Daily Blogs : Beadwork challenge

Discover your jewelry-making style with a Beads, Baubles & Jewels video!

Leslie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:28:00 GMT

My Style, Your Style!

We beaders love a challenge! The challenge of learning new stitches and twists on a technique. The challenge of that “blank page” moment when you spread out your beads and wonder what you’ll make. But the challenge we love most is seeing what happens when two or more beaders go to their respective beading corners with identical materials and create individual, personal pieces of beadwork.

Marlene Blessing and I are no exception and love beading challenges, too. In our new season of presenting on B eads, Baubles & Jewels on Public Television, we had loads of fun doing a “My Style, Your Style” segment that we approached just like a challenge. We started with identical materials, key charms in three metal finishes––pewter, sterling silver, and shibuichi, and an option to use a toggle that looked like a keyhole. The charms were designed by Greg Ogden and Cynthia Thornton at Green Girl Studios. Our mission was to use the same materials in our jewelry designs, knowing we had personal styles, then share the process we each went through to reach our final designs. So, read the scoop on our different style stories, and watch the video from the show!

How did we each approach our jewelry design plans?

Marlene: I wanted the grouping of keys to be front and center, clanking together like keys on a key ring. At first, I thought I would create a strung necklace for these charms, adding a great Green Girl heart toggle clasp (with a “key” for the bar, of course). Even though I was short on time, I changed my course. Seed bead weaving was the way to go. I wanted to mix the fabric-like texture of beadweaving with the hardness of metal. That’s where some anxiety crept in. I’m a slow stitcher. (And I don’t have Leslie’s great facility with seed beads.)

Leslie: Keys are such powerful symbols besides being cool shapes. The style of these specific keys made me think of medieval times, and the metal finishes reminded me of Renaissance Faire jewelry and armory. So, I chose to design a heraldic banner brooch. I knew I’d be using seed beads even though, like Marlene said, there wasn’t much time. I may be faster than the average beader, but I’m not that fast! So, I worked in my fastest stitch, peyote, and used larger sized cylinder beads, size 10º, which helped me finish even faster.

What else inspired us besides the key charms?

Marlene: I followed a tip from Jean Campbell about not reinventing the wheel (or the jewelry) and decided to recycle design elements from something I already made—then add new twists. I chose to do a tubular herringbone single strand with stripes like those in my Maggie’s Weave project in the August/September 2009 issue of Beadwork. I also wanted to use a design idea from a strung project I made for the Fall 2009 issue of Stringing.

Leslie: Since this piece had a story, the keyhole toggle of course had to be an actual keyhole in the beadwork. I used it as a design element with a paradoxical function. A keyhole to what? Did one of the keys open it? What does a lock in a banner open to? It may be bit of Alice in Wonderland—that’s the mystery and fantasy of keyholes. It instantly invites the question, what’s on the other side?

What gave each of our jewelry designs a Marlene or Leslie look?

Marlene: Probably my subtle asymmetry in the design. I think I'm a bit of a tease. I want my pieces to look very balanced, almost symmetrical. In this piece, I made sure the stripes were arranged asymmetrically, and the detail with the jump rings and hammered links was only on one side of the necklace. My style!

Leslie: And I'm just the opposite! I admire anyone who makes asymmetrical work, like Marlene does. It’s not easy. So I’m totally about symmetry. The only math I was good at was geometry, and I’ve always been inspired by geometric forms. My designs are very architectural, especially my seed bead work. Plus, speaking of not reinventing, I’d already engineered the type of piece I made for this challenge, having made other medallion, banner style pieces. Also, the colors of the keys were right up my alley: though I do use bright colors, I am more drawn to metallic and matte surfaces. My style!

How to find your style

As you see, Marlene and I developed personal styles only after we’d worked to grow a jewelry-making vocabulary. We’d already explored different techniques and materials, so we had many choices we could use. Beads, Baubles & Jewels is all about helping you build your own buffet, so you can develop your personal style, too. The teachers and designers on Beads, Baubles & Jewels are experts who show you what’s new in materials and tools; how to work techniques in wire, beadweaving, metals and more; and how to simply play as a designer. Find your style—or styles! So check out the sneak peek at My Style, Your Style, and be sure to pre-order the latest season of Beads, Baubles & Jewels for even more ideas and inspiration!

