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

Swarovski Sliders

This Friday's Happy Hour pattern (Khione Bracelet)  comes from a new book by Carolyn Cave called Stitching With a Handful of Beads.  Kalmbach Publishing has given me this pattern to share with you for our FREE beading event.   

Khione Bracelet by Carolyn Cave

(Supply List Below)

It uses SuperDuos, bicone crystals, seed beads and Swarovski Sliders.  Many beaders are familiar with Rose Montees, a sew-on crystal with criss-crossing channels in its metal setting.  Sliders are a very different type of sew on crystal, and are harder to come by.  Sliders are chatons in a substantial setting with 2 parallel holes.  They are an elegant component that adds a lot of class to a design.  We have a nice selection of sliders available at the shop and also on our e-commerce site here

Lisa Kan's Catherine Bracelet

Beaded by Wendy Speare

 I discovered this component when Lisa Kan's book Bead Metamorphosis came out.  You can see them in the center row of the Catherine Bracelet in Emerald set in gold.  They work well to connect the components, which are beaded separately.  I found a source for this unique product and had the sliders custom made.  I still do, and so there is a 6-8 week wait for them.  Our sliders hold a 29ss Swarovski chaton, which is about 6.5 mm in size.  If you want to fall in love with a crystal component, come pick up some sliders.  

Swarovski Sliders in Black Diamond in Gold Plated Settings

Available here

Wendy uses Swarovski sliders in her Sonja's Bracelet pattern, which she is teaching on Saturday at the shop. Here they sit on top of tiles as focal embellishments.  This pattern is a fun way to work with sliders.  

Sonja's Bracelet by Wendy Speare

So, if you've never worked with sliders, and want to give it a go, join us on Friday (no registration) for our FREE beading event (Khione bracelet), or Saturday (registration required) for the Sonja's Bracelet class.    

Khione Bracelet by Carolyn Cave

Supplies Needed

**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**

6.5 mm Swarovski Sliders (9)

4 mm crystal bicones(36)

SuperDuos (11g)

15/0 Japanese Seed Beads (2g)

3-strand Clasp

Jumprings or Thread Protectors (6)

Fireline

Beading Needle

Hope to see you!

Sylvia Returns

Join Us For Happy Hour!

I am so happy to report that Sylvia is back to lead our Happy Hour beading events.  Join us this Friday 10/13  at 4:30 for a fun and easy bracelet project using the new Cali Beads.  This pattern comes from Linda Genaw at Linda's Crafty Inspirations.  You can find the supply list and free pattern download here.  It's a good pattern for brand new beginners.  

Hope to see you.

All In Good Time

It is hard to believe four months have passed since my last post.  Of course, in all that time, much has happened.  We had a super Spring and Summer with our weekly Happy Hour every Friday.  There was so much great energy in the shop, and so many people working in the Studio.   We are kicking off a new Happy Hour season with my Day of the Dead Charm bracelet 10/17.  Click here for details about this class.    

The Day of the Dead Charm Bracelet

direct from the heart of New Mexico

I disappeared for about a month to recover from knee surgery.  It was a big deal and I learned a lot about patience, love, and accepting help.  I received cards and well wishes, and each one has meant a lot to me.  Today I am walking around and sometimes it doesn't hurt.  I work with a great team of physical therapists and my biggest problem is slowing down and not overdoing the exercise.  When I do, I end up back in bed, exhausted and in pain.  So I have had to learn to let it all happen in good time.  

I've also learned to stop fretting about timelines.  It seems that unforeseen obstacles appear whenever I become fixed on a deadline.  It is as if the Universe is telling me, "Stop it!  It is our schedule, not yours, you mere speck of a human."  So I can fight it and stress everyone out in the process, or I can relax into the reality that much is out of my control.  When I accept that, I am liberated to enjoy every sweet moment that is also truly occurring.  

Along those lines, I am happy to report that our webstore at webstore.poppybeads.com is live.  I had planned for this to happen in March, and now it is October.  Getting it going has been challenging, frustrating, exciting and inspiring.  I gave up on my original timeline long ago.  It is live and you can definitely shop there online at any time of day or night.  It is still a work in progress.  For example,  you will notice that not all the categories listed are populated with products yet. That being said, we have a lot available online in the following categories:  CzechMate 2 hole beads (rullas, super duos, lentils, triangles), other Czech pressed glass such as O beads and rizos, and daggers, Swarovski rivolis and dentelles, and preciosa flat backs and banded rhinestones.  There are a lot of colors of  super nylon bead cord and a variety of charms, bracelet cuffs, AND more.   So look around.  Get familiar and watch our inventory grow!  Please note that it will be helpful to shop both using search for key words, as well as the drop down list under products.  There are still a few kinks we are working out, so please bear with us. Don't forget to read our terms carefully, as they differ from our in-store policies.  

Glad to Be Home

Chandelier Dream Earrings

I have just returned from a glorious RV camping vacation to the dog beaches of Southern of California, with my kids and of course, our dog.  This was a brand-new experience for us…and after 2300 miles, I am tired, but happy.  I am rolling up my sleeves, and jumping back into the bead business

 I will be at our Friday Happy Hour tomorrow, and if you are local…I hope to see you there.  We'll be making some fabulous Chandelier Dream Earrings.  You can make them this long…or your own shorter versions.  Once you know the technique, your imagination will take you the rest of the way.  
Click here for the supply list.  

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.  

