We are all still "keeping on" during the pandemic. But there are no visits to see the beads.

I have been shipping to folks, and I have a pick-up location for those who: 1) know what they want or 2) are willing to go back and forth with photos and descriptions of things. This actually has been working out.

I do have some things listed on Etsy (but just a tiny fraction of what I have). There are kits there, though. Sometimes picking a project can be overwhelming, but a kit can be a great jump start.

Visit my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/BeadWeasel

I can also make a "Reserved for [you]" listing on Etsy, so you can see everything you are ordering.

And continue to have fun beading in the time of corona ...

Anne

Dust Is Settling After Moving out of Old Shop and Into Studio Setting

To cut some of our overhead, the Bead Weasel Bead Shop moved out of the George Street location last month. There were endless trips. At the very end, there was stuffing of this load and that load in various garages and basements. But the "good stuff" has landed in my new studio.

The new studio is in a private home, so I won't post the address here. But when you are ready to come see me, I will give you the directions (it's inside the Midland city limits and is easy to get to).

I've set things up so I can start to list more things on Etsy or elsewhere. But I can still take care of my local friends. This will be entirely by appointment. (Afternoons and evenings are ideal, but I'm happy to work around your schedule.)

There are STILL lots of things to hang up and organize, but it's already so much better than it looked even a week ago. Here are some photos of the current state of affairs...

Still so much to do. But proud that we've done so much. How do you like the new Bead Weasel den?

Recent Classes and Events This Week and Next...

We had two classes this past Saturday. Before the shop opened, I started four new beaders down the bead-stringing path...showing them the basics on how to use findings, crimps, pliers, etc. Later in the afternoon, Sharon Kay taught a fun freeform-y bangle-ish wire bracelet. Extremely fun!

The beginners and their first projects.

"Wire Bangle-ish Bracelet" class and results...

Info about this week+, holidays, vacations, etc. ...

The shop will be open this week on Wednesday (8/31) from 12-8P, Friday night from 6-9P, and on Saturday (9/3) from 12-6P. (This is a change. Yes, I will be open on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. We'll see if a living soul is in town to come in...hee hee! If you are here, come in!)

More details...

* Wednesday (8/31)...shop is open 12-8P. Weasel Wednesday sit-and-stitch from 4-8P. The bead embroidery class will run from 6-8P, so the Weasels will be in the back room.

* FIRST FRIDAY (9/2)...shop is open from 6-9P. This is an "unplugged" First Friday. Bring your own project, your own drinks/food...and sit-and-stitch on your own thing. Free, but RSVP by Wednesday is required, please.

* Saturday (9/3)...shop is open from 12-6P. I normally close for holiday weekends as Midland becomes a ghost town. But I have other closures in September and want to be as available as I can be. So if you're in town, please stop into the bead shop!

The following week...

* Wednesday (9/7)...shop is open from 12-8P. Weasel Wednesday sit-and-stitch 4-8P. And a class...

* 9/7 CLASS: 5:30-8:30P, Sharon Kay is teaching her "Spiral Link Wire Bracelet," using wire, pliers, and lampwork beads to create unique links in a bracelet. Fun! (Pre-register/pre-pay for the class.)

* Saturday (9/10) may be weird. Right now, the shop "may" be closed. There is a class scheduled...if the class is a "go," it can proceed while the shop is closed. Will update you as it gets closer. (Call with questions.)

* 9/10 CLASS: 1-5P: Daileen Anker-Adams is teaching the beautiful "Netted Lace Cuff Bracelet." Using needle, thread, and seed beads and crystals, you will embellish a netted base of seed beads. Sparkly!

* CLOSED on guild night (9/12). (That's the night my Dad died last year, so I'll be home with my Mom.) Unsure about that Wednesday...will update you when I know. Call ahead to make sure I'm open.

We have lots of other classes scheduled later in September: "Bling Ring and Beginning Wire Link Bracelet" (9/17), "Bead Embroidery Cuff with Feature Fabric" (9/21 AND 9/28), "Freeform Brick Bracelet" (9/22), "Drop Petal Necklace" (9/24), and "Flat Spiral Bracelet" (10/1).

On Facebook, see Bead Weasel's "Events" listing for more class details. Find Bead Weasel here: www.facebook.com/BeadWeasel

- Anne

Pearls at the Bead Weasel Bead Shop

June is the month for pearls.

In addition to LOTS of diverse strands of real freshwater pearls (in whites and lots of colors), Bead Weasel Bead Shop also carries the uniform "crystal pearls" or "glass pearls."

We have some Swarovski brand pearls (Austrian) in a few colors. We have many more color options in the newer Preciosa brand pearls (Czech), shown in the photo.

There are also mother of pearl and shell beads in the shop.

Come check out the selection.

Bead Weasel on George Street

If you haven't heard, the Bead Weasel Bead Shop is located at 716 George Street in Midland, Michigan. We have more space than ever!

We're not on a "main drag," unless you're a school bus. Our industrial-looking building is next to the Midland Public Schools Administration Building and the school bus lot. There's parking on the side of the building (by the buses) and in front. We are one of two storefronts in the front of the building. Come up a couple of steps, into the foyer, and then we're on the right.

We have a classroom, beading space, and lots of retail space.

If you visited us when we were open on Jefferson Avenue (by LaLonde's and the 7-11 on Sugnet), we have more inventory and more space now.

For information, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/beadweasel. Email us at beadweasel@outlook.com.

Our "regular" hours are very limited...as in, we shoot for being open on Wednesdays from 12-8P and on Saturdays from 12-6P. (Elder care and job emergencies can get in the way, so it is ALWAYS okay to double-check that we're open before you make the trip.) That said, we are HAPPY to open by appointment. REALLY!

Anne Sturtevant
Bead Weasel owner

The Bead Weasel Bead Shop is getting ready to host Sharilyn Miller, international teacher, wire jewelry designer, and author. She is coming to Midland, Michigan, August 25-30, 2009.

Miller will be teaching seven classes; students can sign up for one, two, three, four, five, six, or all seven!

For info on the classes, contact beads@beadweasel.com. (Ask for the "Sharilyn list.")

There are early-bird discounts on the classes through May 31.

Anne

Unfortunately, I have to put the witch's hat away. It's such a nice big hat ... it "slims me."

The next thing to look forward to (in the way of hats) is my Santa hat. That one yields really bad hat hair, though. (That's why Santa keeps his hat on all year long!)

I'm planning a "Deer Widow" event at the shop. Sales, drawings, and make/take projects. Fun (but freaking me out right now)!