Eye Candy

For your viewing pleasure tonight, some EYE CANDY! I swear there is not a bead in my shop that I do not love. Did you know we still carry Czech seed beads by the hank? Not many stores do anymore but being both the traditional ( and non traditional ) beader that I am; I love these beads. I especially like the hanks and strands of Czech seed beads that have the antique finish on them known as a picasso finish. Very handsome, colorful, yet subtle as if they were found in an archeology dig. I just received a note yesterday that a new shipment of these beads is on its way. Come on in and I will show a few of my favorite favorites!

About May

It is an exciting day in the neighborhood as we finally get sidewalks at the shop! We are holding our breath too that we might even get a tree planted near our corner. So much has changed downtown yet, after 26 years, we remain. We still have a great bead selection, teach classes, offer on site help, repair your pieces and have a great supply of jewelry that is made in my studio. Plus, of course, all the charms I cast that are then transformed into earrings and pendants and so much more. Right now, I am debating what hours to be open this summer. I will stay all day and into the evening if it does not get too hot. This girl melts in the heat! I am loving opening in the morning at 11 and closing by 5:30. What do you all think?

Mother's Day has come and gone and the roses given to me by Jacob and Kaycee still live on in the shop. I am a very lucky mom!

I am keeping this posting deliberately short so that I can return to my studio where I have dreamcatchers, earrings and a funky necklace in progress. 

Here is a studio shot of the Swarovski earring crystals all stacked up, ready to be transformed into jewelry. Years ago I made pretty necklaces of crystal and black seed beads that were much loved. I am thinking of doing them again because one thing I think we can all use again these days is some sparkle! 

Just Around Here

It is the end of a wonderful spring day, full of sun, light and warmth even if it was a tad noisy in the shop today due to all the construction on the road outside our front door. We are excited because, cross your fingers, paving in our beady neck of the woods should be done next Thursday. Although, like much else in life, it is weather dependent. Plus, the construction does not happen on Fridays through Sundays, so park away downtown!

We will be open until 7:30 this coming Saturday, the 5th, for Gallery Walk. We will have our classroom upstairs open for a continuing trunk show and sale along with the bead shop being open downstairs. I hope you will stop by as Lucas, who is maybe coming out of his puppyhood, may be working the shop and he loves to meet and greet!

I thought I would just show you a couple of pictures and then head off to dreamland myself for the evening. I am also posting the first blurb here about our upcoming POP UP SHOP at the BEAD SHOP, on May 11th and 12th, Friday and Saturday. The shop is a fair trade for craft supplies, baskets, candles and more from Africa and my friend Richard, will be on hand to tell you of his journey, his goods and his crafts.

Here is a picture of a very limited supply of a glass grape colored agate bead from the Czech Republic, one of my favorites. If this bead needs to hold a spot in your stash, stop in soon and pick a strand up!

Also, this lovely, vintage scrimshawed bone beads are just about gone. We still have a few remaining and if you need something special to add to your bead collection, this could be THE bead!.

Wishing you the best of sleep and a beady good evening.