Beeboo Journal

Trunk Show 1/6/12

2012-01-03T11:41:00.001-05:00

I'm participating in a trunk show event with other amazing jewerly artists at Karenna Maraj (http://www.karennamarajcollection.com/), 95 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA, Friday January 6 from 6-8pm. Hope to see you there! Beth, Beeboo

Beth Mellor ~ Handcrafts Glass Beads, Pendants and Jewelry

Barbara Bourque ~ Specializes in Beautiful Swarovski Crystals

Silvana Costa ~ Repurposes Vintage Materials into Funky Jewelry

VIEW MAP & DIRECTIONS

info@karennamaraj.com | 617.484.0645

Open Studio in Ashburnham

2011-12-09T08:44:00.001-05:00

I'm participating in an Open Studio in a beautiful renovated barn this weekend with a painter and a couple potters. 102 Main Street, Ashburnham, MA. Sat Dec 10 from 10a-7p, Sun Dec 11 from 11a-4p. Did I mention treats and drinks? And, psst... it's my last show of the year. See you there!

Holiday Fair today!

2011-12-03T07:26:00.001-05:00

Best lunch in town and beautiful thing to see at the Congregational Church in Princeton Center today, 10 am to 3 pm!

Small Works Show

2011-12-02T14:42:00.001-05:00

Princeton Arts Society Small Works Show opening tonight with yummy treats then open all weekend. Stop by to shop for beautiful original works of art!

Cleaning those hollow beads...

2011-12-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

I bought a water pik to clean my hollow beads, wow! What a time saver. Why did I wait so long?

2011-11-25T14:13:00.000-05:00

Worcester Center for Crafts show this weekend! Come check it out!

Art Ride this weekend

2011-11-17T16:37:00.001-05:00

Want to know what goes on in the Beeboo studio? Stop by this weekend during the Art Ride! Stamp your passport at all the studios on the tour and your name will be entered into a drawing for a basket of handcrafted swag. Saturday Nov 19, 9am-5pm & Sunday Nov 20, 11am-4pm. Start the ride with Beeboo, 18 Boylston Ave, Princeton, MA. See you then!

Home Business Shopping Night

2011-11-02T16:32:00.000-04:00

I'll be at the Home Business Shopping Night in Clinton Nov 3, 6:30-9pm. Hope you can make it!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T08:18:00.001-04:00

The neighborhood is already in costume two days in advance. No driving to the studio today. I'll be packing in with my snow boots and woolies. Lot's to do including earrings, earrings, earrings...

Almost perfect

2011-10-07T07:11:00.001-04:00

Perfecting my "quickbread" recipe. Possible to make after work for late dinner... 3 c warm water, 1T sugar, 3t salt, 2 pkg yeast, let yeast proof, add flour (I don't measure, sorry) mix in bowl til can't then turn out and kneed adding flower til not sticky. Let rise til double. Punch down. Sprinkle cornmeal on baking sheet. Form long loaves, slit tops, brush with egg whites. Bake starting from cold oven 375-400 degrees til done. It rises 2nd time in oven. Makes 2 lg loaves. Yum!

Hey Day Today!

2011-10-01T09:15:00.000-04:00

Rain or shine Hey Day is happening today at the Mass Audubon's Wachusett Meadow, Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA. 11am til 4pm, I'll be downstairs in the big barn with the raffle and food (perfect!) There is an amazing art show on the upper level! Worth the trip in the rain... or hopefully shine :^) Beth

Hey Day Today!

2011-10-01T09:14:00.000-04:00

seattle rain

2011-09-12T11:54:00.001-04:00

raindrops on a mossy green, reichenbach with ggglass. mmmm...

Saving Pennies

2011-09-12T06:42:00.001-04:00

Up and out the door early today. Saving pennies with some yummy home crafted foods. Packed up for the day job (http://www.tufts.edu/vet/mediaservices) all homemade... yogurt with a spoonful of wild grape jam and a drizzle of Trader Joes honey, lemon tabouli with carrot, tomato, parsley, and a hot chai tea (playing with a spice blend added to black tea) yum!

Torching

2011-08-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

Working late night at the mini cc with Arrested Development. Testing the new toy with a quick pic for the blog first. Love the 1977 filter. Brings me back...

Tapestry Amphora

2011-07-03T14:18:00.000-04:00

I've been playing with amphoras again in the studio, beautiful little function vessels on the braided beeswaxed linen cord. This is my favorite, a little tapestry style spun from opaque cream glass, rolled in purple rose powder, spiraled with handtwisted latticino and sparkling gold, yum. Love it with the black cord and deep purple flowers. Hope you like it too!

PAS Art Show & Sale this weekend!

2011-05-12T08:44:00.000-04:00

I'm helping out at the PAS Art Exhibit opening on Friday night and will be in the studio sporadically Saturday and Sunday during the show (find me in the basement). If you like "Blueberries for Sal" you'll need to check out the new "Ladybugs in Bloom", both presented in the show! Hope to see you there, Beth

The Princeton Arts Society 20th Annual Art Show and Sale is this weekend with artwork in the gym area and 2 rooms on the first floor. The building is being transformed into an art gallery and the work is spectacular! There will be refreshments throughout the show and a raffle table with items worth over $3000. You'll want to make the $5.00 donation for 25 tickets to try your luck.

Planned events include:
Friday, 7-9: Live music, presentation of awards.
Saturday, 10-2: Public welcome with special attention to seniors.
Saturday, 2-7: Public welcome
Saturday, 7-9: Public reception, live music, student awards.
Sunday, 12-4: Public reception, live music, popular choice award.

Note: Please forward this message along to anyone who might enjoy a beautiful local arts exhibit!

Bead Show April 16th

2011-04-14T15:07:00.000-04:00

I'll be at the Glass Bead Extravaganza on Saturday. Hope to see you there! Beth

Update, Teaching & Arts Festival

2011-03-31T09:47:00.001-04:00

Happy Spring from Beeboo!

I'm demo-ing beadmaking tonight (Thurs 3/31/11) and will also have a bead/jewelry display at the Princeton Community Arts Festival. It's truly a fabulous arts event! Thomas Prince School, 170 Sterling Road, Princeton, MA.

I'm participating in the Glass Bead Extravaganza, Saturday 4/16/11, Holiday Inn, 265 Lakeside Ave., Marlborough, MA. This show is put on by the Boston Chapter of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and features some amazing artists, hope you can join us.

And, I'm teaching lampwork glass beadmaking at the fabulous Worcester Center for Crafts. Check course listings at http://www.worcester.edu/WCC

Lastly, the following shops have been restocked with new beeboo beads and jewelry...

The Beadin' Path, Freeport, ME (http://www.beadinpath.com)

Petersham Craft Center, Petersham, MA (http://www.petershamcraftcenter.org)

UMass Medical School Bookstore, Worcester, MA (http://www.umassmed.edu/bookstore/index.aspx)

Wachusett Artists Emporium, Holden, MA (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131466470237925)

Thanks and hope to see you soon.

Beth, Beeboo

glass haiku

2011-01-18T13:53:00.001-05:00

new year, new glass beads
playing in the studio
silvered river... rocks!

UMass today Princeton tomorrow

2010-12-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

I'll be at UMass today (Friday December 3rd) for a Trunk Show at the
UMass Medical School Bookstore, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester MA,
in the Medical School Lobby from 11 AM 'til 4 PM.

