Tucson Classes

With snowflakes starting to fly here in Toronto, many are starting to head to warming climates. One of those hot stops is Tucson, Arizona. Another great reason to head there is the amazing bead and gems shows that take over Tucson from late January to early February each year.

Maria has been a few times teaching and bringing back new and fun beads to work into her designs. This past winter she did not go, but at an event at a wholesale supplier, John Bead, Maria won a trip to Tucson for 2013.

She will once again be teaching and finding some amazing beads to work into designs for 2013.

With sponsorship from Swarovski Elements Maria will be teaching her Tennis Bracelet design at the Best Bead Show.  It is shown here with demin bicones but will be offered with the new for 2013  Lt. Turquoise colour.

She is also going to teaching her Beaded Soutache design in bracelet and/or necklace length.

 

As Maria's sample maker I get to make these amazing projects to be photographed and displayed. The Tennis Bracelet is simple but elegant. The Beaded Soutache  is an creative combination of beads that become a textured beadwoven band for a bracelet or necklace.

I am also looking forward to seeing what new beads Maria will bring back to the chilly north for some new designs for 2013.

Glamorous Channel Chains

Chandelier Earring

Perfect for the holidays. All Swarovski-ELEMENTS here... The Chandelier Earrings and Cuff use several lengths of channel chain and have 4mm bicones between the links. Glamorous dangles of a bicone sandwiched between two pearls finish off each bicone stack on the bracelet. There's a lot of versatility and room for creativity in the earrings. Choose to add a bicone dangle or end it with a cup chain. It's also an excellent exercise for working with head and eye pins.

The Channel Chain accessories were created for teaching at Swarovski NA Ltd's beadwork classes in Tucson. I have a few more limited edition kits. The instructions are all color photographs because the components and methodology are unique. There are four variations for finishing of the Chandelier earrings. Patterns are available for your unlimited creativity.

Channel Chain Cuff

You have to admit this is a departure from my usual beadweaving. Working with the channel chain was so much fun. It was very satisfying to step outside the box with such glamor.

Fall Bead Fair season

Last week's Creativ Festival in Toronto kept me super busy with teaching and exhibiting. There were so many styles of beadwork kits and patterns, I displayed the easel overflow on the well-lit shelving unit in back of the booth. You can easily check out the styles one by one in my catalogue.

Here's the overall booth display with Jo-Ann, my #1 assistant, sample beader and blog guru, in the midst of it all on the morning of Day #1.

My next show will be on Halloween Weekend at the Toronto Bead Society Bead & Jewellery Fair. The show will be held at the CNIB, a new venue easily accessible by TTC. I look forward to exhibiting in one large room with fellow beaders, lampworkers, suppliers of beads and findings. There's classes too! Come, be inspired and stock up!

This will be followed Nov. 6 to 8th by a new venture, The Hobby Show, where I am going to bring beadwork to a whole new audience of hobby enthusiasts. Click and get a discount show coupon and see the variety of activities, seminars and races, in addition to our beadwork demos in Booth #115.