Jambo News Beads for Social Change

June 2010 Kazuri Newsletter Volume 5

Welcome Bead Lovers Welcome to the June issue of Jambo News, a quarterly Kazuri Dealer e-publication for Kazuri bead afficionados. There is something special for you in this newsletter. Be sure to keep reading for an exciting promotional offer!

Kazuri & Me From Nancy in Nevada.....

Why I Love Kazuri Beads

My love of colors and patterns began when I was in kindergarten! I loved playing with those wooden blocks that were different shapes and colors. I loved using them to make patterns.

Fifty years later, I am still "making patterns," only now I use beads!

I was introduced to Kazuri when my sister bought a bracelet for me during the Brighton Jewelry-Kazuri Water for Africa fund raiser. Immediately after putting the bracelet on, I went to the Kazuri website and saw the beautiful beads offered there.

I knew that a "new look" was in the near future for the jewelry I make.

Our church is a lower middle class congregation and we've looked into ways we can each use "what we do" to help raise funds for a new sanctuary. With the help of Kazuri's beautiful beads, I've raised close to $3000 for the Building Fund, as women are attracted to the beauty of the beads and their fun color combinations, and "just can't live without" a Kazuri necklace.

It's been a blessing to know that both women in Kenya and in our church have benefited from my "playing with patterns"!

As she held a necklace's pitapat bead, one woman said, "I'm getting chills. The curve of the bead feels like the imprint of the thumb of the woman who made the bead. I have MY thumb in the imprint of the thumb of a woman in Kenya!"

I thought that was wonderful.

If you want to share how Kazuri has touched your life, please send your story to the email address listed below in the Contacts section. If your article is published, you will receive a 10-pack of Kazuri beads as a special thanks!

Feature Article

by Beate Dalbec

Little Pieces of Art

In January 2010, I participated in a socially responsible safari guided by Ryan Snider (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103504024608&s=326&e=001ZWHRLUjQbJh9mNAb2Hi-GOsWkT62K9R-GgqUnb9_LopaJQqYrd1__6-oXdR-DWrDFgvvo9CZytwno8dOLRLHHOS40JTETjfbLdMe1FmM43a1GdyrV9PAiQ==). The difference between this safari and your average wildlife safari is that we were able to visit schools and businesses that make a difference in the local community. One of these businesses was the Kazuri Bead Factory.

Kazuri means "small and beautiful" in Swahili, and these beads are exactly that. The women working here are provided with training and are very skilled in their craft, and wonderful artists. They are happy and proud to be part of this business. Despite the fact that the production of these beads is very labor intensive, the atmosphere seemed quite cheerful. Every bead is hand made out of local clay, fired, and individually hand painted. Each bead is a little piece of art. The range of design is incredible. All bracelets and necklaces are hand strung with great skill and care. The great variety and beauty of the beads was very evident. It was wonderful to observe the women at their work and talk to them. Everyone in our group could have spent hours here.

Employment opportunities for women (especially single mothers) are extremely limited in Kenya. The Kazuri Bead Factory is very close to Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa. A lot of the Kazuri women come from Kibera. AIDS is a big problem here, especially in the poor areas. Even quite a few children are affected. If these women did not have this job and the health care that comes with it, their prospects would be rather grim. They are very eager to have a job, hence a long waiting list to work here. It was wonderful to see how Lady Wood's vision has come to make such a big difference in the lives of so many people. So many things we take for granted are a luxury here. And yet, I have never been made to feel more welcome than at Kazuri and any other place I visited in Kenya. Big smiles and friendly faces everywhere!

We at Kazuri thank Beate for taking some beautiful and current photos of the women in the factory at Kazuri. We are so appreciative that she has shared them with us. Please visit our photo gallery at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103504024608&s=326&e=001ZWHRLUjQbJj0AK5phlh0pB9Yv_d3rojGduAJofZLttxqAYmx24cDMnsSftOFVzdzpcDORKLdRXou_f33dFs5rhTXuNPhgL4-aWQbB3wZokVHTu0WuySvlw== to view these fantastic photos.

To visit Beate's photo gallery, go to :
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103504024608&s=326&e=001ZWHRLUjQbJjOiZa2vciF0dq-T2nhiOSIavuEgvlctarf6FCZZfxRXEMdU6M6rwnWYsK2d9TtyZfH3r9fgGm0Ute4HBRS0Dn8awuYUmMN3nPDaNafVrA2GIk4dyayKGY7

Special Offer!

