Dragonfly Beads is now Wishlist!

Melissa Zomro Davis of The Show Trunk and myself are pleased to announce the merger of our two shops into a little boutique called Wishlist.  Never fear, the beads are still here, but we will be gradually phasing them out.  The store will still offer classes in Precious Metal Clay jewelry making and will carry sterling and gold-filled findings and high quality gemstones (the sort not available at the “big box stores”!)

I will resume PMC Classes in February.  In April, Holly Gage will be back to teach two phenomenal classes, and I’m so excited to be able to offer them here!  April 27-28 she will be teaching Stone Setting Like a Pro.  I’ve had a lot of people ask about setting cabochons in PMC and this is the class to teach you!  Holly has a great, foolproof technique for setting stones and taking your work to the next level.  As she describes it, “A fantastic stone needs a fantastic setting, and the key to a professionally set stone is good craftsmanship and a clean and well finished bezel”.  To prepare ahead for class, you will want to find a stone approximately 15mm to 30mm.  Holly will also have stones to purchase.  Faceted stones, cabs or glass cabs are welcome, but please stay away from irregular shaped stones until you gain experience with the technique.  A materials list will be provided upon registration.

 

 

The second class she is teaching is April 20-30 with Elegant Meadow Pods.  As Holly describes it, “Nature has a wonderful way of inspiring us.  If we look closely to the pods that are left behind by a flower or plant we can see the beautiful symmetry of nature.  Pods represent a renewal as it releases its seeds to start the life cycle anew.  In this workshop we will capture the elegance of pods and fashion them into jewelry.  We will explore “constructing” pods that look realistic and with texture.  The detail in this method can not be captured with merely painting slip on the surface.”  A materials list will be provided upon registration.

 

 

Classes meet from 10am to 5pm each day and each session is $250.  If you sign up for both classes, the price is $225/class.  Spaces are VERY limited so please sign up ASAP!  A non-refundable deposit of $50 will hold your space.

I will be working on bringing some classes in base metal clays (copper, bronze and the all new sterling metal clay!) Stay tuned for class updates.  I will also be going to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show this February and will keep you posted on my adventures on my blog.  I may even bring back some beady treasures for the store

Thank you to all of my loyal customers over the years.  I value each and every one of you!  This change at the store is a positive thing, albeit bittersweet.  It is hard and scary to do something different and new, but in my heart I know this is the best decision and I am very excited about the future.

erin

Share on Facebook

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and now it’s time to gear up for the next round of eating and merry making!  The Holidays can create a lot of stress, but remember to take a moment…or several moments…to appreciate what you have and who you have surrounding you with love this season.

 

By now you may be scratching your head, wondering why it says “we” up there. Dragonfly Beads’ recent move to Cazenovia enabled storeowners erin meharg and Melissa Davis of The Show Trunk to meet and collaborate.  As luck (or fate) would have it, an amazing opportunity presented itself to us, and we’re so excited to share it with you all!

 

Melissa will be moving in and sharing space with Dragonfly Beads at 53 Albany St in historic downtown Cazenovia. With this move, there will be some modifications being made in both of our businesses.  Melissa will be phasing out the equine portion of her business and concentrating on affordable, hip and trendy clothing. Erin will be phasing out the beads and focusing more on finished jewelry and accessories.  Dragonfly Beads will still have classes, (specifically in Metal Clay and wire work), and we will still offer “ladies night” and kids beading parties.  We will also host private parties with companies like Madison Handbags and Stella and Dot and will certainly still be bringing in trunk shows like the amazing bi-annual show from New Mexico.  Dragonfly Beads will be less “bead store” and more “Tailored Jewelry”!

 

In order to prepare for our shared space, we will be having an “Evolution Sale” starting NOW!! Many items in each of the stores there will be heavily discounted.  Dragonfly Beads is offering everything at 30% off (excluding finished jewelry and sterling silver/gold fill).  The Trunk Show has items on sale for up to 75% off!  Take advantage of the savings now through Christmas because once the items are gone…they’re gone!!

