Yay for Kay!

Kay, who writes KayzKreationz, is the winner of the Simply Charms booklet!  Congratulations Kay :-)


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

 

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie starts Etsy Holiday Boot Camp with some goals and promises.

Resin Crafts!
Carmi has a blog post featuring a resin disaster.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean goes back through the mists of time and fondly recalls a favorite bracelet she made using components from two favorite websites! 

The Bead Dreamer
Handcrafted jewelry and autumn looks for 2011 are just perfect together. Charlene shows how.  

A Bead A Day
Lisa's got a quick tip for bead lovers! If a fabulous wholesale bead show comes to your city, don't miss it!  

About.com Jewelry Making
My, oh my, what is your favorite type of mother-of-pearl, natural, colored, bleached, all of the above?  

Art Bead Scene
We are all ready for Fall at Art Bead Scene! Check out the bounty of Autumn beady goodies we found from art bead makers on Etsy.  

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy shares what she made with Cat's lovely etched copper heart. 





Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Book giveaway: Beading - 20 Great Weekend Projects

Our very last book from the batch that Lark Publishing sent me to give away this month!  The book that is up for grabs this week is The Weekend Crafter: Beading: 20 Great Weekend Projects, a re-released volume that contains a good beginner section on materials, tools, and techniques, as well as some fun projects that can mostly be completed in one weekend.  The projects are divided into jewelry/accessories and home decor.

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person.  Deadline: October 6, 2011. 

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Are you ready to make better art?

Once you've mastered the basics of design and technique, it's usually pretty natural to want to move on and start creating really show-stopping one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.  This doesn't mean that if you start out as a bead stringer that you must necessarily move on to bead weaving or some other "more difficult" technique.  Rather, what I'm getting at is that eventually you will probably want to start doing something that really sets your jewelry apart from the thousands of other people who are making jewelry.

So how do you do that?  One obvious way is to create your own findings and components, make your own beads, charms, or pendants, or to develop some other sort of twist that you become known for.  There are so many different ways to add value to your work that I began to collect some posts written by artists who are much much smarter than I am when it comes to this topic.

Don't knock yourself off

More papas, fewer babies

4 easy ways to personalize your beaded jewelry

Pricing your artwork 

Checklist for promoting a new product


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Recent publications: September

Jewelry Lab : 52 Experiments, Investigations, and Explorations in Metal (Lab Series) by Melissa Manley

Rachel Nelson-Smith's Bead Riffs: Jewelry Projects in Peyote & Right Angle Weave (Beadweaving Master Class Series) by Rachel Nelson-Smith

Designing Bead and Wire Jewelry: Everything the Beginner Needs to Know by Renata Graham

How to Crochet Bead Tube Jewelry (Annie's Attic: Crochet) by Melinda Wigington

Crochet Wire Jewelry by Nancy Waille

Bead Jewelry 101, 2nd Edition: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction by Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies by Strine and Kate Shoup

Gems & Jewelry Appraising, 3rd Edition: Techniques of Professional Practice by Anna M. Miller and Gail Brett Levine

Sustainable Jewellery by Julia Manheim

Destination Creativity: The Life-Altering Journey of the Art Retreat by Rice Freeman-Zachery


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead Journal Project: September

I seem to be on a bright colors kick!  I recently received some fun packets of vintage plastic beads from Vintage Beads from Europe, and the wonderful colors inspired me to keep to the bright palette for September.  Usually September finds me pulling out the more customary browns and oranges, so this is a bit of a departure!

Link to tutorial
January Button
February Button
March Button
April and May Buttons
June and July Buttons
Making an easy bezel for a curved surface
August Button 

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

 

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
This week's Tuesday Tangle is about experimentation and trying new designs. 

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie gets ready to join up in the Etsy Boot Camp and is looking for more recruits!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews Jamie Cloud Eakin's fabulous new bead embroidery technique book, coming out in early October! And posts a Blythe doll photo, of course.  

The Bead Dreamer
Love miniatures? Charlene takes miniature book components, paper, ribbon and a few beads and makes a mini book necklace. You can too!  

A Bead A Day
Have you ever made a zipper pull to match a pair of earrings? Check out this first attempt!  

About.com Jewelry Making
Jazz up your eyes with this beaded eye glass chain tutorial.  

Art Bead Scene
Shannon shares some tricks of the trade regarding jewelry metal punches.  



Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Yay for Laura!

Laura, who writes Hg-Elemental Mercury, is the winner of Simply Earrings.  Congratulations Laura!

