August/Sept Classes/News

I love summer but somehow it seems to fly by. We hope your summer was filled with sun and fun. Ours was filled with work and orders from our handbag line….so no fun or sun. Unfortunately our classes have had to take a back seat because of our tiring work schedule but we are offering a few classes in the next few weeks.


Store Hour Changes
We are also changing our store hours and days…so please note the new changes: We will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 6pm, Saturdays 12pm to 5pm.
We will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Our sidewalk sale
will be Saturday Sept. 29th. We are scheduling it later in the month in hopes that there will be cooler weather. We are making space for new inventory and freeing up our storage space…so join us for a fun day. Icy cold lemonade and unbelievable deals that have been dug up from the bead vaults. We will be wheeling and dealing with closeouts on tons of items.

Our New Gallery
Pudgy Beads will be adding a selling gallery to our retail store so big changes are ahead. Our target date to open is November 1st just in time for the holiday selling season. If you would like to be put on the list to receive additional information, call or come in.

Classes:

BASIC BEADING WORKSHOP I/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. Class Fee: $15.00, Materials not included. Date: Saturday, 8/25, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

BASIC WIRE WRAP/CABOCHON In this class you will learn basic wire wrapping skills. You will use wire to create a structural frame or saddle around a glass or stone cabochon. The frame will securely hold the piece and convert it into a pendant. This class is a must for enhancing your beading repertoire. Materials not included. Class Fee: $35.00, Materials not included, Dates: Saturday 9/1/ 1:00pm – 3pm.

Intro to Polymer Clay:  Stamping and Glazing Techniques  If you’re completely new to polymer clay, or have used it but want to learn these specific stamping techniques, this class is for you! Learn how to condition the clay, stamp it, bake it, and glaze it. Create faux ceramic and/or metallic pendants and earrings that you can incorporate into other beading and wirework projects. Bring stamps, textures sheets, bead, buttons…. anything that can create texture and be pushed into clay.  Come enjoy creating beautiful bright pieces, and gaining basic tips on how to work with this wonder medium. Date: Saturday Sept 8^th 1pm tp3pm Class Fee: $40.00 (materials not included).

Wrap Bracelet - Julia Roberts wore one in the Movie "Eat Love Pray" and Chan Luu made them popular...now everyone’s wearing them. You should all know that we are talking about the wrap bracelet. Wrap Bracelets are hot! In this class we will show you how to master a version of this bracelet. After this class you will be churning them out with your eyes closed. Clearly this arm party train isn’t stopping and it’s about time you get on board. Class Fee: $40.00 Saturday September 15, 1pm to 3pm (materials not included).

Bella Beautiful This is a fun and fanciful design that is easier to make than you would think. After learning this technique you will be beading by the yard! Its time to get started on your christmas list and with just a few design twists you will be making all your friends the same thing and they all will look a little different. This  beading technique can be made as a pendant, earrings, or a necklace. In class we will be making the earrings. Class Fee: $40.00, Saturday Sept 22, 12:30pm – 2:30PM

JUNE/JULY CLASSES 2012

Summer is finally here...I'm always happier in summer. Pudgy Beads is in the mist of filling orders for our handbag and jewelry line. We got into a major catalog and we are excited but busy. Trying to keep my day job of running the store and filling my orders is exhausting but we are seeing light at the end of a tunnel. The first issues of the catalog will be in the store late August or early September. Be sure to drop by and check it out.

Stay tuned for our "Bead Store yard/Sidewalk sale" sometime in July. We are consolidating and clearing out inventory and will have lots of odds and ends at rock bottom prices..so stay tuned for our July Newsletter with all the details.

Remember stay cool and enjoy the beautiful summer we are having.

Classes  Below

SOLDERING WORKSHOP I/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: $60.00, Materials not included. Dates: Saturday 6/23,12:30pm – 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, June 30, 1:00pm-3:00pm

BASIC WIRE WRAP/CABOCHON  In this class you will learn basic wire wrapping skills. You will use wire to create a structural frame or saddle around a glass or stone cabochon. The frame will securely hold the piece and convert it into a pendant. This class is a must for enhancing your beading repertoire. Materials not included. Class Fee: $35.00, Dates: June 24, Sunday 1:00pm – 3pm

 

WORKING WITH CRYSTAL CLAY WORKSHOP  - Crystal clay is the latest thing to use to set chaton crystals. You will be mixing two clays together and shaping it to the shape of your bezel. You will handset your crystals into the clay to give your finished item as much or as little bling as you want. You will work with different bezel shapes to create stunning pendants, rings or bracelet parts. This is a hands on workshop, so come prepared to have fun and work with this new product. Workshop Fee: $15.00 (materials range from 15.00 up depending on how many finished items you want . Workshop Date: Saturday 7/7, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

April/May Class Schedule and Pudgy News

Happy Spring!! Although our spring days seem to be interrupted by some gloom and rain..Summer is just around the corner. The bead scene like everything else in our world seems to be in constant change....some good, some bad.

