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!