Beading Daily

How-To: Easy Engraved Bracelet

Dblair — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Looking for an easy way to add a word or phrase to your next jewelry project? Recently I tried out the Micro Engraver from Bead Smith and learned a few tricks by making this easy mixed-media cuff.

To make a similar cuff, you'll need the following:

Blank metal cuff (mine is 10mm wide)
Lucite, resin, or plastic floral embellishment (I used a vintage-style 34mm matte mustard plastic rose cabochon from MK Beads)
12" of ribbon that is 10-11mm wide
Multi-purpose adhesive
Micro Engraver tool
Permanent marker
Scissors
Patina inks (optional)
Paper towel (optional)
Metal reliefing block (optional)

Mark the placement of your flower so you'll know where to start your lettering. (I wanted my flower slightly off center.)

Holding the engraving tool like a pencil, carefully write your word(s).

The finished phrase. You can leave it like this, or highlight the words using a little patina ink.

Apply a dot of patina ink and then spread with a paper towel, making sure to rub the ink into the engraved letters.

Once the ink has dried, use the metal reliefing block to remove the ink from the non-engraved areas.

Use the adhesive to apply a strip of ribbon to the non-engraved half of the bracelet.

Cut 3 short sections of ribbon and fray the ends; adhere in an "x" fashion to the cuff where the flower will be placed.

Glue the flower on top of the ribbon sections.

One side of the bracelet, showing the engraved lettering.

The other side, showing the ribbon and flower.

I found it difficult to make smooth letters with the Micro Engraver. Once the tip touched my cuff, I felt the need to move the tool quickly, otherwise my letters seemed wavy. And I couldn't quite tell how much pressure was appropriate--a fairly light touch seemed to do the trick. Both of these situations could easily be remedied with more practice.

The other challenge I had was applying too much patina ink the first time, dabbing it onto all of the letters using a paint brush. Once the ink had dried, it was nearly impossible to remove all of it from the non-engraved areas of the cuff. So on my second try, I simply placed a dot of ink on the first letter (straight from the bottle), then used a paper towel to spread the ink to the remaining letters, allowing for a much lighter application. This time it was so much easier to buff off the dried ink using the metal reliefing block!

I encourage you to give it a try! Having the tool allows for endless possibilities in customizing your jewelry with whatever your imagination holds!

Happy crafting,

Tips for Traveling With Your Beading Tools

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

It's that time of year again -- I can't believe that summer is back already! Pretty soon, I'll be packing my bags and hitting the road for places like Bead Fest Philadelphia, a couple of trips down to do some serious bead shopping in New York City, and ending my summer travels with a trip to the Colorado Bead Retreat, hosted by Beyond Beadery's Betcey Ventrella.

Of course, while I'm on the road in various planes, trains, and automobiles, I'll have some beading projects with me to keep me busy, and I'll have to bring along my beading tools for the fabulous workshops at Bead Fest Philadelphia and the Colorado Bead Retreat.

Traveling with beading tools isn't always the easiest thing to do: there are security rules at airports and plenty of opportunity to lose or misplace beading tools while you're on the road. But I've got a couple of ideas for ways I can keep my beading tools (and my beading projects) organized while I travel this summer!

		Of all my finds at last year's Bead Fest Philadelphia, I'm completely smitten with this luxurious tool wrap from Lisa Kan. It's an extremely well-constructed beading tool wrap, with plenty of pockets for your jewelry pliers (like my favorite heavy duty Fireline cutters from Xuron), and a zippered pocket where you can stash a needle case, bead scoops, and other tiny beading tools that make beading on the road easier.

		If you're planning to spend a lot of time on airplanes and need a sturdy, compact organizer with a built-in bead tray, Ezel Finding's new Beading Pal is my first choice. With plenty of straps for organizing your beading tools, seed bead tubes, and a handy mesh pocket for small spools of thread, this is the essential beader's travel kit. It zippers shut all around, and is small enough to tuck into a large purse or your carry-on bags, leaving plenty of room for other travel essentials.

		For cutting your beading thread, you might have to improvise a little if you're planning on taking your beading projects with you on an airplane. Since airport security can vary widely between airports, I prefer to stash my favorite thread cutters in my checked bags and instead make sure that I have a new, sharp finger nail cutter tucked into my kit of beading tools. It works in a pinch, and I save the really fine trimming of threads for when I get to my hotel and can use my scissors.

Of course, for reading material, I've have a few issues of Beadwork magazine tucked into my tote bag, and downloaded onto my tablet computer. Beadwork magazine has always been my number one source for inspiration and information when it comes to beading tools, new beads, and of course, extravagant and innovative beaded jewelry designs. Subscribe to Beadwork magazine today and take your inspiration to go during your summer travels!

Do you travel often with your beads? Do you have any tips for us beady travelers? Or maybe you have a question about traveling with your beads, and you'd like some feedback from our readers! Leave a comment or question here on the Beading Daily blog and let's share our experiences and advice for traveling with our beads!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Get Inspired! Tips for Creating Original Designs

cchatenever — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Submissions guidelines for the Winter issue of Jewelry Stringing were officially posted last week. We have already had some really stellar designs come in, and we can't wait to see the rest of the projects that our new themes inspire you to make!

During our brainstorming sessions for the new guidelines, we all agreed how strange it was to be thinking about wintery themes in the middle of spring. Constantly working two seasons ahead of the weather is one of the more bizarre elements of the work that we do. It occurred to me a few days ago that we aren't the only ones affected by this strange schedule--you are, too! Since I have experienced how frustrating it can be to try designing a piece of holiday jewelry when it's 80 degrees outside, I thought I would share a few of the tools that I find helpful in coming up with original design ideas.

Color Palettes

Retro, Baby!

Days of Kings and Queens

Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine

Chain Meets Fiber

I have found that selecting a palette for a new project is often all it takes to get my creative juices flowing, so I would encourage you to take some time to really consider the color palettes that accompany each of our theme descriptions. Allow these colors to be a jumping-off point instead of thinking of them as limitations; they are intended to give you an idea of what we are looking for, but we don't expect you to use all of the colors in order for your design to be eligible for consideration. There are usually a few colors in each palette that speak to me more than the others, so I like to consider just one swatch of color at a time--you never know which one might trigger your next big idea!

Pinterest Boards

In addition to providing color palettes for each of our themes, we also create digital inspiration boards on Pinterest for you to use as a reference. We use these boards to provide a few examples of jewelry pieces that would be good candidates for each section, but the majority of the contents that we pin on each board has more to do with the concept behind each theme. Cross-referencing these inspiration boards with the theme palettes and descriptions will give you the most complete picture of what we are looking for, and give you the best chances of seeing one of your designs printed in the magazine!

