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New Leather & Leather Components

5/29/2015

Bohemian Girl

I love bohemian everything, so I've been into the wrap bracelets, leather bracelets, chain everything ... now we have this cool half inch leather that can be riveted, cut, distressed ... the possibilities are inspiring! I have created a new Pinterest page "Leather Jewelry" to help us all along our way into the World of Leather!

tierracast leather and tierracast findings

What I want to do now ...

I created this quick bracelet (above), which is really cute (and so comfy and soft against my skin).
But, now I want to go crazy and rivet and maybe cut and I just don't know what else ... I just want to make a crazy, freeformish leather creation!

Stay tuned, I will post my hopefully successful try here!

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Tucson, Day 3 ... New Shoes and an Old Friend with Great Beads!

2/4/2015

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My back and feet and legs were killing me yesterday, so I bought some better "walking shoes" ... it's way too hot for the boots that I wore here, and the sandals weren't really good for shopping for hours and hours! I'm still aching, guess I can't do much for that, but I think it's better!
I saw Wilson today! He used to come up from Texas to bring us his beads to choose from ... wow does he have so much more than I thought!!! His booth is immense! And, boy did he have good prices (comparatively) on turquoise and amber. Costs on these two "stones" has soared over the past few years ... I wasn't going to buy either, because I don't think my customers are willing to pay more than what I do, but Wilson has made it possible! He is so sweet ... as soon as he saw me he came over and gave me a big hug. Then he followed me around his large booth and helped me pick out some really great beads. When I come back I am going straight to him! It's good to have bead vendor friends ...
I drove "home" to my hotel with the mountains ahead of me, I just wanted to bypass the hotel and head straight there ... the mountains are sooo beautiful ... saguaros instead of trees ... and such great angles ... I plan on going up there on Friday!
I hear there's more snow tonight? Sorry folks, but tomorrow I'm going to be using my air conditioner because it's supposed to be 82!
And, I was just in the pool, made two new friends, Isadora and Sophia from Chile, they are 8 and 13 respectively. Totally adorable ... I practiced my Spanish and they practiced their English ... so good to have new friends!

Check out the photos, this is a HUGE rock that they've carved out of the earth with geodes exposed ... the bottom photo is a close-up of one of the openings ... it's way taller than me!!!

2 Comments

Shopping, Day 2 (is it Tuesday?)

2/3/2015

1 Comment

Well, Hello, New Hampshire!
I am soooo tired! Eight full hours of hunching over beads, checking quality, cut, color ... all for you! There are sooooooo many beads here ... if anyone thinks it's overwhelming to come in to Bead It! definitely don't come here!
I made my way through two humungous tents today ... still didn't see all that was in the second one ... will be back tomorrow ...
I was going to weigh my bag to see how much it weighs, but my suit case weigher doesn't work, battery died! Well, what do I expect, it's been more than two years since I used it.
Today was absolutely gorgeous! Not that I saw much of it, but it sure is nice not wearing socks, wearing a skirt cause I don't have to worry about frigid air blowing up it, and wearing just my tank top!
I got TONS of stone today ... some great cabochos (hello, Sheryl, know you're always on the look out), awesome pearls (finally found some nice smaller coins) ... what else ... my brain is not working very well .... oh, Tibetan beads from Norbu .. I haven't seen him for three years (I think), and he remembered my name! He's a sweetheart ... got some malas (Laura - one is for you!)
Enough for now ... I'll post again tomorrow!

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I'm Here In Tucson!

2/2/2015

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I made it! I was supposed to fly out today, but when I got home on Saturday and saw over a foot of snow forecast for our area, I got right online to change my flight ... alas, they were all sold out for Sunday and Tuesday flights ... wah! So, I figured, I'd just have to chance it.
Well, I decided later on to go back online to see if there were any cancellations so a spot would open up and voila! there was space on Sunday's flight!!! I quickly booked the flight and hotel room. From my house to my hotel took about 16 hours so I hope you guys like what I buy! Such a long day (and after moving my brother to Vermont all day on Saturday!). Yikes!
I woke up this morning, raring to go. It is 72 degrees out today, and there's not a cloud in the sky! (Sorry to gloat.)
Today I found a lampworker that I had never seen before and her stuff is just gorgeous! She's from around here. I think you will love her designs, lots of them have a matte finish which I just love. I am renting a car tomorrow to get myself around the city for a change, so that should be fun. The terrain around here is amazing, so I plan on going site seeing one day.
I hope you are all okay with the snow, have power and all that. Be safe!
Missing home and all my loved ones there, but loving walking across grass in my bare feet,
Chris

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Tucson 2015!

