Inside Jewelry Stringing Magazine : Beaded Jewelry Design

Decadent Jazz Age Jewels

Dblair — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

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!

Snappy Sandals and Other Sunny Accessories

Dblair — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:00:00 GMT

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!

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,

DIY Spring Jewelry

cchatenever — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Winter isn't always the most creative time for me--it can be tough to feel motivated when I know that any new jewelry I make will just be covered up with scarves and coat sleeves. But now that spring has officially sprung, I am getting really excited to pull out my sundresses and start showing off some new designs! These DIY posts from some of my favorite bloggers have really started getting my creative juices flowing again:

Hammered Copper Pipe Necklace from Obsession Session

Braided Wire Necklace from Everything I Want, And Nothing I Don't

Cut Out Leather Cuff from Melissa Esplin

Fabric Button Earrings from The SITSGirls

Painted Tribal Bracelets from Dismount Creative

Happy spring!

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,

What to do with those Dapping Projects

Dblair — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Recently, I showed you how to make some basic domed pendants by using a dapping punch and block with a few 1" round copper blanks (click here to see the how-to).

If you tried it on your own, what did you make? My vision was to create a rustic pair of earrings by adding some textured silver or copper rings. In the end, I came up with three different jewelry designs. I just can't decide which I like best!

In this necklace design, I attached a handful of Lucite flowers to copper rolo chain using wrapped loops. At 24" long, I can slip it over my head, eliminating the need for a clasp.

(Lucite flowers from The Beadin' Path; rolo chain from Ornamentea)

My plan for earrings have changed only slightly. I found this cool textured square-and-oval chain from Soft Flex and plan to punch a hole in the top and bottom so I can attach it to this copper earring post (from TierraCast) and the domed pendant.

When I created the stamped version of the pendant, I really envisioned it as part of a larger, floral focal piece. I found this cool bezel pendant from Kabela Design (left) and am trying to decide whether to glue my domed pendant to the center of it, or affix it to one of my handmade polymer clay pendants (right). Please help me decide! Leave your comments below. And let me know if you've tried dapping for the first time, and what you've made with your domed components!

Happy crafting,

Spring Trend: Raw Gemstone Jewelry

cchatenever — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

One of the jewelry trends that has been popping up on my radar lately is the use of raw gemstones in jewelry. Instead of the polished, symmetrical bead shapes that we are used to, jewelry designers are embracing the beauty of the natural world by incorporating stones in their organic forms into their pieces.

The geological processes that create gemstones are truly remarkable (think, for example, of the unlikely set of circumstances that needs to occur at the atomic level in order for crystals to grow, or the incredibly high temperatures and pressure levels that must be exerted before a natural diamond forms). The unfinished edges and imperfect angles of raw gemstone beads remind us of these extraordinary conditions through which they came into being, bringing a new layer of significance to the jewelry designs that they are a part of.

Here are some of my latest favorites:

Quartz, pyrite, kyanite, and sea urchin spine necklace by yellowgrey.

Crystal necklace by Serefina.

Amethyst and pyrite ring by Unearthen.

Gold apatite crystal bangle by Aoko Su.

Chrysoprase ring by Mali Sabatasso.

What is your favorite gemstone to design with?

Chloe

Only A Few More Days To Submit Your Jewelry Designs!

cchatenever — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

You only have a few more days to submit your jewelry designs for consideration in 101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings! We already have some really inspiring designs coming in, but with 101 brand-new projects to select, we are eager to see any and all projects that you would like to send our way!

If you didn't catch our post detailing the submissions instructions for this issue, here's a refresher:

It's as simple as snapping a few shots of each piece that you would like to submit, and emailing them to 101BNE@interweave.com by our December 17th pre-submissions deadline. If we think any of your designs could be a good fit, we will request that they be sent in so that we can take a closer look.

What we are looking for:

Accepted designs will be grouped together based on their color scheme (see this year's 16 color categories below), so each submission should be made with materials that are predominantly one of the colors from our palette. Though it should be obvious, please specify which color category you intend each submission to be considered for when you send them in. We will be accepting 6-7 designs total in each color. You may submit 1 design per category. We are looking for wearable necklace, bracelet, and earring designs that are created using basic stringing, wireworking, and knotting techniques. We are also open to simple beadweaving designs.

101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings 2013 Palette

Don't hesitate to send your questions to 101BNE@interweave.com!

Cheers,

Chloe

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.

Designing with Birthstones

Dblair — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Like many of you, my daughter has a December birthday. I'd like to create a special piece of jewelry incorporating her birthstone so I've gathered a few tips from some very helpful web sites with information on birthstones and gemstones.

This American Gem Society chart provides the history of each month's birthstone. Visit their web site here and click on the month you were born.

Instead of designing with your birthstone, find gems in your favorite color to inspire your designs by referencing this gem palette from the American Gem Trade Association.

Click here to download "4 Free Gemstone Jewelry Making Projects" from Beading Daily, which includes a bonus guide to finding affordable gemstones, the special meaning of gemstones, and dyed vs. natural gemstones.

As for my daughter's bracelet, I may string a few of these Swarovski tanzanite-colored crystals from Fire Mountain Gems or these stunning blue topaz briolettes that I found on Etsy. She'll be thrilled with either one!

