Daily Blogs : bracelets

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?

New Right-Angle Weave eBook: 5 Free Projects

Michelle M. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:33:00 GMT

One of the fascinating things about beading is that just by changing the beads you can make a project look completely different. Take the Triple Quatrefoil by Tina Koyama, one of the featured projects in our latest free ebook, Right Angle Weave: Beading Daily Presents 5 Free Beadweaving Patterns. In her original version, Tina used a base of 4mm fire-polished rounds with size 10, 11, and 13 Czech charlottes for the edging and embellishment. I loved her fun, summery version, but I didn't have any beads like that in my stash and I didn't want to wait until I had time to shop. ...(read more)

Free Project: Modern Wire and Crystal Bracelet

Michelle M. — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:39:00 GMT

Before I learned to make my own jewelry, I almost never wore bracelets because my wrist wasn't the "typical" size carried in stores. Bangles and cuffs, with their one-size-fits-many styling, were the exception. Two of my favorite cuff bracelets are in the book Wire Style and suprisingly, both are by the same designer, Jodi L. Bombardier. ...(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)

How to Make Bracelets That Fit

Michelle M. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:42:00 GMT

A few years ago I tried my hand at being a retail jewelry designer, with my line consisting of mostly bracelets. I’ll admit, I really stunk at it. Not only were my designs a bit out of touch (too funky) for my mostly middle-aged Midwestern market, many of the bracelets were sized too small! I quickly discovered that not everyone has a 7 1/2" wrist....(read more)

New: Free Wire Jewelry Ebook

Michelle M. — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:03:00 GMT

A Lifetime Supply of Wire

When I started working with wire, my local bead shop talked me into a 20-foot spool of silver craft wire for practicing wrapped loops. I left there convinced that I had bought a "lifetime" supply of wire. It took me forever to make a single wrapped loop--I was always pausing and hesitating, trying to figure out if I was holding the pliers correctly and making the right motions with my hands.

What I didn't realize is how quickly things would change. I became obsessed with making simple and wrapped loops, working on them nearly every evening. As you might have guessed, my "lifetime" supply of wire quickly disappeared and now I have a whole drawer packed with all different kinds of wire.

If you're obsessed with wire too or just want to learn more about it, you'll want to take a look at our newest free ebook, Making Wire Jewelry: 6 Free Wire Designs from Beading Daily. Here's a glimpse of what you'll find inside:

• If you are new to wireworking or want a quick project: Cerulean Falls by Danielle Fox. You just need to know how to make 6 wrapped loops and open and close 4 jump rings.

• If you want to learn to make beaded chain or practice your wrapped loops: In Full Bloom by Ricky Talmage. This pearl and aquamarine necklace has 30 wrapped loops!

• If you want to practice a lot of skills in one project (coiling, hammering, forming a bangle, making a clasp) or want to use up a bunch of leftover beads: Gypsy Wire Bangle by Janice Berkebile. This fun bracelet has a little something for everyone.

• If you want to use up short scraps of wire or learn how to twist wire with a pin vise: Dancing Spirals by Heather Trundle. What a fun way to "go green" and recycle those 1" and 2" scraps!

• If you want to do your own thing: Freeform Wire Earrings by Leeza Khoury. Learn to frame gemstones with wire and add crystal embellishments.

• If you want to practice wirewrapping or learn to use a ring mandrel: Ring-a-Ding Rings by Martha Umberger. Experiment with using 2 different colors of wire for a modern look.

Making Wire Jewelry: 6 Free Wire Designs from Beading Daily

You can download this whole set of free wire projects in Making Wire Jewelry: 6 Free Wire Designs from Beading Daily.

Don't forget to tell your friends, so they can download their own copy of this new wire jewelry ebook!

Michelle Mach shares free projects every Friday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Michelle, please post them on the website.

Create an Easy Ladder Stitch Bracelet

Michelle M. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:56:00 GMT

Ladder stitch is one of those stitches that rarely gets any attention in its own right. Instead, it's used mainly as a foundation for other stitches. Many brick stitch patterns begin with a row of ladder stitch, as do some herringbone stitch patterns. In Mastering Beadwork author Carol Huber Cypher uses ladder stitch to join daisy chain units, while in Beadwork Catherine B. Benecke combines ladder stitch with peyote stitch in her Cube Bead Bracelet. It's definitely a useful stitch to know and the good news is that it's one of the easiest to learn....(read more)

Create an Easy Elastic Beaded Bracelet

Michelle M. — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:58:00 GMT

Here's a confession guaranteed to fill up my inbox with reader mail: My favorite beaded watch is made with pretty Kazuri ceramic beads in various shades of blue, silver beads, and a silver watch face. Very simple to make and easy to wear. So what's the big deal?...(read more)

Your Favorite Beading Gifts and a Simple Winter Bracelet

Michelle M. — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:36:00 GMT

Months ago I asked Beading Daily readers to share their favorite bead-related gifts. If you're still shopping, take a look at these ideas that will fit a range of budgets, including a few that won't cost you a dime!...(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)

Free Seed Bead and Crystal Peyote Bracelet Project

Michelle M. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:52:00 GMT

If it's been your dream to see your project published, but have felt nervous about the submission process, you'll find inspiration in Lynn Davy's story. One of her first submissions was to the "Bead Boy" reader challenge in Beadwork magazine two years ago. She might never have worked up the courage to submit, except her 8-year-old son created and submitted his own project to the magazine first! ...(read more)

Learn to Create Wire Jewelry on a Budget

Michelle M. — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:40:00 GMT

One of the things I love most about jewelry is the diversity it affords (no pun intended!). Sure, I drool over the Tiffany’s catalogs, and gawk at the windows in the Diamond District when I’m in New York City. But my favorite pieces of jewelry contain no gold and no precious stones. Instead, they’re made from rubber tubing, scrap fabric, lampwork beads, copper, steel, and craft wire....(read more)

Free Colorful Peyote Bracelet Pattern, Plus Designer Interview

Michelle M. — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:24:00 GMT

I met beader/knitter/cartoonist/all-around-creative-person Julie Ann Smith when she emailed me in response to one of the Beading Daily newsletters and asked me to take a look at some of her work. I was blown away by her bright, cheery designs! (Be sure to check out one of her peyote bracelets, The Illusion, at the bottom of this newsletter.) Julie Ann has a tremendous amount of energy and has a good sense of priorities (beading tops laundry every time!)....(read more)

Create a Freeform Bracelet from Scraps

Michelle M. — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:42:00 GMT

If you’re a girl like me, whose bun (not buns, mind you) is sometimes wound a bit too tight, you might lean toward the idea that free-form beadwork looks like something the cat dragged in. That said, I’ve also found that forcing my brain to make creative decisions about color and pattern placement, shaping, and stitching is a really good way to limber it up, and freeform beadwork is a fun way to do it....(read more)

Artists Inspiring Other Artists: 3 Examples

Michelle M. — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:36:00 GMT

In my editor’s letter in the Summer issue of Stringing, I mention how a comment from Beth Garbo, owner of Mystic, Connecticut’s You’ve GOT to be Beading, struck a chord with me: "Our customers love Stringing magazine—it’s awesome to see them inspired by other artists." It made me realize that the magazine really is about artists inspiring other artists. And that realization made me think about how I’ve been inspired to make projects because of something I saw in Stringing or other publications and how other people have been inspired by my work. ...(read more)