tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48622285574516170112012-03-17T22:24:50.335-04:00Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-69606931828152063922010-09-19T19:15:00.000-04:002010-09-19T19:15:23.454-04:00

As John said..."I'm wohhhhnnn out!" More later, but for now, pictures of a great day.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-10876079338244888882010-08-19T11:18:00.000-04:002010-08-19T11:18:20.605-04:00

The beach trip was great. Perfect weather, perfect family time...very relaxing. The only storms came at night, with one of them knocking the power out for 5 hours or so...we turned on the flashlights and read stories with the (four) kids. They loved it. After putting them to bed Tom and I sat out on the porch and talked for a long time...it was so quiet, so dark, so peaceful. It made me hope for

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-1371661578825258612010-07-21T21:54:00.002-04:002010-07-22T07:37:41.188-04:00

So, I am upstairs in the office, where I can listen to the two boys in their beds...talking to each other from room to room, instead of going to sleep. John: We're going to the beach tomorrow, Sam? Sam: No, we're going to the beach on FRIday. Tomorrow is THURSday. John: Today is Thursday? Sam: No, we're going to the beach on FRIday. John: No it isn't. No it isn't. Today is Wednesday. Sam: It

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-50352718899399689892010-07-13T22:01:00.000-04:002010-07-13T22:01:55.755-04:00

Yes, we are busy busy busy. Busier than during school. We had a great July 4th and we're getting ready to go to the beach in a few weeks, and then it's time to register Sam for kindergarten, get his physical done, school supplies...that will probably take me the entire month of August! Working on beads as I can! I am testing a retweet button with this post, so here goes...

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-63673413712019988922010-06-15T14:16:00.004-04:002010-06-26T00:27:44.716-04:00

The boys are playing in their playroom at the moment, and this is what I hear from the next room... Sam: John, I think you have an ear confection. John: What? Sam: You have an ear confection! John: What? Sam: You have an ear confection, because you can't hear very well! Earlier in the year John had an ear infection. No outward signs of it for a week or two, other than not hearing well...he

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-7431893788875275152010-06-09T10:46:00.001-04:002010-06-09T10:48:11.311-04:00

Okay, so it's been seven very busy weeks since my last blog post - just not enough hours in the day. I've heard that April-May-June can be really crazy for parents and that's definitely the case here. Anyway, today I find myself sitting downtown at the courthouse, waiting to find out if I'll be seated as a juror. And guess what? It's like a one-day vacation. I am able to do work because they

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-90207821274139455312010-04-13T16:38:00.000-04:002010-04-13T16:38:40.672-04:00

Sam just walked in from outside, with something in his hand. "Here, Mommy. This is for you." I didn't see what he had before he reached up and gently tucked it behind my ear. "See, it goes here right between your ear and your hair." He straightened it up, just so, and stood back to admire. "You look beautiful, Mommy." He flashed that brilliant, sweet smile of his. "Now you look like a real

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-10680424752133716822010-04-13T15:57:00.000-04:002010-04-13T15:57:18.221-04:00

I have been remiss in posting - things are so busy here, with work and Easter break and custom orders...haven't had much time for updating the blog. But today I take a quick break from all that to catch up a little here... A few weekends ago our little volunteer fire station had a dedication ceremony for its new ladder engine, so we took the boys for 2.5 hours of fire-truck fun! They had a blast

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-22385703493492854182010-03-26T17:52:00.000-04:002010-03-26T17:52:31.104-04:00

Just listed these on Etsy - 23 small (7x10 to 8x11) colorful beads, perfect for earrings.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-8968203853143931892010-03-25T09:52:00.000-04:002010-03-25T09:52:53.015-04:00

As I was rubbing Sam's back last night at bedtime (a nightly must) we had this conversation: Sam: "When we went to get ice cream (his treat for successfully counting to 100) I saw a plane and it was pulling a sign." Me: "What did the sign say?" Sam: "Daddy couldn't read it. It was moving too fast." (After some thought) "I think it said, 'Let's eat lunch!'" (More thought) "Or 'Let's go out

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-15144258450797326852010-03-23T14:55:00.000-04:002010-03-23T14:55:40.173-04:00

New beads at auction through Friday...ink blue and silvered ivory is always one of my favorite combinations.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-24348817858136723892010-03-16T12:10:00.004-04:002010-03-16T12:23:48.831-04:00

