Beads bring happiness...

I just got home from giving "Elizabeth" her first beading lesson. I taught her how to make a basic bracelet and a basic pair of earrings using the extra wire, beads & tools that I donated to her last weekend. She was a wonderful student. Despite being developmentally disabled, she picked up on beading quickly and we both really enjoyed the time that we spent together. We went to a park and she got to meet Honey too. She loves animals but can't afford to have a pet of her own yet. She doesn't really have any family or any friends. People all to often forget to be thankful for all of the comforts that we have. It seems like life for Elizabeth is about food & shelter almost exclusively. She said on the way home, "This is the first time in my life that I've been happy." She has spent years bouncing around, doing drugs & drinking, living on the streets and hasn't gotten to ever do something as simple as spend a morning at the park beading and playing with a dog (something I sometimes totally take for granted as just a regular day in my life). Needless to say, it was enough to just break your heart. She is a really nice, genuinely good person - but just needs a little help to live a productive and happy life. I hope that I get to see "Elizabeth" again and watch her become the success I know she can be.

"Elizabeth's" Story
"Elizabeth's" Success
Life is going well for "Elizabeth"
Insights

Easy ways to help the homeless

There are many people just like "Elizabeth" in your community. They may not be found on your beaten path, but if you do an easy search online - you can probably find a social service center near you to volunteer your time and make someone's world just a little bit brighter.

This is Honey after the park - WORE OUT! Josh kept Honey busy while "Elizabeth" & I beaded.



Tomorrow I have another meetup planned. I'm meeting with my Crafters & Jewelry Makers' meetup for the first time. It is a Meet N Greet. Should be fun...I'll keep you posted!

It is my boyfriend Josh's first actual 2 day weekend (Sunday & Monday) in a long time. He was in graduate school getting his MSW, working full time and interning part time for the past 3 years. Now that he has graduated, life can finally go back to normal for him. 40 hours in a work week is going to be very different and very nice for him (and for me too). So, I am looking forward to having him for 2 whole days this weekend and for many weekends to come. Hip-hip-hooray Joshua!!!!

Can't afford emeralds for May?

Try Chrysoprase! I love the color green and I especially love the deep greens that you can find in chrysoprase.
Chrysoprase is considered the most valuable stone in the chalcedony group. It has been used for interior decoration in the Wenceslaus Chapel in Prague and in Sanssouci Castle New Berlin.
Mohs' Hardness Scale: 6.5-7

I made these earrings quite awhile ago, but I don't get to wear them enough. Too much jewelry, not enough days in the year to wear it all. I was very happy to come across them this morning in my mad dash to adorn, and I thought I'd share them.


Materials used in this project include:

• Craft wire in 20g and 24g non-tarnish silver
  
• 3 and 6mm Gemstone rondelles
  
• WigJig
  
• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• cutters
• wire whacker

Here is a free project using similar sized beads that my cousin, Virginia created for our Free Project section:

Social Networking

I was reading a blog by Jennifer Perkins (the naughty secretary's club) tonight about social networking and its marketing benefits. I realized just how networked I am. I'm not sure that I had a deliberate reason for doing so - my boyfriend is constantly introducing me to new websites. So, I sign up to see what it is and toodle around. Some I really like, some I can't hardly remember signing up for, some I suggest for Soft Flex, some are best just for me. I thought that I'd share links to my social network, as well as the Soft Flex social network - if any of you want to link up, please do!

Soft Flex Company:
Myspace
Delphi Forum
Yahoo Group
Flickr - New
Twitter
Yelp - New

Me:
Myspace
Facebook
Flickr
Twitter
Yelp
Good Reads
Friend Feed
Meetup.com
My Craftivity - New
Craft Stylish - New

Holy moly - that was exhausting. I apologize if any of these links don't work - I did my best.

One for you...one for me...

I loved Christina's necklace so much, I decided to make a similar necklace for myself using my resin pendant that I created with my meetup group a few weeks ago. This is how I end up with jewelry coming out of my ears!



