Hi everyone,

It's already half-way through January - how did that happen? I am currently deciding on which shows to attend this year with at least 4 in Brisbane so far. I could do more but feel that I'd rather put the effort into our local ones and do them well. The Craft Expo is in March (25 - 28th) then it's the Bead & Gem Show in early July (1 - 4th), the Stitches & Craft Show in September (16 - 19th) and finally the Craft & Quilt Fair in October (20 - 24th). I can see this is going to be another busy year.

My latest projects that will be going into 2 different beading publications are shown at the top. They will also be classes held at the shop in the next few months depending on their popularity. I have just a few (thousand) Swarovski chatons that I have been trying to incorporate into jewellery so I found these cute settings that were 3 cup links and thought they would look cute.

Have also been playing with macrame using hemp cord / leather etc. and you know how much I love my pearls - well these big hole pearls were perfect for this little number. The flower helped to give it a focal point. Liz is making me some large hole handmade beads (small sizes) to put into the bracelets as well - can't wait for these!.

Liz has got some gorgeous flower shaped beads as well as large leaves that she is working on - some exciting stuff to come.

Also been playing with some ferido clay which is a 2-part epoxy but in clay form - millions of possibilities that's for sure. Stay tuned!.

Monnie

Hi everyone,

Well it's Christmas Day and we have a had an early start at 6am with 2 very excited boys who couldn't wait to open presents. It is now 8pm and we had a lovely day with the family and lots of food & champagne was consumed! I am so ready for sleep.

I am looking forward to spending some time with the boys and Michael over the next week as life has been very hectic leading up to Xmas and the stress levels were getting very high. The renovations at the shop are pretty much finished now with just a bit of wall decorating to do - it is looking really good and I can't believe how fast I have managed to fill up the space. Having a large classroom area and room for storage is just fantastic.

I have to make up some projects for Australian Beading for the next book that is coming out in 2010 so I am racking my brain to come up with some interesting ones.

Even though I should be resting over the week - I also can't help but think about ways to keep the wheels turning at the shop. It's been 3 years now and we have done pretty well considering the state of the economy. The fact that I still have such a passion for jewellery has helped and that finding ways to keep it all interesting for the customers continues to be a daily challenge which I constantly relish.

Bring on 2010 - I have a feeling it will be a good year! Monnie