Inside Jewelry Stringing Magazine

How-To: Easy Engraved Bracelet

2013-05-20T09:00:00Z

Looking for an easy way to add a word or phrase to your next jewelry project? Recently I tried out the Micro Engraver from Bead Smith and learned a few tricks by making this easy mixed-media cuff.

To make a similar cuff, you'll need the following:

Blank metal cuff (mine is 10mm wide)
Lucite, resin, or plastic floral embellishment (I used a vintage-style 34mm matte mustard plastic rose cabochon from MK Beads)
12" of ribbon that is 10-11mm wide
Multi-purpose adhesive
Micro Engraver tool
Permanent marker
Scissors
Patina inks (optional)
Paper towel (optional)
Metal reliefing block (optional)

Mark the placement of your flower so you'll know where to start your lettering. (I wanted my flower slightly off center.)

Holding the engraving tool like a pencil, carefully write your word(s).

The finished phrase. You can leave it like this, or highlight the words using a little patina ink.

Apply a dot of patina ink and then spread with a paper towel, making sure to rub the ink into the engraved letters.

Once the ink has dried, use the metal reliefing block to remove the ink from the non-engraved areas.

Use the adhesive to apply a strip of ribbon to the non-engraved half of the bracelet.

Cut 3 short sections of ribbon and fray the ends; adhere in an "x" fashion to the cuff where the flower will be placed.

Glue the flower on top of the ribbon sections.

One side of the bracelet, showing the engraved lettering.

The other side, showing the ribbon and flower.

I found it difficult to make smooth letters with the Micro Engraver. Once the tip touched my cuff, I felt the need to move the tool quickly, otherwise my letters seemed wavy. And I couldn't quite tell how much pressure was appropriate--a fairly light touch seemed to do the trick. Both of these situations could easily be remedied with more practice.

The other challenge I had was applying too much patina ink the first time, dabbing it onto all of the letters using a paint brush. Once the ink had dried, it was nearly impossible to remove all of it from the non-engraved areas of the cuff. So on my second try, I simply placed a dot of ink on the first letter (straight from the bottle), then used a paper towel to spread the ink to the remaining letters, allowing for a much lighter application. This time it was so much easier to buff off the dried ink using the metal reliefing block!

I encourage you to give it a try! Having the tool allows for endless possibilities in customizing your jewelry with whatever your imagination holds!

Happy crafting,

Get Inspired! Tips for Creating Original Designs

2013-05-17T10:00:00Z

Submissions guidelines for the Winter issue of Jewelry Stringing were officially posted last week. We have already had some really stellar designs come in, and we can't wait to see the rest of the projects that our new themes inspire you to make!

During our brainstorming sessions for the new guidelines, we all agreed how strange it was to be thinking about wintery themes in the middle of spring. Constantly working two seasons ahead of the weather is one of the more bizarre elements of the work that we do. It occurred to me a few days ago that we aren't the only ones affected by this strange schedule--you are, too! Since I have experienced how frustrating it can be to try designing a piece of holiday jewelry when it's 80 degrees outside, I thought I would share a few of the tools that I find helpful in coming up with original design ideas.

Color Palettes

Retro, Baby!

Days of Kings and Queens

Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine

Chain Meets Fiber

I have found that selecting a palette for a new project is often all it takes to get my creative juices flowing, so I would encourage you to take some time to really consider the color palettes that accompany each of our theme descriptions. Allow these colors to be a jumping-off point instead of thinking of them as limitations; they are intended to give you an idea of what we are looking for, but we don't expect you to use all of the colors in order for your design to be eligible for consideration. There are usually a few colors in each palette that speak to me more than the others, so I like to consider just one swatch of color at a time--you never know which one might trigger your next big idea!

Pinterest Boards

In addition to providing color palettes for each of our themes, we also create digital inspiration boards on Pinterest for you to use as a reference. We use these boards to provide a few examples of jewelry pieces that would be good candidates for each section, but the majority of the contents that we pin on each board has more to do with the concept behind each theme. Cross-referencing these inspiration boards with the theme palettes and descriptions will give you the most complete picture of what we are looking for, and give you the best chances of seeing one of your designs printed in the magazine!

