More Free Stuff!

We're coming up to a 3 day holiday weekend and you need something to bead. Why not try one or all of these three projects from Candie Cooper's latest book Necklaceology published by Larkcrafts.

Here is a cute little necklace called the Safekeeping Necklace featuring some found objects and silk ribbon.

Safekeeping Necklace by Candie Cooper

What about Candie's Peace Dreams necklace pictured below?

Peace Dreams by Candie Cooper

And, last but not least the Orion Necklace:

Orion Necklace by Candie Cooper

To download your copy, simple click on the name of the necklace (highlighted) and it will take you the Larkcrafts site.

In addition to being a designer and author, Candie is also a frequent guest instructor on Beads, Baubles and Jewels.

(All pictures courtesy of Larkcrafts)

Bead Stoppers

Ever been at a bead store and see a package of tightly wound coils that look like these?

Picture courtesy of Fire Mountain Gems

And wonder... "What are they used for?"

These little gadgets are bead stoppers. You clip one to the end of your thread prior to beginning a project and it secures or stops your beads from falling off. They can be easily placed on and taken off the thread with a simple squeeze. 

Okay, so it's the middle of the night and you need a project for the next day and... no bead stopper! Don't pull out your hair! Instead, find a larger bead in a different color than your working beads and pass the thread through and around it at least twice.

Regardless of what you use - a spring coiled bead stopper, larger bead or even tape, once you're finished with your project, pull the thread out and weave your tail in.

Need a Little Challenge?

Looking for a little beading challenge to rev up your week? Then, check out this week's challenge by Fusion Beads:

Week 16 - Make A Statement Piece
A statement piece doesn’t have to be overwhelming to still speak volumes about the wearer. Bold colors, multiple strands or a large focal can all turn regular jewelry into a show stopping piece. Make something this week that stands out in a crowd!

All you have to do to participate is to create your piece following the challenge guidelines. It's not a race nor does it have a deadline or prizes; nope, the weekly Bead Challenge is mainly to get you motivated to bead - maybe something beyond your comfort zone. 

For more information for to:

http://fusionbeadsblog.com/2012/05/07/youre-invited-to-join-our-weekly-bead-challenge/ 

Now go bead something!

Call for Entries

The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has issued a call for entries for its Gem Dazzle Diva 2012/13 Competition. The application is available HERE or by emailing Nicole@womensjewelryassociation.com.

There are several themes and divisions you can enter your piece in including actual jewelry entries sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) that's called GEM DIVA. To enter this division, you must submit a finished piece of jewelry that incorporates natural colored stones or pearls. Three prizes will awarded in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear and Business/Day Wear categories.

The other division is for two dimensional entries called DAZZLE DIVA which is a WJA judged contest, To enter this division, you must submit a two dimensional drawing (can be a hand drawn rendering, CAD/CAM rendering or photo of a jewel) that must be mounted as instructed on its site. Like the AGTA division above, there will be three prizes awarded in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear and Business/Day Wear categories.

Prizes include a trophy, $250 cash price and a subsidized trip to New York City to attend the 2013 WJA Members Gala in March and the annual In the Know Conference.

For more information or an application click on the links above. Questions can be directed to the DIVA Design Competition Chairperson, Cindy Edelstein at cindy@jewelersresource.com.

Remember, you can't win, if you don't enter; but, you'll have to hurry - the deadline is September 21, 2012.

AUGUST 2012 MEETING

We're looking forward to seeing you at the August 18th meeting when we'll gather at Bayou Manor, 4141 South Braeswood. Meeting hours are10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Members and visitors may arrive as early as 9:30 am to enjoy perusing the library and vendor selections as well as visiting with fellow beaders.

BEADING TIME
Since we have traditionally held the HBS mini-bazaar during August, no program was planned; however, with the cancellation of the regular event, we have made plans for a "project help session." Please bring any projects you may be working on that are giving you a bit of trouble or just bring any beading endeavor you're working on. Members will be available for some expert advice to help you past those trouble spots.

If you have a beading tip that you'd like to share, please bring it in written form. We'll share it with everyone and your tip will be published in a future issue of our newsletter, Beadspeak. This beading time promises to be a fun interaction between members and will also serve to introduce new members to our group.

PARKING
Please park in the UNCOVERED spaces in the rear of the gated lot. Covered spaces are reserved for Bayou Manor residents only. After parking, walk back through either the pedestrian or vehicle gate and access the building through the main entrance. Stop by the receptionist's desk for an ID badge before proceeding to the auditorium.

MEMBERSHIP
Our Membership Coordinator, Kim Butler, will be staffing the information table with lots of printed matter to interest you. In addition, Kim will gladly accept membership renewals. Our fiscal year runs from May 1 to April 30 so if you haven't renewed yet, now is the time to do so. Dues are $30 for individuals and $40 for family memberships (two persons residing in the same household).