Word Association

This is a trick that I used to use to brainstorm for essays in college, but I hadn't considered using it as a design tool until I saw yesterday's post on Design Love Fest. In it, Bri Emery (the graphic designer behind DLF) talks about using word association to come up with fresh new ideas for her design work. I grabbed a notebook and some pens and took a few minutes to try out her method with one of our new Winter themes--with great results! I started by jotting down the first nine words that came to mind (blue writing) when I thought of our Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine theme, and then repeated the exercise using each of the new words as inspiration (pink writing). Finally, I went back through and circled the words/phrases that I found most interesting and inspiring. One thing that trips me up when I sit down to create a new piece is the flood of ideas that I have--too many ideas can be just as confounding as having none at all! This exercise helped me narrow my inspiration down to just a few key concepts to design around. Give it a try next time you are having trouble starting a new project!

What are some of your favorite design tricks and techniques?

Happy Weekend!

Chloe

Why Should You Learn About Beadmaking?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Why should you learn about beadmaking? Even if you only ever do bead-weaving (or think that you'll only ever do bead-weaving, and nothing else!) knowing a little bit about beadmaking can actually help when you're working on your own beaded jewelry designs, or making a beading project your own through bead substitutions.

Maybe it's not important to know everything about beadmaking, but there are a few surprising ways in which learning about how glass beads, gemstone beads, pearls, crystal beads, and mixed media beads are made can help you save money and create spectacular beaded jewelry at the same time!

Shopping for Beads: How to Get the Best Deal

It may not seem obvious, but when you know about beadmaking, you'll know what to look for when shopping for beads. If you're shopping for handmade lampwork glass beads, you'll know to look for smooth bead holes, and bead holes free of leftover bead separator (the clay-like substance that prevents beads from sticking to the metal mandrels on which they're made).

Knowing the difference between how the genuine Swarovski crystal beads and the Chinese crystal beads are made can also help you out when you're looking to either splurge on a great bead buy, or to economize for a project that's in the research and development phase.

Using Beads as Design Elements

If you're interested in learning about beadmaking, you should also learn about how gemstone beads, pearls, and other natural beads are made. For me, at least, it's fascinating to read about the process of how gemstone beads are made, from the mining of the stone to the final drilling and packaging of the finished bead. And because so many gemstone beads receive treatments of some kind (dyes or heating to enhance color, or injection with resins and plastics for durability), you'll know which beads will stand the test of time when used in your beading projects.

Another important aspect of gemstone beadmaking that you should understand is how the beads are drilled -- I was getting sidetracked far too often by wonky gemstone bead holes in my bead-weaving projects, until I learned that some gemstone beads are drilled twice, once from each end, resulting in bead holes that will not allow a straight needle to pass through! Oops!

Some glass beads are also given treatments, like coatings, which may or may not be permanent. Learning about the pressed glass beadmaking process, including dyes and surface treatments applied to these beads, will leave you better informed when choosing your glass beads for your beading projects.

Handmade Beads: Fiber, Fabric, and Paper

Mixed media beads are also all the rage these days, popping up in beaded jewelry designs everywhere you look. You might not have thought of it before, but some of these beads are also suitable for use in bead-weaving projects where they can be mixed with seed beads. Just like the other types of beads mentioned here, if you know how a good fiber, fabric, or paper bead is made, you'll have a better idea of the best way to include some of these beautiful beads in your bead-weaving projects.

How Do I Learn About Beadmaking?

There are lots of ways to learn about beadmaking. One of the best ways is to ask questions when you go to shows and galleries to buy beads. Beadmakers and bead sellers don't mind answering questions about the origin and techniques used to make the beads they're selling -- once you understand what kind of quality product they're selling, you're more likely to buy.

It also helps to read all you can about beads and beadmaking, and that might include Beadwork magazine. Beadwork magazine has everything you need to know about beads, plus the best in beaded jewelry designs and beading projects for you to use them! If you missed any of the 2012 Beadwork magazines (including the fabulous 15th anniversary beaded bead competition), now you can get all six issues in digital format on a searchable CD! Get your copy of the 2012 Beadwork Magazine CD and find out more about your favorite beads. (The 2012 Beadwork Magazine CD is also available as a digital download, so you can download an entire year of Beadwork magazine and start reading on your favorite desktop or laptop computer in just minutes!)

Has knowing about beadmaking ever helped you out in a design? What do you think is important to know when it comes to beadmaking? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your thoughts and insights with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Essential Beading Wires For Your Bead Stash

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

I recently made a necklace for the Fall issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine using 24-gauge gunmetal wire. As I was sifting through my box of wires deciding which to use for this project, I realized it might be useful to discuss wires...especially the wires I couldn't bead without. If you're a beginning beader, I would recommend purchasing the following wires.

MEDIUM (.018 or .019 diameter) FLEXIBLE BEADING WIRE

This is a must-have wire. It's stainless steel wire that's been covered with clear nylon. A go-to material for any stringing project, this wire is won't kink and is strong enough to support most beads (use heavy wire for heavy beads, such as chunky gemstones). I like 49-strand wire--the greater the number of strands, the greater the flexibility--so 49-strand is super flexible compared to, say, 7-strand or 19-strand. Soft Flex, Beadalon, Accu-Flex, Flexrite, and Acculon are just two of the many beading wires available.

STERLING SILVER 24-GAUGE ROUND, HALF-HARD WIRE

Let me explain. Sterling silver is the type of metal, of course. While sterling silver has long been my favorite wire to use, recently I've purchased silver-plated wire instead due to the high price of sterling. The gauge refers to the thickness or diameter of the wire. 24-gauge is about .025" in diameter. This is considered fine wire, but I find it's a great size to fit most of the beads in my stash. "Round" refers to the shape of the wire, and "half-hard" refers to the temper. Temper is the hardness of the wire. Half-hard means the wire it's soft enough to be malleable but hard enough to hold its shape. This is the wire I turn to for my wireworking needs--it's perfect for making wrapped and simple loops.

While I use the above two wires the most in my jewelry-making projects, I've also accumulated several other wires that have served me well:

Heavy (.024) and fine (.014 or .015) beading wires: I string heavy gemstones on the heavy and pearls with tiny holes on the fine.
22-gauge silver wire: For projects when I want my wireworking to have more heft
Gold 22- and 24-gauge wires: For projects I make in gold tones
Antiqued brass or gunmetal wire: Because I've been using more and more brass in my work

What wire could you not live without? Tell me below!

-Danielle

What Can You Learn On Craft Daily? Everything!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

I got bit by the crafting bug early on. As a child, I watched my mother creating with crochet, knitting, and needlepoint, and some of those designs included beads. Some of those projects were among my first exposure to beading and bead crafts in general -- learning how to add beads to each new craft was probably one of the things that sparked my interest in jewelry-making, too.

I still enjoy taking the occasional crafting break from bead-weaving, but I love how there are so many ways to incorporate beads into my other craft projects, too. So, it's important to me to be able to learn new crafting techniques like crochet, knitting, and even mixed media art projects.

If you're someone like me who loves to turn any craft into a bead craft, I'm so excited to introduce you to Craft Daily! Craft Daily is the best online source for watching premium craft video tutorials and workshops from some of your favorite instructors like Melinda Barta, Denise Peck, Lisa Niven Kelly, and others. You'll also find helpful how-to videos from Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist photographer Jim Lawson to help you capture great images of all your beautiful bead crafts.

