Daily Blogs : interview

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)

Fearlessly Creative: An Interview with Kristal Wick

Michelle M. — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:41:00 GMT

Kristal Wick is one of those folks who sparkle with creativity-- just take a look at her colorful new book, Fabulous Fabric Beads! I was lucky enough to catch a few minutes with Kristal before she took off to the International Quilt Show in Houston. I asked her about her signature beads, her love of color, making mistakes, and current projects. I loved her advice about creating fearlessly and listening to yourself--and your customers!--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor...(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)

Teresa Sullivan's Freeform Peyote Figures

Michelle M. — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:35:00 GMT

An Interview with Teresa Sullivan

I met Teresa Sullivan at Bead Expo Portland where she was teaching two classes, including one titled "Monster Mash" which promised to "unleash the secrets of sculptural peyote stitch" by creating fun faces with seed beads. At the show, I was not only impressed by the finished piece Teresa wore, but the way she used her beadwork to tell a specific story. Teresa's work has been exhibitied internationally (most recently in Japan), published in 500 Beaded Objects, and has been seen on the Portland, Oregon television program AM Northwest. Terersa has generously offered to answer your questions about her work and help you make that leap into the world of freestanding beaded figures. Please post your questions and comments for her on the website.

Michelle: On your website, you describe yourself as storyteller. What made you decide to tell stories using beads rather than another medium? How did you begin?

Teresa: When I was a kid, I drew pictures almost constantly. I created cartoons and graphic novels before I knew what a graphic novel was. As a bass player in my 20s, I made posters for my band, using collage and experimenting with lettering styles.

I later began making ceramic beads and stringing jewelry.  I also developed a fascination with trade beads, which I still love. Then when a friend loaned me a pair of earrings by Joyce Scott, I flipped. I felt as if I was wearing the coolest cartoons on my ears! Something clicked into place; the use of beads as a graphic medium really grabbed me.

The structural challenges presented by using beads rather than pencil or paint are intriguing to me. I'm a methodical artist anyway, so the slow pace of the work gives me time to think and, I admit, to obsess.

Michelle: What are the special challenges of working with a 3D piece? Any tips or general rules about doing freeform work? What advice would you give the intermediate or advanced beader who wants to try this, but isn't sure how to start?

Teresa: Anyone who has ever made a hollow tube, in any stitch such as peyote, ndbele/herringbone, or even netting, has done 3D work. If you begin with that and introduce techniques like increasing and decreasing, you can direct the work to express specific forms. Increasing means stringing more beads in a spot than you normally would, and decreasing is stringing less (or no) beads in a spot than you normally would.

Figural work involves combining a bowl shape (a belly) with a tube (a leg or torso), and making a tube turn a corner (elbow or knee). Some of the things you have to do are intuitive. I make lots of micro-decisions as I work, evaluating the amount of space I'm about to fill with beads, according to the need to widen or narrow the space or keep it the same.

Figures, of course, can mean animals, aliens, and imaginary creatures. I encourage you to use the "whim of iron", as Garth Johnson puts it, and celebrate your passion, no matter how personal, trivial, or out of step it may seem.

With freeform work, the slow pace of the work is an asset. Start with a plain strip of peyote stitch not more than an inch wide, and let restlessness motivate you to mess with it. Put beads where they "don't belong". Try things even if they look terrible at first---it may start to make visual sense if you keep at it. If you like it, it's a go. If not, try something else. It's a gamble to spend time on something that may not work, but it's essential to developing your own voice as an artist.

The use of color has a big effect on freeform work. If you have a lot of texture in a piece (a repeating motif, using lots of different stitches, or several sizes of beads, for example), watch the use of color carefully. Compare a richly textured piece made with tons of colors (even ones that look great together) with a piece made with one or a few similar colors. There's a seesaw principle at work; experiment with color and texture and decide where they balance out.

Michelle: Do you have favorite stitches or a favorite combination of stitches that you often use in your work? What makes these your favorites?

