Congratulations to our Online Challenge Winner !!

Congratulations to Andra Weber, winner of Bead & Glass Boutique's first ever Online Designer's Challenge !

Andra takes the First Place prize, which is a beading prize pack full of goodies, provided by Bead & Glass Boutique.

"My original kit consisted of the Lisa Peters Cab, five teal blue ceramic donuts and two copper findings. I chose not to use the copper findings in my necklace. I used the following additional materials: 8 triangle, 6 8mm round, 3 tubes ceramic beads which matched the donuts. Also dark brown delicas, size 11 and 8 matt opaque ceylon beige seed beads, size 6 teal blue seed beads, fireline, E600 glue, brown cording, and animal print suede on the back of the pendant."





Visit our Facebook Page to stay tuned for the next Online Challenge - set to start mid to end of January.


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Congratulations & A Party !!

Congratulations to Elizabeth Simpkins for winning our In-Store Lisa Peters Art Designer's Challenge!
Kudos to Joyce Gans for coming in with a very close 2nd place design !!

TOMORROW !!!
Bead & Glass Boutique's Holiday Party on Friday, December 9, 6pm-9pm
We'll be providing refreshments, so if you plan to attend, please call us to reserve a seat !

Pendant Swap – bring a wrapped pendant, up to three to exchange. All pendant packages will be placed in a basket. If you add three, you get to select three! Make it with seed beads, wire, gemstones, bead embroidery – ANYTHING- the sky is the limit! But it must be crafted, no purchased pendants, please. If you need help making one, just ask - we're happy to help !

Pretties & Ugly’s – Bring two wrapped tubes of seed beads, one pretty, one not-so-pretty. Up to two tubes of each type. For each pretty or ugly you contribute, you will be able to choose a mystery package from each basket.

Bring your favorite snack or refreshment to share!

Call 856-827-0000 to reserve your seat !

Online Designer's Challenge (November / December 2011)

Bead & Glass Boutique is hosting an Online Designer's Challenge through our Facebook Page.

Here are the details:

To Qualify:

Purchase a “Lisa Peters Art” Challenge Kit from Bead & Glass Boutique for $20.00 (sales tax applies to NJ residents). Each Challenge Kit contains a Lisa Peters Art focal and color coordinated beads and/or findings. Retail value of kits is $25.00 or more. Each kit is different !
There will only be 25 kits available, therefore this Challenge is limited to the first 25 participants that pay for their kit.

If you are local, you may visit Bead & Glass Boutique and pick up a Challenge Kit.
If you are not local, we will ship your kit to you: Shipping options: $4.00 First Class mail, $6.00 Priority Mail.
You can call 856-827-0000 to purchase a kit with a credit card over the phone.

Enclosed in each Challenge Kit will be required entry information that needs to be submitted by email with your photo of your finished piece.

You must use at least 75% of your kit to design a finished piece of jewelry (total beads used versus total beads in kit will be calculated).
You may use other components of your own without limitation.
You may submit only one piece of jewelry. Sets are not permitted.

Age requirement: 15 years or older
Submit completed entry information and photo of finished piece of jewelry by email to Info@BeadAndGlass.com by Friday, December 16, 2011
Photos are not to be altered (ex: photoshopping) to enhance image. Cropping is acceptable.

Properly completed submissions will be shown on Bead & Glass Boutique’s Facebook page inside of a specially designated photo album. Entrants must email photos to Info@BeadAndGlass.com - please do not post your photo to the album.

Do not TAG your photo with your name. Submissions will remain anonymous until voting is complete. Any tagging or identification notations will be removed and if continued, will disqualify the participant.

Voting is by public “like” ballot. Voters will need to “like” the Bead & Glass Boutique page in order to like a photo.

The submission that receives the most “likes” will determine the winner.
Voting closes on 12/26/11.
Winner announced on 12/27/11.

Prizes:
1st Prize: Beading Prize Pack furnished by Bead & Glass Boutique!
Shipping of prize pack, if necessary, will be provided by Bead & Glass Boutique.

By submitting a photo to Bead & Glass Boutique, you are granting permission to use photo in any and all marketing materials, in print, or online, to promote this and subsequent Challenges. Use of photo and your name associated with design is granted indefinitely by submitting an entry and photo to this Challenge.

