Inside Jewelry Stringing Magazine : Bead Making

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,

Essential Beading Wires For Your Bead Stash

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

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

Free Tutorial From Our Friends at Ornamentea

Dblair — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

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,

What is Raku?

Dblair — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:30:00 GMT

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,

5 Jewelry Making Mistakes to Avoid

DanielleF@9 — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

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

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

Stunning Soutache

Dblair — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Here in the Jewelry Stringing office, we like to keep our eyes and ears open to what's hot in the jewelry and fashion industries as a whole, not just what pertains to the type of jewelry we feature in our magazine.

I first heard the term "soutache" when some of our staff members returned from the big bead shows in Tucson this past February. And now it seems beaded necklaces and cuffs using this technique have been popping up all over!

Soutache is a braided trim most often used in the textile industry for decoration on a piece of fabric. A great example is shown on the skirt of this vintage 1950s embroidered party dress. Now bead artists across the globe are creating stunning pieces of jewelry using soutache embroidery techniques.

These two gorgeous necklaces were created by French bead artist, Anneta Valious:

This soutache embroidered leather cuff is by Csilla Papp, a jewelry designer in the United Kingdom.

Another U.K. artist, Anna Lenkiewicz, made this striking statement necklace.

While scouring the web for more examples, I came across this Rainbow Necklace, which is a collaborative project by 50 jewelry artists in Poland. Each artist made a separate component, then all of the pieces were joined together by Ewelina Rzad. Ewelina came up with the idea as a way to raise money for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, one of Poland's biggest non-profit charity organizations which has raised millions of dollars for medical equipment and health care for children.

For more inspiration, pick up a copy of Beadwork magazine's June/July issue, which hits newsstands on May 7^th and features step-by-step instructions and how-to diagrams for creating a beautiful soutache embroidered necklace by Israeli designer, Miriam Shimon.

Happy beading,

What's Your Bracelet Style?

Dblair — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

When it comes to favoring a particular type of bracelet design, honestly, I'm all over the board. It just depends on my mood and my outfit.

Is your style casual and easy-going? Or do you love the sophistication of more classic pieces? Perhaps bold statement jewelry or whimsical accessories show off your personality best.

Whatever your style may be, here are a dozen bracelet designs to inspire (download step-by-step instructions from the Interweave Store for just $4 each):

Make this unique Coral Charm Bracelet by gluing your favorite assortment of cabochons into matching brass bezels.

Casual:

Create this lively Motion Ocean Bracelet by connecting various colored jump rings with dotted components.

Step-by-step photos show you how to create the wire wrapped links in this flexible Bangle Bracelet.

The clear instructions for this Bejeweled Crystal Bracelet make it an easy introduction to beadweaving.

Classic:

This Macrame Pearl Bracelet is an ideal one-size-fits-all project, perfect for using beads from your stash.

Make this Frosty Pink crystal and pearl bracelet using elastic cord for ease of wearing. (Free download)

It's hard to believe that chain maille is at the center of this gorgeous Blue My Mind bracelet.

Statement:

Make a statement with this chunky Anemone Bracelet, which features colorful cane-glass beads.

If you'd like to try basic metalworking, this Fluted Silver Cuff features hammered fluted and domed shapes.

No doubt you'll be ready for summer wearing this Brandon Beach Bracelet!

Fun:

The colorful mix of resin, Lucite, and clay beads really make this Candy Charm Bracelet pop!

I love the eclectic mix of elements in this funky Found Object Charm Bracelet.

Spring weather means it's time to rid your wardrobe of long sleeves and adorn your wrists with a bit of color. So you'd better get busy!

Bead happy,

Enter Bead Star Now & Save On Entry Fee!

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Enter the Bead Star contest by March 28th and take advantage of reduced entry fees! (The final deadline is May 24th.)

All early bird entries (submitted on or before March 28, 2013) are $15 for the first entry and $5 for each additional entry. All regular entries (submitted after March 28, 2013, but on or before May 24, 2013) are $20 for the first entry and $5 for each additional entry. The entry fee must be paid by credit card or check .

Read more about the contest below, including how you could win an all-expense-paid trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia in August. Find more details at BeadStar.com, then enter to win. Complete rules can be found here.

NEW THIS YEAR:

Beadweaving projects will now be accepted (and are encouraged)!
The Bead Star contest will now be conducted by judges selected by the staff of Beadwork andJewelry Stringing magazines.
We will now charge an entry fee to cover the expenses of administering this competition

PRIZES

One grand-prize winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia, our most popular Bead Fest event, which will be held August 23 to 25, 2013.