Did our key challenge open some doors to your own ideas? Share them with us!

Beadwork's Pattern Play Challenge Winners

Michelle M. — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:38:00 GMT

“Ooh” and “aah” were just two of the reactions heard while Beadwork’s editors were judging the entries to our latest contest. The June/July 2009 issue of Beadwork challenged readers to create a project using pattern as inspiration and, as you are about to see for yourself, the results were phenomenal! By drawing inspiration from patterns found in nature to patterned papers and fabrics, our contest entrants show us pattern is everywhere you look. I’m sure you’ll agree that the fabulous projects featured here, all created by readers like you, are impressive and inspiring. A hearty thank you, all participants—you sure pulled out all of the stops! We hope you had as much fun making these projects as we did judging them. ...(read more)

Create with Patterns: Enter Beadwork's New Contest

Michelle M. — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:03:00 GMT

Though it’s hard to imagine what life was like before I started editing Beadwork magazine and writing books about beading, I remember what drew me to pursue a career in art and design in the first place: pattern. Patterned wallpaper, patterned bedspreads, patterned Trapper Keepers (remember those?), you name it! While all of the other art students on a collage trip to Italy filled their notebooks and wrote reports on statues, paintings, and textiles, I focused my study on patterned tiles, gates, and tapestries. ...(read more)

How to Make Bead Embroidered Buttons

Michelle M. — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:05:00 GMT

Inspired by a Beading Daily Reader

Today's post marks a Beading Daily first: my challenge project for Beadwork's June/July issue was directly inspired by one of you! When Beading Daily reader Bethany sent me an email asking me about creating jewelry using her grandmother's buttons, I started thinking about button jewelry. Many of the instructions I found on various websites mentioned cutting the shanks off the buttons. I knew I couldn't ask Bethany to do that to an heirloom collection.

While I was mulling over an answer to Bethany's email, I received the extremely cool challenge kit from Ornamentea which was filled to the brim with brass components, including some brass rings. I immediately thought of creating my own button bracelet. Instead of using ready made buttons, I decided to craft my own using bits of fabric and seed beads. Jump rings were used to attach the brass rings to the button shanks. I found that by threading multiple jump rings through the button shanks, I could limit the amount of movement in the bracelet and keep the buttons facing the right way.

Above: The Fleur de Perle bracelet I created for the June/July 2008 Beadwork challenge. See the magazine for three more creative projects (earrings, a hair ornament, and necklace) made with these brass components.

3 Methods for Creating Beaded Buttons

Method #1: Freeform Bead Embroidery
Sew beads directly onto fabric in whatever way pleases you. Try varying the size and shape of the beads for added texture. Experiment with stitches like backstitch or seed stitch. Cover as much or as little of the fabric as you like. There are some beautiful examples in Beading on Fabric by Larkin Jean Van Horn. Best for: The spontaneous, free-spirited type of designer who likes to design as she goes.

At left: A beaded button by Larkin Jean Van Horn.

Method #2: Bead Embroidery on Paper
This is the method that Amy Clarke Moore used in the Little Star Ornament and in the book Beaded Embellishment. Amy's method involves drawing a design on paper, laying the paper on top of the fabric, and then embroidering over the paper, matching the colors of the beads to the colors in the drawing. Best for: The deliberate designer who plans her designs in advance and has a specific end result in mind.

Method #3: Beadweaving, then Bead Embroidery
In the Fleur de Perle bracelet, I created circular peyote stitched circles and and then sewed them onto the fabric. The two different sizes of seed beads (11s and 15s) cause the beading to ruffle a little. I like this effect, but if you don't, then just stick to one bead size. See Bead Embellished Buttons for project details. Best for: Designers who have commitment issues. (You can move the beadwoven piece around on the fabric multiple times before deciding to stitch them to fabric.)

Many Possibilities

There are many possibilities with these beaded buttons: use a single button for a pin, create a pair for earrings, or string several together for a bracelet. Or use them for hat decorations or purse closures. You could even use them in a more traditional sense to replace boring buttons on a sweater or jacket. Have fun!

