November 23

I know that I have been a little lax in my posting - I plead the fact that I've had an illness in the family and hospitals and the computer don't necessarily mix. Now, on to the news.

A Place to Bead has been hosting a trunk show - beautiful Czech glass beads, including the largest selection of lentil bead that I've seen for a while. She also has some beautiful peacock-embellished beads in different shapes and colors. I understand that it has been there for a bit but only will be there a little while longer, so if you can, you might stop by there and get you some beautiful beads.

Also, from what I hear, A Place to Bead may be having Silversmithing classes coming up in the new year (which if you think about it, really isn't that far away.) So, maybe if you're good this year - and there's still time to be good - Santa may bring you some money to use to buy beads or even some special classes. As the time gets closer, I'll have more info.

Meanwhile, get busy beading. If you are making your Christmas gifts, you only have 31 days!! That's not that much time. But if you are needing supplies to finish that special gift, don't forget to check out the local bead stores.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

November 16

Well, it's that time again where Margie Deeb is giving away another of her wonderful patterns. Every month she is adding a pattern to the list of freebies that she is making available to all beaders. Every pattern that she makes comes in 2 different ways: peyote/brick stitch and square/loom stitch. The new one that she has made availble is entitled "Dancing on the Moon" and is sure is pretty. If you will go over to this link:

http://www.margiedeeb.com/html/productlist.php?type=10

you will find the list of free patterns available. Don't miss out on this. You can open the pattern and save it to your computer or just print it out for your own special copy.

October 20

If you were planning on participating in the next beading challenge hosted by A Place to Bead, you had better run as quick as you can to the store and purchase your kit. This time, they started with only 10 kits, and as of Sunday when I was at the store, there were only 4 kits left. They seem to be flying off the shelves this time. The theme is Autumn Leaves, and though I can't reveal exactly what beads are in this kit, I think that the theme title alone will give your some idea of what to expect. Entries are due by November 27, so that should give you enough time to make some pretty spectacular entries. Plus, a gift certificate to A Place to Bead for BEADS is always nice. And since there are prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and People's Choice, that means that there are 4 chances to win BEADS!!!!!!!

September 16

Under One Sun Trunk Show at A Place to Bead.

Well, as you can see, I did take some pictures of clasps and other findings that I have that are made by Under One Sun. As you can see, the quality is superb and what is nice is that they are just as pretty on the back as on the front. In most cases, if there is a pearl on the front, there is a pearl on the back. For example, in the picture on the left, with the clasp in the upper right, there are lime pearls set on both the front and the back. Those barrel-shaped clasps (one is upper center and one is right center) are magnetic clasps - beautiful and a strong magnet to boot.

Here to the right is a picture of a sweet copper magnetic clasp.

As you can see, Under One Sun has not only Sterling Silver, but copper and Vermeil findings. They also have buttons, and chain and other stuff, but I'll save those pictures for another time.

By the way, can you tell that I'm a fan of theirs?

September 13

Hey, Y'all, thought that I would pass on some info to ya. When I checked in with A Place to Bead, found out that they are planning the next contest. The Fall Bead Contest is due to start October 16th, which is when the kits should be available for purchase. They have set November 27th for when your finished pieces will be due. I can't wait to see what everyone makes.

Also, I understand that Under One Sun is due for a trunk show at A Place to Bead later this month. When I get the exact times and dates, I'll pass it on to you. If you've never bought Under One Sun's stuff, they make the most gorgeous findings, with things like pearls and crystals set in them. Their work is Fair Trade, so you can feel good about using their top quality things. I'll see if I can pull together some of their stuff so you can get an idea of what they make.

Meanwhile, I got my order of Tila beads. Hmmmmmm. I'll have to play with these and get back to y'all on this.

Until then, have fun beading.

