WOW!!! We're Number Two!

2?!?!?

I am in absolute shock - Peg just now called to tell me that the book is No. 2 on Amazon's bestseller list for Jewelry books. I have no idea how this happened - the book is not even out yet!

Since the bestseller list is updated hourly, I expect this status to change, but at least for now, you can go see where we are on the list:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/5147/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_b_5147_c

Our deepest thanks to everyone who purchased the book, passed along our book info, or who simply sent us good thoughts and energy! May the life you live be filled with charms!

Peg's B&B2010 experience...

Go check out Peg's blog to hear how the Bead & Button Show went Saturday...Peg's experience @ B&B2010

Tomorrow's Debut!

Mixed Media Art Charm Necklace, featuring art charms from our book and three of my Fractal Swirl beads

After nearly three years (er, yes, we ARE a bit slow...), it's almost here...the book Peg Krzyzewski and I wrote, Making Mixed Media Art Charms & Jewelry, will be at the 2010 Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, WI tomorrow, June 12! Peg is going to be at the Kalmbach booth, modeling some of her amazing mixed media art charm jewelry and signing books. She'll be at the booth from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., so do be sure to stop by and say hi!

An Ode to my Drill Press, An Art Charm Maker's Perspective

Technically it’s not ALL mine – it’s mine and Jerry’s. When our most recent wedding anniversary rolled around, I told Jerry we should get a drill press as our anniversary present to each other. Guess what? He thought it was a great idea! (big surprise, huh?)

Don’t get me wrong – you don’t need to invest in a drill press to make Art Charms – I’ve successfully made holes in hundreds of charms with Jerry’s handheld drill. It’s heavy and cumbersome, but it does get the job done.

Here are five reasons why I love my our drill press:
1. The laser cross-hair makes locating my pre-marked drill spots a snap.
2. I can hold a tiny Scrabble tile securely with one hand and operate the drill press with the other without worrying about putting a big hole in my finger.
3. I drilled about 20 Scrabble tiles in less than 10 minutes – would have been at least ½ hour with the big handheld drill and I would have wound up with a stiff shoulder and neck.
4. Holes are straight and true to measurements.
5. The Scrabble tiles didn’t spin around and around and get jacked up, wasting time and materials.

A Charming Sight!

 

Just received the July 2010 issue of Art Jewelry magazine, one of my longtime favorites, probably because the artwork and editorial are both so inspirational. The coolest thing EVER though, is on page 78...it's right under the wobbly yellow arrow...nifty, huh?

Making a statement...

Statement: I like love beads.

June 2010 Statement Necklace, in honor of the 2010 Bead & Button Show. Features 45 lampwork beads by me, some of which are from my Fractal Swirl series of beads.

Hungry for more yummy eye-candy? Check out the following links to my sister ABS Carnival Bloggers - they made statement necklaces too!

• Cindy Dolezal
• Cindy Gimbrone
• D. Lynne Bowland
• Janel Dudley
• Jeannie's Blog
• Jen Velasquez
• Sharon's Jewelry Garden
• Kate Clawson 
• Marcie Abney
• Mary Harding
• Nicki's Reef