With a monthly or yearly subscription to Craft Daily, you'll be able to access over 130 crafting videos and tutorials, with new videos being added weekly. Whether you're an experienced crafter or a novice looking to learn a new technique, you're sure to find something to inspire you!

The best part is that you can watch these videos instantly, on your Mac, PC, iOS, or Android device instantly to learn new crafting, jewelry-making, and beading techniques. Why learn by video?

It's more convenient than taking a class -- you can start and stop the video whenever you'd like, watching the techniques demonstrated over and over until you get it right.
You get to see the techniques demonstrated in action for a better idea of how to hold your tools and materials.
You can refer back to the video later if you want to review the techniques.

So, head on over to Craft Daily and take a look around. You just might find a new way to use your beads in some of your favorite crafts!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

New Portable Bead Organizer from Ezel Findings - Meet the Beading Pal!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

One of the many things that I love about my job is when I get to see new beading products before they're available to the general public. My friend Sunyoung Park of Ezel Findings made my day last week when she sent me their latest innovative beading and jewelry-making product, the Beading Pal.

The Beading Pal is a fantastic organizer and built-in beading surface, meant for beaders on the go. It's sturdy construction is great for times when you want to just toss it into a tote bag and head to your beading group or favorite cafe for an afternoon of beading time. The faux suede interior and bead tray has rolled edges to prevent beads from spilling or running away, and the elastic loops and mesh pocket are perfect for organizing any seed bead tubes, beading tools, and beading thread that you'll need while traveling.

What I love the most about this new bead organizing and travel system is that it really is a convenient all-in-one way to pack up and play with your beads. Even when you're not traveling any further than from the living room to the dining room of your own home, the faux suede beading surface is one of the nicest that I've ever used. Soft, sturdy, and the perfect color to make all your tiny seed beads, crystals, and pearls easy to see.

The outside of the Beading Pal is just as luxurious as the inside, with a silky, metallic faux leather, and metallic gold accents. It really makes you feel like you're beading in the lap of luxury, no matter where you are!

With dimensions of 10 1/4" long x 8 1/4" wide x 1 3/8" thick, it's the perfect size to tuck into a tote bag or backpack, or even just to carry as you go with your beading projects tucked safely inside.

Ezel Findings will have the Beading Pal available for sale at all their major bead shows beginning in June, 2013, or you can check their website, Ezel Findings, for updates and product information.

Contact Sunyoung Park at info@ezelfindings.com, or at 1-800-977-9904.

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Five Fantastic Pearl Shapes For Your Beaded Jewelry Designs

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

It's true -- pearls never go out of style. Whether you like to do bead stringing or bead stitching, freshwater pearls are an elegant and classic addition to any beaded jewelry design. Pearls come in so many different shapes these days that it's easy to find just the right style to compliment your beading projects.

If you're just starting to add to your collection of freshwater pearl beads, I can recommend looking for these five popular shapes to get started. Most of them come in a wide array of colors to suit any of your beaded jewelry design ideas!

		Potato Pearls What they look like: Potato pearls are oval-shaped, with a hole drilled through the center vertically, as opposed to lengthwise. They usually have some striations as natural variations on them. What they're good for: Potato pearls are fabulous for adding a little bit of earthy elegance to strung jewelry designs or fringe. They can be found in a huge array of colors and sizes, making them perfect for almost any beading project.

		Button Pearls What they look like: Button pearls have one flat side and one rounded side, with the hole drilled top-to-bottom. What they're good for: Use these almost like end caps up against glass or ceramic beads in stringing projects (flat sides against either end of the focal bead), or stitch them flat-side down for use in your favorite bead embroidery projects.

		Rice Pearls What they look like: Like their name suggests, these pearls look like tiny grains of rice. They are not consistent in shape and size, although most of them are usually smaller than 4mm. What they're good for: Mix them with precious metal beads like tiny gold seamless rounds and smaller gemstone beads like garnets and peridot for simple, classic beaded jewelry designs.

		Stick Pearls What they look like: These are long, rectangle-shaped pearls with lots of bumps and grooves. Usually flat, there are some that are round in shape. These pearls can be drilled horizontally through the center or close to one end, or they can be drilled vertically, from end to end. What they're good for: These are the pearls to use for your best tribal-inspired beaded jewelry designs. In pairs, they also make great drops for earrings.

		Keishi Pearls What they look like: Usually flat, with the hole drilled through the center, these pearls resemble wavy discs, with some natural variations (bumps and lumps and striations). What they're good for: When strung in small clusters, these pearls always look "fluffy" to me, and they give a wonderful, organic feel to more refined jewelry designs. They also work well as spacers between gemstones or your favorite Czech glass beads, too.

My new favorite way to use pearls in my jewelry stringing designs is to mix them up with the big, bold colors of stones like turquoise, carnelian, and even some of my favorite dark agates. And if you want to stay on-trend, try mixing your favorite freshwater pearls with some of the fabulous new neon crystal pearls and beads popping up all over!

Ready for more fashion-forward jewelry stringing designs? Make sure you don't miss out on a single issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine! You'll find dozens of gorgeous beaded jewelry design ideas using gemstones, pearls, and all of the latest and greatest glass beads coming from the Czech Republic. Subscribe to Jewelry Stringing for the best in today's beaded jewelry design ideas.

When it comes to freshwater pearls, do you have a favorite shape? Why? How do you use your freshwater pearls in your jewelry design projects? Leave a comment and share your thoughts and ideas with us here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Decadent Jazz Age Jewels

Dblair — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The release of The Great Gatsby has been highly anticipated by many since last year and it finally hit the theaters this past Friday! I haven't seen it yet, but I'm anxious to take in the glamour and grandeur of it all. I've heard that the sets, costumes, and jewelry are such an authentic replication of the period that the actors and audience alike felt truly immersed in the fabled era known as the Jazz Age.

Tiffany & Co. supplied the jewelry for the film, and to celebrate the glitz that was the Roaring 20s, they have released a collection of jewelry aptly named Jazz Age Glamour. The collection includes this Pearl Tassel Necklace with diamonds and pearls, and these Tiffany Legacy Collection earrings with diamonds totaling 1.7 carats.

View the full collection at Tiffany & Co. here.

Photos © Tiffany & Co.

Carey Mulligan wears Tiffany & Co.'s hand ornaments and exquisite headpiece during a big party scene in the film.

Photo © Warner Bros.

Menswear designer, Brooks Brothers, has also created a collection inspired by the costumes in the film. See their Great Gatsby Collection here.

Photo © Warner Bros.

Bring the glamour of the era home by making your own version--the Spring issue of Jewelry Stringing, on newsstands now, features 7 spectacular necklace and bracelet designs with a modern twist on favorite flapper fashions such as lariats, tassels, and pearls.

I'd love to hear what you think of the Roaring 20's fashion, and if you've made any of the jewelry!

Now Accepting Winter '14 Jewelry Stringing Submissions!

cchatenever — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

I know that many of you have been patiently waiting for the themes and guidelines for the Winter 2014 issue of Jewelry Stringing to be posted. Well the wait is over! Details about issue themes, color palettes, Pinterest boards, and deadlines (submissions are due by June 17th!) are now posted on our Submissions Page.