Bead & Glass employees & family are not eligible to participate in voting or prizes.

Beader's Challenge - Starts this Friday, November 11th at 6pm

We have a new Beader's Challenge that will begin on Friday Night, November 11th at 6pm.
Our Friday Night Beader's Club participants will have first choice of the unique Lisa Peters Art Challenge Kits that we'll be offering!!
Be sure to reserve your seat for this Friday's event!
Any remaining kits will be made available starting Saturday at 10am, when we open.

A unique twist this time:
EACH KIT IS DIFFERENT !!
Each kit contains a unique Lisa Peters Art piece, along with a variety of coordinating beads and/or unique findings.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it:
Purchase a Lisa Peters Art Challenge Kit for $20.00.
Use 75% of the materials in the kit to make a piece of jewelry.
Return the jewelry AND entry form to Bead & Glass Boutique by close of business on November 25, 2011.
Vote will be by public ballot - one vote per person.
You may purchase as many kits and enter as many times as you'd like.

Unique kits available on a first come, first served basis.

PRIZES !!!!!
1st Prize: Beading Prize Pack & $40 Bead & Glass Boutique class credit toward a class taught by Amy
Runner up: $40 Bead & Glass Boutique class credit toward a class taught by Amy


Official Rules:

• Purchase “Lisa Peters Art” Challenge Bead Kit
• Must use at least 75% of your kit to design a finished piece of jewelry (total used versus total in kit will be calculated).
• You may use other components of your own without limitation.
• You may submit only one piece of jewelry. Sets are not permitted.
• Age requirement: 15 years or older
• Submit completed official entry form & finished piece of jewelry by November 25, 2011
• Properly completed submissions will be placed on display at Bead & Glass Boutique for open voting.
• Voting closes on 12/2. Winner announced on 12/6.
• Prizes:
o 1st Prize: Beading Prize Pack & $40 Bead & Glass Boutique class credit toward a class taught by Amy
o Runner up: $40 Bead & Glass Boutique class credit toward a class taught by Amy
• Bead & Glass employees & family are not eligible to participate in voting or prizes, but may design for display.


Call us today at 856-827-0000 to reserve a seat for this Friday Night Beader's Club.


If you can't attend, that's OK. Any remaining kits will be made available on Saturday.

If you'd like to participate by correspondence, you are very welcome to do so.
Call to purchase your kit. Shipping will be $4.95
We'll select a kit & mail to you.
Return your finished jewelry for display & voting by November 25, 2011.

All of our challenges have been such a fun event - we encourage you to participate if you can !!


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Lisa Peters Art is Coming to Bead & Glass Boutique

Lisa Peters ART will be at Bead & Glass Boutique on November 11-12-13 for a Trunk Show!!

Friday Night Beader's Club attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a special beading challenge using Lisa's pieces. Must be present to participate. Join us on Friday night from 6-9pm.

Shop for your favorite art pieces !
Start your holiday gift making using Lisa's pendants, cabs, and beads!

She's here for the whole weekend - so come visit us !!

www.BeadAndGlass.com

Paulette Baron to Visit Bead & Glass Boutique !!

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Paulette Baron

October 28 - Totally Twisted Pendant - 6pm-9pm
Suitable for a beginner beadweaver with basic knowledge of Peyote stitch





To inquire or sign up, call Bead & Glass Boutique at 856-827-0000
Or email us at
Amy@BeadAndGlass.com

SandFibers Milestone !!

Cogratulations to Carol Dean Sharpe of SandFibers - she's just reached a big milestone in her Etsy shop!

She's celebrating her 3,000th sale and having a fabulous giveaway !

Visit her blog to read more and help her celebrate

SandFibers Blog

So What's New? BEADS - Of Course !

So - what's new at Bead & Glass Boutique?

TONS of new products, beads, classes and fun stuff to come play with !!!

