Google Translator

So, a couple of weeks ago I got a comment in an Asian language on this blog - didn't know which one... A friend also got one on her blog and she thought that she'd translate it, so today I thought I should do the same.

This is the comment:辛苦了！祝你愈來愈好！........................... (and I just found out that it's Chinese)

and here is the translation:Worked hard! I wish you getting better and better!

Pretty nice comment. Thank you.

Happy Vernal Equinox

Happy Vernal Equinox!!!!! Wow. 12 hours of light (no sunshine here today.) That's good for us northerners who have missed the sun. Was 65 the other day and it snowed overnight. That's spring here in Wisconsin.

This is the work of Jim Kelly. He is an American Indian of the Oneida Nation. His work is beautiful. He embroiders and makes bags. This is the flap of a small purse.

He came to the beading retreat last week and we got a chance to talk about Native Americans and their heritage. The discussion reminded me of a book that I was given in high school - Seven Arrows by Hyemeyohsts Storm.

"The Stories are about both animals and people. You will find Stories about Mice, Wolves, Raccoons, Otters and Buffalo. These Stories are almost entirely allegorical in form, and everything in them should be read symbolically. Every story can be symbolically unfolded for you through your own Medicines, Reflections and Seekings. As you do this, you will learn to See through the eyes of your Brothers and Sisters, and to share their Perceptions."

The Loose Bead Society has been lucky enough to have one Native American gentleman speak at a meeting and soon Jim will grace us with another talk about Native American beadwork. I look forward to it!

I'm interested in Native American beadwork and when I was searching for the Ogalala Lace stitch online, the only site that popped up was a Russian site! How strange is that?

This is a pin that I finally finished for my baseball nut sister. I'm sure she'll wear it with pride. It was good to get that crossed off my list of to dos.

Today I am heading back into the studio to make myself a spot to work. And then I hope to do some beading.

Today's quote is a Native American saying: Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

One more quote for today from Anne Bradstreet: If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

Retreat Time Again!

Downtown Racine, Wisconsin - Funky Hannah's Bead Shop on the left.

Every year, the Bead Society I belong to holds a weekend retreat just far enough away from home to feel like you're really away from home. We are very fortunate to have a great spot not far from home that has a great hotel right on Lake Michigan. Walk out the door and there you are! Racine, are you ready? Here we come!

I am so looking forward to it - a chance to sit and work on things with like-minded people is always a great thing. I'm looking forward to lots of conversations and laughter and beading!

I have yet to decide what to work on, but among what I take will be the makings of a gift for a cousin. I have yet to decide exactly what I'm making for her - lots of ideas spinning in my head.

I was pretty successful at cleaning out my studio - but still have a ways to go before I can comfortably work in there. Won't happen this week, but soon I hope to have a photo or two to share. What fun I had looking at artist's studios online trying to figure out what I liked and why.

Come back next week to see what we did!!!

Quote for today comes from my sister: Persistance, not perfection.

Keep on keepin' on, everyone!