Daily Blogs : Beaded Wedding Jewelry, Bead Making

The Perfect Beaded Wedding Accessories

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something...beaded?

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner, and with it, wedding season! And, sure, you know that beaded wedding jewelry is a great way to add another personal touch to your big day, but what about your wedding accessories? Think hair bling, beaded bags, and even beaded scarves to complete your look.

		It might be the Autumnal Tiara by Jean Campbell, but just by changing up the colors of the beads, you can create a stunning beaded wedding accessory that's sure to become a treasured family heirloom.

		Every bride needs a fabulous bag to carry with her on her big day, and Carolyn's Wedding Purse by Sandi Wisehart is just that -- fabulous! Made with loomwork and beaded netting, this is the perfect way for a bride to carry her essentials with her as she travels from wedding ceremony to reception.

		Arlene Baker's Classic Pearl Brooch can be used to tack a lacy shawl into place, as a piece of beaded wedding jewelry for a bride, or as an accent for a favorite handbag or hat.

		Look through any bridal magazine these days, and you'll see lots of accessorizing of those gorgeous wedding gowns. Amy Clarke Moore's Feather Stitch Garland Scarf is a lovely beaded accessory for any bride.

My favorite beaded wedding accessory? Sure, when I got married, I wore some beautiful beaded wedding jewelry, but I carried -- what else? -- a bouquet of French beaded flowers! That was one wedding bouquet that didn't get thrown up in the air -- I didn't want to hurt anyone.


	*Blushing Bride beaded wedding bracelet by Danielle Fox*

In case you have a special wedding coming up this spring, now is the time to start planning and creating your beaded wedding jewelry and accessories! There are hundreds of fabulous beading projects in the Beading Daily Shop, and for a limited time, they're all on sale! Take a look through all the beautiful beading projects, and stock up now so you can make memories that will last a lifetime.

Do you have a special beaded wedding accessory that you made or were given as a gift? Leave a comment and share your stories here on the Beading Daily blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

A Free eBook Fit For a Queen, All About Pearls!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Who among us can resist the lure of beautiful handmade pearl jewelry? The legacy of pearls throughout history is as fascinating as it is mysterious: pearls were once a luxury enjoyed only by kings and queens, retrieved from the depths of the oceans and seas.

These days, pearls can be found in all kinds of handmade beaded jewelry, from classic wedding designs to holiday party jewelry. Pearls can mix effortlessly with all types of beads, from natural sea shells and gemstones to your favorite sparkling crystal beads and glass beads. If you want to add a delicate softness and glow to your favorite beaded jewelry design, add a handful of pearls.

We've put together this fun and free collection of pearl jewelry designs so you can experience the power of pearls! Inside All About Pearls: 6 Free Handmade Pearl Jewelry Designs, you'll find free beading projects that include both bead stitching and bead stringing. A little something for everyone, with these six fabulous beading projects:

Begin by practicing your pearl knotting skills when you make Amber Traeden's Birdsong Necklace. Bright, earthy colors of freshwater pearls and gemstones mix effortlessly with metal chain and findings.
Pearl jewelry designs never seem to go out of fashion, and Terry Ricioli's timeless Amber Opulence necklace combines vintage-looking metal beads with gorgeous amber colored freshwater pearls for a necklace that looks like it came straight out of your grandmother's jewelry box!
The lustrous colors of stick pearls get a boost from a beautiful raku pendant in Diane Vannier's Raku Rainbow necklace.
A beautiful pearl cabochon becomes the focal point of a spectacular beaded bracelet in Riana Olckers' By-the-Sea Bracelet.
Whether it's a wedding or a holiday party, Julie D'Amico-Beres' beautiful Figure Eight bracelet combines pearls and crystals for a classic (and classy) wrist adornment.
And finally, Csilla Csirmaz's Petite Pearls Toggle bracelet is pretty enough to carry you through the holiday party season and beyond!

Grab a strand (or two) of your favorite pearls, download your free eBook, and enjoy making some of these gorgeous pearl jewelry designs. Thank goodness that pearls aren't just for royalty anymore!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Runway-Worthy Beaded Wedding Jewelry

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Beaded wedding jewelry, and finely crafted beadwork itself, has come a long way in the last ten years. When my husband and I got married in 2003, I decided to do something a little more adventurous with my beaded wedding jewelry than just your standard string of pearls or dainty crystal necklace. I found a peyote stitch beading pattern of a small cluster of roses, and then hung moonstones from the beaded fringe below it. (The moonstones were important, since we got married on the night of a full lunar eclipse!)

I was inspired by the beadwork of artists like Laura McCabe when I saw some of her bridal commissions on her old website. This beaded wedding jewelry was unlike anything I had ever seen -- it was full of color and form, and I knew instantly that I wanted to do something different for my own beaded wedding jewelry.