In celebration of the one-year anniversary of Jambo News, all authorized dealers will be participating in a "special gift with purchase!!"
For seven days only, from June 30 through July 6, when you make an online purchase of $75.00 or more, we will select a pre-packaged 10-pack of Kazuri beads as our gift to you. It's our way to thank you for your purchases and support of the Kazuri women. To shop, click here: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103504024608&s=326&e=001ZWHRLUjQbJi32wZU13Eo3WV-F93H4S1BfVGOXnWMtQpvDIqJ5c3qw72fujanyzv58sLXcgP1vz1UOnX6Nc0UF-IlUC4M2WsWW6ER2h0GW7JpJlvfJBiWhg==

This special is for online orders only. Retail purchases only. No other discounts apply. Each authorized dealer's selection will vary.

* * * * *
How You Can Stay Involved
We are looking to our customers to help us sustain the future of these amazing little beads that make a big difference in the lives of so many women.

We want to hear your stories about how Kazuri has made a difference in your life or touched others.

We will choose stories for inclusion in subsequent issues. Please send your story to the email address listed below in the Contacts section, with permission for reprinting. If we choose your story, you will receive a 10-pack of Kazuri beads as a special thanks!

* * * * *
Thank You

Thank you to all our online subscribers for taking the time to "join" us for our quarterly e-newsletter. We thank you for all your dedication and commitment to Fair Trade beads. We hope we have inspired you or provided a little bright spot in your day. Be sure to look for our next issue in September.

CONTACT INFORMATION

How To Reach Us:

Email questions and stories to: jambo@kazuribeadsusa.com
Kazuri West: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103504024608&s=326&e=001ZWHRLUjQbJi32wZU13Eo3WV-F93H4S1BfVGOXnWMtQpvDIqJ5c3qw72fujanyzv58sLXcgP1vz1UOnX6Nc0UF-IlUC4M2WsWW6ER2h0GW7JpJlvfJBiWhg==

Authorized Dealer serving: AL,AZ, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, NM, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Digital eMag, Quilting Arts in Stitches, a New Digital Content Product

Quilting Arts in Stitches is the first of several eMags slated for debut in 2010 from Interweave, the world’s leading online and offline resource for artists and crafters.

Loveland, Colo., June 28, 2010 – Interweave announced today the launch of Quilting Arts in Stitches, a dynamic new digital product called an eMag(TM) that brings together articles, videos, photos, patterns, project instructions, how-to advice and more into one interactive content experience.

Interweave created this eMag(TM) after watching artists’ and crafters’ engagement at the company’s live workshops and events and decided to replicate this experience in a digital format. With Quilting Arts in Stitches, Interweave is delivering an experience that is part magazine, part workshop, and part video.
Quilting Arts in Stitches will be available as a digital download exclusively from Interweave’s eCommerce website, Interweavestore.com, for $14.97/issue, beginning Tues., June 29.

The eMag(TM) is edited by Quilting Arts Magazine Editorial Director Pokey Bolton and her team, and is a separate product to the Quilting Arts family. It will not replace Quilting Arts Magazine, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010 and is published bi-monthly, available by subscription and on newsstands, retail $7.99/issue.

In addition to Quilting Arts in Stitches, Interweave will be launching three additional eMags(TM) in summer and early fall 2010 in its knitting, specialty fiber, and jewelry-making groups.

The eMags(TM) are compatible with Macintosh and PC computers, with minimum system requirements of Intel Core™ Duo or Intel™ Pentium™ III processors, respectively. The eMag(TM) is built using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Flash CS5 Professional, with a custom digital viewer that runs on the Adobe AIR platform.

from Jean: I was fortunate enough to receive a preview of this entire eMagazine(TM) and was delighted by the energy and variety of the offerings from the different art quilters.

I believe that all art has a base in a certain type of passion. It doesn't matter whether you are a jewelry designer, a painter, a multimedia artist or a quilter. Extraordinary quilting was one of the many things my mother did, and very, very well. Therefore I was easily able to see how fabulous and exciting this eMagazine(TM) is.

There is a fun swap and also a project at the end, which are both delightful, and many star art quilters to learn from, whether you like to visit studios, or examine up close how a great artist, like my favorite, Wendy Feldberg, creates her "experimentations in free motion embroidery".

