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!

Have A Heart

The Modern Heart Necklace by Julia Hecht

I'm glad to be blogging this afternoon. I've been coping with a health problem that has kept me out of the shop and at home. Most days I have not been able to bead. However, I am happy to report that I am starting to regain my strength. It has been a slow process - everyday focused on doing what I need to take care of myself and recover. I am also happy to report that on the days that I could bead, I did. With Valentine's Day looming ahead, I had my heart set on a heart - specifically a contemporary 3-D puffed heart. After much trial and error I have The Modern Heart Necklace. This sleek, sculptural heart is made using delica beads and herringbone, peyote, and brick stitches. It measures just under one and half inches long and wide and is stuffed to puff up half an inch. Some of you may recognize that buried in that heart are teardrops from Diane Fitzgerald's book Shaped Beadwork. But isn't that fitting? The rope is done in tubular herringbone with built-in beads to add texture, color, and dimension. I had planned to have the class ready before Valentine's Day, but alas...the reality of my situation is that I will teach this class in the near future. But I can't set a date today. I will wait til I've really regained my health before I set up the class. I also want to do a few other versions - same heart with different graphics and colors, so you can be inspired by a design that reflects your passion.

INTRODUCING.....KUMIHIMO at Poppyfield

We now have a wonderful array of supplies for Kumihimo (Ancient Japanese Braiding) including a 6 inch foam braiding disk, 3 mm satin rattail and S lon cord in a variety of colors, 6 new styles of bead caps, and 2 books on the subject. The books retail at $21.95, but I am selling them for $15.50 - to help you get started. There are so many ways to combine beads and kumihimo. You can add beads after you've made your braid by sewing them onto the braid, or you can incorporate them in the braid as you go. The books outline everything step by step. You can teach yourself, or stay tuned for an upcoming class. Look for Kumihimo books and supplies in our Fiber department.

New Seed Bead Colors

We've got a bunch of brand new colors in size 11 seed beads. Stop in and check 'em out for yourself.

Upcoming Classes

Giant Poppy Ensemble with Margo Field, 2 Saturdays: 1/14 and 1/21, 1-4 PM, $40

(Prerequisite: Ornamental Poppy)

Herringbone Weave Bracelet with Julia Hecht, Monday 1/16 6-9PM, or

Saturday 1/28, 1-4 PM, $25 (Beginners Welcome)

The Modern Heart Necklace: TBA

Click on the "Classes and Shows" page at the top of your screen for pics and more details about the classes.

Update on Open Beading and Free Wire Classes

At this time I am not teaching free wire classes. I hope to resume when my health allows. STUDIO POPPY, features cushioned chairs, great music, and a smoke-free, friendly environment. Come bead or twist at your leisure, bring friends or meet new friends. The studio is open for walk-in beading as long as there is no class in session. When my health allows I will again be available to help you with your beading and wire projects on Tuesday afternoons.

OPEN BEADING in STUDIO POPPY!!

Saturday May 28th

12:30-4:30

Studio Poppy at Poppyfield Bead Company

Don't spend the holiday weekend alone! Come bead with friends - new and old.

Bring your latest project or start something new.

Meet other beaders.

Just show up!

Table lamps and bead mats provided.

Milestones

Everyday at Poppyfield brings growth. This past week was marked by our inaugural class, The Poppyfield Chain, on Monday evening. Eleven students registered. Several were brand new, and had never ever stitched seed beads! It felt historic, with Bead Master Margo Field leading an intro class in Studio Poppy, our brand new classroom / beading studio. By the second hour, the newbies were beaming as their little floral chains grew by the work of their own hands. On Thursday, 3 of the students were back in the store discussing their projects. Eli, my 12 year old son, was just completing his own Poppyfield Chain and joined in the fun, comparing color ways and accent beads.

Studio Poppy at Poppyfield Bead Company

Margo's instructions are EXCELLENT, as usual and easy to follow, even without the live class. The Poppyfield Chain instructions are available at the store for $25. I've made up mixes of accent beads for easy and affordable shopping for this project.

Pressed Glass Flowers in Unique and Affordable Mixes

PRODUCT UPDATE

Notice the delica display in the above photo. I have 224 delica colors NOW available, but that is just the beginning. A second display with just as many colors will be out soon.

Delica Teaser - Don't You Want To See Them ALL???

Clasps Galore now available - A variety of toggles, multi-strand sliding clasps (from 3- 5 strand capability), and snap clasps are ready for purchase.

CLASS UPDATE

Registration is open for Renaissance Rose, Keep It Simple Loom Bracelet, and Phoenix Phlower. Check the Classes and Shows Page on this site for photos and class schedule.

POPPY REMINDERS

• Monday is late nite - we are open from 2 - 8 pm. Come relax and peruse the beads after work - or even after dinner.
• Class instructions are available for purchase after the first class meets.
• Open beading in Studio Poppy during store hours (except during classes)
• Now accepting Visa and Mastercard
• Wheelchair accessible parking and interior