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Have you been wondering why I have multiple listings for several of the glass Trollbeads currently available to purchase in my “Rare & Retired Trollbeads Collection"? It’s because each bead is individually handmade by melting glass over a red-hot flame. Even beads with the same name, such as the rare Blue White Armadillo, are slightly different and reflect the style of each glass artisan, as you can see below...
Making glass beads demands patience and precision. Compared to metal, glass is very different to work with. You cannot control glass like metal, which you can hammer, pull and stretch. When the glass melts, it rolls itself into a ball due to the natural surface tension. Every colour reacts differently, and the designer can use this knowledge to create a variety of stunning designs.
In this short video, you can see exactly how the Trollbeads glass beads are made...
I’ve photographed each of the rare and retired Trollbeads Glass Beads in our Suzie Q Studio collection very carefully, so you can see the beautiful and individual craftsmanship in every bead, as well as seeing the exact bead that you’ll receive when you make your purchase. Please click here to see them all for yourself >>> TROLLBEADS Rare & Retired Glass Beads.
Don’t hesitate to contact me>>> CONTACT SUZIE if you have any questions about our Trollbeads Rare & Retired Collection.
xo Suzie
YOU’RE INVITED!
Creating a BEAD STEW bracelet is perfect for a group setting because this project doesn’t require intense concentration, which means that you can still be social with your fellow participants, at the same time as creating your bracelet… Fun, or what?!
At every Serendipity BEAD STEW Class, both public and private, included with your purchase of a bracelet-making kit, you’ll receive FREE expert instruction and design help with the creation of your one-of-a-kind “Bangle-icious” Bracelet, plus it’s always great to be inspired by other attendees.
The next Serendipity BEAD STEW Bracelet Making Class is happening on SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1-4PM, at A & B Fiberworks, with limited spaces available.
FOR MORE DETAILS, please continue reading below...
A & B Fiberworks is a retail store located at the Crossroads Market (which is where the BEAD STEW CLASS is being held on January 19), as well as a fibre farm and fibre processing mill that is located approximately 100 kms north and east of Calgary, near the town of Linden.
Shown above and on the right, is the owner of A & B Fiberworks, Anne Goodwin-Estes. Anne has been involved with spinning and weaving fibre arts since 1979, was an avid knitter before that time, and she enjoys all aspects of working with fibre, including operating her fibre farm for the last 20 years.
On the left is Anna, who is an extraordinary felting artist, and she also teaches and works part time for Anne at the A & B Fiberworks store.
In the centre of the photo collage above, is Ian, who is another felting artist featured at A & B Fiberworks. Every weekend, Ian demonstrates the art of felting, while making his whimsical, and very detailed, felted figures, bottle covers, dryer balls, etc., so be sure to check out Ian’s pieces the next time you’re at the Crossroads Market.
On either side of Ian, are PICs of some of Anna’s gorgeous creations… shawls, scarves… her colour combinations are fabulous, and wearable art pieces are exquisite!
So, meanwhile back at Anne's Fibre Farm, all kinds of fibre-related activities are happening!
Anne raises some sheep, with exotic-sounding breed names such as: "CVM, BFL and BFL cross sheep”.
I’m not sure which breed of sheep is shown above, but his name is “ABE”. Isn’t he handsome?!
Anne raises Alpacas too. She currently has approximately 65 of these incredibly adorable animals at her Fibre Farm.
Not all of them have names, but the cutie on the left is “Tarzan”. Anne tells me that they’re very shy creatures, but maybe not so for the curious one on the far right.
The sheep and alpacas are sheared once a year.
All of the fibre is then sorted, washed and processed in the fibre mill into roving and yarns, which are available for sale at Anne’s shop at the Crossroads Market in Calgary.
Anne also does custom processing for other fibre processing farms from all over Canada.
In addition to her own custom fibres, Anne also stocks cotton, tencel, bamboo, cotton chenille, linen and other fibres from a Canadian company called “Brassard”.
A & B Fiberworks is a dealer for the Canadian weaving equipment company “LeClerc”, spinning and weaving equipment by “Louet” and “Ashford”.
