The Aftermath: Going Forward

There are only two weeks before I must move everything out of the store and close it
on May 31st.  You and the store are such a big part of my life!  I am happy to announce
that I am keeping the Cosmopolitan Beads website and phone number (480-595-6644),
so I can keep everyone up to date on what is going on at the studio (suite 2).  I'll be
making lots of glass beads and some jewelry, as well as teaching glass bead making, metal
clay, and a few  beading classes (bead crochet, anyone?).

 I will also announce trunk shows and guest instructors for special classes.  I have just added a glass fusing kiln, so look for fusing classes in the future, too.  Additionally, I plan on selling my glass beads from the website, so I will be adding a catalogue and shopping cart over the summer. 

(Wow!  I can add another job to my list!)  In addition to my own glass beads, I will also be
selling Jonni DeAnda's beads (Hot Piece of Glass) and Stephanie Lykin's beads
(Beads be with You).  I am also planning on having some open studio days so that you
can shop for our beautiful handmade (lampworked) glass beads live and in person.

Wow!  It has been almost 10 years for Cosmopolitan Beads. In fact, it will be 10 years in November.  It has been quite a run!  You notice that I am using the past tense (?).  Yes, I am closing the store on May 31^st.  I have enjoyed every one of you dear beady folk and I count all of you as lifetime friends.  Some of you I hopefully launched into the wonderful world of all things beady, from the simple joy of stringing to the frustration of “ripping” and “do overs” of complex stitching (but in the end it was worth it, wasn’t it?). 

Many of you know Alyson, my now 15-year-old teenager! (Yikes, the word strikes terror into the hearts of moms who’ve been there, I’m sure).  She has been complaining for some time that I am NEVER home.  Retail is relentless!  Well, I have decided to “wake up and smell the teenager,” so to speak, as it will only be two more years until she is off to college and I’ll never again have this time with her.  I am so lucky that she wants me home after school!  I must heed this call. After this transition, I will have extra time to spend with Alyson (helping her with her calculus homework, I’m sure).

Most of you know that I am a partner in the glass studio just adjacent to the store (out the back door).  I am looking forward to having more studio time to make glass beads. (Ahhh! The thought of melting glass for 8 hours straight if I want to thrills me!)  We will be hosting Hidden in the Hills again at the studio in the fall, so I will be around.  We will have some new artists and some returning artists.  Come in and visit.  The studio name is The Cave Creek Bead Mission, but I will still be doing business as Cosmopolitan Beads.  

Although I will not have the time to host the Tuesday Cos We Bead group each week (I have another part time job that needs to be full time), I still want to get together with beady folks.  I’ll have to keep you posted as this evolves.  I still want to teach some classes:  Lampworking for sure and perhaps some bead crochet, metal clay, and stitching.  I will have a limited class schedule through May.  I also reserve the option of hosting visiting artist trunk shows (think Wayne Robbins and Judy Mountain, and other fun folks), so stay tuned.

Phew!  Now that the cat is out of the proverbial bag, I will be having a progressively discounted clearance sale beginning Tuesday, March 18^th until the inventory is gone.  I’ll be starting with 30% off everything that is not consigned.  Furniture and fixtures will be sold last of all in May.  Come and shop early for the best selection.  Watch the website (www.cosmopolitanbeads.com) for changes in the discounts as May 31^st approaches.  If anyone has gift cards, please use them during the sale while there is still something to buy. 

Thank you all for your kindness, friendship, and support over the past 10 years.  I love you all and may the Beady Force be with you! 

Joyful beading,

Lynda

Fun, Back to School Beading Projects for Fall

Now that the kids are back to school it is time to get your creative juices flowing. The after school projects will be in full swing before you know it. But the great part is, with the kids back in school, it gives you some free time back to start working on some projects during the day. With October being “Visit Your Local Bead Shop Month” there are bound to be some great deals for your crafty ideas.

If you are looking for a craft where your kids can participate with you, a great idea is to personalize their lunch box. You can use stickers, beads, and pre made embellishments to make their lunchbox the coolest one at the table.

When beading, the first thought that comes to mind is that most beads are round. That is true, click here for some great ideas for designing with round beads. It has everything from creating a very simple strand design to more complex ideas.

Although the main thought when being crafty is to make jewelry, there are other fun ideas to make crafts for your garden. One of our favorite finds is here at craftbits.com. This great sea glass and driftwood chime will look great glistening in the sunlight.

If you are a teacher and looking to recycle some old school supplies, or even make a great craft for your new students this school year check out these 2 great ideas from squidoo.com.

