of great loss.

And this morning, as I stepped outside, I noticed there was snow on the ground! Thunderstorms one night, and snow the next morning. Can it get any stranger than that? Ida know...

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, January 18, 2008

Hi all! I just listed a bunch of stuff here on the website and a few more new items on JustBeads. I have more stuff on JustBeads right now than I have ever had, so much now that it displays in TWO pages! It was funny, I didn't realize that at first, and when I went to check on an auction, I didn't see it right away because it wasn't on page 1. When I saw the clickable page 2 button on the bottom, I was like, "Two? Page TWO??? Wow!" OK, small victories, I know, but I thought it was neat.

Anyway, next weekend I'll be at the Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show in Memphis, so I'm looking forward to that, big time. I can't wait! I can't wait to see what new goodies everyone has. I do a lot of my bead-buying at this show, it's great. Prices are always reasonable, and sometimes I can find things at a real bargain. Love that!

I just received an email from IpowerWeb, which is the keeper of my website domain. They are moving to a new platform (whatever that is) and my site will be transitioning next Thursday night. I'm told there won't be any down-time for me, but just in case there is, I wanted you to know why.

That about sums it up for now, folks!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Hi all! More new goodies here, there and everywhere! LOL! New sets! New accent beads! New bead pens! New pairs! New focals! All new and exciting! How fun is that, right? :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, January 7, 2008

Hi all! Just a quickie! I just listed this really, REALLY cool new Iced Paisley set on JustBeads and a matching focal and a matching pair perfect for earrings, here! I love this new design!!! :)

More to come!!! Woo~hoo! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Hi all! Well, 2008 is already off to a dandy good start! I've been a very busy bee, which I love being! It feels good to be productive, especially after having a difficult time the past couple months with various illnesses making the rounds through the house. But, finally, we're all feeling better, and soon the kids will be back at school and the cycle will probably start all over again. Pffft! Oh well!

I just listed a brand new spring set on JustBeads along with a new 3in1 floral focal and a bicone floral focal, both of which match the spring set. I also just listed a large lentil and a pair of small florals here in What's New, all of which match the spring set, too! OK, yeah, I was on a roll... Anyway, look how well all of these go together! :)

As you may have already figured out, each image is clickable to take you right to where it is listed. ;)

The next Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show in Memphis is just around the corner, January 26 - 27. I am greatly looking forward to being in this show, I'll get to see all my favorite customers again.... Mary J. especially... I love the way she comes on Saturdays, buys some beads, and goes home and makes stuff with her new beads and comes back on Sundays wearing her new creations! She is amazing. Maybe Pat Santa and his wife will come visit me again, that would be great! Oh, and let's not forget Margaret, my favorite fish collector. She comes to the show every time to collect another fishie, and carries all her previously collected fishies with her so that they can all meet again. It is just so sweet! There are a lot others, too, so many great people that I just love to gab with... I think my bead buddy Chris will even come hang with me at the show and go out to dinner with me too... This is definitely one of my favorite shows to do all year ~ it's like a mini-vacation to me! :)

See ya'll real soon! Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, December 28, 2007

Hi all! How are you? Did you have a great Christmas? We sure did. My daughter Rachel came home and we all went to my in-laws for a big ol' scrumptious Christmas dinner. It was great seeing everybody. My hubby sure has a big family, and every single one of them the salt of the earth. I love them all dearly ~ I am so blessed!

The day after Christmas we had our first snow! Ginny got to break in her new snow boots that I just happened to get for her on Saturday. We had a few inches on the ground, and everything was really pretty, but by midday yesterday it was all melted off. Sniff sniff!

Last night Tim, Ginny and I drove to Little Rock to take Rachel out to dinner for her 19th birthday. We had a really great time, and this morning Rachel and her best friend Ian flew to NYC. I am sure they will have a lot of fun on their trip. They plan to visit all the big art museums. Oh man, would I love to do that!!

Anyway ~ more new stuff in What's New, in case you're interested... and new stuff on JustBeads, too. I made a few new things today and should have them posted by Sunday, I 'spect. Just plugging along!

The 2008 show season is just around the corner! :) Woo~hoo!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, December 21, 2007

Hi all! Well, it's almost that time... are you ready? I thought I was... and then Rachel, my almost 19 year old, called me today to ask me if I had gotten her a certain gift she had wanted, and when I asked her why she wanted to know, she admitted to me that her boyfriend had gotten her the same thing. Grrrr!!!! That boyfriend! LOL! Now I have go back to the crazy world out there and return the item I bought for her and find her something else. Talk about a major UGH!

So my 16 year old, Chelsea, is leaving tomorrow to visit her Dad in Georgia, for two weeks. Rachel has to work at her job in Little Rock, so she isn't going. She's off Christmas Day, though, so she'll come home Christmas eve, and return to Little Rock the day after Christmas. Her birthday is the 27th, so I'll go to Little Rock to take her out to dinner, bringing my 5 year old, Ginny, and maybe Tim, too, if he's not too tired. (He has a crazy work schedule this week). On the 28th, Rachel and her best friend Ian are going to NYC for a week. They plan to be in Times Square on New Years ~ maybe I'll see them on TV!

I hope and pray each and every one of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe and enjoy being with the ones you love. This time of year is such a special time, a time to cherish and remember all our lives...

Let's have a GREAT 2008!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, December 14, 2007

Hi all! OMG! A post from me twice in one week!!! GASP! Will wonders never cease!

Actually, this is made possible by the complete and total lack of shows to do for the whole month of December. See what I can accomplish when I'm not running around like a chicken with my head cut off? ;)

OK, so new stuff. Two new pens (with more to come, I'm on a roll), and several large hole beads for you Pandora nuts out there, all available at a 20% discount on my What's New department! Woo~hoo!!!

Now, on JustBeads, there are two new really BIG sets ~ the kind of sets for making a bracelet, necklace AND earrings, all matching of course.... Two new florals, one new 3-in-1, (which is mouth-watering, BTW), and a new line of beads I'm making ~ ideal for use as accent beads! There are several LOTS on JustBeads of approximately 30 beads in a lot, but you can buy one, a few or as many as you want. They're priced individually at an incredibly affordable $2.00 each! I will be making up a lot more too, as I go along. These are a great way to get high quality handmade lampwork beads inexpensively, especially if you need a lot for a certain project. These are bigger and prettier than plain ol' spacer beads. I'm really excited about offering you this line of beads, I think you will be too!

