Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Treat Yourself to Fast and Fun Earrings

Timbuktu Earrings by Nela Kábelová
Beaded by Sylvia Abeyta

These pretty earrings work up quickly and easily.  You can also link the square components to make a bracelet.  With our broad selection of Nib-Bits and SuperDuos you have a lot of options to create different looks.  The pattern for the Timbuktu Earrings by Nela Kábelová is available as a FREE download to the public on the Matubo beads "Inspiration" webpage here.  We'll be doing this project at our Friday Happy Hour on 2.2. from 4:30-6:00 PM in Studio Poppy at the shop.  If you can't join us, download yourself and try your local bead shop for supplies.  If you'd like to order this color way, you can click the link for the bead bundle below.  We'll send you the pattern pdf, with your purchase of the beads.  

We're planning a unique 2-week bracelet project for the Happy Hour events that follow this.  So, if you want something quick to "make and take", don't miss the Timbuktu Earrings this Friday. 

Timbuktu Earrings by Nela Kábelová
Supplies Needed
(Available at Poppyfield Bead Co 
and on our e-commerce site here)

Nib-Bits (16)
Matubo 7/0's (8)
SuperDuos (8)
11/0 Japanese Seed Beads (16)
15/0 Japanese Seed Beads (1g)
Jump Rings (2)
Earring Findings
Fireline 
Beading Needle



Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Valentine's Day Is On The Way


Chi Bracelet by Thomasin Alyxander
Beaded by Sylvia Abeyta

The designer of this week's Happy Hour bracelet sees the Greek letter Chi. I see hugs and kisses (XOXO).  So, Sylvia and I chose this bracelet and worked it up in Valentine colors.  It is fun and easy.  

Chi Bracelet by Thomasin Alyxander
Supplies Needed
(Available at Poppyfield Bead Co 
and on our e-commerce site here)

3-holed Beams (36)
2 mm Fire Polish (16)
8/0 Demi rounds (36)
11/0 Demi rounds (2g)
15/0 Japanese seed beads (1g)
Jump Rings (2)
Clasp
Fireline 4lb


Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Finally! Kites and Baby Silkies in a Project

Quilted Kite Bracelet by Susan Sassoon
Beaded by Sylvia Abeyta

Often customers come in asking if we will carry this new bead shape or that new bead shape.  With all the new shapes - it can be hard to decide what to buy for the shop, and what to decline, or wait on. One of the fun parts of owning a bead store, is that when I see a bead I love, I just go ahead and order it for the shop.  That's how I feel about Kites and Baby Silkies.  Kites are an obviously cool shape...and the two holes mean lots of pattern options with other 2-holed beads.  Their top to bottom asymmetry and drop-like design, mean they will function nicely in the interior of design, and also bring the eye out to the edge in an interesting way.  I made the decision to get Kites a while back and did have them in our warehouse.  But, what to do with kites?  I've been waiting for some free projects using kites and I've found a really nice one.  Even better, they are paired with Baby Silkies.  

Silkies have been around for a few years, and they are lovely 2-holed beads. They are chunky, textured, and symmetrical, and they are featured in many patterns (both free and for a small cost) out there on the internet. We've used Silkies in many of our Happy Hour projects, and they are very popular.  When Baby Silkies came along, I was sent a free sample by a supplier.  I fell for them. They are just so cute.  I bought them in a lot of colors and have had them available for quite a while.  Everyone agrees that they are cute. But what to do with them?  The patterns using them never materialized.  Well, folks FINALLY!  We have one.  They serve as the corners of each motif in Susan Sassoon's Quilted Kite Bracelet.  In her sample, she matches them to the adjacent Kite beads, so they blend.  I chose a similar color match in our sample shown here.  I think for the next one, I'll try popping the corners with a different colored Baby Silky.  

So treat yourself to the experience of this lovely design using beads you may not have tried yet.  
Also, give yourself another treat... Try a multi-strand clasp with the vertical loops.  You may never go back to the old ones.    