We are really excited about this issue's themes--we think you will be, too! Here's a snapshot of each one:

Days of Kings and Queens

The expertly costumed casts of popular television shows like Game of Thrones and The Borgias
have shown us that ornate filigrees and dripping jewels are just as captivating today as they
were in ancient times. Submissions in this category should be modern homages to the lavish
jewels that adorned the regal throats and wrists of history's royal women. While these pieces
should have a commanding presence, they should also be wearable. Consider pairing the rich
colors in the palette above with contemporary components, or combining era-inspired accent
elements with a current jewelry trend like mixed metals or leather.

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/days-of-kings-and-queens-winter-2014/

Retro, Baby!

While we think there are a lot of styles from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's that are best left in
the past, the jewelry trends that came out of these decades are some of our favorites! The
clean lines, classic silhouettes, and pastel palettes of 50's accessories are often seen in the work
of today's top jewelry designers, and the bright bohemian baubles that the 60's produced will
always be crowd pleasers. The chunky chokers and tribal motifs of the 70's are in the midst of a
comeback, and the geometric shapes and colorblocking of the 80's seem like styles that are
here to stay. Each submission in this category should showcase the trends of one of these
specific decades (including but not limited to those named above).

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/retro-baby-winter-2014/

Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine

Dark colors tend to dominate the attire at holiday parties--why not add a splash of wintery
color with a festive piece of jewelry? This collection will consist of projects that are
simultaneously glamorous and playful in shades of rosy pink, icy blues, and minty greens. Don't
be shy with the rhinestones and crystals--these projects should have plenty of glitz and
sparkle! Instead of being inspired by a specific era or genre, this category represents a
collection of our favorite things about the winter season: the twinkle of winking holiday lights,
the bright colors of confetti, the sparkle of a flute of champagne.

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/sparkle-dazzle-shine-winter-2014/

Chain Meets Fiber

The trend of chain-and-fiber jewelry is a perfect example of the axiom "Opposites attract."
Chain has structure, is composed of rigid shapes, and is metallic in color, while fiber is soft,
textured, and can be found in a vast spectrum of shades. Whether it is embroidery thread
braided around chunky curb chain, or silk ribbon woven through brassy chain links, this unlikely
couple has been showing up everywhere, from DIY blogs to designer jewelry. We want to see
your take on it! We are looking for projects that include both chain (in any material) and fiber
(ribbon, thread, yarn, twine, linen, fabric, etc.). We are hoping to see colorful fibers in the
saturated swatches above to offset the metallic colors of the chain.

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/chain-meets-fiber-winter-2014/

We can't wait to see the designs that these themes and color palettes inspire you to make!

Chloe

Free Cabochon Beading Projects

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

I love a good challenge, don't you? How about the challenge of using a cabochon, without a hole, in a piece of beaded jewelry? When I was learning how to bead, I was thrilled to find out that I didn't need to know metal smithing techniques to include my favorite gemstone cabochons in my beaded jewelry projects.

Making a beaded bezel for a cabochon is a lot easier than you might think it is. If you know how to do bead-weaving stitches like herringbone stitch, right-angle weave, and peyote stitch, you can make cabochon settings out of seed beads that rival even the finest metal cabochon bezels.

Ready to start learning more about including cabochons in your jewelry-making projects? Read on! We've collected five great cabochon beading projects here for you, including a tutorial for making cabochons out of resin and old postage stamps!

Make your own resin cabochons using old postage stamps with Melinda Barta's fabulous project instructions for her Return-to-Sender Focals.
Use herringbone stitch to make beautiful cabochon bezels, too, when you try Melinda's Brilliant Bezels project.
Jean Campbell's gorgeous Eau Claire beaded necklace showcases a fabulous handmade ceramic cabochon with beaded beads - two of my favorite things in the same beaded necklace project!
Lisa Kan's Captured by Pearls is a classic and easy project that embellishes a pretty cabochon with dainty freshwater pearls.
Finally, for a more modern beaded necklace using a cabochon, try Alicia Shems' Jeweled Backlace for a unique beading project using your favorite gemstone cabochon.

We've also included a selection of some of our most popular Beading Daily blogs, all about how to create bezels to capture your favorite cabochons!

Learn how to make an easy right-angle weave bezel for a cabochon or crystal stone.
Read about my adventure using wire to create a Viking knit bezel for a special gemstone cabochon.
Of course, not all cabochons are round, so we've also included instructions for making a triangle-shaped cabochon bezel. (You can easily adapt this technique for making square cabochon bezels, too!)
And if you've ever wanted to include cabochons in your bead embroidery projects, we've included a step-by-step tutorial on how to use peyote stitch to create a cabochon bezel for bead embroidery!

Cabochons can be used for so many great beaded jewelry designs, including rings, earrings, and bracelets - we hope this collection of cabochon jewelry projects inspires you to start creating with cabochons today!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

What’s Your Favorite Odd-Count Peyote Turnaround?

Melinda Barta — Thu, 09 May 2013 02:38:00 GMT

If you're familiar with Beadwork magazine then surely you're already aware of the versatility of peyote stitch. One of my favorite things about this stitch is that there are often several ways to achieve the same look, especially when it comes to odd-count turnarounds.

Personally, I'm a big fan of a thread-loop turnaround (see below). Or, if I feel the thread is building up on the side of the beadwork, I'll occasionally throw in a square-stitch turnaround. However, a project by Pamela Kearns in the June/July issue of Beadwork reminds me how great figure-eight turnarounds can be.

	You might ask yourself, "Why even bother with odd-count peyote when even-count is so easy to turn?" Pamela's Boho Bangle shows why: Some patterned strips of peyote call for an odd number of beads in order to be symmetrical.
	Regardless of which turnaround method you like most for odd-count peyote, here's how I recommend you start the first three rows: String an odd number of beads for Rows 1 and 2. Work Row 3 back across the work as usual with 1 bead in each stitch. Knot the working and tail threads together and pass back through the last bead added.
	Work Row 4 as usual with 1 bead in each stitch, as shown here by the blue thread. Option 1 Now here is where you have a decision to make. To form a thread-loop turnaround at the end of Row 5, follow the red thread in this illustration: After stringing the final bead in the row, pass the needle under previous threads on the outside edge of the work, and then pass back through the last bead added. Don't pull too tight or the work can begin to curve on this side.
	Option 2 To end Row 5 with a figure-eight turnaround, string the final bead of the row and then weave through beads in a figure-eight pattern to exit back through the last bead added, as shown by the green thread in this illustration.

For Pamela's complete peyote-stitch pattern and instructions for securing peyote-stitch bands to Regaliz licorice leather, don't miss the June/July 2013 issue of Beadwork.

Play around to find your preference, then share with us here your favorite approach to navigating odd-count peyote turnarounds.

Have fun!
Melinda
Editor, Beadwork

But Is It Wearable? Necklace Making From a Different Perspective

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT


	*Wearing my Battle of the Beadsmith piece at last year's Bead Fest Philadelphia with friends.*

In the last few years, I've seen more and more emerging bead artists who are pushing the envelope with their beautifully over-the-top beaded necklaces. That's part of the beauty of necklace making: if you can imagine it, you can make it. But upon seeing one of my wild, over-the-top, crazy complicated beaded necklace designs, I've had more than one person ask me, "It looks beautiful, but is it comfortable to wear?"

