A decade, really?

What a difference ten years can make. In the year 2000 I was the Director of Information Technology for a manufacturing company. Being in charge of systems Y2K was the major buzz word and much work went into planning for a smooth systems transition.

I lived in Santa Cruz with husband, and golden retriever Ladysmith. Our first granddaughter was 3 and was a delight to be around. We made pancakes in the shape of Christmas trees and took long walks on the beach.

I had been beading a few years and in 2001 published the 2001 Bead Odyssey calendar with my then beading partner Linda. Together we were MarLin Beads and began our bead teaching career together.

In 2002 I took what may be my all time favorite trip, a sailboat caravan through the islands of Tahiti. It was magic.




I frequently traveled to Europe for my work and became enamored with Holland. In 2003 we sold our Santa Cruz house, bought a condo in San Diego and moved to Holland for a year. It was a fabulous year with much incredible travel.





When we returned in 2004 I retired from corporate life and turned my attention to beads. I soon found downtown living not to be to my taste and we moved into our current 1940 art deco home where I am totally at home.



Around that same time we rescued Miss Maya our long haired chihuahua daschund who is such a sweet girl and so full of unconditional love.



I joined the Bead Society of San Diego and spent a two year span as the President. There I met many friends including several who came to speak. I hosted workshops at my home and fell in love with Robin Atkins, Christi Friessen and Kate McKinnon. This world was so different from my corporate life, full of art and artists.

I continued my bead teaching, combining travel and beads and my love of teaching.

Beadwork asked me to submit some designs for publication and then Step by Step and there I met all the wonderful women of Interweave.

Lark approached me about writing a book and illustrating it as well. The design part was easy, the illustration had some significantly steep learning curves, but I did it. Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence was released in 2009, second in the Master Class Series published by Lark.

I lost my brother in 2007 and my Mom in 2009. One daughter was married and soon we'll be grandparents again.

And so with gratitude for the happiness in my life, and hope for the exceptional things still to come, I look forward to how this decade will reveal itself.

Crystal Compass

My Crystal Compass is in this issue of Bead and Button.



It's a first for me. I had one project published in their special edition right angle weave, but never until now a piece in the Bead and Button magazine.

This summer I taught at Beads of Colour in Dundas Ontario. Debi has a well store well stocked with eclectic findings and there I found this vintage mesh bangle. Of course I had to add sparkle and this little bit of right angle weave was the perfect answer. The four little textured diamonds secure the bit of raw work to the bangle, therefore the reference to compass. Which is amusing for someone like me who has absolutely no sense of direction. I will walk out of a hotel room for an entire week and go left when the elevator is to the right. Eventually I catch on, but it's a slow process for me. Oh and by the way, you can get your own vintage mesh bangle from Beads of Colour.


pppssstttt.....this same piece of beadwork wrapped around the bangle makes a great necklace.....here's how I know



I love the simplicity, this has been my go to chain for awhile now, when I want something substantial enough to hold up to the focal pendant, but that doesn't compete for attention.

the rising sun

scheduled for finishing this week!

Itty Bitty Nursery

I got the Itty Bitty Nursery book for Christmas so what is a Grandma to do but pick a project and knit?

I couldn't resist these two adorable pacifier holders.





For my facebook friends, here are the Elephant ears I spoke of.






And the cutest of flowers. For the curious, the front of the flower and elephant trunk holds onto a clip which attaches to baby's clothes and the back attaches to the pacifier. No more falling on the floor.

The flower petals were a very clever bit of tubular knitting that I had never done before. Nice to have some learning in the process, and pick up a crochet hook as well.

I am unfortunately not yet recovered from a winter cold so I'm going to spend a 7th day in rest mode hoping to feel better soon. The studio is waiting!



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Wanna meet the girls?

You hear me talk about the Grove and Val's Art studio and JudiPatuti and 'artist dates' with my girls so I thought you might like to meet them.



In the middle Is the multi-talented Gail whose birthday it was. Gail's current endeavors are focused on creating a beautiful backyard oasis complete with koi pond and pergolas.

On the left you can find Judy, yes that Judy of Judipatuti bead mat fame. Next, me and then Val of Val's Art Studio. Val is the maker of many things, mainly felted and all adorable. Next week I'll be showing off my backpack that Val made. And on the right is Susan, who you may know from the Grove. She is the head knitter of the group, the one we turn to with knitting quandaries.

I am so fortunate to have this group of talented women in my life. Not to say I am not surrounded by many other women whose friendship is all important to me. Today a gift will be opened by a friend whose been in my life since I lived in Boston and that was a mighty long time ago. And on New Years I'll join a friend who always makes me smile with her infectious joy of living. And last week I was gifted three pears (a favorite of mine) by a friend who shares my passion for beads. And in Santa Cruz I visited my dearest of friends whose history I've shared for 30 years. And then I beaded and had dinner with someone I've known since she was 17! and have watched become a star in the bead world. And soon I will share lunch with a friend whose love of felting results in the most beautiful of shawls and pillows. New Years Eve Day I hope to share waffles, and in February I get to spend time with friends in Detroit, and in March I get to see my Beading by the Bay partner Susan and many beading friends. All over the world I have people I call friends....some I only see once in awhile, but I know they are there, and I feel very fortunate.

Simplicity

We had a week of pre-Christmas in a charming beach cottage in Santa Cruz this year.

Long ocean walks and really touching visits with family and friends.

And then I woke up sick and spent a few days nursing a major cold. I'm grateful that it didn't occur at a more inopportune time.....no major plans to interrupt, oh except Christmas.

Well with no time for preparation but still wanting to enjoy some festivities, Mark and I visited the local healthy grocery store and picked up 2 beef tenderloins.

We started the oven for stuffed mushrooms, made batter for popovers (so fancy) and measured all the ingredients for a brandied cream peppercorn sauce. Nothing makes me feel like more of a gourmet then using those little prep bowls to stage a recipe.

We retired to candlelight, cocktails, calls to family and opening presents. Then on to final meal prep.

More dining room candlelight and an excellent meal.

Simplicity was required but it suited the day beautifully.

Hope you also had an excellent day!

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Casey is blogging

My stylist daughter, Ladyfirefury is blogging again. I appreciate her perspectives and her styling.....She's moved to Roots salon in Rancho Bernado so if you're looking for fabulous hair near San Diego she's quite the hair artist.

Otherwise you might just enjoy her commentary.


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