If you're inspired to break with traditional beaded wedding jewelry and do something a little more daring, check out some of my favorite beaded necklace projects from the Beading Daily shop:

		If you prefer traditional beaded wedding jewelry, but still want something with a little more sparkle, take a look at Marcia DeCoster's Summer Soiree beaded necklace. Using clever beading and embellishment techniques, Marcia has turned a simple crystal pendant into a beaded wedding necklace that will be the perfect accessory for your wedding dress.

		Sticking with the tradition of using pearls for your beaded wedding jewelry, why not try something a little bolder than a basic strand of small freshwater pearls? Cody Westfall's Tahitian Holiday can be made with any color pearls, making it a great option for your wedding party jewelry.

		Now, I know Melanie Potter's Byzantine Jewels necklace doesn't exactly look like wedding jewelry, but I think that if this were beaded up with cream colored pearls and seed beads, this would be a knockout piece of beaded wedding jewelry. Paired with a simple wedding gown, you could let your beaded wedding jewelry make the statement on your wedding day!

		Lisa Kan has always been the Queen of Romantic beaded jewelry, so for me, including her Ice Princess necklace in my list of runway-worthy beaded wedding jewelry is a natural. The gold metallic seed beads and crystal drops will look great at your wedding, no matter what the season!

		Finally, to round out my list, I chose Nancy Zeller's Petite Charm Pendant. What I like about this necklace is its longer length, making it a nice piece of beaded wedding jewelry for a bride who opts for a non-traditional wedding gown. It also makes a fabulous necklace for the mother of the bride or groom, and a wonderful gift for anyone in your wedding party.


	Star-Crossed Bracelet by Laina Goodman

If none of my picks are to your liking, don't worry. There are lots more great beaded wedding jewelry projects just waiting for you in the Beading Daily Shop. And now through August 10, 2012, all beading projects are on sale! So even if you find more than one perfect beaded wedding jewelry project, you can stock up and let your friends and family help you choose the perfect jewelry for your big day!

Are you busy planning a wedding? Or did you do something spectacular and different for your own beaded wedding jewelry? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us about it, or take a photo of your unique or unusual beaded wedding jewelry and post it in the Reader Photo Gallery.

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Give Any Wedding a Personal Touch with Handmade Beaded Wedding Jewelry

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT

More and more couples are choosing to add very personal touches to their weddings. Going beyond just picking that song for your first dance as husband and wife, it really is the little details that count when planning the perfect wedding.

And that includes what to wear! Whether you're the bride, a member of the bridal party, or the mother of the bride (or groom!), choosing the perfect beaded jewelry for your wedding ensemble is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your wedding plans.

The best part of making your own handmade beaded wedding jewelry is that you can choose any colors, materials, or style that you want to make it your own. Beaded wedding jewelry makes a wonderful gift for your bridal party, too! If you choose to make your own beaded wedding jewelry with classic beads like pearls and crystals, you just might find yourself wearing your wedding jewelry for other special occasions, too.

We've put together five beautiful beaded bridal jewelry projects for you to give you some inspiration for designing and making your own handmade beaded wedding jewelry.

Mix chain and rich-looking glass beads in Melinda Barta's Beauty and Grace, a beaded necklace that works for bridal party jewelry as well as mother of the bride jewelry!
Make a statement with Janie Warnick's Keishi Pearl Bracelet: it starts out as an easy band of peyote stitch and becomes a magnificent bridal accessory with the addition of a handful of freshwater pearls.
Crystal beads and pearl beads are wedding jewelry staples, and you'll make a splash with Gabrielle Neijman's Sweet Starbursts necklace. Mix easy crystal clusters attached to a square stitch base with two strands of seed beads that encircle lovely crystal pearls.
For a vintage wedding jewelry look, try Cheryl Assemi's Festive Jewels. This necklace is a classic mixture of crystals, fire polished beads, and marcasite spacers.
Whether you're planning a spring wedding or just want to wear your flowers on your wrist, Nadiya Pakosh's Pearl Flower Bracelet will be just the thing! Delicate and sophisticated pearl clusters attached to a base made with shimmering bugle beads.

Make your special day even better by making your own handcrafted beaded wedding jewelry! Download your FREE copy of our newest eBook, Beaded Wedding Jewelry: 5 Free Projects for Handmade Bridal Jewelry and see just how easy it is to add a special touch to your special day!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Readers Share: Beautiful Beaded Wedding Jewelry

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:00:00 GMT

When my husband and I were planning our wedding, I remember not feeling nervous or jittery at all -- until some very helpful soul said to me, "You know, everyone is going to be watching YOU." I panicked for about thirty seconds before I realized that no one would actually be looking at me because they'd all be looking at the beaded wedding jewelry that I was working on for myself and my bridesmaids!

Beaded wedding jewelry can add a beautiful and very personal touch to a wedding and with so many different beading techniques to use, it's easy to see how you can make beaded wedding jewelry just as unique as the bride who will wear it!

Because our readers are such a talented bunch with a wide variety of interests and jewelry-making skills, I asked to see your best beaded wedding jewelry, and here are my favorites, along with tips for creating some very special beaded wedding jewelry of your own!

