Craft & Hobby Association Winter Show

I'll be heading to Anaheim, California next week for the CHA tradeshow. It's the craft industry's biggest event of the year and it's a great place to see new products and crafting techniques. If you could go to your local craft store and visit each and every company that supplies the products, then you would have an idea of what it's like to attend the CHA show. It's an exciting place to be!

My workshop #W086 takes place Tuesday, January 30th at 7-9am. (Yes, it's early but it will be worth it!) We're making a quick, fabulous necklace and earring set using satin silver Beadalon wire, Scrimp findings and Toho beads. I'll also be demonstrating beading techniques at the Beadalon booth #3317 Monday-Wednesday, so please stop by if you're walking the show.

Bead & Button Workshops

Registration for 480 Bead & Button Show classes opened last week and nearly half of the seats are sold out already! It's a testament to the popularity of this beading extravaganza.

I'm teaching two classes this year: Multistrand Knotted Pearl Necklace and Crystal Scallop Bracelet. Both workshops are sponsored by Beadalon and feature Swarovski crystal beads.

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Creativity Newsletter

It's my one-year anniversary as the editor of Creativity, one of the world's largest free crafting and creativity e-newsletters. It's e-mailed directly to readers once every three weeks, so it's a great way to stay inspired and motivated. I include crafting tips, creative insights and a free pattern in every issue.

I recently asked readers to tell me their crafting resolutions for 2007 and was amazed at the variety of responses I received. I'll share some of them in the February 12th issue, along with a pattern for a button-embellished purse. Click here to sign up.

Spring/Summer 2007 Trends

One of my favorite parts of my job is researching trends. Under the guise of "market research," I get to read magazines, pore over catalogs and essentially do a lot of shopping. I've been noticing an interesting trend toward powerful color this spring. Chunky gemstones, big pendants and playful novelty beads will add a bold splash of color to jewelry designs. For more information about trends, click on these links:

Pantone Color Fashion Report Spring 2007