Merry Christmas friends.  I hope you all have a blessed holiday season. 

 My family has had a great Christmas.  This is our first Christmas with my Grandson Wyatt.  I thought I would share a few pictures  with you.

Also this season Katherine's Beads is taking some much needed time off to spend with family.

My holiday hours will be as follows..

OPEN-Saturday December 28th and Tuesday December 31st.

CLOSED- January 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

We RE-OPEN with regular hours Saturday January 4th from 10 to 4.

Looking forward to seeing you at Katherine's Beads. 

My new class schedule will be updated by January 1st.

My son Dylan, his wife Jenn and Wyatt!!

Wyatt was a happy boy at Christmas!!

My daughter Ellie and Wyatt!!

Wyatt smiling again!! 

Wyatt and me!!

Ellie framed this picture of my Mother to add to our family collection!!
I'm looking a little rough but it is Christmas morning...

Here is me with another picture Ellie had framed.   It's a picture of my Dad,  his mom and his brothers on my parents wedding day!! It's pretty cool!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014 Friend!!

The Guys!!

No it was just Jenn!!

Dylan grew an extra set of arms...

Happy Thanksgiving to all from 

Katherine's Beads.

May you all have a blessed day!

A small shop update.  Wednesday November 27th we close at 2:00 and will reopen at 10:00 A.M. Friday morning November 29th.
Saturday, November 30 I will be at the Bizarre Bazaar in Barrington Hills for another wonderful show put on by Melissa Wood.
The show goes from 5 to 9 and is located at 356 Old Sutton Rd., Barrington Hills..

Katherine's Bead's Christmas Party

This Friday November 22nd I'm having my First Annual Christmas Party at Katherine's Beads in Woodstock
I will be introducing fabulous local artists ...
And the artisan lineup is...
Patricia Eagle showing her beautiful jewelry with Patricia Lynn Designs..
http://www.patricialynndesigns.com
Betsy Greene and her wonderful creative jewelry..
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Barchwood
Barbara Schneider and her lovely hand dyed scarves and shawls..
www.barbaraschneider-artist.com
Andrea Carter with her fabulous floral designs..
https://www.etsy.com/shop/meadowlanedesigns
Janet Rauchenberger with her cool belt buckles and sweet little paintings...
Sharon Sickal (my sister)  with her handmade headbands..
and Me with  new designs I have been busily creating...

Also Katherine will have live music with guitarist Merv Collins..
Check out his website and feel free to listen to his magical tunes...
http://www.mervcollinsmusic.com

I will be serving wine, water, coffee and foodies to add to your shopping pleasure..
All Katherine's Beads will be 20% off from 5 to 9. (excluding metals)
So come one come all....

Hi Friends,
My class schedule is updated and I have been teaching Tuesday and Thursday nights.  Please keep in mind you need to preregister for the classes and a deposit is required.  Since spots are being held last minute cancelation deposits will not be refunded if it's a non-emergency.  November 9th I have  4 openings for my beginner level PMC workshop.  Please register soon if you are considering taking the class.  I need at least an eight day window to order silver for this workshop. Beginner level PMC is lots of fun and you go home with multiple charms and pendants.  Ear wires and leather straps are included to take home finished jewelry.
Tuesday night October 29 I have a few opening for my wire wrap earring class.  This class starts at 7 and is 2.5 hours long.  You go home with many new basic jewelry techniques and a finished pair of sterling earrings. Thursday October 31st I have a basic earring class that starts at 7 and has several opening as well.   Please call me at 815-276-3399 or the shop at 815-308-5755.  You can also email me at katherinesbeads@gmail.com.  Don't forget to see my class schedule on the right.
Do you want to do a class but don't see a date or schedule time to fit you needs?  I will do a you plus two class.  You and two friends register for a class and we pick the date.  Just give me a jingle and we can pop that on the schedule...
I am also working on day time classes.  I have two new instructors coming on board to teach basic metal smithing and bezel setting and wire crochet. I will keep you updated as soon as these classes are scheduled.
I recently opened up a table at the back of the shop for studio time. I will set a schedule for the studio time this week with studio does and don'ts.  My hope is to bring in fellow beaders to create a fun atmosphere and community time for our craft.
 Christmas is just around the corner and Katherine's Beads is doing an open house and having a Christmas party in mid November.  I will get that date out next week so you can mark your calenders.
I hope all is well and keep beading ladies.  It's good for the soul...

