As I've said before, I often feel like a book doula. A manuscript midwife. And I'll say, Kerry Bogert's wonderful new book,Totally Twisted: Innovative Wirework & Art Glass Jewelry was a delight to deliver!

Do you know Kerry? Not only is she an absolute sweetheart, she is very talented. She makes beautiful lampworked beads...

...as well as does some pretty fanciful, colorful, and fun wirework to feature them.

This is no easy task! Incorporating big, honkin' glass beads with wire can be a challenge. But Kerry does so in ways that make it look effortless.
In Totally Twisted, Kerry shares 24 of her signature projects. It's filled with colorful, whimsical projects, and the step-by-step photos are so clear that any beginner could learn how to work wire just by spending time looking at the photos. In it, she covers all the basics, like wrapped and simple loops, but also goes into great detail about making and utilizing coils, one of her favorite wire components. There are also some great clasp ideas featured--things I hadn't seen before. (I just love it when I learn something new when I edit a book!)
So yes, get this book whether you're a newbie or a pro. It'll make you smile!

I laughed at myself this morning: When I woke up and flipped on my office light, I was struck by the fact that I have not only created a general to-do list, but a separate, sub-to-do list...a to-do list for things that need to be taken care of right away. Boy, for an artist, I'm pretty dang anal retentive...

Maybe I need to stop spending time making to-do lists and get to work?

And maybe you'd like to see what the Beadbloggers have been up to this week?

A Bead A Day
Unraveled star beads become springy coils in Lisa's wintery white dangly earring project.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has developed a quick link list to help you find the jewelry info you need.

Art Bead Scene
January's Art Bead Scene Challenge is a snowy landscape with a solitary magpie painted by Monet.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe will be tooting Jean's horn for her new book Steampunk Style at CHA.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a special Paris post on photographing jewelry.

Cindy Gimbrone, the Lampwork Diva
Rewind: Cindy's Art Noveau inspired Stile Floreal bronze clay pendants.

Jean Campbell
Oh, geez. Jean's tooting her horn again about her new book, Steampunk Style Jewelry.

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi wants to know, wanna be facebook friends?

Katie's Beading Blog
See pix of Katie's workshop offerings for the Bead & Button Show in June. Registration opened this week and classes are already filling up!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei tests the waters with some new bead elements from Pork Chop Show.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
I really think Barb Switzer is a super person and editor! I was thrilled when she interviewed me last year for the online newsletter, Simply Beads!

Strands of Beads
Melissa has a fun time exchanging bead stashes with a friend to create a new bracelet.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Inspired by a lampwork glass champagne-hued Basha Bead and a shibuichi mermaid pendant, Andrew creates a whimsical and sophisticated necklace.

Can I just say I'm dang proud of my new book, Steampunk Style Jewelry?

It's been getting some really nice early reviews in blogland, and I'm feeling the need to toot that horn:
Jean Campbell does an outstanding job of presenting and describing what the steampunk style is all about....Well written, fabulous pictures and detailed instructions make the book a real winner. Let your imagination run wild using this book as a guide to the world of Steampunk. Your collection of jewelry has never looked like this before!--Diane Geisel, BellaOnline
This is the most amazing craft book I’ve ever seen. You want one.--Jen Hilton, JLHilton Jewelry
Even if you're an experienced steampunk jewelry artist, this book will inspire you with it's wonderful ideas. Don't miss it!--Steampunk Supply
Even the book it self is a work of art, from the embossed cover to the metallic copper liner paper. This is just a lovely book inside and out....I give this book 2 giant brass covered thumbs up.--Barbe Saint John
How does a girl get her head through the office door with kudos like that? Wow! Feeling very honored...

Speaking of the book, my friends at Ornamentea will be throwing a reception for the book on February 5 at their Raleigh, NC store. There's a rumor that contributors Cynthia Deis, Jen Hilton, Jane Mormino, Tracy Thomasson, and Madelyn Smoak will all be on hand to sign books, provide creative inspiration, and show off their steam-generated laser weapons. I'd be there, too (yes, of course I have a ray gun!), but instead I'll be teaching for Swarovski that day, halfway across the country. I guess I'll just wear my spats and goggles in solidarity while basking in the Tucson warmth...

And speaking of Ornamentea, they sent me this handful of very lovely ceramic flower pieces by Elaine Ray that just smack of Steampunk! Wouldn't they make nice links for a stitched vintage-inspired bracelet or necklace?

AND speaking of Steampunk necklaces...if you're in Tucson and want to take a little break from your mad shopping, come take my LeTemps Necklace! I'll be teaching it for at the Create your Style Pavilion on Friday, February 5, from 1:00 to 5:00 (just click here to register). We'll be coiling and riveting and hammering and yakking it up and having a grand old time.
And yes, I'll bring my ray gun...