Quilted Kite Bracelet by Susan Sassoon
Supplies Needed
(Available at Poppyfield Bead Co 
and on our e-commerce site here)


 9 x 5 mm Kite Beads color A (40)
9 x 5 mm Kite Beads color B (40)
5 mm Baby Silkies (20)
11/0 Seed Beads (1g)
 4-strand slide clasp
6 lb Fireline
Beading Needle

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Necklaces by Puca and Julia

Jeromine Necklace by Puca
Beaded by Julia Hecht

I was thinking about spring and cherry blossoms when I chose the beads for Puca's Jeromine necklace.  It uses her Arcos and Kheops beads for a playful combination of curves (Arcos) with lines and edges (Kheops).  I found this pattern that she shares freely, on Pinterest.  The link to the pattern is here.  Although the text is in French, the pictures are excellent and the design is simple. So, one can do this easily from the original.  For our Happy Hour event on Friday 1.12, I'll provide the English translation.  If you can't join us for Happy Hour, but want the text, you can copy and paste into google translate, like I did.  I am sorry, but due to copyright, I cannot distribute a pdf for this pattern.  




 "Rockin' It" in Bead and Button Feb 2018

My Rockin' Blossoms 7-strand kumihimo necklace pattern appears in this month's issue of Bead and Button.  We are currently selling Limited Edition kits on our webstore in the cobalt and copper (original) color way. The cobalt flower buttons are only intermittently available.  So we do sell out from time to time.  The bright copper 3 mm rondelles are no longer made. So, they'll only be a small number of these kits.  I've designed 2 other color ways - an earth tones with bold red/orange accents, and a tropical mix of purples, pinks, and greens.  Kits in these colors will be available soon.  

Seven strand kumihimo has several advantages over the traditional 8-strand round braid.  It is a great way to create a rope with large focal beads.  It is also a speedier way to make a rope.  In addition, because the cords cross at a larger angle, the beads are less likely to slip out from their positions.  There is always an empty spot on the disk, and so one cannot lose her place.  It is always obvious where you left off.  Personally, I think it is a better braid for beginners.  

Jeromine Necklace 
Supplies Needed

Arcos 10g
Kheops 10g
Matubo 7/0 (2 beads)
11/0 Seed Beads
15/0 Seed Beads
**Mini Duos 10g 
Jump Rings
Clasp
Thread
Beading Needle

**I used Unos and 15/0's as drops under the Kheops, instead of mini-duos as Puca shows, because I don't like the empty Duo hole.  If you do this, you will need about 10g of Uno's and 3g of Mini Duos.  



Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Gifts at Your Fingertips

There's still time for handmade Christmas gifts.  At our final Friday Happy Hour of 2017, I will be demonstrating some quick, easy, and fun gift ideas using our seasonal earring kits, charms, rivolis, and cup chain.  So, don't give up your goal of some personalized gifts.  There's definitely still time.  Here are some ideas...







Some (but, not all) of these require basic wrapped loops... So bring your wire tools if you have, or purchase with us.  You can also join us for some refreshments, and finish up some projects you are working on.  
Hope to see you...

julia

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Matubo Inspiration Free Patterns

MiniDuo Hoop Earrings by Nela Kábelová
Beaded by Sylvia Abeyta

During my first year away from my medical practice, before I owned a bead shop, I took a year to focus on creating. I spent many hours beading in isolation in  my "bead room" in the basement.  What I learned during that time was that the more time I spent down there, the more creative I became.  Sometimes, the juices were flowing and I would bead throughout the night, and go to sleep as dawn was breaking.  It was an ecstatic experience with my own inner artist. I was on a high.  But as my creativity flourished, so did my isolation grow.  My life became focused only on family and art.  I felt empty of meaningful work that I had experienced in my medical career.  I wanted to find a way to put my skills to good use for the community. 

