Cressida Pendant by Nela Kábelová

Join us for our FREE Happy Hour Beading Event

Friday 4/21 4:30-6:00 PM

Beaded By Sylvia Abeyta

Make this beautiful vintage style pendant in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

New beaders are welcome!

This is a great project for all levels

including beginners

Pattern Download here

Supplies Needed

**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**

18 mm Swarovski Rivoli
7/0 Matubo pressed glass "seed beads" (4g)

10/0 Delica beads (2g)
Rullas (16)
4 mm Rounds

Jump rings (2-4)

Chain

Fireline

Beading needle

Northern Star Bracelet by Nela Kábelová

Join us for our FREE Happy Hour Beading Event

Friday 4/14 4:30-6:00 PM

Beaded By Sylvia Abeyta

Supplies Needed

**Available at Poppyfield Bead Company**

SuperDuos (90)

7/0 Matubo pressed glass "seed beads" (170)

11/0 seed beads (15)
8/0 seed beads (30)

Jump rings (2)

Clasp

Fireline

Beading needle

For our out-of-town customers, you can purchase the supplies at our webstore.  If you do, we'll send you the pattern, free of charge.  

Click the link below:

Pattern and Supplies Online Here 

Special Free Event Coming Soon

Maria Rypan is well known in the beading community as a specialist of traditional Ukrainian beaded collars.  She has created a beautiful design using the latest Czech beads for a modern twist on a traditional style.  Maria is generously sharing this pattern with one of our suppliers, and so it makes its way to you, dear Customers.  Sylvia Abeyta has beaded up her own collar using this pattern and added a beautiful Czech focal button as the clasp.  This allows you to wear it with the button in front or back.  If you are familiar with vertical netting, you will find this fun and delightful.  If you are new to netting, then you will enjoy rolling up your sleeves and needling up.  We are here to support you during 2 Friday Happy Hours 4/22 and 4/29, 4:30-6 PM.  Please join us at one or both.  April 22nd is the first night of Passover, and so we will have the pattern featured for 2 consecutive weeks.  It is such a great design - we want as many of you to be able to join as possible.  We are happy to send  beads and the design to our remote customers as well. Just send us an email or give us a call.

We have lots of new honeycomb beads and daggers to give you ever more choices in planning your collar.

Stop in and see what's new.  

Click here for the supply list and join us!

Join us this afternoon for a first project with crescent beads.

Happy Hour 4/15/16 - Chrysanthemum bracelet

by Nichole Starman

Bead Crochet Club - Support and Inspiration

Julia's Crochet Bracelet Pattern - Wrist with a Twist

Our introduction to crochet class was jam-packed.  It was a sold-out class and Wendy and I stuffed as much one on one instruction into those 3 hours, as seemed humanly possible.  It had taken me about a month of struggling with this new technique to be able to create something uniform and pretty.  So, I was clear that unlike most classes, where you can leave with the technique under your belt, this was just the beginning.  Now, we have the next phase of instruction to offer.  Beginning Monday, April 4th, our book club is on hold so we can begin our next FREE ongoing event: Bead Crochet Club.  Anyone who has some knowledge of bead crochet is welcome.   I will be present every Monday night for one on one time with anyone who wants to move forward with bead crochet.  It is a great opportunity to  see how others deal with the same challenges, and push past a stuck spot.  Exchange advice, ideas, techniques, pattern resources, or just sit and crochet away.  This does not take the place of an Intro to Bead Crochet class.  I will continue to offer those to get people started.  It is intended to create a community of support and inspiration in bead crochet.  Our book clubs have been so successful in providing both support with beading techniques and inspiration and encouragement in moving forward and taking your creativity to the next level.  I know that we can provide the same for bead crochet.  

The Wrist with a Twist pattern above is a minor variation on the 3 bead spiral.  It is a 6 around pattern and easy to work up.  You can see that I created a new way to finish, that is fully beaded and no end caps are needed.  These advances and variations are what you can get on Monday nights, in addition to help with techniques.  Our Monday night club is from 6-8 PM.  There is no charge and no registration.  Just show up.  As usual, we have bead mats and lighting.  Please feel free to bring your own beads and products or purchase with us.  There is no obligation on your part.  

Remember - in addition to our scheduled classes with tuition fees we have 3 FREE ongoing events every week:

Bead Crochet Club - Mondays 6-8 pm - beginning April 4th

Wire Meet Up Tuesday - 1-3 pm

Friday Happy Hour - 4:30-6 pm 

Hope to see you soon!

Roped In By Ropes

I am all about beaded ropes these days.  Several months ago, I happened upon the beaded crochet ropes of Brigitte Iländer, of Germany.  They are an amazing amalgam of color and pattern.  I quickly realized that there is a level of pattern control and possibility that I wanted to master.  I purchased her book and realized that I needed a primer on this technique before I could jump ahead.  I used Candace Sexton's book and DVD to teach myself the basics (available at Poppyfield).  And in true medical training fashion (see one - do one - teach one) I am ready to teach you all and bring you along on my bead crochet journey.    Saturday, Feb 20th, 1-4 PM you can learn the secrets of the bead crochet rope using size 8/0 seed beads.  