Book giveaway: Simply Charms

I'm down to the last two of the pamphlets and books that Lark Publishing sent me to give away this month!  The pamphlet that is up for grabs this week is Simply Charms, which contains 20 projects that were previously published in Beading with Charms.  There are lots of different themes suggested for your charm jewelry by the different artists included in the volume.  A few projects show you how to actually make charms from tin, found objects, and the like, but most make use of pre-made charms.   

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person.  Deadline: September 29, 2011. 


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Do you name your jewelry pieces?

 RuthAnn's Garden

You know that I don't mean naming them things like "necklace", "ring", "bracelet", etc!  I have been an advocate of naming your pieces for a long time, although I'm not very good at it and often have to turn to readers for help at the crucial moment.  Whether or not you are name-challenged like I am, I will appeal to you once more to consider coming up with names for your creations, because now I have proof that it makes a difference!

If my argument that it gives honor and value to your piece to give it a name has not convinced you, perhaps the argument of a  better writer will!  Along with that, I'm adding a bonus: a collection of articles that will help you write better descriptions of your pieces, which may in turn help you to figure out a name for them!

Not untitled: 40+ incentives to name your jewelry

Writing product descriptions for your jewelry



Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Fall Challenge Blog Hop

Once more, Michelle Mach has put together a blog hop challenge for everyone.  The big reveal date will be October 4, 2011.  And once more, the kits have all sold out!  Michelle promises that there will be another challenge in January 2012.  Perhaps you'd like to visit her now and see if you can get on her mailing list...

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Copper necklace with patina - part two

Last week, I shared my process for creating these ammonia and salt patina copper beads.  This week, I want to show you the piece that I made with them!  Here is another necklace that used these beads, and you can find the information on it in this post. 

Materials and Tools

Copper tube beads from Part one
Faceted fire agates, large and small
Bullseye agates
Small turquoise disks
Small plastic beads that fit inside copper tubes
20 gauge copper wire
Copper jump rings
A few links of copper chain
Clasp (optional - I made mine from wire)

1. Design two or more types of links that will alternate in your necklace.  I made copper wire-wrapped links from the fire agates and bulleye agates, and copper tube links with turquoise disks.

2. Turn a wrapped loop on one end of your copper wire.  You will have to have to figure out the length of wire needed for this style link with a little bit of trial and error.  I ended up needing 7 1/2 inches of wire on the second end in order to form the second wrapped loop, wrap it back around all the beads in the link, and anchor it on the original end.  Make as many of these links as you desire.  I made five.

3. For the shorter tube bead links, it should be a bit easier to figure out how much wire is needed.  Turn a wrapped loop and slide on a turquoise disk, the copper tube bead, small plastic beads to fill the tube, and a second turquoise disk.  The plastic beads will keep the tube bead centered on the wire and prevent it from coming out of alignment with the disks. 

4. Turn the second wrapped loop on the other end. Make as many of these links as you desire.  I made six. 

5. Connect all the links with jump rings.

6. Use jump rings to attach a few links of copper chain and a hook or clasp to the ends of the necklace.  Instead of using a commercial clasp, I used about 5 inches of wire to fashion a simple hook.  

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

 

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has links to a mosaics in resin series to share this week.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie ponders if her new cat pendant design is seasonally spooky or a year round treat.
 
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
I love B'Sue Boutiques and Brenda Sue is having a blog hop in October! Come read about it!  

The Bead Dreamer
Charlene reviews a book that blends beading and jazz - Bead Riffs.


A Bead A Day
If you were wondering about the best method for adhering flatback swarovski crystals to a rubbery textured object, Lisa's discovered the answer! Superglue! Check out her newly crystallized slap-watch.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy discusses and provides a tutorial about the dirty side of metal jewelry.  

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Yay for Deci!!

Deci, the writer of Gem Trails of California, is the winner of our recent giveaway, Simply Necklaces!  Congratulations!!

Don't miss the newest giveaway going on now :-)

Book giveaway: Simply Earrings

As you know by now, I have a series of pamphlets and books to give away this month, courtesy of Lark Publishing!  Each of the pamphlets has 19 or 20 projects by a variety of artists, most but not all of them fairly easy and quick.  The next one up for grabs is Simply Earrings, a pamphlet containing 19 projects that were previously published in Beading with Crystals and in Beading with Gemstones.  This volume covers basic wire skills like working with a jig, making a shepherd's hook, and more complicated wire wrapping and chain techniques.  

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person.  Deadline: September 22, 2011. 


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Fall 2011 color and style forecasts

Honeysuckle hangs on!  No big surprise there...this lovely color that was designated the "Color of the Year" by Pantone is joined by some other beauties that you don't always associate with autumn.  I'm pretty happy about it, because even though I love autumn leaf colors, it does get just a bit predictable. 

