Bead Chat

August Challenge 2013

SEllen 2 — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:05:17 GMT

We've just finished our June Wedding Challenge and are now posting our finished pieces in the Reader Showcase.

Let's keep our momentum going with an August Challenge.

Create a piece(s) that are inspired by your favorite dessert. It can be anything from chocolate chip cookies to strawberry shortcake or some decadent chocolate creation or bon bons.

You have from now to June 30th to deside if you want to participate and to go through your stash or buy any materials you will need.

Start your project(s) on July 1st and have them completed by August 1st when we will reveal our completed projects.

So what do you think? Are you up for it?

Boasting: loomed portrait

Kathy Kostinsky — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:05:45 GMT

I haven't shown my work here for ages, for I was a bit busy - last autumn I became mom again and now my fourth child, David, takes most of my time, arms and attention.

Though in February I started and last week finished and presented a beaded portrait loomed of 15042 Toho seed beads size 11. I used 10 shades of black, grey and white.

The portrait can be seen here:

http://katenkin-biser.ru/portret/Milaeng.php

What do you think of it?

Porcelain beads

Zayna — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:13:40 GMT

Do porcelain beads look cheap? I've been looking at them at Fire Mountain Gems and can't tell for sure. Guess I should check it out at my local bead shop. Anyone have any opinions?

Bracelet Length

carolee1945 — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:57:10 GMT

I love making bracelets, because then I can see my handiwork, and it inspires me to make more. However, I am constantly in a tizzy regarding the length of them. Either they are too short or too long. I have finally started measuring, but sometimes the pattern is such that to complete one more unit makes it too long whereas one less unit makes it too short!! Sometimes I find just the right clasp, but then it makes the bracelet too long. Also, how the bracelet is constructed affects the needed length. Some bracelet types need to be 6 1/2 inches, some 7, some 7 1/2. Any ideas on this topic would be welcome.

So many seed beads, what to do?

murralis — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:43:09 GMT

What are the quickest, easiest, way to use up all---- these seed beads I have acquired? Their should be some projects that will use them up "easily".

Challenge Anyone? Accepted

SEllen 2 — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:00:53 GMT

I've been hearing lately a common complaint about how slow things are around here. So, I thought maybe if we did a beading challenge things might pick up.

I have 2 thoughts one would be a Mother's Day challenge we could maybe do a common colors or theme. Like hearts and flowers or whatever. We could take a poll to see what ideas are most common.kwim?

For me Mother's Day is all about FLOWERS from the coursages that she'd wear to church to the ones she wanted to recive. In all colors reds, yellows, pinks etc.

My second idea was for a June Challenge. And the one thing most people think of in June is Weddings. So we could do a Wedding Challenge theme.

Let me know what you guys think of the idea of a challenge and what theme of the challenge you would like. Would you want to do something more general like just having an earring, challenge?( We could pick any type of jewelry earring,necklace,ring etc.)

Basically, let's see if we can't get the forums energized.

And since this is a member challenge I think it would be fun to have ANY of the Interweave staff join in on the fun. I think it would be great for the forums to see their enthusiasm and joy of beading as well as their presence on the forums. Providing that their work load would allow.

What do you guys think? Any ideas?

EDITED: Go to the sixth post on this thread to see the guidelines for this challenge. Look for the Bold lettered June Wedding Challenge

I saw this beautiful vintage slide clasp on ebay

tcwhit — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:52:33 GMT

I would never use it, but it's so great, I thought I'd share it. Not sure how to link to it, but this is the item description. The seller is pamtom96. and before anyone asks, I have no clue who it is, and have no financial interests in them. I just thought it could be awesome for someone that works in that style.

Vintage Filigree Bracelet Silver Tone Slide Lock Clasp EXC

Pet Peeve: Sterling Silver

carolee1945 — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:15:01 GMT

Yesterday, I wanted to wear a necklace I beaded that has a sterling silver clasp in the front. The silver was tarnished and looked very ugly. It was hard to clean just the clasp part, and I did not do a good job.

Why does the sterling silver jewelry from the store not tarnish as fast?

