Beading outside the box!

Hi everyone!

Once again I must apologize for not updating Kandra's blog more frequently!  We are both still here and doing fine - Kandra is busy with the store adding new beads and classes all the time and I've been busy experimenting with some of the fun new bead shapes that are around.  Now, I thought I was a die-hard seed beader, but having been introduced to some of the exciting new designs that are popping up everywhere, I have had to think again!  Spike beads, daggers, twin hole beads, mushrooms, peanuts - all of them have such a lot of potential and can add a new twist to your designs and they all come in an irresistible array of colours.  As you would expect, Kandra's Beads stocks a wide range of all of them and I have created a little collage to whet your appetite ...

Click on the 'New Beads' link on this page of the website or take your time and explore the vast range of beads that Kandra stocks via the menu on the left-hand side of the website.

Bye for now!

Kerrie

Spikes and Thorns at Kandra's Beads!

Hi everyone!

Have you seen the new Czech glass spike beads?  They come in two sizes and a wide range of delectable finishes with enchanting names like Magic Blueberry, Sapphire Silver and Silky Gold Iris Picasso and Kandra's Beads carries over 30 different colours.  They are a lot of fun to work with, adding a new dimension to your designs and as they have a hole running through the base they can either be captured in beading or used in stringing or sewn designs.  I recently had chance to play with the 17mm spike beads and created my new pattern 'Thorn Flowers' which Kandra now sells on CD along with the rest of my patterns.

Why not treat yourself to some of these exciting spike beads by either calling in to the store or by following this link to buy them on-line.  If you would like to purchase a CD of my new Thorn Flower pattern to give you some design ideas to get you started click here or if you would prefer a PDF of one of my patterns to be emailed to you, you can buy them directly from my website.

Bye for now!

Kerrie

New book in store!

Hi everyone!

Bead & Button magazine has just added a new title to the popular 'Stitch Workshop' series - 'Herringbone Stitch: basic techniques, advanced results'.  This book is in stock and available to purchase either in store or via the website at Kandra's Beads.  Bead & Button says "Herringbone Stitch is the third book in the Stitch Workshop series. It’s perfect for novice beaders learning herringbone for the first time and experienced beaders looking for more projects using their favorite stitch."

The book starts with an introduction by Diane Fitzgerald followed by some 'stitch basics' for beginners (which are also useful for more experienced beaders) and then launches straight into 26 favourite projects from Bead & Button magazine, ranging from quick to make but impressive bracelets to elaborate necklaces and everything in-between.  Herringbone is one of my absolute favourite stitches that I incorporate into my work all the time as I love the way it can be used to create supple ropes or shaped sculptural pieces - did I mention that my foxglove necklace is one of the projects in the book?

The book isn't currently listed on Kandra's website, so if you would like to purchase it by mail order, just email or call Kandra and she will let you know the postage costs - and don't forget to stock up on the beads for all those delicious projects while you are shopping!

See you next week with news of lots of new beads!

Kerrie

Leslie Frazier is coming to teach at Kandra's Beads!

Hi everyone!

Well the title of this post says it all really doesn't it?  We are very pleased to announce that international bead artist and teacher Leslie Frazier will be teaching a one day class at Kandra's Beads on Sunday August the 19th 2012 from 10 am until 4 pm.  Leslie will be teaching her popular Pinch Bead Pizzazz Pendant Necklace, Pinch Bead Spheres and Cathedral Window Beads which will give you the option of recreating the beautiful pieces shown below or incorporating these versatile little beaded beads into your own designs.

Places will be limited and this is only a one day event, so be sure to keep a close eye on the classes and events page where full details will be announced, or use the contact form to reserve a place.

Kerrie

Trunk show news!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick note to let you all know that this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday (23rd, 24th and 25th of March) Jenny Friske-Baer of Divine Spark Designs will be holding a trunk show at Kandra's Beads.  So you know what that means right?  An incredible array of beautiful handmade lampwork beads and glass along with hand stamped word charms and etched copper charms will be on display at Kandra's for three whole days, giving you a wonderful opportunity not only to see them first hand, but also the chance to purchase them there and then so that you can start incorporating them into your creative designs as soon as possible!  Below are just a few examples of Jenny's amazing work ...

If you are free and in the area, be sure to drop into Kandra's beads at 1539A Mission Drive, Solvang, CA and treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind piece of handmade art!

Wire Beaded Neckpiece!

Hello everyone!

Can it really be 6 weeks since I last updated Kandra's blog?  Please accept my apologies for my lack of posting, I hit a really busy spot and took a little vacation but I am firmly back in the blogging seat now!  We have lots of very exciting news to share with you in the coming weeks, but first I want to show you some pictures of the recent wirework classes held by tutor C. R. Radding who was back by popular demand to teach her 'Wire Beaded Neckpiece' and 'Basket Weave Earrings'.  The first picture shows the spacious class set-up with all the tools lined up and an amazing array of beads to choose from.

