Beads and Jewelry Findings oh and Hearts!

I just unpacked a box of great jewelry findings.  They are frames and surfaces to use with small pictures.  Nunn Design makes the little frames.  I am going to find the time today to make a few necklaces and earrings from these wonderful pieces.  I'll add some beads and make some great pieces. 

I have had these hearts in my shop and need to do something creative with them.  They have a loop on them and can be hung.  They're little scared heart bottles. 
One last thing. 

I found these images of old Czech Beads.   I love the images.  These bead cards were offered on eBay. 

Off to Art Fest and VE closed days

I am heading out on Wed. morning to Port Townsend to stay at Fort Worden and attend Artfest 2010, this is an annual event for me, one that I haven't missed for 7 years. 
Vital Elements will be closed on Wed. March 24th, Thurs. March 25th, and Sunday March 28th. Alice Shull will be working for me for Friday and Saturday so stop in and say hi to Alice.
See Ya!

Basic Jewelry 101    $ 25.00     2 hours   Monday April 12th     5-7pm  
This is the class for you if you need to know how to make a basic earring, bracelet or necklace.  Simple chain making and wire work will be covered.  Check out websites and magazines and start a jewelry journal with pictures of what you want to make and draw up your designs.
Supplies   (you provide)
*Beads
*Focal Bead
*Jewelry Findings (toggle set, head pins, earring wires, lobster clasp and ring)   Kit Available for 5.00

Tools Needed
Wire cutters, side cutters
Round nose pliers
Bent nose pliers
Flat nose pliers

Vital Elements will have simple tool kits and all the findings available to purchase. Be sure to bring what you have to save on your costs.

Class Schedule

Here is Vital Elements class Schedule.  Come on into the store to get the scoop and the tool and supply list.

Vital Elements Gifts - An Octopus's Garden

Looking around my gift store I realized that I have quite a few Octopus in my store.  Thought I would share with you a couple picture of these wonderful creatures that a local man named Kris Sanoma made.

 

This next Octopus is one that I made out of steel wire for Artfest 2009.  The theme was Sea Monsters

 

Have a great day and come on in to my store for your Sea Creature needs! We have beads and gifts too!

Oilcloth International!

Did you know Vital Elements gift store in Friday Harbor has 5 different bright and pretty patterns in Oilcloth!  Yep!  This wonderful material can be used to make everything from table cloths to aprons and makeup bags.  Check out Oilcloth Internationals' Web site and link up with great idea on how to use this traditional product! Made in the USA
Our bead supply is growing daily.  Come on in and tell me what you need in bead stuff. 

Friday Harbor Gift Store Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor Gift Store Vital Elements

Now carries Publications from Stampinton... and art based company. Somerset STudio is the #1 best selling Arts and Craft Magazine at Barnes and Noble.  The craft stores always sell out on the mainland...but you dont have to travel off island to buy these wonderful magazines.

Just an update

I have a shipment from Fringe Studio coming in this week. I also am getting a shipment of bead related items Inexpensive tool kits, great charms and chains and more crystal beads.
My workshops are filling up 2 more people and one of them is a go.
Check them out and sign up by either calling Vital Elements at 360.298.0300
Basic Jewelry 101(12 and up)
Wire Wrap Cabochons
Resin Jewelry- Fill it up!
Celini Spiral
Goddess Pouch
I put some beautiful vintage amber gold beads in my case yesterday. They are about 12 mm in size. Also some nice rondelles crystals in amethyst.
Vital elements has Swarovski Crystal Beads too!
We have a full table of affordable gem and agate beads, pearls, ect
Come on in and check out Vital Elements the new gift and bead store in town!
Open Mon. 10-5, closed Tue., Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun. 12-4

BEADS BEADS BEADS

Vital Elements has beads! I am trying to provide beads to jewelry artists in Friday Harbor.I want customers to let me know what they need when they shop for supplies in town. Everyday my collection of beads for sale grows as I am ordering constantly and purchasing new display. I really want to supply our island with special and unique beads for focal pieces and have findings and strings of beads to create your own pieces. I will also begin collecting antique and vintage beads to sell to artists and collectors. Come on in and check it out!
I have been a bead buyer for my personal jewelry business for 30 years, I have been a collector of beads all my life.
Vital Elements will be the home of San Juan Island Beader's and will have the first meeting Wednesday evening March 3 at 5:30. This will start as a small group (your invited!) just getting together to talk, share, learn about beads. Bring a project and share what you do. Everyone is invited.

Adding Jewelry and Arts and Craft workshops

I am adding some workshops. Starting March 1st Vital Elements will have workshops on a weekly basis. March's workshop offerings will be Celini Spiral ( a beautiful one piece beaded spiral necklace with a button for a clasp, wire wrapped cabochan, this is a simple way to set a stone or other treasure in steel, copper or sterling wire.
Captured Picture pendants in resin. Learn how to use 2 part resin to make domed picture pendants, scrabble tiles or framed objects. Jewelry making 101, this is a beginners class on making earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Vital elements will begin layered collage classes and a Getting to know the Steampunk Style Jewelry class. More coming soon

Opened and Lovin it

It is so good to have a store again. Here are some pictures before I recieved 14 boxes on Monday! I still have yet to see my bath products, but they are coming.
Business is good and walk in traffic is wonderful.
I didnt get finished with everything in my store until 4:30! but it was still the 12th of February. Yeah Rachel was my first customer...she bought some beads.

