If not, explain this. Finally took a break from beading yesterday and went out for a burger. Something kept telling me to swing by the local thrift store. They had several bins of stuffed animals. At the bottom of one, I found these two guys!
While working on the Wizard of Oz Tin Man, it occurred to me that some characters were missing. How could the set be complete without OZ? As I walked into a patient's room last night he said, "Here let me change the TV to something you can watch while you are in here." Much to my surprise he changed his ballgame to The Wizard of Oz movie. I explained to him that I had been wanting to see this movie because I needed to check on what colors the hot air balloon was. This opened a fun conversation about my bead work. The movie was at the exact part where the wizard is discovered behind the curtain; perfect timing! He was so excited to see my designs. His interest was playing a role in the design process and his smiles were genuine. I love this part of nursing. We connect with patients and actually see them healing through random acts of kindness. I will always remember him saying, "Now you know what color of green you need, use a very special red for her slippers, and don't forget the Good Witch."
The Raccoon is next! Over the years, I have raised six little baby raccoons. We share so many similarities. Tactile creatures that we are, we love to do things with our hands. Shiny things catch our eye. Nightlife is definitely preferred over day. We are easy going and laid back until you threaten us. Even then, we prefer flight over fight. However, the bite is ferocious. Sudden and unexpected loud noises startle us. We can mix and mingle or find tranquility in solitude. We both have dark circles around our eyes! LOL!!!
Bound for Washington state. A few years back, I was featured in the Australian Beading Magazine. This was such a surprise to find in my mailbox that day. I still can't believe it. I find it so ironic that Shipwreck Beads was featured right beside me. Shipwreck Beads is in Washington state. I've had my eye on this place for a long time and I will go there! Gonna be a long road trip with many exciting stops along the way. Sure to be filled with Kodak moments.
People often ask, "How long does it take you to make that?" There are so many variables with each design. First, the design is worked out in the Bead Tool 4 program. This is the "drawing board." The pattern often requires changes after several rows are beaded up. This can require me to go back to the drawing board. Sometimes I get lucky and can keep most of the rows I have beaded up and only a few beads need to be changed. I have a YouTube video on how this is done.
Wowzers. I have been so busy trying to fix broken links and clean up my beading stuff on the Internet. I had to start a notebook to keep track of all my different accounts and passwords. My patterns and pics were (some still are) spread out on 3 different laptops. I have loved every minute of it. Just when I try to take a break from the computer, I get notifications on the Internet! I have only been back a few weeks and the response has been amazing. Thank you to everyone who posts your sweet comments and pics. Thank you to everyone for buying my patterns and supporting my work. Many more to come. - Beth