I Placed Third!

Each month the Etsy Beadweavers have a themed challenge. In March, the theme was Fire and Flowers. I did an entry (#21) called "Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire" which was a take off on Jerry Lee Lewis's popular song. I'm afraid I owe Jerry Lee a great big apology for what I did to his lyrics!

Beadweavers, you shake my nerves and you rattle my brain

Too much thinking drives a beader insane!

You tested my will, but what a thrill.Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

I laughed at the theme..cause I thought the theme was funny.

This theme came along and moved me honey.

I changed my mind, this theme is fine.

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

View me honey, those views feel good.

Heart me baby, I'm going to love you like an entry should.

Your fine....so kind

Got to tell the world this entry is mine,mine,mine.

I chew my nails and twiddle my thumbs.

I'm real nervous but entering sure is fun!

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

Sorry Jerry Lee!! Just couldn't help myself!

I placed third in the competition which delighted me. There are some awesome beaders in this group as can be seen by the photo.

The Edna Perkins Project

The Edna Perkins Project

The Omaha Beady Bunch is an organization that I currently serve as the Vice President .

Edna Perkins is a long time member of the Omaha Beady Bunch. The Omaha Beady Bunch is an organization of persons interested in beads and beading techniques. They share designs, teach one another techniques, and celebrate beading one evening each month. No member has been more sharing with ideas, materials, motivation, and opinions than Edna.

Every member has an ever growing "stash" of vials, strands, and sacks of beads and interesting embellishments. Last year and again this year, Edna donated some of her "stash" to members of the group. The Officers of the group made the determination that something special should be done with the beads. With that thought in mind, the "Edna Perkins Project" was developed.

This years beads were assembled and distributed to members who want to participate in the Second Annual Edna Perkins Project at the February meeting. Each member was challenged to design and create at least one very special bracelet, necklace, and/or earrings. The designer is required to use at least one of the donated beads. However, they may add beads and findings from their own stash as they choose. The bracelets were to completed and brought to the April meeting. There were no other rules.

The completed bracelets will be donated to Women’s Shelter of the Catholic Charities. According to their Donations Chairman, the Shelter provides services to an average of 10-15 women and their children each month. These women come from environments of extreme abuse. The average length of stay for the clients is two weeks to one month.

Members of the Beady Bunch are so very lucky. They have the time and means to create beautiful beaded items and they have the support of their families and one another. The Second Annual Edna Perkins Project will challenge the members to design and create a lasting, and perhaps inspirational, gift for a woman who is not so fortunate in time for Mother‘s Day.

Thank You Edna for all that you so willingly share!

Mvto and Wado Treasury

At Etsy we make Treasuries of items from our favorite Etsy artists. I created this Treasury, Mvto and Wado, as a thank you to many of the Artists who have been so kind and supportive of me since I started my Etsy store.

Some of My Items From Etsy

In mid-January, I began listing some of my items for sale on Etsy. This is site that features primrily hand made items. They do include some vintage and supply items as well. I have had fair success to date and am continuing to try to find new ways to promote my items. I will add new ones weekly and am showing a few here today.

More Pictures From the Creighton Pow Wow

Creighton Pow Wow Pictures

This is Patrick, my son, visiting with a customer in our booth. While I sell my jewelry, hand woven chamyo wool purses, table runners, coasters, Native night shirts, fry bread mix, Anasazi beans, he sells native ball caps, t shirts, small items directed at children and many types of decals and patches.

We have a great time as you can see by the laugh on his face! The man and child are unknown customers.

Creighton University Intertribal Pow Wow

Saturday, April 5 2008 was our fourth year to vend at this event. Patrick, my son, and I sat up our booth and began selling before we even had our products displayed! There was a steady stream of old friends and new friends from the time the event started (12:00 noon) until it ended at 10:30 p.m. We were exhausted but it was a great day!

Our friend, Duane Wiskus, brought me a elk scapula to paint and/or bead. That is a project that I will have to think about to come up with an appropriate design!

The regalia worn by the dancers is breath taking! The number of hours, days, months spent on tanning leather, beading, feathering, and sewing is unbelievable. Many of these items are handed down from generation to generation and are awe inspiring.