Teresa: I love peyote stitch best. It has the most versatility in the type of sculptural work I do. Netting, which I think of as a cousin to peyote stitch, is a close second. I use netting as a platform for further beadwork, and it makes great flames because it conveys movement. Ndbele/herringbone and right-angle weave are great too. Ndbele has such a great pattern and it's easy to increase; decreasing with it produces a great nipple-like texture. Right-angle weave is as equally suited to freeform work as to solid structures. It can be as sinuous as fabric or as rigid as wood, depending on how you use it.

Michelle: What are you currently working on?

Teresa: I'm making rings with a back-and-forth curly weave, collaborating with a student of mine who also does great metal work. I've started a big necklace having to do with hunger and food distribution, and I'm about to start working on a commissioned piece, a brooch commemorating a wedding anniversary.

Thanks, Teresa! Be sure to check out more of Teresa's work and her upcoming schedule at www.teresasullivanstudio.com.

Teresa has offered to answer any questions you may have about her work or sculptural beadwork in general. Please post any questions for her on the website. Thanks!

NEW Free Peyote Stitch Pattern eBook: Our first free beadweaving pattern e-booklet 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

Bead Star Voting: Have you voted yet? Help select the winners of the Bead Star competition by June 18th. I did a quick look and some entries are tied for first place in their category. Your vote could be the deciding one! Vote Now.

Must Earrings Match?

Editor — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Certain things in life should match: shoes, dinner plates, hubcaps, knitting needles. What about earrings? One of my favorite pair of earrings in college was a cowboy boot and hat set--one silver earring of each. In my mind, the two definitely went together, but did not match. So it's probably not too surprising that I love to design non-matching, but still complementary earrings. I especially like designing earrings that are mirror images of one another or whose components are the same, but in reverse order. Or in the case of double-sided elements (the puzzle pieces by Penny Michelle come to mind), I like to design the earrings so that a different side shows in each earring. Non-matching earrings lend a certain funkiness and creativity to an outfit, daring people to take a second look.

Of course, I realize that not everyone thinks the same way. (I once was surprised to see my deliberately non-matching earrings "fixed" in the pages of a magazine!) There are definitely some occasions--business interviews and weddings come to mind--where you might want identical earrings to help you present a more professional or polished image. And you'll certainly be a less tempting target for rude gossip! ("She must have partied too hard last night! Did you see she couldn't even manage matching earrings this morning?")

Free Projects: Girl Power Trio

Today's free project ("Girl Power Trio") includes instructions for three pairs of earrings, only one of which is an absolutely identical pair.

At left: The original beads from Kandice Seeber (Air and Earth Designs) just out of the box.

Free Project: Girl Power Trio (Flirty Floral, Pink Copper Ripple, Sweet Sixteen)

Flirty Floral

Pink Copper Ripple

Sweet Sixteen

The deliberate color variations in the lampwork beads--particularly in the floral pair--are fairly subtle. The differences in the striped pair are most noticeable. The colors are exactly the same in the striped pair, but the proportions are not. One bead leans towards khaki, while the other is definitely more pink. If you've always been very precise about exactly matching earrings, this project might be the one to jolt you slightly out of your comfort zone. (I'm betting the renegade, matching-is-for-sissies beaders on this list won't even notice that the beads are different!)

Meet Lampwork Artist Kandice Seeber

The pink and khaki lampwork beads in "Girl Power Trio" were created by Kandice Seeber of Air and Earth Designs. Kandice Seeber started her creative journey in a fabric shop--something I find very intriguing, given that fabric shops are such wonderful places to get ideas for color combinations. I asked her how she started creating lampwork beads, her favorite color resources, and where she thinks the best place is to sell online. (She's done it all--eBay, Etsy, her own website!) Read the interview.

Bonus Free Project: Bauble Earrings

If you really want to walk on the wild side, take a look at these non-matching "Bauble Earrings" by Step by Step Beads editor Leslie Rogalski. Notice that even though the earrings do not match, the colors go together and the size of the earrings are almost identical. This design works in part because of the fun Lucite beads--the non-matching design just underscores the playfulness of the components. This would be a more difficult look to pull off with classic, traditional materials like white pearls. (Difficult, but not impossible!)

