Daily Blogs : Beadwork magazine

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)

Do the Twist with This Free Seed Bead Bracelet

Michelle M. — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:22:00 GMT

Last weekend I added some cinnamon to the flour when made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I have a tendancy to do that--swap out the vanilla for orange extract, throw in some chopped pralines, chop up a dark chocolate bar to use instead of semisweet chocolate chips. It really bothers the chocolate chip purists (though they still eat the cookies!), but I can't help it. I like chocolate chip cookies, but there are times I want something a little different, but not so different that I end up making oatmeal raisin cookies or carrot cake....(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)

Create on Cue: 4 Tips to Reduce Beading Stress

Michelle M. — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:51:00 GMT

If you look at my current resume, there isn’t a section called Rewards. No presidential citations or even an “Employee of the Month” award. I’d put them on there if I had any… Well, I guess in the sexist 70s the high school band voted me “Best Legs”, but I’m not sure that would add to my credentials. And, quite frankly, the “best” part of my hail-damaged legs anymore is that they get me from Point A to Point B!...(read more)

Meet the New Beadwork Editor Plus Five Free Peyote Patterns

Michelle M. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:17:00 GMT

Meet the new editor of Beadwork, Melinda Barta. An interview by editorial director Marlene Blessing....(read more)

Free Right Angle Weave Bracelet Instructions

Michelle M. — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:23:00 GMT

Some beading abbreviations crack me up. "RAW" (right-angle weave) is one of them. I told a non-beading friend that I was writing about RAW this week and she paused and then politely said, "I didn't know you were into wrestling."...(read more)

Good News: 5 Reader Galleries That Want Your Work!

Michelle M. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:29:00 GMT

Have you ever submitted your work to a reader gallery? If you're trying to sell your work or build a name for yourself, submitting your work to a reader gallery is one way to get the word out. The benefits are obvious--it's free, quick (at least the submission part), great exposure, and you usually can submit at any time. It's also low on the stress and anxiety scale. If you're nervous about sending out your work, a reader gallery may be just the way to get started....(read more)

Pick Your Prize Winners, Plus Meet an 18-Year-Old Jewelry Designer

Michelle M. — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:14:00 GMT

What can a passionate seed bead artist who’s just eighteen accomplish? Anything she wants! I first saw Scarlett Lanson while she was viewing the stunning crystal creations in Swarovski’s annual design contest display during this year’s Tucson Bead Shows. Little did I know that this young woman in jeans was one of the winners in their competition—and the designer of one of my favorite pieces. I was so impressed with her work and her passion for designing fashion-savvy jewelry with seed beads that I invited her to submit a project to Beadwork. ...(read more)

Advice on Naming Your Jewelry Business

Michelle M. — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:49:00 GMT

Today I'm sharing some questions and answers from past Bead Biz columns in Beadwork magazine. The author of the column, Viki Lareau, has been in the jewelry-making business for more than 20 years. Viki is the author of Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning Your Passion into Profit.--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor...(read more)

5 Tips for Designing with Color

Michelle M. — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:25:00 GMT

Color is such a key element of good design. Yet each of us wrestles now and then with being in a color rut—“I only buy purple beads”—or wondering what shade of blue brings out the best in a new multicolored lampwork pendant. Do you ever watch The View on TV? If so, you’ll understand how much fun it is to poll several of our bead magazine editors and learn new and different angles from each one....(read more)

Enter Beadwork's Beaded Book Competition

Michelle M. — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:09:00 GMT

Books and Beads!

Frog and Toad are Friends, Guinness Book of World Records, Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls. . . Ever since I heard that Beadwork's new international juried exhibition would combine books and beads, titles of my favorite childhood books have been popping into my head at odd moments. If I add in my adult memories of books (English major in college, reference librarian jobs, book club follies), it seems like there is no end to the number of design possibilities for this exhibition. Even though as an employee I can't enter, I'm very tempted to jump in and play anyway just for myself--and for you--if any of you would like to see what I come up with!

So what is Beadwork looking for?

Beadwork editor Marlene Blessing writes, "I know plenty of you have been inspired by altered books (don't let those collage artists have all the fun) and by stories (from trashy novels, to historical epics, to books of poems). Whether you alter an actual book, re-create a favorite character in literature, bead a page of text or just a favorite passage, bead a reader-and-book vignette, make a tiny library, or bead your favorite fantasy/sci-fi kingdom—or any other bookcentric concoction you can imagine—please share your passion for books and beads with us!"

Photos of the winning designs will be featured in Beadwork. The actual pieces will be on display at Bead Expo in Santa Fe (March 12–15, 2009) and Bead Fest Philadelphia (August 20–23, 2009).

Entry period: August 1-December 18, 2008. Read the complete rules.

Beadwork's last exhibit, The Beaded Bag, attracted the largest number of entries to date with 202 entries from all over the world. I would love to smash that record! If you have questions or comments about The Beaded Book, please feel free to post them here and I will ask the Beadwork editors to respond to you as quickly as they can. Good luck!

Current and Forthcoming Bead Exhibitions

Recently a Beading Daily reader asked about upcoming bead exhibits. In addition to the exhibits mentioned below, two bead museums have ongoing beading exhibits: Bead Museum (Glendale, Arizona) and Bead Museum (Washington, DC). Here are a few places to check out:

• Development of Beads and Jade Tools Production, Japanese Archaeology Gallery, Tokyo National Museum, through June 8, 2008.
• African Beaded Art: Power and Adornment, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, through June 15, 2008.
• Joy Crane: Beadwork, South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, South Dakota, through June 15, 2008.
• Glass Beads of Ghana, Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey, through June 15, 2009.
• Bead International, Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio May 23-September 1, 2008.
• Out of the Box: Pushing the Boundaries of the Glass Bead, traveling exhibit, 2008, International Society of Glass Bead Makers.

If you know about any other current bead exhibits, please share them on the website.

Last Chance for Bead Star: Tomorrow (May 6, 2008) is the absolute last day to enter Bead Star. Don't miss your chance to see your design on the cover of a magazine! Enter today.

Michelle Mach shares beading news, contests, reader galleries, and other beady stuff every Monday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Michelle, please post them on the website.