Awww oodie this is beautiful!!! Great job!! You give me way too much credit woman!! I've always considered myself a terrible teacher! I'm too detail oriented and most of the time think if someone like me can do something then anyone can. I'm a visual/hands on learner so instructions sometimes slow me down...give me a photo of something I'm interested in and I'm good to go. I joined the group to help where and when I can and to learn from all you other wonderfully talented and creative folks. I'll be happy to help anyone out who asks...if I don't know the answer I will surely find the answer for both of us. zshopper- don't spend a lot of money on beads,tools and supplies until you decide if you like making jewelry. It's like any other craft you can spend a fortune on supplies and gear then end up hating it...like me and scrapbooking..UGH!! I love card making but scrapbooks are really not my thing at all...too much time. I say go to Wal Mart buy a few things and for tools you can use old nail clippers for wire cutters to get started or raid someone's tool box..lol, needle nose pliers or invest a little in a 3 n 1 tool there in the Wal Mart jewelry department. Don't forget to check out Wal Mart's Dollar beads. Get one of those little plastic boxes with the comparments it's what I use to use to seperate my cross stitch thread or little tupperware bowls with lids are a good starter. A bead board is another good investment they cost less than $5.00. Then when you decide you really are addicted to this craft...start buying the very best you can afford and take really good care of it. Got to the library look through the magazines, newest jewelry craft books they have get inspired! If you have DIYNetwork check out the jewelry show on there, a lot of basics are taught on that show. Check out jewelry makers on Carol Duvall. We are all here to support you,hold your hand and cheer you on!! delaniemae...beginning in junior high(long ago),I would scour flea markets,yard sales,thrift stores and such before it was hip to do so,and revamp and restore old pieces. I hand my own style kinda like the movie Pretty in Pink...making something out of nothing. I still get giddy over beautiful buttons, fabric(I don't sew) and rhinestones. I use to carry vintage purses to match all my outfits, even if it was jeans and a sweatshirt my purse, earrings and bracelet was color coordinated vintage wear. I have huge bins of stuff in my basement that I've had since then and refuse to give up. I started collecting and making the "Bejeweled Christmas" trees a few years back. It was a 70's craft that caught my eye and I've been doing for a while but only for special orders...it's a lot of work. I have collected more than I have made and each one is so unique and different. I LOVE THEM!! Sorry guys didn't mean to write a book or hog a thread it's just one of those rainy mornings and I've been up for ages! ginger Here is a link that might be useful: Bejeweled Christmas Tree

I made a few more waiting out the hurricane :) My grandson even made one for his mama with white elastic cord threaded over and under the buttons,with a heart shaped button in the center. We tied it off with crimp beads, and it slips on over the hand. He had a great time choosing buttons in solid colors with a few pearly ones here and there. Then he made one for himself with black rattail cord, using a silver metal heavy button tied with knots on each side of the button,and the ends tied in knots,to slip over his hand....he wore it to school and promptly got it taken away by his teacher, LOL! He was bad,took it off and was swinging it, I should have foreseen that,coming from a boy who just turned 5 years old last week. I made 2 with white and pearly buttons, no beads, and I made 1 with pearly pastel shank buttons,no beads.

I am shopping for short finger tile to use as an accent strip in my small bathroom..it will run around the walls at chair rail height and around the tub, back the niche then back out..the tiles are glass, marble and MOP on some kind of ceramic base. I was told by different sales people there was no need to seal...but others say the marble should be sealed...I am concerned that using it in the tub/shower..and using a squeegie on the wall where it will run over the MOP numerous times will loosen the shell from the base tile...also hard water spots might be a problem and I am concerned to use any acid based cleaner on it...should I look for a tile without marble or shells in it? I don't want to have to maintain the accent tile

I didn't want any shine, but that is a beautiful tile. First picture shows gray green and second shows gray blue and green on my monitor. I can't decide whether to go with light tiles that blend in or with some color like the crackle tiles. I like the idea of a darker grout that won't show stains as much as a white grout. Sealed of course. I guess I will be doing a road trip next week. I hate driving 2 hours just to pick up tile samples, them driving 2 hours back home. I plan on picking up Sonoma, Encore, Pratt and Larson and any other suggestions I get. Thanks, Peek Oh this is pathetic...I just noticed the number of posts on this thread. Thank you everyone for helping. Peke