Free Project: Bauble Earrings by Leslie Rogalski

What do you think? Should earrings match? Do your customers feel the same? (In other words, do non-matching earrings sell to anyone besides me?) Please share your comments on the website--and have a wonderful weekend!

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!

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

V Scallop Necklace Preview, Plus an Interview with Lisa Kan

Editor — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Meet Designer and Dreamer Lisa Kan

Have you ever dreamed about quitting your job and beading full time? Lampwork artist and bead designer Lisa Kan had the same dream. In 2001, she was a quality assurance engineer when she began lampworking. Now she sells her handcrafted beads at shows across the U.S. and just finished her first book, Bead Romantique, an art history-inspired beadweaving book for the intermediate and advanced beader. Learn how Lisa made the leap to full-time beading and what's next for one of the most creative and hardest working ("Who need sleep?") beader in the business. Read the interview.

One Week Only
Preview This Free Project: V Scallop Necklace

The votes are in! More than 7,000 Beading Daily readers voted on a free project from Bead Romantique, the new book by Lisa Kan. More than 50% of the votes were for the V-Scallop Necklace! (Instructions for the other two projects--Ndebele Pearl Medallion Earrings and Mesh Pearl Bracelet--are in Bead Romantique.)

Here's what Lisa had to say about the V Scallop Necklace:

"The V Scallop Necklace was inspired by the gem-encrusted collars that Hollywood mavens wore on the red carpet. The base of the necklace is a standard right-angle weave pattern which is embellished with a mix of Swarovski and rondelle pearls, in a diagonal orientation. The V shaping is a beautiful silhouette when worn with a V neckline dress or blouse. The crystals were used to add a little pizzazz, the pearls for elegance, and the scalloped edging (size 15s) for a soft touch of femininity. I used a vintage button as the closure, but you can use a commercial clasp, too.

Although colors have been suggested for this project, I can imagine the design in creams and crystal AB for a wedding look, too. You should not lock yourself to only colors I used. Play, have fun, and explore."

V Scallop Necklace by Lisa Kan
Free for one week only: March 21-28, 2008
The preview period has ended. Find the instructions for this necklace in the book, Bead Romantique by Lisa Kan.

Meet Lisa Kan in Person

Lisa Kan will be signing copies of Bead Romantique at her booth (#218) at Bead Expo Portland. Stop by at noon on March 28-30, 2008 to meet Lisa and get your book autographed. Be sure to check out her beautiful beads while you are there!

What do you think? Do agree with this choice of free project, or do you wish that one of the other projects had been selected? Did you enjoy voting for the free project? Should we do that again?

In the Pink: An Interview with Lampwork Artist Kandice Seeber

Michelle M. — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:58:00 GMT

Kandice Seeber has been creating lampwork beads since 2002. She loves color (especially pink!) so much that she started a new blog, Color Addiction, where she shares her experience with various glass color combinations, including new colors that are being produced. Even if you do not create your own beads, you'll still appreciate her time-tested advice on combining colors and selling your work online.--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor ...(read more)

An Interview with Lisa Kan

Michelle M. — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:54:00 GMT

Is there anything that Lisa Kan cannot do? I'm sure there must be something, but I couldn't think of anything! A jewelry designer, lampwork artist, and metalworker, Lisa's beads and finished jewelry can be found in Beadwork, Stringing, and other beading magazines. She regularly sells her beads at shows across the U.S. Plus, she recently published her first book (Bead Romantique) and can now add "author" to her list of accomplishments. Lisa is delightfully passionate about everything she does and generous about sharing her knowledge and spirit. The bead world is lucky to have her!--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily ...(read more)

An Interview with Jean Yates

Michelle M. — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:59:00 GMT

Jean Yates's jewelry designs regularly appear in beading magazines, including Stringing, Beadwork, Simply Beads, and BeadStyle. She also recently published her first jewelry design book, Links. Jean lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband Jim and three of her five sons. Jean's emails and blog are so warm and friendly that I feel like I have known her for years, but the truth is that I've known her for less than a year and I've never met her in person. What's more remarkable is that I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels that way!--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor ...(read more)

Choose Your Free Beading Project

Editor — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Introducing Bead Romantique

Last fall I saw a preview of the new spring beading books from Interweave. There are some terrific new books coming out, but the one that really captured my imagination was Bead Romantique by Lisa Kan. (See a preview.) This book is filled with elegant, historically-inspired beadweaving designs for the intermediate and advanced beader. If you love beadweaving with size 15 beads, you'll love the projects in this book! I left that preview with only one thought: I had to have one of Lisa's projects to share with you on Beading Daily.

