Intergalactic Bead Show

What a busy girl I've been lately! Last Saturday I had the great joy of attending my very first Bead Show! It was the 2006 Intergalactic Bead Show in Akron, OH. My husband and I had quite a drive to get there, but it was worth it, let me tell you! Such a beautiful array of semi-precious, glass, porcelain, wood and many other types of beads! I can't remember when I've had more fun. My long-suffering husband lasted just about 20 minutes before heading back to the car to take a nap, but he assured me that I could take as long as I liked, and I took him at his word!

I had given myself $60 to spend, and I left with just pocket change. I could have spent tons more (a lady beside me spent $400 at one booth!) but as a beginner, I knew that setting a limit for myself (and leaving my purse in the car) would keep me from going overboard. Among those that returned home with me were these lovely Agate semi-precious stones which I formed into a gorgeous bracelet, if I do say so myself. My most favorite item that I picked up was a beautiful baby mermaid pendant that I had seen in a magazine and searched all over the internet for to no avail. I saw it at a corner both, and though it deeply cut into my spending money at $15, I just had to have it! I bought some deep red coral and blue turquoise that I'm going to use with it to make myself a birthday necklace. :)

The jewelry business is going well, but I haven't had a second for writing lately. I suspect that after Christmas time I'll see a lull in orders and have time for my other great passion, the written word!

Until next time!

Back To School

As little birds stretch their wings to fly, so must we leave the nest in order to begin our journey.

Yesterday was my eldest son's first day of Preschool. Such a tumult of emotions for me. I was so eager for him to enter the world of knowledge, where each day is fresh with new understanding, and new possibilities. Those early days of school brings back such lovely images for me... The waxy smell of a new box of Crayolas, the cool, squishy pleasantness of fingerpaints, the spurt and bubble of a bottle of Elmer's glue, always resulting in sticky satisfaction... Lessons in color and texture, smell and taste, friendships and fun.

On the way to the school, I played it up, extolling the joys of learning, of discovery, but always in the back of my mind, anxious for that moment when we would say our goodbyes. Would he cling to me and cry? Would he be frightened? Standing at the open door to the world can be a bit daunting. Would he be overwhelmed? By the time we entered the building I was nearly sick to my stomach, and I had to swallow back tears as I helped him find his cubby and place his belongings inside.

"See ya later, Mama." He said to me, and turned away, delighted eyes already scanning the room.

Shocked, I managed to choke out, "Can I get a hug and a kiss?" He complied, but his mind was already on other things. He broke our embrace quickly, and never looked back as I walked out the door.

At home I held my two toddlers a little tighter. In a year, one of them will follow in his brother's footsteps, two years later, the last of my small brood will step over the edge of our then-empty nest and test his wings.

And I just know that in that moment, I'll stand back with pride and watch them soar.

On The Edge Of A Precipice

"Draw your chair up close to the edge of the precipice and I'll tell you a story. "
~F. Scott Fitzgerald


That is one of my favorite quotes on writing. Everyone loves a cliffhanger! Stories that twist and turn and leave you guessing right up to the last page make the bestsellers list for a reason. Not only do we like to be entertained, we like to be challenged.

Novelist Dee Henderson http://deehenderson.com/ has really got the formula down. Her Suspense/Thriller novels the O'Malley Series and the Uncommon Heroes series have struck a cord with her readers and made her a fan favorite from almost day one. I'm currently reading her novel "The Witness" and I've got to tell you, it's right on par with the rest of them! Ms. Henderson does a magnificent job of captivating the reader's attention and keeping them spell-bound to the finish. The industry has not seen the last of her, by far.

It can be difficult to come up with scenarios for a Suspense novel that haven't been played out time and time before. I once heard the very good suggestion of watching a program like Law & Order or C.S.I. and turning the show off halfway through. Grab a notebook and a pen and write down how you think the story will go, or how it would go if you were writing it. Then if you like, turn the show back on for the last five minutes and see how you did! The important thing is to get your mind exploring different trails and jumping down rabbit holes and letting your imagination take you wherever it will.

Even if you don't come up with something usable the first time, it's sure to be a wild ride!