| Valerie Hixson | |
"Hi everyone, I'm Valerie and I have definitely become addicted to beads. I eat, breathe and sleep beads. I cannot pass any bead store anywhere without stopping. Sound familiar? I know I have lots of company in my passion. The world of beading is growing by leaps and bounds. There is more information on various techniques and more patterns to select than ever before. I am proud to add my little contribution to this abundance.
After designing and publishing Stained Glass books for about 15 years, I discovered beads about 4 years ago. Since then the Stained Glass has gone pretty much by the wayside. Beads are so much easier to work with and they're portable. I rarely go anywhere without a beading project.
I live in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California with my husband Barry, who graciously looks the other way when the bead packages roll in, and our two dogs, Mandy and Bud. If I'm not beading I'm either working on the computer or quilting, which is becoming another passion. Have you noticed how many beaders are also quilters? Must have something to do with taking small blocks of color and putting them together.
I hope you enjoy the pattern this week. Forget Me Nots can make the perfect gift for that special friend."
Valerie is also the author of two magnificent beadwork books. Be sure to check out Wild Things , the definitive animals-in-beads pattern book, and her newest, Bloomin' Beads, which has some of the most magnificent beaded interpretations of flowers I have seen!
Also, Valerie has generously offered us the special pattern she mentions above, exclusive to readers of the Beadwork@About.com site! It is a wonderful little Forget Me Not Peyote pattern! Absolutely wonderful, just like Valerie herself! Don't forget to visit Valerie's excellent website and while you're there, don't miss her kits and patterns section!