I went through the manuscript (the book hadn't been printed yet) and put a bright orange Post-It note on every project I liked. The book looked like it was on fire when I was done! Clearly, my typical selection method wasn't going to work. I went through the book a second time and narrowed it down to three projects--a pair of earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. I tried to choose a range of styles, techniques, and level of difficulty. Now it's up to you! Which project would you like to do?

Meet the Contenders

	Ndebele Pearl Medallion Earrings Lisa writes: "While exploring how Ndebele stitch could be gradually increased by the addition of a larger band between its branches, I discovered this design. Further exploration expanded the original concept into a semi-circular hollow form which could hold something of a similar size. A coin pearl could be cupped and held with two semicircular forms stitched together." Techniques: Flat circular Ndebele, wrapped loops, picot, reverse picot

	Mesh Pearl Bracelet Lisa writes: "I use freshwater pearls in just about any imaginable shape, size, and color in my jewelry designs. The elegant pearl dangles in this bracelet are accented by the wire mesh, which not only cushions the pearls, but also creates volume and airiness. This bracelet is built on a graduated wire link design that I have been making for years. It can easily be shortened for a smaller wrist or elongated into a necklace by adding chain." Technique: Wrapped loops

	V Scallop Necklace Lisa writes: "The elegant gem-encrusted necklace collars you may see on Hollywood mavens were the inspiration for this piece. You can create your own red carpet event with an elegant necklace to spice up a simple evening dress. The recipe is clear: Swarovski crystals for the sparkles, the pearls for a pinch of elegance, and the scalloped edging for a touch of feminity. The "V" shape accentuates the neckline, and the vintage button closure adds a bit of old-world glamour to the necklace." Techniques: Right-angle weave, scalloping

Choose Your Free Project

Voting is limited to Beading Daily members. (It is free to sign up if you are not already a member.)
One vote per person.
Last day to vote is: February 18, 2008
The project with the most votes will be free to Beading Daily members for one week in late March.
Vote Now

Welcome, Jean Campbell!

I have an exciting announcement! Jean Campbell, the founding editor of Beadwork magazine and author/editor of numerous beading books, including The Beader's Companion, Beaded Weddings, Beadwork Creates Jewelry, and Getting Started Stringing Beads, is going to join us on Beading Daily as a contributing editor. Jean will be sharing her beading tips and techniques in her signature warm and witty style every Wednesday--beginning this Wednesday, February 6th. Welcome, Jean!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. Inspired by Lisa Kan's book, she is working on her own beadweaving project using size 15 beads!

An Interview with Melanie Brooks Lukacs

Michelle M. — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:56:00 GMT

Melanie Brooks Lukacs is a clay bead artist who specializes in whimsical porcelain beads. A quick visit to her website, Earthenwood Studio, reveals bead categories like "fairy and critter beads," "wicked trinkets", and "moon and pixie beads." Her original jewelry designs featuring her beads regularly appear in Simply Beads and Stringing magazines. Be sure to download instructions for Melanie's necklaces, Pixie Parchment and Dancing Daisy. ...(read more)

Creating Porcelain Beads: An Insider's View

Editor — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:00:00 GMT

From Lump of Clay to Beautiful Bead

I asked bead artist Melanie Brooks Lukacs to describe her process for transforming clay into beads. Even if you never create your own beads, it's fascinating to see how much work goes into a single handmade bead! I took a clay class years ago where the instructor looked at my work and asked, "Who's in charge here--you or the clay?" While I can tell that Melanie is very respectful of her clay and its properties, I'm betting that she is definitely in charge!--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily Editor

I use several different techniques to make beads. All start with the wet clay, but the techniques vary. Sometimes I use a rolling pin and custom rubber stamps and cookie cutters. Other times I use rubber or ceramic molds that I have made. Yet other times I just use simple tools and my hands. Lately, this last method is my favorite, because it is more direct, and I enjoy the challenge of working in production without molds or stamps. One final way I work is a combination of mold and handbuilding techniques, like I use for the Pixie beads in the Pixie Parchment necklace.


