Silent Snowfall Pendant by Ivona Šuchmannová

Join us for our FREE weekly beading event this Friday 12/1, 4:30-6:00 in our studio.  We'll be making this pendant. Sylvia is working on hers right now - it has bugles in F463K - a beautiful matte metallic pink/ brown / green iris, our new pink metallic Demi beads, and a gorgeous rivoli 

in rose champagne. 

As you can see, this is a unique frame and bezel for a Swarovski 14 mm rivoli.  The pattern is free and will be available at the event.  We'll have some refreshments, as always.  This pattern uses small seed beads, such as 15/0's and 11/0 Demi beads, so bring your "beading glasses".  Because the beads are so small, and there is a front and back to be stitched, it will be difficult for first time beaders.  I'd classify it as advanced beginner level.  

For our remote customers, the pattern will be available for free with purchase of the bead bundle in the sample color way (pinks with the iris bugles).  It will be available on our webstore next week.  

Hope to see you!

Supplies Needed

**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**

14 mm Swarovski Rivoli (1)

3 mm Bugles (48)

11/0 Demi Rounds (108)

*11/0 Japanese Seed Beads (6)
15/0 Japanese Seed Beads (36)

Thread

Beading Needle

Bead Crochet Club - Support and Inspiration

Julia's Crochet Bracelet Pattern - Wrist with a Twist

Our introduction to crochet class was jam-packed.  It was a sold-out class and Wendy and I stuffed as much one on one instruction into those 3 hours, as seemed humanly possible.  It had taken me about a month of struggling with this new technique to be able to create something uniform and pretty.  So, I was clear that unlike most classes, where you can leave with the technique under your belt, this was just the beginning.  Now, we have the next phase of instruction to offer.  Beginning Monday, April 4th, our book club is on hold so we can begin our next FREE ongoing event: Bead Crochet Club.  Anyone who has some knowledge of bead crochet is welcome.   I will be present every Monday night for one on one time with anyone who wants to move forward with bead crochet.  It is a great opportunity to  see how others deal with the same challenges, and push past a stuck spot.  Exchange advice, ideas, techniques, pattern resources, or just sit and crochet away.  This does not take the place of an Intro to Bead Crochet class.  I will continue to offer those to get people started.  It is intended to create a community of support and inspiration in bead crochet.  Our book clubs have been so successful in providing both support with beading techniques and inspiration and encouragement in moving forward and taking your creativity to the next level.  I know that we can provide the same for bead crochet.  

The Wrist with a Twist pattern above is a minor variation on the 3 bead spiral.  It is a 6 around pattern and easy to work up.  You can see that I created a new way to finish, that is fully beaded and no end caps are needed.  These advances and variations are what you can get on Monday nights, in addition to help with techniques.  Our Monday night club is from 6-8 PM.  There is no charge and no registration.  Just show up.  As usual, we have bead mats and lighting.  Please feel free to bring your own beads and products or purchase with us.  There is no obligation on your part.  

Remember - in addition to our scheduled classes with tuition fees we have 3 FREE ongoing events every week:

Bead Crochet Club - Mondays 6-8 pm - beginning April 4th

Wire Meet Up Tuesday - 1-3 pm

Friday Happy Hour - 4:30-6 pm 

Hope to see you soon!

I LOVE My Job

Anna Lindell's Zipper bracelet was not a snap.  I shared this free pattern with our Friday Happy Hour group tonight.  We had an overflow class with 18 participants.  It is a lovely looking bracelet…but a little misleading at first sight.  Hidden underneath these zipped up triangles is a base of 1.5 mm cubes of right angle weave (RAW).  They are tiny and RAW is,… well, you understand.  Most of the group had no experience with this stitch and I have to say….they impressed me!  Every one of them got it. Our event is an hour and a half…a stop between work and dinner. So, only the speedy ones got those triangles on, and not one person completed the bracelet.  Next week we are continuing the class to pick up where we left off.   There will be more copies of the pattern and  you are welcome to stop in and check for empty seats to get some assistance.

Meanwhile, in the midst of all the calls for "help" I couldn't help smiling at the situation. Our parking lot was full, every seat in the studio was taken, the cookies were being gobbled up, and slowly and painstakingly these lovely ladies were circling those cubes together.  Laughing and helping each other.  What a job!  What a life!  

Our Happy Hour Free Bead and Wire events are every Friday 4:30-6 PM in Studio Poppy.  There are cookies and gluten free snacks.  It is a friendly, low-key atmosphere.  You can find out the week's class and supply list at the Friday Happy Hour page on this blog. 
Come join us!

