Beads Gone Wild

Venetian Glass Bead Trunk Show

2011-11-12T19:43:00.000-08:00

The Venetian Glass Bead Trunk show we are having at the shop is amazing.. I am so in awe over the new styles of bead that Nicole brought. Thanks to everyone who has come out. Sunday (tomorrow is the last day) I have been working on a double layered netting tonight, while watching Michael Jackson's "this is it". ..and had to take a brake. It is pretty intense. Two layers of netting interwoved between adn around each other. Happily I finally decided on a clasp for the Golden Nepal "a New vision" And now I am also working on some new earrings.. Wish I could post the photos.. but I usually write blogs when I am home and the photos are on the computer at work.. Tomorrow I will post them.

I am getting excited to take a few days off with Erkki. I am driving up to Tallahassee and then we will spend a few days in Destin. The end of the year will be here in no time now.. Well back to my earrings, netting and Michael.

Yikees time does go by...

2011-11-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

Looking at my office right now I keep wondering how I get further and further behind when I keep working longer and harder.. wondering if I shoud work less... and easier? I saw last time I wrote here was Bead and Button show.. Well I do believe that's when I started getting behind. Takes alot of work to get ready for shows.. Since then we've had Texas Beadfest, and a couple of local shows..

Now we are submitting for Bead fest Philly, and we got 4 classes going on in Bead and Button for next year... and we have planned a cruise and a trip to Italy and tomorrow is a great Venitian Glass bead trunk show... During this time I also got Erkki off to college.. He is having fun and enjoying his theatre program. So if you get a chance, check out the cruise, and Italy trip with Maggie Meister.

Come on down to the venetian glass bead trunk show... and check out our new classes and guest teacher classes...

Luna Lights

2011-06-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Bead and button show in Milwaukee. It was first very hot... then 3 days of very cold. Strange. We had tons of fun! Taught 4 classes and I was really amazed by the students.

For shopping it took me a full 2 hours just to get down the 1st isle. "Luna Lights", Liisa's very beautiful new embroidered necklace/kit, was the talk of the show! Met lots of new friends and met up with old friends. Bead and Button really do put on a good production.

Last Day of school!

2011-05-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Ok here it is... Last day of High School for Erkki! No more driving back and forth every day.
Now I have more time to bead, and sadly less time to talk to him in the daily drives.. He will be going to FSU in the fall. I will probably get to have some 6 hour drives there though.:).
If you can make it to his ope house graduation and birthday party sunday mary 29th, stop on by the shop. It will be from 1:00-5:00.
Have a great night. Now I am going to finish this beautiful micro macrame sample I am making!

Graduation soon! Bead and Button Show

2011-05-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

Bead and button show is approaching quickly and we are busy making more kits. And Erkki will be graduating from High School in about a week. I will be at project graduation... from 11:00 pm till 5:30 Am with the seniors. It is an event that goes all night long. We are locked in and have lots of fun things to do. I will be doing the jewelry making event. Should be great fun! His graduation open house will be here at the store on May 29th from 1-5:00. Please feel free to stop in and grab some food and say hi. We have been really happy with the new choora bracelet. Everyone has been making some fab... color combos. It is so beautiful. The stranded is also a fun new wrap around bracelet, and just new on the books... is Emerald city. Have a great day everyone!

Tis the Season

2010-11-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well we are in full swing with the Florida season. It is so great to see our friends from the North.
Hard to believe that it is only a few days from Thanksgiving with the New year right around the cornor. I am in Chicago right now. Erkki and I made a trip here after his Elon college audition. The city is so busy and holiday decorations all over. It is fun to walk past all the shop windows. We got to see Billy Elliot. It was great. Such a talented young actor. And we ate stuffed pizza at Giordano's. It was cold for 2 days, but today it was in the 60's. Lets see what the rest of the week brings. I will be back in time for Crystal Creations after Thanksgiving day sale... Then it will be time to get ready for the cruise. That should be fun. The 22 new dura coat delica's are in.. and you may want to check out our newest kits., Northern Lights, Carnival, and Twilight.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Guest Teachers and other things

2010-07-29T17:56:00.000-07:00

I was talking to someone the other day and we got on the subject of guest teachers.. This particular person was pretty surprised at how the whole guest teacher thing works. So I thought I would share with everyone.

We usually select guest teachers who are known to be very skilled in design and teaching, with a proven track record. However since we are always on the look out for new talent we do invite some newer teachers, if I have meet with them and/ or they have recommendations.

Most of the time the guest teacher projects are geared towards the intermediate beader. Meaning the student has a working knowledge of the basic beadweaving stitches, and has completed projects using the stitches. These classes are not intended to "learn how to Bead". They are for the learning experience of studying under a master bead artist. The project being made is a bonus.

Their projects are beads that come to life by using stitches, combining stitches, and creating new stitches.

When teachers come to teach at Crystal Creations Bead Institute, we provide their transportation, their hotel, their food, and all cost involved plus a teaching fee. Some teachers like to bring kits, others don't want to get in to the bead selling business. (It can be pretty costly investing in huge inventory of beads so that you have enough colors and kits to sell)

With or without kits teachers always have a supply list and we make every effort to get in as many color options as possible so people taking the class can get their supplies at the shop and not have to hunt them down all over the place.