I love it! I used the Soft Flex Metallics beading wire in antique brass this time. Using colored wire adds the final and most perfect touch to a design like this. I chose to use gun metal in Craft wire because the color played off of the antique brass colored beading wire so well. I didn't have any brass crimps - but since the pendant was sterling silver, I figured using silver crimps through out the design would pull the entire thing together. I think it turned out great.

Maybe I need nifty earrings or a bracelet to go with it. Hmmmm.....

In the project shown above, I used:

• Soft Flex Metallics beading wire in antique brass color - .014/Fine
• Craft Wire in gun metal - 20 and 22 gauges
• light brown delicas
• 3mm and 4mm crystals
• 2x2mm sterling silver crimp tubes
• magical crimping pliers
• regular crimping pliers
• cutters
• bead stoppers
• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• wire whacker
• pendant

In other news, Honey is getting used to her new haircut. I think that it was a blessing in disguise that they accidentally shaved her. It was 108 degrees (here in Phoenix) yesterday. Although she did not spend a whole lot of time outside - I think that it does make a difference in keeping her cool.

The Bead and Button Show is coming QUICK. It is only 2 weeks away.

• Bead and Button Show
  June 5 - 8, 2008
  Midwest Airlines Center
  400 West Wisconsin Avenue
  Milwaukee, WI 53203
We are proud to sponsor the "Out of the Box: Pushing the Boundaries of the Glass Bead" exhibit from ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers). Please stop by and see the exhibit in the lobby and sign up to win a 1,000ft spool of Soft Flex Wire.
Details: Thursday 6/5, 4pm - 9pm (registered attendees and wholesale buyers only) Friday 6/6, 10am - 8pm Saturday 6/7, 10am - 6pm Sunday 6/8, 10am - 4pm Admission: $9.00

My Mom joined Team Beadalicious today for the Breast Cancer 3-day walk. She is really nervous about raising the $2,200 minimum. My Mom is shy (you wouldn't know it since she raised a daughter that is anything but shy). I think that I am $103 away from the $2,200 minimum and then I will start working hard to help her & my cousin reach their donation minimum. Lisa Kan has been raising money and training in overdrive. She is our team inspiration!

Be one of the first to donate to my Mom. :)

A present...shhhhhhhhhh!

I made a present last night. I am pretty sure that the recipient doesn't read my blog - so I'm going to go ahead and post it. This necklace is for my boyfriend's brother's fiance (what a mouthful). We can't make it to their engagement party, so I wanted to make her something special.


She is Buddhist, so I chose a nice copper Buddha pendant. I'm stoked any time I can play around with our Soft Flex Metallics beading wire. It makes everything look so pretty!


In the project shown above, I used:

• Soft Flex Metallics beading wire in copper color - .014/Fine
• Soft Flex Craft Wire in brown - 20 gauge
• brown delicas
• 3mm & 4mm crystals
• 2x2mm copper crimp tubes
• magical crimping pliers
• regular crimping pliers
• cutters
• bead stoppers
• round nose pliers
• chain nose pliers
• wire whacker
  

I love mixing and matching different mediums. I used Soft Flex Craft Wire to create a chain on one side and a double strand of Soft Flex Metallics beading wire in copper color to weave on the other side.


This is my favorite part, I created my own toggle clasp (not a new concept - but I haven't done this in quite awhile). I didn't have any copper clasps on hand. So, I used the Soft Flex Craft Wire in brown. I created the toggle bar using my round nose pliers and chain nose pliers. I use the wire whacker to work harden it so that it won't easily pull out of shape. I chose to use the regular crimping pliers for the end. I prefer to just use the magical crimping pliers for embellishing: to anchor a bead in place on the wire, on earrings or dangles. I feel more secure using the regular crimping pliers where the clasp attaches. That part of the design really needs to be strong.

So that's that. Now, I need to make one like it for myself. I was thinking about maybe using my new resin pendant in a similar design. This might look better in the antique brass color of the Soft Flex Metallics beading wire line. Hmmmm......

