BeadStyle

Come see me in Willow Grove, Pa.

2009-11-06T20:36:00Z

I’ll be doing a demo and signing copies of my book Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry at the grand opening of the new A.C. Moore store in Willow Grove, Pa., from noon. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21, 2009.

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, please come and say hi. It’s my first official book-signing trip and I’d love to see some friendly faces.

Sonia Kumar and other impressive teens

2009-11-04T20:24:00Z

Lately, I've been really impressed with teenagers. My son and daughter are so much more responsible than I was at their age. They have great friends, they spend time doing volunteer work, and they do homework each night without reminders from me. Last week, Rachel, a senior in high school, set up an appointment to come in and visit us to learn more about what's involved in being an Editor. And if you have the November issue of BeadStyle magazine, you've undoubtedly seen the jewelry of Sonia Kumar. In both of her November designs — cool zipper-heart earrings and a copper wire cuff — she teaches us new techniques. Sonia is just 17 years old and already a gifted designer. One of my favorite pieces by Sonia is a bracelet made from the top of a sardine can. She drilled holes in the can and sanded the edges to make it safe to wear. Visit Sonia's Etsy shop to see more of her amazing jewelry, like the copper earrings shown here.

Resin lessons, part 2

2009-11-03T20:21:00Z

In last week's post, I talked about how I'm a true beginner when it comes to using resin. So I've been practicing, making lots of pieces in my molds. (By the way, I love the mold-making stage — it's much more forgiving than the mixing/pouring/curing processes.)

Here are a few of my first pieces, ridden with bubbles.

There are many, many pieces like the ones above. To add insult to injury, the backs of these pieces — the sides that no one sees — are glossy and smooth.

So frustrating.

But then I had a breakthrough: I traced many of my problems back to temperature. It's critical that you pour the resin at the appropriate temperature — 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. And I had been pouring cold resin. To achieve better results, I warmed the bottles in cups of warm water. (Never microwave the bottles.)

Also, my office isn't 70 to 80 degrees, so when I left for the day, I came back to bubbly pieces.

So I shut the door and put the pieces near it (where it's warmest). Now I'm making progress.

One last thing: last week, I mentioned adding a drop or two of colorant. I should have said "at a time." Of course it matters how much resin you're pouring. But a drop or two will add a tinge of color rather than a bright, even shade. I have yet to overdo it on the color, so this is another thing for me to watch for.

I'm actually pleased with the results of the gummy popcorn pieces: the sugar from the candy created a texture in the mold, and these are the results:

Don't they look good enough to eat?

A new exhibit at The Bead Museum

2009-11-02T15:08:00Z

A few months ago, Bead&Button Editor Ann Dee Allen blogged about the efforts to help The Bead Museum in Glendale, Ariz., keep its doors open despite distressing economic times. The Bead Museum is the last of its kind in the world after the bead museum in Washington D.C. was forced to close earlier this year.

Today, I’m happy to report that The Bead Museum is still here! In fact, it recently opened a new exhibit, From Caves to Castles: If Beads Could Talk, that explores beads as old as 2 million years old and as recent as the end of the Islamic Period in 1400 AD. The goal is to understand how beads tell the story of human culture, especially how they illustrate important turning points in history. To see photos from the exhibit, check out The Bead Museum’s Facebook album (you don’t need to be a member of Facebook to view the photos).

Keep supporting The Bead Museum by booking a visit this winter. Not planning on traveling in the near future? Check out 20 Ways to Love The Bead Museum. I was amazed at what we can do to help without leaving home!

More about Brea Bead Works

2009-10-29T18:39:00Z

We ran a short Q&A about Brea Bead Works — our third "Favorite Bead Store" winner — in the November issue of BeadStyle. Here is the Brea Bead Works profile with the info we had to trim for space. Congratulations again, Brea Bead Works!

From the first time I walked
into Brea Bead Works and introduced myself, they remembered my name and have always been generous with their knowledge and kindness. I can’t say enough nice things about BBW!”
– Iris Stuart, Anaheim, Calif.