Tomorrow is one of my favorite fairs of the year! I'll be at the
First Congregational Church in Princeton MA for their Holiday Craft
Fair from 10 AM 'til 3 PM. Great people, awesome crafters, yummy
lunch, can't be beat!

If you miss me at the fairs we can meet at the studio. If you are a
far away follower we can chat via email with images of what's in
stock, plenty of time to pop the baubles in the mail!

Coming soon.... I'll be teaching some workshops at the Worcester
Center for Crafts. Fun!

Hope to see you soon and Happy Holidays! Beth, Beeboo

Psst... If you're reading this update on the blog and would like to
be added to my email list contact me at bethmellor@verizon.net or if
you're on my email list and want to be removed please reply with
"remove from list" as subject. Thanks!

Ramping up the studio...

2010-11-17T11:07:00.001-05:00

I'm ramping things up in the studio for the big beautiful Worcester Center for Crafts Festival of Crafts next week. Hope to see you there!

Worcester Center for Crafts Holiday Festival of Crafts 2010
Friday Nov 26th 10-5, Saturday Nov 27th 10-5, Sunday Nov 28th 11-4
Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA

Show & Shops Update

2010-11-11T11:13:00.006-05:00

I'm participating in the Conant Library Craft Fair in Sterling MA this Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM. Click this link http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159651044071773 for more info. Hope to see you there!

Also, recent shop updates....

The Wachusett Artists Emporium on Main Street in Holden MA, an
amazing new shop featuring ALL local artists has a full display of
Beeboo glass beads and jewelry. The WAE has beautiful handcrafted
items, fiber arts, woodworking, fine art paintings and prints,
ceramics, jewelry, and much more! It's worth a trip to Holden.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131466470237925

The Beadin' Path in Freeport ME has been reloaded with beautiful
Beeboo lampwork glass beads. Take a ride to Freeport for LL Bean and
the amazing Beadin' Path!
http://www.beadinpath.com

The Wooly Fox Shop at the Red Fox Farm on Worcester Road in Princeton MA has been restocked with the ever popular spun glass heart pendants. Stop by and say hello from Beeboo! (psst... do you love Beeboo packaging? I use wool roving from Red Fox Farm to keep the little beadies safe and sound).

Coming soon.... The Worcester Center for Crafts Festival of Crafts Fri, Sat, Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Save-the-date!

Beth Mellor, Beeboo
http://www.beeboo.com
bethmellor@verizon.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beeboo/322381362655

Mayo School Craft Fair 10-23-10

2010-10-22T13:48:00.002-04:00

I'll be at the 30th Annual Mayo School Craft Fair tomorrow, Oct 23 (351 Bullard Street, Holden, MA) from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Print out this coupon for $1 off at the door!

2010 Show Schedule

2010-10-01T14:11:00.005-04:00

The beeboo website is horribly outdated (needs to be updated) and I wanted to get a show schedule up quickly so am posting it here on the blog. The last official beeboo beadmaking demo is Sat Oct 2 in Princeton, MA. Also wanted to let you know that I've placed a few of the newest series of fused glass pendants up on the beebootoo etsy page after an email request. There are many more in each series, come to a show or email if you'd like to see more!

http://beebootoo.etsy.com

Beeboo Fall 2010 Show Schedule

Hey Day at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary (MA Audubon)
I'll have a display and will demo-ing beadmaking downstairs in the Arts barn.
Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA
Saturday, October 2, 2010
11 AM - 4 PM

Harvest Craft Fair
Prince of Peace Church
Princeton Center, Princeton, MA
Sunday, October 10, 2010
11:30 AM - 3 PM

Mayo School Craft Fair
Mayo Elementary School
351 Bullard Street, Holden, MA
Saturday, October 23, 2010
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Conant Juried Craft Show
Conant Public Library
Sterling Center, Sterling, MA
Saturday, November 13, 2010
9 AM - 3 PM

The Festival of Crafts
Worcester Center for Crafts
25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA
Friday Nov 26, 10 AM - 5 PM
Saturday Nov 27, 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday Nov 28, 2010, 11 AM - 4 PM

Trunk Show
UMasss Medical School Bookstore

UMass Medical School, 55 Lake Ave North, Worcester, MA
Friday, December 3, 2010
10 AM - 4 PM

Holiday Craft Fair
First Congregational Church of Princeton, MA
Mountain Road, Princeton, MA
Saturday, December 4, 2010
10 AM - 3 PM

Holiday Craft Fair

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University

Elms Cafe in the Agnes Varis Campus Center
200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA
Friday, December 10, 2010
12 Noon - 2 PM

Bead Demo 10/2/10

2010-09-29T08:13:00.003-04:00

I'm demo-ing glass beadmaking at Hey Day in Princeton MA on Saturday Oct 2, 11 AM - 4 PM. It's a fun day at the Wachusett Meadow/Audubon with a chicken barbecue, cider pressing, blacksmithing, hayrides, canoeing on the beaver pond, ice cream, baked goods, mini-maze, farm animals, pumpkin painting, pony rides, and a barn full of art presented by the Princeton Arts Society!

I'll be located in the lower level of the Art Society barn. Hope to see you there! Beth, Beeboo

playing with color

2010-08-09T08:57:00.003-04:00

Playing with 96 coe glass cane (reichenbach and veiled glass) for that pop of color. Tonight it's off to the studio to make earrings, earrings, and more earrings. I think I'll bring the materials upstairs to the Princeton Arts Society space for the Monday night open studio. Fun!

disc or disk

2010-07-27T09:10:00.004-04:00

I've been playing with some new encased disk (disc?) shapes and love how the heavy application of clear magnifies the organic color of the raku glass!

photography tips

2010-07-26T13:19:00.002-04:00

I was asked about the camera I use for the bead photos. I use a Canon Powershot Digital Elph. I've used three different generations of this camera and am very happy with the results. I use the same camera for all my family photos. It's tiny, portable, and easy to use. Although I honestly think any digital camera would work if you do the following....
Set the camera to macro.
Turn the flash off.
Set it for interior lighting.
Set image size for 1000-1200 pixels wide (although I shoot larger and resize down in iphoto on my mac).
I do this each time I turn the camera on as it reverts away from these settings each time I shut the camera off.
I also have a simple table top studio set-up (see photo)
Two reptile light fixtures with clips at a local pet shop which can hold high wattage bulbs.
Two 200 or 250 watt light bulbs at Home Depot or Lowes.
A gray stone 12" square tile (for neutral backdrop).
A white sheet of paper tacked at the back to bounce light back onto the beads.
With this set up I can take pics of the beads very quickly with consistent image quality.

Sadie

2010-07-19T10:47:00.001-04:00

Meet Sadie! We've adopted this sweet little rat terrier from a friend at the Vet School. She's 2 years old so will stay about this size. So fun to have a wee little dog in the house and nice quiet company at the studio. She's claimed Phoebe for her new Mom, cute!

mossy beads

2010-07-19T10:45:00.002-04:00

Driving away the fumes in the previous photo with some pretty new mossy beads.

why ventilation?

2010-07-01T14:57:00.001-04:00

Some photos from the recent in bead demo for the Princeton Arts Society and evidence of why you need good ventilation when working at the torch. I added a film grain filter to the first photo. Heat or fumes? Whatever it is it's scary that the camera caught it! When I torch at the home studio I have a beautiful ventilation hood with fan blowing all the fumes out and away. So now I'll be working on a portable vent hood design to use with the awesome plexy cube James built for me for the demo station. Beyond fume issues the demo was fun!

