Bead Q! - Ohio's Best Source for Jewelry Supplies

Hi Everyone!
Summer is well under toe! With the closure of Rocky River in May I have had a lot more time to enjoy the summer. (Thank you all for asking!) It has been nice to get out to many art shows this summer and seeing a lot of our Bead Q! friends. How wonderful to see everyone’s work in action. Most everyone has been reporting a successful show season with exception of the horrible storm a couple of weeks ago. (for show tips please read below) There is still so much summer left I am soooo happy. This by the way would also be my excuse for not sending a newsletter in 2 months…yipes.

Bead for Success was a great success as according to the Regional Director of Dress for Success, Cleveland. Together our customers donated almost 40 necklaces, of which 35 will go directly to their clients. From the sales of pearls combined with personal contribution $1000 was donated in cash. Special thanks for Laura Lee Salon for the donation of $300 of Aveda make-up. We are looking forward to repeating this program next year. In the meantime, if you would like to join Bead Q! in our campaign to support Dress for Success Cleveland, at this time they are looking for 14+ size business clothing. I would be more than happy to collect these items for them. (However, if you plan on bringing an entire closet, please call to make an appointment.) Don’t forget clothing items need to be cleaned before donating.

NEW Classes:
Almost Free Class - $5 – How to Colorize/Patina Metal
PMC – Beaded Box
PMC – Torch fired Charms
Charming Mini – 1 hour stamping classes that will get you started quickly.
Beaded Kumihimo – coming soon!
www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

NEW Stuff!
30 New design stamps are in stock! Including – hands, feet, shells, borders and much more.
Steel Doming/Dapping Sets (to make your discs curve)
Wood ring mandrels
Round Steel bracelet mandrels (finally!)
Brass and copper BALL PINS! This is my personal favorite.
Matte gold jump rings
Tools for glass fusing work

For show artists:
Having done outdoor shows for several years I have learned quite a few things. So here are some tips that you may find useful.
1. Arriving early for set up has huge advantages. If you are placed in an adverse location you may have the opportunity to move.
a. Most promoters will not allow you to move but if you reason with them (and are nice about it) you may just get your way. It does not hurt to ask.
b. Be logical about your reasoning. I once showed up where my location was about 4 inches under water. I told the promoter that it was not safe since I had electricity. I got to choose my location and because I was early I was able to claim a prime location.
c. By the way, being in a wind tunnel is reason enough to move.
2. STAKE your tent when you can! The best thing you can do for yourself is to stake your tent. This is a sure way to ensure that is it still there after a storm. IF you can not stake your tent be sure your weight it properly!
a. Don’t use water jugs or the like. Make sure you have a good amount of weight.
b. Do not use bungee cords to tie them on, they will spring and bounce.
c. Make sure you hang your weights to the loops on the corner of the top canvas AND tie them to the legs. This will keep the tent down and the weights from swinging.
3. To keep moisture/rain from accumulating on the tops, create a system that will keep the tops from pooling:
a. An easy and inexpensive fix are water noodles. ( You know those colorful spongie things kids put under their arms when swimming.) IF you affix them corner to corner on the inside of the tent top, this will create and arc that will prevent puddling.
b. All tents leak! There is a saturation point to all material even if it says waterproof! Don’t fool yourself.
I hope these tips help.

I hope to see you this summer at the shows if not at the store!

Kieu

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Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 10:00 AM
Subject: Bead Q!... Sad News...

Hi Everyone,

First of all I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Jewelry Exploration! It was great success and a good time had by all. A little stressful on my part but what’s new right?

After much consideration we have decided to close the Rocky River store on May 8. After we weighed out the pros and cons the decision became much easier. As many of you know Bead Q! is not my only business. To do just for my other endeavors something had to give. It is very interesting how much Less stress I felt after this decision. I feel like I can breathe again and I can not stop thinking about all the free time I will have (that is as much free time as person like myself could have). With this decision I am excited for the “new” things that will be happening.

• Chagrin Falls will be getting a little face lift this summer. I have been wanting to do this for the past year and never found the time.
• We will be re-vamping my office and hopefully make it into the working studio I have always wanted. Then it will be easier to conduct private classes, have open studio and actually make some jewelry when I am inspired to do so.
• I can finally focus on creating new and interesting classes for the Fall, and maybe, just maybe I can squeeze another trip into the schedule…after all I am not scheduled for the Fall and I got an offer to join a group going to China…hmmmm been wanting to go there for years!

As for Rocky River, we will NOT be having a Sale to reduce the inventory, however, if you are interested in fixtures we will be selling those. Many you have asked about our test tube display and if you are interested I would happy to consider selling at least half of it. In addition, there are 2 jewelry cases, 4 earring displays, 1 cash register, 4 oval tables, 1 4ft slat wall display, 1 beaded mirror. Please contact me directly if you are interested.

Again our last day in RR will be May 8.

I would like to take a moment to Thank You for your continued support of our business. Bead Q! continues to be a great source of joy and satisfaction in my life and it is the support of people like yourselves.

The Bead Q! staff and Kieu

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Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 12:39 PM
Subject: Bead Q! Jewelry Exploration

Hi Everyone!

80 DEGREES on Thursday! Woohoo. Just got back from Beadfest Wire in Philadelphia last weekend, nice show with lots of nice people. Did not see much by way of new but met the most wonderful artist by the name of Kim Fox of Handfast Findings. It has been a long time since I have seen such incredible designs. If you are in the market for $100+ clasps she is the one to seek out.

The Jewelry Exploration is around the corner and many classes are sold out or close to. If there are classes you are interested in call today to register. Still open are:
Gadgets and Gizmos – More fun with tools. This year it is all about the funky tools.
Shabby Chic Wrap Around
Falling Leaves – Fold Forming
Bronze Metal Clay
PMC – Toggles
Abstract Forms – Resin
Embellished Cabachons – Wire Working
And much more…

New!!!
• Thompson Enamel is now in the store 38 colors to choose from.
• Matte Gold Findings
• Copper beading chain
• Matte Gold, Leaf Chain
• Wine Bottle Stoppers
• Zodiac Stamp Set
• Greek Alphabet
• Wrap and Tap Pliers
• Goldsmith Hammers
• Ring Clamps
• Silver plated Square and Half Round Wire!!!! This is great stuff for beginners.
• Silver and Gold Plated 14g and 16g wire

Coming Soon!
• 2mm lowercase typewriter font stamps (be the first on the waiting list, there is a limited supply)
• Crystal rondelles – Many of you missed them on the last run, I finally got more. It will take a few days to process.
• Frosted Glass beads are back – next week.

Almost Free…Resin How-To’s
Come in anytime on Wednesdays, 10-3pm on Thursdays/Fridays, and we will walk you through all you need to start using Resin in your projects. Here are all the fun things you can make. CLICK You can even make one during your next visit! This is the perfect keepsake for Mother’s Day. (cost of frame plus $1.75)

Thank YOU!!
To everyone who participated in the Bead for Success Campaign. So far we have raised $850 for Dress For Success Cleveland. All items will be shot in the coming week and submitted to judges.

I hope this note finds you well and beading happy.

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Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 4:48 PM
Subject: Bead Q!...for Success...

