Beading Arts

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew announces the future plans for Allegory Gallery and the NEW annex space! About.com Jewelry Making Dig around in your jewelry box for those hoop earrings that need a little jazzing up.   Art Bead Scene School season is almost here and that inspired Erin to blog about some of her favorite creative classes she has taken over the years. Beads & Books Win a copy of Japanese Beadwork with Sonoko Nozue. While you're entering, you can also download a free simple spiral necklace project from the book. Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie makes lemonade out of lemons, or at least out of clay slabs that got too dry, and creates new pendants in the process. Resin Crafts! A litte paper and paint can result in a wonderful Frida pendant! Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean discusses the worldwide jewelry, mixed media and Blythe doll project which she has been involved in througho

If you loved Kim St. Jean's metal beginner's book, Mixed Metal Mania , you may feel that you're now ready for the next step.  Thankfully, Kim has come up with Metal Magic , just in time!  Are you ready to rock it out and take metal work to the next level?  Then buy this book. Metal can be intimidating.  Kim makes it less so.  The basics section covers the tools needed, metal cutting, etching, adding color with enamels, stones setting - both cold and soldered - texturing and finishing, adding patinas, and creating findings.  Each section has a small practice project to get you going and help you to perfect the techniques before launching into the larger, more daunting projects. Let me tell you, the projects combine techniques in wonderful ways that you've probably not seen before.  My favorite is an easy peasy mount for broken glass beads - something that I certainly have enough of!  It is obvious as you read through Kim's book that she has a background in

Little Knitted Jewels: An Eclectic Mix of 12 Knitted Jewelry Designs by DRG Publishing Bead Crochet Jewelry: An Inspired Journey Through 27 Designs (Jewelry Design) by Bert Rachel Freed and Dana Elizabeth Freed Knit One, Bead Too: Essential Techniques for Knitting with Beads by Judith Durant 52 Step-By-Step Jewellery Design Projects by Lisa Jagger and Richard Jagger Creative Beading Vol. 7 by Editors of Bead&Button magazine Steampunk Accessories: 20 Projects to Help You Nail the Style by Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft's Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing Your Crafty Biz by Kelly Rand, Christine Ernest, Sara Dick and Kimberly Dorn Practical Jewelry-Making Techniques: Problem Solving by Stephen O'Keeffe Classic Style, Fresh Look: Sixty Jewelry Designs to Make and Wear by Irina Miech Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Last year we had a very lively discussion on copyright here on Beading Arts.  Everyone remained civil, which isn't always the case when discussing this issue.  Opinions were strong, but that's fine. Here's an update for those of you who'd like to do a bit more studying.  Interweave has published a free e-book that you can download.  Get your own copy at the link.  Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Shahasp Valentine If you're still looking for inspiration, don't forget about these fabulous artists that have shared their work with us over the years!     Dale Wayne Avril Scott Delia Marsellos-Traister Jennifer Vestal  ( update ) Cheri Platter Joseph Rissin Shahasp Valentine Michelle Loon Lis-el Crowley Carol Gregory Kristi Bowman-Gruel Vie Blakey Linda Kaye-Moses Andrew Thornton Sherry Eckert JJ Singh Maureen and Rebecca Worth ( update ) Melissa Lee Lorena Angulo Joan Rhodes Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

If you loved Bohemian Inspired Jewelry by Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel, you're also going to want to have Kerry Bogert's new book Rustic Wrappings .  Here you will find that the emphasis is on wire rather than fibers, but the same spirit pervades both books. If you are familiar with Kerry's other book, Totally Twisted , you're going to somewhat shocked.  The style of these new pieces is a complete turn-about from the bold, shiny, and brightly colored pieces you've seen before.  Instead, Kerry takes a walk on the weathered, antiqued, and rusted side for this new collection.  All three books are published by Interweave Press , and the new one certainly lives up to the reputation. Kerry shows you how to use common materials such as salt, vinegar, sawdust, and baking soda to add interesting effects to copper, silver, brass, and steel.  She gives step-by-step instructions for creating patinas and includes a chart so you'll never be at a loss as to which re

  Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Nothing is more delicious than a THIRD helping of bead soup, when it is cooked to perfection by Lori Anderson as Hostess, and her fellow participants in the 3rd Reveal of Bead Soup Blog Party 6! Check out the sumptuous delights! WOW! The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Want to win a prize? All you have to do is help spread the word about the Weekend Intensive with Gail Crosman Moore! You'll be entered to win some fabulous goodies!   A Bead A Day Lisa's love of childhood sitcoms is coming through again with a Brady Bunch reference. Take a peek at the beads that caused a Sunshine Day moment! About.com Jewelry Making Tammy takes a look at a new book about making rustic-style jewelry.   Art Bead Scene A guest blogger post by artist Kaushambi Shah shows the innovative ways she displayed her art history inspired jewelry in a large office space. Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie sh

Marcy Antle is not one to rest on past successes!  Nope, she continues to share new work on her blog, Queen Marcy's Originals , and was also recently published in Showcase 500 Beaded Jewelry .  Here are some of her newest pieces...not the ones that you'll find in Showcase !   Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

The Art of Metal Clay by Sherri Haab Artist and instructor Sherri Haab demonstrates metal clay’s remarkable versatility, showing how it can be textured, molded, carved, and sculpted to create gorgeous beads. Metal Clay Magic by Nana Mizushima Packed with color photos showing each step of working with metal clay. Covers more than just beads, but has lots of techniques that can be used in making beads. Metal Clay Beads by Barbara Becker Simon A highly rated book by a highly rated author Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads by Linda Kaye-Moses Wonderful step-by-step projects Enameling on Metal Clay by Pam East Learn how to add a whole new dimension of color to your metal clay projects Metal Clay and Mixed Media Jewelry by Sherri Haab How to combine this magical material with everything from resin and concrete to fibers and polymer clay Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry by Tammy Powley Disclaimer: one of my projects is in this book, so of course I'

  Metal Clay and Color Color is the cutting edge when it comes to working with metal clays, and it's the element that up till now has been lacking.  Now you have the opportunity to be taught by 20 of the world's top designers and to see 25 different ways to add more color to your metal clay life! In Metal Clay and Color , Mary Wohlgemuth has compiled projects that offer a ton of inspiration, encompassing many different styles, and having the usual fine step-by-step instructions that you expect from Kalmbach Books . What you won't get are the basics of working with metal clay.  For that, I recommend another book like The Absolute Beginners Guide: Making Metal Clay Jewelry by Cindy Thomas Pankopf.  But what you will get are innovative techniques for adding color to silver, bronze, and copper clay pieces, using polymer clay, ceramics, resin, patinas, gemstones, seed beads, and much more.  There is also a resource list for where to find the specialize

All of us suffer from periods of time (during the day, week, or month) when our energy just seems to drain away.  Here are a few wonderful articles on how to put that time to good use...some activities that aren't taxing, are necessary, but can also be time-sucks if you do them when you should be in the studio or writing something important. 6 Brainless Business Actions by Alyson B. Stanfield Find out what other artists think at the EmptyEasel Visit Pantone and see what's new for the upcoming season Create a Best Seller list for your blog What if you HAVE to write a post but have no motivation? Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Painted Shell Earrings Julia Rai writes for Making Jewellery Magazine .  In at least two issues this past spring, Julia wrote about making beautiful metal clay pieces to which she added color with ceramic and porcelain paints!!  These tutorials are both available on her blog now.    Spring Bud Brooch Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

  Resin Crafts! Carmi has a two part blog post showing you how to use a box tea came in and turn it into jewelry. Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews a wonderful book! Melanie Doerman's jewelry design book, The Art of Forgotten Things--how lovely!   A Bead A Day How do you begin a project inspired by an entire state? Lisa shares her thoughts... About.com Jewelry Making How do lampwork artists decorate their beads? Here are a few methods many of them use.   Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Some of Tami's metal pins as seen on Cat Tales Etc ! Hi, Cyndi! I love your blog, thanks so much for all of the info. I have a question about PMC. I'm interested in getting started (I don't have a kiln-is that a problem also?) in making tiny round bird houses with a base and a 'lid' - have you seen those and know what I mean? I just love birds and would like to try this but don't know where to start-do you have any suggestions, please? THANK YOU! Tami Hi Tami, Thanks for your question...I'm sure you're not the only one who wonders about getting started with metal clay.  There are several forms of clay that can easily be torch fired with no need for a kiln, and that's how a lot of people get started now unless they already have a kiln for other uses.  Both PMC+ and Art Clay Silver 650 can be torch fired.  These are two different brands, and each has its fans. There are dozens of great books out there on working with metal clays, but my ver