Editorial Director Pokey Bolton (now this is the latest name I wish were MY name, instead of Jean Yates--I have to admit it!!!) has put this eMagazine(TM) together in the same fashion a museum quality quilt is assembled. It is a lovely, exciting, seamless piece of work! It dances in your head delightfully, with color, texture, and offerings to pique your interest in all things quilting.

I recommend this fab Digital eMagazine(TM), Quilting Arts In Stitches, to anyone in any area of the arts to get their summer inspiration going full tilt!

I look forward to the next digital eMagazines from Interweave, which will be covering knitting, specialty fiber, and jewelry making! They should be great fun if they are of the same caliber as this wonderful offering from Interweave! And of course they will be!

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Zephyr prepares for ballet class summer camp --she is a customized doll by Zaloa 27, wearing a tutu by Dolly Molly

A Bead A DayLet's have a Tiki party! Lisa found Tiki beads at Big Lots for $1.00 and is looking for ideas!








About.com Jewelry MakingThinking of selling on-line but worried about the cost? Tammy has discovered three freebie sites for selling your jewelry, crafts, and vintage items.








Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene finds findings worth finding!











Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifactsthoughts about creating multiple streams of income as a jewelry artist











Beading ArtsCyndi has a copy of "Metalworking 101 for Beaders" to give away!














Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi's button maker is the reason for this new vintage image necklace.











Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaCindy rewinds on wire.

















Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesMelanie shows her Steampunk Sampler class made of mixed metals, industrial porcelain, and cold connections.











Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioLorelei's studio is in total disarray. Check out some pics and if you have suggestions, she would totally be appreciative!











Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!Jean is delighted to review Totally Twisted by Kerry Bogert! You will LOVE this book which focuses on wire and art beads!











Strands of BeadsMelissa discusses the process of reworking a weak necklace design - the revised version of which now appears on the cover of The Best of Step by Step Beads.











The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Always on the hunt for unique components, Andrew spotlights "pinch bail components" from Shoutrinse on Etsy!

This looked liked fun! ...So I thought I would pass on this email I got from the super Soft Flex Company!

They said, in the email:

"Don't forget to visit our blog today to enter to win a free "Fireworks" Soft Flex Beading Wire Trios Pack.
Winner will be announced June 28, 2010 around noon (PST).
Anyone can enter except current and former Soft Flex employees. Please, please, please share this giveaway with your bead loving friends. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Sara@SoftFlexCompany.com. Good Luck!"

Metalworking 101 for Beaders

Create Custom Findings, Pendants, and Projects

by Candie Cooper

review by jean yates

Before I actually knew HOW to make any sort of jewelry, I was anxious to LEARN to make jewelry.

I signed up for a local class which was held nearby. It was a two day class, and I was very excited. I didn't realize when I went that it was a metalworking class. I thought I would be stringing beads.

In actuality I was learning everything which Candie Cooper teaches in this wonderful book, but without any preliminary knowledge or understanding of what I was doing at all. I was handed the tools and was taught the techniques without explanation.

I am very sorry I had that experience. I really could have used it in a far more positive manner, slightly later in my design career.

If you grasp what metalworking is, and wish to learn metalworking, on the other hand, you will be delighted to find this great book, Metalworking 101 for Beaders, in which the author, Candie Cooper, illuminates all of the questions I had at the time about the tools, the techniques, such as sawing and annealing (which I was doing, but really poorly), and the materials required. There are even some super design templates for you to use to replicate some of the projects!

I have now progressed in my desire to become a jewelry designer, and I think that the level of Ms. Cooper's creativity is very exciting. I believe the reader will find, as I did, that her encouraging manner is extremely infectious, and that her designs are truly original and charming! I love the way she shows how to switch things out to give the reader more options on some of the projects as well.

You will want to try out this type of jewelry making after one look through the book. The way in which she teaches is very accessible and clear. Having heard my tale of woe, you can trust me on that!

The first part of the book is an extremely thorough explanation of what will be required as far as tools, techniques, examples of finishes, and so on. Great photos make this section extremely easy to "get". In my experience, bak when, I had never seen some of the tools or heard many of the terms which you will become familiar with. It is not threatening however, because when you use Metalworking 101 for Beaders, Ms. Cooper takes you step by step until you are ready to try out some of the projects.

As far as the projects go, if you like "one of a kind" jewelry with an upscale look, and a unique, exotic, or flirty fascination, this book is for you!

Some of the projects are charming, such as the "fanciful feathered friends"; sweet birds with really cool spiral tails which will hold the beads of your choice on.

