Daily Blogs

Learn to Decorate Metal Charms with Transfers

Michelle M. — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:22:00 GMT

Whether you prefer stringing beads, wire wrapping, or seed-beading, you, like me, love anything handmade. If, dare I say, you have non-crafty friends, they probably think you are crazy for staying up until 2 a.m. just to finish a project. ...(read more)

5 Essential Findings for Your Bead Stash

Michelle M. — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:01:00 GMT

I had all the on- and off-loom techniques down pat before I discovered that bead stringing can be an equally refreshing and creative mind teaser. As a technique for making jewelry, stringing is definitely easier than bead weaving, but once you delve into it deeper, you find there’s a nice design challenge there, too. ...(read more)

Beaders Love Sewing and Other Surprises from the Reader Poll

Michelle M. — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:40:00 GMT

Beading is a sticky craft--and I don't mean when you accidentally spill maple syrup on your beads! (Anyone else spend time contemplating how much a waffle looks like a neat little right-angle weave project?)...(read more)

6 Ideas for Using Cord, Ribbon, and Other Stringing Materials

Michelle M. — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:47:00 GMT

Every beader has a shopping weakness, that one type of item that you always look for--and buy--nearly every time you enter a bead shop or show floor. My current weakness is not a special kind of bead (though I still manage to buy plenty of those!). My weakness is wide strands of hand-dyed silk, thin satin cords in bright colors, sturdy leather cord in earthy tones . . . anything that lets me experiment with designs on something other than my usual beading wire. Now that I'm attending more shows, I try to limit myself to just one beautiful piece of ribbon per bead show. (The important word here is "try"! If you're at Bead Fest Philadelphia next week, you can ask me how I'm doing with that limit!)...(read more)

The Meaning of Milagros

Michelle M. — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Beading Daily reader Gloria writes, “Jean, I live in Arizona where I have access to muchos milagros. How do you use them in your beading? Please advise.”...(read more)

5 Tips on Today’s Affordable Semiprecious Stones

Michelle M. — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:50:00 GMT

There’s magic in stones, and I’m not just talking about some of their mystical properties. (Certain of them are supposed to be good for everything from courage, to protection, love, and foretelling the future.)When Jamie Hogsett and I recently produced our latest book, Create Jewelry: Stones, I was fascinated to research the origins, history, and properties of some of the most beautiful—and affordable—gemstones in the market today. ...(read more)

Free Colorful Peyote Bracelet Pattern, Plus Designer Interview

Michelle M. — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:24:00 GMT

I met beader/knitter/cartoonist/all-around-creative-person Julie Ann Smith when she emailed me in response to one of the Beading Daily newsletters and asked me to take a look at some of her work. I was blown away by her bright, cheery designs! (Be sure to check out one of her peyote bracelets, The Illusion, at the bottom of this newsletter.) Julie Ann has a tremendous amount of energy and has a good sense of priorities (beading tops laundry every time!)....(read more)

Family Beading Fun: A Kid-Tested Project Idea

Michelle M. — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:18:00 GMT

The prospect of spending a week at my brother’s cabin this summer was an absolute thrill for me and my family. My vision included floating in an inner tube on a still lake with no noise other than the “plop” of an occasional fishing bobber. The kids’ visions included wild inner-tube rides with their cousins punctuated by bottle rockets and sparklers. And, of course, my bottomless-pit husband envisioned the all-day feasts that always are part of a trip to the lake....(read more)

Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

Michelle M. — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:25:00 GMT

One of my favorite "got to be beading" stories came from a designer who told me that she had created a particular bracelet while waiting for surgery. When it came time for her to be wheeled off into the operating room, she almost lost it. The medical staff was startled by her reaction. Was she in pain? Was she scared about the surgery? "No! I have just 3 more rows! I'm almost finished!" ...(read more)

Original Jewelry Designs: Is It New or Just New to You?

Michelle M. — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:19:00 GMT

When I was in my teens, platform shoes came into fashion. Remember Elton John on his tall elevator boots? My mother was quick to point out that she’d worn platform shoes all through the '30s and '40s. Of course, I was not in a position to recall the '30s or '40s. But when bell bottoms (or flared, as they’re called today) and hip huggers (or low rise, as they’re called today) came back into style in the '90s, you can bet I had a laugh about how we’d all worn those in the '70s. In fashion, if something is new to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s new. ...(read more)

Gift Ideas for Beaders: Jean's Wish List and a New Reader Poll

Michelle M. — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:13:00 GMT

When my birthday or the holidays roll around and people ask me what I’m wishing for, I give the rote, “Oh, just good kids, health, and a nice dinner with loved ones”. But it’s all a sham. I secretly LOVE receiving gifts! The big fancy ones are nice, but the gifts I get really excited about are those that the giver really puts some thought into. Something tailored just for me. This type of gift—whether made or purchased—comes with a card saying, “This really reminded me of you” or “I knew you needed this.”...(read more)

Vote for Your Free Project from Custom Cool Jewelry

Michelle M. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:21:00 GMT

In the forums, folks are discussing their preparations for the upcoming holiday craft fairs. In addition to the questions about packaging, displays, and pricing, there's another question that occasionally pops up in these types of discussions. With more and more beaders and jewelry makers selling their work, how do you make yours stand out from the crowd? One way is to make your own unique pendants, charms, and clasps. This is a strong area of interest of mine. In fact, just over the weekend, I was playing with some "shrink plastic" which is basically a grown-up version of Shrinky-Dinks! (Remember those?) You can draw on the plastic, cut it out, and then bake it in the oven. After you take it out, you'll have a tiny charm or pendant. ...(read more)

Brick Stitch O-Ring Necklace and 12+ Free Projects!

Michelle M. — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:05:00 GMT

Every Friday I share a free project on Beading Daily. Today, in honor of Beading Daily's one year anniversary, I wanted to introduce you to a bunch of projects--all the projects from the current season of Beads, Baubles, & Jewels which runs on public television. ...(read more)

At-Home Tarnish-Busting Remedies

Michelle M. — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:30:00 GMT

I help out at one of my local bead shops every so often. As one of the store managers mentioned, it helps sate “Jean’s need for adult conversation.” That pathetic reality aside, I also like to be at the shop to see and hear about what other beaders are making and doing. It’s a great way to learn about beading dilemmas and their solutions. ...(read more)

Beginning Silver Fusing: Free Video on Making Headpins

Michelle M. — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:07:00 GMT

Using a torch can be scary. There's something about holding a flame--no matter how petite and charming--that is a little unnerving. I've taken three classes that used a torch for a small part of the class. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm perfectly relaxed and comfortable around a torch, but I survived the experience and am working up my courage to learn more. ...(read more)