Growing up I always felt woefully inadequate about the gifts I gave my Mom. Later I felt embarrassed when I would look at something I'd bought for her - embarrassed that I had thought it was such a great gift when I gave it, and embarrassed that she felt she had to keep it because it was a gift from me.Last week Tom took the boys to Chuck-E-Cheese. When they returned John ran through the door and

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-18357401501402486052010-03-15T17:35:00.003-04:002010-03-15T17:38:52.041-04:00

I don't work in bright colors as often, but all this warm weather has me positively giddy and in the mood for easter eggs, green grass, bright flowers...I've added a few smaller sets to my gallery today - at hard-to-beat prices - let's celebrate Spring!

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-68703232983857757012010-03-08T07:31:00.005-05:002010-03-12T12:03:09.780-05:00

Ahhhh...basking in warmth again, well relative warmth anyway...highs in the low-to-high 60s, perfect for bead-making!Very busy with lots of things, and sales are going well at Mint Hill Arts. I am also maintaining their website, a volunteer job I just took over in the past few weeks.The boys are great, other than one case of pink eye (John) which has mostly subsided now with lots of hated

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-17845683062060086692010-02-13T11:45:00.002-05:002010-02-13T11:46:10.430-05:00

No, I didn't decide to take a 3-week vacation! Just very busy and still cold since we returned. Too cold for beads, still...and so I am really reevaluating how I'm going to go forward.This is not a normal winter here, but I can't afford to have the same thing happen in the future (little to no beadmaking from November through February, or will it be March???) and there's no way my other plan - to

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-18048189803611997072010-02-13T10:07:00.010-05:002010-02-13T11:46:41.035-05:00

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-67640482208909172912010-01-23T12:05:00.001-05:002010-01-23T12:05:41.439-05:00

Off to our annual ski trip, back and making beads the first week of February!

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-16770210228576908972010-01-18T17:50:00.002-05:002010-01-18T17:53:23.905-05:00

Thanks for checking them out!

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-18547514108806661152010-01-18T08:14:00.002-05:002010-01-18T08:19:37.232-05:00

It was in the 60's all weekend so I finally got to make some beads. Between it feeling strange after such a long break, and feeling the pain of the splits on my fingertips (from the dry weather) it was awkard, but lovely!I'll be putting them up for auction later today. It's going to be a really busy week for me and we're getting to go to the mountains this weekend (for a week) but hopefully I can

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-70398295545921684002010-01-13T16:54:00.002-05:002010-01-13T16:59:25.368-05:00

Yes, I know I'm a little late, but I am feeling brand new as of about 20 minutes ago, when the Dell technician left my house. My laptop has been completely down for the last week, and often down for the last month+ (as you already know). I've tried to post updates only to have everything lock down in the middle of it...can't adequately tell you how frustrating it has been. There should be a

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-90738837242150658562009-12-28T22:12:00.002-05:002009-12-28T22:20:34.082-05:00

I've decided that next year I need to plan a 3-month break from beadmaking during the cold months. It is just so, so frigid out there in the bead shack, even colder than the outside air since there is no insulation, thin single-pane storm windows, holes in the roof...etc...So the goal is to build up enough inventory to post new beads even though I won't be making new beads. Ha. Better get started

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-88103613527683296022009-12-15T09:17:00.005-05:002009-12-15T10:50:31.588-05:00

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. Between ongoing computer problems, travel, shopping and cooking, and the ever-present sickness in our house, time is flying by and I have way too much to do. I've been hoping to have another auction any day...still hoping...I really needed a healthy week with both boys in school (next week starts winter break) to get more done, but that was not to be! Sam

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-46410323973907170052009-11-30T12:16:00.004-05:002009-11-30T12:23:07.655-05:00

Leaving for the airport shortly - to Atlanta for a meeting tomorrow morning - back in the evening, a whirlwind trip.We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a busy weekend. Decorated the house and put up the tree last night, and it was a lot more traumatic than I remember last year, but I got some cute pictures - will post later.So far the broken ornament tally only stands at one (single color glass

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-80347833010830392272009-11-25T14:23:00.002-05:002009-11-25T15:34:17.921-05:00

Finally! Just started this auction, and it will run through Monday afternoon. I decided to do a 5-day auction because of the holiday.We are cooking and getting ready to head down the road for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. The boys got so hungry smelling the wild rice cooking this morning (it simmers for like 6 hours) they ate 3 times this morning before noon. Now if I could only get them to eat

