Bead Social/UFO Night - Wednesday, March 31, 6:00-8:15pm

Have UFOs landed at YOUR house??? Gather them up/dust them off and bring them to the monthly "Bead Social/UFO Night".

Don't bead alone - come join the fun and bead yourself happy. As one student says "It's cheaper than therapy!" Sometimes we even have baked goodies. How can you pass that up?

This is a working class for beaders who may have questions or need a quick refresher in any area of beading. There will be no specific instruction but lots of one-on-one time with students. A great class to get motivated to finish your UFOs (UnFinished Objects) or WIPs (Work In Progress), get back into beading, start a new project, or for social beading. Also, a chance to meet new friends and see old ones. Please bring along some of your finished projects to show the class.

Supplies: beads, stringing material and findings, a bead board or bead mat is also recommended

Cost: $10 + supplies

STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS CLASS MUST HAVE TAKEN A PREVIOUS CLASS WITH THIS TEACHER.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND AND WHAT YOU'LL BE WORKING ON.

Happy Beading!

Return/Refund Policy Change at A.C. Moore - IMPORTANT

Next time you shop at A.C. Moore please make sure to read the back of your receipt. Their return/refund policy has changed - effective immediately.
From now on class fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. If you've paid for a class and can't make it you WILL NOT get a refund - no exceptions. Wilton Classes have their own policy.

If you are taking one of my classes and don't want to sign up in advance at the store please let me know and I will send you the supply list.

Rain, Rain Go Away!!!

I can't believe the rain!!! This month alone we must have gotten at least 10 inches. One good thing - it's not snow!

In between mopping/vacuuming the water in the basement I've been working on my "studio". I have a big project I'm working on and when I can I'll tell you all about it. Also, I just got some new toys (stained glass/grinder/soldering supplies) and can't wait to start playing with them.

Year ago, I heard someone say "pick an organization method and stick with it." Unfortunately the method I picked just doesn't work. I sorted by color and also by type. All of my real pearls are in one place, glass pearls in another, gemstones in another, hanks in another, blue beads in another, green beads in another. I think you get the idea. When I start working on a new project I have to go to several different areas to find the right materials. I'm trying to figure out the best way to organize so I won't have to do it again in a few months. Any suggestions on how you've organized?

Class Suggestions?

Does anyone have any suggestions for future classes? I need submit my calendar for classes in May and June.

Is anyone interested in weekend classes? Daytime classes during the summer? Childern's classes during the summer? Classes at another location? Classes at the A.C. Moore in Newton?

Let me know...

Memory Wire Jewelry Class - 3/24 6-8:15pm

Memory wire is very versatile and not just for kids jewelry. Learn to make a necklace and/or bracelet. No clasp or special finishing is needed because these items just wrap around the neck or wrist. More advanced students can make multi-strand chokers or cuffs. Students will go home with a completed necklace and/or bracelet. This class is suitable for children 12 and older and adults.

Supply List:
• assorted small, medium and large beads
• necklace and/or bracelet size memory wire
• multi strand spacers and/or “sliders” (optional)
• charms (optional)
• 2” head pins (optional)
• Memory Wire end caps (optional)

Tools:
• chain nose pliers
• memory wire cutters
• bead board and/or bead mat (recommended but not necessary)

Peyote Stitch Class

The weather was absolutely gorgeous the past few days so I was busy doing Spring things which meant I neglected my blog. The sun is gone and we're back to drenching rain so I'm back...

Last Wednesday's class was Peyote Stitch, or more specifically, even count flat peyote stitch. Everyone did a great job. I passed along the method I learned from Leslie Rogalski several years ago. If it wouldn't be for that tip I wouldn't be teaching this class and peyote stitch wouldn't be my favorite beading stitch.

Students had a choice of starting a bracelet, pendant or tube beads. Everyone chose to start a bracelet so they all left with "homework". We'll work on finishing techniques during the Bead Social/UFO class at the end of the month.

This week's class is Memory Wire Jewelry. More info on the class later.

Stay dry everyone. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't get flooded again.

Peyote Stitch Basics Class - March 17, 6:00-8:15pm

Class Title: Beading/Jewelry Making – Peyote Stitch Basics (Beginner/Intermediate)
Date: March 17, 2010
Cost: $20 + supplies
Instructor: Julie Ryan
Store: A.C. Moore, Rockaway
Phone: (973) 442-1265

Peyote stitch is probably the most popular beading stitch - but not always the easiest to learn! This class will cover basic even count peyote stitch. Students will make a small piece during class that can be turned into a tube bead, pendant or the start of a bracelet. Project WILL NOT be completed in class. THIS IS A STITCH CLASS USING NEEDLE AND THREAD.

Supply List:
• several colors of delica, seed or cube beads (depending on project)
• assorted other beads for accents and edging
• beading thread or braided fishing line
• beading needles
• stringing material (ex. Beadalon) - optional
• findings (ear wires, head pins, clasp, crimps) - optional

Tools:
• chain nose pliers
• needle nose pliers
• scissors
• bead board and/or bead mat (recommended but not necessary)

Please sign up at the store or contact me in advance so that I have enough hand outs availble.

Happy beading!
 

