Daily Blogs : Stringing magazine

String a Symbol of Your Creativity! Plus a Free Necklace Project

Erin Carey — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:10:00 GMT

Good-luck jewelry
On Friday the 13th, is it bad luck to talk about good luck? I’m kidding, I’m not superstitious. But when it comes to wearing lucky talismans, we all do it. I bet you’re wearing one right now. It may not be a literal good-luck charm, but every single piece of jewelry we create and wear has special power. Whether you simply string an intriguing found object or stitch beaded symbols of faith, at the very least your creations are imbued with the spirit of your craft, let alone any spirit of a Higher Power.

The power of gemstones
Gemstones are said to possess power to attract or repel positives and negatives in our lives. Wear rose quartz to attract love, amethyst for good health. Hematite wearers are supposed to like that stone because it eases stress. Wear green to attract money, red for passion and protection. Personally I find magic in ordinary stones with a natural hole and water-tumbled, smooth round stones. Must be the Druid in me!

Symbols, signs, and charms
We love things that we believe evoke power. Our cultures and stories are filled with magical objects and charms that ward off evil, attract luck, and bring us health and prosperity. Some things widely regarded as lucky include ladybugs, four-leaf clovers, and dragons. The number 7 is considered lucky. Think 7th heaven, 7 wonders, and how the 7th child of a 7th child is supposed to be blessed. My favorite explanation is mathematical: Pythagoreans say the number 7 is perfect, 3 plus 4, a square and a triangle.

7 lucky projects
That said, here are 7 lucky projects that will certainly attract admiration and beauty, if not a winning lottery ticket, into your life. And your luck starts here with a free project, the Copper Swirl necklace. Learn how to string a multistrand necklace crowned with a copper swirl, ceramic focal bead, a cosmic symbol indeed! Be sure to subscribe to Stringing Magazine for a complete year of projects. Just your luck, you can subscribe right now!


Lucky Ladybug by Merle Berelowitz Widely considered lucky because they eat crop-eating bugs, ladybugs such as the one on this multistrand bracelet are also pretty darn cute.	Harvest Goddess by Melanie Brooks From Stringing Magazine comes a necklace to honor your autumn garden. Create it and your garden will be sure to bloom for you again.	Shamrock Pin by Dustin Wedekind Brick-stitch a four-leaf clover, believed to represent faith, hope, love, and luck.


Simply Charming by Colleen McGraw A wire necklace for any talismans you choose, for health, wealth or happiness.	Chinese Dragon by Frances Fawcett Have fun with this playful wired companion. Dragons are symbols of success.	Ancient Coins by Denise Peck Attract wealth by wearing coins, such as the ancient-looking ones in these easy wire earrings.

		Your FREE cosmic necklace project! Copper Swirl by Susan Johnston String a spiral, one of humankind's oldest and most universal symbols of creativity in this lush multistrand necklace. You'll glow with personal power!

Look for dozens of designs for your favorite charms, talismans and gemstones in Stringing Magazine. Do you have a personal symbol that you wear to feel powerful? Share your story in our charmed Beading Daily circle here.

The BEST Stringing Ideas PLUS 2 Free Projects!

Erin Carey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:15:00 GMT

30 Necklace Tips and More in The Best of Stringing Magazine
Have you done something really interesting in your jewelry-making lately? Perhaps you found a unique way to attach a pendant or discovered a new trick for incorporating a clasp? I've been in a bit of a creative rut recently, to tell you the truth. You too?

Now we can be inspired by 183 great ideas in The Best of Stringing, a just-released special collector's edition filled with favorite Stringing designs. Not only are the magazine's many projects exciting, but so is the feature, Fun with Focals. Together co-author Michelle Mach and I highlight 30 stand-out necklaces–all hand-picked from past issues of Stringing magazine–that demonstrate cool ideas and innovations for designing with focal elements.

Under the Artful Influence
My work has already been influenced by some of these necklaces. For instance, in the photo below you can see how I interpreted Silvija and Taya Koschnick's necklace from The Best of Stringing, by reflecting their way of laying chain on top of beads in my Golden Blush necklace.

Fun with Focals
Artist Heather Powers was also influenced by our Fun with Focals article. Powers, who has designs featured in The Best of Stringing, is the creative mind (and hands) behind HumbleBeads.com, purveyor of polymer clay beads and finished jewelry, and the interactive blog, artbeadscene.com. In these photos you can see how Powers was inspired by Teri Bienvenue’s idea for a horizontal focal piece to create her own distinct design!

Free Projects!
I leave you with two brand new, never-before-seen stringing projects. Click each picture to download the instructions for that project. I hope they both inspire you to create your own fun focal pieces. Long live creativity! --Danielle

What have you designed that was inspired by one of our Fun with Focals projects? Share your ideas here!

Creative ways to organize and display your favorite jewelry

Leslie — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:57:00 GMT

It's in the bag!

