~Winding Glass in the flame,
much like spinning straw
into gold~

January 14, tomorrow is my 50th birthday. My husband, Dean, and I run our own business, creating and selling a wonderful product, AgendaQuick, to cities and counties everywhere.

I purchased a beautifully crafted lampwork bead from the farmers market in Portland OR last summer. I had done stained glass for years and have always been attracted to glass. This bead lead me into looking for a way to take my glass into a new medium. I was fortunate to live near Covenant Art Glass in Everett Washington, which offered Bead Making classes. I took the class in September, and LOVED it. But we had other priorities with finances and time, so my dream of bead working had to take a back seat, and I was okay with that. I knew that at some point, I would have a work bench with a torch.

Well, my wonderful husband really rocked my world. He worked with Covenant to give me a wonderful entrance into the world of bead making! They were able to create a package of all the elements needed, including an anealing kiln. And he was so excited, he could not wait to have tomorrow come!

So tonight, we spent the early evening, clearing out space in the garage, vacuuming spiders nests, procuring bolts to secure the torch to my previously seclusively 'stain glass' work bench. I accused him of having external motives to this birthday gift because I was helping him clean the garage!

But now, my smile is still effervecent, and the present which he could not wait to give me awaits my next venture to the world of heat and glass and imagination.

Do I have the best husband or what?

I would love to hear from other 'amatuers' and what has made the difference for you. Are there web sites with information about making beads? And this blog looks amazing. So I will be looking to connect with other bead makers and promoting this site! Thanks so much.

Looking forward to the next years in beads.

Desta