June giveaway

2010-06-30T10:26:00.002-04:00

This post will be a bit repetitive on the Beeboo Facebook fan page but I wanted to share the set I've chosen as a prize for June on the blog too. I'll draw the winning number at noon (12 noon, June 30, 2010 eastern standard time) so if you're not a fan you still have time to "like" Beeboo! (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beeboo/322381362655) The beads are big (for me) handcrafted hollow lampwork glass on an open ended waxed cotton cord. My new favorite thing to wear in a fun hot color mix. Now, what to pick for July?

sharing the love

2010-06-18T09:21:00.006-04:00

An uber talented polymer clay artist, Artybecca, purchased a set of my beads. They caught her eye because of a beeboo connection, her childhood nickname. She created a gorgeous asymmetrical necklace and has posted pics on her blog which is definitely worth following. So cool. Thanks Rebecca!
http://artybecca.blogspot.com/2010/06/art-beeboo-beads.html

proud mom

2010-06-09T09:35:00.009-04:00

My daughter Phoebe has an etsy shop, thislittlekid, and has begun listing original aceo illustrations and now a gorgeous pearl choker.

The fresh water pearls are huge, necklace is "tin cup" style knotted on silk thread with a beautiful sterling silver clasp. She picked out the pearls, clasp, knotted, finished, and in my humble (ha) opinion has stellar taste. Love it! So proud. xox Mom

cloudy treasury

2010-06-09T08:46:00.003-04:00

I'm included in this beautiful "cloudy" etsy treasury created by Knme. Love the mellow mix of colors and the Clawed Coelacanth etching by White Raven Arts to the left of my purple rose bead set. Memories of art school, I'll have to look in the attic for some of my old plates... thank you Kara!

tapestry

2010-06-07T08:27:00.003-04:00

played over the weekend with twisted stringer texture and new colors in the tapestry style... mmm.

treasury

2010-06-04T11:27:00.006-04:00

I'm included in this cool etsy treasury created by DesignProjects. Check out the felted neck piece by Rudman right above my red bead set. How beautiful is that? Wow.

back to basics

2010-05-24T08:39:00.006-04:00

Coming off of a beautiful weekend here in MA. The Princeton Arts Society show was wonderful. My entry, a selection of glass and linen necklaces on a recycled wallpaper display, won the "Wachusett Meadow Green Award". The prize was a gift bag packed with Audubon booklets, a signed edition of What's That Bird written by Wachusett Meadow's own Joe Choiniere and my friend, Claire Golding, a gift certificate for an Audubon course, and a fabulous new set of watercolors. So generous, so fun, so I was inspired to draw....
I haven't wet the watercolors but did sketch a weed/wildflower while waiting for Phoebe and friends to finish canoeing on Comet Pond. Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary is right around the corner (lucky to have this wonderful resource right in town!) so I'll be sketching more and hope to use the colors and textures found as a basis for new glass designs. Loved picking up the pencil again, it's been too long!
Shown here is a color version (ink and color pencil on cronoflex film, favorite materials from back in the day...) and the original pencil sketch from the shoreline of Comet Pond in Hubbardston, MA). We'll have to play a new game, what's that weed? Enjoy the day! Beth

finally...

2010-05-05T08:08:00.005-04:00

A bit delayed in posting this pic of the finished bracelet with pandora (biagi, troll, camilla...) style beadset which was the April fan page giveaway. I've been crazy busy at work, with kids, and in the studio(s) getting ready for upcoming shows. And, speaking of prepping for upcoming shows, I'll also attach a pic of a bunch of bubbles for the ever popular and so fun to wear bubble and swirl necklaces. Guess what I'll be making at the torch tonight? A gaggle of swirl beads to go with the bubbles. Perhaps a sign of the May beeboo-facebook-fan-page-giveaway? How about a bubble and swirl necklace with color choice given to the winner? Perfect! Are you a fan?

torch time

2010-04-22T06:56:00.001-04:00

Torch tonight. Love where the red and purple "kiss" on these beads,
need to work more with these colors.

rainbow for dad

2010-04-21T07:43:00.001-04:00

I took a road trip yesterday after work to visit Gail Josephs at GG Glass (http://www.ggglass.com) and bought myself a veiled glass rainbow. How beautiful is this? I can't wait to turn on the torch tomorrow night. Tonight it's all about family. I'm going to have dinner with Mom and sisters on the anniversary of my father's death from ALS. I love you and miss you Dad... every day!

bead show

2010-04-15T15:32:00.002-04:00

I'm participating in a Glass Bead Extravaganza this Saturday in Marlboro, MA. Are you free?
Glass Bead Extravaganza 2010, April 17, 2010, 10am-5pm at the Holiday Inn, 265 Lakeside Ave, Marlboro MA presented by the Boston Chapter of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers. Glass Bead Extravaganza is the premier all glass bead show in the Northeast. This year's show features exceptional glass beads, and finished pieces from over 30 glass artistswith a wide range of styles to fit everyone's tastes. You will also find a variety of glass-working tools as well as jewelry and beading supplies to interest beginners to professional designers.

Olympic Glass Color

2010-04-07T14:15:00.002-04:00

Back from a fun filled whirlwind trip to Seattle with my sisters and Mom and managed to squeeze in a trip to Olympic Glass Color to pick up some frit and cane. I can't wait to turn on the torch tonight and test it out! The pics are of the back room at Olympic Glass... boxes upon boxes of beautiful glass rod, cane, frit, super organized, super fun!

mini vaca

2010-04-01T14:04:00.002-04:00

Leaving on a mini vacation to celebrate two sisters birthdays in Seattle. The siblings will all be together with Mom at my sister Lisa's. This is photo of dualing birthday cakes. Sisters Linda and Lisa were born two years apart on April 3. I'm the monkey on the middle left with red coat and crazy friz. Looking forward to a few days of quality time with sisters and complete rest from work while squeezing in a side visit to Olympic Glass (yay!)

give away o-two

2010-03-30T21:27:00.002-04:00

Hey, it's the end of the month! I'll be picking a random number tomorrow morn from the beeboo facebook fan list and some lucky duck will get this pretty fused glass pendant. I've dressed it up with a silver bead speckled, braided, waxed linen cord... are you a fan?

beadsss.....

2010-03-25T16:28:00.001-04:00

What's she wearing today?

2010-03-23T08:28:00.002-04:00

I think we need a name for the studio mannequin.... what's she wearing today? Classic Beeboo, knotted silk...

Iron Beader

2010-03-22T10:42:00.002-04:00

...and the secret ingredient is... watch faces! I had someone come to the studio with a couple little silver watch faces. She picked some lampwork beads from the box, I pulled out my semiprecious stone stash and voula! The triple strand looks much prettier in person, it's loosely braided so the strands will always overlap each other and the tiny lampwork beads float on the silver tubes. Sporadic rows of tiny silver seed beads add texture. The pink single strand is a pretty standard design which lot's of jewelry artists use but it works nicely here. Fun to change up the normal routine with a custom request.

