News from the Bead Industry

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has published a new e-newsletter that talks about the changes in the bead industry.  To sum up, Swarovski has stopped selling their crystals and beads to the craft industry and now Precosia is no longer making most pearl colors and styles.  So Susan is looking for replacements in Europe.

https://mailchi.mp/149bfd86c3cb/aug-20-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawMVUVtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6dlJFeEc2dU05OEo5QWZqAR7SOu2xGGNM1jjBPoWXK7ba4Mx26G6QB-mHmrVmUjG6brM35f-LGuYQWL1wBg_aem_oCLJ7VuaW0m85Y4FWy-t7A

SJ Designs is one of my Go To places to shop for beads, pearls and metal findings.  If you'd like to browse, here is her website.

https://sj-designs.net/shop/beads-pearls-sew-ons/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Look at Making High Relief Pearl Embroidery

Not too many of us are going to be covering a frame with pearls, amethysts and gold embroidery the way Larissa Borodich did, but some of the same techniques (such as trapunto) are used in needlepoint, so I thought you'd love to see the Russian icon Mary Corbet posted about today. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/01/high-relief-bead-embroidery-close-ups-and-tips.html

It is a gorgeous piece and there are many ideas we might be able to use on our own work.  Thanks, Mary and Larissa!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 12, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's Pearls

The September newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is available now. In it Amy's going nuts over pearls. Big ones, little ones, ovals, pinks, creams, any sort of pearl you can imagine.  She even touches on the historic pearls that Henry VIII and his contemporaries owned.  You can even see Anne Boleyn's favorite necklace.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0913.pdf

I have to admit I am wild over SJ Designs' beads myself (not to mention their great customer service) and own some lovely pink and peach pearls in little boxes, just waiting for the perfect canvas....
http://www.sj-designs.com/category_7/Pearls.htm

By the way, Amy talks about other things in the newsletter, mostly new products.  They are already listed on her shop website to make shopping easier.
http://www.amybunger.com/whats_new.html?utm_source=September+2013+Newsletter&utm_campaign=September+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Add Another Temptation to the List

I just bookmarked another page on the SJ Designs website, the one for Confetti.  This is a tubular thread similar to Rachel and Frosty Rays but the color range is different.  I particularly like their subtle colors for smoke and snow and creating the illusion of distant ice.  You can see all the available colors starting here.
http://www.sj-designs.com/category_21/Confetti.htm

By the way, Susan has added new sizes to her pearl beads.  You can now pick up a range of sizes, which I find particularly useful.
http://www.sj-designs.com/category_63/Faux-Pearls-BY-SIZE.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Goldfish Bubbles

I added bubbles to the goldfish canvas Monday night. These came with the canvas and I placed them about where they originally were attached to the canvas. I believe Gail said they were Austrailian pearls. The colors vary and are quite pretty.

Now everything is done but the finishing. However, since I have several pieces to finish, it will be a bit before this is really done.

Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow