New Classes

I'm on a roll with the new classes!  This month, we're debuting two new classes, Double Sidewinder and Kumihimo, in our Bead World stores.  It's really exciting to be able to bring these cool new classes to the masses.  Plus, it's moving me that much closer to the new book releases!  This summer, we'll be releasing at least two new books.  We may even make it three new books, if I can get my act in order!  Beyond Basics: All Tied Up!  will feature macrame, wire crochet and kumihimo weave.  Seed Bead Basics will highlight, well, basic seed bead projects.  (Duh, right?)  And Chain Maille for Beginners will contain patterns for beginner level chain maille projects.  Hey, at least you know what are books are about from the titles!  Exact release dates will follow soon, and you can find class information on our website: http://www.beadworldinc.com/

Double Sidewinder Bracelet

Kumihimo Necklace

Marketing with Technology

I am a crafter, not a tech person.  (Anyone who knows me well knows that I am NOT being modest here.)  That being said, in the interst of promoting our stores, communicating with our clients and sharing fun beading ideas, I've learned to embrace technology.  It has been a surprise to me how much the computer can help me in my various artsy pursuits.  Even more shocking has been my enjoyment of the process!  Three scant years ago, the Bead World web site was a one page blip with a couple of photos, and map and basic contact information.  The range of media we now use to spread our message is, in my opinion, pretty impressive.  More important, though, is that anyone could use the same systems to promote their own projects.  Everything we use is inexpensive, widely available and user friendly.  Here's a rundown of our growth:

• http://www.beadworldinc.com/ We completely redesigned the site in 2007, adding interactive maps, class schedules for all of our stores, detailed information about our inventory and lots of gorgeous photos.  We added even more in 2009, including free downloadable projects.  The addition of our web goddess, Brittany, to the executive team really made the continuing expansion of the web site a joy.
• Beading Your World  Bead World's monthly e-magaine was launched in 2007.  It features informative articles about gemstones, new materials, techniches, classes, events and a letter from our executive team.  We include a fun coupon inside every e-magaine, too!  As an e-magazine, it is emailed out to every client who has opted in by signing up on our web site.  We use http://www.constantcontact.com/ for this service, and I would recommend them to anyone.  Their program is inexpensive, easy to use and very professional.
• Email Coupon Program  Launched in early 2008, we piggy-backed this fun coupon program onto our e-magazine program, sending out emailed coupons to everyone on our opt-in list.  This has been a hugely successful program.  After all, who doesn't love getting discounts and advanced notice of sales?!
• http://www.facebook.com/ Did you know you can be a Fan of Bead World on Facebook?  In 2009, we built our company its own Facebook page.  We update our status to show info about sales, new products and beading trends.  We also have great discussions going on about dream materials, new store locations, busting "beader's block" and more.  It's a wonderful opportunity to interact directly with the people who love Bead World and want to help us make it even better!  Facebook is a no-brainer: it's easy, it's free and almost everyone you know is already using it!
• http://www.twitter.com/  Yep, we tweet, too!  We use Twitter to let our clients know when a new blog entry has been posted, when great coupons are in their email in box and all kinds of great updates. 
• Beading the Bead World Way  You're already reading our blog, so you clearly know all about it!  Launched in February, 2010, this is our newest foray into digital communication.  If you can't get enough of beading, or of Bead World, we'll keep you inspired with fabulous ideas!  We currently publish two posts per week.
• Desktop Publishing with Microsoft & Adobe:  We've really utilized our desktop publishing programs, using them to design and create class instruction hand-outs, jewelry kit packaging, our employee manual and lots of marketing materials for the stores.  More recently, we have published (in-house, of course) a series of six instructional books.  Doubtless, more are on the way.  Next on the horizon: publishing those books as ebooks on http://www.amazon.com/ so that everyone can enjoy learning to bead the Bead World way!

I know that, for a lot of crafters, jumping onto the computer can be a bit of a departure.  But there is no better way to share your message!  Customers and fans are not going to wander into your craft room -- you have to go find them.  Get out there and try it.  I promise, you'll love it!

Turquoise is the Color of the Year

Turquoise is the official color of the year.  Pantone, the company that gets to decide such things, has declared it to be true. (And unlike last year's official color, "mimosa", turquoise is actually a color that people like to wear.)  "Turquoise is universally appealing," says Jane Schoenborn, the design director of Lily Pulitzer.  "It puts everyone in the same state of mind -- on vacation."

