Inaugural Issue of the Abednego Beads Newsletter!

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Abednego Beads newsletter!  My intent is to publish studio news on a quarterly basis to keep all those interested updated on my latest work, current shows, and experimental directions.  Please consider this an ongoing invitation for feedback---I'd love to respond to questions or hear comments from readers.  This is an exciting new adventure for me and I anticipate a bit of a learning curve.  Thanks for jumping on board!

Getting to Know Us

I'd like to introduce myself and my studio assistants so that you can begin to know the individuals of Abednego Beads. 

I'm Lisa, and I'm the artist and owner of Abednego Beads.  My business was born in 1998 and you can read more about my background and inspirations here.

Skye Leasure is a part-time studio assistant who began at Abednego Beads in the fall of 2007.  Skye mainly works behind the scenes for me, preparing mandrels and keeping the studio tidy and clean.  Most recently, she's been helping me with inventory of materials and supplies.  Skye attends a local high school and when not at Abednego Beads, enjoys writing poetry, drawing and hanging out with friends.

Greer Trapkus started at the studio after the holiday season.  Her main duties will include assisting customers in the front when she is here, and helping me get more efficient routines in place.  Greer has already accompanied me to one show in Chicago, and I expect she will do more travel with me in the future.  Greer teaches Spanish at Purdue and is also pursuing a master's degree in Applied Spanish Linguistics.  She enjoys running and dabbling in crafts in her spare time.

I am fortunate to have each of these assistants as both are intelligent, energetic, and diligent workers.  Please help me to run my business efficiently by interacting with these gals whenever you have a general question or request.

Busy Show Season

The 2008 wholesale show season is off to a busy start for me.  I've already participated in the January Beckman's Handcrafted Show at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.  The Buyer's Market of American Craft in Philadelphia is next, with show dates of February 15-18th.  I will be in booth #427 and look forward to introducing many new additions to my lines, including both jewelry pieces and things for the home such as wine stoppers, hor'dourve sets and salad sets, all of which are available in a wide selection of colors.  Then it is off to Las Vegas in April for the second annual American Craft Retailers Expo.  As a founding artist of this Wholesalecrafts.com show, I look forward to seeing both familiar faces as well as new faces as the show continues to grow and gain momentum.  It is a great opportunity for gallery owners in the southwest to shop a little closer to home.  My booth number at ACRE is #122, and I hope to write orders for many of you.  Should you be unable to attend any of these shows, please call (765-429-8535) or email me at lisa@abednegobeads.com to have a new catalog and order form sent to you, showing all the newest additions!