July 4th closing. Awesome classes! More TRUNK SHOWS!!

HOLIDAY CLOSING: The shop will be close as usual next Sunday and Monday and will be closed on TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY as well for a long 4^th of July weekend.  Please plan your shopping accordingly.  Your Patronage is greatly appreciated.

CLOSED: JULY 1^st – 4^th.

Hi All,

Well the 4^th of July is just a week away!  The weather man is predicting a great couple of days for the 4^th, but a bit of unsettled weather in between.  Don’t fret about the rainy days.  When Mother Nature gives you rain, make Beautiful Beaded Jewelry.  I know that’s my favorite way to spend a rainy day.  Or come on into the shop and browse all the lovely Bling in air conditioned comfort.  Then you’ll have everything you need in your stash bag to take to camp!  There are also a couple of great classes to give you new projects to play with over the long weekend. 

Another rainy day pastime that I love to indulge in is giving myself a pampering pedicure.  What better way to show off you newly buffed and polished tootsies than with BAREFOOT BEAUTY!  You can learn to make this fabulous foot jewelry tomorrow night.  That’s THURSDAY, JUNE 28^TH, from 6-8 P.M..  I’ve test walked these around the house and yard and they are durable and comfortable and just make your feet feel so pretty!  Fun and whimsical, a real summer treat!  There are a few seats left, so call today and reserve yours.  I’ll guide you through the steps.  Skill Level: Novice (some basic experience in wrapped loops is recommended.  If in doubt, call me.)  Fee: $25

SATURDAY, JUNE 30^TH, from 10:30-12:30 is your last chance for a while to attend a NETTED ROPE BRACELET class.  This class is being replaced in next quarter’s line-up by two new favorites of Odin’s.  (See below).  This class has been so wildly popular it’s filled as soon as I’ve posted it.  This Saturday, there are still a couple of seats available.  So if you’ve been wanting to take the class, now is your chance because you won’t see it again for a while.  This is one of those pieces that look daunting, but, you’ll be amazed at just how easy it is to create.  So much fun to make, many students have kept right on going and made their bracelets into beautiful necklaces.  I always get compliments on mine, and you will, too!  Taught by Odin.  Skill Level: Beginner.  Fee: $25  Cost for materials is quite reasonable, too.

Here are some samples of what you can do with the technique.

Necklace by: Rosemary Weymouth

Once the holiday is over, we begin our 3^rd QUARTER CLASS SCHEDULE.  The email of new classes was sent out last week.  If you missed it, you can go to the website for the full schedule with photos!  Use this link: http://www.beadsonthekennebec.com/classes.html 

We’ll start the quarter off with a bang! (pun intended)  ODIN is up first on SATURDAY, JULY 7^TH, with another fabulously fascinating technique!  CELLINI SPIRAL! Learn a new stitch and create a spectacular new bracelet. The Cellini spiral is a modified version of tubular even count peyote with different size beads creating the spiral. This stitch looks amazingly like Beaded Crochet when using different size beads, but, you'll achieve the look without tearing your hair out!  You'll have fun creating this artistic bracelet and get many compliments on the finished piece. Register early! This class is bound to be as popular as most of Odin's classes.  Class time: 10:30 – 12:30.  Skill Level: Novice (some experience with hand weaving recommended).  Fee: $25

ODIN will be here all day on SATURDAY, JULY 7^TH, and will present her Oh, So, Pretty and Ever Popular STARFLOWER EARRINGS from 1-3 in the afternoon.  These pretty, breeze, easy earrings will add sparkle to any day you wear them. One of the easier Japanese Weaves, it's a great project to start with. Seasoned weavers will enjoy whipping them up in colors to match every outfit or as great quick gifts. Call and register for your seat and learn this lovely art form. SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER.  Tuition $25.00
I wear these with my Garden Necklace and Flower Garland Bracelet.

