Hi, there!  I'm a Mom and FT Student, and my interests are as varied as my lenses.   I'm working on a few lenses that aren't quite ready to be promoted.  Let me know what you think of my lenses - I'm always open to suggestions. http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/NicholeB Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:53:22 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.squidoo.com/makebeads If you are a creative person and are looking for the "perfect" medium - one that you love and leaves people in wonder about what you do - then you should read on and learn about making glass beads.  The upside of making lampwork beads is that relatively speaking, not a lot of people are doing it (although it has been picking up new beadmakers in the past few years).  The downside is the investment that is required into the proper supplies and equipment. Some merchants would have you think it is easy to make glass beads so long as you buy their starter kit.  What they don't tell you is that lampworking is a skill that is only learned with a lot of time and practice. What is worse is that these certain merchants make money by teaching people how to make substandard beads that are prone to breaking.  This lens was made to give you a leg up in your quest to learn the fine craft of making lampwork glass beads.  Because the better the quality of the beads you make, the more respected you will become as a beadmaker. Don't miss some awesome books from Amazon and some pretty cool lampwork designs on CafePress products that I recommend, at the bottom of the page. And don't forget to sign my guestbook so I know you stopped by!  Make your own Squidoo Lens!  Click here to start! arts Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:48:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/teenmovies80s If you haven't seen a John Hughes film, you are really missing out.  The teen movies in the 1980's were awesome (some would say "awesomely bad", but that isn't what this lens is about!), and they were prolific.  Thanks to John Hughes, the brat pack, and other teen actors in the 80's, being "preppy" never was so stylish.  If you'd like to take a stroll down memory lane (for those of us who grew up in the 80's) or if you are wondering why your mom can't get enough of the show "Dead Zone" with Anthony Michael Hall, please enjoy this lens! Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! entertainment Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:33:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/webkinzgifts After finally succombing to peer pressure, my kids have joined the millions of Webkinz pet owners!  I've been on the Webkinz website myself, and with the parental controls, I am confident it is a safe website for children.   My daughter has 5 and my son has 2, and they each have fun going online to feed, dress, and play games with their pets.  shopping Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:27:53 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/kidscrocs Crocs shoes have hit the scene, and are very popular shoes with kids and parents alike.  The shoes are inexpensive and easy to keep clean.  The kids love Crocs shoes because they are bright and fun, and can be decorated with Gibbitz and other shoe decorations.  shopping Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:19:31 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crayons I love the end of the summer when school supplies go on sale for ridiculous prices right before school begins.  One of the great deals you can find is the crayons!  I am amused that a box of 24 always costs less than a box of 16 at this time of the year.  And for  pennies!  Buy a ton of crayons, and what you don't donate to the teachers in your school district, you can use to make oodles of fun projects and crafts with the kiddos. Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! kids Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:34:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/lego-starwars Lego Star Wars II is the coolest game ever because you get twice as much money as in the first game, and you can even create your own characters like Darth-3PO.  But lets face the facts:  Building with Legos is the best, next to playing the video game.  You get to actually reinact the movies, you can mix and match your sets to create your own custom scenes, and you get to build all of the weird alien mannequins.  Welcome to my Lego Star Wars lens, where you will learn more about Star Wars Legos than you ever imagined - and there are some funny Lego Star Wars videos, too!  - Intro by Blake B., age 10 diy Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:16:25 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/oililyclothes I'm a shopaholic.  Not the kind that buys for quantity, but rather, I LOVE quality designer clothing and accessories!  But because I have fine-wine taste and a tap-water budget, I do a lot of shopping on Ebay for NWT and Gently Used clothing for me and my little girl (she likes to be well-dressed, as well!), and Oilily is my favorite boutique brand.  Shop here with me for the hippest, most stylish NWT and gently-used Oilily clothing at wonderful prices!  Oilily is known for their fun and bright colors, soft quality fabrics, and different-but-cute styles.  Use the "What's Here" list in the sidebar to find the Oilily category that is right for you. Disclaimer: This page is not affiliated with Oilily - the lensmaster is just a huge fan of Oilily clothing!    ~Nichole  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:55:12 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/juicycharms Juicy Couture is an American fashion company (based in California) started by Gela Nash and Pamela Skaist-Levy, and is currently owned by the Liz Claiborne company.  Juicy's high-fashion charms are very popular, and there are many to choose from, including zodiac signs, yorkies, handbags, lipstick tubes and microphones.  The charms can be easily fastened with a clasp onto one of Juicy's starter charm bracelets or necklace chains. Scroll all the way down to see: Juicy Couture Charms, starter necklaces and bracelets, and fully-loaded charm bracelets! In addition to some pretty awesome Juicy charms and jewelry, I've also included a fan's YouTube homage to the brand, as well as a list of retail outlets where you can find more of the latest Juicy Couture charms. Finally, at the very bottom, make sure to sign my guestbook!  I love my guests, and will stop by to visit one of your lenses! Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:52:47 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/wheresgeorge Have you ever wondered where that dollar bill came from, or where it ended up?  When you think about "six degrees of separation", it can be amusing to wonder who had your money first, and who ended up with it.  That is the concept behind the website, Where’s George.  Stick around here and learn more about this "social networking" phenomenon. Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! diy Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:17:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/oilily Welcome to Squidoo's very first and best all-Oilily Lens!  Shop here for the hippest, most stylish NWT and gently-used Oilily clothing at wonderful prices!  Use the "What's Here" list in the sidebar to find the Oilily category that is right for you.  Be sure to scroll down to view this entire Oilily online shopping experience.  I'm starting with brand new Oilily Shoes, and ending up with gently-used Oilily clothing. Disclaimer: This page is not affiliated with Oilily - the lensmaster is just a huge fan of Oilily clothing!    Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:10:24 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/christmasentertaining If you would like to host your own Christmas party and invite your friends and loved ones to spend some time in your home, you are braver than I!  Christmas season is a perfect time to have a gathering and celebrate.  Here are some tips to having a Christmas party to remember! Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens! food Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:32:05 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crislu If you love luxury, but diamonds cost too much for your budget right now, take a peek at the gorgeous cubic zirconia jewelry by Crislu.  Only you will know they aren't real diamonds! shopping Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:31:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/artisanwirejewelry Artisan wire jewelry encompasses a myriad of styles.  From the elegant gold work of Dale "Cougar" Armstrong to the industrial "found object" designs of Susan Lenart Kazmer, anyone who appreciates wearble art in any style can find something they love created with wire. This lens is intended to introduce the reader to designers who create only the highest-quality wire jewelry.  Make your own Squidoo Lens!  Click here to start! If you are looking for beads - glass, seed beads, trade beads, sterling silver, gemstone, and more! - visit Beads Central! arts Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:08:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/pottery-barn-kids I've mentioned in some of my other lenses that I'm quite a shopoholic.  One of my favorite catalogs to browse through is Pottery Barn Kids, and my daughter's bedroom is done with the "Yellow Emily" quilt (pictured) and pillows, complimented with a green gingham bedskirt and curtains. Shop here for the hippest, most stylish NWT and gently-used Pottery Barn Kids linens, furniture and accessories at wonderful prices!  Use the "What's Here" list in the sidebar to find the Pottery Barn Kids category that is right for you. Disclaimer: This page is not affiliated with Pottery Barn Kids - the lensmaster is just a huge fan of the company's products!    Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:42:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/laboroflove I saw Anne Geddes on the Oprah show, and immediately thought that her new book, Labor of Love: An Autobiography sounded like a book I had to have.  Not only is the book Anne Geddes' story, but she shares stories of her photo shoots, and even follows up with the then-babies as they approach their teens.  One touching story involved Geddes photographing a Caesarean birth of twins, one of whom did not survive.  Anne Geddes is known around the world for her amazing photographs of babies in unusual yet adorable settings.  A 2 pound preemie sleeping soundly in a seemingly gigantic hand of a man, a field of sunflower babies, a little aborigine baby in a bed of pearls...  Her work is prolific and provides her fans with the hope that we can find in the most innocent of humankind. For some awesome videos of Anne Geddes at work in her studio (with babies!), be sure to scroll all the way down toward the bottom!  