A favorite question that I answer is, "Where do you find your beads?"  Well, I have some trusted companies that have internet ordering, but to see the beads in person first, is a real joy and a true treasure hunt!  This past Saturday, I attended the Rocky Mountain Bead Society's Annual Spring Sale at the Denver Merchandise Mart.  Here are gathered 200 bead sellers and it's enought to make your head spin!  Still, it's fun to visit with vendors I've purchased from over the past five years and to meet new bead creators, like "Lipstick Ranch" where fabulous metal beads are made right outside of Longmont, Colorado (practically my backyard) and yes, on a ranch!  Here are some pictures below of the bead show and check out my "Inspiration" page for more of the story of Lenka and her wonderful Czech glass.  There's definitely some fun beading ahead for me!

Have you seen the Boulder B-Cycle bikes at solar-powered stations around town? In May 2011, Boulder's new bike sharing program was launched for short-excursion cruiser bikes from point-to-point stations downtown.  How awesome is that?  To celebrate the first year of Boulder B-Cycles (and by the way, B-Cycles are also in Madison, WI, Houston, TX, Hawaii, Denver, and Chicago!) artists donated original artwork that was auctioned at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art to benefit the program, and photographs of the artwork were transferred onto the panels on both sides of the Boulder B-Cyle baskets, instead of advertising!  Here's my art quilt that was auctioned and reproduced onto a B-Cycle basket!

Now I need your help!  I've only seen "my bike" with the quilted fish panel once while driving on my way to an appointment.  So if you spot the Boulder B-Cycle with the quilted fish basket panels, take a picture with your phone or camera, email the photo to me and I'll post it here on my blog.  And if you're really adventurous, come with me as I ride a B-Cycle around Boulder from station to station looking for that B-Cyle to snap a photo!

The bright green of Spring has come to Boulder, as well as a brief rain, snow and hail.  It's been a dry winter and the thought of summer is welcome.  In the spirit of Spring cleaning, I'm reconstructing my website with some exciting changes.   In this new format, I'll be able to show you what is happening in my studio and tell you more about the process of making art quilts.  I hope you'll check back periodically to see what's new.