Personally I like to respect the guest teacher’s artistic color choices and therefore am not keen on picking out their exact colors etc.. Especially if they sell kits.
I will not go out of my way to try and recreate their exact color wave because I feel that is their trade secret.

Almost every teacher I know, including us, have their designs copyrighted.
That means a student is not allowed to copy the instructions, to teach other people the design, to share the instructions, or the make the piece and sell it in shows, stores, or send it into competitions or magazines for publication. I know for alot of customers they feel like "whats the big deal? " I download movies, or copy my fiends cd’s... etc.. that's not right either. I know the teacher’s personally and I know how hard they work for their business. I stand up for their rights them in every way possible. We want more people to be able to share with us.

So, taking a guest teacher class can be an extremely rewarding experience if you go in to it with an attitude of learning new ways to create with these things called beads. I also love meeting up with teachers who come to us from other parts of the country with fresh new ideas. It’s like waiting for the wells fargo wagon...
Thanks to all and Hope to see you soon... Glenda

New Classes

2010-05-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so here it is 11:49 on Monday night. Of course I feel like it is Sunday because of Memorial Day. I know tomorrow is going to be a little tough. Shorted a day a work.. and yet at home I was given an extra day. Did some cleaning. I am almost finished with my Diane Fitzgerald Starfish too! I probably would have finished it but I had lost my instructions.. and then found another set but that didn't have any markings on it so it took me quite some time to figure what row i was on. The count down is on for Bead and Button. At this point I need to take anything else we need in our suitcases. I was hoping to see something at the REP theater there but it looks like nothing is going on at this time. That's too bad. One year Erkki and I saw "The Nerd" It was so funny I had makeup running down my face... and last year Liisa and I saw "Shampoo" Which was also Really funny. Actually now I am wondering if that was the real name of it. Well it was an audience participation murder mystery... had several endings.. 3 more days of school.. hard to believe that Erkki's junior year is over. Ill put some of the new classes up here, as well as my starfish as soon as it is done.. Have a great week. Glenda

New Guest teachers

2010-05-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

We finally changed the front page photo... I still have the dogs (greyhounds) Linkin and Lilly, and I still have my son Erkki who actually will be 17 tomorrow. Everyone was saying his photo is so outdated... and many people didn't realize that Liisa our head designer is actually my daughter.
We will have to take some new photos of the dogs and put them on the staff page as welcoming committee. And get my son there as packer, and Jaani, Liisa's husband who is our computer and internet guru. Though he said he will use his same silhouette photo that he has on facebook.

We have been getting ready for our Bead and Button teaching jig.. If you are going be sure to look us up. Consider taking one of our classes! Find us at meet the teacher night.

I just posted the classes that Jean Campbell will be teaching. She will be here Nov 12, 13, 14th 2010. Above is one of her classes. Check out all the guest teachers.. We have some great ones!

Go to Facebook.. and look us up ..Crystal Creations Bead Institute

Make it a super week.

Home From Bali!

2010-04-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well it certainly was an exciting 12 days. The trip there was about 37 hours all together. The longest being a 14 hour stretch on EVA air. But I was middle class so the seat reclined and other than the guy next to me coughing all the time it was very pleasant. The layover in Taiwan was fun. All the shops were manned by young kids in suits, black with pink shirts. Very high tech looking and professional. Arriving to Denspar was hot.. the air port was hot and there was my first real exposure to Bali. Lots of fast driving cars.. tons of scooters. Mothers with high heels and kids on scooters, and 3 people piled on with no shoes. The scooters drove really fast too and even when it rained they still drove fast. I asked on driver how come I never see anyone walking on the streets.. he said it is cuz they scoot everywhere. The hotel was considered a 5 star in Bali. It was really a beautiful resort with lots of old Indonesian charm and charter. The registration was open air, and there were many lush gardens and the ocean. I had a Balinese massage to start the time off. Monday started the 6 day "Date With Destiny" program with Tony Robbins. 800 people were there and it was fantastic. Long days. Most nights we got back to the hotel about 12:30. In fact the day after the event I was going on a tour and forgot something in my room. When I went to get it I realized that something was different.. I had not gone to my room in the day time up till that point. For 2 days after the event I was able to see some of the Bali lifestyle.
Went to the market.. Where you need to offer 1/3 of whatever the item is marked. Had the privilege of visiting several bathrooms. OMG Pay for the toilet, ( I have a feeling any guy puts a box there and charges you) and you have to pay more for paper. The toilet usually doesn't flush and there is a bucket of water there for you to pour some into the toilet. And the floor is usually very wet from people spraying water around. I saw a sign in the airport that said.. This toilet is free. And then there was a sign in another bathroom showing how you are supposed to sit on the toilet not squat on it. In some of the department stores again I saw a huge amount of young workers in uniforms.. A driver told me they get about 120 per month to work full time.
I had lunch in a mountain resort overlooking the rice fields.. and it rained so beautifully.
All in all in all... I had a great time.. and I am really happy to be living in a place where you can count on a reasonable bathroom (other than the occasional gas station), and where you drink bottled water for fun rather than it being a must. The Bali people that I met were very sweet and soft spoken. Tony was outstanding... and I think EVA air was great though I never want to fly American Airlines again. Ill post photos as soon as I can get them off the camera.

Leaving tomorrow for Bali!