All spring, watery colors have been flying out of our stores.  Blues, teals and turquoises of every imaginable shade and material have been selling like mad: handmade lampwork glass, gemsontes, seed beads... you name it!  And the biggest winner of them all has been actual, honest-to-goodness turquoise!  (photo above left from http://www.marieclaire.com/  credit: Fabio Chizzola)

Here in Arizona, turquoise sometimes gets a bad rap.  It's everywhere here, and we tend to take it for granted.  It's a bit too cliche, a bit overdone.  We forget, though, that turquoise can be downright gorgeous.  Ranging in color from pale baby blue through rich blue-green and all the way to a bright green, there is a flattering turquoise for every skin tone.  Textures can vary from smooth to rugged, leaving the design possibilities wide open.  Turquoise jewelry is being shown by every major designer this season -- Stephen Dweck, Isaac Manevitz for Ben-Amun, even good ol' Tiffany & Co. has gotten in on the act.  Some designers have put out traditional southwestern looks, but more are showing modern, clean lined turquoise options.  (The gold filled and turquoise pendant shown above right is a great example of a contemporary turquoise option.)

The next time you are poking around your favorite bead store, pick up a strand or two of turquoise and carry it around with you.  Look at it with all the interesteing metals and finishes, like Vintaj brass, red bronze or Thai silver.  (The piece at left uses turquoise with red bronze.)  Pair it with unexpected gemstones or crystals.  I love a really blue turquoise with serpentine or peridot; the combination looks so fresh.  Be experimental, and try using turquoise in ways that are surprising.  You may just find your new favorite piece!  Happy creating!

Post Script:
Shannon Bass (long-time friend of yours truly and fan of Bead World) sent us this picture of her own recent turquoise creation, featuring black Swarovski crystal accents and sterling silver spacer beads!  Beautiful work, Shan!  Thanks for sharing!

Catch up

Today I just want to take sometime to fill you in on what I've been up to since it seems like it's been so long since my last blog.

First I took a trip in May out to see my best friend out by Boston MASS. That was so fun. Then I took a train down to NYC and met up with four of my glass friends. We spent two days walking around and exploring Manhattan before heading to NJ where we all spent time torching together. That was great!! We each demonstrated different bead styles and techniques. What a learning experience!! If you are ever in a slump go work with someone else in your art. It is very inspiring.

Since returning home work and family have kept me hopping. As well as custom orders that I am very thankful for and an art show this past weekend.

This weekend coming up is the Bead and Button Show up in Madison WI. I can't wait to go to it! Not only will there be a massive amount of beads and glass supplies to shop, but many of my glass friends will be there!!! I can't wait to meet them in person!

Here is a little set of shells I recently made, inspired by my torching time with my friend Maggie and the beach on Cape Cod:

I hope you all have a fantastic day!

Week of Good News

This has turned out to be a good week! I am now selling my beads at a bead shop called Bliss Beads in DeKalb Illinois. Super exciting!! The owner, Allison is really nice and has a wonderful bead shop going. I brought in two trays of beads and a display of goddess beads there on Monday. In just two short days I have already sold a couple.

Not only am I selling beads there, I am also going to be teaching some classes. My first class is going to be on April 16th or April 18th - 2 days so you get a variety of times to choose from. It will be on making goddess beads. I'm so excited. I've wanted to teach for a long time now so I feel like my art is coming together now and that it is a good time to expand. If you are interested the cost is only $75 for 3 hours of goddess instruction. I can get you the number to call and sign up, just drop me a note.

This is one of my older goddess beads. I call this one PMS.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!

Happy Wednesday! Torching did not happen last night as I had hoped. I got distracted by a movie that my husband was watching and ended up watching it with him until almost 11 pm. I did however write some notes in my beading journal after taking a good hard look at my cat.

If you find that you seem to have all kinds of ideas during the day but when you sit down to create your art you have forgotten what you wanted to make, seem to have miss placed your muse, or just don't feel the motivation then you need to keep a journal. It can be a simple notebook that you keep with you just about all the time. You never know when the inspiration bug will bite! I write down things such as color combinations I find, textures, shapes that intrigue me, things I want to make from glass. Even if you don't use what you write down right away you can go back to it at any time and find some inspiration.

So last night as I looked at my cat I realized what wonderful colors she is made of. Her colors will be soon seen in a glass bead of some type. I can't wait!

I did say I'd post photos from my torching play date with Sheila. This is a picture she took of some of the beads we made that day.

I hope everyone of you has a wonderful day full of inspiration. If you can't create your ideas right away - write them down!!