Stuck??

We have so many wonderful new products just in and great classes scheduled! I easily get wrapped up in the excitement of it all.  Sometimes, I will find myself zooming to the store with a one-track mind.  I can become frustrated with whatever gets in my way.  Recently I was on San Mateo Boulevard heading south to the shop when I found myself stuck behind a bus in the right lane.  It stopped and I was forced to stop too.  Frustrated, I lamented my fate - wasn't this why I left New York City?  Grrrr.   As I sat there, a string of people climbed down the steps and headed on their way by foot.  Others were lining up to get on.  I noticed that some of these folks did not look so healthy or well-situated.   The bus pulled away from the curb and we proceeded on our way, me creeping along behind my ungainly leader.  Again, it stopped.  I sat in my air conditioned car, well-fed, and comfortable, and waited to head to my beautiful business.  This time I looked closely at the situation and I was suddenly grateful for all that I have and how blessed my life truly is.  I took a deep breath and felt my shoulders drop and my grip on the wheel loosen.  My whole body relaxed.  As the bus moved on down San Mateo Boulevard, I took my turn west towards Poppyfield Bead Company.  I was humbled, and at peace and no longer in my whipped-up frenzy.  

Nowadays when I find myself on the road, impatient and full of myself and how I NEED to get somewhere, I look for the nearest city bus.  I pull behind it and ride a few blocks - We stop, I breathe, and give thanks.  When I get my dose of humility,  find my center, and "chill out",  I patiently change lanes and move on with renewed calm and appreciation.  Sometimes, being stuck behind a bus is just what we need.    

That being said...Here's what's so exciting:

NEW PRODUCTS

11/0  Delica Beads with a Permanent Galvinized Matte Finish - If you like our DF and PF series of seed beads, you'll love these new beads.  If you don't know what I am talking about, come on in and ask us.

 PIGGY BEADS ARE HERE!!!

These are two-holed concave lentils.  We have a great selection of colors to get you started including a gold dabbed light emerald, silver, matte copper, and turquoise picasso (and MORE).   You can see piggies in the inner round of embellishments, cupping other beads in this beautiful medallion found on a Hungarian bead blog   (http://emoke1.blogspot.hu/2013/08/cecily-medal.html).  

A beautiful ring pattern using piggy beads called Piggy Linda  is available for purchase from Europe  HERE.  The pic is locked and can't be shared.  But you can see it on my Modern Beadwork board on Pinterest HERE.

 PASTEL SUPER DUO'S

These beads have a unique and brilliant finish.  They are not exactly my idea of pastel, but they are gorgeous nonetheless. They are begging to be used with Piggy Beads and Swarovski crystal pearls.  My wheels are spinning!

Day of the Dead Charms and Beads

Day of the Dead Charm Bracelet 

Free Class Offered

We have a great selection of these charms from a variety of fabricators.  Use basic wire work techniques to mix these with glass beads for a Day of the Dead treat.  If you need some guidance, sign up for our Day of the Dead Charm bracelet FREE class.  You must register to attend.  Check out the details HERE.

MORE CLASSES

 Let It Snow by June Malone

Click HERE to see this amazing ornament class 

and our other October classes.  

CUSTOMER KUDO'S

Congratulations to 

• Linda Hirtz for her blue ribbons at the NM State Fair. She took home 2 and a Best In Show.  Keep on Beading, Linda!
• Bobbie Yoakum for her wonderful cat bracelet in Bead and Button Extra.  Yay Bobbie!  
• 
  

***Remember - Monday is late night - We are open til 8 PM***

Hope To See YOU Soon

Be Your Own Clay

Greetings Beady Friends.  It has been a BUSY back to school season for me.  Both of my children started new schools and it has been a whirlwind for all of us.  At my daughter's "Back to School Night" on Thursday one of her teachers described a curriculum that the school is using to help the students identify aspects of character.  He mentioned grit, zest, self-control, and others.  But, not before saying, "We are already who we are, but the students are still forming and becoming who they are going to be." Really?  Yes, I understand what he meant about the students. But I wanted to say, "Umm, Teach, speak for yourself, because I am still forming."

Twelve years ago my life did seem set on a path.  I had completed many years of schooling and training and was enjoying a career as a pediatrician with a faculty position at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and Medical Director of the New Mexico School for the Deaf.  My husband and I owned a house and because of our chosen careers, we were blessed with financial stability.  We had a social life with friends (many of whom were also physician couples).  We had a little boy,  and were planning and hoping for a second child.  We were, in my mind, "healthy, wealthy, and wise".  Perhaps, if all had continued along as such, I would have felt like this teacher claimed, "already who I was."