2010-04-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Got back from the North Carolina College tour trip with Erkki. Looked at North Carolina School of the Arts, and Elon. Tried to go see a few bead shops.. Managed to see 4, and the rest that I tried to see apparently went out of business. That is always so sad. The 4 I did visit were nice, though one of them said they were closing end of april.
We found a Whole foods that was really great. So we ate breakfast there every morning. As an added bonus there was a unique clothing store right next to it. I thought it looked like some style I would like. As I was shopping I realized... I can buy some new clothes for bali.. here. And I did!
The weather was totally perfect spring time weather, and we got to see performances at both schools. ANd on the last night there was a biker convention at the hotel were we ate so we got to listen to that all night..

So I have loaded my Ipod with lots of tapes..got a new one. When we went into the Apple store it was crowded.. I really should have bought stock years ago when I was in Chicago and realized that this apple store was totally jumping...and they are still jumping. It was a great buying experience. A young guy.. helped me and then pulled out his I Phone. I thought great now he's gonna start texting or something. Well the I Phone actually turned out to be a scanner, then a credit card machine, and then I signed my name with my finger. Totally fun experience.

But then I went to the shoe store to find some sort of sandels to wear with my new linen pants, and there I got to listen to the 2 sales people talk about how big their butts are, and how her husbands' mother needs to get a life, and so on and so forth. They actually talked a lady out of a pair of shoes... and me too espically when she called me Hon. At the end of it all she told me I could go on line and rate my experience.. Oh I will....

So I have my books on tape, first aid supplies, sun screen, shots, shoes, map of LAX air port, passport, camera, plug adaptors, & a new outfit, and I am ready for my 37 hours of travel..

Stand by for some some photos.

till we talk again.. gp

Bali Trip, Gemstone Sale,

2010-03-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

Went for my annual physical the other day and am very happy to report that Dr. said everything looks great. Cholesterol, even though it was low to begin with, went down.. and fasting sugar, liver functions, thyroid, and everything else on the profile was great. I even lost some weight..
All in all very happy. We talked about what shots I might need for my trip to Bali.
Did I tell you I am going to Bali? I am going for the Date with Destiny event with Tony Robbins. I decided this year I will do the Master program. Full force.

The gemstone sale is making lots of people very happy!. Still lots of beauties left so come on in. Going to visit 2 colleges during spring break. Both in NC. Erkki has been taking driving lessons, and studying acting with Michael Haney. Liisa's working on a great new design.. and Jaani still refuses to put his photo on his facebook page. Till we talk again.. gp

Gemstone Sale

2010-03-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

If you been looking at some of the gemstones in the cases, now is the time to stop in and claim them. Its our spring sale and they are 35% off. Sale starts Friday and continues till march 31st 2010.
Just recently got back from a Tony Robbins event. Unleash the power within. Went with Liisa, her husband Jaani and Erkki. It was great! He delivers a great product.
3500 people were there and We all walked on Fire. Well hot burning coals...Now I can add that to my fire eating and breaking boards with my bare hands.
I have been cooking more and more food at home now because I am totally fed up with not being able to find healthy vegatarian food anywhere around here except, Field of Greens, and Whole Foods.. If anyone knows of any other vegatarian or raw food restraunts let me know please!
In Feb I went to Tucson.. Though we have put out some of the goodies that I bought there we still have more to process so be on the look out for that. Tucson was great, there was a great vegan restraunt there that I went to every night.

So till we meet again. Dream Imagine Create!

Getting Better all the time!

2010-01-28T18:03:00.000-08:00

Well a little better anyways.. writing blogs I mean. So I have a really great tip for people who, like me, wash a dish at a time rather than putting them in the dishwasher. Not that I was "one" dish at a time.. but I use a dish, leave it out.. then when I need to use it again I have to wash it.. I used to squirt a bit of dish soap out and clean it, but it was bother me because all the soaps are "ultra" concentrated now and I am sure I am using too much. I got a sprayer bottle and made a dish soap mixture. Now when I use the dish... I spray the dish soap mixture on it and easy as pie... it is ready to brush a bit and rinse.. I love my little idea.
I feel like I have finally recovered from the Holiday rush, the big sale, and inventory etc... Now to get ready for Tucson. During January we were fortunate enough to have a couple of great bead teachers. Huib Petersen and Met Immon. I learned from met how to properly stretch your beading thread, and that fireline can be colored by using your inkjet color cartridge. We made some great little shoes, and a beautiful right angle we necklace. Met had us working on the Egyptian wave bracelet, and crystal triad. Very interesting. Not constructed at all the way I thought. We learned how many times each thread size passes thru different beads.
Cynthia Rutledge, Melanie Potter are coming up.. a couple of the classes are sold out already so if you are interested don't delay. Happy beading everyone.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!... I have to say I think I am more excited about 2010 than I have been about any other year. Not that 2009 was bad. I actually had and accomplished alot of goals and had fun. I think it just got so crazy at the end of the year with sales, and my final pushes to clear out clutter, and then do inventory that I just feel tired and ready to put that behind and start anew. The end of year sale went great, thanks to all of you that attended. And a special thanks to those of you who showed up every day. I hope everyone had a great holiday time with friends and family. Liisa and Jaani come over for Christmas. We played on the Wii that I got myself for my birthday, and we ate little pizza's for lunch. Use some really healthy and hearty english muffins, made from sprouted grains. They tasted a little too healthy. For dinner we went all out with homemade potatoe soup. Simple. Well Liisa and Jaani might have had to stop and get pizza on the way home. It was a fun day till we started playing monoply on the wii. OMG it started dragging. Get money buy things, owe money and have to sell... Liisa, Jaani and I were all trying to escape but Erkki wouldn't let us go bankrupt so we made some crazy selling deals to get out of the game..It was funny. So now the new year starts... We have several new beading classes we are working on, and I am excited to have time to work on that.. Have a safe and happy year. Glenda

In the state Capital

2009-11-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

Erkki and I came to visit FSU on this thanksgiving break. I am surprized at the different landscape. Tallahassee has lots of Hills, and lots of trees. I see why they call it the Other Florida.

