It might be the middle of winter here in the U.S., but us beaders know how to keep busy and warm!

Tapestry Beads - Jill Wiseman is in Tucson at the Best Bead Show and she has chronicled her journey and the first few days of the show for those of us that can't be there.

Beadazzled of Oregon - Dini Alves has a brand new workspace that she has shared with us.

Beadedbear's Nonsense and Complete Waste of Time - Sig Wynne-Evans has some ugly beads and she just does not know what to do with them. I think everyone has beads that look like these in their stash!

Beadlust - Robin Atkins has finished her January Bead Journal page, and she is trying some new techniques for 2010. Beautiful bead embroidery!

Beady Eyed Women - Jeannette Cook has been busy! Her Beach House Retreat looks like it was so much fun, and she and her family attended an art opening at the San Diego Art Institute.

Etsy Beadweavers - The March Challenge theme has been announced! Everybody get beading!

MAD Designs - Marcia is another lucky beader who is attending the Tucson gem, mineral and bead shows. She has been bead shopping, attending the Interweave party, and generally having a great time!

Artisan Clay - Kristie Roeder has announced the winner of the Monochromatic Challenge on her blog!

Rypan Designs - Maria Rypan shares a preview with us of her presentation about her upcoming "White Aster of Love" Book Project. It details the story of a former political prisoner who secretly sketched fashion designs.

Wherever you are, I hope you are staying warm and having a great weekend. Happy beading and reading!

Eri Attebery is offering another free video for a limited time. In honor of Valentine's Day, she is offering her video tutorial for her original design, the Flower Heart Necklace, free until February 15, 2010!

Eri Attebery owns and runs the Jewelry Making Professor website. I met her at Bead Fest Philadelphia back in August, and was very impressed with her designs using Swarovski crystals. My personal favorite is her Color Gradation necklace, which also happens to be on sale right now.

If you want to "try out" some of Eri's video tutorials, she also offers a full page of free videos that include necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings, some of which are holiday-themed projects.

Remember, if you want to make the Flower Heart pendant, you only have until February 15 to view the video for free!

What started in 1955 as a simple gem and mineral show at a local elementary school in Tucson, Arizona has evolved into the major gem, mineral, jewelry and bead show for hobbyists, collectors and professionals around the U.S. and around the world.

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, referred to as just "Tucson" by many bead, gem and jewelry enthusiasts, starts this week. With hotels and conference centers around Tucson completely booked and people arriving by the hundreds every day, Tucson is the place to be for the first two weeks of February.

It's not just a great place to buy beads -there are also classes being taught by some of the beading world's best-known and most talented designers. Jean Campbell, Shelley Nybakke and Jill Wiseman are just some of the teachers you'll find teaching and selling their kits around Tucson these next two weeks.

If you're in the Tucson area, check out some of these great bead shows:
The Best Bead Show
To Bead True Blue
The Whole Bead Show

Many of my favorite shops and online vendors will be at the show as well. Betcey from Beyond Beadery will have her "portable" bead shop set up, as well as Beki from Whimbeads.

While I couldn't attend this year's show, I hope to get to Tucson next year, even if for just a few days, to experience what has to be the Greatest (Bead) Show on Earth!

One of my favorite beading resources, Beading Daily, is offering a new free eBook of great peyote stitch patterns.

Beading Daily, run by Beadwork Magazine, has already offered a few really cool eBooks in the past that feature stitches like right angle weave and themes like readers' favorite bracelet patterns. This newest free eBook features five patterns all made with flat peyote stitch.

The patterns are beautiful, and they include bracelets and a ring. The patterns themselves have clear directions, finishing suggestions, and full color graphs and charts. If you've never tried flat peyote stitch before, there are some great tutorials in the Beading Stitch Tutorials.

To get this free eBook, all you need to do is sign up to be a member of Beading Daily. (And that's free, too!) If you're looking for a quick project for the weekend, you just might find it here. Happy beading!