And of course, that got me thinking. Why do I love to make those kinds of scene-stealing beaded necklaces? What use is there in making something that you really can't wear comfortably? As it turns out, there are lots of reasons to just surrender yourself to making a beaded necklace that's as much a work of art as it is a piece of beaded jewelry.

Necklace Making As Art


When I created Lady In the Lake, I was more concerned with telling my story artistically instead of making a necklace that could be worn every day.

Looking through art books and artists at juried, high-end craft shows, I see a lot of beaded necklaces that are just stunning in design and execution, but that are in no way practical to wear, even on a special occasion. So, why would you want to make a necklace that no one can wear?

Allowing yourself to explore necklace making as an art form can result in some pretty spectacular pieces that can not only help you make a name for yourself in the art world, but that also allow you to develop new skills in using color and technique. Maybe you even allow yourself to explore new techniques that you've never tried before.

Using necklace making as purely an exercise in the principles of art can result in some surprising discoveries about yourself and your thoughts about art!

Necklace Making For Creative Problem-Solving


	*The skills I learned when creating my three-dimensional bead embroidered collar last summer will come in handy for this year's Battle of the Beadsmith!*

Creating the structure of a wildly creative beaded necklace can present some pretty tough design problems. When I came up with my idea for last year's Battle of the Beadsmith piece, I wondered aloud, "Is this even possible?" I had no idea. And yet, I had to sit down and start stitching to find out what the beads could and couldn't do. In the end, I was quite pleased that I found ways around the technical issues that popped up along the way, and it made me feel even more confident to move on to my next large beaded necklace project.

When you make an over-the-top beaded necklace, you're stretching your creative problem-solving skills in ways you might never have thought possible. Who knows what else you might discover? A new bead-weaving technique, a new design element, or maybe a new love for an old beading stitch.

Necklace Making For the Joy Of It

And so what if you make an amazing, gorgeous beaded necklace and it can't be worn for more than twenty minutes without becoming uncomfortable to the wearer? I think that sometimes, we should forget about the practical applications of necklace making and jewelry-making in general and just go with the flow of it because it makes us happy.

The best part is that all of these things that you learn when making your own beautiful beaded necklace projects can be used in so many other ways. Take the ideas that pop up while you're working on your crazy, cool necklace making projects and apply them to other projects and ideas that you've had waiting patiently in your sketchbooks!

The Perfect Balance Between Art and Craft

Yes, I will always love to make showy, over-the-top, crazy complicated beaded necklaces. The skills and techniques I learn while making these kinds of beaded jewelry designs is just priceless. Even if the necklace itself never sells, I'll always have those skills that I can use to create new and innovative beaded jewelry.

Are you looking for some great beaded jewelry designs to practice your beading skills? Jean Campbell, senior editor of Beadwork magazine has a fabulous new video just for you! Check out Jean Campbell's Best Beading Workshops: Global Designs to learn about Jean's inspiration for three of her top beaded jewelry designs, plus watch and learn as she creates each one of these beading projects, step by step. Can't wait for the DVD to arrive in the mail? You can also download Jean Campbell's Best Beading Workshops: Global Designs instantly onto your favorite desktop or laptop computer!

What do you think about big, crazy, over-the-top necklace making projects? Do you enjoy making them or wearing them? Do you prefer more practical or subdued designs? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us what you think!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Free Tutorial From Our Friends at Ornamentea

Dblair — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Every so often, it's fun to follow along with someone else's tutorial and not have to invent my own. Such was the case when I received this fun tutorial from Ornamentea in my inbox last week--I knew I had to make these earrings! Not one who typically seeks instant gratification, for some reason I really had the urge to make them now! The fabulous thing is, it was easy for me to substitute some of the materials with those I already had sitting around the office!

Thanks to Ornamentea for offering the full tutorial here for these Day Glow Earrings designed by Erin Siegel.

Erin's version (left) from the Ornamentea web site; my version (right).

Although waxed linen cord would be ideal (as the tutorial suggests), I used some green hemp cord that I had around the office. However, the wrapped portion turned out a little chunkier than I would have liked. I chose these apple green Kazuri beads from Antelope Beads because I loved the bright green color.

I thought this baby blue rhinestone cup chain would keep the casual feel I was going for.

The only snag I ran into was the fact that the holes in some of my beads were too small to accommodate the two cords plus a head pin, so I had to keep digging through my stash until I found some with larger holes!

All in all, this turned out to be a fast and friendly project. Do you have a favorite quick-and-easy earring project?

Happy beading,

Gemstones and Fashion Inspiration for Spring!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

From Jennifer: Spring is in full swing here in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York, and that means it's time to freshen up my jewelry-making projects with some new gemstones! Whether you love to use gemstones as beads for jewelry stringing projects, or you're like me and prefer to use glorious gemstone cabochons in your bead embroidery and bead-weaving projects, here's some great inspiration and information from Jewelry Making Daily's Tammy Jones and our friends at Pantone with suggestions for gemstones that you can use to match the Spring 2013 Pantone color forecast! Enjoy!


	Tammy Jones is the online editor for Jewelry Making Daily

Each year Pantone identifies the top ten fashionable colors of the year, as shown in clothing, fabrics, home décor, purses and other accessories, including our favorite, jewelry. Even if fashion and trends aren't your thing, if you're a jewelry maker or jewelry designer, you need to know these colors. Why? Because they're the colors that almost everyone else will be using when they design their clothing and accessories--or wearing when they buy their clothing and accessories--so you'll want your jewelry designs to play along.

Naturally, you should design to your heart's vision, but whether you add color to your jewelry through gemstones, enamels, fibers, or some other way, these are the colors to watch for Spring 2013 and the gems that match them. (Photos courtesy of Pantone.com.)

		Grayed Jade: This one is easy, it does look like jade--but shades of chalcedony and larimar could also work, along with faceted apatite and fluorite. Aquamarine in this slightly greenish shade is my favorite color for that gem.

		Tender Shoots: For this springy green, peridot comes to mind right away, along with grossular, tsavorite, and demantoid garnets.

		Emerald: Even though it's called emerald, this color looks a little more blue-green than emerald-green to me. Chrome diopside is another rich green option, but apatite and tourmaline will give you that hint of blue.

		Dusk Blue: Lovely sapphire and spinel as well as topaz and aquamarine could serve as this color in your gemstone creations, along with certain shades of chalcedony and larimar.

		Monaco Blue: This blue could also be served with sapphire and spinel, as well as lapis lazuli, iolite, sodalite, and possibly even very fine tanzanite.

		African Violet: Kunzite, fluorite, and amethyst have just the lovely shades of purple to match this color.

		Nectarine: Fire opals, as well as spessartite, mandarin, and hessonite garnets, match up with this juicy color, along with citrine.

		Lemon Zest: Lemon quartz is a good match for this one, along with yellow sapphire, tourmaline, chrysoberyl, yellow beryl, and topaz. Also look for Mali garnet, some citrine, and some members of the grossular garnet family.

