Wholesale Jewelry-Making Supplies for Professional Craftspeople
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The main focus of the Bead Frenzy — of course — was the tables and tables of BEADS on sale, mostly at 15% off our wholesale prices.

Turquoise: Myths & Mysteries
Russ Nobbs, Rings & Things owner and bead addict, gave an interactive lecture on the history, sources and kinds of turquoise, as well as how to identify various types of real and imitation turquoise.

African Trade Bead History and Identification
Russ also gave a lecture on history and identification of African trade beads.

Bead Frenzy visitors were able to take advantage of the demo table, where Dee Mueller, Rings & Things co-owner and craft lover, showed how to use a tri-cord knotter to quickly and easily make knotted necklaces.

Dee also demonstrated techniques for embellishing and heat-treating resin beads. For more information about these processes, see our project sheets.

Introduction to Art Clay™ Silver — Kurt Madison, Art Clay Silver Senior Instructor, made a piece of metal-clay jewelry while Bead Frenzy attendees watched. A demonstration like this is a good way to learn about the various tools and techniques used in the process.

This equipment is a little awkward to take on a plane, and we can't have Kurt on the road all year, so we're likely to only offer the Art Clay Silver demos and classes here in the Spokane area. We'd love to have you come up and visit us here in Spokane. And now, you don't have to wait for our biannual Bead Frenzy! We now teach classes at our warehouse.

The only class people had to pay for at our preliminary Bead Frenzy (because of materials they got to take home with them), was the beginning wire wrapping class, taught by Kathleen Willemsen. It filled up fast! We had to add a second session later in the afternoon.

Kathleen taught the attendees to wire wrap a silver & Swarovski® crystal bracelet. They learned to make clasps, swirls and other decorative elements.

Tracy Mahuiki, from our customer service department, brought her own beads. She started this lovely faceted quartz and Swarovski bicone necklace at the end of the class, and finished it at home later. Check out her innovative safety chains methods!

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