The power of beads

Do you ever have dreams that feel so real, you have a hard time believing that they weren't real when you wake up? I had one of those last night. I won't go too far into detail about the entire dream, but I did want to share a small part that has stayed with me all day. In my dream, I was standing in line at a candy store with Nancy Pilgrim (a lampwork artist & friend). We were talking and waiting our turn to get up to the glass cases to look at all of the goodies. When I finally got up to the case, I leaned over it and found strands of delicious, mouth watering BEADS! I clearly remember the sparkly strands of tourmalines. Somehow my brain, in the process of the dream interchanged beads for candy. I must be a true addict!

I had a very neat opportunity this weekend. My boyfriend is a case manager at CASS (Central Arizona Shelter Services) in downtown Phoenix. It is the biggest homeless shelter in the state of Arizona. One of his clients "Elizabeth" had recently expressed interest in beading. So, I put together a small selection of extra tools, wire and beads from my own personal stash to donate to her. In a few weeks when her arm heals (it's currently broken), I'm going to give her a little beading lesson. As I was putting together her donation, I got to thinking about all of the great charities that Soft Flex has been associated with over the years. Beads have a powerful way of bringing people together that may not have crossed paths otherwise. My boyfriends brother has recently been working with elderly patients doing horticultural therapy. As I understand it, he helps them to grow plants, herbs & veggies. There is a therapeutic value in creating or growing the plants. I wonder if there is a "beading therapy" program out there. I see so much therapeutic value in sharing and creating with beads. Too many good ideas, not enough time to do them all.

Speaking of my boyfriend. Hip-hip-hooray! He finally graduated from ASU with his MSW (masters of social work). He has been working full time at CASS, a part time internship at our state governor's office & going to school. It has been 3 long years of dedication and hard work. I am so very proud of him! We celebrated with his family yesterday - with lunch and an afternoon baseball game. Hip-hip-hooray, Joshua! Hip-hip-hooray, Joshua! Hip-hip-hooray, Joshua!

My birthday!

So, it is my birthday on Saturday. I'm taking a long weekend to catch up on some well deserved (if you ask me) rest. Honey and I are both getting our hair done on Friday. Honey at the Poochie's Pet Grooming, while I'm off to the Red Door Spa at the Biltmore for a cut. On Saturday morning, I'm meeting up with the girls for brunch and then I'm spending the evening with my handsome boyfriend, Joshua. The rest of the time will be spent doing exactly what I want, when I want. I feel like beading - okay. I feel like having coffee - sure. I'm just going to go where the wind takes me and maybe even stop to smell my roses on my back patio.


So, all that aside - if you are feeling generous and have a few dollars to share, please help me celebrate my birthday by donating to the Breast Cancer 3-day. The weekend before Thanksgiving - November 21-23, 2008, I will be walking 60 miles with Team Beadalicious in San Diego, CA. I am only a few dollars (well - $200) short from my minimum to walk. For those of you that have already donated - THANK YOU!

Donate Now!

Happy Birthday to me! Have a good weekend. Stay out of trouble - I'll be back Monday!

Resin is fun!

I had another meetup last night with the Not your Grandma's Super Hip Chic Craft Club, here in Phoenix. We learned how to use resin. I'm in love!

Our lovely hostess, Denise (the meetup coordinator) provided a few different projects that we could try. She had a bottle cap, a scrabble tile, a pendant and a piece of cardboard to make a trader card.

I tried 3 of the 4 projects. Here is what I made:



I brought Micro Beedz as my contribution. I didn't end up using any of them but some of the other ladies did, there were 15 of us in attendance! You can either place the Micro Beedz in and then pour the resin over them or you can sprinkle them on top to give a little bit of a texture.

I didn't draw this particular butterfly, however one of my past loves is drawing. So, I was thinking that I might need to incorporate my drawing into my jewelry making by using a plain pendant back and then coating in resin. OH - I AM TOTALLY IN LOVE!!!! This will be so much fun.

In other news, Live Chat is up and ready to be used. We installed a "live chat" program on the website so that we can help out online in a timely manner. Thomas and I are the current chatters. Please feel free to click on the Live Chat button if you have any questions or just want to say hi.

We have had a slew of new gemstones go up for sale online just since the beginning of May, including: Topaz, Fire Agate, Gaspeite, Diamonds (that's right ladies, real diamonds), Momo Coral, Blue Zircon, Amethyst, Quartz (On Sale in May).

