Bead and Button 2014 Commemorative Bead update

I received the official announcement on June 19th!  Number 11.
Would you believe I was not at home when I received the email.  I had no idea which one that was!
I was intensely curious - which one was 11 - all I could initially determine was that it had to be a round bead, the bicones where all at the end of the list.
Then I realized that I had access to a copy of the letter sent to Bead and Button.  This told me a little more - Ottoman Layered Bead in Purple.
I was pretty sure I knew what it looked like, but not exactly.  There were so many beads.
As soon as I got home I looked at my records and was thrilled with Number 11.

Here it is.  It had it's picture taken by a pro in Milwaukee!

It has also been renamed "Purple Lupine Ottoman Bead"

You can order one here. 

I really did not expect to hear so soon.  I was anticipating starting in September.  I have been quite busy.  Had a small holiday to Manitoulin Island.  Spent a week at The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass studying with Wesley Fleming and then headed to Rochester for the ISGB annual Gathering.

But I have been working away as much as I could.  As of today I have made 22 beads!

 My strategy for creating so many of the very same bead is to listen to books on tape and just get into the meditative-ness of creating.  So far so good.  Working my way through one of my favourite books - I think I have read it at least three times - but it is fun to listen to again - Clan of the Cave Bear!

Any gripping books that you can recommend would be appreciated. 

Bead and Button

I love attending the Bead and Button show each year in Milwaukee.
I had the pleasure of helping out my local bead store, BeadFX, at the show way back in 2002 and 2003.  I was thrilled to be there - I worked hard, had next to no money to shop but had a blast.

I started returning in 2008.  I took a wonderful two day class with Akihiro Okama.  The next year I took an even better Master Class with Kristina Logan.  Then I started to teach at Bead and Button. 

My first year teaching was in 2010 - that makes this year the fourth in a row I have taught!  The class was held early in the week, so it was quite small.  All the students had a good time and it is wonderful to get to know them and have so much time with each person.

I also  had really big news to share.  A few months ago I received the most wonderful email - inviting me to be the 2014 Commemorative Bead Artist for the Bead and Button Show Commemorative Bead!  I nearly fell off my chair.

I have been making beads for months, keeping track of all the colours, sorting, trying new things.  I think I rejected many more beads than I actually offered Bead and Button to choose from.

I wanted the beads to be presented as something special.

I found this adorable box.

I carefully strung each bead and gently wrapped them all in tissue.

I gleefully gave the Box to Marlene Vail, the show organizer. 

Now I wait.  Which one will they choose?  I will let everyone know, just as soon as they announce the official bead for the 2014 Bead and Button Show.

I am honoured to have received this wonderful opportunity.  Wish me luck on making them all - initial order is 200 beads - yes 200 identical beads.  And if they are well received they may order more!