Do you have tips for designing with birthstones or other gemstones? Share your comments below.

Happy creating!

Debbie Blair, Managing Editor

Stringing Soon Available on iPad!

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:10:00 GMT

This week is an exciting one in the Jewelry Stringing office. We're putting the final touches on our iPad version of the Winter 2013 issue--the first to be available the iPad. It will be available in the Apple Newsstand December 7.

We already have Zinio editions of Jewelry Stringing available, so you can enjoy the magazine on your desktop or laptop, and we have Kindle versions of Jewelry Stringing, so you can enjoy the magazine on that device.You can also subscribe to these digital versions--there's more info here.

But the iPad version is extra special. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but our talented magazine designer, Connie Poole, and production leader, Mark Dobroth, redesigned the whole magazine to fit the iPad's specs, then added extra features such as:

Zoomable photos: Want a closer look at project? Use your fingers to enlarge the photo.
Clickable resources: Want to shop for the beads used in a project right away? Just click on the provided link.
Interactive ads: Interested in learning more about a product featured in an ad? Click on it and go to the advertiser's website.
Additional views: Get more photos of projects--we don't have the same space restrictions as we do in the paper magazine.

I love how every photo is so vibrant on the iPad version, and I love how we were able to pull out all of the individual earring and bracelet designs from our galleries to give you a closer view of each item (below is my a stolen photo I took of the Bracelets gallery!).

The following (Spring 2013) iPad version of Jewelry Stringing will also include views of each featured necklace project on a mannequin to better show you how the piece will fit. Do you have any ideas for how we can improve our iPad version? I welcome them in the comments section below.

Enjoy!

Make 12 Holiday Jewelry Designs

DanielleF@9 — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:00:00 GMT

A little bit ago, I posted a blog about how much fun the Jewelry Stringing staff had while working on a collection of holiday-jewelry projects. I'm proud to announce that the Create Christmas Jewelry: 12 Holiday Designs eBook is now available here. Inside, you can learn how to make a dozen festive earring designs using a variety of techniques and materials, including beadweaving, metal stamping, epoxy clay, paper-folding, wireworking, and more. I love this eBook for its variety of projects...and for the opportunity I had to include some of my favorite vintage ornaments in the photo styling (see a few of them in the photo below?). I knew they'd come in handy some day!

Our newest collection of jewelry projects--all made by the Jewelry Stringing staff!

Get in the spirit of the season and make yourself or your friends a pair of Christmas earrings. And, remember, earrings make great gifts as they're quick and easy to make and one size fits all! Plus, the eBook costs only $9.95, which is just 83 cents per project. Cheap (but chic) inspiration! Here's a look at some of the designs inside:

	My earrings made with epoxy clay, glitter, and crystal chatons.
	Debbie Blair's patina-ink-colored wreath earrings.
	Debbie Blair's sweet version of snowmen earrings.

I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about the holidays. But flipping the calendar to November the other day and looking through this pattern collection has started to get me in the mood. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into our latest creative adventure--I hope it helps put you in a happy holiday mood, too.

Enjoy!

Free Quick-and-Easy Necklace Project

Dblair — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:05:00 GMT

I've been so excited about the themes for the Summer 2013 issue of Jewelry Stringing, one of which is "Modern Cowgirl," that when I came across a sheet of western-themed clip art in our stash, I just had to whip up a fun cowgirl necklace for myself!

You can, too, in just a few easy steps! You'll need to round up the following:

Materials--a chain, a few beads, an eye pin, beading wire, 2 crimp tubes, a bezel, a photo or clip art, and embellished chain or other ephemera to place inside the pendant. You'll also need some multi-purpose glue, jewelry cement, and decoupage medium.

Tools--scissors, a small paint brush, wire cutters, round-nose pliers, chain- or flat-nose pliers, and some crimping pliers.

1. Trace around the bezel and cut out the image. I found that I needed to trim the edges a hair at a time until the image fit down into the bezel just right.

2. Use multi-purpose glue to attach the image to the inside of the bezel. Paint a coat of decoupage medium on the image to seal it, then let dry.

3. Using jewelry cement, affix beaded chain or other embellishments to the inside edge of the bezel.

4. Attach the eye pin to the top of the bezel. String a glass round and form a simple loop.

5. To assemble the necklace, use 8" of beading wire to string 1 crimp tube and one end of your desired chain; pass back through the tube and crimp. String 24 turquoise 4x3mm rondelles and the simple loop attached to the pendant. String 24 turquoise rondelles, 1 crimp tube, and the other end of your chain; pass back through the tube and crimp.

I made this necklace long enough to slip over my head, but if you choose to make yours shorter, simply attach a clasp to the back of your chain. You can leave the necklace "as is," or fill the pendant with resin for a more finished look and added durability. After trimming the image to fit inside the bezel, you'll want to use decoupage medium to coat the edges of the image as well as the front and back. Once dry, fit the image inside the bezel, add the ephemera, and fill with resin.

Feeling cowboy-inspired? Click here to check out the themes and contributor guidelines for our Summer 2013 issue and send us your designs!

Happy crafting,

Debbie Blair, Managing Editor