Delicas, Daggers, and Dangles - OH MY!

Delicas-Daggers-Dangles "Triple D Earrings"
by Julia Hecht

Just as I am drawn to the Wizard of Oz, which I've seen so many times, I can't resist another twist of this classic and timeless earring design.  This stunning version uses Delicas, Swarovski crystal bicones, and long Czech daggers.  I'll be teaching it twice - on Monday, July 30th 6-9 PM and Saturday, August 25th, 1-4 PM. For seasoned beaders who like dangles, it is some fun, instant gratification. At the same time it is also suitable for new beaders, as the techniques are not complicated.  This is my Independence Day color way.  I've already done another one with double AB bicones that can't be beat.  Delicious.  Come by the store to check them out in person.  They'll be on display or on my ears.  I just love 'em. 

Welcome Wendy

Wendy is our newest addition to the Poppyfield Family.  Wendy has switched from silversmithing to seed beads and from computer programming to working in a bead store.  We are very happy to have her as our new sales assistant.  She's been busy learning beading and Kumihimo techniques and everything there is to know about our products.   Please don't hesitate to say hi and introduce yourself to Wendy.  

Poppy Classes

Several  classes are open for registration.  Kumi Bangles on July 9th, Fun with Filigrees - Cold connections, basic wire, and riveting on July 16th, Triple D Earrings (see above pic) on July 30th, Enchanted Primrose Necklace (advanced seed bead project with Margo Field) on August 4th, 11th and 18th, and Triple D Earrings again on August 25th.   Click on the "Classes and Shows" Page on this blog for more details.  You can register over the phone with a credit card, or come by the store.  Your payment holds your place.  

New Poppy Products

While I was away on vacation, Solange and Wendy were busy getting our  new products out on the floor for you.  We've got the Design and Go JR portable beading surface - which was requested specifically by some of our customers.  

Come see our expanding inventory of 3.4 mm drops and 4 x 7 mm long magatamas. I've got small affordable quantities of some of the most beautiful matte metallics,  and AB finishes.  These are great in micro macrame and kumihimo designs (not to mention seed bead projects). 

New Czech fire polish (3, 4 and 6 mm) are out - including matte iris finishes and lustres.  

New brass filigree

Coming Soon

New chain, Czech rondelles, tinier beads (not yet here, but soon), beginner micro macrame classes

Hope to see you soon!

Its A Small Beady World

The Cube Queen Visits

Virginia Jensen, The Cube Queen

Yesterday,  a browsing customer remarked that I don't carry 2 mm cube beads.  I happen to be very proud of my cube inventory and thought to myself indignantly,  "Who does she think she is...The Cube Queen"???   It turns out it was Virginia Jensen, the author of the new book on beading with cubes, Contemporary Cube Bead Designs.  I have dubbed her The Cube Queen and she happily autographed her books that I have in stock.  We chatted about cubes and other things.  She was visiting from Grand Junction, CO, where she lives.  We discovered that my son and her granddaughter are in school together and know each other.   Small beady world, isn't it?  

My mom had already tested Virginia's book on her last visit to New Mexico and gave it a thumbs up. She remarked that "the instructions are very clear and easy to follow".  She thoroughly enjoyed making her bracelet.  It worked up quickly and is beautiful.  It will be on display at Poppyfield soon.  Come get an autographed book and some cubes and work up your own.  


I hope Virginia will come teach at Poppyfield one day.  If she does, I may even start carrying 2mm cubes.

HYBRIDS ARE HERE!!!!

Some of my customers who are on the cutting edge of bead products asked me about Hybrid beads.  HUH???  Again, it's a small beady world.  In this age of global exchange, Japanese bead company TOHO and Czech bead makers have collaborated to bring us the best of both worlds:  mixed breed beads - commonly termed hybrids.   These seed beads have the best of Japanese seeds - high quality, uniform size and shape, and large holes, with the unique finishes of Czech fire polish beads. The are marbled, lustrous, and sometimes metallic,  and have finishes that are called Apollo, Picasso, and Vega.  I have 25 new hybrids out.  I am starting with size 11's and 3mm Magatamas.  These will look great in your seed beads designs.  Try the magatamas in Kumihimo braids.  Ask us where and we'll show you these new additions.  More colors, shapes and sizes will be forthcoming.  

A sample of the unique, new "hybrid" beads

FREE DEMO - METAL STAMPING!!

Memorial Day 1:00- I will conduct an hour long free demo to illustrate the basics of metal stamping - (see the Moth and Moon on the previous post).  It is a great, fun, creative way to personalize your creations.  The store will open at 2:00 for shopping.  Poppyfield will be open our regular hours over the holiday weekend.    

