Inside Jewelry Stringing Magazine : Bead Crafts

Global Etsy Craft Party

cchatenever — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Etsy has become a wonderful way for crafters to come together digitally, and now they are using the power of their expansive online network to bring people together at their annual Craft Party. Every year, Etsy designates a specific date and theme for their global Craft Party and invites crafters all over the world to participate by convening with other creators in their area and getting crafty together! This year's Craft Party will be on Thursday, June 20th, and will be focused around the theme, "Craft for Community". Makers will be coming together worldwide to share their skill sets with their fellow crafters, and combining their creative powers to make their hometowns even better. Check out the event list to see if there is a Craft Party scheduled near you. If there isn't--you can still organize one!

If you do attend a local Craft Party, snap pictures of the event and post them on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #craftparty, or upload them to the Etsy Craft Party Flickr group.

I just registered for my local Craft Party--it was super easy, and free. Your turn!

Happy (long!) weekend!

Chloe

How-To: Easy Engraved Bracelet

Dblair — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT

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,

Now Accepting Winter '14 Jewelry Stringing Submissions!

cchatenever — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

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

Sneak Peek into Summer Jewelry Stringing!

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

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!

Good Bead Reads

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

What reading materials--besides Jewelry Stringing magazine--do you have on your bedside table? Did you know that there are a number of novels out there about beading? It's true. I was browsing Amazon today, and discovered some great-sounding books that somehow or another take up the theme of beads or beaded jewelry. Here are a few:

	BEADED HOPE by Cathy Liggett Here's the description from the author's website: When three American women embark on a mission trip to Mamelodi, South Africa, they all have their own selfish reasons for going. One is running from a devastating loss; one is trying desperately to save her career; another is hoping this will be an opportunity to bridge the gap that has separated her from her stepdaughter. What none of them expect is how profoundly their lives will be changed by the women they meet, women who combat disease and poverty daily yet demonstrate great joy and faith. Each American woman is touched and transformed in a different way, yet they all come together when they discover an opportunity to help the South African women support their families by selling the amazing bead work that has been taught to generations of women in the community. A story about the power of faith and hope to overcome even the most tragic circumstances, Beaded Hope was inspired by the nonprofit organization of the same name. A portion of the author’s proceeds from the sale of this novel will go to support Beaded Hope.
	CARPE BEAD'EM by Tonya Kappes Here's the description from Amazon: Orphaned at a young age, Hallie Mediate was raised by her (slightly) crazy Great Aunt Grace on the wrong side of the tracks in Cincinnati. Hallie dreamed of escaping her hometown and never looking back. After putting herself through college, landing her dream job in Chicago, and starting a romance with her handsome running partner Bo Pompillio, life is finally exactly as she wants it. That is, until she’s transferred back to the hometown. Not wanting her past to cross paths with her future, Hallie puts her relationship with Bo on hold. When she arrives in town, Hallie finds crazy Aunt Grace rummaging through a dumpster looking for the “perfect” welcome home gift for her niece. That’s just the beginning. After that, Aunt Grace stays busy by dying her stolen poodle’s hair pink and leaving the dog on her apartment roof to pee, throwing bricks out the window at passing neighbors, and climbing every flag pole to kiss the ornamental eagle. Hallie finds some sanity at a local jewelry-making class where she uncovers a hidden talent for beading. When her talent is discovered by a major department store jewelry buyer, Hallie realizes that what she had in Chicago might not have been her dream life after all. When faced with the choice of moving back to Chicago and Bo or taking a leap of faith to start her own jewelry company (with Aunt Grace in tow), Hallie has to make a decision. Will she let her past and her future collide, or will she or keep searching for the happiness she may already have found?
	BEAD ON TROUBLE by Barbara Burnett Smith Here's the description from Amazon: Meet Kitzi Camden, former stateswoman. When she retired, Kitzi dreamed of doing what she loves best--beading. She certainly didn't plan to try her hand at amateur sleuthing. But lately, trouble seems to find her wherever she goes--even deep into the woods. When a young beader is killed at a beading retreat, Kitzi is faced with almost as many suspects as there are beads in her bag.
	STRING OF LIES by Mary Ellen Hughes Here's the description from the author's website: Jo's Craft Corner is finally starting to show signs of success. But then she hears of a local developer's plans that could put her out of business. When she tries to get the real story, she finds the developer dead - the victim of a murderous trap - and Jo's good friend Dan under suspicion. Can Jo and her fellow crafters follow the chain of lies to unknot this crime - before the murderer pulls any more deadly strings? Craft tips and a beading project included!