 

We look forward to launching this new joint venture, Wishlist, in January 2012.  We want to reiterate that Dragonfly Beads and The Show Trunk aren’t closing.  We are still here, still part of the community, still offering you the friendly service and products you’ve come to love.  We are simply merging, evolving and doing business together in one spot!

 

Wishlist looks forward to helping you coordinate your entire look, from head to toe!

 

 

Best Regards,

Melissa and erin

Share on Facebook

Well, my birthday is just around the corner, which means that Eric Holt will soon be here with his humongous (spelling?) trunk show!  I always seem to time it so that the trunk show falls around the same time as my birthday…and it just so happens that Eric usually finds a little sparkly trinket for me.  It probably doesn’t hurt that I bat my eyelashes and mention my birthday a LOT.  Last year I got some gorgeous Citrine…wonder what I might get this year

The dates of the trunk show are…

THURSDAY, November 17th.  We’ll be having a “sneak peek” as Eric gets set up.  Stop by between 5 and 8 pm and have a little wine and cheese as you shop!

FRIDAY, November 18th, 10-7 pm

SATURDAY, November 19th, 10-6

SUNDAY November 20th, 11-3.

As a reminder, this is the BIG show that we have at the shop twice a year.  It’s worth checking out!  Here are some pictures of past events.

Wow!  As my mom said the first time she saw an Eric show (cover young eyes…)

 

Holy.  Shit.

 

Truly. Holy excrement.  Come check it out!

Share on Facebook

It poured rain.  It was freezing cold.  Guests huddled under blankets to keep out the bitter wind.  But if you listened, you heard laughter.  If you looked past the rain, you saw smiles on faces.  And it was the most incredible, amazing wedding day!  I’ve now been a Mrs. for  25 days.  A little hard to believe how quickly time flies.  Does it feel any different?  Well, yes actually.  It feels secure, warm, it feels like home.  It is a little hard to get used to the new last name, and officially, it hasn’t changed…a lot of paperwork I’m not quite yet up to.  But I’ve been practicing a new signature and trying to get used to that MRS!  Pretty lucky girl I am.

 

 

I now find myself the lucky recipient of time.  Solitary time away from home, to myself, in a magical and creative setting, with my metal clay and jewelry making supplies in tow.  I’ve got 8 days to create, reflect and hopefully, grow as an artist.  I’ve got Pandora playing and the three sweet little pups that I’m dog-sitting as company.  Sometimes, it takes being away from your home and comfort zone to really get work done.  Oh, and did I mention I’m in Vermont?  One of my favorite places in the whole world

Today I’ll be working on making some stamps and starting on the commissioned pieces.  I hope to get those done in the next 3 days, and then I will hunker down and see where my imagination takes me!  Stay tuned…

Share on Facebook

Wow.  I can’t believe how fast the past 2 years have flown by!  On October 31st, 2009, Carlton proposed to me.  In 14 days, we will be married.  Hard to believe!

For two years, I’ve thought about our wedding day.  Not constantly, every waking hour, but here and there, I’d find some interesting idea that I wanted to incorporate (like the vintage pin bouquet). We had so much time to plan, that I didn’t really do much planning.  Once we determined the big items (venue, caterer, dress) I couldn’t fathom what else I really needed to do.  People kept asking me “how are the wedding plans coming along?” and I’d nonchalantly respond “well, I still plan to get married!”  I didn’t really know what people meant…I mean, the venue was chosen.  We knew who was providing food, beverage service was figured out… Four weeks ago, I attended a good friends wedding in VT and all of a sudden I realized.  Holy.  Shit.  I’m getting married!  Then I realized why people were asking how the plans were going…and it was time to start planning!  It was go time.  SO, in the past 4 weeks, my mom and I have been getting stuff done in a big way.

