First Gathering of the "Beady-Eyed Lunch Bunch"!

Yes, it was a hit! The first gathering of our "Beady-Eyed Lunch Bunch" was help at Fandangle today. Below are pictures of Diane & Susan, who camed armed with weaving projects. Susan needed a little bit of help getting her downward diagonal stitch going but after about 5 minutes of brainstorming, we had her up & weaving again like the pro she is! She's working on a fabulous tubular peyote bangle--wonder if she'll have it done by next week's gathering? Diane, on the other hand, brought in not one but two beautimous weaving projects to share with us! She spent the afternoon weaving Miyuki's newest Tila beads (the really cool double-drilled "chicklets") into a stunning woven cuff. She's topping off the cuff with a beautiful little picot which is beadnacular for a lacy little stitch that will embellish the core stitch. That's for the inspiration, ladies!

If you missed today's lunch, not to fret. Come join us every Tuesday from 11:30-1:30. Or, if you can't make it then, join us for our "First Thursday" gathering which will kick off this coming Thursday, July 7th, from 6:30-8:30. Bring a project or an idea, be prepared to gather and/or share some tips & belly laughs while you meet beady-eyed kindred spirits who share your passion for beads and creativity.

Beady-Eyed Lunch Bunch started today!

Do We "Do Parties" ? You bet we do!

Do we "do parties"? Why yes, we do! We've hosted home school classes, Red Hat Clubs, Prayer Bead classes for local church groups, Girls' Night Out, Bridal Parties, Staff Development & Team Building Workshops, and birthday parties for groups l0 years and older. Call 327.9992 to reserve your special event. Sure to be festive AND you'll go home with basic beading techniques & beaded baubles too!

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!