Pot Pourri

Tomorrow's Drop Everything and Twist Wire Class is "Project Free" - A POT POURRI

I noticed some of the regular attendees have taken my projects one step further and put their own personal stamp on them. Come share what you've done with the techniques you've learned. Bring your work to display. Be proud and show us!! I will also be available to help with any of your projects and help work on techniques. Wondering why your loops just won't center or how to start spirals with tiny tiny centers? Having trouble with weaving? Come get "straightened out"

1:00 at Studio Poppy

A large shipment of Artistic Wire and Beadalon Tools is expected today - so if you are missing some of that great colored wire - stop in and pick some up tomorrow.

OPEN BEADING: Tuesdays 2-4 PM

Come bead with friends! Learn a new technique! Share your beady wisdom!

Only $10 New Mexico Rivoli Fan Earrings 6:00-9:00 tonight!

Still a few places left. You must have the Laura McCabe book, Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski. I am sold out, but I am told you can download it off google or amazon.

Margo's Giant Poppy Ensemble still has places available - if you took the Ornamental Poppy Class you are eligible for this class. Next session is next week!

Nov 21st and 28th 6-9 PM. $40. Call to sign up with your credit card, or come by the store and pick your beads. We've got a great selection of 27 mm Rivolis which is the center for this gorgeous flower. Check the classes page for pics.

Wired Up!!

Poppyfield Bead Company's Wire Department

Poppyfield is finally WIRED! I have a large selection of brightly colored copper wire in gauges ranging from 16 to 34. Colors are nothing less than exquisite and enticing - peacock blue, fuschia, and chartreuse, red, tangerine....COME IN AND SEE. I also have some natural colors such as gold, silver, and natural copper. The colors will not tarnish, and neither will natural copper, non- tarnish silver, and gold. However, I made sure to order tinned copper and bare copper which will tarnish and can be patinated. The beauty and depth of oxidized metal is not to be overlooked. I know some of you are experienced twisters and will be excited to try out these colors. I have some great new books with woven designs, which are the latest wire craze and a beautiful new Chain Mail book from Lark Publishing. There are books on crochet and knitting with wire, and that's what those really fine gauges are for. For those who've never worked with wire...don't be intimidated. I will have some classes for starting up. But, until then, I've got some great beginner books such as All Wired Up by Mark Lareau (the book I used to teach myself) and Getting Started Making Wire Jewelry from Interweave Press. With these books and a basic tools, you can start making your own findings, such as bails, clasps and earring wires. I've got lots of tools for a variety of purposes, including pliers, mandrels, hammers, and various cutters. I also have 2 really nice wig jigs and a variety of peg sizes.

CLASS UPDATE

Inaugural class approaching! The Poppyfield Chain Bracelet class taught by Margo Field is THIS MONDAY evening from 6-9 pm. It is appropriate for all levels, including new seed beaders. $25.00

Poppyfield Chain Bracelet

by Margo Field

Bobbie Yoakum's Renaissance Rose Necklace is now open for registration. The class meets two Saturdays from 1-4, May 7 and May 21. There are 2 weeks between classes to allow for time to get all the components finished so you can assemble the final piece at the second class. This piece is large and beautiful, but not complicated. Advanced beginners can take this class and create something very special. The center is a 30 x 40 cabachon. $45

Renaissance Rose by Bobbie Yoakum

Keep It Simple Bracelet is a loom project that can be completed during class. Bobbie Yoakum, well-known for her incredible creations on the loom is teaching this. This is an all levels class and a perfect introduction to the loom. Learn from the start with a master! 2 Mondays: May 16th and 23rd at 6-8 pm. A bargain at $25.

Keep It Simple Bracelets in Blue and Red

by Bobbie Yoakum

Phoenix Phlower by Margo Field. A 3-session advanced project with Margo. Even if you've sworn you'll never do another flower, you won't be able to resist the Phlower on this necklace. The center is a 14mm rivoli and the rest is Margo's secret recipe. Stop in at Poppyfield and see it for yourself. 3 Mondays: April 24, May 2, May 9 at 6-9 pm or 3 Saturdays: June 4, 11, 18, at 1-4 pm. $65

Phoenix Phlower by Margo Field

***A reminder that your place in the class is reserved upon payment. You may pay by credit card over the phone. Classes are non-refundable.

A Twisted Christmas

Greetings Beady Friends! I've been working on Poppyfield's wire "department". Terri, one of my past students, asked if I will carry wire. YES! I love wire, and envision wire work classes and projects. I am mostly self taught. However, I did have the fantabulous experience of taking a 2 day class with Lisa Niven Kelly and Laura McCabe together. They taught their award winning "Celebration" necklace at Bead and Button a few years back. I flew all the way to Wisconsin for just that 2 day class. Lisa taught the wire portion, and it was great getting tips from a pro. I also took Kris Silva's coiled bezel class at Beadfest Santa Fe 2 years ago. That was also invaluable in giving me technique and confidence to go forward further with my own exploration.

Which leads me to this recent Christmas...

I was in a bit of a frenzy with the store. So much to do, and how to do it all? I started working on the store non stop as I was having difficulty stopping. Frenzy begets frenzy (if you weren't already aware) and makes me into an unpleasant person. Then Christmas happened. Every company I was dealing with, every store, every body, just shut down for the holiday. I was forced to rest. It isn't even my holiday - but it was a bit of a miracle for me. I started "making stuff" again. I hadn't made a thing since Margo announced she was closing Poppyfield.

I opened my wire drawer and pulled out my base metal stash- nickel and copper. Base metal is inexpensive, looks good, and guilt free for experimenting. I looked through some old magazines and books and came up with 2 new designs. The first is a Valentine inspired heart with crystals in fuschia and a white pearl dangle. The second is more complex and my first try at weaving since the class with Kris. It uses sterling silver beads, a chalcedony top drilled briolette, and glass drops. Both were done with just pliers and fingertips.

A Little Romance - Wire Wrapped Heart by Julia Hecht

Good Tears Pendant by Julia Hecht

When everyone rebooted on Monday I was rejuvenated and ready to go. I was also calmer, thinking more clearly, and probably more pleasant to be around. It was a powerful lesson about balance, and taking breaks.

Now...off to work to finish my wire "department" inventory order: pliers and cutters, jigs, and Artisitic Wire (colored copper wire gauges 16 - 32). Yay!!

Knitting With Artistic Wire