The Absolute Beginners Guide to Making Metal Clay Jewelry is absolutely the best book you can invest in if you want to try teaching yourself to work with this amazing material.  Cindy Thomas Pankopf has put together a brilliant guide for Kalmbach Books .  Why do we need another beginner's book?  Because the varieties and formulations of clay have expanded so much, older books may not cover the type that will most interest you. Since this is a beginner's book, Cindy chooses to do the projects with clay varieties that can be sintered fully by a hand-held torch rather than requiring a much more expensive kiln.  She fully demonstrates all different techniques for working, firing, and finishing metal clay pieces but she does not cover kiln firing. The projects section of the book begins with pretty pendants, charms, and earrings that allow you to practice many basic techniques and perfect them before moving on to more complicated pieces.  From there, Cindy guides you throu

She Walks In Beauty But son, always serve wine Yesterday I introduced you to a fabulous tool making company called ImpressArt , which was recently honored by CHA with an award for one of the hottest new products for 2012 (here is my review ).  So today, I want to show you the first couple of pieces that I made using their tools and some of their blanks.  There will be more tutorials coming in the future, but I just had to start playing immediately...you know how it is when you get a new toy :-) I've gotten all hung up on poetry lately, so two of my pieces are inspired by wordsmiths: Lord Byron's She Walks In Beauty and J. Peter Meinke's Advice to My Son .  The stamping tools, steel block, hammer, and positioning tape are all available from ImpressArt .  The copper pipe, pipe cutter, copper wire, and brass brush are all available from your local hardware or art supply shop. 1. Cut tube beads from copper tube. 2. File ends and rough up each wit

I was contacted recently by ImpressArt to see if I would like to try out any of their metal stamping tools.  What perfect timing!  August is metal clay month, but whenever I start thinking about metal clay, invariably I also get caught up in metal fabrication and wire too, to a certain extent. I quickly checked out the website, and found it very easy to navigate and helpful.  You can check out all the wonderful letter stamp sets, which are now also available as a starter kit including a brass hammer and a small steel block.  These Stamping Kits were selected as one of CHA's "Hot 20 New Products of 2012"!  Very very cool.  There is a full online catalog, plus a list of online retailers you can buy from.  If you'd prefer to shop a local store, there is an email address where they will help you find one near you.  I also liked a feature of the website called a "Viewer", where you can try out your designs interactively before committing them to metal

My friend Stacey Gibson has a brand new Daisy Rope Pattern available in her etsy shop.  It joins the pattern for a garland rope and her cute flutterbies pattern.  Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

  Art Bead Scene Take a tour of the many blogs and jewelry creations that were inspired by our Picasso challenge last month!   Beads & Books Michelle shares some tips for designing jewelry with bright colors. Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is VERY excited that the 2nd reveal of Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup Blog Party begins on Saturday, Aug. 11, this week! Check her blog for the deets! <--cool word for details!   The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Exciting news! Andrew announces a Weekend Intensive with Gail Crosman Moore in Ligonier, Pennsylvania! Four amazing classes with this supremely talented artist and jewelry-maker! About.com Jewelry Making New for August, another interesting designer interview, this time with Kathy Pines of World Wise Jewelry.   Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed media , beading

Prevent Child Abuse America's signature Pinwheel Jewelry Collection for Pinwheels for Prevention Sylvan Spirit Sylvan Spirit features botanical jewelry collections that are hand sculpted from porcelain and red clay and fired in a pottery kiln. Flowers are then painted and adorned with pearls and semi-precious stones on 14k gold fill or sterling wire to create pins, earrings, necklaces, and headpieces. Maureen and Rebecca Worth , a mother-daughter team, design and make each piece from their studios in Virginia. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial I Have a Dream collection Without the use of molds, no two items are exactly alike and an artist signature completes each piece. In addition to the colorful florals and leaves, the artists use Precious Metal Clay to design collections in sterling, bronze, or gold options. Sylvan Spirit has been commissioned by organizations to create jewelry lines that carry a message. Inspired by the symbolism and meaning that art b