NEW COLD INCLUSION BEADS

Michael Harrington, a fellow bead artist, informally showed off his latest creations at the Janaury meeting of the Bead Society of Great New York on Wednesday. I was familiar with Michael's paper beads, like those that make up the blue portions of the pens shown at the left, but he is going in a different direction with the new beads.

Michael is adding shiny things to a clear substance to create what he calls cold inclusion beads like

the bead on the right. This bead measures about 7/8" long.










He had the pink beads below at the meeting and the photo does not do them justice; the actual bead is sparkly and eye-catching.

Two other beads with small beads and sequins encased in a clear substance.

Michael also makes beautiful velvet scarves with long fringe decorated with his paper beads. Here is a red one that he was displaying at his table at the Bead Society's holiday dinner.

You can see more of his beads and check out prices at http://www.beadsbymichael.com/. Also visit http://www.thanksmikie.com/ to see his pens with paper beads and read his bio. Michael is a mulit-talented guy who has worked for NASA as a research engineer, sung with the San Francisco Opera Company, acted on shows on NBC, ABC, and PBS, and now makes beads.

CASHMERE SWEATERS IN NINE

Did anyone notice two cashmere sweaters--this white one and a black version-- on Marion Cotillard in the movie "Nine?" Did anyone see "Nine?" I knit the two sweaters and caught a glimpse of the white one in a commercial for the movie but haven't seen the film yet. With times being so uncertain, we decided that it was silly to spend the money to see "Nine" in a theater if I was just going to buy the DVD later. I am however, curious about how much my sweaters got worn.

LOIS SHERR DUBIN LECTURE

Lois Sherr Dubin will be speaking at the next meeting of the Textile Study Group of New York. For those who don't know her, she is the author of "The History of Beads from 30,000 B.C. to the Present", a comprehensive, illustrated history of beads that explores the use of beads as talismans, religious symbols, mediums of communication, and expressions of art. The book has been updated and was republished in October, 2009. I have heard her speak a number of times and have always been entertained as well as informed. Her are the details:

WHEN: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
WHERE: Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, New York, NY
40 E 35th St. between Park and Madison
Entrance at street level on the far right ofthe church itself; doorway marked #40
ADMISSION: $10 for guests unaffiliated with other textile organizations
$5 for members of other textile organizations

The Textile Study Group of New York's website is http://www.tsgny.org

BOOK SIGNING AND STRINGING CLASS

My friend Yoshie Marubashi is doing a book signing for her new book Stringing Pearls, the Professional Way and teaching an accompanying stringing class in Manhattan on Sunday, January 17, 2010. Here is the information:

DATE: January 17, 2010 2:00-5:00PM

LOCATION: Kinokuniya Book Store, Second Floor
1073 6th Avenue (between W 41 St and
(W 42nd St)
New York, NY
Telephone: (212) 869-1700

FEE: $20 per student

TO REGISTER: Contact Ms. Kanako Hiyama

MATERIALS TO BRING:

• 1 strand of 8mm pearls or beads and a clasp for the necklace. If you don't have a clasp, bring 2 strands for a longer necklace without a clasp.
• Beading awl. If you don't have it, you can purchase one at the workshop for $5.
• Sewing kit, work mat or thick cloth to prevent beads from rolling, small scissors, tape measure, and glue or clear nail polish.

INSTRUCTOR WILL PROVIDE:

• Beading needle
• Guide thread #00 silk thread
• Stringing thread (silk, nylon)

Kinokuniya Book Store will be selling Stringing Pearls, The Professional Way by Yoshie Marubashi (in Japanese and English) and Yoshie will be signing copies. If you wanted to learn how to string pearls, this is a way to learn from an expert.