Three Signs of Spring

Spring is finally here.  How do I know?  Well my ducks have arrived.  How do I know they are 'MY' ducks?  Check out this photo.  They flew in, waddled right up to my back door and actually pecked at the window.  They remembered who fed them last year - survived through the  hunting season - and are back this year for more food.  They are My ducks.

Second sign of spring - Flower and Leaf sale at Bead Street,  Buy one get one free on the entire flower and leaf wall.  To inspire you - check out Janet's fabulous, fabulous flower garden bracelet.  These are not even my colors - but I love this!  She said she was inspired by Nancy's Freeform Peyote class - where she learned to trust her own sense of color and  to give herself permission to bead 'outside the lines.'  Well done Janet!  This is wonderful - thanks so much for bringing it in.

Notice how she finished her closure.  Nice.

Much nicer in person.  I couldn't stop taking pictures.

The third sign of spring,  This is Enrique'.  Yep, he actually comes  to my door when I call him.  And I feel like an idiot calling his name when I am out in the yard (as if he were a dog).  But I do it anyway.  After all, someone has to feed him.  And if I don't - he 'pecks' on the back door - just like MY ducks.

I know, I know, the photo isn't great.  My cat "Charlie" sits on the inside of the door and presses his nose up against the glass - which leaves 'nose prints' all over the door.   And no, I do not have time to keep it clean.  It's beads or a clean window, and I choose beads.

Don't forget the sale - now through the end of the month.  This is your opportunity to stock up for all those wonderful flower projects that will be in the beading magazines in the next few months.   Happy Spring!

Popcorn Bead

Below are photos of some great bracelets.  Most of these have been made with the new Matsuno Peanut beads from a design created by Kassie Inman that she named the  'Popcorn Bead'.  These are a lot of fun - I've made a bowl full of these myself.  Maybe someday I'll get them made into a bracelet or necklace.  Until then - check out our customers work below.     If you'd like to make these - you can click here for a link to Kassie's site beadingbutterfly.com/tips-freebies.   She has a lot of great tutorials and other patterns for sale as well.   Beautiful work gals.  Thank you Joy, for finding this tutorial and letting me know.  And - thanks Kassie for a great design.

Made with the new Peanut beads combined with copper and gemstones.



Joy combined these with the new acid-etched Czech glass





Don't these look like lampwork beads?



Ethnic or sparkly - either way beautiful!



These are Debs - and one of my favorite colors. 
 Don't have these large silver nuggets in yet - hopefully soon.



Teacher Profile

Nancy Sathre-Vogel

Nancy  and I go way back.  I first met her when she walked into Bead Street when we were located in downtown Boise at the 8th Street Marketplace (now called BoDo).  Immediately I could tell she was a world traveler.  The exquisite beaded necklace she had on was just dripping with an ethnic, Asian-European influence.    I loved it!

Not only is Nancy a fabulous designer, she is also an exceptional instructor.  She has written many beading articles for Bead and Button magazine, Beadwork magazine  and Belle Armoire.....  She has an ability to break down complicated techniques into easily manageable parts.  No doubt her experience as a teacher has helped in this process.  Because of Nancy, we have been able to add Free form Peyote, Embroidered Button, Beaded Buttons, Herringbone (Ndebele) Flowers and other intermediate and advanced projects to Bead Street's class schedule.

Nancy's classes are educational,  but they are also very entertaining.  Oftentimes, some of her traveling stories sneak into her workshops.   To read more about her, her family, and her travels, see her blog  www.familyonbikes.org/blog which is ultimately about pursuing your passion.   To see or buy any of her jewelry, see  www.familyonbikes.org/beads .   We are all thrilled with the new classes and we are trying to schedule as many of them in as we can before that wanderlust spirit strikes again. 

Welcome Nancy.  It's wonderful to see students thrive and be so  inspired under your direction.

Ladder Stitched Wrap Bracelets

A few weeks ago I had a friend visit and we made beaded hearts.  Not one mind you, at least a dozen - in a few different styles - and in many colors,  Well, this past week it was the Chan Luu style leather wrap bracelets.  Again, about a dozen, in a few different styles, and in many colors.  Think maybe we are a tad obsessive??   

