PBeads

Always listen to your teachers!

2012-01-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

Its been quite a year. Be it family, economy , or sports, regardless, beads- our passion and all that they bring us- remain intact. We at www.yorkbeads.com have downsized our space but are passion remains, and our sense of creativity and exploration are enhanced. This journey has stemmed from a deep history we have had in the bead industry, but has been challenged by, something we all have in common, the internet and this thing called social networking.

We all learned our social habits differently. Influence from parents, siblings, friends are very common. I am sure many of us have been influenced by probably the most under appreciated people in our lives, our teachers. Since I graduated, they are probably the last people I wanted to see or think about. Why? No more homework, no more deadlines and no more expectations!! That was just me.

Then I entered the working world: The bead business. Sounds pretty cool. Laid- back, all types of interesting people. Its beads -they are fun. Nonetheless, beads are big business, manufactured by sizable factories with its output used by jewelers and crafters all over the world. Add the internet and social network and you have a fairly intricate supply chain for a very eclectic set of individuals: manufactures, retailers, artists, crafters consumers and oh! teachers.

I have alway done business with bead teachers but am astounded by how closely so the last five or six years. I am going to Tucson shortly where i meet many. I am gonna have the pleasure of hosting them, more specifically Laura McCabe and Maggie Roschyk, March 22-24 at our shop. Both ladies, although Laura more prominently, have influenced bead fashion if not fashion, period. Maggie, following a teacher's instinct, a Mom's steady hand, and an artist's sense or exploration, is developing a new career. It's amazing how much that have inspired me, if not by instruction, but by their instincts and taste.

That being said, there are 2 ladies, teachers, who have probably inspired me more. This is in part by proximity( they work, create and teach in NYC ), in part by their love for Czech beads, and in part by being so close to their story and development. In short, one day several years ago Bert Freed ( The mom or chicken) and Dana Freed (The daughter or egg) came into my office and simply said we are gonna show you that bead crochet will change the way you will sell or purchase Czech beads and that it will become and integral part of your future business plan of catering to the public. We always catered to the public but we spent a majority of our time servicing the likes of Miriam Haskel, Liz Claiborne and Ralph Lauren to name a few. Now bead crochet may have had its ups and downs at York, but Dana and Bert have stayed the course. They have taught bead crochet continuously, have created jewelry through their company Chicken and the Egg designs, and have raised money for the charity The Freshman 15 (please google). Today they announced their book will be available on Amazon: Bead Crochet Jewelry: An Inspired Journey Through 27 Designs.

Congratulations Bert and Dana! ... and always listen to your teachers!!

Perry

How the Czech Bead and Glass Industry was formed

2011-08-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Vladimir Sulc, Preciosa Ornela USA rep

The story goes like this: Glass manufacturing arrived to Europe from North Africa via the Mediterranena Sea in late 13th century. Glass beads (seed beads) were used in the decoration of mummies in Egyptian pyramids (you can still see them today). With the development of city-states of Italy glass manufacturing migrated to Venice, the center of commerce of that time. The island of Murano, right next to Venice, became a center of Eurpean glassmaking.

In early 18th century people from Northern Bohemia (mainly peasants who were idle during the winter months) started coming south to Venice in search of work for the winter. There they gradually learned the trade of glass making. Northern Bohemia thus got all that was needed for glassmaking: wood for heating the ovens, running water for cooling and, most importantly, the know how "borrowed" from the Venetians. By the late 18th century (the period you are talking about) both Murano and Northern Bohemia were centers of European glassmaking. While Murano concentrated more and more on art glass, Northern Bohemia became the center of industrial scale production.

Beads were used as a form of currency in trade with many indigenous peoples - mostly in Africa (chevrons from Murano became a srandard) but as well on the coast of Alaska, BC and WA. Russian fur traders were the first white people to visit this territory and they traded cobalt blue beads, which remain to be poplular in the Northwest, for furs. Although it is impossible to prove, it is almost certain that these beads came from Northern Bohemia via Russain bead traders and fur traders to Alaskan native tribes.