Shocked

2009-10-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am really shocked that it has been so long since I last wrote.. Somehow I feel like I write much more than I actually do... Guess it is just done in my mind.
Last time was after Bead and Button Show.. Just found out that we (Liisa and I ) have been choosen to teach 5 classes there for 2010. Pretty cool... Liisa and Jaani just got back from their vacation to Finland.. Happy to have them back. Linkin has been up to his usual tricks..trouble.. and I hear him running outside now.. Sounds like a herd of horses.. Erkki has been intent on fine tuning his acting, singing, and dancing. Taking lessons at the Craig Wich Studio in Jupiter. Working with a college coach and sunday will start a SAT coach. Plus he puts in 10 hours a week work.. I just saw that Tony Robbins is going to be in Chicago.. OH... my two favortie things outside of beading.. I would love to go.. but then I'd have to do a fire walk and I am afraid.. eating fire and breaking boards is enough for me. But I would really love to go there. I joined the Palm Beach Gardens Kiwanis Club. Very happy. It is a great group and there have been lots of opportunitys for community service. So stop in and see some of the new designs that Liisa and I have created.
Around the block, made of swarovski crystallized elements, and Caught in the net.
I made some really authenic looking christmas tree earrings... I always loved minatures. I am working now on another new design. Liisa's necklace was in the current Bead Style so check that out, and be on the look out for BEAD STAR Magazine.
On a sad note.. Sue will be going back up North so nex Wed the 21 during open bead daynight... from 2-8:00 feel free to stop in to say good bye. We will miss her.

Shannon Hill

2009-06-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

I found out today that Shannon passed away on June 21, 2009. I saw this on his web site.

October 29, 1968-June 21, 2009

Shannon's great talent will live on in his beautiful glass work; his love of glass will live on in his students; his heart and soul will live on in his children, family, and friends. We are better for having had him in our lives. Until next time, Obiwan.

The Shannon Hill Project will be unveiled at the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) annual Gathering July 20-26, 2009, in Miami , Florida. The Project is a tribute, and a way for his friends and fellow glass artists to show their appreciation. The Project is a collaborative effort that combines Shannon ’s passion for glass with his love of the sea in the form of an aquarium filled with glass sculptures depicting various ocean creatures and sea life. Many glass artists have graciously agreed to participate in the Project.
go to www.needabead.com for more information.

I am very sad to hear of his passing. I will miss him.

Hello

2009-05-29T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well reading some bits of news on the internet... trying to find out if things are getting better or worse.. Reports in both directions.. So I am going to say they are getting better.. Stock market had best three months since 2007. Well that's a good thing right?
Did you know that you can click on the title link to comment on any blogs? I'd like to hear from you, and to know if anyone is out there.. Hello...anyone there?

Spinach smoothies

2009-05-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

I was surfing the net the other night and came across a raw food site. They showed a green drink smoothie. We tried it and it was very good, I changed it a bit, here is the recipe. 2 ripe bananas, 1 bag of spinach, a touch of agave nectar, ice and some udo's oil. It is very energizing and took away my coffee desire. A couple of years ago... I don't think I could have downed a green drink, but since we have been drinking our wheat grass 2x's a day.. it is growing on me. Oh I didn't tell you about the wheat grass. Well one of the tapes I was listening to said we really need to get more alkaline in our bodies and one of the best ways is green drinks. Wheat grass is pretty strong.. and usually done best when fresh. A little shot.. however the guy at whole foods told if you can't get it fresh then frozen is 2nd best, and freeze dried from wheat grass juice is 3rd best..
On the beading front.. today I mixed 12 hanks of 6/0 and 7/0 into a tub and then packed them in tubes.. only to later realize that I mixed the two sizes.. Urghh......Well the good news is I remembered that I had a pearl sorting cup that I bought in the beginning of my jewelry making career... And I found it right in the drawer in my bench where I had put it.. and it is working perfectly to help me sort the 2 sizes..!!! I love it when I can use something I have been saving for all these years.. The beads are fantastic... we got in 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 2/0, fire polished picasso 3 cut seed beads.. Jaani will get them up on the web site soon.. they really are fun! Have a great weekend

Summer Beading Class Special

2009-05-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well I am sure many of you have gotten the email that we started our summer class special early. Book and pay for two classes and then 2nd is 1/2 price. There are some restrictions, like it doesn't apply to guest teacher classes, but it is such a great offer to all the folks who are here in florida for the summer!
Went last night to Erkki's thespian awards banquet. He won an award "Best thespian" along with 13 or so others from the Dryfoos school. I was sad saying good bye to all the seniors. I have seen them performing for so many years now.
So last time I was telling you about AGAVE nectar. Today I read on MSNBC that it is about 50% fructose. Well they did say that since it is sweeter, you need less so in that hand it might be better. Supposed to have a low glycemic index. But now I am not sure..Urrghhhhhh.....
We were mentioned in Beading Daily today under Editor's Blog as a good source for the Swarovski Crystallized Elements. Crystal Sequins...That was cool..
Liisa, and I sent several items into the Bead Star Competition.. and We also sent in one of Sue's pieces she made from our Silver Icicles Class.. The funny thing is now Liisa's metal piece and Sue's metal piece are up against each other,, I have my pair or earring in the under 25. Go to www.beadstar.com and vote...