More than $4,000 in Cash Prizes!
5 First Place Awards: $500 each
5 Second Place Awards: $250 each
5 Third Place Awards: 1 one-year subscription to Beadwork or Jewelry Stringing magazine

Plus, the Emerging Artists Category (Open only to entrants who have never had their jewelry published in a magazine or book, including online magazines and books. Entries submitted in this category can be made with any material or technique.)

First Place Award: $150 each
Second Place Award: $75 each
Third Place Award: 1 one-year subscription to Beadwork or Jewelry Stringing magazine

All winners will be published in Beadwork AND Jewelry Stringing magazines. They will also receive recognition at Bead Fest Philadelphia.

CATEGORIES

The Bead Star contest consists of the following 6 categories. Entrants may submit as many designs as they wish in each category; however, the same design cannot be submitted in more than one category. All designs must be the original work of the entrant and must be handmade jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, or earrings) that meets the criteria for each category (see below). Remember, you may now use seed beads and beadweaving techniques to create your entries for any category!

Crystals: Designs created using predominantly* crystals

Glass: Designs created using predominantly* pressed-glass, fire-polished glass, sea glass, lampworked glass, and/or any other type of glass bead.

Metals & Wireworking: Designs created using predominantly* metal beads, components, and/or wire. Metal can be of any type or mixed.

Pearls: Designs created using predominantly* pearls of any shape, color, type, etc. Faux pearls (including crystal and glass pearls), shell, and mother-of-pearl can be used in your entry.

Gemstones: Designs created using predominantly* stones of any type. We will consider coral a stone.

Emerging Artists: Open only to entrants who have never had their jewelry published in a magazine or book, including online magazines and books. Entries submitted in this category can be made with any material or technique.

*By predominantly, we mean that when you look at the project, it should be obvious that the category material plays a starring role in the design. Beadwork and Jewelry Stringing editors reserve the right to reclassify or disqualify projects not meeting these guidelines.

ENTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

St. Patrick's Day Jewelry Projects

cchatenever — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT

St. Patrick's Day is just a few days away! What better way to accessorize your St. Paddy's ensemble than with a piece of handmade green jewelry? If you don't have time to create a design if your own, browse through our collection of eProjects (just $4 each) to find the perfect piece. I've picked out a few of my favorites already:

		The Emerald, Meet Copper necklace brings emerald glass and pearl beads together with brushed copper accents for a winning combination.


		The forest green and silver beads in the Ginkgo Glamour necklace make for a more sophisticated look that highlights this handcrafted focal.


		The Golden Holly necklace might just be my favorite of the bunch. The chunky green beads in this piece are punctuated with eye-catching gold accents, and the floral patterned gold connector reminds me of a piece of gold from the pot at the end of the rainbow!


		The Rustic to the Max bracelet is another take on a copper-and-green palette. The cluster of dangles that hangs from the clasp makes this piece look fabulous from any angle.


		Serpentine Summer is proof that monochromatic necklaces can be playful, too. This necklace is made with big, bold wood beads that make a statement with their snakeskin pattern, but are light enough that they won't leave you with an aching neck and shoulders at the end of the day.


		The Ahead of the Curve bracelet is a great way to introduce yourself to beadweaving. The technique is easy to learn and you will have a beautiful bracelet to show for your hard work!


		And for the mixed-media fans out there: We've already seen how well green and copper get along; make your own Copper Crescents focal beads and string them with some green beads or ribbon from your stash. They're sure to make an impression!

Since Pantone has selected Emerald as their Color of the Year, you know that your green jewelry will still be fashionable well after March 17th!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Chloe

Tips for Choosing the Right Glue

Dblair — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Have you ever been stumped when trying to figure out which kind of glue to use in your jewelry projects?

Here, I've shared a few tips from jewelry designer, Molly Schaller, which originally appeared in the 2011 edition of Handcrafted Jewelry magazine.

		EPOXY: Epoxy is a heavy-duty, multipurpose adhesive that works well for permanently bonding nonporous surfaces. Epoxy comes in a dispenser with two nozzles (one for the epoxy, one for the setting agent) and a plunger that dispenses an equal amount of each. Epoxy sets in five to thirty minutes, depending on the type. Uses: Attaching large stones or cabochons to mountings or bezels Attaching flat-back crystals to other items
		JEWELER'S CEMENT: Jeweler's cement is a medium-duty, quick-drying, waterproof adhesive that's perfect for most nonporous jewelry applications. It sets in around 10 minutes and dries clear. The precision tip allows for simple and accurate application in tight spaces. Uses: Securing knots Affixing small flat-back crystals or ephemera to other items Pearl knotting Securing cord ends Appliques
		ALL-PURPOSE CONTACT ADHESIVE: All-purpose contact adhesives are medium- to heavy-duty adhesives that can be used on porous and nonporous surfaces. They work best when applied both to the item to be glued and the surface it needs to stick to. Setting time is about an hour, and curing time is about one to three days for a permanent bond. *Uses:* When flexibility is necessary in a bond, such as securing a knot on elastic cording On flat surfaces On irregular surfaces, such as textured metal Attaching buttons, cabochons, or other found objects to jewelry blanks Attaching paper and other embellishments to metal, leather, and other surfaces When you need a water-resistant or waterproof bond To affix bead embroidery to a backing material
		INSTANT-FIX GLUE: Instant glue has a thin consistency that helps it dry to near invisible. It works on all nonporous surfaces, including metal. *Uses:* When you can't wait for glue to dry or cannot clamp the item to be glued into place When gluing a round bead to a vertical surface Securing memory-wire ends to memory wire Attaching a pinch bail to a crystal