Opening Day

Well this is it! I am opening today! I probably will wait until 2:00 or 3:00 and make it short day. I have about 1/2 my merchandise in but want to be open for the 3 day weekend.
I will post photos soon.
R

Getting close now

My opening is scheduled for Feb. 12th....that's a week from today, Yikes. It is going to be so good to be back in business!! All my shipments have not arrived so I am having a not so grand opening. I have about 50% of what I ordered and am still ordering. I have 6 wonderful artists coming in on consignment. If you wish to consign show me what you have!
My business is going to grow slowly and steadily, keeping in mind that debt is what got our economy is a mess in the first place... that being said it will only get better everyday so once I am open come in often as new things will arrive daily for a while, then weekly as the spring and summer progresses.
The bead part of my store will be super cool... the crafts supply will have to wait until my coffers fill again.
This is the fantastic counter that my dad made me for my birthday! He is getting older (76) and said this is the last big project he will ever do...he is so dear and a tad onry! Love ya dad.
My goal for Vital Elements....of imagination is to be a place that from the moment you walk through the front door you feel inspired, by special treasures, craft ingredients, beads, and the product of imagination everywhere. I also want to be a destination store. What that means is that people who come to the island plan on coming to my store. That will be an accomplishment.
Here are some pics of the counter my dad made and shadows of my sons friend William painting the out side of the building. The other dude is my 3rd son Tyson, he is making a really cool steam-punk watch.

Shopping 'til I Drop!

I am just back from the Seattle Gift Show where I spent 3 days shopping for wonderful products for my new store. I found some wonderful art items, jewelry, bath products and decor.
Last Thursday I got my first shipment of goods. I am so happy it was from Papaya! I took an Artfest class from the creator of these wonderful goods that will be gracing my new store.

Goddess Bag Class!!!

My first bead class will be led by Betsy Childress. It will be The Goddess Bag. Please sign up by commenting on this Post.
The cost to you with all the supplies will only be $65.00! Too Cool! Betsy will take you step by step through this project and you will go home with a finished bag!
Date will be determined by the sign ups the week of Feb. 15th-22.
Plan a day to create!

Upcoming Workshops at Vital Elements

Workshops to be offered at Vital Elements


Betsy Childress Cellini Spiral
Goddess bag

Rhonda Scott

Ink Jet Transfer
Simple Fused Glass Pendants
Book Binding
Precious Metal Clay
Drilling Stone
Basic Jewelry Making 101
Mixed Media Collage
Bottle Cap Art
Lots of Project based classes and workshops
What do you want to learn?


Vital Elements is to be the home of the San Juan Beaders. This is a group of creative beaders who either collect, sell, create, make or just plain love beads.
First meeting day to be determined. I am thinking of Tues or Wed early eve. or???
Email me at retrorose@rockisland.com

Paint Paint Paint

I have been painting for 4 days! My son came up from Oregon to help me and I am sure glad he did. My shop is looking good. I painted one wall salsa dancing the other a gray green called Scotland Moor ( or something like that), that is in the fist 38 feet of my shop. In the second section that will be dedicated to arts and crafts supplies, beads, and classes in all kinds of beading, jewelry, mixed media, found object art, I painted it a nice yellow called handmade. I thought it was very appropriate for this room. It sure brightened my shop up!! I still have to put a darker stencil with a damask pattern over the hot salsa dancing.
Here are some more pictures of phase II
I will reopen on Feb. 12 with beads, cards, candles, home decor, jewelry, craft supplies and tons of inspiration and art.

Winding down

There are just 5 more days to shop at Vital Elements Holiday Gift Shop.
My hours are
Sunday 11-5
Monday 10-6
Tues 10-6
Wed 11-6
Thurs 11-3

I have Melissa Callahan's wonderful handcrafted spiders with the story of the Christmas Spider and other spider legends. She also brought in 3 daddy long-legged spiders that are beautiful.

We have jewelry, bath products and botanicals,candles, hats for men and women, cards, beautiful art prints, Volkswagen van prints, Photography umbrellas, key chains, prints and cards, wonderful original collages, Metal garden flowers, Joan Benney's T- shirts and photography plus so much more. Come in and enjoy our local artists.
Shop Locally......Buy Handmade

It's almost full

Here is Vital Elements Holiday Shop. It is almost full with 3 more artists squeezing their beautiful art into my shop in the next few days.

More Good News

Vital Elements Holiday Shop is OPEN!
I will have pictures tomorrow of my store. It is amazing how it all came together in just a couple of weeks.
Here is a few more of the wonderful artists that have graced my store.

Joan Benney- Ethereal Photo Prints and hand screened t-shirts with the most wonderful graphics.
Kevin Roth- Recycled, rejuvenated, beautiful silver flowers and bugs.
Chris Samoas - Skillfully made frogs, flowers, dragons and more. All made from glass in Chris's Island studio. (Chris I hope I spelled your name correctly!)