My First Interview (Gulp!): If you've been a Beading Daily reader for any length of time, you've probably figured out that I love to do interviews. Designer Jean Yates was the very first person brave enough to put me in the hot seat for a change and ask me about my life as an editor/designer. Check out the interview on Jean's blog. Thanks, Jean!

Michelle Mach shares free beading projects and tips every Friday on Beading Daily.

Free Project: Chain Maille Necklace

Michelle M. — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:31:00 GMT

Beading Dangerously

The Beadwork challenge kit for the April/May issue didn't look dangerous. Provided by Bead It!, the kit contained garnets, seed beads, metal rounds, pearls, rondelles, fire-polished rounds, and a clasp. Not a subtle, dainty clasp either--this silver and garnet box clasp was a "Me! Me! Look at me!" type of closure. Doesn't sound dangerous, does it? The problem was that I was in the middle of another beading project when it arrived. I set the box clasp from the kit next to some chain maille earrings I was creating as a gift for a friend. Good-bye earrings, hello necklace!

The Initial Sketch

Anybody else out there sketch out his or her jewelry designs? (Please share--I feel like I'm the only one!) As you can see, I don't strive to make a beautiful drawing, just something that is clear enough so that I have a record of my idea. My drawings can sometimes be messy, so I often label pieces, like I did with this one, just so I remember what all those little scribbles are. This sketch is close to actual size--I often have a single notebook page filled with variations on a theme.

The Final Design

I ultimately decided to use the bold clasp as the focal point. As you can see from the sketch, I originally thought I'd have fewer chain maille components (the original earrings I was making) and that I'd use chain for the back of the necklace. The front of the necklace turned out a little differently too--this original one looks a little bit more like a bolo tie! Part of the change came about because I decided to give myself an additional challenge (apparently one challenge wasn't enough!)--I wanted to use at least one bead of every type in the kit in my project, which meant adding some strung pieces in place of the chain I originally envisioned.

Free Project: Rambling Rose Necklace

A Reader's Challenge

Beading Daily reader Melodie Lente used the same kit of beads as I did to create a bracelet that brought back wonderful memories of her mother. (See a photo of her bracelet in the April/May 2008 issue of Beadwork.) This was the first time in Beadwork history that a reader participated in the challenge! Melodie's name was chosen randomly from the more than 400 entries.

Melodie learned to bead while on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation in southern Colorado when she was 10 years old. Bead embroidery was her first (and still favorite) technique, though she has taught herself many others. Melodie finds beading "a time to let the cares of the day slilp away and return to that calm, centered place."

At left is a bead embroidered mask by Melodie Lente.

It's Your Turn

Now it's your turn! Beadwork magazine will select one lucky reader to work on the next challenge project. If your name is chosen at random, you will be mailed one of the upcoming kits and have about three weeks to complete your project. Due to heavy international shipping costs, this challenge is limited to residents of the United States and Canada. Sign up by May 12th!

Michelle Mach shares free beading projects and tips every Friday on Beading Daily. If you have questions or comments for Michelle (including suggestions for future free projects), please post them here on the website. Thanks!

Peyote-Stitch Barrette with Picot Edging

Editor — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Creating the Flower Girl Barrette

Writers are often advised to imagine their ideal reader and write for that person. A recent Beadwork challenge proved to me that this advice could be adapted for jewelry designers as well.

Free Project:
Flower Girl Barrette
by Michelle Mach

For the February/March Beadwork challenge, four of us were given a handful of resin flowers and leaves from Dee's Place. While I was fascinated by these pastel flowers--especially by how easily they fit into one another--I was initially stumped on how to use them. I finally decided to imagine my ideal customer and design something for her. Once I came up with "flower girl at her cousin's wedding," the design came together quickly. (The fact that I don't know any 9-year-old girls and had never been a flower girl myself didn't even seem to slow me down!)

Using peyote-stitch, I created a base with size 8 iridescent white beads. The larger size of bead works up quickly--an important consideration seeing how much work for weddings takes place at the last minute! I chose to use Tacky Tape to adhere the beads to the barrette. You could also attach it with thread. (In my "flower girl" scenario, I was afraid that thread might not be strong enough!)

