To my dad!  Most of the pictures I have of my dad are him being a #1 grandpa in action.  Note plastic tools in his shirt pocket.  Not unlike many, my nephew adores dad.  He is a super great guy.  Dad, I hope it’s a happy one.  hugs.

Happy Birthday Carrie!  It was too difficult to choose just one picture.  So, in the spirit of being a sweet little sister, I chose a few favs…

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Not sure, but I think we were supposed to be vacuuming. That was Ready, our childhood dog’s leash around her neck btw.  Can you believe she put up with me?

My artsy Aunt tied scarves and vintage shades to the top of our packages one year at Christmas.  Voila! I look like a drag queen and my sister looks sweet as ever.  I was such a pain in her hiney, but we’ve had some fun times.  Carrie, you are one of the nicest people I know. I hope your day is so special.  Birthday hugs and wishes from the other side of the world.

Bead boards.  I don’t know a beader that can live without one (or two or three).  This is my very first bead board from approximately ten years ago.

Antiques Road Show, here I come!! I don’t know if this picture really captures how recessed the slots are.  Crazy deep!  These beads aren’t goin’ anywhere!  I’ve determined this board is perfect for a giant who likes to string beads or for lining up felt balls.

Ha, I just found another picture of it that I took in Suzhou (the old town I used to live in) with the original packaging.  Wow, that surely ups the value fifty cents.  Guess, I didn’t use it too much.  On another note, how this thing ended up in Ch!na with me I’ll never know.  I do recall getting a little delirious at packing time though. 

Now here we are ten years later after some refining….

Amazing, isn’t it?  They kept the bead board gray which is perfect to design on because it’s neutral.  The grooves keep your beads accessible and from rolling away.  The measurements around the grooves are accurate.  Lastly, there are some nice sized slots to hold bags and components.  Thank you to our industry people for making the bead board.  It is a super tool!

It wouldn’t be Then and Now, if I didn’t pull something out from my I remember when… jewelry files. 

Here we have a Candie Cooper Bead Soup original, circa 1995.  I’ve always loved picking beads from my loose bead bowl and stringing them.  I still love buying unique beads like the fish and elephant.  Some things never change.  But, now for the painful part…

Speaking of refining!  Holy Cow, what the H E double hockey sticks was I doing?!?!?!  Knot it, no, crimp it, no, knot it, no, BOTH!  Did I mention I taught myself to bead?  Clearly, I was determined to keep the beads from coming off the wire.  Poor clasp.  I do remember having troubles choosing the right stringing material when I first started. 

That concludes our torture for today.  What?  You’re thirsty for more?  Then go check out Katie and Linda’s Then and Now posts.

from the Gals who have a Need to BEad!

Art Bead Scene
From the Art Bead Scene archives, Ms. Bead-it-All helps a lost beader with some tips on using beads that are headed in the wrong direction.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/03/dear-ms-bead-it-all.html

Beading and Jewelry Blog
Tammy at Beading and Jewelry offers some tips on quality for those of who buy rather than make our lampwork beads.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/08/15/quality-lampwork/

Katie’s Beading Blog
Jumpstart your creativity with some subversive guided journaling. This week, Katie shares the 411 on Keri Smith’s book, Wreck this Journal.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/08/creativity-jumpstart.html

Naughty Secretary Club
Catch up on Jennifer’s adventures at Art Unraveled and at the photo shoot for her new book!
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/

Savvy Crafter
It’s cleaning day at Candie’s Bird Cage Studio! See what she made with scraps and pieces that she found while tidying her nest. And learn to make a tiny wire-y nest of your own-it’s way more fun than cleaning!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/08/messy-in-the-ne.html

The Impatient Blogger
Frantic, Margot?! Um, yes. The life of a "bead queen" is never boring! She’s off to shoot an infomercial, but not before getting a wonderful reminder of what’s real. Super Girlie Good Power is rockin’ the universe!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/08/no-time-to-say-hello-goodbye.html

I’m supposed to be gluing some trim on a piece right now, but instead I’ve been looking at these.  Don’t ask.  Only because, I have no idea why. I want one, I guess.  Beautiful Japanese art supply shop though, don’tcha think?

Art Bead Scene 
If you have ever struggled with taking great photographs of your beads or jewelry, you might be interested in this photography/Photoshop tutorial that glass bead artist Lori Greenberg posted on Art Bead Scene back in April. It has helpful tips for newbies and experts alike!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/03/tutorial-photographing-beads-and.html

Bead Arts 
Read the story of a collaborative charm necklace that brought artists together from across the country, to raise money for breast cancer research!
http://www.bead-arts.com/a-charmed-life-has-returned-home/

Creating Projects for Magazines 
In another Adventures in Jewelry Making with the BQOTU Post from April of this year, Margot gives you the skinny on getting your work into magazines. Flakey Artists need not apply.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/04/creating-projects-for-magazines.html

Jewelry and Beading 
Tammy from the Jewelry and Beading Blog offers some tips for getting started with fused glass. Take a class. Or even better, become an apprentice.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/08/07/get-started-with-fused-glass/

Katie’s Beading Blog 
Take a peek inside Katie’s jewelry box with this crafty blast from the past. It’s the first in a series of posts that bring new meaning to the phrase, "you’ve come a long way, baby!"
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/08/then-now.html

Savvy Crafter 
Who’da thought it? Scented jewelry?!?! Follow your nose on over to Candie’s blog for a little "scent" for thought.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/08/cheerful-little.html

Snap out of it Jean! There’s beading to be done! 
Jean senses a transition from summer to autumn in the air. This pair of earrings is a quiet contemplation of two seasons, one which is departing, one which is coming up.
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

Here’s the latest and greatest from the fun, bead-lovin’ bloggers:

Art Bead Scene
The Art Bead Scene announces their next monthly challenge, a Midsummer Night’s Dream. Think fairies, woodland/forest or starry nights for your next jewelry creation and enter to win over $100 in art beads!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/08/abs-monthly-challenge-august.html

Bead Arts
Using some turquoise that she picked up at a recent bead and gem show, Cyndi shows you how to make a simple summer necklace.
http://www.bead-arts.com/making-a-knotted-turquoise-necklace/

Jewelry and Beading Blog
Tammy recently had the tough job of judging the Beads 4 You contest. The winners received two of her books as prizes.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/08/01/beads-4-you-contest-is-ova/

Katie’s Beading Blog
Looking for inspiration? This week, Katie blogged about helping her friend make the perfect wedding jewelry.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/08/wedding-jewelry.html

Savvy Crafter
Love crystals? Candie checks out a fantastic new Beading with Crystals book.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/08/beading-with-cr.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean shows off a fantastic sterling heavy guage Byzantine link with lampwork pendant necklace which she made to wear to Links book signings!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

The Impatient Blogger
Bitten by the bead bug? Margot Potter gives you the straight you know what on the tools you’ll need to get started. This March post is part of her ongoing Adventures in Jewelry Making with the BQOTU (day) series.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/03/get-yer-red-hot-tools-here.html