If you are ever in Jablonec nad Nisou, there is a real nice museum of beads and jewelry. There you would probably find beads from that period of time. The industry during those years was fragmented. It was both in German and Czech hands. Big part of it was a cottege industry - individuals making glass beads at home over the winter months. There was one German family - the Riedl family, which build over many generations several factories on an industrial scale (mainly seed beads). It is possible these the cobalt beads were made by the Riedl factory, but it is a pure speculation on my part.

If you are interested to find more about it, you would probably need to go to Jablonec, research the museum and talk to the people there. They would, I am sure, be able to give you more information.

I hope this helps.

Vladimir

Hurricane??? Good time to blog

2011-08-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

Times like these, with natural disaster warnings being posted all over TV, alerts by our Mayor, who is closing our subways and bridges as I blog, it's a good time to be reflective -- and what better topic than beads. A bead is a symbol of history. It too is exposed to climate and natural forces just like we are. As well, beads have timelines -- marked by their place, exposure and importance in our history (fashion, politics or personal). Thanks to Susan's question regarding our Pink Crow Beads, http://www.yorkbeads.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Y&Product_Code=Z6006%2FPINK&Category_Code=

and

our 7x7mm large hole faceted beads, http://www.yorkbeads.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Y&Product_Code=Z3%2F7+COBALT&Category_Code=

I present you a history of these two beads, both imported by our company during my tenure, and a little snapshot about their present and a glimpse of their future in the world of Vintage beads and life in general:

I know what people label as vintage is a liberal evaluation. I have been in the bead business a good part of my life but officially started 1987. Crow beads and other Sintered beads were made by Preciosa (the crystal company). 1987 was toward the very end of the communist era and they announced that they were closing this factory, which also made tile beads and some geometric shapes (mostly seen with some brown spotted Picasso-like coatings) around 1989. These beads were mostly opaque and vibrant in hippie fashion and well as rosary and ethnic fashion jewelry. Sintered glass, I believe, are a powder mixture baked in a mold as opposed to other Czech glass which is pressed, chopped, polished, etc. Yorkbeads (Est. 1924) placed one last crow bead order based on demand at the time just before the factory closed. We were told this was our last chance, as the factory was closing and all machinery was being put in storage. This was told to us by JABLONEX. Jablonex was simply a government agency that marketed Czech Glass beads, including Preciosa's, to the world. Once communism ended the individual factories were able to take control of their own marketing. Preciosa is an example of marketing success. The crow bead was a secondary item to us at the time. Elliot Greene was the biggest crow bead importer at the time. Pink was a little more expensive (these were so cheap back then, maybe $4-$5 a mille or kilo so other colors were maybe $1.00 less) and had that aura of "hard to get" so, of all colors YORK ordered, for some reason pink remained in stock. (I guess 'cause we thought it more valuable and ordered more, even if used mostly for native American fashion and not general fashion.) The color is very vintage, because it contains gold dust. I think it is impossible to get that color any more. In seed beads they try to do a color-fast dyed alternative now. Attempts of seed beads in that color are purple-casted now. (We have a decent amount of 10/0 and 11/0 ones from the JABLONEX era, a little darker than crow but not bad.) Anyway, the Crow bead production ceased. Roller beads, India and China alternatives hit the market and over time the Czech versions have diminished in bulk. Today, 9mm Pony beads are a major component of fashion jewelry dedicated to youth, and the Czech crow bead has slowly disappeared while alternatives (Fimo, wood and more) are in abundant access to overseas jewelry manufacturers. I have no doubt this a vintage bead. I see many beads on E bay termed "vintage". My interpretation of vintage is determined by 3 questions. First, can that bead or color be made today? Second, can the quality be duplicated? And third, is the factory that made them still in business? We can examine the usage of vintage more thoroughly with the second bead Susan mentioned in her email.

