More interesting things to do at Bead-Therapy in March of 2022!

March 2022 Newsletter!!!

     We have a lot of great classes this month with the addition of a new teacher!!  Dale Cougar Armstrong comes to us with YEARS of teaching wirework and I'm really excited to have her!!  She is going to start off with a beginning class and teach on a monthly basis, working her way up the skill ladder to more and more advanced wire skills!!  She has a published wire working book called “Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping”, has appeared on TV several times and has travelled to several countries teaching wire wrapping!  I'm lucky enough to carry her line of tools in the shop (Cougar's Choice Tools) and to have her join my teaching line up!!  (I think she likes supporting small businesses)...  Thank you Dale!!!    I'll have her full bio up on my site as soon as I can figure out how to get it on there without screwing up the rest of the page.... (ouch!  There, I said it- I'm not that great at websites.  I'm trying!!).  Anyway- Dale's first class is on March 19th.

Other new teachers coming our way (and only here for single classes, I'm hoping to have them repeat later this year if all goes well) include Anita Mill's (March 24th- Thursday afternoon- "Make Simple Charms" Comes to us with a world of experience in several different venues of art, Mary Karg (March 27th- SUNDAY afternoon) "Teaching Colored Pencil components" - a very exciting and fun technique to learn.  She also does fabulous lampwork beads which I hope to convince her to bring some beads and her other fun beadwork kits for sale!!  And last, but not least is Marjorie Langston teaching Beginning Lampwork beads!!  Marjorie is a great teacher with the patience of a saint (she taught me lampworking a long time ago and I'm SURE that I tested her patience a LOT!!!).  Her class is on April 5th and is an all day class at bead therapy.  All classes now include all supplies needed for class (except for personal items such as safety glasses (Anita's class)).  Marjorie does supply didymium glasses for lampworking for loan (bring your own if you have them). 

And on a sad note - We had another theft at Bead-Therapy.  On Feb 25th, 2022 Ashley (who works every afternoon........(continued down below- I don't want you all to get depressed and not be able to look at all the exciting classes)....

NOW ON TO THE CLASSES!!!

March 5th, 2022 at 10AM - Pam teaching Beginning Beading. Want to design your own jewelry? Restring or learn how to fix something that’s broken? Make a bracelet that is small/large enough to FIT you?  Come take this class and free your imagination for designing original pieces of jewelry.  A kit is provided which makes a necklace (or bracelet) and a pair of earrings. Cost of this class is $40 and is a beginning beading class. Purchase your tickets HERE!





March 5th, 2022 at 1PM Amy Teaches the 3 Strand Finger Weave Bracelet - I know that it looks like a beach type of bracelet but you can wear it anywhere, anytime!  Through this does take a little time to weave, Amy is a great teacher and can show you how! Everything you need will be provided in a class kit.  Cost of this class is $45 and class lasts about 2.5 hours.  You may or may not finish this project in class, and Amy will discuss finishing.  Link to pay for this class is HERE!






March 8th, 2022 at 1- 3PM Senior Tuesday with Lori!  You don't have to be a senior to attend this class!  Lori teaches again with new skills!  This session focuses on Necklaces!!  This class costs $10 and includes all supplies to make a necklace!  Come join us!  Learn how to make your own jewelry to match whatever you want or make gifts for friends and family!  And necklaces above are not really representative of what you'll be making.  We'll have some nice choices for you to choose from.  Link to purchase these tickets HERE!




March 12th, 2022 at 10AM - Dina teaching Byanztine Rose Bracelet in her Chainmaille Series Class!  (Picture coming soon).  Come learn this beautiful chainmaille weave using lightweight shiney aluminum and anodized aluminum rings!  They don't tarnish and they are lightweight so you never get tired of wearing them!  This is an easy beginner chainmaille weave and if you don't finish the bracelet in class, you can either stay later and finish on class day or come back on a Thursday night open bead night and we'll help you finish! Picture to follow. Link to purchase tickets HERE!





March 12th, 2022 at 1PM - Pat Teaches Clay Embellishment using Mokume Gane technique!  You will review your skills at conditioning clay and will learn how to produce a Mokume Gane block of cane and show you how to embellish your base clay to make beautiful pieces of jewelry with it. This is a beginning clay class and all clay and findings will be provided with cost of class. Bring your own clay tools (roller, cutters, blades and pasta machine) if you have them, otherwise we have shop tools to use.  Cost of this class is $45.  Liink to purchase tickets HERE!

