Bio

My name is Linda and I've been creating jewelry for almost 15 years. I am a 1st Grade Teacher in Southwest Florida. I moved to Florida 6 years ago after getting tired of the cold and dreary Wisconsin winters! I have an 18 year old son and 3 crazy cats. How many cats do you have to have before you're considered a "Cat Lady?!" I've toyed with the idea of creating a business with my jewelry but as usual life seems to get in the way. I have bursts of energy from time to time and start to think I could do this, many people have and then something happens and it goes on the back burner. So I figured I would pick up when I left off (again) and take it day by day and God willing it will be done!

My mom got me started with jewelry almost 15 years ago when I went to visit her. She had just had a group of friends over and showed me a stitched bracelet she had done with some friends. So after I got home, I went to my local bead store at the time, Midwest Beads, in Brookfield. They helped me find the materials I needed to get started and the rest as they say is history! I was hooked! I learned the hard way to buy the stones, beads, findings etc... you love, but don't know quite what to do with when you see them! I remember seeing some really cool chunky yellow turquoise on one of my many visits to Midwest Beads, but being new to this addiction didn't know what to do with them. After a few weeks or so, I had an "aha" moment and went back to the store only to find them gone! :( So ever since then, I see it-I like it-I BUY IT!! Of course this doesn't stop me from buying new stuff when I go to stores or shop online so when you come over to the house...don't look in the closet!

 I recently took a class in Kumihimo bead braiding at my new local bead store, Potomac Beads Company, here in Florida. I came home and created 2 more bracelets that night and in the past week have made almost a dozen! I posted pics on my Facebook page and had orders for 7 more! With earrings to match! I've been busy searching the web for sites on Kumihimo and different patterns and closure types so I will start organizing those and create a page for links!

Well, the kid is crying for dinner (yes, he is old enough to feed himself, but what's a mother for!?), the cats are meowing for food and the beads are calling from the other room! Cya around and Happy Beading!