I am an action person!

2009-05-05T21:44:00.001-07:00

Can't believe I actually got in with one try this time.. I have been having a real mess trying to remember sign in names, user names, passwords... and so on and so forth. I tried to have some system but then someone is always saying I need to up date and change it.. or I lock myself out and have to change..

Anyways are you proud of me for attempting to keep up with this..
Good news last weekend I cleaned the garage. which wasn't as bad as I thought.. and I also fixed the garage door.. (that's why I had to clean it first so the guy could come and fix it). and I also fixed the fence. I am an action person for 2009..

Got to watch Tony Robbins this Am on Good Morning America. It was fun. Boy he can speak for even 4 minutes and I hear something worth holding on to. Today I heard.. Events can't determine how you feel... Ok

So at the shop.. We are working on several value classes for the summer..so make sure to be on the look out for that. Also just got in some really neat natural pendants, and beads from the Philippines, some fabulous new seed beads..bigger than normal.. up to size 2 with great new color accents, and some are even like mega charlottes. Those of you who have been waiting for 15/O silver charlottes can rest easy now.. they are in.
Remember there are just a few days left to save $15.00 on Joan Babcock class. We are super lucky to have her come and teach her famous amulet purse with micro macrame accent. It's never been taught before..
Make it a great day!

Not a good time if you are a hypochondriac

2009-04-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

Although I like what the CDC says... If you are sick "STAY HOME" Even if it is to buy beads..Hey it's a great time to get familiar with our on line shopping cart. You can find it on the Beadsgonewild web site. Select the shop on line button... then go wild.

Since trying to record Erkki's commercial I have been watching the Marlins's baseball games. I Might become a fan! It's been fun. Not fun for them thought losing their last several games.

Here's something new I discovered.. Agave nectar. It is a sweetener from Cactus. I really like it. We have been using it on our oatmeal, and it is great on plain yogurt. I think it is a healthy alternative.. and I like it better that honey. You probably need to get it at the health food store.

We have taken the "Heavy Metal Band of Beads Class" and made it a 3 hour class and it is now $35.00. That is good news for many people new to metal work. You won't get so tired out and it is a little easier on your wallet.. Check it out. We selected the best 8 beads and so it is a great value and opportunity.

Just in.. Glass Crystal.. There are some really neat sizes, shapes, and colors. The best part is they are very very affordable. And while checking that out be sure to see all the new Klew Beads and Nancy Toby Glass beads, and new sterling silver and stone pendants.

Make it a great weekend
Glenda

Prom

2009-04-19T16:26:00.001-07:00

Erkki went to the Dryfoos School of the Arts Prom last night. Of course he looked very sharp in his tux and Abby (his date) looked beautiful as well. The guest teacher and I went down to city place to wait for their limo and to watch all the other attendees. Lots of beautiful dresses. It was fun..Should get some photos up soon..

Many of you have asked for years to get Joan Babcock to come and teach her macrame and suede pouch...The one I often wear around. So guess what? She will be coming to West Palm Beach, Florida this fall to teach at Crystal Creations Bead Institute. Be sure to watch the web site for exact info on the upcoming class.

We got in the new "Alternative Metals" Copper, Antique Copper, Antique Brass and Black in chain, lobsters, tube clasps, headpins, jump rings, chandalier earring parts, bead caps, and more... Just what you have been waiting for...

Some of you asked how to leave a comment... just click on the word comment and then you can leave one..

Have a great week.. Glenda

Finally Cut

2009-04-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

A new look:
Well It finally happened.. I cut my hair and donate it to Locks of Love... Erkki and I went on a Disney Cruise during spring break and I just couldn't imagine trying to wash my hair in a tiny ship shower.. as it turned out the Disney ship had pretty spacious showers. We had alot of fun and it was picture perfect weather, and since Liisa just cut my braid off I sat in the beauty shop chair on the ship and got it all trimmed up even.. It is now a little below my shoulders ready to grow again.

Erkki:
See Erkki in the new Marlins commercial. If any of you watch baseball... check out the Marlins games and see Erkki in one of their commercials. He is the "kid who was at a game with his dad... not having fun at first and then talking and having fun"
I had to break down and buy cable so we could watch it ourselves...Humm... got a hair cut and subscribed to cable...all in one month..

Dogs:
Linkin had a sore neck last Saturday, and was supposed to be on "crate rest". We were babysitting Liisa's dog, Sunny, and they all started running around,, Lilly nipped at Linkin.. So back we went to the emergency room for Linkin to get his 6th set of stitches/staples.. He loves the Holidays..Christmas Day, Easter, and late nights...and the emergency room loves us..I think I need to learn how to use that staple gun...

