Upcoming Classes
something for everyone!
Class participants always receive 10% off any purchases on the day of the class...
a great deal!
Visit www.sugarbeads.com for class details. Advance registration and payment required.
Private instruction is also available to suit your schedule.
Introduction to Beading -
$35
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.
on the following dates: Oct. 10, Oct. 31, Nov. 14, Nov. 28.
Basic Earrings and Wire Wrapping -
$35 Saturdays at 10 a.m. on the following dates: Oct. 3,
Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 28.
Pearl Knotting- $50
Saturday at 11am on the following dates: Oct. 10, Nov. 21
Advanced Wire Earrings -
$75
Monday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m.
Create Your Own Findings- $75
Monday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m.
NEW! Memory Wire Techniques (see the project below for an idea) - $35
Saturday, November 4th at 11 a.m.
For Kids 9 and up: Make Your Own Charm Bracelet (we even have Halloween charms!)
$25, includes all project materials. Saturday, October 24th, 3 - 4 p.m.
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Martha and Pam "Whacks Creative"
Here's
a sophisticated take on the memory wire bracelet. Inspired by art deco
motifs, this cuff bracelet was made with glass and onyx components.
This is a really fun alternative to multi-strand stringing ,giving you
a bold look without weight and bulk. What a great way to use your
mixed up collection of beads...or a great excuse to get more!
Register for our Nov. 14th class on
memory wire applications like this!
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Remember your Sugar Dough Card
Be
sure to pick up a Sugar Dough card! We'll stamp your card every time
you buy $25 of merchandise. Get 6 stamps and you'll save 10% on any
purchases on your next visit!
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Color Palette for Fall 2009
Forget
everything you ever thought about Fall colors. Fashion-forward
designers have upended convention with this year's autumn color palette
(shown below.) The colors themselves reflect the challenging economic
times
with a selection of inviting pastels. Nothing overpowering here;
designers are moving away from the typical "statement" colors. The
idea is that this palette will help your wardrobe and jewelry designs
bridge the seasons and provide more year-round wearability. Vintage
beads are perfect for application of these colors and Sugarbeads has
one of the best vintage collections you'll find around. Come in and
discover what we mean!
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and now, "Rock of the Month" Turquoise...demystified
Few
stones are as little understood as turquoise, so here's a primer. 80%
of the turquoise on the market today is Chinese or Tibetan, with most
of the remaining 20% coming from the U.S. Turquoise forms in arid
regions and has colors ranging from deep green and yellow green to a
vivid light blue. Turquoise forms in "host" rock, which you'll notice
as the darker lined areas of natural turquoise, known as "matrix."
Turquoise is remarkably fragile, owing the the host stone constitution,
so most turquoise is now treated to harden and color-intensify the
stone. There are 5 types of turquoise:
Natural Turquoise is
so hard that it is simply mined, cut and polished. It is rare; it is
costly. Natural turquoise deepens in color over time by gradually
absorbing oils from the skin. Less than 3% of the turquoise on the worldwide market is natural. Sugarbeads does carry a selection of natural turquoise including the world's finest, Sleeping Beauty, which has a color like no other.
Stabilized turquoise, also
known as chalk turquoise, has been infused under pressure with a clear
epoxy resin. This permanently hardens and color-intensifies the
turquoise.
Treated turquoise is stabilized turquoise that is also dyed. Treated turquoise is far less expensive than either natural or stabilized stone.
Reconstituted turquoise
is chalk turquoise that is low grade and has been ground to a powder,
saturated with epoxy resin, dyed and compressed and then cut into
shapes. This is turquoise in its most inexpensive form.
Imitation turquoise is
usually a stone such as howlite or magnasite that is dyed to look like
turquoise. While these are real stones, they simply are not
turquoise...but imitation turquoise can still be quite beautiful and
useful in creating costume-quality jewelry.
Bottom line: KNOW YOUR SUPPLIER! There
are lots of beads being marketed as natural turquoise, and and
imitations can be difficult to assess. There is a tremendous range in
quality as well. We highly recommend that you purchase turquoise that
you have inspected prior to purchase. That's the beauty of Sugarbeads,
where we source turquoise and howlite from trusted dealers and we
clearly label these items to reflect their constitution and mine source.
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What's New
multi-strand crimpable cord ends for leather
antique brass antique copper chain and beads
Swarovski-encrusted beads
microfiber suede in fall colors
new fire polish glass with unusual finishes
new gem-grade rondelles and briolettes
new vintage beads
endless hoop earrings
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