Introductions! OT

Here's mine, posted recently:

My name is Alison, I'm 35 (March 2004), am married (6 years in March 2004), have no children, two cats, and work in educational research. Rubber stamping is my crafting passion.

I don't do beadwork. I love beads, though -- I must be a magpie at heart. I love them, but I don't wear jewelry. I tried making jewelry, and wasn't too bad at it, but generally had no interest in wearing it and no interest in marketing it - especially given what I learned about the market from reading here! So, I sold the entirety of my beading supplies to my aunt, and stick around here because I can't help myself. I'm crazy about Kandice and Sooz and Kathy N-V, as well as many many others who frequent this wonderful "place"; and the eye-candy is spectacular. I love looking at all the things for sale or for show and tell.

The fan pulls in my kitchen were custom-made by Kandice (and get comments left and right from visitors to my home!), and I own a Tink bead purely for looking at, holding, and generally adoring. So, I'm not a beader in the sense of most everyone else here, but I do love beads and therefore intend to stay as long as you'll have me.

Most kind regards, Alison

On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:41:36 -0400, Dr. Sooz wrote (in message ):

Welcome Beth! I have a home grown daughter and a part time daughter as well. They're a little younger than yours at 14 and 15, and thank God, neither are married or have children. (They've heard my "kids don't need to have kids" speech so many times they've memorized it) You're very lucky to have a grandchild, though - I hope for a couple far, far into the future.

It sounds beautiful, although quite different than New England. I live near Boston, in an old, old city just 12 miles from the Hub of the Universe. Really. There is a broze plaque inset into the street in downtown Boston, proclaiming that exact spot at the Hub of the Universe. Coincidentally or not, it's also where all the brides line up for Filene's annual $99 bridal gown sale. All the designer gowns are cheap, cheap, and they sell out in less than an hour. If you've seen films of the "running of the bulls" in Spain, you have a good idea what the Bridal Event is all about.

DJD? I know what all the others are, but DJD has me stumped. But I'm wondering - does the desert climate help with your asthma?

Me, too, most of the time. I'm really pushing to get better at what I do.

Beth, we need you, too!

Kathy N-V

To explain: Everyone, please write a bio here, if you possibly can. I'll keep them on Word, and give them out only to the people on this NG. And you don't HAVE to write one if you don't want to. But if you do, please write it so I don't have to edit it heavily....you now, no segments of other people's posts excerpted, try not to make a big mess, etc. :-) And please include your birthdate if you can.

Okay? Ready, set -- go. ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

Since my life is changing a lot right now this will be longer then usual...

I am Marisa2 (having for the first life found another Marisa who spells her name the same way I do here in RCB... very happy to share a name with someone so "exotic"!)

I am 26 and live with my husband in IL, USA. Up till two weeks ago our third family member was a peurtie beurdie...Mucha the budgie. :( he just passed away. Until then DH hosted Muchacam, a live webcam featuring Mucha's day-time activities, as well as other pictures and movies on Mucha's own webpage. I have a feeling we will have another pal/baby at home soonish but we are giving ourselves some time now.

I am a computer scientist but am planning to go back to school in the fall for a PhD in Instructional Systems Technologies (an Education related field). We are moving to a university town and are very excited about our new life. Unfortunately that means we will be moving to Indiana which is 5 hours away from my family. We do not have human kids yet but are planning to over the next few years (ahhh!!! A pregnant PhD student...does that sound fun or what?)

Most of my friends are online and I met my husband online. Therefore I really like the OT posts here... this is my social gathering place. I don't know many people here very well but I would really like to.

Bead-wise, I guess you would say what I do is mostly bead-stringing. I do do some work with multiple strands but I do it all with separators, crimping, etc. My work has a "nature" theme to it; I try to use natural elements and natural colors as much as possible. Of course my work has grown over time. I have only been beading for a couple of years but I think my work has been improving and I have sold a little at craft fairs and at a little local gallery with a nature theme. I also have a website where I "sell" my work (though none has ever sold from the website yet):

. Margie is going to teach me RAW soon! So that will be something new for me. My other new project is making watches with beaded bands. My favorite beads are Bali Silver and semi-precious stones, though I use a lot of sead beads in my work. I like very small, fine work.

I do not wear jewelry myself, except when I am stress-testing my own work (which is pretty frequently now!)

marisa2

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kathy N-V :

]DJD? I know what all the others are, but DJD has me stumped.

degenerative joint disease.

ouch!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

Excuse me Kathy?? What are you thinking woman? You are far far from a beginner, way past the intermediate stage too. Quit being modest. ;-D

Valerie

RCB FAQ: Check out my site for the RCB Member Links! E-mail me for details on submission!