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe I am actually writing a newsletter during daylight? Something must be in the air…I think it is Spring! If you have not heard I have declared it to be Spring. I figured if we all collectively “willed” it to happen, it just might. ;) I guess we will all know in about a week.

Bead for Success has begun and we are already in our final week of sales. Remember you have until March 15 to buy your pearls ($10). We are getting closer to our goal of selling 100 strands. Please consider joining our efforts to support the women of Cleveland by purchasing a strand of pearls. 100% of the proceeds will go to Dress For Success Cleveland. For more information go to www.bead-q.com/success.html

Many of you have asked, “what do we get if we win?”. Well, this has been a hard question to answer. I know everyone wants win “something” but our hope and effort with this contest was to focus on the community and giving back. Through this contest we are ALL winners.

When I came up with this contest I wanted to support our community, but somehow I feel that I have received more than I have given. It has been a joy for me to work with Dress for Success and knowing that people will be benefitting directly from my efforts. I actually feel selfish for the amount of joy this has brought to me. I can only hope that these people have the same sense of happiness that I do.

I hope that you will join me in these efforts and in return you too can feel the warmth that I do. Beyond this, winners will be declared and you will get “bragging rights”. Additionally, there have been promises to publication of the winners, so you will also be published. If you are not aware, the judges are Julie Dam, senior editor, People Magazine, Isolina Perez, jewelry instructor, Fashion Institute of Tech, NYC and Maureen Kyle, WKYC.

Upcoming Dates to Remember
March 15, last day to buy pearls for Bead for Success Design Contest
March 18, 7pm, BAAM Chagrin Falls
April 1, Deadline Bead for Success Designs
April 23-25, Jewelry Exploration – Registration has already begun

New Classes!!!
Embellished Cabochons
Frame It! –working with Resin
Bronze metal Clay
Falling Leaves – Fold Forming
Stacking Rings – Tube Setting
Torch Fired Enameling

It took a month, but we got all of Tucson processed and out! And we are still waiting for a few more shipments of stuff.
New Stuff!
SS Corrugated Crimp Covers
Glass Cutting Tools
PMC!!!!
Bronze Metal Clay
Copper Metal Clay
UV lights for curing resin
Lots of new Semi precious beads I don’t even know where to begin
More Gem cut stones
Pandora Style Beads (CF only)
Wubber tools (CF only)

My head is so full I can not even begin to think straight. If you have caught me in the store in the past couple of weeks, let me just apologize for my ditziness. ?

I hope you are all enjoying the break in the weather.

Kieu

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Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 11:31 PM
Subject: Bead Q!... Back from Tucson

Hi all,

First of all I would like to express much sympathy for all those who had to endure the weather of this past week…while we were enjoying the sun of Arizona…Ha! I hope none of you were traveling to the east.

Tucson was long and tiring this year, more than any other. In the end I am happy with the selection I came home with. It was a challenge to find things that were different and new. Spending money was a challenge but I got the job done and earned my pay. I am so excited about the things I learned and the things that will be arriving in the coming weeks.

Event – Bead For Success Design Contest
Join us in our First Annual fundraiser for Dress For Success Cleveland.
• From Feb. 15 – Mar. 15 Bead Q! will be selling strands for pearls ($10) to raise money for Dress for Success Cleveland. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to support their cause.
• By purchasing a strand of pearls you will have the opportunity to enter a design contest to be judge by Julie Dam, Senior Editor, People Magazine; Isolina Perez, Jewelry Instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology; Maureen Kyle, Reporter, WKYC.
• All entries will be donated back to Dress For Success Cleveland for their clients.
• If you do not wish to participate in the contest we hope you will make a purchase to support our fundraiser.
For more details and contest rules please go to http://bead-q.com/success.html

Coming Soon! We will be unpacking all next week.

• Diamonds – really. There will be diamonds for embellishing your metal.
• American Indian made silver beads – not only are these made by Navajo Indians, but the silver was mined in the US! Exciting stuff.
• Chain, chain, chain. All kinds of chain. From copper to gold. There are many styles we never had before and lots of new. (I bought so much, Andy cut me off!)
• Solar Agate – as seen in Sundance catalog…but not for the same price.
• Java Glass is back. (looks like sea glass)
• Cloisonne beads
• Steampunk, here we come. Watch parts and more.
• Buttons – not a ton but a good start.
• Shell pearls beads
• Indonesian silver beads
• 1.5-3mm gem grade, diamond cut stones ( rubies, sapphires, emeralds, garnet, tourmaline, peridot, aquamarine, and more)
• Resin and frames
• Tools for Glass cutting
• PMC!!! Silver, bronze, and copper! Seriously. I can not believe it either but by the end of the month we will be stocking it.
And much more! I gotta keep you guessing…at least a little.

Coming Soon – Classes I discovered much while in AZ. So we will be posting these classes as soon as I can wrap my head around it.

Resin
Torch fired Enamel
More chain maille
Dichro Pendants

My head is really full and I simply can not think straight. I think I am suffering from overload. On Monday I will be off for a week of classes in advanced stone setting. I hope to get the class schedules together while I am gone.

If you bug the girls at the store I am sure you can bribe them into peaking in the boxes next week while I am gone. ;)

See you soon.
Kieu
Bead Q!

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Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:47 AM
Subject: Bead Q!...Happy New Year!

Hi everyone,

I hope the holidays treated you well and that all your dreams came true. Because mine sure did! Nothing like a new collections of snarky Happy Bunny t-shirts to make my day!

The year ended with a bang! It was nice to see so many of you during the last week of the year. I am now looking forward to my very busy year. Already off to Philly this week then Tucson in 2 weeks! Yipes. SOOOOOO, let me know what you want me to bring back! This is your opportunity to have some sort of say.

NEW!!
By the end of next week the new metal stamps will be here!
Zodiac set, Greek Alphabet, tree of life, butterfly, and many more.
I am still looking for suggestions and ideas for the spring line of stamps. Please let me know if there is something you are interested in having.
American made Ceramic pendants
Dichroic Pendants
Flat stones for drilling.
New books Metal working 101 for Beaders, Chasing and Reposse, Shaped Beadwork, Elegant Wire Jewelry, Fold Forming.

The script alphabet and typewriter sets will be back in stock at the end of next week also.

Dichroic Glass Pendants Class – Jan. 13th in Chagrin Falls
PMC 101 - Jan. 30th in Chagrin Falls

I hope to see all of you in the coming weeks before I leave again.

Kieu

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Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2009 9:58 PM
Subject: Bead Q!...Sale

Hi All,

I hope you are all enjoying the holidays! And I hope you are not completely shopped out. Our Year End Sale is next week and it is going to be a BIG one.

We will be having a Progressive Sale* off EVERYTHING!!!....seriously
Dec. 26 – 20%
Dec. 27 – 25%
Dec. 28 – 30%
Dec. 29 – closed
Dec. 30 – 35%
Dec. 31 – 40%
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-7pm, Sun. 12-5pm. Closed on Tuesday.

I am so tired of counting I thought I would just eliminate the count by putting all of it on Sale. Why not right?

Here is a little extra:
If you purchase $200+ (before taxes) we will give you the Urban Beader Tool Tote.

Bring this email into one of our stores during the month January and you will get $5 off any class registration in 2010.

(*sale will not be applied to special orders or transfers)

Thank you to for all of your support in the past years.

