Holiday Lights

Holiday Lights Earrings by Julia Hecht

Who doesn't love the holiday lights that decorate the neighborhood this time of year?  They inspire my new design for Saturday's FREE WIRE CLASS.  This class will focus on wrapped loops for top drilled drops.  The technique builds on the basic wrapped loop which we covered during the last class.  It is helpful if you already know how to do a wrapped loop.  But all levels are welcome, including brand new beginners.  There will be a kit for all the metal components seen here:  sprockets, chain, jump rings,  brass wire and French earring wires.  The kit is $12, AND you get a $5 gift certificate with your kit that you can use towards anything in the store.  You buy your beads separately so that you can design your own color way.  You can even put together your own metal kit by choosing items a la carte.  I've got lots of filigrees, chain, and other components in other metals.   So don't feel confined to what I've used here.  Class is from 10:00-noon.  First come first served.  If you want a kit please call to purchase in advance, so we can get it made up for you.  If you a buy a kit, you are guaranteed a spot.  Click here for list of tools you will need.  The last free class was a great success.  (There are still a couple of kits left that can be purchased).  We had a lot of fun and everyone left happy.  Don't miss out this week! 

Other holiday items are now in stock.  We have metal and glass charms in Santas, snowmen, wreaths, trees, and more.  These are silver-plated with hand enameling. Some, like the tree have Swarovski elements.  Use them for a charm bracelet, earrings, or wear as a single pendant.  Mix with our other holiday charms.  

Spike Revival

I have a great supply of baby spikes these days...and we are busy getting them out on display.  The old favorites like Magic Blueberry and Cranberry Agate AB are back. Plus there are some GORGEOUS new ones like teal vitrail, turquoise, bronze iris, and more!!  Larger spike beads are still in stock as well.  Come Czech us out!

New 15/0 Czech Charlotte Colors

We 've now got an Apollo finish and a purple iris in the tiniest beads.  We are also carrying real gold, copper, nickel, and some metallic "look alikes".  

For All Your Holiday Needs:  

Think Poppyfield for gifts to make or buy!

OH, and please do check my previous post for some important information I've wanted to share with you.  

Hope to see you soon!

Milestones

Sue's Luz del Alma Pendants

Since my last post, we've had a few milestones here at Poppyfield Bead Co.  Yesterday I completed my first ever 9 hour class, the Luz del Alma or Light of the Soul Necklace.  I know I spent more time creating the instructions, than I did beading the necklace.  It is 9 pages and 43 diagrams / photos.  I will be sending off the work to Bead and Button, and we'll see if they want to publish it.  I am very proud of the unique bezel and use of spikes to create a radiant frame for the 27 mm Swarovski rivoli.  Even if it never makes it into a magazine, I am thoroughly happy with it.  Again, I was amazed by the creative color combinations that my customers put together.  Sue Weix made 3 of the focal pendants between weeks 2 and 3.  Look how beautiful!  Instructions will be available for sale sometime next month.  Call, come by or email.  Another session is beginning this month on Oct 22nd. It will meet three consecutive Saturdays from 1-4 PM.

Wendy's Blooming Braid Rope with my Flower Power Medallion

Wendy taught her first bead classes this month.  First, an Introduction to Kumihimo, and then her mystifying pattern:  Blooming Braids - the beaded kumihimo rope with beaded flowers braided right into the rope.  Blooming braids was so popular that we are having another class on Saturday, November 3rd from 1-4 PM ($35).  If you are interested in this class, please get some beaded kumihimo skills, beforehand.    You can purchase a kumi book, or my Kumi Bangles Bracelet instructions for some beaded rope practice.  

Our new sales assistant, June Malone, has started working.  She  is busy meeting customers and learning the ropes of running the store.  Come on in and say hi to June.  She is a fabulous bead artist (who loves working with delicas).  You can look forward to some new classes with June, as soon as she settles in.  