Since I have SOOO much up on JustBeads now, I think I might start clearance-ing some of the older stuff there onto ebay, just to move them out. I plan to do that in the next few days, so keep your eyes open. I'll be starting the items off at 99 cents, so this may be a GREAT way for you to get some GREAT beads at a super GREAT bargain!

OK, 'nuff news for now ~ it's raining right now, but we might get snow or ice. Hope my honey can make it off this mountain to get to work in the wee hours of the a.m.! Poor baby...

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, December 10, 2007

Hi all! Are you through with your Christmas shopping yet? Not me! I still have to get a few things, plus Rachel's birthday is the 27th, so I have to get her a birthday present too... What do I get a college girl? I saw her Christmas wish list on My Space. She listed three items, all of which cost about $500 or so. Expensive tastes. Well, I'm on a beer budget, so I'll have to get a bit creative... So far, I have no idea!

Well, Ginny is home from school, sick today. She had a fever ALL weekend long, and it is still trying not to let go. Tim is off work today, and I would be torching right now, but he is fixing my kiln first. I'm the "meek wife" and couldn't undo the screws on the darned thing, so he's doing it for me. He's handy to have around sometimes! :)

Anyway, just listed some jewelry and a really cool pair of lampwork cone bead caps, in What's New. Check these out! These have a large opening on one end, perfect for finishing the ends of necklaces. I've been wanting to make these for a while, and I finally have the right tool for it. I think this will add a new dimension to my own jewelry making, and you may like them, too!

Well, kiln's ready! Better go fire it up! Woo~hoo!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Hi all! Just a quickie to let you know that I've just added four brand new listings to just beads ~ a FANTASTIC set of yummy Terra scrolled beads and 3 luscious new 3in1's for your beading pleasure!

I have also just added four new items to the What's New dept., a set of cones, a scrumptious blue hollow heart, a sweet bicone floral focal and an adorable large hole bead! Now, how you can resist at least taking a peek? ;)

Gearing up for the holidays, otherwise, I bet you are, too! :) If you're in a pinch and you see something you like, let me know, I might be able to help you out and sweeten the deal ~ I know how tough it is this time of year.

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Hi all! Thought I'd better touch base with ya'll. I've been getting ready for my little show this upcoming Saturday night, in between fighting continuing illnesses. We've all been taking turns getting sick, which isn't fun...

I just put up some new goodies in the What's New section. Enjoy looking! I also listed a new set of beads on just beads, plus relisted some goodies. Lots of great stuff to choose from!

I hope all is well in your neighborhood! :) Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Hi all! I can't believe it's just a week away from Thanksgiving already. My, how time does FLY!

I am feeling back to normal now and have been working back at the torch, trying some new things. This last Sunday I visited my friend Clara and also Sage Holland, her son Beau Anderson and his girlfriend Alex at the Riverview Hotel in Calico Rock. They were there doing a workshop, demos and a trunk show. I bought a bead from both Beau and Alex. I love my new goodies! I had a GREAT time, especially visiting with Clara, and I came home feeling so inspired! I love it when that happens!

The hollow heart I just listed on my What's New page is an example of that inspired work. Sage and Beau do these beautiful hollow hearts using twisted canes, so I thought I'd give that a shot. I was surprised I was so successful right off the bat! I made another one today, it is currently soaking in the kiln.

I also have a new black and white set of V-Beads that I hope to make a necklace with, too. They are so cool! I can't wait to get that made up... Plus, I have several other new goodies in the works! Look out!

Meanwhile, in other news ~ we have a new member of the family, a little 8 week old kitten named Phoenix. Here is a picture of him cuddling up with Fidget. Isn't he just a little cutie pie?!!

He's been home a week and we are all totally in love. He is really a little character!

The Dustin Tabor class I was gonna take next month has been postponed til sometime in February, which worked out fine for me, as I suddenly have an opportunity to do a little show that Saturday night, at the Ft. Smith symphony. That'll be fun!

I hope you all have a terrific Thanksgiving Day! I think we'll be heading over to the in-laws, and I hope our daughter Rachel will be able to join us. Not surprisingly, we haven't seen much of her since she went off to college.

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Hi all! I have been SICK! Ack! Last Saturday I came down with a cold (or flu, who really knows) and it is STILL kicking me in the butt. I haven't been able to work much, but I have worked SOME. I really NEED to work since my hubby's truck is now in the shop and it is going to cost BIG bucks to fix. Ugh! I finally get rid of my old van back in June ~ trading constant car repairs for car payments, and now the truck... Sigh!

Anyway, I've been playing with dichro again, with much better results than I have had in the past. I am very pleased! I listed two new dichro sets on just beads last night, and plan to list another set tonight or tomorrow. They're just so PRETTY!!! I just get LOST in all the sparkle... Ooooh! Ahhhh!

I've also been playing with fusing again, and have three new pendants up in What's New. I REALLY like the big white one with the black, pink and green... It is SO pretty! I'll have to make more like that. It'll be fun to explore with that glass some more...

Meanwhile all else is going just hunky dorey! Rachel is enjoying her first year of college and unsupervised freedom. She plans on going to NYC with a friend this winter break. Scary for a Mom. Does it get any easier???

Chelsea is doing great in school and is taking a special pastel drawing class this weekend ~ this means I'm "stuck" home with lil' Ginny. We've been playing games and having fun. I wanted to take her to a local art fair this weekend, but I'm just too sick to go, so we're having fun at home instead.

I have a trunk show next weekend and hope to have a lot of new stock ready for that, and other than that, I don't have any shows again until January, unless something else comes up.

I am also planning on taking a class with Dustin Tabor, first weekend in December, and I can't wait for that! I just LOVE his work!