Well, while the dogs are snoozing, DH is playing with clay and before I start dinner......

Here goes..........

I'm Jan and I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Please never call me Janice, that means I am in trouble, as in "Janice Adela Allen, get down here!!!!" I live with my DH, a retired gov't employee. He hit 55 with 30 years in, took his pension and hasn't looked back He is also a professional musician, playing Irish music in the Irish pubs in the tristate area. We have a son and an 11 year old granddaughter who are moving to the San Francisco area in the fall, sniff, sob (reaching for her hankey!) We share our home with 3 Wheaten Terriers, Finbar, Liffey and KatieMAE!!!, the youngest. She came from Wheaten Rescue as a foster and never left because she was born without a real bladder and has to wear diapers.

I am a retired radiological tech, worked in orthopedics for over 20 years. I was diagnosed several years ago with fibro and severe polyarticular OA. I have had several surgeries, joints rebuilt in my hands, tendon repairs and a total knee replacement over the years and could no longer work. So I had to retire on disablilty.

I am involved in Wheaten Rescue, fostering, evaluating, placing them in homes and transporting. I also belong to several Irish charitable organizations and am the Data Systems Administrator for the St. Patrick's Day parade in Pittsburgh. This entails getting the entry forms from the committees, putting in a data base, assigning the line up positions and writing the scripts for the reviewing stand announcers.

I got started in beading this past Christmas. We were shopping and I was looking at jewelry. I made the remark that I could do that and DH took me up on it. He gave me some tools, beads and other things for Christmas and I was hooked. Of course, all the things he got were wrong, but he realized he didn't know what I would need. So, a couple of days after Christmas he took me to a large craft store and told me to go crazy.

Right now I do mostly necklaces and earrings, love semiprecious stones like jasper, agate and obsidian. I try to do some with Celtic beads. I bought a loom that I am hoping to set up next week after we get some things out of the way and DH and I are both getting into polymer clay.

I lurk here a lot, reading and learning. I hope to someday have some answers so I can help others. And I love the OT stories. Maybe I will post some of my own someday.

So, that is me in a nutshell. Oh, and my birthday is May 20th. I am not sharing the year but I am a boomer :-)!

Jan G

My girlfriend did it.... Did the PhD in 3 years, too.... Of course, she's obsessive/compulsive.... Kaytee "Simplexities" on

Kaytee, nee Kathleen Victoria DOB: 5 NOV 52 = Scorpio, water dragon Navy vet: hospital corpsman 1977-83 (active duty), USNR 1983-1985 MS, MT(ASCP)SBB (except, I've let my licence and certification lapse) Married, two sons-- 18 and 16. #1 son is an "artist", #2 son is a "geek", and now, a GSH. Hubby is a pathologist, at Kaiser in Hayward; we live in San Diego.... I work part time at a bead/gift store, and do volunteer teaching at the Japanese Garden in Balboa Park (soon also to be a part time "real job"). Four dogs: #1 son's dog-- Ginger, a "nasty little bitch", almost 10 years old, terrier mix, and our watchdog. #2 son's dog-- Oreo, still a playful puppy at 2

1/2 years, 70 #s worth of Border collie/lab mix. #3-- my furry brother Bob, 15 1/2 year old, grouchy, retired cattle dog (pure Border collie). #4-- my furry brother Bud, almost 15, deaf, slow moving sweetie... 98 # Heinze-57 Roadblock. Fish-- 1 Beta (Azure), several goldfish (outside...). Lots of plants, which have been sadly neglected the past several months, and look it. Currently trying to deal with a 40 acre ranch that is about 300 miles away from home (in San Luis Obispo County)-- Becki is living in the house (when she's not out galavanting around in Utah), and various people are helping clean up the rest of it.

Kaytee "Simplexities" on

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.comnospam (Kaytee) :

]Hubby is a pathologist, at Kaiser in Hayward; we live in San Diego

lady, that is one looooooooooooooong commute! even for California!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

newest creations: ----------- I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples, promising liberty and justice for all.

Well, I think I'll unlurk for this one.

Hello, my name is Helen C. Live in the armpit of Oregon (yes, another oregonian/west coaster) I even remember Beth from when she was moving! Been reading this NG for a couple of years. Don't post much. Not much of a "me-too poster" And not really into lampwork (don't have much of a use for it "yet"! LOL) Extremely limited bead fundage so ignore most of the ads. And DH keeps having major computer issues so I have to keep re-downloading the group. BUT, (!) have another computer for this now, so when his goes down, it shouldn't matter anymore (and he can't blame it on me!)