		Tory Vezina created this lovely piece of beaded wedding jewelry by taking vintage brooches and earrings and wiring them together! A co-worker had seen a similar piece that Tory had created for their company auction and wanted a custom piece to match her wedding colors. Tory scoured flea markets, Etsy and antique stores to find just the right pieces of jewelry to assemble into something completely new! Wedding jewelry tip: Mix it up! Create a piece of beaded wedding jewelry that is spectacularly your own by using existing components creatively!

		I loved this white floral wedding cuff bracelet made by Laura Habel. What struck me about this piece, in addition to the simple but oh-so-elegant beaded plumeria flower, was the closure -- a simple piece of white satin that ties around the wrist. An easy and elegant closure, but it adds just a little bit of playfulness to the piece because brides want to have fun, too! Wedding jewelry tip: Make it fun! Show off a little bit of your personality in your wedding jewelry, because let's face it: this day is all about the bride!

		A fashion trend that I'm seeing a lot of is wearing a pair of spectacular earrings with a bare neck and then adding an equally spectacular cuff bracelet, like this bead embroidered cuff bracelet by Annette de Goeij. Embroidered with hundreds of tiny freshwater pearls and crystal beads, this is one piece of wedding jewelry that is sure to be noticed! Wedding jewelry tip: Don't be afraid to go a little over the top! This is a special day, after all!

		Cryss Thain made this set of wedding jewelry for the bride of a friend who served first in Kosovo and then in Iraq. What I love about this set of beaded wedding jewelry is the color! Instead of the traditional white or clear crystal beads, Cryss went with a lovely shade of peach for the pearls in this beaded necklace, bracelet and earring set. Wedding jewelry tip: Don't be afraid of a little color! Your wedding will be unlike anyone else's, so make your jewelry stand out, too!

Are you looking for a little inspiration for some beaded wedding jewelry? Wedding season will be in full swing before you know it, and if someone you love wants you to make their wedding jewelry, we've got just the eBook for you! Whether you're the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom or the one who's actually walking down the aisle, you'll find ten beautiful and inspirational beaded wedding jewelry projects in the Best of Stringing: Weddings eBook.

Now is your chance to download the Best of Stringing: Weddings eBook for just ten cents! Think about this: for the price of one, tiny crystal bead, you get ten beautiful beaded wedding jewelry projects made using chain, ribbon, pearls, and (of course) crystals. That's one cent per project! Take advantage of this limited-time offer and download your copy of the Best of Stringing: Weddings eBook today!

Have you ever made beaded wedding jewelry? Was it for yourself or someone else? Leave a comment here on the Beading Daily blog and tell us about it, or better yet, take a photograph of your beaded wedding jewelry creation and post it in the Reader Photo Gallery!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

How to Bead Your Own Jewelry Designs

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT


The first set of beaded rings came out exactly as I had envisioned them!


The second set of beaded rings were destined for my UFO drawer. Oh, well!

I have a friend who, as part of her New Year's resolutions, wants to become a beader who "does things" instead of just "makes things". She's got plenty of ideas for beaded jewelry designs in her head and written down on paper, but she's feeling stuck and uncertain of how to bead these projects into reality.

Figuring out how to bead a design from a sketch into a finished piece of beaded jewelry isn't the easiest thing in the world. Even when I have a clear picture in my head of which beading stitch or jewelry-making technique I want to use, there are times when once I sit down to start the actual beadwork it becomes apparent that my original ideas are not going to work.

A perfect example of this was the series of Jewish wedding rings that I designed after being inspired by photographs of 13^th and 14^th century artifacts from a European museum. The original rings were topped with beautifully ornate structures meant to resemble Jewish synagogues, and I had plenty of ideas on how to recreate these using my favorite beadweaving stitches and size 15^o seed beads.

But, you know what they say about the best laid plans. I created the first two rings with relative ease - they only included some fancy filigree around the center and on the edges of the wide bands. Inspired by those beaded rings, I thought I had figured out how to bead the more intricate rings, and discovered that my ideas just weren't going to work. After half a dozen broken needles and many more broken beads, I took the little parts of my would-be beaded components and stored them in my UFO drawer until such time as I can figure out how to make them work.

When writing down or sketching your ideas, include as much detail as possible, including colors. Since I frequently get inspired by pieces that I see in museums and art galleries, I carry a tiny portable set of colored pencils with me. The whole set isn't much larger than a credit card and includes eight colored pencils, a tiny eraser and a tiny pencil sharpener. It fits right into my pocket or handbag next to my sketchbook when I'm traveling.

Look for inspiration everywhere. You can find ideas for original beaded jewelry designs in places like your fish tank, your vegetable garden and even on your morning commute. Look at colors, shapes and people to see what kinds of ideas they can create in your sketchbook!

Not every single beaded design will be a winner, so don't expect it. Even the professionals have designs that just don't work out. Instead of stressing out over your "failures", chalk them up to experience and let yourself move on to the next design!

Make more than one version of your beaded jewelry design. If you think the piece looks great when it's been stitched up with cylinder beads, try using Czech seed beads next. Change up the colors and materials to see what else you can create from your original beaded jewelry design.