That's about all the news for now! Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, October 22, 2007

Hi all! Just a quick note to let you know everything is in order again here on the site! You're more than welcome to purchase anything you see here and I'll actually have it to ship to you! Yay! :)

BTW ~ I loved doing Applegate, and definitely plan on doing the show again next year!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Hi all! The Applegate show is having a rough beginning, folks... Last night bad storms went through and blew away many of the tents around my booth, yet my tent remained standing. Still, I did lose about $450 worth in beads, mostly critters and the sculptural florals and some of my fused dichro pieces with bails fused onto them. It will take me quite a while to go through the website and remove all of the listings for these items as well as the sold items, so if you are planning on making any purchases off this site in the next week or so, please check with me first to see if the item(s) is/are still available. I expect things here to be back to normal more or less by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

I do hope tomorrow and Saturday and Sunday do go well at the festival. The weather is supposed to be nice and warm, so maybe that will help buffer losing so much. I am really pleased with the Applegate show so far, as a whole, even though there are fewer vendors than we hoped to get. But, anytime you move a show to a new location, vendors get skittish. The number one rule of thumb in any craft selling book is ALWAYS visit a show first BEFORE vending at it. So, very few vendors are willing to take that "leap of faith" that people like me are willing to take.

We have had VERY large numbers of people attending this event, which is actually impressive. People visiting the show have made several VERY positive comments, which is very encouraging. Most are saying it's not that far, and EVERYONE agrees that the Mulberry Mountain Ranch property is THE most beautiful property they have ever seen for an arts and crafts show. Trust me when I tell you, this show will one day be HUGE.

Before I go, I just want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mary, my friend and business partner, who showed kindness today beyond anything I've ever seen. She came to the festival just to help me clean up, bringing sheets, towels, trash bags, even shower curtains to lay stuff out on, and when she saw how blustery the wind had gotten, stayed with me to basically "hold down the fort" right up until the very last minute of the day. Mary, you are, by far, the most kindest and considerate person I have ever met, and I am so very, VERY, lucky to call you my friend. May God bless you and smile upon you. Thank you so, so VERY much!!!! I owe you BIG TIME, girl!!!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Hi all! Thanks for checking up on me! :) The Memphis bead show went well, I had a great time! I saw a few familiar faces and saw some new ones. It is really fun to see a never-been-to-a-bead-show-before person's reaction to coming to the show. The ONE word I hear most often is "overwhelming". Yes, it can be overwhelming to see all those beads in one place. I remember the first time I went to a bead show. I think it was back in 1995, and I went with my Mom to one in Orlando, back when I lived in South Florida. It just so happened to be one of the Intergalactic Bead Shows, and at that time, was still fairly small, held in some little armory in town. I think they've since moved to a bigger location! At least I hope so! I remember just REELING at the site of all those beads in ONE place and I spent about 3 times more than I expected to, but GOSH I had fun playing with all those beads. I even bought some imported lampwork, thinking they were the best thing since sliced bread. Sure, the bead holes were dirty, and sure, some of the beads on the strands were broken, but I assumed that they were just supposed to be that way, that I was supposed to accept things as they were, and not question why. Everyone else around me was buying them, too.

It's fun to look back and see how far I've come, though! Although I've been a beader for 18 years, I really didn't get serious about it until about 2001, as my first hubby and I were splitting up. I've learned WAY more in the last 6 years than I ever learned in the first twelve. And now, look, I MAKE beads! LOL! I'm still surprised, and I'm still just as excited about it as I was the first time I lit the torch. (Well, actually hubby had to light the torch for me for at least the first MONTH. I had to get over my extreme fear of fire!)

So, now I have to get ready for my next show, which will start a week from yesterday. It's the Ole Applegate Place Autumn Arts and Crafts Festival at Mulberry Mountain, which is a festival that's been running for 21 years, but is in a new location. I hope the show goes well! If you happen to be in the area, please come by and show your support! This promises to be one of the best shows ever!

Meanwhile, there are several new goodies for those of you who would like to take a peek! ;) Plus, I listed a few new sets on Just Beads last night. Have fun looking!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, September 28, 2007

Hi all! I have been a very busy bee! I have just listed several new items; some cool new focal beads and some new earrings, even some V-beads! Meanwhile, I've been steadily adding new stuff to Just Beads as well. Something new I've been working on what is I lovingly call "toothknockers", a term borrowed from my friend Vickie. It is a quite descriptive term for a really large bead that you wear low enough on your neck that when you bend over, it knocks you in the teeth. Of course, if you wear them high enough, that won't happen, but I still like the term. I've made four of them so far, and two of them are currently listed on Just Beads but the other two, unfortunately, cracked. I think it's the core color, so I'm gonna try again, with a different color and see what happens. I wish you could see how cool these look in person. In my opinion, these are definitely some of the most exciting beads I've ever made. The photo at right shows one of the cracked ones, but you can at least see the potential there. It is worth trying to get it right, although each one takes nearly an hour to make.

I hope to have a bunch of these made in time for my next show, in Memphis, which is in... oh gosh! A WEEK! Ack! Better get off the computer and go get to work! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, September 21, 2007

Hi all! I just listed 10 new pair sets here! :) Have a great weekend! Hugs ~ Debby

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Hi all! Does anybody want some beads?

What a question, right? LOL! No, really, I actually do have some beads available! This is a set of six of my special V-Beads that a customer ordered but changed her mind on. Sooooo..... I decided the most fair thing to do was to offer them here and see if anybody wants them. These are in a southwest color scheme in ivory, turquoise, coral and brown, and they're etched for a soft matte finish. This set is only $40.00, and I'll ship for free. Just drop me an email and let me know if you are interested in them. Thanks!!! :)

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Hi all! New stuff listed here and on Just Beads! Yay! I knew you'd be thrilled! :)

Hugs ~ Debby

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Hi all! It's funny, ya know? Throughout much of August I was actually considering taking a part time job just to help out the family finances, and lo and behold I suddenly get enough work to throw that whole idea out the window. I'm NOT complaining! Actually, I prefer it this way. I would rather make beads and jewelry than to work some mindless job somewhere. I'm only qualified to work as a graphic designer and trust me when I tell you, there ain't NUTHIN' for me like that here. Ad agencies? Not in this corner of the world? Local paper? That little rag publishes just one day a week! Small towns are great for some things, but not so great for other things, like JOBS.

Think I'll just go back to the workbench...

