CRASH!!!!!!

SOME DAYS ARE STRANGER THAN OTHERS!  

On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 2:11 PM a car came crashing through the front of our store. It is a miracle that no one was hurt, and we are so grateful.  One of our customers was coming to shop. It seems she pressed the accelerator instead of the brake and thinking she was on the brake, pressed the pedal to the floor to try to stop.  This brought the car through the front of the store and even popped out our side windows.

The force of the crash pulverized the front and side displays with their jewelry and displays and sent glass throughout the store, as far as the back wall and bathroom.  The security gates and window frames (now twisted metal) were forced into the store and crashed into everything in their path, including furniture and our counters.

IN THE MESS - THE MIRACLES

June and Wendy my wonderful sales assistants were both there - Wendy was working, and June was visiting on a day off.  They were 10 feet from where the car stopped, and in the path of all the glass and metal, and yet neither suffered a scratch.  At the time of the crash, I was supposed to meet one of our consignment bead artists.  We were to be collecting her items from the display. Her beadwork, and the display itself are  not visible in the picture because they were thrown forward in the crash.  We were to be standing where the green twist of metal is.  For some strange reason, (and very uncharacteristically) I completely missed the appointment. It seems I had never entered it into my calendar.  She left, and right after that the car crashed through the front of the store sending everything in its path careening forward or smashing into bits.  The driver is also fine as is her dog who was an "unrestrained passenger".  The fire department extricated her from her debris covered car.  The car was towed away, and even it seem relatively unscathed. It is all so hard to explain.

WHAT NOW???

Like the poppies that inspire our name, we will bloom again.  Of this we have no doubt.  We are so sorry that we have to close temporarily.  But the store is just not safe.  We have removed the major debris and secured the store, and we are doing our best to get up and running as soon as possible.  I know some of you have orders that you need to complete for your customers.  I will work hard to figure out a way to help you.  We will know more early next week and I promise to keep you all posted through this site, emails, and Facebook and Twitter.  I hate to inconvenience you, believe me.  

LIFE AND LEMONS

During the last 10 years I have learned that all hard times come with gifts, if we are open to receiving them. I am determined to see this as another "bump in the road" and allow myself to experience the good that all hard times bring.  Already, I have been blessed with the support, loyalty, and wonderful energy of my 2 sales assistants, June and Wendy who have buttressed me through that past 3 days.  My landlords, Ed and Paula, are kind and supportive, and their care for my well-being has really helped as well.  And, you my dear customers, have sent your concern and well wishes through Facebook and emails.  You have no idea how much your kind words mean to all of us in the Poppyfield family

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Please don't come to the store while we are closed.  It isn't safe for you inside, and we can't sell to you right now (even though we want to).
2. Like our page on Facebook - Poppyfield Bead Company (you will see the red flower logo).  As soon as we can sell to you, in any form, we will let you know on Facebook, as well as well as twitter and email.  You can follow me on on twitter at PoppyfieldBeads.
3.  Share our news with your friends. Keep us in your thoughts. Send us good vibes.  Please please hang in with us.

Remember - all beautiful flowers weather storms, and we will too.  

Choices In Working And Waiting

Greetings Beady Friends!! I've had my nose in the beads and I am coming up for air to post this update. Did I mention that if I had known what I was getting into I would not have done this? That being said, I am pleased that I did take the plunge. The store is finally beginning to emerge from the chaos and is looking store-like. The signs are up - and perhaps you've seen the giant red poppy lit up at night. Great, but like where are the beads??? Many of you have asked. They are ALL OVER the store being organized and inventoried. It is a colossal undertaking.

On Monday I received 300 lbs of 11's and 15's that I had ordered. That's in addition to what Margo had left. I've got the 15's in a case - set up by color. There are 518 different colors of just size 15's. It took 2 days to get them arranged. They are not labelled yet and none of the new beads have prices on them. They are still in boxes. Eventually they will be displayed out of the box. You can already see how amazing the selection is.

Poppyfield's Japanese Size 15's - in progress

I am in the process of setting up the 11's. There are so many different greens that I spent all Thursday working on a way to arrange just them, by eye. I finished the greens and blues yesterday and I am well into the purples and beginning the cranberry colors. Next are the pinks, then the browns, grays, iris beads that defy categorization, and finally the blacks and whites. I had 4 bead cases made that hold 2400 tubes each. I've got many more than 9,600 tubes and so I will be hanging the overflow 11's (as well as all other tubes-- cubes, 6's, 8's, bugles) on the wall.

The week before last I got a few calls and emails laced with frustration and impatience. It got to me and drove me into a workaholic frenzy. I've written before about this tendency of mine. It only took about 2 days for me to start burning out. So, I am trying to find a pace that I can sustain for the long term. I realized that I cannot take on the frustration of others. Here's what I know: This transition is challenging for beaders who depended on Margo's amazing supply of beads. Now you can imagine a life a without Poppyfield. Fortunately, it is temporary.

When I get the 11's and 15's inventoried and labelled I will have a SOFT OPENING. I will open for just those beads and thread, a few hours a day. This way, those beads that are ready will be available for purchase. The hours I remain closed I will use to work on the rest of the store. I was hoping that this could happen on March 1st. But it is just not realistic. This pic will give you an idea of why.