This month, we've debuted a new product called WireKnitZ.
The innovative copper wire tubular knit for artisans and crafters alike. Stretch, stitch, roll, bead, braid, weave, layer and shape it - nothing goes to waste!
Shaped like a tube, WireKnitZ is a product like NO other wire product on the market. It doesn't have any seams, its so easy to work with, and reshape. This month, we have a class that teaches you how to use it as the base for a bracelet or cuff, with a centerpiece of your choice! We currently carry the heavy gauge and the fine gauge. Its about 3" wide and very supple. Check out all the colors we've added to our wire section with this great new product!

-Miyuki has 30 new colors of TILA beads !!! Yes -HAVE all 30 new colors!
They're AWESOME colors too ! Bright and full of vibrancy.

-NEW Miyuki Sharp Triangles, size 8/0 - there are 10 colors of these sharp gems. They sit together so nicely!
These were recently featured in a project in Super Beadwork magazine - and after several requests to carry them, we heard you!!
All 10 colors are in stock - hurry for the best selection.

-Miyuki Delica 11/0 - we've added 40 new colors to our current line-up !
The metallics, the mattes, the luster finishes - OH MY !!
Just in time for your holiday gift making - shop our newly expanded (again) Miyuki delica selection.

In fact - our ENTIRE Seed Bead Section has exploded into an "almost no room left" wall !!
Come help us fix that problem & take some of these new goodies off our hands :)

We now also carry:
-Fireline - available in 125 yard spools in the 6lb size, both crystal and smoke..for the serious seed beader
-Heavy Metal Seed Beads - we've stocked up with lots of new colors of size 11/0, 8/0, and 6/0's

And last, but not least:
-NEW One of a Kind Handmade Lampwork Beads by Amy - shop early for the best selection.



COMING IN OCTOBER!

Shelley Nybakke - October 14-15-16
Don't miss her Heavy Metal Classes! They're all stunningly gorgeous!

October 14 - Kisses of Fire, 3pm-9pm




October 15 - Metalsmith's Match v.201, 12pm-6pm



October 16 - Just Feels So Right, 12pm-6pm




Also in October - ONE NIGHT ONLY

Paulette Baron

October 28 - Totally Twisted Pendant - 6pm-9pm
Suitable for a beginner beadweaver with basic knowledge of Peyote stitch

To inquire or sign up, call Bead & Glass Boutique at 856-827-0000
Or email us at
Amy@BeadAndGlass.com

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Aemelia - Good Quill Hunting Pattern Test - Official Review

I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time about a week and half ago.

Chris, from Good Quill Hunting, posted a call out on her Facebook page requesting pattern testers for a project she was just wrapping up the tutorial for. The requirements were as follows:

You have-#8,#11,#15,4MM & 6MM Fire polish? - CHECK (I own a bead store...do I have beads? haa haaaa!!!)
Knowledge of RAW mandatory - CHECK
I need it done right away,like today - OK, I can swing a little bit of time today - CHECK
You don't have to do the whole piece, but must commit to me for a TODAY test though - OK, I'll do my best for ya!


So I replied.
And I got lucky & was chosen to participate.
I already had some beads on my Save and Go, as I am typically "in the middle" of 3 or 4 projects at once.
My go-to-colors are always olive green, bronze, brown, copper, and either silver or pewter.
If anyone out there knows me well enough, not only are you laughing hysterically, you know that nothing changes. ;)

I scooped up some 4mm's from a stash I had in the other room (brown, of course) and waited to receive her instructions.

Well...
I have to admit. While I thought I knew right angle weave well, oohhh...
I've never done a tubular RAW project. I've done a flat RAW & zipped it up with another row. But never worked in tubular RAW.
I hesitated, and actually thought about emailing Chris to let her know I was in over my head - especially since she needed it worked on right away.
On second thought - here's a chance to try something new, with instructions, and a guide at the other end, if needed !!!

I set to work.

WOW - Not only are her instructions well written - it was perfectly clear what I had to do !
For someone that only had flat and layered RAW experience, I found this a very easy project to complete.
Chris makes her pattern easy to follow, row by row.
Even the clasp construction and attachment was very easy to understand.


Also, I have to admit something - which should speak volumes to you...
I'm what I'd call a technical beader. I am not result driven. I want to learn a technique, apply it until I have a grasp on it, then set it down in the "never getting done" pile. It is rare that I finish projects in a timely manner, and it is quite common that I will get up in the middle of a project and walk away from it.
Sometimes I think I offend whomever is teaching it, but once they get to know my nature, I'm usually excused (*wink*).