But,  in 2001, my life started to shift, like the inevitable slide of tectonic plates along fault lines.  It was one thing after another. I had a profound emotional reaction to the attack of September 11th that lasted for months.  I became pregnant and delivered a beautiful daughter. I was struck ill after her birth and was hospitalized.  Over months, I slowly recovered (discovering beads in the process). My husband became critically ill, and then, thankfully, recovered also.  I was forced to begin a process of healing that led to even more changes...divorce and the loss of my social world, lifestyle changes, leaving my medical career, buying Poppyfield Bead Company and learning a whole new business. Most recently,  it has been the end of a 9 year relationship, and now, adopting a dog.

The control and goal-oriented stability that characterized my earlier years before 2001, seem matched in degree to the upheaval and transformation of the the years that have followed.  If there is one thing that has been steady "post 2001", it has been Life pushing me to let go of my own ideas about myself.   At first, I envied, those I thought "had it all together":  Long term marriages where the couples raised their children in a single household.  Healthy people, without my particular issues.  My friends who are now seasoned, experienced and confident in careers they've had for 20 years.

Lately, there has been another shift for me.  Yes, I am beginning my 50th year, and on my own.  I am in a profession that I know little about.  I have health issues that demand my close attention to how I live and care for myself.  I realize now, that my particular path - the twisting, turning, rugged one, has been a beautiful life full of self discovery and interior adventures.  Letting go of who I have "thought I was" to just be the person I am meant to be, is a holy journey for me.  It is the only way I stay sane.  At times I am just empty, and at a loss.  I feel like a lump of clay, unformed and unfinished, wondering,  "Who am I?  What is next?"  "How do I do this?"  But then I open my mind to listen to my spirit.  This is my essence, my inner guide in this life.  For I am and must be, both the sculptor and the clay.  And then... I begin again.

...NOW ABOUT BEADS...

LABOR DAY SALE  - ONE DAY ONLY

15% off all Toho Permanents and Miyuki Duracoats - 

(all colors beginning with P or D - this includes the new and lovely PF and DF colors)

BOHEMIAN WRAP BRACELET - ROUND 2

SAT 10/5 10AM-NOON

Monday's Labor Day free class filled within 3 hours of my posting.    Monday 9/2 at 2:00 I will start accepting registration for "round 2" which is a repeat of the class at the date above.  Pay $10 to register and get a $10 gift card at the class. Since I am selling you the class, I do have to pay tax to the state...so you will too. Still, 70 cents is a good deal.  I have handouts on the technique, which I will give to you.  Thanks to Bonnie Vigil, for directing me to that online resource.  

CLASS CANCELLATIONS

Margo's Floral Fantasy (9/21, 28, and 10/5) and 
Wendy's Diamondback Pendant (9/3) 

due to lack of enrollment

NEW CLASS

Intro to Kumihimo with Wendy Speare Sat, 9/21 10-noon, $25

STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATION...

Hollywood Sparkle by Julia Hecht
Inspired by Laura McCabe
my long-time inspiration

Hollywood Sparkle with Julia (me) on 3 Monday evenings

9/9, 9/16, and 9/23 -  6-9 PM $75

Peyote Premiere with June Malone - 2 Tuesday evenings
9/10 and 9/17 - $55

RARE VINTAGE TINY STRIPED BEADS

Very rare and very tiny next to a Japanese 15/0

These are very unique, very tiny, and of very limited supply.  
I brought them back from New York City on my last trip. 
They are now tubed in very affordable quantities. 
Larger quantities are available on request. 
When they are gone they're gone.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

We are overflowing with books on beadwork and wire work.  

There are great new titles and old classics.  

Melinda Barta's DVD on beaded clasps. 

Marcia DeCoster's Beads in Motion.  

Come see our "Lark Books" section and all the great books we've got.  Get Inspired!  

THE NEW BEAD AND BUTTON IS HERE

Featuring a cool "Bead Stud" bracelet by Maggie Rorschyk. 
Yes, we do have bead studs available for purchase
to create Maggie's hip and trendy design!

PERLEN POESIE TO SHIP ON 9/6

If you ordered issues 17 and 18 in advance, I'll have one for you.
If you missed this great opportunity, don't fret.
I will be taking orders for the winter issue sometime in the fall.
I'll be posting when the Fall issue arrives and again when 
it is time to order issue 19.  
It will be possible to order back issues.  