So, decide whether or not you care what the popular colors are, whether or not you intend to follow the trends.  As for me, I love them this season, so I may as well enjoy them!  More information on the Fall 2011 color palette is available at the link above. 

Want to know what trends are predicted for the new season for jewelry styles?  Check out Fashion Trendsetter...so far the predictions are classic, straight lines with geometric forms, retro rocker, and nature inspired designs.  More intriguing to me is the prediction of jewelry pieces that have interchangeable elements to allow for more personalized design choices. 


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Tambour beading

Are any of you familiar with tambour beading?  I've never tried this form of bead embroidery, and it looks kind of wicked cool.  What do you think?




Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Copper necklace with patina - part one

I went a little crazy earlier this summer and cut out quite a few more copper tube beads than I really needed.  Ok, so there's the challenge...think up ways to use them that won't leave me bored.  Here's what we've got so far:
Copper bead necklace
Helix-style necklace 

But wait, there's more!  I wanted to play around with more patinas, and this is what I came up with: an easy way to create an ammonia and salt patina.  Please be careful when you do this!  Ammonia has wicked nasty fumes, so please take precautions and make sure you have good ventilation, or even better, do it outside!

Materials and Tools

Copper tubing
Ammonia
Salt

Tube cutter
File
Netting fabric
Small container with lid
Packing tape

1. Take a look at my earlier tutorial that covers how to cut copper tubing to make beads.  Make as many beads as you'd like but don't proceed to the LOS patination step.

2. Mix up some ammonia and salt in a bit of warm water, and pour it into a small lidded container.  How much of each?  I don't really know.  I just added a large splash of ammonia and sprinkled some salt in.  Using a piece of packing tape, attach a piece of netting fabric to the outside of the container near the top. 

3. Place the beads to be patinated on the fabric and dip it down into the ammonia solution.  Stretch the fabric over top of the liquid so that the liquid is about 1/2 inch below the fabric, and tape the fabric to the oppsite side of the container on the outside.  Sprinkle the beads with more salt and snap on the lid.

4. Allow the beads to enjoy the fumes for as long as it takes to reach the depth of color you want.    

Part two will be posted next Monday, when I'll share the instructions for a completed necklace!

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Vintage Beads from Europe

Vintage Beads from Europe is the place to get your bead mix fix, and then some!  I recently received several packets of color-themed beads from Vente Viteikaite, the proud owner of this new online shop.  The packets shown below are half the size that Vente sells, just brimming with fun fun beads and baubles:

 
You can find these colorways plus more on the Bead Mixes page of the site.  Vintage Beads from Europe also features this really cool drag and drop shopping cart, which is an amazingly convenient way to rustle up the beads you want! 

I've got a quilt underway which will be the new home for many of these beads.  I expect it will be awhile before it's finished, but I'll share some process shots with you along the way!


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

 

About.com Jewelry Making
Fly away with some steampunk inspiration after reading this new pin tutorial.

Beads & Books
Michelle creates jewelry with the new Rusty Black metal finish from B'Sue Boutiques.  

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy's got some business advice for you - from one threadkiller to another!  

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie reviews a gorgeous new metalsmithing book called Hot Connections  

Resin Crafts!
Resin Crafts has a post featuring back to school pencils in resin!  

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean just can't ever get over the stunning beauty created by her British pal, Emma Ralph! if you don't know about Emma, you have a real treat in store!  

The Bead Dreamer
Charlene shows how a little paint and an old book make an excellent prop for jewelry photography.  

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Recently, Andrew was interviewed by Kelli Burns of The Hole Bead Shop. Check out the first installment of the interview!  



Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Yay for Maria!

Maria, who writes Sweet Willow Designs, won the first book in our giveaway series, Simply Bead & Wire!  Congratulations :-)

Book giveaway: Simply Necklaces

I have a series of pamphlets and books to give away this month, courtesy of Lark Publishing!  Each of the pamphlets has 19 or 20 projects by a variety of artists, most but not all of them fairly easy and quick.  The second one up for grabs is Simply Necklaces, a pamphlet containing 23 projects that were previously published in Bead Love.  This volume contains pieces that are strung, bead woven, knotted, and chain with beaded links.

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person.  Deadline: September 15, 2011. 


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Beading Arts now has a contact form

How could I not have thought about this before?  I love hearing from all of you, but sometimes you just don't want to leave a public comment.  So I've attempted to make it easier for you with a big bold CONTACT button right up at the top of the page and in the sidebar too!


