I know it's only been two days, but ...

After many, many moons of internal discussions about whether or not to sell my beads I opened my Etsy store.  You can see it there in my side bar with all of my pretty beads and pendants.  I guess I was hoping for a grand opening sale or two.  Am I crazy to be a little down that I haven't had even one sale?  Are my beads too expensive?  I know that I need to work on my photography, but in looking at other shops mine isn't horrible.  Do I need to describe things differently?  More "artistically" name my beads?  Is it the economy or are my beads just not good enough to sell?  A word or two of advice from some of my readers that have shops would be a big help.  Words of encouragement wouldn't hurt either.  Just sayin.  I will surely thank you and appreciate your support.

My Son the Artist

My son Steven is quite the talented potter.

 


Just look at this lovely tea pot that he has designed.  It really is amazing (not to mention, dishwasher and microwave safe).  It holds approximately 3 cups of water.

The pot is glazed in the most amazing blues and seafoam greens.  It's lovely and available for purchase by clicking on the handy-dandy "buy it now" button you see here.  All proceeds with go to help him with his education.  He just started his second year of college today.  I am very proud!!!

Shop Do Be Do Bead Do

I'm thrilled to announce that Do Be Do Bead Do beads and pendants are now available for purchase on etsy.  Please see the link to my store at my side bar.  I will continue to list items daily in my shop.  Please send me a message, either here or at my shop if there is something that you would like to see.  Wish me luck!!!

To Be Do Be Do Bead Do

"Instead of spending your time analyzing your current position and planning your future, it's time to get out and do the exciting things you have been dreaming about."

My horoscope for today couldn't be more on point.  Please come back on Monday for my special Grand Opening.  I have to thank Lori Anderson and Lisa Crone (and you, my faithful readers) for inspiring me to follow my dreams.

To be is to do ~ Socrates 

To do is to be ~ Sartre

Do be do be do ~ Sinatra

Do be do bead do ~ Sandi 

To my friends on the east coast, please batten down the hatches and stay safe.  G*d bless you all.

More than just beads ...

Pendants, too.  One of my favorite things to do with polymer and part of the reason that I love it so, is mix it with stones to create pendants.  Polymer is such a wonderful medium, it can do just about anything, be just about anything you can imagine it to be.  Maybe polymer and I found each other just because of that.  Growing up those are the words that I heard so often: "you can be anything you want to be, anything you can imagine."  What I want most of all is to bring my beads to designers across the world.  I'm so close that I can feel my dream coming true.  For now, dear readers, what I can say is that I will begin to post beads for sale here on my blog.  Until I get the whole "store" thing figured out.  If there is interest, send me a message and we will work out the details of payment and shipping.  Look Mom, my dreams are coming true. 

Ingredients and Inspiration

My bead soup ingredients arrived on my doorstep late last week.  I kept them to myself for a couple of days, but really, how fair is that?  Take a look at the wonderful lampwork that Marianna sent my way.  And that pendant, it's ceramic and amazing.  She also included a three-strand (!) clasp, a cute little pewter birdy, a wonderful silver connector and some lovely glass, crystal, stones and pearls.  My photography skills leave a bit to be desired, but I'm working on that and will be much improved (or will have my son take the pictures) in time for the big party on the 17th. 

The minute I saw these lovelies, a design idea started brewing in my head.  A design much more intricate and involved than any I'd made before.  That's the beauty of this party, to stretch our limits and get us thinking outside of our little creative boxes.  For me, this party will do just that.  Inspire me to stretch my design wings.

Speaking of inspiration, I'm sure all of you are familiar with Lisa Crone, author of "A Bead in Time" and one of my favorite blogs, A Bead A Day.  Lisa and I emailed back and forth about me being a featured designer on her blog.  The mere idea of being featured on one of my favorite blogs is a dream come true.  Well, go over here, to see my dream become reality.  Leave a comment for a chance to win, too.  Thank you so much, Lisa for the honor of being featured.  I'm thrilled.

Winner, winner chicken dinner

Ok, so no chicken dinner, but yes, WINNER!  Look at these lovely paper beads that I won on Jeannie's blog.  Go check out her designs, they are lovely!!!  Thank you, Jeannie!!!

Soup is on simmer over at Marianna's place

Go on over to my partner, Marianna's blog to see the ingredients that I sent her for the party.  I simply can't wait to see what she makes with what I've sent her way.  In the meantime, head over here to read her post about what I sent.  Stay tuned for a sneak of what I receive from Marianna, to come just as soon as the mail cooperates.

And now a word from our sponsors

These are pictures of my sons, Jonathan Stewart, 20, (top) in photos taken this past weekend while he, along with his brother Steven Benjamin, 18 (seen below), were visiting their Aunt Marcy and Uncle Kenji in Seattle.  I couldn't be prouder of my boys.  

They are kind, generous, warm and very supportive of my artistic endeavors.  My heart swells just thinking about them.  I couldn't ask for better sponsors. 

Secret Ingredient

The Bead Soup Block Party hosted by the lovely and talented Lori Anderson is so much fun for so many reasons.  First and foremost for me is meeting new like-minded artists across the globe.  My partner for this round is the super-talented Marianna Boylan who writes the wonderful blog, Pretty Shiny Things.  I promised that I post a teaser shot of the secret ingredient of the soup recipe that I am sending out to her.  This isn't much of a hint, as I have really changed up the pixels and the color, but, I suppose it is still a hint.  I hope you enjoy cooking with the ingredients that I send you, Marianna.  I can't wait to see what comes out of the pot!  Stay tuned to this spot for the big party on September 17th.

Bead Soup Excitement

I was so excited to find out that my swap partner for this round of the Bead Soup Block Party is Marianna Boylan of the lovely blog Pretty Shiny Things.  I am in the process of pulling together her soup and will photograph a hint tonight.  Go visit Marianna's great blog and stay tuned to September 17 for the big reveal!