Daily Blogs : Marlene Blessing

Learn How to String Jewelry that People will Love

Erin Carey — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:04:00 GMT

Make Jewelry that Gets You Noticed
Congratulations! You¹ve just finished stringing an original piece of jewelry. Your friends admire it and encourage you to submit it to Stringing Magazine. They may even tell you it would make a fabulous cover piece. Of course, you secretly hope so, too! So you submit it, and maybe it¹s accepted!

Then again, what if it’s not? We¹re all vulnerable when it comes to judgments others make about the things we¹ve created. “My necklace, my self” sounds pretty far out, but it¹s probably close to the truth. So I¹m eager to share a few tips that will boost your chance of success with your beading designs, especially if you respond to our ongoing open invitation to submit your projects to Stringing Magazine.

I hope the tips that follow will amp up your chances of being noticed, whether for a Stringing cover, a bead contest, a craft show, or simply for wearing something that shows your creativity!

1: Use a nice balance of materials

We like to show our readers how cool it can be to mix things up in stringing designs—for example, combine chains in various metals, put vintage Lucite together with semiprecious stones, or use colored wire to sass up your wire-wrapped dangles or charms. Gaea Cannaday’s “Sweet Dreams” shows how effective a few charms can be.

2: Think seasonal color trends

It’s easy to do your own research online to find out where fashion is going with color. A couple of our favorites are fashion designer sites—what’s Donna Karan doing this season? There's the Pantone site—there’s even a color chip app for your iPhone. Be a Beadanista and use au courant color schemes to express yourself.

3: Add originality & surprise

Touches of originality in your designs can be as simple as combining unexpected elements (paper beads with copper bead caps, for instance). Or creating a slight asymmetry that adds spirit. Pieces we’re drawn to have a little “Je ne sais quoi” going for them that not only attracts our attention but compels us to want to make those designs ourselves. Danielle’s “Only from the Heart” necklace surprises us with unexpected details.

4: Do more with less

It’s fun to splurge on special beads, but we want our projects to be affordable–especially those we choose for covers. You probably won't make the cut with a multistrand necklace dripping with faceted rubies. That doesn’t mean rubies are out. Create a clever design that makes the most of their beauty. Attach several wire-wrapped ruby dangles to a metal ring as a great focal. Use creamy pearls for your necklace strands (freshwater pearls are a bargain!) and really set off those little red beauties. A great example of making the most of a few precious beads is the “Amethyst Splendor” project by Miriam Fuld in the Fall '09 issue of Stringing.

5: Take some test photos

See for yourself how photogenic your finished jewelry design is by taking the best digital home photos you can. Not only will this help you be in step with the editors (they’re always thinking about visual presentation qualities), it may also show you exactly what you need to revisit in your design. For example, your colorway may be so subtle it just gets muddy in photos. Or the silver findings you used in your piece are too shiny. Or, one more strand on your multistrand necklace will add some much-needed drama.

Be a thinking-person’s jewelry designer. Consider all the ways you can have fun making a great piece of jewelry, as well as how you can attract others to what you’ve made. And then there’s luck. You have the good fortune to have submitted the right piece at the right time and the camera loves your design. Buy the Fall 2009 Stringing or subscribe today to be inspired and to learn more about how to create your own winning ideas!

Have you been published in Stringing? Stopped on the street by someone admiring your jewelry? Share your success stories right here on Beading Daily!

The Best of Stringing celebrates top designs from Stringing magazine!

Erin Carey — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:30:00 GMT

Here’s a little snippet of beady publishing history that you might find interesting...
In 2002 Interweave’s founder, Linda Ligon, and I sat in a hotel lobby in New York to discuss starting a new magazine that solely concerned stringing beads. It was a completely revolutionary idea at the time and, quite frankly, I thought it was a bit nuts; beadweavers like me often viewed stringing as our community’s wallflower cousin. She said she wanted a magazine that stretched people’s creativity, helping them explore new materials to expand their vision of what stringing could be. Her general edict was, “Make it beautiful, make it colorful, and I don’t want to see page after page of ‘bumps on a string.’ What I want is page after page of gorgeous pieces that you might find at a museum shop or gallery. No ‘safe’ jewelry in this one.”

