Hoop La La!!

DROP EVERYTHING!!!! Tuesday 10/4, 1:00-2:00

Tomorrow's DRop everything And Twist (DRAT) FREE wire class will be these sparkling filigree-ish hoops. They are so "ooh la la" fabulous. I will teach wire wrapping and weaving and crystal embellishment. They also include a simple loop and spiral in the design. It is a great way to build your wire skills so you can follow magazine and book projects and take more advanced wire classes down the road. Check the end of the post for the materials. No need to register. Just show up!

Hoop La La Earrings by Julia Hecht (2 color ways shown)

Some of you have seen my wire and crystal bezel for rivolis that I am currently developing. These earrings are based on the bail design for that project. So, if you take this free class, you will be building your skills for an upcoming elaborate design class that I will be offering soon. Plus, it is a bit of a sneak preview.

Drop Everything!!!!! Monday 10/10, 6:00-8:00 PM

Firecracker Ring by Julia Hecht - Kit Available

Birthday Butterfly Pendant

Next Monday evening (10/10) Poppyfield will host a free wire class in the evening. I will teach the Fire Cracker Ring and the Birthday Butterfly, in that order. Click on the project name for more details about each. I will have ring kits available with everything you need to make one ring for $8.50. The class itself is free. No need to register. Just show up! The materials for these classes will be listed at the end of this post.

CLASS UPDATES

Seed of Compassion Necklace by Julia Hecht

Seed of Compassion by Julia Hecht

Advanced Beginner Wire and Bead Fusion Class

2 Saturdays: 10/22 and 10/29, 1-4 PM, $40.

Moorish Tile Beaded Beads

Moorish Tile Beaded Beads by Diane Fitzgerald (Guest Bead Master from MN)

Intermediate Seed Bead

One day workshop: Saturday 11/5, 10-4:30, $85

Tropical Bauble by Diane Fitzgerald

Tropical Bauble Pendant by Diane Fitzgerald (Guest Bead Master from MN)

Intermediate Seed Bead

One day workshop: Sunday 11/6, 10-4:30, $85

Pre- class homework - you can start this project the day you register!

Ornamental Poppy Trilogy by Margo Field

Ornamental Poppy by Margo Field

Intermediate Seed Bead Class

Registration open for Saturday class: 11/12 and 11/19, 1-4 PM, $40.

PRODUCT UPDATE!

Now In Stock and Ready for Your Enjoyment!

• Size 15 Galvanized Seed Beads in 6 Colors (Tooo Gorgeous!) - Perfect for Margo's Ornamental Poppy
• 27 mm Swarovski Rivolis in 8 colors: Crystal AB, Fuschia, Aquamarine, Peacock Eye, Montana, Chyrsolite, Summer Blush, and Emerald - Get 'em while they last!
• Candy Corn and Skulls Handmade Glass Charms (limited supply) - $1.50 and up.

POPPY REMINDERS

Mondays are Late Nite at Poppyfield - We are open until 8:00 PM

Tuesdays are Open Beading 2-4 PM - Come Bead With Us! Help with any bead or wire project.

Supplies List for DRAT Free Wire

Hoop La La Earrings: 18 ga wire - 10.5", 26 ga wire - 30", 2.5 mm Swarovski crystals (30 or more depending on hoop size), 2 earring wires. Tools needed (please bring or plan to buy - we can't rent or lend -sorry): Round nose, chain/flat nose and nylon jaw pliers, flush cutters, jump ring mandrel is helpful.

Birthday Butterfly: 18 ga wire - 24", 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: 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.

Firecracker Ring: Ring base with single loop, 22 ga wire -36", 6mm bicone crystals - 10, size 11 seed beads, 1-2 grams, one glass teardrop bead - hole top to bottom.

Tools: round nose, chain nose and nylon jaw pliers.

Hope to see you soon!

Come Twist With Us!

Come learn basic wire skills for FREE at Poppyfield. I am offering a free wire intro during Open Beading this Tuesday, July 26th 1-2 PM. I will pass on the techniques and tips that I learned from wire masters who've taught me. I will teach wrapped loops and spirals which are the basis for all other wire designs. You will be able to approach wire designs in books and magazines with a solid foundation. Get ready for the Almost Infinity Bracelet Class in September.

For Tuesday's class, you will need nylon jaws pliers, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, and flush cutters. Bring your own tools and wire, or purchase what you need at Poppyfield. I currently have everything in stock. I recommend a copper based wire between 18 - 22 gauge.