Beadmaking Demo

2010-03-16T18:42:00.002-04:00

Anyone in mid-MA read this blog? I'll be set up to make glass beads at
the Thomas Prince School in Princeton, MA for the 3rd (or is it 4th)
Annual Community Art Show from 5:30-7:30 PM on Thursday, March 18th.
It's a super fun small town celebration of art. The school is decorated
with student works and there are displays and demos of various
techniques presented by the uber-talented art community. Plus yummy
food in the cafe. It's an event that shouldn't be missed. Hope to see
you there!

Studio attire

2010-03-15T09:15:00.002-04:00

I was working at the old school studio on and off over the weekend and REALLY need to get a space heater. I was wearing long johns top and bottom, multiple layers of fleece on top, fleece pants, multiple scarves, wool socks, warm shoes, and was still cold. It's the hands, always the hands.... can't wear gloves while you're making pretty things. Home depot, here I come...

Dreaming

2010-03-09T18:03:00.002-05:00

I was chatting with some friends from the Princeton Arts Society about
an artist colony in NH, the MacDowell Colony. You apply for a
fellowship to go work on your craft, whatever it may be... visual
arts, music, writing. Perfect. I'm feeling a bit stressed to produce,
stressed to support the family financially. I've become a production
artist and think it would be incredible to relax and create without an
agenda or schedule. To be able to draw, sketch, work at the torch,
come up with new designs, colors, textures, shapes, no need to be
functional, no worry about positive feedback, to create for me... For
a bit of eye candy I've clipped a picture of my favorite cottage. Can
you imagine? I'll be there someday... http://www.macdowellcolony.org/

finished...

2010-03-08T08:40:00.002-05:00

I worked in the freezing cold center school studio over the weekend while the beautiful warm spring sun was shining outside (sheesh) to finish the jewelry for the wholesale order. Coming soon to a gallery near you...

Clean Beads

2010-03-05T06:43:00.002-05:00

I came home from work yesterday and found a pile of beads off their
mandrels. Thanks to my sweetie James for pulling them all for me,
hurrah! I sat last night and cleaned all the beads with my ancient
little dremel. Time for a new one I think... it's on it's last legs.
This pic is the pile of clean beads divided by color. Each set (blue,
purple, green, red) will make a single bracelet and two long swirl
drip earrings with a few leftovers which will probably end up on Etsy.
I'll be working on the finished jewelry this weekend (at the old
school studio if you want to visit...) Yay, it's Friday!!!

Bouquet of Beads

2010-03-04T06:51:00.003-05:00

Pulled a pretty bouquet of beads from the kiln this morning. Nice way to start the day... I'm filling a wholesale order of bracelets and earrings so needed to make a gazillion itty bitty beads. I tend to work at the torch with a movie, and will watch the same movie over and over so I don't have to look at the screen. This batch was made watching the first transformers... love the parents, want to be the mom. Too funny. Other studio faves are any lord of the rings, harry potters, pride and prejudice (long or short), lost in austen, black adder, house... weird mix.

Cranberry with a Twist

2010-03-02T23:02:00.002-05:00

Continuing to twist stringers and love the color of the transparent
cranberry glass (rubino oro). I'm working on a Spring show schedule...
upcoming are demo days at the local school (one night open to the
public) in March, a possible bead show in April, a trunk show in May
as well as a three day fair at the Worcester Craft Center. I'll
solidify the schedule within the week. Time to keep the torch burning!
Beth, Beeboo

New Beads...

2010-03-02T08:19:00.002-05:00

... on http://beeboo.etsy.com

Updates Galore

2010-03-01T10:38:00.002-05:00

I've been working on a fused glass shop on Etsy. It's too much work to keep my own personal website updated, rotating the pendants as they sell. Etsy will do the maintenance for me and the Beeboo website will have a gallery of available items. Perfect. It's separate from the lampwork glass bead shop but I'm happy to combine shipping and discount (if order is over $100 I give you 20% back... its my artisan discount to save you a little $ if you're buying beads/pendants for your own designs - does not apply to finished jewelry on the Beeboo website.) I'll be lightening up the pendant photos tonight. They're looking a bit dark. Here're the links. Check 'em out!
http://beebootoo.etsy.com (fused glass pendants)
http://beeboo.etsy.com (lampwork glass beads)
The Beeboo website is the gateway to it all... it houses the finished jewelry gallery as well as gateways to the two Etsy shops, this journal, contact info, etc. The earring page has been updated. I have much more in stock but it'll give you an idea of the earring styles I've been playing with...
http://www.beeboo.com
And, a note about facebook (this'll post on the facebook fan page... if you're reading it there feel free to ignore this bit!) I'm offering a monthly giveaway on the beeboo facebook fan page as a thank you for following my work. At the end of each month I'll choose a name from the current fan list using a random number. Please find and follow me on facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beeboo/322381362655
All for now... Enjoy the day! Beth, Beeboo

playing with purple

2010-02-24T14:50:00.001-05:00

playing with purple for a custom order, fun little twisties.... love how the blue reacts to the purple twisted stinger. feathers.

Favorite Suppliers

2010-02-22T11:40:00.002-05:00

A few of my favorite suppliers...
http://www.btoucan.com (linen cord and silk thread)
http://www.monsterslayer.com (raw metals)
http://www.halsteadbead.com (metal beads and findings)
http://www.beadinpath.com (pearls, beads, beading supplies)
http://www.papermart.com (fabric bags and packaging)
http://www.jewelrysupply.com (earring card adapters and display)
http://www.arrowsprings.com (lampwork and fused glass supplies)
http://www.ggglass.com (lampwork glass rods)
http://www.valcoxfrit.com (glass frit and silver foil)

Beads in progress...

2010-02-18T14:50:00.002-05:00

Studio shot of what my work surface looks like at this moment. Well organized chaos! The work surface is strewn with glass rods, to the left are moretti effetre, to the right are reichenbach and hand pulled veiled glass cane, in the middle are whatever I'm using at the moment. I was setting up to make some of my river rock beads (ivory rods with silver foil, off camera, and transparent color) and warm hue raku (pink, red, orange reichenbach) for a custom order. You can see the torch (off) at the front and kiln (on) at the back with the graveyard of dead beads under the kiln door. My favorite frits (ground glass) live together in the wooden tray at the top left by the mandrels in cups of kitty litter. The next pic is the beads that I'd made after taking the photo soaking on their mandrels. I'll be cleaning them, photographing them, and listing them tonight while watching the Olympics. Did you see the snowboarders last night? Yowza.

facebook giveaway

2010-02-15T10:50:00.001-05:00

To celebrate my new Beeboo facebook fan page I'm initiating a
once-a-month bead giveaway. All Beeboo facebook fans will be entered
into a drawing at the end of each month. The first give-away for Feb
2010 is this pretty, experimental rose focal with twists of raku
stringer. To join in the fun become a Beeboo fan on facebook...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beeboo/322381362655

Studio

2010-02-09T12:38:00.003-05:00

I'm shopping around trying to locate a second torch with hoses and regulators to attach to portable or disposable propane and oxygen tanks. I'm scheduled to demo at a couple Princeton events in March and don't want to disassemble my studio. It would also be nice to have a second torch as possible teaching aid. I'd contacted a local craft center to ask if I could teach a lampwork/jewelry course and have received no reply (how rude!) so may just continue on my own.

