Friday, June....?

I never know what day it is...I don't know if that's good or bad. I do know it's Friday though, and that it seems like the week lasted forever. I'm nearing the butt end of my bathroom remodel. I know...I know... it's taking forever-but through no fault but my own. I have a tendency to think I help out and save money by doing things myself. What eventually happens is that I don't have time, I end up doing things late at night (don't ask...), and the clock ticks away. Our carpenter, electrician and plumber have all done wonderful work-it's me and my trip-ups that have stalled things. In my quest to save time and money I...
ordered 2 boxes too many of a custom ordered industrial floor tile (no returns thank you).
made a special trip to Green Bay to pick up the grey industrial tiles only to find out (the following night) that I had grabbed a box of black tiles instead. ack.
made (another trip) the following night to get the correct tiles, but drove back with a vehicle full of shrubs and flowering bushes for our backyard (they were on sale!).
am down to one Ked tennis shoe. Last night after applying the super sticky adhesive (I felt like a trapped mouse on one of those sticky sheets), I forgot and stepped right on it. Bye bye tennis shoes (luckily they were slip ons or I would probably still be standing in the bathroom). Now I have to get some replacements.

After all my trips to Green Bay with gas spent, money for landscaping, purchasing too many tiles and having to replace my shoes I'll admit (and it's hard for me to do) I should leave projects like these to the professionals-but at least I can say I did it myself :0) (you'll know too when you see the one grey tile almost dead center in the bathroom that has it's pattern going in the wrong direction. I'm calling it my trademark style).

Friday, June 20

Hello All...
Thought I would check in quick in my quest to blog more. I don't know why this is so difficult. Anyone who has ever met me knows I ramble on and on. I'm like this with anything I "have" to do though. I get this metal block. Hmnnnn.....let's see....what's new? We've got the new solid rubber necklaces in (in dark blue, brown, hot pink, royal purple and lime green). Unlike the snap together necklaces, these are in lengths of 16" and 18" and have basemetal findings for closure. Our other rubber necklaces are just available in the 18" length. I have tons of pictures to take for the website (I'll have to set up my light tent and spend an entire day just snapping pics). I also have the new v-neck tshirt available. We included it with the other items at the Bead and Button Show. People have been asking for a v-neck for a long time...so hopefully the design I've created will go over well.

Saturday, June 14th

Well, I made it through Friday the 13th unscathed (I figure it's because I didn't even realize that it was Friday the 13th). So I got that goin' for me...

Our summer hours are in effect - Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5, Sunday from 11-3 and Mondays by chance. Maybe after the 4th of July we'll try some evening hours. Our little neighborhood has seen some fun changes over the past few years. New restaurants, coffee shops, a wine store and oilerie have all opened up just buildings away. The new bridge will be open in just a few months so soon the area will be even more bustling. Used to be the area around ACME was a ghost town-but now there are afer-dinner strollers out walking about.

I'm nearly recovered from the Bead and Button Show. I have lots of neon orders to make and ship as well as wholesale lots to pull together. For the most part things are put away but still there's always things that need a home. All in good time...My studio area is so much fun to create in now after my trip to Ikea and some fresh paint. I wish I'd have done it sooner. After returning from the show I've found myself inspired and look forward to spending more time in the torch.

I hope to take pictures of my rubber necklaces and the new metal signs we created for the B & B Show this week. You'll find them in the Curiosity Shop.

Back from the Bead and Button Show!

It's Tuesday and I'm finally feeling like I'm getting my energy back. You'd never know the economy is struggling by the amount of show attendees. Great show, lots of people, and very inspiring. I have to apologize again to those who've stopped by the store only to find us closed. This Friday we'll open from 10-5 and starting next week will have our normal summer hours in effect. More than likely we will be closed 1 day a week unfortunately (and that day is yet to be set) but I will post just as soon as I can.

June 3rd, 2008

Bead and Button is just days away and I'm plugging away at getting ready for the show. I'll be in booth 633 this year-almost right smack in the middle of the show floor. I hope that if any of you attend, you'll stop by and say hi. Like usual, it seems, I'm rushing to pull things together. I have some new fun products to show and a new neon sign I've designed. Pictures will have to wait until after the show as I'm out of time and there's still much to do. The bead store has been open starting Memorial Weekend -but weekends only. This week I'll be open Saturday and Sunday only as it's just me and my sister running the shop. Beginning a week after the show I'll have the store open on a more regular basis and I'm very sorry to those of you who've stopped by only to find the note on the door saying we're closed. The strand sale is going on for another weekend so if you can't make it to Milwaukee stop in and look over the hundreds of glass, gemstone and pearl strands marked at half off. That's all for now...back to work.

Temporary Store Closing...

Hi Everyone!
The time has come for our big construction project to begin...Our contractor called last week to let me know he's ready to begin (we're having some interior work done that will be VERY messy-lots of dust and ick). Being that winter is the slowest time of year this is the best time to tackle the project. Normally I would say "just call! I'll open for you!"....but this time I'm removing all the bead bins and moving displays off to the side so he'll be able to get'er done as quickly as possible. I'm already planning the big strand sale for Memorial Day Weekend to kick off the season and will open just as soon as I can before that. This building was created in 1886 so it needs some TLC. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes...
My website and wholesale orders are still continuing without interruption and I will be a vendor in both the Madison Bead Show in April (www.beadshowmadison.com) and The Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee in June (www.beadandbuttonshow.com). Send me an email or call if you have any questions!

Damn...

Note to self....find out what skin cream Little Richard uses....

Sunday-February 10-2008

Brrrrr.....it's COLD outside. I can hear the awnings on the front of the building whipping in the wind.

Busy cleaning and rearranging our living room to make space for our new sectional. Anyone looking for a used sofa? I have one here you can take-but's it's well worn (the reason we purchased new). Send me an email and I can send you a pic. You'd have to pick it up in Sturgeon Bay-but it's yours for the taking.