Creativity Ignited!

What a blessing last week to attend the "i.e.*" launch, Richmond's newest creative think tank! I'm still fired up--the wheels are def turning. Mission accomplished, i.e.* ! How DO we channel our creative talent into fulfilling projects, small businesses, and how do we best support each other as we pursue our unique creative pulse (in whatever form that may be) within our creative community? To be able to create art that moves me, and to run a business that supports other artists and my community in general, fills me with gratitude and the hope that this cycle of inspiration I find myself in right now will not only continue, but thrive and blossom in the respective lives of the people we've touched at Fandangle Bead Store. As Paula Radke says, "Circles within circles, the spiral of life, the urge to create beauty moves within us all."

On that note, don't forget that starting next Tuesday, July 5th from 11:30-1:30 we'll have open studio hours at Fandangle Bead Store for what we're calling our "Beady-eyed Lunch Bunch". Just show up with your bead project, a snack if you wish, and be prepared to meet some kindred spirits while you work on your project, laugh, chat or simply seek inspiration. Best of all--it's free! Our studio will be open for the "Beady-Eyed Lunch Bunch" every Tuesday through October. As long as you show up, we'll hold court--come meet some friends, share tips, techniques or just bounce ideas or questions off each other. Let's let our cup of inspiration & information runneth over!

If you work during the day and are unable to make the Tuesday "Beady-Eyed Lunch Bunch" gathering, not to worry. Once a month, beginning Thursday July 7th, from 6:30-8:30, we'll be hosting our new "First Thursdays Beading Night". This event will offer up the same format as the lunch group, but once a month for starters. If we gather a good enough following we'll certainly consider doing it every Thursday night. Give us some feedback on what works for you--creating community that inspires & supports each other is our goal here. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a true "Beady-eyed Gal", just show up for fun, laughs & don't forget to bring a project!

i.e.* Conference, 6/23/11 -- Amaaaazing!!!

Wow, I am still reeling from a meeting of the minds last week with some of Richmond's most creative and forward-thinking geniuses who's destiny it is to make Richmond, VA, the creative capital of the country! The folks present at this think tank were a mix of small business owners, marketing companies, and representatives from some of Richmond's most innovative and community-oriented movers and shakers. I'll be pondering the possibilities of harnessing creative energy for weeks to come, but for the time being will throw out some of the 'Shout-Outs' heard throughout the day:

* "Small changes can lead to MASSIVE results!"
* "Always change--never change!" (ie., stay true to your mission, yet flexible in approach)
* "Common threads from uncommon backgrounds" (ie., shared vision & diversity = creative
results)
* "Inspiration is for amateurs--the rest just show up & get to work!"
* "Embrace the weird...coordination of ideas with a rational plan".
* "Do stuff that matters".
* "Be MORE than great--be good".
* "Be accommodating and service oriented."
* "Own your own work--no matter how small".
* "Educate and stimulate yourself constantly so you can hit 'Reset' ".
* "Be SCRAPPY!!!"
* "Every contribution matters".
* "Drill down!" (ie., Research the end user of your product/services)
* "Be your own competition".
* "Ask 'Why': Small questions lead to clarity, ie., answers".

All of these quotes can be applied to daily ventures, whether in personal pursuits such as exploring our own creativity or growing a small business or career. Let's keep each other fired up! In the meantime check out www.ie-rva.org

Kicking & Screaming into the Age of Technology

OK everyone, we're going to try this again. Yes, the Bead Empress is taking a blogging class. Who says you can't teach an old Empress new tricks? Stay tuned for some v. kewl new info/ideas. In the meantime, if you have an Etsy site, website, or are interested in having us
feature you and/or your work on our website/blog, please send us your contact info. We hope to have lots of links, general information about your work/contact info. Let's make beady-eyed connections--everyone wins!

We Love Beads Sale - Saturday February l3th

We're celebrating Valentine's Day this Saturday, February l3th with our annual "We LOVE Beads Sale". That means 20% off ALL beads Saturday only--strands and loose beads both.

While you're here, be sure to pick up our new quarterly newsletter--all new classes for the masses! Also, head's up all you crochet'ers because we've got special loot just for you: new shipments of C-lon in Spring & Summer colors, bold new glass pearls for your upcoming Spring & Summer bead crochet and handknotted jewelry designs, and last but not least, fabbbbbbulous Swarovski crystal pearls in 3mm, 4mm, 6mm & 8mm sizes. And, if pearls are not your thing be sure to check out the mini-shell discs...absolutely adorable on crocheted necklaces. Next time you're in the shop, check out Mel's summer crochet samples!

Come visit "The Bead Empress" booth at Richmond Craft Mafia's "Handmade Holiday" this coming Friday and Saturday (December llth & 12th). Wine reception kicks off the event at 7PM Friday night, followed by a full day of holiday shopping on Saturday. Check off that Christmas gift list, support your local artists and drop by Melanie's booth to say hello and see her latest wearable found objects line--high-mileage jewelry fit for a queen!

Well, dear friends, we're beginning to exhale... Yes, it's been two months today since we relocated and expanded the "Little Bead Shop that Could" and what a change it's been! It is truly my greatest joy to watch people enter the shop and say, "WOW"! It's especially gratifying to hear this from returning customers who supported our little shop in its infancy and helped us to transform our humble beginnings into the full-range bead shop that it has blossomed into today. We have so much gratitude in our hearts for all that YOU have done to support us. We hope that we can continue to nurture, inspire and provide technical support for all of your creative pursuits. If there is something you need for a project that we don't carry in the shop, please let us know and we'll do our best to add it to our inventory. In the meantime, Bead On!

Our New Instructor!

Meet Cynthia Bouvier, our newest instructor!

Here's how Cynthia introduced herself on our website:

Jewelry, as an art form, has the power to create moods, provoke opinions and produce reactions. This is the design philosophy that San Francisco native, Cynthia Bouvier, follows in creating and developing her own unique collection of jewelry. Cynthia uses primarily precious metals and gemstones in her work. Her ultimate goal is evoking confidence, elegance, sex appeal, and femininity through the use of striking color and inventive design in each of her pieces, which is what gives her jewelry its signature look.

Cynthia lived in Paris, France for three years and credits many of her designs as inspired by French fashion.

Cynthia has traveled the world and uses the places she has visited to inspire many of her designs.