TWO CLASSES NEXT WEEK

WEDNESDAY, November 14 @ 6:30 PM

Russian Leaves....this is for the leaves ONLY
in the photograph.  Not the toggle or the
rope the leaves are attached to.  Russian
Leaves are so awesome and you can do some of the neatest things with them.

Knowledge and comfort with peyote is required.

Class space is very limited on this, so contact me early.  Fee for the class is $25 and respond by post or email kimleahy@estherbeadwork.com

It will be well worth your time.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 @ 11:00  AM

Elongated Beaded Bead.  This bead rocks.  It is a great way to use up odds and ends in the bead world.  As you can see from the photo, the two pieces do not match, but go together.  You can make earrings, necklaces, dangles, key charms...etc.  These were made into earrings.

You will need to know Right Angle Weave to take this class.

Fee is $25 also and the contact information is above.  I do have a bit more space available in this class, but book early.

WHO are you going to VOTE for...

...Myuki or Toho?   Do you really think I would discuss politics? I am having a great day! When I do bead shows or sell my jewelry, I get asked so often what I prefer, Myuki or Toho.  Let me just say right off the bat they both are Japanese seed beads and they both are  wonderful products.

If you are new to the beading world, the bead language may seem strange to you.  We have so much beautiful product to choose from that it does get confusing sometimes.  For the purpose of this paragraph, let's talk size 11/0 seed beads.  The difference between Myuki and Toho  is Toho's have a larger hole.  If you do a lot of bead weaving where the thread passes through a bead more than 2 times, you will certainly enjoy this feature in the bead.  Also, by having this larger hole, the bead weighs less and you get more for the weight.

Both companies carry a permanent bead finish.  Toho's is called permanent finish and if this is the bead you are looking for, it will have a PF in the number.  Myuki calls theirs Duracoat.  This applies to galvanized and gilt lined beads.  They tend to be a bit more pricey, but if you have ever spent hours upon hours making a piece only to have the color rub off, you will gladly pay the difference.  Many of the other beads do not require a permanent finish as it is in the bead itself and not a coating.  So don't feel that every bead you purchase needs to be a permanent finish.

If you buy beads from Esther Beadwork, you will find most of my beads are Toho.  I was introduced to Toho beads about 7 years ago, and since I do a lot of bead weaving, I love the larger hole.  It is also easier for me to order one type of bead as I get to know the colors and the numbers.

A few other differences to aid your understanding.  Tila, Delica and Berry Beads are Myuki.
Treasures are Toho (their version of Delica).  This list is simplified and obviously both companies make much more to satiate your appetite.

So, who do you vote for?  Me, I am glad I can pick both!!!

Stitch Stump

What do YOU do when you are completely stumped by a stitch or pattern?  I think we all do things we would rather not tell anyone about, but what avenues do you use when you just can't get it?  I know for myself many times I just put it away and in a few days, week, month, sometimes even a year later, I get back to it hoping I have either learned more and can figure it out, or see it from a different perspective.

I just figured out a beaded piece that I have been stewing over since this summer.  It's basic peyote, but the shape and the edging made encasing it in peyote difficult.  I must have tried it 15 times using different beads, different stitches and different attitudes!  Persistence paid off.

A customer of mine emailed me a pattern a few days ago asking me to figure it out and then teach it to her and she was stumped...so, asking someone to help you is a great avenue.  Also, getting together with other beaders and having them explain it to you in different language or sometimes just talking about something you figure it out.

The best advice I can give is to NOT give up.  Use the knowledge of friends, instructors, bead store owners, tutorials and books.  You will be so proud when you do get it and the finished product will mean much more to you.  So...what do you do?  Please post your response and help all of us get un-stumped!

Esther Beadwork in a Trunk Show

Esther Beadwork will be participating in a trunk show at Art Sea Living Studio in Boynton Beach, FL.  Located in the Winn Dixie plaza on the corner of Federal Highway and Woolbright (next to JoAnn Fabrics).  The exhibit dates are Friday, November 2 from 5-9 for meet the artist and wine and cheese and Saturday, November 3 from 10-6.  Many other exhibitors will be there also to display art and product.  Make an effort to attend this event.  It really is a nice venue...and you can get your nails done next door!

Crystal and Pearl Bracelet Class

This simple and beautiful bracelet will be offered as a class on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 at 7:00 pm.   Contact me via email for further information regarding this class or post on this site.  kimleahy@estherbeadwork.com

Kumihimo and Russian Leaves Lariat

Classes begin for the instruction of this piece on Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00 pm.  Cost of the class is $90 and it runs for 4 weeks.  Each week a new technique will be taught culminating with putting all the components together for a finished product.

Please contact me via this blog or email me at kimleahy@estherbeadwork to sign up, ask questions, etc.

This is one of the most fun classes that I have given.  Not only will you enjoy learning several new techniques, but you will get to really know some neat ladies as you bead together for a month.  A fifth week to learn the flowers is optional and will be offered for an additional $20 after the 4 weeks.

This photo is the same technique you will be learning, just different components are used.  You can see how different one will look from the other with just a difference in a few components.

PRODUCTS...the good, the bad and the ugly...

The market for beading products is almost as overwhelming as the beads themselves.  There are hundreds of containers to organize your product, threads, glues, mats, scoops, cutters, needles, etc.  I think I could write something about each product and blog for about a month.

I will give you my opinion, and hopefully many of you will write back with your likes and dislikes of certain products.  This helps beaders buy, so let your voice be heard.

I like things simple.  If you have ever been to my house, I have 2 appliances on my kitchen counter.  A coffee maker and a toaster oven.  I don't particularly care for gimmicky products, so many times unless another beader says you "must" have this, I usually shy away from many products.

My favorites (and this is just my opinion...so please share yours) are:

#1, the metal triangle bead scoop.  One of my students bought one for everyone in class one day, and I absolutely cannot live without it.  I have to say, my bin of beads that I refused to separate after a project and just dumped them all together has not gotten any larger since receiving this awesome gift.  It makes separating and putting away everything you dumped out so easy!

#2, the foam bead mat.  This inexpensive product rocks!  I resisted this for some strange reason but once I used it, like the triangle sorter, I was hooked.  Round out the edges on the square ones to avoid your thread catching on the mat and dumping your product all over.  You can cut these to fit your storage and take along boxes.  A great, great product.

#3, the thread zapper.  Ok, I will admit I truly thought this was so gimmicky.  I poo-pooed it and being stubborn, continued to ruin 10 more pairs of scissors and  a few cutters.  Then when every student in my class one day showed up with them, I decided to give it a try.  Well, needless to say, this is a great product.  No more whiskers in my work!  That alone is worth a fortune!  And batteries are much cheaper than scissors.

#4, E6000 in the small tubes.  This glue is wonderful, but the large tubes have a tendency to glob up after a while and I find I waste a lot.  The small 0.18 oz. tubes are perfect as you actually use all the glue before it gobs up.

Many of you have shared your favorites with me personally, please post them and tell everyone!

Oh, ugly products?  Right now, cannot think of any...You?