When I got back to the office in Colorado, I broke it to the Beadwork magazine team (then Jamie Hogsett and Dustin Wedekind) that we were starting up a new magazine. It would include 100 pieces, have jaw-dropping work, and there could be absolutely no 'bumps on a string.' I think Jamie and Dustin thought the idea was a little crazy, too; we were all pretty beadweaving-centric at that time. In our discussion that day I sketched out some little drawings to explain what I think Linda was talking about. Miraculously, I found those sketches in a file cabinet in the basement this morning; and can share those first bright glimmers of Stringing with you now. Sometimes it pays to be a packrat!

We set off as a team to break out of our little design boxes and to bust up our notions of what stringing beads on a cord could be. The exercise produced 100 really nice pieces for our first special issue, and I know it gave us all a rich appreciation for the technique. Now, after 5 years, dozens of issues, and hundreds of gorgeous pieces later, I see Linda's idea for Stringing magazine was right on. I guess that's why she's the boss.

Danielle Fox, Stringing magazine's current editor, recently sent me a copy of The Best of Stringing, a fantastic issue with 183 projects--21 of which are brand new. She attached this note that made me tear up a little. This magazine, as well as the technique in general, has certainly "grow'd up" in the last several years, certainly past my little sketches. It's been due, in large part, to how bravely our community of designers, teachers, vendors, and publishers have embraced and experimented with this technique. We've gone far beyond 'bumps on a string', that's for sure.

Danielle had her own warm and fuzzy moment seeing this magazine come together: "I've been on the Stringing staff since its second issue. I'll tell you, it's been so much fun to watch and help the magazine grow. I'm really excited about The Best of Stringing because it brings together all of our favorite projects in a single edition. The hardest part was narrowing down our selections. What I think we came up with is a great mix of evergreen projects, the kind that inspire you again and again."

So I guess the challenge going forward, for all of us who love to string beads, is to continue to play and experiment, pushing the technique to unexplored creative highs. How will you contribute? What new stringing techniques or materials have you been using to make your work new and unique? What trends do you see around the bend? Why not share your ideas and thoughts below or on the Beading Daily forums?

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!

6 Tips for Successful Hammered Wirework

Michelle M. — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:35:00 GMT

Months ago, I got so excited about advancing my wireworking beyond wire-wrapped loops that I had a big success-turned-failure. I didn’t have a mandrel or some of the other cool (and necessary) tools it takes to do slightly more advanced wirework, so I rummaged through the garage toolbox to figure out how to improvise....(read more)

Jewelry Design Ideas for Briolettes, Plus Free Project

Michelle M. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:39:00 GMT

As a teen, I routinely stuffed my size 9 feet into size 8 shoes, trying to deny that my feet would never be small again. The same kind of denial recently led me to try stuffing a piece of 22-gauge wire (my favorite size!) into the tiny, delicate drilled channel at the top of a lovely Oregon sunstone briolette. Guess what happened?! The pointed top of the teardrop-shaped briolette broke right off, leaving me with that same old feeling of dejection....(read more)

Beads, Baubles, and Jewels TV: Behind the Scenes

Michelle M. — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:31:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, we taped thirteen segments for the 2009 spring season of the PBS-TV show Beads, Baubles & Jewels, which airs in June. Our theme this time was “Taking your jewelry-making to the next level,” and all our final projects and step-outs were completed immediately following the holiday celebrations (that alone is taking things to the next level!). Shutterbug Leslie took lots of photos while we filmed to give you a little taste of what it’s like behind the scenes. ...(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)

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)

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)

5 Tips on Today’s Affordable Semiprecious Stones

Michelle M. — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:50:00 GMT

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

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

Michelle M. — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:05:00 GMT

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

How to Win Beading Competions: 6 Tips from a Contest Judge

Michelle M. — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:28:00 GMT

What would you do with $1,500?
If you had a $1,500 gift certificate to spend at a huge online bead store, what would you buy? Every kind of gemstone available? Enough seed beads or toggle clasps to last a lifetime? A top-of-the-line set of beading tools?

I'd buy that--and more, but since I can't enter Bead Star (something about being the editor of Beading Daily), my big shopping trip will remain a dream. For you, this could be real.

The grand prize winner in the Bead Star contest will get a $1,500 gift certificate for Fire Mountain Gems, along with a fun trip for two to Bead Expo in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the joy of seeing his or her project on the cover of a magazine! And that's just the grand prize winner. There are tons of other big prizes too in every category: crystals, seed beads, glass, pearls, stones, metals, plastics, under $25, and designs with heart. There's even a prize for the bead shop that gets mentioned most often on the entry forms!

