Belated Christmas Presents are Good too - Right?

Christmas presents are good anytime of year in my book.

For jewelry artisans... and really artisans in any form of art... the holidays are a really important time of year for business.  Even more so this year, people are paying attention to where the gifts are coming from that they are buying for family, friends and loved ones.  I spoke with several people that were only shopping local or hand-crafted this Christmas.  They are lucky I didn't kiss them right there on the spot because that's how much I appreciate their decisions!

With so much going on in my family this last few months, I had a custom order that I knew wouldn't be done in time for Christmas.  I touched base with the wonderful customer and she was so sweet assuring me it's not a problem at all and the piece would be perfect for Valentine's day.  That's deserving of another kiss right there!

So I have now finished the necklace she ordered.  The stone is a green opal from Africa.  I purchased it at my local bead shop Beadology in Lake Geneva, WI and I was thrilled to be able to design around it.  The colors of green paired with the red brown and terracotta veining is just beautiful.  I put it on a twisted antique brass chain for a soft, vintage look and added a few faceted agates to pull the natural green into the chain.

The necklace is backed with a metallic chocolate lambskin leather... that alone is totally drool-worthy!   Suddenly I'm really excited for Valentine's Day, funny how that works! 

So let's hear... I know you must have gotten something really awesome for Christmas or helped somebody give something really awesome.  I want to hear your story!  I love spreading happiness!

May 2013 bless you and bring you happiness and joy!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

The Journey - Challenge of Color 2012

Welcome to the Challenge of Color Blog Hop.  I first want to thank Erin Prais-Hintz for her wonderful organization of this event and the encouragement to all of the participants that signed up.  Erin, this challenge always inspires me, but I had no idea just where this would take me when I signed up this year.

This year, Erin partnered with Brandi Hussey to create some amazing color palettes using the theme Earth as Art.  Each of us were assigned two and we can choose whichever one we pleased.  I revealed my two color palettes earlier this month but wasn't going to tell you which one I picked.

While I love purple, eat, sleep and breathe purple... I actually chose the second palette, Empty Quarter featuring shades of grey (not quite fifty) & burgundy.  Can I tell you, when the student is ready the teacher will appear.  In this case Erin was a teacher (literally and figuratively) in my life.  I can't even put into words how grateful I am for that.  This is how I tell the story...

 At the time of sign-up we had just discovered 3 brain tumors in my baby brother (28).  The color of the Brain Tumor Awareness ribbon is Grey.  Secondarily, in September we found out my grandma whom I'm very close with was diagnosed as having Multiple Myeloma - a blood cancer.  She's currently undergoing treatments for that as well.  Is it a coincidence that the Multiple Myeloma Awareness ribbon is Burgandy?

I've been living at my brother's home this month taking him to daily treatments.  What I've been able to help him with, he's given me back in laughter and love.  We're still undergoing treatments and on this journey together.

Therefore... since the journey continues as does my piece.  It's not finished, but I see in my soul the big picture of what it's going to be.

The necklace is featuring many bead embroidered components.  It may be a bib-style necklace when all is said and done or it could morph into a full-blown collar.  The cabochons feature photos of my brother Greg and my grandparents as well as one that says family (those need to be finished).  Both photos were taken at our September birthday party before we knew Greg's brain tumor had returned.

Awareness Ribbon color was added with nail polish!

I've added additional components that also bring in the grey and burgundy/red theme.  I've added some bling and sparkle around various cabochons using sequins (I know my friend Sarah of Saturday Sequins will love that) and a crystal link chain. 

None of the components have been edged or backed yet... so you'll see string and such in the photos.  I also didn't have my usual photo set up (doesn't work when your digital camera USB cable is at home and you're on the road) so my photos have been taken with my phone.

So as this journey continues, my beaded art necklace which was a challenge in color will continue to grow and become more beautiful with each piece of the puzzle in place.

The Journey - bringing awareness to people that have been touched by brain tumors or multiple myeloma!  We all travel The Journey together - arm in arm, heart to heart!

To see all of the rest of the participants, please do visit Erin's blog.  See her inspired designs and the other artisans that are participating in the challenge.  Allow yourself to grow and let YOUR creativity tell your story! 