OK, so I've gotten quite a few orders for V-Beads, and YES I am getting them done, slowly but surely. I wish I could just devote ALL of my torch time to making them, but I have other things I need to work on as well. Some people are writing me and asking me where the V-Beads are available here on my website, and I'm sorry to say I still don't have any sets available as I am filling custom orders at this time. I'm sure that the frenzy will taper off soon enough and you'll find them available here. Meanwhile, just drop me an email if you'd like any, and I'll custom make them for you.

Meanwhile, I've had some recent shows lately. The most recent was Prairie Grove just this last weekend. It was fun to do, and having a booth right next to my friend Vickie was an extra special treat. I saw some familiar faces and I do plan to do the event again next year.

This Saturday is the Subiaco fair, which is a really small, but great, event. However, storms are forecasted for the whole day and I might decide not to do it. It would be pointless to set up for just one day and sit in the rain all day. Wouldn't you agree? I could stay home and make some more V-Beads!

I'm continually trying to keep a presence on Just Beads, so I just listed a couple pretty florals, made with some new glass that just arrived. I love the new grasshopper green and the orange sherbet colors! Yum! More to come, I'm sure!

OK, so ya'll take care! HUGS!!! ~Debby

Friday, August 23, 2007

Hi all! Just a quick note to let you guys know that I'm still kickin'! Actually, I am writing this from my hotel room in Hot Springs, where I am doing the AKS Bead Show. We had our first day today, and it went really well, and I'm expecting tomorrow to be really busy... It's a great show, and Kay, the promotor is a pleasure to deal with! What a contrast to a certain other promotor I won't name names here. :)

I've been adding some new stuff to the What's New department, in the meantime. You just might want to check it out. ;)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Hi all! I've bee keeping a little secret from you. Not out of not wanting anyone to know ~ just not wanting to jinx it. Wanna know what it is? I'm finally getting my first article published. The article has been in the works for a long time, and since I am not good at keeping secrets, this one was REALLY challenging to keep under wraps.

The article is the V-bead and necklace tutorial coming out in the September/October issue of Step by Steps Beads, which will hit newsstands on August 14th. I wasn't sure when the issue was going to be released, so imagine my surprise today when I received an email from someone inquiring about the V-beads she saw in Step by Step Beads. ACK!!! Already??? I admit, I wasn't ready. I'd planned to make up a V-beads page with link directing you from this page, so I just now created both the page and link. (See top right corner here!)

Anyway, I am writing from Florida, so this will have to do until I get some sets made and put up for sale. We are here visiting my mother, and my two older daughters will visit their dad. We are excited about being here, but the drive took FOREVER! We left at 7:00 a.m. central time, yesterday morning, and arrived here 17 hours later, at 3 a.m. eastern time, this morning. We could have done without all that construction on I-75 all the way from Atlanta to Valdosta, that's for sure! Ugh!

Rachel's best friend Ian came along for the trip. He's a great guy, and I'd love to adopt him as a son! LOL! But, in all the excitement about being here, and the excitement about the article coming out, we were totally blindsided by some really bad news. A dear friend of Ian's and her fiance both have just committed suicide. How awful. We all feel so bad for Ian, but we are so glad he is here with us. I could not imagine how much more difficult it would be for Rachel to console her best friend, long distance...

So, sigh! Off to the mall to try to cheer the young man up... We don't have any really good malls in Arkansas, so this will be a good outing for all of us....

More later, guys! Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, August 6, 2007

Hi all! Is it hot where you are? It sure is hot here, finally. We've had a great mild summer, but it was just a matter of time before the rain would go away and the temps would rise. It is definitely stay-inside weather now...

I just finished adding LOTS of new goodies here. A few days ago, I listed several new bicone florals on Just Beads, and I'm about to list a couple new bead strands as well. Just keeping busy while life continues to present constant challenges to me in the process.

My brother and his girls left, and now we're getting ready to go down to Florida. We leave first thing in the morning. I do plan to take my laptop and remain connected to the net, so don't ya'll fret any ~ I'll be here! :)

Gosh, if it's hot here in Arkansas, just wait til I get to Florida! ACK!!! Not looking forward to that! I remember what that's like... Getting into my car and the steering wheel being SO hot it literally BURNS my hands. UGH!!!

HUGS!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Hi all! I just put up several new goodies in the What's New section. Plus, I hope to have two new scrumptious hollow sets listed on Just Beads by tonight. Have fun looking! :)

Next week, my brother will be visiting from Florida, with his two older daughters. They will be here for about a week, and then afterward, we're all driving back to Florida together so that I can visit my mom and other family. Rachel and Chelsea will get to spend some time with their dad, too.

I may not get to do much torching next week, and definitely none the week after, and once I'm home from Florida, I will have to help Rachel get moved into her dorm room at UALR. Finally, then, life will pretty much get back to normal. In the meantime, I will definitely try to keep in touch! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, July 13, 2007

Hi all! I'm here in Memphis! I'm all psyched up about tomorrow! It's funny, my friend Vickie and I are at this moment sitting in our hotel room both on our laptops, both on the net. We've been looking at all the goodies on Wet Canvas and on Lampwork Etc., and just having fun. For me, it's especially nice since this hotel has WIFI and I have dialup at home. Wow, what a difference!

Anyway, if you happen to be in or near Memphis, come see me tomorrow at the bead show! :)

HUGS!!! ~Debby

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Hi all! Well, it's time for another show. So soon already? Seems like I just got home from the last one! This one is another Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show in Memphis, this weekend. This is always a good show and I am really excited about going. I love seeing all the familiar faces and just talking with people who love beads. My good friend Vickie will be traveling with me this time, and we'll share a hotel room, too. This will be the first time Vickie will be showing in Memphis. I am so excited for her ~ she has some really beautiful lampwork beads and jewelry!

Speaking of beads ~ I do have some new goodies up, just in case you were wondering... ;)

All else is pretty normal around here. Rachel is working at Wal-mart and otherwise getting ready for her first semester at UALR in the fall. Chelsea has been babysitting Ginny a LOT which I REALLY appreciate! She is such a GREAT help. I just have the best daughters in the world!

My brother, David, and his two oldest daughters are planning to visit us here the last week of July. Then, Rachel and Chelsea are gearing up to return to Florida with them, the first week of August and I am hoping to go with them. I'll just have to see if I can swing the time and the gas money. There is a lot to consider. But, I'd really like to see my Mom especially, and other friends and family as well. Keep your fingers crossed for me, OK? It's been more than two years since I saw my family.