While digging around on the computer for studio stuff I found these old photos of my studio space. It's changed up a bit, actually split between two spaces now, but still to see the different work areas. Order of pics: 1) Lampwork beadmaking station with torch, kiln, and various supplies. 2) Fused glass supplies (kiln out of view). 3) Jewelry assembly table with my studio cat "Magic" and photos of my dad to keep me company. 4) My photography set-up. I shoot the beads on a tile for texture and light with a couple 250 watt bulbs in reptile lamps bouncing the light off the white paper at back. My camera setting is pretty simple, I use a little digital canon set to macro with flash shut off.

beads, beads, and more beads....

2010-02-08T19:48:00.001-05:00

Having fun at the torch still. Some of these little bead sets may be
destined for knotted silk (tin cup style) necklaces. I need to
restock the UMass Medical School Bookstore jewelry display. The
knotted necklaces were the first thing I'd made way back when and are
still my favorite design. The beads are very fluid on the silk. I've
been playing with silver foil, raku frit, and some large hole
mandrels for pandora style jewelry. Fun. Tonight (if I can pull
myself away from "House") I'll be making some more of the encased
rose beads for a custom order. Busy days in the studio.

rose garden beads

2010-02-04T22:11:00.002-05:00

I was in the studio for a tiny bit this afternoon playing with some
new moretti effetre clear from Arrow Springs. (http://
www.arrowsprings.com a fabulous glass resource) The clarity is
beautiful with this new clear batch, hurrah! I'll be able to fill a
special order for some rose earrings and I think I'll try some of the
larger lentil/focals tomorrow night. See you then! Beth

failure

2010-02-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

Ah well, the second test was not a huge success but good to know that this'll work for simple text updates and placing images. Easier for me not to mess with the code anyway. I'm going to try to place an image a day, whether beads, or kids, or what have you. We'll see how long it lasts! Always start with the best of intensions....

testing too...

2010-02-04T12:31:00.002-05:00

Second test to see whether I can place html links in the blog via email upload... we'll start with a weblink to the <a href="http://beeboo.etsy.com">etsy bead store</a> (crossing fingers)

testing...

2010-02-03T15:09:00.002-05:00

Testing blog update by email with new beads pic. If this works it'll be a super easy way for me to keep the blog up to date. Crossing fingers...

Fair Schedule and Treasury

2009-10-27T09:09:00.008-04:00

I've been having fun in the studio with hand pulled and twisted glass cane.... mmmm... texture..... tapestry. Check out this and more on Etsy.

This season's art/craft fair schedule is mapped out...

11-19-09
Beeboo Trunk Show at the UMass Medical School Bookstore
Lake Avenue, Worcester MA
Thursday November 19 from 11 AM 'til 4 PM

11-26-09 through 11-28-09
Worcester Center for Crafts Festival of Crafts
25 Sagamore Road, Worcester MA
Friday, November 27 from 10 AM 'til 5 PM
Saturday, November 28 from 10 AM 'til 5 PM
Sunday, November 29 from 10 AM 'til 4 PM

12-5-09
Annual Holiday Fair at the Congregational Church
Mountain Road, Princeton MA
Saturday, December 5 from 10 AM 'til 3 PM

12-10-09
Annual Holiday Fair at Cummings Veterinary School
Agnes Varis Campus Center, Cummings Veterinary, Tufts University
200 Westboro Road, North Grafton MA
Thursday, December 10 from 12 Noon 'til 3 PM

And lastly, I've been included in a pretty treasury on Etsy. Very cool!

September Fair Schedule

2009-09-16T08:15:00.003-04:00

9-17-09
Beeboo Trunk Show at the UMass Medical School Bookstore
Lake Avenue, Worcester MA
Thursday September 17 from 11 AM 'til 4 PM

9-20-09
stART on the Street Outdoor Arts Festival
Park Avenue, Worcester MA
Sunday September 20 from 11 AM 'til 5 PM (rain date Sept 27)

9-26-09
Hey Day at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
Goodnow Road, Princeton MA
Saturday September 26 from 1 PM 'til 5 PM

Hope to see you there! Beth

Studio Rent Bead Sale!

2009-08-28T09:17:00.003-04:00

I'm having a "studio rent special" at the Etsy bead shop until Sept 1 when studio rent is due :^) FREE shipping to US & Canada (reduced international shipping) plus with each bead set purchase I'm adding a surprise set of pearls or semi-precious stone (my choice) from my secret stash. Stop by the shop and have a great weekend! Beth, Beeboo

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27857496
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28351788
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28292959
...and much more!

Sheesh....

2009-07-17T09:14:00.003-04:00

A full month has gone by since I last posted. Sheesh. What a slacker. In my defense life has been busy. The kids ended school then promptly brought the flu into our house and we've been recovering ever since. Work continues to be busy, a good thing in this economy! I've been neglecting the old school studio although plan to visit this weekend. I'd like to make some knotted silk necklaces and play with metal to resolve some designs floating around in my head. I have been working in the home based lampwork studio however so am keeping the etsy bead shop refreshed. As etsy sales seem to pay for the neglected new studio it's the least I can do! Finances have been super tight so I think we'll be doing mini get aways this Summer rather than any one big thing. I've set aside a few weekends for camping, maybe the Maine coast, maybe mid Cape, we'll see... not Truro this year. Bit of a bummer.

Phoebe has a job! as lunchtime cashier at a new little market in town. It is fabulous for the Summer and will hopefully continue on throughout her high school years. Walking distance from home, great people, perfect hours, can't get much better than that. Now we need to find something for Sander to do. He has a couple more years until he can get a work permit so it would need to be under the radar. Working with his Dad is always an option but he doesn't think that's very fun.... is work ever fun? Should work be fun? Hmmmm..... Phoebe thinks her job is fun so perhaps Yes.

Tonight we go to a local baseball game with my Mom, the Tornados are playing and they set off fireworks after the game so should be a fun night. The weather is perfect today. Nice to get outside after being indoors for the bulk of it. I think I'll head to the studio tomorrow early in the morning so that I can spend some time out of doors in the afternoon. Love to see Harry Potter this weekend although I have to admit it was my least favorite book in the series so I'm not as excited as I had been for previous Potter flicks. Reviews have been good. I make my own popcorn and smuggle it into the theater. The kids are horrified. The theaters are posting signs now not to bring in own food and no large bags. My pocketbook is HUGE and can fit the world. Will they ever check? Would definately be SO embarrassing.... but homemade popcorn is so good and you can seriously spend more than the tickets on snacks. Scary.

I'm contemplating splurging on a bead class up in Rockland Maine this October with an amazing glass artist that I've long admired. Cost is a bit prohibitive but I could write it off as a business expense. It would be fun to go away for a couple days by myself and play beads with other artists. Thinking about it today and crunching some numbers. OK, time to get to work. I'll end with a new bead pic or two. Have a great weekend! Beth

River Rocks Glow

2009-06-16T11:23:00.005-04:00

I have been playing with silver foil at the torch. It's a nice heavy silver foil bought years ago and never touched. I'm loving what it's doing with the glass and don't recall where I'd purchased it so once it's gone it may be the end of this "river rock" series... beautiful...

Mini Update

2009-06-13T10:46:00.001-04:00

I will not be in Everett MA at the fair. Looks like a fun event for families but not a perfect fit for a Beeboo Venue. So, instead I am going to mow the hay field that is our lawn, go to the studio for a bit this afternoon (you're welcome to stop by) and then a fun party tonight with family and friends. What a beautiful day!

