New Ceramic Pendants

We just got in some great ceramic pendants in many beautiful colors. From spirals to dragonflies, they'll be a beautiful addition to any necklace.

We just got in many new beads, tools and supplies, so stay tuned for more great items in our shop in Salem.

Keeping a Design Journal/Notebook

I keep a design journal for ideas for jewelry. I take it with me everywhere (to work, to our studio, on vacation and even when I go to my parents' house for dinner). I'm constantly adding things to it. I draw out designs that I think of, tape pictures of jewelry from magazines in it, write out the steps to new projects (what size wire worked, what didn't, how it oxidized, etc.), tips that I've picked up online, lists of items I need for my next project, and lists of interesting websites that I've run across and want to revisit. So many times, I've done a project and then forgotten what size wire I used or where I bought the beads from. So now, when I do a new project, I keep track of that stuff in my journal. And as everyone knows, my true desire is to do something jewelry related full time, and until then, I get to work my corporate job during the day with endless meetings. So I'm constantly doodling in meetings and drawing out interesting wire designs. I always make sure to keep those little scraps and tape them into my design journal later.

My journal is actually an artist's sketchbook. But a 3-ring binder works great too. There is a fellow beader at my local monthly seed bead meetings that keeps a binder with all of the seed bead directions in it and a sample of each new technique she tries. That way, when she goes back to do the design later, she has a sample to go by and her notes. I don't know if she does this, but it would be a great place for her to also stick in her original designs or keep track of colors that work well together or where she buys certain seed beads. I, of course, started one just for seed bead projects as soon as I saw hers.

I've tried to get Chad to keep one. He creates such incredible glass beads and pendants and I'll ask him to recreate one he's done previously. Sometimes he can figure out the colors and sometimes he can't remember what he's used. But he will never write down what he's used....grrrr.... Maybe one day I'll nag him enough that he'll do it - if not for himself, at least for me when I want him to recreate one of his beautiful beads. ha ha ha

So who out there keeps a design journal? I'd love to hear about yours... If you don't keep one, I highly recommend it. When you actually have the spare time to make jewelry but can't come up with a design, it's an instant resource for ideas!!!

By the way, Chad and I are going to FINALLY keep the blog going regularly. So be sure to check back often for updates on the store, new merchandise, sale items, project ideas and tips and tricks. And we'd LOVE to hear from you!!!! Feel free to post your responses on the blog.

-Amanda

Chad's Article in Glass Line Magazine

I have to brag for a moment. Chad has an article in the Aug./Sept. 07 issue of Glass Line magazine. He wrote about his experience at the Marble Flame-Off at the Carlisle School of Glass Art in NJ. The article has pictures of all the winning marbles (including Chad's) and pictures of some of the marble artists in action.

This is our first printed submission to a national publication. Yay!!!!!

Olde Salem Days

We're back from Beadfest. We had an awesome time - met so many cool people, took great classes, and had great students in our classes.

And now it's already time for Olde Salem Days. (Saturday, Sept. 8, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm) If you're not familiar with it, basically the whole town of Salem, VA shuts down for the day and there is a car show and about 400 crafters up and down and around Main St. Thousands of people come through and it's one of our favorite events of the year.

We will be there with Chad's glass pendants, my domino pendants and much more. We are on North Market Street so if you plan on attending, please stop by and say hi.

Our class list will be updated very soon. We are rearranging some of the classes and adding a whole bunch more to the list. If you have any requests, just let us know.

Beadfest Philadelphia

Anyone who knows us knows how much we love Beadfest!!!! It's coming up again in August in King of Prussia, PA (right outside of Philly). It's an awesome event with tons of classes, vendors and crazy jewelry and bead makers all over the place (which includes us - ha ha). Chad will be teaching 2 glass classes and 2 chainmaille classes up there. (I will, of course, be the very important teacher's assistant.) Go to www.beadfest.com to check out the event. Let us know if you are going to be heading up there.

Marble Flame-Off

Okay, I have to brag on Chad a little bit. The Carlisle School of Glass Art (NJ) held a marble flame-off competition this past weekend. This was Chad's first competition and he competed against marble makers across the country. He won first place in the vortex marble category!!!! He won a great prize, but I think he's just more excited to have won. :) You can see pictures from the competition on his web site www.cosmoglassworks.com.

His marbles have been selling like crazy and he is currently making more for sale on his site (which will be in the store, of course). Come check them out!!!

New things going on at Soleil Et Lune!

We've been busy...but I feel like we always say that. ha ha

We've been remodeling our store over the last couple of weeks. Our bead business has been growing so we had to remodel to make more room for beads. We're planning a remodeling party for the end of the month, so stay tuned...

Speaking of beads, we have lots of new beads in stock. We have many styles of wooden beads that are great for summer and have just added some really cool imitation cinnabar beads. Our Swarovski crystal selection is growing and we just added the new Deep Coral color to our stock. In addition to our ever expanding selection of seed beads, we have a lot of seed bead supplies including over 15 colors of Nymo D and several colors of S-Lon. We've also started carrying beading tools and supplies (including Soft Flex wire, Sunshine Polishing cloths, Beadstoppers and more!).

As always we have a wide selection of glass rods and tools. We are in the process of switching over to new torches, so we have a couple of used ones in the shop at a great, discounted price.

We just updated our class list for the next couple of months including PMC, chainmaille, wire rings, lots of glass classes and that wire bangle everyone asks about. Be sure to check out our class listings and make sure you sign up early. Don't see a class that you'd like to take? Make sure you ask us about it. If we don't know how to teach it, we'll find someone great who does.

Our store is growing and we're making every effort to get what you want in stock. If you don't see beads, glass, tools or classes that you want, let us know and we'll do our best to offer it.

Thank you to all of our customers. We couldn't do it without your support and constant encouragement.

Hope to see you soon!!!!

What's new...

We're back from the Hot Glass Festival in Staunton. Chad went both days and I got to go on Sunday. We had a great time and met some wonderful glassmakers from around the country. I even got some cool broccoli beads that I'm making into earrings. I'm such a die hard vegan. ha ha Next year's show promises to be even bigger, so mark your calendar for next April!!!!

Even though we sold a lot of them, we have some new pendants left from the show. From small frit implosions to turtles, we have them all. And they are gorgeous!!!! (I didn't make them myself - Chad did, so I can brag.) They will soon be listed at www.cosmoglassworks.com (Chad's spinoff glass company), but of course we'll have them in the store too.

We have some great classes coming up in May, including a glass pendant class and a marbles class. Sign up early!!! I am still working on designs for summer classes, but we plan to do PMC, wire bangles, polymer clay, wire rings and some cool knotted necklaces and micro-macrame jewelry. Chad will be doing some amazing glass classes as well, so keep tuned to our classes page for more info soon.

We have lots of new beads in the store. I have some bright, fun resin beads in stock as well as some new wooden and Buri nut bead strands. These are great materials for summer jewelry. Tax time was good to Chad and me, so we will be getting lots of tools, stringing wire, glass, books and more beads in the next month. If you have any requests, we'd love to know.

And don't forget about our great finished jewelry gallery. We have beautiful jewelry and glass beads from local artists that would make excellent gifts for Mother's Day - hint, hint.

Keep checking back with us. I promise we'll keep this updated better.