Stymied Again…But NOT!

Here I go again….Getting my webstore up and running has brought back a lot of memories from three years ago, when I first set up my new business.  Not all are good.   Every day I spend several hours trouble shooting technical issues with the web store.  This is why I have not gone "live" with it yet.  Surfing the web, it seems everyone and his brother has a web store.  So, why am I the "unlucky" one who can't seem to overcome technological obstacles?  In response,  I think about the health care web debacle, and I start to feel less unique.  I realize that hidden behind all the smoothly running shops, is the undisclosed history of how it all got going.  Unless there was a public mishap, or some reporting,  we see only the final "success".  

Usually, in the mainstream business and retail world, we don't share our struggles. But rather, we choose to present the finished, polished product.  We act as if struggling means failure, or stumbling makes us "less than."   I am sure there is some marketing value to this.  Everyone likes a winner and the impression of success can actually attract real success.  Perhaps also, in the historically "male" world of business, this is a form of posturing that men employ as a matter of course.  Maybe, women in business put on these same masks and hide our struggles in order to fit in and compete in the male domain .  Or maybe, we just let our fear driven egos get the best of us too.   

As I move forward into Phase II of my business, I am finding myself right back in the fear and uncertainty of dealing with new and unforeseen obstacles.  But I can see that three and a half years later, I have grown.   Instead of my ears ringing  in panic with each snafu,  I think about what is being asked of me.  Instead of viewing problems as the enemy, against which I must do battle,  I now view them as my guide. Perhaps leading me elsewhere.   When hiking, we walk around the thicket and follow the trail between the obstacles.  We don't begrudge the tree or the boulders that block our path.    

Most recently, I've come to feel that through my frustration, I am being guided into compassion and softness.  I feel connected to the many others like me who are working to find solutions and overcome obstacles.  I believe I am also being guided back into creativity and beading as way of side stepping the technological barriers before me.   I had put so much of my creative expression on hold in order to get the website and webstore going.  I sorely miss that magical part of my life.  I will still sort out the technical glitches. But, today, I realize that I cannot make this the focus of everyday's work.  It will happen in the background, while I put my creative life back in center.  You will have to stay tuned, to see what I mean, when we do finally go live.  

Meanwhile, I look forward to being back in the glow of creativity, wrapped up in that radiant energy, where time stops and the heavens shower me with inspiration, like divine confetti. As I write, the vision becomes clear.  I see, spread out before me,  little beady pools of color and glimmering light.  I must go, now.  You understand.  

NEW CLASS 

Fleur du Jour with Margo Field

2 Saturdays, 6/14 and 6/21

1 - 4 PM, $55

This lovely necklace can be worked up in many flower variations.  We have 2 on display in the shop. Stop in and be captivated.  

ONGOING FREE EVENTS

• Wire meet-up with Sylvia Abeyta - Tuesdays 1-3 PM
• Friday Happy Hour -  4:30-6:30, free pattern and refreshments every Friday throughout the Spring and Summer.  

Color Piques

Sneak Peek!

Many customers ask me how I pick colors.  It is not something that comes from my head, in any conscious way.  It is just something that happens.  Something that percolates up from inside me.  Probably like music does for those so inclined (which I am not).  Yes, color theory can be learned.  But I am always  bored by those discussions.  At this point I don't think it terms of saturation, value, or other color terms.  I just know what I like.  My color choices on any day reflect my mood - excitement, rebellion, serenity.  Sometimes they are born from a memory - snorkeling in a tropical sea or hiking on a sunny autumn day.  

My "color-seeking" can come as a spark, a restless itch, a subtle stirring, or even an almost painful surge that must burst through.  Sometimes I feel overwhelming inspiration from a stone, a bead, a picture or a product that hangs on the wall in my shop.  Lately,  it has been Swarovski's Medium Vitrail.  Seen in the pendant above.  This is a sneak peek from my Hollywood Sparkle Necklace, which is nearly finished.

In the pendant I see several greens and blues and then a strong contrast, fuchsia. There is even a little orangey topaz.   I love the excitement of bold contrast and often choose to play this up and emphasize it.   In the past I have olivine and fuchsia with medium vitrail - all by Swarovski.  But the day I chose colors for this piece I was feeling rebellious and sassy.  I wanted to put together colors that many people ordinarily would not. I wanted  colors that are not supposed to go together.   I kept my fuchsia contrast. Teal and fuchsia are often put together as jewel tones.  Fuchsia and other greens such as olivine are also seen together.   But teal and olivine are not generally seen together.  Could I put them together?  I look at it this way:  Since several greens and blues are in that one piece of glass they must "go together" because they are together.  I chose a yellow green (see the upper left of the teardrop) and a teal (see the lower left of the teardrop).  I decided to forgo the topaz to avoid a rainbow.  I love the final effect.  I am sure I am not the first person to ever mix these colors.  But it is unusual and I feel sufficiently sassy.  In my rope I went a step further.  But I'll keep you in suspense and reveal that another day.

