-
SHOP
-
INFO & HOW TOs
-
SUZIE'S SCRAPBOOKS
- SUZIE'S DIARY
- ABOUT
- FAQ
- CONTACT
-
Have you ever wondered how sterling silver Trollbeads are made? It’s an incredibly intricate, multi-faceted process. See below how a sterling silver Trollbead comes to life. From inspiration to design, through a series of steps, until the final product is revealed. You’ll definitely look at your sterling silver Trollbeads with even more amazement than before!
Have you been wondering why I have multiple listings for several of the glass Trollbeads currently available to purchase in my “Rare & Retired Trollbeads Collection"? It’s because each bead is individually handmade by melting glass over a red-hot flame. Even beads with the same name, such as the rare Blue White Armadillo, are slightly different and reflect the style of each glass artisan, as you can see below...
Making glass beads demands patience and precision. Compared to metal, glass is very different to work with. You cannot control glass like metal, which you can hammer, pull and stretch. When the glass melts, it rolls itself into a ball due to the natural surface tension. Every colour reacts differently, and the designer can use this knowledge to create a variety of stunning designs.
In this short video, you can see exactly how the Trollbeads glass beads are made...
I’ve photographed each of the rare and retired Trollbeads Glass Beads in our Suzie Q Studio collection very carefully, so you can see the beautiful and individual craftsmanship in every bead, as well as seeing the exact bead that you’ll receive when you make your purchase. Please click here to see them all for yourself >>> TROLLBEADS Rare & Retired Glass Beads.
Don’t hesitate to contact me>>> CONTACT SUZIE if you have any questions about our Trollbeads Rare & Retired Collection.
xo Suzie
YOU’RE INVITED!
Creating a BEAD STEW bracelet is perfect for a group setting because this project doesn’t require intense concentration, which means that you can still be social with your fellow participants, at the same time as creating your bracelet… Fun, or what?!
At every Serendipity BEAD STEW Class, both public and private, included with your purchase of a bracelet-making kit, you’ll receive FREE expert instruction and design help with the creation of your one-of-a-kind “Bangle-icious” Bracelet, plus it’s always great to be inspired by other attendees.
The next Serendipity BEAD STEW Bracelet Making Class is happening on SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1-4PM, at A & B Fiberworks, with limited spaces available.
FOR MORE DETAILS, please continue reading below...
A & B Fiberworks is a retail store located at the Crossroads Market (which is where the BEAD STEW CLASS is being held on January 19), as well as a fibre farm and fibre processing mill that is located approximately 100 kms north and east of Calgary, near the town of Linden.
Shown above and on the right, is the owner of A & B Fiberworks, Anne Goodwin-Estes. Anne has been involved with spinning and weaving fibre arts since 1979, was an avid knitter before that time, and she enjoys all aspects of working with fibre, including operating her fibre farm for the last 20 years.
On the left is Anna, who is an extraordinary felting artist, and she also teaches and works part time for Anne at the A & B Fiberworks store.
In the centre of the photo collage above, is Ian, who is another felting artist featured at A & B Fiberworks. Every weekend, Ian demonstrates the art of felting, while making his whimsical, and very detailed, felted figures, bottle covers, dryer balls, etc., so be sure to check out Ian’s pieces the next time you’re at the Crossroads Market.
On either side of Ian, are PICs of some of Anna’s gorgeous creations… shawls, scarves… her colour combinations are fabulous, and wearable art pieces are exquisite!
So, meanwhile back at Anne's Fibre Farm, all kinds of fibre-related activities are happening!
Anne raises some sheep, with exotic-sounding breed names such as: "CVM, BFL and BFL cross sheep”.
I’m not sure which breed of sheep is shown above, but his name is “ABE”. Isn’t he handsome?!
Anne raises Alpacas too. She currently has approximately 65 of these incredibly adorable animals at her Fibre Farm.
Not all of them have names, but the cutie on the left is “Tarzan”. Anne tells me that they’re very shy creatures, but maybe not so for the curious one on the far right.
The sheep and alpacas are sheared once a year.
All of the fibre is then sorted, washed and processed in the fibre mill into roving and yarns, which are available for sale at Anne’s shop at the Crossroads Market in Calgary.
Anne also does custom processing for other fibre processing farms from all over Canada.
In addition to her own custom fibres, Anne also stocks cotton, tencel, bamboo, cotton chenille, linen and other fibres from a Canadian company called “Brassard”.
A & B Fiberworks is a dealer for the Canadian weaving equipment company “LeClerc”, spinning and weaving equipment by “Louet” and “Ashford”.
As well, Anne carries the supplies for both needle and wet felting techniques.
With all of the colourful yarns at A & B Fiberworks, I think it’ll prove to be inspiring surroundings to create a Serendipity BEAD STEW “Bangle-icious” Bracelet at my Bead Stew Class on Sunday, January 19, 1-4PM!
BTW… To register for YOUR SPOT in the upcoming Bead Stew Class at A & B Fiberworks, please see the details at the bottom of this Blog Post :-)
EASY-PEASY!
If you’re not already familiar with Serendipity BEAD STEW, easy-to-make jewelry kits, each “Bangle-icious” Bracelet kit contains all of the yummy ingredients you’ll need to make one bangle-style bracelet, including unique, premium quality beads made from various materials such as: metal, stone, glass, enamel, resin, crystal, acrylic and more. Each one-of-a-kind bracelet will have that ultra-cool look of multiple bangles stacked on your wrist.
Whether you feel that you have no artistic talent, whatsoever, or you’re a long time maker-type, Serendipity BEAD STEW bracelet kits are the perfect, no-stress solution for some good, creative fun, because no matter how you string your beads onto the bangle bracelet "memory wire”, you’re guaranteed to have fabulous results with our gorgeous, high-quality, unique bead combinations.
With our BEAD STEW Limited Edition kits, we save you the time and stress that can be involved in gathering your supplies (all supplies are included in every kit), plus making these eye-catching bracelets requires very little in the way of tools and, best of all, no experience at all!
To see how it's done, click this LINK to watch a VIDEO>>> “How To Do The Stew”
Want to get a better idea of just how easy it is to make a Serendipity BEAD STEW, “Bangle-icious” Bracelet? Check out this "How-To" VIDEO with Suzie Q Bead Gal, Lynn>>> She’s an amazing “Bead Whisperer”!
Need some BEAD STEW Inspiration? Peruse our NEW BEAD STEW GALLERY by clicking here >>> BEAD STEW GALLERY
And, for some more specific DESIGN HINTS, take-a-look at the following >>> DESIGN INSPIRATION TIPS
In addition to BEAD STEW Jewelry-making Classes at A&B Fiberworks, I’ll be adding other BEAD STEW Class venues, as well as offering “Private Parties” for all kinds of occasions: Birthday and Retirement Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Showers, Christmas Lunches or After Work Get-togethers, and lots more!
Hope to see you on Sunday, January 19, 1-4PM at A&B Fiberworks for our BEAD STEW Bracelet-Making Class.
Being creative feels good, and now's the perfect time to start making your holiday gifts!
~ xo Suzie
Get the early scoop on sales, promos and lots other juicy info by joining Suzie’s VIP Club!