Are there clasps that look as good as sterling silver that do not tarnish?

I do not want to keep my jewelry in a plastic bag, out of sight, out of mind. I like having my necklaces and bracelets be a decoration in my bedroom and bead room. All my items with sterling silver components look bad right now. I have used the dipping method but only when the item is all sterling silver. I have bracelets where every other bead is a little sterling silver ball. These beads cost a lot, and now they look ugly. How can they be cleaned without damaging the beads around them?

Any ideas?

Why Hello! It's been too long....

Creative Eclectica — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:37:58 GMT

I feel like its been forever since I've checked in here. Life has been, how should I put it...? Fantastically, extraordinarily, insanely busy, chaotic, in an upheaval of great proportions in recent months. Since I last checked in I have had a child hospitalized, have had to almost single-handedly pack up my house, 3 dogs, cat and bird, oh and 3 children and a husband. Why singlehandedly? Because my husband works 15 hour days, 6 days a week during tax season and my children all take AP classes at school.

We have thus far been unable to find replacement homeandare scattered to the wind. 2 of us are in Tracy, Ca. 3 are still in San Jose but in two separate residences. The rental market is beyond competitive In the Bay Area and we may end up buying. Doing lots of traveling this summer so its going to continue to be crazy for awhile but I'm pleased to say that later this week I'll (hopefully) get to share some of the things I've been working on. I do not have internet where I currently live. I'm doing this from my phone. Not nearly as fun as a big screen.

Right now I'm going to hop over and look at all the pretty creations all of you have been making. I've missed that the most :)

See ya around! (Much more frequently now)

Shellie

Meetup @ Bead & Button show for bead swap?

brightcircle — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:58:46 GMT

The other day I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool if the B & B showrunners had a big ol' bead swap on the show schedule? Then I thought, why don't we organize one ourselves? Bring beads/supplies we don't use/need from home, meet up at a certain time/place at the show, and swap. I've been to some well-run swaps and can do the planning/organization.

What do you think?

bracelets as a photo models

armellamea — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:11:49 GMT

Sometimes I think that I'm crazy. I'm treating my bracelets as a photo models. As soon as I made it, I'm looking for a good posts for good photos, I emagine that I have my own photo session.

Is it crazy?

Marijana

Paper beads

SueMay100 — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:41:41 GMT

I have looked a bit around the forum, and decided that this might be the place to ask.

My daughter has been doing quilling for a few years, and just started making paper beads. I am looking for ideas to help her take them to the next level. Do you know what kind of sealer is the most durable, and what kinds of patterns work well with a combination of paper beads and glass or metal beads?

So far she has made one necklace, but she has already got questions about the strength of the beading threads, and the durability of the paper beads.

Also, since she and I are true crafters and we can't just work on one project at a time, we are looking for hints on 3d beading.

Is it my design or their design?

lerandia — Sun, 05 May 2013 02:12:45 GMT

At what point can you call a design yours?

Here is a familiar story. You are working on a fabulous jewelry design by another artist. At some point, through your own taste or as often is my case, you begin to make so many 'happy mistakes' that the end result looks like the original design in concept only.

So, you are wearing this hybridized design one day and someone asks, " Wow! Did you make that?" Normally, you reply, " Make? Yes. Design? No. It's a design by______." But now, you don't really know how to answer.

Do you claim it as your design inspired by the original artist's design? Do you explain that it was designed by ______, but you made 'adaptations'?

Here's an important one: Can you sell it as original art?

So, at what point does this become YOUR design? When there are 30% in deviations? 45%? 80%? What criteria for those deviations? Color? Materials? Additions? Subtractions? Layout alterations?

I'm really interested in what the community, particularly published artists, have to say on this. Also, what have other jewelry makers done in this situation? What were the results? Be as honest, logical, blunt, and brutal as possible.

Ps. I'm posting this in a few forums.

Where can i find these beads?

saabaru92x — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:37:34 GMT

Hello every1, I have been looking for a certain type of bead for an art/service project at our church camp, IF anyone knows what they're called or where to find them i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Here's a link to what I'm thinking, the beads with two holes so it wont flip around: http://www.holytrinitystore.com/icon-bracelet-sc186.html

Thanks again!