I mainly work with seed beads. Mostly peyote stitch lighter cases, brick stich earrings, some earrings with headpins, peyote keychains & pen covers, a few necklaces and just about everything else that catches my fancy. Been the recipient of a few BFNR (thanks again to the ones who sent them, you know who you are and I'm eternally grateful) Try to keep track of what's going on with who (hugs to all that need them)

Now, onto my home life (!) Been married to DH since 1996 and have way too many kids (lol) with another one due any day (the sooner the better) DD -

1997, DS (problem child - ADHD) 1998, DD - 1999, DS - 2001, DD - 2003 & ??? - soon. DH has a non epileptic seizure disorder that makes my life extremely hectic and interesting. Along with scoliosis, chronic pain, insomnia (which make the seizures worse) and a few other things. Working on getting him on SSI or whichever one he qualifies for. Fortunately I'm phsically healthy (not gonna comment on my mental state) so it's all good. Get tired of being head cook and bottle washer but one good thing I can say about DH is he brings in people to help me. Usually strays but I warn them there's 3 basic rules and I'm not joking.

1. Attitude is encouraged
2. Speak up or suffer in silence (in other words, you know where the door is)
3. You will be used! (my personal favorite because I just LOVE delegating jobs, HATE doing dishes, shouldn't be doing any heavy lifting right now, have 5 house unkeepers to my one doing the keeping, get up early with the kids for school, stay up late to keep an eye on DH {he walked 5 miles in a seizure a couple of weeks ago while I was sleeping}[scary!] & I need to sleep sometime.

Don't have much time for beading (gee, I wonder why?) but I get as much in as possible since it's cheaper than therapy and I actually get something from it. I really enjoy the NG. Have a tendancy to write way too much (probably related to being home much of the time) so I try not to post too frequently. Have felt ignored but try not to take it personally (but everyone has "one of those days") Have to remember that even though I "know" everyone on here from my daily reading, you all don't know me that well. Best example I can come up with is a waitress in a restaraunt. She's (or he) "your" waitress BUT you're ONE of x amount of customers.

Sorry for the book.

Happy beading to EVERYONE!,

Helen C

I de-lurked last week. I guess I should finish introducing myself. I'll be

60 at the end of the week. Took early retirement a few years ago when the frustrating aspects of my profession began to grossly exceed the rewarding parts. Now I do whatever the heck I want, which seems to be making jewelry, performing in community theater, and taking classes at the university and the community college. My three daughters are an international business MBA, an attorney, and a vocal performer. Son is a writer for Comedy Central. Three grandchildren: 4, 5, and 10.

Georgia

Well, I can't remember if I ever did this or not, so here goes.

Hi. My name is Cheri (sounds like Sherry) and I am a beader. heh. I'm 54 and live in Frederick, a small town nestled in the mountains of Maryland with DH (who I met online 10 years ago) and Roxy the German Shepherd. Frederick is a pre-civil war town. In fact, Abraham Lincoln stopped here on his way to give the Gettysburg Address. It's utterly charming, with tons of antique stores. This time of year the entire town is in bloom with cherry blossoms and bradford pears and azaleas. One of my favorite things about Frederick is that it's 50 miles west of Baltimore and 50 miles northwest of Washington, DC. So we're only an hour from lots of shopping, theatre, culture, whatever your heart desires.

I have two grown daughters, one lives in Delaware and one in San Diego. The DE daughter has two lovely kids, 7 YO Emily and almost 6YO Nathan. The CA daughter is the one who got me hooked on beads. She came home for a visit and said, I'm going to show you how to make bracelets! We shopped at Michaels and JoAnns and she taught me how to make memory wire bracelets. I'm sure she never thought I would take that and run the way I did. LOL. Anyway that was only about 18 months ago, so I am still a relative newbie to beading. I've done a little stringing and some beadweaving and I've learned alot and love it all.

DH is a cartographer (he makes maps) and he is a contractor for the govt. agency NOAA. I am also a contractor for the Army as an accounting tech. DH has two kids who lived with us for a couple of years but they are both in college now.

Well, I guess that's enough for an intro. My birthday is July 12th.

Cheri (Bubbee to Emily and Nathan)

If there's more than you wrote in this post, I'll need it too. You can email it to me: divaocean AT aoHell DOT com ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

What's a GSH?

Nice to get to know you, Beth!

I don't have a lot of people here straight, so it's nice to read the intros now and then and refresh my memory.