New Poppy Products

Speaking of delicas - we have a big shipment of size 10 delicas arriving this week.  We've got other new products including silver plated kumihimo bails in a number of sizes, lentil beads, new books, and silk ribbons in beautiful bright colors.  I have a growing selection of Miyuki galvanized duracoat beads in size 11's and 15's.  They are just gorgeous.  Margo saw them on one of her teaching trips and recommended them. I also have Miyuki project kits for sale. They are very affordable and include instructions in English and all beads and supplies needed.  

Instructions for the Flower Power Medallion are available for $12 ($10 for PDF version).  Call, come by or email for this super duo and pearl creation.

Upcoming Events and Classes

Albuquerque Wire Twisters - Wirework meet-up -  Tues, 10/9 1-3 PM, Free and open to all

Sylvia Abeyta is organizing a new group for those interested in learning or improving their wirework, or just "twisting" in friendly company.   Brand new beginners welcome.  

Magic Carpet Bracelet - Tues 10/16 6-9 PM, $35

Luz del Alma Necklace - Saturdays: 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 1-4 PM, $75

Blooming Braids - Saturday 11/ 3, 1-4 PM, $35

 Do you have jewelry you no longer want?  Broken jewelry?  

Many of you know that I was a pediatrician for many years here in New Mexico.  I worked with the most vulnerable children and families and I saw tremendous need in our community.  Pegasus Legal Services, legal advocates for New Mexico's children is asking for jewelry donations for their fundraising.  This is a non-profit organization that does important work protecting the civil rights of New Mexico's vulnerable children.  

Remember - Monday night is late night - we are open til 8:00 PM

Hope to See You Soon.  Til then... Peace and Beads

Soul's Light Breaks Through

Luz del Alma Necklace
by Julia L. Hecht
photo by Henri Grau

This necklace is the culmination of months of work.  Several months ago, after spending time with Rachel Nelson-Smith's new book Bead Riffs, I decided to conquer my longtime fear of right angle weave (RAW).  After messing around with RAW, I had the idea to use it as a bezel for a 27 mm rivoli.  Simultaneously it would function as the base for spikes coming out of the rivoli - like rays emanating from a source of energy or light.  But, after many attempts,  I ended up with something that just said "wagon wheel".  Not what I was seeking.  I kept altering it, but I just couldn't hit it.  How to bring my vision forth?  When the new spike beads arrived I saw promise in them.  Somehow I felt, they would help me express what was brewing, but stuck, inside me.  After weeks of working with the spikes towards an earring design, I saw how to merge them into my RAW design.
The breakthrough hit.  I sat down at 4:00 PM, and finished it 9 hours later at 1:00 in the morning (minus  a 10 minute bathroom/dinner break).  I never had to back track -it just spilled forth, bead by bead.  In the end, I was tired and stiff, but satisfied.  I am very happy with my "Luz del Alma" Necklace, which translates from Spanish as Light of the Soul.  It is exactly what I had planned months ago, before I ever saw a spike bead.

I am looking forward to teaching this design.  Look for it later this Fall.

Poppy Gallery - Native American Beadwork Exhibit

I  am now showcasing the beautiful seed bead work of 3 of my Native American customers: Paulita Daw (Navajo), Elton Tosa (Jemez Pueblo), and Navada Swan (Northern Paiute).  We have earrings, bracelets, necklaces, barrettes,  rosette hair pins, and even an ID holder.  All the work is for sale and ranges in price from $10 - $95. Jewelry for men and women.  For those curious and inspired by this exhibit, I have several books on Native American Beadwork. They are informative about history as well instructive with projects and ideas.

New Poppy Products

More Delicas are now available.  I have revamped my Delica displays and added a lot more colors.  We  now have over 600 colors of size 11 Delicas available.  I have all the permanent galvanized colors and color numbers through the 1800's.  Come see!  Do you work with Delica's?  Please answer the poll at the top right of this blog.  Your responses will help guide my Delica choices as I continue to expand my Delica selection.