As we continue treatments with Greg, just know he's in great spirits and takes great pride in making me laugh every day!  It's the best way to fight a tough fight!

Peace & love to you,
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Custom Jewelry Order Spreads Happiness around the globe

It's amazing the reach of just one picture and the emotion it spreads.  Recently I finished a custom jewelry order.  What happened after sharing just one little picture shows just how much we can impact and make a difference to others.

The story goes something like this... a woman that knows I make jewelry was heading to a bead show with her friends.  She said if I pick up some beads, can you make me something with them.  Well Absolutely!!! I love bringing in someones personality into a design.

The beads she picked up were a great mix of turquoise, colored magnasite, red coral and some funky lampwork beads.  The colors were such a perfect mix for her vibrant personality I was instantly excited to make something with them.

Large Beaded Bead adapted from Beadwork, Small Beaded Bead adapted from Heather Collin's Anastasia tutorial

After discussing what she likes to wear for jewelry, I set out to make something truly special that showcased her personality to a T!

The necklace is a longggggggg necklace  - 42"-ish.  I wanted to incorporate the beads she selected with some seed bead work of my artisan hand.  I also wanted to make a pair of complimentary earrings because a piece this bold needed some WOW earrings to go along with it.

She received the set yesterday and the follow-up e-mail and voice mail she left me were really, really precious.  I'm thrilled she loved the design as it's what I see in her personality.  She's full of sparkle and shine and truly makes a difference in the lives of all of the people she interacts with!

My jewelry is out of this world! I love it! 

I love the way you write an email your passion oozes through!!!

Your work is so impressive and beautiful!!! I can’t wait to show my mom!

Mary Petersen, Keefe Real Estate, Inc - ABR, SRES,CHMS

www.sellinglakefronts.com

So when posting the picture of this set on Google+ imagine my delight as people started responding with "I agree, it makes me happy just looking at it" and "Absolutely uplifting and gorgeous work."  These coming from people locally all the way across the pond to South Africa!  The ripple effect stretches so much further than what we even realize... so my challenge for you today, do something that will make a difference again and again and again!

If you like this piece of custom designed artisan jewelry and would like something created just for you (or for someone that means a lot to you) now is the time to begin talking about Christmas gifts.  Drop me a message and we can discuss in more detail what you are looking for!  I just love creating a wearable work of art that perfectly depicts the person wearing it!

Dawn Doucette, Artisan

Have a terrific day!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Creating a Custom Order and getting Christmas Requests

Yes, it's not yet Halloween, but can I tell you how much I love people that plan in advance to give really special gifts for the holidays?  Indeed I have started taking holiday custom orders.  I am honored to create something so special for their loved ones!  Now that's all I'm going to say about that because Shhhhhh, the rest is a secret!

And now for a piece of custom made jewelry I can share...

I was commissioned to design a piece to adorn a particular dress.  I skyped with my client so I could see the dress on her and get a feel for what style would work best with the dress.  Her dress was a vibrant shade of coral - bordering on deep orange depending on the lighting.  It has a deep v-neckline and shiny gold accents!  GOLD... are you seeing it everywhere this season?  I am seeing bright yellow gold making a come back in everything from belts to jewelry and purses.

I was excited to play in the yellow gold world for a first time in a long time!

This neckwire is PERFECT for the V-neckline of the dress... I was so excited to find it the wheels just started turning!  So I used Swarovski crystals in the Padparadascha shade (say that one 10 times fast) along with turquoise accents.  I just love that pairing together!

The finished product is elegant, sparkly and on trend with the gold theme that's en-vogue for this fall!  And even more special is that it is the PERFECT compliment for my wonderful client.  What other trends are you seeing?

{Hugs!}
Dawn

P.S. If you'd like a piece of custom made jewelry designed for yourself or to give as a gift, contact me via my website:  http://www.DesignsByDawnMarie.com or on my Designs by Dawn Marie Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/DesignsByDawnMarie.  I'm happy to work with you to make something really special that can be worn countless times and passed down as your legacy to your children or grandchildren!

Custom Bead Embroidered Cuff for Anniversary Gift

Do you know how much I LOVE making custom orders, especially when I know the custom beaded jewelry is a special gift for a special person?  

