Things that make me sad...things that make me happy.....

I just feel the need to share something that makes me sad....people and even shops that think that it is okay to take our designs and teach them at their stores....I just hope that people think about the fact that when they do this they are taking food off our tables.  When someone goes out and teaches our classes it is one less student that would be taking the class from us.  We work hard to design our projects, to write the instructions and then go out on the road to share and teach our classes.  It isn't an easy way to make a living, but very rewarding when we have the amazing students that appreciate our work.  I just ask everyone to think twice about doing this....and think twice about taking such a class from someone other than the originator....
The reason I have brought this up is I have been dealing with a couple of different places over the last few weeks.....One place that immediately removed the classes and apologized and the other that had to make an argument out of it....just makes me sad that it comes to that....
Things that make me happy....
I would like to say thank you to those that brought the issues up to me via email and mail.  I appreciate your support.  Thank you to people that keep their eyes open an let us know when these things like this are being done.
Wonderful students that are so much fun to have in class...some that even send pictures of finished pieces and email kind words.

Visits from a Pileated Woodpeckers

 Fun with friends.....  Taking a picture of Marcia....taking a picture of me.....with Mark looking on...

Having drinks with my daughter, Kelsey and Dallas.....

 And last, but of course not least....my sweet boy Bogart....who always makes me happy!

Where in the heck has Tracy and her darn blog been????

All I can say is....I'm not sure!  Between teaching at the fantastic Creative Castle...getting ready for Bead and Button and working on the Wire Working book...I have been in CRAZY LAND!  I was really touched by the people at Bead and Button that said...hey....what about the blog!  Thanks to you for letting me know people read it....I will try to get better....after all...I have never lacked for words...opinions...time to back it up!!!!

Bead and Button was an amazing experience, once again....9 classes in 7 days~hey who does my scheduling?  But it was so fun to see people that I haven't seen all year!  My students were all amazing...it is almost a crime that I have so much fun! 

Here are a couple of dear friends- Julie and Cynthia, from home.....why does it take going to Bead and Button to see friends from home?????....having an amazing dinner...fun conversation....okay...perhaps a few drinks...shhhhh don't tell anyone!

I just want you all to know how amazingly beautiful it is here in Seattle on a beautiful sunny spring evening.  I am so lucky to live here and enjoy all the cloudy days and rejoice in the incredible sunny days.  If you haven't ever visited...you must put it on your bucket list!  I am now teaching locally at Fusion Beads.  So if you do come...check the schedule and see if you can fit a class in!

Back again!!!

Wow.....I know I have been told by my many colleagues that have written books that it is a lot of work, but WOW!!!   Janice and I have been working hard writing and doing the photography for the wire book we are doing.  We have been buried in work, but met our first deadline....yeah time to breathe...oh no....another deadline in a bit over two weeks....no time to breathe.....get back to it!!!




Here is a picture of how hard Janice is working......oh wait....this was how hard she was playing with Bogart.....ooopps!





Here is our camera and light set up to take our fabulous pictures!
I am sure Janice will get back to work soon......if Bogey will stop distracting her!

Off to do more work on the book.....

Wind, rain, sleet or snow doesn't stop.....

Janice and I worked on pictures for our upcoming book.  Just going to say...we are earning our pay!  Oh wait...our future pay.  It's no easy job.  Below Bogey is telling me to stop whining about the snow.....LET'S GET A MOVE ON!!!

Next few days I get to bury my head in numbering all of these pictures and placing it in text.  Yikes!

I am having so much fun getting thrown back to wire again.....it's like visiting an old friend.  One that I have neglected of late....the one that has always been there...just waiting......welcoming me back with open arms....

Noooooo!!!!!

The snow has come and is trying to be the spoiler on my plans for tomorrow!  Janice and I are spending the day shooting pictures for our new book.....I will not be defeated!  Warren will have to skip a day of snowboarding.....oh wait should be a work day!  As I wipe away a tear.....not.....he will have to take me to Janice's so we can spend our second day shooting.  This book thing isn't easy!  But I am sure it will be worth it!

Another lovely monday.....

Janice and I are in the throws of writing a book on wire working.  Busy with writing text on our projects and discussions about book titles with publisher.....so many hoops to jump through.  It is fun to get back to my wire working roots....I have focused so much of my time on the metal and riveting projects it is nice to go back to where it all began.... but  hard for me to stay focused on crazy deadlines....wow...me deadlines...hummmm.....I think I saw a chicken!  Tomorrow is a day of photography......I hope we can stay on track and not get too distracted by the chickens.....

Ohh...look a chicken!

Last month I had an absolutely delightful gal, Christine, take a class from me at Fusion beads.  She told me about a card that she had that reminded her of herself and me.  That night she sent it to me and I haven't stopped laughing since!  See if you agree....and if any of you see yourself.When I get distracted...my new motto is....oh look a chicken! 

Christine brought me a present this week when she came to another one of my classes....imagine....she came back!  Now I don't want any of you to think that you have to bring presents when you take a class from me....but....just saying........  Check out my gift!  A fun toy for me to play with and  oh...look 2 chickens!  Thanks Christine you made my day!