It's been a crazy few days.

Since I last wrote I managed to nearly finish my new necklace, answer hundreds of emails, write up some instructions, pack, tidy and then yesterday, fly to Tucson.

Even though this trip has only been planned for a few weeks, I feel like I have been waiting to return for months, ever since I got on a plane and left last May in fact. But finally I am here.

It is joyous to wake up to sunshine, bird song and the gentle noise of Kate McKinnon working away in her garden. Before my eyes even open I am transported back in time and it feels like not a second has passed since I left. By mid-morning enough sunshine has entered my brain for it to be confused about what month it is (there's no way it could be January in my world with this much light) and, if asked, I think I would truly tell you it was May 2011 again.

But enough pondering about the elusivity of time and to work. Which is after all what I am here for.

But first: a leisurely lunch, a stroll around Trader Joe's, a wander of a consignment store and a look at the interesting, ahem, statue outside Casa Molina and I finally get to it.

First up is beading the final sections of my new necklace and once this is done it's onto something new.

When I was last here I was contributing to Kate and Dustin's book, but I am now back as a co-author. A very excited one at that. You can pre-order the book here.

Kate and Dustin have been working like demons ever since I left and there is an array of delights to both inspire and discourage me. Some of this is truly amazing. Not just to look at and hold but the actual work, science, art and skill behind it astounds me. I love beadwork and the joy of seeing something new is such a thrill. Kate's crowns are one such wonder. Their angles, colours and shape are a revelation and I look forward to learning how they're done. You might think you have no need for a crown in your life (think again) but think about the idea used as a bangle...

I am immediately overawed by all the work, so ease myself in gently with some 'cheating beading' i.e. embellishing a triangle piece somone else beaded. Fortunately I seemed to have just the right fire-polished beads to add to it and I feel as though I'm already getting somewhere. But then Kate shows me something that blows my mind...