Can't find an earring pattern I like, to match this

tcwhit — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:20:27 GMT

This has been remade since I originally took this pic. It looks much better now but didn't feel like shooting a new image. Anyone think of an earring pattern to match? I've been putzing around for a couple of weeks now and can't come up with anything at all that I like. Either too clunky, or too delicate to balance out with the pendant I made. I'm fine with purchasing a pattern if I think it will work.

best way to start beading?

nitason — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:08:13 GMT

im interested in anyway that will start me beading. what supplies do i need? is there a good kit? ive just got done making a couple of paper beads. i think i will enjoy making them.

DebbieR@32 are you still here?

msbookite — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:43:13 GMT

i just found a post of yours from '09. i too live in chattanooga area and am looking for a place to buy loose beads. i will be heading to HL and michaels but would love another (better) option like a free standing bead store. figured if anyone knew of one, you would! :0)

Lara

Question about Kumi disks

Moonlytes — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:15:47 GMT

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or what. I have been using the Beadsmith kumi disks, both large and small, only with S-lon thread and after a few necklaces the slots don't hold the thread well anymore and the braid starts distorting. Has anyone else run into this problem with the disks seemingly wearing out? I even left my disks to rest for a month and a half, as hard as it was, and it didn't make any difference. Do I need to just start buying disks in bulk?

Fuchsia is as hard to spell as swarovski!!!

carolee1945 — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:10:30 GMT

Here is my latest project. The clasp is not right. I got a two toned button that I liked, but when I made the circle of beads, the beads showed on my wrist and just did not seem right. So, I put some crystals around the circle, but now the button does not lie flat. What do you think? (PS I think clasps and sizing is the hardest part of a bracelet)

Emerald, the Pantone color for 2013!

Caroline king — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:34:25 GMT

Heard the news that the PANTONE Color of the year for 2013 is PANTONE 17-5641, emerald! I love the color desperately! With the symbolic connotation that emerald can bring us the feeling of clarity and recovery, the whim of rummaging my saved items occurred suddenly, then I got to find the frog finished by my cousin just two days ago, thought it worth a share here.

Come on, let’s have a share of the emerald crafts of any kinds, here is the frog:

Crimp Covers in colour?

TFMHSuperwench — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:49:59 GMT

Hi there,

Does anyone know if you can buy crimp covers in other colours - ie: not just silver, copper, gold and other metals - I'm wondering if they come in actual colours, like blue/red/white etc?

The reason for this is that I don't just use them for finishing and ends - I sometimes like to crimp beads into place with decorative or coloured beading wire showing in the spaces between beads, and it annoys me that I have to use silver or other boring covers on my crimps.

You can get metal jump rings in all colours, so I'm wondering why crimp covers don't seem to change other than basic metal colours?

If these don't exist - which I expect they don't - i think they should... or is it just me?

Thanks

Fire Mountain Gems ?

murralis — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:29:39 GMT

On page 102, of the Jewelery Makers Catalog of Best Seller's, 2012-2013, recommends Designaseal Clear Gloss (A38-3239TL) as something to be used to extend a seed beads life and protect beads with a metal coating. Has anyone used it and will it work? Also there is a website that it can order from FMG at the maximum items cost, Jet ???, I think. Well, has anyone tried it and is it a rip-off?

Bead shops in Hong Kong

bwilcox — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:18:55 GMT

I'm traveling to Hong Kong soon and will be, of course, looking for bead shops. There are many places to buy beads, especially pearls.

Has anyone bought beads in Hong Kong? Any recommendations on a particularly good place? Things to look for, good and/or bad?

I always try to buy beads when I travel, so I'm excited about bringing some treasures home!

Alternative to lacys?

tcwhit — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:26:29 GMT

Has anyone ever tried using regular old interfacing instead of lacys stiff stuff?

What is this and What can I do with it?

Maduka — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:26:10 GMT

Please help me I found this with my beads I don't no what it is. can any one tell me what is it and what can i do with it. thank you.