Delicas, Daggers, and Dangles - OH MY!

Delicas-Daggers-Dangles "Triple D Earrings"
by Julia Hecht

Just as I am drawn to the Wizard of Oz, which I've seen so many times, I can't resist another twist of this classic and timeless earring design.  This stunning version uses Delicas, Swarovski crystal bicones, and long Czech daggers.  I'll be teaching it twice - on Monday, July 30th 6-9 PM and Saturday, August 25th, 1-4 PM. For seasoned beaders who like dangles, it is some fun, instant gratification. At the same time it is also suitable for new beaders, as the techniques are not complicated.  This is my Independence Day color way.  I've already done another one with double AB bicones that can't be beat.  Delicious.  Come by the store to check them out in person.  They'll be on display or on my ears.  I just love 'em. 

Welcome Wendy

Wendy is our newest addition to the Poppyfield Family.  Wendy has switched from silversmithing to seed beads and from computer programming to working in a bead store.  We are very happy to have her as our new sales assistant.  She's been busy learning beading and Kumihimo techniques and everything there is to know about our products.   Please don't hesitate to say hi and introduce yourself to Wendy.  

Poppy Classes

Several  classes are open for registration.  Kumi Bangles on July 9th, Fun with Filigrees - Cold connections, basic wire, and riveting on July 16th, Triple D Earrings (see above pic) on July 30th, Enchanted Primrose Necklace (advanced seed bead project with Margo Field) on August 4th, 11th and 18th, and Triple D Earrings again on August 25th.   Click on the "Classes and Shows" Page on this blog for more details.  You can register over the phone with a credit card, or come by the store.  Your payment holds your place.  

New Poppy Products

While I was away on vacation, Solange and Wendy were busy getting our  new products out on the floor for you.  We've got the Design and Go JR portable beading surface - which was requested specifically by some of our customers.  

Come see our expanding inventory of 3.4 mm drops and 4 x 7 mm long magatamas. I've got small affordable quantities of some of the most beautiful matte metallics,  and AB finishes.  These are great in micro macrame and kumihimo designs (not to mention seed bead projects). 

New Czech fire polish (3, 4 and 6 mm) are out - including matte iris finishes and lustres.  

New brass filigree

Coming Soon

New chain, Czech rondelles, tinier beads (not yet here, but soon), beginner micro macrame classes

Hope to see you soon!

Much To Tell

Lots of Mexican Fan Earrings

There's a lot to catch you up on about the goings on at Poppyfield Bead Company.

Holiday Weekend Schedule

Poppyfield Bead Company WILL BE OPEN our regular hours over the holiday weekend. Friday 12-5:30, Saturday 12-4:30, and Monday 2-8 PM. Saturday is open beading from 12:30-4:30. Click here for more info about Open Beading. Monday evening is the RAW Bon Bon class at 6:00 PM. It is SOLD OUT. BUT.... there is already another class scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd 1-4. Don't miss out.

RIVOLIS ARE HERE

My "emergency" order of over 20 different Swarovski 14mm rivolis arrived today. There are some new colors such as Ultra Pink AB, Emerald Glacier Blue, Purple Haze, and also tried and true favs like Light Siam, Aquamarine, and Volcano and Sahara. Prices start as low as $1.65. If you are taking the RAW Bon Bons class Monday night with Margo and want to do the rivoli version, rest easy. I've got 'em!

DROPS AND LONG MAGATAMAS

I've got them in now, and hanging on the wall. There are over 26 colors of Japanese 3.4 mm Drops from Miyuki. They are used in the Mixed Media Medallion class (6/20) and are a great embellishment item, in general. I've got some gorgeous Long Magatamas now also - these can be seen in the bangle bracelet in one of the recent bead magazines (oops I can't remember which).

New Book: Handcrafted Wire Findings

This brand new book is great for beginners with wire who want to make their own findings. I can tell you from experience, it's great to be able to complete a project with a "just right" clasp that you make at home. It has been on back order and just came in today.

CLASS UPDATE

NEW CLASS: MEXICAN FAN EARRINGS with Julia Hecht (me)

Monday July 18th 6-9 OR Saturday, July 30th 1-4 $25

Mexican Fans by Julia Hecht

This is a one session class where you will learn to make a bezel and crystal embellishment for a large fire polish bead. I am about to try a giant pearl version. Stay tuned for pics of the pearl one.

There are still places available in the following classes:

• Phoenix Phlower with Margo Field: 6/4, 6/11, 6/18
• Milagro Chain Intro to Wirework with Susan Skinner: 6/13
• Mixed Media Medallion with Julia Hecht (me): 6/20
• Raw Bon Bons with Margo Field: 7/23

Check the classes page for details.

SAVE THE DATE: DIANE FITZGERALD AT POPPYFIELD

NOV 4-6, 2011

Bead Master Diane Fitzgerald is booked for 3 days of workshops at Studio Poppy. She and I are in discussion about which classes she will teach. Please let me know if you would be interested in her gingko leaf necklace. It sells out every year (for the last 12) at Bead and Button. Yet I know some of you have already done it. Click here for pic and info about the Gingko Leaf project.

Peace and Beads, y'all!

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