Kieu
www.Bead-q.com

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Sent: Wednesday, December 8, 2009 11:24 AM
Subject: Bead Q!...Exciting Stuff

Hi Everyone.

I can not believe that it is December and there is no Snow on the ground to speak of. I thought I was having Thanksgiving in CA again. Wow. If this keeps up and with my schedule for the winter I think I will only have to experience about 4 weeks of winter this year. Woohoo!

Onto bigger news! Big Congrats go out to Corrine Nagy. She WON the Bead Style design challenge! I would like to believe that her friends at Bead Q! had something to do with it…if we didn’t will at least help her CELEBRATE! Date to be announced. The magazine is due to drop sometime in the Spring.

For MY big news…I have been accepted to not only Bead and Button but also Beadfest Philly! I guess third time is a charm. Both shows have accepted my Rockin’ Rivets class, Bead and Button also accepted The Spinning, and Beadfest accepted the Spiral Chain. Yippie!!!

Next BAAM (Beadaholics Anonymous) Get together with other experienced beaders to enjoy a little beading. (bring something to work on) It is a great time to let your hair down and relax for a couple hours over a glass of wine and great company. Hope you will join us. Reservations a must, $5/person
Chagrin Falls 440.708.1771
Dec. 17th, 7pm

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NEW! Israeli Silver
This is exciting stuff. If you have never seen it you will absolutely be moved when you do. Our first import shipment was beautiful and moving out quickly. Here is what we have discovered about Israeli Silver, they are leading the market in design, the quality is far superior and …it is guaranteed to be Sterling!!! Furthermore, it would appear that the Bali silver is knocking off the Israeli designs. Really! We actually found the exact designs in our trays and it became apparent that they took the same piece and make a mold of it! Wild.

I have been disheartened by the whole Bali silver thing. So my effort for next year is bring in a much higher quality product by focusing on Thai, Indonesian and Israeli silver. (and maybe Turkish if I can get my hands on it.) More…

Some of the new silver we brought in are extremely light but absolutely beautiful! The question has been, “what makes them so light?”, they are electroformed. Here is the explanation from our manufacturer.
Electroforming Silver Beads
“The process start by injecting melted wax or any other plastic material into rubber molds. After having the products made from wax or other plastic material, they are entered into Electroplating silver baths.

After getting the silver thick plating over the wax, the products are entered into oven. In the oven the inside wax or plastic are melted out of the products and we remain with a Hollow and light weight bead or pendant.”

NEW CLASSES
Sandy Cseplo has joined the Bead Q! crew. She will be teaching Dichroic Pendants. This week Sandy was put to the test by the Bead Q! staff and passed with flying colors. We all enjoyed her, her teaching style and all the information that was shared. But most importantly we walked away with great pieces. For more information go to www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

Silver and Ice – learn to set stones into Silver…easily
SS Lentils - learn to create sterling silver beads
Studio Time! if you have taken already taken one of our soldering classes and would like more studio time things are looking up! Call us 2-3days before a posted class, if there are unsold seats you will be able to book it for $30.

Mark your calendars for April 23-25 for the Jewelry Exploration. We will be kicking off weekend with a Gadgets and Gizmos seminar. Registration to be announced.

Some New Stuff
Antique Brass Headpins! 24g 2”
Antique Brass Chain (New styles)
Gun Metal Chain (New Styles)

A Side Bead… funny stuff
I, Kieu, have been selected to have a make-over done by Scott Fisher in Chagrin Falls. If you have seen me lately you will know that my hair has gotten really long. So this could get interesting. But he will be cutting AND coloring my hair and the before and after’s will be aired on “Good Company” Dec. 17 about 10am. Along with one other person and Stephanie N. (who used to work at Bead Q!) we will all be in the studio to show off our new looks that morning. If you are not leisurely at home that morning, you may also view and live stream of the show at http://www.wkyc.com/life/programming/shows/goodcompany/default.aspx , there is a window in the middle for the live feed.

More…
I have posted more fun stuff on our site at http://www.bead-q.com/justforfun.html

Join Bead Q! on Facebook

I hope you all had a great T-day and are enjoying life With Beads!

Kieu
Bead Q!

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Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:24 AM
Subject: Bead Q!...Unicorne Trunk Show

Hi Everyone,

Are you ready for Halloween? I’m dressing up this year are you? Do you think I can get away with a little trick or treating? Looks like we will have great weather again. Lets hope it stays this way for a while.
November is quickly upon us and the 12th is getting even closer. (that would be the day that I am getting locked up! for the Muscular Dystrophy Association)**

Next BAAM (Beadaholics Anonymous) Get together with other experienced beaders to enjoy a little beading. (bring something to work on) It is a great time to let your hair down and relax for a couple hours over a glass of wine and great company. Hope you will join us. Reservations a must, $5/person
Rocky River 440.333.GEMS (4367)
Nov. 11th, 7pm
Chagrin Falls 440.708.1771
Oct. 19th, 7pm
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Unicorne Trunk Show Begins Today in RR
Rocky River – Oct. 29 – Nov. 1
Chagrin Falls – Nov. 5-8
Over $10k of the best glass beads made in the USA will be on sale at Bead Q! If you love bubble beads this an event you can not miss, the entire collection of colors are coming!
Trunk Show Special – Buy 10 or more strands receive 10% off, 15 or more 15%, 20 or more 20%.

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It’s a Metalling Weekend!!! Have you taken a stamping or etching class but have yet to jump in? Here is an entire weekend designed to create a Metalling habit. You will have use of all of our decorative stamps, font stamps rubber stamps and tools. $10/hr, 2hr min.
Join us any time during the weekend. Reservations a Must!

Newbies! Join us on Friday Night for an almost Freebie.

Chagrin Falls, Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Newbies – Oct. 30, 6-8pm $24 (reg. $48) Susan Kleinstub, instructor

Rocky River, Nov. 7-8
Newbies – Nov. 6, 6-8pm$24 (reg. $48) Lynn Eckart, instructor

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**MDA Lock UP Fundraiser
For every $250 Bead Q! raises, I, Kieu Pham Gray, will stay in lock up for 1 hour, WITHOUT my laptop AND cell phone. Hard to believe but I am going to do it. So if we raise $1K I will stay in for 4 hours and so forth. To motivate you more, we will donate $5 for every receipt with purchases more than $100. (Oct. 12-Nov.11) (Yes, that means if it is a $200 receipt that will be $10…) They will be coming on Nov. 12 at 10am at the CF store to get me if you are interested in witnessing this event! Your cash donations will be tax deductable.

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NEW STAMPS! (in stores on Friday)
Just in time for the Metalling weekend.
*3mm heart (open and solid)
*dog bone
*Ankh
*Rose on a stem
*Flower on stem
*mini spiral
*Celtic Trinity
*Question Mark

More Stuff!
mini Fairy wings
Vintage Lucite Flower Beads (in stores next week)
New Swarovksi colors
Snowflakes are back in stock for the season.
Anodized aluminum bench blocks are back in stock

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Oh, and yes, this does mean that I am back from vacation. And please don’t ask me about it! (YIPES!) You can read all about our first cruise on the blog at
www.bead-q.com/BQblog.html. I will be playing catch up for the rest of the week (I was gone for almost 2 weeks). If I owe you a phone call I promise it will be in the next few days. ? When is the next trip? About 12 weeks. Then the roller coaster of 2010 really begins.