7x7mm (4mm hole) cobalt fire polish ovals were termed "Ornelka" in the mid-nineties by JABLONEX, named after the factory Ornela. They were replicas of so-called "Russian" beads, which were popular Czech trade beads traded to Russia for fur coats as the story goes. (You may want to check out Picard materials for a more complete history.) These beads were made and cut by Ornela, JABLONEX's seed bead factory. Again, JABLONEX was just a marketing brand, Ornela the seed bead factory. The beads were chopped from glass rods like seed beads but were faceted by pins like fire polish. JABLONEX closed 2 years ago. According to my criteria this means the beads are vintage. But, maybe not?? The beads were made in the JABLONEX era. The term "Ornelka" came from Ornela, which is still open today, and whose sister factory Zasada makes all the glass rods in the region. Preciosa did not buy JABLONEX, but they sort-of bailed them out of bank debt. In return Preciosa got control of the Ornela and Zasada factories and formed a company Preciosa-Ornela. I buy all my seed bead products from Preciosa Ornela. Technically, they can make these 7x7mm "Ornelka" beads. But, at least in North America, between pricing and the downturn of these beads in fashion, "Ornelka" beads are disappearing. We do not have much left. So, if these are not vintage like the crow beads you can definitely make a case for them, and real soon, in my opinion.

The hurricane will hit in about twelve hours and let's hope it will pass with no major damage. It is a great time to reflect and to catch up on reading, or maybe like with this blog, your past. Our pasts are as varied as our beads, and what is vintage and dear to some may not be to others. Facts may get distorted but beauty does not!!

I'd love to hear your thoughts about what "vintage" means to you. Be safe.

PBeads

Inventory

2011-07-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

Every bead counts , especially these days. If you do not know we sold the building(Dad did), and we had to take 10,000 square feet and consolidate them into 6,000 square feet of beads (also desk, computers, etc). You may not think we have that much space now but we have the whole basement below us. It is complicated task, consolidating lots of odd lots of inventory into an older and smaller space of shelves, making them accesible to fill orders. Shelving location codes really do help!! Its nice knowing what we have, no matter how much i think i can remember every bead. Can really see my 25 year bead reflection through this process. Why did I buy this, why did this not sell, oh that is ugly.Humbling experience indeed, but i do look forward to some new beads in my future!!

Random Facts

2011-05-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

HOW FARFALLE ARE MADE

Farfalle are made like regular seed beads but when the glass is drawn out of the oven the shape is created by a peanut size metal mold while regular seed beads have been drawn out of oven through a round metal tube.

Generally most colors are created in ovens in processes up to a week. Black and crystal are most common glass and black specifically is used often to clean out the ovens. Technically black is the darkest amethyst possible. Changes in color tone are related to exposure to heat and fire. We have all heard of blue topaz (looks like sapphire) well generally the difference in certain glass is the amount of heat or fire, so topaz glass production may end with so called "blue topaz" glass production as the formulas of heating the glass evolve. So lite sapphire production may eventually turn to cobalt, aqua to Capri and most difficult as explained below hyacinth into Ruby.

Red, Pink, Orange even "nice" purple are hardest glass to make. Red for example in transparent glass, i.e ruby Siam or garnet can not be made in chambers or ovens cause they are sensitive to heat. We have all seen inconsistent burnt red seed beads and off shades of pink these colors are mixed, more by hand, sensitively away from the heat.

Currently natural red and pink farfalles are not produced. It is believed to be technically possible but due the heating process and the more awkward shape it has not been attempted yet, which is why you may see pinks or purples in coated colors not natural colors.

HOW PICASSO COATING IS APPLIED

Picasso, otherwise called travertine (Marble Stone), is a kind of luster. Liquid is mixed in a pot , then beads put in this liquid and mixed properly. Some layer remains on the surface of beads. Then they have to go into oven ( the temperature, is about 400-600 Celsius). Then the beads can be cut or beads remain and as is fully coated like pressed beads.

Beads that are cut, Czech uses term though cut. Cut through the glass. So the base color of bead shows in center and the Picasso is used around the perimeter. Generally this is for fire polish.

Seed beads are coated same way and cuts can be one cut, which is Charlotte in theory, or three cut which would refer more toward fire polish cutting. A three cut and Charlotte are special forms of cutting as well as through cut Fire Polish cause the base bead maintains its original shape. Generally tools maintain the amount of cutting. Tools that rotate fully apply facets evenly, 3 cut bead beads perhaps have gaps set while bead rotates and Charlotte or one cuts do not rotate.