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-67005505603041773352009-11-23T13:20:00.003-05:002009-11-23T13:28:35.594-05:00

Still so much going on here, and few beads to show for it.After Sam's birthday I needed to get some beads ready for a "small wonders" show at the local gallery, so that was keeping me busy two weeks ago.Then Tom was out of town for a week, so no beads at all while he was gone.I have been mentoring a high school student this fall for her Senior Project - bead and jewelry making - so no beads this

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-87925530485698331342009-11-12T16:34:00.005-05:002009-11-12T16:43:09.405-05:00

Sorry for the long pause...lots going on here! I'll try to get caught up, one post at a time.The 5th Birthday Party was so much fun. Backyardigans everywhere! Sam felt good, John felt good, and we had a great day.I had the best time making this cake. Thank goodness Wilton makes Pablo, which was the special request...it's the only Backyardigans pan they make!The robot arm was a HUGE hit...of

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-49200462358190861762009-11-03T13:31:00.006-05:002009-11-03T13:39:29.849-05:00

So we have finally conquered the computer virus and restored everything I lost, as of today...but as of yesterday, we have a diagnosis of H1N1 for Sam. We are trying to keep the rest of us from getting it, but given the way things usually go, that is probably next to impossible. At least John is on Tamiflu...I am still out of O2 due to a snafu on my part, but I will be back up and running

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-50509471257139765592009-11-02T11:41:00.004-05:002009-11-03T13:30:44.111-05:00

Halloween was fun, although very rainy. We went to a neighbor's haunted house - they had the coolest decorations and spooky food I've ever seen......then we went to the Carnival at the church where the kids go to preschool......and then we went trick-or-treating.(It is such a nice age...they have no idea that trick-or-treating might include more than going to five houses. Blissfully unaware.)I

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-91417480329447191072009-10-28T17:42:00.003-04:002009-10-28T17:47:49.746-04:00

Well, I seem to have gotten over my cold, but now my computer is sick. I've no idea how this happened, because I am an extremely cautious computer user...but what my poor laptop has is devastating and it looks like it will require a complete wipe to fix it. I am writing now from our old (olddd) laptop, but this is not where I do any of my work...in fact, the memory is so low on this laptop it

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-75373675927318248742009-10-23T20:36:00.003-04:002009-10-23T20:44:02.889-04:00

Here is the set I just listed on eBay tonight, ending Monday evening. I love these beads, and especially because I worked with Double Helix's Olympia Rain, the first time I've used any DH glass. I am only like 4 years behind the curve, but at least I have a good excuse. I actually ordered the glass (which is obscenely expensive) three years ago, thinking once we bought our house and got out of

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-83428639175385338302009-10-23T10:36:00.001-04:002009-10-23T10:37:22.616-04:00

Feeling better, good enough for beads! Update later today...

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-26090831219423391602009-10-20T19:48:00.000-04:002009-10-20T19:49:41.192-04:00

Ugh...no new beads. Hopefully tomorrow. The whole house has been sick now, so hopefully we've turned the corner, but not yet enough energy to get out to the studio.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-30876056533745961322009-10-14T15:48:00.004-04:002009-10-14T15:53:44.460-04:00

Is that a word? Puniness? The state of feeling puny? Anyway, that's where things stand right now...starting with Sam on Sunday (turned out to be double ear infections), and a little something running through John and me - until yesterday afternoon when it hit me full-on. Sore throat and head congestion mostly, but I'm a bit doped up on Nyquil so it's hard to tell.I listed a new auction on Monday

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-2156800053021106812009-10-09T10:38:00.006-04:002009-10-09T11:00:21.854-04:00

One thing I remember from my early childhood is "soap boats" - which seems to be a phenomenon in my family (poor Tom had never heard of such a thing). It's when you lather up the hair really well, take the lather into your hands, and then set it afloat in the tub. John LOVES soap boats and asks for them at every bath. I hope he remembers them fondly when he's older.Tom, of course, teaches them

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-32200880883684105902009-10-03T11:55:00.003-04:002009-10-03T12:18:23.959-04:00

