Daily Blogs : trends

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)

Inside Scoop on 3 Hot Bead Trends

Michelle M. — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:34:00 GMT

Sometimes I have a hard time keeping secrets. Especially good secrets. In fact, when I was a kid, I remember getting up really early one Christmas morning (as usual) to see what Santa had left me, then promptly waking up my little sister to spill the beads that the Jolly Old Elf had brought us both much-wished-for Cabbage Patch Kids Preemie dolls. I just couldn’t wait for her to wake up and share in my excitement. Plus, I was already prepared to negotiate a baby swap....(read more)

Jean's Top 4 Bead Trends for 2009

Michelle M. — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:05:00 GMT

I don’t wear the latest fashions, have a cutting-edge hairstyle, or know the latest greatest new bands. In truth, my fashion needs don’t require much more than a t-shirt and jeans, long hair means no fussing, and the soundtrack to my life includes music purchased on CDs rather than on iTunes. But there is one thing I know I am truly hip to, and that’s beading. Since I bead for work AND pleasure, I’m steeped in it all the time, so I’ve got a pretty good sense of what’s hot in the bead world. Yeah, I’m pretty sure I could call myself a bead mod....(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)

Top 10 Free Beading Tips & Projects from 2008

Michelle M. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Any way you count it, 2008 was a terrific year for Beading Daily! We welcomed Jean Campbell as contributing editor every Wednesday. We also welcomed our magazine editors (Marlene Blessing, Danielle Fox, Denise Peck, Leslie Rogalski, Sara Graham, Melinda Barta) and their thoughts on topics like ethnic jewelry, using clothing as inspiration, and colored wire as a smart economic choice. We opened the forums. We gave away free projects every week and held several contests and giveaways. We voted on everything from the winning Bead Star entries to which free project you most wanted from the book Custom Cool Jewelry. At our first charity fundraiser, we raised more than $1,000 by selling the instructions for the Awareness Ribbon Pin by Kerrie Slade. All in all, a great year! ...(read more)

Fall Jewelry Trends, Plus New Gallery of Reader Designs

Michelle M. — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:42:00 GMT

Fall Jewelry Trends

When I say "fall jewelry", what comes to mind? Leaves? Rich colors? Certain metals? Lately I've been reaching for my copper and brass beads and findings--somehow those metals feel more earthy and fall-like. Even when I do choose silver, I gravitate towards the antiqued look as with the Autumn Breeze Earrings that I made for my mom a few years ago.

I looked through several fine jewelry and fashion magazines and all agreed that "drama" was a key trend in jewelry this fall. Of course, not everyone agreed what that meant! Here are a few ideas:

cuff bracelets
statement necklaces with multistrands, pendants, or large gemstones
bold earrings like chandeliers
large rings

Other fall trends mentioned were vintage looks, purple, asymmetry, mixed metals, "green" (recycled materials), and roses/flowers. What trends do you see for fall? Do you ever consider trends in your designs? Share your thoughts on the website.

Fall Reader Gallery

I loved the submissions for the reader gallery! Here are a few of my favorites:

View the Fall Reader Gallery to see all the designs. You'll also find designer names, websites, and larger photos. We're trying out some new gallery software--be sure to let me know what you think!

Inspired by the Beadwork Challenge

Lucky reader Holly Kline was selected to complete the Beadwork challenge in the new issue. Holly says, "I get a lot of inspiration from nature, the Impressionists, William Morris, the Celts, Renaissance art, and the mystical, magical aspects of the world, with the occasional foray into goth-punk beauty." Pictured is one of Holly's pieces. Her current favorite technique is bead embroidery. "I just can't seem to get enough!" See a photo of Holly's striking paua shell, crystal, and seed bead challenge project necklace in the October/November 2008 Beadwork on sale now.

It's Your Turn! If you're one of the many beaders inspired by beads, sign up for a chance to participate in an upcoming Beadwork magazine challenge. One U.S. or Canadian reader will be chosen at random will receive a challenge kit and have his or her design featured in the magazine. Sign up by November 12, 2008.

Call for Next Reader Gallery

Do you have a holiday or winter-inspired design to share? What about a favorite gift idea? If you would like to participate in this reader gallery, please send me a link to your blog/website or one JPG image of your best design by October 24, 2008. Only one design per person please! Use the email address: bdsubmissions@interweave.com and In the subject line of your email, write: Holiday Reader Gallery. Be sure to title your design and tell me a little bit about it in your email!

Michelle Mach shares beading news, contests, reader galleries, and other beady stuff every Monday on Beading Daily. If you have comments or questions for Michelle, please post them on the website.