This gift I was asked to custom design was like no other I've done.  The purpose of the gift is to celebrate many years of marriage between a husband & his wife, and the two very special children they've created.

First, celebrating the marriage... the couple has a logo they use for their family business and homestead.  It's a large M in the middle for their last name, with a slightly smaller C and a J for each of their first names on the sides.  So as a focal for the bead embroidered cuff, they wanted me to create something similar to their logo. 

Their two children were born in the months of March and August.  So the color scheme for the beaded cuff needed to correspond with Aquamarine and Peridot.  Where the color scheme got interesting was adding in C & J's birthstones Garnet for January and Sapphire for September.  Initially I was "garnet-challenged" as the deep red wasn't playing well with the peridot and aquamarine.  That was until I used both the garnet and sapphire as accent colors to add that pop of color without overpowering the color pallet.

Indeed, I think that was the right move because now I have faceted garnets and sapphire crystals to represent C & J, but their children who are their entire world are the focus of this beautiful cuff.

As I am out of town this week, at the time of writing this blog post, J has not yet given C her beautiful cuff.  Hopefully when I return home, I'll have an e-mail hearing what she thought about the bracelet.  C is an interior designer, so I really wanted to make a piece that was 100% easy to wear with an artistic flair. 

From idea to clasp this piece was inspired by the love that these two have for each other.  They have a very special relationship that continues to endure the test of time.  Ups & Downs are the path of life and these two together hold each other's hand and embrace the adventure!  Because let's face it, sometimes life takes us off roadin' - it's up to us to drop a gear and get back on track!

Happy Anniversary to C & J!  My wish for you is many more decades of family adventures!~
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

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Designs by Dawn Marie

Dawn Doucette is a jewelry artist in Lake Geneva, WI.  Each piece she makes is one-of-a-kind.  If you are interested in having something special custom designed for yourself or a loved one, e-mail designsbydawnmd (At) gmail (Dot) com.  She specializes in listening to what your dream idea is and turning that into a piece of custom beaded jewelry that will be passed down to future generations in your family.

Matchy Matchy Necklace to go with my cuff

While this week is UBER-busy, I'm having a blast balancing it all... that is if you consider a blast looking like a circus clown, riding a unicycle, juggling bowling pins while trying to walk the dog. 

Now that's a picture... and since I'm so short on time (getting ready for my sister's wedding and will post pics after this weekend) I'll just give you a pretty picture to look at.  I made the cuff that was for the EBEG Beadfest that I was going to sell, but then it adopted me and now it's MINE!  So I thought it would like to have a playmate in the jewelry box... enter a pendant I started EONS ago... seriously, it was soooooo 2010 when I started this pendant (said while rolling eyes like a valley girl). 

Anyhoo, I didn't like how the bezel came out and I didn't like how the white background popped (this was one of my early, early attempts at bead embroidery and I had not yet discovered the joy of colored Nicoles Beadbacking).  So I tossed it in the fugly drawer and said "hasta la vista you ugly thing."

Now you see, the lampwork heart wasn't ugly... it was and is really quite stunning (lampwork bead designed by my favorite glass artist Juli Cannon, Studio Juls), but I had done such a crappy bezel around it (before I discovered how important it is to bezel with all the same variety (sort of) of seed beads.  So I had some delicas, some tohos, some czech and thought no problem.  Seriously, we all learn from our mistakes.

So when I felt the need to have a complimentary necklace for that droolworthy cuff (yes, the one with the orange accents) I pulled out the fugly thing determined to turn that Caterpillar into a butterfly.  Bring in some crystal bicone spikes out the top, a pearl and hang it on a ribbon and viola... fugly goes butterfly in a nano-second!

Why do I share this?  Because we all learn from our fugly mistakes and grow... or let them fester in the fugly drawer... either way, we keep on smiling and trying new things!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Carnival - All Sorts of Fun in a Bead Embroidery Masterpiece

Am I the only one that finds doing what one shouldn't be doing rather than focusing on the task that's really important to finish really fun and slightly naughty??  Okay, I've always been a procrastinator and I've always said I do my best work under pressure (insert Queen & David Bowie humming lyrics here.)

So why would it be any different for packing and moving my studio, right?

