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Celebrate Old Mexico
Choose Your Colors
Mix and Match Components |
Poppyfield Bead Company celebrated one year since that exciting Sunday in March 2011 when we "softly" opened our door. When I think back to our starting point, I am amazed at how far we have come in just one year. The amount of behind-the-scenes work it took to be able to open the door is indescribable. I set up a retail space, learned retail software, and then went about inputing all the products - thousands and thousands of beads. I had a core group of 3 women working everyday. As I churned out labels, they put them on tubes. The sign arrived with the big red poppy (designed by my Partner-In-Life, Henri). When it went up, my eyes filled with tears. This was really happening. Meanwhile, frustrated and sometimes angry beaders pounded on the door complaining that I had said I'd be open and I wasn't. Would they come back??
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"Our space before we went to work"
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On opening day, the back of the store was not set up. In the front, we were only offering size 11 and 15 seed beads. We had some other beads on the wall, but not inventoried...so we had them cordoned off with duct tape. Solange (a friend, and one of my 3 labelers) was there, and has been with me ever since (thank God).
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| "Getting ready for Opening Day" |
I had 300 customers in my database (part of the purchase package from Margo). Thirty people showed and bought a thousand dollars of beads. I optimistically (and mistakenly) assumed every day would be like that. Well it hasn't been. But, in the interim, with help from Henri, and Solange, I have kept it going and growing. I have over 800 customers in the database today.
My beading history goes back 10 years. In 2002 I learned to string and crimp. In 2003, I discovered Margo's Poppyfield shop and became somewhat of a seed bead purist. As a store owner, my perspective has broadened. With so many wonderful bead and jewelry supply shops in our environs, I have sought out products and skills that we need in our community. It is tricky figuring this out. But sometimes it is just simply revealed. How the Kumihimo Department came to be is an example.
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Drop Me a Line
Learn in the Kumi Bangles Class |
One cold day last winter, 2 older women came into the shop. One of the ladies loved kumihimo braiding and was visiting from out of state. She wanted to teach her friend this ancient art of Japanese braiding, but had not brought her supplies. She was looking for the disk and bobbins. I had seen kumihimo products offered in my supplier catalogues, but I didn't know a thing about it, so I was hesitant to invest. What if I wasted money buying the "wrong" things? I assumed the other shops already had this area covered. I began calling around so I'd know where to send the women. Nobody seemed to have anything for kumihimo. I finally found a shop but the product they offered was not what the experienced braider wanted. The ladies thanked me for trying and were on their way out the door. In that moment, I decided that I would open a kumihimo department. I called the ladies back to the counter and started my research by interviewing my out of state customer. When I got my supplies, I sat down to teach myself kumihimo. Through trial and error I figured it out. Soon, I was experimenting with designs I hadn't seen in the books. The result is that I now have a thriving Kumihimo Department and have had sell out classes on braiding with beads - teaching my own designs and sharing all the wisdom I gained through my trials and tribulations.
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"I Feel Good About My Neck"
Fun With Filagrees |
And so it goes... Since then, I have gained more confidence is branching out with new products. It is thrilling to find something I think "looks cool" in a catalogue. I order a small amount to test and experiment. I am like a kid, playing with new toys. One thing leads to another as I let myself be carried by the river of new ideas. I force myself to put some on hold, as I must balance my creative surges with mundane life. Lately, I've been working with metal components that I combine and embellish with beads using simple wire and cold connections. This has led to Poppyfield's first Jewelry Design and Cold Connections class - Fun With Filigrees. Two sessions are offered (you can take either one or both) - Saturday May 5th and / or Monday, May 14th. It is just in time for Mother's Day and still has places available. You will notice some of your favorite beads showcased in new ways - wrapped and set in metal filigrees - or displayed in hand-made chain. Use any of a variety of beads and metal components. Gain confidence designing your own piece - from nuts to bolts. The techniques are fast and the results are beautiful. Check out my Mother's Day inspired necklace, "I Feel Good About My Neck". The focal point is a 27 mm fuchsia Swarovski flat back stone. No seed bead bezeling required! My Metamorphosis ID bracelet is my newest adventure in coloring metal. Stay tuned for more on that.
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Metamorphosis ID Bracelet
Pigmented, Riveted, and Twisted |
New Poppy Products
Swarovski Crystal Pearls - 6 New Colors - Jade, Lapis, Pink Coral, and more
Mexicana Components - Sugar skulls, playful skeletons, milagros
Mix and Match Metal Components - Settings for 12 mm Rivolis, Links, and Bead caps
Cat Head Charms are back by demand from one desperate customer
Satin Cord available in economic quantities of 20 yards or more
Vintage inspired metal components and filigrees
New chain - copper, silver plate, oxidized brass
Enchanted Primrose Necklace with Margo Field
Kumi Bangles (round 2 on a Monday evening - TBA)
Muy Mayo - Metal and Wire Designs to Celebrate Old Mexico
Come Create With Us
at Poppyfield Bead Company
Hope to see you soon!!
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