Beaded bangles

I seldom visit the western kitsch shoppes on Whiskey Row. However, sson had a request from his dotter for a prime Row item and off we went.

I could not resist the bright colors and bold designs of cheap 3rd world beaded bracelets.

My favorites were in the basket above.

Necklaces aplenty, as well. Very different from the delicate work done by friends who are deeply into beading. Both varieties, however, are quite photogenic.

Catching up on links: Several interesting new Prescott blogs, starting with Prescott Streets, a photo chronicle of graffiti and similar street art. Scott sends local snapshots from his Blackberry to Prescottscott's Posterous, while someone associated with the master gardener program posts periodically at Yavapai Gardener. It would appear that an entire class over at Yavapai College has been challenged to enter the blog world; you'll find an opening door at Joan's EDU255. Check her blog, then the other class members on her blogroll. Freeskool offers a list of free classes for October. Finally, take a trip out of town to Santa Fe and a series of beautiful chapel pictures taken by Quilted Dog.

Of beading & books

Spring has sprung. A lovely walk downtown today; tomorrow, down to the desert for wildflowers. Woohoo!

Today's walk included a definite goal -- friend Georgene Lockwood was one-third of a book signing trio at the Arts Prescott Coop. Also present, Bobbi Wicks and Rowena Tank, both beaders with projects in Georgene's new book, Complete Idiot's Guide: Beading Projects.

Beading currently on display at the gallery includes jewelry by Rowena...

...and by Lana Ante, who also has a beaded bonnet on display -- a project that took a good six months to create...

...plus some very handsome belts (above) and hat bands by Rolling Thunder.

On my way to the gallery, I noted this group of wrist bands in the window of another gallery. Beading is currently enjoying a major renaissance among craftspeople. Of course, Arizona is a mining state and our local rock shops have featured gem stones as long as we have lived here.

Visiting a bead shop reminds me of the great fun I had as a child going through my grandmother's button box. You never know what you will find. These pictures were among several taken at Rowena's BeadIt beadery at the back of the Sun West Gallery.


Beaded Easter eggs?? Why not. Rowena and Georgene hold open the pages where you learn how to do it.

There were beaded Easter eggs among those displayed in the window of the gallery. Looks like my best shot didn't include any! However, here's my chance to wish everybody a Very Happy Easter.

Linkage: A reminder of my older flower posts links -- in the right hand column, directly below my blogroll. And how could I allow an Easter season to go by without a link to my granddaughter 's annual egg dyeing project?

Evolution: From Rock Shop to Gemstone Beads

Friend Georgene is about finished with her new beading book; Saturday was a day to escape her cage. I'm still slaving away on a huge database -- but needed a complete change of scenery. Besides, I have a birthday next Thursday; a birthday lunch was in order. Followed by a visit to Arizona Gem and Beads, over in PV.

For her, an indulgence in gorgeous new materials (and practical tools.) For me, a feast for the eyes (and color for the camera.)

A varigated array of individual beads...

...and brilliant strings of gemstones as well as glass seed beads.

...plus tools for work either muscular or delicate.

The availability of tools reflects the store's origins as a rock shop. Back in '81 when my husband arrived in the Prescott area, one of the more interesting stores he visited was Arizona Gems and Minerals, then on South Montezuma. Turned out that the owner, George Koldoff, was a lansman from Chicago. He even stocked fossils from the old Coal City strip-mining ponds south of ChiTown.

Over the years, we visited often, buying pretty polished river stones, picture sandstone slices, the occasional fossil, and mineral samples. The store moved to Gurley Street (near the Frame and I), then to the present Prescott Valley location. In later years, we lost touch but it remains a family business, now run by Koldoff's son plus grandson. I miss the older stock of rocks and minerals, but beading is in fashion , geology less so, I guess. That's change for you. Besides, I got the impression that expansion may make room for minerals again. After all, I did find some polished agate for my grandkids.