Fireline Sale AND Rebate

Just in time for Peyote Stitch class - Berkley Fireline is on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods. Not only is it on sale for $12 instead of the regular price of $15.99 but there's even a $5 rebate. Gotta love that!!!

http://dickssportinggoods.shoplocal.com/DSG/default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&flashbrowse=y&storeid=2486182&rapid=851009&pagenumber=1&listingid=-2087691555&ref=%2fdsg%2fdefault.aspx%3faction%3dbrowsepageflash%26storeid%3d2486182%26pagenumber%3d1%26rapid%3d851009%26prvid%3dDSG-100314

If any of my students need me to pick some up for this week's class please let me know.

I've Rarely Met a Bead I Didn't Like!

We've had torrential rains the past few days so I've stayed inside. Some reports say we've gotten over 5 inches of rain. I'm glad it wasn't snow!!! It's almost Spring so I decided to do some cleaning and organizing. OMG!!! Due to the fact that I've rarely met a bead I didn't like I think I have enough beads to last several lifetimes. I even worked on my bookcases holding my craft books. I was amazed at all the books and magazines with sticky notes hanging out indicating the projects I'd like to make. If I want to make them all, I'll probably have to complete at least a project a week and live to the ripe old age of 213!

Lately, in an effort to control my bead buying binges, I try to only buy things that I can "see" in finished items. I have WAY too many beads/findings that are just eye candy. At the time, I thought these things were just gorgeous so I bought them without any thought about what I'd actually do with them. Years later they're still sitting there - unused. I'm thinking about putting these up for sale on Artfire or Etsy. It would be just my luck though to sell something and it becomes the next huge fashion trend and then I'd kick myself for getting rid of it.

I still cruise the bead aisles at the craft stores and go to bead shows whenever they're local. I didn't say I was going cold turkey!!! Besides, someone has to keep Mindy company. She says I'm her "bead enabler".

Anybody else Spring cleaning? Are your beads organized? How - by color or material? Do you have any suggestions on how to organize your bead/craft room? Let me know...

Happy beading!

Ooops!

I was having trouble sending messages from AOL the other day and when I finally was able to send a message, it went to everyone in my address book. Sorry about that.

Wednesday's Class - Fun Was Had by All!

This week's class was Multi-Strand Jewelry. I should say that was the main focus of class but I encourage students to make whatever they'd like in whatever materials they like. In my opinion, nothing's worse than taking a class where everyone makes EXACTLY the same thing with the same materials/colors. In my classes I try to foster creativity and uniqueness.

We had some new faces this week. I met Chrissie and Linda at the "A Bead at a Time" and "Bead Retreat" demo I did a few weeks ago. They opted to do a "Bead Retreat" bracelet kit instead of a multi-strand project. They both left with beautiful bracelets. Julie was another one of the new faces. She worked on a green triple strand bracelet. She did a great job picking beads from her "stash" to come up with a pattern. Renu worked on a trendy necklace for her daughter. It came out great! Diana made a blue fiber optic chip triple strand bracelet. Loved the colors! Mindy brought in a necklace she made at home for "show and tell" and reworked a bracelet she had made before. She knows how to integrate pearls of all types into her fantastic designs. 

I really do need to remember to bring my camera to class so that I can share some of their gorgeous creations with you.

All in all - fun was had by all! Keep up the great work everyone!

Hope to see you again soon...

Beading Over the Years

One thing about me that most people know is that I'm a font of miscellaneous information. I read a lot - not necessarily books though. I tend to read something online and go from link to link to link. Today I came upon a great post about the changes in beading over the years. I have been beading in some form or another since I was a little girl so there have been A LOT of changes that I've seen.

Check out this post http://violetbead.blogspot.com/2010/02/when-i-started-beading.html. Can you relate?

Multi-Strand Jewelry Class - Wed., 3/10/2010, 6:00pm-8:15pm

This is a beginner beading class where you will learn basic bead stringing techniques to create a multi-strand bracelet or necklace. More advanced students will learn more complex multi-strand techniques. This class is suitable for children 12 and older and adults.

Supply List:

• assorted beads and spacers
• beading wire (ie. Beadalon)
• crimp beads or tubes (recommended)
• multi-hole clasp or multi-strand connector and clasp of choice

Tools:
• wire cutters
• crimping pliers
• bead board and/or bead mat (recommended but not necessary)

Location: A.C. Moore, Dover/Rockaway, NJ
Time: 6:00pm - 8:15pm
Cost: $20 + supplies
 

Changes...

Hi Everyone,

As you can see, things are changing here. I recently got a new computer and I'm still on a learning curve with my change from Windows XP to Windows 7. Even though Staples said my programs, printer and scanner would work with my new computer THEY WERE WRONG!!! Most of my programs don't run, my trusty HP Laserjet 1012 does not work and neither does my trusty Visioneer scanner. Luckily I have a Kodak ESP7 AIO printer that works. The scanning is a bit hit or miss though.

 I'm trying to come up with a logo and standard colors for my "brand" so you'll still be seeing some changes.

The biggest change right now is the events list on the right side of the page. Click on the links/bold words to get detailed descriptions of upcoming classes and their supply lists. I've also included some upcoming bead related events.

If something doesn't work for you or if you have suggestions let me know.

Happy beading!
 

Class is ON!

Looks like the snow is going to bypass us. Yeah!!! I'm ready for Spring!

Class is ON for tonight - Earring Wardrobe.

I've set up a Google calendar so check the right side of the blog for upcoming classes and events.

Happy beading!

Snow AGAIN!!!

I can't believe it but they are predicting MORE snow for Wednesday.

Make sure to check here for class cancellation. I'll post the decision by 2:00pm.