Thanks for Beading Along with me.

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Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 4:53 PM
Subject: Bead Q! ...Lock up!

Hi ALL!
This has been the nuttiest summer I have had in a long time. And what up with the weather to boot? Yipes.

Lots of news to share…
*First and foremost, Congratulations to Corrine Nagy! She is a long time customer of Bead Q! and we are so proud to share that she made it into the Fall issue of Bead Style. But that is not all! She needs your help to seal the deal. She may have gotten into the magazine but Corrine needs your help. Please go to www.beadstylemag.com/challenge to vote for her. If she wins not only will she get a Tucson Treasure kit, but Bead Q! will have a reception for her! (Why not, we are always looking for a reason to paaahteee.)

*Market Square East (the plaza the CF store is located in) is running a raffle worth $2500!! Realllly. All you have to do is come by the store, get a punch card and visit all the stores in the plaza. Once you have all the squares punched, you will be entered into the raffle at the end of Oct. That’s it! No purchases are necessary.

*Some little birdy gave my name to the MDA foundation? Now they want to lock me up for bail money! Well, I could not say no, but true to form, I have decided to put a twist in the whole thing. Instead of asking for bail money, I am proposing that they lock me up according to how much money we can raise. SOOOOOOOOOO, for every $250 Bead Q! raises, I, Kieu Pham Gray, will stay in lock up for 1 hour, WITHOUT my laptop AND cell phone. Hard to believe but I am going to do it. So if we raise $1K I will stay in for 4 hours and so forth. To motivate you more, we will donate $5 for every receipt with purchases more than $100. (Oct. 12-Nov.11) (Yes, that means if it is a $200 receipt that will be $10…) They will be coming on Nov. 12 at 10am to get me if you are interested in witnessing this event! Your donations will be tax deductable.

*The www.bead-q.com website has been re-loaded and updated, check it out. (and don’t hesitate to let me know if you find a mistake.)

Classes
*Guest Instructor Laura Pacino - Blooming Vines Pendant and Wired Rings – This weekend! www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html
*Metalling Weekend! Have you taken a stamping or etching class but have yet to jump in? Here is an entire weekend designed to create a *Metalling habit. You will have use of all of our decorative stamps, font stamps rubber stamps and tools. $10/hr, 2hr min. Join us any time during the weekend. Reservations a Must!
CF-Oct. 31-Nov.1, RR-Nov.708 www.bead-q.com/events.html

Unicorne Trunk Show
Over $10k of the best glass beads made in the USA will be on sale at Bead Q! If you love bubble beads this an event you can not miss, the entire collection of colors are coming!

A Side Note
I apologize for this, but there is a customer out there who asked me for the tension wire for their Lindstrom but I can not remember who it is. I CAN get them and will be getting them by the end of the month. If you did not speak to me but would like one please let me know as I will only be ordering in 2.

Silver went over $17 again this morning!
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Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 12:30 AM
Subject: Bead Q!...Fall Events

Hi Everyone!

Talk about one very busy Summer! I cannot believe how busy the schedule has been this summer and there is no sign of it letting up. There is definitely no moss under these feet. (this is also the reason for the lateness of this newsletter.)

I realized this week that EVERY week for the past few months someone has asked me if I actually slept. So I would like to give an official answer, “NO! I don’t sleep…ever.” Ha, ha. But seriously, there is simply no time for that. So if you catch me at the store looking a little glazed over this is the reason.

Classes
PMC – The Rock has been rescheduled, CF – Sept. 26th, RR – Nov. 14th
PMC – Rings – RR – Oct. 10th
Blooming Vines Pendant - limited engagement
Wire Wrapped Rings – limited engagement
For a complete list please go to www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

Events

It’s a Metalling Weekend!!! Have you taken a stamping or etching class but have yet to jump in? Here is an entire weekend designed to create a Metalling habit. You will have use of all of our decorative stamps, font stamps rubber stamps and tools. $10/hr, 2hr min. Join us any time during the weekend. Reservations a Must!
Newbies! Join us on Friday Night for an almost Freebie.

Chagrin Falls, Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Newbies – Oct. 30, 6-8pm $24 (reg. $48) Susan Kleinstub, instructor
Rocky River, Nov. 7-8
Newbies – Nov. 6, 6-8pm$24 (reg. $48) Lynn Eckart, instructor

Unicorne Trunk Show
Chagrin Falls – November 5-8
Rocky River – October 29 – November 1

NEW Stuff
*Typewriter Font! Uppercase and Lowercase (sorry, lowercase already sold out, call to reserve your sets)
*Come see all the new semi-precious beads and Bali beads I brought back from my last buying trip.
*Honeycomb soldering blocks
*40 hole stamp block (to hold all of you decorative stamps)

Coming soon!
New Design stamps
Exclusive – dog bone, rose with a stem, ankh, mini open heart, mini solid heart, celtic trinity knot, mini spiral. Let us know if you would like to us to hold one for you.
Gold filled discs
Israeli silver – findings and beads

A Side Bead
Due to the weak dollar, precious metals are rising in price. Gold once again went over $1000 last week, and silver over $16. Ugh. Although this is bad news we will not be raising our prices. I am still hoping to hold out for a couple more months. If it does go over $20 well…I will have to re-assess.
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Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 2:23 AM
Subject: Bead Q...Trunk Show This Weekend

Hey There!

I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying your summer! It’s not over yet! I don’t care that some of the kids are going back to school, it does not mean that summer is over for the rest of us, right? So enjoy what’s left…3 months…;) wishful thinking gets me everywhere.

Upcoming Event
Vintage Metal Stampings Trunk Show This WEEKEND!
Aug. 7, Rocky River
Aug. 8, Chagrin Falls
Looking for New and Different? Join us to see the latest trend in beading.

Vintage Bracelet – Learn how to colorize metal stampings to create one-of-a-kind center pieces. (Hands on)
Aug. 7, 6:30-7:30pm, Rocky River
Aug. 8, 1-2pm, Chagrin Falls

New Classes
Bubble Fusion – Silver Fusing with glass beads
The Rock – PMC advanced class
Rockin Rivets – Drilling stones and riveting
For a complete list, please visit www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

Tools, tools, tools…we all love tools
Have you tried out our new wire twisting tool? Twist wire effortlessly and evenly using this new plier.
Back in stock are Bow Opening pliers. With these pliers you can stretch jump rings effortlessly.
Two hole drawdown punches – after 2 months of being back order, we are well stocked. Use this nifty tool to make holes in your metal cut-outs for jump rings.
3mm core drills - perfect for drilling holes in river rock and sea glass for riveting.

Store News
I am very excited to report that we have scheduled another Bubble Beads trunk show for both stores. Bubble beads have been soooo popular this year and everyone has been asking for more colors that I thought it would be fun to have the entire collection come to us. Then you will not be restricted to what I pick. The trunk show is scheduled for the first week of November, just in time for the Holidays. There will be over 10K of bubble beads and other glass beads and pendants.

Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 11:19 PM
Subject: Bead Q!...Annual Sale this weekend

Hi Everyone!

Are you enjoying the great weather? Did you miss us while we were on vacation?

