Flowers blooming

with beads

Back to beading

So much time spent writing my book, teaching classes, traveling to shows, planning workshops, shipping book orders and bead soups. I'm finally back in my studio beading. I have deadlines next week - lots of samples to make, but being in my studio with the sun beaming through the window, water fountain in the background, kids laughing as they whiz by outside on bikes, NPR on the radio - it's good to be creating again.

Autumn Festival

Jewelry Workshops in the Barn

October 5-10, 2009

Wanderlust Bracelet - October 5, 2009

At the prompting of a wonderful, creative, fun gal from Wales - I have decided to hold a series of Jewelry Workshops in the Barn the week of October 5 - 10.

Beads on Metal - October 6, 2009

Beachcomber - October 8, 2009

Wander With Color - October 9-10

Yes, I will make a multiple course dinner one night, hold a luncheon another day, a brunch yet another, and of course bring out wine and hor d'oeuvres - all interwoven with color and beads. It is usually beautiful here in early October - so perhaps the brunch and luncheon will be outside in the garden... If it's chilly we will be inside with a fire going. Lots of beads, food, wine (no, I won't forget the chocolate!) and a small group of fun, creative gals (max 10 people).

An invitation just went out to my mailing list, but if I forgot you - you can find out more information here . By the way, you don't need to have any prior experience!

Wrinkles

Portrait by Diane Ahern

are beautiful and wise and we've earned them... or so my dear friend told me as she clicked away.

One of the uncomfortable things about writing a book, for me, is the bio and self portrait. To be honest, I naively thought someone else wrote these blurbs - they always felt a little boastful. Normally I don't seem to run out of things to say when it comes to just about anything (my husband will back me up on this!!). However, writing up a couple of paragraphs about who I am, what I've done etc. etc. is tough. I'm not a self marketing type. It's just too personal. I can tell you about my experiences and what I like, but not what I am like.

So I wrote, rewrote, edited, deleted, wrote again and tried to touch on who I am, but really ended up writing about what I like. When my deadline hit, I had to be done. Now it will be in print - but of the 128 pages, this is the most uncomfortable.

About the Author

Beverly Ash Gilbert is a self-taught artist who believes that anything is possible. That there is an artist in all of us just waiting for the inspiration, the right medium and positive encouragement along the way in order to blossom. That changes in direction and following your dreams and jumping up in the morning bursting with creativity and ideas and excitement about your work is what life is all about.

She loves playing with color and pushing the boundaries of her creativity – sometimes finding new paths to follow, sometimes tripping over her own feet, but always learning. She thrives on sharing what she has learned and helping students blast through their own creative boundaries.

She travels around the country teaching but has her roots firmly planted in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by three creative men – her husband, Jerry and two sons, Morgan and Brandon – and lots of color!

What Beverly loves: Walking on the beach, wine with friends, spontaneous backyard picnics with neighbors, chocolate, happy people, good books and cozy fires, snuggling with her boys, listening to her husband play guitar, gathering flowers from her garden, family movie night with Jerry’s homemade pizza, her macro lens, laughing, playing with color and beads…

And I haven't even touched on the self portrait. Now if only I could've used one from 20 years ago... Thank goodness for Diane, who made me laugh at the wrinkles and sags and rounded shoulders... and didn't zoom in too close!


Here are some flowers for all my dear friends out there - thank you for all of your words of encouragement and positive thoughts. My manuscript did indeed go out. But I am still finishing up all of the diagrams and photos and will then dive into all of my proposals due in 2 weeks. I miss you and your blogs and your musings and your inspirational photos. I promise to get together with you when I come out of my tunnel.

Feeling a little down

as I waved my family goodbye. They headed down to Oregon for a mini-vacation... I'm staying home to finish pulling together all of the diagrams, photos, illustrations for my book. It's due to ship out tomorrow evening - and I still have lots to do and am feeling overwhelmed. Then on the heals of shipping it out, I will dive into making samples for all of next year's show proposals. Yes it is good I stayed home - I will get lots done.

But so hard to watch them go.

In the midst of feeling sorry for myself, I received a beautiful note and powerful shot of vasbyt from a dear friend who sensed I needed it.

So I made a cup of Earl Grey (decaf), clipped a bouquet of butterfly bush and hydrangeas, turned on Debussy and am writing away...

Chocolate and Beads

Can it get any better?
(Dark Chocolate from my Bead Soup Collection)

Happy Birthday

to 2 beautiful sisters!

I hope this next year is a good one for you both - full of peace, and promise and prosperity.