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Friday, November 29, 2013

Quick note re leather

Just a quick note re our leather update this week. We've had to pull some of it back off the shelves as it appears to be contaminated with mildew. We are currently talking to our wholesaler to find out if it can be replaced or if all their stock is the same. We will keep you posted - and sorry for the disappointment!!!









Cultural colour

Favourite colours are a matter of personal choice - but there is a large cultural influence as well. My personal love of black would apparently serve me better in China or Japan than it does here - although, by now, I think most people have figured out that dressing in black doesn't necessarily mean I am going to a funeral. ;-)

The following infographic only scratches the surface, I'm sure - but it's fun to read and compare.


Colors by Culture
Source: TopWebDesignSchools.org

Psst - have you heard?

We're having a sale. 


25% off everything (almost). 


It's Not Black Friday.


It's Not Red Thursday. 


It's Not Cyber-Freakin' Monday. 


It's "Thank you for being a customer!" 

Because we love you.


Details and Shopping here.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Howdy Pardner - Strap on some Leather and Save Some Sawbucks!!

75103003-01 Leather Strip - 10 mm Faux Snake - Jungle Jim (Inch)

Well Howdy. I'm Jungle Jim, and I'm here to warn you about the winter weather and doing what we like to call the Snow Slither. The weather out there is frightful, y'all, and gosh, the beads are so delightful, and since we've decided to have a big sale, then y'all might as well let the winds wail!
Ye-up - we'all have having a Happy Winter sale - 2 weeks of 25% off gosh-near ever'tun in the place - the kit and the kaboodle, the lock, the stock, and the barrel, AND the whole nine yards.
75103003-00 Leather Strip - 10 mm Faux Snake - Desert Dune (Inch)But that said - there is actually some new stuff in the store if'n y'all want to take a sec to eyeball this fine new leather. Gen-u-ine leather - well - 'ceptin' fer the snakey stuff which is Gen-u-ine Simulated Snake, cuz we don't hold with messing with no real snakes.
75103001-01 Leather Strip - 10 mm Flat Leather - Dark Chocolate Brown (Inch)If you just want a quick boo at the new items only - then hop on over to this link and you'll see 'em there, all nice and tidy-like.
OK - back to the sale stuff. Here's the low-down:
When:
The sale started Midnight Wed Nov 27th and runs to midnight Wed Dec 11. That would be local time, pardner. Good ole Eastern Standard time.
What:
75103001-06 Leather Strip - 10 mm Flat Leather - Pretty Rose Pink (Inch)Most everything is done includified, but there are some 'ceptions, so pay attention.
  • No discounts on class fees   
  • No discounts on Studio time/lampwork cards, lampwork tools, glass and lampwork supplies.   
  • No discounts on special order merchandise, or special bulk orders.   
  • The discount cannot be combined with Art Clay large volume or instructor discounts.  
  • No discount on gift certificates.  
  • Some individual items ARE excluded. Some metal clay items, some tools, and previously discounted items, and a few other items. Y'all will be able to see online if an item is discounted.

  • You will get the better of two possible discounts - so those 40% off big ol' Swarovski Pendants that has y'all abuzz will still be 40% off.


  • Rules:
    Things tend to get a mite crazy around here during a sale, so we have a few rules to make it go more smoothly. Y'all don't make me come over there, ya hear?

    • No frequent beader points awarded on sale or discounted merchandise. No frequent beader points will be redeemed during the sale neither.
    • No Coupons or additional discounts.  
    • The discount is NOT retroactive and does not apply to previously purchased merchandise.   
    • No special orders or special bulk orders will be accepted at the sale prices. 
    • No Rain Cheques. No backorders. When it's gone, it's gone. The early bird gets the beads. Online orders will be picked in the order in which we receive them. 
       
