SJ Designs is a needlework designer's studio, producing patterns for needlepoint and counted thread, importing beads and fibers for needlework, and as such, our sales are primarily wholesale to small independent needlework shops.
If you are having difficulty in obtaining any of our products from your local stores, please contact us and we'll be happy to help you.
UPDATE 2/8/10... This website is in the midst of a complete overhaul– I know there are probably links that don't work and missing text but so many bead photos were ready that I simply couldn't resist uploading it anyway. The bead information should be a bit easier to access now as it's been regrouped. Today I've added lots more 14/0 beads color photos, some Heirloom bead color photos and full size photos of each Confetti fiber color. If you find something missing or not working and it's not corrected within the next few days, please let me know!
Our guest book is now active! You're welcome to send just your email address if you'd like to receive occasional updates, or make a comment (your email won't be shown).
UPDATE JUNE 2009... GALA
is our newest metallic fiber. Available in both gold and silver, it's
similar in appearance to Jap gold couching thread. But it was developed
by the commercial knitwear industry, so it's made to be used for
knitting and crochet and can stand up to being pulled through canvas or
fabric. 10 yard twists of either Gold or Silver have a suggested retail
price of $5.99.
P.S. The red chart beneath the Gala in the
photos is a sneak peek at my new series of woven ribbon designs inspired by my collection of early 1900s Jacquard weaving patterns.
Update March 2009... SJ Designs is located in upstate New York, on the main street of a charming
riverside town. Susan's studio in a Victorian brownstone is currently
being
renovated to allow use for classes and workshops beginning in late 2009.
The
2nd floor classroom, workroom and studio will feature walls of antique
samplers (dating back as far as 1600) and shelves full of old needlework items (chatelaines, sewing birds, scissors and Palais Royale boxes) in addition to
showcasing Susan's designs, beads and fibers.
We're waiting for new lighting to be installed (those little candle lamps have got to go), the fireplaces are being stripped (there's carved slate under all that paint) and the floors redone. One wall of glass shelves to hold bead jars is in place and a 12 foot wall of peg board to display all the bead packages is up and painted. More pictures will be
posted as the remodel progresses!
View into workrooms from the front of the building
View of the classroom looking toward the bay window
HeartWarming Counted Beadwork kit
Update May 2008...A
set of print
catalog sheets is available by mail. They include everything shown on
this
site-- pictures of all the charted book covers with descriptions of the
techniques and fibers used, beads and pearls color lists, the Confetti
color card plus free charts and exclusive items such as vintage
metallics and ribbons that are only available from
the studio. You'll also receive the complete kit to stitch our new
HeartWarming counted thread design with beads on perforated paper,
shown at right. $5
includes shipping for the complete packet of goodies.