We make lots of jewelry but we wear even more. Wearing jewelry is energy in motion–– put it on, take it off, change outfits, change jewelry. Did you ever get all decked out and then spot a piece you forgot you had peeking out from the clump of stuff in your jewelry box? Or you want to wear something but can’t find it in the mess piled on your bureau? I really want to have all my jewelry out, because everything gives me ideas for new pieces. I came up with solutions that work so well, a co-worker once asked me if I had my jewelry hanging with my clothes in my closet, because I always matched! (I considered his thought but didn’t want my jewelry hidden in the closet!) I also asked a few other jewelry-makers how they organize their jewelry. Once they stopped laughing, they sent me pictures of their solutions. And though I suspect some cleaned up for these photos, they clearly offer good storage ideas especially for strung pieces, to preview, protect and prevent tangling. So peek at the pretty, witty, clever, handy, but oh, so practical ways we keep favorite pieces safe, on hand, ready to wear, and in view, to delight and inspire us.

Outside the box

A real jewelry box holds small bags of jewelry for Merle White, the editor in chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and the editorial director of Interweave’s Gem & Jewelry Group. As a frequent traveler, she protects things in small plastic bags and silk drawstring bags, sorted by type of jewelry or by what she last traveled with. She packs jewelry right in their bags, and when she comes home she puts the bags back into the jewelry box.

Just sew cool

Marlene Blessing is the Editorial Director for the Interweave bead magazines. Most her of treasures are in a vintage sewing box--organization in an heirloom!

Hanging out

I have a ton of jewelry-literally! To keep the heavy pieces from damaging smaller works, I hang the big beads on a clothes tree, and pile bulky bangles on it, too. I love looking at the cascade of color!

A room of their own

Being a prolific jewelry designer, Denise Peck, editor in chief of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and senior editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, needed something very large. The various baskets and boxes on her dresser were overflowing. This full-length mirror armoire was just the thing. Only problem now––it's full and her dresser is again piled with baskets and boxes!
(Tell me about it, Denise––this is my dresser!)

Separate and equal

Compartmentalized boxes are great for small pieces. Sort earrings and more delicate bracelets and necklaces in a sectioned floss box. Or, as shown here from Jane Dickerson, editor of Creative Jewelry and Bead Star, lay strung pieces in a utensil tray. She found a nice one made from bamboo.

Color coordinated

As my co-worker suspected, I do have a way to keep my jewelry organized to be easily coordinated with my wardrobe. First I sort like-color suites (necklaces, bracelets, some earrings) in clear baggies, and store those in a clear chest of drawers. Each drawer contains specific colors to match the colors of clothing I wear most.

Public displays of affection

Danielle Fox, editor of Stringing and Best of Stringing, uses select, commercial jewelry displays for a stylish way to keep her favorite jewelry handy and organized. Why not? The same decorative stands used by jewelry artists at shows and exhibits look just as lovely on a dresser or table, and are available in so many styles. These birds and branches suit Danielle and her fashionable flair so well!

Marlene also displays jewelry as part of the décor of her home. These bulletin boards were creating for hanging jewelry and other interesting bits. But only her most favored pieces get worn by an antique dress form from St. Louis, the gilded "Mrs. Hudgins!"

Keep these great jewelry storage ideas in mind as you create the latest projects in Stringing magazine! Share your storage ideas below and on our Beadingdaily.com forums!

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!

Is Your Jewelry Design Finished? 5 Tips to Help You Decide

Erin Carey — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT

A few short years ago I decided to quit my day job and attend culinary school. Okay, so it wasn’t exactly on a whim, but I had finally decided to follow my passion and learn the art of creating beautiful cakes and pastries. Although I learned how important it is to work neatly and to mise en place my ingredients ahead of time, by far the biggest—and most challenging—lesson I learned is what Chef Elizabeth called the Ta-Da moment. ...(read more)

Learn How to Tie a Sliding Knot

Michelle M. — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:32:00 GMT

Falling in Love with Beads

I was lying awake in the dark this morning thinking about the first time I really fell in love with beads. Oh, I’d learned how to string macaroni on yarn and fell in love with the process of beading pretty early on, but I’m talking about really falling in love with the beads themselves. And, as often happens in the middle light of a groggy dawn, I had the most wonderful memory.

When I was about 8, my brother had a friend, Al, who was just like family. You know, the kind who walks in the front door unannounced, opens the fridge, and asks “What’s for dinner?” Al was like a brother to all of us, and when he took a trip to Peru he brought back gifts for the entire family. I received a leather cord bracelet with large wooden beads.

Knowing what I know now, the bracelet probably came from a street vendor who had a thousand of them for just céntimos a piece. But at the time I thought this bracelet was magical. The beads were plain: dark brown, wooden, with one simple circle carved into each. They felt very exotic and, in our family of seven kids, there wasn’t a whole lot of exotic to go around the table.

I had a hard time figuring out how to put the thing on, though. It had a sliding knot clasp that I’d never seen, and my exotic deprived family members certainly weren’t any help. It wasn’t until Al came over again to show me how to slide the knots toward each other to loosen it, away from each other to open it, that I could put it on. I loved this bracelet and wore it until it fell apart. It looked great with my purple bell-bottoms and Holly Hobbie sweatshirt.

