Extreme Poodle Grooming

I love the internet - the things you find! A friend, knowing my interest in all things doggy - emailed me these. Those are poodles, folks. White, Standard poodles - clipped and dyed.

Poodles - I've known a few - are pretty happy, goofy dogs and you have to have a sense of humor to have one. And I think that clipping your poodle to look like a camel is about the best expression of irreverent humor I've seen in a loooong time.

Now, before anybody goes all PETA on me - I did some googling around - and found the website of the owner/groomer of a lot of these. The dog LOVES the attention - how poodley of her! - and the dyes and etc are all non-toxic and are washed out directly after the show.

If I had a poodle - I would soooo do this! Budweiser poodle! My Little Poodle!! Viva Pinata Poodle!!!!

Sneak Peek at Next Week

Does "warm and light" resonate for you? Then you will love our new Natural Touch(tm) Resin beads. In fun candy colours and a silky, matte finish - they are a yummy change for spring!

Tierracast has featured a really lovely bracelet using these beads too!

Chocolate Cake!

Malliga, one of our store staff members just sent this email to our internal mailing list. too bad we don't have these ingredients at the store!

I haven't tried this yet but if it's really good then

we're all in trouble!!! "Mmmmmmm, yummy chocolatey trouble!" ~Malliga

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour

in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract,

and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake

will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and

tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Lampwork beads!

You've asked for it! Many, many times in fact. The thing is, we couldn't really figure out a cost effective way to post our one of a kind lampwork beads on our website. Plus, our website allows you to edit the quantities. You want to change the number of lobster claws from 5 to 500? No problem. However, that doesn't work so well with one of a kind items :-)

We have a ton of lampwork beads in our retail store by these artists and more!

I have scooped a small selection of my favourite lampwork beads out of the store. Below you'll find a photo, a short description, and the artist and price information on each bead. If you want it, be the first to send an email to jennifer@beadfx.com letting me know which one you want. If you want to add it to an order, let me know. Otherwise, the easiest way to pay will be via Paypal. I'll send you a Paypal invoice for the cost of the bead, plus shipping and any applicable taxes for you Canadians.

My hope is that this will be a regular weekly feature on the blog!

First up is a gorgeous floral bicone made by Dwyn Tomlinson.
58x15mm - It's a biggie! - Code is lampwork1 - $25.00


Next up we have a set of three light cranberry nuggets by Erin Maloney of AirWynn Glass Designs. Each bead is about 18mm round. The set of three sells for $36.00. Sold - Thank you!


Ethereal earthy blues and browns from Elly Peters. 35x30mm - Sold Thank you! - Code: lampwork3


A large tab focal from Erin Maloney of Airwynn Glass Designs. This one is particularly interesting in that it's flat on one side, and it has a clear core. The dichro design goes right through the bead! The bead measures 38mm in diameter - $36.00 - Code: lampwork4


One more from Erin - A large seafoam green chunky tab bead. the pic below is quite light, and I had a hard time capturing the colour. It's more green than blue. you don't want this bead...really you don't! ;-) I've had my eye on this one for a while, but I suppose I'll offer it up here first before I have to buy it myself...

38mm in diameter - $40.00 - code: lampwork5


We have a chubby little bicone from Andria Knowles-Muller. This one features twisties in pale grey blue/green/white. 27x18mm - $16.00 - Code: lampwork6


Gorgeous earthy blues and greens in this fab bicone by Dwyn...quite small for Dwyn actually - 55x13mm - $36.00 - Code: lampwork7


Very, very Dwyn! A lovely large focal with Dichro. 50x32mm - $29.00 - Code: lampwork8


Cobalt and Raku, one of my favourite combinations. Floral squeezed tab by Andria Knowles-Muller - 29x26mm - $12.00 - Code: lampwork9


We have another 3 piece set from Erin - Nice deep lentils in purple and turquoise. Each bead is about 20mm in diameter. $32 for the set of three - Code: lampwork10


And last, but certainly not least is a fab pea green and black focal tab by Andria Knowles-Muller
29x25mm - $12.00 - Code: lampwork11 -Sold Thank you!