MYTH ABOUT TWO CUT OR HEX BEADS, THEY ARE NOT CUT!

Hex is a Japanese term. Two Cut a Czech term. Hex means Six Sided. Regardless, the cuts or sides are created from a metal tube. When the Pixies stick size glass is drawn out of the oven it goes through this tube or mold and the shape is formed as the glass cools. The farfalle is a Peanut Shaped tube and of course a normal rocaille or round seed beads is drawn through a round tube. See this link below for more Czech seed bead shapes:

http://preciosaornela.com/web/files/seed_beads_shapes_EN.pdf

Metal tubes create all these shapes. Extra facets are applied in a fire polishing process, beads are put on wires then scratched by needles during a wheel churning technique while the beads are hot. The facet's surface is created as it cools. Due to the "wheel" faceting process only beads with center holes can be faceted, i.e. a magatama seed beads or top drilled pressed beads or briolettes cannot be faceted by a fire polishing process. They are top heavy and will break off the wire or a facet at the hole side will destroy the bead.

Enjoy!

The Garment Center and Beads

2011-03-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

99% of Beads Imported into the City before World War Two were for garments. As time passed, local embroidery prices rose, and the shift in the accessories market move more toward jewelry. Swarovski brought there expertise in rhinestones, and applied that technology to beads and crystals. Then as the hippie and ethnic markets emerged, other materials emerged, like wood and shell ,but in glass, my favorite of course, so called African Trade beads as my dad says "got hot". Trade bead dealers, unlike today, were stationed out of Harlem. We could get 200-500 strands any given day if available, and they were out the door before you knew it. These were old strands, 1930's and prior. As the trade bead dealers disappeared, taking their earning back to Africa, we attempted to Import copies, from Venice, in the sixties and seventies (see cards) which also became "trade beads". I found these YORK made sample boards in my dad's office, in these wooden display cases( see pics), which were used by our salesman to show Miriam Haskel or Carol Dauplaise to name a few, the current trends(beads that could be reordered unlike the Harlem dealer's stuff).Carl Schimel, formerly of Kim's Craftman fame, and now with CJS Sales, http://www.cjssales.com/, told me during this time period the juniors sections of department stores were becoming more vital, and sales to younger crowds were where you wanted to be. Today as the garment centers continues to recede, Jewelry Crafts and manufacturing still evolves.

People and Places are Vintage Too!!!

2011-02-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

First want to thank all of you who came to visit us in Tucson. Phil and I had a great time!
Surprisingly a few people came up to me and asked "why don't I blog more". Easy answers are: Time, Inspiration and Time. Time is a funny thing in the bead business. I have bought many a bead book over my 25 years in the business. One thing that amazed me was the documentation, or sample cards even, from companies that no longer existed. These were relevant companies in their day(or time). What happened??? Where did they go, did they reform into a new entity, more Importantly why did they vanish: technology, family hardship or did they just plain retire or close up shop. The Internet, social media, bead making technology and most Important, you, the bead artist, or purveyor, has changed over time. York Novelty or www.yorkbeads.com is changing too.

We are getting rid of the Old Offices and working on new Ones. We are rediscovering the old beads and re coating them into new, as well as searching out all the new coating and technologies of today.

Will keep you posted....

Perry

Tucson or Bust,! (so to speak)

2011-01-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year,

Have been going to Tucson for 20 years, just the last five or so as a vendor. Amazing experience. Used to love seeing Beads Galore of Tempe, at the Howard Johnson's on Speedway(Bernie was always most gracious), we would walk up the road, a 1/2 mile desert walk, to what my wife and I called African Village. If you were a collector or grew up with trade beads, it was a sight to see. Learned so much that I bought a old strand of "Russian Blue" trade beads from Picard.

Times have changed. First time in 30 years Beads Galore is no longer showing, the construction on the highway removed African Village and now a load of us east coast companies exhibit. We will be at To Bead True Blue Jan 31st, 2011 - February 5th, 2011 and Tuscon Bead Show 2011 February 5th - 8th, 2011. Booth : GP 239 & 240.

