Lights/ camera /action

October 14th Beads Forever was happy to welcome the camera crews from Comcast on Demand into our store. We enjoyed shooting a short commercial that highlighted our beautiful store. Shooting along with us was one of our favorite customers Merry Kennedy wearing one of her incredibly beautiful bead designed necklaces. Today Portland,tomarrow the world.
Stay tuned for "The Adventures at Beads Forever".

Beads Forever and Hotel Monaco

Many thanks to the kind staff at Hotel Monaco for inviting us to their 5 o'clock wine hour We met with some of their guests and gave them a chance to enjoy the art of beading.

If you have friends or relatives looking for outstanding travel accomodations, we highly recommend checking out Hotel Monaco's website. www.monaco-portland.com

A kimpton boutique hotel. Then bring them by Beads Forever. CHEERS!

15 years and counting

Greetings fellow beaders,

I am happy to report that we have offically made it to our 15th Anniversary here at Beads Forever.

The annual Hawthorne Street Fair kicked off the festivities. We invited the kids from Scion Cars to come

and display some of the latest economy models. They had lots of goodies to give away and added a touch of fun.

In addition we had the folks from The Portland Master Recyclers Program in attendance too. They had hand out for those who wanted to end junk mail

and recycled bags to give away.

Spring in the air?

So, it's getting to the point that we can't trust the weather man/woman here in Oregon anymore.
At some point we are suppose to hit 90 degrees in May and we just can't believe it. Our webbed toes are aching to see some sunshine.
But never fear we can still do our beadwork.
I'm happy to say that I was able to enjoy some sunshine on my spring trip to Istanbul, Turkey and Athens, Greece. Yes folks, I was off "searching the world one bead at a time". You've probably seen this little caption in our advertising. Well it's true, I do scower the beaten path
looking for items that are hard to find. Some of you think...ah how glamourous. Well let me tell
you that sore feet come along with the job. Thank god for Arnica.
I do love meeting people from other countries and building a relationship that last for years.
Funny how they do remember this dreadlock girl from the great northwest territory.
If you're interested in looking at some of our new merchandise, stop in and take a tour.

see ya soon,
Carmelleta

Portland Bead Bazzar

We want to say thank you to all of the bead lovers who stopped by our booth at the annual Portland Bead Society , Bead Bazzar. We had a great time meeting with our new friends and old favorites. We hope you all had a wonderful time exploring all the vendor tables and seeing an exciting array of beads.
Don't forget to come and see us in-store on Novemeber 14th when we highlight "Kazuri Beads". We want this to be an event that ushers in good will in the beading community. Come
learn more about this womens co-operative that makes beads in Kenya.
Multi-cultural is what is so beautiful about beads. They come from some of the most flurishing and remote parts of the world. Bringing us all together with the common thread of creativity.

Namaste'

Searching the world one bead at a time

Following your dreams

Once again I have set off to other parts of the world searching for beads. If you are a bead lover like myself, I'm sure when you travel, you also look for interesting and beautiful new treasures.
This September I was invited to join another Hawthorne retailer on his trip to China.
China has been in the news because of many recalls and problem merchandise that has arrived on the shores of many countries. I wanted to see first hand what all the hoopla was about.
So often our media is laced with scare tactics regarding products we need to watch out for.
Ex: Fat, sugar, parabens, plastics, bleaches and many more. Intellegent consumers know how to cut through this hoopla and find quality product.
Through my searching, I find good quality merchandise that fits my customers needs.
By going strait to the source, I see first hand what is being offered. And yes, I have seen
second rate product. But I also have seen lovely cut stones and carved pieces that rival some of the off -priced merchandise that some vendors are forced to buy only because of the price.
Please come and see for yourself. We will show you what we feel is top of the line. We have been here 15 years providing you service and education in the art of beading.

Our August Newsletter

For those of you who subscribe to our e-newsletter, we sent out our "Green" information in August suggesting environmental ways to be a better beader. You can return your plastic
ziploc bags to our store for recycling or reuse. Also we suggested making a green necklace
to remind yourself about how you care for the green that surrounds us here in the great
northwest.
A wonderful e-newsletter put out by National Geographic is called "The Green Guide to Go".
They have wonderful tips for "Green Dorm rooms", "Green Travel", Chemical Free Insecticides for Summer Outdoor Grilling and many other things. Check there website and get the latest
tips.