Katie Hacker Talks About Creativity, Trends

Editor — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:00:00 GMT

An Interview with Katie Hacker

I think it's close to impossible to bead for any length of time and not come across some of Katie Hacker's work in a beading magazine, book, or at one of the large bead shows in the U.S. Katie is the author of Hip to Bead and many other books. (She published her first book at 23!) She also writes the "Ask Katie" column in Simply Beads magazine and presents jewelry design tips on the PBS series, Beads, Baubles & Jewels. If there are such things as beading rock stars, then Katie is definitely one of them!--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor

Michelle: What's your creative process like? Do you tend to sketch or plan your ideas first, or do most of your ideas come to you while you are working in the studio? Do you have a schedule? Do you work on multiple projects at once?

Katie: I tend to get an idea and then let it percolate for a while before attempting to recreate it in my studio. I carry a little notebook around with me so I can jot down ideas when they come to me. I always have a lot of projects going at once, but I make a little schedule for myself so I can feel like I'm accomplishing things as I cross them off the list. I'm very deadline-oriented, so I have daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists.

Clever Candle Wrap
by Katie Hacker
(Instructions in Hip to Bead)

Michelle: What current trends in beading are you noticing? What beading techniques or types of beads are popular now?

Katie: Right now, there is a big crossover between traditionally crafty techniques and jewelry making. Lots of designers are mixing beading with image transfer, rubber stamping, crochet, and other crafting techniques. Also, while intricate beadwork is always going to be popular, there are a growing number of beaders who want to make something tonight and wear it tomorrow.

Fruit Salad Choker
by Katie Hacker

Michelle: What's it like to be on TV? Is there anything about the filming process that surprised you the first time you were on TV?

Katie: It's really fun to be on Beads, Baubles & Jewels. I enjoy meeting the different artists who visit. Since everything seems so spontaneous on-camera, it's surprising how much preparation goes into a three-minute Beading Lessons segment. We start planning the segments about four months before the taping, then I start writing scripts and making samples to show on-camera. Each segment represents a couple of hours of work.

Michelle: Many Beading Daily readers have children or grandchildren. Do you have suggestions on how to enhance their children's creativity—and maybe their own creativity at the same time?

Katie: I'm lucky to have grown up in a very crafty environment. My dad sold craft supplies and my mom is a creative person, so I had a great combination of access to supplies and someone to show me how to make things. I think the key is really just providing a time and space for kids (and yourself) to play, imagine, and create. It helps to have an area of your house that's dedicated to craftiness, whether it's a card table or a little desk. Then you can sit down and create whenever you get the urge.

Learn more about Katie Hacker on her website, www.katiehacker.com. Information about her book Hip to Bead may be found at: www.hiptobead.com.

Travel Storage Tip from a Beading Daily Reader

"The plastic containers you buy your DVDs or CDs in make very useful storage/travel containers for beads. They have a very secure lid and can be stashed one on top of the other occupying very little space. Plus they are transparent, so you always know what's inside at first glance."--Paola Filinesi

Coming Friday: Do you use your kitchen or dining room table for beading or jewelry making? I'll share the surprising poll results and a few of the more than 750 comments I received on this topic!

Have you voted yet on the latest poll? I have no idea how this one will turn out, except to say that very few people are feeling neutral about the topic of beaded home decor! Vote now.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She is trying to organize her beads before her next big beading blitz!

Beaded Home Decor Trend

Editor — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Beaded Home Decor Trend

Everywhere I go, I'm seeing more and more beaded home decor items--bead-covered bottles, wineglass charms, beaded lampshades, bookmarks, picture frames, napkin rings. Even Wal-Mart is carrying items like beaded curtain rods!

This past summer I went to a local outdoor craft show and as usual, there were a fair number of booths carrying handmade beaded jewelry, mostly simple necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. What was new this year were a few booths that were also--or exclusively--carrying beaded home decor items, particularly serving spoons, pie servers, and other utensils wrapped with thick wire and large, colorful glass beads.

I'm expecting that I'll see even more beaded home decor items at holiday craft fairs in November and December since many of these non-jewelry items are marketed as gifts. Plus, crafters from other areas seem to be incorporating beads into their work. Beaded beer can airplanes here we come!

At left: Starry Night Bottle by Jean Campbell. Two other free beaded bottle projects by Jean Campbell:Fringed Peyote-Stitched Bottle andNetted Bottle.

What do you think of this beaded home decor trend?
Love it? Hate it? Want to see more beaded home items on Beading Daily?

Take this quick poll by Monday, October 29, 2007. I'll share the results in a future Beading Daily newsletter.

At right: Poinsettia Napkin Rings from the book, Beader's Stash (Instructions are available in the book.)

Easy Wirewrapped Candle Holder

This week's featured project, Clever Candle Wrap, is from the book Hip to Bead by Katie Hacker. I asked Katie how she got the idea for this project. Here's what she said:

"I wanted to find a way to incorporate beads into a candleholder because I'm always looking for ways to incorporate beads into my décor. I thought they'd look pretty with candlelight glinting off of them. I'd seen this wire-wrapping technique used on hoop earrings and it just took a little experimenting to transfer it to my coiled wire design."

