Beads!

I don't think I need to say much this week.  I think I will let the pictures do the talking.  Kandra has new beads in the store and LOTS of them!  Can you imagine getting your beady paws on some of these?  I think the ammonite shaped beads are my absolute favourite, but really I could just sit and stare at any of them all day long!

And how is this for a picture?  Don't you just want to reach out and run your fingers through that mound of gorgeous glassiness?  Am I dreaming?

If you want to make any of these beads your own, either drop into the store or contact Kandra!

New two-hole Twin seed beads from Preciosa!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick post today to let you all know that Kandra now has the new two-hole Twin seed beads from Preciosa in stock.  The finishes currently available are black, matte black, clear and matte clear and a selection of the other colours should be in stock within the next few weeks.  The beads measure 2.5 by 5mm and they offer a host of exciting new design possibilities!

These beads are in the store and not on Kandra's website yet, but if you can't get to the store and would like to purchase some of these wonderful new beads just use the contact form!

Ever Bloomin' Cuff!

We are still trying to catch up on the blog with all the exciting events that have recently been taking place at Kandra's Beads as the new store gets established.  A couple of weeks ago C. R. Radding taught a class for her stunning wirework project 'Ever Bloomin' Cuff'.  From the pictures below it looks like the students had a lot of fun and went away with some beautiful everlasting gardens to adorn their wrists!

There's always something going on at Kandra's store and there are some great plans in the pipeline - from trunk shows to classes on the basics of a beading technique or some more challenging project workshops which will be taught by a line-up of national and international teachers.  So make sure you keep a beady eye on the 'Classes and Events' page of Kandra's website!

Third Wednesday!

You know by now that Kandra has a new bead store in Solvang CA right?  But do you know about Solvang Third Wednesday?  On the third Wednesday of every month over 60 stores (including Kandra's Beads) in Solvang stay open until 8pm and many of them offer special discounts or sales.  There's a great atmosphere with lots of exciting activities and attractions throughout the town including wine tasting, live music and fun contests.  In October there was a pumpkin carving contest and the music was provided by trio 'KAT and the fiddle' and in the pictures below you can see the girls doing their thing right outside Kandra's store!

So of course the 16th of November will be the third Wednesday of the month and once again, Solvang will be celebrating.  This time as well as all the usual offers and events there will be a scarecrow contest, so why not pay Solvang a visit this Wednesday and don't forget to drop in to Kandra's Beads and mention 'Third Wednesday' for a 10% discount on your purchases!

Jenny's trunk show!

Following my introduction in the previous post, we have lots of catching up to do regarding all the exciting events that have been going on at Kandra's Beads!  After weeks of hard work decorating the store and stocking the shelves, on August the 1st 2011 Kandra took a deep breath, turned the sign and the new store at 1539A Mission Drive, Solvang, CA was 'Open'. 

Just a month later, the store hosted its first trunk show of Jenny Friske-Baer's beautiful handmade lampwork beads and glass.  You can see more of Jenny's work on her website Divine Spark Designs but the pictures below give you some idea of the delights that were on offer!

Shows like this will be a regular event, so be sure to keep a close eye on Kandra's 'Classes and Events' page!

A helping hand

Hello everyone!  My name is Kerrie Slade and I am a beader living and working in England.  Despite living over 5000 miles away from Kandra, we recently became firm friends via the wonders of modern technology.  During our chats, it became obvious that since she opened the new bead store in Solvang CA, Kandra has a LOT on her plate and so I have offered to help out by keeping her blog up to date for her.  Although I have never physically walked through the door of her new store, I have been given a tour of the interior via Skype and it is such a vibrant and exciting place with so many things going on that I felt the world should know about it!  So, although there is a new voice around here, it's still all about Kandra and her beads and I hope you will become a regular visitor to her blog.