Loving the Glass....

2009-06-08T13:52:00.003-04:00

I've loved what's been melted at the torch recently. The veiled glass is so fun to work with and the intense colors of the gaffer cane are beautiful with the little raku spots. Fun. I may attend a little fair this coming Saturday. It's Saint Anthony's Feast at the Catholic School in Everett, MA. I have plenty of pretty things in stock. Anyone been to Everett? Wanna attend a feast?

One Year Anniversary

2009-06-05T13:29:00.003-04:00

I'm coming up on the one year anniversary of completing breast cancer treatment and a lovely woman here at work made an amazing quilt for me. I haven't been teary for quite a while but this was a very emotional gift. The photo is the tag that she's stitched on to the quilt. It's a beautiful, huge, rosy pink masterpiece. I'm lucky to have such a wonderful supportive environment in my workplace. I'll be passing on a bit of the love soon... I'm gifting away my favorite upbeat cancer book. Hopefully it'll perk up a friend new to the breast cancer scene.

Studio tomorrow. 12 Noon til 4 PM. Stop by if you need a bead or bauble!

Blueberries for Sal

2009-05-19T12:43:00.005-04:00

I had "twittered" about adapting one of my elaborate necklaces for a Princeton Arts Society show but never "blogged" about it. I'm very happy with the way it came out. I created some large blue hollow beads and matching disks to adapt my "sea storm" bracelet set to this new blueberry design in memory of the Princeton artist, Katharine Poor, who had given the book "Blueberries for Sal" to my children when they were tiny. It also represents, for me, the wild blueberries of Princeton. We'd spend our summer picking berries with my folks on Little Wachusett. Nice short hike up the hill with buckets in hand. Mom was and still is the master blueberry picker. I take the kids out once or twice a season although the red ants on the mountain can discourage even the hardiest of pickers so we tend to migrate these days to the fields in Katharine's back yard.

Studio Day

2009-05-09T08:45:00.003-04:00

I'll be at the new studio today from 11 AM til 3 PM - 18 Boylston Ave., Princeton, MA - Down in the basement on the right side of the building. Stop on by!

This morning I'm recovering from a late night with Sander (Boo), we went to see the new x-men movie at 10:45 PM, fun, after picking Phoebe (Bee) up from her first dance at the high school. They had a regional 8th grade dance so she met kids from all five towns, also fun! Sander and I didn't get home until 1 AM, not so fun!

Pre-studio time I'm going to do a tiny bit of house pick-up. I haven't been keeping up with it (surprise, surprise) so it's a disaster yet again. We'll see what I can accomplish in 2 hrs...

Trunk Show & Web Update

2009-05-06T15:43:00.006-04:00

Just in time for Mom's Day, I'll be doing an impromptu trunk show at the UMass Medical School Bookstore in Worcester, MA from 11 am til 3 pm on Friday, May 8th and the studio doors will be open on Saturday, May 9th from 11 am til 3 pm.

And I've moved the extreme charm sets over to the Beeboo website. I thought the WOW factor might be nice for the front page. And while you're there look around! You'll also find some pretty new earrings, bracelets...

Blueberries for Sal

2009-05-04T21:52:00.004-04:00

It may not be blueberry season yet in Princeton but we had a bear walk down our street today. It's visiting all the neighborhood bird feeders. We have a super talented Audubon illustrator, Barry Van Dusen who lives next door with his wife Lisa. They love to feed the birds (and indirectly I guess the bears.) When we came home from Sander's baseball game tonight Phoebe was looking out the window at a black bear walking down the Van Dusen's driveway, Lisa had called to let us know. It meandered down their driveway then down the street and across into the woods. It was truly an amazing sight and I'm kicking myself for not getting a photo. We'll keep our eyes open for the next visit and have the camera close at hand. Very cool.

As for the "Blueberries for Sal" reference. It was my absolute favorite book to read to the kids when they were little. We have a hill that we pick on, Little Wachusett, and I'm always on the lookout for a mama or baby bear to be eating the berries...

TGIF

2009-05-01T15:52:00.006-04:00

I'm looking forward to the weekend. It'll be a bit drizzly perhaps but not bad to get things accomplished. Tomorrow AM I meet with the girl scout troop. We have to decide what we'll be doing for a trip this year, camping, Boston, tall ships (we have a gift certificate which needs to be used!) Something fun. Then an afternoon at the studio. I need to cut some pendants. I want to play with some new ear wire designs. And, maybe make some new knotted silk necklaces while the pendants fuse in the kiln. Hopefully it'll be a little bit warmer than last weekend! Brrrr.... it can be chilly in the old school basement when the heat is off. If you want to visit stop by between 1-3 PM. I may be there a bit earlier or stay a bit later... comment, email, or call if you'll be stopping by!

On Sunday (unless raining) it'll be a big baseball day. I was supposed to celebrate sister Sue's birthday (today actually - Happy Birthday Susie!!!) and see her and Dan's new house (very cool) but Sander's team has opening day ceremonies midday then a game in the afternoon. We'll see how the weekend plays out. I'll leave you with pics of some new beads on Etsy. The beeboo website has also been revamped yet again. If you haven't visited recently you'll see BIG changes and if you have seen the new site design then check out the bracelets gallery for new items. The rest of the update is behind the scenes code.

Studio Update, Etc.

2009-04-19T09:15:00.006-04:00

I had a stealth day at the studio yesterday, fused some panels, set up a bit more. I think next Saturday will be my first official open studio, 12 Noon -4 PM, stop on by.... I've decided to make the right side entrance my official studio entrance. Other renters keep locking the front door when they leave. I seem to be the only one using the side entrance. New pics attached of the space. I've place the couch and chair (love my functional find on craigslist!), work table in the middle (need to find a good stool and cut seats for matching chairs), corner space will be display (nice to have a spot to test out new display pieces), and back towards the closet will be kept fairly open for rolling out the work carts with kiln and saw. I go back today to peek in the kiln to see how the panels turned out. Tomorrow I have the day off from work and may cut the pendants. Fun.

first official firing of the kiln in the new studio, 2 layers of panels set up in my little jewel box...

new studio furniture from craigslist with beautiful bookcase that belongs to the old center school....

little table and chairs swiped from a Phoebe (Bee) yard sale find for extra seating, boxes of beads, pendants, jewelry on top...

kiln loaded and firing, rolls out of the closet space as needed, fusing supplies underneath in goodwill storage....

the far corner will be a display space, center is my work table, need to cut chair seats for frames and find good work stool...

I'll add more pics as the studio evolves.

This morning I've been playing on the computer. I've updated the website. Lot's of new fused glass pendants, added a new simple heart necklace. Also, new beads to the beeboo bead shop on etsy, check it all out if you like looking at pretty things.

Next up, packing Sander (Boo) up for Nature's Classroom. Phoebe is already in Seattle with Gramma visiting Auntie Lisa and Kira, hope they're having a fabulous time in Forks for the weekend and that the weather is kind for walks on the beaches of La Push. Miss you Bee! Thanks for visiting, Beth

Not enough time in the day...

2009-04-04T22:38:00.002-04:00

I need a few 3 or 4 day weekends to catch up! There is just not enough time in the day and not enough days in the weekend to accomplish it all...

