A Wonderful Weekend with Sherry

As many of you may know, Sherry Serafini visited City Beads this weekend.  The Runway Earrings and All That Jazz, aka Haskell Bracelet classes were outstanding.  However, it was the Creative Component Cuff class that really blew me away.  No kit, no instructions -- one of those "stretch your imagination" classes.  What I both love and admire about Sherry is her openness, and complete willingness to share her artistic soul and spirit.  She gives everything to her students, and now having been both her student and her employer, I admire her even more.


On Sunday, Sherry inspired sixteen outstanding bead weaving artists to explore their creative spirit.   Here are the beginnings of what are sure to be outstanding cuffs, pins, brooches or neckpieces, depending on the respective visions of the beaders . . .  (forgive the photography, my camera was on the fritz and I had to use my iPhone)


Here's what Judy came up with -- a study in rusts

And then there was Cheri

And I think this was either Jennifer or Judy, I was getting excited,

And I don't even remember whose this one was, I was just snapping away!

To everyone who visited the store this weekend, my sincere thanks.  To all who participated in the classes, please stop by so I can photograph (properly this time) your finished pieces.  And to a wonderful teacher and dear friend, my sincere thanks and deep respect.  

A Sherry Serafini Double Whammy

I think I'm either in shock or a bit overwhelmed.  I've just finished pricing about 50 sheets of Lacy's Stiff Stuff, and 3 dozen tubes of  E6000 arrived today.  That's aside from all the Spring Pantone firepolish and metallic Czech drops.  Sherry Serafini is due in tomorrow, and after teaching a full day of classes on Friday, she will be signing her two new books.  First on the list is Beading Across America.  While many of you attended the first party for this publication, we've decided to have another with Sherry signing as both a co-author and contributor.  A big shout out and thanks go to Janice and Kim at Kalmbach for all their help and moral support in putting all this together.

And as if that weren't enough and as if Sherry weren't busy enough, her solo publication, Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery will also enjoy it's debut book signing at City Beads at the same time.

So my loyal readers, please join us for what is sure to be a delightful and exciting event.  Sherry will sign books this Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  at 3928 N. Rockwell Street in Chicago.  If you can't make it then, Sherry will be around teaching all weekend.  Give us a call or shoot us an email and we'll get a book signed and get it out to you.  We'll be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. if you want to shop . . .

ANOTHER BOOK SIGNING!!!!!!

I'm beside myself!   After an email from Sherry Serafini and telephone conversations and emails with the publisher and marketing departments, City Beads will be the first store in the U.S. to have a book signing for Sherry and her newest publication, Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery. 

It's a good thing I never took down the tables!  I'm over the top with excitement.  On Friday, March 18, Sherry will sign her new book AND her pages in Beading Across America where she is co-author and contributor (a great pair of earrings representing Pennsylvania).  That, plus three days of wonderful classes -- oh what a weekend!

But wait.  Tomorrow,  I'm going to San Francisco  for Beading by the Bay with great friends and teachers Marcia DeCoster, Maggie Meister and Jean Campbell.  Two great beading weekends in a row!  What more could a girl ask for?  Maybe some rest, but you know what they say.  There's no rest for the wicked!

A Wonderful Weekend!

For those of you who hadn't heard, City Beads had it's first book signing this weekend.  Being the perfectionist I am (although if you saw my house right now, you wouldn't believe it) I approached the event with great trepidation.  Would anyone show up?  Would I have enough books?  What should I serve?  Would the weather cooperate?

There was a steady flow of customers all day long, and Beading Across America was well received.  Everyone was delighted to have both NanC Meinhardt and Paulette Baron available to sign their book.  There was plenty of food, and the weather cooperated until about 5 p.m. Chicago time, when the rain began to fall.  All in all, the day was a great success.

My thanks to everyone for a wonderful event!  To the many old time beading buddies, thank you for traveling long distances to share in the celebration.  To all the newcomers, it was a treat to meet you and I hope to see you again soon.

And now, off to bed.  The work week starts again tomorrow, but it will be a short one.  I'm treating myself to a weekend in San Francisco at Beading By the Bay, where I'm sure much fun will be had.  Until the next post, Happy Beading!

I'm Playing With Beads Again

Today's post is short and sweet.  I've stolen some time to play with beads -- especially some new ones that have come in from a favorite supplier.  When I opened the box, my initial thought was, "What in heaven's name am I going to do with these?"  (well, not exactly . . . )

They're called bubble beads, or mushroom drops.  I'm sure there's more you could do with them, but I'm off to prepare for the Beading Across America book signing.  Why don't you give it a try?  Hope to see you soon!