I finally finished my bouquet.  It was the first idea I had for the wedding-sort of the jumping off point, but it took 2 years to complete!  I received pins from friends, customers, strangers, my parents, grandparents.  A lot of history and love…I wired them all the their stems, but then they sat around.  I just couldn’t get them to look right when I tried to put them into a bouquet.  And then my mom and I took a trip to Hobby Lobby and all of a sudden, I knew what I wanted to do.  Rather than a traditional bouquet (and let’s face it, it’s not-traditional anyway with pin flowers!) I decided to put the flower pins in a basket.  A more comfortable, less formal way to carry them.

 

 

So, I love the bouquet.

Carlton likes to brew beer, and I knew I was going to make the boutineers for Carlton and the guys, so it made sense to use beer-brewing ingredients!  I ordered Barley, Oats and Wheat from Keuka Flower Farm.  They didn’t have hops, so I ordered Phalaris as a vaguely hop-ish looking plant.  Carlton loved the boutineers, butreally  liked the idea of using real hops, and it just so happens we had them growing in our backyard!  So we picked them the other day and have been drying.  I re-made the boutineers yesterday with our hops, but I’m worried I was a bit premature…Not sure they were completely dried out yet, and the have very thin and fragile stems.  Several fell off today, so I tried to reinforce them with a bit of glue :/  I’m hoping they stay together…but they do look pretty great.  When I first started collecting pins for the bouquet, I found a bunch of tiny daisy pins from an Etsy seller in Belgium.  I ordered all 15 of them.  Then I wrapped the stems of the boutineers with twine and pinned the vintage daisy stick pins into them.  So cute, and I love that the pins are in keeping with my bouquet.  The pictures show the boutineers with the Phalaris..I’ll have to get some new shots.

 

 

I also bought some Flax, (I was once called the Flaxen Haired Girl, but that’s a story for another day) Lavender, Mini millet, and cheerful, happy yellow Achillea…I can’t go into too much detail yet with what I’ve done with those

 

 

I  have been thinking a lot lately of lace.  My mom made a great little jacket to go over my dress and used this absolutely gorgeous lace from my great grandmother’s wedding dress.  I was inspired by it, and my wedding jewels are based on it.  I don’t have a photo of the necklace, but I’ve made a few other lace pieces, and here are the earrings:

 

 

And a few lace-inspired necklaces…

 

 

This is closer to what mine will be…

 

 

But with enamel

 

Needless to say, I’m a bit exhausted!  There are too many great details to go into any more …well..detail.  And I’m tired.  So that’s it for today.

Share on Facebook

My mom has given me at least 3 “shoulds” in the past week, all three that I “should” write a blog post.  She’s right. I’m just not feelin’ it.  So this is all you get.

Here we go, a quick recap and some gratuitous horn tooting:

The new class list is posted on the website, and includes July.  We may add a few kid-focused classes into the mix later this month.  Don’t forget:

August 6th, Donna Penoyer’s tear away textures class.  Make textures from your own designs!

August 7th, Donna Penoyer’s whistle making class.  Oh yeah.  Whisles.  In metal clay. Dig it.

($225/ class, or $200 each if you sign up for both)

September 24th through October 1st, erin’s head will not be in the beading game, as she prepares for…

October 1st, erin gets MARRIED!

November 4-6th, Rio Rewards PMC Certification Class with Terry Kovalcik

Gratituitous horn tooting to follow…

I had two pieces accepted into the PMC Guild’s Annual, it’s 5th edition which should be out in September.  I’m in “the book” with the likes of Holly Gage, Terry Kovalcik, Donna Penoyer, Lisa Cain, Julia Rai,  Barbara Becker Simon, Vicki Hallmark, Lora Hart, and that barely scrapes the surface, just the names that come immediately to mind.   Yahoo!  According to the PMC Guild website, “As in the preceding years, a jury of leaders from the arts community reviewed hundreds of images to select the cream of the crop — the most innovative and accomplished work being made in metal clay around the world.”  So in the words of Ron Burgundy “I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal”

Share on Facebook

Being a small business owner is hard.  In the retail world, it’s hard to please everyone all the time.  Customers are upset when you aren’t open on Sundays.  They wish you opened earlier and closed later.  Your own craft often takes a back seat to the daily tasks that pertain to business ownership.  The business owner is often “it”…the one who does the purchasing, inventory maintenance, merchandise arrangement, the fiscal books, cleaning, advertising, marketing, interfacing with customers, making sales and so on.  At the end of the day, you’re tired and not necessarily motivated to sit down and work on your own jewelry projects.  Sigh.