Word Association

This is a trick that I used to use to brainstorm for essays in college, but I hadn't considered using it as a design tool until I saw yesterday's post on Design Love Fest. In it, Bri Emery (the graphic designer behind DLF) talks about using word association to come up with fresh new ideas for her design work. I grabbed a notebook and some pens and took a few minutes to try out her method with one of our new Winter themes--with great results! I started by jotting down the first nine words that came to mind (blue writing) when I thought of our Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine theme, and then repeated the exercise using each of the new words as inspiration (pink writing). Finally, I went back through and circled the words/phrases that I found most interesting and inspiring. One thing that trips me up when I sit down to create a new piece is the flood of ideas that I have--too many ideas can be just as confounding as having none at all! This exercise helped me narrow my inspiration down to just a few key concepts to design around. Give it a try next time you are having trouble starting a new project!

What are some of your favorite design tricks and techniques?

Happy Weekend!

Chloe

Essential Beading Wires For Your Bead Stash

2013-05-15T10:00:00Z

I recently made a necklace for the Fall issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine using 24-gauge gunmetal wire. As I was sifting through my box of wires deciding which to use for this project, I realized it might be useful to discuss wires...especially the wires I couldn't bead without. If you're a beginning beader, I would recommend purchasing the following wires.

MEDIUM (.018 or .019 diameter) FLEXIBLE BEADING WIRE

This is a must-have wire. It's stainless steel wire that's been covered with clear nylon. A go-to material for any stringing project, this wire is won't kink and is strong enough to support most beads (use heavy wire for heavy beads, such as chunky gemstones). I like 49-strand wire--the greater the number of strands, the greater the flexibility--so 49-strand is super flexible compared to, say, 7-strand or 19-strand. Soft Flex, Beadalon, Accu-Flex, Flexrite, and Acculon are just two of the many beading wires available.

STERLING SILVER 24-GAUGE ROUND, HALF-HARD WIRE

Let me explain. Sterling silver is the type of metal, of course. While sterling silver has long been my favorite wire to use, recently I've purchased silver-plated wire instead due to the high price of sterling. The gauge refers to the thickness or diameter of the wire. 24-gauge is about .025" in diameter. This is considered fine wire, but I find it's a great size to fit most of the beads in my stash. "Round" refers to the shape of the wire, and "half-hard" refers to the temper. Temper is the hardness of the wire. Half-hard means the wire it's soft enough to be malleable but hard enough to hold its shape. This is the wire I turn to for my wireworking needs--it's perfect for making wrapped and simple loops.

While I use the above two wires the most in my jewelry-making projects, I've also accumulated several other wires that have served me well:

Heavy (.024) and fine (.014 or .015) beading wires: I string heavy gemstones on the heavy and pearls with tiny holes on the fine.
22-gauge silver wire: For projects when I want my wireworking to have more heft
Gold 22- and 24-gauge wires: For projects I make in gold tones
Antiqued brass or gunmetal wire: Because I've been using more and more brass in my work

What wire could you not live without? Tell me below!

-Danielle

Decadent Jazz Age Jewels

2013-05-13T04:00:00Z

The release of The Great Gatsby has been highly anticipated by many since last year and it finally hit the theaters this past Friday! I haven't seen it yet, but I'm anxious to take in the glamour and grandeur of it all. I've heard that the sets, costumes, and jewelry are such an authentic replication of the period that the actors and audience alike felt truly immersed in the fabled era known as the Jazz Age.

Tiffany & Co. supplied the jewelry for the film, and to celebrate the glitz that was the Roaring 20s, they have released a collection of jewelry aptly named Jazz Age Glamour. The collection includes this Pearl Tassel Necklace with diamonds and pearls, and these Tiffany Legacy Collection earrings with diamonds totaling 1.7 carats.

View the full collection at Tiffany & Co. here.

Photos © Tiffany & Co.

Carey Mulligan wears Tiffany & Co.'s hand ornaments and exquisite headpiece during a big party scene in the film.

Photo © Warner Bros.

Menswear designer, Brooks Brothers, has also created a collection inspired by the costumes in the film. See their Great Gatsby Collection here.

Photo © Warner Bros.

Bring the glamour of the era home by making your own version--the Spring issue of Jewelry Stringing, on newsstands now, features 7 spectacular necklace and bracelet designs with a modern twist on favorite flapper fashions such as lariats, tassels, and pearls.

I'd love to hear what you think of the Roaring 20's fashion, and if you've made any of the jewelry!