March 16th at 2PM - Amy teaching Baroque Drop Earrings!  Learn how to make these unique wire and bead earrings with a cute swingy dangle at the bottom! This is a beginning Wire Beading class! Amy is a great teacher and loves to share her designs!  Cost of this class is $40 which includes all supplies to make your pair of earrings. Link to purchase tickets HERE!



March 19th, 2022 at 10AM - Pam Teaches Thinking Outside the Braid!  Tired of doing the same old braid or modification of an old technique?  Try something new with Pam!  Mix things up a bit!  Come make a unique kumihimo necklace (bracelet and earrings if you are fast and ambitious) using different sizes and shapes of beads! You won't want to let your sister talk you out of this beauty!!  Pam will discuss starting and finishing and all steps between.  Want to get a head start?  Come and talk to Pam about loading your threads before class so you won't use up your precious class time loading beads....  Prior knowledge of Kumihimo is needed for this class.  You need to be comfortable with the standard 8 strand braid with beads.  Cost of this class is $55 and includes all supplies to make a 22-24" Necklace.  Link to purchase your tickets HERE!!



March 19th, 2022 at 1pm - Dale Cougar Armstrong teaches "Let's Wrap!"-  Learning Traditional Wire Jewelry Design doesn’t have to be complicated. You will enjoy this class where each student will make and leave with three (3) different, finished jewelry items! Techniques taught will include how to determine how much wire to use, bail creations, and embellishment ideas. Many different samples will be on display for your inspiration. Cost of this class is $65 and includes all supplies needed for the class.**Students are invited to bring a couple of their own items for after-class consultation about how to use the techniques taught in class at home.  Link to purchase your tickets HERE!!


March 22nd, 2022 at 2- 4PM Senior Tuesday with Lori!  (See description above).  Project to be determined in March 8th class.  Check closer to class date to see picture of project- HERE!





March 24th, 2022 at 1PM - Making Custom Metal Charms: Design, Cutting, Stamping and Finishing with Anita Mills!  In this class you will learn how to design your own metal charm, cut, stamp and finish it under the skillful eye of Anita!  Anita has exhibited her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions—both competitive and invitational, in regional and national venues. I am proud to have such an accomplished teacher at Bead-Therapy!  Picture and more info to follow. Cost of this class is $65. Link to pay for this class HERE!





March 26th at 10am - Susan teaching Christmas Ornament Cover #1.  We decided not to do the Ornament of the month club, but if you want to get a jump on the holidays and make ornaments for all your friends- come join me in learning/making this delightful and easy cover.  Cost of this class is $50 and includes your ornament and all needed beads for it!  Link to purchase tickets for this class is HERE!





March 26th, 2022 at 1pm. Engibe teaching her Lovely Shawl Necklace!!  -  This class will be completed over 2 sessions and beginners will use larger beads unless they have a good sense of adventure.  Intermediate beaders will use size 11o seed beads.  You will begin the necklace in class and work at home on the bulk of the necklace and return the following Saturday to finish up with the dagger portion of the necklace.  Supplies needed include 8o (beginners) or 11o (intermediate) in two colors, single hole daggers, Fireline or thread of choice, needle and clasp of choice.  Cost of this class is $65.  2nd session will be arranged between you and Engibe.  Pay on line to reserve your spot.  Class size 6 people (please be courteous and wear a mask if you are unvaccinated).  Link for this class - HERE!

March 27th, 2022 (Sunday) Mary Teaching Colored Pencil Components!! - 

April 2nd, 2022 at 10AM Dina teaching the Flat Box Chainmaille Bracelet class. (Picture coming) This weave is closely related to Byzantine and looks great as a bracelet or necklace!  We will be making a bracelet in bright aluminum rings.  Come and learn this new and easy Chainmaille technique!!  Cost of this class is $45 and lasts 2.5 hours.  You should be able to complete your bracelet during this class or can return for help on Thursday Open Bead Night or a time arranged with Dina on Fridays! Picture to follow! Link to purchase your seat HERE!






April 2nd, 2022 at 1PM. Pat teaching Polymer clay Art Frame pendant!  In this class, you will learn how to make and embellish an art frame covering for a cabochon or natural stone slab. This is an intermediate class so you will be expected to know how to condition clay and basic clay tool skills.  Bring your clay tools and pasta machine if you have them.  We will have tools to use in class if you don't have any.  Class fee includes clay, cab and embellishment materials to make a pendant.  You should be able to finish your work of art in class.  This is a 4 hour class.  Cost of this class is $60 and includes a stone and all clay supplies to make your pendant. Picture shown is a difficult piece, but I had to show it.  You might want to make something a bit less challenging.  Purchase your tickets for this class HERE!





