Cisray Designs

Cisray August Class schedule

2009-07-30T10:54:00.003-04:00

Hi All,

I'm happy to announce that I have been asked to
begin teaching some of my designs at
Tatnuck Bead - Westborough.

So, beginning in August I'll be teaching at both Tatnuck and
Crystal Beads of Boston.

Here's the August schedule for my classes at
both sites.

Saturday August 1st - at Crystal Beads

10 - 2 Basic Stringing and Wire Wrapping
2 - 5 Monet's Garden Bracelet

Sunday August 2nd - at Crystal Beads

11 - 3 Infinity Necklace OR
St. Petersburg Unchained

Saturday August 8th - at Tatnuck Bead

10 - 1 Monet's Garden

Sunday August 16th - at Tatnuck Bead

10 - 1 Bejeweled Bracelet

Saturday August 22nd - at Crystal Beads

2 - 5 Bric-a-brac Bracelet OR
Dangling Daggers

Sunday August 23rd - at Crystal Beads

10 - 2 Basic Stringing & Wire Wrapping
2 - 4 Bicone Beauty

Sunday August 30th - at Crystal Beads

10 - 1 Basic Pearl Knotting
1 - 4 Beaded Bead Earrings

Antitarnish Tips

2009-07-29T13:56:00.003-04:00

Here are some simple, inexpensive tips for preventing tarnish on
your jewelry pieces and for dealing with it when tarnishing does occur.

* Store your jewelry is closed containers or jewelry boxes.

* Save the little silicon pouches you'll find when purchasing shoes
or purses, they will help impede tarnishing if you place them in
your jewelry box by absorbing moisture. Replace the pouch every
6 months.

* Use non-gel toothpaste and a medium bristle toothbrush to remove
light tarnish deposits. Works for both plated and sterling where a
lot of store bought tarnish removers will destroy plated pieces.
See pictures below of the results.

New Category at Cisray Designs

2009-07-20T18:29:00.005-04:00

First of a Kind is a new category I've added
to my www.CisrayDesigns.Etsy.com web store.

When I get an idea for a design I will spend hours trying to get the designs into its final form.

Often, I will discard first, second and sometimes third attempts. Some get disassembled, some are finished but don't meet my standards, and the majority aren't discarded at all but they'd be too time consuming to effectively teach within a maximum of 4 hours of class time.

In the last instance I will rework the design into a simpler version which will meet my 4 hour requirement.

The design above of my Bejeweled bracelet is a perfect example. The picture on the left is the 'First of a Kind' version of the design. The image on the right is the final version of the design as it will appear in the December issue of Bead & Button magazine.

Usually, the discarded versions get added to my personal jewelry stash. However, that stash is getting way out of control. So I've decided to share them with my customers at drastically reduced prices.

If I passed on the labor charges for the time it took -to disassemble interim attempts or complete a 'design as you go' piece I'd have to charge prices in the thousands of dollars. So I've decided to do the opposite, I'll be heavily discounting these pieces by charging only for the labor it would take to make the final design.

Click on the title for this post to see what I'm currently offering in this category.

Creative Beading vol. 4

2009-07-12T14:13:00.005-04:00

Received my advance copy of Creative Beading vol. 4 yesterday.

Order yours by clicking this posting title to link to the BeadandButton.com page.

Lots of beautiful designs from your favorite designers such as - me (of course), Kerrie Slade, Shelley Nybakke, Lilian Chen and Leslee Frumin. Just to name a few.

Make the Connection

2009-06-25T17:41:00.004-04:00

I just learned that my Make the Connection

design, first featured in Bead & Button 10/07,

will be included in yet another publication.

Look for Your Seed Bead Style to hit the stands

in the Spring of 2010

July Classes

2009-06-25T17:28:00.003-04:00

Here's my class schedule for the month of July at Crystal Beads of Boston - Franklin.

Click on the title to be redirected to the Crystal Beads class schedule page.

Sunday July 12

11 - 2:30 Bejeweled Bracelet
Bicone Beauty

Saturday July 18

10 - 1 Peyote Ribbon
Dangling Daggers

Saturday July 25

10 - 2 Infinity Necklace
St. Petersburg Unchained

As always, if you'd like to take a class that isn't scheduled please contact the store at 508-541-1222. We will try to accomodate your request as the schedule allows.

New Handmade Feed site

2009-06-20T20:53:00.002-04:00

Hi All,

Looking for handmade sites? Want to add your URL to a new list that, due to the reputation of the individual creating it, is sure to be followed, tweeted, blogged etc. ?

Click on the title here to be linked to handmadefeed.com. A brand new listing of handmade url's created by Timothy Adam of Timothy Adam Designs

Tim has been extremeley generous in his blog posts, indiepublic discussions with sharing his knowledge on improving views, SEO etc.

Add you url or if you're looking for a handmade item check out the listings.

New Earrings

2009-06-18T16:32:00.003-04:00

Hi all, its been a while I know but with vacation, and a host of pc problems I haven't had a chance to post in forever.

I decided to return to the land of the blogging by posting this new earring design I just finished.

Aren't they beautiful? They're very lightweight, created with both plated and filled gold findings and a beaded bead. Lots of fun to make too.

New Item

2009-03-01T15:33:00.007-05:00

I've called this new piece White on white for obvious reasons, white drop pearls and white seed beads finished with a vermeil box clasp.

Click on the title above to see the full listing.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

March Classes

2009-02-15T22:32:00.002-05:00

Hi there all,

Here's my schedule for March as always, click on the title above to link to the full Crystal Beads March schedule.

Also, did you know that at the bottom of the class schedule is a list of all (or almost all ) of the classes offered at Crystal Beads by instructor? Check it out.

