Our Book Hit #2!

...number 2 on the Amazon bestselling jewelry book list! And the book hasn't even been released! This is all pre-orders! The list is updated every hour, so this might change. (Dare I even hope for--gulp--#1?)

Thanks a million to all of you who ordered a copy, spread the word, and helped with publicity. Chris and I both appreciate it very, very much.

Love,

Peggy

Bead and Button and Book Signing

It was interesting. Not exactly exciting: a bit of an anticlimax I guess. I didn't even take any pictures.

I got to meet and chat with a bunch of people, and that was cool. I gave away some charms and found objects, in keeping with the theme of the book, Making Mixed Media Art Charms and Jewelry. And of course I got to look at and drool over millions of beads. It was a major effort but I managed not to spend a ton of money. A good thing, too, finances being what they are in this household right now.

Maybe the best thing was seeing my (our) book in print, bound, with a cover, for the very first time. No, that was the second best thing. The best thing was stopping at my Mom's house and showing her a copy. She said, "I'm proud of you, Peggy." It was worth all the effort of writing the book to hear that. I wish my dad had been there.

For Love of Tools, or, Drill Press Synchronicity

Guess what I got for my birthday. My Art Group pitched in together to give me a gift certificate (thanks so much, girlfriends!) and I ordered a drill press. It's just a little one, called The WorkStation. It holds a Dremel so that you can not only drill but also mount it sideways and use it as a grinder. I can't wait until it arrives. (By the way, It was $49 at Home Depot and $38 on Amazon- with free shipping.)

My old drill press is a pretty simple thing: it holds my Dad's BIG old electric drill. I use it all the time, but it sure isn't portable or convenient. Here's a photo of what I've been doing with my old drill press:

So here I'm all excited about my baby press and then I read Chris' blog about HER new one. I think it's the Mother of all Drill Presses--at least the home-size version. Take a look at it here:

http://www.intuitivesparks.blogspot.com

Awesome, eh?

OK, so if you're not into tools this might not trip yer trigger, but I'm drooling.

Meanwhile I'm laughing about the timing. Chris' drill press article scooped mine. That'll teach me. Next time I'm posting first!

Blogging is Like Pulling Teeth

I can't figure out why it's been so hard to add to this blog. It's not like I have nothing to say; I have way too much to say. But I'm a slow typist.

I have loads of photos of my new jewelry that I'd like everyone in the world to see. Like this piece I made, now owned by my sister Bridget. I think I'd call it Steampunk style. What do you think?

OK, that's all I'm going to write for now.

International Charm Day!

It's that time again, folks! And the best place to celebrate is at the International Charm Day blog (see link in the left column). Amber's getting ready to do some giveaways, so get on over there and ENJOY!

ART Unraveled

I just added a link to the ART Unraveled website. GO! It's an awesome lineup of talented people (yeah, I guess I am, too) teaching incredible classes. This is cutting edge stuff! And it's an art retreat; you take classes but you also socialize, meet other people who are as crazy about art-making as you are (or more so!) and swap stuff, buy stuff, sell stuff, make stuff... OMG it's awesome.

Thanks

So many people left lovely comments about my jewelry on Facebook. It really makes me feel good when somebody likes my work.

Today I feel like doing cartwheels. If only I could do them without breaking my neck.

More Classes!

Dazzling Dichroics--Fused Glass Cabochons

Classes I'm Teaching

These are the photos for the Charm Bracelet/Necklace classes I'll be teaching at ART Unraveled (AU) in Phoenix, 2010. Woo hoo! I'm so pleased to be accepted! I'll share the website and registration information very soon. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at:
ARTandSOULtoo@aol.com

New Book Cover!

OK, I think this is just the tentative cover, not the final version. But it'll give you an idea, anyway. It's from the promotional brochure that goes to bookstores and distributors. Click on it to get a larger view.