The next picture shows the students busy hammering, twisting and coiling wire and adding lots of beads, pearls and stones to create their one of a kind finished pieces.

And in the final set of pictures you can see some of the stunning results showing just how versatile this technique is - enabling you to personalize your finished piece adding as little or as much as you want to!  I am sure that C. R . Radding will be back to teach at Kandra's so be sure to keep an eye on the 'Classes and Events' page of Kandra's Beads!

We have some major news to report in next week's blog so you might want to click on the 'Follow by Email' box at the top of this blog so that you don't miss a thing!

More new beads!

Hello everyone!

Just a little note to let you know that Kandra has lots of gorgeous new beads in stock!  The two-hole Twin Preciosa seed bead range is expanding all the time.  There are some more great colours in the Tila beads and Magatama Drops from Miyuki.  The exciting new 5181 Keystone beads from Swarovski have now been added and there are also some very interesting Czech glass Spike beads  (I can't wait to have a little play with this fun new shape!).  To see the full range you need to head on over to Kandra's Beads but just to whet your appetite I have created a little collage of some of the new beads - don't you just want to dive into that picture?

 

As usual, you can buy the new beads direct from the store or on-line and if you have any queries or special requests, just use the contact page.

Twinkling Tilas!

Hi everyone!

I am pleased to tell you that throughout the coming year, Kandra will be teaching my projects in her store!  The classes will be sponsored by the store which means that you don't pay for Kandra's teaching time, you simply purchase the pattern and whatever beads you choose for your project.  The majority of my patterns are priced at just $10 and the store carries a wide range of very reasonably priced materials, so this is obviously a great offer.  The first class is my Twinkling Tilas project and it will be on Saturday February 4th 2012 from 10am until 2pm.  Places are limited and so you will need to reserve a place by going to the  Classes and Events page, clicking on the shopping basket next to Twinkling Tilas and completing the form or alternatively contact the store.  This is a beginner to intermediate level class and the project is very versatile as the individual components can be made into a simple but stylish pair of earrings, or you can keep on beading and turn them into a single row bracelet or choker or make even more and create this elegant double cuff style bracelet.

Don't forget that Kandra sells CD's of my patterns in her store and by mail order, or if you would prefer a PDF of one of my patterns to be emailed to you, you can buy them directly from my website where you can also read all the details of each pattern.

As always, if you have any queries please either contact Kandra or myself.

More two-hole Twin seed beads from Preciosa!

Hi everyone!

Just dropping by to tell you the exciting news that Kandra has now taken delivery of over 30 new colours in the two-hole Twin seed beads from Preciosa!  I know that lots of you were patiently waiting for these to arrive so that you could begin experimenting with these intriguing beads and start to incorporate them into your new designs.  The collage below shows a selection of the colours in stock and there are even more on the way - just click on this link to go directly to the two-hole Twin seed beads page at Kandra's Beads or follow this link to see the full range of products available from the on-line store.

These beads are quite different to the single hole beads that we are all familiar with, so if you need a few ideas to get you started, the folks over at Preciosa have added some great free projects to the top of this page of their website to help get your ideas flowing.

Loyalty card news!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year to you!

Well here we are at the beginning of 2012 and already Kandra has started putting some of her ideas into place to make the new Kandra's Beads store an even more exciting place to visit, whether in person or on-line.  Today I'd like to tell you about the new loyalty card scheme but I think it is best explained by Kandra herself and so this is what she says:

"Hi Everyone,

I am very excited to be offering a new promotion in my store – a Savings Punch Card!  But I didn’t want to leave out all of my wonderful online customers so I am going to offer an Online Savings Punch Card too!

So here are the guidelines:

You will receive 1 punch for every $10.00 you spend.  This excludes Class Fees, you can not receive punches for Class Fees and wholesale customers. When you accumulate 25 punches this card may be redeemed for $25.00 off your next purchase of $25 or more.  Shipping charges will not be included in the totals. 

Any amount over a $10.00 increment will not be included in your next purchase (you cannot combine orders).  So, for example, if you make a purchase of $26.50 (not including shipping) you will receive 2 punches – the remaining $6.50 does not go towards your next punch card total.

I will keep your punch cards on file and every order I process I will punch your card for you.  When you get to your 25 punches I will call or email you to let you know.

If you have any questions please let me know! 

Kandra"

Doesn't this sound like a great idea?  Not that we need any encouragement to spend money on beads, but this way, the more you spend at Kandra's Beads the more you save.  There is no expiry date so you can take your time and not miss out on this great offer and you don't have to worry about mislaying your card and remembering to use it each time as the store will keep track and Kandra will let you know when your card is full and you have that lovely $25 bonus to spend!

Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone!

As 2011 comes to a close, Kandra and I would like to thank everyone for supporting the new store and for following the website and blog.  Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, we would both like to wish you a happy holiday season and health and happiness for 2012.  We hope that you will continue to stay with us throughout 2012 as we have some very exciting things planned for the coming months!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Kandra and Kerrie

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!

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!