That's what I thought!  So rather than trying to pack and move all my itty bitty treasures in my studio, I found this wonderful lampwork treasure from my friend Juli ( StudioJuls if you're new to my blog, or you've been hiding under a rock).  The swirly iridescent spiral on that focal just mesmerized me... so much so I forgot (wink, wink) that I should be packing.

Instead I pulled out all my purples and greens and just lost all track of time (days, weeks even) but the end result is total worth it.  SO in lieu of throwing caution to the wind and pushing all packing aside allow me to introduce you to Carnival!  A splash of fun in every bead!

Available in my Etsy Store:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/93992345/carnival-bead-embroidered-necklace-with

Thanks all for taking the mind wandering journey with me!  And now back to your regularily scheduled program.
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

FYI, if you'd like to try your hand a bead embroidery, THIS is STILL the best book I've found to help you get started.  Why?  Because it shows you two different methods and allows you to create your own style, stitches and method by blending the two!

Believe - Custom Beaded Jewelry with a genuine message

If you believe it, you can achieve it!

That is a saying that I firmly believe it.  It goes hand in hand with the power of positive thinking, eternal optimism and it is the motto of nearly every business person I've ever met.  Building a business is never a straight line.  Rather it would resemble a bowl of spaghetti if we had to be really honest about it.  And sometimes it's really just about the meatballs... but we won't talk about that here. :o)

So when my dear friend Kathy, a true entrepreneur asked me to design a special piece of custom beaded jewelry for an event she's participating in coming up in March, I let the beads talk!  After all, they are usually smarter than my logical brain, so the beads should have a bigger voice in the design.

What I created for Kathy exemplifies classic with a pop of modern.  I used a round donut and filled it with bavarian creme... oh wait, wrong dream.  I filled it with a Swarovski rivoli button so the bling in the middle is blinding!  Kathy loves sparkly pieces and if she's going to be on stage I want all eyes in the room on her!

I used the believe charm because it too says "Kathy" all over it!  Kathy is an incredible business woman, but even more importantly a loving mother, grandmother, wife and dear friend.  This is a woman that ran a lawn mowing service better than all the boys in her childhood!  Yes ma'am!  It's because Kathy operates from the heart and she's believes with all her might that she can achieve anything.  I can attest to knowing her for years, she can and DOES achieve anything she sets her mind to.

Now if you want to hear HOW she kicked all the boys butts, you have to read about it in a book she recently co-authored called "Smart Women Live their Why - How Women Entrepreneurs are Living on Purpose and In Passion" and it's a truly INSPIRATIONAL book!  Every woman in business should have this in their arsenal for support, encouragement and inspiration!

I BELIEVE we're going to have a fantastic week and I hope you'll join me in that outlook!
I know this piece is something Kathy will wear time and time again!

Don't forget that my 25% off moving sale in my Etsy Store runs through today!  Get an early Mother's Day gift for the mom in your life (or daughter or grandmother).  Use Coupon Code MOVING25 at checkout!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsByDawnMD

{Hugs!}
Dawn

MOVING Sale

Hear ye, hear ye... The Queen of Cardboard is here to make a decree...

I decree that in honor of moving, I am having a moving sale.  Less to pack is good by me!  SO for this weekend through Monday at midnight, I am offering a 25% discount off of all the inventory in my Etsy Store.  These are my bead embroidered jewelry pieces that I never put on sale. 

So for you to take advantage of the mind that I lost (or packed somewhere in a box) Go to my Etsy store at:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsByDawnMD and use coupon code MOVING25 at checkout!

That's it!  BUT you have to use the coupon code to get the discount.  Refunds are way too much work and I don't have that kind of time.  :o)  These pieces will never be on sale again so now is your only chance.  Sale ends Monday night and then the sale is gone.... gone... gone! (Like my mind.)

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Super Christmas Present Surprises REVEALED

I am so excited to finally be able to share this with you.  Do you know how hard it is to keep my mouth closed in lieu of ruining a Christmas surprise?  Honestly, in this day an age of everything being online and digital... I couldn't post a picture of this anywhere for fear somebody from the recipient's family might per chance see it, and mention something about it that would then spoil a huge surprise.

So now that Christmas is over, I can finally share this with you. 