As well, Anne carries the supplies for both needle and wet felting techniques.
With all of the colourful yarns at A & B Fiberworks, I think it’ll prove to be inspiring surroundings to create a Serendipity BEAD STEW “Bangle-icious” Bracelet at my Bead Stew Class on Sunday, January 19, 1-4PM!
BTW… To register for YOUR SPOT in the upcoming Bead Stew Class at A & B Fiberworks, please see the details at the bottom of this Blog Post :-)
EASY-PEASY!
If you’re not already familiar with Serendipity BEAD STEW, easy-to-make jewelry kits, each “Bangle-icious” Bracelet kit contains all of the yummy ingredients you’ll need to make one bangle-style bracelet, including unique, premium quality beads made from various materials such as: metal, stone, glass, enamel, resin, crystal, acrylic and more. Each one-of-a-kind bracelet will have that ultra-cool look of multiple bangles stacked on your wrist.
Whether you feel that you have no artistic talent, whatsoever, or you’re a long time maker-type, Serendipity BEAD STEW bracelet kits are the perfect, no-stress solution for some good, creative fun, because no matter how you string your beads onto the bangle bracelet "memory wire”, you’re guaranteed to have fabulous results with our gorgeous, high-quality, unique bead combinations.
With our BEAD STEW Limited Edition kits, we save you the time and stress that can be involved in gathering your supplies (all supplies are included in every kit), plus making these eye-catching bracelets requires very little in the way of tools and, best of all, no experience at all!
To see how it's done, click this LINK to watch a VIDEO>>> “How To Do The Stew”
Want to get a better idea of just how easy it is to make a Serendipity BEAD STEW, “Bangle-icious” Bracelet? Check out this "How-To" VIDEO with Suzie Q Bead Gal, Lynn>>> She’s an amazing “Bead Whisperer”!
Need some BEAD STEW Inspiration? Peruse our NEW BEAD STEW GALLERY by clicking here >>> BEAD STEW GALLERY
And, for some more specific DESIGN HINTS, take-a-look at the following >>> DESIGN INSPIRATION TIPS
In addition to BEAD STEW Jewelry-making Classes at A&B Fiberworks, I’ll be adding other BEAD STEW Class venues, as well as offering “Private Parties” for all kinds of occasions: Birthday and Retirement Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Showers, Christmas Lunches or After Work Get-togethers, and lots more!
Hope to see you on Sunday, January 19, 1-4PM at A&B Fiberworks for our BEAD STEW Bracelet-Making Class.
Being creative feels good, and now's the perfect time to start making your holiday gifts!
~ xo Suzie
Once again, a Big “THANK YOU” to all of my Suzie Q Friends who visited and supported the last two versions of my shop at the Crossroads Market, as well as an extra Shout Out to those of you who have followed me over the years since 2002.
I greatly appreciate getting to know each and every one of you and hope to continue to see some of you at my upcoming Serendipity BEAD STEW events… That would be super-sweet!
And, speaking of “BEAD STEW”… I have so many exciting things to tell you about, so please read on…
Just in case you missed recent Suzie Q eNewsletters, Facebook posts, etc., Suzie Q Studio at the Crossroads Market is NOW CLOSED, as of July 28th, 2019, in order to focus on my new easy-to-make jewelry kits, “Serendipity BEAD STEW”, which I’m incredibly excited about!
If you'd like to know more about the reasons for closing my shop at the Crossroads Market, take a look at my previous blog post>>> "DON'T WORRY I'M ONLY CLOSING MY PHYSICAL SHOP"
So, what have I been up to since I closed my shop three weeks ago?
Well, I’ve been busy, busy, as usual; however, it’s been so fantastic to tackle tasks that always seemed to get pushed to the bottom of my never-ending “To-Do” Lists when I had my shop.
PLUS, I’m working on some bigger, long term “beady” projects that I’m super-stoked about!
(Please see below for more details)
FINALLY… Business cards for “Suzie Q Studio”… YAY!
Between having something pressing to promote or do for my shop every week and my ultra-busy graphic designer, I never had the extra time to get a business card designed and printed.