Adventures in Picot Edging

I knew right away that I would need some kind of edging on the barrette to cover the exposed threads on the sides. It took some experimenting to figure out what worked best. I had the perfect color of Delicas in my stash, but when I used them for the edging, I didn't like the awkward angles they formed. I decided to use beads that were rounded to emphasize the curves of the edging. I also tried size 11s and making larger netted loops for the edging, but that seemed too fussy. (Imagine a scaled-down version of the netting in the Netted Cabochon Necklace by Glenda Payseno.)

Ironically, the beads I ended up using--the tiny plastic pearls--were among the first beads I ever bought. They had been hanging around my stash for years and years. The more experienced I became at beading, the more I hated seeing those beads in my stash. What a waste of money! What was I thinking when I bought those? I resisted trying them for this project--I think they were my third or fourth choice--and yet, when I saw how they formed that first curve, I knew they were the perfect fit for this project. So, lesson learned: every bead has a purpose, even if it takes you years to figure out what that is!

Other Design Ideas

I was surprised when I visited Dee's Place that these flowers also come in white. You could make an all-white bridal version of this project, adding ribbons, tulle, pearls, and crystals. Or skip the flowers and try making a plain beaded barrette. Instead of peyote stitch, try a version using brick stitch or square stitch. The February/March 2008 Beadwork issue features the other projects made with these resin flowers: a simple wireworked ring, a gold chain bracelet with flower and bead dangles, and floral fringed magnets.

Update: Using Thread Instead of Tacky Tape

After this newsletter originally ran, I receive an email from jewelry designer Kelli Peduzzi of Pure Bliss Jewelry, letting me know that she'd successfully used thread to secure beadwork to the base of barettes and "over time and use, it is more likely that the metal barette base itself will weaken before the thread does, if the thread has been firmly and properly secured. At least this has been my experience."

Here are Kelli's instructions and tips:

"Use the thread emerging from the end of the beadwork to stitch that end of the beadwork through the hole at one end of the barrette, making as many passes through hole and up through beadwork as is needed so that the end of the beadwork isn't slipping. Then work your way along the length of the beadwork following the threadpath of each row, passing under the top of the barrette with each row, and snugging the thread tight. Be very careful not to pass under the snap bar of the barrette, or you will stitch your barrette closed! (It may help to open the bar in order to avoid this.) Once you have proceeded along the length of the barrette with these tight loops of thread, stitch through the other hole at the other end like you did the first hole, until good and tight. Trim thread and secure with glue or nail polish. The barrette should be give you years of wear. I think thread is preferable to thin wire as it's less likely to catch in hair and less likely to become brittle and break."

NEW Free Peyote Stitch Pattern eBook: Our first free beadweaving pattern e-book features 5 peyote stitch projects, plus two full pages of step-by-step illustrated instructions on even- and odd-count peyote, and a sheet of peyote stitch graph paper for creating original jewelry designs. Download Peyote Stitch Projects with BeadingDaily: 5 Free Peyote Stitch Patterns

Wedding Jewelry, Anyone? I'm collecting photos of beautiful wedding jewelry by Beading Daily readers to put in an online gallery so we can all be inspired by the creativity on this list! If you have a photo to share, please send me the link to your blog or website by January 28. (If you don't have photos online, but still wish to share photos, email me and I'll let you know where to send them.) Thanks!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She is enjoying all the wedding jewelry photos that have been sent so far!

4 Beaded Bead Projects

Editor — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Making Ladder Stitch Beads Step by Step

Beading Daily Reader Chris O. asked for illustrations for this week's featured project, the Lazy-B Ranch Bracelet. I took some quick step-by-step photos at my kitchen table. I used dark thread so that you could see it in the photos, but you'll probably want to use thread that matches your beads.

1. String 4 beads.	2. Arrange into 2 columns.	3. Keep adding beads 2 at a time.
4. 4 columns of beads.	5. Ladder-stitched cube.	6. String the stitched cube next to other loose beads.

Four Beaded Bead Projects

If you love beaded beads, here are a four projects that use them. If you're new to the world of beaded beads, rather than completing an entire bracelet or necklace, create one beaded bead for a simple necklace pendant or a dramatic pin.

