Join our flock. We are always looking for vibrant friends! This week, we reveled in the fun of Kit Day and opened our colorful Birds of a Feather Design Kit. We nested with the jewelry community of The Great Bead Extravaganza. We introduced a new weekly show with Joyce Trowbridge. And we celebrated the life of Soft Flex Company owner and co-founder, Mike Sherman. This week was a little sweet and a little sorrow. Join us as we cherish our memories and make new ones.
This past weekend, the Soft Flex Company family gathered in Sonoma. We said goodbye to an amazing man and wonderful friend. Mike Sherman passed away in August and this was our chance to hug each other close and give thanks that we knew such a warm and lovely human being. Be sure to watch the video below and meet Mike!
Our trip to Sonoma, to celebrate our friend Mike, meant that we had to pre-record our appearance for The Great Bead Extravaganza. It was not an easy choice and we really wish we could have been live, but we promise, you will have fun watching the video we made!
On Wednesday, we unboxed our recent mystery themed jewelry making kit. Did you take flight with us on Kit Day? Kristen knocked it out of the park with her fall infused design. Our Birds of a Feather Design Kit is a colorful kit that is perfect for the season. On Friday, Joyce Trowbridge kicked off the first episode of her new series, Spill the Beads with Joyce.
Around the web, we watched Randee Brown, of Thunderhorse Descendant, unbox our Birds of a Feather kit and give her thoughts. Marcie Creates showed us how to make a necklace using Soft Flex Wire and the Falloween collection from Didi’s Bead Box. Rosanna Brafford made a Purple Pearls Necklace using beads from her stash and Thunderhorse Descendant. And finally, Beki Foster made a fun claspless necklace from our Halloween Hustle kit.
Jewelry Making Videos
Mike Sherman Discusses The Invention Of Soft Flex Beading Wire
We lost a beautiful human in August. Mike Sherman, the inventor of Soft Flex Beading Wire, passed away peacefully at home. We celebrated his life, his generosity, and his spirit this weekend. The video above was part of a longer video we watched that showed us some of the highlights of Mike's journeys. His proud, " Founding, Co-Owner," had the room giggling, even as the tears came.
Mike loved Hawaii. Even though he was not born on the islands, he felt a deep connection. He often vacationed on Maui. You could find him sitting on a patio, overlooking the ocean, and stringing his fantastic designs. Mike's celebration of life was a Hawaiian themed send off. We dressed in floral patterns. Hula dancers provided entertainment. Hawaiian music played from the speakers in the hall. Mike would have loved to have been with us. And perhaps he was. Mike touched so many people with his humor and kindness. We hope you think of him when you unspool wire for your next project. He loved beading and he is probably grinning ear to ear watching us make jewelry.
Rest in peace, Mike.
If you would like to visit his memorial page, click the link below:
The Great Bead Extravaganza Fall Fest 2023 With Sara Oehler & Kristen Fagan
We have been a part of The Great Bead Extravaganza since day one. We pride ourselves on being a part of the activity and rallying our community around the virtual bead show. TGBE is the best way to experience the excitement of a bead show from the comfort of your couch. This year was the first time we were not able to broadcast live. We pre-recorded this segment as we were all gearing up for Mike's celebration. Even though we could not be there live, we made sure to make a fun and instructive video!
Sara got bit by the seed bead bug. Over the years, she managed to avoid beadwork and bead weaving. But she has been dipping her toes into the craft. As we started carrying more seed beads on our shelves, she started working with more patterns and weaving projects. As her family deals with health emergencies, she has found this new appreciation to be therapeutic and healing. One foot in front of the other. One bead and then another. Stringing beads into a colorful pattern is a great way to keep the mind calm and ready to face any challenge.
Kristen made a stunning necklace with our TGBE Fall Fest Harvest Moon Design Kit (Sold Out). This kit was created for the show. Our kits are bundles of beading joy. Inside our kits, you can find all of the beads, components, and wire you need to create a bunch of amazing jewelry. All you need is a pair of cutters and crimping pliers to finish your designs. Our kits make great gifts and are an easy way to restock your supplies - with a fun colorway!
Birds Of A Feather Jewelry Making Design Kit Reveal
We love a gathering of colorful creatures. The bristling bustle of flamboyant feathers animates our creativity and boosts our happiness. We welcome the kaleidoscopic spectacle of dancing peacocks and the sweet shake of a bird of paradise. We adore the yellow napes and the red-lored amazons. We gain wisdom from the great horned owl. We surf the skies with the California condor. We rule the roost with the American eagle. We dance in the deserts with the cactus wren. And even though our pigeon friends can be little rascals - we are still devoted to these clever doves. All are welcome to our humble nest. Bring a friend! Birds of a feather flock together!
If you love this colorway or you purchased the kit, make sure you visit our Facebook group – VIB. Once our new kits are revealed, our friends and community post their creations there. At the end of the month, we will note all of the designs made with the kit. Each design becomes an entry into our kit giveaway. If your design is randomly selected as the winner (skill is never a factor - beginners and pros can win), we will ship you the next design kit for free!
DIY Halloween Jewelry: Spill The Beads With Joyce Trowbridge
Newest Soft Flex employee, Joyce Trowbridge, launched a new series this week. If you would like to follow along, you can catch this fun show on Fridays at 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. We are so excited to have Joyce aboard and we cannot wait to see what she makes each week.
We are excited to have her talents and creative ideas on our team. You can be sure her show will be loaded with amazing content and out of the box jewelry making ideas.
Thunderhorse Descendant: Birds Of A Feather Jewelry Making Kit Unboxing
Marci Creates: How To Make A Fall Necklace Using Didi’s Bead Box & Soft Flex
Rosanna Brafford: How To Make A Purple Pearls Necklace
Beki Foster: Claspless Necklace Made With The Halloween Hustle Kit
Join our Facebook group – VIB. Stay in the know. Stay up to date. From our bead shows to our video shows and sales, you can stay in touch with us. The community is full of artistic and helpful beaders and crafty people. Inspire and be inspired. Share your pictures and get the beading bug from others!
Visit the Soft Flex Company YouTube Channel!
Blog contributor Thomas Soles loves Jazz Age writers and crunchy french fries. His favorite gemstones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Freddie Mercury's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com