Our Annual Sale is this weekend and it just occurred to me that it is also July 25th…which means Christmas in July. So we will double the fun.

All Christmas Swarovski Beads 20%....oh, what the heck lets make ALL Swarovski beads 20% off
All Christmas SS Charms 25% off

Select semi-precious, fresh water pearls, mother of pearl, Czech and glass strands 20-60% off
All Rhinestone Rondelles and Squaredells 70% off *
Silver and Gold plated beads 25% off *( does not include Tierra Cast)
Select Books 30% off
All Bugle Beads 30% off
Select Pendants 20-50% off
Seed Beads Hanks 50% off (RR only)
Tool Totes 20% off

*River has the majority of the inventory)

Additional Stuff on Sale
Life is Good merchandise will be available in the Chagrin Store (in River the store is across the plaza…no whining ? )
Life is Good Men’s, women’s and toddlers t-shirts 60% off original prices.
Life is Good hand bags and wallets 50%

Green Drawing $10 Winners
Pat H. (CF)
Laurie F. (RR)

Under Our Skin Documentary
Please join us for a free showing of the documentary “Under Our Skin” (this documentary is about Lyme Disease )
Sunday July 26, 2pm Solon Library (34125 Portz Pkwy, Solon)
Please reserve your seat asap. 440.333.4367.

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Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 11:47 PM
Subject: Bead Q! contest winners

Hi Everyone!

Despite the rain today, the sun did come out and shined on the Wildwood Art show. I hope everyone who was there vending did well. It was nice to see Bead Q! customers out there. This has been a busy Summer so far and there is not sign of it letting up…yipes!

Oh, to answer everyone’s question, “When can we find you at the store?” The answer is, I am always at the store, but it would seem that I am never at the store in which you are looking for me. I have been splitting most of my days between the stores and have been switching it up as needed. Soooo, if you are looking for me, call ahead. ?

Most loyal customer contest winner – Lynn J. July 31….2005! Wow! I am tickled!
Green Drawing $10 Winners - Meghan O, CF; Rosalie K, RR. We will draw again on July 15th.

Classes
Summer Camp starts July 7th, please call us at 440.708.1771 to register. (Note: if you would like to make the Spinning Ring and have taken a soldering class you may join us on July 14th at 3:30pm, we will work on this project together.)
Viking Knitting – July 11th, for the first time on the Westside
Almost Free Classes – new classes posted

Upcoming Event
Vintage Metal Stampings Trunk Show (New Dates)
Aug. 7, Rocky River
Aug. 8, Chagrin Falls
Looking for New and Different? Join us to see the latest trend in beading.

Aug. 7, 6:30-7:30pm, Rocky River – Vintage Bracelet – Learn how to colorize metal stampings to create one-of-a-kind center pieces. (Hands on)

Aug. 8, 1-2pm, Chagrin Falls – Vintage Bracelet – Learn how to colorize metal stampings to create one-of-a-kind center pieces. (Hands on)

A Side Bead
Summer Hours! Please note:
We will be closed July 4th and 5th for the holiday, then we will be on vacation July 16-18…seriously. Yup! Hard to believe but since the 90% of the staff will be going on a girls trip that weekend we thought it would be best just to close. Where is the other 10%? Well, they are going on their own vacations.

More Loyal customer stuff…
COSE has started a new program to promote buying locally. You may have heard some of the advertisements on the radio, I BUY NEO (I Buy Northeast Ohio). This program was designed to encourage people to buy in their neighborhoods but most importantly Northeast Ohio. What is Bead Q!’s part in this program? And what can this do for you?
*As of this week Bead Q! Rocky River is officially a member. (program has not reached Chagrin Falls…ask COSE) Note: in Rocky River the program is known as Buy River.
*For Bead Q! purchases over $65 (before taxes), 10% will go back into the program.
-Of the 10%, 35% will go back to the customer in the form of a Cash rebate, 35% will be donated to local charities, 30% will go back into the program.
*Buy River cards are available through COSE and area businesses for $10.
-Once you are member, you can use your Buy River card anywhere the “I Buy NEO” card is accepted. There are over 13,000 business in NEO who are members.
*For the month of July Bead Q! will be offering the cards for $5. AND for all of our Loyal Customers we will give you credit for Bead Q! receipts over $65 (before taxes) in June. Just bring in your qualifying receipts by July 31.

Extras
If you took the Etching class and have been etching here is a little nugget for you. When you are etching, the process will go faster if it if the etchant is warm. So one way to warm your etchant is by using a crockpot. BUT you MUST BE CAREFUL! IF you are using a regular crockpot, this may get too hot. So it is best to use the mini crockpots (we have them in stock). If you decide to do this, you must pay attention, the process if much faster. Once you are done with the etchant and are discarding it, you MUST take care not to get the etchant inside of the crockpot. The etchant will eat away the wires inside.

On a personal note.
I have made it a practice NOT to promote anything personal. But this subject has become very important to me and I have become increasingly concerned that too few people know about it. The subject is Lyme Disease. There really should be a public awareness of this disease as we are ALL susceptible to this disease regardless of where we live. Sooooo…..

On July 26th, at 2pm we will be showing a documentary “Under Our Skin” at the Solon Library at no charge. Our hope is that you will invite your friends and family and share the awareness. This movie will be in theaters this Fall, but we will be showing this at NO charge. If you are interested in attending the movie please call us and let us know you are coming as seating is limited. 440.333.4367. There is no limit to the number of people you can bring.

If you can not attend I encourage you to go to www.underourskin.org and educate yourself. Thank you for your indulgence. I hope to see you there.

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Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 1:00 PM
Subject: Bead Q! Direct Importer Trunk Show

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Rocky River store is open.
Bead Q!
19306 Detroit Rd.
Rocky River in Beachcliff Market Square
440.333.GEMS

Also there will be a Direct Importer Trunk Show in Chagrin Falls TOMORROW, Saturday. 10-5pm
There will be over 20K strands of beads including seed beads, semi-precious, Czech beads…etc. If you are looking for different items this is a great opportunity.

There are lots of classes coming up this month, we have added several to the RR location. Have a look: http://www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

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Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 1:36 PM
Subject: Bead Q!...almost moved in..

Hi Everyone!

Well the North Olmsted move is on day 8 of a 10 day delay. We have been waiting for carpet. To a certain extent I am glad this happened as it gave me a chance to pace things out. While the ambitious side of me is going nuts…We are anticipating a June 2nd open, but hope that it will more like June 1st. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The new location will be at 19306 Detroit Rd., Rocky River phone: 440.333.GEMS (4367). The store ours will be M-Sat 10-7pm, Sun 12-5pm, closed on Tuesdays.
Check out our status at www.bead-q.com/rockyriverstore.html (sorry, silly me changed the link after I sent the email last month, had a brain fart)

In the meantime we are still happily beading and moving on with stuff…

CLASSES We great new classes
How to take better pictures of your jewelry – learn from a professional photographer. Tips and tricks to achieving the best pictures. $10/person.
June 4, 6:30 – Chagrin Falls
June 11, 6:30 - Rocky River
Bread Making – June 27, Chagrin Falls
Northern Lights bracelet – June 20th, Rocky River, June 27th, Chagrin Falls $5, materials not included
For a complete list of classes please go to. www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

Direct Importer Trunk Show
June 13, 10-7pm
Over 20K strands, Czech, Semi-precious, Gem grade, Pearls,
Vintage Buttons
Charlotte Seed Beads – over 40 colors
(sizes 6/o-13/o)

NEW and in stock
Swiss Riveting Hammer only $5.75!
Ohm decorative Stamps
Upper and lower case script stamps
Israeli Silver findings
Texture Hammers
Honeycomb soldering blocks
Super Grip Gloves

Contests
The Most Loyal Customer contest is winding down, just 2 days left to get your receipts in.

