Patterndays 5/17/08

Wedding season is upon us, so I think this is a good time to discuss pearl knotting.

Here is a great tutorial on how to knot a strand of pearls and how to make your own work surface to do it. If you want to use the Tricord knotter tool instead, this tutorial will show you how it is done. Either way, you can make perfect knotted strands of pearls.

So what can you do with your new skills? Make some jewelry, of course! The tin cup necklace style is a perennial favorite. You can also make a multi-colored graduated necklace.

If you are feeling really ambitious, take a stab at dyeing your own pearls.

Enjoy!

"Did You Know..." Fridays, and Stock Update

On Fridays, I will reveal a little tidbit about the shop and/or myself!

Did you know that I worked in the computer industry for 9 years before I opened the bead store? I was a UNIX Systems Administrator before I was laid off in 2002. Now you know!

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STOCK UPDATE: We have 11/0 gold-plated seed beads back in stock. We have a bunch of new seed beads (matte silver-lined 11/0s), stone strands (chunky pendants and pretty rounds), and Turkish silver (clasps, cones, and more!) that will be going up on the walls over the next 2 weeks.

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Come visit downtown this Friday night and Saturday for Doors Open Lowell. This is a great way to get a look at the architecture and history of the city, and take a peek at all the new condo renovations happening! Hours are Friday from 6-9PM, and Saturday from 11-6PM. Visit their website for more information.

Anniversary Sale Update, and a Few Other Items of Interest

I received the first delivery of our bead stash sell-off and I have to tell you that the prices are AMAZING! I am trying very hard not to pilfer everything before you all can see it on Saturday. :-)

For those of you into crystals and other rock-type things, Deb is bringing some crystals as well. Apparently her crystal collection rivals her bead collection!!

I'm working out the refreshments menu for Saturday, and so far we have chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, as well as Triscuits and some veggies (carrots and celery). There will be water and maybe some juice or soda. There may also be fresh bread, but I haven't decided yet.

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The Jewelry on Etsy Team (JET) combined forces with the Etsy Fiber Artists Street Team (EtsyFAST) and EtsyGreetings to do a wedding challenge. Voting has started, and you can vote for the best jewelry pieces here. Mine is #15, and I'd love to have your vote! I'll still like you if you pick something else, though.

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Artsy Goings-On This Weekend in Lowell:

The Loading Dock Gallery (at the Western Avenue Studios (WAS)) is having an opening reception on Saturday May 3rd from 6-9PM. The new exhibit is called Floral Studies, and features 2 very talented photographers over at WAS - Roland Cosby and Thaddeus Miles. I got a sneak peek at some of Roland's work, and it is simply breathtaking.

Also at Western Avenue this weekend is the Spring Fling Extravaganza - the studios will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 12-5PM for your shopping and art-perusing pleasure.

So stop by our celebration, then visit the Western Avenue Studios, and then go to the gallery opening! There! A perfect day of art. :-)

Patterndays 4/26/08 & 5/3/08

(Apologies - this should have gotten posted last week!! This will be the Patterndays for 4/29 and 5/3. Enjoy!!)

Spring has finally arrived, so I am on a flower kick!

This Embellished Floral Choker would work just as nicely as a bracelet. You can make it as subdued or as colorful as you wish! It is also a good way t practice your right-angle weave.

If you prefer something 3-dimensional, try these daffodils! The centers are tubular brick stitch, and he petals are flat brick stitch. Instructions for both stitches are included in the tutorial.

For something new and interesting, teach yourself Biva chain with this Flower Bud Bracelet.

Whatever you choose to work on, have fun doing it!

4th Anniversary Sale and Celebration!

Join us in celebrating 4 years in Lowell on Saturday, May 3, 2008. We will be open 10-5 that day, and we have a lot of things planned!

In honor of our anniversary, everything* in the shop will be 20% off!

Last year, one of my customers came in to sell off her extensive bead stash. She's back this year with more items, and better prices! In fact, she is honoring our 20% off sale!

We will also be welcoming Nirvana Beads in for a one-day trunk show! They stock great stone and glass beads, so you will certainly want to come by and see what they have to offer.

There will be a bead raffle, too. Correctly guess the number of beads in the jar, and you win that jar of beads!

And of course, there will be refreshments.

*Everything does not include finished items on consignment, gift certificates, class/lesson fees, repair fees, or custom jewelry design orders.

Patterndays 4/19/08

Ever try to make your own beaded loop and button closure, yet you can never get the size of the loop right without a lot of fiddling around? I know I've had that problem. This tutorial will help make your life SO much easier.

You can use this technique to make your own bead and loop closure for the Cool Cubes Flat Netting Beaded Bracelet, posted on About.com. This fun bracelet is a great way to incorporate cubes and seed beads together in one design. Don't be afraid to play around with the sizes of the beads used. You can make your piece chunkier by using larger beads - just make sure that the number of beads you use in each step fits well with the size of beads you are using.

Shop Update, 4/19/08

I just added some glass and porcelain beads to the giant bead bin.

I have some new chunky pendants and stones up on the wall as well. There are some neat stones and colors - marble, feldspar, agate, and red tiger eye (to name a few).

Mark Saturday, May 3, 2008 on your calendar - that will be the Lush Beads 4th Anniversary Sale and Celebration!

The Intergem show will be in Marlboro on the first weekend in May. I have free admission coupons, be sure to stop by and pick up yours!

Expect to see a new class schedule posted next week. What do YOU want to learn this summer? Comment and let me know!