It might sound counter-intuitive, but stitching up the beaded jewelry designs of other beaders can be a great way to learn how to bead your own jewelry designs. Learning how one bead artist uses a particular beading stitch or jewelry-making technique can give you valuable insight into just how versatile these beading stitches can be.

One of my favorite resources for creative and innovative beading projects is, of course, Beadwork magazine. I spend hours looking through each issue to find out how today's best beading designers are using my favorite beading stitches. If you are missing a few issues of Beadwork magazine, now is the time to complete your collection during the Winter Wipeout sale. All back issues of Beadwork magazine (and your other favorite jewelry-making magazines) are on sale for a limited time, so stock up while you can!

Have you ever tried to bead your own jewelry designs? If not, what held you back? Have you resolved to try to do more of your own beading designs in 2012? Share your thoughts on the blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Embellish a Pair of Jeans with Beads!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:00:00 GMT


A little bit of bead embroidery goes a long way on a pair of my favorite jeans!

Beads make fabulous jewelry, as we all know, but there are so many other crafts that you can do with beads! Crafts with beads can be things for home décor or special objects (like my French beaded flower wedding bouquet) or using beads to embellish clothing.

Since I wear jeans pretty much every single day (one of the perks of working from home), I love to dress them up with special embellishments. Using beads to embellish your favorite jeans is a fun weekend beading project! Before you get


	Use a tiny bit of Ultrasuede to anchor your knots when stitching beads on your jeans.

started, here are a couple of tips to help you along:

Choose a pair of dark wash jeans for a dressier look.
You can use a small amount of fabric paint to trace your design on your jeans before you start to stitch. Another option is to use a white crayon that can be rubbed off gently after you've finished your beaded embellishment.
When looking for places to embellish with beads, try to avoid places on your jeans that will get heavy wear such as the back pockets and ankles. Stick with places like the front pockets for your beaded embellishments.
Use a small piece of Ultrasuede or leather to secure your knots on the inside of your jeans. This will keep your beading thread from pulling at the fabric of the jeans and coming loose.
For beading thread, use a braided thread like Fireline or Wildfire. These beading threads are more likely to hold up with heavy wear and repeated washing of your bead-embellished jeans.
Care for your jeans by washing them on gentle cycle in your washing machine, or put them in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase before washing to extend the life of your beaded embellishments.

You can do so many different crafts with beads. Whether you're making fabulous beaded jewelry or other types of bead crafts, it just goes to show that these versatile little bits of glass can be used for just about anything! (And just imagine all the compliments you'll get on your newly-embellished beaded jeans!)

If you are ready to start experimenting with these kinds of bead crafts, then you'll want to check out all the great beading books on sale now in the Beading Daily Shop, including Beaded Embellishment: Techniques & Designs for Embroidering on Cloth. It's full of page after page of wonderful ideas and instructions for stitching beads on all sorts of items that you just might want to embellish your entire wardrobe with beads!

What other types of bead crafts do you enjoy? Leave a comment and share your favorite bead crafts with us!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

A Bouquet of French Beaded Flowers for a Wedding

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:00:00 GMT

When I got married, I had to make sure that beads were a part of our special day!

When my husband and I were planning our wedding back in 2003, I wanted beads to play a big part in our special day. I had planned on making the jewelry for my bridesmaids and for my husband's sister, who was also in our wedding party, and the ladies in my weekly beading group were planning on getting together to learn how to make French beaded flowers for my bouquet.

Learning how to make French beaded flowers turned out to be a lot harder than we had all anticipated. But we had something very special at the little bead shop that I owned with two business partners: a treasure trove of antique French beaded flowers with a very special story.

One of my partners and I had gone out to Saranac Lake to visit a man who had come into the store and offered us a large lot of vintage and antique seed beads and supplies for making French beaded flowers. His wife had recently passed away, and he was preparing to move closer to his children.

As we looked at the breathtaking French beaded flowers that had been crafted by his late wife, he explained how she had started making them. She had been walking their dog one morning when she and the dog were struck by a car. The dog was killed, and his wife had been seriously injured. After that, she was terrified to ride in a car unless she had something to do with her hands - so she started learning how to make French beaded flowers as a way to keep her hands (and her mind) occupied during their long trips down to Long Island.

The French beaded flowers were amazing. Intricately and expertly crafted, his late wife had used intense, vibrant colors of vintage and antique seed beads to make these flowers that looked just like the real thing, but definitely with more sparkle! We bought the entire lot from him on the spot, and took them back to the shop.

My sister-in-law used her floral arranging skills to create a gorgeous wedding bouquet of beaded flowers for me!

As our big day got closer, I started to wonder what I was going to do for a wedding bouquet. Then my business partner suggested that I use the French beaded flowers we had purchased to assemble a small wedding bouquet for myself. With the flower-arranging skills of my soon-to-be sister-in-law, I soon had a stunning (and quite heavy!) bouquet of beaded flowers to carry as I walked down the aisle with my husband. It was the perfect wedding bouquet, and destined to become one of our family's heirlooms.

