Bead Night Out

Yesterday Suzanne invited me to make a necklace at Beads to Live By. I couldn't say no to playing with beads!

I am really happy with how the necklace turned out.  I'm going to give it to my mom for her birthday. Purple is her favorite color, and the purples, grays, and shimmery pinks make it very feminine. 

Cassandra, the owner of Beads to Live By is a great teacher. I learned some new techniques, and I am excited to take more of her classes to learn new beading skills.

Girl's Night at Beads to Live By

My friend Suzanne invited me to make a necklace at a Girl's Night at Beads to Live By a few weeks ago. Although I did not know most of the women well, it was a fun, intimate night filled with laughter.

The necklace we made was a long, single strand that can be doubled. We were given different glass jars of bead soup to search for our treasures. I choose neutral shades of bronze, brown, and topaz.

Transformation by Sandhill Crane Vineyards

We shared pizza, veggies, brownies, and wine while we worked on our projects. I usually drink white wine, but I enjoyed Transformation by local vineyard Sandhill Crane Vineyards. It was sweeter and less dry than other reds I've tried.

Cassandra, the owner of Beads to Live By, was patient with our frustrations. She gave us design tips and encouraged us to have fun with our bead choices.

With a history of crimp bead failure (and beads flying everywhere) I usually avoid them. Cassandra explained cheaper crimp beads don't work as well, and I couldn't resist buying a few with a couple strands of new beads.

All of our necklaces were unique. I love how mine turned out. I am going to make a purple necklace for my mom's birthday at the end of the month.

Second Sunday at Art 634

When Matt's friend Suzanne interviewed me for Events in Jackson (a part of community-sourced news site Jacksonopolis) she found out that I had not visited Art 634. Suzanne is a Jackson native, but she has never been to Art 634's monthly open house, Second Sunday, so we agreed to check it out together.

via Art 634

Jackson is known for manufacturing and the prison, but the town has a unique and growing arts and culture community that deserves attention. Art 634 is located in an industrial warehouse. Suzanne and I met at Art 634's coffee shop, Cuppa. The first thing I noticed is was the paper cranes hanging from the ceiling.

via Cuppa

Cuppa's shop owner, Evan, made my cafe au lait himself. Suzanne and I took our drinks to a couch near the back and listened to Jamie Merritt (of Harmony Garden Music Therapy) play soulful renditions of familiar tunes. Cuppa's walls featured April's artist, Sheri Munce, artwork; I loved the whimsical and feminine paintings.

When we finished our coffees Suzanne and I wandered through the building. We admired the shops and talked to various people about arts and culture in Jackson.

Armory Arts Village, an apartment complex and artist community located next to Art 634 in Jackson's old prison. The artists also participated in Second Sunday, so we peeked in on the artist's studios. We saw a handcrafted train that will be featured St. Joseph Public Art Display from May 17 to September 28.

After Art 634 and Armory Arts, Suzanne took me to the new downtown bead shop, Beads to Live By, and introduced me to shop owner Cassandra. Beads to Live By's has a wonderful bead selection, and I cannot wait to take one of the jewelry classes!

via Beads to Live By

Suzanne is a great tour guide! I am excited for our future Jackson tours.