Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

Well it's the weekend and time for the Paris Flea Markets.  I have a separate post on two that we attended - with lots of photos.  For now, here is a bracelet inspired by the Eiffel Tower and details of Barb and Jimmila's great adventure. 



At first glance you would think the Eiffel Tower is a steel grey. 
 However, I saw bronze, copper tones and dark browns in
 the beams.  Those matched perfectly with the Matt Apollo Jet
 Super Duos and Bronze 1.5 MM cubes I had with me.

 

Completed, this became a very structured cuff.




Angular form of the Czech Super Duos juxtaposed
against the horizontal and vertical 'bars'
of the 1.5MM Cubes.
Love the look - have to do another.



I didn't take clasps with me -
but if I could find a button that would work,
then the bracelet got finished. Here I think I found a perfect antique button from one of the flea markets.

   

The Luxembourg Gardens are just a couple of
 blocks west of our apartment. 
My mind was on the Flea Markets but Jimmila and Barb
decided to visit the gardens.



A pond at the gardens with the Montparnasse Tower
 in the background.
We saw these ponds a lot around Paris. 
 With chairs surrounding them, and people napping or reading a book and kids floating these fabulous, colorful boats in the water,  the French really know how to enjoy their day.



From the gardens, they walked down St. Michel towards
the Seine.  By the Notre Dame they caught a river
cruise west towards the Eiffel Tower



The river cruise allows passengers to get on at the Notre Dame, get off at various points along the river and then get back on again.  So Jimmila and Barb rode it past the Eiffel Tower and got off close to the Champ d' Elysees.

Remember I said each neighborhood had its own feel and flavor?  Well this one is obviously traffic and people - both locals and tourists.  The shops along here are very high end
and of course terminates at the Arc de Triompe 



Since they were getting a little tired - they took a Rickshaw ride back and of course, did some window shopping. 
This is the Grand Palais where the Cacharel fashion show
 is today. One of the few showing prints.
If you'd like to see this 2 minute recap, click Here

View from the river. 
 I think they caught the boat here to go back to Notre Dame.

  


After the cruise back to the Notre Dame,
 they tried to make their way back to the apartment. 


Remember I said my job was to navigate - to get everyone where they need to be and then safely back home?  Well, I wasn't along and they got lost.  On the street, trying to read a map in the dark, not knowing what street the apartment was on, they tried to ask people if they spoke English.  Barb did find someone who spoke Spanish - so they communicated some that way - go figure - in Paris! 

Now standing in front of a bookstore, still trying to figure out where they were, they heard this voice that Barb said sounded a lot like Maurice Chevalier.  He asked - Can I help you?  They told him they were lost and trying to make their way to the Moofart street market.  (The name is Mouffetard but I had pronounced it Moofart on the first day, and unfortunately it stuck.) 

He said, "If I help you, will you give me a little kiss?"  Barb replied, "If you help me, I will give you a BIG kiss".   Needless to say, they made their way home safe and sound.  And they won't tell me anymore about this Frenchman, who they now refer to as 'their  bookseller'.

Parisian Inspiration

After our little walk, and since it is raining, we all decided to eat in tonight.  Which also means a time to bead.  I'd like to say this bracelet was inspired by some of the things we saw this day - like some of the Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque or (my favorite) Art Nouveau architecture, or the bling we saw in the great boutiques or the colorful Parisian street fashion.  But no, it was actually inspired by dinner.



Made with the Czech Super Duos with a Picasso finish
 - perfect for Paris



I'm not sure this is finished yet. 
 I may have to add another row or I may have to add
some scallops or picots to the outside edge. 

And here is the inspiration.   I had to use the beads I had brought with me - which of course,  was something teal.

We didn't buy this, partly because we didn't know
what it was and no one could tell us. 
 I thought I would ask Gloria Google later. 
 Unfortunately the sign is not for this vegetable.
Update: Andrea (a follower) said this is Romanesco
(a variety of cauliflower). See her blog Here Thanks!

This is part of  'what's for dinner tonight'.
Is this the biggest head of lettuce you have ever seen.

Barb is very much interested in French History and I love architecture in general.  If you are interested, here is an easy (and somewhat entertaining) read about both.  Paris Buildings

Bead Street Store Events

A lot happening this month and last.  Our new location will hopefully be open by December 1st.   Still lots and lots to do.  For those interested in knowing why we have moved - see the last paragraph of this post.