		Poppy Red: Even though rubies are a little more blue-red than this red, rubies certain fall in this area, as do spinel. Pyrope and other garnets can be this color, as can dark fire opals.

		Linen: This pretty color immediately makes me think of pearls (surprised? ha!), but rose quartz and morganite might be a better match.

Want to stay up-to-date on what's new in the world of gemstones and lapidary? Check out Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine! Each issue is full of the latest and greatest in gemstones, from gemstone beads to gemstone cabochons, mineral specimens and everything in between. Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine and don't miss out on what the art jewelry world is doing with gemstones now!

What's your favorite gemstone for spring? Have you made any great new gemstone bead discoveries lately, or found a great new source for gemstone beads? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog with your gemstone bead and cabochon picks!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Thoughts On A Snowy May Day

cchatenever — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

May Day always makes me think of fresh wildflowers, sundresses, maypoles, and bare feet, so you can imagine how grumpy I was to be greeted by a fresh blanket of snow when I woke up on May 1st this year! As I was walking out to my car, bundled in layers and cursing the day that I decided to leave Southern California and move to Colorado, I caught a glimpse of the foothills behind my house. The red rocks looked stunning jutting out of the white snow, and the resilient spring greenery that had started to speckle the landscape was peeking through the drifts. The scene reminded me that, as ready as I am to put away my coats and break out the SPF, there is still a lot to be appreciated about this brief time when the seasons almost overlap.

While mulling this thought over later in the day I stumbled upon Australian artist Kirra Jamison's latest collection, titled Love Me Two Times. I was struck by how well each piece of artwork in this collection married cool, dormant, wintery colors with the electrically lively hues of spring:

So many of these pieces even look like flowers poking through a field of snow!

Kirra's stunning color palettes gave me so many exciting design ideas for new jewelry pieces! I am looking forward to burying myself in my stash this weekend and making up some jewelry designs in these great colors.

What started out as a gloomy May Day turned into a reminder that there are always silver linings...even in springtime snowstorms.

Happy May!

Chloe

What Was Your First Beadweaving Stitch?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Whenever I teach a beadweaving class, my students always want to know: what was the first beadweaving stitch you learned? (Followed closely by: which beadweaving stitch is the easiest and best stitch to learn?)


It only took me a few hours to make my very first peyote stitch amulet bag, but it took me over a year to learn peyote stitch!

I wish that there were easy answers to both of those questions. I really do! But, like so many other interesting things in life, my beadweaving path has been full of twists and turns.

When I first learned how to bead, I taught myself how to make amulet bags from a kit that came with a book. Looking back on it, the projects in the book were less than spectacular, but at the time, they were perfect for what seed beads I had access to, and they taught me a little bit about following a beading pattern.

My very first amulet bag was made with peyote stitch, with a couple of tiny loops of fringe on the bottom for good measure. I worked it up from a charted peyote stitch pattern, and I was quite pleased with it. I even made a pair of huge peyote stitch earrings to match! I remember thinking, hey, this beadweaving stuff is pretty easy!

Then I tried to move on to another peyote stitch pattern, and got a rude awakening. I couldn't, for the life of me, remember how I had made that first amulet bag. Every time I tried to start a new piece of peyote stitch, the beadweaving was uneven and lumpy. I couldn't keep the same number of beads in each row. Peyote stitch was, for me, a total disaster.


	Some of my very first beadweaving projects made with brick stitch, square stitch, and tubular herringbone.

I moved on to other beadweaving stitches like brick stitch, netting, and right-angle weave, mastering each of them in just a couple of weeks. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not get the hang of peyote stitch. It took me a whole year and eight weeks of beadweaving classes at my local bead shop to finally feel comfortable using peyote stitch in my beadweaving projects.

Now, I know that my experience may not be typical. Most beaders get their start learning peyote stitch, and most of the beginners in my classes ask me which beadweaving stitch is the best one to learn. I always tell them the same thing: the best beadweaving stitch for beginners is the one you learn first.

Because, really, we beaders are all so different in our interests and talents and skills! I really don't think there's one beadweaving stitch that's the "best" for someone just learning how to bead, but I do think that new beaders should be encouraged to explore and experiment with beadweaving stitches as they learn them. Just because I learned brick stitch in just one sitting doesn't mean that someone else might find it just as easy. The important thing is to bead fearlessly, and learn how to trust your beads (and yourself) to take you where you need to go.

No matter where your beadweaving path has led you, if you're thinking that your next step is to enter your beaded jewelry designs in a competition, now is the time! You've only got a few more weeks left to enter the 2013 Bead Star competition! New for this year, Bead Star is accepting entries made with beadweaving in all categories: Crystals, Glass, Pearls, Metals & Wireworking, Gemstones, and Emerging Artists. Do you have what it takes to be the 2013 Bead Star? You could win an all-expense paid trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia! Check out all the rules and find out how to enter the 2013 Bead Star competition today! (Deadline for entries is May 24, 2013.)

Now I want to know: what was YOUR first beadweaving stitch? What stitch got you started on the beaded path? Which beading stitch would you tell a beginner to work on first? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your stories and thoughts with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Stitch Pro: Set Yourself a Deadline

Jean Campbell — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:48:00 GMT

I received a note from a beader on Facebook this week asking, "...what are you up to these days?" Boy...other than working a full-time job, fostering a loving relationship, preparing for yet another move (we bought a house!), dealing with an emptying nest as my son graduates high school and leaves home for the military and college, and then coping with the everyday drama of my teenage daughter, hmmm... not much!

I'm pretty sure the person who asked the question was wondering what I've been beading lately, though, and that's a little more difficult to answer. As a technical editor for Beadwork magazine, I bead in my head all day long, but like so many of my friends and colleagues, I find it difficult to carve out creative time in which I can get some actual beading done. That is, unless I have a deadline.

Deadlines are often the only way I get anything done, especially beading. They put a fire under my buns and get me to clear my schedule, making creativity a priority. I figure I snap to it when it comes to a deadline for a couple reasons: First, when someone asks me to do a piece, I feel I'm beholden to them; that person is counting on me to get the piece finished. It's kind of like having an exercise buddy--you exercise more when you have a friend to do it with. I envision the person who gave me the deadline and I as an artistic team. In that same "Go Team" vein is the second reason I like deadlines--it's a fun challenge! I turn this challenge into a sort of creative game, complete with a game board (my detailed to-do list); small celebrations when I cross things off the to-do list (i.e., I get to put a load of laundry in...I know, that sounds lame, but that's how I get any housework done, too!); and a big reward when I'm finished (this often includes chocolate). For me, turning the deadline into a game makes working on the piece something enjoyable that I can look forward to every day.

Luckily I've got a new deadline approaching. I've been invited to participate in the "Toho Challenge". Team Toho sent me (and several other designers) this beautiful kit of beads from which I need to make a masterpiece (no pressure). If it's any good, it'll be on display at the Bead & Button show next month. Can I do it by May 24? We'll see! I'll be sure to keep you apprised of my progress.