1/24/2015

1 Comment

February

Hi! I'm going to Tucson, Arizona in February, to the LARGEST BEAD SHOW in the world!
I have gone twice before and can't wait to get back. So far I have checked the weather, and it's supposed to be 70 degrees when I get there!!!!! Semi-precious stone and freshwater pearls are the major focus of what I'm looking for. I would also like to find some unique glass beads and findings. Who knows what else I'll find!

Since this is the Largest Bead Show, vendors show off their newest cuts, designs and finds that set the tone for bead trends of the year ... I will be posting on our Bead It! Facebook page, letting you know who I've met, where I've been, and sneak-peaks of what I've found, so keep posted!

Tucson is beautiful!

A typical booth.

Vendors and Venues

There are over 50 venues, with between 50-200 vendors at each! The show generally runs the first two weeks of February. There are shows that focus on beads, some focus on precious cut stones and jewelry ... there are also fossils, geodes, singing bowls, statues, and I even found a great vest there one year!

You can't possibly see everything there, so I have my favorite shows mapped out, my essential rolling suit cases, and I'll try to rest up so I have the required energy!

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Kids' Classes

6/19/2014

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Kids' Classes on Some Sundays!

Tubular Netting

Got creative kids? We are now offering kids' classes two Sundays a month, from 2-4. No experience necessary!
Ages 9 and up.
$14 plus supplies.

June 29 is Tubular Netting. Please call or email to sign up!
July 13 is Peyote.
July 27 is Flat Spiral.

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Closed on Mondays - Starting April 14

4/1/2014

1 Comment

Due to quietude on Mondays, and wantingness of Chris and Donna to have two-day weekends, we have decided to close on Mondays. The last Monday we will be open is April 7. We are sorry if this inconveniences anyone!

Remember, we are open until 8:00 every Thursday and Friday

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Ancient Roman Glass Beads

1/14/2014

5 Comments

We Got More!

We just got in a few strands of these wonderful Ancient Roman Glass Beads. The texture is divine and the energy in them is amazing!

These beads are over 2000 years old from various excavations around Africa and Afghanistan.

See, beads have been important to people for just about ever! (You and I are not alone in our passion for them.)

5 Comments

Hello from my phone-test

1/13/2014

3 Comments

Social Connection

This new website is so cool! It's unbelievably easy to edit and communicate. So, if there's info that you want, but don't see, please let me know and I'll add it!Thanks for checking in,
Chris

3 Comments

Superduos vs. Twin Beads

1/13/2014

2 Comments

In my professional opinion, Superduo beads are clearly superior to Twin beads.

Why?
1. Superduos are made much more precisely than Twins.
2. I love the "pinched" quality of the Superduos - it lends to a really nice locking-together quality that's very fine!
3. Some of the Twin beads have a missing hole!* Once you string a bunch on, like if you're making a wrap bracelet, the last thing you want is a hole-less bead!! Argh!

*Disclaimer: I have found many Superduos with blocked holes (not missing) - each time the hole has been clogged with broken bead shards - I've always been able to unblock them with my beading needle ... so no worries!

Superduo Beads

Wrap Bracelet with Superduo Beads and Size 8/0 Seed Beads

Twin Beads

Wrap Bracelet with Twin Beads and Crystal Rondelles and Size 15/0 Seed Beads

Peyote with Superduo Beads

I really love the way my peyote bracelet turned out! I joined it and made a cuff because I didn't like introducing a clasp, it just looked wrong!

If you don't do the peyote correctly at the edge you will have lots of thread showing. Make sure to add a Superduo at the end of each row, passing through it twice, then the thread will hide up against this new bead! Nice tip, eh?

If you find this helpful, or want to agree or disagree, or post a photo of something you've done with these beads, please, please do!

Thanks for checking in!
Chris
Bead It!
Concord, NH

See how nicely they lock into place? It feels quite industrial.

2 Comments

Bohemian Girl

What I want to do now ...

February

Vendors and Venues

Kids' Classes on Some Sundays!

We Got More!

Peyote with Superduo Beads

Bead It!

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