Green Raffle – thank you for your continued support to be Green! We will be drawing on June 1st (for both stores) for the $10 gift certificate/card. Our next drawing will be July 15th.

Other Beading News
*This year Swarovski has decided not do the Design Contest. I was told from people at Swarovski HQ, that they want to keep it fresh so they are skipping a year….I guess I will have to hold off on my ideas for another year.

*Did you make your investment in the Silver or Gold market? If you did life is looking good. The Gold market is up at about $980/oz and Silver is above $15.50/oz….yipes.

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Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 12:30 AM
Subject: Bead Q!...is Moving

OMG! Did I say we are moving? Not kidding we really are moving our North Olmsted store to Rocky River. After much thought and deliberation I believe this is the right decision. The plan is to close the store at the end of next week and be open by June 1st if not sooner. Sooner is better than later as I am leaving for the Bead and Button show. I am sure everyone (that would be the staff & my husband) would feel better that I will be in town for this…unlike the last time! Hee. Hee.

The new store will be located at 19306 Detroit Rd in Beachcliff Market Square. I will be posting our progress on the website at www.bead-q.com/rockyriverbeadstore.html

In the meantime, wish my sanity some luck. I hope to come out of this with it intact. ?

Classes
We have posted a new schedule for the Rocky River store! Including a few Almost Free Classes
*Northern Lights Bracelet
*Take Better Pictures of your jewelry

Just for Fun Classes
We are now registering for “Fun” new classes this summer. Join us for a little fun and time out. Get your hands dirty making Bread; learn how to “Weave a Basket”; or create ambiance with great homemade “Candles”.

For a complete list of classes and details please go to www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

NEW

Riveting and cold connections – we now have everything you need to start Cold Connections: riveting hammers, center punch, hole punches, bench blocks, bezel shears, burnishers and a Cold Connections Class

Diamond Bits – ball burs, disc burs, reamer burs, twist drills – everything you need to drill glass and stones

Script Stamps – this is your last chance to put your name in for set of Script Stamps! We are taking delivery next week and will taking the balance to Bead and Button! To see the font, go to http://www.bead-q.com/font.pdf $159/uppercase with 3 symbols (*?$), $150/lowercase. Please email me if you would like to be put on the list.

Still Happening
Most Loyal Customer Contest. You have until May 31st to bring in your receipts. The customer who brings in the oldest receipt will receive a $25 gift card.

Bring in your Ziplocs for us to recycle and will be give you a ticket to be entered into a raffle for a $10 gift card. Our next drawing will be June 1st at both stores.

Twitter and Facebook
Have you joined the tech age of communication? Join me on Twitter and Facebook! I am tweeting on all the happenings at the stores. For a more personal side join me on Facebook.

Recall – Chasing Hammers

It has been brought to my attention that there were chasing hammers sent to us by mistake. Apparently, there were a number of chasing hammers that slipped by the distributors quality control and sent to customers. If you bought a chasing hammer in the few months and it is “Peeling”/”Sloughing” off like it was plated, and should be replaced. Please bring your chasing hammer in and we will replace it. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. (This recall does not apply to dual head hammers that have a plastic white handle.)
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Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:30 AM
Subject: Bead Q! ...its good to be Green

Hi Everyone!

Did anyone notice that the trees are budding on the Westside and not the Eastside? I guess the good news is the trees are budding and Spring is on its way.

Every time the season changes I get in the mood to start stirring things up. The sun is out, the weather is getting better and everyone is more energized for new things. So of course I am pumped for new stuff! (Obviously I started this email a few days ago.)

Currently at Bead Q!
The Jewelry Exploration is this WEEKEND! Yippie. Kicked it off tonight with the drilling class in NO. What a great group! I love it when people just spontaneously talk to one another.

There are still a few seats left in some classes while others are booked. Call us for reservations: CF 440.708.1771; NO 440.734. 2323
• Technical Wire Wrapping
• Charming Impressions
• Basic Soldering
• Banging Bracelets
• Pearl Knotting
• Crystal Tennis Bracelet

New Classes and Event

Summer Camp for Adults
The kids have their play time, now it’s your turn. Join us every Tuesday, July 7 - Aug. 11 for Summer Camp. If you need help with a project or want to refine your skills, campers will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and on their own projects. Summer Camp is designed to enhance your current skills. Staff will be on hand for oversight and tutorial. Formal instruction will not be provided. Reservations recommended; drop-ins are first come first serve. Space is limited. Pre-requisite: Campers must have working knowledge in the technique required to complete their project.
Cost: $14/hour 2 hour minimum Tools: All tools will be made available for use.

Free Classes…almost
Have a free Saturday? Join us for a class and broaden your beading experience without breaking the bank. Some are demos while others offer hands on experience. Cost: $5 First come first serve. For a complete list and details go to http://www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html
• May – Alternate Finishing (NO); Custom Ear Wires (CF)
• June – Northern Light Bracelet
• July – Dog Pound Bracelet
• August – Easy Wire Rings

Just for FUN
After four years of beading fun, it is time to mix it up! Starting in June we are introducing a series of Just for Fun classes. This is a great way to learn a new skill! For a complete list and details go to http://www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html
• June – Bread making
• July – Basket weaking
• August – Candle Making

Direct Importer Trunk Show
June 13, 10-7pm
Over 20K strands, Czech, Semi-precious, Gem grade, Pearls,
Vintage Buttons
Charlotte Seed Beads – over 40 colors
(sizes 6/o-13/o)

New and Exciting Stuff!

Contest and Raffle

Loyal Customer Contest
Are you our MOST Loyal Customer????? Prove it. Hee, hee. During the month of May bring in your oldest Bead Q! receipt. At the end of the May the customer with the oldest receipt will receive a $25 Bead Q! gift certificate. (*employees and/or their families need not apply.)

Green Raffle
As regular customers you already know about our efforts to be more “Green”. Our efforts have begun since the day we opened so this should just make it more fun! Sooooooo….bring your own ziploc bags (or Bead Q! bags) for us to use and get a raffle ticket to be entered to win a $10 gift certificate from Bead Q! We will draw names every 6 weeks. (1 ticket per visit)

Bulk Pricing
In an effort to even more competitive Bead Q! has started a Bulk Pricing structure for Silver and Gold filled findings. If you are interested in buying findings in bulk (packages of 100 or 1000) please let me know you can save 20-30%.

Okay, I am off to bed to get ready for a very busy rest of the week! Hope to see you at the Exlporation!

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Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:46 PM
Subject: Bead Q!...Sun, Sun, Sun!

