Blue Bear Beads Blog

Making artist focal beads your own

Do you LOVE to collect “Artist Beads” and then have a hard time making them reflect your style rather than the beads? It’s a challenge and one that I think Susan Barton of Archaic Design has overcome. Her own style shines through and is enhanced rather than overshadowed by this fabulous bead by Anne Choi.

Be sure to visit Archaic Designs on Etsy at: http://archaicdesign.etsy.com

and to see more of Anne Choi’s fabulous beads visit: www.annechoi.com

Raku Beads from Smoking Turtle Studio

I have just finished adding some fabulous raku beads from Smoking Turtle Studio to the site. Les Powell, who happens to be my sweetie, is a talented potter who specializes in alternative firing techniques. After much nudging he developed a raku bead line a few years ago. He is no longer making beads so get them while you can!

I would love to see some of your work using his beads if you have purchased them from us at shows or from the net. Please feel free to add a comment and upload a picture.

Here is a link to the raku beads on the site:
http://www.bluebearbeads.com/products.php?cat=27

They are also available on my Etsy site:
http://www.bluebearbeads.etsy.com

Time Management

Whew! Are you “time management” challenged too? Lately there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. Of course, part of this for me has been that I have been hit with one illness or another for the past 2 (almost 3) weeks. I went to work this morning and then came home with a stomach bug. I am quite sick of being sick!

Now, how to overcome! Any ideas? At present I work a full time day job and have 3 businesses. This afternoon I was involved in a lovely discussion on Etsy about this very issue. Some of the ideas shared were:

• Keep a notebook with you to jot anything and everything in (of course you do have to remember to read it too!)
• I have lost of great ideas in the car…how about a mini tape recorder
• Establish an office/creative space that is exclusively used for the intended purpose and don’t let the rest of the family take over.

Car Spa Sale

Currently, through this Sunday, October 7th, there is a HALF OFF the entire store sale ongoing at www.bluebearbeads.com .  The reason for the sale is reflected in the coupon code:  CARSPA07 that you will need to enter when you check out to receive your discount.

Many of you are familiar with my slightly warped sense of humor.  Well, here is another one!  It seems that Sweet Pea (my Dodge Durango) decided that she needed a spa treatment at the mechanics.  She has sorely put a dent in my pocket book.  Doesn’t she realize that with the new fall season upon us that I need to go shopping to update MY wardrobe?!  This is my way to give you the benefit of some new goodies so I can go shoe shopping.  Have some fun!

Dawn

Etsy

Have any of you gone shopping at Etsy.com yet?  Oh, the delicious things!  My want list is much longer than it should be!  If you haven’t been to visit, GO and come back and let us know what you think.

I have finally gotten some of my own artwork up on Etsy.com
www.dawndalto.etsy.com

Among all of my new goodies are a few “bead shrines”.  These are to showcase your favorite art bead.

Let me know what you think!  Have fun shopping…don’t get in as much trouble as I think you can!

Dawn

Book Recommendaton

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to share with you a favorite book that I have been passing around to all of my friends.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth GilbertIt was given to me by a friend at a clay workshop this past Spring and it made me really think. It came at a time that I was once again battling to get my ex-husband to finish paying the debt from our property agreement. Dealing with that dredged up all sorts of horrible feelings and anger. The book made me return to placing myself at the center of being responsible for my own actions. The old…I am on the only one responsible for my happiness and I am the only one who can change it deal.

It took me a while to read it (normally, I’m a fast page turner). I was glad because it gave me time to savor things. I hope you will give it a try and enjoy it too.

Dawn

The July 4th Bears

I just have to share a bit of my excitement tonight. Rather than watching fireworks I spent part of the evening taking pictures of a bear in my backyard! Les and I arrived home around 8:00pm and as we drove up the driveway we were greated by the site of a black bear enjoying our garbage strewn across the backyard.We thought she wasn’t a very big bear so we just thought she was young. We ran her off by banging on a metal pot with a metal spoon. She went off a short distance in the woods but wouldn’t leave completely. Les picked up the garbage while I stood by with pot and spoon at the ready to keep banging to scare her off if she came back.

After we returned to the house she came right back in the yard. We thought things were going to start again with her getting back in the garbage can again. However, she came to the base of the tree where she had been before, climbed up a bit and then 2 baby bears started following her down the tree. They were so cute! Now we understood why the mother bear wouldn’t leave. Below are pictures of the momma bear. By the time the babies came down the tree it was too dark for me to get pictures.

Welcome

Welcome to the new Blue Bear Beads Blog! This was formerly known as the News Update page. I will try to add some of the old fun stories to the new blog. The fun thing about the blog is that you can participate too! So please respond and share your stories, thoughts and ideas!

Dawn