This past summer Kathy Shomo, who is from Pittsburg, designed a class called "Beading as Contemplative Prayer" Kathy pointed out that all major religions use some form of beads for prayer. She researched and compiled interesting information that she gave to students and invited them to share their ideas and thoughts about why they were taking the class. Below are two samplemade by students  that we loved.




Barb Winkley's contemporary rosary made with floral beads and a lampwork heart instead of a traditional cross





Dorathy Gallo's contemporary rosary is made with a lampwork heart bead, cloisonne  and crystal.

People who shop in Bemus Point,NY often come into the village only in the summer. However, the "locals" sometimes avoid some of their favorite spots in Bemus during "the season" because they are so popular. The restaurants are packed, the parking is premium, the shops are full of customers. There is a lot of fun stuff going on all summer long. Live music on the lake, the idol competition, the smell of great food wafts through the town, the people-watchers are toasting on the porches of the down town establishments meeting friends and making new ones.

Adding to the fun are the specialty shops. When our family decided to open a "store" in the village, we wanted it to be compatible with the other specialty shops, not competitive with them. In fact, many customers might be surprised to learn that the shop owners meet as a group on a regular basis, that we all like each other and that we help one another. Why? because we like what we do, we love Bemus and we really like each other. Take for example a young artist who visited me last spring. She makes beautiful children's accessories. She came to Imagine! because we specialize in hand-made things and she was hoping to sell some of her original designs in our store. We really were attracted to her work, but we immediately "hooked her up" with Kim Walters who owns the Children's Shoppe and where her pieces are now featured. As soon as we saw them, we knew that is where they belong. This attitude of sharing helps each store keep its unique place in the landscape of the Bemus experience. While there are some items that more than one store carries, each shop has a distinctive signature.

At some of the  regular meetings of the specialty shops, we often need to work around the schedule of the various shop owners and it is always exciting for me to hear what they are doing. For example, this month Carol Skillman attended a buyers show in Las Vegas, Kim Walters is headed to Atlanta for an apparel show. Last February I was walking down the isle of the Philadelphia Buyers Market of Fine Crafts and someone came up behind me and put their hands over my eyes...I thought, "Who could this be? I don't know anyone in Philadelphia" and there was Carol's smiling face. It was such a happy surprse for me. She was full of suggestons for our store having already viewed the more than 1,000 booths at the show.

 What does all this travel and specialty shopping mean for our customers? There are more than 11 stores in our village and each one is searching the country and sometimes the world for beautiful, interesting things to bring back right here in Bemus. Each store is sending a buyer (almost always the owner) to buy something wonderful, or fun or clever, hot off the artist's brush or just brought over from Italy or handmade in  America buy craftsmen to share with our customers. So come discover with us.!  

The Beaded Forest
Anne Jackson
 (716) 7631246


The Mystery Bracelet

The "mystery" is how it comes to look like it does and you will need to take the class to learn the additional technique that gives this bracelet its look.  It is a fun and interesting technique and makes up quickly.



Wednesday June 24, 2009 10:30 - 1:30 pm.

Class repeats July 15,2009


                                                                                                at
Imagine!
4950 Main Street
Bemus Point,NY 14712
(716) 386-2244

Class Fee:                              $25.00 payable to Anne Jackson at Imagine!
                                                     (deposit required)

Kit Fee:                                   $25.00 payable to Imagine!


Technique:                          The technique used in this bracelet is basic
                                                  stringing. 

Kit Includes:                      size 11 seed beads and 6mm crystals or pearls or 
                                                  faceted glass beads.
                                                  fireline 6lbs
                                                  clasp  

Bring to Class                Scissors(don't forget your scissors) and
                                         glasses if needed
                                            **********************************************************

LOOKING GLASS ILLUSIONS

Original jewelry by Lori Yochim

PRESENTS:

A BEACH GLASS WIRE WRAPPING CLASS
  
DATE: June 13,2009

Class repeats:
July 25
Aug 8
Sept 12
Oct 17

TIME:  1-3 pm

Hosted by: Imagine! of Bemus Point, NY
4950 Main Street,
Bemus Point, NY 14712
Tel: (716) 386-2244

This introductory class teaches students about wire-wrapping materials, tools, and techniques. Students put what they learn to work by making a wire-wrapped pendant using beach glass, tumbled stained glass or tumbled antique glass.

Class Content         • Everything you need to know about wire but were afraid to ask

                               • Tools of the trade

                               • Making wire-wrapped glass pendants

                                (Tools Provided)

Class Size                 Maximum of 8 students

Class Sessions          One 2-hour session

Kit Fee                     $5.00-10.00 (depending on choices)

Class Fee                  $25 per student payable to Lori Yochim by cash or check –

$5.00 Deposit required (please leave or mail to Imagine!)

LOOKING GLASS ILLUSIONS

Original jewelry by LYochim



PRESENTS:

BEACH GLASS DRILLING AND JEWELRY MAKING

DATE: June 13,2009

Class Repeats:
July 25
August 8
Sept 12
Oct 17

TIME: 10:00-Noon

Hosted by: Imagine! of Bemus Point, NY
4950 Main Street,
Bemus Point, NY 14712
Tel: (716) 386-2244

This introductory class teaches students how to drill beach glass.

Students put what they learn to work by making beach glass jewelry.

Class Content        • How to drill beach glass

                             • Tools of the trade

                             • Making beach glass jewelry

Class Size               Maximum of 8 students

Class Sessions        One 2-hour session

Kit Fee                   $5.00-10.00 (depending on choices)

Class Fee                $25 per student payable to Lori Yochim by cash or check –

$5.00 Deposit required (please send or leave at Imagine!)