Glazing the pixie bead	Attaching wet clay"berry" to pixie bead	Using wooden tool on leaf on pixie bead

For a Pixie bead, I start with a rubber face mold that I have made. The clay goes in and sets up to a leather-hard state. Then it comes out of the mold with the little face imprinted on the clay. I poke a hole, and then add all the hair and berry details by hand. This is done with tiny balls and coils of clay, which I gently press onto the base bead and mark with tools. When done, I repoke the hole and leave the bead to dry overnight. When dried, the beads are fired in my small electric kiln. The first firing is called a bisque. It is a low temperature firing that turns the clay to a solid form and makes it easier to glaze because it won't dissolve in water anymore. Then I glaze the bead, using a variety of commercial liquid glazes and a paintbrush.


Creating the bead hole	Looking inside electric kiln, after firing, with beads suspended on wires	Finished pixie bead as seen on the Pixie Parchment necklace

The bead is then strung onto a wire and placed in the kiln for the glaze firing. All the beads and charms have to be suspended from high temperature wires in the kiln because glazes are like glass, and if the glaze on a bead was touching another bead or the kiln shelf, it would fuse right to it. This is the most difficult part of the process, probably, and it has taken me years to learn the physics of firing so I end up with a batch of mostly successful beads. There is always the unknown or unexpected with ceramics though, so there is usually a surprise or two in each kiln. It is a constant learning process, so it keeps me on my toes!

Read the interview to learn more about clay artist Melanie Brooks Lukacs and her design process, plus tips for getting started with clay. You'll also find out where to see more of Melanie's work and how to win some of her beads! That's right--I said "Win!" Good luck!

At left: Fairy beads by Melanie Brooks Lukacs. Photo by Larry Sanders.

Pixie Parchment Design Tips
Here's what I learned by studying the Pixie Parchment necklace by Melanie Brooks Lukacs:

Mix it up: Not just with textures (the chain and ribbon), but also with metals. Who says copper and silver don't mix?
Sense of humor or surprise: All the faces are sleeping except one (the pendant) and that makes us "wake up" too! An unexpected twist can be very satisfying.

Coming Monday: Tips and ideas for using bugle beads.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She is going to finish her beaded gifts this weekend--really!

Silver Metal Clay Pendant

Editor — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Silver Metal Clay Pendant

This beautiful Silver Sea Stone pendant by Linda Kaye Moses is an advanced Precious Metal Clay (PMC) project from Step by Step Beads magazine. It uses a real stone for its shape. A textured sheet of metal clay is draped on each side of the stone, then the domed forms are joined to create a hollow bead. Download the full instructions.

Polymer Clay Rubber Stamped Beads by Beading Daily Readers

About a month ago, I asked for photos by readers of the polymer clay beads project that was featured on Beading Daily. I love how everyone took this basic technique and put her own unique spin on it. Here are some variations to inspire you:

	Beadwork and Stringing editorial assistant Debbie Blair created a small box full of beads. She used colored ink for stamping, rather than black. On some of her beads, she also added color outside of the stamped images, giving them a free-spirited look. These beads are also unglazed, so you can see the "just baked" matte finish.
	Beading Daily reader Timaree used black Fimo, rather than the ivory clay used in the original. She colored the entire bead with Jacquard powders, giving the beads a strikingly modern look. She also varnished them, giving them a nice shine.
	Beading Daily reader Jackie created striking, angular beads stamped with colored ink and strung them together in a reversible bracelet. I love the idea of reversible jewelry!

Of course, I couldn't resist trying this project either. I loved the way the black ink stood out against the ivory clay, so I made a simple stamped pendant without adding any colored powders. I'd love to tell you that I did some magical technique to get that subtle pink-orange coloring at the top, but the truth is, it started to burn! Yikes! I must have rolled the clay a bit too thin, since the round beads I created were fine. The pendant frame is an easy-to-open, square, 1 1/2" metal frame from the scrapbooking section of the craft store. On the back of the pedant, I added a piece of scrapbooking paper to give it a finished look.