BUT

This past weekend was the prime example of the super fantastic benefits of owning a small bead shop, specifically one that specializes in Metal Clay!  I just spent two blissful days immersed in clay, surrounded by creative and talented individuals, and learning from a Metal Clay “celebrity”, Terry Kovalcik.  Terry has made a name for himself for the impressive mechanical hinges and closures he developed.  His background is as a seriously talented graphic artist and I am currently obsessed with these two awesome prints.  The NIGHT CHEF, which reminds me of one of  my absolute favorite books growing up, In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak, which is, apparently, a banned book?  Controversial at any rate, as Mickey (the main character) spends most of the book in the nude.  But anyway, I loved the illustrations in that book, and Terry’s chef reminds me of that.  Gosh, I haven’t thought of that book in ages!  Maybe that’s another reason the print appeals to me, it makes me reminisce on my youth.  I’d just love to have a large print of the Night Chef in my kitchen. Not because I cook, I leave that to my wonderful fiance.  But because it’d look so dang good hanging in the kitchen!

I also love Flying Pig.  How sweet is that pig?  His face is so hopeful, so happy.   He’s like “Look at me!  I’m a pig and I’m ‘effin flying”!  If I ever have children (when pigs fly?) that’s goin’ on their bedroom wall.

But I digress.  This weekend, I got to play hostess (as well as student) which  meant I got to spend some quality time just “chilling” with the Kovalciks, eating pizza and chatting the night they arrived, and unwinding after day one with a meal out at Seven Stone Steps (starting with delicious, honey-buttery pop-overs, mmmmm).  How cool is that?  I am able to contact an artist, say “hey, I’d love to have you teach here”, schedule them, bring in students from all over, and take the class!  I’ve taken classes with some of the “greats”, and I’m SO lucky that the stars aligned and I met Holly Gage and am apprenticing with her! The stars I’ve been lucky enough to learn from (in order of apperance in my life) Celie Fago, Jen Kahn (big ups Apprentice/Mentor!), Chris Darway (or should I link here!) Holly Gage, Lisa Cain, Julia Rai, Robert Dancik, Hadar Jacobson, Terry Kovalcik and coming soon to Dragonfly Beads, Donna Penoyer (WHISTLES WHOO WHOOT).  Not all of them have taught at my shop, but all of them have taught me SO MUCH, and all of this was made possible with help from the not-for-profit known as Dragonfly Beads! (Well, ok, I AM for profit, though technically, I do not distribute my surplus funds to the owner (me), but instead use them to help pursue the goal of staying in business)  Seriously though, I have been presented with some truly amazing opportunities, getting to rub elbows(…shoulders?  Noses?  What body part does that idiom refer to again?) with such talented artists (and their equally talented spouses).

Isn’t business ownership grand?

Here are a few shots from today.

 

Fresh out of the kiln!

Logo in the lid

Closure pin…it’s a little blurry and not riveted in place yet, but I’m SO proud of it!

I did a more “complicated” closure with Terry’s guidance…you push the small tab above the nose and it pops the pin out of the hole so the box opens!  so cool, i can’t wait to do more of these.

I am awaiting Corrin’s photos.  She snapped a bunch, and I’m sure she got some goodies!  Can’t wait to see them and share them with you.  I’m ready for a glass of wine, some popcorn and a night to unwind before we hang slat-wall at the shop!