Each year we put some time and effort putting something new together for Tucson. This year is no exception. Expect to see this year: Last years big hit, peacock daggers, an expanded farfalle butterfly seed bead selection, unusual Picasso seed beads, bugle beads, fire polished and pressed. Some items are vintage base colors that were coated especially for us. We will also have an amazing selection of 2mm and 4mm Round fire polish featuring elusive metallic, opaque and specially treated colors that will knock your socks off. Not to mention , Size 15 Czech real metal Charlottes will be on hand this year, a yorkbeads.com exclusive!!! More Tucson surprises soon to be announced, real soon!

Regards,

Perry (PBeads)

Pablo Picasso vs Czech Picasso

2011-01-05T16:51:00.001-08:00

Why is it called a Picasso Bead?? Not sure but has a nice ring to it. Picasso usually is either a marbled travertine effect or heavy luminous coating with spotted accents. Either way, the purpose of the coating is to give that popular semi precious look we all deem precious. Generally this finish is most popular in turquoise, but sells well in beige and even better in a mix. Some glass color just do not take the coatings well: finish is weak. Mixes, can be an assorted mix of solid colors. Here, the weaker finishes blend in with the stronger ones and create a great potpourri look. Or we can combine 2 or more glass rods while pressing a bead, and the blend of the color may create a great base canvas for this coating. Beige is a great glass for this purpose. Individually the coating make the strongest most popular travertine finish but combined with the a second glass partner some magic can happen. Our new Navy/Beige combination rocks

Not sure what old Pablo thinks about all this and how he got dragged in, seems like Hans Hoffman has more in common with this process. It ain't paint but when you splash melted glass rods together something wonderful can happen!!

Daily New Comic 9/27/2010

2010-09-28T14:22:00.001-07:00

I remember asking a bead store owner in 1989 "why you open a store???". "As far as I remember people always used beads", she said. True, but people consume gas, clothing, hot dogs and more and unfortunately I do not see as many Gaps or Nathans around as I used to. The comic seems to be referring to the old fashion Garment district days or does it???

I think back to the day Americans were Machinists and had trades, now perhaps we are more purveyors and more Importantly Crafters and Jewelry artists and beads now are just the muse. The creativity is the fall back, but nice to have a bead bank too :-)

What's underneath the service!

2010-08-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

These are the base beads I talked about in my blog yesterday. Look how lonely and ordinary they are. One of the great aspects of the Czech bead industry, are the variety of colors, which are enhanced by their unique coatings, like the Picasso finish. There is no such thing as ugly beads!!

Everything Sells!!!!

2010-08-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

At least that's what Dad always said and still does. Being a 3rd generation company(me) we have seen a varied array of product go through our doors. Sometimes they turnover fast, some may take a few years, then you have those items that either came in slightly defective or in a less desirable shape or color. Fashion is cyclical, so those "misfit" beads are just waiting for that special trend to find them a home. In this World/Internet economy its possible for that cycle to be skipped over.

Since we can't polish these beads into diamonds we might as well try to create something esoteric. We have taken Vintage Czech 18mm tusk beads, 12mm Japanese Vintage Chalk White Bi-cones, 10mm Round Czech Glass Beads(w/ugly blue cast) and 9mm pressed saucer job lots and made them into something unique.

If you a purveyor oF beads like me, take a look at the attached picture and maybe these beads can finally find a home.

Perry

Bead & Button June 2010(Part IV)

2010-05-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

COVER STORY: Framed!

Work a right-angle weave frame around an art bead and suspend it from a herringbone necklace

By Maggie Roschyk

Featuring Turquoise Picasso Seed Beads Imported by York Novelty Import, Est. 1924

Laura McCabe's Dagger Bracelet (Part III)

2010-05-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

NUDIBRANCH
BRACELET
featured on Page 83 of her new book EMBELLISHED BEADWEAVING WITH OF COURSE DAGGERS FROM US. THANKS LAURA!!!