Take care! I'll see some of you great folks in Memphis! :) If you received one of my postcards, remember to bring it with you... You'll save $ on admission!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Hi all! The Arkansas Bead Market show went GREAT, Vickie and I had SOOO much fun! We had good sales and we both got a chance to do some shopping ourselves. Our booth looked great and we just had so much fun talking to all of the great customers.

Today was the Polly Cat Bead Group meeting in Ft. Smith, and that was fun also. Everyone brought all their goodies they bought from the bead show. We had a great time looking at all of everyone's goodies. We had a good turnout, too, which was great. This is a fun bunch of beaders! We decided that next meeting we would do a project featuring denim and blues plus I'll show the group how to get started in peyote stitch. It should be a fun time.

Meanwhile, been making beads ~ having lotsa fun making lotsa goodies for the next show in Memphis, in just two weeks. I've been listing quite a lot on ebay and Just Beads and I just uploaded the mother lode right here on my site! Seven whole pages of GREAT beads ~ all on sale!!! Woo~hoo! You'll just HAVE to take a look now, won't you? ;)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Hi all! Well, our vacation is over, as my hubby returns to work today. Pfffttt! And on Father's Day no less! Sheesh! I wound up taking 93 photos of our camping trip up to the Buffalo River. If you'd like to see them, just click on this link as I have a slide show set up on Shutterfly.

I also finally have all the photos up on another slide show of all the graduation proceedings from a few weeks ago. See Bill Clinton shaking Rachel's hand! LOL!

I've returned to "work" too, although I hardly call it that. I've been making beads again, and I've got several new items up on ebay, Just Beads, and here on the site in the What's New category. Lotsa new goodies! Hope you enjoy looking! :)

I'm gearing up for another show next weekend. I will be at the Arkansas Bead Market, June 23 - 24 at the Ft. Smith Convention Center in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. This was a GREAT show last year and I'm expecting it to be even better this year. I will be sharing a booth with my good friend and talented artist, Vickie Warburton. It should be LOTS of fun. Hope to see you there!

HUGS!!! ~Debby

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Hi all! I just listed four new 3-in-1's on Just Beads ~ take a look! They're all yummy, if I say so myself! I also have some new things in What's New, some nice bead strands I put up a couple days ago... I still have things I want to put up on the site, but I'm not sure I'll have time between now and tomorrow when we leave for a camping trip up on the Buffalo River. We love it up there! We will leave tomorrow sometime, and be back Thursday evening. No doubt I will be offline for that long and I will suffer from withdrawal big time. What am I gonna do??? Go swimming! Go hiking! Roast hotdogs and marshmallows! All that fun camping stuff! :) The best part is just being with my family ~ my wonderful three daughters and fantastic hubby! Anyway, toodle~loo!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Hi all! Just a quick note to let you know that I just added LOTS of new goodies to the What's New department: Eighteen new dichro glass pendants; four new bracelets, one anklet and one set of beads! Whoo! Took me ALL morning long to get them all loaded onto the site. Now you can go crazy buying it all! LOL!

Tomorrow morning I leave VERY early for Joplin, Missouri for the Boomtown Days arts and crafts festival. Should be a GREAT event ~ if you're in the area, stop by my booth! Oh, and be sure to see my friend Laurie, she'll be there, too! :)

Otherwise ~ have a GREAT weekend, my friends! Hugs to you all!

~Debby

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Hi all! Yesterday was my daughter Rachel's high school graduation from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, held at the convention center in Hot Springs. Former President Clinton was the guest speaker for the commencement exercises.

Let me start by saying, what a crazy day yesterday!!!!

We planned to have everyone in the family meet at the King's Restaurant on the south side of Hot Springs, for lunch, before the ceremony. As we arrived into Hot Springs from the north, we found ourselves stuck in a dead stop in traffic. Cops were everywhere and we weren't moving even so much as an inch.

Rachel was already at the convention center, having gone to her graduation practice. We were going to pick her up and take her to lunch with us. It was clear we weren't going to make it to the restaurant.

We called Rachel and had her start walked towards us, as we were less than 2 miles away, while we inched the van over into another lane that would lead us to the school parking lot. Meanwhile, we wondered what was going on... An accident? Former President Clinton's motorcade? What could be causing all this backup in traffic?

Rachel called us to tell us it was a PARADE!!!

Can you believe that? She said there were horses and Shriners in go-karts and all that. What stinkin' timing!

Because of the mountains, there are no side streets, we were flat out stuck, and it was obvious we were going to be for some time. Masses of humanity were everywhere. There was no getting through.

So, we parked the van in the school parking lot and went on foot to meet up with Rachel. We ducked into a restaurant to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately, service was SOOOO slow, we didn't get our food until 12:15. Rachel had 15 minutes to eat before she had to go back out on foot and walk back to the convention center.

Rachel's friend Ian went with her. Finally, by that time, the parade had ended and traffic started to clear. Tim hoofed it back to the van and picked us up, and we went on to the convention center.

The ceremony was great. Former President Clinton delivered a very moving address, as did the Student Government President and the Class Representative. Each graduating student was announced with the high school they came from (before they were recruited to ASMSA), the college that they were going to attend, and what they were going to major in. There were 88 students in Rachel's graduating class.

I tried to take a video of Rachel getting her diploma, but the camera pooped just as I started to film it. I started it back up in time to record the words "Grapic Design" (her college major) and film her shaking Dean Hugo's hand, Bill Clinton's hand, and whoever that last dude was, and then off the stage.

We have lot of pictures from after the ceremony and I'll be compiling an album of the videos, and photos from Ginny's graduation and Rachel's two graduations (Rachel walked with her "home" school's class Friday night) in the next few days, and putting them on on the net. Not sure yet if I'll use Shutterfly or Photobucket. I think Photobucket since they can take video files. I'll have to get Rachel to help me with that! Once that's done, I'll get links put up, for those of you who might be interested in seeing it.

Anyway, once we got home, Rachel, her friend Ian, Chelsea and her friend Renae, all went out to the movies. Now, everybody is crashed in various locations throughout the house and with everybody's stuff strewn everywhere this place looks like a frat house.

