***NEW CLASS***

Hello again! I apologize for the delay since my last blog, but I was preparing a NEW CLASS in the store! And, this one, I think, is going to be worth the wait.

I've had some people (mostly kids) in the store that found a rock lying on the ground, and would like to wear it as a pendant. Well, now we have a class for that! In about an hour's time, students will learn how to "cage" a rough stone with wire and embellish. Y'all are welcome to use polished or unpolished rocks. The class includes the wire needed and use of the classroom tools.

The pendant on the left is Crystal Quartz "caged" with sterling wire (I usually use the Non-Tarnish Artisitic Wire, but I had some leftovers...lol!) The pendant on the right is a rough, unpolished piece of Sodalite "caged" with the antique brass colored wire, which I thought was a nice contrast, (also it looks MANLY for those dads out there that are jewelry-phobic, mine included!) Love you, Dad!

I'M SO EXCITED! AND, I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT! - about our Bead Brain Madness Anniversary Celebration. Be sure to come out on August 16 to the Veteran's Hall at 1pm to check it out! After cake, free demonstrations, door prizes and all around BEADY-NESS, we will have the store open from 4-6pm so that you can spend your coupons worth up to 60% OFF!

Shelby's Beading Tip of the Day: When making bracelets, I like to hang a charm right next to the loop/ring end of the clasp (for example, not the lobster claw side, and not the T side of the toggle). Not only does this look cute, but it also makes clasping the bracelet by yourself easier but providing something to grap and hold onto with your fingers while your clasping.

Thanks - Shelby

Seedbeading (the Smaller Version of Beading)

Well, apparently, after seeing the poll results (thanks for voting!), we have alot more seedbeaders than we thought. Therefore, we will, over the next few months be updating our selection of seedbead supplies to accomodate.


I also had my first seedbeading student since we have had the Peyote Bracelet class. I also have a Seedbeading Around a Cabochon class, which is on the website, http://stonesnsilverstudio.com/Classes.htm, it is a four hour class where you would be taught how to put backing on and then embellish the cabochon using seedbeads & other glass beads. We will then learn how to attach it to a necklace as a pendant. A complete kit is included for only $45. The Peyote Bracelet class is $25, and it includes all the supplies, but you get to pick the colors you want, so you may have to arrive a few minutes earlier than your scheduled class. To schedule a class, simply give us a call 1-877-865-3009 (732-3220 for local customers).


Also, with the seedbead classes, I've found that it is actully easier to split the classes when it is just one student (or students that come together). So, if you don't want to sit for 4 hours, we will be glad to customize your class to more than one day, where to come for a couple of hours to get started, take the project home and work on it at your convenience, and then just call to schedule to finish the project when ever your are ready. It really makes things alot easier!


Shelby's Beading Tip: Many of you may already know this, but I like to use lampwork glass and gemstone beads as my clasp when doing a seedbeading project. You would just attach it to one end using seedbeads on either side, and then make a loop out of seedbeads that tightly fits over the larger bead. See the sample. It ends up working like a toggle clasp, and is really easy to clasp a bracelet. We will cover this in the Peyote Bracelet class.


Happy Seedbeading! - Shelby



PS - Don't forget about our 2nd Anniversary Celebration & Bead Brain Mania, coming up on August 16 (a Sunday). From 1pm to 4pm, we will being having a Swap Meet and Free Artisan Tutorials (and of course cake!), so dig in your "bead stash" and pull out those old beads that you just had to buy, but never used...lol...and bring them to our swap meet to trade with other beaders to update your stash! Also, during that time, we will be having free tutorials and demos from four local artists and handing out door prizes with coupons good for up to 60% off! Then from 4pm to 6pm come into the store and spend your obscene discount! (the coupons are only good that day during those two hours)

Pearl-icious Special

Hey again y'all -

For June, the birthstone is the pearl, so we are having a Pearl-icious Special in the store for the entire month (20% off all freshwater pearls, Czech glass pearls and Mother of pearl beads). So, come on in and stock up.

Traditionally, pearls are strung with a silk cord and knotted between each bead. This protects the individual pearls from rubbing up against one another, and if your necklace were ever to break, most of the beads would stay strung, and not go flying all over the floor and under the furniture. For this traditional, classy look, we have cording and kits that will do a 16" necklace and 7" bracelet. But, in addition to that we have what's called "bead bumpers" which are tiny silver color and gold color rubber beads that when strung between the pearls appear similar to knots. Seedbeads serve the same purpose as well (also a cheaper alternative). Here is a strand of pearls done with the pearl knotting kit we have in the store.

Pearls are also great just thrown in with a strand of gemstones or Czech glass to really dress up your design. The greenish necklace shown is actually green Kyanite spike beads with peach colored freshwater pearls, a clay pendant bead, and some silver accent beads.

Starting with the month of June, we will be having monthly drawings for beads and other fun things. This months drawing is a 16" strand of Atlantisite (Stichtite in Serpentine) with two strands of purple czech glass, earwires and two clasps...in other words enough beads to make a complete set of Atlantisite with a necklace, bracelet and earrings. Here's a pic:

To be entered in our monthly drawings, you have to spend a minimum of $30 in the store, limited to one entry per daily purchase, but not limited to number of entries. So, the more days in the month you visit our store and spend $30, the more chances you have of winning!

GOOD LUCK!

Shelby's Jewelry Making Tip: Regarding finishing your strand of knotted pearls. We have a little contraption called a clam-shell attachment which would connect the end of your cording to your clasp with the "clam part" holding the knot, and the loop part attaching to your clasp of choice. You would want to stick the cording through the back of the clam shell, and then tie a knot. Close the clam shell with a little glue, and this finishes the end so that you can attach a clasp to the loop, which opens like a jump-ring (sideways, like a door).

Once again, thanks for visiting my blog, and I am always open for questions, comments, etc. - Shelby