Beads, books and swimsuit bottoms

A bounty of beautiful beads

They're back! Susan and Tomas have pulled into town with a ton of beads. If you enjoy making jewelry or crafting with beads, head to the , 7001 W. 21st St. North, this weekend. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The show is free and open to the public, with classes and demonstrations daily. Susan tells me they've brought new styles and colors of seed beads, crystal, stone and fire polish. Watch demonstrations and take part in the beading classes, too. It's fine if you're a beginner. I made two bracelets and a necklace last time they were here, and I loved it. Cost per class is $10 plus materials. You need to call 520-907-5124 to reserve your spot.

And bless their hearts: If you tell them you read about this in this newsletter, you'll receive a free bead mat!

Cool deal

When you buy two items at the Dillard's Clarins counter, you'll get two free. Yes, buy two full-size Clarins treatments and try two deluxe travel-sizes free. One gift per customer, and quantities are limited. They're calling it their Vive la Difference! event.

So curious!

The vacant store at the corner of Hillside and Douglas has signs in the window that say, “Crazy Fun Sale 8 a.m. 5/30.” That means it's tomorrow morning. And that's all I know, but you can bet I won't be able to stand it and will have to check out what they're selling and for how much. Now you're curious too, aren't you?

Oh, deer

Giant - and I mean life-size - bronze deer stand outside the door of At Home With Style, 535 N. Woodlawn. They are 20 percent off. If you're not in need of a bronze, check out the furniture, which also is 20 percent off.

Clearance sale

At the Family Christian Store in Normandie Shopping Center, Central and Woodlawn, select items are 50 to 75 percent off the lowest price marked. Also, a nice selection of books are marked half price.

Hesitate no longer

For most of us trying on a swimsuit, it as much fun as a paper cut. But hurry up if you plan to get a new one. The selection is going fast. I've had two people tell me they found one they liked, but couldn't get it in their size. My editor got a new suit at Target and said it's a problem to get the suit you want when the pieces are sold separately. As the Nike folks say: Just do it.

New to me

I like to check out stores I've never been in before. I did that with Nice Things, LLC at Clifton Square, 3700 E. Douglas. It's a consignment boutique located by Ziggy's Pizza. You'll be impressed with how nicely everything is displayed. They have furniture, home decor, women's designer clothing and shoes. They have a great way of cutting prices. If an item has been there for 30 days or more, it's 20 percent off. If they've had it 60 days, it's cut to 30 percent off. And if it's been in the store for 90 days, you get it for 50 percent off. This applies to everything except a few large pieces of furniture. I scored a huge heavy iron candelabra for $25, including tax. It will look great on the mantel at Christmas.