If you live in or plan on visiting the Scottsdale or Phoenix AZ region, stop by our shop.  We always have great classes scheduled each month.  We offer everything from stringing to stitching, and crocheting and weaving.  We hope to see you at one of our upcoming classes!

Wedding Shower Ideas: Beading and DIY Parties!

Are you in the process of planning your wedding right now? If so, congratulations on your engagement from all of us at Cosmopolitan Beads! Planning a wedding is very hectic and stressful from choosing the perfect dress, church, DJ, flowers, and reception hall. One thing that many brides don’t think about during the planning process is how well your bridesmaids know each other. 

Oftentimes you have family members, a longtime friend, or new friends from work stand up with you. These ladies will be spending a whole lot of time together over the coming months so we suggest doing some activities that will help break the ice and get everyone a bit more acquainted with each other. 

“Beaded Weddings: 75+ Fabulous Ideas for Jewelry, Invitations, Reception Decor, Gifts and More” by Jean Campbell is a great find for a bride on a budget. (It is only $24.95 if you click the link above.) This book offers great ideas for the DIY or crafty bride. The misconception that many people have with beads is that you can only use them in jewelry. Beads can be a great accent to your centerpieces, invitations, gifts, thank you notes and more! 

Beaded Weddings gives you step by step instructions on how to make each of these projects. With having the helping hands of your bridesmaids you will be able to make a great assembly line and you will be able to mass produce whichever items you wish, all while having a great time bonding.

Beading is making a Comeback!

For every kid that has a beading birthday party, or every bride that has a beading DIY party, a few new people leave wanting more. The love for beading is spreading like a zombie virus and we couldn't be more excited! Beading is making a comeback!

For starters, its start-up costs are next to nothing. You need cutters, needle and thread, and of course wiring for the more intricate projects. For another thing, it's a DIY project with a quick reward, which makes it addicting to newcomers. You can make two or three bead pieces in a day whereas quilting or crocheting blankets takes weeks or months.

Another attractive thing is that supply shopping is most of the fun. Hunting for the right beads and finding must-haves along the way is exhilarating and it delivers yet another quick reward.

Beading is definitely perfect for those who need instant gratification, and it’s been helping people in a number of ways for years.

Beading parties bring people together, and your guests leave with a fun memory as well as a new skill and maybe even a new hobby!

If you’re getting started, welcome to our special corner of the world. Check out this graphic art showing a few different beading styles, it will give you a great idea of where to start.

How to Size and Organize Beads for DIY Projects

Making a great beading project comes down to having the right materials, and having the right materials always boils down to organization. Maybe you found the perfect charm or accent for your piece, but you have no idea where you put it. The first thing you need to do, is separate your beads, and organize them according to shape and size. In order to do that, you need to understand how to size and identify beads.

When you go to pull the piece, you'll be able to tell right away if it will be the right size or shape for your project, and that is how you can make your life a lot easier.

Here's how you size out a bead - 

1- compare its length to inches, and you have to have a general understanding of bead sizing. Smallest beads are 2mm, and larger ones are often 25mm. 

2- you can use a long strand, preferably about 15 inches.  You can put varying sized beads next to each other to see if they will work or if you need to change them out. 

Separate the ones that work well together, so that when you go for a bead of a certain size, you have more to choose from. This is how you can get attractive projects done in a timely, organized fashion.

Five Hot Trends to Include in Your Beading Projects

When looking for new styles and inspiring ideas, consider the three biggest trends of the summer, along with a touch of the mid 90's for an awesome popular project.

Neon
You'll see neon everywhere this year. 90's inspired designs and bright neon colors are a big hit. Maybe because many trendsetters now are 90's kids, or maybe it's that bright colors make us happy. Either way, neon has joined the party.

Look up some fun patterns like the crisscross bead bracelet, or safety-pin bracelet, and choose bright colored beads for the project. They'll go with anything you wear and make fun DIY projects.

Animal Prints
The animal prints came back last year, exploded, and still remains a fashionista staple. Add a sassy feral touch to your project with animal printed leather straps or beads.

Leather
Leather is trending everywhere, particularly in jewelry and wrist cuffs. Hand painted, unique leather cuffs are huge right now, and you can find many DIY ideas on Pinterest.

Studs & Spikes
Studs and spike accents crate a “chic rock” look; studs are showing up everywhere on clothes, leggings, purses, and belts. You can do this to anything you create by adding studs to a bead or leather bracelet.

Geometric Shapes
Use spike pins in beaded jewelry to create a rough looking cliff for those with an edgy style. You can add geometric charms for funky, unique geometric bead bracelets. A lot of jewelry this year will include shapes like hexagons, triangles, and rectangles, so those shapes will make a great addition to any project as well.