Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Class Schedule March 2011 & Pudgy News



BASIC BEADING WORKSHOP 1 - BRACELET - This is our basic beginner’s stringing workshop. In this class, you will learn how to choose and attach clasps. You will learn about the different stringing materials and tools required to design with. You will leave with a finished bracelet. Materials not included. (Kits Priced from $7.00- $25.00. Saturday, March 5, 1pm-3pm.





SOLDERING WORKSHOP 1/BRACELET - Learning to solder can open up a whole new world of jewelry making to you. Though the process is fairly simple it does take practice. In this class you will be learn to solder Sterling or Copper square rings then fabricate them into a bracelet. We will spend some time on safety aspects and learning how to handle and adjust the flame. Class Fee: $65.00, Materials not included. Dates: 3/12/10, 12:30pm – 4:00pm 





PMC WORKSHOP 2 - This class is for those who have already taken PMC 1. Taking this class will elevate your knowledge or working with PMC. You will learn how to create and embellish hollow beads and also various methods to set stones into PMC. Class Materials not included. Class Fee $65.00, Dates: 3/26 12:00pm – 4:00pm







WIREWRAP COMPONENTS - This class is for anyone who wants to take their wirewrap and fabricating skills to another level. You can even take this one if you are a beginner to wirewrapping. We will be making components and connecting them into a necklace. We'll be working with a large gauge of aluminum wire to make your components easier to construct. We will also fabricate your pieces using a bench block and a ball peen hammer. This class is perfect to make the long necklaces that so in style now. Class Materials not included. Class Fee $45.00, March 26, 1pm-3pm





BASIC PEYOTE (BASIC STITCH) In this fundamental stitch class you will master even count peyote. You will create a tubular bracelet and learn about thread tension. To give your finished bracelet a unique look you will use two colors of 6/0 or 8/0 seed beads. This is an intermediate class and it requires that you already know basic peyote. Note: This is a technique class and you may not finish this project during the class. Class Fee: $ 35.00 – 2 hour class Materials not included. March 20, 12pm-4pm







Show Listings
Show season is upon us and if you make your jewelry to make extra money the following show listings can help you get a jump start. We have included some links and referrals. Be sure to do your research. It’s a good idea to visit the shows before you do them..but sometimes that’s impossible unless you want to your homework for the next time that promoter is offering a show. If you need more tips on doing shows you can refer to our book “You Made It Now Sell It”.


April 30 & May 1   San Diego, California   Mission Federal ArtWalk   Deadline: January 14
For more info: http://www.missionfederalartwalk.org/

Scottsdale Arts Festival    March 11-13    Scottsdale, Arizona     Deadline: October 12, 2010
For more info: http://www.scottsdaleartsfestival.org/

Lake Tahoe Festival of the Arts  August 20 & 21   Lake Tahoe, California   Deadline: March 1

Malibu Arts Festival, Malibu Civic Center 23555 Civic Center Way   Application Deadline: 6/30/11
Show Dates: 7/30/11 - 7/31/11

San Diego Holiday Art Festival 2011   Del Mar Fairgrounds   California   Application Deadline: 4/30/11
Show Dates: 12/2/11 - 12/4/11

Sugar Plum Arts & Crafts Festival, Buena Park Downtown Mall   04/14/11 to 04/17/11 http://www.sugarplumcrafts.com/dates.html

The Long Beach Bike Festival & Tour of Long Beach, May 13-14, 2011 for vendor application http://www.dlba.org/uploads/Special_Events/Bike_Festival/Vendor%20Participation%20Form_2011.pdf

Although some of the application deadlines are passed you can contact the promoter and get on their wait list is you are interested in a particular show. Don't forget to contact your local farmers markets for vendor information. This is just a sampling of listings for more show dates visit:
http://festivalnet.com/craft_shows.html
http://www.zapplication.org/shows.phtml


Wire - Part 1

Sterling Silver and goldfilled wire are precious metals and traded as commodities on the stock market. Because of this the metal prices can go up or down. Reasons for this vary from conditions with the world economy usually dictated by the stock market.

Today’s economic climate is making most of us take a serious look at other metals for jewelry making. For most customers where price is of concern, having the look of a precious metal without the price can be a definite plus for selling your items. So my advice get the best of both worlds by offering your designs in both precious and non precious metal.

This is where craft wires come into play. Trust me when I say that not all craft wires are created equal. Some wire brands are difficult to work with and the sterling or gold plating will rub off quickly.

You might see wires branded as Nickel Silver or German Silver..don’t let the name confuse you there is absolutely no silver in these wires, however there is lots of nickel and about 5% OF THE POPULATION IS ALLERGIC TO NICKLE.

To confuse you just a little more, there's also a "German Silver" wire that is also know as "silver-fill". It is 40% sterling, bonded to a copper core…. Just as "gold-fill" is a certain karat of gold bonded to a base metal core.

There is also a "non-tarnishing Sterling Silver wire", Argentium. It is Sterling wire that's been coated with a clear coating and keeps the wire from tarnishing. It’s a little more expensive but you may find the non tarnishing aspect appealing especially for intricate wirework.

There's "gold color" wire, which is usually made from Brass (this can also be found in the coated, non-tarnishing variety).There is also "German Gold" which is 10 parts gold for 40 parts base metal. (Remember Gold-Fill is generally 14 parts gold for 20 parts base metal.

Real Gold wire will be sold in karat form. Gold wire is not plated or filled with added alloys. 24k Gold isn't used for much because it is absolutely to soft. To use Gold it has to be mixed with other metals to make it stronger and harder. What it's mixed with is called an alloy.
• 24k Gold is also called "pure gold" because 100% of it is gold.
• 18k Gold is 18 out of 24 parts gold, so about 3/4ths gold; can also be marked "750", for being 75% gold.

• 14k Gold is 14 out of 24 parts gold, so just over ½ gold; can also be marked "585", for being 58.5% gold.

• 12k Gold is 12 out of 24 parts gold, so ½ gold.

• 10k Gold is 10 out of 24 parts gold, so just under ½ gold; can also be marked "417", for being 41.7% gold.
Now that you’ve gotten some hard core info under your belt, to help you get the look of silver and gold without the price, Pudgy Beads just got in some square and half-round anti tarnish wire ...it’s hot …it’s brand new and it’s definitely got the look and we’ve got it on sale for all your wire wrapping needs.
Stay tuned for part 2

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