I do ship for an additional charge. 

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Catching Up

Greetings Beady Friends.... It has been a while since my last post and even longer since my last email to my customers.  Thanks to those who were concerned about me. I have been fine but overly busy.  Wendy and I have been training June, our newest addition to the Poppyfield team.  Now that June is working independently I can get back to blogging and emailing to keep you all up to date about what's new at the shop.  

Margo's Rivoli Roundel

Right now we have a bunch of new learning opportunities.  Just up ahead is Margo's new Rivoli Roundels Necklace.  It is beautiful and unique and uses 3 rivolis that are just gorgeously embellished.  As I mentioned in the email, I had been blocked from sending the large customer emails - there are just so many of you now (YAY!!).  Although we did a little target email to Margo's past students, some of you may have been left out.  I apologize.  I am HAPPY to report that there are still available places in the class.  It is coming up soon... 3 Mondays:  Nov 12, 19, 26 6-9 PM $75.  It isn't too late... Call the shop or come by ASAP to register.  

Free Wire Classes 

A Little Romance

Just in time for you to make your holiday gifts.  Saturday, Nov 17th 10 AM - noon, I will be teaching A Little Romance - Chandelier Earrings.  This class is free, and I will have kits available for purchase.  Stay tuned for kit colors and prices.  

Saturday, December 1st 10 AM - noon another free wire class is planned.  So save the date!  I will be unveiling the design soon.  Stay tuned.  

Painted Roses

From Vintage to Modern -  COLORING METAL

Vintage brass does not mean dull and boring.  Vintaj Patina Pigments make it possible to permanently color oxidized brass.  No messy or toxic chemicals needed.  It is a simple as painting!  I have worked out a simple 3 step technique for creating these beautiful PAINTED ROSES.  We will have our first metal painting class on Saturday, December 1st  from  3-5 PM.  I will provide all materials and walk you through the process.  Everyone painted as a kid.  Bring that spirit back in this FUN class.  You will be able to complete a rose pendant in the class.  Class size will be limited to 6 students.  Don't miss out.  $40 including materials.  

Make your own gifts with our new findings (seen here)

Poppy Gallery

We are expanding our finished-work gallery for the gift giving season.  We now have silk scarves from local artist Bishop at Brave and Crazy Designs.  If you like extra sparkle, check out our crystal jewelry from Desert Gems, imported from Israel.  New felt bags from Nepal will be here soon.  We will continue to expand throughout the holiday season. Come and see how we blossom.  All finished work is returnable.  

Reaching Out

Now we are back on track with the emails.  I am working with a marketing company that offers mass emailing.  I am crafting the appearance and text of each email.  Please do let me know if you like them or want other info included.  The emails are my way to reach out to you, so help me to do it in a way that works for you.  

Customer Kudos - How Exciting

Jessica Dowell won a Gold Medal for Fire Mountain Gems seed bead jewelry contest in 2011.  Check out the back cover of the current issue of Beadwork to see her fabulous work of art.  

Bonnie Vigil has a design in the gallery section of Jill Wiseman's book on Beaded Ropes from Lark Books. We have this book in stock  - and it looks chock full of designs you'll want to try.  

Two of my own designs have been chosen for Bead and Button Magazine this summer. 

Let me know if you have work published and I'll post it here and brag for you.   

Hope To See You Soon

Peace and Beads 

Julia

Birthdays and Butterflies

My cake with 48 candles!

Birthday Butterfly by Julia Hecht

Today's Drop Everything and Twist Free Wire Class from 1-2 PM is ON! Just hatched my Birthday Butterfly - see pic. She's cuter than the photo. Trust me.

This sweet creature is made of 18 ga wire, and 2 colors of 26 ga colored wire (about 18" each color). 24 crystal bicones (2.5 mm) in 2 colors, and an accent dangle that uses one glass flower and a 4 mm bicone.

Tools you will need are: round nose, chain nose, and nylon jaw pliers, and jump ring mandrel. We are hardening by hammering so a chasing hammer and bench block are recommended - Remember, I cannot lend tools (sorry!) So either bring or plan to buy.

All materials are available at Poppyfield.

Open Beading Tuesdays 2-4 PM.

I am available to help you with your projects or beading "problems".

Margo's Ornamental Poppy Necklace October 17th and 24th has 3 places left. Don't miss out.!!