Sunday March 8th -

Get Twisted 10 to 1
Peyote Ribbon

Sunday March 15th -

Infinity Necklace 10 to 1:30
St. Petersburg Unchained

Bejeweled Bracelet 1 to 4

Sunday March 22nd -

Silk & Pearls Necklace (macrame) 2 to 4:30

I hope to see you for one of these offerings.

Please remember, if you don't see a class you'd like on the current schedule please call to see if we can arrange the class you are looking for on one of the days the instructor is scheduled.

Better Late than Never

2009-01-31T12:32:00.005-05:00

I know, I know, I'm a little late on this one but here are my scheduled classes for February.

I hope I see you at one of them.

Don't forget to click on the title of this post to see the full Crystal Beads of Boston February schedule.

Sunday February 1st -

10 - 1 Infinity Necklace
St. Petersburg Unchained

Saturday February 14th Happy Valentines Day!!! -

9:30 - 12:30 Get Twisted
Peyote Ribbon

Sunday February 15th -

9:30 - 2:00 NEW - Swan's Knot (see the picture in my December 23rd
post)

I'm Back!!!

2009-01-28T17:48:00.002-05:00

Hi there everyone, I'm back from sunny Florida just in time for more snow - YUCK!!

At any rate, I had a great time, met lots of wonderful people and got to bead during it all. What more could you want?

Special thanks to my friend Enrica for opening her home and trotting me around to all of the shops in the area.

I only had limited access to a pc while I was gone so I've been busy catching up on all of the news, re-opening my site etc.

If you contacted my while I was away please be patient, I will definitely respond by the end of the week.

January Class Schedule

2008-12-23T08:06:00.004-05:00

Here is my class schedule for January.

Click on the title above to see the full Crystal Beads schedule.

As always, contact the store if you'd like to request a different class be added to the schedule.

Sunday January 4th

Bejeweled 10:30 - 1:30

Bric-a-brac 1:30 - 4:30

Bicone Beauty 1:30 - 4:30

Saturday January 31st

NEW Swans Knot Choker 9:30 - 2:00

Get Twisted 10:30 - 1:30

New - Infinity Necklace Project Instructions are now available thru my shop

2008-12-14T21:47:00.004-05:00

I've just added Project Instructions for my Infinity Necklace to my shop.

Here's a perfect opportunity to a create a special handmade gift or a customized version of the design for yourself.

Instructions will be sent in pdf format to your e:mail address once I've received payment.

SOLD - My Bejeweled Design

2008-11-25T20:38:00.005-05:00

Yeah!! I just received notification that
Bead & Button is buying my Bejeweled
Bracelet design. It is currently scheduled for publication in the December 2009 issue.

This will be my third design scheduled
for a Bead &Button publication in 2009.

December Class Schedule

2008-11-23T19:25:00.003-05:00

Here's my class schedule for December.

Click on the title above to link to Crystal Beads of Boston's full class schedule.

December 6th 10 - 2

Infinity Necklace
St. Petersburg Unchained

December 7th 10:30 - 1:30

Get Twisted Necklace
Peyote Ribbon Bracelet

Coming in January -

I have a new design which will be first offered in
January for you experienced beaders.

Its a beautiful choker. Stay tuned for more info and
links to pictures. I've used twisted herringbone, RAW, peyote and brick stitches in the design - a real challenge but well worth it.

YAHOO!!!

2008-11-20T19:33:00.004-05:00

So while I'm still waiting to hear from Bead & Button about my new submission I get an e:mail from them indicating that both of my designs which were in previous issues (Make the Connection 10/07 and Infinity Necklace 4/08) have been selected to appear in Creative Beading Vol. 4.

It won't be out until next summer.

Don't worry, I'll post a reminder when the time comes.

Wish Me Luck

2008-11-19T04:05:00.007-05:00

Well I submitted another design to Bead & Button today. It usually takes a couple of days before they let me know when it will be reviewed so now I play the waiting game.

Cross your fingers for me.

Class Gift Certificates

2008-11-17T04:21:00.004-05:00

Just in time for the holidays.

I've added a new gift certificate good for my class fees at Crystal Beads.

Is there a class you've wanted to take but just can't bring yourself to spend the money? What could be better than guilt free beading?

Tell hubby, your significant other or that pesky relative/friend who can't quite seem to get it that pastels just aren't your thing, (we all have one) to buy you one (or more who am I to stop them).

November Classes

2008-11-17T03:29:00.004-05:00

Here's my schedule for the remainder of November.

Click on the 'November classes' title above to link to Crystal Beads full schedule.
11/22 - Saturday
Bejeweled 9:30 - 12:30
Get Twisted 10:00 - 1:00

11/23 - Sunday
Infinity Necklace 11:00 - 2:30
St. Petersburg 12:00 - 3:00

Twisted and St. Petersburg don't show in the Crystal Beads calendar, they were added by customer request.

Please follow normal procedures for signup.

His 'N Hers for the Holidays

2008-11-17T02:31:00.006-05:00

This is the first holiday themed piece I've ever done.

It's a variation of my His 'N Hers bracelet published in the Beadwork June 2007 issue.

New Beginnings

2008-11-17T02:18:00.006-05:00

Well, here it is, my first posting.

I've been diligently working on trying to get more exposure for CisrayDesigns.etsy.com while also working on new products.

Time management, as always, is something I wrestle with on a daily basis.

I've been gearing up for the I Heart Handmade virtual craft show at

http://www.americancraftguide.com/ it opens November 21st and runs until December 20th. I hope you take the time to stop in and check out not only my booth but those of the other participants.

In addition, beginning on November 23rd, I'll have a spot on http://www.cafehandmade.com/. Please check out this site as well.

I look forward to hearing from you.