At the end of December, I received a large sized envelope from Bead & Button magazine. At the same time, I received a promo package for the shop that was a bunch of stuff advertising the Bead & Button show in Milawaukee this June, including catalogs with class info, etc. I concluded that the envelope that I had received was my individual catalog, and since I already had the bunch of them, didn’t even open the envelope — until today.

I opened it to see that it was a letter thanking me for my idea submission to the magazine and that they’d like to publish the idea once I signed and returned the contract. I really didn’t think I was being negligent in not opening the envelope when I received it and was hoping that I didn’t screw anything up by not sending the contract back promptly. In the magazine world, they are working months ahead of time, so maybe it would’t be a problem.

I was anxious about it though, so sent an e-mail to friends and family saying, “Please pray that the timing will still be there and that I haven’t created a “that ship has sailed” situation. I don’t know if the submission pays anything, I dont recall, but it would be a coup for me and the shop to have an idea published. Thanks.”

Not long after that I made a discovery, so had to e-mail everyone back: “Okay, I’m a complete idiot. (Thanks for clearing that up, you’re saying). Remember that I said I thought the envelope contained a catalog? It wasn’t a catalog but the February issue of the magazine. I still didn’t think anything of it until I was looking for a fax number or more info about submissions in the magazine, and realized that my name was right there in print on page22 of the February Bead & Button magazine. I had already been published, which is apparantly why they included the magazine with the contract. What is extra silly about this is that since I have magazines here in the shop, I would have received — and read — the issue in late Dec./early Jan, and scanned right past my printed name and idea. So, hey, thanks for the prayers. It’s nice when prayers get answered so promptly, isn’t it.”

If you don’t have the magazine to read the tip, this is what I wrote in my letter when submitting the idea: I’d like to pass on an idea for attractively attaching bails (specifically cast-metal styles) to heavy glass components. With the popularity of Murano-style glass components, I wanted to offer my customers an easy way to attach a pre-existing bail. Using a headpin to create a loop seemed like a good idea, but the large holes (about 3mm) on these components created a problem with stability. I decided to use a 5mm rubber ear clutch inverted in the hole to make it snug and secure.

Begin by putting a flat rondelle bead onto a 1″ or larger headpin (or use a decorative headpin), then put the headpin through the component hole from front to back. Next, take a rubber ear clutch and put it backwards on the pin (tapered end facing the component) and push it in place into the hole of the component. With a roundnose pliers, bend the headpin upwards at a 90 degree angle, then create an upward curving loop. Trim the extra wire, then rotate the loop open, linking it to the bottom loop of the bail. The end result looks finished and professional.

I just re-read a blog post that I made in November about making sure to remember to pick up computer games from the service desk when checking out at Target.  It made me chuckle because when shopping for Christmas recently, my 13 year old son picked out a Nintendo DS game to give his Dad.  I got an employee to get the game, then it was sent up to the service desk.  It wasn’t until several days later — that also included a second trip to the same store — that I realized I never got the game. 

At that first shopping trip, I was also buying a couple of CDs and a PC game, so I suppose in my mind, I had the little square game with me.  I didn’t feel so dumb that I forgot it the first time; it was that I didn’t even realize it until AFTER the second shopping trip.  And I felt bad because it was what my son had picked out to give. I wouldn’t have another chance before the holiday to get the game, however, my sister — who lives about 100 miles from me but I would see on Christmas — was able to buy the game and wrap it, so that my son could give it to my husband.  

For beaded gifts, I gave my brother a wine stopper and appetizer forks that I beaded (MN vikings colors), for sister and SIL earrings (and matching foil glass barrettes that I sell in my store but did not make), and an eyeglass holder necklace for my mother.  This was kinda a neat gift to give my mom because she has been terribly near-sighter her whole life, getting glasses at age 4, but due to recent cataract surgery, she now only needs reading glasses. 

I had a kinda rough day yesterday where a friend stood me up for coffee in the morning (she’s a good friend, but with a bad memory), had a slow day at the shop, then got stood up by my students for that night’s beading class.  It was just two people that had signed up together.  They are regular customers so I wasn’t too upset, just bummed.  I guess you could say they are good customers with bad memories.  (I called one of the gals to see if they were coming, turned out to be a scheduling error on their part.)

Anyway, after getting blown off like that all day yesterday, it’s enough to give a girl a complex.   Fortunately, this morning EVERY SINGLE employee of Target was interested in my well-being, so I’m feeling much more confident.  I went into Willmar before work (larger town about 15minutes from us) to run some errands, which included getting something for my son’s birthday (on Thanksgiving this year, but we’re having a little something at the in-law’s tonight).  I knew a Wii game that he wanted but was looking around trying to come up with other ideas for him as well.  Every employee inevitably would ask if I was finding what I was looking for.  Finally, I said to one gal, “I’m trying to decide what my soon-to-be 13 year old son would want for his birthday; NO ONE can help me.”|

While there, I also got a prescription filled, got some household items, and filled some boxes for for the “Operation Christmas Child” (Samaritan Purse program that sends gift boxes to poor children thoughout the world). With all my wandering around,  I kept having to remind myself to remember the Wii game.  It’s one of those things from electronics that they send up to the service desk while you continue to shop.  It’d be really easy to pick out the game, have a clerk get it for me, fill up my cart, check out, drive home and THEN remember that the game did not actually go into my cart but is still up at the service desk.  I’d spend a zillion dollars and not have the ONE thing I went there for.  Actually, I did spend over $200 but that was with the $50 Wii game and a $63 two-pack of printer ink (man, that’s more painful than filling your gas tank).  Good to know that I’m doing my part for the economy.