Today was my day for running around in Dallas. This included my once-every-four-week visit to my hair guy where he not only cuts my hair but also tells me about what’s going on in his exciting life.  He’s leaving for Paris in a week, and they’ll do everything possible while they’re there. I travel with him vicariously through his pictures!

Then it’s on to Mom’s house where we visit, have lunch, run errands if need be, and I give her computer a good once over, performing any needed maintenance.

Today I had a special mission to accomplish before I headed home and that was to check out a new-to-be bead store, The Artful Bead in Carrollton. How had I missed this store for the last two years??? It’s beautiful, and they have great beads!

Now let’s get one thing straight — I’m not a beader. The only reason I was hunting a bead store was because I wanted to purchase some beads to work into my next knitting project. Beads that will be incorporated into knitting are different in one significant way: they have to have a larger hole in the center to accommodate the yarn they will be knitted onto.

In any event, once I arrived, I was mesmerized by the beautiful beads in the store. When you walk in the door, you are enveloped with beautiful colors.

Staff member Lindsay greeted me warmly and showed me to the section of the store containing seed beads, and then on where cube beads of all colors hang twinkling invitingly.  I picked two coordinating vials of beads. Staff member Michelle and I looked through some other beads on another wall as I hunted for a specialty bead, and then she checked me out with my treasures while Lindsay talked beads with a customer.

This is a gorgeous store, with lots of tools, books, and beautiful beads. I even found some rayon cord that i may use for plying the next time I want to ply with thread because of its wide array of available colors and its size (a bit larger than sewing thread which can be abrasive on your fiber).

I would encourage all the spinners and knitters out there who want to incorporate beads into their work to visit this neat shop.  They have a full calendar of classes, a dazzling assortment of beads, and knowledgeable, friendly staff in Lindsay and Michelle to help you with your project!  I will definitely be back!