Kits are now available for the Triple D Earrings in 3 color ways.  

Moonlight Passion Color Way

Pink Earth Color Way

 Clicking here will take you to the classes page, where you can see prices.  These kits will be made to order and first come first served for your preferred color way. So, place your order now by calling the store.  At this time they are available only for those registered for the class, and will be provided at the class.  The benefit of a kit is that you receive what you need for the class, plus extra seed beads.  It is much less expensive than buying all the supplies in full strands and tubes.  Students will also receive a supply list with the option to provide their own beads.

More Swarovski Bicones in Double AB - I couldn't  resist Indian Red 2AB, Hyancith 2AB, Siam 2AB, Garnet 2AB, Jet 2AB, Garnet 2AB, Burgundy 2AB, Topaz 2AB, Aqua 2AB, and more.  They are doubly delicious.

If you haven't been in lately, come visit and see what's new.  We are still growing and adding new products all the time.  

Remember Monday Night is Late Night - we are open til 8:00 PM

Hope to see you soon!

Czech Us Out

White and Copper Peacock Daggers

Matte Blue Peacock Daggers

Some wonderful Czech beads are here! Wendy and I have been busy getting them ready for you.  (Solange is on vacation and will be back July 5th). I've got a slew of new daggers including Peacock Daggers.  They look great at the end of fringe and tassels.  They are also artful enough to stand alone as a single embellishment.  Use them in the Triple D Earrings class (July 30th or Aug 25th) or create your own design.

******SPIKE BEADS******

A new bead shape is now on the scene:  SPIKE BEADS -  I have these edgy glass beads in 3 sizes and a number of colors and finishes.  Use some cute tiny spikes to embellish or make a large bead the focus of your design. If you like to try new things or "bead on the edge" come check out our spikes.  I predict these cool beads will be showing up in magazine projects soon.  I hope to spend today experimenting with spikes and size 15 beads.  Life is good!


Tinier Beads Have Arrived!  15/0 Czech Charlottes -  These are the ones that Laura McCabe made a necessity for peyote bezels. They also make beautiful, delicate 3-bead picot embellishments.   Available in Matte Silver, Antique Gold, Antique Gold Iris, and Bright Copper Plate.  Five gram tubes start at $4.50.


Size 12 Tulip beading needles from Japan now available.  Perfect for those tiny charlottes. 


Take your metal components to a new level with "patina" pigments.  You can apply them with sponges or paintbrushes.  Layer and blend them for an endless array of options.  Seal them with glaze.  Pigments and glaze by Ranger.   Find them in our Tools Department.  Mix media and surprise yourself!

Metamorphosis ID Bracelet
Brass Butterfly with "Patina" pigments by Ranger

We just wrapped up the first round of Margo's Enchanted Primrose Necklace class.  It was a jovial bunch.  One of the fun parts about hosting classes is hearing the laughter and happy chatter and seeing new friendships and connections made.  People often say that beading is their therapy. Some classes are just like that too.  Of course, I get to "color cruise" around the room and spy on everyone's color choices.  I never fail to be surprised by what combinations beaders will create and how beautiful they are. Nancy used 465A for her petals of the central flower.  It looked just great with 465C in the rest of the design.  Both are gold-lined and available in small 9 gram tubes.   Margo did one amazing color way in copper and teal (459H).  I can't wait to use those 2 together. 

 There is still room in several classes:  Enchanted Primrose (advanced seed bead) , Triple D Earrings (All levels brick stitch and fringe), Kumi Bangles (Kumihimo with Beads) , and Fun With Filigrees (cold connections wirework and riveting class).  Click on the "Classes and Shows" page on this site for details and pics.  Call with a credit card to hold your place, or visit us in person and Czech Out our new beads.

Hope to see you soon!

Please note that we will be CLOSED for 
Independence Day, July 4th.  

Have a safe and beady holiday.