Month: April 2018

BeadFX Weekly World News

Bow & Cali

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Not the latest music sensation, but two new shapes in shaped, multi-hole beads! The Bow Bead First up, the Bow bead – new from Preciosa, is large compared to other shaped-beads, and is a gently curved bar, with two holes. I’m quite excited about the design possibilities! If you click through to this article – you will see lots of glorious eye candy – some of which I guarantee you, will surprise you! See our website for lots of innovative ways to use this new shape, and a free pattern for the bracelet above! The Cali Bead The new Cali …

Eye Candy

Take a Bow …

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The new Bow beads – bigger than most of the shaped beads we’ve seen developed lately – and with lots of design possibilities far beyond bead weaving. Just look at these designs! This – for instance! I love the sort of tumbling look of the beads – and check out the instructions – it looks super easy to do! Click on the pattern to see the full size image. ? Here is a variation – more of a wavy river effect. And even wavier! You can see that this is made of modules, joined by large jumprings. What about the …

A Bead Muse Muses

April 2018 Bead Mat Update: Just muddling around!

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Some might say that my April 2018 bead mat update is a real mess! Not so, but perhaps I should explain! I’ve been kidnapped by the joy of Stitch Meditations! Thank you Liz Kettle, for enabling me!! I started the project in March, and figured that I could fit them in between my other projects. But they are taking over my world! Why is that? Echoes of my stitching past, seem to be jockeying for space with my beads, and I’m enjoying myself immensely! Are you interested in joining me in this adventure? If so, I’ll be holding an introductory …

There's a Class for that!

Robyn Cornelius kicks off May classes

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As I’m writing this, the outside is dull and rainy – typical April showers! However, I’ve been ‘planting’ nuggets of beading ideas that may bear interesting projects (and classes). We shall see what happens! No doubt though we have some exciting classes coming up including three metalwork classes with Robyn Cornelius! I’ve had the pleasure of taking several of Robyn’s classes and her forte is being able to bring students of all experience levels through to completion of her class projects. We also have Barbara Colautti with another polymer clay application that mimics the look of wood or ivory. If …

BeadFX Weekly World News

Czmate Diamonds, GemDuos & Beetle Wings

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This week – we’re adding the Czechmate Diamonds to the shaped bead buffet. Unlike the GemDuos (and we have more of those too!) – these are a diamond shape with the hole running through the short axis – top to bottom if you like, although, once you turn them on their side to use them, it’s isn’t top to bottom any more. These have the same hole spacing as the other Czechmate 2 hole beads, although the hole (!) fun of these is seeing how you can make them fit together and create interesting patterns and textures. As I mentioned …

A Bead Muse Muses

Embrace the imperfections!

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Embrace the imperfections, then take time to smell the roses! No one is perfect, so why put yourself down, for something that is virtually unattainable? I posted a partially stitched and embroidered stone, on my Instagram account (amd_artfuldreamer) this morning. I was thinking about how difficult it was to stitch a perfect rock. It’s awkward in your hands, there is no give, and it’s heavy to work with. So, I decided to embrace the imperfections, and just go with the flow! Threads are hanging, the stitches and edges aren’t perfect, yet the colours are sea-like and dreamy! I love the …

There's a Class for that!

Refresh your Creativity

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It’s Spring! The weather is finally catching up to the calendar. Plants are poking through the dirt. You’re itching to start something new. Spring is an ideal time to start something new or to breathe new life into a favourite activity. Classes are a great way to add to your knowledge base or to test your desire of trying a new technique. Our late-April classes have lots of options for you: Cindy Goldrick with Sue Henry will help you explore design possibilities with both wet and dry felting. If you’ve been wondering about the craze of ‘peyote with a twist, …

BeadFX Weekly World News

Pink and Pearls – the “Girly” Update

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Almost no-one here at BeadFX will admit to being a “girly” girl. We rassle molten glass for fun, buy our own diamonds thenkewverrymuch, and stab things thousands of times with tiny little needles … we’re smart, funny, practical, and would rather have sandals than spike heels. That said – we still have a place in our hearts for pearls and pink … Such as 3 and 4 mm Glass Pearls. In colours ranging from pretty natural – to pretty cool – these small pearls can be spacers, or working into your bead weaving/shaped bead projects. You don’t even need to …

A Bead Muse Muses

Sculptural beadwork – 3-D and fabulous!

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What do you think of, when I say sculptural beadwork? I think art!!! Although most of us consider beading to be a type of wearable art, sculptural beadwork is something entirely different! Now that doesn’t mean that jewelery is not art, it’s just that we’re more conditioned to think of objects as more sculptural. In my own small way, I’ve been playing around with this idea, for a while now. Mainly with my dolls, but more recently, with stitching, and beading a small beach stone (more about that, in future blog posts). Freeform peyote, and intuitive bead embroidery, are obvious …

There's a Class for that!

Bring a friend and save at Bead-Treat!

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As human beings, we become so busy with our jobs, family, household chores, daily activities that we often neglect one of the most important aspects of life: friendships! These relationships develop over time and hold a very special place in our heart. Bead-Treat wants to help you celebrate your friendships! Until Friday, April 20, when you and a friend (or friends!) register for Bead-Treat, you will each get $25 off the registration fee! That means, you and your friend will be able to take all three classes, receive all three class kits, goodie bags, enjoy Friday evenings Meet and Greet …