I'm Jerri from Georgia. I grew up military, so I'm not really from anywhere. Married 20 years this June (Wow, how did that happen so fast?). I have a 10 yr. old daughter. I had three dogs, but lost one recently, so am now down to two, and now my oldest is having problems. Thank goodness the other one is only three! I also have Butterbean, the famous guinea pig, and a 20 year old cockatiel.

I used to be a transplant RN, but have stayed home for the past several years doing full time mom stuff and part time bead stuff. Hubby works for UPS, so we work things around his crazy and long hours. I've been a lampworker for about 6 years.

One of my favorite places is the William Holland school in N. Ga. and I'll be going there to take my 4th wire class this summer. One day, I want to take seed beading there too! I don't do seed beads, except in small doses, and I love seed bead work, so I'm just going to have to learn some of those stitches one day.

Hi, I'm Celine, and I'm a beadaholic... oh, that wasn't the sort of introduction you meant?

Okay, seriously. I was born in 1956, but am a relative newcomer to beading, having only been doing this for about the past 3 years. I'm primarily a bead-stringer, although I want to get into wirework too. I love lampworked glass but have absolutely *no* ambition to do it myself! I work mostly with stone and semi-precious beads; I like using pretty-but-unusual materials in my work. I also work mostly with larger beads, though I use seed beads for accents and similar purposes. Beadweaving would drive me batty.

Personally, I live in Houston with my partner and his daughter from a previous marriage. I've been here since the end of 1998; before that, I lived in Nashville for many years. We have 5 cats, all relatively young -- I lost my

23-year-old grand lady Mina last year. When I'm not online or doing beadwork, I like to read (mostly science fiction and mysteries), attend science fiction conventions, and contradance. My partner runs a T-shirt and bumper sticker business. Not having a day job is good because it gives us more flexibility to go to events; we range as far as Des Moines and Atlanta on occasion. So far I've mostly tagged along and sold at the events he goes to, but this year we are going to do a couple of real crafts fairs for me.

That's about all I can think of to say. Hope it helps!

Celine

My name is Debbie (44yrs old). I am married (3 yrs now) to Rodney(54yrs old). He is a Paramedic and Firefighter (avid fly fisherman & flytyer). I'm a First Responder and Honorary Firefighter. We live in Los Lunas, New Mexico.

We have 3 chihauhaus. Buddy, who is my baby. He's 3 years old. His two daughters, Eppy & Ms. Diamonds. They are 8 months old. We have no children together. I have a daughter and a son from a previous marriage. Beth, who will be 21 in May and Tony, who will be 20 in October. They both live in Ohio.

I started beading last November. I've learned a few of the stitches but have learned that I need instant gratification. So earrings and stringing are what I've been doing. I will be trying to do the amulet bags next.

I took a class with a friend three weeks ago to keep her company. It was in Polymer Clay. Oh Boy!! So now I have a station set up for Polymer Clay. I love it. I like the sculpture part best. I have not tried the jewelry yet. But I'm sure it will come.

I've got some wire working stuff going on too. But I haven't done anything with it yet. A new shop in town is offering classes in a month, so I will take that class too.

I crochet a little. Make Christmas stockings. Gardening & reading.

I have neurological problems so am on disability. Also bipolar, migraines & now some type of back problem with excrutiating pain.

Birthday is December 13th

Hello RCB'ers...

I'm a first time poster. My name is Anna and live close to the Houston area in Texas. I'm 55 yrs young and will be married 30 yrs in June to a wonderful DH that has battled (and hopefully won) cancer this past year. No kids but our sweet white Chihuahua, Chloe allows us to live in and share this nice home with her. :)

It's been one year this month that I've been reading RCB. I went to a Stitching Festival (I do counted cross stitch) last April and while waiting for my Hardanger class to start, I took a Make-It-Take-It beaded bracelet class. I came home more excited about the beads than the stitching. I told DH it was "instant gratification" to bead and all he could say was, "UH OH"!! I've been hooked ever since. :)

I've enjoyed this group so much and have learned way more than I ever expected I could. I've learned (through online tutorials) to beadweave and I like peyote the best but will try anything. I've made bracelets, necklaces, earrings and ornament covers.

I truly feel that the beading and RCB has kept my sanity intact this past year. It helps me kick my mind out of gear and not worry quite as much. I feel as though I know many of you. I've laughed and cried with you. Cheered you on and sent many, many good vibes out all over the world. For your friendship, encouragement and knowledge, I thank you all. :)

Anna W. in Tx