Margo's Watch YOur Step Bracelet is this Saturday from 1-4. Another Margo Classic you can do up in many variations.

New Poppy Products Available

27 mm Swarovski Rivolis - Margo is planning an Ornamental Poppy Supplement with these to create a giant 10 petaled Poppy!

8 mm Swarovski Faceted Rounds

Our Czech Fire Polish and Pressed Glass is Growing - Come see

8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mmm Fire Polish now hanging for your perusal and purchase!

Hope to see you soon.

Mood Changers

Wheels of Alchemy Earrings by Julia Hecht

One reason I LOVE beads, and have from the start, is that they are mood changers for me. If I am having a rough day (or year), and I have the blessing of some bead-time, things start looking up. I pick my colors, settle down with a bead mat, and spill out the little piles I need to get going. I take a deep breath in and gaze at those little puddles of glistening colors. By the time I exhale, I am already starting to feel better. Thirty minutes of peyote and I am in a trance. Ain't nothing like it. As a project grows, or a little speedy creation is completed I feel truly blessed with the ability to create something beautiful. From the first day I put 2 beads together, it was a healing experience for me.

Last week I had a rough morning. I spent the afternoon at Poppyfield making some "wheels" of color with wire and beads while Solange ran the register. I was inspired by a more complex project in Rachel Nelson's Seed Bead Fusion book. One of my customers was working Rachel's Shiloh Necklace in the studio during OPEN BEADING. I liked the idea of wrapping wire loops with beads both on the outside and inside. But even more so, I wanted bright color - lots of it. Some of you may have seen the necklace that was born. By the time I was done, my mood had lightened and my problems seemed further away. Beading is a kind of mood alchemy.

Someday the Wheels of Alchemy Necklace will evolve into a wire work class - a full-fledged, register, pay and get instructions, kind. But for now -- you can get the FREE earring version of "Wheels of Alchemy" during Drop Everything and Twist, TOMORROW (Tuesday) from 1-2. The free DRAT class includes on the spot teaching with me - you can take your own notes, as there are no instructions. You also do not need to register or pay... just show up at Poppyfield.

You will need the following tools: Round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, nylon jaw pliers, and flush cutters. We will harden our wire wheels by hammering them, and so you will need a bench block and a chasing hammer. I do have those available for sale - bring your own if you have them. I do NOT have tools to lend. Please make arrangements to bring tools or buy them at the shop.

There is no materials kit this week. But many of you will already have most of the supplies, if not all. You will need between 25 and 40-4 mm bicone crystals ( I used Sun AB), and the same number of size 8 seed beads (I used 638 - my all time fav color), 2- 6 mm beads (I used Sun bicones). The hoops are made of 18 ga wire ( 18" to 2 feet includes room for mistakes), and the wrapping is with 26 ga - and I used Artistic Wire Plum (one wingspan per earring). Of course EVERYTHING IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT POPPYFIELD. I do admit to being out of nylon jaw pliers because their absolute coolness (as erasers) has been discovered by all my wire students. More are on their way.

Other Poppy News

Crystal and Brick Revival Earrings by Julia Hecht

The Crystal and Brick Revival Earrings Class was a blast. I've seen some gorgeous fringe earrings bopping around the store. This class is open for registration for Saturday, October 1st for $25. I may even wear bell bottoms to teach. I am in the process of making a special 60's and 70's sound track for the occasion.

Fan Dance Necklace by Margo Field

Margo's Saturday class of the Fan Dance Necklace is now entering the home stretch. It has met twice and the fans are multiplying. Last week students worked on the neck strap. It is a treat for me to see all the color choices. The Monday series of the class is open for registration. It meets September 12th, 19th, and 26th from 6-9. This necklace looks great on any neck. Don't miss out!

Watch Your Step Bracelet by Margo Field

Margo's Watch Your Step Bracelet is back by popular demand and open for registration for September 24th from 1-4. There are so many ways to do up this one. I've got several on display at Poppyfield. Stop by and check them out.

Tropical Bauble by Diane Fitzgerald

The Tropical Bauble class with Diane Fitzgerald is going to sell out any day now. There are only a few places left. Call with a credit card to secure your place. If you are undecided, come in and see it "live". It looks better in real life. The resin bead and 2.5 mm bicones are on their way. Yes, it is true. I will have 2.5 mm Swarovski bicones in several colors. First served are those who've signed up for the class.

New Poppy Products

I now have Fireline in 8 lb and 10 lb in all three colors: Smoke, Crystal, and Flame Green.