Boxes and Boxes of Beads

In the meantime, I will keep working. As for your waiting... I am reminded of a quote of Eckhart Tolle, author of "The Power of Now". Eckhart says, "The next time someone says, 'sorry to keep you waiting', you can say, 'I wasn't waiting. I was enjoying myself." As in ENJOY - IN- MYSELF.

Peace and Beads,

Julia

Poppy is Sprouting

I Can't Wait to WELCOME You

Signs of growth are finally evident at Poppyfield Bead Company! Up til now, so much of the work I've been doing to get the store running has been behind the scenes leg work. Phone calls, internet searches, visiting shops, and placing orders. I was working hard, but, everyday, I'd walk into the store and it would look the same as the day before.

Finally, change is visible. My contractor, Owen Kellum, has been on the job. The walls are blooming in color! Tuesday the track lights go up. I am still waiting on the slat wall. That is the structure that the beads will hang from. It has been ordered, and should be here early this week. When it comes, it will go up and then I can start hanging the inventory.

Speaking of inventory: Please leave a comment on the blog about your wishes for the store inventory. What did Margo carry that was important to you? What would you like to see me carry?

My goal is to open right after New Years. But, a lot depends on the delivery of the structural elements of the store. Obviously, I must be able to display the inventory to open.

Store Hours: M 2 - 8, T-F 12 - 5:30, Sat 12 - 4:30, Sun Closed

Phone: 505-880-8695 (when store opens)

Margo has finished her Phoenix Phlower brooch / necklace, which will be offered soon after the store opens. A photo and description of this gorgeous intermediate - advanced projected will be posted here soon. There is also a beginner's level bracelet in the works. So check back for more news.

Peace and Beads,

Julia

I Bought A Bead Shop!!

Poppyfield Bead Company, my long time seed bead source was closing. Margo Field, the owner, and a master seed bead artist, was ready to retire. On Wednesday, she sent out a one sentence announcement, and within minutes I was at the shop offering to buy it.

I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eleven months a year, it is the bead capital of the United States (except February when Tuscon enjoys that distinction). We have Rio Grande Jewelry Supply, Thunderbird Jewelry Supply, Indian Jewelry Supply, Thomason Stone Company, Bead and Fetish, and at least 2 other retail shops, which cater to the individual. There are a slew of wholesale shops selling in bulk to the trade. But no shop offers Poppyfield's extensive supply of seed beads. When I sat at Margo's counter on Wednesday, the phone rang off the hook with desperate callers. Yesterday we agreed on terms and shook hands. Margo turned her closing sale into a one day celebration sale. I started receiving emails thanking me for "saving Poppyfield" and pleas to keep up the seed bead supply.

In my 48 hour whirlwind research of bead shops nationwide, I discovered a trend...bead shops are closing, and have been since 2007. Internet sales at low prices have seriously undermined the viability of local bead shops. The economy has hurt stores that have not managed their risk well. Still I feel confident about my venture and here's why:

Margo's mission is my vision: Offer the best supply of seed beads and delicas. These particular bead prices remain competitive in local shops because buying bulk bags allows owners to offer better price points than one could ever find on the internet. Individuals are not going to order bulk bags of seeds. Projects usually require 5 -10 grams of a color. Bulk bags come in 100-500 grams. The best bead stash is the most varied stash. Only a shop can manage both bulk quantity and extensive variety. Of equal importance is that nothing compares to being able to stand in front of a vast array of beads of myriad colors, finishes, cuts and textures, and pick and choose the "just right" combination for the bead weaver's dream design. Seed bead projects are extremely time consuming. The ability to start with the choice beads makes it a pleasurable labor of love. Having the selection at your fingertips is key. Poppyfield has always offered that.

In addition, Margo and Bobbie Yoakum, her assistant in the shop, have offered the highest quality classes and wonderful customer service. Both are avid beaders and teachers, as am I. I've taught at Poppyfield in the past, and it has been a blast. Margo will continue to teach intermediate and advanced level classes. I will also offer basic beading classes and some of my more advanced designs as well.

I really look forward to helping new beaders get comfortable with technique and materials. For the uninitiated, it can be tempting, but overwhelming. Just as in the past, there will always be a bead artist at the shop to assist customers with bead selection. Thats the fun part for me. Helping others enjoy what these tiny points of color and light have to offer.

Because Margo has filled this very specialized and unique niche for so many years she's got a very loyal customer base that knows how to find the shop at 2531 Jefferson St. NE. It is centrally located, but on a quiet street (click here for map). For now, Poppyfield will stay nestled where it is. Margo will close on Thanksgiving weekend for inventory. I will re-open on Monday, December 6th. Classes will resume in January. Bobbie has other commitments, but has offered to stay during December.

To my local beading community, I say come by in December and say hello, and tell me what you'd like to see at Poppyfield. I am already ordering inventory to have at the shop. Feel free to leave a comment here. Introduce yourself, tell me what's important to you and what your wishes are. I will continue to update you via my blog. For those reading from afar...tune in to follow my journey.