Cleaning and organizing will come later! Today, I think I will just relax, make some jewelry for and visit with my dear friend Lois, who came to see Rachel graduate. She leaves tomorrow.

I expect Tuesday to return to normal, and will do everything in my power to get back to the torch. I will have just three days before packing up for the next show, Boomtown Days in Joplin, Missouri, next weekend. Life sure is fun! Never a dull moment! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, May 14, 2007

Hi all! I'm just back from a bead show in Oklahoma City and it was quite an experience. It was really interesting when a transformer blew right outside the building Saturday morning. Four hours passed before the power finally came back on.

By then, many of the shoppers had left, finding it very difficult to shop for beads in the dark. But, I was surprised how many people actually stuck around. There are some dedicated beaders out there!

Sunday was Mother's Day, and I presume most of who might've come was probably out with their families. Still, I had a good time, and the highlight of my weekend was meeting the very talented Sarah Moran of Z-beads. I love her work. Her style is so cool and funky and always very colorful. Sarah was a delight to meet and I was almost embarrassed to show her my beads, but she had nothing but encouraging words to say. She also gave me a few tips on working with boro. Thank you, Sarah!

Sales-wise, it wasn't the best weekend, but I am trying to stay positive and keep a good outlook. There's always another show around the corner. I'd like to do one the 1st weekend of June, so I'm looking around.

Next weekend my 5 year old graduates preschool, and then the following weekend, my 18 year old graduates high school! Whew!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Friday, May 4, 2007

Hi all! More new stuff up! Lookie lookie! :)

Thanks to a little good encouragement from my friends Laurie and Vickie, I thought I would try my hand at some sculptural floral beads. Boy, do they open up the realm of possibilities! I've been having a lot of fun. Plus, it's always fun to make floral bicone beads, so I have a few of those, as well.

Meanwhile, life here in the Ozarks has been pretty busy. Ginny turns five years old tomorrow! See her picture at right. Her preschool graduation will be May 19th, and then Rachel will have her high school graduations May 25 - 26. Yes, that's not a typo. "Graduation" is pluralized. Rachel will walk at her "home school" graduation May 25th, and then have the "real" graduation ceremony in Hot Springs, the next day, on the 26th. Plus I have another bead show sneaking up on me in a week, but I do feel well prepared, so that's something...

We think it's finally time to replace my van. It is ten years old, with over 180K miles on it, and repairs on it are coming all too frequently now. I think we've had one or two major repairs a month since the first of the year, and last year alone amounted to close to $3,000 worth in repairs. We had a pulley replaced on it yesterday, and today, we had the speedometer sensor replaced. It's just getting so expensive now. We're going to start car hunting on Monday. Ugh. I am actually not looking forward to that. What a long, drawn out process that is. I would rather sit in my studio and makes beads!

At least the weather is finally turning nice! Woo~hoo! I just flat out love it! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Hi all! New stuff up! :) Here's just a few:

More to come, too!

Next show: Oklahoma Bead Market in Oklahoma City, May 12 & 13, at the fairgrounds! Come see me!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, April 16, 2007

Hi all! I have some good news and some bad news. I'll start with the bad news because any news is better if it doesn't end with a bummer. After some heavy contemplation and lots of thinking, I have decided to cancel, or maybe just postpone, the 2nd Annual Ozark Mountain Bead Retreat. I really hated to do this, but there just weren't enough people signed up and I decided to cut my losses and try again some other time.

When I first queried potential attendees about the retreat, they seemed very gung ho and really seemed interested in attending this event, in spite of the hefty price tag. Well, once I started collecting money most of them decided they really couldn't afford it afterall. I would have been able to offer a greatly reduced price if I could have just rented the ranch's lodge, but when they found out we would have torches running, they didn't want us on the hardwood floors with the torches. I can totally understand that, but that meant I would also have to rent the large 4,000 square foot building because it had concrete floors. The cost to rent this building would have run me and additional two grand if I rented it for the whole weekend, so I was trying to divy that fee up among the attendees and it just wasn't going to work. It simply raised the price of coming to the retreat too high.

It is really too late to try to find another location, so I have postponed the retreat for now. I will try to find another venue and then try to schedule the retreat at a time that would be most beneficial to the attendees. If you were one of those planning to come to this event, I am really very sorry.

OK, so on to the good news! I have just returned from another successful show in Memphis, at the Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show. If you missed this event, here are a couple pictures of my booth to show you what you missed! :)

I love the way my booth has evolved over the years! It was great to see so many familiar faces as all my regular customers came to visit me. It was a special treat to see Margaret W., my "fish lady". She has been collecting my lampwork fishies now for, what, three years? She loves her little "school" of fish and every time she comes, she brings her collection with her, and she selects a few more to add to her collection. She is planning to make a necklace with them all someday, and I cannot wait to see it when it is finished! Margaret is so sweet! She just tickles me, the way she SO happily and proudly shows all her fishies to anyone that happens to stop by my booth. She admitted to me that she collects just my fish and no one else's, and it was all because of their little red lips. She loves them! I love that she loves them so much! Margaret, you really made my day! :)

I also had a great time visiting with my good friend Chris! She lets me stay at her house with her and her awesome critters, Bella, Camile, Lenox, Puck and Simone, three dogs and two cats. I think Simone is my favorite. She is so sweet, the way she sits up on her hind end like a rabbit and looks at me. Camile, one of the dogs, is just a total sweetheart, and Lenox just wants to PLAY! They are all so adorable and lovable and I thoroughly enjoy visiting with all of them.

Chris also helps me work my booth, which is a godsend, let me tell you. I really appreciate having her there to help me. She is such a great friend! I am so lucky! :) Now, we're talking about going to Bead and Button together in 2008.

I already cannot wait until the next show in Memphis, which will be in July, and then there will be another one in October. After that, Beadfest is coming to Memphis in November, and I'm thinking about doing that one, too!

Anyway, I have a lot of paperwork to do today, plus update this site with LOTSA new goodies, so be sure to check them out! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, April 8, 2007again!

Hi all! New stuff up! :)

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Hi all! Happy Easter to all who celebrate ~ and Happy Passover too! My hubby and I have a "mixed faith" marriage. I am Jewish and he is Christian, although neither of us are very religious in the sense that we go to synagogue or church or anything, we are both spiritual people.