Share on Facebook

What a month it’s been!  We had our grand opening in Cazenovia, 20 days of rain, a few glorious sunny Spring Days, Ladies Night Out, classes, birthday parties, college club events, girl scouts and a mini trunk show with CNY Glass!  I just caught my breath!  I am so thrilled with the move.  It has been great to see familiar faces as well as meet and greet new customers and friends.  From day one, I have felt welcomed in Cazenovia by the fellow businesses, the chamber, and the residents.  The new space feels great; it’s warm and inviting with plenty of space for classes and creating.  Thank you for bearing with us during the move.  We’re still unpacking and sorting, and there are boxes of beads that have yet to find a spot in the shop!  But over the next few months, we’ll rearrange a few more times and have much more to show!

A few announcements I wanted to make.  First of all, we LOVE to help you create.  We are happy to teach you the basics of putting together a bracelet, a necklace or a pair of earrings, and this is offered for FREE if you purchase beads with us!  A private class can be arranged for $20/hour if you would like to bring in beads from home.  However, PLEASE make an appointment!  We’d hate for you to come in when we’re not available to help.  The store offers birthday parties, outings for girl scouts or school groups, and we also have vendors coming in who we meet with to bring in exciting new beads.  As long as you make an appointment, we can make sure we’ve set aside time to work with you!

Secondly, the store will be CLOSED on Saturday, May 14th.   Renowned Metal Clay Artist Terry Kovalcik will be teaching a class on making boxes and hinges in PMC.  This is a large class covering rather complicated techniques and for the sake of the students taking the class, I’ve decided to close the shop so they are undisturbed during the course.   It is very exciting to be able to offer these “Big Name” classes!  Ask for more information about upcoming courses.

Friday May 27th is Finally Friday in Cazenovia!  Shops will be open late, and Dragonfly Beads will be demonstrating some basic jewelry making techniques.  Take advantage of a late evening of shopping, learn something new, then go out for drinks with a friend!

Finally, we will be re-scheduling the Trunk Show with CNY Glass (Those of you who made it to Ladies Night might remember the “cute guy” who was here with his wife! )  Chris and Jackie Rice are incredibly talented artists who work with glass, steel, iron and wood.  The trunk show (formerly May 27th and May 28th) will be re-scheduled for sometime in mid June.

Thanks again for your patronage, those of you who have followed the shop from Manlius, and those of you who have just discovered us.  I feel rejuvenated and recharged, and can’t wait to see the store grow.  April Showers have certainly brought May Flowers and positive growth for Dragonfly Beads!

erin

Share on Facebook

A reminder that we are happy to teach you basic stringing at no charge, but please make an appointment!

Tuesday, May 3rd, 1:00 pm.  Knot your Mother’s Pearls!

This class is being offered just in time for making a mothers day gift! Learn to string pearls!  What mother doesn’t love a hand-knotted pearl necklace?  Or perhaps you have your mother’s old pearl strand that you’d like to re string.  We’ll show you how!  $20 plus materials.  $30 if you bring your own pearls.

Wednesday, May 4th, 4:00 to 5:30 Girl Scouts

We’ll have our hands full from 4 to 5:30 on Wednesday evening, teaching some great girl scouts the basics of beading!  Call to schedule your own private event, 655-1050.

 

Thursday, May 5th, 5:30 to 8:30.  Ladies Night Out and CNY Glass!

Celebrate the Spring Season with a Ladies Night Out!  At 5:30, gather in downtown Cazenovia, where the shops will be open with refreshments and tastings provided by Nelson Farms.  At 8:30, gather at the Lincklaen House for appetizers, cash bar and door prizes.  Wear the most outrageous Hat of the Evening, and win a $100 Caz Bucks gift certificate.  Must be present (and wearing your hat!) to win.  Sponsored by the HCBD of the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, call 315-655-9243 or go to Cazenovia.com.

We will have a mini trunk show of CNY Glass beads.  Jackie Rice will be here demonstrating basic earring making, and the Rice’s will be back May 27th and 28th for a larger trunk show and class!  Check out the class sample (an awesome wire wrapped ring!) at Ladies Night!

