Monday, March 09, 2009

Learning to Bead

If you live in the Los Angeles area and have been wanting to take one of our beading classes - I am teaching one this week at the new and improved Reform School in Silverlake, Friday night from 7-10. Since we are right around the corner form St. Patrick's Day, I thought a lucky charm necklace would fit the bill. Full of old good luck amulets and prairie green beads, this necklace will be a lucky charm to wear for years. There are still a few spots left in the class - call today and reserve (323 906-8660) if you are interested!
If you can't make it to the class, leave a comment on what craft you are mastering these days and we'll pick a lucky winner to receive a good luck necklace kit. Bonne chance!

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to be able to make it to your class! Any time you fancy teaching in the UK...?
At the moment I'm trying to learn to crochet. It's slow progress though and i'm sticking to fairly simple patterns at the moment!
Cat

Abby said...

Sadly, it is a bit too far from Baltimore to LA for the class! I will have to spend the time working on my crochet instead, just like nestoftreasures.

Marianna said...

Oh what I wouldn't do to be able to come out and take your classes!

Lately I've been addicted to using vintage fabrics, beads and buttons and sewing up corsage cuff bracelets :)

Charmaine said...

I wish I could go - that would be so fun, but sadly a ticket from Des Moines to LA is not cheap enough to justify. Oh well, as for the craft I am mastering right now... I'm not, but I have a list of stuff to try in the near future:
Silversmithing
Letterpress
Weaving
& Leatherworking

Margaret said...

I wish I could go too -- but New York is too far away. I'd love to win the kit instead though. :D I spend most of my time cross stitching. I love stitching reproductions of antique samplers.

Anonymous said...

I think if I leave tomorrow I might be there in time...now that would be fun..I am an avid quilter 36 years and counting..love it more each day! I did get to enjoy some of your kits which my daughter gifted me for Christmas and love to wear them to my quilty functions..I am up in the very Pacific Northwest where it is still snowing!! Louise

Anonymous said...

Who couldn't use a little luck?
I am an east coast girl longing to take one of your classes.....someday. I am never a "master" of projects but, an "explorer of sorts" My latest greatest is vintage buttons,sewn on velvet wrist cuffs.A modern twist to something classic & fun.

NancyDaQ said...

Wow, cute!

I'm still working on my primary craft, sewing. It's a never ending quest for knowlege, and all of the items that are needed to make things. That charm necklace sure would be cute with a hand made garment!!

Rose Brier Studio said...

With an online friend, I am mastering altered book art -- great fun and so much to learn. Wish I could make it to the class, but I will be in Boston.

I really connect with the lucky charm necklace. My Nana was Irish and often wore a shamrock charm on a chain. And for 60+ years she lived about 3 miles from your shop! Your post reminded me of how fun she was! Thanks.
~Marilee

The Joy of Nesting said...

Hi Kaari,

Like everyone else I'd give my eye teeth to be able to take one of your classes!! But Mexico is a bit of a stretch to comute :(

These days I'm working on wrapping wire instead of the wire wrapping me.

Have a great class!
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mexico

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful class! Too far a commute from WI though.... my mastery of my craft is always a work in progress. Right now, my blog...but also being able to make more time for actual journaling...

love you to pieces said...

Oooh I would love to come but since Im Northern Ca, Ill just have to go to work instead,blah.. but right now I am mastering vintage linen collage with different fibers, beads and baubles.. love the necklace, ill keep my neck clean and ready. Kathy H.

Anonymous said...

In honor of the upcoming holiday, May Day, I am presently designing fabricated posie holders to place fresh violet bouquets in.
This is a tradition I have celebrated since I was a little girl. My daughter, Abbey, now shares the tradition with me.
We tie the bouquets on friend's and neighbor's doorknobs, ring doorbells,and run and hide before the door is opened. It is a delightful way to celebrate the arrival of May!

Kim said...

I'm too far away for your class, but do plan to purchase a kit or two! I'm currently trying to master knitting..I'm a wannabe sock knitter still stuck in dishcloth land. :o)

Charmingdesigns said...

I'm in Oregon and I've been visiting sheep farms to gather wool for my latest kick...needle felting. Love it. Laurie

Anonymous said...

Sadly, a weekender to L.A. isn't in the budget plan for March.

I am currently trying to master making my own bezels to fit odd-shape and vintage cabochons. I enjoy cold fusion but anything with solder or heat is a challenge for me. So far I have a huge pile of wrinkled melted scrap metal. Practice, Practice, Practice.

tam said...

Awww I wish I could be there for your class-sounds so fun and I love that necklace! My husband and I used to live in Silverlake when we were first together. LoL what memories! We lived up on a hill with a view of the lake and the Hollywood sign in a funky house that had tiles on the outside of it and... We called it the Dr. Suess house. Wish I had a pic of it to share. Currently I have been working on embrodery over printed fabric-looks so cool! Soon as I have a camera that works again I will post a pic of it. Gosh I hope I win the give away My B-day is day after tomorrow so it would be really neat to win plus might bring me good luck which I so need right now! LoL! Have a wonderful week-Tam!:D

Karen Bosch said...

Wish I could go to the class - especially after seeing that necklace! I've been playing around with remixing old jewelry, and the class looks like it would be so inspiring! Here's what I've been making:

http://cleverkaren.blogspot.com/2009/01/vintage-jewelry-remix-closeups.html

Anonymous said...

Funny you should ask - I am attempting to get better at beading!! I have made a few earrings and bracelets; but not very elaborate ones as yet!!

I would love to be entered in the drawing for your bracelet kit!!

Anonymous said...