Crystallicious Bracelet

Fibers Meets Beads

Crystalicious Bracelet by Bonnie Clewans combines crystals and Japanese seed beads with netting stitch. There are instructions for two types of "beaded beads"--beaded cylinders and beaded rosettes.
Fiber Meets Beads by Kathleen Lynam also includes directions for two types of beads--one that uses right-angle weave and another that uses netting to cover a large wooden bead.
Necklace in Wire and Beads by Gwen Blakely uses bead crochet to create beaded beads. (From Interweave Crochet magazine)
Rounds of Color Patterns by Kimberley Price covers small wooden craft spools with peyote stitch. (This is a set of color charts only--no written instructions.)

Need more beaded beads? Beadwork Creates Beaded Beads by Jean Campbell includes instructions for 30 beaded beads, using flat peyote stitch, right-angle weave, netting, brick stitch, tubular peyote, circular peyote, Dutch spiral, square stitch, wireworking, herringbone stitch, and triangle stitch. Whew!

Charity Beading Event
Beadapalooza 2
Saturday, November 10, 2007, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Chicago area glass artists will be making beads for Beads of Courage, a program for children with cancer, at the Blue Fire Beads and Jewelry store in New Lenox, Illinois. For directions and more information, visit www.bluefirebeads.com.

Coming Next Week: Projects from Step by Step Wire Jewelry, plus the results of the beaded home decor poll.

Holiday Beading: Do you have a beautiful piece of jewelry that you always wear to holiday parties or a special beaded ornament? I'm working on an inspirational gallery of holiday-related projects by Beading Daily readers. Please send in links to your website or blog by November 25. Thanks!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She is going to try and go to a new (to her) bead shop this weekend. Oh, the possibilities!

Ladder Stitch Beaded Bead Bracelet

Editor — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ladder Stitch Beaded Bead Bracelet a.k.a. "Lazy-B Ranch" Bracelet

I made this Western-inspired bracelet for the December 2007/January 2008 Beadwork challenge. At the time I designed it, I had just attended a local rodeo and was absolutely fascinated with the jewelry I saw there. It looked rough and polished at the same time. I love playing with contrasts in my designs.

The Story Behind the Bracelet Name

So why did I call this the "Lazy-B Ranch" bracelet? Here's a hint: The "b" stands for "bead." (What did you think it stood for?) I was originally planning on stitching the rondelles together for a single beaded bead, but when I strung the ladder stitched cube and two single beads, I realized that you couldn't tell whether it was one piece or not. (Look at the photo--if I didn't point it out to you, could you tell?) The choice was clear--spend more time stitching the rest of the beads together, or go ahead and string the bracelet and move on to my next project. (If Margot Potter hadn't already claimed "The Impatient Beader", I would so be there!)

More Challenge Projects from Beadwork

The editors work on these challenge projects in secret, so it was a surprise that we all ended up making bracelets! See the other bracelets (a pink right-angle weave bracelet, a contemporary silver and brown quartz bracelet, and a bead embroidered cuff) in the December 2007/January 2008 issue of Beadwork magazine.

At left: The original December/January Beadwork challenge kit from Dakota Stones contained smoky quartz, pink opal beads, and green opal nuggets. What would you have done with those beads?

We Love Beaded Beads!

Sooner or later, most beaders will try to create their own beads. In a summer poll, I asked Beading Daily readers what kinds of beads they were currently obsessed with making. The results:

beaded beads (33%)
lampwork (14%)
polymer clay (13%)
metalwork (8%)

Other answers included: wood, resin, paper, metal clay, clay/ceramic, enamel, mixed media, and felt.

Coming Wednesday: Bead quilts by Beading Daily readers and a new poll.

Thanks to everyone who sent email or posted comments about the Cats, Beads, and Kitchen Table post last Friday. I laughed the entire time I was writing it, despite the many Deeply Concerned looks I was getting from the good folks at Interweave Press as they walked by my desk and saw that I was all alone.

A Story Update on The Amazing Power of Beads: Cathi and her husband are back at the resort after the fire, but things are a long way from normal yet. Many services that we take for granted--like phone and email--have not been restored. She appreciates all your good thoughts during this difficult tme.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She finds beaded beads fascinating and admires those beaders who can create them with 20 different colors of size 15 beads. Patience!