Hi Everyone,

Can you believe all the Sun? Well, may not you all, but I have personally had 8 full days of Sun! (been in CA for 5 days and came back to Sun!)..and I really don’t want to hear about how it is about to change. I am going to enjoy it while it lasts and when it goes away I am going to pretend it is still there! So Ha!

The Jewelry Exploration is really shaping up. We have added a few new classes with other classes already filling up. The Drilling Stones class has only a few seats left in North Olmsted and a waiting list for Chagrin Falls. Since it was such a hit we are adding an afternoon class on Thursday, April 23rd, 1-3pm. (If you have already signed up and want to change times, please give us a call. Everyone already on the waiting list will be give first priority.)

Next BAAM (Beadaholics Anonymous) Get together with other experienced beaders to enjoy a little beading. (bring something to work on) It is a great time to let your hair down and relax for a couple hours over a glass of wine and great company. Hope you will join us. Reservations a must, $5/person
North Olmsted 440.734.bead (2323)
Apr. 8th, 7pm

Chagrin Falls 440.708.1771
April 16th 7pm

New and exciting Stuff!
It took some time, but after a lot research and patience we finally have it! Script font metal stamps! And they are great. We did a test run and are so happy we have put it into production. The will be available at the end of May. However, we will be taking them on the road, soooo if you are interested in a set we are taking names as there is a limited number available on this first run. Please reply to this email if you are interested.

To see the font please go to www.bead-q.com/font.pdf This is a custom font that was developed specifically for this project. The size on the pdf is exact, so if you print it, you will see what they will look like.

The uppercase will come with 3 symbols (?*&), ret. $159/set, the lowercase will be letters only, &150/set.

Additionally we are manufacturing 2 new decorative stamps, the awareness ribbon ($11) and an Ohm symbol ($12.75). Again, please reply to this email if you are interested. These will be also be available at the end of May.
Both alphabet sets and decorative stamps are exclusive to Bead Q! …for now.

Also New
Riveting hammers are now in stock.
Football, soccer, baseball decorative stamps
New heart stamps

A Side Bead
If you have been silver smithing and are having a hard time figuring out how long to heat your silver to anneal, here is simple tip we found from the internet. Mark your silver with a Sharpie marker. When you have heated the metal enough to burn away the marker it is time to dunk it in some cool water. Annealing is the process of heating silver to soften the metal so that it is more pliable. For example, half hard wire had not been annealed. Through the process of drawing the wire, it becomes hard. To make it Dead Soft you must anneal it.

That is about it for now. I hope this finds all of you well and beading Happily. ?

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Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 10:18 PM
Subject: Bead Q!...it's our Birthday!

Can you believe our 4th on Saturday??? Please join us for cake at both stores and help us celebrate. Don’t forget to wish Susan K. and Laura D. a happy, happy. They have been with me since the beginning.

Don’t forget BAAM Tomorrow! Let us know you are coming.
Chagrin Falls 440.708.1771
Bead Swap, March 19th 7pm

Jewelry Exploration April 24-26
We have posted almost all of our classes and are taking registrations. Check it out the schedule. www.bead-q.com/exploration09.html
Don’t forget some classes have pre-requisites, be sure to register for those classes early.

Complete 3 or more classes during the Exploration and receive your choice of Urban Beader Tool Totes.

Just posted
DRILLING STONES – CHAGRIN FALLS ONLY
Join us on Thursday, April 23rd to kick off our weekend with a demonstration on how to use a Flex Shaft to drill stones. If you have been be collecting beach glass, shells, river rock or beads that that don’t have holes we have creative ways to make them useful. This demonstration will introduce you to a great new tool and the different ways you can use it. Cost: $7
Only 10 spaces available

Hope to see all of you soon. Thank you for your continued support.
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Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 12:02 AM
Subject: Bead Q! .... March

HI Everyone.

It’s almost Spring!! Hard to believe that it was almost 60 degrees today! Yippie. Is this our turning point?
All of the stuff from Tucson is out with the exception of the things I have not been able to part with. The response has been soooo positive. I am pleased that you all appreciate the quality of the silver beads like I do. As if Tucson was not enough I actually bought more beads this week…I think I need rehab…ugh.

Next BAAM (Beadaholics Anonymous) Get together with other experienced beaders to enjoy a little beading. (bring something to work on) It is a great time to let your hair down and relax for a couple hours over a glass of wine and great company. Hope you will join us. Reservations a must, $5/person
North Olmsted 440.734.bead (2323)
Mar. 11th, 7pm

Chagrin Falls 440.708.1771
Bead Swap, March 19th 7pm

BIG NEWS!! Save the date
Next Jewelry Exploration April 24-25th. We will only be doing one this year. On the list for now:
Fine Silver Fusing
Wire Crochet
Drilling stone
Bezel Setting
So you want to sell your stuff
Metal stamping
Cold Connections
…more to come. Check us out at the stores.

Here are some hot, hot, hot…what I am trying to say is these are the items that are going fast:
Sterling Silver Beads from Indonesia
Brass and Copper stampings (the dragonflies are going fast)
2.5mm bali silver and vermeil daisy strands
New SS and GF Chain
Gem Grade stone, new shapes including round marquis and trillion

Replacement parts
Did you know that many of your hand tools have replacement parts? This will save you $$$ and will keep it from the landfills. Here is a list of some of the things we can order for you:
*Nylon tips for your nylon pliers
*Bits for your 2 hole draw down punch
*Tips for Hand punch
*Hammer heads (rubber, nylon, domed and flat) for the 4 face hammer. Please note that this item has been discontinued by the vendor. If you need a replacement let me know soon. They will only be available for a little longer.
*The key to the flexshaft

Don’t throw away your tools!

Have you checked out my blog? www.bead-q.com/blog.html If you would like a raw version of this news letter have a read. Hope you enjoy.
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Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 8:52 PM
Subject: Bead Q...back from Tucson!!

Hi Everyone!

I can not believe we are finally back from Tucson! It was a very long dragged out 10days. This was the first and last time I schedule a class during this trip. I thought I gave myself enough time but I was quite wrong as I was pleasantly surprised with an invitation from Swarovski to audit a class, of course I could not pass that up. Nor could I pass up an invitation to the Interweave cocktail where we met the editor of Findings, the owner of Fire Mountain Gems and connected with several other store owners. Then of course there was the Swarovki cocktail…where we met no one notable, but made some new friends. Andy took away the job of scheduling for next year…he’s tired. By far this was the most stressful trip I have EVER taken to Tucson.

Added to the compressed schedule was the notion that I had to find the newest of new. I was very determined to find the “cool and unusual”…this would be my undoing…but your gain…

I am sooooo excited about the things I found. Boxes started arriving today and we are working hard to get it all out. They should all be here by next week.

Here is the list of OMGGGGGGGG! I can not believe I actually bought it:

*Diamonds....white Diamonds...there are others brown adn black.
*Larimar! For the first time I found Larimar beads and they were actually affordable AND pretty. (yes, there are cabs too)
*Bolder Opals - perfect for setting or stringing.
*Fire Opals
*Morganite – also known as Beryl, also known as Pink Aquamarine
*NEW Silver Beads! My mission was to find silver that was not like anything we had ever had and I think I found it…on the last day. But that is ok. Better late than never.
*Tibetan beads
*Vintage brass and copper stampings
*Citrine – gem grade like you have never seen it. You will need to hold onto your wallet for these. Even the vendor asked me THREE times if I was sure. They are simply stunning.
*Moss amethyst – we could not even afford this 2 years ago.
*Fire Agate – the real stuff. We have been looking for this stone in an affordable range for 4 years!