Some are elegant, such as the pomegranate and sterling colored "square bead cuff", which, if I had it, I would never take off. It is perfectly beautiful! A true incentive to trying one of the author's projects as far as I can see!

Another project in Metalworking 101 for Beaders which I am especially attracted to is the "paisley interchangeable bracelet", which has a giant handmade metal paisley focal, upon which the wearer can choose any number of holes to clasp chains laden with exotic charms. This is just totally unique and gorgeous.

I have to mention the chic "domed earrings and ring" as well. What a wonderful, versatile project!

If you have an interest in metalworking but don't know where to start, this is really the place. With thirty great projects, advice and tips, and little sketches by the author to further help the reader understand the process of creativity and design, there is no way a person can get lost using this book.

Metalworking 101 for Beaders, by the wonderful, accomplished Candie Cooper, is a terrific find for your jewelry library!

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Jim and me with all of our kids, at one of my sons weddings. I was going for the Sinead O'Connor look. Jim was , amazingly, wearing a suit and actual shoes, not sneakers. Children, left to right: Dylan, Ian, Emily, Robert, Abigail. Happy Father's Day, Jim--all your kids love you and so do my other two sons!

About.com Jewelry MakingIf you are selling your jewelry on-line or thinking about it, then you'll find some of these rescources very helpful.

Art Bead Scene The June Monthly Challenge is a painting by Toulouse-Lautrec.

Beading ArtsDo you like Chinese food? Do you like jewelry...?

Carmi's Art/Life WorldA button gets glammed up with tear drop rhinestones.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaCindy touts one of her favorite colors in this week's rewind.

Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesMelanie explores building materials as texture and symbolism in a new set of pendants inspired by a fortress theme

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei got together for a fun beady date with Kerry Bogert, and together they created a necklace!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!Jean is fascinated by the beautiful necklace which Jennifer Dangerfield created and reposts her analysis of what makes it so appealing! All jewelry afficionados really must see this lovely piece!

Strands of BeadsMelissa shows off her necklace design that won second place in the Metal Clay category of Bead Dreams 2010.

missficklemedia.com Come by and visit for a chance to win free Patina-ted Metal Components!

Maybe I missed all my invisible friends, as Cathy Lybarger's husband Don calls them, who were busy at Bead and Button.

Maybe I wanted to enjoy a fabulous conversation I was having with a friend about scents and perfumes. Maybe I wanted to enjoy a book she sent me, entitled, This is not a book--what a fantastic mindstretcher!

Maybe I wanted to be here, really here, to give a really cool teen a signed copy of BeadStyle for July.

Maybe I wanted to help Jim with our broken DRYER. ARRRRRGH. This dryer situation is insane! Is it that we do five times as much laundry as other families, or was this just a darn lemon of a dryer?

Maybe I wanted to see if Jim really was going to eat this gigantic lobster he bought on sale, which his big bro cooked and delivered back to him perfectly cleaned from the shell. It was a massive creature from the deep.

Maybe I wanted to fantasize I am actually Jean Shrimpton, and this is the 60's.

I can do that, you know! :)

Elle, a UT Momolita

About.com Jewelry MakingTammy is proud to announce some of her jewelry designs were recently published in BeadStyle magazine.

Art Bead Scene Join the Art Bead Scene Carnival Bloggers as they pay tribute to Bead and Button by creating a statement necklace.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten ArtifactsLook at all the fun I have have playing with fire.

Beading ArtsShhh...don't tell Cyndi's Mom! Cyndi made her a necklace from some wonderful lampwork beads from Artbeads.com!

Carmi's Art/Life WorldCarmi recycles a beautiful tea box to create this necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaThe Empress models a statement.

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!Lydia Muell's mesmerizing art beads and her free giveaway this week!

Strands of BeadsMelissa shows off her entry that won the Grand Prize Gold Medal in the 2010 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Metal Clay, Metal Beads, Wirework and Chain Jewelry-Making Contest.

The Writing and Art of Andrew ThorntonAndrew hosts the BIGGEST prize in Thursday Giveaway history ever! Find out how you can win a set of beautiful lampwork glass beads by Barbara "Basha"!

Hi everyone: I got a fun email from Artbeads today. It is about a contest which they are holding we all can enter. Each of us makes a choice, our own individual choice, from a list of types of beads, concerning what we personally would pick as--ta dah-- the World's Greatest Bead!