You won't regret it! Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine!   shopping Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:18:01 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/judgejoebrown I am a paralegal student, and while I not likely perform any duties relative to small claims court, I love watching the daytime courtroom shows.  Judge Joe Brown is one of my favorites because if his no-nonsense style.  He is famous for advocating "TCB" - Taking care of business - and promoting manhood while protecting womanhood.  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! moviesandtv Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:19:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/keytolivingthelawofattraction "This book is a simple "how to" guide for using the Law of Attraction to create the life you desire. Within these pages, Canfield clearly explains not only what you need to know, but what you need to do in order to attract what you want in life... This thought-provoking guide will take you step by step throught he processes of defining your dreams, goals, and desires. Along the way, you will gain a greater understanding of yourself - a sense of who you really are and why you are here." (from the back cover) I actually like this book better than "The Secret". Jack Canfield explains the Law of Attraction, and then explains the keys on getting the most out of it, both spiritually and materially. entertainment Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:05:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nicholeb I have become quite a Squidoo addict, and my goal is to have 111 lenses by New Year's Eve of this year as part of a fun little competition I joined in the Squidoo Forums.  A lot of topics interest me, and since I love shopping, I have several shopping lenses.  Index: Newest Lenses Newer Lenses New Lenses Shopping/Gift-giving Lenses Jewelry Lenses Political Statement Lenses Entertainment Lenses Guestbook (please sign!) people Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:22:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/jesmaharry Jes MaHarry was born into an artistic family and grew up with a love for nature and horses.  Her love of horses and nature is reflected in her jewelry, which is regularly featured in Sundance Catalog (Robert Redford's company).  Her pieces regularly express words of encouragement, such as "courage", "belief" and "strength." Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:09:11 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/diamondwatches We all know that "diamonds are a girl's best friend," which is why it makes perfect sense to wear them on a watch.  Like shoes, a good watch can say a lot about the person who wears it.  They come in a myriad of styles - sporty, casual, dressy, trendy, etc. - and they can be either plain and utilitarian or fancy and stylish.  The brand of watch that a person wears can indicate her standard of living.  For instance, someone who only cares about knowing the time will not hesitate to buy a $25 watch at Target (which I have done), while someone who cares about being percieved as successful will have no problem purchasing a watch for several hundred dollars - or even several thousand dollars.  A good watch demonstrates that the person who wears it appreciates quality, precision, and prestige.  Therefore a watch goes perfectly with diamonds!  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:06:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/lefsetreats Serving Lefse (pronounced "lef-suh") during the holidays is a tradition in my family.  Having lefse on the Thanksgiving or Christmas table was always a given, and it wasn't until the last few years that my grandma stopped making it (and I really miss having it!).  Lefse looks like a tortilla, but is in fact a Norwegian potato flat bread.  It can be used as a sweet treat or as part of a savory course of a meal.  There are several variations of the lefse recipe, each handed down from one generation to the next.  I happen to think my family's recipe is best.  And I tell you - of all the dishes served for our family's Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, lefse is my absolute favorite.  It even beats the turkey stuffing, in my opinion! Keep reading for more information about Lefse, as well as some products to help you include lefse into your family's holiday tradition.  food Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:20:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/aaronschock "(Aaron Schock) has done a great job in the State Legislature, and he will do a great job and be a great voice for his constituents of the 18th district when he is elected to Congress. Aaron Schock is a great guy who really cares for and wants to help people, I mean look at his legislative record along with his amazing community service record... obviously helping people is his main priority." --from reader comments at Peoria Journal Star website people Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:03:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/jewelrydesigner I have to admit that it feels good when I am in a store or at a school function and I get compliments on the jewelry that I wear. Because I make my own glass beads and wire jewelry, it feels good to get a positive reaction to what I've created. I've been making my own jewelry for years now, and have even had a couple of project articles published in the magazine Step by Step Wire Jewelry. You can see my jewelry at my blog, http://nicholebyers.com But you do not have to have aspirations of fame or fortune to create your own unique jewelry designs - just a desire to create! diy Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:51:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/sellingcraftsonline Selling your art and crafts online is a great way to earn money to fund your creativity, or even pay your bills or save for a vacation. Keep reading for some suggestions and tips for selling your art or crafts online. diy Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:00:07 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/tagheuermens A watch is one of a few things a person can wear that can tell others about who he is.  