Special Order Done!

Mary, you Pink and Violet Head, your bracelet is done. Still working on those earrings.

What else is going on? Just finished season 4 of "Weeds". I do love those characters, especially Nancy who has a wonderful feminine quality and Andy who is as cute as they come. Just joined the Weeds forum and I see I'm not the only one crazy about the show.

This is the first summer I've feed the birds and so glad I decided to do so. The mother Cardinal just had her 2 fledges out there by the feeder. They were doing that little fluttering of their wings that signals "Me Hungry!" the little ones are as big as she is. Mothering is alot of work, even for the birds! Thanks for checkin' in.

Ann, have you talked Mshaw into going upnorth next weekend yet??? BK~

New Black and Ivory Bracelet!

Back by popular demand, lots of ladies just love this balck and Ivory braclet and I haven't done one is several yrs. Do hope it sells in Charlevoix!

What I've been working on!

I've just got to finish my special orders from Petoskey. Here are some of the new beads I've been working on. I've also decided to bring back the black and ivory bracelet for Charlevoix, which is Aug 8th. Still working on finding a house sitter if anyone would like to house sit in the country let me know. Manchester is beautiful this time of yr. BK~

The Eccentic Architect

There are seven little mushroom houses built by the same architect. If you look closely you will see the low, funky roofs and the beautiful little chimney. Now these really are charming in Petoskey.

Show Me the Charm...

A lovely little mushroom house in Petoskey, turn right after the drawbridge

Hi Beadheads, A little birdie told me a certain bead artist did $10,000 in Ann Arbor last week! As my friend Faith said we should defiantly look to her for guidance and inspiration. Which brings me to the topic what really makes work sell? Having alot of it in the booth? Is that better than a minimalist approach? How important is pricing? This is the trickest question...too high people won't buy too low they buy but there is no real money made. I was told by one customer last weekend that I had really good prices, she did'nt buy anything so what does it all mean? For instance the pendant pictured above sold last year I think for around $70. I did make money on it but certainly not alot of money. Maybe I'll raise my prices for Charlevoix. I don't think $45 is that much to pay for earrings, but as of now I only charge $38. I think if someone really likes and wants a certain earring price will not be a big factor as long as it is reasonable say below $60. Today I am off to the studio to continue making beads for special order and for a few new pieces for Charlevoix, thanks for checking in, have a good day, BK~

Econmic Growth and Development! Petoskey Show

Greetings All, What a really nice weekend up north! Despite the fact that I wore my down jacket all day Saturday amid the intermittent rain.... my customers were really nice and very interested in my beads. I sold alot of jewelry too along with lots of beads. The park was packed with people, maybe because they didn't want to be out on their boats...I'm beginning to like one day shows, take the money and run kinda thing. Several special orders to do. I've got to make a few beads first to use in a bracelet and a few special order earrings. Hope your day is good, I'll be back soon. XOXO BK~

Back From the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Wow, what a day at the show yesterday, walking nonstop for 3hrs! I saw the whole show, all 4 of them! Saw lots of friends too. Here I was in the Fiber Guilds booth and sure fell in love with there hats! They are $110 each, way toooo lovely and creative. There is lots of cool beads and stuff on them. I think her name is Ann Flora that does this work.

New Necklace Set for Petoskey

Hi All, Just finished this set for "Up North" this weekend. It has been a very long time since I did a set like this. The pic dosen't do it justice, because in real life the plain transparent beads just shine, exposing the real beauty on the glass. Hope your day is going well, catcha lata, BK!

Petoskey Art in the Park, July 18th One Day Only!

I have a long history with this show...about 5 yrs ago I took my set up and rode along with Mshaw, as she was doing the show and I was just hoping to get in if there was a no-show. I did get in but it was hectic trying to get set up very last minute, like we're talking 15 min before the show started. I made $3,000 in 6 hrs. The following yrs I applied but never could get accepted. BK suspected foul play at the chamber of commerce, yes I was a pain in the neck getting set up that yr, but that was'nt my fault!! This yr when I did get accepted I was like "are you sure???" So it's off to the great blue yonder of up north next weekend. David is also doing the show, lots of togetherness...maybe too much? We'll see. I'm sure to have exciting stories to tell when I get back!

Meanwhile, the Ann Arbor show starts this Wendnesday. I got a call from a customer of mine, 84yr old Mary Andrews. she is such a dear customer. All excited about coming to see my work. I had to tell her the bad news that BK would not be attending as a exhibitor, but set up a time to see her at Panara on Wed. after I see the show. Thanks for checking in, XOXO, BK~

Sea Green and Tourquoise Pendant

This is probly the largest bead I've ever made. Sure to get lots of attention when worn. On it's way up north next weekend! SOLD

New Work For Petoskey

You may remember these beads from awhile ago. They are all made up and ready to go to Petoskey Art in the Park next Saturday!

Relax, It'll Be Fine...

Forgive my long absence, I do have a long list of excuses for being gone for the last week. As you know breakdowns come and go and I had a big one over the weekend. To make matters worse my computor got a very ugly Trojan worm ( I don't even like spelling it here for fear it will again attach itself to my files) which happened on Thursday as I was poking around the web.

That said I've spent lots of time obsessing about MJ, who I've never been a huge fan of, I'm just not that into Pop, however now I can't get enough of all the lurid details. How in the world does one become so famous that one can not even do something that comes so easily for the rests of us....sleep! Speaking of sleep I would love to be as relaxed as m'lady in the photo taken at the boys garden in Ferndale.

I have a new blog I'm loving about small spaces.http://lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com/ why is it you must aquire some years before you appreciate the beauty of a tiny house? Less to clean and I find it a very comforting space to be in.

I'll be right back with some new pics but right now the camera batteries are low so I've got to wait an hour to recharge them. You should see (and you will) the new giganic spacer beads I'm working on. They take 2 rods of glass to make, just huge! Gotta run to the shop. Trust that BK! is back on her feet again. Lata...BK~