Beading Arts

  Did you see that Beadaholique has started their T welve Giveaways of Christmas and special sales?  They run every weekday until December 21.  You do not have to buy anything to enter! This post contains affiliate links: Beadaholique

  Katelyn is the winner of a copy of The Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry that Beading Arts was giving away.  Congratulations, Katelyn!

Last week, I shared my review of Ann Martin's new book, The Art of Quilling Paper Jewelry .  Well, today I am delighted to be able to offer up a copy for giveaway! Let me tantalize you with some images from the book that Ann shared with me...can you even believe they are made from paper??   GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!  Would you like a great book full of new projects?  Here's what you need to do... please read this carefully . Leave me a comment here and include your email address. If I don't see your email address, I will not contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. You are welcome to spell it out if you'd prefer, for example, beadingarts at gmail dot com. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!  Deadline: September 21, 2016  

Carol Howard won a copy of the book Learn to Use Two-Hole Beads !  Congratulations!!

There's a lot to like in this new offering by Kalmbach .   Teresa Morse has written a new book called Learn to Use Two-Hole Beads , which has not only a really good basics section, but also some great projects to work through your new skills.  Just so you know upfront...the book concentrates on Super Duos and Twins, not on every shape of two-hole bead that there is.  Of these, Super Duos are preferred for their more regular quality.   In the very beginning of the book is a preview of all the projects, twenty two in all, which is great for finding your next project quickly.  The basics section follows, and is essential, especially the techniques which show you how to organize the beads for a project, how to add and end threads, how to step up through two-hole beads, make beaded findings, and design with color.   The project are divided by method of construction, design features, and materials.  The simplest are individual beaded motifs tha...

Congratulations to Kendra, winner of a copy of Make It Sparkle !

Lindsay Burke's favorite techniques are creating sparkling clusters of crystals and making designs with graduated crystal colors.  And how she loves loves loves crystals!  The 25 designs taught in this new book published by Interweave , Make It Sparkle , use many techniques, but have one thing in common...her beloved crystals. All of the projects, designed by Lindsay and four friends, can be done step-by-step as her excellent instructions show, or they can be customized and personalized with your own choices of bead shapes, colors, and metals.  This is a great beginner's project book, with all the tools, materials, and techniques clearly defined.  If you've never made jewelry before and want to try a variety of wire, chain, and crystal projects, this could be your book.  You'll end up with a sparkling selection of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets! GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!  Would you like a great book full of new projects?  Here's what you need...

Congratulations to Veralynne Malone , who won a copy of 18 Beaded Jewelry Projects !

And yet another great book full of new projects that I'm giving away this Spring!  You can check out my review here, and then leave your comment to win this book! GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!  Would you like a great book full of new projects this Spring?  Here's what you need to do... please read this carefully . Leave me a comment here and include your email address. If I don't see your email address, I will not contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. You are welcome to spell it out if you'd prefer, for example, beadingarts at gmail dot com. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!  Deadline: May 25, 2016

Congratulations to Shelley E, who won a copy of Easy Jewelry Making !!

Ready for another great beginner's book?  I posted my review for this one last Spring, and somehow forgot to get around to the giveaway...shame on me!  Better late than never though... Here's a book that I think people of all skill levels will enjoy, because there are so many different projects by so many different designers, using all kinds of techniques.  It's published by Kalmbach , so you just know the instructions will be super-clear to follow! GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!  Would you like a great book full of new projects this Spring?  Here's what you need to do... please read this carefully . Leave me a comment here and include your email address. If I don't see your email address, I will not contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. You are welcome to spell it out if you'd prefer, for example, beadingarts at gmail dot com. If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a se...

Congratulations to Mary Redman, who won a copy of Quick & Easy Stitched Jewelry !!

There are many many beginner books out there, and there are even lots that have easy and attractive projects to create.   Quick & Easy Stitched Jewelry ,  written by Cathy Jakicic and published by Kalmbach , has a bit of a bonus feature though.  Cathy has generously designated all of the projects in this book as royalty-free.  Not only can you make them for yourself or as gifts for others, but she encourages you to sell them if you wish. Rather than concentrating on just one stitch, this collection gives you ideas for many...peyote, square, ladder, herringbone, RAW, and bead embroidery.  Plus, there are instructions for the basic wirework you will need for constructing the finished pieces. GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!  Would you like a heaping handful of new projects this Spring?  Here's what you need to do... please read this carefully . Leave me a comment here and include your email address. If I don't see your email address, I will not contact...

Congratulations to Heather Martin , who won a copy of Origami Jewelry Motifs !! Why did it take so long to post a winner?  Because the first couple of people I tried to contact never wrote back.  Am I in your spam folder or did you just lose interest?  Oh well...yay for Heather!

Oh my!  These are almost too cute to wear.  Have you ever played around with origami?  Maybe as a child?  If you did, and you liked it, did you ever think about wearing your creations?   Julian Laboy Rodriguez did, and he shows you how in his new Interweave book, Origami Jewelry Motifs . Even if you haven't done any origami before, don't let that stop you.  All the basic folds and instructions are covered up front, and there is a nice selection of motifs included which range from easy to intermediate.  The really unique part of the book is how Julian teaches you to turn your little cuties into jewelry pieces, using easy to obtain findings, some glue, and a good spray finish! GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!  Would you like to try out some origami this spring?  Here's what you need to do... please read this carefully . Leave me a comment here and include your email address. If I don't see your email address, I won't be able to contact you....

Richard won the copy of The Bead Directory that we had to give away...congratulations!!

Robin won our giveaway copy of Beaded Bags !  Congratulations!!

Here are two fantastic slightly older books that I think would make great holiday gifts.  And, in fact, I'm going to send one of them to one of you!  The giveaway information is at the bottom of this post :-) The Bead Directory: The Complete Guide to Choosing and Using More than 600 Beautiful Beads By Elise Mann Interweave/F+W; $24.95 Beaders and other artisans have knowledge and ideas at their fingertips with this comprehensive reference to more than 600 individual beads that are readily available and appropriate for contemporary projects. Chapters in The Bead Directory are separated by bead material, including glass, wood, semi-precious stone, and ceramic beads. Each bead is pictured from several angles, alongside descriptions of dimensions, color range, usage, special care, size of hole, weight, suitable stringing materials, relative cost, and suggested complementary beads. An extensive index lists suppliers in stores and online, making this reference an inv...

It's funny how when you start to think about some "older" beading trend, somehow it starts to pop up again in your life!  I've been talking a bit about amulet bags , and lo and behold, Interweave sent me a copy of Jean Campbell's wonderful book Beaded Bags !  So, at the end of this post, I'm going to have a giveaway for you!! Beaded Bags By Jean Campbell Interweave/F+W; $16.95 This is a pure project book, not for beginners.  The instructions in Beaded Bags are fairly minimal, but the range of techniques is a delight—embroidery, on- and off-loom weaving, bead crochet, and bead knitting. Whether you're beading a bag for yourself or as a gift, you'll find beautiful photography, clear illustrations, and more than enough projects to inspire you for years to come. Bead Embroidery Stitch Samples By Yasuka Endo Interweave/F+W: $17.99 Now beaders can combine their love of handstitching and beautiful beads to make delightfully origi...

PK is the winner of our giveaway book, Resin Alchemy !  Congratulations!!