I’m so, so, sorry about that, you guys. That’s what I get when trying to offer free shipping to the US in my online shop. I just deleted the US from my ship-to list when building the listings and foolishly thought that would do the trick. And I didn’t even remember to announce it today. A very kind person texted me to tell me what was happening and I had to manually go through every listing and adjust each one – all 12 – and it felt like it was happening at the speed of honey. But it’s fixed now and I hope you’re not too mad at me. I guess we weren’t getting out of April 1 without shenanigans.
Click here to get to my shop and see everything all at once, or the links under each picture below. Also: we are celebrating the 20th Birthday of the Fizz Tab! 20 years. Crazy. Feels more like 6 or 7! I am also celebrating 26 years at the torch! If you want to call it celebrating, since that is making me feel old as eff right now. Anniversary #25 would have been a more noteworthy milestone, but it got away from me, I guess I was a little distracted by some significant changes this time last year. I shall wax nostalgic after you get what you came here for: the beads!
Yes! Happy 20th Birthday, Fizz Tabs! See them grow up and remain the wacky layered fizzy things they were destined to be in the slideshow below.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2015
today
As for my 26 years on the burner, long story short, and from what I can remember, I got a job in March of 1998 at a dental laboratory making plaster models of people’s teeth, and by mid-April after a few paychecks I had enough money to buy the beginner beadmaking staples. I remember Mom being pretty adamant about me investing in it, because knowing me, I was probably pretty nervous and overwhelmed at the thought of putting that many eggs in one unknown basket. I think I already had Cindy Jenkins’ Making Glass Beads for several months beforehand and had read it cover to cover. The biggest stroke of luck was the local stained glass shop (The Gingham Lady) that carried bead making supplies – otherwise it may not have ever happened. I bought a Hot Head, a canister of MAPP, mandrels, bead release, glass and of course a book of silver foil. I left with all the colors I could afford and a bounty of advice and encouragement.
some of my very first beads, 1998
My first few beads were pretty meh, but I enjoyed the process so much that I kept learning, experimenting, and encountering certain frustrations (my first bead release was absolute trash).
my first foil and bubble beads, 1998
I’ve focused exclusively on my first year of beadmaking to avoid prattling on endlessly today… so I will leave you to look at the new stuff! I hope you find something you like! The weather is a little iffy today, large hail is quite possible, so I will now excuse myself to watch the live televised cloud opera conducted by my favorite meteorologist David Payne (aka tornadopayne), who has been known to say things like “Hold onto Grandma, it’s comin’!” Oh, and hopefully, pack up some beads for the post office! I found another USPS location close by that stays unlocked after hours, which is a huge relief to this incorrigible night owl, so those packages will be on their way sooner rather than later! Thanks for looking in! xoxo Sarah
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