Well, here's another fine mess you've gotten me into!

By Barbara Lewis

 For some of you youngsters, this title will make no sense, but for a lot of you, you'll remember this popular refrain from the Laurel and Hardy Show.  I'm getting ready for To Bead True Blue and the Tucson Bead Show.  My head is swimming with details, even though I've written them down and prioritized them.

These are some of the bead trays.  I only have about 4000 beads to check for rough spots before they go into these little compartments. Here's the temporary command center, which is set up at my dining room window that overlooks a frozen ... or freezing ... creek.   Flocks of geese just flew by, here comes another one ... it's like this all day with the beautiful muted sound of their honking.

My work station ... if you can call it that!

I have black jewelry trays, but I couldn't resist these.  They came to my attention on Lorelei's blog.  This is so much fun ... sorting through the beads and determining with color tray is the most suitable for them.  Is this enough color for you?!!!

More bead trays to be filled!

This is the Ikea fabric I used to use as panels for the back part of my booth for my craft shows .  I love it and can't resist using it for the skirt of my bead table.  Andrew Thornton has been guiding me in this endeavor and I've gotten some great ideas from him.

The table skirt.

I'm offering 4 workshops with 6 students each, 22 slots are full ... if you're thinking about joining me, please sign up now.  I'd love to meet you.  We're going to enamel lots of beads! and, of course, add millefiori, metal shapes, cat whiskers to our work also!

Ornament magazine ad.

Here's the ad I placed in Ornament Magazine.  I figured since this was my first time doing this show, a little advertising could go a long way.  Of course, they've got two enamelists side by side on the same page of the magazine, but no matter.  We are different, though.  I do torch-firing ... C-Koop does kiln firing ... a totally different look ... but just as wonderful!

This is really what I want to be doing.  Doesn't Annie look comfortable?  I can do that ... she's not the only one who knows how to relax, but it will have to wait until I return on February 10.  

If you're in Tucson for this big event, please stop by and see me at the To Bead True Blue and the Tucson Bead Show, Grand Ballroom, Booth #G149.