    • Sale ends Midnight, Wed Dec 11 (Toronto time) (Well - in-store it ends at closing time  - because we won't make the staff stay until midnight.). If you haven't checked out by then - the items in your shopping cart will revert to regular prices. (And we can't change that - sorry. That's technology for ya.)  
    • If you are placing a phone or fax order, please ensure that you have the sku/product numbers ready, as well as the description. Same goes for email orders - our order-pickin' staff gets as ornery as a bull moose with thorn in it's butt, so you do not wanna mess with them.
    • We will be VERY busy during the sale. Having this information ready when processing your order, will help us get your order out the door in a reasonable time frame.

    We all do anticipate that shipping will most likely be delayed by a day or two from our usual timeframe. If you need this stuff pronto - we suggest you shop early. The further we get into it, the less likely it will be that your stuff will arrive pre-holiday - what with the holiday rush and the holiday closings and all.





    Tuesday, November 26, 2013

    Final Call - Sale ends Wed Midnight!


    Just one more day to stock up on

    Firepolish
    Donuts

    30% off! 

    s35918 Firepolish - 8 x 6 mm Faceted Donut - Revenge of the Periwinkle (strand 25)


    All our Sales start on Wed Midnight.

    and run to the following Wed midnight.

    December classes - last chance for a 2013 class!

    The holidays are almost upon us and New Year's celebrations are right behind, but 2013 isn't finished yet. There are still great classes to come out to at BeadFX! These classes and open sessions are terrific opportunities to complete a list minute gift for someone special - including you!

    These classes and open sessions are scheduled for December 1 - 15:

    Sunday, December 1
    Tree of Life of Life Pendant (left) 
    Instructor: Bonni Poch
    11:30am - 2:30pm

    The Basics of Enamelling (right) 
    Instructor: Cindy Goldrick
    12:00 - 3:00pm

    Monday, December 2
    Pearls, Knots and Chain Necklace
    Instructor: Rae Huggins
    6:00 - 9:00pm





    Tuesday, December 3
    3-D Fanwheel Snowflakes
    Instructor: Maria Rypan
    1:30 - 4:30 pm





    Wednesday, December 4
    Open Beading Night
    Facilitator: Stephanie Dixon
    6:00 - 8:00pm





    Thursday, December 5
    Afternoon Bead Tea
    Facilitator: Pamela Kearns
    1:00 - 3:00pm




    Saturday, December 7
    NEW Crossover Bracelet (left)
    Instructor: Marilyn Gardiner
    9:30am - 12:30pm

    Dragonscale Bracelet (right)
    Instructor: Marilyn Gardiner
    1:30 - 4:30pm
    NEW Hot Connections: Connecting Components (a.k.a. Let's Make Holiday Gifts!)
    Instructor: Iris Rogers Melamed
    10:00am - 5:00pm

    Sunday, December 8
    Charmed I'm Sure Intro to Silver Clay
    Instructor: Heather Bell Denison
    10:00am - 5:00pm




    Thursday, December 12
    Netted Snowflakes
    Instructor: Pamela Kearns
    6:00 - 9:00pm

    Open Metal Studio: Soldering
    Facilitator: Iris Rogers Melamed
    6:00 - 9:00pm
    Friday, December 13
    NEW Half Hitch Bracelet
    Instructor: Angela Peace
    12:30 - 3:30pm


    Saturday, December 14
    Bead Stringing 101
    Instructor: Nadine Foskin
    10:00am - 12:30pm








    Sunday, December 15
    Metal Clay Play Day
    Facilitator: Jennifer Tough
    11:00am - 4:00pm

    Complete information about the classes, including class and kit fees and course description, is found on the website. Click the 'Class' link and follow through to the December calendar.

    Monday, November 25, 2013

    InspirationFX: Bakel-esque

    InspirationFX
    Get your creative juices flowing

    Bakel-esque
    by: Lee Metsalo
    When we first got the bakelite pieces in, I kept visiting with them in the store, because they didn’t immediately tell me what they wanted to be in my world. 

    I had my aha! moment while perusing an issue of Atomic Ranch magazine.  There is a certain amount of overlap historically in the world of Bakelite with all things mid-century modern – and it came together with the help of the large jumprings and a bit of wirework.  This necklace even sort of looks like the molecular structure of Bakelite. 
    I envision an Audrey Hepburn-esque lady (doesn’t have to be that slender!  This is a piece that us “above average” folks can, ahem, display differently), dressed in a black turtleneck and black pants, wearing this necklace, with big sunglasses, a black purse hanging from her arm (bakelite handle?), and black boots.  And off to the art gallery we go.

