
Do you enjoy wearing your affirmations on your wrist? Lisa's thinking about using shrinky dinks in jewelry to create "shrink-firmations"!

We had a fairly mellow Halloween. To celebrate the holiday, we carved the giant pumpkin from our garden. It was a toss up between an owl design and a cat one. The cat won out. I went at it old school style with a kitchen knife. Towards the end, it dawned on me that I have power tools and I broke out the drill for the eyes. The end result reminds me of Paulo.
Cenya has yet again rallied the troops AKA the Etsy Beadweavers Team to create a stunning Treasury called, Pay It Forward. These talented artisans have generously donated pieces to help raise funds to combat my growing medical bills. I am humbled by their kindness and willingness to help. I really can't describe how grateful I am to them for their support!
Heather Powers of Humble Beads is one awesome person. She's supremely talented, innovative, and constantly making unique polymer clay components. She's also very generous. She has donated her "Seek Wisdom Necklace" (and matching earrings) which appeared in the latest issue of Bead Trends magazine to be auctioned off to help with my medical bills. Isn't she a darling? To find out more about the pieces and how you can get ahold of them CLICK HERE. Don't forget to check out her Etsy shop and her blog to see even more examples of her work!

Kim Van Antwerp is a very talented artist and such a sweet friend. It is always nice to see her at the big shows and hear of her recent adventures. Seeing her at the shows provides me with an opportunity to see what she's been making. Her work has a whimsical element; she creates pieces like cross-stitched Godzilla earrings, koi fish hearts and glass critters with clothes. I love her little glass birds. (I have an owl by her named Henry.) Kim has generously donated this monocle-wearing magpie to be auctioned off too help with my ever-increasing medical bills. I love his little silver top-hat and toes. Too cute! CLICK HERE to find out more and how you can bid to win this stylish feathered fellow.
Jean Yates is a delightful friend who has always been supportive and encouraging of me and my work. Although we've never met in person, it feels as though we've known each other forever and have sat down for tea a hundred times. We've shared many highs and lows over the years and I feel lucky to call her friend. Jean is so sweet and put up this necklace to auction off to help raise money for my medical bills. Isn't it lovely? To find out more about the piece and how to bid to win, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to find out more and to bid on this beautiful bracelet featuring a bronze bee heart by Candice Wakumoto.
CLICK HERE to find out more and to bid on this fantastic owl necklace. I've loved owls ever since I was a little boy and one flew over my head in our barn in the backyard.
Aren't these spotted ceramic beads beautiful? I love their earthy, rustic appeal. CLICK HERE to find out more and to bid on them.
Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio is one of those artists who is constantly evolving and creating fresh, new work. I'm always excited to see what she is making! She's also a good friend and has generously put up wholesale bundles of Steampunk-inspired components to aid in my medical bill relief. CLICK HERE to check out her website and peruse her ceramic goodies and CLICK HERE to find out more about the bundles and how you can get ahold of one.
I had the pleasure of spending some time with Jeannette Cook, of Beady Eyed Women, last year in Tucson. We stayed up late into the night chatting away. She's a vibrant, caring person who is supremely talented. I admire her skill with needle, thread and beads. Her designs are as vibrant as she is. Jeannette has graciously put up for auction her necklace, "La Femme Spirit". Isn't it beautiful? Email her at BDIDWMN@aol.com to place your bid.
Cenya Eichengreen (aka Emerald Window), an amazing beader, cancer survivor and friend, mobilized the Etsy Beadweavers Team to create a Treasury filled with items to be sold off to help with my medical bills. Isn't she wonderful? I was absolutely floored by the generosity of everyone involved! The Treasury, For the Love of Andrew, is filled with stunning beadwork. I encourage you to check out the talent on display; there are some really beautiful works of art. 
Did you see the Fall issue of Stringing magazine? If you did, you probably noticed Kristy Abner's stunning necklace, "Fleur de lis". Isn't it lovely? She is such a sweetheart for offering up this fashionable piece in an auction to help aid in my mountainous medical bills. To find out more about her piece and how to bid, CLICK HERE.
Aren't these lampwork glass bead focals lovely? Helga, a talented bead maker, has generously donated these beads to be auctioned off to help with my medical bills. Isn't she a sweetheart? To find out more about the auction, you can check out her new blog HERE. To bid, CLICK HERE. You can also see more examples of her work on her Flickr page, HERE.
Jeni Smathers wanted to keep the wheel of Random Acts of Kindness turning by donating her creations she made for the Michael's Challenge. Isn't she thoughtful? We've never met in person, but she has been extremely kind. She is auctioning off her necklace and matching earrings to help defuse my medical expenses. To find out more about the necklace and earrings, and how you can get ahold of them, CLICK HERE.
Erin Prais-Hintz is a talented designer and friend. She is a constant source of inspiration and has generously donated her Michael's Challenge piece to auction off to raise funds to alleviate my medical bills. CLICK HERE to find out more about the piece and how to bid!
I just wanted to let you all know that I've got three pieces up for consideration in the Soft Flex Company Flex Your Creativity Beading Contest. This year's theme was Steampunk! I am honored that my pieces are amongst several innovative and really beautiful designs. Please take a moment to check out the entries and vote. You can select up to three of your favorite designs. CLICK HERE to vote. Voting will last from October 15th through December 15th.
Marie Cramp of Skye Jewels is auctioning off a necklace to help with my medical bills. The necklace won the Vintaj Natural Brass Maple Glow challenge. I am deeply moved by her generosity. To find out more and to bid, CLICK HERE to visit her Facebook page.