Tools provided

                                                      
                                                         
                                         ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  
                                                         The Beaded Forest
                                                                                Anne Jackson
                                                                                (716)763-1246

                                                Hugs and Kisses Bracelet Class





                                                                        at

Imagine!
4950 Main Street
Bemus Point, Ny 14712
(716)386-2244

                                            Saturday June 13,2009
                                                10:30-1:30
                                            Class repeats August 15,2009

                                                

                                                                        Technique:
This is a popular bracelet, taught by many teachers as a way to introduce a beader to the technique of right angle weave. Students will learn the basics of right angle weave by weaving a sparkling crystal bracelet using 2 colors of Swarovski crystals and size 15 Japanese seed beads. This is a bracelet that can be made in an afternoon and worn with jeans or that special dress for dinner.

Class	Students will incorporate size 15 glass Japanese seed beads with Swarovski crystals to create a base in right angle weave and then learn how to embellish the top of the bracelet with a layer of seed beads. Students will finish the bracelet with a toggle clasp
Prerequisite	No fear of tiny beads
Class Size	Maximum of 8 students
Materials to Bring	Scissors (do not forget your scissors) and eye glasses if needed
Materials in Kit	Size 4mm Swarovski crystals in 2 colors Size 11 Beading Needles Fireline Size D beading thread,6lb Toggle Clasp Size 15 Japanese seed beads
Class Fee	$20.00 per student, payable to Anne at Imagine! (deposit required)
Kit Fee	$20.00 (plus tax) per kit, payable nto Imagine! at the class.

                                            +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                                     The Beaded Forest
                                                        Anne Jackson
                                                                     (716) 763-1246 

                         Moon Drop Necklace Class
                                Wed. June 10,2009  7-9pm. Class repeats August 8

                                            at 
Imagine!
4950 Main Street
Bemus Point, NY 14712
716 386-2244
                                Wed. June 10,2009  7:00-9:00pm. Class repeats August 8


                                    Technique             
                                         
This class is designed to teach students how to "bezel"around an object that is to become a pendant for a necklace. Various color choices will be available at the class. If you have a special color you would  like to make with this necklace, please let  Imagine! know when you sign up for the class.


               

Class		Students will learn how to create a peyote stitch "bezel" around a18mm Swarovski crystal. The student will then add drop beads to embellish the outside of the pendant and then add a peyote stitch bail to the top of the pendant using size 11 delica beads
Prerequisite		No fear of tiny beads
Class Size		Maximum of 8 students
Materials to   Bring		Scissors (do not forget your scissors) and glasses if needed
Materials in   Kit		Size 18mm Swarovski crystal Rivoli,  Size 11 Beading Needles  Fireline Size D beading thread, 6lb  1.5mm Waxed Cotton Bead Cord  Size 11 Delica Beads, Size 15 Japanese seed beads   Size15 Charlotte Beads, 3.4mm Drop Beads (Fringe Beads) Size 2/0  Beads for Cord
Class Fee		$25.00 per student, payable to Anne at Imagine! (deposit required in advance)
Kit Fee		$20.00 ( plus tax) per kit, payable  to Imagine! at the class

The Beaded Forest

Anne Jackson

(716) 763-1246

                                                                                Beaded Bead Necklace

Imagine! In Bemus
4950 Main Street
Bemus Point, NY 14712
(716) 386-2244

                                Tuesday June 9  7-9pm and Tuesday June 16 7-9pm
                                        (2 sessions required to complete)
 

                                                                Technique
                                                 Peyote Stitch; Stringing; Crimping

This has been a popular necklace class in the past 2 years and Anne is teaching it again in 2009. This class not only teaches a student the basics of flat peyote stitch, but also some basics in stringing a necklace and the various ‘findings’ involved in doing so. If a student cannot take the class on the date scheduled, Anne and Imagine will schedule an additional class – at no additional cost – so that you do not miss out on this fun class.

Class	This is an excellent class to learn flat peyote stitch while incorporating several different sizes of seed beads. Students will have a choice of making just the large beaded bead or the large bead and the two small ones that go on each side. You will learn how to assemble and string the necklace, as well as how to crimp and finish a necklace using many different types of beads, findings, and crystals.
Prerequisite	Fear not the "BLING".
Class Size	Maximum of 8 students
Materials to Bring	Scissors (do not forget your scissors) and eyeglasses if needed.
Materials in Kit	Everything – and we mean EVERYTHING – is provided. New color choices. If there is a special color combination you would like, just give Anne 2 weeks notice to put together that ‘special kit.’ Then, just bring your willingness to have fun and learn.
Class Fee	$40 per student, payable  to Anne at Imagine! (deposit required) includes both sessions.
Kit Fee	$30 (plus tax) per kit, payable to Imagine! at the class.

Goodbye Café * Hello Gift Shop

    The snow is very pretty but always looks better if you are playing in it or watching it from a cozy room with a large window as opposed to shoveling it or driving in it. At the shop we have had a lovely, restful break from all the holiday frenzy and now it is time to relax a little and make that wonderful sweater or piece of jewelry for yourself. Also, a good time to start holiday gift making for next year. This time I'm going to be very organized.Right! The idea is good,maybe make one thing a month for gifts. Taking a class right now is a very delicious luxury. Sip some tea, munch a cookie and make something really breathtaking. Imagine is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00-5:00 until the spring comes. Many afternoons people gather around the front table and work on projects and chit chat while they work .They "ouu" and "ahh" over each other's work and say " I want to make that" We love to see the sharing and visiting. Spending time with other crafters is part of the fun. If you're not crafty, its all right, come visit. There are pretty things in the store to browse and shop, coffee is free. Take a snow break. Even I plan to finally finish my three projects. I am determined to have them on hangers by the end of January and ,as always, I can't wait to start something new. Last winter I even got to take a class. It was so much fun. Laughing is always part of the curriculum. See you soon.