Beading Arts

South Seas Siren I love doing bead embroidery, but it’s always somewhat frustrating to realize that I can’t really share detailed tutorials with you for how to make them. In the materials list below, I listed all the types of beads that I used, but I didn’t list how many. It’s absolutely impossible to guess how many anyone else will need since it depends upon your personal aesthetic and the size of your central pendant. So, pick your piece of paua, and let’s get going! Materials: Necklace strand: .019" (medium) softflex beading wire Amazonite rondelles 6 mm lavender amethyst rounds 4 mm amazonite rounds Sterling silver figure 8 chain Sterling silver S-hook with 2 rings Crimps Sterling silver crimp covers Sterling silver tube bail Sterling silver jump ring Sterling silver daisy spacers Sterling silver head pin Pendant: Piece of ultrasuede Two-part epoxy resin Freeform polished paua shell piece 20 gauge colored craft wire Nymo thread, size O White crystal se

Leona For a long time, I have been hoarding some broken strands of beads and some loose crystals that I received when my husband’s beloved grandmother passed away. A few weeks ago, Artbeads.com sent me a gorgeous Victorian Trellis Bead Frame to try out, and the match became obvious in my mind. I really wanted whatever project I did with Grandma’s beads to honor the simple classic style that she favored, and the exquisite details and old-fashioned charm of the bead frame was the answer to using her beads properly. I’ve included my exact bead count below, so if you want to follow my pattern you can. But I would encourage you to simply take the general idea and make your own necklace that honors some of your own special beads! Tools: Flat nose pliers Round nose pliers Wire cutters Alligator clip Measuring tape Materials: Sterling Silver Victorian Trellis Bead Frame, crystal (SS-BDFR16, Artbeads.com) Clasp 2 Bali silver beads, 8mm 24" SoftFlex, fine (.014" diameter) Pendan

Artist: Lorena Angulo Website: Lorena Angulo Lorena, when did you become interested in art? I was born in Mexico, and due to my father’s job in public works we had to frequently move from state to state, what gave me the unique opportunity to grasp the various cultural and artistic expressions of the different regions of Mexico and our Spanish and Indian heritage. That unique experience help me develop my deep love for Art, and to see all the various types of art created by different artisans was amazing. Mostly for me the traditional jewelry wore by the native Indians in South Mexico, Chiapas and Oaxaca, are my favorites. How were you introduced to metal clay? I was introduced to metal clay by a wonderful Artist Jeweler and Teacher in San Antonio, Claire Holliday, in 2006 at the Southwest School of Art. Since that day I fell in love with this great medium. Metal Clay opened the door to a lot of people without silver smithing background to create jewelry. Metal Clay gives m