If you would like one of these beads, please send an email to jennifer@beadfx.com with the code number, and how you would like to pay for the order (add to beadfx order, paypal etc)

More New Classes!

As promised we have a bunch of new Marilyn Gardiner classes this week. Marilyn will be doing a NEW chain mail class each month from now until September. All of the kits for her chain mail classes are available in both silver and copper. Saturday May 16th is her next new class, the Captive Round Necklace or Bracelet. This is a beginner course.



Byzantine Rose Bracelet on Saturday June 6th. This class is a beginner plus. It is recommended that students have some experience with a previously completed chain mail project.



Foxtail Bracelet on Saturday July 11th. This class is an intermediate class, students should have previously completed a few chain mail projects.



Saturday August 8th is her Double Spiral Bracelet. This is a beginner class and no experience or previous class/projects necessary.



And on Saturday September 12th is her fabulous Dragonscale Bracelet. This is an advanced course--experience and/or previous classes required.



We also have some of new classes with Angela Peace. Lucky for us she is coming back to Toronto in late May. She is offering two classes:
An Introduction to Chinese Knotting: Button Knots on Tuesday May 26th from 1:30-5:30



And on Thursday May 29th is Snake Knot and Phoenix Knot Cords.




Both of these are beginner classes. Angela will teach you how to make these knots and show you some practical ways to incorporate them into your jewelery designs.

We still have some great classes coming up in the next little while too! This Saturday the 25th is Charmed I'm Sure with Heather Bell-Denison.



Sunday April 26th Amy Waldman-Smith is offering a 5 Hour Lampworking class.



Monday April 27th is Rosemary's Celtic Star Pendant.




Thursday April 30th is Dancing Dahlia Brooch with Nadine Foskin--the perfect way to end off the month!




Also coming up tomorrow, Thursday April 23rd, is our first Studio Happy Hour!! Torch one hour - get the second hour free. 5 til 9 p.m.

Torch for one hour, either on a studio card or at the hourly rate - and
get the second hour free. (No credits, must use free hour immediately -
i.e. no saving it up for later.)

Dwyn will be in the studio also torching from 7 - 9 at least, possibly
earlier, so if you have questions or need help with a technique she'll be there to help.

Come out and bead social! (Please call the store, 416-701-1373, and book your studio time).

We will also be at the Knitter's Frolic this Saturday at the Japanese Cultural Centre. Show runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm and admission is $5.00. Parking is free!

This weekend is also the deadline for dropping off Corsage Project Donations! Mail them in or drop them off at the store and we will get them delivered on time.

Happy Beading!

Brushed Silver Beads

Our copper core brushed silver beads are back in stock! And we've got tons of them...whohoo! These sold out faster than you can blink your eye last time around. Our new shipment just arrived.


You can find them here.

Evolution - or - I have no idea when to leave well-enough alone

I don't know when to quit. My motto is "More IS more." And "Go big or go home."

So I started out making a nice little bracelet in copper the other day. I was totally digging the effect of the dark green with the copper. I was really liking the glow of the green - and thinking about those honkin' green emerald earrings that Angelina Jolie wore to the Oscars - beautiful - but you could buy a small country with them.







Then, I thought - it could use a bit more copper to fill in. And I had some copper beads. So I filled in. And, atypical of me, I actually kept it consistent. The green beads were one on each side of the big links, and the copper beads were the same, always to the left of the green beads - I'm usually much more random than that!










So - I'm digging this - but out on my desk are some faceted amethyst chunks. And wow - the purple really goes with the green and copper - in very in your face hot-summer-day kind of way. And completely ignoring that whole Easter purple and green vibe. Gawd - I hate it when great colour combinations get so strongly associated with something that you can't separate them. Think "red and green" and you see tacky sweaters with reindeer and candy canes, or "hot pink and turquoise" - and you think of wrinkly snowbirds broiling on the beaches of Florida.

Anyhoo - now I'm trying to figure out if I'm done, or if I should put an amethyst chunk on every link; or maybe a Swa. Violet Opal Cube?, or Round?

