Ooops...been much too long since I've posted anything new. MY BAD! Well...here you go!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!
Just a quickie post to let you know that we're listing NOS (new [uncirculated] old stock) Vintage Lucite Beads today (woohoo!)!! Also, we're extending our www.gemsandknots.com sale through August (triple woohoo!). You will find most of our items on sale!!
Pssst! Would you like FREE SHIPPING (US FIRST CLASS) on our website? Send me an email within 48 hours after you check out, mention this blog post, and I will refund your shipping! This offer applies only to our website, not our eBay or Etsy stores. Offer good 'til...well it's good until I say it ain't. ;-)
Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
How's that go? Oh yeah....time flies! Not being especially "fond" shall we say of Florida summers...this one seems to be going fast for me. Must be the dogs...yeah...the dogs. The dog days of summer...but in a GOOD way!
Well since I last posted, I passed Level I Certification for the Family Dog Training program...woohoo!!! (Pssst! I've included a little photo of "my" test dog below. Her name is Kween...she's a pit mix...and very smart! And she's available for adoption!!!)
Also, since I last wrote, in an effort to bring more awareness to rescue animal facilities (and donate a little money in addition to my time), I'm running some "charity" auctions on eBay with 100% of the final price going to SPCA Tampa Bay! Check 'em out!
I recently found a wonderful polymer clay artist, Bonnie Kennick, who makes a lot of cool beads. Big surprise here (heehee) but I'm especially fond of her DOG beads. I've made some cute (even if I do say so myself) micro knotted macrame bracelets with some of her beads. If you would like to see more, please visit our www.gemsandknots.com website. We also have a link to Bonnie's website if you would like to check out her beads. (Pssst! It's on our website links' page!)
And last, but certainly not least, we've added quite a few new lucite and plastic beads and charms to our website this week. I especially like the beautiful crystal clear lucite elephant and lion charms!
Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
Trikke Dancing, Spaceships, and John Denver
Did I pique your curiosity with that or what?
Perhaps it would help to be a John Denver fan in order to totally appreciate where I'm going with this but indulge me for a few paragraphs. And then, if you can, watch my little video with your speakers on.
When we first moved to Florida, I wanted to fulfill my lifelong desire to learn how to skate. We invested in skates, knee/elbow pads...the whole enchillada. Well...I'm afraid that I spent more time on my butt on the pavement than I did vertical on my skates. And, sadly, after many valiant efforts, I gave up, figuring that I would never be able to experience that wonderful gliding sensation.
Well "fast forward" to several years ago when we were out for a stroll on the Pinellas Trail...and this "magical creature" with three wheels passed us. Whoosh!!...and they were gone. But oh my did I ever take note!
"Oh my gosh! What the heck was that? I could DO that!" I literally jumped up and down! I was totally "smitten"! I was SO excited that I couldn't wait to get home and get on the computer to find out what I'd just seen!
Well...I hunted and hunted...looked and searched...but having no clue what that "magical creature" was called, I couldn't find it. I gave up. Again. SIGH.
"Fast foward" once more...to December 30, 2008 (yes, I DID write the date down thank you very much!)...and I was out for a stroll with my little poodle, when this "magical creature" with three wheels passed us! Whoosh! Then...he pulled over to the side to rest. Well at the "Whoosh!" stage, I about had a stroke on the spot. I was SOOOOOO excited! But then he stopped too!?!
"Excuse me, sir, but could you tell me what that's called?" HUGE grin on my face!
And that's how I learned that this "magical creature" with three wheels was called a TRIKKE and that there was a store in Tampa. Three days later, I proved to my dear hub that yes, indeedy, I COULD "do that" and we returned home with two of these "magical creatures." We love 'em to pieces!
(Pssst! If you go to the Trikke Tampa Store, please tell Andy, Jana, Ben, and Russell that I sent you! Great folks! Very helpful!)
This is the first time in my life that I have ever used "FUN!" and "exercise" in the same sentence. On a good day, we can do 8-10 miles now. The feeling is described as being closest to skiing. Okay. Yeah. Even though I don't ski, I've watched 'em on t.v....and I can understand the comparison.
But, for me, it's the fulfillment of a lifetime yearning. Of knowing what it feels like to be on my feet (as opposed to coasting on a bike)...and just gliding.
"Yeah, well okay, but what the HECK does all of this have to do with John Denver and spaceships?" you must be thinking by now.
Well we intially learned how to "carve" on our Trikkes in parking lots. Then we hit the trails and that's quite enjoyable. However, there's a buncha stuff you can do in parking lots that you canNOT do on trails...such as listening to an iPod.
So last Sunday, we went to our favorite school parking lot...and I cranked up my little iPod. First time listening to my iPod on my Trikke. Woohoo! Life was good! For awhile, I chose music from my favorite list of "arena rock" songs. Then I wanted to slow down for awhile. As I looked through my library, I realized that I hadn't listened to John Denver for awhile. I selected, "Flying For Me."
Within a few bars, I knew that I was onto something. Then I realized that I was Trikke dancing!! I was "flying" on pavement! I was gracefully gliding! I'd achieved my own personal version of "Trikke Nirvana."
I must have replayed that tune at least five times. At least.
So...
...Trikke Dancing, Spaceships, and John Denver....
Hmmmm....
Well tying it altogether, if you're familiar with this song, you know John wrote it as a tribute to the Challenger tragedy which happened January 28, 1986. Most of us can remember where we were "when"... major events have happened during our lifetime. That day was one for me. I was just starting a 10+-year career as a professional job search coach/resume writer and my "next" client walked in all upset, telling me that the Challenger had just exploded. Over the days and weeks and months, we learned about the personalities behind the spacesuits...and, of course, the most famous of all that day was the teacher, Christa McAuliffe. She died doing what she loved that day. Mr. Denver left us...also flying and also loving what he was...when his Long EZ aircraft crashed October 12, 1997.