Friday night, if all goes well during the week (meaning Sam finishes his work and stays "in the green" at school, and John stays off the naughty chair at school) is "watch-TV-in-Mommy's-and-Daddy's-before-bed" night.So all went well this week! Yay!(Before I go further let me remind you that John LOVES beads. I let him carry them around, usually one of my larger single color beads. But last night

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-89381000750226321422009-10-01T19:39:00.002-04:002009-10-01T19:42:04.005-04:00

Auctioning my bead bowl. These are extras, experiments and mini-sets.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-2840252047481628642009-09-30T16:00:00.000-04:002009-09-30T16:08:11.068-04:00

I am working on a project with a potter (more on that later) and the direction this project has taken leads me to the conclusion that I do, in fact, enjoy making focal beads! I've opened the Etsy store...at this point I'll list focals there and keep the sets on eBay, and we'll see how it all plays out. I've added an Etsy showcase to the blog so you can click it and it will take you to my Etsy

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-82998448139608251852009-09-28T13:55:00.004-04:002009-09-28T14:02:56.887-04:00

...is not so little as of yesterday/last night. He spent his first night away from us (we have been apart before, just never because HE went somewhere) and while it was nice to have some alone time with John, it was very strange to not have Sam here. He spent the night with his grandparents.When I took him to their house, as soon as I stopped the car he opened the door and said "Goodbye Mommy!"

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-84532204148478808992009-09-23T14:47:00.003-04:002009-09-23T14:49:13.759-04:00

Just listed these on eBay...

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-66773125602321152072009-09-22T08:26:00.002-04:002009-09-22T08:30:31.071-04:00

We've been really busy here the last week, with special orders and other projects taking most of my bead time. I hope to have two new sets on eBay soon! We had a nice visit from my younger brother, who came to go to an all-boy's 4-day weekend with my Dad (and five brothers) in the mountains. I wondered aloud if the younger generation of boys was going to be able to go this year, but I think their

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-7087744327079105052009-09-12T20:49:00.002-04:002009-09-12T21:03:11.065-04:00

For at least eight weeks every year I am glued to either NBC, ESPN2, Tennis Channel, or CBS watching the Australian Open (January), French Open (June), Wimbledon (July) and the US Open (August-September). And when I say glued I mean I watch it from the moment it comes on in the morning until it goes off, usually after midnight. I have even been known to get up at 3AM in January to watch the

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-73654076047809093982009-09-09T18:15:00.005-04:002009-09-13T13:48:58.812-04:00

Sam and John started school this week - Sam yesterday, John today. It's good for all of us to get back to the routine of school in the mornings. Sam is there all five days this year, in preparation for the long days of kindergarten next year. John is in class with older kids finally, which is where he needs to be! They were both so excited they didn't want to eat breakfast, no matter how many

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-55965418805819550232009-09-07T11:14:00.005-04:002009-09-07T11:33:05.793-04:00

I love playing Hide and Seek with the boys. I am usually the Seeker, and I love hearing John count back as he runs to hide, and then hearing him laugh as I go from room to room saying "Where oh where could John be?!" Their laughing always gives them away...that, and well, John's choice of hiding methods:As I mentioned yesterday, Sam rode his "new" bike for the first time on Saturday. He got the

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-36920029522959184692009-09-06T16:12:00.002-04:002009-09-06T16:16:30.034-04:00

Yesterday we celebrated our 11th anniversary and Sam rode his bike for the first time (pictures later). Tom said it was the perfect anniversary gift...I agree.I was able to squeeze in some beadmaking time this weekend. I was trying to "stretch" my use of colors to several I don't normally work with, and I'm very happy with the results. I'm not sure the pictures do them justice but they are

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-48238175957035670442009-09-04T15:28:00.004-04:002009-09-06T16:12:26.647-04:00

New auction just listed...running through Monday. I almost didn't list these because they are so hard to take a picture of, and I don't think the picture does them justice...the colors are gorgeous.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-27423114919506139752009-08-31T12:58:00.002-04:002009-08-31T15:26:29.124-04:00

Sam is doing well. Sleeping through the night and only a few doses of pain medication over the last few days. And thankfully for all of us, the awful post-surgery halitosis is gone! Whew! I know he wondered why I was constantly putting my hand over my nose when he came near me. Poor fella. He is still swallowing hard now and then, mostly when he tries to eat, but the progress is clear. We go back

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-56190851660101829432009-08-24T20:28:00.004-04:002009-08-24T20:34:31.705-04:00

