Daily Blogs : personalization

Say What You Want: Add Words to Your Beads

Michelle M. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:13:00 GMT

As anyone who has every seen me at a bead show knows, I find beads with words irresistable. So when I saw that the new free project from Cloth Paper Scissors involved adding words to beads, I knew this was a project I'd have to try for myself. ...(read more)

Express Your Personality with Beads

Michelle M. — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Queen Elizabeth I . . . the color ‘cornflower’ . . . Yoda . . . What do they have in common? Apparently, according to the online personality quizzes I’ve been taking lately that tell me things like which famous figure, color, and Star Wars character I am, it’s me! I know they’re not exactly scientific, but they are big fun when I need a little work break. ...(read more)

5 Tips for Using Dimensional Adhesive Glaze

Michelle M. — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:13:00 GMT

I’ve been obsessed with the cable series Mad Men lately. If you haven’t seen it, it’s basically a smart soap about Madison Avenue ad execs in 1960. It’s all about sharp suits, Doris Day-style frilly aprons over petticoated taffeta, and lots of martini lunches and general naughtiness. The period is captured just brilliantly in small moments, such as one where a main character very carefully spreads cream cheese into a celery stick, adding it to a pile of other era-appropriate hors d'œuvres. It’s absolutely great fodder to bead by....(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)

Create on Cue: 4 Tips to Reduce Beading Stress

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

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

Personalize a Chain Maille Bracelet

Editor — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:00:00 GMT

It's All About Family

One of the joys of giving handmade jewelry is the ability to create something unique for one particular person--something that you can't just go buy in a cookie-cutter mall. The Dear to My Heart bracelet by Jean Yates is made for personalizing--just change out the birthstone colors and letter charms. This would make a great gift for a mother or grandmother, using the birthstone colors and initials of the children or grandchildren. (Mother's Day is about two months away!)

The designer, Jean Yates, is all about family--she's the mother of five sons and has what she described as a "seriously complex home life." Her family, including her own childhood memories, inspire much of her work. Recently, I had a chance to talk to Jean and learn more about her design inspiration, plus her secrets on finding the best beads in the universe and what every blogger needs to know. Find out why I think this designer is "all that and a bag of chips"--read the interview.

A Note about Chain Maille

		Never attempted chain maille before? It might look intimidating, but some people find this technique easier than creating wrapped loops or other "simple" wireworking techniques. If you can open and close jump rings, you can do chain maille! This bracelet uses the flower pattern, one of the easier patterns to learn. (If you already know chain maille, I'd love to hear what you think! Do you agree it's easy? Can a beginner do it?)
Free Project:Dear to My Heart by Jean Yates

Chain maille does take patience, but you might find the repetitive aspect quite relaxing and be surprised at how time will sprint along once you get started. One bonus if you're making this bracelet as a gift: it's easy to adjust the size of the bracelet by adding or removing flower links at the last minute.

Jean's Design Tips & Ideas for the "Dear to My Heart" Bracelet

Pick a sturdy clasp. Try to choose one where the holes on the sides are large enough to accommodate two sets of jump rings through each hole. You don't want your bracelet to pull apart at the clasp.
Make the flowers for the bracelet on a little tray or plate in your lap. It's a good idea to place a cloth on top so that the flowers don't slide around.
For baby boy and baby girl colors, if the mother doesn't like the birthstone, I suggest light aqua or rose Venetian lampwork beads as a great alternative. You can get them anywhere: I use a small size like 8mm. As rose quartz is the stone of love, I have made many boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife double stranded bracelets with rose quartz and clear Swarovski crystals. Those are stunning and so feminine. I use the cube type letter beads for these bracelets, and you must use saucer shape or round beads between the cubes. Check the size of your letters --then order the proper size saucer or round beads--they can be a tiny bit larger.
For long names: Center the name if possible and include at least one birthstone on each end.
For two names on one strand: Put a Swarovski crystal in the middle, and use an even number of crystals on either sides of the two names, even if the names you are working with are not the same length.
Instead of two names, use initials instead. Most people have three initials. If this is not the case, try persuading them to change their names! It's worth a shot!

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!