Just in! Sherry Serafini's New Book

As a store owner I now have the privilege of easy access to all the great beading books in print. I even find out about upcoming publications that haven't been released. When I saw Sherry Serafini had a new book, I ordered it on faith. It is out now, and on display in the store. It is a beautiful book of some of her fabulous bead embroidery. Come check it out!

Reminder: Credit card processing starts tomorrow - April 1st! I'm not fooling.

Late Nite Update

Lot's of 8's - All Ready

It is past midnight and I am at the store for the second consecutive night. Last night I felt a bit of pressure, but tonight was really almost meditative for me. I have been working hard to get all the supplies ready for Margo's Phoenix Phlower class. I pushed to complete it all today, so that I can take the full day off from Poppyfield tomorrow...no blogging, no watering plants, no excuses.

Phoenix Phlower Class Update

The supply list is ready! Included in the hand-out is the story behind this unique flower design and its name.

All of the supplies are available including findings you will need!

Product Update

Here are the goodies that I've rolled out ...

• Size 8 seed beads - The duct tape is gone!!!!!
• Swarovski Rivolis 14mm - YUM! -
• Swarovski Crystal Pearls in 12mm, 10mm, and 8 mm - Buy 10 for a price break!
• Clasp and Pin Back with Bail - required for Phoenix Phlower

Irresistible Rivolis

Payment Update

My credit card processing has been approved and will be ready for use on April 1st. Let's all hope for "smooth swiping".

My first week is behind me. It has been great!

See you next week!

Peace and Beads,

Julia

Hooked!

I am well into my first week as a shopkeeper. I want to thank everyone who has come into the store. It has been a lot of fun serving up the beads to all you passionate artists, stitchers, crafters, and stringers. You've all been patient with me as I learn the ropes and ride the bumps of working the computer, scanner, printing receipts, etc. I have already sold out of some colors! I placed my first "re-order" on Wednesday, and it was already shipped yesterday.

Product Update

Ancient Hook and Eye in Yellow Bronze and Sterling

Margo was carrying a very nice finding for which I've already had requests. It is a hook clasp that she used in many of her designs. She sold the hook for $5. I've got it at the store now. I will sell the HOOK ONLY in bronze at Margo's price of $5.00. The hook and eye together are $7.50. I also have a limited number behind the counter in Sterling Silver. This order I can sell for $15 for the Hook and Eye, and $12.00 for the HOOK ONLY. With silver the way it is, it will likely be more expensive when I order it again.

ALERT: Free Patterns

Beading Daily, the Interweave Press beading blog, is offering a FREE ebook - Yes it's, really free (I just downloaded it myself). It includes 4 free patterns and a bonus addition to David Dean's book, Guide to Native American Beadwork. The author has articles in this free ebook about the history of beads and beadwork in America, as well as a guide to materials and buying beads. If you want to check out the full print book, come into Poppyfield where we have it available. If you don't receive Beading Daily, you should consider signing on. There is no cost to join. They offer great patterns and how to articles- some free and some you can buy for a small fee - usually $4. Click here to get your free ebook and patterns from Beading Daily.

Poppyfield Reminder: Payment by cash and check until April 1st.

Post-Op Day #2

Preciosa 6mm Bicone Strands at Poppyfield

Poppyfield is now 2 days past opening and is a happy seedling. Sunday - the soft opening - was a lot of fun. Margo and Bobbie both came in and there were lots of smiles and good wishes. I have had a steady stream of customers. Some had no idea that Margo had moved on. Others have been following this blog and were up on everything. I've really enjoyed meeting other beaders and welcoming customers to the shop.

Class Update

There are 5 spaces left in Margo's Phoenix Phlower Monday evening class and it is going to sell out soon. April 25, May 2, May 9th from 6-9 PM, $65. Come in to register.

I am making progress on the supplies for the class. I hope to have the class list and supplies ready by Monday. I will keep you posted on that.

Wanted: Bead Curious Newbies!

The first class at the new Poppyfield is Margo's all level class Poppyfield Chain Bracelet, April 11th 6-9, $25. Spaces available. If you have friends that have never ever beaded but are curious about seed beads, this is a great intro class. Please spread the word.