Hi friends,
I am working on updating my class schedule.  I will have it completed by tomorrow night.

     Last Thursday night I did my first group class with 5 great gals.  It went really well and every student went home with a finished necklace.  My classes are beginning to fill so if you have an interest in learning some basic jewelry design technics check out the schedule on the right.  Do any of you out there have an interest in daytime classes.  If you do let me know.  I would love to hear from you.
    I have recently decided to bring in jewelry artists on consignment.  Do you make beautiful jewelry that I may be interested in having at my shop?  I will do a 30/70 split and a 90 day contract plus $15.00 each month. I will advertise your goodies on my blog, facebook and postcards to my customer base. Feel free to email me at katherinesbeads@gmail.com and we can set up an appointment.  I will only be taking 3 artists at a time and I am going to be a bit picky.  Please understand I need work that I feel will be a good fit and the cost within a certain price point. Thanks for understanding...
    On a side note this weekend I get the awesome privilege of having my jewelry at the beautiful Starline for 4th Fridays art show.  I will be displaying my work at Christine Migala's Studio on the main floor.  Look for the sunflower over the door and come and look at our fun new goodies....
Hope to see you this Friday if not sooner...

Silk corded class last Thurday!! These ladies are in deep concentration!!

Posing for me!! Thanks gals..

The process...and almost complete!!

A finished necklace!!! A  nice classic piece indeed...

 

I have updated my class schedule and am ready to roll.  My little studio in the back of my shop is painted and looking good enough to get classes started.  There is a class schedule link to the right.  Please click it for a complete schedule.  Make it a great day everyone and pop in for a visit.  My bead strands are 20% off until Saturday!!

Goodmorning!!  I have been so busy getting my new shop in Woodstock in order I haven't been keeping up with my blog.  This morning I thought I would show some before and after pictures of the shop.  It was a bear to paint and we had a lot of holes to patch but the front of the shop is finally finished.  I have a large room in the back for teaching and designing that still needs to be put in order.  I will photograph that later and share those with you when the time comes.

So this is what the space looked like when I rented it.  I saw potential....

TaDa!! The same space with a makeover. A little bit of Walmart paint goes a long way...

Another before shot. The front door looking very Red...

The front door now very white and welcoming...

The back of the store.  I will be changing out the table to an antique one I found at Salvation Army for $35.00 sitting in my barn waiting for my hubby to refinish.  This table will go in the back room and will be perfect for teaching classes.  It can take a lot of banging.  My brother Stevie made this when I was in highschool for my Mom.  I am thrilled to have it living in my shop.

Goodmorning to all!!  I have been painting and and painting and there is still more painting to be done at my little shop.  I will be opening Katherine's Beads at 116 E. Calhoun St. in Woodstock Illinois on Saturday July 6th whether I am ready or not.  I am hopeful that I will be ready enough..My sign is finished and Ken from Starline did a great job!!

I

I also have some other wonderful news.  I just became a Grandma!!  Little Wyatt Patrick came into the world June 18th on my husbands birthday.  What a gift..

A sneak peak at my new location off the Woodstock square

 I took a ride to Woodstock today and took a few pictures of my shop to be.  I also was hoping the folks occupying the space were almost out but it's not June 1st yet. They are still working in there.
For those of you reading my blog for the first time and know me from the Starline Gallery in Harvard this may come as a supprise.  I am moving my studio just off the square in Woodstock and am opening up retail hours at the Blossom Shop, (soon to be called Katherine's Beads) in June.  My target date to open is June 15th but this isn't written in stone.  I have lots of painting and redecorating to do before I open my doors.  But I plan to work day and night until its done.  I am bubbling with excitement about my new space.  Once I am in I don't plan on going anywhere for a long, long time...
My shop will be open retail hours Tuesday through Saturday.. I don't have my hours down yet but I will keep you updated.  At this time it is only me running the shop but as time goes on I hope to bring in some part time help and expand my hours opening Monday and possibly Sunday afternoons.
Here are some picture but I plan on brightening this place up a bit.  I see some flower planters in its future and maybe some hanging baskets to bring the place alive.

Blossom Shop soon to be called Katherine's Beads

Planters with some flowers will look nice..

I have yet to find out more about the shop next to me...

We are across the street from the back of Seasons By Peg which is on the square.

We are kiddy corner from the King Smokehouse which is known for having great Ribs...

