Beading Arts

Val and I have had a bead-inspired correspondence going for a number of months, and she was kind enough to allow me to show you her progress.  Val has a "can do" spirit that I believe everyone should strive for, especially when it comes to doing something creative, artistic, or just plain fun!  As a postscript to this letter exchange, Val recently let me know that she was able to sell some of her pieces this past Christmas at a local art gallery show...enough to help out with birthday gifts for all the grandchildren!  Isn't that great? Here we go: April 2012 Hello Cyndi, Would you be kind enough to tell me where I can learn about the bracelet blank you mention in step 2 of your tutorial ( Destiny Bracelet tutorial ). I am just starting out and have downloaded your beginning E book . ( thank you so much for this information for free).  I have no information on making bracelet blanks or where to learn or materials to use. Can you please tell me how you trace...

Hi Cyndi, I just purchased a copper pendant that did not include a chain, so I purchased one today online.  After I purchased it, I realized the 3mm snake chain is not going to fit through the round copper hole that is attached to the pendant.  Do you sell a copper part that I could attach to the existing hole on the pendant that will be large enough for the chain to go through?  If not, do you have any other suggestions?  When I retire, or maybe I should say if I retire (will be 70 yrs old shortly) I would love to create and make my own jewelry.   So I aspire to what you do everyday.   Looking forward to your advice.   Continued joy and blessings in your jewelry making! Best wishes, Carol Hi Carol, Thanks for your question!  This is a common problem to end up with a chain that won't quite fit through the bail, but often it's because the end of the chain, and not the chain itself, is too big.  I don't sell any...

  We've got the #1, hands down, most amazing and generous readers here at Beading Arts!  I asked for your best piece of advice, and you responded with some great thoughts!  Thank you all.   Saturday Sequins said... My answer is also related to bead embroidery, and it's a lot like yours: take your time! The neater your stitches are, the nicer they look -- and also, the sturdier! The slower you go, especially at first, the more likely you are to make tidy little stitches and keep your spacing right. My other advice is to play and experiment. A lot. :) Pat Gray said... Copy the masters - find a piece you like and try to recreate at least a part of it. This used to be the method used to study art, and I've found it's a great way to learn or improve my skills, or to just get out of a rut. By the way, I am NOT advocating the theft of the designs of others and/or representing them as your own. When you're done, rip the pieces apart a...

Since we are focusing on business and technical advice and education this month, it seemed really appropriate to post this question from my friend Val .  Val has a site called Journey into Art , and she asked for our help:   If you could give one piece of advice that helped you out the most when you first started, what would that be? My answer, in relationship to bead embroidery: Pay attention to all the little details and don't crowd your beads! So what about all of you?  What is YOUR best piece of advice for new beaders or jewelry-makers?   Share your comment here or in an email if you'd like to share an image too!  Send your reply and attachment to cyndi @ mazeltovjewelry.com (remove the spaces), and please put advice in the subject line! Technorati Tags: bead embroidery , 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...

Hi Cyndi! I've really enjoyed the chapters of your eBook that I've downloaded! I'm looking forward to reading the others. I have a book idea of my own, and while I haven't ruled out traditional publishing, the eBook option is one I'm seriously considering.  I was wondering. What made you go the eBook route as opposed to, say, using CreateSpace or Lulu.com? Is it something you would recommend? Also, do you have any tips for successfully promoting an eBook? Sara Hi Sara, I'm really glad you asked these questions, because I've been trying to figure out whether or not it's something that readers would be interested in.  Since you asked, I think I can safely assume that there are quite a number of others who would like to know but weren't sure whether I would answer! Let me take them in order.  If you can secure a traditional publisher, I would never tell you to turn it down!  However, I would caution you to first read every singl...

Becky asked me a question today through my contact form , but didn't leave an email for me to reach her.  Becky, I hope you see this post! Hi! On April 21st you had a photo of the large button charm holder attached to a beaded necklace. How did you attach it? By the way, it is a great idea! i am asking because I have a large button that I wish to add to different pearl necklaces for decoration and wonder what I can place on the button shank in order to do this and still be able to take it off an on.. Any ideas? I actually posted a tutorial for that piece a few weeks later, but unfortunately, the wire design that I came up with is not removable.  You can see the Button and Wire Charm Necklace tutorial for ideas, and maybe if you create larger loops for the bail, or twist them into hooks instead of loops, the piece will be able to slide on and off different necklaces. Technorati Tags: handmade beaded jewelry , wearable art , beads , jewelry , necklace , mixed ...

Hi Cyndi, I just love your bracelet with the bottle lid.  I have made one other embroidered bead cuff and am hooked.  It came out pretty good for a first try.   I would like to make your bracelet.  Do you have a pattern I could buy?  Or is it in a book?  I am not much of an artist so it would definitely be a challenge to get the bracelet pattern on a backing.  I plan to keep the bracelet for myself and not use a brass cuff but back the bracelet only, sewing the two pieces together.  I have a very small wrist --5 1/2"--cuffs feel awkward to me and look too big.  I think it would work out with a closure of some sort sewn on--what do you think? Thanks, Shirley Turns out that I did have a tutorial for that bead embroidery cuff , but it didn't have a specific pattern.  I do think that a stitched closure would work out fine, maybe a sewn on button style like these.  What I used was a very plain cuff blank, much smaller...