My Saturday. Alarm at 6 a.m., hit snooze a time or two, up, coffee on, heat up, shower, pack for studio move, package beads for mail, wake boo & j., drive boxes to studio, mail packaged beads at p.o., pick up bee from sleepover, drop bee at home, drive to church, set up video equip. for interview, drive to pick up bee and emily, back to church, wait for interviewees, set up snack, put on coffee and tea, run through video equip with g.s., welcome interviewees, back and forth between two set-ups, all ok, serve coffee, tea, cookies, done, bye, clean up, pack up, drive home, lunch, check email, bead order (yay!), drive to pick up labels for arts society mailing, pick up more studio stuff at home, drive to studio, back home, pick up library movies, drop off at library, back to studio, assemble new carts for kiln and saw, put tea on, visit with mom, assemble cards for fused pendants with mom, thanks mom!, fold, hole punch, no glue, no tape, so no packaging, damn, box it all up to finish at home, mouse runs across studio floor, cute!, pack up, lock up, drive home, make boo popcorn, bake cookies for kids, no milk, damn, drive to corner store, buy milk, oj, rolls, soda, guinness!!, back home, turn on kiln, design arts society newsletter, email proof to arts society board, dinner, burgers (thanks james!) make beads for email order, make sample beads to test colors, done, guinness, graham norton, update journal, turn off kiln, good night!

Arts Society & Cake Walk

2009-04-02T21:33:00.002-04:00

Back from an Princeton Arts Society meeting and working on the PAS web update. We're working out the details for involvement in Princeton Center Day with an Art Show and display of past Princeton artists. Also, whether we'll be participating in Hey Day (yes, the Audubon is in early planning stages for a Hey Day in Fall '09) or an Arts Show on Labor Day weekend. Either would be nice.

The Arts Society meeting is in the Center School building. I took a peek in to the new studio space but no time to play today. Last night I set up the tile saw and cut apart some fused panels. I refired them at home last night. I'd like to stock the website with some new fused series, have some to display at the studio, and restock some of the bead stores. I'm excited about moving the fusing kiln over. I need to find a good metal stand, preferably with wheels so I can roll it into the locking closet space when it's not in use. I'm also contemplating a small portable torch set-up. Even though I won't be moving the full torch set-up over it would be nice to be able to do a quick demo at the studio or at shows. We'll see.

Tomorrow night is the kids school fundraiser - the dreaded cake walk and ice cream social. It's an exhausting night which raises lots of money for the school. Musical chairs where you can win a cake. Pick your cake out of a wall of cakes in the gymnasium. The basket raffle out in the hall is a busy spot. If the kids aren't ramped up enough from the cake walk and raffle you can dose them with a make-your-own sundae in the cafeteria. If you're local Beeboo has donated a nice big bead box full of handcrafted beads, coin pearls, color pearl mix, stone mix, beading supplies, baggie of silver, tools, etc for the raffle. Swing by TPS and buy a tix or two.

New Studio Space

2009-03-31T16:23:00.001-04:00

I've signed a lease this week for a pretty little studio space on the basement level of the Princeton Center Building in, you guessed it, Princeton Center! I'll add a couple pictures below. This will be a little repetitive for the facebook friends reading this blog feed, sorry. The studio is 254 square feet with two access doors, three windows, a sink, and a nice big storage closet. I'll be migrating everything to do with Beeboo to this space except for the torch and lampwork bead kiln which will stay in the home studio as it's all rigged for the gas, ventilation, etc needed for beadmaking. Maybe some day when I work up a fabulous relationship with the keepers of the building we'll talk them into adapting it for lampwork. For now this new studio space will be used for fused glass, metals, and jewelry design. I'm hoping to have this be my official open studio, setting hours each week that I'll be in-house if you'd like to stop by.

the front of the center school building...

looking across the room at the back access door and nice bright windows....

little sink and door to big storage closet in corner...

All for now. I'll add more pics as I fill the space. Thanks for visiting! Beth

Sunshine and Beads

2009-03-24T12:59:00.002-04:00

The sun is shining today and although still cold here in MA it feels like Spring. I'll be leaving the vet school in a bit to take the kids to a dentist appointment. Nice day for a drive in the sunshine from here to there and back.

Posting pics of some new beads. Playing with both strong and neutral colors as well as huge hollow forms and itty bitty beads. I ordered some new glass, some arrived yesterday, more (I hope) today. Enjoy the sunshine! Beth

itty bitty neutral raku wrapped and frit speckled beads...

huge (for me) hollow beads drenched in purple powder...

Update.... Red?

2009-03-21T14:29:00.001-04:00

A bit on the purple side I think. Luckily it fades within a week or so....

Joining in...

2009-03-21T11:55:00.000-04:00

I'm joining in Phoebe's hair crisis with extreme red hair dye today. The kids are at school today thanks to the early fall ice storm. I'm home alone playing with the beeboo website and picking up around the house. In a bit of a fog with cold meds again I decided to test out the red dye bought a month or so ago. It fades pretty quickly so not a huge commitment. If I like it I may use something more permanent. We'll see.

Shout out to Aunt Rose, Uncle Jon, and Mom in FL. Sounds like they're enjoying some lovely weather while out sightseeing. A bit jealous of their warmth but at least the sun is shining on our 34 degrees here in MA. I'm going to turn the music up a bit and ramp myself up to clean. Happy Saturday! Beth

Blondie

2009-03-18T21:08:00.001-04:00

We've been having hair crisis' in the Mellor house. Phoebe had been flipping between intense and faded pink (the dye doesn't last) for a few weeks now, then she decided to try out my blue. Unfortunately not a good look for Bee. She spent a couple days in bandana's... I was tiring of this. So we took a drive to the local beauty supply house and picked up bleach and a box of new dye. I put the bleach on, ran to a Girl Scout Leader Meeting, came home to dye and she's decided to stick with bleach blonde for a couple days. I think it looks pretty cute, very obviously not a natural color but cute!

And, back in the studio I've been enjoying playing with some focal beads. The itty bitty and petite bead sets have been selling pretty well on Etsy but after shooting a video for the local arts night of a hollow bead form I decided to play with some larger hollow focals. Fun. Not selling but fun to make so good for my mental and artistic health.

beebootoo.etsy.com

2009-03-16T21:20:00.001-04:00

Playing yet again with Etsy. I'm breaking apart beads from jewelry and may slowly transfer all online sales over leaving the beeboo site as an online design portfolio and gateway to etsy for sales. We'll see.... So, now we have beeboo.etsy.com for bare-naked-beads and beebootoo.etsy.com for finished jewelry designs. I know I could be entering code to make these live links but my head is fogged with cold meds, see "Beyond beads..." below.

Beyond beads, I have a nasty head cold. ugh. I had a long hard day today at work, it was difficult to focus on anything. I've since taken Clariton D for the head cold and Ibuprofen for the head ache and a glass or red wine just for the heck of it. I'm sitting in a cold sweat, is it from a fever or tamoxifen induced hot flashes? Who's to say. I'll be hitting the sack soon and will hopefully wake in the am a new woman. Ha!

I'd love to keep this blog updated with a photo every couple days. We'll assume the mini etsy code is day one. Thanks for visiting! Beth

Etsy Photo Comparison

2009-03-01T17:14:00.001-05:00

I've been playing in the studio taking new pics of beads for Etsy and can't decide whether I like the old white background or the new gray tile background. Opinions are welcome.... Maybe a mix of the two? Although the gray is definitely less labor intensive so I'm leaning towards the gray.

