New schedule posted

The new schedule of classes is now posted and signups began today. If you're interested in taking a class this session, come in or call soon so that you're sure to get a spot. Classes are filling up fast.

Photos of many of the samples are posted on this site. Check out the full Piece of Mind schedule here. You can view just my schedule by using the "Schedule" button above. Also available on my schedule are printable supply lists for my classes.

We are still trying to get all the new seed bead colors out for use in the new classes. Gretchen has over 100 new colors of seed beads, Delicas and triangles. If you don't see the color you are looking for, ask. We will be glad to check the unbottled bags and bottle a color that you are waiting for.

Seed bead heaven!

Gretchen got tons of new seed beads in yesterday in sizes 11, 8, 6, and 11 triangle including some wonderful matte metallic colors that are too mouth-watering to resist. If you have a chance to stop by Piece of Mind, be sure to check them out.

We also discussed the next schedule of classes, and it looks like she is going to delay adding kumihimo until we have a reliable source for good quality, reasonably priced looms (called marudai). Look for those classes being added perhaps next session. The classes we talked about having me teach this time are: Butterfly bracelet, Totally Tubular, Serpentine Ndebele, Tubular Ndebele, Nile Queen, Chaldean bracelet, Eye of the Storm (new), Gloria bracelet (new), Passion Flower bracelet (new), Embellished Peyote Cabochon (new), Beaded Byzantine bracelet, African Helix necklace, Crystal Garden, Medieval Medallion (new) and...one more that I can't remember. We did have 19, but had to cut back or I would probably have had a breakdown of some kind.

Good news to us is that Charity, who was going to be moving to the Seattle area soon, is not going to be moving at all, so she will still be around to teach her fused glass classes. Woohoo! They have been very popular.

Bad news is that Lynda Roubineau will be taking a break from teaching this session. She should be back next session.

I will be selling my work at the Victorian Christmas Faire in Nevada City on Sunday, Dec. 19 and again on Wed., Dec. 22, for anyone interested in purchasing my jewelry.

New items at Piece of Mind

Gretchen ordered a bunch of new Delica colors and they have all been bottled and priced. Look for them in the lucite tube displays on the tables. Also available now are 18 gauge sterling and copper jump rings size 6mm for those of you looking to finish up some beaded chains. We will also have new copper and brass jump rings in a variety of sizes very soon. I just need to polish them up and package them.

Next Schedule of Classes

The current schedule of classes is ending soon. For me, it ends next week. Gretchen is currently composing her next offering of classes and there will be, as usual, a lot of new classes from which to choose. Since she has 8 teachers, and more are being added all the time, her three classroom areas are going to be busy! Last session there were over 60 classes, and I believe there will be at least as many this session.

I have a few new creations that may be included in the next session. Many have been waiting for the Chaldean bracelet , a confection of bugles, seed beads and fire polish. Also with a long waiting list is the Passion Flower bracelet , made of Swarovski™ crystals and tiny seed beads; this one is vaguely similar to Crystal Garden , but easier and faster to make. I have an airy, elven-looking pendant necklace that I call Arwen's Trinket . I've worked up several kumihimo offerings, and perhaps a tatted bracelet as well. In addition, I created a Medieval Medallion with bail that looks marvelous over those new fiber packs that Gretchen carries. Not to leave out the obligatory crystal confections, I have a crystal-captured donut pendant and something I call All That Glitters, another crystal pendant that works beautifully with kumihimo. Beginners are welcome for the Gloria bracelet, a simple introduction to Right Angle Weave, deliciously embellished. Also suitable for beginners, Anastasia Necklace is a beautiful stitch from Russian beadwork, simple and elegant. While in Russian mode, I also created a Ukrainian style netted bracelet using bugles and seed beads I call Russian Lace . And I'd like to offer an embellished cabochon class, since I had so much fun working with cabs at BABE. Gretchen has some fabulous dichroic cabs from local artist Charity Heroux that are gorgeous when worked up using this technique.

Do you think I have time to write instructions for all those new classes? Is there even time to fit them all in to a new session, and offer some popular repeats? Only Gretchen knows... I'm guessing that there will be time for only some of them. You need to let me or Gretchen know your favorites so we know how to prioritize them.

Classes and New Things

BABE was wonderful. I learned a lot about lavish embellishment from Laura McCabe and some tips for kumihimo from Alethia Donathan. Naturally, I picked up some fabulous things on the show floor as well. Hopefully, I'll begin to incorporate some of what I learned into some new projects. Look for some kumihimo classes and cabochon classes next session.

Piece of Mind is going to be getting lots of new items in soon. Look forward to a larger selection of Delica beads and new, hand-dyed ribbons and cords. Gretchen has added triangle beads in size 8 and size 5 and they come in 52 colors. She has new Della Armstrong beads (the Christmas candies and gingerbread men are so cute!), and JoElla Johnson has delivered a new set of her signature tantrums, along with a few of the new twists and tangles. There are some polymer clay beauties from Karen Lewis of Klew Beads and fabulous new Swarovski™ crystal pendants and buttons (yes, buttons!) to delight you. Come browse the new sparklies; it's a great way to relax during the rush of the holidays.

BABE This Weekend

This is just a reminder that BABE (Bay Area Bead Extravaganza) will be held this weekend (Nov 12-14) at the Oakland Convention Center. For more info, check their website at this url. If you haven't been before, take the time to check it out. It is one of the best local shows of the year. Lots of lampwork artists from all over the country as well as wholesale merchants of semi-precious and other beads, fibers, tools, etc. Also many classes.

Welcome Beaders!

This is the place for news, gossip, events, discoveries, etc. in my beading world. If I think you might be interested, I'll post it here. If you feel like leaving a comment, help yourself. Stay tuned...