Newsletter

Artful News

What’s New and Newsworthy at Artful Beads!

January 2012

Happy New Year!!!

Holiday Hours:
December 31^st: 10:00am-3:00pm
January 1^st: Closed

In This Issue…
January’s Classes!!! January’s class highlight – Tribal Links Bracelet! Our January-February class list is out! January’s Sunday Classes – Double-Wrapped Macrame Bracelet, Industrial Elements Pendant, and Introduction to Russian Spiral Bracelet! Our annual Pre-Tuscon Build-Your-Stash Sale. January’s Tip…branch out in the new year!!

Classes
Our January-February class list is now posted on our website with pictures, and samples can be seen in person at the store.

We have 10 new projects lined up this time, including several new advanced weaving classes! With classes ranging from bead weaving to metal working to using non-traditional materials in jewelry-making to metal clays and just about everything in-between, we have a little bit of something for everyone!

Our Mini Kit Class Series
Our mini kit classes are shorter, smaller projects than can be completed in less than an hour and a half. Kits are included in the class fee with multiple color ways to choose from. Skill levels for Mini Classes range from Beginner to Experienced. Mini kit classes are a great way to introduce a newbie to beading, or just a fun way to pass time!

Class Registration
We do require payment to reserve your place in a class; many of them do fill up quickly so sign up early to ensure your spot! You can sign up for classes either at the store or over the phone. Cancellations one (1) week or more prior to a scheduled class will receive a full refund; cancellations less than one week before class will receive store credit. Please note that if you do not show up for, or call to cancel a class that you have registered for, your class fee is non-refundable.

You will receive 10% off all materials the day of the class, excluding PMC and other metal clay products, and artisan beads.

Classes we are offering in December are listed below. Please click the “Classes” link above to view the entire class list.

January’s Classes

Artisan Charm Bracelet ($50 plus materials) – Tuesday, January 3^rd, 10:30am-1:30pm

Peacock Feathers Bracelet or Necklace ($45 plus materials) – Choose one: Wednesday, January 4^th, 10:30am-1:00pm; Thursday, January 26^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Introduction to Russian Spiral Bracelet ($45 plus materials) – Choose one: Thursday, January 5^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm; Sunday, January 22^nd, 11:00am-1:30pm

Netted Crystal Cuff ($45 plus materials) – Thursday, January 5^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Exotique Bezel Necklace ($45 plus materials) – Friday, January 6^th, 10:30am-1:30pm

Introduction to Flat Peyote Bracelet ($45 plus materials) – Friday, January 6^th, 2:00pm-4:30pm

Tranquility Bangles ($55 plus materials) – Saturday, January 7^th, 10:30am – 2:30pm

Sparkling Deco Drop Necklace ($45 plus materials) – Saturday, January 7^th, 1:30pm-4:30pm

Double-Wrapped Macrame and Crystal Bracelet ($40 plus materials) – Sunday, January 8^th, 11:00am-1:00pm

Vintage Beaded Bead ($45 plus materials) – Tuesday, January 10^th, 10:30am-1:30pm

Hammered Hinged Cuff ***New Class*** ($55 plus materials) – Choose one: Tuesday, January 10^th, 10:30am-2:30pm; Saturday, January 28^th, 10:30am-2:30pm

Eclectic Fusion Wrap Bracelet ($60 plus materials) – Wednesday, January 11^th, 10:30am-2:30pm

Cascading Lacey Leaves Necklace ($45 plus materials) – Thursday, January 12^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm ***Previous Bead Weaving Experience Required***

Crystal Helix Bracelet ($40 plus materials) – Thursday, January 12^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Handmade Beaded Chain ($40 plus materials) – Choose one: Thursday, January 12^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm; Thursday, January 26^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Tribal Links Bracelet ***New Class*** ($55 plus materials) – Friday, January 13^th, 10:30am-2:30pm

Spiral Rope Bracelet or Necklace ($45 plus materials) – Friday, January 13^th, 2:00pm- 4:30pm

Serenity Wrap Cuff ***New Class*** ($55 plus materials) – Saturday, January 14^th, 10:30am-2:30pm

Draped Elegance Necklace ***New Class*** ($50 plus materials) – Saturday, January 14^th, 1:30pm-4:30pm ***Previous Bead Weaving Experience Required***

Beginner Earrings ($35 plus materials) – Choose one: Saturday, January 14^th, 2:30pm-4:30pm; Thursday, January 19^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Industrial Elements ($45 plus materials) – Sunday, January 15^th, 11:00am-1:30pm

Winter Flora Necklace ($45 plus materials) – Tuesday, January 17^th, 10:30am-1:30pm ***Previous Bead Weaving Experience Required***

Celestial Lace Earrings or Pendant ($50 plus materials) – Wednesday, January 18^th, 11:00am-1:30pm ***Previous Wire Wrapping Experience Required***