So far we have also traveled from Boise to Portland to Seattle to Reykjavik to Charles de Gaulle airport  in Paris.  We were there during fashion week and a lot to see.   And we bought a lot of beads and buttons and trims.  

I have also learned three new beading patterns  that will become new classes this fall.



On the plane ride from Seattle to Reykjavik,
Barb and I each beaded a Super Duo bangle
and I beaded the Russian Spiral to match



 

This is a new pattern using the two-holed Super Duos or Twin beads along with size 11 seedbeads.  We have had a test class on this pattern and instructions are currently being edited.

Closeup of the Russian Spiral.
Pattern in October 2011 Bead and Button



My friend Barb beading at 35,000 feet.

More information about the fashion shows, bead stores (I should say the bead wholesale district), and some of the sights we saw in Paris coming in the next few days.

One of the things I found interesting in Paris was, of course, the jewelry.  One show had a lot of chains hanging everywhere.  Another show - showing a lot of 'cuff' necklaces - large, Swarovski embellished pieces.  Another show - beaded bracelets - one for each arm and both identical.  We couldn't get into the shows but did see a lot of fabulous street fashion and were inspired by the vibrant colors of the clothes and jewelry we saw.

For those interested in the Paris fashion shows, this video is sort of a recap.  Paris 2013 Ready To Wear Highlights


For anyone interested in why we are moving:  Our European buying trip had been scheduled since early spring.  Two months ago we got word that because of safety issues with the sprinkler system and  insulation falling down, some major repairs needed to be done which would require us to be closed for awhile.  We asked if these repairs could be done while we were gone.  Two weeks before leaving, we were told that most all of our inventory  and store fixtures would have to be removed to do the repairs. 

So, we chose to not move back in and instead open at a new location. Because this all happened very fast, our new location is not yet ready and we have moved part of the inventory to our warehouse and part to a temporary location. Right now I'm told that painting is being done, the Gemstone slat wall has been installed, painted, and most of the gemstones and pearls have been hung up. In a couple of weeks, all seedbeads and Czech glass will be available to purchase. I really appreciate your patience and all the offers to help with the move. 

Bead Street New Additions

We now have 144 colors of the new Czech 2-hole Super Duos and Twins.  We much prefer the Super Duos because of their uniformity and their quality.    But we carry both because we all  know color is really important when it comes to beads.  These photos do not come close to showing actual colors - we just thought we would give you a taste of what is available.   Opaques, transparents, pearl finish, metallics, mattes, and the fabulous Picasso finish on some of these.


Purples, lavenders, pinks, roses, reds,
salmons, yellows and golds



Coppers, bronzes, Lime greens, emerald greens,
teals,  light blues, and dark blues



Blacks, greys, whites, silvers, beige,
browns and rusts.

Bead Street also received 26 colors of the size 8/o Triangle seed beads.  We  recently had many requests for these beads probably because there has been a few new patterns in the beading magazines using them.  What we received so far are mostly metallic, mattes, rainbows and gold and silver.

The Size 15/o Hex beads have been restocked although there were quite a few colors that have been discontinued.  We still have a few of those, but they are going fast. 

We also received a shipment of the 4mm by 7mm Long Magatama drops with about a dozen yummy new colors (think sorbet, frozen yogurt with berries)  and matte metallics.  Beautiful new colors and these should be tubed and on the wall by Saturday.

As you are thinking about all the fabulous projects you can make with these new beads - remember this is Art in the Park weekend - just in case you need a little more inspiration.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Super Duo Beaded Bead

Another beaded bead class taught at Bead Street using the new Czech Super Duos and Twin beads.  This is the second beaded bead using these new 2-hole beads.  This was originally done using two needles and we modified it so you only need to use one needle.

Beautiful colors. 
Can't wait to see the finished project using these.

This turned out stunning.
  Notice the 'filler' beads - looks like those angel wing beads you only see around the holidays. Nice!





Beaded beads combined with a herringbone
 tube learned in another class.



These beaded beads are combined with crystal
and sterling silver metal beads

These were all finished during the class.
 Great job everyone - and great color combinations.

This bead is a bit challenging and
you can see Virginia is thrilled she finally got it.

More classes and more free tutorials coming soon using both the SuperDuos and/or the Twin beads.   Most projects can be done using either bead. However, these beaded bead projects work up much better using the SuperDuos. Stay tuned for more.