And no, there was no tossing of the bouquet at our wedding. We wanted to avoid the bodily injury that was sure to come from me throwing a three-pound bouquet of glass beads and wire over my shoulder into a crowd!

Have you ever used beads as a part of a special family event? Share your stories here on the blog!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Pliers and Needles and Threads, Oh, My!

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:00:00 GMT

I have just as many drawers full of stringing wire, beading pliers, findings, and beading thread as I do drawers full of beads! Some days, it seems like every beading project that I make requires its own set of beading tools and jewelry-making supplies. When I first got started in beading, I never dreamed that I would have such a large collection of jewelry-making pliers, stringing wires, beading threads, crimps, clasps, scissors, and wire cutters. (And let's not forget my beading awls, pearl knotting tool, wire straightener, or jump-ring opener!) Some of my tools are quite simple - I have a couple of wooden dowels that I've used for years to provide support when I do beading stitches such as African helix or tubular right-angle weave. But it's important to know which beading tool is the right tool for the jewelry-making task at hand.

That's why we're so pleased to bring you some very helpful information from Jean Campbell's comprehensive resource Getting Started Stringing Beads in our new free Guide to Beading Tools and Jewelry Supplies, Plus Three Free Projects to Learn How to Use Your Jewelry Making Supplies eBook.. Jean has seen it all when it comes to beading tools and jewelry-making supplies, and she shares her picks for a well-stocked beading tool kit. Once you have a better idea of what kinds of beading tools, jewelry-making pliers, beading thread, stringing wires, and beading needles are out there, it's time to sit down and make some beaded jewelry! To get you started, we've included three fabulous jewelry-making projects in this free eBook.

Start by using your new jewelry-making pliers and create a pair of Barbara Naslund's Copper Dream Earrings. Easy enough to make using some basic jewelry-making pliers and your favorite glass beads, and you can also make these using gemstone beads for a more organic look. Once you're comfortable with your pliers, it's time to move on to the fabulous multi-strand project, Rachel's Wedding Bracelet by Rebecca Campbell. Rebecca designed this bracelet for her sister's wedding, but it also works for your next night on the town! Finally, get down to some serious stringing when you make Linda Hartung's Flamenco Braid Necklace. This show-stopping piece is most definitely worth the effort and reminds me of necklaces I've seen in my favorite vintage-jewelry shops.

We think you'll love our new Guide to Beading Tools and Jewelry Supplies, Plus Three Free Projects to Learn How to Use Your Jewelry Making Supplies eBook. It's a great resource for anyone who loves to make beaded jewelry and wants to make jewelry that is sure to last a lifetime! Download your copy today, and find out all you need to know about your basic beading tools and jewelry making supplies!

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

Professional Finishing Techniques for Pearl Knotting

Jennifer VanBenschoten — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Even though I don't do it too often, I love knotting strands of pearls and gemstone beads. There's nothing quite as iconic as a single strand of knotted pearls: I'm thinking of June Cleaver or Jackie O. Pearls add instance elegance and class to any special outfit. With wedding and prom season coming up, it's the perfect time to brush up on your knotting skills with some fine finishing techniques.

Using knotting to string pearls, gemstone beads, crystals, or even vintage glass beads is the perfect way to protect these little treasures. Placing small knots between beads on a strand of silk cord protects the holes of the beads from chips that could eventually damage the beads. There's also a certain graceful flow to a strand of knotted pearls that you wouldn't get if you just strung them on a piece of jewelry wire - each pearl is sort of free to move around on its own.

You don't need a fancy pearl knotting tool to make your own knotted pearl or bead necklaces, either. A simple awl or a pair of fine-pointed tweezers will work perfectly to get you started.

Giving your knotted pearl strands a professional finish requires a little thought before you sit down to start knotting, so take a look at my two favorite ways to finish a knotted pearl necklace and see which one you prefer:

Clamshells. Bead tips, or clamshells, can be used to make a professional finish on your knotted pearl necklaces. To use a clamshell, tie a knot in the end of your silk cord without a needle. Pass the needle through the clamshell from the inside toward the outside so that the knot rests in the center of the clamshell. It might also be helpful to tie the knot around a tiny seed bead and add a drop of glue to hold it securely. Close the clamshell with a pair of flat-nose pliers. Tie another knot on the outside of the clamshell, string a pearl or a bead, and tie another knot.

When you get to the end of the strand, tie a knot and string on the other clamshell. Tie another knot, either with or without a seed bead, and use your awl or knotting tool to gently position the knot in the center of the clamshell. Close the clamshell and add your clasp.

French wire. This stuff used to be called French Bullion, but whatever it's called, it's a great way to add a professional finish to your knotted pearl necklaces. This technique is a little more complicated, but looks absolutely lovely. Make sure that your pearls can accommodate more than one pass with your needle and silk - if not, use a bead reamer to gently open the holes a bit before you begin.