Almost 100 other customers agreed with Iris. In BeadStyle’s “Favorite Bead Store” competition, Brea received 96 votes. Below is part of our conversation with owners Scott and Wendy Remmers.

When did you open Brea Bead Works?
We opened in October of 2002 with 750 square feet. Today we have 5,700 square feet including about 3,000 feet for four workshop areas. The largest workshop is
used for metal workshops, glass fusing, and five stations for flameworking.

Why did you decide to open the store?

Both of us were going through career and job changes around 2000-2001. Wendy was a freelance graphic designer for various movie studios, catalog companies and design studios, and Scott was a marketing director in the movie industry. Jewelry making was always a passion of Wendy’s and after planning a business around that idea it was determine to open a store. The goal from the beginning was to pass that love of beads along to others and educate them on the endless possibilities it brings. The backgrounds of graphic design and business that we both had from our background made the store operate in a very well rounded manner.

Wendy operated the store with a staff for the first two years and Scott left the corporate marketing world and came on board in the third year since the business was in a very fast growth period. It was always intended that both of us would work the store to be it just took place sooner than later.

What kinds of classes do you offer?
We offer about 120 workshops a quarter that range from basic techniques, called the “Foundation Series” workshops, to weaving, stitching, wire wrapping, chainmaille, soldering, fine silver fusing, flamework, glass fusing, Art Clay Silver, polymer clay, and metals.

We feel very fortunate that our workshop program is in high demand with the customers. Our workshop program will usually have about 120 workshops per quarter. Most of them are held in the evening during the week but recently we started holding more workshops during the morning and afternoon hours and are seeing success with those.

We rent studio time for flameworking, glass fusing, and kiln firing. Our studio rental time is pretty much open during the day and in the evening depending on other workshops taking place at the time. We keep Tuesdays wide open for what we call “Late Night Tuesdays” when we stay open until 9 pm for the flameworkers to get at least one evening session of torching in.

When a new quarter of workshops is announced the customers will line up some seven to eight hours in advance to register. We think it is just plain crazy but the customers love tailgating, hanging out together and talking each other into taking certain workshops. By the time we open our doors that morning we will usually have some 80-90 people in line.

Usually there are around 1,000 seats available between the 120 workshops and 60% of the workshop seats are sold out on the first day of registration and more than 80% of the workshops will sell out in the quarter. We will also hold about 20 additional workshops to accommodate the sold-out classes.

Besides the 15 or so local instructors on our schedule, we have brought in many national instructors in all areas of beading. Some of the national instructors are:

Jack Berry
Ken Bova
Sheilah Cleary
Melanie Doerman
Christi Friesen
Sharilyn Miller
Ann & Karen Mitchell
Cindy Pankopf
Janet Pitcher
Margaret Zinser

We are lucky!! We know that there is not one particular thing that made this workshop program successful, if there is… it was our planning and understanding what makes for a good workshop, but really…there are so many pieces of the puzzle that just came together to create this program. We feel that our program is very good because we have cultivated it over seven years of being in the business and by talking to our customers, talking to many bead store owners and instructors on a regular basis. We don’t take business for granted!!

We belong to the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers), Craft and Hobby Association, the national Art Clay Society and also are founders the local Art Clay Society of Orange County. So may being involved, attending shows and seminars it keeps us out the edge of the industry and that information can be given to our customers.

What kinds of beading/jewelry-making do you do personally?
Wendy has been beading for over 20 years. She is interested in all areas of beading. Metals have been an area of concentration for the last three or four years whether it is chainmaille, soldering, fine silver fusing or whatever. Her book “Make it in Minutes – Jewelry” came out about two years ago and shows off some 40 projects that can be completed in about one hour. This book as sold world wide and has brought attention to her and the store.

Scott enjoys flameworking and glass fusing. While these glass workshops are very popular there is an opportunity to help people start their own jewelry design businesses with the business workshops. We teach customers how to properly set-up a business and how to market themselves.

What are you most proud of?

That is a tough question to answer. We are proud of our staff! Their day to day commitment to serving the customer whether it is a new beader coming in trying to figure out what a crimp is or whether it is signing someone up for a workshop, they are there for the customer.

We are proud of our customers! Since day one they have been coming back and back. Hard times or not. Without them there would be no Brea Bead Works. They believe in us and the plan that we have set forth to do. We are open and honest with them about our plan of bringing in a good selection of product at a fair price, giving them the top-notch service they need, make them feel appreciated, and many times like family, give them education and allow them a place to escape and do what they enjoy.

We are proud of the fact we have networked with many bead store owners a crossed the United States and have shared information on about our businesses. Things like better customer service, marketing and promotional ideas, merchandising ideas, and just time to talk to someone who goes through want we do on a daily basis.

What is your customer service philosophy?

We strive everyday and we train our staff to be the better than anyone else. We spend at least three days of training with a new hire and explain our history, our philosophy and how to have an employee-customer relationship first and foremost. The main thing is we have never forgotten our mission. That is to serve the customer to the highest degree. When you walk in the door you are greeted usually by name, if you’re a regular, or with a pleasant “Hello” if your new to the store and always helped with enthusiasm. We don’t care how much money you spent that day, it is all about the relationship we have with our customers.

Our store is set up to have the sales staff out on the floor and out from behind any counter. We are never behind a counter waiting for someone to come to us. Customers are coming in to explore and see what is new! What better way to have a staff member showing you what is new since the last time you came in or helping you with color combinations.

With their purchase customers also get a genuine “Thank you”.

Do you guys sell at all online? Do you plan to in the future?
We do not sell online because our focus is the communities we serve in Southern California. There are so many resources out there for people to buy from and we would never be able to compete or give our best service to the e-commerce side of the business. Our total attention is spent to those walking in the door each day to help them with whatever needs they have that day.

How are you handling challenging economic times?
We are taking it one day at a time. As we all know retail has not been the same over the last year. What these hard times have done is made us analyze our daily operations to the bone and it has widened our eyes on something’s we should stop doing or things that needed to adjust. This has lead to cost savings for the store which enables us to pass those savings along to the customers.

One thing we’ve done is started a tote bag program, which helps us and our customers. We have given out tote bags made from recycled fibers at special events (or they can be purchased at the store). When the customer brings in the tote and spends $25 or more, they receive $1 off. It cuts down on the number of paper bags used and saves the customers money. Also, the bag entitles them to other special savings each month.

We are doing more trunk shows this year so that the product selection to the customer is broader and perhaps something the store would not sell on a regular basis. A “trends” presentation is given each season. This presentation of jewelry is made by the staff and shows off the hottest trends for that upcoming season. This display is the first stop in the store!

We have held two major bead retreats in the last year and half. In 2008 we had Bead Away – Hawaii in which 30 workshops took place over a weekend in Waikiki overlooking Diamond Head. Then in 2009 it was Bead Away – Las Vegas! Within those days of workshops is also a Bead Store Tour to pre-arranged bead stores in that area. The attendees just love to see the variation of product in each store plus it supports the local bead stores.

What is the most frequently asked question from new beaders who come into your store?
“You mean I can make that?” “I did not realize that I could make something without a lot of effort.”

Brea Bead Works
1027 East Imperial Highway
Suite D5
Brea, CA 92821
714.671.9976
info@breabeadworks.com
breabeadworks.com

Resin lesson

2009-10-27T15:25:00Z

Having designed and written about jewelry for many years, I've taken for granted my ability to handle the basic steps of jewelry making.

Not so with resin.

I'm working on a resin project for the March issue. Up to this point, my experience had consisted of pouring Diamond Glaze into lockets.

With this project, though, I've been challenged by the precision required: mixing equal parts of EasyCast (between 70 and 80 degrees) for two minutes, then one minute. Then just a drop or two of colorant.

Also, resin work requires much more time than designing jewelry (at least, for me). It's a hurry-up-and-wait process. Three minutes to work the silicone putty into a mold. Three minutes of mixing the EasyCast. Then 24 to 72 hours for curing. And there isn't much fixing that I can do — I'll just have to learn from my mistakes.