A Case of Bead Doom

Editor — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:00 GMT

A Case of Bead Doom

On Wednesday ("Make Your Own Pendant"), I wrote about creating the Love Birds Necklace, my Beadwork challenge piece. After finishing the pendant, I thought the necklace needed something more--like individual seed bead daisies attached to a handful of the beads in the necklace.

Warning: If you're the type of person who thinks that editors are just naturally perfect (and want to keep that illusion), please skip down to the next section ("Thread Tip").

For the rest of you . . .

I was working on the necklace on a Sunday night (yes, it was due on Monday!) and had limited thread options at hand: white Nymo or brown embroidery thread. Can you see my dilemma? The Nymo would have been a better thread choice, but the white was not aethestically pleasing against the dark beads. So, I went with the brown embroidery thread. How bad could it be? Ugh! It was so hard to handle and kept fraying. Once the piece came back from photography, I did end up redoing it with brown Nymo. So here's bead tip number one: resist the temptation to use embroidery thread for beading!

Here's the second tip: While the thread used on the pendant is neatly stitched into the satin cord, the thread on the individual daisy-embellished beads is exposed to the elements, making it the weakest part of the piece. (Dustin Wedekind, author of Getting Started with Seed Beads, calls this thread exposure "bead doom.") Since this necklace was just for me--and I have a habit of taking things apart when I get tired of them--this was not a major concern for me. If you are designing a similar piece to give away or sell, or you want an heirloom piece to hand down through the generations, think about covering the leading and exiting threads with additional seed beads, choosing smaller pearls or nuggets so that less thread is exposed, or eliminating the embellishments altogether.

Thread Tip from a Beading Daily Reader

"Always start a new thread when you are starting to do a totally new step like attaching a clasp, making fringe or edging, or adding ornamentation or loops to the top of the work. Using a separate thread ensures that if this thread breaks, the whole piece doesn't unravel in your hands." --Mary Alexander

Two New Beadmaking Projects

Go with the Flow Polymer Pendant

Check out these new projects from the editors of Step by Step Beads:

Go with the Flow Polymer Pendants by Christi Friesen
To create these pendants, you'll need blue, green, and yellow polymer clay, gold leaf, 28-gauge craft wire, and beads like pearls or crystals to use for embellishment. Visit www.cforiginals.net to see more polymer creations by Christi Friesen.
Playground Bracelet Beads by Kerry Bogert
Get your torch ready to make these bold and colorful lampworked disc and bubble beads. More work by Kerry Bogert is available on her website: www.kabsconcepts.com.

Have you voted yet?

What's your favorite metal to use when designing? Voting will end on Sunday, October 7. I'll share the answers next week.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the voting for free projects. We will be doing this again with another set of projects--stay tuned!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. On her bead board: an unfinished necklace and an unfinished pair of earrings. Are you sensing a theme?

Make Your Own Pendant

Editor — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Fear of Large Butterflies or How to Make Your Own Pendant

Only one element in the latest Beadwork challenge--a gorgeous 38 x 46mm brass filigree butterfly--felt large enough to use as a necklace pendant. But, honestly, it was so large it made me feel like ducking my head under the desk for safety. (Yes, as a matter of fact, I did watch a lot of Hitchcock films as a teenager.) Editors Melinda Barta and Danielle Fox were much braver--both of them incorporated the butterfly in their beautiful picture frame and necklace designs. (See photos of their projects on pages 90-91 of the October/November 2007 issue.)

With the butterfly out of my design equation, I decided to focus on the love birds connector piece. I liked it, but it felt too small (19x14mm) to be a focal element by itself. So I merged three separate elements, plus some brown silk ribbon and size 11 seed beads.

These three separate pieces from Vintaj Natural Brass. . .

Filigree tube

Brass ring (25mm)

Love birds connector

became this . . .

Finished pendant

I liked the finished pendant, but I felt the necklace needed something more. But what?