Right Angle Weave with Czech Super Duos

Bead Street now has over 130 colors of the new two-holed SuperDuo and Twin beads and more colors are expected this week.  We much prefer the SuperDuos for their uniformity, their great color variety, and the overall quality.  We've had students and customers say the same thing.  However, as a beader, I know color can be important if you are trying to match an outfit. So Bead Street sells both. 

Because the SuperDuos are a pressed glass, you don't have to inspect each one before using to insure they  have two holes.  And, in general, we have found that you can use either one in the same pattern.   More information about patterns and colors will follow. 

Here is a class taught by Sandy Taylor using the SuperDuos/Twins along with 3.5 mm Montees.  And as usual, Bead Street students came up with other ideas, modified the pattern and produced some beautiful cuff bracelets.

This is Sandy's sample bracelet that she created
around this beautiful button.

Chris has a great collection of buttons and clasps
 to finish her projects as well.

If I remember correctly, it seems Elaine
was trying to match a new outfit.



 Beautiful colors and great button closure as well.
Didn't have a name on this one when I posted it
and guess what - It belongs to Janet.
She 'stepped out of the box' with her color choice and
just when I think I know my customers,
they surprise me.  Great work, Janet.

Claudia even made her own SuperDuo
 beaded button closure





Here Claudia created her own beautiful pattern and
added the Montees in a different place.
 This bracelet deserves a Post of its own,
 you will see it a little later.



We have to show this photo because some of these gals
 have taken so many classes -
 they can't remember what they have done.



Virginia did one in class and then
finished a couple more to give to relatives



Another beautiful one from Chris - is this her third or fourth?
She also made a button with the SuperDuos
to complete her bracelet.  Pretty nice!



Another Tila Twin Bracelet Class

There was such overwhelming response and interest in this class - we had a waiting list big enough to fill another class. Here are some beautiful color samples of the students' work and I am waiting 'with bated breath' to see your finished bracelets. Again, even though this is a 'Tila Twin' pattern (thanks to Deborah Roberti), we mostly used CzechMate Tiles and Czech SuperDuo two holed beads.



Thanks to all for being so patient and in some cases, volunteering to reschedule into this one. 



Joy used TQ Pearl coated Twins (TW108N), Picasso Umber CzechMates and Bead Street No. S11223E for her seedbeads.



Chris used Opaque Gold/Rose Topaz  CzechMates, 2 colors of SuperDuos (Bead Street Nos. TW164N and TW157N) and S11205E seedbeads.

 

I think Deb liked this pattern - she has already finished at least two of these.  Here is Opaque Lt Beige Picasso CzechMates and SuperDuos in color TW135N.




Laura used one of the new colors of CzechMates, Bronze Turquoise Picasso, with Pearl TQ Twins (TW108G) and Bead Street No. S11460E for her seedbeads.  One of my favorite colorways.




I think this is Deb's second bracelet. 
Picasso Umber CzechMates, and Super Duos TW151N.





Pauline used Luster OP Green CzechMates,
TW150N SuperDuos and S11916E seedbeads.




Mary used Persian Turquoise Czechmates and SuperDuos TW150N.  Somehow Masoumeh, and Lea got away without me getting a good photo.  Hopefully, they will finish their projects and bring them into Bead Street for 'Show and Tell'.



Beading Projects

We had a fun day Saturday for Penny's Pillow Bracelet class (which I was calling  a 'Puffy Bead' Bracelet).   And if you are thinking the photo below isn't  that project - you are right.  We had a full house and many brought 'Show and Tell' projects they learned in past classes.  Except Joy.  She was the one that brought the tomato in the top right corner. 



Janet has spent a lot of time learning how to bead cabochons.  This is a Tagua nut and a herringbone rope. 

 

In this closeup, you can see the triangle shape of the nut, which makes it somewhat difficult to embellish. 
Janet did a great job with this piece.



This is also Janet's.  She says she is having a lot of fun with crochet.

This is the Deborah Roberti pattern called Tila Twin Bracelet that Sandy Taylor taught in July.  Janet closed the bracelet with an embellished button that she learned in a class taught by Nancy Sathre-Vogel. 



Another beautiful - and colorful - bracelet using the Tila Twin pattern.  Love how Janet finished her loop for the closure.

Penny also brought examples to share. 
I can't remember what she calls this beautiful bracelet.
 Hopefully, I'll find out soon and we can get this class
 scheduled in the fall. 
.



Love the colors she chose.
So much to learn and so little time.
Check back for photos of the Pillow Bracelet class.