Now Accepting Winter '14 Jewelry Stringing Submissions!

2013-05-10T10:00:00Z

I know that many of you have been patiently waiting for the themes and guidelines for the Winter 2014 issue of Jewelry Stringing to be posted. Well the wait is over! Details about issue themes, color palettes, Pinterest boards, and deadlines (submissions are due by June 17th!) are now posted on our Submissions Page.

We are really excited about this issue's themes--we think you will be, too! Here's a snapshot of each one:

Days of Kings and Queens

The expertly costumed casts of popular television shows like Game of Thrones and The Borgias
have shown us that ornate filigrees and dripping jewels are just as captivating today as they
were in ancient times. Submissions in this category should be modern homages to the lavish
jewels that adorned the regal throats and wrists of history's royal women. While these pieces
should have a commanding presence, they should also be wearable. Consider pairing the rich
colors in the palette above with contemporary components, or combining era-inspired accent
elements with a current jewelry trend like mixed metals or leather.

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/days-of-kings-and-queens-winter-2014/

Retro, Baby!

While we think there are a lot of styles from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's that are best left in
the past, the jewelry trends that came out of these decades are some of our favorites! The
clean lines, classic silhouettes, and pastel palettes of 50's accessories are often seen in the work
of today's top jewelry designers, and the bright bohemian baubles that the 60's produced will
always be crowd pleasers. The chunky chokers and tribal motifs of the 70's are in the midst of a
comeback, and the geometric shapes and colorblocking of the 80's seem like styles that are
here to stay. Each submission in this category should showcase the trends of one of these
specific decades (including but not limited to those named above).

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/retro-baby-winter-2014/

Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine

Dark colors tend to dominate the attire at holiday parties--why not add a splash of wintery
color with a festive piece of jewelry? This collection will consist of projects that are
simultaneously glamorous and playful in shades of rosy pink, icy blues, and minty greens. Don't
be shy with the rhinestones and crystals--these projects should have plenty of glitz and
sparkle! Instead of being inspired by a specific era or genre, this category represents a
collection of our favorite things about the winter season: the twinkle of winking holiday lights,
the bright colors of confetti, the sparkle of a flute of champagne.

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/sparkle-dazzle-shine-winter-2014/

Chain Meets Fiber

The trend of chain-and-fiber jewelry is a perfect example of the axiom "Opposites attract."
Chain has structure, is composed of rigid shapes, and is metallic in color, while fiber is soft,
textured, and can be found in a vast spectrum of shades. Whether it is embroidery thread
braided around chunky curb chain, or silk ribbon woven through brassy chain links, this unlikely
couple has been showing up everywhere, from DIY blogs to designer jewelry. We want to see
your take on it! We are looking for projects that include both chain (in any material) and fiber
(ribbon, thread, yarn, twine, linen, fabric, etc.). We are hoping to see colorful fibers in the
saturated swatches above to offset the metallic colors of the chain.

See our Pinterest inspiration board for this palette at:
https://pinterest.com/stringingmag/chain-meets-fiber-winter-2014/

We can't wait to see the designs that these themes and color palettes inspire you to make!

Chloe

Free Tutorial From Our Friends at Ornamentea

2013-05-06T12:00:00Z

Every so often, it's fun to follow along with someone else's tutorial and not have to invent my own. Such was the case when I received this fun tutorial from Ornamentea in my inbox last week--I knew I had to make these earrings! Not one who typically seeks instant gratification, for some reason I really had the urge to make them now! The fabulous thing is, it was easy for me to substitute some of the materials with those I already had sitting around the office!

Thanks to Ornamentea for offering the full tutorial here for these Day Glow Earrings designed by Erin Siegel.

Erin's version (left) from the Ornamentea web site; my version (right).

Although waxed linen cord would be ideal (as the tutorial suggests), I used some green hemp cord that I had around the office. However, the wrapped portion turned out a little chunkier than I would have liked. I chose these apple green Kazuri beads from Antelope Beads because I loved the bright green color.

I thought this baby blue rhinestone cup chain would keep the casual feel I was going for.

The only snag I ran into was the fact that the holes in some of my beads were too small to accommodate the two cords plus a head pin, so I had to keep digging through my stash until I found some with larger holes!

All in all, this turned out to be a fast and friendly project. Do you have a favorite quick-and-easy earring project?