At the time of the challenge, I was trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between stitching and stringing. I liked daisy chain stitch, but I didn't like how it looked when multiple daisies were next to each other. So I added single daisies to some of the individual pearls and turquoise nuggets donated by Galena Beads "Serving Creativity".

On Friday, I'll share the rest of my design story a.k.a. "A Case of Bead Doom" . . .

A Very Chic Cardboard Box

Those of you who enjoy more than one craft might relate to 19-year-old Beading Daily reader Lady Claye who wrote in a blog entry about crochet:

"Knitting is the next thing I will tackle. Either craft leads to a terribly expensive yarn addiction . . . add that to my jewelry finding addiction, bead addiction, and craft book addiction, and I'm living in a cardboard box.

But a very chic cardboard box."

The votes are in!

More than 1,870 Beading Daily readers voted on their choice for this week's featured free project. What a close race! Here are the results:

Flowerette Chain (41%)

Square Tube (38%)

Zig Zag Chain (21%)

The instructions for Flowerette Chain are below; Square Tube and Zig Zag Chain instructions are available in the book, Zulu Inspired Beadwork. Thanks to everyone who voted! I thought it was fun to have everyone vote for the free project. What do you think? Should we do this again with another set of possible free projects? Leave a comment on the website and let me know what you think!

Be sure to vote in our latest poll by Sunday, October 7:
What's your favorite metal for designing? I'll share the results next week.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. On her bead board: A mosaic clasp and some pearls. They want to be a necklace, really, but it doesn't seem to be working out . . .

Dragonfly Pin and Other Beading Challenges

Editor — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:00:00 GMT

The Challenge
The idea behind the Beadwork challenge is simple: give different designers the same materials and see what they create. The August/September 2007 kit was from Lady Bug Beads and contained seed beads, Czech pressed-glass beads, crystal bicones, pearls, copper beads, and chain.

The Beadwork Projects
Beadwork editors Melinda Barta, Jamie Hogsett, and Dustin Wedekind all created stunning pieces, suitable for an elegant dinner party:

Melinda used circular one- and two-drop peyote stitch to create a fringy centerpiece for her necklace.
Jamie dangled green nautilus beads from short lengths of chain in her simple, yet striking necklace.
Dustin created a beautiful brooch with right-angle weave—and then created a second brooch with nearly all of his remaining beads!

The Beading Daily Projects

Sandi's "Under Construction" Project To make the challenge project even more challenging, contributing editor Sandi Wiseheart and I agreed to split one kit of beads and create a project that was not a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings. (More than 300 readers voted on how Sandi should complete her project—stay tuned to see how it came out!)

For my project, I decided to take the funky route with a pin that would be more at home on a denim jacket than a beautiful gown. As soon I saw the beads, I knew that I wanted to create a nature-themed piece. At first, I thought I would make a flower, but in playing around with the beads, I began to imagine a dragonfly pin. I found two scrapbooking tags, one vellum and one metal, that served as the base for the piece. (I love scrapbooking materials, even though I'm not a scrapbooker.)

For the dragonfly's body, I sewed a line of beads to brown moleskin fabric covered with blue tubular wire mesh ribbon I found at Bead Expo. This was the first time I'd ever worked with wire mesh and I really liked it! It was easy to stretch apart and much softer than I expected. To complete the piece, I added wiredworked antennae, dagger wings (sewn to the fabric) and a border of seed beads and chain.

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille. P.S. I'm a decent photographer, but for some reason, I could not take a good photo of this project. Too dark, blurry, weird camera angles. . .Then late on a Friday afternoon, I found our photographer Ann in her basement studio shooting a project for another magazine. She generously agreed to squeeze me in and came back in about fifteen minutes with this beautiful photo. I had a little teary, makeover show moment in my office. Maybe this little pin could go to a grown-up dinner party. Thanks, Ann!

Calling All Bead Princesses!

Editor — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 16:00:00 GMT

“Perhaps we all need a little tiara magic in our lives. . .”—Sandi Wiseheart, Faerie Crown designer

For those of us who are not afraid to let our inner princess out—at least in the privacy of our own home—the Faerie Crown is a must-have accessory. According to designer Sandi Wiseheart, “I started out trying to make a Serious Grown-Up Peal and Crystal Necklace, but clearly, the Beading Muses had other ideas. Traditional wire-wrapped links kept morphing into faerie flowers, so I gave up on Serious and went for Magical.”