April 2nd, 2022 at 10AM Marjorie teaching Beginning Lampwork Beadmaking!!  -   Marjorie returns to us to teach a beginning Lampwork beading.  In this 6 hour class, you'll learn the safe use of tools and equipment needed for lampworking as well as how to create well-shaped basic beads and a variety of surface decorating techniques.  Plan to spend the day making a handful of treasures!  Marjorie teaches at John C. Campbell Folk School and the Appalachian Art center.  She is offering this class locally for our bead enthusiasts!!  Cost of this class is $125 and includes instructions, glass and use of tools/torch. Minimum of 2 students required for this class to happen with maximum of 8.  Purchase your tickets HERE!!




April 8th and 9th- 9:30-5:30 -  Oriental Crest Trunk Show!!  You really enjoyed seeing Wilson and all his wonderful stones last time and here he comes again!!  Come purchase like I do!  Lots of choices!!  Piles and Piles of fabulous natural stone beads and pearls!  Don't miss this big display of stones for great prices!!!  There is no cost to come and look!

April 16th- Easter weekend - Open bead day!! Come and finish projects if you don't have family in to visit!  No classes scheduled this weekend.



April 23rd at 1PM - Dale Cougar Armstrong teaches "Cage It!"   Do you have a tiny, interesting keepsake that you’d like to turn into a necklace or choker pendant but it’s a strange 3-dimensional shape and it doesn’t have a hole? The simple answer is: “Cage It!”  Each student will choose an item from those provided with the class kit, and discover how much fun it is to use Traditional Wire Wrapping techniques to create a decorative cage that can then be used as jewelry. Samples of different styles will be on display; techniques taught can be used in many future wire jewelry projects.  Link to purchase tickets to this class is HERE!!

May 21st, 2022 at 10AM - Dina teaching Graduated Byzantine Necklace in Bright Aluminum rings!  Dina will discuss the importance of Aspect Ratio in making Chainmaille jewelry at the beginning of this class and show samples of appropriate AR and poor AR for Byzantine.  Some chainmaille experience is suggested though this could be done by an adventurous beginner.  You will not finish this project in class.  Kits will be provided.  It is suggested that you either arrive early for this class to "open" your rings or pick up a kit early and open rings prior to class so you won't use class time for prep work.  Bring your pliers to class is you have them (jewelry chain nose pliers- you need 2- you can use a flat nose and a chain nose, but sometimes the flat nose will interfere).  We have tools that you can use in class and tools for sale- remember that you get 10% off all your purchases on class day (classes will not be discounted). Cost of this class is $55 (quite a few rings with this project).  Link to purchase your tickets

 HERE!!





May 21st, 2022 at 1PM - Pat teaching Mica Shift Polymer Clay technique for creating jewelry components!  In this class you will review clay conditioning and discuss the properties of mica shift in metallic polymer clay to make beautiful jewelry components.  Clay will be provided for you in this class to make a pair of earrings and either a pendant or bracelet bar.  Class will last about 2.5 hours.  You may or may not finish your project in class depending on your speed.  if you don't finish, Pat will discuss how to finish your project and/or you can return on an open bead night and we will help you finish. Cost of this class is $45.  Purchase your tickets HERE!!

Don’t forget that we offer many classes on demand.  If the teacher is local, most are willing to teach classes at a convenient time for you and the teacher.  I’m getting these on the website, but please have patience!!!    