But, everything happens for a reason, I suppose, because had I created a business card design when I first opened at the Crossroads Market, it wouldn’t have anything about “Serendipity BEAD STEW” on it because it was only launched in April of this year, so I’m extra-happy to have a card that’s totally current with the direction of my business!
What do you think?… Pretty FAB, right?!
Other lingering, unaddressed issues because I was too busy with my store?…A multitude of Social Media situations!
Since closing, I’ve been updating my Suzie Q Studio platforms, including taking a very long look at my Google Business Page, something I had always been too busy to pay too much attention to, even during the years prior to my shop at the Crossroads, and boy-oh-boy, was that ever a big mistake!
A Google Business Page is what comes up on the right-hand side of the page of whatever business that you’re “googling”. Since updating my page with current info and, more importantly, appropriate and engaging photos, WOW!… As of today, I’ve had close to 2500 “LOOKS”, in ONLY two weeks, at the first image that you see at the top of the page!!!
Other Social Media Plans:
• RE: Instagram: @suzieqstudio … I promise I’ll be finishing my “Suzie Q 6-OH! Birthday Trip Story” on my Suzie Q Studio feed as soon as I can, and so sorry for the big pause in the story! As well, my goal is to be posting on a more regular basis, once I get some of my other projects out of the way.
• I’ll be creating a second Instagram account for Serendipity BEAD STEW to feature new kits being added to the website, pics of bracelets created by BEAD STEW online purchasers and at BEAD STEW events, etc.
• I’ve signed up for some Pinterest training to improve my skills (almost non-existent right now) in this department. I’ll keep you posted on Suzie Q PINTEREST developments.
• RE: Facebook: /SuzieQStudioYYC - Please “LIKE” my page, as well as “LIKE” and “COMMENT” on my posts so they'll appear in your own News Feeds :-)
• I’ll eventually be creating a new Facebook Page for Serendipity BEAD STEW too… I’ll let you know when this happens.
• I’m also working on a new website with my “Web-Wizard” sister, Rita… YAY! Of course, this is a longer term project, with all of the other more pressing things to do right now.
I’m very happy to tell you that Serendipity BEAD STEW Bracelet Kits will be available to purchase on the Suzie Q Studio website this September, with oodles of choices for anyone who's inclined, to easily create a wonderful, one-of-a-kind bangle-style bracelet!
AND, here’s some FAB NEWS... If you’re in the Calgary area, I’ve arranged for a local “Pick-Up” location, so that you don’t have to incur any shipping charges. More details to come about this in upcoming eNewsletters :-)
That’s right… The bead combinations that we artfully, hand-select for each Serendipity BEAD STEW Kit, are so unique and fabulous, that no matter how you add the beads in your kit to the bangle wire, you’re guaranteed to have an eye-catching bracelet that you’ll be proud to say, “I made it myself!”… No previous beading experience is needed.
Because the beads are pre-selected in our kits, not only does it save you tons of time in getting your supplies together, but this project is so easy that it’s perfect to create it in a group setting, because you can socialize at the same time as making your bracelet… Fun, or what?!
And speaking of getting creative in a group setting, I’ve got some exciting news!...
Since closing my shop at the Crossroads, I’ve also been working on lining up venues to have Serendipity Do-The-Stew “Nites” & Parties, for participants to feel good being creative with like-minded people and friends in a group setting.
I’m thrilled to announce that the first place that I’ve arranged for BEAD STEW activities is at my friend Sandy’s new store called, “Dream Dog Boutique”!!!
For all of the DETAILS, please check out my Q-Blog post>>> BEADS & DOGS… OH-WHAT-FUN!
More BEAD STEW venues TBA in the upcoming weeks… I’ll keep you posted :-)
HEY!… FYI… There’s now a Serendipity BEAD STEW Gallery on the Suzie Q Studio website… YAY! >>> BEAD STEW INSPIRATIONS
The BEAD STEW Gallery is full of inspiring photos of FAB bracelets, the makers who created them, action shots and much more. As well, this gallery will be updated on a regular basis, so take-a-look often!
~ xo Suzie ️
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