Trikke Dancing, Spaceships, and John Denver
Last week someone very dear to me, also my age, suffered a heart attack. Thankfully it was "mild" and she's home now but a reminder that life, indeed, is short. Wilma, this one's for you. Please take care of yourself. You are a very special person.
" Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt; sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." - Mark Twain
I know...I know...I promised to do "better" with my blog once the dog class was over. Well.....there are still dogs to be walked and dogs to be trained...and beads and buttons to sort....and Trikkes to ride..... Speaking of Trikkes...I discovered "Trikke Nirvana" on Sunday...just me 'n my Trikke (well okay....the DH was with me on his Trikke also)...and John Denver.....but more on that one later. Today's a gym day (UGH!) so I just wanted to post a quickie.
We often get questions about this, that, and the other. One of them "others" is..."Just what IS a givre glass bead anyway?" We don't claim to be experts on any one type of bead....because we feel there's there's ALWAYS more to learn...but we try!
Well..."Givre" is a French adjective meaning, "frosted or covered in frost." It's pronounced "zee-ray." (BTW, there's supposed to be an accent over the "e" but I haven't figured out how to do fancy stuff like that on our blog yet.)
Now where was I?....... Oh! While most of the earliest givre beads, made in West Germany, were frosted with delicious inclusions of other colors, "givre" is now used to describe any bead--frosted or transparent clear--with "infused" colors. (Kinda like Lucite v. Plastic....and my Kleenex v. Tissue analogy, I think.)
Anyhoo...there you have it. The mystery of "givre" answered! :-)
Tune in soon (I hope) for my musings on "Trikke Nirvana".....
Thanks for stopping by today!
Oh my poor neglected blog!! Well....today I completed the Family Dog Trainer program (woohoo!) so I can now pursue additional certifications at a little more "leisurely" pace. SPCA Tampa Bay only offers two classes per year and only 30 participants per class are accepted so this is a really big deal. It was tougher than nails...but I learned a lot and am really glad I did it.
Now.......where was I? Oh yeah! Business! Well we often get questions regarding our buttons and cabs...usually something like "Your Czech Glass Buttons are just gorgeous...but what can I do with them?"
You mean besides collect them just to look at? :-) Well we like to use them to create pretty jewelry. We've used filigree brass stampings, simple glue-on bails, and "invisible" (glue-on domed findings) to create some nice pendants.
Most recently Jim, who was permanently laid off and forced into early retirement (and now has lots of time on his hands...LOL), has been experimenting with "simple" wirewrap designs to make some really pretty pendants. Now if I could only convince him to make more of his wonderful polymer clay beads.....!
Anyhoo...I present for your viewing pleasure...a few examples of our jewelry using buttons and cabs.
Oh! That grinning fool in the blue t-shirt? That would be yours truly today at our final SPCA Tampa Bay Family Dog Trainer class. The bottom photo was taken with my partner, Tony, and "our" SPCA dog, Jasmine. Wonderful dog to work with. She was adopted and went to her "forever home" the following week! Woohoo!
Thank you for stopping by today!
-Mary
Pssssst! Spring's just around the corner! Living in Florida, we sometimes get a little "spoiled" with the weather and tend to forget how wonderful spring can be....BUT we're originally from the Midwest so it only takes a few moments of thinking about those seemingly endless brutal winters to recall the joys of spring.
And with spring of course...well "April showers bring May flowers"!
Introducing....(drum roll)...our beautiful Lucite Flower Beads! We just love 'em! I don't have as much time to create and design new jewelry as I'd like to (uh 'cuz I'm busy listin' new beads and buttons for y'all to buy!) but...
....below is a pretty (we think!) necklace that I designed using lucite flower beads and Czech glass beads. I've been asked how I come up with my designs. Well...one way I work is that I have a nice "stash" of US-artisan-made lampwork glass beads (uh one of my shopping weaknesses I'm afraid...) and when I decide that I can (reluctantly!) part with some...I get the box out, spread the beads out across the table, and consider other beads we have that may compliment these beauties.
The colors (textures, etc.) just all came together perfectly for me with this set! I was very happy with the results! In school, we had to first create an outline (ugh!)...then write the paper...so maybe that's yet another reason I love to design jewelry! It's not so much planning...just doing!
Anyway, hope you enjoy and that this will help inspire you to create your own lucite flower beads jewelry!
Thanks for stopping by!
Just what the heck is Lucite anyway?
Even if you're brand-spankin' new to beading, you're probably familiar with the term, "Lucite." But what is it really? In 1931, DuPont chemists discovered Lucite® methyl methacrylate polymer, one of the first plastics derived from petrochemicals, while exploring the high-pressure technology developed for ammonia production. The polymer’s crystal-clear appearance and its strength were far superior to nitrocellulose-based plastics.
We believe in "rewarding" return customers!!! Just check out our "Answers to FAQs" page (Pssst! The link is on our www.gemsandknots.com home page!) for more information!
We also now have a new category for wholesale beads. Woohoo! We "specialize" in vintage lucite beads but we have many many other fun items. Please check 'em out!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thought we should join the world of blogging...so here we go! When we're not working on our website, you will likely find me at the SPCA or both of us "carving" up the trails in Pinellas County on our Trikkes!
"What's a Trikke?" you may ask? Well...just about THE most fun ever!! Really!
Jim & Mary