It's been a great weekend alone in the house...the boys are in Duluth for a hockey tournament and Emma's been hanging out with friends. I felt 20 again last night when I went to my brother's house for dinner alone, drank mulled rum cider, and watched the whole second season of Mad Men...Ah, Don...you sexy man...

I also got a lot of beading done this weekend for The Book...project #19 out of 20...I'm almost there! Terribly behind, but the work is feeling solid and everyone I've shown the pieces to seems to love them. This latest one is called "Jamilla". What do you think? I just need to find a good pair of earring findings to add to these babies...

I also made headway on the coolest of all super-secret projects I'm working on with a bunch of other artists. I really feel this new endeavor will help propel my career into a completely new direction, and it feels so hopeful, so exciting! I promise to tell all as soon as I'm allowed.

So that's what I've been up to the last couple days. Want to read what the rest of the Beadbloggers have been up to?

A Bead A Day
If you are looking for some unique findings to use in your valentine jewelry (or Twilight jewelry), Lisa uses some interesting domed filligree pieces to house a bright red mysterious bead.

About.com Jewelry Making
Artfire, Zibbet, Etsy, which of these is the right selling venue for your jewelry?

Art Bead Scene 
ABS Rewind: Art Bead Scene isn't just about art beads, it's about artist made buttons too!

Carmi's Art/Life World 
Demon Monkeys appear in Carmi's projects this week. 

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva 
Cindy's made a New Year's resolution to clean out the studio with a January clearance sale!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles 
Melanie starts the new year with a new source of inspiration... a project she calls Song Lore.

Jean Campbell 
Jean is sharing stories and images this week about her stops in CA. Monterey brought the most creative inspiration of all.

Jewelry & Beading 
Cyndi has started a new series, called "What would you do" to discuss some of the sticky dilemmas we face in jewelry making. 

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio 
Looking for just the right clasp? Lorelei reviews a few from Artbeads.com.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean meets a cool new friend who offers us a great jewelry teaching site!

Strands of Beads 
Melissa is the author of Softflex Company's Spotlight On...Article for January 2010 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton 
A luminous Golden Cloud Series Basha Bead inspires Andrew to create a bracelet ready to take flight!

After a great home-cooked meal with the Grants, we made a late-night drive down the Southern California coast to Vista, a town nestled in the hills between Oceanside and Carlsbad, just north of San Diego.

My brother Joe and his family live in a beautiful home that overlooks the valley. On a clear day, like the one we woke up to, you can see the ocean from his backyard.

After being cooped up with each other in a small car and in small hotel rooms for so many days, it was funny how we all scattered like magnets with opposite poles. Uncle Joe and Dylan were eager to play guitars together...they called it "Jamnation". After receiving a flamenco guitar for Christmas, Dylan was lucky to not only have an uncle who is actually quite an accomplished flamenco guitarist, but who also just happened to have an extra one laying around. They ripped it up pretty well on the electrics, too. 

Emma had a ball with her cousins, Cameron and Logan. The big entertainment this day was Cami's new shades and Bear, the Bengal kitty...

This visit to Joe and Dannikka's place was all about slowing down, visiting, and eating. It was absolutely what the doctor ordered.

Logan was so animated, telling stories with his whole body like a wild man.

I took great early-morning walks, watching the blue moon set behind the inky hills and watching the sun rise. While the boys went to work out or bike or whatever they were doing, I napped, ate, puttered and helped around the house, chatted up my wonderful sister-in-law Dannikka, then napped and ate more. All this resting felt like such a luxury. I really needed it.

Here's a tip for anyone looking for something to get that 50-something man who has everything: a power slingshot. That thing provided hours of entertainment!


On New Year's Eve Day Joe took us out on his boat. I'd never seen it before. Larger than expected, I guess? Absolutely thrilling.

Joe's a dashing captain, isn't he?

We set out across the bay, past the pelicans on the rocks...

...by the seals clinging to this loud, clanging buoy...

...and out into the open waters.

I love the ocean. I told a friend recently that it woos me like a lover. I know that may sound a bit treacly and poetic, but I really do have that feeling when I'm around the Pacific. I must have been a mermaid in another life.

The salty, moist air just lets a person's skin breathe, you know? 

It feels so refreshing and alive...

...like a purification.

Joe and Dannikka were so sweet to us ragged travelers. They threw a New Year's Eve party at their house that just continued the hospitality and congeniality they are so known for.

A bit hung over, but totally revived and relaxed, we headed back to Minnesota and the sub-zero temps on New Year's Day. It was quite harsh to return, and even Emma, the most die-hard Midwesterner in my bunch, said when she saw the thermometer's -17 the morning of January 2, "Mom, I think I might be open to living somewhere warmer..."
Ah, yes. Somewhere warmer. Or maybe it's just about taking that warm feeling and putting it into my everyday existence. That's the plan for now, anyway.