To use french wire, cut a piece of wire about ¼ inch long. Tie a knot in your silk without the needle on it and string two pearls. Slide on the piece of french wire and one half of your clasp and push them down against the pearls, leaving a little bit of space between each pearl. Pass your needle back through the last pearl you strung, pulling snugly so that the french wire forms a little loop against the pearl. Tie a knot, using your awl or knotting tool. Pass your needle through the next pearl or bead and tie a knot.

You can trim the knot you originally tied to keep the pearls on the silk cord and add some glue to your knots between the first two pearls. When you get down to the last two pearls, string them on together, leaving a little space between each one. Add another ¼ inch piece of french wire and your clasp and pass back through the last pearl you strung. Tie your knots as you did at the beginning of the strand and then trim your silk thread close to the knots.

There you have it! If you need some more ideas for beautiful wedding jewelry using pearls, crystals, and chain, you'll definitely want to take a look at the Best of Stringing: Weddings for twelve beautiful wedding jewelry projects and more helpful advice on how to design the perfect wedding jewelry for a bride, a bridesmaid, or a special family member.

Bead Happy,

Jennifer

4 Tips for Designing Jewelry on Demand

Jean Campbell — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:03:00 GMT

Jean Campbell is the senior editor of Beadwork and a

contributing editor to Beading Daily

I was flabbergasted a couple years ago when Editor Melinda Barta asked me to be one of the first Designer of the Year (DOY) artists in Beadwork magazine. In fact, I had to take pause before I answered. On one hand, it was an incredible honor to be asked. But on the other hand, how was I going to come up with six brand-new designs in such a short period of time? And six projects that wouldn't pale in comparison to my fellow DOYs Marcia DeCoster, Jamie Hogsett, and Lisa Kan, who are all amazing beaders? Of course, I put my ego (and my sanity) aside and said yes. But the process helped me learn a lot about beading on a deadline and clarified some tricks for designing in a smart way. Let me share some of my observations:

1) Don't Psych Yourself Out

When I sat down to create my first DOY piece, I was very nervous about living up to what I thought would be my fellow designers' expectations. I felt I needed to make my projects better, cooler, and more creative than they'd ever been. The competition I'd created in my head was ruthless! And it certainly didn't bring about creativity or ideas. After the umpteenth day of creative block, I stepped back and saw this opportunity for what it was: an invitation that was based on my design skills, no one else's. It was then that I realized that this wasn't a competition at all, but a chance to show what I do, what my style is. With that simple shift of confidence, I could relax into an easy-going design process and enjoy myself as I put together projects that I knew readers would like.

My example is kind of extreme (international magazine, superstar beaders, etc.), but I think this happens in everyday beading, too. For example, have you ever made pieces of jewelry for a wedding? Did you feel the pressure, considering what everyone else might think of your skills as the bride went down the aisle? The reality is you were asked to do it because you're valued, and the only thing that's important is whether you like the outcome and the bride is comfortable with it, too. Once you let go of that internal pressure and let the quietness of creativity come, you'll end up with something more wonderful every time.


		2) Start with a Focus When you're designing on demand, it's smart to start with something you're really excited about. A beautiful cabochon. An interesting lampworked bead. An intricate filigree. A unique strand of stones. I can guarantee that one focus will get your creative juices flowing. And if you're not that excited about that focal piece or the excitement fades, simply switch it up; you're the boss of the beads, and it's their job to keep you interested!

		3) Consider the Accompaniments Once you're set on what the focus of your piece will be, pull in ancillary items such as chain, seed beads, and crystals to round out your thoughts. Play with color by laying out complementary materials next to your focal item. Ask yourself what makes sense colorwise. What doesn't? How does changing the colors alter the overall mood of the piece? Will the shape and size of these extra materials support your focus? This stage is actually the most important one of all, so spend lots of time doing it. Be fervent about making careful choices because it's these wallflower/sideline materials that will actually hold a piece together visually. 4) Think About Shape You've got your focus and accompaniments, so now it's time to think about shape. Does the focal piece scream necklace? Then you'll need to think about where that item will lie. Would it look great at the neck or on the chest? At the end of a lariat or in a traditional circle? Keep all of your options open and make sketches beforehand to decide what might work best.

		5) Match the Technique to the Design Finally, think about what kind of techniques you'll use to honor your focal and background materials. Would a complicated and ornate beadwoven touch pull it all together, or would a simple wire and crimp job do? What about going outside your box and using bead crochet, polymer clay, or knotting? The key here is to envision your design first, then use techniques to get you there.

Have you had a designing-on-demand experience? Are these some of the steps you went through? Do you have other ideas that might help the rest of us? Please share them on the website.

In the meantime, check out the newest eBook, Best of Beadwork: 10 Designer of the Year Projects. It's here that you can download favorite DOY projects made by Jamie Hogsett, Laura McCabe, Carol Ohl, Melanie Potter, and yours truly. All beautiful projects that will stretch you creatively, just as I'm sure each of the DOYs were stretched as they designed them!

