A new addiction

As you all know (I'm assuming you do - you do, right?) that I make glass beads.  I've been at it almost 16 years and love, love, love it.
The gas I use to fuel my torch, however, does not like the cold and it's quite chilly out on the enclosed back porch in the winter.  In years past I have hauled everything upstairs to the spare room but the task just feels too daunting this year.  That means - no bead making for at least 4 months.  Yikes!!!

What to do, what to do?

I was noodling around the internet last month and stumbled upon paper bead making.  Eureka!!!  It was not an unknown entity; I'd actually considered it some years ago but for some reason, this time around - it felt right.

Here's what I've done so far.

Maps are really fun to work with.  This is the subway system for New York City.

Florida

More NYC

Florida

Florida

NYC

I colored this plain white paper with permanent marker

Christmas wrap

More colored marker beads

I want to thank my friend, Joann Chaney, for the barrel o' maps she gave me.  

I am really enjoying this new-to-me craft.  It will be easily portable which will come in handy when we go south in March.

I'm already jonesin' for that big-ass package of colored markers.  I need more color options!

Do you have a "pet" phrase?

I notice stuff and one of the things I notice a lot are pet phrases.  I also notice that the people using said phrases don't realize they use them ad nauseam.
I know someone who says "you know what I mean?" at the end of most sentences.
"You know" is a favorite of many, many, many people.
"Um" is another one.
"The whole nine yards" came out of a guy from the Bahamas way too many times.
I, of course, did not think that I fell into that group of repeaters. 
That is until I pointed out Petey's habit.  I won't reveal it here - to protect the innocent.  He took it like the man he is - shocked at first, went directly into denial and then . . . caught himself.  His eyes widened and we started laughing.  
Then he gently pointed out the fact that I say "blah, blah, blah."
What???????????  No way.  Really?  
Every time since then I catch myself and stop after the first "blah."
Chagrined.
So - do you have one - that you're aware of?  Have you spotted one on a friend or family member that is driving you distraction?
Come on, fess up.

What's acceptable and what's not?

This question presented itself the other day when I began brushing my teeth and the toothbrush was ALREADY WET!!!  WTH?
Petey, in his haste, had grabbed mine.  So, what was I to do?  Use his?  Nah, I just pushed through it.
Has this ever happened to you?  What did you do?
So that led me to other questions.  Moms are used to "back wash" from their kids so they're immune to a lot.
Are there lines you just won't cross though?
Would you sip from a bottle or glass after your spouse/s.o./partner?  How about your best friend?  How about a casual friend?  What about the stranger sitting next to you on the plane?  I know - no way!
So if you'd do the sip thing - how about licking?  Like an ice cream cone?  What about using the same fork or spoon?
I remember, more than once, I showed up for work having forgotten to apply deodorant.  Didn't bother me one bit using the gym teacher's stuff.  It was a spray can, though; I'm not at all sure I would have borrowed his stick.
There have to be a ton o' examples out there so I'm relying on y'all to come up with them.  Help a girl out, eh?

BEADDAZZLED'S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Another successful year for the open house.  Mother Nature even kept her promise and it didn't rain.  

Alexa is the first person people see when they walk through the door.  Placement is everything.  She's the "hook" and you'll know why when you take a good look at her pottery.

The traffic pattern then moves people gently into the dining room where I entice them with my glass beads.  There are also cookies and punch nearby which always helps.

Fran and her fantastic soap also shared the dining room with me.

My sister, Lisa, rounded out the dining room trio with her It Works products.  She had a battle on her hands trying to talk "healthy" with people while there was a table laden with sugary delights across the room.

Joan was the "newbie" this year with these darling pillowcases.  She was part of the "back porch" gang.

Hats and scarves by Sheila caught many an eye.  I bought a hat and I don't even look good in hats but hers transformed me into a winter beauty.  Look for me when I walk Augie this winter.  You'll be amazed. hehe

Linda rounded things out on the porch with her mittens guaranteed to toast the digits and funky hats to make you look . . . well, funky.

We, the vendors, always enjoy ourselves and the people who stop by to chat, have a cookie or 6 and wet their whistles with a tasty punch seem to get a kick out of the event as well.

That's our goal here at Beaddazzled.  Another good year.