So we're at Day 5-6 after the T&A surgery...where the doctor said it would be the worst before it starts getting better. I have to concur. Sam was up three times last night, each time unable to continue sleeping because of the pain. Thankfully he got back to sleep once the meds kicked in.Today has been rough, for sure. He hates the taste of the pain killer, I don't blame him. Unfortunately he

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-46106837923778602632009-08-19T14:15:00.004-04:002009-08-19T14:29:22.490-04:00

Our older son went for a T&A this morning...poor fella...he is hungry but too miserable to eat. Even the chocolate milkshake, his very favorite, was too painful. He seems to be resting comfortably, though, when he is not trying to eat.He took Monkey with him and when we went into the recovery room, we saw that Monkey was all bandaged up around the neck...turns out they took out his tonsils as

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-31459446912886752112009-08-16T19:30:00.005-04:002009-08-27T23:20:54.971-04:00

Busy weekend to make up for the lost time at the beach! I had a lot of fun with these...Click any of the images to go to my seller's page on eBay.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-12600851304850973272009-08-10T17:06:00.015-04:002009-08-10T18:29:57.512-04:00

These are a few of my favorites. I am posting pictures instead of being out in the bead shack, where it is wayyyy too hot to make beads right now...my car said 100+ yesterday and today. Last night I went out there and made 1 bead and decided to pack it in...ugh!And last but not least, the "That's Enough Mommy" look from Sam...P.S. I saved these all out at 600 x 400 so I've no idea why some are

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-66247192395861720352009-08-09T11:04:00.002-04:002009-08-09T11:07:05.292-04:00

We are back, although not really back into the swing of things! I took a long nap yesterday while the boys went to Bass Pro, so I missed my beadmaking time completely...it was painfully hot out there, so I don't know how long I would have lasted anyway.Today I want to get a few pictures posted...I took about a million of the little ones on the beach, so many that Sam finally had to tell me, "

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-23250614965375769302009-07-30T22:57:00.007-04:002009-07-31T00:15:42.108-04:00

Packing with Toddlers, or Reason #689 Why I Love Life with a Two Year Old:(click to see the larger image)

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-50058930482141668602009-07-30T21:38:00.005-04:002009-07-31T00:15:20.789-04:00

I've just listed two new auctions...click the pictures to take you there. And now, time for the beach! It's our annual trip to Edisto Island for some much needed R & R!

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-10263735153133642032009-07-29T14:57:00.006-04:002009-07-29T15:07:24.133-04:00

When I first started making beads back in 2001, I bought A LOT of glass and I thought I had to have at least a pound of every color of Effetre. Wow, yes, I still have so much staring me in the face and it's like that "if it's hanging in your closet for a year and you never wear it" thing...in this case, really, if I haven't used that color/type of glass over 5-6 years of beadmaking, am I going to

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-75067027214222393992009-07-23T12:47:00.001-04:002009-07-23T12:49:26.177-04:00

Ally is headed back to Charleston today...I don't know what the boys will do without her. I'm hoping to get back out to the bead shack later this afternoon...I've missed it for most of the last two weeks!

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-54835970225072023742009-07-19T09:52:00.003-04:002009-07-23T12:47:34.726-04:00

Ally is staying another week so we are busy-busy. We went to the Schiele museum yesterday, always fun for the kids. The newest exhibit is "Ocean" and it teaches a lot about North Carolina beaches, erosion, and wildlife.I made beads with Ally on Friday - she had wanted to make beads all day (her first experience) but I told her we should plan for 1:00 to 3:00. In the 90+ degree heat, she was

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-77953283885992460802009-07-15T10:22:00.006-04:002009-07-15T10:32:54.756-04:00

Cousin Ally is here for the week and we are having a blast. She is a wonderful 14-year-old and she loves her cousins...and boy-oh-boy do they love her!It didn't take John long to start chanting..."Ahhwee! Ahhwee!"They have had a great time in the pool together and she was able to get Sam to bounce through the shallow end on his feet...without holding on for dear life...which makes me think that

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-21508630427259003512009-07-12T15:51:00.005-04:002009-07-12T16:11:09.071-04:00

I am a really private person, but things have changed so much since 2005 when my beadmaking slowed and then stopped. "Social networking" has really changed things and now you can't really afford to be a hermit - like I am by nature - if you want to get your name out there. Since I've been absent from the scene for so long it really is starting over, but I hope that stretching beyond my comfort