    Layering some of the pieces with thin, dark rings and adding the beads wired into the ovals helps to lift this piece above being a simple design of components and links. The order you put the components together in is up to you - just have fun with it!

























     

    Components

    Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
    Need some help with some of the techniques? Check our tips page.

    Sunday, November 24, 2013

    InspirationFX: Rondelles and a Donut



    InspirationFX
    Get your creative juices flowing



    Rondelles and a Donut

    by: Rae Huggins

    There I was, restocking the semi-precious stone section of the store – that did it as usual for me. Ideas for our inspiration projects were in my head. While I restocked, I stocked the components and this is one of the pieces I came up with.
    1. Simply open a jumpring and insert it into a dark amber rondelle and close the ring.
    2. Repeat Step 1 but before closing the ring, link it to the first closed one and close the jumpring.
    3. Repeat Step 1 and 2 until you’ve used all 60 rondelles.
    4. One both sides of the necklace link 10 jumprings to form a chain.
    5. On one end attach the first part of the Adjustable Toggle.
    6. Link two 5mm Antique Copper 5mm jumprings to the bar part of the Adjustable Toggle.
    7. Using the remaining jumprings make a chain, linking 2 jumprings to one as you go along and insert it into the donut. Close the chain by inserting 1 ring into 2 jumprings on either end, however, before closing attach the single ring to the two jumprings at the centre of the necklace.
    Now you’re on your way to enjoy your rondelles and a donut – enjoy!!!!



















     

    Components

    Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
    Need some help with some of the techniques? Check our tips page.

    Saturday, November 23, 2013

    The Business Chat - bank accounts and your sanity


    Does this sound familiar? You went to a craft show and sold some work, did your happy dance and deposited the money in the bank. Because you’ve sold some work, you ran straight to the supply store to pick up those lovely shiny objects you’ve been coveting. Then you ordered some more supplies online, then paid for some business cards and sent a cheque with a craft show application. No problem, you’ve been selling work lately. 

    Meanwhile, your husband/wife looked at the bank account, saw money and paid some bills. And now you’re looking at the bank account and what the heck? Where’s the money? 

    You’re not sure how much money is going in or out. Budgeting is overwhelming. Costs are rising, and you're losing track of where you stand. You know you “should” be earning more based on sales volume. 

    In practice, you still can't make ends meet and you never seem to have enough cash in the bank. You wish you could run reports (expenses, income), but you can't access the figures (because it's all mixed together). 

    One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is to mix their business and personal bank accounts. No matter how small your enterprise, if you sell ANYTHING, you are in business and in order to be in business successfully you must track every cent you make and spend. 

    Do yourself a favour and separate your personal and business bank accounts. No more co-mingling of accounts, no more gray area, no more personal checks for business expenses. 

    Whether you open a second personal account or a business account depends on where you are in your business career. Many makers who are just starting out haven’t yet registered their business, a business bank account requires that you be hold a Master Business License which you obtain by registering your business. (Registering your business is not legally required in Canada, you can sell under your name without registering). 

    Rarely is a business bank account free so for makers who are new, or who are selling very part-time, justifying the cost of a business account is hard. My suggestion for those who fit this category is to open a free personal account and use it for business only. 

    Make it your business bank account. Deposit ALL of your sales income into your business account. Pay ALL of your business expenses from this account. DO NOT pay any personal expenses from this account. If you want to pay yourself, move your “wages” to your personal account and note how much you are paying yourself. At the end of every month go over your bank statement with an eagle eye and make sure you know where every cent is. 

    Get a separate credit card to manage all expenses like online shop fees and PayPal transactions. Remember: A credit card is free as long as you pay off the balance every month, and there are plenty of cards out there with no annual membership fees. 

    By separating your accounts, your personal financial choices (good or bad) can’t affect your business — and vice versa. You'll also find you have better control and far more sanity when it comes to your finances.

