Coming up this Weekend...

We have a few Stephanie Dixon classes coming up this weekend. The Saturday March 20th Wire Bead Crochet Basics class is sold out, but that does not mean that you cannot take a class with Stephanie this weekend.

Saturday March 20th from 2 to 4pm is Stephanie's new Crystallized Bling Ring class. This class is open to all levels.


Then on Sunday March 21st is Stephanie's Wire Bead Crochet Multistrand Necklace from 1 to 4pm. You can have an entire weekend of Stephanie--how fun would that be!!


Monday March 22nd Robert Burton's Wire Wrapping 101 course begins. This is a 3 week class that runs from 6 to 9pm each week.


Tuesday March 23rd is a Metal Clay Play Day from 11 to 6pm.

Wednesday March 24th Suzanne Crudden's Metalwork for Beaders: Creating Your Own Production Line begins. This is an intermediate level class which runs for 8 weeks.

Thursday March 25th is Cindy Vroom's Oh Ogalala Bracelet! This is a super funky and fun bracelet. Class runs from 6 to 9pm.

Saturday March 27th is a busy day! Amy Waldman-Smith's Learn to Make Glass Beads Weekend is on March 27th and 28th.


Nadine Foskin's new class, Dangle Drop Earrings runs from 10:30 to 12pm. This class is ideal for beginners who would like to learn to make wrapped loops, simple loops and earrings. Or if you're not a beginner and are looking for some practise with your loops this would also be a great course for you!

Jennifer Tough's Introduction to Fusing class runs from 1:30 to 5:30.


And we end the month of March with Charmed I'm Sure with Heather Bell-Denison from 10 to 5pm.

Don't forget we have happy hour torching on Thursday from 5 to 9pm. Buy one hour get one free. Please remember to book your torch in advance.

Happy Beading

What's new at Swarovski?

We recently attended a presentation by Swarovski to see the new colours and products that are being rolled out. These are the 2011 Spring/Summer items. You have to remember that the fashion industry is a year ahead - the colours you will be seeing on the shelves next year are already planned, I'm afraid. So, while these are the new products for next year, we will have them in the store shortly!

There's a few items, so I'll cover them over a couple of weeks.

Like with any good product presentation seminar - there is the loot bag - otherwise known as swag (Stuff We All Get). Swarovski beautifully presents it's new products in an compact little custom box and a stunning magazine. Well - beautiful presentation is sort of their entire story, when you get right down to it! Usually, it's us using their beads to beautifully present our ideas and ourselves, but you get where I'm going with this.

First up - New Colours

Every year, Swarovski rolls out 2 or more new colours. Some are destined to be short-lived, some hang around until they are replaced with something trendier, and some are truly welcome additions to the extensive colour palette.











This year, the two new colours of crystal are Provence Lavender and Fern Green. In addition, there is a new pearl colour, Crystal Lavender Pearl. Soft lavender is obviously going to be the hot, hot colour next year.

The new Provence Lavender is a soft blue lavender that will spark debates as to whether it is a purplish shade of blue, or a bluish shade of purple. I think it is going to be quite tricky to photograph accurately. To my eye - these un-retouched photos are more blue than the stones appear in person.










And here, for comparison, on the left is the Provence Lavender, in the centre is the Light Tanzanite, and on the right, Tanzanite. The Provence Lavender is close to the Light Tanzanite, but a little bluer.




The new Fern Green is just a joy to behold. It fills in a hole in the Swarovski palette of greens, being lighter than Emerald, significantly darker than Peridot, and without the yellowish overtones of Olivine.

In fact - it is more like a fine quality Columbian emerald in colour, than the colour named Emerald, which is a little on the dark side for emeralds. I really like this colour, in short. It is bold and dramatic and I hope it is here to stay.






Here, for comparison, is Peridot and Peridot Satin on the left, Fern Green in the middle, and Emerald on the right.






And, as for the pearls - the new colour Lavender is a very soft, subtle colour.

Here, you can see it next to the existing Mauve Pearl.


Oh, and while not on topic, as I was shooting comparison pearl photos, here is a picture of the shades of grey in the pearls. From the left, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Black, and Mystic Black. Mystic Black is a true black, whereas Black is a dark, dark grey black pearl, like a South Seas pearls.




And finally, in addition, Swarovski is expanding the White Opal colour into more products, mainly in the area of the rhinestones, but do expect to see some of the large beads in White Opal soon.

More next week on new products!

Customer Gallery

A new addition to our customer gallery - this beautiful crocheted collar by Gail Davis-Bryant.

What, you didn't know we had a customer gallery? Well - given how large the site is, I guess we can forgive you for that! Check out other customer's works, and staff creations too, here.