I am a true beginner here. My lesson learned: Read all the instructions first.

Cool gift ideas, clean conscience

2009-10-26T14:53:00Z

I’ve just discovered Kumvana Gomani’s fabulous recycled-materials jewelry. Her fashion-forward collection is created from reclaimed PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic and aluminum. I particularly like her snö jewelry, including this necklace and these earrings – what cool holiday gift ideas! Plus you can rest easy knowing that your purchase was an eco-friendly one.

A note about navigating Kumvana Gomani’s site: Click on Collection, then click on any of the three women wearing her jewelry to enter the store.

Recycle Rio style

2009-10-22T18:05:00Z

While hunting for a fallen bead under my desk today, I picked up a number of bits and scraps of wire from projects past. Normally I just toss them, but I've started to save them (at least the sterling and gold-filled bits) to sent to Rio Grande for recycling and cash.

Rio accepts silver, gold, gold-filled, palladium, fired PMC and platinum items.

What's it worth? Below are the rates on the day I checked the site.

For credit:

Solid fine and sterling silver scrap is calculated at 75% of the current silver market and applied to your Rio Grande account. (Note: Because sterling silver contains less pure silver by weight, and because Rio pays both sterling and fine silver at this percentage, you will actually receive payment in the equivalent of 81% for sterling silver).

Solid karat gold is calculated at 75% of the current gold value and applied to your Rio account.

For cash:

Silver and gold payments are calculated at 65% and paid in a check.

Also:

Silver dust is paid (or credited) at 40% of current market. Gold-filled scrap is paid (or credited) at 1.89% of the current gold market (market price x .0189)
Palladium and platinum scrap are paid (or credited) at 60% of their current metal value.

I won't be retiring on the proceeds of the scraps I recycle, but it makes more sense than tossing it in the garbage. For more information, go to riogrande.com/scrap.

shoewlery

2009-10-21T18:39:00Z

Upper Echelon Shoes (UES) has just come out with shoewlery. The sneakers come with a regular pair of laces and a gold plated pair. With any purchase of Seni sneakers, you receive a free copy of DJ Nick Cohens latest mix tape. In case you're wondering who DJ Nick Cohen is.... he's not only a DJ, but also the owner of Upper Echelon Shoes. Nick and his partner Seth Campbell have been in business together since 2005. They are available on line at Blue & Cream. Pretty clever in a blingy kind of way. You can see more styles at M.I.S.S.

Bonus design: Design alternative for "Multifaceted multicolored multistrand" necklace

2009-10-20T20:48:00Z

If you made the "Multifaceted multicolored multistrand" projects in the November 2009 issue, you might have a few gemstone nuggets left over. After I made mine, I had two rubies and ten amethysts left, as well as a couple of strands of pearls.

So in the spirit of "less is more," I decided to make a superlong necklace with my extra supplies.

The meaning of "superlong" may be up for debate, but to me, 48 inches or longer seems very long. (That's an arbitrary assessment.)

I strung pearls and faceted gold spacers on .010 flexible beading wire. At 12-inch intervals, I strung a nugget.

I opted to skip the clasp on this necklace, finishing instead with a large-hole gold spacer. In retrospect, a clasp might have been a good idea: the strand is not quite the right length for a bracelet. So plan ahead.

Another thing I learned from making this: .010 wire tends to kink on the end, so trimming it when it got jammed made the stringing easier.

The necklace looks pretty when worn as long and short strands, or wrapped two or three times.

The Bead&Button Show - it's closer than you think!

2009-10-19T16:18:00Z

This week, in addition to taking one last look at the pages of BeadStyle's January issue before it heads to the printer, I start editing the 2010 Bead&Button Show class catalog. "But the Bead&Button Show is months away," you say. Is it, or is it right around the corner? Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:

- Now: Preorder your Bead&Button Show class catalog. The catalogs are expected to ship December 18.

- January 12, 2010: Online class registration opens.

- April 5, 2010: Deadline for submitting Bead Dreams entries. Check out the new wirework category!

