I'd like to know of more beading groups. We're going to be on the Oregon coast until early May, when we head to Montana for the summer. I'm a novice beader, but I really love it and would enjoy getting together with others to work on stuff. Anybody know of other groups? Too far to run down to North Ranch every few days. My daughter makes some really beautiful paper beads which she mails to me from time to time. I've tried my hand at it. They're fun.

Bev

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A lot of bead shops have groups that get together for classes or, in some cases, just to sit and bead. If there's a bead shop in your area, check with them. RV parks are also a frequent source of beading groups (or crafts in general) getting together.

We were at a county park in Florida a couple of years ago that had an activity building and I noticed a sign on the bulletin board that was just a "Ladies Crafts 10 a.m. Wednesday--Bring your own project". So, I took my box of beads and whatever I was woking on at the time...everyone had a different type of project, but it was still fun. One lady that saw that I was interested in beads told me about a "pototo bead" project they had done a couple of weeks prior to that. I didn't understand what she was talking about, so she went to her RV and brought some back to show me and explained how to make them. I couldn't wait for my next trip to WalMart or Michaels to get supplies!

Long story short: If you'll be in a park for awhile, you might post something on the bulletin board or talk to the activities director (if there is one) about getting something started. You may find other beaders, and if not, just try a generic "project day"--you might even end up recruiting some NEW beaders--it IS kinda contagious, ya know!

Brenda

Hey Brenda,

Get busy making the eyeglass holders! I will need to get a few from you next time we see each other. Now you know you have a order, incentinve to get to work - LOL!

Merry Christmas,

Janice

Brenda....

Thanks for the good suggestions. No other hosts, no activity director, etc. where we'll be from January 1 to May 1 (very remote day use park, one host couple - us), so I expect I'll learn to entertain myself (or get Art interested in beading - yeah, right - only if it involved a ball that could be whacked with a club - FORE! - or kicked - TOUCHDOWN! - or slammed with a bat - HOME RUN!!!).

I bookmarked the Fire Mountain website. Spent most of yesterday going through it word by word and planning how I'll spend my lottery winnings if I can ever remember to buy a ticket.

Bev

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quote:

Hey Brenda,

Get busy making the eyeglass holders! I will need to get a few from you next time we see each other. Now you know you have a order, incentinve to get to work - LOL!

Janice,
Actually, I still have a few left from when I couldn't put the beads away....I was making them faster than I could find people to take them off my hands! LOL Maybe I should send them out as Christmas gifts, huh?

quote:

No other hosts, no activity director, etc. where we'll be from January 1 to May 1 (very remote day use park, one host couple - us), so I expect I'll learn to entertain myself

Bev,
It sounds like you may have plenty of time to teach yourself--and maybe you can find some squirrels or deer with an interest in beading! Just be careful with that Fire Mountain site...since the more you order, the cheaper they get, it's easy to get carried away (lottery or not)!

Merry Christmas!
Brenda

Hi Bev,
I'm a begining beader. Got the bug when at the Escapee park in Benson. the group there gets together usually 3 days a week. They share ideas, patterns, etc. A great group.

When you guys leave Or. coast on your way to Mt. you'll have to go by way of Olympia, Wa. & stop @ Shipwreck Beads or go to www.shipwreckbeads.com
Depending on what kind of beading your doing? Here are some web sites you might enjoy browsing.
www.bead-patterns.com
beadandbutton.com

google deb moffett-hall
I tend to enjoy working with the seed beads & Delicas but I have only been beading a short time.
If you find a beading magazine (can be found @ magazine rack @ Fred Meyers or craft store)
Bead & Button, Beadwork, Bead Unique & Bead Style are most common ones. Look in the back & you can find bead shops listed all over the country. Some large & some small.

Where on the coast of Or. are you?
happy beading
Sandy
currently in the Pacifin NW planning to head south after X-mas

Consuelo, we may get to Arizona next year. we're spending JFM in Mission Texas. we usually check out the escapee parks

Linda

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Art and Bev: SKP#33257:
I'd like to know of more beading groups.