How to Tie a Sliding Knot

Tying a sliding knot is a little tricky, but a great technique to add to your bag of tricks, especially if you use leather or satin cording. If you don’t use cording that often, you might want to consider incorporating it into your stash. It adds a different texture to jewelry and is quite inexpensive. Designers such as Candie Cooper, who used it in her Sunny in the Outback necklace for Stringing Summer 2009, make me want to run out and buy a whole host of cord colors. And in that same issue, Margaret Sherman shows off a great-looking bracelet that incorporates both leather cord and wire, giving me ample ideas for other finishing techniques. Why not subscribe to Stringing and be inspired, too?

While you’re waiting for your first issue of Stringing to arrive, pull out some leather cord and try this knot. It can be done in a couple different ways, but here’s how I do it:

	1. Measure your desired bracelet or necklace length and double it (or triple it if you want the knots to sit fairly close to one another when the piece is worn). Cut that length of cord. String any wide-holed beads you want to add to the cord.
	2. Loop the cord into a circle. Grasp the cord that’s lying on top 5" from its end; make a fold so the cord bends back onto itself (this will be your working cord). You’ll have 3 cords side by side.
	3. Loop the working cord around, to the back, and underneath the other cords.
	4. Wrap the working cord around the other cords again. Note that you’re moving away from the bend, not toward it.
	5. Make at least 2 more wraps as before. Be sure you’re wrapping 2 cords, not just 1.
	6. Pass the working cord’s end through the wrapping, exiting from the initial bend.
	7. Pull the working cord’s end to tighten the knot.
	8. Turn the piece over. Repeat Steps 2 to 7 to form a second knot.
	9. Trim the cord ends close to the knots. Slide the knots along the cord to open and close the piece.

Pretty cool, eh? Did you already know this knot? If so, what have you used it on? Share your knottiness on the website. In the meantime, I think I’ll put this bracelet on and see if I can rustle up some cola-flavored Bonnie Bell lip gloss, just for old time’s sake.

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)

Do You Bead Green?

Michelle M. — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:26:00 GMT

In the Summer 2009 issue of Stringing, we present an article about eco-conscious beading, Bead Green: New Earth-Friendly Beading Supplies. In the article, author Melaina Juntti writes, “Nowadays many of us think critically about how our lifestyles and hobbies affect the planet and, coupled with a not-so-sweet economy, we carefully consider each and every product before we purchase.” She then goes on to mention a handful of cool, new eco-friendly beading materials: corn-cob pendants, recycled bottle cap beads, and heavy metal-free beading wire, to name a few. ...(read more)

Why Simple Designs Aren't Always Simple to Make

Michelle M. — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:32:00 GMT

Recently, Stringing editor Danielle Fox and I were marveling over a necklace that had been submitted to the summer issue by sisters Silvija and Taya Koschnick. It was so simple, yet very appealing, the kind of piece that both of us would feel comfortable wearing often, even though our personal styles are quite different. While there were many other designs that were more complicated or technically difficult, this simple necklace stood out in a good way and reminded me that simple projects aren't necessarily simple to design. It's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that more is better, especially if you sell your work. Remember, the worth of your design is not just in the materials, but the design skill you bring to it. ...(read more)

Bargain Basement Beauty: Create This Necklace Under $25

Michelle M. — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:44:00 GMT

Of course you can! The real challenge is to design something for that amount that looks like it came from a pricey boutique--or Stringing magazine. Danielle Fox, Elizabeth Murray, and I all took the challenge for the Spring 2009 issue. I had so much fun, I decided to make a second "under $25" necklace just for Beading Daily. ...(read more)

How to Name Your Jewelry Projects

Michelle M. — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:49:00 GMT

You remember the famous line Shakespeare’s Juliet says to her Romeo, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Well, I beg to differ, Miss Capulet. Here in the Stringing and Beadwork offices, we place high importance on names, or, in our case, titles. For instance, would you, dear Beading Daily reader, prefer to make a project called Red and White Beads on Steel Wire Necklace or Beach-ball Bling? I rest my case....(read more)

Match Your Jewelry to Your Neckline

Michelle M. — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:30:00 GMT

In the winter issue of Stringing, editor Danielle Fox wrote a great article titled "Jewelry Rules: How to Accessorize 5 Favorite Tops." The basic idea is that different types of necklines work best with different types of jewelry. I found the article fascinating--probably because I've figured this out only with a lot of trial and error....(read more)

How to Store Pearls, Plus Free Necklace Instructions

Michelle M. — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:11:00 GMT

When I read Jean Campbell's post on last-minute gift-giving, I had to laugh when she mentioned pearl jewelry as one of her go-to last-minute gift ideas. Pearls (rather than crystals or gemstones) are definitely my go-to bead type when I'm stumped for a design idea or need a quick project. ...(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)