NEW CLASS - ALMOST INFINITY BRACELET

Almost Infinity Bracelet by Julia Hecht

Learn wire weaving with and without beads to make this unique bracelet. Students will learn to use the jump ring mandrel, and 26 gauge wire to create these original links. Connect them and add a handmade clasp for a 100% handmade bracelet. Stop by Poppyfield to see this bracelet in person.

2 Saturdays - September 10th and 17th, 1-4 PM $40.oo

CLASS UPDATE

Mexican Fan Earrings Class with Julia - soon to sell out

Mexican Fan Earrings by Julia Hecht

A few places are left in Saturday's class. Use delica beads to create a bezel around a large bead and then embellish with crystals. You create a beautiful pair of earrings. PLUS - It is the jumping off point for more complex versions which I will demonstrate in class.

Margo's Fan Dance Class in August (3 Saturdays) is filling up and will likely sell out. If you are interested, now is the time to grab your place. There is also a Monday evening class in September. Check the classes page details, or stop by the store to see the real deal on display.

Crystal and Brick Revival Earrings with Julia (me) is still open for registration - Monday Aug 15th 6-9 PM

Update on Workshops with Guest Bead Master Diane Fitzgerald

Gingko Leaf Necklace - SOLD OUT

Diane's other 2 classes - Tropical Bauble and Moorish Tile Beaded Beads are filling and are likely to sell out.

All classes can be found on the Classes and Shows page - with pics, detailed descriptions, dates and cost. You can register for all classes in person at the store, or call during store hours with a credit card. Payment holds your place.

JUST IN - ONE G THREAD BY TOHO

I am now carrying this new popular thread by Toho. It is a less expensive alternative to fireline- that doesn't snag and fray like nymo and is more fluid than fireline. It comes in 50 yard bobbins - I have black and white and a variety package of all the colors. Try it! Why spend on thread what you really want to spend on BEADS!

Thank you Dana A. for encouraging me to carry it.

REMEMBER

OPEN BEADING - TUESDAYS 1-4

LEARN TO TWIST WIRE, BEAD WITH FRIENDS, OR GET HELP FROM JULIA

LOOK FORWARD TO MONDAYS!

IT IS LATE NITE AT POPPYFIELD

OPEN EVERY MONDAY EVENING TIL 8:00 PM

A Twisted Christmas

Greetings Beady Friends! I've been working on Poppyfield's wire "department". Terri, one of my past students, asked if I will carry wire. YES! I love wire, and envision wire work classes and projects. I am mostly self taught. However, I did have the fantabulous experience of taking a 2 day class with Lisa Niven Kelly and Laura McCabe together. They taught their award winning "Celebration" necklace at Bead and Button a few years back. I flew all the way to Wisconsin for just that 2 day class. Lisa taught the wire portion, and it was great getting tips from a pro. I also took Kris Silva's coiled bezel class at Beadfest Santa Fe 2 years ago. That was also invaluable in giving me technique and confidence to go forward further with my own exploration.

Which leads me to this recent Christmas...

I was in a bit of a frenzy with the store. So much to do, and how to do it all? I started working on the store non stop as I was having difficulty stopping. Frenzy begets frenzy (if you weren't already aware) and makes me into an unpleasant person. Then Christmas happened. Every company I was dealing with, every store, every body, just shut down for the holiday. I was forced to rest. It isn't even my holiday - but it was a bit of a miracle for me. I started "making stuff" again. I hadn't made a thing since Margo announced she was closing Poppyfield.

I opened my wire drawer and pulled out my base metal stash- nickel and copper. Base metal is inexpensive, looks good, and guilt free for experimenting. I looked through some old magazines and books and came up with 2 new designs. The first is a Valentine inspired heart with crystals in fuschia and a white pearl dangle. The second is more complex and my first try at weaving since the class with Kris. It uses sterling silver beads, a chalcedony top drilled briolette, and glass drops. Both were done with just pliers and fingertips.

A Little Romance - Wire Wrapped Heart by Julia Hecht

Good Tears Pendant by Julia Hecht

When everyone rebooted on Monday I was rejuvenated and ready to go. I was also calmer, thinking more clearly, and probably more pleasant to be around. It was a powerful lesson about balance, and taking breaks.

Now...off to work to finish my wire "department" inventory order: pliers and cutters, jigs, and Artisitic Wire (colored copper wire gauges 16 - 32). Yay!!

Knitting With Artistic Wire