Hi Friends,
My last blog post I mentioned I was moving my studio to the Woodstock square in June.  With that said I will be in and out of my studio periodically and will be closed for retail hours during the month of May.  I will open to appointment though.  Feel free to call me at 815-276-3399 and we can set a time.  Thanks for your understanding.  I have lots of stuff to move...

Aprils 4th Friday was another wonderful night filled with lots of newcomers to Starline.  It's so fun see the reaction on peoples faces as they explore the Factory with awe.  I had lots of new and returning customers.  Thanks everyone for your encouragement and support of my bead and jewelry studio. 
This Saturday April 27th my doors will be closed to retail hours.  My daughter is home from college for the weekend and we are spending time shopping for baby items for my little grandson who will be born sometime in June. Then my daughter in law will be having her first baby shower on Sunday. 

I do have some news about the status of my studio at Starline.  I will be making yet another move. Call me crazy but I am leaving Starline at the end of May to reopen Katherine's Beads located off the Woodstock square at 116 E. Calhoun St. Through lots of pray and long talks with my husband we have made the decision to leave the beautiful Starline.  Business has been slow and we realize Woodstock would be a better location for  retail.  We are taking over the Blossom Shop on Calhoun St. right on the perimeter of the Woodstock square.  What I love about this location is number one, the shop space itself is larger and brighter than my old space on the square and number two it has a parking lot right beside it for my customers.  What more could I ask for. 

I will be staying at Starline through May and will be participating in the two events planned.  May 10th is a open studio night for the public to come and join the artists as they feature their new upcoming spring arts and crafts and of course the May 4th Friday event.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon. 

Good morning!  Today April 6th my little bead shop won't be open until 12:00.  I look forward to seeing you then....

Greetings friends,
Today March 29th and March 30th I will not be open at my studio.  If you decide you would like to come please give me a call and we can set an appointment.  Just call me on my cell at 815-276-3399.  Have a great Easter weekend...

Marches 4th Friday at Starline came and went without me doing any preboasting. Time slipped through my fingers this month and before I new it 4th Friday was here.  In spite of the fact I never got postcards out to my wonderful customers and friends it was still a successful evening. I met lots of new people and my pilates instructor showed up to boot. Yes, that's you Anita. Anita is the kick but pilates instructor from Woodstock rec. center. Anyone within 15 miles of Woodstock should come and join her class. It's great but let me warn you, she has no mercy. (LOL) I keep going back though...

Here are a few pictures of some of the Friday night visitors I had. Check out the lady in the sunglasses. I use them as a prop but I got two offers on them that night. I just wasn't ready to part with them. I didn't know the two guys on the sofa but they sat and stayed a while. The guy with the bow tie loves vintage and took an interest in some of my antiques but wasn't ready to pull out his wallet that night. Maybe next time...

Barb shot this pic of me at the end of the evening...

Do you think he is wearing a toupee?

Starline visitors...

These guys were hanging out enjoying themselves.

Erin and her hubby...

I have been a busy little bee getting ready for Starlines next 4th Friday art gallery event which is this coming Friday Feb. 22nd from 6 to 9pm. Here are a few of my fine silver piece just coming out of the kiln and then two of the pieces finished. I thought it would be fun for you to see a little before and after peek...When silver is finished firing it comes out white. But after a little polish and patina it shines up beautifully. Here you see the before and after of the earrings and my lotus pendant. The others I haven't finished.

My Studio is finally finished and I am open for business. Here is a sneak peak at my space.

  My class schedule is updated and I will be sending out post cards to my e-mailing list with future updates. I am looking forward to getting classes rolling, digging in and having some fun. My class schedule is to the right.

I am also now open for business selling beads and jewelry Thursday through Saturday 11:00 AM to 4 PM.  My address is 306 Front St. Studio 204A Harvard, Il. 60033.  I am at the Starline Art Gallery which is always in transition while they daily improve the building.  Don't let that stop you from dropping by business hours.
(A quick heads up, if you are traveling far to visit check my blog for periodic closings.  Once in a while I can't make it for personal reasons ie. funerals, weddings, church retreats or illness.)  I will post on my blog if I am closed.
If you decide to come to the shop and the door is locked down stairs call me at 815-276-3399.  I will come down and let you in the building. Most of the time it is open during the day but once in a while it gets locked. I will also open to appointment if my shop hours don't work for you. Just give me a call or email me. Also I do take charge cards.

 

Did you know there is an Art show here at Starline every fourth friday of the month?  This last show on the 25th of January we had a wonderful crowd.  Thank you to the friends that stopped by to see my new space.