All of these books received good reviews. Share your favorite bead reads below.

-Danielle

Fun Easter Accessories to Make

Dblair — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:00:00 GMT

The official first day of spring arrived last week, but you sure can't tell it where I live! Just this past weekend, we were hit with one of the more significant snowstorms of the season! But that hasn't put a damper on my desire to create a few cheerful accessories to adorn my Easter outfit next weekend, and I even found something fun to make for my daughter, as well as a little something cheery to brighten my home. (All tutorials listed below are free.)

Check out the tutorial for these ornate hair pins from Ornamentea.

Beadaholique offers an easy tutorial for these classy pearl earrings.

Visit Artbeads.com for this pretty necklace how-to.

One can never go wrong with a Martha Stewart craft!

I could see using various shades of pink to make this headband from DIY Studio.

This candy bracelet craft from Uncommon Designs is a must for the kids.

Fabric scraps and styrofoam balls are all you need to make this springtime wreath from St. Louis Magazine.

Happy Spring!

Make These Fun Boho-Chic Earrings

Dblair — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Have you seen the Spring issue of Jewelry Stringing yet? One of my favorite sections to help curate this time was the Coachella Chic collection, which features a host of stylish indie looks.

Very recently, I came across three clever DIY earring and bracelet ideas that look super-doable--all reflecting a modern-day hippie look. Fun and boho-chic, you can whip them up in a matter of minutes.

While these feather earrings by Brit + Co. call for the use of neon duct tape (above), I decided to try the look of scrapbook paper (below). My condensed instructions follow, but the full how-to can be found on the Brit + Co. web site. I especially recommend reading their tips on how to cut the edges to give them a more realistic feather look.

First, I drew a basic feather shape on my paper.

Then I covered both sides with packaging tape for added durability.

Next, I cut out the design.

Finally, I wrapped the tips with wire and attached earring findings.

I plan to make a pair of these crafty earrings next. Can you believe they're made with bobby pins and nail polish? Visit the Metric Child's blog for the how-to.

This duct tape bracelet on the Craft Foxes blog is a fun example of the popular chevron trend. Their short how-to video can be found here.

Let us know what you think of the Coachella Chic project section by leaving your comments below. And you won't want to miss the Summer issue, available June 4^th, which features a fun "Modern Cowgirl" section and a special collection of mixed-media projects!

Happy crafting

Curious About Dapping?

Dblair — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

When it comes to customizing metal components in my jewelry, I've dabbled in stamping, riveting, embossing, and coloring with alcohol inks, but I have always been intrigued by dapping. As you may know, dapping is defined as the method used to give a flat sheet of metal a curved form. So I recently purchased an inexpensive dapping block and punch set at my local craft store and set out to see what I could do with them.

Following the tips I learned by watching this short video from Beads, Baubles, and Jewels, I found it quite easy to do. In the video, Mark Nelson, a jewelry instructor and member of Rio Grande's Technical Support team, offers the following advice:

Use dead-soft metal (meaning it's completely malleable)
Select a punch that's slightly smaller than the hole in the dapping block
As you hammer, move the blank around the hole in the dapping block in order to hammer the edges, too, for a smooth dome shape

So here's the setup: my set came with two different sizes of dapping punches and a dapping block with corresponding hole sizes which I placed on a mouse pad. I used a nylon hammer that we had at the office and started out with a copper blank that is 1" in diameter (the same size as the largest hole in my dapping block).

You'll want to hold the dapping punch perpendicular to the block, like this:

Start by hammering the blank until it conforms to the shape and size of the hole in the block. This took fewer strikes than I anticipated! I then switched to the smaller hole and punch, and refined the curvature even more.

I decided not to polish the domes; I like the rustic appearance and plan to turn them into a pair of earrings.

Next, I decided to experiment with a few other shapes (before, on the left, and after, on the right). Notice that I was not able to shape the patterned pendant at all (it was not malleable-see Mark's tips above):

I had watched another video about using the same method on stamped pieces, but I was still curious as to whether the dapping process would harm the stamped words. I started with another 1" circular copper blank, stamped words and an image, colored the indentations with a Sharpie, then polished the whole thing with a Pro Polish pad.