And there is definitely some beading magic going on in this project! The base of the crown is an ordinary headband cleverly covered with pink mesh tubing ribbon (also sometimes called wire mesh). The tiny wire, crystal and pearl flowers seem to just have sprung up organically at the front of the crown.

Sandi continues, “In the spirit of the Beadwork Challenge, I’d like to encourage you to make a crown as individual as you are. Play with beads from your stash, or visit your local bead shop for inspiration! Play with the photo and the instructions below as a guide for your own Beading Muse.” Think of what a lovely wedding tiara this could make in shades of ivory or white. Or perhaps a special birthday hat—who really wants to wear a dorky paper hat? The possibilities are endless!

Creating a Wearable Bouquet

Editor — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Beadwork's managing editor, Melinda Barta, describes her reaction to the June/July challenge kit supplieddd by lampwork artist Cassie Donlen:

"The second I opened the kit that Cassie Donlen provided for Beadwork’s Challenge Project and saw the large bag of head pins, I immediately knew what I wanted to do: make dozens of three-dimensional wire wrapped-loop dangles using the colorful pearls and pressed-glass flowers, rondelles, daggers, and beads. However, I must admit that I got so addicted to making these dangles that I bargained with my teammates for more: Jamie Hogsett gave me additional green and red flower beads in exchange for the curly metal charms used in her wall hanging, and Sandi Wiseheart traded her blue pressed-glass flowers for my leftover seed beads. (Check our Sandi's Caribbean Breeze Earrings made with the same kit.) For the clasp, I strung a loop of seed beads to fit around a dangle made with one of the intricate lampworked rondelles, making a secure closure around the wrist."

Flower Burst Bracelet by Melinda Barta

Is It Spring Already?

Editor — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:00:00 GMT

These bright floral earrings will instantly make you feel warmer, no matter what the temperature is outside. Last spring when she created these earrings, Sandi Wiseheart wrote, “It's snow-and-tulips weather here in Colorado: one day it's 65 degrees and the sky is a radiant blue, and the next day thick white snowflakes are mercilessly whapping every inch of exposed skin. It's enough to make me wear every flower-themed, brightly-colored bead I own, as if my jewelry were talismans to beat back winter and bring summer a bit sooner. Perhaps they are . . .”

While Sandi was the sole designer behind the Caribbean Breeze Earrings, the naming of this project was definitely a group effort. A couple of us were in a cubicle tossing names back and forth. One of our VPs walked by, took one look at the earrings and said that they reminded her of the Caribbean. We pulled up some Caribbean travel sites on the computer and agreed. Can't you feel the warm ocean breeze already?

Free eBook
Making Jewelry with Beading Daily:
How to Make Earrings: Five Free Jewelry Projects

This free earrings ebook, Making Jewelry with Beading Daily: How to Make Earrings: Five Free Jewelry Projects, includes five earring patterns that use a range of techniques (simple stringing, wirework, simple metalwork, seed bead netting and fringe) and a variety of materials (silver, copper, seed beads, crystals, pearls, gemstones). Both beginners and more experienced jewelry makers will find at least one beaded earring design that will inspire them to catch the handmade earring craze!

Creating the Spiral of Kronos Necklace

Editor — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Beading Daily contributing editor Sandi Wiseheart describes her experience with the April/May 2007 Beadwork challenge kit supplied by lampwork artist Cindy Gimbrone.

"Cindy Gimbrone calls her lampwork spirals "The Spiral of Kronos." There are two different mythical beingsidentified by a variation of this name: Cronus, the Titan deity who ruled the harvest, and Chronos, the Greek personification of time. The glass spiral thus evokes our own journeys through time, fragile, yet strong; each journey bears its own fruit, both sweet and strange. I used silver wire to wrap the spiral itself with crystal fruits, and hung the bead from three slender ribbons wrapped with moons, more crystals, and silver spirals. This necklace evolved over a period of several weeks, as I added and removed various elements until the piece "felt right." Just as a single step can become a journey, a single bead can grow into a piece rich with meaning."