Happy Birthday!

Today is the 14th anniversary of what is now Anita's Beads. I opened as Toad Hollow Jewelry on July 4th, 1996 just three weeks or so after relocating here. Miss Pearl moved in about the same time and has been a loyal mascot ever since.

New Camera & New Daily Bracelets

I just got a Nikon Coolpix digital camera with my credit card miles (happy birthday to me!) and I took some photos of a few new Daily Bracelet designs to test it out. All of the bracelets are available as kits at Anita's Beads.

Mixed Fruit a la Carmen Miranda

A lovely mix of bananas, grapes, apples, pears, strawberries and peach pits available by the 50-piece assortment.

Spring Special! (ends May 31st) - purchase three strands together as pictured and receive a 30% discount.

Bohemian Trade Beads

I absolutely adore the color and shape of these beautiful old glass cylinder beads known as Bohemian. We have two strands available. The first strand (outside) is an interesting mix of oranges with a few darker red beads. Strand length is 32 inches and the bead diameter is between 14mm to 18mm.

The second strand (inside, detail shown below) has larger (16mm to 20mm) predominantly red beads. The strand is 27 inches long.

Stop by Anita's Beads in Wakefield, New Hampshire to see more Trade Beads just received for Winter 2010. Shop hours are 10-5; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Old Ornate Brass Beads from Nigeria

This is a very special strand of lovely hollow African Brass Beads from Nigeria. There are 43 beads on the strand. Visit Anita's Beads to see more Trade Beads just received for Winter 2010.

Baoule Brass from Africa's Ivory Coast

We have only two strands of lovely Baoule Brass beads from the Ivory Coast of Africa. Each strand is 28 inches long with 24 brass 15x22mm beads separated by 5mm black glass beads on each strand. Visit Anita's Beads to see more Special Trade Bead Offerings.

Antique Coin Silver Telsum

We just received this lovely one-of-a-kind strand of Antique Coin Silver Telsum from Ethiopia. There are 40 amulets of varying styles (ave. width 14mm) separated by 8mm hollow beads on a 36-inch strand. Visit Anita's Beads to see this this and other Special Trade Bead Offers.

New Books for Knit Wits!

Here are some great books on crocheting and knitting with beads. Projects include scarves, sweaters, holiday ornaments, and jewelry items. Stop in and see them in person. Anita's Beads will be open every day of the week from 10-5 beginning December 17th through New Years day (closed Christmas Day).

Ann Benson's Beaded Crochet Designs shows beautiful necklace, bracelet and earring projects built on seed-beaded tubes or ropes. Learning this technique is item no. 2 (after getting organized) on my list of resolutions for the new year. My favorites are the "rainbow" and "diamond" bangles, and the "argyle" earrings.

I'm sure you will love the beautiful wearable items (including shawls, scarves, and sweaters) that can be created by knitting and crocheting as shown in Lily Chin's Knit and Crochet with Beads and Scarlet Taylor's Knit With Beads: Stunning Shawls and Wraps.

And these popular books from Bead & Button are back in stock:

I should also mention that we have the popular "Big Eye" needle in both the 2-inch and 5-inch lengths:

Holiday Hours & Gift Certificates

Beginning December 17th Anita's Beads will be open from 10-5 every day (except Christmas Day, December 25th) through New Years Day.

Gift certificates are available in any amount desired.

Regular hours (open 10-5; closed Tuesday & Wednesday) will resume on January 5th.

What Happened To November?

I'm sorry for neglecting this blog for so long. October was Daily Bracelet month, and then I took up collage again after that. November went so fast. I suddenly realized this morning that I had actually skipped a whole month. I might back-date this post but only because I can. I'm not delusional (yet). I know it's December.

Czech Rainbow

We just received a new shipment of our favorite Czech matte glass beads in the ten colors shown above plus black. All are now available in strings of 20 beads.

Look for your favorite color in Anita's Daily Bracelets and Daily Bracelet kits offered at Anita's Beads.

Kits and Counter Classes

Limited edition Daily Bracelet kits are now available in both sterling silver and gold-filled. Anita will be giving free "counter classes" in wire bracelet construction through the month of October.

Baroque Bracelet

I'm four days ahead on my daily bracelet project at http://dailybracelet.blogspot.com. The latest design uses the matte crystal Czech glass baroque beads that I love so much along with siam ruby rosebuds for a holiday look. The metal is sterling silver throughout. I've been trying to get a decent picture off the scanner but there is too much traffic right now and the vibration is causing colored shadows. Interesting effect but I could do without it.

Bracelet Challenge

I've noticed folks purchasing lots of red and green lately. It's time to start thinking about the winter holidays. Because handcrafted jewelry is a gift that is as much fun to make as it is to receive, I have decided to have some holiday fun in the form of a bracelet challenge. I am going to create a bracelet a day to be offered for sale starting on October 1st. Photos will be posted on a new blog called Anita's Daily Bracelet. The last of 85 bracelets will be posted on Christmas Eve.