Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from July, 2016

heART beats from other blogs!

Free Rainbow Circles Pattern The latest free pattern at Connie Gee's Designs is the Rainbow Circles chart. It is whole cross-stitch only and could be adapted for any color scheme. Organizing, Before and After Beads, sewing supplies, yarn,and more! How do you get your craft space organized so you can actually craft? Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews a fab new jewelry design book: Cool Copper Cuffs 25 Metal and Wire Projects by Eva M. Sherman ! Folding Screen Card Two Ways A folding screen card is a cute variation on an accordion fold card. It's made to resemble an oriental room divider screen. Here are two ways to make one.

Recent publications: July 2016

Jewelry Making: Step by step Guide To Creating Your Own Original And Unique Jewelry by Julia Riley Polymer Clay Jewelry: 22 Bracelets, Pendants, Necklaces, Earrings, Pins, and Buttons by Sophie Arzalier Guide to Beading with a Loom: From Start to Finish and Beyond by Jamie Cloud Eakin Bead Sparkle: 120 Designs for Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets & More by Susan Beal Mad About Buttons: Fifty Creative Craft Projects Using Buttons by Alice Vinten Origami Jewelry by Mayumi Jezewski and Marina Orry Leather Bracelets by Nihon Vogue The Jewelry School: Let's Start Beading by Carolyn Schulz A-Z of Bead Embroidery (A-Z of Needlecraft) by Country Bumpkin

Fast projects for the dog days of summer!

I don't know about you, but I prefer to do most of my extensive and intensive projects during the cooler months.  For those of you who feel the same, let me recommend some of the fastest projects that I know of...earrings and bracelets! My earring tutorials Wrap bracelets Shamballa bracelets Mini Shamballa bracelets Recycled bangle Wire and bead bracelet Some books for more inspiration: DIY Wrap Bracelets by Keiko Sakamoto Fast & Easy Earrings by Erica Swanson Earringology by Candie Cooper

heART beats from other blogs!

Diamond Twenty-Four We only have one more section left to go in the Connie Gee's Designs free SAL. But don't fret, the new Tiny SAL will be coming soon! Recycled Guitar String Bracelets Recycled guitar strings into bracelets! Most of us are into recycling these days and what better way to keep stuff out of the land fill than to make some beautiful things to wear! 50 Shades Blue Shawl Another super easy garter stitch knit shawl is done! And the yarn was wonderful to work with. Why Buy When You Can Watch Free? Eileen explains when to watch free and when you would want to buy a class. Hint: Creative Live classes are up to 50% off until 7/25!

Tutorial round-up from some of my favorite makers!

Rena's wire ear cuff with interchangeable dangles Don't just visit these links and drool over the projects...subscribe to the blogs as well.  These are some seriously talented makers! Sharon's hand embroidery tutorials on Pintangle Using tubing and pipe in jewelry making by Tammy Rena's wire ear cuff with interchangeable dangles Resin jewelry inspiration (no specific tutorials, but the site is full of them so that you'll be able to make your own)

heART beats from other blogs!

Snap our of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews the super new technique and project book, Guide to Beading with a Loom, by Jamie Cloud Eakin! Free Pom Pom Quilt Cross Stitch Pattern The free Pom Pom Quilt pattern lends itself to creativity. I chose "spicy" colors for mine, but you can easily adapt it to a color set of your choice. Or, you could even add beads and metallic thread to give it a little bling and sparkle. Decoupage a Glass Plate with Napkins How to decoupage delicate napkin or tissue paper without wrinkling or tearing. Eileen's example also covers how to center a decoupage image on a round plate.

Motorcycle spark plug pendant - for sale

Motorcycle spark plug, wire $50 Your necklace will be made in this style, or in any of the styles you see on this page ,  and will be ready to ship within one week.  The spark plug is authentic, used, and thoroughly cleaned up!  The chain is appropriate...industrial style ball chain with the traditional clasp, whatever length you'd like.  Most people want it between 20 to 24 inches.  Your choice!  Make sure you give me your email address if you're interested, so we can discuss which style you would like!

Learn some new techniques this summer!

Making a bezel using herringbone stitch Choosing the right diameter of beading wire Stitch dictionary for hand stitching How to prevent tool marks on metal Glue reference chart Sealing alcohol inks on copper jewelry How to make oval jump rings Making a bezel using herringbone stitch Making easy enameled beads Working with jewelry resin And don't forget about the gazillions of tutorials that are right here in the archives of Beading Arts!  I've broken them down into medium or technique for you so that you can home in on what interests you most to learn. Not sure what you want to try?  Check out my list of the most basic tutorials I've written in all different media!

Chain mail bracelet from Kat's kit!!

No, I'm not being cute.  The fabulous Kat Wisniewski sent me a kit for a bracelet that is featured in her new book, New Connections in Chain Mail Jewelry with Rubber and Glass Rings (my review at the link).  I don't work in chain mail at all except for a very few small pieces, just for experiments, so I had a certain amount of trepidation upon receiving the kit.  All those jump rings (well, duh!). It turns out that as long as you follow the instructions, which are super-easy to follow, you will end up with a fabulous piece of jewelry!  Who knew? Arched Ascent Bracelet, designed by Kat Wisniewski Inexpertly assembled by Cyndi Lavin My biggest challenge was closing the jump rings properly.  But not to worry...there are a few extra in each size needed just in case you really mess one up (I did!  Twice.).  Still, I think I ended up with a very presentable bracelet that I'll be proud to wear.  You can find Kat's kits on her website, New Connections Book .

Secret compartment bracelet has found a new home!

Yay!  I love this bracelet, which I made for the e-book Arm Candy , and I'm thrilled to say that it has gone to its new home right here in my town so that maybe I can occasionally still visit it!

Book review: Colorful Wirework Jewelry

If you're not already familiar with Kim St. Jean's work, then you obviously do not like metal!  Kim has already written books on working with metal (my reviews links are below), and now she has tackled her love of wire in a new book:  Colorful Wirework Jewelry , published by Kalmbach . Wire with a fun twist, though...lots of COLOR!  Kim has wrapped, coiled, twisted, and woven her way through 28 fun wire projects that feature colored wire along with bright beads and cabochons. If you're a beginner, you'll be treated to all the basic information that you need to be successful with these projects.  If you are more advanced, I think you'll find them to be a great jumping-off point to inspire your own exploration. Bonus...have you been wanting to learn basic Viking Knit?  It's included ;-) If you want to get a look at some of Kim's work, one of the best sources is her Pinterest boards . My reviews for two other books by Kim St. Jean: Mixed Metal Ma

heART beats from other blogs!

Creating Craft Videos: How to DIY Have you thought of sharing craft skills online by creating craft videos? Videos are a popular resource for people who want to learn. Here's how to DIY. Blythe Doll Beret Pattern - Recipe Crochet a cute beret for your Blythe doll or American Girl doll using these instructions.