Crystal Creations:
We are getting lots of new classes ready for the summer.. this is the time to start thinking about your holiday gifts. Make jewelry, key chains, eye glass holders, bracelets, rings, beaded ornaments etc...You can make something for everyone on your list. How about taking some classes with your work friends!

If you love lampwork beads we are getting some new shipments in from Nancy Toby. The new metal findings, and chains that just arrived are really cool in Antique Brass, bronze, copper and black metal.. FUN!

Well I Hope everyone has a great weekend.. We have a guest teacher Shelly Nybakke
I am really looking forward to some beading fun! Take care

I can't believe it's the end of March

2009-03-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Ugh.... Well I will try again... It only took me 20 minutes to remember my password Well, what has been going on... I forgot to go to Tuscon.. Really.. I was so proud of myself for being really prepared with badges, and hotel... and everything scheduled.. (except we forgot to put it in the datebook)
I keep thinking that it was getting close to the time to go and when I finally sat down to book my flight I realized that I was supposed to leave in 3 days..Well since we didn't write it in the datebook I was booked with classes and my son had 3 performances that I didn't want to miss.. So I didn't go. However I called all the guys I usually see and some new ones... told my story and of course they all sent me stuff... their best most interesting new stuff.... It's like Christmas every time I open a new box.. so be sure to stop in and see all the new lampwork, stone beads, metal findings (in 4 different metals, like copper, brass, bronze and black) Glass beads, new crystal colors, and tons of new clasps, pendants are on their way and of course we got all the new permanent finish seed beads. Lots and lots of new items!

We have added several new classes Golden Nepal, Vivian's slide, Champagne Bubbles, and Kumihimo Fibers. We have also put several kits up on the web site for all the out of town folks. Today we got an order from Thailand and Sweden.

I have been experimenting with the computer pattern program "Beater's Canvas", It is really amazing. You can take any photo and turn it into a pattern, (peyote, brick, loom, right angle weave, etc) and it will give you all of the bead colors..and step by step graphs. Even more fun is picking out small areas of the photo and getting a tile pattern..

I am getting ready to donate my hair.. probably within this week.. time to let it go..

Thank you for coming in, sharing with us and showing us the creative work you've been doing, and for allowing us to serve you. Have a great week! Glenda

New Year New Year!

2009-01-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a happy holiday season. I was going to go to Chicago but it was too cold and snowy... so instead we spent the time just doing things around town and inventory. The computer system was supposed to make it easier.. I am not convinced of that yet. I believe in one of my last blogs I said my whole life was beads.. well I have since discovered that I am really a taxi driver in disguise. I drive my son to Guys and Dolls rehersal 3x's a week... It's really 2 guys and all the rest dolls.. Erkki is Sky Masterson. The performance is at the JCC on Feb. 5th, 6th, and 8th...they really need to spread the word so lets get some peoplefor the audience. I also recently spend the day at the South Florida fair with Erkki and his 2 friends who created the band NAFF.. and they won (tied) First place at the "battle of the bands" Pretty interesting since he just started playing the drums about 4 months ago.. The performance was great and there is a video of it on his facebook page. He has an interniship with the Palm Beach Opera, so we go there sometimes 2-3 times a week. And he was doing 3 performances for the district thespian competition. One "Dirt" was a large group musical that he was in and directed, it won a superior, and then he was in a pantomine and a small group musical, the pantomine won critics Choice (the best) so they will perform it at the State Competition. So we had rehersals for that a couple times a week.. Then we squeezed in voice lessons, dance lessons, and acting lessons, oh and a gala at the Maltz theater in Jupiter. I really have to say that we had a couple of very hairy weeks. During this time though I was able to get my new class "Golden Nepal" up and running.. and Liisa, my daughter came up with some very atsounding new classes and samples.. The latest "Broque Movement" is really beautiful. I am looking forward to a very fun and creative year and hope you are also. take care, glenda

A Blogging I will go.

2008-11-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

In the class I was teaching the other day we were talking about the blogging... I promised that I would write at least every three days.. I was telling everyone that I don't get many comments on my posts.. they said they would if I would write more often.. hummmmm so lets see. We listed a secret sale on the last e-newsletter from beads gone wild. I decided to reward those people who have gone to the website and clicked the picture that says.. e newletter. sign up here, (or something like that).
We will do secret sale that only e-newsletter people know about. I was really thinking it was just going to be for the local customers who come into the store..
Well right after the e-newsletter went out we got about 15 orders for the secret sale and they were all from out of town.. And they couldn't find out how to buy it..
I was joking and said it really is a secret. Anyways.. we will be doing more of those secret sales. For the people who can come in or for the people who want to go to the shopping cart on line. then the on line shoppers will be able to use a special code to take advantage of the sale.. So the moral of this story is go to beadsgonewild.com and sign up for the e-newsletter. Tomorrow is voting day.. make sure your go out and vote. If any of you vote and are out and about wear your I voted sticker in and we will give you a special gift...

I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time. Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, April 2003

The Holiday Season is upon us!

2008-11-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have so many great new things to tell you! We have started a new area on the front page of the website for Quotes and Artist of the Week, where we can show off some of our students GREAT work! So if you have been in a class and would love to show off what you've done be sure to bring it in. It doesn't have to be what you made in the class, it can be any of the work you have been inspired to do. We have started our yearly "Count Down to the New Year Sale". Everyone looks forward to this Sale year after year. this is the time as we get ready for inventory we move out all the old to make room for next years new. Everyday we find and put new items on sale!
*** Be super sure that you check the sale table every time you come in.