Hmm - what else? Antiqued copper charms?

And we'll ignore the issue that I made it a bit small for myself to wear and will probably list it for sale anyway. ;-) Or should I donate it to the Corsage Project? Would someone like to wear it to her prom - do you suppose?

If you want the full scoop on how to make it and try this for yourself - LMK and I'll post it as an inspiration.

Mural Mosaic

A friend of mine sent me this - her daughter lives in the town of Cochrane, Alberta. This mural was recently unveiled. Look closely at squares. Start with the eye of the horse. Or the tip of the gal's thumb. Waaay cool, eh?

Sneak Peek at Next Week

Last week I said "new colours" of Swarovski. I should have said "one of the new colours." This last week has not been one of my better weeks.

Anyhoo - This week - a colour to make you smile - Red Magma. This is as hot and vibrant as last week's colour (Air Blue Opal) was cool and etherial. Like a deeper, richer and somewhat redder version of Crystal Copper. Very scrumptious.

And - for the seedbead fans - a bunch of new Miyuki 15/0s.

Introducing--Happy Hour Torching!!!

Announcing - Happy Hour Torching!!!

Starting next Thursday - April 23rd - Happy Hour Torching come to beadFX.
Torch one hour - get the second hour free. 5 til 9 p.m.

Torch for one hour, either on a studio card or at the hourly rate - and
get the second hour free. (No credits, must use free hour immediately -
i.e. no saving it up for later.)

Dwyn will be in the studio also torching from 7 - 9 at least, possibly
earlier, so if you have questions or need help with a technique she'll be there to help.

Come out and bead social! (Please call the store, 416-701-1373, and book your studio time)

Do you Tweet?

I'm curious, so let's have a little poll here. Do you twitter? I have to admit, I'm intrigued. However, I worry it's yet another time suck. I'd love to hear how you all balance all of the various social networking sites. They can be invaluable for keeping your friends and customers updated on what you're doing. But are you spending more time updating all of the various sites than you are working on your creations? And if you're using these sites to sell your jewelry...Is it working?

Which of the social networking sites are you using most often?

Ok, so it's not a poll per say. I'd love to hear your comments though!

Edit - I'm writing this on Wednesday, and after I posted I decided to really start looking around twitter - and following people (stalking them?) it is a time suck. It's now 3:30. I still have paperwork, the email update for tonight, photography for the inspiration tonight...But what have I been doing? - twittering...yeesh.

Spanish Empire Beads found off Georgia

Posted on news.aol.com for the full text and pictures check out: http://news.aol.com/article/spanish-empire-beads/425122

A big shout out to Julee who sent us this link.


(April 13) - A cache of some 70,000 glass beads from all over the world has been unearthed at an island off Georgia, comprising the largest repository ever from what was one of the Spanish empire's most remote and wealthy outposts, and revealing more about 17th-century trade routes. Made of French and Chinese blue glass, Dutch layered glass and Baltic amber, the beads were found as part of an ongoing research project at the former Mission Santa Catalina de Guale on what is now called St. Catherines Island. Founded in the 16th century, this site was the capital and administrative center of the province of Guale in Spanish Florida for the better part of a century.

A huge cache of glass beads that once belonged to the Spanish empire has been discovered on St. Catherines Island off the coast of Georgia, according to research announced in April. The 70,000 beads were collected from all over the world and were found in a church cemetery. Most of them were buried with individuals as grave goods. "This is the northernmost outpost of the Spanish empire, but we see evidence of ancient trade routes from China via Manila's galleons to Mexico and Spain," said Lorann Pendleton, director of the archaeology laboratory at the American Museum of Natural History Museum in New York. A team from the museum led the excavation. "We also have found perhaps the first evidence of Spanish beadmaking, along with beads from the main centers of Italy, France, and the Netherlands."

The mission of Santa Catalina de Guale was inhabited by Franciscan missionaries and local people for most of the 17th century. The mission was a major source of grain for Spanish Florida and a provincial capital until 1680, when the mission was abandoned after a British attack. Since 1974, David Hurst Thomas, curator of anthropology at the museum, and colleagues have been unearthing this part of the island's history.

