I have had White Peacock Designs as a business since 2007. I have been doing jewelry since 1992, when I first picked up a bead at the Bead Shop in London (that's a story for another day). I love my beads. But I have not given my business - my entrepreneurialism - the respect and priority it deserves.

While life has been going on in 2010, White Peacock has been in the back of my mind. There was just so much to do, and I'll never be professional, and why am I unable to get my act together, and whine-de-friggin'-blah.

Apparently the Universe got sick of this, because last week I got a colossal kick in the sparkle-pants.

The hubby (I've referred to him as Silent Partner in the past, and I'm stopping that now because he is much more than that. Love you, Eric!) worked it hard and got his awesome tropical and tiki creativity a prized vendor slot at an upcoming event called Tiki Oasis.

Tiki Oasis is a celebration, as you can guess, of all things tiki. Also, if you look at something and think "ring-a-ding-ding," chances are it has made an appearance at Tiki Oasis.

One of the organizers of Tiki Oasis, Baby Doe of the fantastic Devil-Ettes, offered us the chance to also vend or participate at another upcoming event, the Burlesque Hall of Fame.

The checkbook said "no," but the beads said, "THE MOMENT HAS COME FOR WHITE Peacock Designs TO RISE UP AND GO FORTH. DO THIS YOU B1TCH OR YOU WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOURSELF." Oh, and the deadline to do anything was just a couple of weeks away.

Since I was not going to be able to go in person, how was I going to make the White Peacockian presence known? The image of burlesque is all sparkles and joy and creativity and beauty and fierceness. White Peacock NEEDED to be there.

The answer...in our next installment!