So, what do you think? Gray or White?

Baby Giraffe Video & Still Photos

2009-02-27T11:11:00.001-05:00

I was going to add this in to the post below but thought instead I'd let it stand alone. I was asked to take still pictures and then video tape a baby giraffe here at the vet school. Her mom at the zoo wasn't producing milk so it was struggling a bit but doing so much better now. The video is a quicktime mpg file. - Update, I deleted the video. Everytime this page launched all I could hear was the clicking of camera's w/the video file. Driving me a bit nuts so out it goes. If you'd like to see a baby giraffe drink a bottle email me and I'll send you the mpg video clip.

Good Times

2009-02-27T06:39:00.001-05:00

It's been an exciting few weeks since I'd last posted. I've had one, then two sick kids home for days on end. We had one sick baby giraffe at the veterinary school where I work. I've posted photos of said baby on my facebook page and will add one here when I get to the office. It is very cute. Mom is enjoying sunny weather in Florida. We're enjoying more ice and snow in Massachusetts. Hmmm.... maybe the times haven't been so good.

I joined facebook and am alternately loving it and unsure. I've connected with some long lost friends which is fabulous but I also think it can be a bit of a time suck. I also think that when I add little snippets of content there that few friends can see I'm neglecting the blog here that anyone can see. I need to find a perfect medium. The person who I converse with most on facebook is my daughter, bizarre when we live in the same house but fun. I also enjoy my banter with sister Sue.

I'm back on etsy selling some bare-naked-beads which is pretty fun. I've made a few sales and am constantly tweaking the shop. http://beeboo.etsy.com - The website is also up to date with what's in stock and what's not. http://www.beeboo.com - so the studio is hopping. I'd love to be able to give it more time but am also enjoying the stability of my days at the vet school with graphics, computers, and baby giraffes. Today I'm going to attempt to dig in to an illustration of a surgical procedure on a ferret. Tonight I'll be back in the studio making beads (after ferrying some teens to the mall.) It's a good life, all-in-all.

Playing with the Blog

2009-02-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

Ramping up my blog advertising by adding permanent illustrated links for the www.beeboo.com website for jewelry and the beeboo.etsy.com Etsy shop for bare-naked-beads.

Off to cater to sick kids before attending a thrilling Girl Scout Leader meeting. Wahoo!

Infrequent postings

2009-02-04T17:08:00.000-05:00

Sheesh... so much for staying on top of things with the blog. I've been busy at work (actually still at the office waiting for some pages to print before heading out the door) and have been busy in the studio at home as well. Fun with the new veiled glass, hearts, flowers, hollow beads. I added a couple new heart pages to the Beeboo website. Check out the hollow hearts and simple red hearts pages on the site to see what's been up in the studio. Thanks for visiting!

The New Year

2009-01-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to have 2008 behind me!

We've been back up and running with power for ages now. Sorry for the huge delay in posting. We had lights on the Christmas tree and could bake festive cookies. We've had a few snowstorms since but nothing to the extreme of the ice storm and our power has stayed on. Phew. We don't know what's up with the kids school schedule for the year. They're trying to get a waver for the amount of days missed to date to avoid skipping February or April vaca or alternately having the kids go to school on Saturdays or into July. Amazing really when you think that we've only just begun the winter season.

I haven't sent out 2008 holiday cards yet (or 2007, 0r 2006 if you're on my card list....) I've become such a Christmas Card slacker. I used to take such awesomely cute shots of the kids and collage them up into something fun. I hit some kind of funk when they aged to be pre-teen and teen and can't seem to pull the card together. I had a brainstorm just this morning to have them take pics of each other. Maybe their unique eye view will make the card fun again.

I completely revamped the Beeboo website finally adding four pages of earrings and four pages of fused glass pendants. Next up will be Valentines items for website, the UMass Medical School Bookstore, and the Petersham Craft Center. I ordered more glass (always fun!) and am looking forward to the package arriving to rejuvenate the studio spirits for 2009.

Grinding Halt

2008-12-16T10:46:00.000-05:00

Our world came to a grinding halt last Thursday night when we were coated with over 1/2" of ice. Amazing what Mother Nature can do when she sets her mind to it! Princeton, MA is still 100% without power. If you see light it's coming from a generator (James & my Christmas gift to each other), batteries, candles, or lanterns. The kids school has been called off for the entire week. The school buildings are up and running with power and heat but are being used as emergency shelters for the towns. We've been either going out to eat, eating cold foods, or cooking on the woodstove. Phoebe has a pot of chicken soup simmering away as I type. She talked me into a super-chicken at the local market the night before last and is making the most of the remainder. Needless to say the hot glass side of the Beeboo Studio is out of commission. Thanks to Mom Nature though for waiting until after my final show of the season!

Busy Season

2008-12-10T15:22:00.001-05:00

One last show tomorrow at UMass, a trunk show in the medical school bookstore from 11 AM til 2 PM. Stop by for a visit if you're in Worcester. It'll be the last chance to see the jewelry on display. Once I'm through with this last fair I hope to update the website. Check in on Saturday to see if I've stayed on task. www.beeboo.com And the box is always available if you're local. I usually have a couple stressed men calling to swing by the house on Christmas Eve. 'Tis the season!

The 3 day festival at the Worcester Center for Crafts was great. Amazingly talented people participating. My sisters and Mom all helped me out during the busy times. Phoebe (Bee) came in for an afternoon or two and fell in love with some beautiful feathered headpieces. She also managed to snap a couple photos of the display. It all came together nicely although looks better in person I think. James built me super sturdy wall panels which we covered with bamboo shades for a nice natural finish. Many of my display pieces feature beautiful wall paper samples from the recycle center in Holden, MA. It's a fabulous local resource which my Mom volunteers at a couple times a week.

Once I'm finished with the show circuit I'll dive in to holiday preparations. I'm trying to set up a shopping trip with my friend Themia to the Natick Mall on Saturday and a road trip with my friend Loan to visit another pal Eliza in Maine on Sunday. I bought or bartered for many beautiful handcrafted gifts at the fairs so am not feeling hugely pressured to buy. But, it's still fun to be out and about with the kiddos and my friends.

The kids have a school dance on Friday night. It's a black and white ball and will be Sander (Boo's) first dance. It'll be nerve-wracking for me... sitting home... wondering if they're having fun or if they're stressed about dancing, not dancing.... Maybe easier for a boy? It always seems to be a high anxiety event for the girls but then when I've picked them up at the end of the night they've had a great time. Wish I could be a fly on the wall! I'll try to remember to take some pics of the kids all dolled up.

Finding my Voice

2008-11-08T09:37:00.001-05:00

I have been living and breathing the beeboo studio preparing for the upcoming Worcester Center for Crafts’ Annual Thanksgiving Festival of Crafts on November 28, 29 & 30. I have found my voice in glass jewelry and I am loving it. Stop by the show if you are in the area.

The kids are both well. Phoebe is finding her own voice with a bit of creative writing online. Now if I could only get her to be so focused with her homework. Sander finished up the football season and will be enjoying the wood splitting season with his Dad (not.) We'll compensate for the forced manual labor with extra WOW time.

Update coming soon....

2008-10-29T16:30:00.001-04:00

Back soon with an update, for now a pretty pic or two.

Back in a bit! Beth