It took me a little over a week to complete, an hour here and there, as I just don't get a lot of time to actually sit and bead, uninterrupted.
Hurricane Irene decided to pull a big interruption on my plans during this same time frame.

Can I tell you, from a technical beader - How excited I was about this project & actually had the desire to finish it !?!
That alone - speaks volumes about this pattern.

Now - remember, I had only flat and layered RAW experience.

And I was able to make this:








(Please pardon the quickie camera phone shots - I wanted to get this posted for Chris)

The result is a beautiful, supple, well designed rope.
I can envision using this pattern with LOTS of gorgeous colors.

Please visit Good Quill Hunting and take a look at the great patterns she's published.

Visit her blog to read about the other pattern tester's results !

Artisan Clay Design Team - Guest Designer

Kristie from Artisan Clay sent Bead & Glass Boutique a fabulous selection of her pieces for a trunk show this month.

In turn, she also selected me as her Guest Designer for the month!!

The piece that I worked with is a three-loop connector.

Many of our customers have already seen this piece & LOVE the versatility !!

You can attach a seed bead woven rope to it, you can string with it (as I did), and you can even wire wrap with it.

I wanted to enhance the colors that I saw within Kristie's piece, by complimenting with like colors and warm tones. The necklace is strung with Seaweed Jasper 10mm round beads, 6mm round Swarovski Crystals in Sand Opal and Verde, along with Copper Twisted Tri Rings. It is a substantial piece, with a heavy weight, so to lighten a bit, I chose to use a bit of a new copper chain that we just got in stock, for the remainder of the neckpiece. Clasp is a copper S-Hook.

At the bottom of the three-loop connector are wire wrapped dangles of the same materials.

As always, everything I make has wire guardians and crimp covers, strung on 49-strand flexible beading wire.

I'd like to personally THANK Kristie for choosing me as a guest designer. It was nice to get back to my roots and actually do some stringing and wire wrapping for a change!! I've been so caught up in seed bead patterns and designs, that its nice to see something so simplistic look so sophisticated!

Enjoy !

Bead Fest Philadelphia - Here We Come !!

Today is the start of a big bead trade show in this area.

Its called BeadFest, but many beaders from the tri-state area refer to this as Mecca.

I've been going to Bead Fest for 7 years, this being my 8th.

The excitement has been building for a couple of weeks now, and the day the trade show sales expo floor opens has finally arrived.

It has been fun watching friends on Facebook comment about their excitement and preparations.

As a bead store owner, it is a little different for me.

This is a place where I can go to see all of the people in the beading community that I haven't seen since last year. A place where I can stock up on replacement inventory for the store as well as shop for the latest trends to bring back to our customers.

The beautiful thing about it, is that it is only held 45 minutes away, within driving distance.

So - if you're a blog follower, stay tuned for updates on all of the goodies that we'll be bringing back with us next week. Our customers are in for a real treat !!

If you're going, be sure to say hello as you pass by - its always nice to pick my head up out of the beads to see a smiling face!!

Beadfest - Here We Come !!!

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Are you holding on? Its a wild ride this week at Bead & Glass Boutique

We have an amazing week planned at Bead & Glass Boutique.

Jill Wiseman will be visiting to teach four of her coveted designs.

Visit our webpage for the class offerings:
Jill Wiseman Classes at Bead & Glass Boutique

Here are the class offerings & schedule:

Thursday, August 11

Dew Drop Spiral (beginner), 6pm-9pm = $69 plus materials or kit

Friday, August 12

Rosetta Suite (intermediate only) 6pm-9pm = $89 plus materials or kit

Saturday, August 13

Pitaya Necklace (intermediate) 11am-5pm = $99 plus materials or kit

Sunday, August 14

Night at the Opera (intermediate) 12pm-6pm = $99 plus materials or kit

In addition - we will be featuring a Trunk Show from Artisan Clay.

August 13 - 31

Visit our album on Facebook to see samples of Kristie's work as well as design ideas using her components !!