If the economy is a big consideration for next summer's plans, now is the time to start making plans and budgeting for the 2010 Bead&Button Show. Go to BeadAndButtonShow.com for more info!

You still have the weekend to apply for the American Craft Council's shows "AltCraft" segments

2009-10-16T20:09:00Z

The American Craft Council is still accepting AltCraft applications for its flagship show in Baltimore and its show in Atlanta.

This section celebrates the innovative techniques and materials of the burgeoning handmade movement. This is an opportunity for talented artists and indie designers to gain national exposure at a well-established show.

The ACC will be accepting 15 artists for Baltimore and 10 for Atlanta.

The deadline has been EXTENDED to Monday, October 19.

You must submit:

(3) low-resolution images of your work
a brief description of your work (materials, dimensions, techniques)
contact information (mailing address, email addresses & website)
if the application is for the Baltimore, Atlanta or both
Finalists will be announced in mid-November.
Send submissions and inquiries to Erika at altcraft@craftcouncil.org.

As part of the Council’s commitment to indie crafters, the cost of participation includes pre-setup of a skirted table, seating, electricity, lighting and trusses. Plus, there’s no application fee!

More than 700 artists present their work at the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore , attracting a crowd of 25,000 people to the largest juried, indoor craft show in the nation. This year, the retail show will run four days, from Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 25 - 28.

The American Craft Council Show in Atlanta will be celebrating its 21st year. Atlanta show dates are Friday to Sunday, Mar. 12- 14, plus an evening event on Thursday, Mar. 11.

Applicants are eligible only if they have NOT shown in an American Craft Council show previously. Embellished commercially-bought items (such as t-shirts and notecards) are not eligible.

Sea glass festival

2009-10-14T14:58:00Z

If you are anywhere near Erie, Pennsylania this weekend (Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th), make time to swing by the Bayfront Convention Center for the 2009 American Sea Glass Festival. For questions about the festival, you may contact Megan at meganh@relishinc.com. If you have a favorite shard, bring it along and check out the Shard of the Year contest (SOTY). Last year's winner, Linda Boehm from New York, walked away with the $1,000.00 prize. To learn more about genuine vs. artificial sea glass, visit The American Sea Glass site, seaglassassociation.org.

If you are not going to be in Erie this weekend and need a clever idea, check out Snare treasures from the sea. This bracelet made with wire wrapped sea glass from the July 2009 issue, was designed by Christine Haynes.

Trade beads

2009-10-14T14:04:00Z

A few weeks back I went to the Rings & Things Wholesale Bead Tour. These are two strands that I purchased. Aren't they beautiful?

I've never seen anything quite like them.

I want to research a bit more about these beads from Ethiopia, and possibly feature them in a design, perhaps for a future issue of BeadStyle as a Beads of Change feature. I've been fascinated with trade beads for some time and am currently working on a design using glass trade beads that will be in the January issue. It's so interesting – and often quite sad – to learn about the historical and cultural significance of beads in Africa.

If you are interested in learning more about beads and are in the Phoenix area, check out The Bead Museum on Wednesday October 21st. Lois Dubin, author of The History of Beads for a cocktail reception, lecture, and book signing.

One day left for Pearl challenge entries

2009-10-13T14:44:00Z

The deadline for our pearl challenge is midnight tomorrow (Oct. 14)!

The challenge first appeared in our August newsletter, but here are the key details if you have some last minute inspiration.

Pearls will be published in April of 2010 and will include the winners of our first special issue reader design contest. Design a necklace, bracelet, or earrings project using primarily pearls. We’re looking for designs that range from casual and office styles to fancy evening jewelry. Use any kind or combination of pearls that appeals to you. Designs can be classic or have a more modern edge — wherever your creativity takes you.

Winning projects will appear in the Pearls special issue and the winning designers will be awarded great prizes, including Crystallized - Swarovski Elements. Send a JPEG of your piece to editor@beadstylemag.com by Oct. 14, 2009. The JPEG should show the entire piece. If there are small details you’d like us to see, send us a separate close-up shot. Winners will be asked to loan us the actual piece of jewelry to photograph.