Rain & Bead Podium...

First and foremost I wish to thank my little buddy Tag of Brynwood Needleworks.  Tag and Donna have been doing the rain dance and we finally got some rain this morning.  Thank you so much and Smooches.  We are so grateful for this moisture.  It is also helping to curb the raging King Fire. Today we have very clear clean air quality and that is truly a double blessing.  The rain has already stopped but any is better than none.

Way back in January I shared on this post about my friend Sylvia and her window shades that needed dyeing.  This is what Sylvia gifted me with for my efforts.  It doesn't look like much and its condition is less than excellent however I was thrilled.  When I brought it home Mr. C wanted to put it in the dump.  NO!  I have a "vision" for it and it will fit in MY studio where I can close the door.

Mr. C had to re-engineer and rebuild lots of it.  That is just how he functions.  I tried to teach him the term "Shabby Chic" but he just cannot embrace "junk".

He not only encouraged me to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I have wanted to use forever...he paid for it.  Note:  Waaaaay tooooo expensive for this project but at least I have tried it and now know more about it.  This color is Provence and I really like the subtle shade of aqua.

Here is the new and improved Bead Podium and a stool I painted.  This spot in my studio is custom fit for this purpose.  My vision may have just been a success. Have I shown you the best part?

The drawers are printer trays!  Oh Yes!!!  Perfect for beads.  I have wanted a cabinet like this for so long and my good deed paid off for me.

So I haven't been a slacker all year.  I have spent all my spare time working on this project.  Sorting beads and filling the finished cabinet has been an overwhelming job.  I used to keep my beads in lots of different places...including baggies, tubes, bottles, plastic storage bins and even little dishes.  I thought I had them organized...until now.  I did have to move beads many times over as I found more and they over-flowed the little compartments.  Mr. C suggested I get ALL my beads and then sort and place them into the drawers.  What?  This resulted in Mr. C realizing just how many beads I actually have.  Wait!  Some are from my Grandmother, my mother, friends, me, and of course shopping.  Of course Mr. C "suggested" I never buy any more beads.  I thankfully "negotiated and negated" that notion!  I LOVE BEADS.  And they love me.

Now I can honestly say I am so happy with my "new" bead podium and how organized the beads are. I have already been able to make some bracelets and charms for gift giving.  What a pleasure to select the proper drawer...yes, I labeled them...and be able to create in a very short amount of time. Even my tools are right there where I can access them.  Thank you to Mr. C and to my dear friend Sylvia.
How do you store your beads?  What are your favorite beads and what do you create with them?
Fall is in full swing here and the colors are beginning to turn stunning shades of crimson, orange, yellow and green.  I also see beautiful photos of Spring and blossoms our neighbors across the world are enjoying.  Creative Bliss and Making Lasting Memories...