If you like these colors together then think about these crystal colors by Swarovski:  fuchsia, emerald glacier blue, olivine, green sphinx, fuchsia purple haze and of course, medium vitrail.  They are all hanging on display in the shop.  Poppyfield seed bead colors that work with this color scheme and the above crystal colors are:  459H, 468, D4217 and 638A.  They are on display at the counter. So stop in and mix up a batch of sass for yourself.  

Press Release!!!!

Today, I am interviewed on the international bead blog here...

www.beads-perles.blogspot.com

WIRE UPDATE

We've had some really fun FREE wire events around Valentine's Day.  All the classes "sold out" within a few days and we just had a blast.  Sylvia's wire meet-ups on Tuesdays have been growing.  More types of project ideas are brought to the studio, so I've decided to expand our wire products to give "twisters" more options.  We will soon be carrying German half-hard wire, as well as twisted wire.  When we've got it in stock I will let you know via this blog, Facebook, and Twitter.  Til then... come take advantage of the free wire expertise we offer.  Wire Meet-Up is every Tuesday 1-3 PM in our lovely Studio Poppy.  It is friendly and free. Bring your tools, or buy what you need with us.

NEW CLASS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

Peyote Premiere by June Malone

Many of you have asked for a peyote beginner class. It is finally here.  June Malone, our resident peyote master, will be teaching a pendant/ earring class, Peyote Premiere. This class is for beginners and anyone who wants to get back to basics with their flat peyote skills - odd count, even count, reading a pattern, and decreasing. The class meets on Saturday, April 6th.  Click here to go to the classes page for more information.

Margo's Floral Fantasy class has only 2 places left.  If you are thinking about this one, don't delay.  See pics and details on the classes page.

Remember Monday Night is Late Night....We are open until 8 PM

Hope to see you soon!

Precious Hearts

Free Wire Class -  Saturday, January 26th 10 AM -12 noon

Precious Heart Earrings by Julia L. Hecht

Join me for a special opportunity in wirework.  This Saturday, I will share my Precious Hearts Earring design and demonstrate the techniques needed to make these lovely sparkling vintage inspired earrings.  The focal dangles are 18 mm heart pendants from Swarovski - they are absolutely gorgeous.  Their size is perfectly balanced with two clusters of crystal dangles.  You will learn how to create a strong connection for the hearts using my twist and wrap technique.  Plus, there is plenty of opportunity to practice and perfect your wrapped loops.  The class is appropriate for all levels.  The kit is $26, and is available in three color ways:  Tango (shown here), Golden (golden hearts with various golds and reds ), and Valentine (red hearts with reds and pinks).  There are only 8 kits available so don't delay.  Call with a credit card or come by. We open on Monday at 2 PM. 
(More kits will become available in the future when the Precious Heart crystals are available again.)

 Seed Bead Classes

Not Grandma's Cameo still has a few places available for Mondays 1/28 and 2/4 6:00- 9:00 PM.  This beautiful netted collar class is back by popular demand.  I taught this in 2009 and probably won't be teaching it again.  So, if you're interested, sign up while you still have the chance.  

Coming Soon

Floral Fantasy Class by Margo (Uses crystal margaritas - yummy!)

Hollywood Sparkle Class by Julia  (A sparkling neckpiece you could wear to the Oscars)

Twin Beads - We've got 'em in every color.  This week we will be tubing them and getting them out on display.  They will be sold in 5" 20 gram tubes.  They are cute, affordable, and offer plenty of design opportunities.  We still have our fabulous Super-Duo precision twins and will continue to carry both in every color. 

Crime Scene Update...

Many of you remember that when we opened on 3/20/11 only a small portion of the store was ready for shopping.  We had a large section across from the studio that was replete with wonderful Czech glass strands, but hanging in a disorganized mess.  I referred to it as "the crime scene" as in "Do Not Enter".  Eventually I opened the crime scene for business as I worked to clean it up, and shrink it.  On Monday, Wendy, June and I roll up our sleeves to attack what remains in earnest.  We 3 will spend the entire day reorganizing the back end of the store.  We will be bringing out  fire polish, druks and Czech pressed glass that we've had sequestered and hidden away.  Come visit and see what's happening and what new products we bring out.  Poppyfield will be open from 2-8 PM, as usual and at your service to help you with all your beading needs.  

Tuesday Wire Meet-Up with Sylvia Abeyta

 Come join us for an informal wirework session every Tuesday 1:00 - 3:00.  Sylvia is a retired teacher and is great at explaining techniques and helping troubleshoot.  Come with your own ideas or see what's on Sylvia's creative agenda.  All levels.  FREE.  

Remember Monday is late night at Poppyfield.  We are open til 8:00 PM.  So stop by after work or after dinner and browse our great selection of beads, fiber, and metal at your leisure.  

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!