I’m thrilled to announce that the new Studio B Knits Shop is open for business. We’ve turned on the lights, unlocked the door and I hope you’ll come on over and take a look around. You can simply click on the “STORE” Navigation Link on the left side of this page or click here: Studio B Knits Shop.
What will you find there, you ask?

Patterns and Materials Kits to create my new line of ABACUS bead knit jewelry, like the “Sine Curve” Bracelet on the left and the “Cat’s Eye” Necklace on the right:

And Limited Edition Jewelry like these Slider Bracelets and Bead Balls for necklaces:

And the store is open 24/7. Just so you can shop in your pajamas. Doesn’t everyone? ;-)

Heading off next week to another wonderful Stitches South Expo in Atlanta, GA. Teaching classes, doing some book signings and demos in the Marketplace and meeting lots of friends, old and new. Going down south in the Spring! What could be better?

Stitches South 2013 Info

Many of you already know that I am a huge fan of the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat held each February in Tacoma, Washington. The founder of this retreat, Suzanne Pedersen is an ardent supporter of the fiber world and a true nurturer of all of us who work in and love this world. She is always looking for ways to help us along our path, asking thought provoking questions, providing platforms so that we may share our ideas and creativity and making us feel valued in oh so many ways. I could not be more excited to share that I will be leading a Madrona Fiber Arts Spring Workshop: Adventures in Bead Knitting Design , a three day Design and Creativity workshop at Suzanne’s home this May.

From what I have been told by others who have taught or attended Suzanne’s workshops, you WANT to be there. In addition to the ample time we’ll have to work (and play!) together, know that classes are held at Suzanne’s beautiful lodge style home in the Cascade Foothills just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle. If commuting is not possible for you, there is limited space to stay FOR FREE (!) at Suzanne’s and other accommodations are close by. And I hear the food is amazing! Can’t beat that!

For full class descriptions, costs and to register for the workshop: Contact Suzanne at Suzanne@madronafiberarts.com or 425-222-3554. Remember the class size is limited. Would love to see some of you there!

Madrona Fiber Arts

One thing I know for sure is that I will be in California for Stitches West from February 21-24. And see those little “ETC” dates, Feb 25-26 on the image above? I’ve been invited to stay after the regular Stitches event to teach a two day workshop entitled “Adventures in Bead Knitting Land.” So while all of my regular Stitches classes are already sold out, (thanks students!!) there is still room in the ETC workshop. Here are some photos of the things we’ll be working on. Trust me –
it’s SO much fun!!

Click on this link Stitches West ETC for more information.

Do any of you remember the old military recruiting slogan that said “Join the Navy! See the world!”? Today I’m feeling like the slogan should read, “Become a knitter! Make friends around the world!” Over the last few months, mostly due to the release of my book, and my class on Craftsy.com, I have discovered that I have a lot of new friends all around the world. I’ve gotten wonderful emails from Denmark. I read lovely posts to my Betsy Beads Ravelry Group from London. I even discovered a picture of the cover of Betsy Beads in the middle of a Russian blog written all in Cyrillic! And now I can share a new interview I was asked to do for an Arts organization in Melbourne, Australia! Deborah Blakeley, the head of Zone One Arts in Melbourne was a treat to work with and her blog is interesting, informative and inspirational. Check out my interview from the link below and then spend some time wandering around the site, getting to know some truly unique and exciting artists. Thank you Deborah! I’m honored to have my work showcased on your site. Now all I need is someone to invite me “down-under” to teach…

Betsy’s Interview on Zone One Arts

Fall is my favorite season of the year. The cooling trend of the temperatures and the changing colors of trees and shrubs here in Pennsylvania wakes me up, helps me focus and stirs my creative juices. I’ve already traveled to the lovely town of Maryville, TN to provide a trunk show and workshop at the beautiful store of fellow designer/instructor (and all around delightful human being) Antje Gillingham.

Next week I’m heading up to Hartford, CT for another fabulous adventure at Stitches East, including a first for me: Following my regular Stitches classes (all SOLD OUT I’m afraid), I’m teaching a two-day ETC workshop on Monday and Tuesday, Oct 15 & 16. It’s called “Adventures in Bead Knitting Land” and I couldn’t be more excited to spend two whole days with the same group of students. We’ll knit, we’ll talk, we’ll explore the many facets of creative process and we’ll design and start original bead knitted projects. Heaven! And there’s still a bit of room for any late deciders. See here: Adventures in Bead Knitting Land

And on Nov 17 I’ll be in New York City teaching two workshops for the fabulous members of the Big Apple Knitting Guild. How lucky can you get?

I’ve already made some great new knitting friends in Tennessee and now I can’t wait to share some new techniques, see lots of old friends and make some new ones in the next few weeks. See! Fall IS great. :-)

If you’d like to learn how to make and use my wonderful bead knit beads but can’t get to a group class, I can now bring this class directly to you! I worked with the great folks at Craftsy.com to film a new class entitled “Brilliant Knit Beads” and you can sign up and watch it in streaming video on your computer from the comfort of your own home. At your pace. On your time schedule. You can ask questions and I’ll answer them. AND……you can watch the class as many times as you’d like. Forever. Wow.

Follow this link to view class previews and learn more:     Brilliant Knit Beads      Go now!  :-)

I’m really excited (and flattered! ) to announce that I have been asked to teach a  Bead Knitting video class for Craftsy.com. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this innovative new website, you need to check it out ASAP. Classes are streamed to students in full HD video with the kind of production values usually reserved for Hollywood! And their platform allows you to buy and then watch the video on your computer or mobile tablet as many times as you’d like, with access to the same functions as your TV’s DVR – pause, rewind, fast forward, etc. – FOREVER! You can also tag the video with reminders of places you’d like to revisit, post questions for the instructor and engage with the community of students who have also signed on for the class.  Welcome to  education, 21st century style!

The class will offer great basic bead knitting techniques as well as lots of variations on my fun, fabulous (and slightly addictive…) bead knitted beads. I’ll be filming in Denver in early June and will post an update about the class launch date as soon as I have it. Now you can take one of my classes from the comfort of your own home! What will they think of next?

Visit Craftsy.com

With the publication of my new book and so many exciting opportunities coming up in the future, I decided that it was the perfect time to “freshen up” the website.

More news, more pictures, more links to resources and friends and, believe it or not, I’ve decided to tiptoe into the social media universe. (read Brave New World, below.)

Who says you can’t teach an old dog….? Look around! As always, I’m happy to hear what you think.