Happy beading-

Learn Bead Crochet in 7 Easy Steps

Jean Campbell — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:40:00 GMT

Jean Campbell is the senior editor of Beadwork and a
contributing editor to Beading Daily

I can't honestly say I'm a fuzzy-fibers aficionado. Oh, I've learned to knit and I've attempted crochet, but for some reason, I haven't been able to wrap my heart around anything but a needle and thread. But you know what? I recently put my hands on a book called The Beaded Edge by Midori Nishida, and I think I need to get over this goofy block of mine. The designs in this book, which are primarily crocheted edges and trims, are so delicious that I found myself rummaging around for my size 5 crochet hook and some thick thread. These crocheted trims are beautifully beaded, reminding me of the opulence of an Indian wedding ensemble or the embellishment on an antique bag from Pakistan. They are truly gorgeous. The projects are clearly shown with step-by-step photographs, and just about every embellishment is shown on a "real" piece of clothing or is made up as a piece of jewelry.

So yes, this is a good book. So good, in fact, that I decided to get over myself, sit down, and once again attempt bead crochet. As I mentioned, I'm not an expert at this, just a rank beginner. But maybe you are, too? If so, maybe you'd like to try this little technique I found in The Beaded Edge? It's really just the beginning of a more elaborate design, but I thought making this little loop fringe might be a good start for me:

		1) String a bunch of size 8° seed beads on size FF beading thread without cutting the thread from the spool. Be sure to string them in sets of 6 for this edging. 2) Create a slip knot at the end of your thread, then use a size 5 steel crochet hook to form a chain of 6 or so slip stitches to begin the chain. To do this simple chain, yarn over your hook then pull through the loop on your hook; repeat until you have the desired length. (It helped me to use the very easy illustrations in the book to learn how to make this chain; not the cleanest chain, but I'm learning!) 3) Slide 6 of the seed beads down to the crocheted chain.

		4) Form another slip stitch, tightening the thread so the seed beads form a loop.

		5) Form 6 more straight-on slip stitches and pull 6 more beads down to the chain.

		6) Repeat Step 4 to form another loop.

7) Form 6 more slip stitches to prepare for your next loop. Repeat Steps 6 and 7 to the desired length.

You could sew this edge to a piece of clothing or a purse or make a long chain for tying around your wrist or neck. So pretty!

So there. I did it! Not the cleanest, but I feel like I've conquered my fear, and I'm on my way to beautiful bead crochet. Want to be inspired like I was? Check out The Beaded Edge. You'll be glad you did.

Happy beading-

Transforming Jewelry with Unexpected Finds

Kristal Wick — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:44:00 GMT

Kristal Wick
is the editor of
Beading Daily

Every artist/designer I know finds beauty in nature. There's the most obvious beauty: a pristine Caribbean seashore, fall in New England, your local craft store. You expect to find beauty there. But what about the uncommon places? Sometimes you have to search deeply, but unexpected beauty can be the most joyful of all. As artists and jewelry designers, it's critical to train your eye to see unexpected beauty. And what is beauty anyway? It's completely subjective, so, what is beautiful to you may not be to your buddies (such as lava lamps and pink flamingos). The range of beauty in jewelry making is as wide as the western plains. And I'd like to share with you some of my latest unexpected beauty finds to spark your creativity so you'll open your eyes to possibilities you may have not thought of before.

Discount Stores

I found loads of goodies great for jewelry making buried within the aisles of these stores. You need to dig a bit-and put on your creativity cap while you peruse these treasure troves.


Bath hooks make great focal pieces for your jewelry. Simply break off the hook from the back with pliers, and use the focal piece as a pendant.		Bath mats have loads of different kinds of textures. These are great and inexpensive for clay texture plates or Paintstik rubbings.		Scrubbies also have many different textures. Very useful for adding texture to paint or coating paper with resins.

Fabric Stores

Go beyond your familiar jewelry-making component aisle. Even if you don't sew, pop into one of these from time to time. Look at everything with a jewelry designer's eye and you'll be surprised how many potential jewelry-making components you'll find.


Use vintage fabrics to make adorable earrings in the new DVD Remixed Media: Making Custom Beads and Pendants with Wood and Acrylic.	Make sure you mosey down the button aisle. The styles and colors are great jewelry components for stitching onto a peyote cuff or gluing to a metal ring base.	These tiny ribbon flower stickers would look great glued into a frame pendant or incorporated into wedding jewelry.


Don't forget to wander through the trims. Fabric trims come in many textures, shapes and colors. Perhaps use a band of this as a choker necklace, just attach some snaps to the back, embellish with a bit of bling, and you're ready to go!	Upholstery fabrics and trims can add a lot of interest and texture to your jewelry pieces.	Tassels can be used as jewelry components, depending on their size, on focals-or earrings. The ones with sequins or beads really add some zing to your finished piece.

Hardware Stores

Hammer and patina washers for the ultimate customization in your jewelry components. Learn how in the new DVD Remixed Media: Transforming Found Metal Objects for Your Jewelry.	These washers are already aged for you. Not bad for 10 cents each!	Even the hardware store has gone bling! These keys would make great jewelry components.