From Kristie:

All of my work is made in the same methods as functional pottery. Every piece is formed, trimmed, dried, fired, glazed, and fired again before it then can be made into jewelry.

I use many different ceramic techniques in my work, from the use of a potter's wheel and an electric kiln to firing in open pits and digging my own clay.

Recycled glass, bits of clay, wire and baubles and strings..... smoke and ash, fire ... tools......

I love sharing my work and I hope you enjoy it for years to come!

And last, but certainly not least....

We have stocked up on a massive amount of 3mm & 4mm Firepolish strands.

Some of these are difficult to come by, as they are popular and sell out from our suppliers quickly. This time around, I stocked up like you wouldn't believe !!

Candice is working hard to get these new strands tagged & ready for you over at the Boutique.

New or Restocked:

Firepolish 3mm: Crystal

Firepolish 3mm: Luster - Transparent Pink

Firepolish 3mm: Luster - Transparent Champagne

Firepolish 3mm: Dark Bronze

Firepolish 3mm : Tanzanite

Firepolish 3mm: Iris - Green

Firepolish 3mm : Twilight - Crystal

Firepolish 3mm: Apollo (Gold)

Firepolish 3mm: Crystal/Marea

Firepolish 3mm: Crystal/copper line

Firepolish 3mm: Montana Blue

Firepolish 3mm: Aquamarine

Firepolish 3mm : Persian Turquoise

Firepolish 3mm: Luster - Stone Green

Firepolish 3mm: Luster - Stone Blue

Firepolish 3mm: Luster - Transparent Green

Firepolish 3mm: Bronze

Firepolish 3mm : Dual Lustered Blue/Green

Firepolish 3mm : Matte- Apollo Umber

Firepolish 3mm : Luster - Metallic Amethyst

Firepolish 3mm : Matte Metallic Flax

Firepolish 3mm : Luster - Alexandrite

Firepolish 3mm : Luster Peridot

Firepolish 3mm : Luster - Lt. Green Turquoise

Firepolish 3mm : Luster - Opaque Green

Firepolish 3mm : Silver Lined - Crystal

Firepolish 3mm : Vitrail - Milky Peridot

Firepolish 3mm AB: Crystal

Firepolish 3mm AB: Mid. Amethyst

Firepolish 3mm AB: Montana Blue

Firepolish 3mm : Turquoise AB

Firepolish 4mm: Hematite

Firepolish 4mm: Luster - Transparent Champagne

Firepolish 4mm: Dark Bronze

Firepolish 4mm: Luster - Transparent Gold/Sm.Topaz

Firepolish 4mm: Amethyst

Firepolish 4mm: Iris - Brown

Firepolish 4mm: Iris - Blue

Firepolish 4mm: Iris - Green

Firepolish 4mm: Iris - Purple

Firepolish 4mm: Jet

Firepolish 4mm: Silver

Firepolish 4mm: Apollo (Gold)

Firepolish 4mm: Montana Blue

Firepolish 4mm : Dual Coated - Blueberry/Green Tea

Firepolish 4mm : Prairie Green

Firepolish 4mm: Milky Peridot

Firepolish 4mm: Luster - Stone Pink

Firepolish 4mm : Luster Rose/Gold Topaz

Firepolish 4mm : Teal Tortoise

Firepolish 4mm : Dual Lustered Blue/Green

Firepolish 4mm: Aluminium

FirePolish 4mm : Matte - Apollo jet

Fire Polish 4mm : Metallic Brown

Firepolish 4mm : Jet - Bronze Picasso

Firepolish 4mm : Luster - Topaz

Firepolish 4mm : Luster - Opaque Beige

Firepolish 4mm : Luster - Alexandrite

Firepolish 4mm : Luster Peridot

Firepolish 4mm : Luster - Opaque Rose/Gold Topaz

Firepolish 4mm : Silver Lined - Rosaline

Firepolish 4mm : Opaque Turquoise - Picasso

Firepolish 4mm : Crystal/Vitral

Firepolish 4mm : Twilight - Crystal

Firepolish 4mm : Twilight - Jet

Firepolish 4mm : Twilight - Peridot

Firepolish 4mm - AB: Crystal

Firepolish 4mm - AB : Coated Lavender

Firepolish 4mm - AB: Jonquil

Firepolish 4mm : Crystal - Celsian

Firepolish 4mm : Light Sapphire - Celsian

Firepolish 4mm : Sapphire - Celsian

Firepolish 4mm : Chrysolite - Celsian

If you want to choose from the best selection - stop by soon, we have a BIG class this week that will wipe us out of the fancy finishes.