Project Tips

If you're thinking of trying this project yourself, here are some tips from the project author, Carol Blackburn.

Q: Do you have to use Fimo Puppen, or can you use another type of clay?

A: You can use any clay, but Fimo Puppen clay gave a porcelain look which didn't need any finishing like sanding (and it was cheaper than regular polymer clay!)

Q: Do you have any special tips for controlling the iridescent powder? It seems to want to fly everywhere!

A: Just use a very little of the powder at a time and a small brush on the raw clay butterfly impression on the bead. After baking, I coat the powdered areas with acrylic floor finish and, when dry, I applied another coat of the same finish to the whole bead.

Q: Do you use a certain type of ink for stamping on clay?

A: I use a water based Ranger Adirondack ink pad, but I think any ink pad will do.

An Interview with Carol Blackburn

I'm always interested in learning how people got into beading. Carol Blackburn, author of Making Polymer Clay Beads, actually began her art career in the fiber world before discovering polymer clay. Learn what prompted that transition, plus read her advice on getting started with polymer clay. Read the full interview.

At left: Rorschach Twist by Carol Blackburn

Coming Next Week: Amy Clarke Moore offers instructions on how to make an ornament using bead embroidery.

Story Update: I just heard from reader Cathi Tessier who you may remember from the story "The Amazing Power of Beads." Today she is hoping to finally "return to her normal life," which if you've read her story, is probably one of the best gifts ever!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She hopes that next year she'll find more time to experiment with metal clay.

Elegant Netted Bracelet

Editor — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Can I get you a bracelet with that moose?

Does it matter where you sell your jewelry?

Over the weekend, I had two very different experiences shopping for beaded items.

On Saturday, I went to a craft show in another town. The show, held in a historic building, was arranged with like items grouped together in separate rooms--all the ceramic dishes in one room, all the jewelry in another. As a shopper, the arrangement made it easy to focus and quickly find items I was interested in. At the same time, the display of jewelry was so overwhelming, I felt it difficult to appreciate any individual pieces.

My shopping experience on Sunday was very different. I was wandering around a local health food store and found a display of children's beading kits--brightly painted beads and hemp for stringing--in between the cheese and crackers. It was easy to focus on the kits, but only because it was so oddly out of place like fruit punch at a brie-and-caviar reception. None of the other shoppers seemed to notice the kits and just breezed right by.

Those two experiences left me with far more questions than answers. Is it better to sell at expected places like craft shows? Should you seek out the more unusual venues? Does it hurt--or help--to have the competition clustered around your work? How much does location matter?

Elegant Netted Bracelet

This week's featured project, Elegant Netted Bracelet by Deborah Meyer, is from Beadwork magazine. It uses size 11 seed beads, hex-cut bugle beads, 4mm cubes, 5mm crystal bicones, and a button with a shank. This is an easy project to coordinate with your holiday outfit by making simple changes: switch out the button, change the crystal color, replace hex-cut bugles with plain ones, use larger seed beads--the possibilities are endless!

Interviews with Two Lampwork Artists

When you're admiring lampwork beads, it's always fun--and sometimes surprising--to learn about the artist behind the torch. In my conversation with bead artist Lori Greenberg, for example, I learned that she prefers working with earth tones rather than bright colors. I would have never guessed that looking at the many bright and beautiful beads on her website!

Check out the interviews with lampwork artists Lori Greenberg and Cindy Gimbrone.

See the new Interviews page for other bead artist interviews you may have missed!

At left: Lori Greenberg's Amber Marquis Bead. At right: Cindy Gimbrone's spiral bead in the "Spiral of Kronos" necklace by Sandi Wiseheart.

Coming This Week: On Wednesday I'll share some ideas for using buttons in jewelry and on Friday I'll announce the winners of the first Beading Daily challenge!

Are you making handmade gifts this year? This poll ended November 30, 2007.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She is in post-Thanksgiving recovery mode today.