Here's an incomplete list of the various reasons that you might choose to contact me through this page:

• Visitor questions
• Site problems - anything from spelling mistakes to html glitches
• Topics you'd like me to cover in the future.  No, I won't promise, but I will consider it!
• Services you'd like to offer in exchange for publicity - a tutorial, artist profile, or items for giveaway, perhaps?
• Product review requests
• Advertising inquiries
• Affiliate program invitations
• Publishers and editors - do you need some projects to fill your book?
• Media inquiries - anyone need an "expert"?  :-)
• Designer endorsement - do you need someone to create a project using your products?
• Commissions - like my work enough to hire me?  I specialize in making pieces that use beads or other items that are meaningful to you.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Calls for entries and submissions

Belle Armoire Jewelry

Deadline: 10/15/11  

  
Revere Academy Scholarship for Beaders

Deadline: 10/15/11  

   


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Store Supply Warehouse

We've got a brand new sponsor here on Beading Arts that I would urge you to visit if you are involved in selling your work: Store Supply Warehouse has a huge section dedicated to jewelry display, tagging, packaging, and organizing.  You'll find their ad in the sidebar.  Even if you don't own a store, you will need many of the items they carry for doing consignment or shows.  


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Repurposed materials make beautiful jewelry

Marta Townsend
ReNew 4 You by Marta

Marta uses repurposed paper and fabric to make beads that she then turns into gorgeous, custom jewelry pieces. An eco-friendly way to wear stylish pieces.

She was cleaning out all of her sewing fabric one day when the madness began! She tries to use repurposed fabrics for all sewing projects and actually create beads from repurposed paper to design all sorts of beautiful jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pins, and hairpieces.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Perth the Turtle finds a home

When my friend Maggie Towne added this adorable lampwork glass turtle to her etsy shop Bead Towne, I knew that she was going to be mine!  Then came the inevitable problem: how do you feature a special bead without overwhelming it?  I decided that a simple spiral bead rope, using the colors found in Perth the Turtle was the way to go.  Do you have other suggestions for what I could have done?

Materials and Tools

Size 11/0 and 8/0 seed beads
Nymo O beading thread
Glass pendant (Bead Towne)
4mm rounds
4 metal cones (All the brass is from Vintaj)
20 gauge Wire
Jump rings
Toggle and bar


Beading needle
Scissors
Chain nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler

1. Create two beaded spiral stitch strands as long as you want the sides of your necklace to be.  I used size 8/0 seed beads for the core beads and for one of the beads that create the spiral.  I used size 11/0 seed beads for the rest of the spiraling parts.  Using different sized beads like this gives you a subtle wave pattern to the strands.

2. Take one thread tail from each strand down through a few extra beads, a metal cone, a 4mm round, and several more size 8/0 beads to where you want the top of your pendant to hang.  Use smaller beads to fill the hole of the pendant so it hangs straight and to protect the threads from rubbing on the larger bead and fraying.

3. Slide on the pendant and go through another 4mm round, taking the needles back up through the pendant.  Anchor and tie the threads, burying the ends.

4. Cut 2 pieces of wire, each about 3 inches long.  Turn a small double loop at one end.


5. Stitch the free ends of the spiral strands to these loops.  Use a dab of glue on the knots and slide another cone on each wire, hiding the small loops. 

6. Add another 4mm round to the wire and turn a wrapped loop.  Add jump rings and your toggle set to finish off the necklace.

Copyright 2011 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

 
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew announces the (SOLD OUT) Reader's Challenge Design Kit for September! Lots of luscious pale purples and lavenders!

About.com Jewelry Making
When was the last time you visiting the Jewelry Making Forum? That long ago? Well, here is some of what you have been missing. 

Beads & Books
Michelle shares a strategy for improving her Etsy shop photos. 

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy shares some ideas to make your metal money stretch.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie unloads a kiln fill of new black and white deigns. 


Resin Crafts!
This week Carmi is making Faux Gems with resin!  

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean thinks about what it is like to write for Australian Beading Magazine! Many of you have been in her column at this point!  

Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading

Book giveaway: Simply Bead & Wire

I have a series of pamphlets and books to give away this month, courtesy of Lark Publishing!  Each of the pamphlets has 19 or 20 projects by a variety of artists, most but not all of them fairly easy and quick.  The first one up for grabs is Simply Bead & Wire, a pamphlet containing 23 projects that were previously published in Contemporary Bead & Wire Jewelry.  This volume is probably best for those with some previous wire experience, and it covers earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and broaches.

***Free Stuff Alert!!!***

And now you have a chance to win this book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!

Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person.  Deadline: September 8, 2011. 


Technorati Tags:handmade beaded jewelry,wearable art,beads,jewelry,necklace,mixed media,beading