The current research is based on the complete excavation of the church's cemetery and extensive survey and excavation in other parts of the mission. Years of analysis reveal roughly 130 different types of beads on the island.

Most of the more common beads are of Venetian and potentially French origin, with new research suggesting that one of the most common beads of the 17th century, the Ichtucknee blue, was manufactured in France. Some of the unique beads, though, may be Spanish, Chinese, Bohemian, Indian or Baltic in origin. While roughly 2,000 beads were found elsewhere at the mission (such as in the convent), most were found in the cemetery under the church. These were items intentionally deposited with individuals as grave goods.

What's New this Week

Ok, I know that I said there would be new stuff from Angela Peace and Marilyn Gardiner this week--it is not the I have lied, but have not gotten there YET. Those classes should be up by the end of the week and should make it into my blog next week.

New this week, however, are a couple more Robert Burton classes. Since so many people want to take these classes, he has come out with a few new classes. These are not as intensive as the 101 and 201, but do get you started with wire working techniques. Last week we put up two new classes by Robert:

Wire Wrapped Beaded Bracelet and Earrings on Sunday May 10th



And Simple Wire Wrapping Techniques on Sunday May 10th



These are beginner classes. This week some intermediate classes have gone up.

The Silver Braided Bracelet


The Wire Wrapped Gem Stone Ring and Pendant



There will also be some advanced classes coming in the near future.

These are not the only exciting classes coming up at Beadfx. This weekend is jam packed with lots of great stuff.

Thursday April 16th is Nadine Foskin's Wild Flower Pendant



Saturday April 18th there are 2 classes with Marilyn Gardiner

Basic Bead Stringing--there are only 2 spots left!



And her new chainmaille pattern Vertebrae Weave Bracelet



Amy Waldman-Smith has a 2 day Introduction to Making Glass Beads on April 18th and 19th.



Robert Burton's Wire Wrapping 101 on Sunday April 19th also has 2 spots left!



Dwyn Tomlinson's Introduction to Lampworking is on Tuesday April 21st.



And Pamela Kearn's Spirals of Delight class is on Thursday April 23rd.



There is much, much, more going on. Keep checking the site for all of the spring and summer updates.

Happy Beading!

How to beat...

I'm not sure how on earth I can top Dwyn's Oyster snot post from yesterday. I swear, I almost covered my computer in coffee. Too fuuny ;-)

Call for Artists. Some of our American friends might be interested in this one. It just came through my email box, but unfortunately Canadians are not eligible

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Calling All Jewelry Artists!

Please share this with other jewelers and jewelry designers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 20-September 30, 2009 presented by the Durango Arts Center in Durango, Colorado The National Jewelry Design Exhibition is established to showcase national artists working in the craft. The objective of this competition is to educate and promote an understanding of the medium of jewelry design.

Eligibility
This competition is open to all jewelry artists residing in the United States. Works must be original, fabricated within the last two years and may not have been shown previously at the Durango Arts Center (DAC). All works must be for sale.

Entries
Artists are encouraged to submit up to 3 entries. Nonrefundable entry fee: 1/$25, 2/$35 and 3/$45. Discounted entries for members of the DAC and students. Contact the DAC for the coupon codes. Exhibiting artists will receive a complimentary copy of the exhibition catalog and additional copies at a discounted rate. Submissions need to be entered through WESTAF's online application process available online at http://www.callforentry.org. Search National Jewelry Design Exhibition or Durango Arts Center. Professional photos are encouraged.

Categories
Artists are encouraged to submit their most creative works within the following categories: Gold, Silver, PMC/Other Metal, Non-metals and Beads.

Exhibition Sales
DAC will retain a 40% commission on all artwork sold during the exhibition. Works should be priced accordingly. Prices of works accepted into the exhibition may not be changed after submission.

Awards
Awards totaling approximately $3000 will be awarded by a qualified juror(s) to those artists that excel in jewelry design among the entries submitted and selected. Awards have been identified to recognize the variety of materials in the medium of professional jewelry design. There will be a student award to encourage new artists in the field.

