Bead Soup

I enjoyed the challenge of participating in Kalmbach Publishing Bead Soup.  I received some beautiful beads from Beads Mosaic in Nanuet, NY.  I think they might be Kazuri.  The clasp is glass.

The Beads

The first challenge was incorporating the top drilled focal pendant.  I like my pendants to "dangle" and wanted to showcase some wire work.

Then, I thought the class was too pretty to hide.

I added black Czech druk beads, berry freshwater pearls and, of course, sterling silver.

I didn't win the "contest", but I love the way it came out. It was fun think "outside the box" and create with elements I might not have chosen myself.

If I'm ever near Nanuet, I'll be sure to stop into Beads Mosaic and thank them.

Display Cases? Or Not?

Earlier this week I posted on Facebook about a shopping trip to NYC with my daughter. It was a clothes buying trip for her, but we happenned upon a bead store and I just had to go in. I wrote on Facebook that I was disappointed that everything in the shop was displayed behind glass. Without really thinking it through, I did mention the store's name. It was, politely, in an email, brought to my attention that it was in bad taste, or maybe bad business practice, to mention the name of a store in a negative comment. I agreed, so I reposted without the store name, but left the meaning of the post.
I understand that everything in the shop was under glass because they probably are concerned about theft. However, although, the sales people were all quite friendly and offered assistance, the glass cases did deter me from purchasing anything. It is for that same reason I do not display my jewelry behind glass at art fairs. I want clients to be able touch and try on without pressure.