Liisa and I collaborated on a new kit called with 3 pairs of "Snowflake Earrings" and it is on sale for a limited time...They are really very festive and make great gifts.

We have had so many new people coming in asking about what are the most important classes for them to take to get a grip on beading and we have always suggested, Basic, Tropical (for making drops and dangles, earrings etc) and pearl knotting. So we have made a special starter pack for new beaders. Sign up for the Basic and Tropical and get the Pearl Knotting Class FREE. With those three classes you really will be all set to go.

Some exciting news is that Liisa and I have been accepted to teach at the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee next June. I am very excited about that. It has been something I have wanted to do for quite some time and we finally took the time to enter some designs. Be on the look out too for some of our new work to be featured in the "Step by Step Wire" magazine and "Bead Style" magazine.

Erkki was just in a staged reading at the Jupiter Maltz Theater. It was for the emerging artist series. I was really impressed with his singing. I never really heard him sing on stage before.. I just always heard the "in the car singing". More and more I see him developing his passion. In December he will be in a performance with the Doo Wop group. I believe it is a night of Doo Wop Holiday Music.

So we have been busy with lots of new ideas, new kits, new classes, rehearsals, and school work. Seems like Linkin and Lilly are the only ones who get to lounge around all day. So remember to bring in your work for us to see so we can get you in the gallery and make it a great week. Remember to go out and VOTE! Glenda

How did he do it?

2008-10-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

I am talking about my greyhound Linkin. He was home for a bit today and he got into our hurricane supplies, grabbed himself a JAR of spaghetti sauce, carried it on top of my high rise bed, unscrewed the top and ate all the sauce leaving just a little tail tail sign on my comforter. I don't know about that dog.... I guess I am just really glad he didn't drob it off the bed and let it break on my tile floor..
I am really excited about the new kits, classes, and guest teachers that we have for the fall season. Liisa and I made some really fun winter jewelry, and of course all the xmas trees and angles are always a hit and fun to make. I think this year will be a great time for people to make their own meaningful, holiday gifts. It is a great time to take beading and wire class too because we brought back our summer class special, book any 2 classes and the second is 1/2 price. We did it because it was so popular and our northern customers wanted to be able to get in on it. Some of the most popular new classes are the resin class, the new brickstitch earring class, and my new earring class called "golden vines". Maggie Meister was just here teaching over this last weekend. It was a great, great time. She showed "napal chain" which was incorporated into her design and it really intrigued me.. I worked with it and work with it and finally came up with some marvelous earrings that we have decided to call Golden Vines.Thanks Maggie for the inspiration and for coming to teach at Crystal Creations Bead Institute. We have Dallas Lovett, Sherry Serafini, coming this year and early next year we have Cynthia Rutledge, NanC Meinhardt, and Janice Berkilbile. I also have several other new teachers in the works.. If you haven't taken a guest teacher before make this the year that you treat yourself.

Beads Gone Wild

2008-08-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

Beads are really going wild at Crystal Creations Bead Institute, Beads Gone Wild.
Liisa has been cranking out some fabulous new classes!.. The Latest is "Crystal Buckle Bracelet". It has the look of a very expensive cat collar. I think I will have to make one for Linkin and Lilly (even though they aren't cats)... All they have had to wear is a bead that Dallas Lovett made for them when he was here last year. We are all excited over the fact that he is coming back to teach this year. Check out his projects either on line or come and see the samples in the shop.. They are marvelous.

Sherry Serafini agreed to do a second purse class.. but that is almost sold out too. If you were hoping to get in on her class call right away.

There are a lot of photos up on facebook of my son and his friends in Stuart Little.
Some are of the show and then quite a few of the kids having fun for the camera.
Someone also put up some footage on youtube of the show. I guess you just go to youtube and type in Stuart Little.

Remember, now is the time to start preparing your holiday gifts. We just ordered in (as much as I could gather) parts to make the xmas tree earrings, and pendants. Consider trying your hand at holiday ornaments. Liisa and I thought it would be fun to make some ping pong ball size. It will go faster..
Oh.... I just had an even better idea....But You'll have to come to the shop and ask me about it. I am so excited I am going to start working on it right now...
Happy Beading from the Bead Goddess

Whether you think you can, or can't you're right. Henry Ford

Stuart Little, Guest Teachers

2008-08-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

I think many of you know that Erkki (my son) is in Stuart Little The Musical, up in the Gardens at the Borland Center. They have 3 more performances Friday night at 7:00pm, Sat at 2:00 and 7:00. The kids really did a great job and it is very entertaining. Erkki's love is acting. We went to Miami today for a movie audition.

Things have been really great at the bead shop. We have all the samples in for the guest teachers.. Well, we have Maggie Meister's, Tracy Stanley's and Dallas Lovett's. They are really GREAT, and there are a few seats in each of those classes.
We know what Sherry Serafini will be teaching and the class is full already, so I am going to see what I can do about getting her to extend her visit. Liisa came up with a few new classes. The "Mysterious Moon" and "Victorian Beads" are both really fun!