September 3

Start saving those pennies for the Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show coming up on September 25th and 26th in Durham. It's at the Marriott Durham Convention Center and has about 2 dozen vendors set to be there. If you go here (Bead Show Coupon), you can get a coupon for $2.00 off the entry fee to the show. In the past I've found all kinds of pearls, gemstone, findings and such, tho' there is usually a limited number of seed beads available.

So, start setting aside your change and in 3 weeks you could have a nice stash to go shopping with in Durham.

August 28

Hello Again. Stopped in the other day at Caravan Beads at the Cotton Exchange, and found some great new things to tempt me, including these yummy Candy Jade beads that they recently got in. Verrrrrrrrrry Interesting.

Also took a peek at the new Bead and Button Magazine that is out. There is an project using the new Tila Beads (new shape out from those bead makers - Miyuki Bead). In case you haven't heard, Tila Beads are kind of like a cube bead that is sliced in half, but instead of 1 hole, there are 2 holes that run parallel to each other. Since they are Miyuki Beads, and Caravan Beads deals in Miyuki Beads, here's hoping that these new beads become popular enough that Caravan might start carrying them. In the meantime, I understand that Miyuki did a limited run of them so we will have to wait to see what the market does on this new shape. I myself have only seen limited interest in those new long drops, and I did try working with some of them. I think that it will take the right project to be able to show them off to their advantage. I'll see if I can find a picture of what I made with them and see what you think of them.

Meanwhile, don't forget to support your local bead store (LBS). They are important, and a vital part of not only beading, but local economy.

August 26

Okay. Here's the scoop. A Place to Bead had planned on having a trunk show. Everything was all set. But somehow, the beads never showed up. They don't know what happened but as soon as they hear from the trunk show people, A Place to Bead plans on trying to reschedule the show. As soon as I hear otherwise, I'll let you know.

In the meantime, I understand that they are planning on having a Fall Contest. The winners for their Summer Contest - Southwestern Summer - have been announced. As soon as I find out all the names, I'll post them along with pictures of the winning pieces. So, start thinking about fall ideas. When the kits go on sale I'll let you know. After all, beads are always a good incentive for being creative.

Hey fellow beaders!!! Hope that all of you are finding your beading muse, and coming up with lots of beautiful things. Wanted to let y'all know of some things that are going on.

First off, Bead Color Specialist Margie Deeb is in the process of giving away her beading patterns. Yes, you read correctly - GIVING AWAY. It looks like every month, she picks out 2 patterns and makes them available for you to download for free. All you have to do is go to www.margiedeeb.com and click on the "Store" link near the top of the page. Then scroll down and click on "Patterns (PDF downloads). As you scroll down the page, you will see FREE under the price of several. Just click and download the pattern. Now each patterns comes 2 ways - either as a loom/square stitch or as a peyote/brick stitch. So that means that technically every month you can download 4 patterns. Isn't that just too cool? This link should take you directly to the page listing the patterns. www.margiedeeb.com/html/productlist.php?type=10 So be sure and click over there and get some really cool patterns.

Next, I hear that a local bead store is planning a trunk show. On Wednesday, August 25th, A Place to Bead on College is going to have a trunk show with Israeli Silver, Thai Silver, Non-Tarnish Brass, and Lucite. Should be some cool things available.

Meanwhile, I'm working on a project that I started about 10 years ago. So I'll get back to work. And here's wishing you a creative beading time.

Well, I've talked about doing this, and I guess that I'm finally doing this.

Let me start by telling you who I am. My name is Debra Pyeatt, and I am a beader ("Hello Debra" - I feel like I'm at a beader's anonymous meeting). I've been beading since around 1993. Since moving to Wilmington, NC, I've found that a lot of local beaders have no idea of what beady things are happening in the area, and are unsure of where to go on the internet to find out these things. So whenever I find out about local bead shows, bead contests, bead sales, etc., I want to post the info so that you won't miss out on this stuff.

Also, I'm new to this blogging stuff, so I may make mistakes from time to time, so please bear with me.