Pretty Plumes

Ive always had a fascination with feathers, especially peacock feathers. One of my fondest memories as a child were the 2 peacocks that lived on my street, Herman and Henrietta, in urban Jacksonville, Florida mind you.
I never new where they came from, all I new is that they were the most glorious birds I had ever seen. Every few months I would walk around the neighborhood and pick up these beautiful feathers that they had shed and put them in a vase. I must have been all of 4 years old.
Not much has changed, although there are no peacocks living in my neighborhood,(but if I had land, i would most definately have some), however, I still love feathers! SO much so, that a few months ago I added some grizzly rooster feather extensions in my hair, Im might be little obsessed with them. I dont think the fly fisherman, or PETA are all to happy about this!
The grizzlies are quite expensive right now, as this is a huge new trend,but I have recently ordered lots of colorful feathers, from rooster, to peacocks, duck and guinea hens (dont worry, no birds were harmed to get these beautiful feathers that I know of. I would like to think they were collected just how I collected them as a child, maybe Im just being a little naive about it.)
I will be making a beautiful selection of feather earrings as well as feather clip in hair extensions, so be on the look out! I have a few listed on etsy so be sure to check them out!

Monthly Giveaways

Thanks for stopping by our blog! To show our appreciation for being a valuable friend and follower, we are going to do monthly give-aways! Everything from free classes, beads, handmade jewelry, hoops, Green Lotus Organic Soaps, gift certificates and more. Dont miss out on all the free stuff!
I will announce the winner at 12pm on July 1st, 2011
All you have to do is one or both of the following
~follow us on our blog
~like us on facebook
After you have done one or both of those,you must leave a comment here and tell us what inspires you!

First on our giveaway, a free wire wrapped bangle class. Learn basic wire wrapping techniques in this fun class while creating a super funky bangle bracelet. $45 value. (beads and wire not included)

Marias adventures in far away lands!

For those of you who know my business partner Maria, you know she LoOoOvEss to travel! For those of you who dont, well Maria loves to travel to fArRrR away lands in search of the perfect treasures to line our eclectic and well stocked bead shop, as well as to stock her shop, Midnight Sun.
She recently returned from her once a year buying trip to India bearing a beautiful selection of the most CoLoRfUl and tExTuReD recycled silk yarn, gorgeous SUPER SIZED handcrafted copper beads with swirls and flowers and a nice selection of natural stone cabachons.
In just over a week she is off on another adventure, Bali Indonesia.
Stop by in late August and we will have a huge new shipment of gemstone beads, sterling thai silver and many other treasures to choose. Something for everyone.

Foldforming

Everyone who knows me knows I love to play with sheet metal. I love to heat it and fold it, bend it and hammer it, then see all of the wonderful textures that come from doing all of these fun things.
This is known as foldforming.
Foldforming is a technique invented by Charles Lewton Braine. It is a technique of taking sheet metal and forming it into beautiful 3-D forms without the use of solder. You fold sheet metal, work it, then unfold to create beautful pieces of art or jewelry!
This has quickly become one of my most popular classes here at Bead Here Now. Back in April, I had a group of 6 ladies all the way from Canada and we had a day of heating and folding and hammering and creatings beautful copper bowls! I have also had students come from South Florida as well as Texas just to take this wonderful class.
Look for a blog tutorial coming soon and be sure to check out our class schedule to sign up for this fun class!

New Etsy SIght

Be sure to check out our new etsy sight, I will be adding items daily, so if you dont get a chance to stop by the shop or dont live here in town, we have lots of beautiful treasures on our sight and new ones added daily so be sure to check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadherenowriverside?ref=pr_shop_more

March Classes and Happenings

March Classes
Mon March 2nd- Basic Wire Link Earrings with Catina-Learn how to make your own wire ear hooks and also learn the basic wire link technique to create a funky pair of dangle earrings. (we will use copper wire in this class)................ Time: 6:30-7:30 Fee:$15.00 + material
Wednesday the 11th-Wire link bracelet with Shannon-Learn the technique of wire links to create a wire link bracelet while also learning how to make an S hook clasp........Time:6:30-9 Fee $20.00 + material

