HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Just a reminder that SGBC will be closed next Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25. And the following week, we will be closed Friday, December 31 and Saturday, January 1. HAPPY HOLIDAYS and thank you for your continued support throughout the year!

Staff Holiday Boutique / Fri., Dec 10 - Sun, Dec 12

Don't miss our holiday boutique from Friday, December 10 through Sunday, December 12. Items are all handcrafted by the staff at the San Gabriel Bead Company. You will find quality made jewelry, paper crafts, scarves, and aprons. Perfect for the hard-to-buy, perfect for unique items you can't get anywhere else. And you'll be supporting local artists as well!

SO MANY UPCOMING EVENTS!

We have lots of important and exciting events coming up!

Saturday, November 27, is Small Business Saturday. Like Black Friday and Cyber Mondays, a new movement is being launched called Small Business Saturday. This is in support of local businesses such as your friendly neighborhood bead store and other small businesses as well as restaurants. American Express is having an offer for cardholders to register at SmallBusinessSaturday.com with your card number in order to participate and get a $25 statement credit. Don't delay, they are only doing this for the first 100,000 registrants!!! And just a reminder, there are some fine beads here you can get for $25!!!

Friday, November 26 & Saturday, November 27--We will be hosting a Jingle Bell Jewelry Jam. This is a jewelry boutique being sponsored by the New Metal Artists, the Los Angeles Chapter of the Precious Metal Clay Guild. You can find all sorts of fine goodies made in precious metal clay by some of our local artists of that medium.

Friday, December 3 - Friday, December 10--Our big ANNUAL BIG BAD BEAD SALE where beads, books, tools, and other supplies are 25%. Limited to stock on hand and does not apply to trunk show items, already discounted items, previous purchases, returns, items on hold, workshops, or gift certificates. Discounts cannot be combined with another.

Friday, December 3 - Sunday, December 5--Crystal Trunk Show. You'll find lots of beautiful vintage and contemporary crystals at this trunk show.

Thai Silver Trunk Show - Friday, Nov 19 - Sunday, Nov 21

Don't miss the last Thai Silver Trunk Show of the year! Lots of gorgeous Thai silver charms, beads, and ready-made jewelry. Lisa usually brings some extra surprises like Tibetian bowls, gorgeous silk scarves, handbags and apparel.

ART MY WAY - Saturday, November 6

Terrill Helander of Art My Way has stepped in for us this Saturday and will be having a trunk show. She makes these wooden pendants with fine art pictures. Come check it out this Saturday, November 6, from 10am-6pm.

Vintage Button Trunk Show - CANCELLED

Unfortunately, our vendor for the vintage bead and button show had a mishap and had to cancel his show. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope to reschedule for the future.

Vintage Button Trunk Show - November 6 & 7

Don't miss the lovely strands of vintage buttons on Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7. Also on hand will be some vintage beads.

Kazuri Bead Trunk Show - Saturday, October 23

For one day only, we'll be having the Kazuri Bead Trunk Show. Come visit us on Saturday, October 23, to view the vast selection of ceramic beads handmade by the people of Kenya.

Semi-Precious Stones Trunk Show - Fri, Sept 24 - Sun, Sept 26

Can't make it down to Santa Monica this weekend? Don't miss out on the pretty gems we have this weekend starting on Friday through Sunday. You'll find lots of briolettes and pearls of the high quality variety.

Peyote Basics - Thursday, September 16

There are still a few spaces left for this Thursday's Peyote Basics class from 6-10pm. Remember, you must have knowledge of peyote in order to take Nancy Compston's intermediate classes in October. Please call the store to check for space availability and to sign up.

EXTENDED HOURS FOR SHOP-HOP

This weekend and the next, we'll be having extended hours at the store for the shop-hoppers and our regular customers. Our hours are: Thursday, September 9 & 16 (10am-9pm), Friday, September 10 & 17 (10am-7pm), Saturday, September 11 & 18 (10am-7pm), and Sunday, September 12 & 19 (12-6pm).

The passport booklets have arrived and they look great! You can pick yours up at the store for $8. Each booklet has detailed information about each bead store, coupons for stores, and detailed route information. Also, in order to participate in the scavenger hunt, you must purchase this booklet.

MINI-WORKSHOP AND WORKSHOPS

We have a plethora of workshop details to tell you about. (1) We are offering a mini-workshop this weekend starting Thursday, September 9 through Sunday, September 12. This is being held in conjunction with the bead shop-hop that starts this weekend. Everyone is welcomed to come and learn and make their own "beaded bobby pin" for free. (2) Our first classes will begin this weekend. As of the current posting, we have spaces in both the Bead Stringing Basics (Sat., Sept 11, 10am-1:30pm) and Making Ends Meet (Sat., Sept 11, 2:30-5:30pm). We recommend that you come on by or call us to register and to check for availability. (3) Our October schedule is complete and available at the store! For those interested in the intermediate beading classes offered by Nancy Compston in October, knowledge of Peyote Basics is required. This means that we highly recommend that you take the Peyote Basics beforehand, such as the one available on Thursday, September 16, taught by Liz Smith. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or visit us!!!

BEAD SALE AND SILK ROAD TREASURES TRUNK SHOW / SEPTEMBER 2-5

Don't miss out on our quarterly sale that's coming up September 2-5. We'ved extended our sale to begin on Thursday in case you're venturing out during the Labor Day weekend. The sale will be 20% off beads (exclusions do apply.)