Exposure Exposure Exposure!!!! (Part 2)

2010-05-06T19:32:00.002-07:00

Well whats a small company to do??? The communist agency that protected you for years is now gone(JABLONEX). I am not gonna create yet another brand name of Chinese Crystal. Lets see, there is Celestial, Cosmic, Celebrity and Chinarovski(I think the latter was a result of too many herbs). It appears its about the little bead niches in life and all you amazing bead artists and embellishers. Here are two examples:

Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving: Jewelry Lavished with Fringe, Fronds, Lacework & More (Lark Books Beadweaving Master Class) [Hardcover]

Amazon.com link

http://www.amazon.com/Laura-McCabes-Embellished-Beadweaving-Lavished/dp/1600595146/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273200526&sr=8-1

Here Laura, whom is the sweetest and most talented person one could meet takes a departure from her glitzy past and dives back into beadweaving using less crystal and more earthy materials such as: japanese and Czech Seed beads, freshwater pearl and frosted glass beads(peacock to be specific). Before I talk about Laura's amazing new book, this is someone who almost single handedly brought back rivolis from the dead and created the opportunity for Yorkbeads to be a main supplier of 15/0 metallic plated Czech charlottes. Btw, as laura points out in her new book , only 15/0 Czech Charlottes are small enough to embezzle as Japanesse 15/0 runs much larger due to their bigger holes. Don't worry Laura finds many other uses for the japanese seed beads.

Here is my Amazon book review:

Glitz is Over Rated this Book is not!!!, May 6, 2010

By	Perry Bookstein - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving: Jewelry Lavished with Fringe, Fronds, Lacework & More (Lark Books Beadweaving Master Class) (Hardcover)

First, I am in the bead business so I am biased. Most of us do not get to walk down the red carpet. Crystals are way too over rated!!! In this book, Laura uses Japanese and Czech seed beads to accent natural materials and frosted(matte) glass, as in her "Nudibranch Bracelet"(page 83). Laura states, "embellish means to decorate, to enhance, to add beauty through ornamentation or fanciful details". The components are not the star, but the artist is. Laura's jewelry can be worn at your local coffee shop or at your most cherished event. Either way, they make you feel unique, not one of the crowd. Thanks Laura.

the "nudibranch Bracelet" is featured on the back cover and uses a plentiful amount of peacock Matte black AB daggers. Laura also uses our tutti frutti peacock dagger as well as a 10mm pressed black ab peacock coin(will post a picture later, Laura gave me permission)

2-Bead N Button June 2010

Issue #97

http://www.beadandbutton.com/BNB/Default.aspx?c=i&issue=116&current=true&id=149

i never met Maggie Roschyk, but through a customer using our Czech Picasso turquoise seed beads Maggie is

the COVER STORY: Framed!

Work a right-angle weave frame around an art bead and suspend it from a herringbone necklace. CONGRATULATIONS MAGGIE

These are two examples of small niche products with "bigger potential" thanks to bead enthusiasts like you!

Exposure Exposure Exposure!!!! (Part I)

2010-05-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

Sort of like Chain Chain Chain!!!!! Yes, too much Chain and metal these days seems to hurting the bead Industry Bottom line if you have not heard, the famous JABLONEX has been liquidated, out of here, finito!! with Preciosa buying up the prime pieces. Namely, Ornela, the seed bead manufacturer, Zasada the glass rod maker and more. The so called JABLONEX brand will be phased out slowly with new advertising by Preciosa/Ornela starting up soon in Bead N Button. The funny thing here that nobody knew is that Swarovski owned 25% of Jablonex. People use to tell me when Swarovski huffed Preciosa would shiver. Well, those days are over.How did this happen????

JABLONEX, nobody ever knew what they were: A factory, a government agency, a brand or an agent. An insider told me, by the time they tried to brand themselves it was too late. Exposure is key. Preciosa never had that problem. They seemed to ride the coat tails of the Swarovski renaissance of the nineties just fine. Another Insider had said to me, Swarovski needs Preciosa the same was Microsoft needs Apple. Competition keeps the monopoly regulators happy. Except, with crystal, you can throw that out the window: China!!!! Apple and Microsoft can manufacture in China and can control their brand, quality w/o much(relatively) infringement.

I guess you really can't patent a crystal or a bead, its been around for centuries.