We celebrate all of the traditional holidays, both Jewish and Christian. Today I'll be fixing up a big ham dinner for Easter, and last Monday night, the first night of Passover I made a traditional Passover Seder dinner, with matzah, matzah ball soup, baked chicken, steamed green beans and my daughter, Chelsea, made the dessert - a honey cake. This year was different though, because I even made my own homemade matzah! I'd never done that before.

We live in an area with few to no Jews, so the stores around here don't sell any Passover supplies. What a contrast to when I lived in South Florida and I would find an entire aisle devoted to Passover goods in my favorite Publix grocery store.

Last year I just happened to be in Memphis for a show just before Passover, and I was fortunate to have found the "mother lode" of Passover supplies in a Memphis grocery store. Two whole aisles plus both sides of a center aisle devoted to this holiday ~ I was very impressed. Turns out the store was located right near a Jewish community center, which explained the vast selection. This year my mother had offered to send me some Passover goods from Tampa, but she fell in the shower a couple of weeks ago and has been pretty much in bed recovering ever since.

That's when she suggested I "google" a recipe for Passover matzah, and I thought it was a good idea. Sure enough ~ there was one! The matzah tasted more like pie crust (which wasn't a bad thing) than matzah, so we enjoyed it. And, when I told my Jewish aunt that I had made matzah, she said she was "really impressed." I don't think I've started a new tradition, however, I really missed having the traditional box of matzah in the house this year... So next year, I'll find some way to get some shipped to me.

Our weather has been really crazy so far this month. Most of March was warm, and then here comes April with very cold temps and even SNOW the other night! We had already started our garden and everything out there bit the dust, even though we tried to keep everything from freezing. We will have to start over, as soon the weather gets warm again. I think starting tomorrow, it will start to warm up again.

Bead-wise, I tried ebay again, and my first set that I sold there, the Tropical Punch set, attracted a lot of attention and sold for $118.00. I thought, WOW, and tried again with another spectacular set, Plasma, but it didn't get even one bid. I don't know why. Guess I was the only one that thought it was spectacular. LOL. I had shown the set at my local beading group meeting, and Angela, one of the ladies there said they were much prettier in person, and I had suggested to her that she post a comment like that on the auction page, but she probably just forgot.

Then, the person who bought the Tropical Punch set decided she didn't want them after all, and has decided to return them... sigh!

OK, so ebay isn't going so well for me after all, so I think I'll give it a few weeks before trying again. Besides, I've got another show to get ready for in Memphis, which is next weekend. Planning to come to the Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show? Stop by and say hi! :)

Hugs! ~Debby

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Hi all! New auctions up! Check these out! :)

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Hi all! Just listed four supreme new goodies in What's New! Yummy yummy!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Hi all! I have new goodies, new goodies, new goodies!!! And, I have to tell you, I am REALLY excited about this set right here:

I called these "Tropical Punch" and I listed them on ebay. It's been just too long since I've been on ebay, I thought it was time to dust off my account there.

This set took weeks to complete, and I'm finally happy with the collection. I made them to match this really pretty gift bag I have. Doncha just love 'em? I know I do! :)

I do have several other goodies I just listed tonight, too, all on Just Beads. Here are some sneak peeks:

Well, that's all for now, folks!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Hi all! Well, it's starting to look like spring here! I snapped this picture yesterday of my little baby peach tree, all full of blossoms already! Isn't she pretty? I love the color!

I've been so spring-inspired lately and it has been showing in my work. I have a lot of spring sets newly listed on Just Beads and I just now finished putting some exciting new beads in the What's New department. Have fun looking!

Thursday, I get to go play with a glass buddy of mine, Anita, in Ft. Smith. We will have fun. We are thinking of gathering some local lampworkers together to see if we can get a big name teacher to come to us for a class. I sure hope we get the ball rolling on this!

Have a great week! Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Hi all! I'm pretty dog gone tired, but wanted to post a quick message. I did the Tangled Thread and Needlework show yesterday and had a great time (next one's in April). I got to hang with glass buddies Vickie Warburton and Anita Messer. We did some demos and generally had fun. Plus, I made enough money to send off to some of the various upcoming shows I plan to do this year, for booth rent. I don't get to see a penny of it... and so it goes! LOL!

I know a lot of you people out there are thinking all of us lampworkers are getting rich selling all our pretty beads for big money. Just not true! Well, maybe a few, like Kim Nealy (and boy is her work AMAZING, and soooo worth every penny!) It's amazing how many people take up lampworking only to discover the sad truth and move on to something else. Well, not me. I don't do it for the money (what money???), I do it for the pure joy of melting glass and seeing what amazing things can be done with this incredibly amazing art form.

Yes, folks, I am in love.... and I plan to stay that way...

HUGS!!! ~Debby

Friday, March 2, 2007

Hi all! Just a quick note to say that I've just put up several new items on Just Beads and in my What's New department! Take a look at some of my favorites! :)

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Hi all! I just wanted to remind everyone that our 2nd Annual Ozark Mountain Bead Retreat is just around the corner! If you have not registered yet, you may want to do take a few moments to do so, now. The registration form can be found here, for your convenience. I forgot to mention that I do accept credit cards and paypal, so if you'd like to pay for your registration that way, please let me know and I will either send you a paypal invoice or call you for your credit card information. I am trying to make the process as easy as possible for everyone.

Classes are expected to fill up quickly. The registration fee will include a $20 late fee if registering after April 15, so please don't delay! :) This is going to be a terrific, memorable, fun-filled event!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Hi all! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope all is well with you... You may have noticed a decrease of lovely beadies from me, and well, I have a good excuse. Actually, two good excuses. First, I had to get my taxes done, and then, *boom* as soon as they were, almost everyone in my family got sick. Today is the first day in almost a week that I'm actually feeling normal again, but lil' Ginny is still not up to par. Poor kid. She has missed school all week. I don't think she'll be ready to go back until Friday or Monday...

I do have two sets to go up on Just Beads that I made just before I got sick, and have not had enough energy to take them out to the shop to take pictures. Besides, it's cold out there. Anyway, I expect to get the photos taken tomorrow, so I bet I get 'em up by tomorrow night... We shall see...