Intro to Bead Crochet - Tri Color Spiral Bracelet by Julia Hecht

This is just the beginning, though.  Here is a preview of Brigitte's patterns from her book:

Click here to purchase her book

As we continue on our adventure, I will be sharing how to read bead crochet patterns, and how to work with thinner thread / cord, and smaller beads.  I have worked some rope with 11/0's and although 8/0's are definitely the way to start, it is pretty exciting to go smaller.

Other Ropey Happenings

I am preparing for my Seeds of Change Necklace to appear in the next issue of Bead and Button (It will be called Springtime Garden in the magazine).  This is an embellished kumihimo rope that I created in 2014 and taught at the shop a number of times.  It uses 2 holed SuperDuos and 2 holed Lentils in the braided rope in order to create a foundation for embellishment.  I am getting some color ways together to sell on our webstore, for remote beaders who can't come in and select the components in person.  To start, there will be a Pacific Forest color way with blues and greens, and a Champagne Garden color way with pinks and greens.  

Seeds of Change / Springtime Garden Necklace - Original Color Way

If you want to join in the Kumi fun, you can learn the ropes (Ha!) with us on Feb 20th 10-noon (for brand new braiders), and then how to add beads to your braiding on March 5th 1-4.  You'll be all ready to make your own Springtime Garden necklace when the magazine arrives in March.  You can call the shop or come by in person to register and reserve your place.  

Braiding with Beads - Intro to Beaded Kumi
Sat, March 5th 1-4 PM

Stitch of the Month Club

With all of our "free ongoing beading events" I've been able to make seed bead stitching accessible to so many people.  There are a lot of happy new beaders coming in every day with beautiful beaded works that they learned at our Happy Hours and Book Club. It is truly rewarding for all of us at Poppyfield to see your smiles and your crafts - we love Show 'n Tell.  Yet, many of you remark that you feel you really don't know a lot of stitches and because of that, you lack confidence with the wide range of beadwork patterns that are out there.  I must agree that if you can't throw down some herringbone, peyote stitch, brick stitch and right angle weave on demand, then you are missing the foundation of off-loom beading stitching.  

Stitch of the Month Club @ Poppyfield Bead Company

If you want to strengthen your foundation in off-loom bead weaving you will love our new Stitch of the Month Club.  Beginning in August and extending through November, I will be offering classes in basic and intermediate stitching based on the 4 bead stitches mentioned above.  Each month we will focus on one stitch.  My goal for you is that by the end of the month you will be comfortable with the stitch and understand its range and versatility.  Of course, you will have made some beautiful beaded jewelry - that goes without saying.  

Hip to Be Square Bracelet by Julia Hecht

We will kick off the concept in August with herringbone stitch. On Saturday, August 8th, I will teach a basic level herringbone bracelet in the "Hip to Be Square Bracelet" class.  Registration is already open for that.  I will follow up on August 22nd with a more complex herringbone necklace class (still in the making).  Throughout the month there will be more offerings and ideas using the stitch, including a Happy Hour or two based on herringbone.  In September, I will focus on brick stitch / Comanche stitch.  October will follow with peyote stitch.  Finally, in November we will focus on on right angle weave, including the modified RAW that Kate McKinnon illustrated in her Contemporary Geometric Beadwork books.  

How It Works

You're a member of the club if you say you are.  There are no additional dues or fees. You will receive emails about our classes and events and other special "Stitch of the Month" offerings.  Come to as many events as you'd like.  So, join us and  get grounded in the basic stitches.  With these skills, the sky's the limit and your beadwork (and confidence) will take off!   Stay tuned…

August Happenings

We've got other classes and events planned including an Intro to Kumihimo on 8/1, 1:00-3:00 for anyone who is brand new to Kumihimo.  Follow up with Wendy's new beaded kumi rope pattern, Triple Triangles on 8/8 1:30-4:30, and her Moon Glow Pendant that shines from within on 8/29 1:00-4:00.  All these classes are open for registration.  Samples are out in the shop and pictures are coming soon.  Our ongoing Free Events continue - with Monday Night Book Club, Tuesday Wire Meetup, and Friday Happy Hour.  Find out details on our store website poppybeads.com.

Bead and Be Happy

Greetings Beady Friends!   There is so much fun to be had in the beady world.  Nowadays at the shop, we have 3 free events most weeks.  We started our Monday Night Book Club with Lisa Kan's Bead Metamorphosis.  We have met and worked on the Trefoil Earrings and the Catherine Bracelet.  It has been a lot of fun, and great way to bring your beading up to the next level with support.  We are carrying the 2-holed Swarovski sliders that are needed for the bracelet.  They are a very cool product that we had custom set for us in Europe and shipped here.  We did run out of the  books, but we have 10 more arriving in the next week.  May 4th, we will meet to start the Encanto Necklace.  I expect we will also be working on assembling the Catherine Bracelet components - as it is rather involved.  Feel free to start a Catherine bracelet and join us 5/4.  