    Friday, November 22, 2013

    On Sale this Week 30% off! Firepolish Donuts

    On Sale
    this
    Week
    30% off!
    s35918 Firepolish - 8 x 6 mm Faceted Donut - Revenge of the Periwinkle (strand 25)
    30% off!
    All our Sales start on Wed Midnight.
    and run to the following Wed midnight.

    Wednesday, November 20, 2013

    Dive into Miyuki 11/0 seedbeads!

    mb11-0356 Japanese Seedbeads - 11/0 Miyuki Seedbeads - Purple Lined Amethyst ABWell - we're taking the plunge. We're diving into the Miyuki size 11 seedbeads. We've been carrying the Delica 11/0s and the Czech 11/0s for years, and the Toho 11/0 seedbeads, and now we are adding the mb11-0641 Japanese Seedbeads - 11/0 Miyuki Seedbeads - Dyed Rose Bronze Silver Lined AlabasterMiyuki 11/0 seedbeads. Because, you just can't have enough. So now, if you can't find quite the right colour from one manufacturer, you can just check the other one.

    And of course, like the Toho's, Miyuki has the same approach to consistency and quality, delivering excellent quality with a very low percentage of "duds."
    This week, we've added about 60 new colours, of 200 or so in the "queue" - mb11-0556 Japanese Seedbeads - 11/0 Miyuki Seedbeads - Dyed Rose Silver Lined Alabasterwith the rest to follow soon. Happy Seedbeading!
    mb11-0339 Japanese Seedbeads - 11/0 Miyuki Seedbeads - Blue Lined Aqua AB


    So click on a link or picture above, or go here for all the new stuff!






    On sale this week* - 30% off! Firepolish Donuts 30% off!
    *(Sale runs Wed midnight to Wed midnight.)




    Tuesday, November 19, 2013

    One more day to Call a Cab!


    25% off!
    Sale ends Wednesday midnight! 
    s36838 Ceramic Cabochon -  Buddha Face - Blush (1)
    25% off!
    All our Sales start on Wed Midnight.
    and run to the following Wed midnight.

    2014 Meet the Teachers Class Kick-off

    I find it unbelievable that a brand New Year is lurking around the corner - where has 2013 gone? Looking back we've had more classes than ever and have expanded the jewellery-making techniques to go way beyond beading and basic metal work. In fact, as of October 31, we have held 232 classes and open sessions and have taught 1,106 students! 2013 is not finished yet - there are still lots of classes in November and December.

    We're not resting on our laurels (although we're catching our breath over the holidays!) because we're introducing more classes in a wider variety of techniques to include mixed media and more advanced fiber work, metalwork, beadwork and lampwork. To kick off our 2014 classes, we are holding a special event so you can come in a meet some of our BeadFX instructors and see for yourself the amazing array of projects and techniques that will be offered.

    When: Saturday, January 11, 2014
    Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
    Where: BeadFX, 19 Waterman Avenue, Unit 2

    Details will be published on the January class page as they develop, but for now, reserve the date and plan to come. Refreshments, of course, will be served and some surprises may await!

    In 2014, we're also bringing in some visiting instructors such as Carol Cypher , Diane Dennis, Sue Charette-Hood, Leslee Frumin and Jodi Bombardier. Their dates and classes will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.

    Thank you so much for your continued support and interest in our classes!

    Pamela Kearns
    Class and Special Event Coordinator



    Monday, November 18, 2013

    InspirationFX: Red Snowflakes



    InspirationFX

    Get your creative juices flowing



    Red Snowflakes

    by: Dwyn Tomlinson

    Red Snowflakes sounds pretty ominous - but it's actually just about this Mexican Red Snowflake Jasper.

    The combination of the Red Snowflake Jasper and the Swarovski Blue Turquoise Gemstone Pearls makes for a pretty, easy to wear piece that is great for the office or just casual wear.

    At 9 inches, this fits loose. Leave out components to make smaller.





















     

    Components

    Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
    Need some help with some of the techniques? Check our tips page.