The other day I started worrying about all the "silver fillings" in my mouth and how I should get them out. I felt one crumble and then freaked out thinking that I might be swallowing some and causing grave damage...
I went to the dentist and 3 hours later all the silver from 3 teeth are gone and caps ready to go on. I am amazed that years of worrying about it got resolved in 3 hours... oh and 1 credit card.

I know school starts Monday so I hope all of you mothers will stop in to see us.... It's time to start making those holiday gifts, and we have plenty of new ideas!
Talk Soon, Glenda

“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.” Wayne Dyer

California Dreaming

2008-07-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hi, Erkki and I got back Monday from California. We went there for a 7 day event that was all about business. They had a great teen class and Erkki got to meet alot of directors, producers, and several TV and Movie actors/actresses. I got to meet all kinds of people too from Film and Acting to Business CEO's, to Famous Speakers.
Oh and I just remembered when we went to Marshall Sylvers event a few weeks ago there was a man there who had just turned 70 and he climbed Mt. Everest last year when he was 69. Lisa Nichols from The Secret, gave a very moving speech, and of course I loved listening to Mark Victor Hansen again. It was a very fun and exciting week. I came back and discovered that Liisa made a fabulous new bracelet, and some beaded beads. She is soooo creative. We are gearing up for an unbeatable line up of classes for the fall. Make sure you check out the guest teachers too. We have some great talent coming with GREAT projects!

This summer I am noticing that so many people want to make their own gifts for the upcoming holiday season, and that they are very into working with their hands.

August 1st starts a new moon in Leo and I am told it is a great time to start new creative ventures. Leo is ruled by the Sun, which is the center of our solar system. It is the sign of play, creativity, self-expression, romance, and circumstances in which you are the leader or take center stage. Self-expression is vital to experiencing a feeling of wholeness, so find a way to express your authentic self and yes, be creative! For artists, this is a perfect time to start a new project and for you shy types, do something for your eyes only - but do express yourself!

I got this from Lisa Zimmerman an Astrologist I met at the event in California. Her web site is www.soullevelsolutions.com

So it is the perfect time right now to come into Crystal Creations Bead Institute and plan on play and self-expression!

"Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." ~ Oscar Wilde

Make it a great day!
Glenda

Fire Eaters

2008-07-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hello, Last week Erkki, Liisa and I, all went to a "Turning Point" Seminar. It was in Orlando at the Hyatt. The Hyatt there is a really fun hotel because it is actually inside the Orlando Airport. The seminar was presented by Marshall Sylver, a famous Hypnotist. It was about taking action now.. We had lots of fun and all three of us ate fire... and broke a 10 inch square piece of wood with our hands. I learned about hesitation and follow thru. Now Erkki and I are in LA at a business convention. Mark Victor Hansen will be teaching here and Erkki is excited to meet him. I brought my beading with me. I love to make new projects while I am on the road..Check out the Current Bead and Button Magazine. They published my Paradise Earrings. If you haven't done so already make a pair... they really are fun and easy!

Independence Day

2008-07-04T05:33:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July 2008!
I am feeling very independent today.

Got back from a seminar in Las Vegas last week. It was a short trip and the seminar was from 7:30 in the morning till 9:00 at night. The first night I got there about 8:30 pm and after traveling all day, plus waking up at about 5:00 that morning (more on that later) I rushed to see Cirque du Soliel. It was great! The next two nights I made my way to the strip to check it out. Even though I was tired I really wanted to experience Las Vegas. All in all the trip was great, the seminar was great and I only lost about $50.00 to the wheel of fortune. Next to beading I think I love education, motivation, and inspiration best. Last Month I went to a Mark Victor Hansen seminar in California. I rediscovered him from a very old set of tapes I had from my Mary Kay days! Yes I sold Mary Kay before I sold real estate, which is what I did just before my beading adventure. So I went to Mark's seminar and have to say it is one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. I feel extremely happy to have reconnected to something else that really feeds my soul.

Now about that waking up at 5:00 am. I figured out that from 4:00 pm on I operate on 3/4's energy till I would reawake at 11:00 pm and then stay up till 1:00 or so...
I decided to try Ben Franklin's early to bed, early to rise and hope it makes me healthy, wealthy, and wise! The goal was to wake up at 5:00 am and be to work by 6:00and then try to get done around 4:00. So far so good... Unless I go to Las Vegas... and wake up at 5:00 but go to bed at 2:00.

From Mark Victor Hansen "The size of your thinking equals the size of your results"
Go out and Make it a great day!

New Beginnings

2008-06-23T04:38:00.000-07:00

Hello, I am going to try blogging again. Last time I thought I would try to write about my personal life instead of just beads.... but guess what? Beads are my life and most everything does evolve around that. I am so lucky to love what I do for a living. So I will just write.

We have some GREAT new finds from the Bead and Button show that I attended in Milwaukee earlier this month. 2 Great new bead artists and LOTS of clasps. They told me that we needed clasps so I ran into the show and nearly wiped out 3 different vendors.. Yes I was the first one in the show.. It was funny because I was standing right in front of the door, and the door security personal was standing inside the door, so all the vendors walking into the show before it started thought I was security and they all showed me their badge. I politely nodded them all in.

So if you get a chance, come on in and see the collection of new clasps, and some fun and easy necklace designs made from the new 1mm wire lace. Then check out the new crystal rivioli colors, and several sizes in the galatic crystal pendant.

Thought of the day:
I heard this from Wayne Dyer, and don't know who said it, neither did he, but it goes
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."