Lisa Kan's Catherine Bracelet in Gold and Emerald
Beaded by Wendy Speare

 For the next 2 Monday's,  book club is on hold, as everyone is working on their bracelets at home.  During this time, we have 2 classes that aren't free.  Ellajoy's Rings and Things (4/20 - a great all levels peyote stitch class) and my (Julia's) debut of Homage to Victor (4/27), an optical illusion loom bracelet with off loom embellishment. All levels are welcome.    Both classes still have some places available.  

Tuesdays we have our FREE wire meet up with Sylvia Abeyta 1-3 PM.  Everyone is welcome and all levels are appreciated, from never-ever to super star.  If you are considering branching out into wire work, this is a great opportunity for support and laughs!  It is low-key and friendly and a great way to see if you will enjoy combining beads with wire.  

Fridays is our popular Happy Hour event 4:30-6:00. We provide a free pattern and support in choosing beads and doing the project.  All levels of beaders come to sit and schmooze and bead away their cares of the week.  Often we have every seat taken.  We've had a lot of people wanting patterns who can't stay for the class.  We are sorry if the time doesn't work for you.  We still would like to inspire you to bead.    So, if you can't make it to the Happy Hour,  we can work out a way to provide you with a pattern after the Happy Hour meets.  Talk with us during the week about it.  We ask that you purchase the supplies with us.  We hope you understand - free for you, isn't actually free for us.  But we love to give you what we can.   This weeks project is Deborah Roberti's Garden Necklace.  Click here for the supply list.  

Deb Roberti's Garden Bracelet

Saturday 4/18 is the last chance to take the Seeds of Change, embellished Kumi rope necklace with me.  There is some homework that you must do prior to the class, so if you are thinking of taking this class, please don't delay in registering. 

Julia's Seeds of Change Necklace

Other Poppy News

We are still filling in the gaps in our Delica inventory.  More 11/0's in new colors that we have never carried are arriving in the next few days.  By next week will have all the colors still in production through the 1200's.  We have many of the later numbers - but not all.  Over the next several months we hope to complete our inventory. Our goal is to have every delica bead in production available for sale.  We do carry 10/0's, 8/0's, 15/0's and hex cuts as well.  

11/0 Slider Tube for Loom Work

I am experimenting with 11/0 Slider tubes for finishing loom work.  I am going to put this on my next Homage to Victor Bracelet.  These affordable findings are made  by Miyuki to fit over a row of 11/0 Delicas to neatly and securely finish off your loom work without breaking beads or using glue.  So cool - these findings are already available for purchase.

One of us has a project on the COVER of the upcoming Bead and Button Magazine. (Yay Wendy!)  We will be selling kits on our web store for the 2 color ways the magazine listed for this design  - we are sooo excited.  

There's always more to show and tell, some come in and ask us!  

Peace and Beads, y'all! 

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!

The Quiet Calm

New Pip Beads are here!

Greetings Beady Friends!  I am excited about the beginning of another year as the Poppyfield Bead Company celebrates its 4th birthday.  All is well, and we hope you are able to join us for all the color, fun, and inspiration we have to share with you.

For me, the store is always exciting.  And yet, I have felt myself settle into a quiet calm.  I'll always be a New Yorker, and so when I say quiet and calm….it is relative.  It is noticeable, though.  Less rattles me these days. At work. At home. Everywhere.

I have figured some things out:

• There are very few emergencies in life.  
• I have choices.
• I can't be diminished.
• Love matters most. 

On the beady end of things…. It was a joy to teach my first loom classes and to see all the Magical Mosaic Bracelets come into existence.  I am working on two new patterns to develop into classes - a geometric loom pattern with off-loom edging and an embellished kumihimo rope that uses the new Pip beads.  

Our Happy Hour Fridays are back, and our Wire Meet-Up Tuesdays have never stopped.  We've got new Miyuki thread, 2 lb Fireline, and lots of new beads.  Next week we've got Wire Work classes with Melody MacDuffee and an African Bead Trunk Show, both on 2/11 and 2/12.  Check out our website at poppybeads.com for ongoing events.  Don't miss out on Margo Field's newest class this month, and the beautiful new 12 mm twisted bugles we have for it.  Again, the website poppybeads.com is now your best place for our news and events.  You can browse and shop for many of our products at our online store webstore.poppybeads.com

Here's a preview of the loom-bracelet (in progress), Homage to Victor.  For more about this bracelet click here and you will be linked to the Mirrix Loom site where I am a guest blogger.  

Homage to Victor, Work in Progress

Peace and Beads, y'all!