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-63743148153302015732009-07-11T17:53:00.003-04:002009-07-11T17:54:59.623-04:00

New on eBay tonight! Auction runs through next Thursday evening.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-53170128095743045482009-07-10T17:43:00.004-04:002009-07-10T17:47:41.898-04:00

Just added some "specials" to my website, so check'em out! I tend to be drawn to the same colors and I have quite a few colors I use less, so specials are a way for me to experiment with both color and technique, to see what reacts with what and the mixes I can create.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-75017940476841398462009-07-08T11:07:00.004-04:002009-07-08T11:12:19.046-04:00

I'm not sure I've ever used any print, photo, or image as inspiration for my beads - if I've used anything other than my "visions" and trial/error, it's been flowers or other things from nature. When I came across this totem recently, however, I was drawn to it and I keep staring at it, thinking - these are colors I might not use on my own, definitely patterns I would not normally explore - so

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-59148872873246541012009-07-07T18:58:00.007-04:002009-07-07T22:56:44.585-04:00

Busy busy day...no beads from the kiln yet, but I'm fixing BLTs for dinner...the first of the summer with our garden tomatoes. Yum!

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-11062574149426512022009-07-06T15:33:00.005-04:002009-07-06T17:50:45.390-04:00

We are recuperating from a busy weekend...lots of barbecue, swimming, fireworks, and fun.I love July 4th...whether we are hosting a party, going to a party, or just hanging out, I love every part of it. We had a great weekend with friends and family and the boys enjoyed having some playmates over as well.Early July also equals Wimbledon each year, and if you remember me from my old website (

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-67204597343563435902009-07-01T00:35:00.002-04:002009-07-01T01:01:37.044-04:00

I've decided to keep the blog, separate from the website, so here I am! Things are going well, although I am not at the torch as much this week as I would like...too much going on. Last week of first-session summer school for the boys; July 4 weekend; getting ready for my niece to spend the following week with us...I've got to find some things that a 14-year-old will find cool (besides

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-38525555537153661752009-06-17T15:58:00.005-04:002009-07-01T18:01:32.356-04:00

Back here for a moment to announce the new website, in case anyone moseys over here to the blog and doesn't realize that I did decide to go ahead and launch a new site. I found a great web designer - The Cutest Site on the Block (www.thecutestsiteontheblock.com)- who was super easy to work with, and that made all the difference in deciding to go ahead now instead of waiting.So anyway...the new

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-573421483785641212009-06-03T14:01:00.005-04:002009-06-17T16:08:41.679-04:00

Not selling yet, but I'm trying to put many things in place toward that end...During my absence my old domain name (valentineglass.com) expired and some reseller snatched it up, thus I no longer own it (and I refuse to pay a crazy price to get it back). So my new business name and eBay seller ID will be "catherinehowardbeads." I may also have an Etsy shop, we'll see...I have reserved Catherine

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-8484440101544598222009-05-31T14:10:00.015-04:002009-07-06T14:37:49.763-04:00

Purple enamel and silver green frit, silver leaf and crystal encasing.Turquoise, white, dark black and aqua transparent.(SOLD)Enamels, lime, yellow, pink, purple. (SOLD)On a base of dark yellow, ink blue, silver leaf, rubino oro. (SOLD)Ink blue, silvered ivory, handmade gold aventurine, crystal encasing.Amber, silvered ivory, silver leaf, gold frit. (SOLD)

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-44482948192877883422009-05-23T09:59:00.011-04:002009-06-17T16:07:23.730-04:00

On a core of deep moss green, frit and enamel with silver leaf,wrapped in a cuff of transparent light teal. (SOLD)Soft opaque purple base,rolled in frit and silver leaf andencased with a light purple transparent. (SOLD)

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-79471498218059562052009-05-16T07:21:00.006-04:002009-05-23T11:09:46.191-04:00

These are pillow beads with yellow pink,silver pink, rubino, enamel and handmade aventurine.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862228557451617011.post-4678176414288267592009-05-14T07:46:00.021-04:002009-08-27T23:25:50.874-04:00

These tab beads are copper green,antique ivory and purple with frits and palladium leaf,layered with transparent light teal.

Catherine Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258766149834784795noreply@blogger.com0