Threading Beading Needles

LauraZee posted a comment on the Blog article that mentioned Pace needles saying that she had trouble threading a beading needle. Since Comments are not working quite right this morning, I thought I'd answer LauraZee's comment here.

Sometimes changing to another brand of beading needle helps.  Some have larger eyes than others (although a large eye isn't much help with tiny beads).  Vicky DeAngelis says she likes Bohin beading needles and Mary Arden beading needles.  Looks like Mary Arden needles (which I've never heard of before) are English needles distributed by Colonial Needle.
http://www.colonialneedle.com/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?category=NEEDLES_-_Beading&search=yes

Bohin beading needles are imported from France.  By the way, John James beading needles are very popular because they are the normal needle length instead of being three inches long like most beading needles you find at fabric stores.  Personally I love the longer needles but not everyone does.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Accessories/Needles.html

I use the old wire loop threaders to thread my beading needle.  I buy them whenever I see them because they seem to be harder to get.  After I open the package of threaders, I line them up on a sheet of waxed paper on the kitchen counter, then put a drop of Super Glue on the base where the wire attaches.  This makes them last a lot longer.
http://assistivetech.net/search/productDisplay.php?product_id=39966

I hope some of these ideas help you with your beads, Laura!

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

Blogger Has Problems UPDATED

Blogger (which hosts Blog) seems to be having trouble. I had to switch browsers to access my account, I can't post a new Canvas of the Day, and the two articles I wrote to post this morning haven't published. I am going to write and publish this right away and see if it hits.

Blogger had an update yesterday. That might have borked everything.  Stay tuned!

UPDATE:  I forced today's messages to post but I can't find a way around changing the Canvas of the Day yet.  At least messages have posted!

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

Jane Luvs Judie

Why I love Judie

As you know, last week I ran out of a thread I'm using on Red Geisha's hair, which has delayed my showing off how I stitched her wig.  But Judie of Thistle Needlework came to the rescue via her online shop, Alex Paras NeedleArts.  Judie didn't have the thread I wanted in stock, but she got it for me right away and shipped it out immediately.  So I've been stitching my brains out, thanks to her.

The photo above shows what came with my order. Yes, that's a skein of ThreadworX's overdyed Kreinik.   I decided since I needed only one skein of thread, I would pick up a few small things I've been wanting at the same time.  The online shop had both dede Odgen's Pace needle (which I've been dying to try) and some of the small strong magnets for holding my needles I favor.   The tube is how the needle is stored until you need it.  The gold magnet is just visible at the base of Judie's Thistle logo in the tiny packet.  It is only a quarter inch across but very strong.  The second link below shows a bit more about Pace needles.  The first link is to Alex Paras where I bought my treats.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/

https://needleartworks.com/dsgnr/deo/deo12.htm

By the way, Judie's having a thread sale this month.  Each week different threads are on sale at 20% off.  In stock threads only but this is a good time to kit out a project.  The details are on the Thistle website.  If you want to do online ordering, use the Alex Paras website (above).
http://www.thistleneedleworks.com/

I'll report back on the Pace needle later (they are intended to be used with multiple strands of thin metallics like Accentuate or Bijoux or blending filament) but I'll be using the new little magnets when I start a new project shortly.

I love you, Judie!  Many thanks!!

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

TNNA News

New things for the June TNNA trade show in June are starting to appear.  Barbara Bergsten's class is filling up so hurry if you want in on the fun.  There's a link to the TNNA website so you can see other classes open to the shops.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/05/barbara-bergsten-designs-tnna-class.html

Here's a bit more about Barbara's company, from the TNNA publicity blurb for her Booth 1714.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/05/barbara-bergsten-designs-booth-1714.html

Patt and Lee Designs is creating new things (and putting twists on slightly older designs), all for our stitching pleasure.
http://pattandleedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/poodle-love-now-stitch-painted.html

As June draws nearer, I expect more details to show up as folks prepare to dazzle us once again.

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

Monthly Clubs Updates

Because so many shops have monthly clubs available, there is always news about them.  Pocket Full of Stitches now offers their Kelly Clark pears club as individual kits.  Can you stitch just one?  LOL
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/05/kellys-pears.html

French Knot reminds us that their Little Shoppe Canvas Company Christmas train club starts this month.
http://thefrenchknot.com/current-series.htm

Ruth Schmuff is going to offer the Creepy Characters Club from Needle Deeva.  The stitch guides for each Halloween monster are from Robin King, so you know this will be great!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/04/creepy-creepy-characters-by-needle.html

Do you love turtles?  Jane Nichols has designed a turtle of the month series.  I have a friend who just adores the Jane Nichols sets and buys them to work up her own stitches and reduce her stash at the same time.
http://www.janenicholsneedlepoint.com/Whats_New.html

If you are a New Yorker and want to do your own set of New York themed canvases, check out the wide selection Annie and Company has online.  This is for the easily bored stitcher who likes to do their own thing.  I particularly like the Needlepoint Broad's ornaments but the baseball fan will find plenty to love (or hate) here.
http://annieandco.com/collections/new-york

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