Bobbie will be teaching a beginning loom class on Monday, May 16th, 6-9 PM $25. It is a bracelet project that can be completed in one evening. A sample of that , and of her future intermediate class, Renaissance Rose Necklace, will be in the store soon.

Product Update

Preciosa Czech Crystal Drops at Poppyfield

Now Available:

Preciosa Crystal Bicones in 6 mm, both single color and mixed strands.

Preciosa Crystal Drops 9 x 15 mm in a variety of colors

Where I Stand on Crystals

I love using crystals and until now I've known only Swarovski. We all know how great their product is, and also how expensive. If you use a lot of crystals, it really adds up. I decided to include Preciosa products when they seem comparable to Swarovski, in order to offer a less expensive alternative. I will have Swarovski rivolis, very soon. I will probably carry other Swarovski products as well. Let me know how you like the Preciosa bicones and drops. What crystals can't you live without? What colors?

Reminder: I will not have credit card processing until April 1st - cash and check til then.

Peace and Beads,

Julia

Soft Opening UPDATE

Poppyfield Bead Company will softly open tomorrow at noon. From 12-4 pm customers are welcome in the front half of the shop to browse and purchase beads. The front of the store will be open at regular hours starting Monday, March 21st. Hours are posted on this blog on the store location and hours page.

We've Been Busy!

We've been really busy trying to get as much inventory labeled and ready for you.

As of this writing I have sizes 11, 15, and 6 Japanese seed beads available. I also have cubes, size 11 triangles and 3 mm bugles.

Fireline and S-Lon fiber, and macrame boards are also ready for sale.

A Peek

Please note that my extensive selection of seed beads are arranged by color, NOT number. As of this writing I do not have a map of the beads ready, so I cannot instantly locate a particular "number" for you. If you have samples of the colors you are looking for, it may be helpful to bring them so you can easily hone in on your particular bead color.

What's not ready: Findings, crystals, wire, czech pressed glass, fire polish, needles, stringing material.

You will be able to sign up for classes that are scheduled. The Diane Fitzgerald classes in November are not open for registration. We haven't decided what she will teach yet.

Please remember that I am not processing credit cards yet. I will take cash and checks.

This is a "soft" opening. The store is still a work in progress, not everything you will see will be ready for purchase - so please be patient.

See you soon!

Peace and Beads,

Julia

Soft Opening: Sunday, March 20th!!!

Poppyfield Bead Company will open "softly" on Sunday, March 20th from 12-4. What does this mean? The store is still a work in progress. I am not truly ready to open. However, yesterday we completed the inventory and labeling of all size 15 and 11 Japanese seed beads. I want to make these available to beaders, as I know you've been without your "bead connection" since Margo closed her door. Let's be honest.... I need the sales as well. I will have the front half of the store accessible to customers. After Sunday the store will be open at regular hours and I will introduce more items for purchase gradually as they become ready for sale. Please be patient with the store's appearance and with me as I learn the ropes.

STORE HOURS

Soft Opening: Sunday March 20th - 12-4 pm

Monday: 2 - 8 pm

T-F: 12 - 5:30

Sat: 12 - 4:30

***Please Note: At this time I can only accept payment by CASH or CHECK. As soon as the credit card payment process is completed I will let you know.

Items for Sale

Poppyfield's EXTENSIVE selection of size 11 and size 15 Japanese seed beads will be available for purchase. I will also have books, and fireline for sale. Please check this blog on Saturday evening for the latest update on items available for purchase.

Upcoming Classes Will Be Open For Registration

"Phoenix Phlower" Advanced Class by Margo Field

I will also take registration for our first 3 scheduled classes with Margo Field. Margo is Poppyfield's original owner and a bead artist and teacher EXTRAORDINAIRE. There is a beginner class called "Poppyfield Chain" on April 11th from 6-9 pm for $25 (not including beads) and a 3 session advanced class for the Phoenix Phlower for $65(not including beads) - 3 consecutive Monday evenings 6-9 pm: April 25th, and May 2nd and May 9th. Another Phoenix Phlower class will be on 3 Saturdays from 1-4 pm: June 4, 11, and 18th. Samples of the completed projects will be in the store on Sunday. I may not have the supply lists and all the beads needed for the projects ready for Sunday. But I will have all of that over the next few weeks, and registering will allow you to reserve your space in the class. Please note that registration is non-refundable.

What Will NOT Be Available

At this time the Delicas, crystals, wire, and tools will not be in the soft opening. I will roll those out as they become available in the near future.

I must say that I am very excited about opening! When we finished the last display case of 11's my eyes filled with tears. It has seemed like this was never going to happen. But here it comes.... See you soon.

Peace and Beads,

Julia

A Day Off to Bead Fest Santa Fe

Eden's Delight Prayer Vessel

by Julia L. Hecht

Funny how things work out for the best... if we just wait for the big picture to come into focus. Last year I applied to teach my prayer vessel necklace at Bead Fest Santa Fe. I thought since they'd been popular sale items on etsy and at shows, and since they appear in Lark Books 500 Judaica, and since I've had experience teaching classes at 2 different bead stores, I had a chance to be selected. Well, as it turns out, not only wasn't I selected, but I never even got a rejection notice. For months, I waited to hear, and when I saw that the classes were already posted for registration, I realized the "NO" I'd never received.

After that rejection I applied for the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Fair, which is happening in Albuquerque this weekend. I got rejected for that too. Just when I thought my "art" career was taking off. Jeez, it's tough out there!

As it turns out, these rejections were blessings in disguise! Since the applications for Rio Grande and Bead Fest, I purchased the store. I am up to my ears with work. I am really GLAD that I don't have these other commitments to worry about. In fact, the rejections helped me understand the challenge of making a living as an artist. I was so glad that I had the store when I found out I wasn't accepted to Rio Grande.

Today, I am taking a day off from making labels for my 12,000 tubes of beads. My mom, who is visiting from NY, and I are headed to Santa Fe this morning to scope out the bazaar at the Bead Fest. I am going to look for some great findings for Poppyfield. I couldn't make it to Tuscon this year, so this is my mini Tuscon -- there are a lot of suppliers there and I will make some connections for future inventory.

During the pain of rejections it is hard to see how everything is happening right. Some days, it feels like "it's all good" is just another annoying sound bite. But, today I have the good fortune to feel the good in all of it.

Help Helps!

Greetings Beady Friends! I want to thank all of you who responded to my last post by offering words of encouragement and support. Several people offered to help me at the store. I am touched by the kindness. I do, in fact, have help.

Help can be a complicated engagement. My tendency throughout my life has been independence and self-sufficiency. I have HATED asking for help in the past. Sometimes, I'd felt ashamed at needing help, or was in denial about how bad things were. Other times I'd felt "beyond help", so what was the point? Occasionally, when feeling truly desperate, I did ask for help , and it wasn't granted. This was such a crushing blow to me, that I avoided this situation by not asking for help. Sometimes help came with strings. This I resented. I took it all so so very personally. As if getting help or the kind of help defined me, and my worth. This was a mistake.

With Poppyfield, I was granted a vision of help that propelled me forward into the purchase. A beady friend found herself unable to work at her longtime job for health reasons. She offered to help me, to work with me, for me. We were both excited by this prospect. I must admit, that without the vision of her help, I would not have had the courage to go through with the purchase.

It turns out she has not been able to help in the way that she'd hoped. It seems that wasn't supposed to be her role. She helped me by giving me courage. I found the other help I've needed by looking for others who need my help. I've got some friends who are financially strapped right now. I need help and they need work. We are helping each other. Every day at the store ends with so much gratitude. "Thank you so much for helping." "No, thank YOU."

It has taken me years and some crises to learn to acknowledge when I need help. I've had to learn whom to ask, and also how to ask. Sometimes it's been just as important to learn whom NOT to ask. I am still learning not to resent unhelpful help or unanswered requests for help.

On top of all the help, is the intangible icing on the cake. Needing help, giving help, accepting help - this is the story of the human experience. Allowing myself the humility of need, the gratitude in receiving, and both of those in providing help is just simply relishing being human. What's better than that?

And so the store, my helpful friends, and I move forward one gorgeous bead tube at a time.