Oh my! summer IS here. time has passed again.

it's confirmed. my teenager is home from school for the summer. not a high school freshman anymore, but suddenly a sophmore. time is just whipping by. i count it in pieces that i have made, from my first unsure beginnings with my Sears tools (hey! still got'em!) to my confident and inspired pieces that create themselves. just as my child has grown, so too my work. with a few fits and starts along the way =0)

i remember that i started out being completely fascinated by the brilliance of Swarovski and felt i would never use any other components with my sterling or Bali silver. my designs were generally the simple, elegant colors blends that many enjoy. almost all of the earrings were chandeliers, of course, and the matching bracelets would be over-the-top by today's standards with all of the crystal and silver. i'm sure i short-saled myself on many occasions but i have never regretted maintaining my highest possible standards with regards to findings and components.

but then someone, i honestly can't remember who, introduced me to the world of artisan-made lampwork and gemstones. ahhhhhhh.... a whole new WORLD appeared before me! just as a child learns to read, i was seeing SO much more than i had ever seen before. the endless possiblities.

and the many virtual friends that i have made on this journey are incredible. a few that i have had the real pleasure of meeting and one i treasure beyond all pearls. she knows who she is. =0)

Finally using what i've been taught

have you ever been to a class and then never used all the great things you had been taught? or at least delayed using that hard won knowledge until you must re-teach yourself. time and again i have done this.

not so this time. having seen a process through to fruition i recreated it today and feel a true sense of accomplishment. 'tis is no small feat.

imagine having fingers that have trouble manipulating buttons; arms that cannot always carry a gallon of milk; shoulders that will not reach up to hug my son. this is what i defeated-something far beyond just using my knowledge.

i used my weakness as my drive. lupus does not always win.

thank you, Howard Siegel and your wonderful daughter Nancy Brickner, for your patience and for believing i could make this Turkish chain. see? i really can!