TRUNK SHOWS

The beads for this trunk show are flying out the door! People are loving the bright Murano style glass and the bright glass beads. There is still a good selection of the Large Hole beads in a variety of stones. Those out there that are looking for hemp beads this is the best time to come in! Lot's of pendants choices at 4,6, and 8 dollars as well as many closeout beads(16 inch strands)at $6.00.

There is also a new selection of Pandora style beads available now. They are in lampwork styles and facetted ones. Several folks got a few last we had them, come check these out!

Don't know when I will get another show like this one. Also ask about shop items on sale!

Happy Beading

Into September

I've been working on several new bracelets in the recent issues of Bead and Button and just received the newest issue of Beadwork! Now I have more ideas to work with. I'm still looking for some great ideas for the new crystal in the shop, and the large selection of Czech glass and firepolish.

Plans are in the works for a couple of trunk shows for the fall. Wonder what new goodies they will send us!

The holidays will be on us before we realize it. Now is the time to get to work designing and making all those new pieces for gifts and parties. If you want something special let me know and I will see if I can find it.

Happy Beading!

Snowy Friday, Sunny Saturday!

I hope everyone enjoyed our brief snow "storm". It was unusual to have so much but if was beautiful. Due to the freeze last night we still have the white stuff around. The shop will be open today, as usual, until 4pm. I have been out the last day and a half and look forward to being back. I have hopes of the new trunk show coming in soon, it was delayed due to the storms on the east coast.

Keep checking back for updates on the show and other developments at the shop.

Hope to see you soon! Sherri

February! Already?

What happened to January? I think it might have floated away.

I've been working on several embroidered pieces and can't seem to move away. The material becomes my canvas and the beads, my paint. Two pieces were collars and then a pendant and a cuff bracelet joined the group. If anyone is interested in trying their hand at this, I will be happy to assist/instruct them.

I've also worked up a couple of simply simple little bracelets with the new 3 and 4mm firepolish beads. It was fun figuring out how to put them together. Now I wish I could think up a new one, as I have made several of them.

Kumihimo is also a new effort. It is really easy once the beads are strung on the cords. I've done several bracelets and a couple of necklaces using the Kumihimo disk.

Barbara Grant did a couple of classes on PMC the end of January. We had a great time making rings, pendants and other great things. Barbara is so creative and gives so much in her classes; we are very lucky to have her to teach and share with us. She has taken 3 level certifications and many special classes to perfect her techniques. It is worth the time and effort to take a class everyone can go home with something unique and personal. Hopefully, we can have another class for beginners again soon. I will post here as well as send emails. There were some pictures taken and I will upload them soonest.

Happy Thanksgiving

We're finally winding down to the last month of 2009. It's hard to believe another year is almost gone. It's been a hard year but, Thankfully, Highstrung Beads is still plugging along.

A vendor was in yesterday and I added a few more items to the wall and tables, come see! I also have a beader's personal collection for sale so don't miss that. There are some lovely semi-precious and pearls in the selection and they are going quickly. The beads have been collected over the years and include some unusual ones.

We are also expecting a special trunk show in the next week. It is from a different vendor than last time so there will be new items in. Will notify everyone when it arrives.

I am still offering classes and love having a group when possible, but will still do one-on-one. If you don't have time for an in-depth stringing class but want to make a necklace; come on in and we will help you with the finishing for a small fee. There are plenty of magazines available for inspiration and they all have a glossary of the basics.

Highstrung Beads will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, it will re-open on Friday at 12:00 noon. I will also be open regular hours on Saturday. Come in and get more ideas for those personal gift ideas.

Happy Thanksgiving

November at Highstrung Beads

Where has the time gone! I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted. October was a busy month with the trunk show and various other activities. Now we are heading into the Holiday season and things will only get busier. There are several new items at the shop, I went on a little trip last weekend and picked up a few new items that are already on the wall. I'll have more on the way soon, from that vendor.

I am expecting some vendor calls in the next weeks. There will be new items added as they visit. I wish I had lots to spend but sales have been down lately. Folks don't visit as often as they had done. It's nice to see my regulars as well as the travelers who stop on their journey to see what is available here. There are still folks finding the shop for the first time too.

I hope to see many of my friends over the coming weeks, as they shop for special items for the upcoming holiday projects. Maybe we can even add some special classes. Remember it is possible to special order items you are searching for, just ask.

Happy beading!

Trunk Show Update

Don't miss out on the great selection at Highstrung Beads Trunk Show! The prices are great; many items are only $4.00 a strand or package. The crystal has a beautiful sparkle and the Murano style glass is very popular this time of year. The show only goes through this week, so shop now.

Learn new bead stitches this month

It's hard to believe that January is gone and we are now in February. The year will fly by just like the last one. Seems as though they all do now. I've been busy with family most of the last two months. My father has been quite ill and in and out of hospitals and rehabs. Hopefully he will go home this coming weekend and my eratic rushing about will stop. I know the store has been closed at odd hours for short periods of time, but it couldn't be helped. Thankfully, my sister was one week to help out. I am the only family here locally so it all falls to me. I imagine that happens to quite a few of you out there as well.

I have had a few stitch classes, also know as off-loom weaving recently. I've found it easier to schedule class times with each customer individually, occasionally more than one will come at the same time. Peyote, Right-angle weave, herringbone/Ndebele have been the most requested lately. These are all very useful in creating beautiful woven jewelry. Beadwork and Bead and Button both have many patterns using these and a variety of other stitches, as well as stringing ideas.

There was a vendor in last month so I have added to the semi-precious wall. I restocked seed beads and various other items that were low, and there is also a markdown on a selection of the vintage glass beads.

Valentine, Easter and Mother's Day are coming up and are good reasons to bead. Come by soon and start creating!

Charlottes are here

Hi all,

Well, Thanksgiving is over and we are heading into the real Christmas rush. There are new gemstones in the shop and a limited selection of Charlottes for those seed bead fanatics. I managed to get some in the standard 13/o as well as 15/o's, 11/o's and 8/o's. These are great for beading around cabs and riviolis. There are some of them in the case too.

Come in soon.