Voilá! It worked just as smoothly as before!

Next, I'll turn these domed blanks into some finished jewelry and share the photos with you!

Happy dapping!

Make These Easy Romantic Earrings

Dblair — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, here's an idea for some little beauties you can whip up for yourself or for someone you love.

2 jet 4mm Swarovski crystal bicones (mine are from FusionBeads.com)

2 ruby 6mm Swarovski crystal bicones (also from FusionBeads.com)

2 frosted filigree 13x9mm lampwork rondelles (I got mine from SueBeads)

2 silver-plated 10mm engraved flower bead caps (these are from Beadaholique)

2 sterling silver 1 1/2" ball-end head pins (also from Beadaholique)

2 ear wires of your choice

1. String the following items onto one head pin:

1 ruby crystal, 1 bead cap (wide end first), 1 lampwork bead, and 1 jet crystal. Form a wrapped loop that attaches to 1 ear wire.

2. Repeat for a second earring.

Just in case you gift your earrings, here are a few of my favorite packaging ideas (click on photos to get to the Etsy shops):

And here's a fun little tidbit: the offices of Jewelry Stringing are located in the beautiful town of Loveland, Colorado (also known as the "Sweetheart City"). Every February, large wooden hearts decorate the light poles around town, each with a message to someone special painted in big white letters. I took these snapshots this morning, just as crews were hanging a heart on the pole outside my window:

Debbie

Valentine's Day Charms & Materials

cchatenever — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Another Valentine's Day is nearly upon us! Last year, we had a lot of fun teaching some of our co-workers how to make this Valentine's Day heart charm bracelet (we still see them worn proudly around the office from time to time!). I was sorry that there wouldn't be enough time for another jewelry workshop this year, but I did take the time to collect some of my favorite V-Day-themed beading materials from a few of our go-to suppliers. (Click on any image to get to the retail listing.) Enjoy!


		Ornamentea



		FusionBeads.com



		Lima Beads



		Nina Designs

Do you have any plans to make something handmade for your honey this Valentine's Day?

Chloe

Can’t Get Enough Organization Tips?

Dblair — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

On New Year's Day I spent hours purging--closets, cabinets, shelves. I still need to do more, and my studio, especially, is in desperate need of sorting and organizing.

The Winter 2012 issue of our sister publication, Studios magazine, caught my eye with the eclectic cabinets shown on the cover (below) which hold a colorful array of craft supplies. Perhaps some of the ideas presented here will inspire you to dig in and do some organizing of your own!

Debee Ruiz stores her ribbon and sewing notions in two pieces of stacked furniture that she found at a thrift store, then painted white and added mismatched knobs (featured in the Winter 2012 issue of Studios magazine):

Tight on space? Hang a metal board on the wall, then attach magnetic spice jars to hold your beads, findings, and the like. Find this and other creative organizational ideas on the Creating Keepsakes blog:

I love this idea for turning a cereal box into a stylish magazine holder. I'm anxious to make a few of these to hold a portion of my beading and knitting magazines! Find step-by-step photos on the Sew Many Ways blog:

It's easy to find an array of bead caddies, containers, and organizers at your favorite bead or craft store or from online retailers (the one shown here is from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads).

A few of my favorites: Rings & Things, FusionBeads.com, Shipwreck Beads, Beadaholique.com, Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, Bead Storage Solutions, and JewelrySupply.com.

After you clean up and clear out your craft space, consider donating your extra beads to one of these remarkable causes:

Daddy and Me Magnetics

I was first introduced to this family's story through Brenda at the Venetian Bead Shop:

"My wife and I are adoptive parents of 11 special-needs children. Most of our kids came from broken homes, abusive situations, and filth, and some of them will be scarred by that for their entire lives, but we are doing everything we can to make them as productive as possible. We have set up a small home business that these kids can work in for the rest of their lives because many won't be able to function in a real job situation. All of them can do this job; they work a few hours a week, they are responsible for keeping their areas clean and organized, for keeping track of what materials they use and how many pieces they produce, and it helps them with money management. We are always looking for beading supplies and seek donations of outdated or seconded items. We have a small Etsy shop where we sell jewelry made by the kids (www.daddyandmemagnetics.etsy.com). The profits of our business go entirely to the children's needs (clothes, shoes, special needs) and each child gets a special bonus when one of their pieces sells. I promise you it is a worthy cause to help out these awesome kids--each and every one is a true blessing from God!"