Not only do watches come in several styles (sporty, dressy, casual, etc.) but the brand of watch that a man wears indicates the level of qualilty that he strives to achieve and maintain.  One of the finer watch brands is Tag Heuer, which has been an innovator in the history of modern timepieces.  Tag Heuer watches are indicators of excellence, precision, prestige, performance, and technology.  And a man who wears a Tag Heuer watch is known to be a man of excellence and prestige.  shopping Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:55:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/losing-weight Thanksgiving is over, and the New Year is fast approaching.  It is time to think about making New Year's Resolutions, and the top one is losing weight.  My own personal story is what brings me to create this lens on Squidoo.  I started out at a healthy weight, and I looked my best ever in college, when I was working out daily and had washboard abs!  Eventually, I started suffering from depression and I slowly started gaining weight as follows:  I quit smoking and gained 10 lbs.  I broke up with a boyfriend and gained 15.  I got married and gained 15.  I kept another 20 lbs after my first child, and I actually lost all of my weight with my second.  However, I soon became depressed again (I suspect undiagnosed post-partum depression b/c of the severity) and soon gained 20 more lbs.  My two biggest problems right now are my *love* of food and my sedentary lifestyle.  My goal is to start eating healthy and get back on a regular workout schedule.  I'm not sure I want to post my weight, but I will post my progress here! Review My Site at Isle of Squid Find exercise equipment, accessories, and workout videos at my new website, www.fitness-auctions.com!  health Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:56:15 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/designeripod If you love style and have an iPod, you can make your iPod stylish with these designer accessories!  iPods are the best for storing music, movies, tv shows, audiobooks, podcasts, and more!  If you are looking for Coach, Prada, Kate Spade, or Burberry iPod cases and accessories, you've come to the right place! Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:09:45 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/groups..beadlovers Beads and More! If you love beads, create beads, create with beads, and/or collect beads, this may be the place for you! This is obviously a new group, but please don't hesitate to join! I want to grow this group into the *premier* bead group on Squidoo! I look forward to cyber-meeting you and visiting your lens. ~Nichole arts Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:21:25 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/shiningstarsplush Shining Stars are unique "secret code" plush toys, because not only do they give you access to fun and games online, but in conjunction with The International Star Registry they allow you to choose a star to register with the name of your Shining Stars pet!  kids Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:56:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/handmade-jewelry For a truly unique gift for yourself or for a loved one, you can't go wrong with handcrafted jewelry.  Not only do you get a quality-made piece (from most sellers), but you also get a one-of-a-kind piece of artisan jewelry.  Who wouldn't love that?  shopping Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:07:12 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/juicy-handbags Check out these pretty cool bags by Juicy! shopping Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:53:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/republican-stuff Browse below to find T-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, and more things that will help you express your support of the Republican Party!  We have a year until the election, so show your support!  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:18:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/groups..accessorize Shopping for Accessories! This group is full of lenses for shopping for accessories! Jewelry, handbags, or shoes, for women or men, handcrafted or from the mall, post your lens about shopping for accessories here. shopping Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:44:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/marieosmond-dolls Marie Osmond is a passionate doll collector, and introduced her line of dolls in 1991 which are marketed by Charisma Brands and was debuted on QVC.  