Antiquarian Cuff ($55 plus materials) – Thursday, January 19^th, 5:30pm- 8:00pm

Copper Enamel Dangle Earrings ($50 plus materials) – Friday, January 20^th, 10:30am-1:30pm

Harmonious Clusters Bracelet ($45 plus materials) – Friday, January 20^th, 2:00pm-4:30pm

Alloys and Elements Pendant or Earrings ***New Class*** ($55 plus materials) – Saturday, January 21^st, 10:30am-2:30pm ***Previous Soldering Experience Required***

Netted Treasures Bracelet ***New Class*** ($45 plus materials) – Saturday, January 21^st, 1:30pm-4:30pm

Sparkle and Allure Bracelet ($40 plus materials) – Tuesday, January 24^th, 10:30am- 1:00pm

Introduction to CopprClay ($55 plus materials) – Wednesday, January 25^th, 10:30am-1:30pm ***Note: Pieces made in class will be fired after class and you will need to come back at a time convenient for you for the finishing process.***

Mystical Components Necklace ***New Class*** ($55 plus materials) – Friday, January 27^th, 10:30am-2:30pm ***Previous Soldering Experience Required***

Simplicity Hoops ***New Class*** ($22 including materials) – Friday, January 27^th, 2:30pm-4:00pm

Beginner Beading ($35 plus materials) – Saturday, January 28^th, 2:30pm-4:30pm

January’s Featured Class:

Tribal Links Bracelet

Choose one: Friday, January 13^th, 10:30am-2:30pm; Saturday, February 25^th, 10:30am-2:30pm.

In this project the clasp is the focal point of the bracelet! You will use copper or brass sheet metal to create an oversized clasp that is not only ornate, but functional. You will hammer and texture it to make it unique to your own style and then you will solder a fancy bezel cup onto the surface. As a bonus, you will create your own textured heavy gauge jump rings to complete this fantastic bracelet. You can choose form copper, brass and sterling to give this cuff visual texture. Cost of the class is $55 plus materials.

We are offering Sunday Sessions for the following classes in January:

Double-Wrapped Macramé Bracelet

Choose one: Sunday, January 8^th, 11:00am-1:30pm; Friday, February 3^rd, 2:30pm-5:00pm.

Fabulous wrap bracelets that combine cord with beads are everywhere you look these days! Of course we had to put our own spin on the concept, this bracelet is the result. They are fun to make, fun to wear, and you can use a wide variety of beads to create a look that will be unique to you! Cost of the class is $40 plus materials.

Industrial Elements Pendant

Sunday, January 15^th, 11:00am-1:00pm.

In this class you will learn an exclusive technique of wrapping wire and chain around a metal washer to form a powerful, yet delicate component for a bracelet. The introduction of crystals and tiny drops gives this bracelet a soft and sparkly element against the stiffness of the metal washer. You can easily transform this design into a pendant or pair of earrings. The combinations are endless! Cost of the class is $45 plus materials.

Introduction to Russian Spiral Bracelet ***Brand New Technique Class***

Choose one: Thursday, January 5^th, 5:30pm-8:00pm; Sunday, January, 22^nd, 11:00am-2:00pm; Thursday, February 23^rd, 5:30pm-8:00pm.

In this class you will learn the bead weaving technique of Russian Spiral Rope! You will create a bracelet using varying sizes of seed beads and then graduate to a larger, sparkling crystal to add visual texture to this stunning bracelet. This can also be made into a necklace using various sizes of beads to create a diversity of jewelry in every color palette! Cost of the class is $45 plus materials.

Our Annual Pre-Tucson “Build Your Stash” Sale!!
The holiday season is winding down and all the festivities are just memories now. But, that’s no reason for the party mindset to end! The post holiday blues never set in at Artful Beads, because in just a few short weeks Laina and Barbara’s will make their annual pilgrimage to Tucson to buy new beads! The Tucson journey is set for the end of January, but before then we need to make room for all the new loot. That means “Sale”! Our annual Pre-Tucson “Build Your Stash” Sale will run from January 22^nd – January 28^th. During the sale week, the entire store will be 15% off! Of course, a few minor exceptions apply…metal clay products, artisan beads, gift certificates, and class registrations are excluded - but everything else is fair game! Some come in and help us make room for all the new pretties, build your stash, and save a little cash along the way!

Tip of the Month – Try something new in the new year!
It’s a brand new year, and what better time is there to jump into fresh new waters! There are so many roads to go down in the beading and jewelry making world, yet sometimes we end up following only one or two paths. Make this the year to try something you’ve never done before! If you’re a seed beader, give metal smithing a try! If you work strictly in wire, maybe trying out bead embroidery will give you some new food for thought! Even if you try something new and find that it’s not your cup of tea, you will still walk away with new knowledge, ideas and inspiration – an all-around winning situation!

Happy Beading!!

Amy, Barbara, and Laina