It's great to think outside the box and look for beauty in unexpected places when creating original jewelry. I've given you a few ideas here. Candy Cooper has some other great ideas and she shows you how to create beauty with the most unexpected materials such as wood and acrylic in her new DVD Remixed Media: Making Custom Beads and Pendants with Acrylic and Wood. It's fascinating watching her ingenuity with such basic materials. Very fresh, inspiring, and innovative! Have fun.

The best is yet to bead!

Creatively,

Bezel Your Beads: Frame Your Collected Treasures

Kristal Wick — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:59:00 GMT

Bead shopping at home

OK, has anybody gone shopping...in her own studio?

I did. Inspired by Denise Peck's new DVD, Making Bezels with Stones and Other Found Objects, I went shopping in my studio for interesting goodies and found objects to bezel. I refuse to categorize myself as a pack rat to some. I rather fancy myself a "collector." I have quite a few interesting "collections" in my studio (doesn't that sound more intriguing than saying "I have a basement full of junk").

Collecting beads for bezels

"Look at this stuff: isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete..." sang the Little Mermaid in the song from the movie of the same name. Collecting is definitely a popular trend for many mixed-media artists (again, sounds better than hoarding). Some of my collections are quite old, not necessarily valuable, but special enough to have been through several traumatic moves (aren't they all?), plus a basement flood. I've decided to try bezeling some of these treasures so they become wearable jewelry pieces instead of forgotten items in a drawer. You can bezel most things with bezel wire from natural stones to sparkling crystals, once you learn the simple techniques. Encasement enhances most materials and frames the focal piece so it becomes a true stunner and not buried in the middle of strung beads or a complex jewelry design.

Kristal's "Periodic Table"


Agates	Laminated bamboo	Asian coins


Crystal prisms	Stone fetishes	Raku beads


Embellished resin beads	Natural stone pendant	Colored stones

Please, break the china

Once bezeled, many of these organic natural treasures would make great keychains or bookmarks for the men in our lives. And they're all one-of-a-kind creations. Having never bezeled before, I was unaware of the endless materials and shapes around which you can form a bezel. Since viewing Denise's DVD, I now "see" things differently. I think of bezels as baby shadow boxes you can wear as jewelry. If you drop Grandma's good china plate, keep the shards and bezel them as charms for a bracelet. Another great idea from my office mate Christan is to bezel pieces of a wooden fan from a vacation. Create jewelry and key chains using these shards for everyone in the wedding party.

Ordinary objects and unusual bits and pieces can become beautiful focal pendants once they're bezeled. Take a look in your studio and the world around you. Then sift through your "collections" for unique items to encase in a handmade bezel.

Come bead with me.

Creatively,

With the holidays just ahead (yes, they're quickly approaching), I'd love to make all my selected ingredients into bezeled gifts. Which ones are your faves? Please share what you found in your bead stash on Beading Daily.

Flower Jewelry from Beading Daily Members

Leslie Rogalski — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:46:00 GMT

Your garden grows on Beading Daily

Florals are sprouting up on every runway this spring, according to all the fashionistas. From dainty flowery prints to bold blossoms, flower power is back in style on dresses, tops, and accessories. So what do you make to be in vogue this spring?

Beading Daily members are clearly inspired by garden delights in their jewelry creations. The member Gallery is abloom with garden-inspired works, including excellent work submitted to a flower challenge last year. Though we wish we could show them all, we've selected just a few pretty petal designs past and present to share here. Kudos to you all!


Summer Flowers by Cbreul Lovely Lucite blooms on chain, with dewdrops of dangling crystals. Big flowers are in vogue!		Beaded Plumeria by Heartinhawaii Peyote-stitched with a center crystal, this floral hair stick would make a perfect island wedding accessory.


Purple Majesty Lucite Necklace by chris@312 Hand-wrapped vintage and modern Lucite drops and antiqued brass findings.		In the Garden by JSmaz, BD moderator Lively sunburst focal bead links up chain maille style with metal components.


Lucies Garden: Island Girl Version by TheHoleBeadShop A tropical bracelet strung with modern Lucite, seed-bead fringes and a lampworked focal bead.		Olivine Corsage by Mikki335 The winner of the experienced beaders flower challenge from last year. Seed-bead wow.

		Stringing magazine knows all about our love for garden delights—just look at the cover of the latest issue! Subscribe to Stringing today and you won't miss out on any budding styles all year.


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! BEAD STAR CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 10		*Lucky you, there's still time to enter the Bead Star* competition!** The deadline for Bead Star has been extended to May 10, so get those projects finished and photographed this weekend! Go to the Bead Star page for complete details and rules. You could win a trip to Bead Fest Santa Fe!

		FREE PROJECT! Combine a beautiful Thai silver focal flower with lampwork and raku beads in this week's free project. Guarding Beauty by Trish Kirkham is a simply strung necklace that represents the balance between beauty and strength. Download the instructions for this easy project here!