My wonderful grandson, Mylz has been begging me to teach him to make earrings.  After he saw our Artfire (his Mom's & mine) studio he wanted to open his own.  He will turn 10 years old tomorrow & he returns to Fayetteville, NC with his Dad today.

Well, bless his heart, I taught him yesterday.  In just one lesson he caught on & designed & completed 3 pairs of earrings which we are still trying to get good photos of before he leaves today.  He cannot afford to be a Verified Shop yet but he eagerly set up his own profile, avatar and even created a banner for his studio on Artfire. Daddy will provide the Paypal account after they return to NC. ( grandma-me is soooooo excited that he is taking up the artistic route)

I will sure miss him around here while his Mom, my daughter April & little sister, my granddaughter Ella, struggle for a couple months to shape this place up to sell.  When it does, I get to join him in Fayetteville once again and who knows what Great Adventures in Beading will come from the union of ALL our artistic generations....

My mother passed away on the day after Thanksgiving.  She was 90 years on this rotating orb. 

I was her sole caregiver the last 7+ years. 

She was my number one fan when it came to my creations.  Now I must be the FAMILY matriarch & it's scary! 

Twenty five days later, my daughter & family arrived for the upcoming funeral, my sixtieth birthday which was December 21st, Christmas and to help me pack up, clean out and get ready to sell the house .  I will be moving to NC to be close to them just as soon as all can be resolved.   It was our first Christmas together in 9 years.

What a bittersweet reunion .

I MUST proceed with my art and possibly even go back to teaching beadwork as well.  It will be my sole source of income aside from the meager disability I recieve from Uncle Sam.

My mother's well being was my purpose in life these last 7 years.  It is really difficult to shift gears.   I have an adorable three year old granddaughter to share time with as well as a SUPER grandson who will be ten years old on January 6th.  They are my new focus in life along with my designing.

I have used this art of beadwork to carry me through some tough times over the years (since 1992) I know it will provide the "energy" I need now.  So much more beneficial than a shrink or therapy.  It is also the best way I know to honor the memory of my greatest "FAN".