Here are some of the other things not has exciting but still cool:

*Aquamarine – we have had aquamarine before but this is different, the grade on this is fantastic. The color is like the sky. *Additionally, I found the clearest 2 strands of mix color aquamarine I have ever seen.
*New Jaspers – dragon’s blood (green/red) and bird’s nest (turq/tan)
*Bolder opal pendants! Yes, we found them and yes! They are affordable.
*Wood laminate Pendants
*Drusy Quartz cabachons
*Pyrite beads
*Pearls- Stick pearls, Half drilled pearls, 1/3drilled pearls
*Gold Rutilated Quartz Cabs- this is the prettiest I have ever seen.
*Amber
*Gem Grade Triplets – these are gem grade sets that are paired for earrings and a pendant
*eudialyte cabachons

Here is the stuff we saw but did not buy:
*Confetti quartz – a new stone just found last year, there is a sprinkle of red and black hematite throughout
*The world’s largest mined amethyst geode…it was on auction for $750…thousand…oh, it is the size of a Volkswagen bug weighing in at about 4.5tons
*A mammoth tusk – (that would be the wooly variety) also on auction for $750thousand…did I mention that it came with a book signed by the author?

What I did buy sort of…but did not take home…a 25lb. rock. Huh? Really. So I am at this auction and there was a crystal orb for sale. I had heard that the last one; the size of a volleyball, went for $65. Of course I was determined to bid on the other one. In my rush to sign up for a bidding card I did not hear the auctioneer correctly. I started bidding for the WRONG item…a very pretty..25..Pound…Rock. Well, I won. $45. ugh. In the end, I offered it back up to the last bidder and they agreed to take it. Let me just say Andy is a much happier husband as he did not have to ship a 25lb. rock.

Asking for your support. Please vote for Bead Q! as your favorite bead store. Please. :)

http://apps.kalmbach.com/survey/default.aspx?sid=965&auth=yqn1m4P1Cm

Class Note
There will be a PMC Rings class on March 14 in CF. Please call 440.708.1771
For a complete list of classes go to www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

Coming Soon
If you would like to read more about Tucson and other happenings about beads go to my weblog at
www.bead-q.com/blog.html
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Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 6:56 PM
Subject: Bead Q....

Hi Everyone!
Happy New Year!! I hope you survived all of the holidays unscathed. I know this may come as a little shock to those who have known me for a long time but…I thought I would give a little report on my holidays… I did put up a tree at the house this year and baked and bought stocking stuffers and presents and thought about cooking…I guess I was out of practice but the 7’ Christmas tree I put up did fall over the next morning taking ornaments with it. But not to fear it did go back up and survived the rest of the season. And yes, I did wait until after the New Year to take it down. I think this will hold my husband over for a few years before I do it again…hee. Hee.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the sale!!

As you know I will be going to Tucson at the end of the month. So there is not much to report for new stuff this month. However, I did mention in the last email that I will be “revamping” the store and that has sparked a lot of questions. Sorry for being so vague. I did not mean to stir the pot. What this means is, among the staff and customers who have been with me for years it is starting to all look alike and a little boring. So this year, when I go to Tucson, my effort will be to seek out the very unusual. Different stones, shapes and applications. I am actually even taking a class to learn a new technique. ( I have never taken the time for this.) I want you to be wowed when you come into to Bead Q! next.

All of that said, of course there will always be chain, findings, Swar. crystals, etc. Yanno, the usual stuff. Just hopefully better. (keyword hopefully).

Sooooo, if there are things that you are interested in please send me an email and let me know I try my best to find them. If there are charms you are looking for this is the best time to let me know as it is one of 2 times a year that I buy charms.

Next BAAM (Beadaholics Anonymous) Get together with other experienced beaders to enjoy a little beading. (bring something to work on) It is a great time to let your hair down and relax for a couple hours over a glass of wine and great company. Hope you will join us. Reservations a must, $5/person
North Olmsted 440.734.bead (2323)
Jan. 14th, 7pm

Chagrin Falls 440.708.1771
Jan. 15th 7pm
Bead Swap save the date March 19th

Classes coming up
Textures, Shapes and Forms (NEW) – heart pendant and Bypass Ring (sorry not on web yet)
Tuesday *6:30 – 8:30pm Jan. 27 – Kieu Pham Gray, instructor
Thursday *6:30 – 8:30pm Feb. 12 – Kieu Pham Gray, instructor

Queen’s Chain
Advanced Viking Knitting
www.bead-q.com/beadclass.html

We are trying to put together another PMC Rings class, please let me know if you are interested.

A Side Beads

Polishing
In the past few months there have been many questions on polishing so I thought this would be helpful. Here is what I know:

1. Tumbling – the easiest solution to polishing. Use stainless steel shot (avail. at Bead Q) a little water and a drop or two of Dawn liquid soap, add your pieces, about an hour in the tumbler, it will look just like new. We do not carry tumblers.
a. You can tumble Bali beads and findings, silver and gold chain, and Vermeil. This will also work for Pandora bracelets. Actually tumbling is really great with almost all of your silver. If tumbling hollow beads be sure to put a pipe cleaner or something in the whole to keep the shots from accumulating inside.
b. Just remember, you can not tumble things with crystal or stone on it, they can break.
2. Silver Dip (the gray bottle) - this can be found in your local drug store behind the cosmetic counter (even Marc’s has it). Simply dip the silver into the solution. Although the instructions say wash it with water you reallllllly need to neutralize it with some soap or even baking soda with water. I would go so far as to wash it a couple of times. If you don’t neutralize it will tarnish worse.
a. Warning!! Use dip only with bright silver. If you want to polish silver that has an antique/patina on it, this will strip it and make it all bright silver.
3. Polishing cloths – these are great for quick clean up of tarnish but seem to only work on silver. The more effective cloths have rouge on them. This is an abrasive that aids in taking out scratch. We carry Brilliant brand instead of Sunshine because it doesn’t leave a mess on your hands.
4. ProPolish Pads – these work even better than the polishing cloths. They have micro abrasives and seem to work on all metals. ProPolish pads remove tarnish but will also removes minor scratches. They work much better than the cloths. We like these best!
5. Rouge/Tripoli/Polishing compound – this comes in many grits. Use compounds with a linen buffing wheel. This is considered the final step in metalsmithing for polishing. Although many people recommend using polishing compounds in 2-3 steps. But this would require 2-3 buffing wheels. I don’t see the purpose. If you did your job well during the process you should be able to get away with one step…either the red rouge or Euro Lustre.
a. Use polishing compounds with silver or gold. Take care when there is a stone as the different colored compound may discolor the stone. That is why we have now moved to EURO LUSTRE this is a polishing compound that is white and used in the final step of polishing. (available at Bead Q!)
b. Alternative- if you do not have a buffer but own a Dremmel or a flex shaft, get a mounted linen head bit. This will act just like a buffing wheel but on a small scale. (available at Bead Q!) Additionally, if you need to get into tight places we also have brushes for this purpose.

I hope you have a great 2009
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