This would be an easy gift to personalize--use the recipient's favorite colors or use colors that match the season or holiday. It's also a great way to use those leftover beads from another project.

On Wednesday, I'll have more from Katie Hacker, including her thoughts on beading trends.

From the Mailbag . . .

Thanks to everyone who added their ideas and tips to last Friday's post, Kazuri Beads and Other Good Causes. One reader wrote me to say how much she loved seeing beads change lives. Another was happy to find a good cause to donate some handmade lampworked beads. If you know of any beading charities or good causes, please add your comments so that everyone can benefit.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. Over the weekend, she started a simple wiredworked bracelet with black and white beads. She'll share a photo of it soon.

Fall Trends in Jewelry Design

Editor — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 23:00:00 GMT

I have mixed feelings about fashion trends. On the one hand, I get bored easily and I like to shake things up. On the other hand, I have a considerable collection of embarrassing photos of me wearing trends that, well, let's just say didn't hold up in the long run.

In the jewelry world, if you're just designing for yourself, you'd be safe to ignore trends, although you might miss some great new components or tips that might spark new ideas. But once you go into business—and 50% of beaders sell their work—you'll probably want to at least know what the trends are, whether or not you decide to follow them. How do you do that?

It's hard to see the big picture by yourself. When I submitted my "Ms. Mod" necklace back in January, I had no idea I was part of a larger trend. Someone like Stringing editor Danielle Fox, on the other hand, can spot a new trend faster than you can say "filigree"! Here are four trends she's identified in the fall issue of Stringing:

Cords. String your pieces on something other than beading wire. Some possibilities include leather cord, silk ribbon, microfiber suede, and waxed linen cord.
Filigree is hot!

Filigree. There are many ornamental openwork beads now available in a variety of shapes and finishes that lend an old-world charm to your jewelry. Some filigree beads are studded with other beads like tiny crystals.

Leaves. Leaves are a personal favorite design element of mine. (I like them so much that when I was organizing my beads recently, I made "leaves" an entire category!) There's a beautiful 2-page spread in this issue of Stringing that shows the many types of leaf beads available: glass, ceramic, clay, Swarovski crystal, pewter, silver, brass, copper . . .

Long Necklaces. Many necklaces are so long now, you can wrap them
My Ms. Mod Necklace
in Stringing magazine around your neck twice. One of the necklaces in this section of the magazine topped out at 46 inches! (My own necklace came in at a "short" 26 1/2 inches.)

Not everything in the issue fits one of these trends. Just like the rest of the fashion world, there are also classic, timeless designs (like the two featured projects below) and those that defy categorization.

Would you like to participate in a future Beading Daily challenge? Take this quick poll, so I can see how many people might be interested. I'd also love to hear your ideas about challenges, so please send those along when you fill out the poll, or post your suggestions here in the comments section. Thanks!

Y-Necklaces: Why Not?

Editor — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:00:00 GMT

The Y-necklace (along with The Rachael haircut) was one of the lasting effects from the popular TV show Friends. As you can see from the photo, the Y-necklace is named for its "Y" shape. A recent article in JCK.com mentions the comeback of the Y Necklace and this is one trend from the 1990s that I'm happy to see back. (Is anyone really waiting for the Macarena to come back again?)

One of the reasons for its enduring popularity is that the y-necklace is a very versatile style that is easy to personalize:

• Chain. Instead of the more traditional silver, try copper or brass chain, chain with different shaped links like hearts or diamonds, or some of the larger-link chains that are now available.

• Beads. Jamie uses crystals, seed beads, and pearls in her classic design. There's no reason you couldn't try small semi-precious stones, glass, ceramic, or other types of beads. You do want to be careful about weight—heavy stones will pull the neck forward and be very uncomfortable to wear.

• Length. The typical length for a Y-necklace is usually around princess length (18"), but there's no reason you can't go longer—or shorter.

Love Those Lariats!

Editor — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 10:00:00 GMT

If you're ready to move slightly beyond a basic strung necklace, try the Lovely Lariat Tassel. It starts out like a very long—more than 4 feet—single strand of Swarovski crystals, seed beads, pearls, carnelian rondelles, cintrine beads, and vermeil spacers. The ends of the necklace are made using the fringe technique, one of the simplest off-loom techniques.

The lariat is one of the most flexible necklace styles around. Hip to Bead author Katie Hacker notes, "A lariat is a dramatic piece that can be worn as a long necklace, a choker, or even a belt. It can go dressy or casual, and it adds instant flair to any outfit.” A story last fall on the JCK blog noted that not only were lariats in style, but also tassels. So it makes sense to combine the two trends, like the Lovely Lariat Tassel.