Beadbijoux

I confess I have a problem. I am a collector of crafting supplies and I can't use them. Because I am saving them, you know, for that perfect special project ... The problem is those words "limited edition". It won't be around forever? I can't get more if I use it all up? Oh the horror. Better save it . And the collection continues to grow. It's not just a specific craft either. It seems to be all of them. My desk is a fire hazard with the stacks and stacks of scrapbook paper that is just too pretty to use. My studio glass racks are at capacity because I am hoarding these odd lot out of production glass rods that you will never get again! Because you know glass lampworking cane is a valuable collectible. Um yeah, not so much.    I might be able to fund my retirement with the stash of sterling silver beads and toggles that are just waiting for the perfect necklace. But hey, at least sterling silver is a precious metal and traded commodity so mayb

In case you are not from around here (Minnesota), we are having the coldest winter on record in the last 20 years or so. It is so ridiculously cold the governor has canceled school for the entire state on Monday because the forecast HIGH temperature is going to be NEGATIVE 15. That's just plain wrong. Sadly, this means I am not getting a lot of torch time in. The outside temperature needs to be above 20 degrees or my ventilation system freezes out the whole house and my fingers start to go numb - which doesn't generally help my stringer control. Since it appears this cold trend is going to be around for the rest of the winter, I have decided to maximize my sparsely precious torch time by only making focal beads. I can usually get 3-4 focals made in a torch session, whereas a set will often take me 2 sessions to finish. By limiting myself to focals I can offer more beads with more variety during this cold snap. Be on the lookout for some new and exciting bead sets come Sprin