This piece was made as a custom order.  A 77 year old man knows how much his wife loves Designs by Dawn Marie jewelry.  So while she was at an appointment, he made a phone call.  He wanted something that his wife would just adore.  His wife has a very tender loving heart for all things related to animals.  Especially supporting those charities that help protect the animals.  One of her most beloved charities is in support of Grey Wolves.

My instructions from this distinguished gentleman were create whatever you want so that it represents his wife.  That's it... blank slate and away my creative heart did dream.  I started 2 different necklaces and then had my "ah ha" artisan moment!  From there, all the pieces came together in beautiful fashion.  The pendant whipped up to perfection.

But what to do about the necklace... I was tossing around a couple of ideas.  I just couldn't decide, so I asked my dear friend Kristen for her opinion.  I wanted something that would compliment the pendant, but not overpower it.  If I could pull the grey from the coloring of the wolf, it would really "set" the photo perfectly.  So I was contemplating some sort of a woven chain like a russian spiral, or a wire-wrapped link chain style necklace... but neither were really doing it for me.

Click for larger photo

Along comes Ms. Perfectly Pearl... who loves all things pearls.  She says to me, "Why don't you do pearls?"  OMG, grill me a hotdog and cover it in bacon!!!  Yes, pearls... and I have the PERFECT silver pearls to compliment the grey wolf!

I'm so happy I reached out for an opinion.  It just shows that a second set of eyes, especially eyes that have an artistic flair are really, really helpful.  And that my friends is how we as artists all help each other!

So I ask you, have you been able to help someone have an "Ah ha!" moment like my dear friend Kristen helped me?  My goal in 2012 is to extend my hand and reach more people in a service manner.  Spread love and joy!

{Hugs!}
Dawn 

A Peek Inside the Artists Brain

Okay, if you don't want to tour the grey matter between my ears... step away from this blog post now.  BUT if you're crazy (just like me) and you want to see my thought process when creating a piece of bead embroidered jewelry... stick around. 

On Wednesday, I participated in a fantastic challenge... The Challenge of Color blog hop organized by Erin Prais-Hintz over at Tesori Trovati.  Throughout this challenge I learned many things... I took risks and those risks were rewarded with a beautiful finished product.  When I finished my beaded cuff bracelet, even I stepped back and commented, "Wow, I didn't know I had it in me!"  Who would have thought!

So in an effort to document my process throughout the design of this embroidered cuff (now available in my online store), I took pictures throughout the process and put a video together.  It'll show you how I design and where my brain and the beads play together.  Remember though the beauty of bead embroidery is that every person is unique and so are your works of art!  Design what you dream!


http://video214.com/play/V6nP0IXkuWUtLs6R1dCHjA/s/dark

For Supplies:  I use Nicole's Bead Backing from Nicole Campanella (The Beadwright).  I tried Lacy's when I first started and was not happy as it kept "frizzing" and "fuzzing."  I purchased this druzy from a seller on Etsy.  Both offer SUPERB service! 

Well... that's a tour through my brain.  Hope I didn't lose you in the process!  Have a terrific weekend and live an inspired week!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Playing with Seed Beads and Chain - REALLY

I'm smiling ear to ear about sharing these beautiful bead embroidered Tiger's Eye earrings with you.  Why?

• Because I mixed mediums... namely seed beads and chain.

• Because I incorporated some of my new found "balance" in my design.

• Because I would totally wear these with blue jeans to the store - just because.

Don't you just love it when something beautiful comes together?  I sure due, because lord knows we've all had pieces we've not finished or taken apart because they just weren't "right."  So when we get it, we do a little dance and keep on beading!  Which is where I'm about to go!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

P.S. If you like these earrings, you can snag them from my Etsy Store:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/86258314/tigers-eye-earrings-tortise-brown-bead.  I'll happily wrap them if you're giving them as a gift too! ;)

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To see more bead embroidered jewelry from Designs by Dawn Marie, visit her website: http://www.DesignsbyDawnMarie.com or "Like" her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/designsbydawnmarie.

Dairy Queen Made Me Do It - And I LOVED It

This necklace was inspired by the DQ Blizzard I had the other day at Dairy Queen.  It was one of "those" days and after running around to what seems like every corner of teh county to get dog meds, groceries, etc... I came upon a particularly busy intersection that happened to be even busier because it was 4:00 and all the vacation people were coming up to start their weekends early.  So rather than going left, I opted to go right and that darn Honda Odyssey drove right to Dairy Queen (near my cut across road). 