Here is the explanation, directly from Artbeads:

"We wanted to inform you of a fun, new contest we have just launched on Artbeads.com Facebook, ‘The World’s Greatest Bead Sweepstakes!’ This contest allows you or your readers to vote for your favorite bead and enter to win one of seven fabulous Artbeads Gift Cards! This sweepstakes is open to all US or Canadian residents (excluding Quebec), 18 years or older and ends on July 22, 2010 9am PT. To enter click on the Sweepstakes tab on our Artbeads.com Facebook page or follow this link: http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/38797 "

I also put the logo on my blog to the right and it will be up until July 22, so if you decide to enter, you will always be able to find and click on my link to the World's Greatest Bead contest. Hope you and I BOTH win !!! :)

Jean

Ashton Jewels Lampwork by Lydia Muell

Sorry about the lack of posts; I have been busy. Or something! However I did receive a great newsletter from one of my favorite lampwork artists, Lydia Muell, which I wanted to share with you. I LOVE her fantastic beads which reflect an amazing interest in the past, no matter what century she has chosen to light up for us with her blazing passion for beads .

I may be wrong, but I believe I bought the very first beads she ever auctioned, on a site called Justbeads. com. I was not disappointed! They were as lovely as she is.

Each of her beads, the way I see them, resemble recovered treasures which could just as easily now be reposing in fine museums, or in spotlighted glass cases, shown in the most beautiful kingly castles in Europe. I really love her style, which I perceive as ornate and additionally artistically exacting and perfect.

Also, as you will read in her email below, she is offering free giveaways this week!

Bead and Button is off to a good start, but those of us at home have terrific artists like Lydia to investigate and enjoy!

Here is her email which I received:

"Neptunian Treasures"

Ashton Jewels,

Lampwork by Lydia Muell

Greetings!

Hi all!!

This week, I have three "Free to Good Home" beads looking to be adopted. You can find them listed here.

I also just listed lots of small garden inspired beads, some with yellow roses and some with pink. The featured bead, "Neptunian Treasures" is my favorite bead of the week for its soothing aquatic feel. . .It's rich "reef" of golden nuggets ain't so bad either.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!



Lydia Muell

Thank you Lydia, for all the beauty you offer!

jean

Peace, love and bunnies...

About.com Jewelry MakingTammy is getting back to the basics, starting with jewelry making tools. What is your must have tool?

Art Bead Scene Gearing up for that big bead show coming up? ABS has the top ten tips for your bead buying trip!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten ArtifactsBarbe is having a "City of Love" giveaway!!!

Beading ArtsChapter two of Cyndi's e-book is available for download! "Altered Surfaces" begins the exploration of the exchange between mixed media and bead embroidery!

Carmi's Art/Life WorldA handmade bezel results in a new necklace for Carmi called FAITHFUL.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork DivaA set of smokey quartz beads inspires a new necklace.

Earthenwood Studio ChroniclesMelanie celebrates her 1000th blog post with Ten Days of Giveaways!

Jean CampbellJean reviews Nathalie Mornu's Leather Jewelry, a bang-up book.

Katie's Beading BlogGet the 411 about BeadStyle's gorgeous All Star Issue!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the StudioLorelei has been answer some of her reader's questions from a previous giveaway post. Read up on what everyone wants to know!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!Jean is thrilled to be in BeadStyle magazine's July All Star issue, with pals Tammy Powley, Heather Powers, and Katie Hacker who made the cover so beautiful! Come and see!

Strands of BeadsIt's Melissa's turn to review Kate McKinnon's fabulous Sculptural Metal Clay.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton The prize for this week's Thursday Giveaway comes courtesy of Green Girl Studios! Find out how you can get ahold of these fine pewter beauties!

missficklemedia.comThe Staples of Jewelry Making

Today is Day Four! Hurry and get caught up! I will start you with Melanie's initial explanation, for Day One !!!


Earthenwood Studio Chronicles The mental misfirings of a muddy mind: art blog of Melanie Brooks May 31, 2010

Ten Days of Giveaways: Day One: Raku and Mixed Metals

Welcome to the Ten Days of Giveaways here at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles blog! This event is to celebrate the fact that I just made my 1000th blog post AND etsy sale! Each weekday will have a special etsy listing or I will give you a chance to comment on the blog to win. Today, I am celebrating two of my recent loves: the Raku ceramic process and working with mixed metals. And I am giving away a whole collection of my latest Raku experiments paired with a collection of mixed metal charms and beads.