Because she traveled as a child who performed along with her brothers, she collected dolls from around the world. Marie Osmond has more recently been known for competing on the ABC televsion series "Dancing With the Stars." shopping Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:39:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/shopforchristmas Thanksgiving is over, and it is time to get serious about shopping for Christmas presents.  The retail stores are having a ton of sales, but the crowds make Christmas shopping unpleasant for many, including me.  If crowded malls give you anxiety, take a peek at some of these pages I've put together that are full of great Christmas gift sugggestions for your friends and loved ones.  New links are being added regularly, so please check back!  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:40:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/yarnshop Because you can never have too much yarn! Do you ever find yourself buying yarn just because the color, the texture, the sensation of it just grabbed you -- I have skeins of it just sitting around, no project in mind and it may be ages before I come up with one for some of my yarn, but at least I get to gaze at it, touch it, make swatches with it :) So here's some of the best yarns up for auction on Ebay, because you always need more yarn!  shopping Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:56:45 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/groups..partyhost Hosting Parties If you have a lens about hosting a party, decorating for parties, party entertainment, party food, etc., you are welcome to join this group (we just ask that your lens be rated G). entertainment Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:50:36 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/giftbooks Generally, it is hard to select just the right book to give as a gift.  You never really know what a person's interests are, and what kind of books they like to read.  Here are some good books that will make anyone with general interests happy with what you give them.  Scroll all the way down to view the books I think would make great gifts for birthdays, the holidays, graduations, and other special occassions.  Then, sign my guestbook just to say "hi", so I know you were here!  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! shopping Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:07:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/thedangerousbookforboys This is a great book that, according to my 10 year old son, is an educational experience that shows crafts and projects that boys of all ages would enjoy, such as making go-carts and tree houses. In today's society where parents have their kids on schedules that rival their own, where a child spends more hours per week playing video games than he does working on homework or playing outside, this book comes to the rescue with riveting stories, trivia, information, and boyish projects (although I have no doubt girls would enjoy them as well. This is no doubt a book I would have read over and over again as a child, for hours at a time). arts Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:07:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/democratstuff Browse below to find T-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, and more things that will help you express your support of the Democratic Party!  We have a year until the election, so show your support!  Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! newsandpolitics Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:47:25 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/effetre Effetre is a high qualilty glass pulled into rods (and also crushed into frit) and is made in Italy.  Lampwork Glass artists use Moretti glass to make beads, sculptures, and other objects. Effetre is a "soft" glass and has a lower melting point than "hard" glass such as Pyrex.      arts Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:30:49 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bluetopaz Blue Topaz comes in a variety of shades of blue, from the aqua Swiss blue to the deep London blue. shopping Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:42:45 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cheaplaptopcomputers While certainly there are deals to be had on laptop or notebook computers at much lower prices depending on store sales and rebates, this page is going to feature cheap laptop computers that are available for $1000 or less.  Because Ebay automatically selects items from categories that I get to select, unfortunately some laptops that are above $1000 may be displayed on this page, as will some non-computer items such as batteries or bags (only because the seller has miscategorized them in Ebay).  If you are looking for cheap laptop computers, browse this lens for some good deals - new, refurbished, or used.  And be sure to scroll all the way down for some useful books about owning a laptop.  Then, sign my guestbook so I know you stopped by! Click here to make YOUR OWN Squidoo Lens like mine! computers Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:15:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/babyclothdiapers Cloth Baby Diapers have improved considerably over the last four decades, both in terms of comfort, use, and leakage. Choosing to diaper your baby in cloth diapers is the more natural option to chemical-laden disposable diapers, and is less expensive and better for the environment. kids Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:15:35 -0600