I still love making jewelry. I like to take costume jewelry from my grandmother and re-bead it. A necklace becomes a few pairs of earrings. Some great buttons become a pin. I saw a jewelry designer on the internet who takes slip and molds it. Then uses a transfer, like transferware china, to make beautiful earrings. I would love to try that with plaster of Paris and paint on a design.

I loved love to win your good luck necklace!
Kathy

Kathy

Anonymous said...

I'm too far away too....sounds like fun too! Right now I am mainly working on creating accessories from thrifted sweaters. Thanks for the chance!

Anonymous said...

I'm too far away to take the class but I am playing with needle felting. I don't know why it appeals to me but I really like it. I've felted some beads to decorate and I am looking forward to exploring it further.

Anonymous said...

People laugh when I say this but during the month of March I'm trying to learn how to doodle. I never doodled in school or even now during work meetings. I'm the dutiful one actually taking notes. So, I'm trying to learn to doodle as I love to see artists notebooks full of inspiring and fun doodles. If this doesn't work I've decided to send a journal I created around to all my friends and have them fill it with doodles for me :) Wish me luck!

Anonymous said...

I would love to take one of your classes and I know you come to NYC Tinsel Trading, I could take a class there!!! But for now I would love to get that precious kit!!!!

Have a great day!!!

Chiara

Divine Oblivia said...

I've been beading since the Love Bead '60s -- a crazy journey. I got lost a lot, where my jewelry-making was concerned. But now?

I'm trying freeform beaded beads and am making a necklace for a friend called Arkansas Ice Storm 2009! I've got tons of clear dagger beads, size 15/0 up to 6/0 seed beads in whites, clears, AB finishes....lots of crystals and pearls....Hope to make her forget the power outage they had for over a week in freezing weather. It's such a bead adventure! A big part of my inspiration came from Where Women Work (Kaari, I loved your section in it. Call me a brown nose if ya want.). I got a good, loving, warm and industrious vibe from that issue, and it's carrying over into the necklace.

ADVENTURE! Without even leaving home.
~ Sooz H.

Divine Oblivia said...

"We tie the bouquets on friend's and neighbor's doorknobs, ring doorbells,and run and hide before the door is opened. It is a delightful way to celebrate the arrival of May!" ~ Elissa
```````````````
Elissa, I once did that with a tray full of Spring Things at a friend's house; a vase of 2 big fat overblown roses, fuzzy yellow chicks, a beautiful pastry, a teacup & saucer, lace under it all, dark chocolate foil-covered eggs and little trinkets handmade by me....all things THEY liked. I have the key to their house, so I snuck over there and put it inside their front door, rang the bell and ran away!

Isn't that kind of thing the MOST FUN?!?!? WOW!
~ Sooz H.

Anonymous said...

Class looks fun - wish I could make it!
Am working on sewing clothes and gifts for our 3 year old daughter now. Made her a Gretel Von Trapp (smallest girl in sound of
Music) actual upholstey material last year for Halloween!
Love FG Kaari! Love your latest book. The banner is on my to sew list for our daughters room.

Jennifer S.
Eagle Rock, CA

Jennifer Beauchamp said...

Hello there,

I just recently discovered your blog, although I've been an admirer of your store and books for quite some time. I am usually working on bookbinding or Shibori, a Japanese dyeing technique, but I'm currently trying my hand at silk painting. Wish me luck!
One question: I'll be in Dinan, France, this December for a month. Do you know of any fabric stores in that area or textile workshops/studios I can go visit while I'm there? I wonder if the flea markets are operating in the winter?
Thanks!

Shelly said...

I wish that LA was closer to Louisiana; I would so be there for class! I am collecting vintage bits and pieces for a charm bracelet or two or three! I love to paint, knit and embroider; but the weather has been so nice here that I am working on my cut flower garden - the seeds are sprouting! Love, love, love your books; until I can get to LA they are keeping me inspired!

suesueb said...

it would be so fun to make it to your class but unfortunately there's no way. fortunately-this is a chance to win something way cool, so i'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!!

bostonatheart said...

I love your blog . . . just found it a week ago and have been reading and reading. . .
I am mastering the art of making something old new again in my home. I'm using items that I have inherited from my mother and mother-in-law, using them in different ways, and finding that I like recycling!

Melissa said...

Oh how I wish I was near you to be able to shop your store and take classes from you. But for now, your online shop and books will do. Thanks for giving those of us who long for one of your pieces a chance to win. Happy (early) St Patrick's Day!

paperbird said...

Someday I am going to make it to your pretty little shop. Such pretty things you have.

I am learning to paint. I have always wanted to learn how to paint pretty little faces. I just returned from an art retreat and it is my desire to continue and master what I have learned from two amazing talented girls!

Anonymous said...

Alas I can't make it this Friday, but I would like to sign up for one of your Saturday classes! I am fortunate indeed to live in OC, which isn't all THAT far...lol.
Your site is like a mini-vacation!
Thank you for the lovely images and offerings!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

I live far away but It would be lovely to take your class. I recently purchased your book and have really enjoyed it. I am currently working to finish an apron for my little girl. Thank you for sharing your beauiful work.

Racheel

Anonymous said...

My friend calls any new interest started during the cold part of the year a 'winter sport'. So this year my new winter sport is felting. Just finished my first felting of a thrifted sweater. I'm going to fashion it into a needle book.

This is not a new 'sport' but I'm currently sewing the Travel Bag from FG Home Sewn. I LOVE that book!

--Vicki K.

Michelle E said...

I'd love to take a class some time, but I'm in Dallas. I'm working on embroidery. It takes some practice, but it's worth it. The chain stitch is my favorite right now. I'm adding beads and other goodies to my work to make it fun and more 3-D.
Cheers!