Many Raku glazes are metallic, coming in many different colors of the metal rainbow from steel grey to pewter to bronze to gold to bright copper. I have selected a bunch of metals from my bead collection to pair up with the metallic red, green, and bronze Raku beads above.

To win today's prize, leave a comment on the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles blog here and answer this question: What your favorite jewelry metals are to wear or work with? All winners will be chosen and posted to the blog on June 15th, so be sure to check back then. You must respond to the June 15th winner post and follow the directions to claim your prize within one week of the posting. After a week, I reserve the right to choose another winner. Good luck and thanks for commenting!

Melanie is an artist, blogger, writer, and ceramic beadmaker at Earthenwood Studio. Her beads and components can be found at her Etsy shop and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy Galleria. To comment on this post, visit the original post at the Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Blog.

head for Day Four, if you are reading this today!

Good luck! jean

Visitng the Bead and Button Show is an unforgettable experience!





The 2010 Bead&Button Show is gearing up for a great start!

Jewelry artists from all over the globe will start showing up this Saturday, June 5, to attend classes and workshops.


The first special event, Meet the Teachers, occurs next Wednesday, June 9.

Despite the troubled economy, the 2010 Bead&Button Show is bigger than ever.

This is its 10th year in Milwaukee, and this year’s Show boasts more than 600 classes!

Truly, jewelry makers are passionate about their craft.

Some find making their own jewelry easier on their budget than buying jewelry at the store.

The Bead&Button Show offers an array of compelling stories -- make one of them yours!

from Cyndi Lavin's e-book, Chapter Two: "Giverny"

Cyndi Lavin's great e-book, Every Bead Has A Story, is now offering Chapter Two! I am delighted to say that this chapter, Altered Surfaces, which you can investigate and, I hope, choose to purchase on her site, if you hit on the link above , is a wonderful follow up to Chapter One! The purchasing fee is minimal (and I mean that!) and well worth it. Cyndi had two thousand hits on her first Chapter, which as you recall offers a great start to her wonderful overview of seed beading.

Now, this terrific second chapter segues seamlessly into a fascinating exploration of " the exchange between mixed media and bead embroidery" as Cyndi says.

This means that if you purchase Chapter Two, you can delve further into your growing fascination with combining seed beads and stones in beautiful ways , altering surfaces by using embroidery and fabrics you have treated, following her guidance ... which end up looking like ... well I won't give away ALL the fun!

I love Cyndi's e-book and encourage everyone to try it. She explains everything extremely clearly and the photography is perfection. She elaborated to me that it covers "the topic of Altered Surfaces and includes two complete projects as well as lots and lots of step-by-step techniques".

Just one look at that exquisite neck piece above, "Giverny" which was inspired by the author's visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, at a time when the MFA was holding a Monet exhibit, and you will see an aspect of the brilliance and loveliness of Chapter Two. There are many more styles to love which are quite different, as well. YOU will decide where you want to go with your seed beading!

Cyndi's gallery at the end of this chapter is just as great as her gallery at the end of Chapter One! I am thrilled to say that I think Chapter Two of Cyndi Lavin's e-book, Every Bead has its Story, is an absolute must for every sort of beading enthusiast. It teaches you a lot about beading sensibility and understanding in general as well as exacting technique.

Wonderfully, it gives you an overview of how to wrap your mind around beading in general, as well as solid information to work with!

Chapter Two is for sale now at Cyndi Lavin's site! Go check it out! It is great! Altered Surfaces from Every Bead Has A Story, too cool!

It's delightful, it's delovely, it's BeadStyle's All Star Issue for July!

Thank you so much, BeadStyle, for letting me be a part of this wonderful, fun issue. I am thrilled.

I think Katie Hacker's necklace on the front is fantastic! She is a felow beadblogger! Also represented are beadblogging friends Tammy Powley, and Heather Powers.

Everyone else made such lovely pieces as well :). Also the extras are fabulous!

I hope everyone enjoys this issue as much as I do.

It offers so much and has such variety!

I love the beauty and energy coming from the pieces, and the wonderful, encouraging way which BeadStyle magazine shows what fun a reader can have learning to bead, or have traveling further into the world of beading! It is always a great trip when you go "first class" with BeadStyle!

It isn't the world's best selling beading magazine for nothing!

jean