Happy beading,

Thoughts On A Snowy May Day

2013-05-03T10:00:00Z

May Day always makes me think of fresh wildflowers, sundresses, maypoles, and bare feet, so you can imagine how grumpy I was to be greeted by a fresh blanket of snow when I woke up on May 1st this year! As I was walking out to my car, bundled in layers and cursing the day that I decided to leave Southern California and move to Colorado, I caught a glimpse of the foothills behind my house. The red rocks looked stunning jutting out of the white snow, and the resilient spring greenery that had started to speckle the landscape was peeking through the drifts. The scene reminded me that, as ready as I am to put away my coats and break out the SPF, there is still a lot to be appreciated about this brief time when the seasons almost overlap.

While mulling this thought over later in the day I stumbled upon Australian artist Kirra Jamison's latest collection, titled Love Me Two Times. I was struck by how well each piece of artwork in this collection married cool, dormant, wintery colors with the electrically lively hues of spring:

So many of these pieces even look like flowers poking through a field of snow!

Kirra's stunning color palettes gave me so many exciting design ideas for new jewelry pieces! I am looking forward to burying myself in my stash this weekend and making up some jewelry designs in these great colors.

What started out as a gloomy May Day turned into a reminder that there are always silver linings...even in springtime snowstorms.

Happy May!

Chloe

Sneak Peek into Summer Jewelry Stringing!

2013-05-01T10:00:00Z

Yesterday we put the finishing touches on the Summer 2013 issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine and sent the files off to the printer. Yay! I think you all are going to like this issue. But don't just take it from me. Enjoy the exclusive preview below and come to your own conclusion!


	Modern Cowgirl This necklace, Saddles and Sage by Toni McCarthy, is part of the issue's Modern Cowgirl project collection. The pieces in this collection are earthy and feminine, with just a pinch of Southwest sass. The jewelry designs feature down-to-earth materials, such as chunky natural gemstones, leather cord, and metallic accents. Yee hah!

	Flower Market With their lively pastel palettes, nature-inspired embellishments, and playful fiber accents, the necklaces in the Flower Market collection remind us of wildflower bouquets, and each one presents a lesson in designing summery jewelry. The lovely necklace here is Vintage Garden by Rejetta Sellers.

	Summer in the City Sara Oehler's Big City Lights necklace is part of our Summer in the City collection. The designers of the fashion-forward pieces in this collection have expertly combined carefully selected materials in deliberately arranged color palettes to create pieces that are chicly cosmopolitan.

In addition to the project collections I've highlighted above, the Summer 2013 issue also boasts an extended feature on MIXED-MEDIA jewelry that explores using resin, riveting, and colorizing metal to create customized jewelry.

The Summer issue will be available to subscribers in mid-May and on newsstands June 4. I hope you enjoy it!

What's Your Earring Style?

2013-04-29T08:00:00Z

While warmer weather means it's time to bear your arms and break out the bracelet collection, earrings are a fun accessory during any season! In case you're in the mood to whip up a new pair or two, I've gathered a few varied designs from the Interweave pattern collection. Download complete instructions now--most are just $2.80 this week at InterweaveStore.com.

Lime Soda earrings

If your style is Casual/Fun:

Topsy-Turvy earrings

Sizzlers earrings

Motion earrings

If you prefer Dressy/Classic:

Monet's Flowers earrings

Easy Elegance earrings

Plucky Feather earrings

If you like Statement/Bold:

Turquoise Teardrop earrings

Crystalline earrings

Whatever your style, I hope you are inspired to freshen up your wardrobe this time of year with a new pair of earrings!

Happy Beading,

Wishlist-Worthy Gemstone Printed Scarves

2013-04-26T10:00:00Z

I happened upon these printed gemstone silk scarves and had to share them! Owned and operated by author, artist, and photographer Jen Altman, Cisthene is an online store that "honors the art of ancient crafts with modern sensibilities" in their collections of jewelry, bath, beauty, and leather products. Each scarf features an "impressionistic interpretation" of one of Jen's photographs from her book, Gem and Stone: Jewels of Earth, Sea and Sky. I'm used to thinking about minerals and gemstones as components in jewelry designs--small parts of a larger picture. I like the way that Jen has blown up these images to reveal the extraordinary details in each stone; it reminded me that there is so much more to them than usually meets the eye.

Here are a few of my favorite prints (see the whole collection here):

Pyrite

Malachite

Flourite

Happy weekend!