Best buy for May's monthly specials is hands down the Professional set of short handle Soft Flex pliers/cutters. Each tool is normally $59.95. This month, you can get all 3 for only $124.95. If you bought each one separately, you would spend $179.85. So that is a savings of $54.90 (almost the cost of one whole tool).

Ode to Mother's Day

"A woman is like a tea bag, you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in a cup of hot water."


I have a very special Mom (pictured with me above). Let me tell you a little bit about her. She grew up in Montana as the 5th child in a family of 10. She is everything that a good Mom should be: reliable, kind, loving, honest, hard working, patient, etc. I could go on for hours. I am my Mom's only child. I am so very fortunate to have a Mom that supports me no matter what, believes in me all of the time and catches me when I fall. She is one of my best friends and I love her.

Both of my grandmothers had 10 children (that's right 10 each!).

My Grandma (pictured above) on my Mom's side just turned 80 years old this past Saturday and she is feisty as ever. I see so much of my own personality in her. Much like my Mom, she is always there in a time of crisis. I love her.

My Grandma on my Dad's side is just what you picture a Grandma to be. She is SO loving. Her voice literally drips with love and I always smile when I think of her. Her love is unconditional. I love her.


Joann is my "show" Mom. Joann and I have been traveling together for 9 years. She was at the very first show that I ever attended for Soft Flex Company in Portland, OR. Joann is one of the most generous and kind souls that I have ever encountered. Although she has 2 children of her own, I am so thankful to be counted amongst her many "show" children and I love her.

And finally, my boyfriend's Mom & Grandma are a happy addition to my list of Mom's to wish Happy Mother's Day. They both radiate strength and I am so glad to have them in my life. I love them.

This Sunday, on Mother's Day, I have a lot to be thankful for and I thought that cast the spotlight on these ladies that mean so much to me.

Here is a cute little Mother's Day present that I did the other night. I learned this project from Denise at a Not your Grandma's Super Hip Chic Craft Club Meetup a few weeks ago.



Aren't they cute? You just basically use thin card board and scrap booking paper to create a little book for a post it pad. If you want further instruction, just email me. I'm happy to share. made one for my Mom and one for my boyfriend's Mom.

Post Bead Expo in Phoenix - good buys & good news galore

Here is the lucky treasure chest winner. She put her name in on Sunday afternoon. It is the first time that I can remember the winner being on sight when their name was called. Normally they were customers on Friday or Saturday. She was pretty excited. She had made a joke about splitting it with her friend when she entered for the drawing - apparently she was true to her word. Here is an email that I received from her friend:

Dear Sara,

I just wanted to thank everyone at Softflex for the amazing treasure chest full of goodies. Debbie, being the great friend she is, kept her word and we split the winnings...more than enough to go around!

Your staff is wonderful and it was a pleasure, as usual, to shop with you. You are all so warm and friendly, knowledgeable and patient. I have been using your products for many years, when it was just a couple of guys starting out at the Tucson show! So please know it was loyal customers who won your gift. As a matter of fact, I have never used any other beading wire products in my work.

My blog will be up and running soon, jewelrybyjo.com where you'll be able to see some of the things I make with "the loot".

Thank you again,

JoAnne Reifman

I told JoAnne that we would be absolutely nothing without our many loyal customers. We are so thankful and blessed for the constant support from people just like JoAnne. We will definitely look forward to seeing what comes from the treasure chest loot!

I wandered around and did a little shopping. I was specifically looking for components and beads to work with our Antique Brass Color and Copper Color Flex Wire. With silver and gold sky rocketing - I was not surprised to see a lot of brass and copper pieces and parts at most booths. I think I found some good stuff.


First and foremost, Tucson Bead was selling Pashmina scarves for $6!!! I bought a lovely purple and orange scarf. I wear these a lot when I travel - it can double as a blanket on an airplane.

They also had a lovely selection of brass components. I chose a handful and can't wait to do something fun with them.


