Northwest Indiana Bead Club
Hi Everyone:
It’s been a while and I am sure you are wondering what’s been going on since the glass and bead shop closed. Lora is doing well. She’s still on the fence about opening a studio in the area. After the fiasco with the landlord, I think she’s staying put working out of the house for now. She is still taking supply orders for stained glass customers and working on commissioned pieces.
As for me, I’ve been busy this summer with doing art and craft shows selling my jewelry. I redesigned my website AGAIN, and I have added jewelry making classes that will start sometime this fall. Some of you know Darby Graham, a most excellent lampworker and glassblower.
He has offered me the use of his shop on days that he does not teach, so thanks to his generosity, I will have a place to teach. I have attached a copy of the classes I will be offering. All the materials are included in the cost of the class, so that will eliminate a materials list. Color choices will be available at the time of the class. The only things you will need are tools, and magnifying glasses if you need them. The tools that are needed per class are listed in the class description. I have been working hard to make this jewelry endeavor my main career and I hope to gain your support in making it possible.
I have also become a Eurotool distributor, and can purchase beading tools and some supplies for those who may be interested. As for myself, I am always game to save money, since I spend it so often on all my jewelry making endeavors aka addiction! So, I will be able to pass a good savings on to you since I do not have the overhead of a shop. They carry quality products that are only sold through bead shops and distributors. You can view their product catalog online at: www.eurotool.com. I have also been toying around with a possible bead co-op. By that I mean to place combined orders with a large wholesale bead supplier to save on pricing and shipping. I really think this could work, but we will need to discuss this at Bead Club and get all your input. There may be a few kinks in all of this in the beginning, but I think it would be worth it.
Bead Club has taken a long vacation, but will be resuming on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. The first meeting will be at Darby’s studio at either 6-8pm or 7-9pm. I would like to have your feedback on day and time preference, the only other day that is possible right now is Thursday. I realize it’s impossible to please everyone on the decision, but it will be the day and time preferred most by members who reply. Also, there will be a $2.00 member fee collected at every meeting to help pay for the refreshments. This will relieve members from volunteering to bring in food (unless of course you really want to)!
I hope you are all happy and well and that you have all been busy with your beading projects. For those of you who have not yet entered the realm of jewelry making, I welcome you to our Bead Club meetings to see what we do and discover this fun and creative art form.
I will send a reminder email you shortly before Bead Club.
I look forward to seeing and hearing from you soon!
Sue
I think it would be fun for our Bead Club members to post on this page.
This would be a great way to share information and/or events we might be interested in, with all our members on all types of bead related issues.
"I know it's hard not to stare at my beautiful double-strand pearl necklace. I made it at Bead Club last month."
* Wire Style by Denise Peck
Some of my personal favorites:
- Step-by-step Jewelry Worksohp by Nicola Hurst
(soldering, wirework & metal jewelry)
- Making Metal Jewelry both by Mark Lareau
- Get Started with Wire Jewelry a Bead & Button Book
- *Making Metal Jewelry by Joanna Gollberg
(all cold connection techniques)
- *Pretty Little Things by Sally Jean Alexander
(Collage jewelry)
- Collage Lost & Found by Guiseppina "Josie" Cirincione
(unique projects using lots of cool stuff)
- Bead on a WIre by Sharilyn Miller
- Chain and Bead Jewelry by Scott David Plumlee
***Send me your book recommendations and I will post them here...
Hi Everyone:
I would like to remind all you Beaders (and Beader wannabees!) that Bead Club is October 28th from 7:00 to 9:00pm at Darby’s Studio. Directions to his studio are attached. I will be at the gate to greet and assure you that you have arrived at the right place! For the first meeting, I thought Show & Tell would be a good kick-off. Please bring something you have made since we last met. This gives inspiration to everyone seeing what is possible, especially those who have not yet started beading. Bead Club is not limited to just working with beads and string. It encompasses all phases of jewelry making and beadwork and it’s a great and fun way to network with others who share similar interests while expanding our experiences with different types of materials.
I would like to see our Bead Club take a new direction. By that I mean, I think it could be a whole lot more than it previously was. More member participation, more product demos, more group projects, special guest speakers, anything to increase our skills and knowledge in the jewelry-making world would be a benefit to everyone. I’d like you all to think about what you personally would like Bead Club to be, and offer any suggestions at this meeting.