Chloe

What is Raku?

2013-04-22T09:30:00Z

As a jewelry artist, do you incorporate ceramic or porcelain beads or pendants into your jewelry designs? How about raku? Awhile back I purchased a beautiful raku pendant at a bead show and, seeing how much it differed from traditional ceramic pieces, I wanted to know more about the process.

Here's what I learned from raku artist, Erica Ann (JustErica.com), and Steven Branfman, the author of Raku: A Practical Approach (Ceramics Today):

Traditional pottery is placed in a cold kiln and fired slowly until the desired temperature is reached, then the kiln is shut off and allowed to cool before the pieces are removed. During the firing process of raku, on the other hand, the clay pieces are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing and placed into containers filled with combustible materials such as sawdust, dried leaves, and newspaper. The red-hot clay ignites the combustible materials and the containers are then lidded, creating a smoke-filled chamber.

The unglazed areas of the clay absorb the smoke and turn black, and during the cooling-down period, extreme temperature changes cause cracking on the glazed areas. Once the clay pieces have cooled, the raku artist then scrubs the glazed areas clean to remove the soot and ash.

If you are interested in knowing more, I urge you to check out Erica Ann's web site, which is chock full of photos showing her process and her finished pieces, and the Ceramics Today web site, which has in-depth information for the ceramic artist.

Until next time,

Tips for Designing Collar Necklaces?

2013-04-19T10:00:00Z

One of the themed sections in our Fall '13 issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine is going to be Collar and Bib Necklaces:

This structure-driven design trend has been one of the smash hits of jewelry fashion as of late, and I am itching to try my hand at making one. I'm a little intimidated, however, but the heightened level of planning and engineering that is required to make a piece with panels. While different designers have interpreted this style in a variety of ways (some hang long dangles from a chain necklace to create a curtain effect, while others wire beads together to create a more fixed shape), the measurements and calculations that come into play must be very specific and very accurate in order to achieve a successful design.

We curated a Pinterest collection of inspiring designs to help guide our contributors as they created pieces to submit, and I have been perusing it for design ideas, but still feel a little bit like I am jumping into the deep end with this project..

Have any of you experimented with collar/bib necklaces? Any helpful tips or tricks to pass on?

Happy weekend!

Chloe

5 Jewelry Making Mistakes to Avoid

2013-04-18T10:00:00Z

I've been beading for almost ten years now--ever since I joined the staff of Jewelry Stringing. And over those ten years, I've made lots of beading mistakes. Thing is, those mistakes turn into lessons. Hard-earned lessions sometimes, yes, but lessons nonetheless. When learning to bead, it's as much about figuring out what NOT to do as it is figuring out what to do. I think you know what I mean. Below I offer some advice based on my screw-ups...I mean, adventures in learning.

Don't use your nice wire cutters on memory wire. Really. Memory wire is steel, and it's really hard. The first time I used memory wire, I was too lazy to go find another pair of pliers to cut it. So, I used my jewelry wire cutters. And, just like all the warnings tell you, it does mar the blades of the pliers, which makes it harder in the future to cut everything else. Buy some memory-wire specific cutters like the ones at right from Fire Mountain Gems, or use hardware-store cutters.

When closing jump rings, take your time and close them well the first time. In the past, I've wiggled jump rings back and forth so many times trying to close them perfectly that they actually broke in half. To avoid this, grasp each side of a jump ring's opening with a pair of pliers. Don't pull apart. Instead, twist in opposite directions so that you can open and close without distorting the shape.

When using beads on cloth, make sure the beads have a permanent finish. I once bead-embroidered some pillowcases (one of my very first beading projects) with cute little flowers. When I washed the pillowcases, the colors of the beads bled all over the pillowcase, ruining it. I should have known--they were cheap beads, but, hey, I was a newbie!

Be careful when using thread burners or lighters to cauterize the ends of synthetic threads. I was finishing a small earring project I had stitched with FireLine braided beading thread and thought I'd try the finish-by-fire method I've read so much about. I only had a lighter, not a thread burner like the one at left from Artbeads.com. I guess I got a little flame happy. Not only did I singe my tail thread, but I also burned through other threads, causing the piece to fall apart. Luckily, it didn't take long to redo my earring, but I learned that a little bit of heat goes a long way.