Dang it, I just hate it when that happens.  So this darling little gal working the counter (I figured I better at least walk in and use 2 or 3 calories since I hadn't planned this treat and I've eaten my fair share of M&M's to fund the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra) was so very helpful.  But what did I want?  The Banana Cream Pie Blizzard or the Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Blizzard.  Fruity or chocolatey... so many decisions could drive a girl to drink... or eat more ice cream.

Hmmmm, what to get?

The DQ goddess suggested if I live near by, I can stop back anytime for the Banana Cream Pie Blizzard, but the Ooey Gooey Caramel Brownie was just their flavor of the month.  Cha-ching!  Chocolate wins hands down!

"What Size?"  she asks.  Again, my head is spinning, so many decisions... "We have small, medium, large or the new mini."

"Oh I better go with the mini," I say.  "I wasn't planning on stopping here today."

With a puzzled look on her face the girl cups her hand and whispers, "The small is only 40 cents more and double the size."  Then she winks at me.

Ahhhhh, music to my ears.  She had me a "Double the size."  After all, I'm all about economics and helping people get more for less is helping fuel the American dream, right?!?!

So the rest is all history.  I could have licked that disposable paper blizzard cup.  It.Was.That.Good! 

Have you ever had one of those food moments?  Care to share...the moment, not the food! ;) I'd love to hear I'm not the only crazy woman that has food inspired jewelry!

Have a terrific day!
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

Two of my loves Glass Beads and the color Purple

Two of my loves are also coffee and donuts, but you didn't come here to find that out, did you now?  

What you really came here to read about were either A. Glass Beads or B. The Color Purple... either way, grab a napkin because you're gonna drool!  PROMISE!

Earlier this summer I was doing a wee bit of shopping and stumbled across the most awesome maxi-dress.  It was this fabulous purple and green bohemian style flowy sundress.  Honestly, it jumped right off the rack and said, "Take me Dawn, I'm yours."  And how could I not.  It looked like me even without me in it!  So home with me it came... along with the idea that I MUST have a necklace to go with it.  That was May...

Then was that infamous trip for coffee where something else said "Bring me home Dawn, I'm yours."  And so I did... and thus the necklace for this most perfect dress has been a work in progress during stolen moments of beading time for nearly 3 months.

I poured so many things I love into this necklace... obviously purple... with a dash of green.  Beyond that, I like rounded shapes... I've always had an eye for angular rather than perpendicular or parallel.  (Yes, in my dream bedroom, the bed will be at an angle, with the headboard in the corner.)  I love big bling, so the crystals add a pop or shparkle... yep, I spelled it shparkle because I can!  And I adore lampwork glass beads.  In this necklace I used some custom made lampwork beads from Julsbeads.  I mixed it all up with a host of seed beads and stones (agate, and some jasper thingy or other, and some shparkley purple glittery stones I had in a stash from who knows where) and voila!

And since I mentioned DONUTS... if you pop over to Juls Blog, she's got donuts over there... sorta.  It's a big 'ole Blog-o-versary and she's doing one.heck.of.a.hu-mungo.GIVEAWAY.  Then you can get your OWN donuts and pretty coily beads.  So just wiggle that little tushy of yours over there and enter... hurry because one the blog-o-versary donuts are gone, the party is O-V-E-R over! 

**Disclaimer: This blog post is 100% calorie free eye candy.  Designs by Dawn Marie will not be held responsible for licking of computer monitors, uncontrolled drooling, or twitching mouse finger.  If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek help immediately.

Thanks for playing! :o)

Peeping in my windows

With so many great creative minds out there, I often see their photos from BTW (Bead Table Wednesday.)  And my response has always been "There's no WAY anybody's seeing my workspace."  It's to messy, disorganized, cluttered, full of creativity  and so personal to the way I work that I've kept it under lock & key.  Until today!

I think all these blogs I follow are helping me to continue breaking out of my comfort zone.  So today... like you've never seen it before (because you haven't) here's my bead table. 

YIKES!  Now I'm going back to hibernate in my corner... with the shades drawn.  That was frightening!

Hope your day is superb!