I just think Swarovski had to let go of their Czech/JABLONEX presence. China was and is causing so much havoc that did they really care about Preciosa anymore. The fire polish business is too limited and seed beads were just a hassle. Actually, two weeks ago somebody actually told me they saw Chinese crystal that were nicer than Swarovski: metallic colors to be specific. Swarovski is diverse and a marketing machine even if glitz is dead, they will throw their sparkles in your face regardless!!!

I am not going to Jared on Vday

2010-02-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Before I get started I did go to Teusher Chocolates(my wife's favorite).We love the chocolate pralines, and its a 10 minute walk from the office(Rockefeller Center). Advantage of NYC living.

Mentioned Jared above as I've been seeing frequently since Xmas their commercials featuring Pandora venetian style glass beads(w/Silver core) and metal beads. Instead of diamonds, rubies and sapphires.

So if Pandora is the new Diamond why has nobody on 37th Street heard of it. I spoke to Swarovski dealers in Tucson whom were just recently aware of the fad. Its simple, "charming" and fun yet how many bead sores really carry these beads??? They are pricey but you can buy Pandora style beads from China very afford ably. It reminds me when I was around 17 and my Dad was selling the add-a-bead items: Flower beads and gold plated brass beads on the base of a simple gold chain. York sold a ton to craft chains(no longer in business). Will we see Pandora in Michael's store soon(they seem to sell everything now). Seems to me Pandora is marketed direct to the consumer(like Diamonds).

We at Yorkbeads seem to like our beads more complicated these days. Lots of coating and multi tone colors. Our customer make them even more unique via bead weaving and other beading techniques. Yet, a beaded item made with care(probably valuing your time costs the same) will never make it to Jared.

Maybe next Xmas!

Thanks for listening(and beading)

PBeads

Facebook and Beads

2010-02-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

Hello again,

As you know I just came back from Tucson. Besides the plentiful selection of beads, what makes Tucson special is that it's a melting pot for bead purveyors and artists from all over the world. As a 3rd generation Bead man, I tend to ask myself "how do I fit in here?" I am not a designer and many others know more about general bead knowledge than I. Swarovski, semiprecious and findings -- I know the basics, but that's it. Lets face it, putting a trade bead on a piece of leather is as far as my Jewelry Design knowledge goes. While In Tucson I met wonderful people like Sherry and Homer who all exchanged Facebook addresses w/o hesitation. Really, is this what I want to do? Beads and the Bead business is sort of personal to me. After taking the plunge with Sherry and Homer I realized sharing is essential to the life of a bead or product. I created a business page as well (if done incorrectly I'll know soon). Immediately
customers like Shelley showed me their designs with our beads.

My job is to create create color, shape and essence but others complete those characteristics with their finished products. Lets hear it for Facebook and all the bead publications which publish the artists' work. But where other than Facebook can you learn about people's personal lives and social activities? The beads are personal yes, but so are the people behind them. Thanks for sharing.

PBeads

A Bead Mirage in the Tucson Desert(Live from Tucson)

2010-02-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I've been traveling to Tucson for 20 years. As far as the bead business goes, never seen anything like it. Miles and Miles of booths of beads. Instead of a cactus or a tumbleweed you will more likely see a river of freshwater pearls a sparkle of Swarovski Crystal or mountains of semiprecious stone.

Only problem after awhile all beads seems to be the same." WE WANT SOMETHING NEW" they cry. This year at our booth at the TO BEAD TRUE BLUE show we are featuring tables of farfalle, our butterfly seed beads, and peacock daggers(the dagger with the flair of a necktie). This seems to be a show stopper as our tables become a mess as they get garbled up. If you are not in Tucson please check them all out at www.yorkbeads.com

PBeads

Who Says You Can't take it with You? (The Beads I mean)

2009-11-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

1987 I graduated college and came into the family business. Yes, the Bead business. Like any other newbie, I wondered who uses these?, where do they keep all their extras?, or what to they do with that! All I know is Beaders love their beads. I am still answering these questions, but I have heard of good uses for shoe boxes, tackle boxes(I did not know beaders like to fish) ,and boy I would hate to be the one cleaning under you beds:-).