We haven't posted classes this year because we've been busy filling orders for our handbag and jewelry line. It's exciting getting back into the selling arena but it truely can create drama when you are trying to stretch yourself by keeping your day job (pudgy beads). Anyway forget the excuses here are some of the basic classes we are offering. Stay tuned for the next update, we will have some classes we haven't offered before.  

Think the shows are where you will find great prices? Think downtown is where you will find great selection? Think online is where you will find the deal?

Announcing a new addition to our store…”The Wall”.

‘The wall’ is where you will find gemstones, pearls and beads at unbelievable prices. Nothing on “The Wall” is over $3.00. You won’t believe the incredible selection. We bought out a gem dealer who was going out of business and decided to pass the savings on. ”The Wall” will leave your wallet intact and your bead stash in primetime. We have been working really hard on getting the gemstones and pearls ready for their debut. We still have lots more to add so come in often for our ever-changing amazing inventory.

Besides we have no parking meters and traffic…no surprises when you open the beads you ordered online. Come on, what are you waiting for? Discover the lowest bead prices and the best selection in Southern California…discover “The Wall” at Pudgy Beads.

CLASSES FOR APRIL/MAY

BASIC BEADING WORKSHOP 3/Rosary Wrap You will learn everything there is to know about making and perfecting the rosary wrap. You will perfect this technique by connecting your rosary wraps into chain, making a necklace and a pair of earrings. Class materials not included. Class Fee $25.00,. Date: Saturday 4/28, 1:00pm – 3:00pm



BASIC BEADING WORKSHOP I/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. Class Fee: $15.00, Materials not included. Date: Sunday,4/29, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

BASIC WIRE WRAP/CABOCHON  In this class you will learn basic wire wrapping skills. You will use wire to create a structural frame or saddle around a glass or stone cabochon. The frame will securely hold the piece and convert it into a pendant. This class is a must for enhancing your beading repertoire. Materials not included. Class Fee: $35.00, Dates: 5/5/ 1:00pm – 3pm

PEARL KNOTTING - You will learn how to complete an elegant pearl necklace using the traditional European method of knotting between each pearl, which is an elegant way to protect the pearls or beads from rubbing each other and is a safeguard against loss if the strand breaks. Class materials not included. Class Fee: $25.00, Date: 5/06/ 1pm – 3pm. 

Beyond Hoops - If you love working with wire and you love hoop earrings this is the perfect class. You will learn to manipulate artistic/non tarnish wire into three different styles of gorgeous hoop earrings. The tree of life earrings are truly beautiful and you can twist any beads or tiny gemstone chips into the design. Expand your earring collection by signing up for this 2 hour class. Class materials not included. Class Fee: $35.00, Date: 5/12 1pm - 3pm

Happy New Year (2011)

Pudgy Beads sends a sincere “Thank you” to all of our customers who have supported us this past year. Here’s hoping your new year will be filled with love, happiness and prosperity. If you are like many of us I’m sure you have at least a couple of resolutions.

One of our resolutions at Pudgy Beads is to expand our “Beading Therapy” program. Every year before Christmas we donate beading inventory to one or more local non-profits. For several years the Returning Women Vets program at several VA hospitals have enjoyed our kits. We didn’t just supply the kits but participated along with several volunteers in helping to the women put together their necklaces or bracelets…so much fun and so rewarding to see the smiles and joy something so small can bring. This year we supported a program for children and families at Memorial hospital.

This year we plan on increase our philanthropic efforts to at least several more non-profits.
We are so impressed by what people do unselfishly to help other people and that will be our goal during the year to do more of what we’ve been doing.

Speaking of helping others we were so impressed with a dear friend and customer “Jodee Huddleston”. For the past few years she has opened up her home for a fundraising party for the “Spark of Love Toy Drive”. Jodee’s party has become quite the ticket for the season with the price of admission being a new unwrapped toy. Jodee had over 200 people who attended. The drive is sponsored by channel 7 news and local firefighters.

Jodee congratulations this year you really pulled out all the stops. Because of your efforts so many children had a wonderful Christmas.

If you would like to make a difference in someone’s life this year you can visit https://calfund.org/ or better yet stay tuned for the programs Pudgy Beads will be supporting this year and get involved. If you’d like to be notified please shoot us an email and we will keep you informed.

See how one person can make a difference!

Jodee's Fundraising "A Spark of Love Toydrive" 2011