VISITORS
Please note that visitors are welcome to attend one meeting and take part in that month's program but in order to return to future meetings, membership is required.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
If any member has an announcement to share with the HBS members, please contact our President, Diane Mayes, at 281-540-1727by Thursday, August 16, to request that it be added to the agenda. If there will be time for the announcement or if Diane considers it an item that can't be contained in a printed notice, she will confirm that with you pre-meeting. It is the policy of HBS to allow members and visitors to place printed notices on the information table.about teaching schedules, classes, shows, etc. There just isn't enough time during the meetings to give individual attention to announcements and make sure that all events are given equal time.

LIBRARY
Our Librarian, Lillian Skogsberg, will have great news about some recent book donations to the HBS library. Lillian does a super job maintaining our library for your use. Books are available to members for a one-month period, after which they must be returned so that everyone can enjoy the growing number of selections.

The monthly library raffle is held to generate operating funds. Tickets are six for $5.00 or $1.00 each for less than six. Please remember to buy your tickets prior to the meeting being called to order. All sales will cease at that time. Lillian usually has two drawings so check out the available beady prizes when you visit the library table.

VENDORS
Members with current status are eligible to be vendors at the monthly meetings. The cost is $10 for one 6' table. It is the accepted practice to pay for the table when the Treasurer, Carolyn Slater, comes by to collect, not once funds are made through sales. If you would like to reserve a table, please contact me at slnowlin@yahoo.com or 713-294-9886 by Friday, August 17. Vendors may arrive at 9:00 a.m. and may sell until the President calls the meeting to order. At that time it will be the responsibility of each vendor to cover their table and join the meeting. Sales may resume after the meeting has been adjourned. Please note that HBS must vacate the room no later than 12:30 p.m.

SHOW AND TELL
Each of you is talented and we want to see your beautiful creations. Bring all those beaded treasures to share with the group. Cards will be available for you to record your name, title of piece (if any), and stitches or techniques used. If you found inspiration for your piece from another artist, especially if it is close to being a direct copy, please be sure to give that artist written credit on the "Inspired by" line on the card.

In other news, Christine Tan will be at the meeting to tell us all about the recent Laura McCabe workshop. I heard it was a most excellent weekend!! We'll also have some information available regarding copyright laws as they affect jewelry. I'll see you there.

Welcome Back Laura McCabe!



 This past weekend, HBS was happy to welcome back Laura McCabe.

In addition to two fabulous workshops (Renaissance Revival Necklace and Lantern Lighter Necklace), Laura bought some of her fabulous things to sell -- including two boxes of "Curiosities."

I was lucky enough to snag a couple of glass doll eyes and... a vintage prosthetic eyeball.

Now, I can say I have one of Laura's "eyes."

(All pictures by Carolyn Slater).

Book Review - Coming Next Weekend

Make sure to check back next weekend when I post a book review of Make Wire & Bead Jewelry by Janice Berkebile and Tracey Stanley. I'll even have a sample project from the book that I made!

Laura McCabe Workshop and Trunk Show - This Weekend

The wild, wacky, talented and wonderful LAURA McCABE is coming to teach two different workshops as part of the Summer Series of Workshops for Houston Bead Society this weekend!

Laura will be teaching the Renaissance Revival Necklace on Friday, August 10, 2012

Renaissance Revival Necklace

And, the Lantern Lighter Necklace on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 through 12, 2012.

Lantern Lighter Necklace

Even if you can't make the workshops, be sure to stop by for her trunk show/sale during lunch time hours and shop for her lovely beady goodies.

The workshops and trunk show will take place in the 7th floor conference room at:

Bayou Manor
4141 S. Braeswood
Houston, TX

Workshop spaces are limited so click on the links above for more information and to register.

UPDATE!!! Volchol: Huichol Art on Wheels

If you read my post of July 12, 2012 ("Pimping Your Ride..."), then you need to click on this video  to see more about the car.

The Consulate General of Mexico in Denver along with the Mexican Cultural Center, the Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City and the Denver International Airport are presenting this unique beaded art on wheels for the last time before it goes to Europe.

http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/2010/12/11/huichol-art-transforming-a-vintage-beetle-in-mexico/

As I mentioned before, this 90s era Volkswagon Beetle was covered with almost 3 million beads in the traditional beadwork of the Huichol (indigenous natives of west central Mexico) by eight members of two families in honor of their patriarch. They finished beading the car in late 2010.

The exhibit runs through August 15 and marks the first time the car has been seen outside of a museum. It can be seen in the Great Hall of the Jeppesen Terminal on Level 5 of the Denver International Airport.