Do deadlines work for you like they work for me? If not, how do you manage to carve creative time into your schedule? Please share your tips and tricks below so we can all benefit.

Happy beading-

Jean Campbell

Senior editor, Beadwork magazine

Get The Inside Scoop On How to Get Your Designs Published in Beadwork Magazine!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Have you ever thought about submitting your original beaded jewelry designs for publication in Beadwork magazine? There are many well-known bead artists who got their start in the beading world by doing just that. Do you want to get the inside scoop on getting your designs published from an industry professional who also happens to be a first-class bead artist?

On Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 10 a.m. MST, you can join us for a FREE live webinar with Jean Campbell, founding editor of Beadwork magazine, to find out how to submit your original bead-weaving jewelry designs for publication. You can ask questions in real time and get advice on the best way to submit your designs and ideas for publication in Beadwork magazine.

Are you one of those beaders that never seems to run out of ideas for new beading projects? Would you enjoy seeing your designs appear in the pages of Beadwork magazine? I can honestly say that having my beaded jewelry designs published in Beadwork gave me some of the greatest thrills of my life -- especially when two of them landed on the cover!

The editors of Beadwork are always looking for fresh, new designs from talented bead artists just like you. So why not take the plunge and submit your designs to Beadwork magazine? Jean will take you step-by-step through the skills you'll need, how to research trends in beading, and how to prepare and submit your beaded jewelry designs from start to finish. Who better to get advice from than Beadwork magazine's founding editor?

After the presentation, you'll have access to a recording of the webinar so that you can refer back to it anytime you want to review the material presented. If you can't make it to the live presentation, your registration will give you access to the recording so that you can watch it any time that's convenient for you, so you won't miss out on Jean's expert advice. Don't miss out on this LIVE and INTERACTIVE event! (And it's FREE!)

I'll be there, too, moderating and feeding your live questions to Jean during the presentation. But there are only 1,000 spots available for this FREE webinar, and they're sure to fill up fast. Your registration guarantees your "seat" for this event, and we also recommend that you have a high-speed internet connection for the best viewing experience. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to log in early to troubleshoot any technical glitches.

About Jean Campbell:

Jean Campbell designs, teaches, and writes about beadwork. She is the founding editor of Beadwork magazine and has written and edited more than 45 books, most recently including Steampunk Style Jewelry and the upcoming Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals.

Jean is a Crystallized Elements Ambassador for the Swarovski Company. She has appeared on the DIY Jewelry Making show, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS' Beads, Baubles, and Jewels where she gives how-to instructions, provides inspiration, and lends crafting advice. Jean teaches off-loom beading throughout the United States. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her family and a whole lot of beads.

Sneak Peek into Summer Jewelry Stringing!

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Yesterday we put the finishing touches on the Summer 2013 issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine and sent the files off to the printer. Yay! I think you all are going to like this issue. But don't just take it from me. Enjoy the exclusive preview below and come to your own conclusion!


	Modern Cowgirl This necklace, Saddles and Sage by Toni McCarthy, is part of the issue's Modern Cowgirl project collection. The pieces in this collection are earthy and feminine, with just a pinch of Southwest sass. The jewelry designs feature down-to-earth materials, such as chunky natural gemstones, leather cord, and metallic accents. Yee hah!

	Flower Market With their lively pastel palettes, nature-inspired embellishments, and playful fiber accents, the necklaces in the Flower Market collection remind us of wildflower bouquets, and each one presents a lesson in designing summery jewelry. The lovely necklace here is Vintage Garden by Rejetta Sellers.

	Summer in the City Sara Oehler's Big City Lights necklace is part of our Summer in the City collection. The designers of the fashion-forward pieces in this collection have expertly combined carefully selected materials in deliberately arranged color palettes to create pieces that are chicly cosmopolitan.

In addition to the project collections I've highlighted above, the Summer 2013 issue also boasts an extended feature on MIXED-MEDIA jewelry that explores using resin, riveting, and colorizing metal to create customized jewelry.

The Summer issue will be available to subscribers in mid-May and on newsstands June 4. I hope you enjoy it!

What Motivates You To Finish Your Beading Projects?

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

"If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then is an empty desk a sign?" ~Albert Einstein


When I've run out of storage bags for my UFOs, it's time to start finishing my beading projects.

I think Einstein was on to something when he said that. When it comes to seed bead patterns, I always have five or six beading projects going at the same time. (Actually, it's more like seven, or eight, or...) When I run out of room on my desk, I start stacking my bead trays. When the stack of bead trays starts to tilt precariously, I start spreading out to the dining room table, my photo table, and even on the seat of the armchairs in the living room.

Sure, it's easy to start a dozen seed bead patterns at a time. They're just so PRETTY! And I get kind of a rush at the beginning of a new beading project, kind of the same way I get that adrenaline rush at the beginning of a road trip. But finishing all these beading projects? Well, sometimes that's a little more difficult. If you've got a bag full of beautiful UFOs in your bead stash, you know exactly what I mean.

Fortunately, there are some things that motivate me to finish my beading projects. Do any of these apply to you?


	*Yes, this really is what my dining room table looks like most nights. Time to finish some beading projects!*

1. I need to actually use the dining room/kitchen/coffee table once in a while. It happens. Once in a while, my family demands that we actually eat dinner at the dining room table, and that means clearing off and moving all the trays, bags, and boxes of beads that I have scattered from one end to the other. If it's a weeknight, I usually just clear off a few feet where the three of us can squeeze in and eat. If we're having guests, well, that means a full-scale cleaning. Thankfully, we don't have guests that often.

2. I want an excuse to buy more beads. If I know that I'm going on a bead-buying trip or heading to a bead show, I'll ramp up my beading in the weeks before the trip. This way, I can tell myself that, oh, shucks, I just used up the last of my 3mm round fire polished beads, so I had better stock up on more!

3. The forecast is calling for snow every day this week. The weather definitely has an effect on my ability to finish my seed bead patterns. Winters up here in the Adirondack mountains can be very long and very cold, so when the forecast calls for five straight days of snow showers and temperatures hovering just above freezing, I take that as a sign to curl up in front of the wood stove and get to work on my beading projects.

4. I've run out of bead trays and bags for storing my half-finished beading projects. I think one of the reasons why I buy so many bead trays and plastic bags is so that I don't have to finish all my beading projects at once. But once in a while, I find that every single last Bead On It Board and Designer's Workpad that I own is filled with a beading project. I suppose I could always squeeze two or three projects in together on a single bead tray, but I just don't know if those beads would play nicely together. And when I find that I've used up the last of the gallon-size plastic storage bags, well, then I know it's time to start finishing up a couple of these seed bead patterns so that I can -- what else? -- start a new one!

5. There's a new outfit in my closet and no jewelry to match it. I'm a frequent visitor to my local resale and thrift shops, mainly because I love to buy new clothes. Another motivator for me to finish up a seed bead pattern is when I find a gorgeous new dress, sweater, or blouse and just have to have a new necklace or pair of beaded earrings to match it!