*****(Continued from above) And on a sad note - We had another theft at Bead-Therapy.  On Feb 25th, 2022 Ashley (who works every afternoon at the shop) called me at 5:45pm (I was driving back to town for a very short vacation with my husband who is switching jobs and had a few use them or use them days) and told me that there was a strange man acting weird in the shop who wouldn't leave even though she told him the shop was closing, could she help him, did he want to purchase anything, etc.  He said a few inappropriate things to her and went into the bathroom (and then she called me)- I told her to be safe and I was going to call the Police (which she probably should have done instead of calling me, but I think she was just a little panicked and not thinking straight).  She said that she didn't think he was dangerous, but she was getting a little freaked out.  I called the Police and asked them if they would go over and check on her/make the man leave since she was alone and he was acting strange.  In the mean time, she had placed her keys on the glass cabinet in front of where she usually sits (by that little hallway going to the front door) with the plan of locking the door after he left......   She called me back a few of minutes after I had gotten off the phone with the Police and told me that she had also just gotten off the phone with the Police and the man had left, but as he went by the glass cabinet, he snatched her keys and she saw him jump in her car and drive off.  The police were driving up at that moment, so I told her to go talk to them and maybe they could find him.  Anyway.  she was able to pull some pictures of him off the security cameras for the Police and they told her that they have a pretty good recovery rate for stolen vehicles, and I really do hope so.  Not many of you know, but Ashley had just returned from South Carolina where she had gone to take care of her disabled Mom while her Dad was in the hospital with Pneumonia (not Covid or not serious covid since they are vaccinated).  She had just gotten back and hadn't had the chance of emptying out the car at her house after the trip.  She had her nice set of jewelry tools in the car (and you know how much she loves her tools).  She is heartbroken.  The car that was stolen was older (it was my Mother's car- a 2010 Hyundai Elantra that she bought last year with 20,000 miles on it- literally only driven by a little old lady to the beauty salon every week- my Dad drives them both to church....) with only liability insurance on it (best she could afford).  My parents had given the car to me when my Mom stopped driving (she's 88 now) and my car had died, and then I sold it to Ashley for reliable transportation (it was really a good little car- working AC/heat and good fuel economy-- all things that Ashley had not had for several years) when I bought a new car several months after they gave it to me.  And now it's gone.  The shop and Ashley's house have been re-keyed since he got those keys too.  Anyway.  Say a few nice words to Ashley, keep her in your prayers (as well as her family with recent illnesses) and keep an eye out for a ilttle older silver Elantra.  I hope they find it over the next couple of days.  I'm just glad that Ashley wasn't hurt.  Cars, keys and tools can all be replace.  Not fun, but better than some things that could have happened.  And if it doesn't show up and anybody has a reliable older car that they are thinking about trading in on something newer or donating to the kidney foundation- please talk with Ashley.  I really do hope that they find it.  She also had some family memory type items that she was bringing back from SC in the car that can't/won't be replaced that she is going to miss.  And sure, she doesnn't have a great paying job, but it's not terrible pay for the type of job it is.  Way better than her previous part time job and Joann's where she was not treated overly well- like all part time employees at Joann's.  OK, now I'm even more depressed than before.

OK, update- the police did recover her vehicle, but it was after a high speed chase and they had to use those spike strips which flattened 3 of the 4 tires (how it missed the last tire, I'll never know).  So Ashley had a large towing bill ($300+ and the cost of new tires and mounting them). this is on top of a large bet bill for her sick kitty (which is doing better now) which had already run down her savings.  I don't think the car was wrecked, but going from a high speed to nothing due to flat tires isn't really good for a vehicle (I wouldn't think).  Anyway, Some of us have chipped in to help pay for some of the expense needed, but there's still quite a bit to go and she has no reserve.  I've had several people ask how they can help/suggested a GoFundMe page (they do take out 2.9% of what's given, but that mainly covers credit card fees, so it's really not too bad).  So if you feel like you can help Ashley pay her bills (car repair/towing/locks at home being rekeyed- the guy had her house keys and my shop key- kitty vet bill, replacing her nice set of tools/wire/beads) then here is a link to the GoFundMe page.  I know she would appreciate it. Her parents aren't in a position to help (they used to ask her for money until her father got his VA Disability) and I cann't afford to adopt her.  I have helped her in the past.  My Mom's car isn't a Rolls Royce, but it's a good servicable little car and had low mileage and I gave her a really good deal because I feel that she hasn't always had an easy life. She's a gentle soul, honest and a good employee.  GoFundMe - https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ashley-she-really-cant-afford-this 

Thanks for supporting Bead-Therapy and just remember to always shop small!!  And shop a LOT!!  So that I can pay off my big mortgage and pay my employees better!  And maybe quit my old job which I still work just to keep the bill collectors a little farther away from the business. 

And please pardon any gramatical errors and spelling errors.  I'm terrible at proofing and generally run so late on getting out the newsletter that I don't have time to send it out to an unfortunate friend to proof read.  I have several that would do it, but how boring and what a torture for them to do.....  Ugh!!

Susan

Bead-Therapy

Chattanooga, TN

423-509-1907