Well here is another suggestion for you die hard beaders: A "String-me-along" portable beading workstation(see our just arrived items). Its a small pouch or handbag which contains a soft mat to bead on, and a detachable project bag for your materials. The detachable bag is sold separately, so you can flip-flop your daily beading flavor. This is a must for travel, and is designed by a mother and daughter team who shares your passion for beads.

Now you can take them with you!

Bead Inspiration For Men and Women(Peacock Daggers)

2009-11-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

I am a lucky guy. Sometimes I forget. I am involved in a creative, high fashion industry w/o any fashion background and two non crafty thumbs. Besides my business degree and my minor in spanish, I have been given access to the old world Bohemian Bead Industry. I've learned about color, manufacturing technology and of course products demanded by designers and craftsmen alike. Recently, our customers and myself have grown fond of our peacock daggers. The array of colors and effects just add a dimension to this popular accent bead.

One day while putting together a new color combination, I came to the funny conclusion it's sort of like designing a Man's tie: the multitude of colors, stripes, spots and overall combinations. After a overdue trip for a suit and perhaps seeing too many Men's Warehouse commercials, I've come up with this motto:

"There is a tie for every man and a dagger for every bead project"!

Your gonna love the way you bead :-)

Perry

Job Lots

2009-10-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

I entered the "Bead Business" in 1987 and many of the customers would ask "do you have any job lots". We always had a few but it was never our focal point. Job Lots was the term used in the Czech Republic for overruns of production orders. They were a great way to get a vast variety of beads without having to buy the mass(1200) production minimum would that be 10,25 or 50 mass.
Generally, Job Lots were per bead always a better price but in truth that really depended on size and color. Small sizes like 3 and 4mm were a great deal cause many mass made a kilo and then sometime colors like tortoise or Cheyenne Pink were as well cause they were a more expensive glass. With the downfall of communism and the upgrade to capitalism Job Lots have also become a thing of the past. This does not mean that they do not exist at all, as close outs, which is what a job lot signifies will always be. Lets just say they are harder to find, more pricey than ever and more likely to exist with imperfect beads. So that story aside we are offering starting 10/26/09 on our website a free kilo of a mixed Czech Job Lot with every web order. The picture posted will tell the story. Will be a $40.00 value of simple beads with exotic glass bead sprinkled in the mix. We hope it will be of value to you.

Sun and Sweat Protected Peacock Beads

2009-10-09T05:29:00.001-07:00

Bead Bob says, "don't Sweat" for fear of shiny peacock effect fading, cause they are now protected. Look for the sun glasses label or "the J" on the end of color code.

(Note: Frosted beads are not vulnerable to fading )

Vystavil Beadbob v 10:00 0 komentářů

Bead Baskets

2009-09-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Its that time of year again. The Kids are back in school, leaves are falling and we are all looking to capitalize on the upcoming holiday season. The word "Economy" is probably being thrown around a little bit more than normal this season. We would like to help by offering some affordable "Bead Baskets". As of today we have 15 distinctive baskets . All are valued at $100.00. All offer a wide variety of beads in wholesale quantities in distinctive color or style combinations. Better yet these beads are being sold at an Incredible discount compared to our Individual web pricing.

To make this even more enticing we have chosen some hard to get Czech items which will become more fleeting during these hard economic times.

Thank you for your consideration,

Perry D Bookstein(PBeads)

What is wholesale???

2009-06-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Wholesale, distributor, retail pricing: Its all very confusing in this Internet age. As a direct Importer and distributor of Czech Beads, we are giving the majority of the public first access to this vast web of Bohemian technology and expertise. Regardless of price point our website is wholesale
supplying you beads based on units such as mass(1200 pieces) or kilogram(2.2 lbs).Our decision to sell beads in smaller fractions of the aforementioned units only helps stress the variety that is offered in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. If our customer chooses to sell the same beads by the dozen or the gram at what is called "wholesale" pricing they too are creating accessibility.

We have revised the requirements to purchase from this website to fuel, rather than hinder this wholesale environment. If you are not already a YORK customer you can apply by filling out an application on our homepage. If you are currently a customer we look forward to continue serving you.

Regards

Perry D Bookstein

President