Jurors
Jeff & Susan Wise create one-of-a-kind jewelry that is remarkable for its integration of sculptured gemstones and fabricated metal to create a feeling of grace, whimsy and fluidity. They have exhibited their work in shows and galleries throughout the United States. Their work is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution, the Boston Museum of Fine Art, and the Museum of Art & Design in NYC. They have also shown internationally at the Hipotesi Gallery in Barcelona, Spain and the Glass and Metal exhibition in Pforzheim, Germany. They have taught at Penland School of Art in 2003 and juried the American Craft Council shows in 1993 and 2002.

Agreement
Submission to this competition constitutes an agreement on the part of the entrant to the conditions set forth. Artist allows all accepted submissions to be photographed and used for marketing and promotion. Artist pay for shipping to and from exhibition. DAC reserves the right to final curatorial, educational, installation and marketing decisions. Entries that do not meet competition guidelines may be disqualified. DAC provides insurance for artworks while on premises and is not responsible for damage or loss during transport.

Timeline
Friday, June 19: Entry deadline via http://www.callforentry.org
Friday, July 10: Artists notified via email
Thursday, August 13: Works due via shipment
Friday, August 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Hand deliver works
Friday, August 21, 5-8 p.m.: Opening reception & awards
Friday, October 9: Works returned

Workshops
Several workshops, lectures, studio and gallery tours will be offered during the duration of the exhibition.

Questions
Please contact Heather Leavitt, heather@durangoarts.org, 970-259-2606 x15. Durango ARTS Center
802 East 2nd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

Pearls vs Mother of Pearl

What is the difference between Pearl (pictured to the left) and and Mother of Pearl? (pictured on the right. )

Simply this - Mother of Pearl is the inside lining of the shell - virtually all shells have it. A pearl is the same lining material - deposited by the living creature over an irritant that has gotten inside the shell.

Right away - you can see that there is a LOT more Mother of Pearl available to be made into things than Pearls - even with the extensive pearl culturing that is done now.

Mother of Pearl tends to be limited to shapes that can be cut out of relatively thin material. Think of a clam or an oyster or a mussel shell from your last trip to a fancy seafood restaurant. If you were to cut that shell up into beads, you can see that you might get a large flat round from the middle, and some smaller rounds from around the sides. It's sort of a puzzle - like figuring out the most efficient way to lay out a pattern on a piece of fabric. The Mother of Pearl items can't be any thicker than the thickest part of the shell. Unless you started gluing layers together. That's why Mother of Pearl is very prominent in traditional inlay designs, like in furniture. It comes in small flat pieces anyway!

That darker, rough part of the outside of the shell is taken off - and it is shiny, pearl stuff right underneath, btw.

Pearls, however, are cultured by inserting an irritant - usually the mantle tissue (part of the body of the creature that lives inside the shell) of another shell or mantle plus a piece of mother of pearl! - into the oyster. Cultured pearls come mostly from oysters - with the centre part coming from a mussel shell. We've seen a trend towards putting funky shapes into oysters so that they will encase a cross or flower shape with pearly material.

A pearl is essentially an immune-system reaction. Or, like dealing with a particularly ugly piece of furniture. If I can't get rid of this annoying thing in my house, maybe I can paint over it.

We could also think of pearls as Oyster Snot - but I'm guessing that this doesn't have much marketing potential. ;-) Ooo - I see your boyfriend got you those Oyster Snot earrings you were looking at last week. Nahh - that's not going to fly with anyone.

Eye Candy - Marie-Helene de Tailac

A life long love of jewelry and background in fashion - gives us the understated jewelry of de Taliac. Oceans of colour and simple, clean lines and above all - the gems that get to speak for themselves. This article shows some of the pieces and gives a nice history. Her actual website is somewhat harder to navigate. Hint - click on the floating colour dots at the bottom!

Sneak Peek at Next Week

Charming! Kool new charms and more sizes in the Lampwork bead finding. New colours of Swarovskis too!