Saturday the 14th: Introducing the Itty Bitty Smithy: Bang your own bangle with Robert:in this class you will learn basic copper smithing techniques including annealing, texturing and shaping.Time: 12-2pm Fee:$30. (includes material) Class limited to 4

Thursday the 19th: Basic Beading with Shannon-Learn the basics to bead stringing. I will show you how to properly end your piece with crimping, adding your wire guardian, crimp cover and clasp for a finished look.Time: 6:30-8:00 Fee: $15.00 + material

Sunday the 22nd- Beading for Sassy Seniors- In this class we will create a bracelet and a pair of earrings. You will learn the technique of crimping, adding your wire guardian, crimp cover and clasp, as well as how to make a simple pair of dangle earrings.Time:2:30-3:30 Fee: $10 + material (class starts promptly at 2:30 so arrive early to pick out your goodies)

Wednesday the 25th: Interchangable necklace with Shannon-This necklace is a partial beaded necklace made on beading wire attached by small lobster claws to a leather like cord finished with wire coils for a finished look..Time:6:30-8:30 Fee $15 + material

Wednesday the 25th A.M. Class- Herringbone wire weave pendant with Shannon- learn the technique of herringbone. In this class you will create a herringbone centerpiece to take home and add to your beadwork.Time:11:30-12:30 Fee: $10 + materia**************************Space is limited so please sign up early! ************************************$10 classes with student ID (does not include material) *************************************************************Classes start promptly at 6:30 so please arrive around 6 or shortly after if you need to pick out your beads. *************************************************************Interested in teaching some weekend daytime classes at Bead Here Now? contact Shannon 904-475-0004***********************private classes available. ******************

We're back from Tuscan
Its that time of year again and Maria just got back from a fun filled trip of treasure hunting in Tuscon.
Stop by soon to check out all of our new treasures. We have a great selection of beautiful czech glass, lots of georgeous gemstones, cinnabar, large handcarved jade focal beads, a huge selection of fun ceramic beads (including animals, angels and devils, rainbows, peace signs and more.) large cloisonne focal beads, funky hammered copper chain as well as copper beads and bali silver.

**********************************Introducing The Itty Bitty Smithy
The Itty Bitty Smithy is a metal and glass studio coming soon. Local artist and blacksmith Robert Noelke (also my better half) will be doing some small scale metal working classes.Robert, along with Photographer Jay Shoots, recently won a design competition for the cities of Atlantic and Neptune Beach. Robert designed a 29 foot stainless steel gyroscope which spins with the wind and has seating around the base.When approved by the city council, the large sculpture will stand at the end of Atlantic Blvd in the roundabout by the Seaturtle and Ragtime in the town center..
We are opening a small studio in a space we've been hiding out in the back of the building. In addition to Roberts classes, I will be teaching some hammered copper classes, local glass artist Bryon Nobles will be teaching some fun glass pendant classes and Catina Jane will be doing hammered wire classes..
We are hoping to have the Itty Bitty Smithy up and running full time in the next couple of months, but we will be doing some introductory classes in the mean time.We will keep you posted.

Now carrying Green Lotus Body Products Locally Made All Natural Soaps and Lip Balms by Yoga Ananda's Meditation Instructor Donna McGee

Women's Wellness Fair @ Yoga Ananda

January 31st 2009
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
A woman’s health fair that appeals to the senses. Come experience a full day of wellness! The day will be broken up in seminar style to explore all the ways to stay well. We will also explore all the senses through: scented soaps/oils, listening to music, looking at beautiful jewelry, touch through massage & yoga and we'll top things up with a seasonal soup! 9:00AM – 10:15AM Yoga :: 10:30AM- 11:00AM Massage & Reflexology :: 11:00AM – 11:30AM Nutrition & Food Preparation :: 11:30AM – 12:00PM Acupuncture & Herbs :: 12:00PM – 1:00PM Soup & Soap – lunch :: 1:00PM – 1:30PM Meditation & Mindfulness :: 1:30PM – 2:00PM Energy Healing :: 2:00PM – 3:00PM Music & Jewelry + beginning of open forum :: 2:00PM – 4:00PM Open Forum (booths set up and therapists available to answer specific questions, discuss services, offer chair massages, 5-15 minute consults, schedule appointments, etc) – additional treats.see http://www.yogaanandastudio.com/ for more info

