Diane Hyde, who owns and operates Designer's Findings and supplies bead embroidery junkies like me with our fix of wonderful brass embroidery blanks, has found a new dimension to beadwork in her "Beadpunk" techniques.

The term "Beadpunk" is Diane's own invention, and refers to a combination of Steampunk and beadwork. Steampunk is the newest trend in jewelry and accessories that uses vintage findings and components as well as things like watch gears and faces, keys, and other found objects to create wearable art that is a little vintage and a little mysterious. Beadpunk softens the hard image of Steampunk a little bit with the inclusion of things like vintage Lucite beads and flowers, Swarovski crystal, and freshwater pearls.

This month's issue of Bead & Button magazine (February 2010, #95) has two articles about Beadpunk. The first is their new "Expert Advice" column in which Diane explains in depth about Beadpunk, and the second is a project article where she walks you through the creation of your very own Beadpunk necklace.

Make sure that you check out Diane's new website, Beadpunk.net, for some great photos and to purchase Diane's new line of Beadpunk findings. You can also see more of Diane's work on her other websites: Designer's Findings and DianeHyde.com.

It's hard for me to believe that 2009 is almost over. I made some great new friends and got to attend Bead Fest Philadelphia where I even got to teach one of my signature pieces of beadwork. I'm very optimistic for 2010, and I've even got some of my beading goals ready to roll:

• I'm going to finally figure out how to make French beaded flowers, now that I have more confidence in my wire working skills after putting together several kits by Rachel Nelson-Smith;
• I'm going to refine my teaching skills by practicing on my friends (even if they don't know it yet!);
• I want to master the African Helix stitch, something that has evaded me since I started off-loom beading ten years ago;
• I want to refine my skills at increasing and decreasing in off-loom beadwork, particularly in peyote stitch, which I have always found to be difficult;
• I'm going to start charting my own patterns on the computer instead of with pencil and paper;
• And last but not least, I'm going to finally master the illustration software I downloaded so that I can create professional looking diagrams for my beading patterns and designs

Do you have a beading goal for 2010?

Whatever your goals, wishes, hopes or dreams are for 2010, I hope it is a wonderful, healthy and productive year for all of us! Happy New Year!

If you're looking for a last-minute holiday gift for yourself, you will definitely want to check out Deb Moffett-Hall's Bracelet of the Month and Ornament of the Month clubs on her website.

Every month, you can have a new bracelet kit or ornament kit delivered right to your door. These kits include full step-by-step directions printed on high-quality paper, all the beads you need to complete the design, beading thread, a needle, and for the ornament kit, a glass ornament and brass stand. Each bracelet and ornament is themed with the birth stone for that month, so January's kits are garnet-colored and each one is absolutely stunning.

Deb also offers special discounts if you pre-pay for an entire year of club kits or if you purchase both sets of kits.

To see more of Deb's incredible beaded ornament patterns and kit offerings, check her website at Patterns to Bead.com.

Yesterday when I went to the post office, there was a small box in my mail from an old friend who I haven't seen for many years. She and my sister and I were all very close growing up, and we re-connected online this year.

Upon opening the box, I saw three small packages in wrapping paper and a small zippered pouch. A note read, "I found these beads in storage, I hope you can use them!" To my delight, the packages contained four or five different colors of seed beads, and a couple of film canisters contained some beautiful blue glass beads. I was so touched that my friend, after years of being out of contact, thought of me this holiday and sent me this wonderful box full of beads.

If you are among those who will be celebrating Christmas tomorrow, my wish for you is that your holiday is full of family, friends and joy. Happy beading!