Friday, May 6th, 4 to 6 pm.  Birthday Party

We’ll have our hands full from 4 to 6 pm on Friday evening with a birthday party!  Call to schedule your own private event, 655-1050.

Saturday, May 7th, 11-5.  Wabi Sabi Bells (Beginner-Intermediate)

These earrings are a design inspired by a trip to Arcosanti in Arizona.  These delicate metal clay bells make a tiny jingle.  You’ll find yourself nodding a lot more to hear their sweet sound!  Resident instructor erin has been working with PMC since 2003 and completed her PMC Certification in 2007.  She has been teaching PMC classes for the past four years and is a generous and practiced instructor  $135+ materials

 

 

Thursday, May 12th, 5 to 7 pm.  Peyote Stitch

Join guest instructor Laura who will teach you this versatile classic to make a beautiful bracelet.  The Peyote stitch creates a silky smooth bracelet that feels like a luxurious fabric against your wrist.  The patterns are endless! $20 plus materials

Friday, May 13th, Knot your Mother’s Pearls, 4-6pm.

Learn to string pearls!  What mother doesn’t love a hand-knotted pearl necklace?  Or perhaps you have your mother’s old pearl strand that you’d like to re string.  We’ll show you how!  $20 plus materials.  $30 if you bring your own pearls.

Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th, 9-5. Boxes and Hinges in Metal Clay with Terry Kovalcik.  Determined Beginner/ Intermediate

In this class, Terry and students will explore the process of making a box using silver PMC. It can be a small decorative box that sits on a table or slips into your pocket. It can be a pendant that holds something close to your heart. The choice will be yours.

The techniques we examine will entail pattern making, dry construction, rolling textures, hinges, riveting and closures. For those who wish to skip the steps necessary to make the hinge parts for the box, unfired parts will be available for purchase.  $375 plus materials.  Students may bring their own materials to class.  Call for a supply list!

 

 

Thursday, May 19th 5-7 pm.  Pearl and Crystal Bracelet

This lovely 3 strand bracelet would look gorgeous gracing the wrist of a bride, someone celebrating a first communion, a graduation…or just because!  $50 includes all materials. Please specify white, lavender or pink kit.

Thursday, May 26th Byzantine Cross Chain Maille Earrings

Learn to make these intricate earrings! A great introduction to the process of chain maille.   $30 includes all materials.  Please specify silver color or copper kit.

Friday, May 27th.  Finally Friday CNY Glass Trunk Show

It’s Finally Friday in Cazenovia!  Shops will be staying open late, and Chris and Jackie Rice of CNY Glass will be here with their wonderful beads and metal gift items.  Come check it out!

Saturday, May 28th 11-4pm CNY Glass Trunk Show!

Chris and Jackie Rice will be spending the day at the store for an awesome trunk show.  Chris and Jackie are lampwork artists and Chris is a welding wiz.  Between the two of them, they have some fantastic glass beads, finished jewelry and unique house wears: funky furniture, side tables, wine racks, business card holders, jewelry displays and much more!  Come meet this amazing couple and find some great one of a kind gifts!

Share on Facebook

I feel like a kid who’s just been signed up for the coolest summer camp.  The July 21st through the 28th, I’m visiting my mentor Holly Gage and meeting Angela Baduel Crispin in Lancaster PA for the Back in Time Metal Clay Retreat.  It should be a lot of fun, and j’ai hâte de pratiquer mon français avec Angela!

Holly and Angela did a Metal Clay Retreat in France a few years ago and I would have killed to go to that.  Well, no, I wouldn’t have killed.  I would have purchased a ticket and flown there and participated in a nice and non-lethal way.  But alas, I didn’t know about it.  I DO know about this retreat, and I’m already planning to be there!  I’ll be learning new techniques from two incredible teachers, eating great food, antique-ing and otherwise immersing myself in all things antique and Amish!

For more information about the retreat, please check here! 

Share on Facebook