In the 1950's, we called these ladder stitched bracelets and we did not have the selection of beads we have today.  And we were limited to black leather shoe laces.  Never thought I would say I am thankful for colored leather.  Here are some of the photos.

A five-wrap gemstone bracelet with an antique brass button.

A beautiful strand of tourmaline with hot pink leather and brass button

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Silver Czech glass two-hole tile beads with metallic silver leather





Another Czech glass two-hole tile, turquoise leather
and vintage brass button




Freshwater pearls, bronze leather, and vintage brass button.
I added two loops at the end so that both me and my daughter
can wear this (she has a larger wrist). 
The two loops make it adjustable.





Rather than doing a 3-wrap bracelet, I did one wrap that had 3 rows of beads. 
Again, Czech glass two-hole tile beads in metallic copper
and 4mm fire polish in the same color. 
 And another vintage button.
Basically done the same way - but all three rows
stitched at the same time.

If you would like to try any of these, see our tutorial under videos in the top menu bar.  You can find a great selection of leather at Bead Street - probably about 20 colors or so.  We also have some of these bracelets on display so you can get a closer look.  If you need any help, you can either email or stop into the store.

Tila Spiral Bracelet Class

This is an original design created by Adele Kimpell and Sandy buys copies of the pattern for our students.  Adele is fast becoming the Tila expert designing a lot of patterns for these new two-hole beads.  We use many of her designs with the new Czech Tile beads as well.  Thanks Adele - we're loving your new designs.

Finally got the students to look up from their work. 
They had a great time learning this new Tila Spiral Bracelet.
Following are photos of students work. 
 Sorry gals, I can't remember who did what.







Sandy has extra copies of this pattern. 

If you would like to purchase one, they are available at Bead Street

March Classes

 

The March class schedule has changed somewhat from the original plan.
 That's what we get for planning so far in advance.  What were we thinking? 
There is still space available.  Class fees do not include materials
and since all class fees go directly to our instructors, please pay with cash or a check.

Both of these bracelets were designed by Adele Kimpell
and Sandy Taylor has purchased the patterns for you and
are included in the class fees.

.


Tila Lace, Friday, March 2nd, 6-8 PM, $15.00
Materials needed are Japanese or Czech two-hole
beads, size 8 and size 11 seed beads and a clasp.
Also, remember to bring stringing material and a needle.



Another version.  You can use either Japanese Tila beads
or Czech Tile beads for this project.
You can find both at Bead Street plus any additional beads you might need.



Tila Herringbone, Saturday March 3rd, 1:00 to 4:00 PM,  $15.00. 
Again, you can use either Japanese or Czech two-hole beads for this bracelet.
 You also need 2 colors of size 11 seed beads,
1 color size 15 seedbeads and a clasp



More March Classes

 Two views of the Peanut Gator Bracelet designed by Adele Kimpell.  Sandy Taylor will be teaching this right angle weave project on Friday night, March 9th, 6 to 8 PM, cost is $15.00 and since fees go directly to our instructors, please pay fees with cash or a check.

Materials needed for this include 1 color of the new Matsuno 'Peanut' beads,

2 colors of size 11 seedbeads, and either 3.4 Rose Montees or 4mm round Czech glass.

We would be more than happy to help coordinate colors for you.

On Saturday, March 10th, Nancy will be teaching her Embroidered Button technique.

From 1 to 4 PM, and cost is $15.00 (cash or check, please)

Materials needed are a button, 3 or 4mm firepolish, size 11 or size 15 seedbeads,

3.4 mm drops,  size 8 seedbeads and needle and thread.

You can bring whatever materials you have and if you need

anything additional, Bead Street can help you choose.

The following photo is a cuff created by Nancy Sathre-Vogel. 

She used beaded embroidery to create this cuff and

don't let this scare you.

Nancy starts with baby steps with the mini-version above 

and will teach you everything you need to try this cuff if you so desire.