Bead Sale

We're getting ready for a buying trip so from now until January 31stop by Bead Here Now for some good sales!
1-2 strands of beads 10% off
3 strands 15% off
4 + strands 20% off
20% off all recycled glass strands

Also come check out some cool art from Robert Noelke & Samantha Merritt, handmade jewelry from myself, Shannon Reeves(A Choice Bit of Calico Jewelry- www.achoicebitofcalico.com), and jewelry from Catina Gray, handmade purses from Kelly Sheffield of Subterfuge, photography from Lindsay Nussbaum, and fun kids onesies from Vintage Candy.
Also, Hello Kitty, Loungefly Accessories, Black Irish Clothiers, Blue Q Body Treats and of course, all of your jewelry making needs.
Bead Here Now1051 Park StJacksonville, Fl 904.475.0004Mon-Sat 11-6Sun 12-4

December Classes

Bead Here Now

Presents

December *winter wonderland* Classes

Thursday 12/11^th - all wired out w/ shannon

Learn the technique of making wire links and create a one of a kind linked bracelet.

Fee: $20 + material

Time: 6:30-9:30

Monday 12/15^{th - Diamond glaze holiday pendant w/ Cat}

create a funky pendant with the image of your choice. choose from Cats selection of holiday Images to make a wonderful pendant perfect to wear to all your holiday parties!!

you will have to leave project overnight to dry..

Fee:$25.00 includes material

Time: 6:30-8:00

Thursday12/18- European 4-in-1 Chain Maille with Amy Ellis.

This fairly simple weave was used for centuries as armor and is now being incorporated into jewelry.

Fee: $40 + material

Time: 6:00-9:00 pm

We have a very limited amount of classes this

Month due to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season

but check back in 2009 for new classes for you!

Bead Here Now would like to thank you for your business

And friendship in 2008 !

Bridal Parties

Bead Here Now offers a unique way to use your creativity and create one of a kind bridal and bridal party jewelry. Get your ladies together, bring some wine and hors'dourves and and have a fun night of jewlery making. Let our friendly staff show you how to create some one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry to wear to your wedding and for the rehearsal dinner.
Call to make reservations.
See you soon

Stone of the Week

Carnelian, translucent form of the silica (SiO2) mineral chalcedony, which is a variety of quartz. Carnelian ranges in color from yellow to a deep red. The finest specimens come from Brazil, India, and Arabia. Carnelian is cut and polished and used in jewelry. The blood-red varieties were greatly valued by the ancients, who produced beautiful engravings in carnelian and also used them for seals.
(MSN Encyclopedia)
Keywords- courage, vitality, sexuality,confidence, action
Element- fire
Chakras- Root(1st), Sexual/Creative(2nd) Solar Plexus (3rd)
(Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian The Book of Stones)

Stone of the Week

Fire Agate- Fire agate is a name given to a brilliant multicolered stone that combines a deep brown base hue with flashes of orange,red,green and gold.The best come from Mexico. Its irredescent colors are produced by light interferance at thin layers of regulary spaced iron oxide crystals within the chalcedony.
They vibrate with the vitality of the physical world and are ideal tools for those who need to have an in-body-experience.Fire agate awakens the lower chakras and fills one with the zest for living.It lights ones inner fires of life force, creativity, sexuality and will.

Key Words- Vitality, sexuality, creativity, will
Element- Fire
Chakras- Root(1st), Sexual/Creative(2nd), Solar Plexus(3rd)
(Robert Simmons-The Book of Stones;Heaven and Earth PublishingLLC 2005)

First Fridays in 5 Points

Come join us and the rest of 5 Points, next Friday, November 7 from 6:00pm-9:00pm for fun, food and excitement. All retail shops stay open until around 9 pm with sales or other happenings, go see a movie at the old 5 points theatre, meet your friends for dinner and drinks at one of the many local restaurants and bars, tattoos and piercings at 8th Day Tattoo, or come take a European 4-in-1 Chain Maille Class here at Bead Here Now. (must be signed up prior to class)
Hope to see you then.
Shannon