Refreshments will be provided for this meeting, but as I mentioned in the last email, a $2.00 fee per member is kindly asked to help cover the costs for future meetings.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to this email if you are planning to attend so there will be enough seating for everyone.
I am looking forward to seeing you on October 28th for a fun-filled evening!
Sue
"Bead Club is not limited to just working with beads and string. It encompasses all phases of jewelry making and beadwork. It’s a great and fun way to network with others who share similar interests while expanding our experiences with different types of materials. "
Next Meeting: 4-20-10, 7-9pm
Hi Everyone: 1-22-09
Well, the weather wasn't much better for Bead Club again this month! We have had so much snow and brutal cold this winter! But we did have a good time. Patsy actually came out of hibernation and joined us (a rare occasion in winter)! We talked about activities for future meetings and maybe bringing in some guest speakers, having a rummage sale of bead related items that we no longer need or want and doing a group project. Keep your eyes open for projects that we could complete during a meeting and bring them with you to the next meeting,
I've finally gotten classes going at the shop. I tried to get the class schedule listed on the website, but I am having trouble with it. Until I figure that out I can email it to you if you would like a copy, just let me know.
Hope to see you soon,
Sue
Well finally the weather cooperated for our Bead Club Meeting last night and we had a great turnout! We were actually a little crowded, but mainly it was because the shop is so small. I need to do some re-thinking with the table situation and make some changes so the space works better for all of us. Anyway, it was great to see everyone that was able to make it. We celebrated Mary B's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!) and all got a chance to stamp on copper and make a pendant and add patina. Everyone came up with cool sayings and/or pretty designs. For most it was a totally new experience and all seemed to enjoy it.
Next month the meeting date falls on St. Patrick's Day, so I would like feedback if you think it will be ok to keep the date or if we should consider a different date.
"Show and Tell" is on for next months meeting so get your bling ready!
See you then (if not sooner!)
Sue
Just wanted to share a few things with you. First off we had a great group at Bead Club last night! Twenty members were able to make it, so we were packed. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with great homemade tamales(?) with green sour cream. Don't ask. Then we had chocolate cake with green frosting that turned our lips and teeth a lovely shade of green! Our thanks to Valerie for bringing the tamales and to Therese for the yummy brownies she made and to Jen who brought us lively Irish music.
It was "Show and Tell Night" and several members showed what they have made recently. Lots of variety and inspiration was shared. Darby joined us for the meeting and we were glad to have him. He is always so cheerful and gracious. We raffled off one his BEAUTIFUL Galaxy Beads and Barbara Guydon was the lucky winner. We'll all be waiting to see what you do with it Barb (no pressure tho, really) HA!
Next up: the shop sign! A small photo of it is pasted above but you really need to see it in person. The sign was delivered today and hopefully it will be installed this weekend. It is so gorgeous! I want to thank Marilee Popovich of Pop Design for creating it for me. She had total license with it and I couldn't have asked for a better design, I REALLY love it. Now those who have not yet been to the shop will be able to find it much easier. Marilee will be teaching a class on "Photographing Your Jewelry" that will be offered soon. She has a wealth of knowledge in graphic design and photography. I will be sending out the April class calendar shortly. We have some more new classes coming up. I posted photos of the wire rings class and a new chain maille bracelet on my website in the "Classes" tab. To follow will be photos and descriptions of the "Beginning Fusing 101" class and "Bumpy Bracelet" class, so check the website from time to time for new additions. Also, shop hours are posted toward the bottom of the "Classes" tab on the website. I need to revamp the layout of the website to address some of the new changes, but as usual, there's always too much to do and too little time!
Hope to see you soon,
Sue
A most influential role model from my formative years.
Mary's new fused glass bracelet.
Therese working on Kumihimo
Valerie, Jeanette, Janet and Mary
Jeanette made these beautiful
beaded bottles.
Bead Club Blog
by Susan Wade on 02/08/10
Just got the blogging element on the website. Not sure what to post just yet, but your comments are welcomed!
Some of our Winter Get-Away Projects!
