I am the World's Worst Blogger

My husband Garry set this site up for me, but I am such a Luddite that I seldom update it. I will be adding some new pictures and some upcoming events in a little while.

It's the Season to Let the Love Flow

While you are bundled up with your loved ones, I wish you the Merriest Christmas, the most hopeful of Hanukkahs, the most radiant of Ramadans, the sweetest winter solstice. In other words--Happy Holidays.

The Third Eye is going through a metamorphasis and in the spring, I hope you will enjoy what comes next. In the meanwhile, I wish you health, hope, and happiness for all the days of your life.

More Pictures

Here's a few more. I plan to upload new styles from ti8me to time. However, as all of my pieces are one of a kind, these are intended to give you a taste of what I produce. All of these necklaces are in the care and company of fans of the Third Eye.

Pictures of My Jewelry

People ask all the time if there is a place they can see my work, so here is some of it. You can click on the pictures to make them larger.






People ask all the time if there is a place they can see my work, so here is some of it.

Eight Days

With the Iowa Caucuses now a mere eight days away, it is certain that we will receive many more phone calls like the one we received on Christmas Eve that begins with

Them: "Hi, I'm Susy Sunshine and I'm a volunteer for Senator Parasite. Do you know who you'll be caucusing for?
Me: John Edwards
Them: "John Edwards? Did you know that Senator Parasite is for free chocolate and eternal youth? John Edwards voted against free chocolate.
Me: Well, that is something to consider, but I'm still committed to John Edwards.
Them: Can you tel me why?
Me: I like his health care plan, his energy plan, his plan to combat global climate change, the fact that he's against nuclear power plants and for more renewable, sustainable options, that his plan to end the war in Iraq is thoughtful, and he has a ten year plan to end poverty and strengthen the middle class.
Them: Oh--but he's against free chocolate.
Me: I can live with that. Thanks for calling.
Them: So can I say that you are leaning for Senator Para..(click).

It also means we are likely to get calls like this:

"Hi, I'm a famous celebrity who supports Congressman Fudge Factor. I hope you will join me in supporting Congressman Factor because he is for (fill in three issues here). I hope you will caucus for Congressman Factor on (fill in the date and time) at (fill in the precinct location). Because I'm a famous celebrity and you like me, I know you'll join me and vote for Congressman Factor."

Finally, it will mean we will all get mail like this:

America has a Chinchilla problem. Thousands of undocumented Chinchillas are crossing our borders every day. Governor Freeloader has a 12-step program to stop the spread of Chinchillas. *
*This advertisement was paid for by Americans 4 Freedom But Not 4 Chinchillas, a non-partisan organization that does not endorse candidates, but we really like Governor Freeloader a lot."

On the other hand, if you are not sure who you are caucusing for, you've only got eight days to inform yourself--follow the advice of the local progressive issues group The 49 and Pay Attention.

This is my logo. My best friend's son David created it for me a few years ago. David has his great ability to see people as they are and I think this captures my spirit.

Recent Article About My Bead Parties

Sometimes the people who claim to be the least creative turn out to be the most creative.

It is one of the reasons jewelry "diviner" Betsy Klein started in- home beading parties.

"People would come to me and say, 'I'm not very creative,' and they would make the most beautiful things," said Klein, "There were no preconceived notions to live up to."

Seeing the enjoyment people would get from creating their own of jewelry, Klein came up with the idea of Betsy's Busy Beads Beading Bashes.

"It is a way for me to give back some of the creativity I've been given," Klein said.

At the parties, Klein shares a bit of beading history and gives background on the beads. From there, the attendees pick out the beads they want to have in their creation.

Once they have their beads laid out, Klein shows them the tricks to stringing and adding clasps.

The hardest part of the two-hour party is picking out the beads.

"I tell them to play," Klein said. "Play with textures and colors and just go for it."

Klein has had her own boutique line, The Third Eye, for more than a decade.

She has sold her earrings, bracelets and necklaces at a variety of local stores, but now she does most of her sales out of her Iowa City home.

She only makes one-of-a-kind pieces.

"I don't like cookie cutter anything," Klein said. "We are all unique and our jewelry is a representation of our individuality."

Klein would rather be classified as a jewelry "diviner" than a designer.

"What I tell people is the beads find me," Klein said.

At her parties, she brings a variety of vintage and contemporary beads.

Carole Anne Beaulne of Marion had heard about the beading parties. She wanted to do something special for her daughter Meaghan's 13th birthday so Beaulne had Klein come for the party.

"I thought it would be something special," Beaulne said. "Meaghan loves jewelry. She is artistic.

"She's had the little kits from Target, but this is so much more involved."

Arlene Strait, 12, gave the party two thumbs up.

Arlene made a pink and black bead bracelet complete with black cat face beads.

"It's different and fun," Arlene said.

Meaghan agreed.

"It is so cool," she said of the process.

She created a blue and silver necklace.

While Meaghan loved making her own piece, she also liked seeing what her friends came up with, too.

"Whatever you make shows your personality," she said.

Reach Deanna Truman at 339-7360 or dtruman@press-citizen.com.


• What: Betsy's Busy Beads Beading Bashes.
Jewelry "diviner" Betsy Klein of Iowa City, known for her Third Eye boutique line, recently started hosting beading parties.
At the parties, she shares a bit of beading history as well as teaches how to bead. Participants have the opportunity to make earrings, bracelets or necklaces.
• Cost: Varies, depending on types of beads used as well as pieces made. Children's parties are less expensive than adults'.
• Information: Call 354-2600 or e-mail the3rdiowa@mchsi.com.