Leather - My New Frontier

In line with my last post on beginnings, I continue to push against new Frontiers.   As part of my Mirrix Loom Journey I am experimenting with leather.  I do feel excited and yes, even a little naughty!  Why? Because I am venturing out of my old paradigm of bead stitching.  Leather is something I just know nothing about, and so I have crossed into a new world.  I was not raised to be adventurous…but rather to stay safe and comfortable.  So, every time I take steps into the unknown, I feel this way.

In addition to Elena and Claudia, who lead the Mirrix loom company and chose me to participate in their Social Market project,  I have to thank my Native American customers who do traditional beadwork using a loom, and those that make garments for dancing and ceremony.  Many will come into my bead shop asking for leather, and I would turn them away, because I didn't sell it, and I knew nothing about it.  But, as I seek ways to finish my loom work into jewelry, the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow is about to converge on Albuquerque.  Native People from around the Americas are arriving and I am blessed that many find their way to my shop.  And so, I was driven out in search of leather.  

I am fortunate to live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where google maps pointed me to a leather supply shop just minutes from my home and my shop.  I stepped inside the store, and immediately, I wanted to wrap myself in soft tanned hides and inhale the comforting aroma.  After questioning or perhaps "badgering" the sales assistant and about an hour of roaming up and down the aisles, I left with 2 complete cowhides the color of deerskin, some lace and cord, and the tools to cut,  punch, and create eyelets.  (Soon I will be selling cowhide strips and squares in my shop).  

I perused cyberspace to get some ideas for the finishing, and I just jumped in.  Here's my first attempt.

My first piece of jewelry from the loom

The bead work is my own pattern and woven on the Mirrix loom using S-Lon bead cord to warp and  11/0 Delica cylinder beads.  The bead on the "tie" was a gift from my mom.  I used Nymo thread and glovers #6 needles to sew the loom work to the leather - don't even attempt with a beading needle.   I like it. But, I know, this is just the beginning! It is a nice way to close, because it is adjustable, I can manage the tie with one hand and slip the bead up to tighten.  But it does loosen over the course of the day.  So I will be continuing my experiments with leather and with finishing loom work.

BEAD AND WIRE HAPPY HOUR #4

Tomorrow, Friday, April 25th from 4:30-6:30, we will host our next Happy Hour event.  A free bead pattern for the bracelet pictured here will be available.  There will be coffee and cookies (including gluten free), and a relaxed fun atmosphere for beading and socializing.  We will have our resident wire expert, Sylvia Abeyta for assistance, if you'd like to twist instead.  Come join us.  You can check out our newest products, including luminescent 18 mm resin flat backs in lots of colors.  Perfect for bead embroidery. They look great with our new Shibori silk ribbon.  Click here for a link to the free pattern supply list.  

ON THE WAY 

Crystal Flatbacks 

More Rose Montees (including 3 mm and 4 mm)

Plastic Banded Crystals - Neon Colors 

Hope to See You Soon!!!!

Being a Beginner

Greetings Beady Friends!  I've started my Mirrix Loom Journey.   In exploring a new piece of equipment, and a new technique, I've re-discovered what it feels like to be a beginner.  Oh, to know nothing, be completely confused, move awkwardly, and stumble.  Oh, to jump in with both feet, and swim about making mistakes, un-doing, re-doing and wondering if I will make something beautiful, ever…with this machine.  How is it that the lovely beads I once thought I knew, are working up into absolutely un-pretty things, ugly even? 

But here's the beauty of it…I'm free to fumble and dance about being absolutely new and fresh at it.  I can laugh at how goofy my work looks, and smile at my ignorance.  I am reminded of traveling alone in foreign countries, a thing I used to do when I was young, but haven't lately.   It is simply thrilling to boldly go where I have never ventured.   Just doing something new is a victory!  When was the last time you pushed yourself against your own frontiers to seize a new discovery?  

Every Friday at our Bead and Wire Happy Hours (4:30-6:30 pm) we are offering friendship, fun and a chance to try something new.  Tomorrow I will demonstrate how to make the bird's nest pendants / earrings with wire and beads.  Even if you've never worked with wire, these cuties are worth a try.  Bring wire and tools if you have them…However, most of the work is done with your hands, so even if you don't own tools, come anyway and borrow from me or a friend.  We have loads of wire and beads, of course.  Mix them with charms to celebrate Spring!

Bird's Nest Pendants / Earrings
Free Demo at our Happy Hour Event

Also New…

• Our Shibori silk ribbon is in stock… This Japanese method of dyeing and pleating silk results in absolutely gorgeous combinations of colors.  Many bead artists are incorporating shibori silk into jewelry designs.  I've started a Pinterest Board with a collection of samples.  Click here to see astounding creations using Shibori silk.  Then come on in and pick some up to play with.  If you want instruction on how to work with Shibori silk, we have a class for you.  Leah Ready's Shibori Heart Pin / Pendant on Saturday 5/17 will get you set.  

Just look at that silk!
Shibori Heart Class with Leah Ready

• We are now carrying every Delica bead still produced up to #800.  We do have hundreds of colors past #800…but some we don't have and now that a local Delica supplier has closed, we are filling in the gaps.  We predict we will be carrying up to 300 additional new colors over the next 1-2 months.  

• Miracle Beads from Japan in 4 mm rounds.  Amazing brilliant colors.  While it's true these are plastic…think "light and beautiful Japanese beads".  We plan for more sizes if we see an interest.  

• Swarovski rivolis in 16 and 18 mm.  We have expanded our repertoire.  Sixteen millimeter rivolis are hard to come by, but we have a few, and we have our eyes open for more.  We've now got plenty colors in the 18 mm size.  They start as low as $3.95.

Coming Soon…

Our proper website and soon after, our webstore.  I am working on it….