Have a great week !!

See you at the Boutique !

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Lisa Peters Art is Coming to Bead & Glass Boutique

YES !! You heard me correctly !

Lisa Peters is bringing all her beading goodness to Southern New Jersey for a Trunk Show at Bead & Glass Boutique !!

You love her buttons.
You love her pendants.
You REALLY love her cabochons.

Now - come get them!

Friday, July 15, 2011 from 1pm-7pm

Bead & Glass Boutique is sponsoring a Giveaway Drawing too!
For every Lisa Peters Art Piece that you purchase, your name will be entered to win a prize giveaway from Bead & Glass Boutique !

Shop early - and buy lots!

2:00pm Bead Embroidery You Can Do In One Day
Sign up if you'd like to learn how to use Lisa's pieces in something you can make in one day

Bead Embroidery you can do in one day - pendant with Lisa Peters Art Small Cab




Bead Embroidered Cuff with Lisa Peters Art Button




See You at Bead & Glass Boutique !!



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Inbound, Already Landed, Upcoming Stuff !!

Dropping by to update on lots of fun stuff happening at Bead & Glass Boutique in Pitman, New Jersey:

New items - In Stock Now:

Sherry Serafini's new book on bead embroidery
Delicas (11/0) - wow - you should see how many colors we have in stock now - including the Sterling Silver Plated Delica !! You won't find another silver more bright!
Miyuki's Duracoat seed beads in 6/0 (great in a Cellini Spiral), 8/0 and 11/0
New Handmade Porcelain Cabochons and Buttons by a local artist
1 pound brass mallet for stamping & forming metal
Bracelet Bending Pliers for making personalized stamped bracelets from metal blanks


Inbound:

Toho Seed Beads - TONS of new colors, arriving next week, we just have to get the lil beads into tubes.
Czech Glass Beads & Firepolish Strands
TierraCast products - new pieces with awesome designs
Fireline in 125 yard spools - by demand - for my dedicated seed bead weavers that use a LOT of thread
Bead Caps for Viking Knit & Wire Crochet - these will also fit over thinner Kumihimo braids
A selection of unique colors of Miyuki Seed Beads

Upcoming Classes - Exciting !

Bead Embroidery Cuff - PART 1 - Don't' miss it !! April 6th, 6pm
Knot Entwined Bracelet with Candice - a truly unique design, April 9th, 1pm
Bead Embroidery You Can Do In One Day ! - you'll finish a project in class! April 17th, 12:30pm
Like My Spikes - a new bracelet class with Candice - April 26th, 6pm
Tilted Tila Bracelet - by demand! Sign up early - April 30th, 10:30am
Bezeled Porcelain Cab with Pointed Bail - May 1st, 12:30pm

See you at the Boutique !!

The Best Little Bead Box's Visit to New Jersey

Well, its been here...

and now its on its way to the next lucky participant in the group for Round 2.

What a week.....
And at the end of it all, was the joy and happiness that beads can bring to a beader - let alone a child coping with a serious illness. Perspective was found....


Read about the Best Little Bead Box's visit to New Jersey & the adventures of Courage Tiger.
He had a very important role this week !

The Best Little Bead Box Blog


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The BEST Little Bead Box !

The Best Little Bead Box has arrived in New Jersey !!!!!!

Its fresh from the doorstep.
While I wasn't home to tackle the post lady when it was delivered, I was super excited to grab a glass of wine & tear into the box of treasures.
Careful selection must be made....
I am a real sucker for some of the pieces contained inside.

I encourage everyone to read about this project.
Not only is it a tremendously FUN way to share with fellow beaders, the end result is an amazing benefit for Beads of Courage.

Please share with me as we follow the box across the US !!