--Rich, Risë, and 11 little Wamplers

You can contact Rich at daddyandmemagnetics@gmail.com.

Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage is a nation-wide program which helps children and families coping with serious illnesses. Children participating in the program are given a set of beads that spell out their first name, then colorful beads, each representing a different treatment milestone, are given to the child throughout their treatment. These colorful beads are symbols of their courage that commemorate each milestone they have achieved during their treatment.

As stated on the Beads of Courage web site: "Ongoing evaluation of the Beads of Courage program indicates that the program helps to decrease illness-related distress, increase the use of positive coping strategies, helps children find meaning in illness, and restore sense of self in children coping with serious illness. The program also provides something tangible the child can use to tell about their experience during treatment and after."

Find out more about the programs at www.beadsofcourage.org, or click HERE for details on what types of beads they are looking for, as well as a downloadable form to send in with your donation.

YWCA of Tacoma, Washington

Cynthia Kimura, President of Artbeads.com, has a special place in her heart for the YWCA of Tacoma. A few years ago, she volunteered to teach some of the clients at this non-profit domestic violence shelter how to make their own jewelry out of beads. "For those women who lost everything, making something beautiful was really rewarding. They were so happy and excited to be able to create something beautiful. That was an amazing experience!" Since then, Cynthia has taught some of the staff members at the shelter so they are able to offer these "bead parties" to the women.

This particular YWCA touches the lives of over 12,000 women and children annually, offering them a safe place to call home in addition to a variety of tools to help them create lives free of violence and full of hope. Cynthia and the staff at Artbeads.com continue to do their part by donating beads, supplies, and finished pieces of jewelry to auction off at fundraisers throughout the year.

If you are interested in donating beads to the shelter, contact CEO Miriam Barnett at MBarnett@ywcapiercecounty.org, or (253) 272-4181, ext. 223.

Please leave comments below if you have any tips for organizing your crafty space!

Happy crafting,

Debbie Blair, Managing Editor

Make These Wintry Stamped Earrings

Dblair — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Even if you've never stamped on metal before, you can make these shimmery earrings in just a few easy steps.

Here's what you'll need:

Circle pendants or blanks (I used 20.5mm antique silver-plated blanks from FusionBeads.com)
Star or snowflake charms (shown here are 6mm sterling silver starburst charms from Nina Designs)
Jump rings
Ear wires
1/8" or 1/16" metal alphabet stamp set
Bench block
Hammer
Black permanent marker, such as a Sharpie
Extra-fine steel wool, or a polishing pad (I like the Pro Polish pad from Beaducation.com)
2 pairs of chain- or flat-nose pliers

		Place the pendant or blank on a steel bench block. Hold the letter stamp perpendicular to the blank and strike the stamp very deliberately with the hammer. Do not strike the hammer more than once because the stamp will move ever so slightly and your letter will be blurred. Continue in this manner until your entire word has been stamped.
		Darken the letters using a permanent marker.
		Buff off the excess color using a polishing pad or steel wool, leaving the impressions black. Use jump rings to attach the charms to the blank, then attach the ear wires.
Get creative! Metal stamps come in a variety of designs and fonts. Some of my favorite sources, not only for stamps but for tips as well, are Beaducation.com, PJ Tool Jewelry, and Artbeads.com. Happy stamping! Debbie Blair, Managing Editor

Free Resources for Your Beady Resolutions

Dblair — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Well, here we are a full week into the new year. Have you found yourself sticking to any of your new year's resolutions?

We recently asked our fans on Facebook to share what their crafty resolutions are for 2013 and here's what they had to say:

		"I want to make the new flat leather bracelets with the cute sliders." Leather bracelets continue to be one of the hot trends in fashion. Our friends at Antelope Beads and Primitive Earth Beads offer some fun and helpful tutorials on the latest trend, Regaliz bracelets.
		"I would love to start making shamballa bracelets; I just need to locate some money to buy the stuff." Sadly, I have no tips on locating your very own money tree, but you can learn how to make a shamballa bracelet here on Too Cute Beads's web site.
		"My resolution is to work from my current stash as much as possible, partly to help me budget, and partly because it will help me learn to design my own things rather than only follow other people's patterns." I, too, would love to whittle away at my stash, as part of my general "paring down" resolution. Download hundreds of free beading projects, ideas, tutorials, and techniques from your friends at Beading Daily! Click here for a complete list of free eBooks.
		"Metal clay! It all started when I learned how to make leather wrap bracelets--I want to make buttons for them. Hoping Santa gives me a hand...it's on my wish list!" For dabblers and experts alike, Beading Daily's sister community, Jewelry Making Daily, offers a free eBook with four jewelry projects using metal clay, plus tips on turning household items into metal clay tools.

