New Books!

I've been remiss in sharing my new books. One the left is one I'm pretty excited about, Beads Story by Noriko Kitsukawa. At this point in my collecting, I've got to be pretty stunned by something to really want a book, (unless it's one of my fave five, natch.) This book has the most amazing treble clef motif. Truly stunning. It's a well photographed and documented book, with both jewelry and petit motifs like you see at the left. This author has a new book out this month, and already I'm watching for it to hit my sellers. *shakes fist at Amazon.jp for raising shipping rates*

The second book is one by the inimitable Yoko, another wedding book--"White Beads Jewerly for Happy Wedding." This book is interesting because it's published by Mook as a part of the "My Beads Style" series, so the size and documentation are the same as that series. I can't say as I prefer it to her earlier "boutique" books. I've not a big fan of using people to model the jewelry in pictures. It seems to result in less jewerly-oriented pictures in my opinion. The works are stunning, as usual though, and it amazes me how many American brides get married with either nothing or a boring strand of pearls when their jewelry could be as special as that dress they spent weeks picking out and beaucoup bucks buying. I've added a link to Yoko's site, Laciq Beads on the left sidebar.

She replied!

Wow.

I got a reply from Yaeko the next day. She said she has never shipped overseas but was willing to give it a try. Her cart system does not accept international credit cards though, so I will need to do it all by mail with a USPS money order.

She was so nice, and her English is excellent. She went to school in the US years ago, she said, and apologized for her "bad English" since she hadn't used it in years. :D

I want to order Daybreak because I LOVE IT and because it displays some of the techniques I'm trying to figure out . I want to order another kit because shipping will be EMS ($20) and want to get the most out of it. I'd like it to be something more "everyday" that I can wear more often. Maybe this one?

Of course the yen is climbing, so I need to order soon.

Yeah, that's my courage on the sticking post!

I finally got enough nerve to email Yaeko Yamada of Bean's Okinawa to ask if she will ship her kits to the USA.

Why I'm worried about looking foolish for emailing someone in Japan in English is beyond me. I will never be fortunate enough to meet Yamada-san. Even if my dreams come true and we go to Japan, we probably will not journey to Okinawa. The odds of her saying "you're the little gai-jin who emailed me in English! Tut-tut!" are smaller than me winning an Oscar.

Still, I angst. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh? Maybe I'll be lucky and get an email back saying "of course we ship our kits to the USA! Which ones would you like?"

If that happens, my virtual friends, you will be the first to know!

Early Wedding Pics

Julie hired a fabulous photographer to take her wedding pictures. Here's just a sneak peak of her brilliant work at Julie and Glenn's wedding.

Jacqueline Reitz Photography

Congratulations and have a wonderful life, you two.

Wedding Jewerly

My brother, nearing fifty, is finally marrying the woman of his dreams this weekend. I made two pieces of jewelry for Julie to pick from. Her only instructions were "vintage-y." O.o

The first shown is made with 3 Swarovski 18x13 pear shape fancy cut crystals in Crystal Moonlight, and Swarovski pearls in the new platinum color. It's made to sit right at the base of the throat. The center motif is made using a perforated brooch finding.

This one below Czech fire polish beads and 10mm Swarovski 4470s set in brass. There's a love little brass motif of lovebirds in the center.



So here's hoping she likes one. :D

New Books!

I ordered two new bead books: Beads Bee vols. 20 & 21 (pictured left.)

I consider Beads Bee to be the equivalent of the English Bead and Button magazine in that it seems intended for more accomplished beaders. The patterns refect this in that they're not as detailed as the patterns I find in other Japanese magazines or artist's books.

I also realized I can recognize five Japanese bead artists on sight. I guess that's a good thing. :D

My brother is getting married in two weeks. I have to make jewelry for it. I think I'm going to make two things and let her pick.

Consignment update: Have sold a few things, including a Shizuya heart and this necklace. I just took her a bunch of new things. It's been two months. I'm going to give it six before I think it's not the right venue for my stuff.

First Trunk Show! LOL

Sort of. My friend Pam and I did an antique car show last weekend. It was a two day event, but Sunday was soooo windy we set up my jewelry in the back of her car to keep it from being blown over.

Neither of us did well. Pam sold one purse, and I sold one pair of earrings. The good news is that there was no vendor fee so we weren't under any pressure to "make back" our investment.

There were some beautiful cars there though, many matching Pam's purses! We took one pic of her holding the Promise purse in front of a car. We wanted to set the purse on top of the car, but we instinctively knew that would not be welcome. These cars are show only. :D

I'm taking more jewelry down to League City on consignment today. Hopefully I will discover this at least has been a success and get some $$. I need more beads!