New--A Special Prize for Early Birds!
If you get your entry in by midnight MST on Friday, April 25th, you will be eligible to win $250 to spend any way you like! That's right--we're going to draw a random name from all the early entries (including all the entries already submitted) and that person will win a $250 gift card! And you can start spending right away--the winner will be notified by April 30th. So what are you waiting for? Read today's tips for creating a winning design and get busy! (Your laundry, grocery shopping, and whatever other "important" stuff you had planned for this weekend can wait!)

Yes, Marge—You, Too, Can Win!
by Marlene Blessing, editor in chief of Beadwork

Have you been watching Dancing with the Stars? (Good for Priscilla Presley that she hung in there so long.) Or American Idol? (Why did they have to axe the Aussie?) Or Project Runway? (I could never make an outfit out of candy wrappers. What will they torture the designers with this season?) We love competitions and contests! And beaders, there are lots of contests out there for you to enter to feed your beading life. Interweave has a big one coming up--Bead Star! Our beading editors will select finalists, and all of you will choose the winners. And there are big prizes at stake, too. Does $5,000 worth of travel and beading supplies sound good?

Having been a judge in beading and other contests, here are some key tips to help you rise to the top:

Follow entry rules to the letter! If there's anything you think is confusing or ambiguous, most contest sites offer FAQs. They probably even list contact information if you need more help. Don't lose by being disqualified.
Get the best digital photo of your project(s) you can. If you've just made your most stupendously cool bracelet ever and you know it's a winner, remember the old adage: "A picture is worth a thousand words." Actually, edit that to read: "A great picture . . ." Loads of wonderful entries lose all the time because the image submitted to screeners and judges didn't do justice to the finished beadwork. There's even a Digital Art Photography for Dummies book to help you improve your results.
Be a politician. Get your friends, family, fellow bloggers, and coworkers out for the vote! If you've entered a popular vote contest such as Bead Star, it doesn't hurt to lobby the ones you love. (Just don't make any election promises you won't keep.)
Focus on finishing touches. Style and originality count big in contests. But be sure you finish your work beautifully with the best findings, technique (good tension, no knots or thread showing--unless they're intended, etc.), and other bits of polishing. It's all about the total package.
Enter contests frequently. Chance plays a part in winning, and you improve the odds if you keep on trying!
Have fun! (No explanation required.)

As a judge, I've seen the bodies in the road, folks who could have been contenders but lost their way. There was the amazing crystal-embellished piece that was eliminated from a recent Swarovski competition because the entry photo was fuzzy and dark, making the piece look like one of those bad UFO photos. Or the extremely cool beaded shoe that had nothing to do with our Beaded Bag theme contest. Or a finalist piece of bead-woven jewelry with unruly (and unintended) threads sprouting here and there.

For now, good luck to all. Ready? Set. Go!

Visit the Bead Star website for a complete list of prizes and entry details. The deadline to enter is May 6, 2008, but if you enter by April 25, you'll be eligible to win the random "Early Bird" drawing. All beaders in the U.S. and Canada are encouraged to enter. Someone will win--why not you?

Marlene Blessing is the editor in chief of Beadwork magazine and author of Create Jewelry: Pearls and Create Jewelry: Crystals. Marlene is an experienced beading contest judge and most recently helped judge the 2007 Swarovski Create Your Style Design Contest.

New "Editor's Choice" Feature on Beading Daily
Each month, an editor from Stringing, Beadwork, Step by Step Beads, or Step by Step Wire Jewelry will offer a free project of her own choosing! Today's project is from Marlene Blessing of Beadwork magazine.

Project: Bohemian Revolutions Bracelet by Jamie Hogsett

This sparkly bracelet uses circular square stitch to combine crystal bicones and size 11 seed beads in muted tones of chartreuse, gray, and turquoise. Originally published in the August/September 2006 issue of Beadwork magazine.

Please note that this was a special limited time download: This bracelet project was free to Beading Daily members through June 1, 2008. Instructions are now available for sale in the store.

Why did Marlene choose this project? She says, "Making square-stitched circles in really easy and fun. What's great about this project is how it teaches you that mastering one simple seed bead technique can allow you to design something satisfyingly unique. Try your own color variations--go for jewel tones instead of muted colors, or choose a citrusy variation (lime, yellow, and deep orange) for summer."

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!