OTHER:

Use washable fabric glues when working with fabric. Examples include: G-S Hypo Fabric Cement, Fabri-Tac, Jewel Bond, or Gem-Tac.

When working with polymer clay, try Lisa Pavelka's Signature Series Poly Bonder or other similar products.

If you need an adhesive/gloss when working with paper, use a product such as Mod Podge or Nunn Design Glue, which dries clear.

Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions and warnings before using any adhesives for details on any safety risks involved with using the glue and information on what materials to use it with.

And if you have tips of your own, please share them with your fellow jewelry artists in the comments section below!

Happy crafting,

Enter Our Beading Contest Now!

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Just another reminder: the Bead Star contest is back and better than ever! But don't wait to prepare your entry--THE DEADLINE IS MAY 24!

NEW THIS YEAR:

Beadweaving projects will now be accepted (and are encouraged)!
The Bead Star contest will now be conducted by judges selected by the staff of Beadwork andJewelry Stringing magazines.
We will now charge an entry fee to cover the expenses of administering this competition

PRIZES

One grand-prize winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Bead Fest Philadelphia, our most popular Bead Fest event, which will be held August 23 to 25, 2013.

First Place Award: $150 each
Second Place Award: $75 each
Third Place Award: 1 one-year subscription to Beadwork or Jewelry Stringing magazine

All winners will be published in Beadwork AND Jewelry Stringing magazines. They will also receive recognition at Bead Fest Philadelphia.

CATEGORIES

Crystals: Designs created using predominantly* crystals

Glass: Designs created using predominantly* pressed-glass, fire-polished glass, sea glass, lampworked glass, and/or any other type of glass bead.

Metals & Wireworking: Designs created using predominantly* metal beads, components, and/or wire. Metal can be of any type or mixed.

Pearls: Designs created using predominantly* pearls of any shape, color, type, etc. Faux pearls (including crystal and glass pearls), shell, and mother-of-pearl can be used in your entry.

Gemstones: Designs created using predominantly* stones of any type. We will consider coral a stone.

ENTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Caring for Your Silver Jewelry

Dblair — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

I find myself grabbing for a favorite pair of silver earrings from time to time, only to put them down again, regretting that I haven't taken the time to clean them. So I figured it's high time for me to dig out these tips on caring for silver jewelry that first appeared in the Winter 2009 issue of Jewelry Stringing. I hope you find these suggestions to be as useful as I have.

Something to remember: the higher the content of pure metal, the less likely it is to tarnish. That's because it's the alloys, such as copper, in metals that actually encourage tarnish. So, Thai silver (95 to 99 percent real silver) is less prone to tarnishing than sterling silver (92.5 percent real silver) because it has a higher silver content. Heed the following advice to hinder oxidation:

Keep silver jewelry in tightly sealed plastic bags with moisture-wicking products, such as silica-gel desiccant (the packets often found in shoe boxes), antitarnish tissue paper and strips, or even chalk to reduce the exposure to oxygen and moisture.

To clean tarnished jewelry, rub it gently with a soft, nonabrasive polishing cloth. Cloths made especially for this purpose can be purchased in bead stores, jewelry stores, hardware stores, and more. When a polishing cloth becomes dirty, buy a new one. Do not try to wash and reuse. Better yet, have a spare on hand! Even consider having one you use just for jewelry you take on your travels.

And there are lots of products on the market to make it even easier to keep your silver shiny and new! Check out the antitarnish flannel drawstring pouches and Tarni-Shield strips and tabs (www.riogrande.com), anti-tarnish paper and jewelry-size plastic bags (www.firemountaingems.com), polishing cloths (www.softflexcompany.com), and silica desiccant pouches (widely available).

Click here to find even more tips from Jane Dickerson, author of the book Chain Style: 50 Contemporary Jewelry Designs.