My own journey with beads was about self-healing.  I had discovered beads while recovering from serious post-partum complications that affected both my body and my mind.  When I finally made my way to stitching (from stringing), I found new light and sweetness in the darkness and pain of my illness.  

During that first year that I stopped doctoring in 2009-2010, I attended a workshop at the NM Small Business Association on starting a small business.  There, I was pushed to think about what my "mission" or purpose would be with my business. No one gets rich with beads and so individual beaders who decide to make beadwork their business don't do it for the money.   
It is a labor of love, for sure. 

At the time, there were plenty of bead shops in Albuquerque, and I had no intention of pushing my way into the beading ecosystem that seemed so in balance.  I fantasized about having a shop one day.  But I planned to wait for one of the shops to close, and then fill that niche that was already established.  In the meantime, I would explore what my purpose and goals were
 in a "beading business".  

What I discovered at the NMSBA workshop was that my mission was to "Make beading accessible".  I realized that I wanted anyone who wanted to give bead stitching a shot, to have a place to do that.  A place where they would be supported, encouraged, and welcomed.  That's why I love beginners! I knew there would be others struggling with the darkness and pain that life can present.  Perhaps some would also find bead stitching a balm.  Perhaps they would find solace in a bead mat with little piles of sparking colors, like I had.  

Months later, when Margo Field announced she was closing her shop, I took this unexpected opportunity to give my fantasy a go.  Over the 7 years of Poppyfield Bead Company's existence, access to beading has continued to be my goal.  We have 3 free beading events every week.  Beginners are welcome and encouraged at all of these:  Monday's 6-8 PM Book Club and Open Beading, Tuesday's 1-3 PM Wire work Meet Up, and Friday's 4:30-6:00 Happy Hour.  There's no registration. You just show up.  

When I see others in the business, who relish the opportunity to share freely and create access to beading, I enjoy supporting them, and spreading the joy.  The Matubo company has clearly devoted resources to make beading patterns accessible.  Their "Inspiration" web page has plenty of patterns. Of course they, like I and all the others, need to sell our beads.  It's how we stay in business.  But, at the same time, it is obvious that making beading accessible is an important part of their mission.  

Tomorrow's Happy Hour pattern is available on their webpage here
It is a great pattern for the holidays, because it works up quickly.  And...depending on your color way, you can turn these into Christmas wreaths.  Come join us, and enjoy some time inside our rainbow.  Meet some nice people, have some laughs, and make something new.  
You might feel even better than you already do.  

Supplies Needed

**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**
Bead Bundle available online here

Matubo MiniDuos (40)
4 mm Druks or Pearls (20)
3 mm Fire Polish (20)
11/0 Japanese Seed Beads 
15/0 Japanese Seed Beads
Horseshoe Thread Protectors (2)

Earring Wires
Beading Needle
Thread 




Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Winter is Here

SuperDuo Snowflakes designed by Nela Kábelová
Beaded by Sylvia Abeyta

I do believe it is getting wintry!  Santa Fe and Taos are expecting snow in the mountains tonight.  
Come celebrate the season with us at our 
Friday Happy Hour event:
December 8th,
4:30 -6:00
We'll be making these clever (and easy) earrings using SuperDuos, seed beads, and drops. This is a great pattern for new bead stitchers.  The pattern is free to the public from Matubo beads, the creator of SuperDuos and many of your favorite Czech pressed glass beads.  
Click the link here and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the pattern. You'll notice this link has a wonderful selection of great patterns, all free to you.  We carry many Matubo products and have hosted many Happy Hours with these patterns.  Enjoy!

Do you want us to send you the beads for this project?
click here to purchase the bead bundle and free pattern

Supplies Needed

**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**

Matubo SuperDuos Color A
Matubo SuperDuos Color B 
11/0 Japanese Seed Beads 
3.4 mm Miyuki Drops
Jump Rings (2)

Earring Wires
Beading Needle
Thread