If you have any beading stores in your area, check with them. When we were in Rapid City, SD I found a shop, Moonshadow Bead Studio. they had get togethers and offered clases. I learned how to do a raw bracelet. my first project with seed beads. I usually just string beads.

Linda

quote:

Originally posted by luv2cruise:
Hey Brenda,

Get busy making the eyeglass holders! I will need to get a few from you next time we see each other. Now you know you have a order, incentinve to get to work - LOL!

Merry Christmas,

Janice

eyeglass holders? as in case? or necklace? either way I need more information please.

Linda

Brenda...Linda...Sandy...

Darn! Too bad we can't all get together and have a bang-up bead session. Anyway, thanks for all the input. I'm bookmarking sites like crazy and reading all the bead magazines I can lay my hands on.

Sandy....We're in Newport, OR, right now, at Yaquina Bay Lighthouse State Park. We'll leave here on Jan. 1 for Bradley SP, on Highway 30, 22 miles east of Astoria on the Columbia River. That's where I'll have lots of time on my hands. Might make it up to Olympia, per your suggestion, to visit Shipwreck Beads. I'll have to check the computer to find out the mileage from Bradley. Probably not far, since we'll be right across the river from WA and close to Olympia.

Where are y'all in the Pacific NW and for how long?

Bev

====================

Bev
we're just north of Seattle @ our sticks & bricks. Got here in Oct. to spend time with daughters, grandkids & our parents.
Planing to head south after X-mas & be in Quartzsite by mid. Janurary for class of 2007.

I know there are 2 bead places in Florence the one I liked is Bass & Bead on 168 Maple Street (old town) Florence,Or. They also have custom fishing tackle (541-997-1099) the other one is a bigger & on the Hwy.
I have not been to shipwreck either but have been told there on the pricy side for seed beads & Delicas but great for other things.
& there so big you might need to go in with semi-blinders or the lottery winnings
(it's a big store)
Later Sandy

quote:

Originally posted by greenlady:
eyeglass holders? as in case? or necklace? either way I need more information please.

Linda

Linda,
I make the "leashes" for eyeglasses--started them because I could never keep up with my reading glasses and can't read ANYTHING without them! But I had so much fun "mixing & matching" the beads that I ended up with a whole case of them in all different color combination--finally had to start selling a few just to replenish my bead supply & so I could keep making more.

The eyeglass holder ends & beading wire are available at almost any bead/craft store (or online for better volume prices). I don't have time right now to write a full explanation, but will PM you later with details.

Brenda

Brenda
I would also be interested in how you make the glasses "leashes". Since I too live with my glasses around my neck. Seems this last year I have broke 3 just picking up my little dog this year. She is afraid to come down the stairs of moterhome.
You say you use beading wire. I wonder how they would hold up using 6lb fireline, Nymo or Silamide. I have only worked with Fireline & Nymo.

Have a great day
Sandy

Sandy,
I've tried Nymo and the plastic type that's like fishing line (not sure of the brand) and I find that the wire and crimp beads are easier for me to work with...I can't seem to get the knots in the other kind to hold. In fact, I have problems with knots in everything I make!

I'm sending you & Linda a PM with general instructions, though--hope they're clear enough for you to understand.

Have fun!
Brenda

I make jewelry using Precious Metal Clay (PMC), dichroic glass, and sterling silver chainmaille. I don't make glass "beads" but make cabochons.

It did start out pretty simple, but I keep branching off and collecting more beads. We carry my jewelry kiln and supplies (scattered in different areas of the motor home). I show in some of the area craft shows or park shows.

We are in Apache Junction AZ right now, but we are going over to Quartzite during the RV show. You can bet I'll be checking out the beads there.

I like to get a few beads at different travel stops. It's almost like a reminder book.