Respectfully,
Leslie Hulet-Stahl

@Anna: Yeah a few extra beads around can come in quite handy! Fisher is quite challenged there and it is good for him. Found it tricky at first to get used to the increased level of work and expectations, but he is figuring it out. Also is making new friends and 'fits in' with the group.

@Joyce: Thank you for your kind words. I was very worried about Fisher, it was a fight to get him to go to school. Now it is no problem at all, he is happy to be there . Although I still have to prod him to do homework instead of playing video games! ;-)

@Rose: Excellent point you brought up! I think that when you are learning to master a material such as polymer clay, the goal is to 'work with' the clay and learn the techniques even if the style is not your choice or you have no end 'purpose' for that particular kind of bead. Just by doing the techniques in every video, you will become a better clayer. You don't have to do large amounts of them, just try every single technique. You'll figure out what to do with the beads later. In fact many polymer clay artists, sell their beads rather than make anything with them. If you wait until you need a certain style of bead for a project before you try the technique, you may never get around learning the wonderful nuances of the clay. For example, if you wait until you need faux bone beads for a tribal necklace, before you learn how to make a faux bone cane, you may never get the chance to see how the translucent and opaque layers mingle with each other. Or how the antiquing medium, sits in the scratches and grooves of the wonderfully polished bone beads. You may never make more faux bone beads, but the experience will lead you to more discoveries about the medium, that you may not have found otherwise. So think of this bead making journey more as a "Build the Bead and the Purpose will Come" kind of thing. It will be a much more freeing and creative process for you that way!

@Melinda: You have no idea how much it pleased me to read your comment! I loved hearing your inspiration turned into action. Way to go!!! I bet your co-workers were pleased!

@Elizabeth: Thanks for saying that! I had always thought that Fisher was bright but since he had such trouble focusing and getting his work finished, I worried that something else was wrong. His teacher recognizing his strengths and giving him challenges made all the difference in the world. Instead of being frustrated with him, she helped him. And for that we are all very grateful. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday with your family. Looking forward to exciting adventures in the new year!

To everyone, have wonderful holidays.