Change of Plans

We have 2 upcoming Kumihimo classes open for registration through the Bead Society.
Intro to Kumihimo is on June 4th 6-9PM.  The class is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. 
I have had to change the date for the 2nd class, Kumi Bangles. It will be July 9th (Monday evening) from 6-9 PM.  Also $20/$25.  Call or come by Poppyfield to register.  Bead Society members may also register on the Society's web page.  

More Poppyfield Classes

Fun With Filagrees  with Julia Hecht, July 16th 6-9 PM - Design and Cold Connections, Basic wire and Riveting. All levels  $35
Enchanted Primrose with Margo Field - Intricate Seed Bead Necklace.  Intermediate to Advanced Level only. 3 Mondays:  June 18th, 25th, and July 2nd 6-9 PM or 3 Saturdays, August 4th, 11th, 18th, 1-4 PM, $75.

New Poppy Products

New TILA Bead Colors - yellows, pale greens, oranges, - Perfect for spring and summer
New Swarovski Bicones in Double AB's - Siam 2 AB, Jet 2AB, Amethyst 2AB, and more
Kumihimo Endcaps - Bullet Style now in Copper and Gold Plate sizes 4mm-8mm
Kumihimo Tubular Bails in Silver, Gold and Copper.  
New Swarovski Crystal Pearl Colors: Lavender, Brown, Rose Peach (toooo gorgeous)

Coming Soon

Beadsmith's Bead 'n Go Junior (The new small sized fold up bead mat and tray)
Tinier seed beads - More on these when they arrive  

Much To Tell

Lots of Mexican Fan Earrings

There's a lot to catch you up on about the goings on at Poppyfield Bead Company.

Holiday Weekend Schedule

Poppyfield Bead Company WILL BE OPEN our regular hours over the holiday weekend. Friday 12-5:30, Saturday 12-4:30, and Monday 2-8 PM. Saturday is open beading from 12:30-4:30. Click here for more info about Open Beading. Monday evening is the RAW Bon Bon class at 6:00 PM. It is SOLD OUT. BUT.... there is already another class scheduled for Saturday, July 23rd 1-4. Don't miss out.

RIVOLIS ARE HERE

My "emergency" order of over 20 different Swarovski 14mm rivolis arrived today. There are some new colors such as Ultra Pink AB, Emerald Glacier Blue, Purple Haze, and also tried and true favs like Light Siam, Aquamarine, and Volcano and Sahara. Prices start as low as $1.65. If you are taking the RAW Bon Bons class Monday night with Margo and want to do the rivoli version, rest easy. I've got 'em!

DROPS AND LONG MAGATAMAS

I've got them in now, and hanging on the wall. There are over 26 colors of Japanese 3.4 mm Drops from Miyuki. They are used in the Mixed Media Medallion class (6/20) and are a great embellishment item, in general. I've got some gorgeous Long Magatamas now also - these can be seen in the bangle bracelet in one of the recent bead magazines (oops I can't remember which).

New Book: Handcrafted Wire Findings

This brand new book is great for beginners with wire who want to make their own findings. I can tell you from experience, it's great to be able to complete a project with a "just right" clasp that you make at home. It has been on back order and just came in today.

CLASS UPDATE

NEW CLASS: MEXICAN FAN EARRINGS with Julia Hecht (me)

Monday July 18th 6-9 OR Saturday, July 30th 1-4 $25

Mexican Fans by Julia Hecht

This is a one session class where you will learn to make a bezel and crystal embellishment for a large fire polish bead. I am about to try a giant pearl version. Stay tuned for pics of the pearl one.

There are still places available in the following classes:

• Phoenix Phlower with Margo Field: 6/4, 6/11, 6/18
• Milagro Chain Intro to Wirework with Susan Skinner: 6/13
• Mixed Media Medallion with Julia Hecht (me): 6/20
• Raw Bon Bons with Margo Field: 7/23

Check the classes page for details.

SAVE THE DATE: DIANE FITZGERALD AT POPPYFIELD

NOV 4-6, 2011

Bead Master Diane Fitzgerald is booked for 3 days of workshops at Studio Poppy. She and I are in discussion about which classes she will teach. Please let me know if you would be interested in her gingko leaf necklace. It sells out every year (for the last 12) at Bead and Button. Yet I know some of you have already done it. Click here for pic and info about the Gingko Leaf project.

Peace and Beads, y'all!