Meanwhile, I have some exciting news! My 18 year old daughter, Rachel, called me last night to tell me that former President Bill Clinton will be her guest speaker at her graduation! Rachel is a senior at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs, (ASMSA) Arkansas. It is a college-prep school that recruits high school kids from all over the state. ASMSA's program is just two years, 11th and 12th grades.

President Clinton grew up in Hot Springs, and ASMSA is sort of his "baby", but this is the first time the school has been able to get President Clinton to come address the graduates. We are all very, very excited! It is exciting enough that Rachel is going to be graduating from this prestigious school, but THIS is the icing on the cake!

We are all so proud of Rachel! :)

Hugs ~ Rachel's Proud Momma

Monday, February 5, 2007

Hi all! Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while... No, I have not dropped off the face of the earth. I have been doing my taxes! Need I say more? UGH!!!!

Oh, I just thought of something neat... Chris had some fan pulls in her house that I loved. I decided to make some for mine! I discovered that my 1/8" mandrels work perfectly for this ~ the beads just slip right on over the ball chain. I love this!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Hi all! I'm back from Memphis! Woo! What a weekend! SOOOO glad to be home! I got home late Sunday night, and I've been one tuckered momma ever since!

First of all ~ the van broke down on the way to Memphis. There I am, 45 minutes east of Little Rock, in the middle of nowhere when I noticed black smoke billowing out behind me. I immediately checked the temperature gauge and saw that it was rising quickly. I pulled over to the side of the road and called my road side service.

They towed the van back to Little Rock to a Pep Boys auto service shop. I was told it would probably be Saturday sometime before they could even look at it, and it was guessed that it was the water pump that went out.

So, I had Enterprise come get me, and I went about renting a vehicle. All that they could offer me was a cargo van. Ugh! I had no other choice and signed their forms. Then, they tell me the van is not even there and that they would take me over to the airport to pick it up.

We finally get there, and the van is brand spanking new, with 14 miles on it, and NO gas in the tank. The first thing I had to do was put some gas in it, and I pumped 35 dollars worth into it. Driving it, I already hated it, and was dreading taking it to Memphis, but we do what we gotta do, ya know?

The van had no cruise control and no CD player, not even a cassette player and the pedals are obviously made for people with big feet and my foot was up off the floor and my leg was cramping up. So I started to think I'm gonna need a block of wood or something just so I can drive the thing to Memphis.

I finally get back to Pep Boys to transfer all my show stuff from my broken down van into the cargo van. They tell me my van is down in bay #10 and I drive down there. The mechanic comes out and tells me,
"Ummm... I think I'm gonna be done with this in about an hour."

I said, "You're kidding me!" and he said he really thought it would be done. I asked him, "Don't you still have to do the compression test to make sure I didn't blow the head gasket when it overheated?" And he said yes, but he thought it would be OK.

I decided to drive the cargo van back over to Enterprise, calling them to tell them I was on my way. Then, I called Tim, and he said, "You don't think you're putting the cart before the horse, do you?" Meaning that if I return the vehicle and find that the van really isn't fixed, I'll be SOL, with no transportation to Memphis.
So, I decided to wait at Enterprise until the mechanic called me to tell me that the van was, indeed, running just fine.

Once I received that call, I went ahead and returned the van. They charged me $88 between the rental and the insurance for the day, but I got them to take the $35 off for the gas I put in.

Enterprise then drove me back to Pep Boys where my van was waiting for me outside. The last time I was this happy to see it was the day I bought it. After putting another $475 charge on my credit card for the repair, I was finally on my way.

By the time I finally passed the spot where I had originally broken down, six hours had passed. The van behaved perfectly the rest of the way, and all the way home Sunday night.

The show went well, and I'm happy with the number of sales. My friend, Chris, and I had a great time at the show, I saw all my old favorite customers and I did a little shopping, too. Not much. I only spent $105 and trust me when I tell you, that was exercising a great deal of self-control. I couldda went hogwild, easy.

Anyway, it's great to be home ~ and I'm already looking forward to Memphis in April. Chris and I got to talking, though, and we're thinking of Tucson, next year, instead of the Memphis show in January. Finally going to Tucson would be really awesome! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Hi all! Just a quickie to let you know I just put up even more new goodies! It's the mother-lode, LOL!

In about twelve hours, I will be leaving for Memphis, and I am so psyched I can hardly stand it! :) I am really excited about the new look of my booth and even more excited about all the goodies I will be offering up for sale. Not just mine, either, as my good friend and talented artist, Mary Foster, came by today to drop off all her goodies that I will selling out of my booth for her. She is amazing with her dichro fuse work, it just blows me away. If you were to see it, you would be blown away, too. Maybe I'll get a chance to snag a few pictures before her goodies fly out of the booth. I would love for you to see how magical Mary makes the dichro looks. I am not kidding, she makes it sing!

Well, nitey nite! Hope to see you in Memphis! If you received a postcard from me, be sure to bring it for a couple bucks off your admission! :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Hi all! More New goodies up! :) Just six days until the Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show in Memphis! Woo~hoo! I am so excited, I can hardly stand it! Oh, and thanks to Vicki B. for being such a great customer ~ you've really stuck by me, and I can't thank you enough! Enjoy your goodies :)

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Hi all! New goodies up! :)

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Hi all! I'm in "get-ready-for-Memphis" mode and so there are five new bead sets up now in my What's New department. If you were to ask me which set was my favorite, that would be a hard question to answer, so don't ask, OK? LOL...

I like to try and get everything I make for a show up on the site but sometimes that is next to impossible but I'm really giving it an effort this time. I decided not to list the sets on Just Beads because it's just too close to time... The show is two weeks from today.

I am excited about the show, though. I have updated my booth by adding some gridwalls that will add height, space, and appeal to my booth, which is the only way to expand my booth space without spending more money on table rental. It reminds me of when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale. Everywhere there was new construction, they would just make buildings taller than the ones that stood there previously. That is because the city is landlocked by the Everglades to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, West Palm Beach to the north and Miami to the south. There is very little land left available to do much of anything. So up! UP is the way to go! :) Gotta love progress, I guess.... :)

Anyway, if you're anywhere near Memphis the weekend of January 27-28, you should stop by the