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Can NEW BEADS snap you out of the winter blues? OF COURSE they can !!

This region of the country is certainly getting our share of *ick* weather this year.
It would be one thing if we received a happy amount of snow dumping on us, let us sit inside for a couple of days, then move on with it.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature does as she pleases, and we've been receiving adequately pain in the touchie amounts of snow over the last several weeks.

BUT!
There's always a bright side - right?
Nothing better to cheer you out of your cold snowy weather slump than........ NEW BEADS !!!!!
YIPPEE

Bead & Glass Boutique just received a great shipment of some new colors for your shopping pleasure:

Delica beads (11/0) in the new Duracoat finishes, and we even ordered the silver plated babies - we want to see them SHINE in your work.

Delica beads (8/0) in lots of new colors - and stay tuned a new class is coming using these beauties!

LOTS and lots of LONG MAGATAMA beads are in - you saw the bracelet on the cover of Beadwork, right?! The Dragon Bangle is a must have (see pg 74). We have lots and lots of colors to choose from - BUT - Hurry in - because I've heard from a reliable supply source that these are now so popular that he expects to sell out of the best selling colors here shortly. (*gasp*)

Keeping that issue of Beadwork in mind, page 44 has the "Brilliant Buckle Bracelet" featured. By request, we now have the colors in stock to make this exact piece. Hurry, supplies are limited on this one.


I also want to THANK all of the newest followers to the blog. Not only is it fun to share an update now & again, you'll be able to read about new projects that we're working on & mixing up for you.

Thanks readers !!


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An Interview with the sensational beader Sherry Serafini!

Lark Books Publishing posted an interview with Sherry Serafini, the beading "rockstar", known for her beautiful bead embroidery pieces.

Sherry's new book, "Sensational Bead Embroidery" is set to be released in April 2011.

Check out her interview, see a preview of some of the projects in the new book, and learn more about this rockstar!

Contact Bead & Glass Boutique to pre-order this publication - SURE TO SELL OUT!

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An advantage to having a cold?

Well, the last 6 days have posed a challenge for me. I've been forced home, taking time out of the office, and not stepping foot in the Boutique. (a big THANK YOU to my wonderful staff for holding down the fort)

I managed to catch a wicked cold during the Christmas holiday & became quite ill after the festivities settled down. I spent 3 days between sleeping in bed & sleeping on the couch. Countless fevers breaking, only to escalate again.

Then on New Years Eve, I managed to start to feel better !! Needless to say, not one to push it, I decided to saty home and forego the annual partying we always engage in. GB and I had a nice dinner together (although nothing tasted quite right), and we were home, him sleeping through the New Year's ball dropping. That was really quite OK with me. I didn't need the potential hangover after being sick.

So Saturday - I woke feeling pretty good, and I spent most of the day at the torch !! My creativity spurs all the time, I just usually don't have the time on my side to be able to dive in. This time, I felt OK, so I decided to work at the torch. Lots of little glass treasures were made - and I enjoyed every minute!

There will even be something special in the kit for our next Beader's Challenge announced this month at the Boutique!

Sunday came along, and I managed to pull out the seed beads and work on three - YES - THREE - class samples that I have been terribly behind schedule in making for January's classes at the Boutique.

Then it hit me...by Sunday night - sick again !! This time, worse than the first time around. Bah!

And today was no different - spent most of the day alternating between sleeping and coughing.

But, even through all of that, given the nature of bead embroidery (and most seed beading for that matter), you can pick up and put down whenever necessary. I managed to pick up a piece that I had been working on several weeks ago, with the Lisa Peters Art focal piece. The surface is now finished the beading, and it has been glued to its base.

If I manage to wake tomorrow feeling the same sicky-ness - I just might find myself finishing up the piece.

Over this week, I treated myself to some of the generosity of Carol Dean Sharpe of Sand Fibers. She had a generous sale for the new year on her beading patterns. I picked up four of the favorites I've been keeping my eye on for a while. Maybe I'll get some time to work on them as well.

So - forced time off to allow the body to rest...

Is there an advantage to this? I've been more creative and completed more projects in the last six days than I have in the last month or two combined !!

Somebody's trying to tell me something, eh?

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