You can submit your items for inclusion too. It has to be mainly created with beads we sell, the exception being your own handmade beads, regardless of medium, and you have to be an actual customer. Send your images and anything about your creation to info@beadfx.com

Artistic Wire Repackaged

We've been low on Artistic Wire lately as the manufacturer has been changing the packaging, and they didn't want to ship any until they got it all converted. Well - it looks like they may finally be done, and so the new stock is starting to trickle in.

They have switched the size and type of spool, with the new spool (bottom) resembling those that the Softflex and other beading wire and cables come on.

It's still the same quantity on a spool. And being a larger, wider spool, will take up more room on the wall. (sigh)

Playing with a different type of clay

A number of weeks ago, I pulled out some earthenware clay that I had bought quite some time ago. Fortunately, the clay was still moist.  I made up a small batch of pendants, and I've now got them in the kiln for a bisque fire. It'll be interesting to see how these turn out. Earthenware, I believe needs to be fired to cone 04 for it's bisque firing. One little problem I have is that my glass kiln only goes to 1900F - this isn't quite hot enough. It should fire to around 1950 to be cone 04.  I'm hoping that this little variation won't be a huge problem. They're in the kiln now, and I should be able to pull them out in the morning. Possibly much later tonight, but I really do need sleep ;-)

Once you bisque fire them, you can then paint/decorate the beads with various glazes and refire. I'll post some pics showing the before and after.

As a metal clay artist, I was shocked to discover just how cheap ceramic clays are!  Very liberating :-)  I've seen some really interesting pieces that combine metal clay, ceramic clay, and even glass. I can't wait to experiment.

Yay - A sale!

I think you've all seen the announcement by now - It's our double dipping March Madness crazy sale! It comes just once a year - If you haven't checked it out yet:
http://www.beadfx.com for all the details

It feels like Spring!

How wonderful it is around here with this gorgeous weather! Are you finally getting out of the winter doldrums and getting inspired to create? Well, we've got some interesting stuff coming up in tonight's update that will be sure to help you out with your projects - trust me! Be sure to check your mail email later tonight or tomorrow - seriously, you WILL be inspired!

Not on our mailing list? You can join here: http://www.beadfx.com/catalogue/subscribe.jsp

It's March..Let's Celebrate!

The weather outside is gorgeous! It is hard to imagine a reason to be in doors, except that you would be missing out on our great classes.

Kate McKinnon's classes have gone up on the site finally! She is offering 3 one day classes this year, two metal clay and one seed beading class.

Sunday May 16th is Metal Clay for Lampworkers.

In this excellent one-day class, Kate will show you not only how to make a variety of components to showcase your handmade glass, but will give you some exciting tips, tricks, and thoughts about using fine silver with your hot glass at the torch.

Projects will include a variety of settings for handmade glass, including beads and cabs. Students will make rings, links, handmade headpins, nifty pendant bails, an assortment of beadcaps and bits and parts, and if they wish, a Treasure Box to showcase a special bead. Class is open to all levels.

Monday May 17th is Fine Silver Clasps and Findings: A Class in Metal clay and Fine Silver Wire.

Don't miss this great class and learn how to make you own components for your finished work. Projects include a variety of clasps, components, links and decorative items like beadcaps, headpins and charms. This class is open to all levels, but students should have experience with metal clay.

Tuesday May 18th is Exploration Mixed Stitches: Right Angle Weave and Square Stitch.

In our one-day class, students will learn a variety of ways to combine Square Stitch and Right Angle Weave, and will receive full-colour photographic instructions for both the Corset Stitch and the Mod Art Cuff. In class, we will focus on completing one end of the piece, which would include the tube that holds the clasp, and a nice swath of each layer of the bracelet, to make sure that the whole piece is well understood.

Projects students can choose for their kit:

Groovy Cuff, in one layer or two (also known as the Mod Art Cuff, as published in Beadwork). The Corset Stitch, in one layer or two, or a piece that uses one layer of each stitch.

Please note: Students who choose to make a one-layer piece can probably finish in the class, those who choose a two-layer will probably not finish.

Kate will include many tips and tricks for finishing beadwork, maintaining even tension, changing thread, and embellishing the final beaded fabric. Don't miss this exciting session with one of the most innovative bead artists around.

This class is meant for students of all levels, but those attending should be comfortable using (and threading) a size 12 needle with fine beading thread. The basics of right angle weave and square stitch are recommended.

We have a class in square stitch coming up this April with Rae Huggins, Squarely in Time for Spring on Thursday April 15th from 6 to 9pm. This is a beginner class.

Looking for a class a little sooner? No problem we have lots coming up in the next couple of weeks.

Tuesday March 9th is Lampworking 101-Part 1 with Dwyn Tomlinson. This is a 4 week introduction course running from 7 to 9:30 each week.

Saturday March 13th is the Double Strand Dangle Bracelet with Nadine Foskin from 10 to 12pm.