And Jean Campbell, Senior Editor of Beadwork magazine, offers up a slew of at-home remedies here. Be sure to check out the many suggestions from readers like you in the comments section at the bottom of that page (hint: baking soda or toothpaste, anyone?).

Let me know if you have a favorite method for shining up (or storing) your favorite silver pieces by leaving a comment below!

Shine on,

Only One More Week to Submit Your Designs!

cchatenever — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

We have been getting some great submissions for the Fall 2013 issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine. This is shaping up to be a really exciting issue--and (for one more week) you can still be a part of it! Start by reading through our latest set of Contributor Guidelines. Make sure to review the color palettes for this issue's themes and browse our Pinterest boards to get a feel for the type of jewelry we are looking for. I can't decide which of our trend-relevant themed categories I am most excited about. Here's a snapshot of each one:

Raw Beauty: The pieces in this category should celebrate the beauty in imperfection by featuring stones, gems, and other natural materials in their raw forms. Instead of choosing prettily polished beads for your submissions for this category, try experimenting with organic, unfinished beads and materials (drilled crystal pieces, druzies, geodes), and incorporating asymmetrical, imperfect angles into your designs. These pieces should draw their beauty from the unfettered majesty of the natural world. Check out the Raw Beauty Pinterest board:

Not Your Grandmother's Pearls: Pearls are timeless...but that doesn't mean they can't be trendy. For this section, we are looking for pieces that represent a fresh, new take on pearl jewelry. Combine pearls with nontraditional materials (leather, other natural beads, interesting findings), or unique techniques (knotting, braiding, basic wirework) to make your designs stand out. Pearls come in all shapes, sizes, and colors-mix it up! Here's a peek at our Not Your Grandmother's Pearls Pinterest board:

Gold Rush: Gold lends itself to a sophisticated aesthetic, but lately it has also been popping up in streetready fashion jewelry. In this category, we celebrate gold statement jewelry in all its glam glory. While the pieces in this section can include a pop of accent color, they should be predominantly gold. We are looking for jewelry that features chunky, geometric materials (tubes, spikes, hardware) in bold-but-wearable designs. We had a lot of fun curating the Gold Rush Pinterest board:

Collars and Bibs: Collar- and bib-style necklaces are gracing necklines on and off the runway this season. These structured, choker-length necklaces mimic the shape of shirt collars (two symmetrical collar panels) and bibs (one front panel). Get creative in interpreting these styles: play with different panel shapes; create a curtain of bead dangles to communicate your chosen shapes, or construct solid panels; assemble your materials in blocks of color to highlight the geometry of a design-the possibilities are endless! There is a wide variety of takes on this design trend--browse some examples on our Collars and Bibs Pinterest board:

Do you have a favorite?

Chloe

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Bead Fest Santa Fe

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Bead Fest Santa Fe is just around the corner (March 14-17)! I always look forward to this annual bead show in beautiful New Mexico. Anyone who has ever been there can tell you why, but here are my favorite things about this sassy southwest show:

	1. The instructors are fabulous. Every year, the Santa Fe Bead Fest show attracts some the best beading talent in the nation. Hone your beading, wireworking, or metalsmithing skills under the tutelage of such talents as Leslee Frumin, Jill Wiseman, Kate Richbourg, and more.
	2. The expo features dozens of exciting vendors--a curated collection of bead booths assembled for your bead-shopping pleasure! Plus, the site of the expo, the Santa Fe Community Center, is extraordinary. This new-ish Pueblo Revival style building is beautiful inside and out.
	3. The location is second-to-none. If you've never been to Santa Fe, you must. This southwest city, the capitol of New Mexico, is located in the southern Rocky Mountains at 7,000 ft.
	4. The local food is delicious. Just as you'd expect, Santa Fe is home to many excellent Mexican and New Mexican restaurants. Some I can vouch for: Tomasita's Cafe, Cafe Pasqual's, and The Shed.
	5. The art is world-class. When it's time to take a break from bead shopping, walk along the famed Canyon Road where you can find over 100 art galleries and studios.
	6. The nearby spas are supposed to be spectacular. Next time, I must go to one! The place I've heard the most about is Ten Thousand Waves.
	7. The entry fee is cheap: $12 for the full four days when you purchase in advance online. That's only $3 a day. Plus, if you register for a class, your entry fee will be waived.
	8. The weather is usually great this time of year. Normal highs for March are usually between 50 F and 60 F degrees.
	9. The chocolate is mouth-watering. Yes, Santa Fe is known for its chocolate shops. Some to check out: Todos Santos, Senor Murphy, ChocolateSmith, and Kakawa Chocolate House,
	10. The plaza is a national historic landmark. Stop here to check out the Native American art and jewelry.

Hope to see you in Santa Fe! If you have any favorite places in Santa Fe, share them with others below.

Danielle