THURSDAY, JULY 12^TH   and WEDNESDAY, JULY 18^TH, kicks off our annual CHRISTMAS IN JULY classes with the incredibly elegant VICTORIAN CRYSTAL HEIRLOOM ORNAMENT, from 6-8 P.M..  This piece is so beautiful it will take your breath away. This is one piece that will be handed down for generations, gaining value (sentimental and monetary) with each passing year. In the first class, we'll begin making the netted cover. The second class we'll secure it over the glass ball and systematically add the crystal drops. Done in Czech fire polished crystals, this piece is not as complicated as it looks. It is basic netting with embellishments and ideal for a beader who is new to hand weaving. They are fun to do as well. Start now and you will have time to enough to cover your tree or complete your gift list. Making one of these magnificent orbs always gives me an Olde Fashioned Holiday feeling. SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER.  Fee: $45 (includes both classes)

MIG LEMIRE will be here on SATURDAY, JULY 14^TH, for two fabulous WIREWORKS classes!  If you loved the Wire Sculpting class with Mig, you'll love BORDERWRAP. The second in the WIREWORKS series, this class teaches you how to showcase a cabochon or other flat backed stone by incasing the edges in a neatly bound wire wrap. You'll learn to create exquisite sterling silver filled or gold filled border wrapped slides and pendants. Bring your own stones or pick from our beautiful selections. (This is a standalone class. You do not need to have taken Wire Sculpting to accomplish this technique. This technique will spring board you into many other wire wrapped pieces). Class time: 10:30-12:30.  SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER.  Fee: $65

Wire work by Mig Lemire, dichroic cabochons by Rebecca Conry.

Love these beautiful dichroic cabs?  Would you love to have your very own?  See below for information on a NEW TRUNK SHOW!!

In the afternoon from 1-3 P.M., you can set your spirit and your style free with these fabulously flowing earrings by Mig. A little wire, a little Swarovski and a whole lot of fun! Much easier to make than you'd imagine. Mig will show you how. Stop in to see them in person! This class is sure to fill fast, so call to register today! Tuition $65.00.

July has stacked up to be a real TRUNK SHOW HAPPENING!!  In addition to BEAD EXPRESS which will be in house through JULY 14^TH, we will also be hosting:

REBECCA CONRY will be here in person on SATURDAY, JULY 14^TH, with her fabulous DICHROIC GLASS CABOCHONS.  Meet her, ask questions and hear about how these fabulous works of art are created.  See why her dichroic cabs are sought after by wire and jewelry artist.  Get to purchase your own at a special, below retail, show price!!

This is just a miniscule sample of what is in store for you at the Trunk Show!

Last but by no means least, renowned pottery artist KEITH O’CONNOR will be here on FRIDAY AND SATURDAY JULY 27^th and 28^TH, with a huge collection of his fantastic RAKU, POTTERY AND PORCELAIN BEADS!!  Keith’s beads have been featured countless times on covers and in articles in some of the top beading magazines in the country.  While he is here, he’ll answer your questions on what goes in to making these wonderful works of art and show you a few tricks on how to use them, as well!  We’ll make it a sizzling, summer party!! With treats and beverages.  So, come on in for food, fun and fabulous beads with one of America’s finest bead artists!!

Just a few samples of Keith’s work!!:

From large to small, bicones, tubes, round, square, embossed, starfish, leaves, Celtic, stars, buttons…….   And that’s just to name a few of what you’ll see.

So, mark your calendars and be here for Rebecca, be here for Keith, be here for both!!  You won’t want to miss either of these wonderfully artistic people and their wonderful wares!!

REBECCA CONRY: SATURDAY, JULY 14^TH from 10:30-3:00!

KEITH O’CONNOR: FRIDAY, JULY 27^TH AND SATURDAY, JULY 28^TH, from 10:30 to Closing!

Register for classes early.  You don’t want to miss out on your favorites.  Stop in and browse the bling!  Always love to see you and what you’ve been beading up!!

Happy Beading,

Linda