Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving


I've had a chance to think about Thanksgiving this year, what it is to be thankful, and what I am thankful for.  Yes, I am thankful for family and health and that my family and friends are healthy and that they have jobs and homes and wonderful families of their own.  But I am so very, very thankful for those tiny, sparkly things called beads that came into my life when I was three years old. 

Right now I'm in transition, searching and negotiating for a new location for the store.  I have boxes of stuff everywhere in my house and some might look at this and wonder how can anyone be grateful for such chaos that is going on.   But, it really is about what beads have brought into my life.

Because of beads, I am more joyful.  When Bead Street was located in downtown Boise, many of my customers were local - many from the north end and  because of the location, many tourists visited as well.   I met Barb - who has become my best friend and traveling companion - who lives in Portland.  I can't tell you how much joy and fun and creative energy she has brought into my life.  And because of Barb, my traveling experiences are a little less structured and less organized.  Yes, I do that everywhere.

Because of beads,  a life was actually changed - for the so much better.  A trip was planned and the day before, my employee quit.  A friend volunteered her daughter to help me out.  This gal decided she liked working for me and continued on.   One day one of my customers actually spent some time talking to her, and then helped her get her GED and then into college. This was the start of her transition and remarkably her life has changed dramatically.  Believe me.   You pundits might say that would have happened anyway.  Maybe, maybe not.

Because of beads, I am more creative.   When we moved to Cole and Ustick, we were discovered by many new customers that I have grown to love.  These people have been so inspirational, so knowledgeable and so talented.  My creativity has flourished because of them.   I am so thankful they are a part of my life.

Because of beads, my family is larger.  I met a vendor that has now become a big part of my family - they have now moved to Boise so I get to see them on a regular basis.  How I met them is a long list of 'coincidences' that happened in a particular order.  If any of those 'coincidences' had not happened at the right time - or even in the right sequence - I might not have met these people.   I am so, so very thankful they are a part of my life.

Because of beads, I have learned so much about the rest of the world.  I learned to blog.  And because I am blogging, I have followers and those followers have left me some wonderful comments.  I have  learned something about someone half way around the world - and about their country.  My passion for travel has been re-ignited and I have become more adventurous.

Because of beads - I am.  I am so thankful to live in this time where we can reach around the world and get to know someone.  Because of the Internet and Gloria Google, the language barrier is breached.  Just copy and paste into Google translate and viola' - I now know something about them. We can actually speak to each other and  because we bead, we can share our beading projects with anyone in the world.  Amazing!

Because of beads, many of you have discovered your own creative spirit and want to share your ideas.  For those of you who have some extra time this Thanksgiving, here is a free pattern for this beautiful bracelet.  Thanks so much Eva! 

Edna Bracelet Pattern


I used Blue Iris Super Duos, Matt Blue Iris 4mm Firepolish,
4mm Bronze Czech Glass, copper lined size 15/0 seedbeads,
 Metallic Blue Denim 8/0 seedbeads and  
Sapphire Swarovski crystals
Another Vintage button from the Paris Flea Market




Because of beads,  my life is better.   I am smarter, more knowledgeable, more grateful, more creative and  life is so much more fun.  I am so thankful my grandmother introduced them to me.  And I am so thankful they grabbed me by the heart strings and didn't let go.  I hope all of you have a wonderful day.  Happy Thanksgiving!
 


 

23 comments:

Orsi said...

Beauryful!

Peziperli said...

Wonderful! The color-combination and the design are beautiful!
Greetings, Petra

Arkadia said...

Beautiful bracelet.I love these colors:)

Malena Valcárcel said...

Very very nice, love the colors :)
Regards from Spain.

Fac@ttenreich said...

Ein wunderschönes Armband in wunderbaren Farben!!!
Viele Grüße
Andrea

Marion said...

Hello Eileen,
the bracelet looks very beautiful and elegant and you´ve used a wonderful color combination for it.
Warm Greetings
Marion

YeeLen Spirit Designs said...

Good morning Eileen,
Nice to meet you. Beautiful bracelet design, I love the color. I totally agree with you about this blog, I feel the same way.
Best
solange

april grinaway said...

Because of beads....lovely writing!

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and now here I am - enjoying your stories of Paris flea markets. My, I would love to do that! This bracelet is gorgeous and I will have to try it. I too love beads. They have been my therapy! Hope you find a spot for your store soon. Wished I lived closer...but my husband is probably glad I don't!!

JDreams by Janet Carter said...

Oh, my dear Eileen - what a lovely Thanksgiving message. You have given so much to so many of us! I am lucky to be one of those who found you and my life is better because of it. xoxo

Iris Salewski said...

Ein wunderschönes Armband. Danke für das Teilen der Anleitung.
Die Geschichte über die Bereicherung des Lebens durch die Perlen kann ich vollkommen unterschreiben. Mir geht es ganz ähnlich, seit ich angefangen habe mit Perlen zu spielen.
Auch ich bin dankbar für die vielen netten Menschen, die ich erst dadurch getroffen habe.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Liebe Grüße
Iris

Penny said...

This is gorgeous, Eileen! Thank you for being such a great influence in my life, too!

LUCY said...

Una belleza de trabajos....enhorabuena....es magnifico....

Susan said...

Fantastic bracelet with beautiful colors!

IzzyGumbo said...

Your work is stunning! Very nice to find your blog :)

c. c. v. said...

Thank you so much, I love this one, its awesome!
Greetings from the cold Norway

Rossella Seghezzi Design said...

Very, very, very nice!!!!!

SCHMÜCKLICH said...

Wonderful - I like the colour combination very much - it´s so elegant.
Nice greetings from Germany
Ulrike

april grinaway said...

Read this again and still love it..

La Perla Benatta said...

Sehr schön!

mistic said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mistic said...

I found it. Thank you Sisters. This is a warm n fuzzy place. Thanks SOoo MUCH! mistic

sunshine said...

Beautiful colour combination, I can't wait till I make it. I will be honest though, I don't know which I love the most, the bracelet or your blog. I too can relate to your blog on a personal level, because of beads. I was a casual beader, my mother taught me how to make a french beaded lily, I went back home to Alberta with this new knowledge, shortly after my mom passed away, and I inherited her stash of beads, over 100 ibs worth.
That was the beginning and I continue to add to it. So I understand when you view the world, "Because of Beads.". Thank you for the blog,