Also that weekend, we will be having Silk Road Treasures and their earthly, exotic beads and wares from Afghanistan. Always a treat, they bring all sorts of antiquities, textiles, and semi-precious gemstones. And if you're a fan of lapis, you're in luck because they have some of the highest quality and unique lapis pieces.

Countdown to Christmas!

We now have 6 different varieties of these popular Christmas Tree earring sets. Yes, we're starting early due to last year's overwhelming demand. As always, first come, first serve, and limited to availability on hand. Call ahead if there is something specific you're looking for. And lastly, check back often as our selection does change.

SECOND WEEKEND ADDED TO SHOP HOP - SEPT 16-19

Due to demand, the shop hop will run through two weekends, September 9-12 and also September 16-19. This means you'll have more time to visit the bead stores across the Southland, collect your free gifts at each store, be entered for drawings for prizes, and participate in any special events. Keep connected with us as we'll post further details on the fun you'll have at the San Gabriel Bead Company during these weekends!!!

OUR BASIC WORKSHOPS ARE BACK!!!

We currently have the September workshop schedule completed. We are in the process now of working with technology and getting it on our website. In the meantime, here is the list of classes:
Sat, Sept 11 Bead Stringing Basics
Sat, Sept 11 Making Ends Meet
Thurs., Sept 16 Peyote Basics
Sat., Sept 18 Gemstone Seminar
Thurs., Sept 23 Earring Basics
Sat., Sept 25 Wire Linking Basics
Thurs., Sept 30 Pearl Seminar
Yes, that's it. Please keep in mind that it's what we're starting out with and it's only for one month. We'ved had to change the way the workshops are structured and this is our first baby step. Check back on our website for the detailed schedule with times and fees. And if you're excited, bypass technology and come visit us at the store, you'll get the hard copy and view our samples!!!

2010 SoCal Bead Shop Hop - September 9-12

From September 9-12, visit some of your favorite bead stores and discover some new ones as you collect free goodies along the way! If you preregister at the San Gabriel Bead Company for this event, you'll receive a free gift when you visit us during the shop hop. Come visit the store or call us at (626) 447-7753 for preregistration. For more info on the shop hop, visit the website at www.bead-shophop.com.

Bindy Lambell Trunk Show - July 31 & August 1

Bindy Lambell has been making lampworked beads for over 10 years. An avid seed beader, you will find that the beads she designs compliments any beadwork project. In addition, she has written numerous articles for magazines such as Bead and Button and Lapidary Journal. Come see her beautiful, colorful lampwork beads Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1.

Susan Kelso Trunk Show - July 24 & 25

ADDED EVENT!

We have just added another trunk show in July to keep you busy during the summer. This trunk show on Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25, will feature the wonderful wirework of Susan Kelso. Many of you may be familiar with her as one of San Gabriel Bead Company's fine instructors as well as a helpful staff member. Don't miss her trunk show of earrings, pendants, and necklaces all made with intricate, unique, and precise wirework. She'll be leaving to live in Paris, France, so this is her last show before she crosses the ocean!

Klew Expressions Trunk Show - July 17

Don't miss the artistry of polymer clay by the nation's leading artist, Karen "Klew" Lewis. She will be here to display her talented work on Saturday, July 17. Klew has been a friend of the San Gabriel Bead Company since the very beginning and was even here to open our doors during our grand opening. Her swirls and color combinations along with her fine techniques create a truly collectible art.

Fourth of July

Just a reminder that we'll be closed on Sunday, July 4th! We have had several customers come in the store and get in the 4th of July spirit with red, white, and blue stars. It's always fun to see what others create! Have a safe holiday.

P.S. Apologies to the hours being listed incorrectly. We are in the process right now of getting that corrected. We do close on Fridays at 6pm. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Special Thanks & Way to Go!

The new issue of Stringing magazine by Interweave Publications is out and we have several issues at San Gabriel Bead Company! One of our faithful customers, Anne Perry, has three designs in the Summer 2010 issue. Her lovely designs can be found on page 50 "Night Blossoms", page 68 "Emerald Isle," and page 72 "Farmer's Market." Special thanks to Anne for so kindly listing us as a resource. We're big fans of her designs!

Kazuri Bead Trunk Show - June 19

Yes, we're doing it! We've double-booked ourselves and we're having two trunk shows this Saturday! Our Natural Touch resin bead trunk show will be continuing through June 27 and for one day only on Saturday, June 19, we'll have our Kazuri Bead Trunk Show.
For those unfamiliar with Kazuri beads, they are ceramic beads handmade by the people in Kenya. These are considered Fair Trade beads as they are handmade by the women in Kenya who are paid fair wages within favorable working conditions. These women are often sole providers for their children and families. Check out these beads on Saturday, you don't want to miss out on the assortment of choices!

Natural Touch Trunk Show / June 18 - June 27

Love juicy candy colors? Don't miss out on our RESIN BEAD trunk show with Natural Touch.

It's what we call an "in-store" trunk show which means that it'll be displayed at the store only from Friday, June 18 to Sunday, June 27. It will be during regular store hours so you can come at night, if you wish.

You've seen it in magazines. Artists everywhere are doing unique things with resin such as stamping, etching, embossing on them, etc.

Versatile and yet so sweet by itself!

Welcome to the San Gabriel Bead Company

Thank you for showing interest in our store by visiting our blog. We often have sales and trunk shows and hope to keep you inform of these special events. Visit us often for new ideas and new products. We thank you for your continued support and letting us assist you in your creative endeavors!