Jump and Joy start with the same letter.

So much awe... I have the feeling that the Universe pushes me. To do it. Just do it. So I did it. I went for it. Let's look back:

One kilo of Czech Glass beads

Last month -February- I received the amazing gift of ONE KILO of 'Beads for Blogpost' from the fabulous glass beads manufacturer Preciosa Ornella and I jumped of joy. The colors are beautiful and the beads simply lovely. I have worked with their beads since I started beading and I am working on lovely new designs.

Fire Mountain Gems - one of my favorite suppliers in the USA, every week showcases the "Favorite Design of the Week" on their Facebook page and my little Amulet Pendant was the most liked design of the 3rd week of the month. I am very thankful!

Onye's beautiful earrings and doodles

I have decided to participate in the Battle of the Beadsmith 2013 to be part of the fun... I don't really know what I will bead but I will battle joyfully!

 I've also won a pair of earrings made by the adorable Onye Obama-Ndika because I happened to be the 200th person to 'like' her page on Facebook. I love them, tanzanite is one of my favorite colors and it likes me too! She also added two hand-made Doodle sticker, which I like very much too.

March is even more incredible! I don't know what to start with first!

CGB Vol. II

Kate McKinnon's delightful book Contemporary Geometric Beadwork, to which I have contributed with my Jalisco Bangle and as a member of the 'Edit Team', has safely arrived at her home and she has shipped them immediately. My book is on it's way to me and it is delightful to be looking forward to having my hands on this treasure! Those who have received the book are reportedly glad with it and this also makes me happy.

Did you know that a second volume is coming? And that a fantabulous calendar with lovely people modelling marvellous beadwork is also available? What, you haven't ordered CGB vol. I??? You don't know what you are missing!

My Esmeralda's Boho Bag has received a wave of positive comments, and one of the greatest beaders in the world, whom I admire beyond limits, has featured it in her "Artisan Colorway" Series 2013. I'm talking about the extraordinary Eva Maria Keiser. She is extremely talented, and she is most generous: not only does she showcase the work of other beaders, she also offers marvellous patterns for free!

Back from the
Fragrance Garden

Fire Mountain Gems (again! wow!) featured my little earrings on their Facebook page last Monday and, well, wow, there were so many other beaders liking it and sharing it, I was very overwhelmed. This pair was made to match the necklace "Back from the Fragrance Garden" which won a bronze medal in their 2007 Contest.

And the awe goes crescendo:
My wonderful physiotherapist who takes care of me since a few years asked me to do a specific exercice in the swimming pool last week and - hurray!! -  this un-blocked my back naturally. I could cry of happiness. I jumped of happiness (in the water of course). I have my balance back on my left foot! I can sit upright normally - not as if I had a necklace of a ton around my neck anymore. Beading seems to have become more easy (even though I still have Fibromyalgia and light allergy complicating things).

All this is so... well so magical!!!

I've hesitated a long time. The encouragements and the supportive comments from many fellow beaders really made me feel strong and confident, and so

I opened my Etsy Store yesterday! First day of Spring! A new adventure has started!

Spring means 'Jump' in Dutch. I don't want to stop this. I might jump carefully in the swimming pool (where the water bears my weight), but most of all, I'll let my heart jump of joy in my chest when I'll sell a pattern from my shop!

There are already 4 patterns available. And to celebrate the opening, the tutorial "Mokuren" is available for only 15 US$ (instead of 25 US$).

I am working hard on new patterns, and will post more very soon! I also hope to have the automatic download feature soon!

♪♫(¯`´♥(¯`´♥.¸________ღ☆ღ_________ ¸.♥´´¯)♥´´¯)♪♫
♪♫☆ ☆♥☆♥♪♫ jump  jump  jump  jump  jump ♪♫ ♥ ☆ ♥☆ ☆♪♫
♪♫(_¸.♥(_¸.♥´´ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ღ☆ღ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ `´♥.¸_)♥.¸_)♫♪