Sunday March 14th is the Silver Beaded Wire Wrapped Bracelet and Earrings with Robert Burton from 1 to 4pm.

Although Stephanie Dixon's Wire Bead Crochet class on March 20th is full, there is another class schedule for Saturday May 8th from 10 to 1pm.

Monday March 22nd Robert Burton's 3 week Wire Working and Wrapping 101 begins. It runs from 6 to 9pm each night.

Wednesday March 24th Suzanne Crudden's new class Metal Working for Beaders: Creating Your Own Production Line begins. This is an eight week class intended for students who have taken the Metal Working for Beaders or the Metal Smithing 101 class or have previous metal smithing experience.

March 27th and 28th is a Learn to Make Glass Beads Weekend with Amy Waldman-Smith.

Nadine Foskin is here with another new class Dangle Drop Earrings. This class is perfect for those beginner students looking to learn to make loops and earrings. It runs from 10:30 to 12pm.

Jennifer Tough is back on March 27th from 1;30 to 5:30pm with her Introduction to Fusing.

And finally, Heather Bell-Denison is here on Sunday March 28th from 10 to 5pm with Charmed I'm Sure.

Don't forget about Happy Hour Torching this Thursday from 5 to 9pm. Buy one hour get one free! Please reserve your torch in advance.

Happy Beading!

Lampworking 101 Part A --begins tomorrow!

I did include a reminder about Dwyn's 4 week Introduction to Lampworking class last week as we were re-working the dates a bit.


This 4-week lampworking course is for beginners. Fascinated with the idea of making your own glass beads? You've seen these beads in jewelry, in collections. You seen them online and on ebay. You're intrigued with these handmade works of art and the process of making them yourself draws you like … a moth to the flame? In this 4-week class, you will learn how to make your very own glass beads, starting with nothing but the glass and a flame. Plenty of practice time for each technique will be included.

Each student will have their own torch to work at. Beads will be annealed and available for pick up at the next class.

Topics covered will include: (but not be limited to!)

• The basic round bead
• Dots & Bumps
• Beads don't have to be round: Using tools to shape the glass.
• Stringers, Twisties.
• Raking and Poking
• Controlling the glass

Also covered:

• Safety
• Setting up a home studio
• Selecting equipment

This class is appropriate for complete beginners or those who have taken an Introduction to Lampworking

There are still a few spaces left. Don't miss out on this fabulous class!

Malachite!

Marg brought this back from Tucson - handed it to me, in a small plastic baggy.
"Wow," I enthused, "Nice malachite!" I slid the small strand out into my hand. "Oh," I said, confusion colouring my enthusiasm. "This is ... not Malachite, right?"
"Right," she said. "One of the vendors gave me that. Apparently, there is virtually no new Malachite out there. Nothing affordable. Mostly, it's been mined out."
"D4mn," I replied, turning it over and over and hefting it in my hand. "D4mn. It's good. It feels wrong, but it looks amazing."

This imitation Malachite looks like the real thing, but in your hand, it feels different - too light, and not cool enough. Stone beads feel cooler than room temperature when you pick them up.

I broke one of the beads open - it broke fairly easily when I bore down on it with some pliers - and the colour and streaks go all the way through. We can conclude from this that the colour is not going to scratch or wear off.

Malachite is one of my favourite stones. It's sort of sad to know that had become like turquoise: the real thing is rare and expensive.

Cream Cheese Penguins

The topic of how to make cream cheese penguins was started by an old guy behind the counter at one of our tool wholesalers, of all places. Here's the recipe. Kids would probably love to make these - although very few of the kids I know actually want to eat olives.

Bet they'd be a big hit at a Unix conference too!

Sneak Peek at Upcoming Weeks

A few days ago, I mentioned that the stuff I had sent back from Tucson had arrived. I thought you might l ike to see some pictures of what you'll be seeing on the website over the next few weeks.

First off, for you cabochon lovers, there's some gorgeous dyed Impression Jasper. There will be matching beads as well.



Then, there's a lot more of the large hole beads that proved so popular. The holes in these are in two different sizes. One is large enough to fit the Pandora/Troll bracelets. We will also be carrying sterling grommets that fit these beads for a finished look. The other large-hole beads have holes that are larger than usual, but smaller than the Pandora-sized beads. These are just right for leather or waxed cotton cords, or kumihimo cords.

Of course, there will be lots and lots of great freshwater pearls! Coins, Biwa sticks, baroques, and rounds in lots of colours. There must have been about a hundred pounds of pearls in the shipment







Of course I bought lots of metal beads as well. These are the plated, copper based beads which give you the look of solid sterling for a fraction of the cost. And of course, there is lots and lots of chain, in gold, plated silver, copper and a new enamelled black chain.







Last, but certainly not least, there are the stone beads. Everything from rough chunks of pyrite, pink quartz, amethyst, to ethnic-looking burnt agate, to the best Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.