When carrying your in-progress jewelry to a mirror to check out how the size of a necklace is working on you, make sure the ends are secured really well with bead stops. I've lost a few beads in the sink after some ill-placed bead stops fell off my piece, cause the whole necklace to come apart. I like the original size Bead Stoppers. Just make sure they've got your beading wire trapped securely in the coils before moving your jewelry around.

What lessons have you learned through beading trial and error? Share them below!

-Danielle

Snappy Sandals and Other Sunny Accessories

2013-04-15T08:00:00Z

I'm pretty sure I've been in love with these sandals since last summer. I honestly don't recall when or where I came across this photo, but I've had it saved on my computer ever since. Made by Etsy artist, Gabriela Pomplova, the beaded portion is actually a pair of "barefoot sandals" that are worn between the toes (see inset). Slip them on under your favorite pair of sandals, and the great thing is, anyone call pull off this fun look!

Beaded embellishments are a playful way to jazz up your summer wardrobe. Following are a few more beaded summer fashion finds:

Don't you just love the beaded fringe and rhinestone focal piece on this clutch from Anthropologie?

This breezy tunic from Sundance features tiny brass beads across the front for just a touch of class.

The jeweltone floral motif on this headband from Anthropologie would freshen up any outfit!

I adore the muted color palette in this vintage beaded ring from Ruche.

What can be easier than adding an embellished belt to your summer dresses? (Belt by Anthropologie)

And I couldn't resist throwing in a photo of this adorable beaded dog collar from Sundance!

Whatever your summer brings, have fun accessorizing your whole wardrobe with beads!

In Defense of Jewelry Kits

2013-04-12T10:00:00Z

I always feel a tad guilty when I make jewelry from a kit. After making jewelry for so many years and seeing firsthand how much work goes into the planning and design stages of each piece, I feel like I am cheating when I use a kit to skip over those steps. On the other hand, I feel like there is something to be said for giving yourself a break every now and then and breezing through an easy project.

I studied German in college and before big tests I liked to take a break from my flashcards and pick out an easy assignment to do from the chapters I had already learned. While it didn't hurt to brush up on my basics, I think the most useful part of this exercise was that it always gave me a little ego boost--it reminded me how much I had already learned and gave me the motivation to keep working at it. This strategy can be applied to any skill that you are trying to develop--including jewelry making! The next time you find yourself in a designing rut, consider whipping up a copy of a project you have already made and really loved, or working through a simple jewelry kit. It just might be enough to bump you out of your rut and get your creative juices flowing again!

A few days ago we got a shipment of Weave Got Maille's latest kits. I haven't had time to do much designing lately, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to get out my pliers and play with beads for a few minutes. Each kit comes with everything you will need to make up either a bracelet or a pair of earrings except for a few pairs of flat-nose pliers. I went with their Sedona Shaggy Loops Bracelet kit (its blue/brass color palette is one of my favorites!). As I worked through the pattern I stopped to snap a few in-progress shots:

It was a really pleasant way to spend a few minutes on a stressful afternoon! While the technique was familiar and this bracelet went pretty quickly, I was also reminded that there is something to be learned from every project (no matter how simple): I opened up all of my jump rings before I started constructing the bracelet and as I was putting it together I realized I opened them a bit too far. Next time I am going to save myself some work and be a little less zealous with my pliers. I also learned that a chain maille project isn't the best way to break in a new set of pliers with a stiff spring--my hand was cramping up halfway through!

Do you ever pick up beading kits for yourself? Or do you have other tricks for overcoming creative ruts?

Happy weekend!

Inside Jewelry Stringing Magazine

How-To: Easy Engraved Bracelet

Get Inspired! Tips for Creating Original Designs

Chloe

Essential Beading Wires For Your Bead Stash

Decadent Jazz Age Jewels

Now Accepting Winter '14 Jewelry Stringing Submissions!

Chloe

Free Tutorial From Our Friends at Ornamentea

Thoughts On A Snowy May Day

Chloe

Sneak Peek into Summer Jewelry Stringing!

Modern Cowgirl

Flower Market

What's Your Earring Style?

Wishlist-Worthy Gemstone Printed Scarves

Chloe

What is Raku?

Tips for Designing Collar Necklaces?

Chloe

5 Jewelry Making Mistakes to Avoid

Snappy Sandals and Other Sunny Accessories

In Defense of Jewelry Kits

Chloe