But, really, sometimes the greatest motivation of all for finishing up my seed bead patterns is knowing that I'll get to wear that finished piece of beaded jewelry, or even just knowing that I learned something new like a variation on a favorite bead-weaving stitch.


Sea Star Bangle by Rachel Nelson-Smith

Need some more motivation for finishing those seed bead patterns? How about a whole slew of fantastic beading books and videos, all in digital format and downloadable instantly? Check out the Seed Bead Ultimate Digital Collection in the Beading Daily Shop. Whether you're brand-new to seed beading or are an experienced beader looking for something to challenge yourself, you're sure to find something that will motivate you to start (and finish) a new seed bead pattern. Get your copy of the Seed Bead Ultimate Digital Collection and find new ways to get busy beading!

Now it's your turn: what motivates YOU to finish those seed bead patterns? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us what helps you get from start to finish when you're working on a beading project!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

What's Your Earring Style?

Dblair — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

While warmer weather means it's time to bear your arms and break out the bracelet collection, earrings are a fun accessory during any season! In case you're in the mood to whip up a new pair or two, I've gathered a few varied designs from the Interweave pattern collection. Download complete instructions now--most are just $2.80 this week at InterweaveStore.com.

Lime Soda earrings

If your style is Casual/Fun:

Topsy-Turvy earrings

Sizzlers earrings

Motion earrings

If you prefer Dressy/Classic:

Monet's Flowers earrings

Easy Elegance earrings

Plucky Feather earrings

If you like Statement/Bold:

Turquoise Teardrop earrings

Crystalline earrings

Whatever your style, I hope you are inspired to freshen up your wardrobe this time of year with a new pair of earrings!

Happy Beading,

From Chain Maille to Beads: Conquering the Dodecahedron

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMT

After my last couple of experiments with chain maille, I was feeling brave, so I decided to attempt my most difficult chain maille project yet: a Japanese chain maille ball, otherwise known as a dodecahedron.


Pretty little dodecahedron balls, all in a row!

I first saw this style of chain maille when I met the fabulous Kim Edwards at Bead Fest Philadelphia last August. Of course, her chain maille dodecahedron balls were a little more complex than mine, since she makes hers out of glass in a torch. I figured using metal jump rings would be much easier.

To get into the spirit of the mathematical principles behind the chain maille dodecahedron, I decided to watch a documentary about mathematics while I was working. It was a nice idea, but listening to the narrator talk about numbers and math while trying to count jump rings probably wasn't the best idea -- it took me three attempts just to get the base right!


	My two Japanese chain maille balls.

After that, though, the rest of the chain maille ball went together much easier than I thought. Once again, I found myself completely drawn into the rhythmic nature of the linking and closing of the jump rings, and the entire project went together in less than an hour. Spectacular!

I wasn't thrilled with the colors that I chose for my first dodecahedron. After looking at it on my bead tray, I had no idea what I was thinking when I picked those neon yellow and purple aluminum jump rings. Where was I, 1986? I dug through my stash of jump rings and found some lovely brown and brass rings, slightly smaller, that made a delicate and much more aesthetically pleasing Japanese chain maille ball.

Once I finished my two dodecahedron balls, I was hooked: I wanted to do more!

So, I wondered: what if I could do these with beads?

Looking at the instructions that I purchased from Blue Buddha Boutique, I devised a way using Czech fire polish beads and seed beads to make a small dodecahedron. It went together in just minutes, and now, totally obsessed, I grabbed some tiny 3mm round beads and stitched up another.


If you look closely, you can see the tiny dodecahedron sealed inside the larger ball. Fun stuff!

Then the light bulb went off in my head. I wanted to make a tiny dodecahedron and seal it within a larger one!

It was easier than I thought. The first dodecahedron went together with some more 3mm round druks in just a few minutes, and to capture it, I made a second dodecahedron using a strand of vintage glass beads from the Beadin' Path. I threaded a simple piece of leather through it, tied it around my neck, and haven't taken it off since!

What excited me most about this project is that not only did I get a big boost in confidence in my chain maille skills, I'm now hooked on the idea of how I can make and use these dodecahedron balls with my favorite round glass druks and fire polished beads. It seems like the sky is the limit!

Are you looking for ways to give your own chain maille skills a boost, and maybe find some new inspiration for your beading projects, too? Then you don't want to miss a single issue of Step By Step Wire Jewelry magazine. You'll find dozens of fabulous projects, tips, tutorials, and product reviews from all your favorite wire artists, plus fresh, new designs from emerging talent! Subscribe to Step By Step Wire Jewelry and find more ways to broaden your jewelry-making skills.

Have you ever created a beading project that was inspired by a completely different set of jewelry-making skills? Or did you combine two different mediums (like chain maille and beads) into something completely new? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and share your experiences with us. Or better yet, take a picture of your mixed-up beading project and post it in the Reader Photo Gallery!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Getting Published: A Path to Beaded Bliss

LindaHarty — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:33:00 GMT

"I think I may have startled a co-worker with my celebratory Snoopy dance!"

"It is my birthday this week, and you just gave me the best present I could ask for!"

"You have just made my week, how exciting!"

"This is very exciting news. It feels great when people admire my beadwork, and having it accepted for publication is truly special."

"I'm so thrilled that my project has been accepted by Beadwork magazine. I've been a subscriber for years, and it's a dream come true to have one of my projects featured in the magazine!"

As you've probably guessed, these are reactions I've received when sending acceptance notifications to people who've submitted their beadwoven projects for consideration in Beadwork. I love this part of my job and am grateful every day to work with such an upbeat, creative community. Beaders are some of the most courteous, kind, and inspiring beings on the planet—and if you're reading this, you're no doubt one of them.

If you've been dreaming of seeing one of your original beaded jewelry designs published, why not submit it to Beadwork for consideration? The process is easy and painless: Simply email us a few words describing your project, the materials you used, and perhaps the idea or inspiration behind it, along with a photo (or a few photos).

We'll let you know our decision within about one to three weeks, so you won't have to wait and wonder for long. Here's an insider's tip for increasing your project's chances of being accepted: Currently, we receive a lot of bracelet submissions. Enhance your acceptance odds by submitting a necklace or earring design.

For detailed information about how to submit, what we look for in designs, and what the process is like if your work is accepted for publication, download Beadwork's submissions guidelines.

Maybe the next person doing a Snoopy dance will be you!

~Linda Harty, associate editor, Beadwork

Wishlist-Worthy Gemstone Printed Scarves

cchatenever — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

I happened upon these printed gemstone silk scarves and had to share them! Owned and operated by author, artist, and photographer Jen Altman, Cisthene is an online store that "honors the art of ancient crafts with modern sensibilities" in their collections of jewelry, bath, beauty, and leather products. Each scarf features an "impressionistic interpretation" of one of Jen's photographs from her book, Gem and Stone: Jewels of Earth, Sea and Sky. I'm used to thinking about minerals and gemstones as components in jewelry designs--small parts of a larger picture. I like the way that Jen has blown up these images to reveal the extraordinary details in each stone; it reminded me that there is so much more to them than usually meets the eye.

Here are a few of my favorite prints (see the whole collection here):

Pyrite

Malachite

Flourite

Happy weekend!

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