As for my own crafty resolutions, I hope to carve out more time for creativity, whatever form that takes.

All the best to you in the coming year!

Debbie Blair, Managing Editor

Big Savings on 12-12-12!

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Today is dozen-dozen-dozen day, and to celebrate Interweave is offering great savings on tons of products. I invite you to check out the Interweave Store to find beading books, ebooks, patterns, DVDs, and more at 30% to 70% off. Buy these bargains for the crafty people on your holiday shopping list, or stock up on product you've always wanted to ensure you have enough crafty inspiration to get you through 2013. Here are some of the items I'm hoping will be on sale today.

	I love Erin Siegel and Lorelei Eurto's work. They are both frequent contributors to Jewelry Stringing magazine, and I always look forward to seeing their innovative designs. Their book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry, is chock full of stylish,easy-to-make, boho-chic designs created with leather, ribbon, and cords.
	I have to plug this holiday-tastic collection of 12 Christmas earring designs. The Jewelry Stringing staff created all the projects, including polymer clay Christmas tree earrings, twisted-wire snowflake earrings, and angel-themed stamped earrings. (For a sneak preview, check out this previous post.) I'm sure there's someone in your life would would LOVE a pair of handmade star or angel or Christmas tree earrings, right?
	I KNOW this video is awesome because I was there when Jean Power filmed it! I'm a novice seed beader, but I'm pretty certain that if I sat in front of this video with seed beads and thread in hand, I would come away with some cool beaded triangles (a luxury I didn't have when I was producing the video). Bead Stitching Triangles with Jean Power is available as a video download (as well as in DVD format), which makes it easy to download right onto your computer.
	I remember when Molly Schaller submitted this necklace to Jewelry Stringing magazine. It immediately became one of my favorites of the issue. If you missed this design and the corresponding instructions in the magazine, don't worry--you can buy the pattern here as well as a bunch of other single beading patterns.
	Have you seen this emag? This version is available for the iPad, but you can purchase it for other devices as well. The Jewelry Stringing staff put this together last year, and we're tremendously proud of it. It's filled with ten great bracelet designs, plus step-by-step photos and written instructions that take you through the whole process of constructing the designs yourself.

The Gift of the Season--Jewelry Kits!

cchatenever — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The Winter '13 issue of Jewelry Stringing hits newsstands in a few days--just in time for the holidays!

Giving DIY kits seems to be the trend of this holiday season, so I have decided to choose a design from our upcoming issue and compile my own jewelry making kits to give. I love this Terra Haute Wrap Bracelet by Arlene Kauffman, and I think some of the crafty ladies in my life will, too!

The materials that are needed to make this design are fairly easy to come by (fire polished rounds, leather cord, rolo chain, nylon beading thread, and a shank button) so I have ordered enough to make up a handful of bracelets in different colorways. I plan on decorating brown craft paper bags and boxes with some holiday-themed stamps and metallic inks to pack each kit up in, so I won't even have to haul out my wrapping paper!

Giving handmade jewelry kits is a thoughtful (but inexpensive) way to share your creative interests while celebrating the holidays this year. I can't wait to hand out my kits and start making bracelets with some of my favorite gals!

Inside Jewelry Stringing Magazine : Bead Crafts

Global Etsy Craft Party

Chloe

How-To: Easy Engraved Bracelet

Now Accepting Winter '14 Jewelry Stringing Submissions!

Chloe

Sneak Peek into Summer Jewelry Stringing!

Modern Cowgirl

Flower Market

Good Bead Reads

Fun Easter Accessories to Make

Make These Fun Boho-Chic Earrings

Curious About Dapping?

Make These Easy Romantic Earrings

Valentine's Day Charms & Materials

Chloe

Can’t Get Enough Organization Tips?

Make These Wintry Stamped Earrings

Free Resources for Your Beady Resolutions

Big Savings on 12-12-12!

The Gift of the Season--Jewelry Kits!

Chloe