I have some copper colored seed beads - but I didn't have a color that worked well with the Antique Brass Flex Wire, so I stopped by Jane's Fiber & Beads for my seed beads. I chose the green because the color caught my eye. I picked them up and then couldn't put them back down. Hi, my name is Sara and I AM a beadaholic. Jane & Tom (the owners of Jane's Fiber & Beads) both give all Tennessee folk a good name. They are very sweet and I have been fortunate to have known them for many years now. You can see Jane or Tom at our Soft Flex Company Glass Art & Bead Festivals in Honolulu or New York City.


Hands of the Hills had a huge selection of both copper and brass pieces. I was happy to find a few Budha pendants. A family member that is Buddhist and just got engaged - so I am looking forward to making her a special engagement present (hope she doesn't read my blog).


Mega Jewels doesn't do very many shows. They usually only sell to stores in bulk. They don't even have a website. Best of all, they sell Soft Flex & Soft Touch! So, it was nice to see them and have a little visit.


I stopped by the Interweave book booth and picked up Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads by Stephanie Sershich. She was a featured designer on our website in January 2008 and she had a lovely ode to Soft Flex (our tools and wire) in her book. I'm starting a "book review" for our Spotlight on...section in June. I think that I will feature this book in July.

Buy this book!


My friend & Team Beadalicious 3-day Breast Cancer walking partner Lisa Kan was present. Lisa was a featured designer on our website in March of 2006. She is out and about showcasing her new book. She had a bunch of the designs in the book displayed at her booth. It is a beautiful set of designs and helped to create an amazing book!!! I will be casting the Spotlight on...Bead Romantique by Lisa Kan in June.

Buy this book!

Donate to our walk!


Here are a few of my favorite designs - These 2 designs are both in the book!



A big thank you to one of my favorite people, Lisa Kan for being and avid Soft Flex supporter and an inspirational designer. On a personal note, she also will make a GREAT walking partner. I can't wait to have her next to me every step of our 3day for breast cancer 60 mile walk.

If you want an autographed copy of Bead Romantique, email Lisa directly at LisaKanDesigns@yahoo.com. The book will be $24.95 which will include free media rate shipping. (You can upgrade to Priority mail and if you are an international customer, she will pro-rate your shipping fee. Insurance is encouraged but optional). She will also be offering the book at select 2008 shows.

So, I got to see lots of good stuff - brought home some new pieces to work with and definitely have some ideas brewing in my head. I better get busy.

If you like copper, here are some other products that might interest you.

Soft Flex Copper Spacers
Soft Flex Copper Clasps
Soft Flex Copper Crimp Covers
Soft Flex Copper Crimps
Soft Flex Copper Earwires
Copper Craft Wire

1 day left for Bead Expo in Phoenix

2 days down and 1 more day to go for the Bead Expo in Phoenix. The show has been great. There is a really good mix of exhibitors and everyone is just so happy to finally have a real bead show in Phoenix.

The treasure chest is stuffed to the brim and ready to be owned by some lucky winner. We hear a lot of ewwwwwww ahhhhhhhhhhh's coming from the treasure chest corner of our booth! $1,000 is a lot of product. I can't wait to pick the winner tomorrow!



Here is Jenny, Thomas & I - very hungry and very tired after a long day of work.

Paula (the newbie Soft Flex'er) doesn't particularly like to have her picture taken. So, we compromised. She said that I could post this lovely picture of her in my blog and she can be my elusive Wilson (like on Home Improvement). Paula has been a great addition to her our team. She is friendly, knowledgeable and funny.....yep, the entire package. GO Paula!


How cool is this picture? Look closely to see the little baby birdies, next to their dad. These guys were hanging above our dinner table tonight in downtown Phoenix and put the C in Cute. We tried to go to one of my favorite restaurants downtown - Pizzaria Bianco. Mmmmm! No such luck, it was a 3 hour wait. We were far to hungry and far too tired to do it. So, we went right across the sidewalk to an English pub instead. It was very good but I forgot to catch the name.

I'll definitely update you on some of my great show finds in a few days. For now, I have to crawl into bed and get some rest.

$2 off Admission to Bead Expo in Phoenix

I received a link today for a coupon to get $2 off the admission fee for the Bead Expo in Phoenix.

Click here for $2 off coupon.

We're setting up the show today. YAY!