Spring is not a season that drags on. Time passes quickly when you are enjoying the outdoors and anticipating the summer. We had one special reason that our spring zoomed by: Waiting to find out if the Caviar necklace won a contest we entered propelled us through the spring months.

This fall Felice and I entered the Caviar necklace in the Saul Bell Award Competition. This national competition has various categories of which we entered the bead category. After sending a photograph and a detailed description of the necklace, we were asked to be semi-finalists and send the actual necklace. Finally in April, unable to wait any longer for the results, I called them! A letter was on the way... At the end of April we learned that Caviar won second place!!

Thrilled with the honor, Felice and Hume flew to Las Vegas the first weekend in June for the awards ceremony. Kathleen and her fiance Ben joined them there to celebrate. They gambled, explored the strip, and attended the banquet to accept the award.

One of Felice's favorite parts of Vegas (other than roulette) was the ceiling of the Bellagio. It is a beautiful work of art by glass artist Dale Chihuly. It actually looks similar to a much larger version of the Carmen Miranda necklace.

While Felice was living it up in Vegas, I was in a wedding in Atlanta. Our new part time assistant, Liza, ran the store! If you hear a new voice answer the phone, say hello to Liza!