BeadStyle

Celebrity spottings from the Craft and Hobby Association Show (CHA)

Linda Augsburg — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:44:00 GMT

I forgot to mention that while at CHA, I met Jean Chatzky, who was the keynote speaker. Jean's book, Make Money, Not Excuses, is next on my reading list! And I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Montano, author of The Big-Ass Book of Crafts and a really creative guy, who is, by the way, also a great dancer and a good sport. I might have to juggle both books on my next-read list.

July 25 Jewelry gems of the web

Linda Augsburg — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:27:00 GMT

I got to catch up with some of my blog buddies at the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) show last weekend. I had a chance to visit with Katie Hacker, Candie Cooper, Margot Potter (who, unlike me thought to take pictures--see the shot at right), Kathy Cano Murillo, and Jennifer Perkins. Most of them were doing demos in the booths of various companies, showing off all the great stuff that will be in your favorite shop and store soon. There were other friends there as well, so it was a great chance to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and get inspired.

Wanted to share some links with you as well, so you can keep up with my buddies!

About.com Jewelry Making
Jewelry De-Stash Options - When and if you go through your jewelry making supplies, what options do you have for possibly reselling them? And should you?

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene Editor Cindy Gimbrone shows her true colors.

Barbe Saint John
Online Videos to help you take better jewelry pictures

Jewelry & Beading
The new book, 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, hits the mark!

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie dishes on all the new beady stuff she saw at the Craft & Hobby Association trade show last weekend. New geometric links, new resin components, new beads, oh my!

Strands of Beads
Melissa's making more memento mori (alliterative, eh?) in the studio this week.

So many books, so little time . . .

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:45:00 GMT

The back-to-school stuff is already filling the stores, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that I’m up to my elbows in new books. I seem to get a new one in my in box everyday. Here are some that grabbed me:

beadsimple
by Susan Beal (Taunton Press, $19.95)
Though it’s no relation to Real Simple, one of my favorite magazines, beadsimple reminds my of Real Simple. It has a clean, straight-forward design and is packed with ideas — 150 designs for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, embellishments, etc.

Altered you!
by Karin Buckingham (Kalmbach Books, $19.95)
This one is going to take care of a lot of Christmas shopping for me. It has a ton of simple, fun projects (with step-by-step photos) geared for teens. Some projects are beading, some sewing, some scrapping, some a combination. Your favorite teenager can use the ideas in the alter their clothes, accessories and space — in non-scary ways, I promise. I also got a scrapbooking book geared for teens, Ready, Set, Scrap, by Heidi Schuler (Kalmbach Books, $17.95) that takes scrapbooking beyond an actual “book.”

The Beader’s Color Pallette
by Margie Deeb (Watson-Guptill Publications, $24.95)
I have to say this gets my “What a great idea” prize. The book contains 220 color palettes taken from different historical times, places, cultures and natural elements and translates them into beautiful jewelry. I couldn’t put it down.

Ceramic Bead Jewelry
By Jennifer Heynen (Lark Books, $24.95)
We’ve used Jennifer’s colorful beads in BeadStyle a number of times – they’re always really popular. Not surprisingly, she uses her own beads to great effect in the 30 projects in the book.

Wire Style
by Denise Peck (Interweave Press, $19.95)
Denise, editor of Step by Step Wire, gathered 50 impressive projects to inspire the wireworkers out there (being a bit wirework deficient myself, I was more than a little awed the wirework skills demonstrated.) Also cool from Interweave — stones by Marlene Blessing and Jaime Hogsett ($22.95). Part of the Create Jewelry series, stones includes gemstone projects as well as interesting background on the stones and their origins.

OK, this isn't page 16, but here's Roxie's cool tool hanger

Cathy Jakicic — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:29:00 GMT

There are many cool things in the September issue. Two of the coolest are from the creative mind of Roxie Moede, one of our favorite contributors. Roxie's turquoise necklace on page 52 and her vintage-bead piece on page 78 are both must-sees. Unfortunately, the tool hanger we mentioned on page 80 is a can't-see because we forgot to include it on page 16.

What can I say, it's been a rough month. Anyway, here's a picture of the hanger.

To make a similar one, drill two holes in a block of wood. Bend a thick wire into three sections and secure the ends in the holes.

Jewelry to memorialize pets

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:46:00 GMT

Today, I made a charm necklace from the tags on my dog's collar. Please feel free to read about it (and leave comments, if you want) on my personal blog. Thanks!

July 22 Jewelry Gems of the Web

Linda Augsburg — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:52:00 GMT

I was away at a trade show and didn't get my jewelry gems of the web up on Saturday. So here they are:

About.com Jewelry Making
If you are looking for some super easy methods for promoting your jewelry business, here are some no-brainer ideas for you.

Art Bead Scene
Pass us a cold drink because a heat wave engulfs Studio Saturday!

Barbe Saint John
Doing a big arts & crafts show? Here are some tips to help make it go smoother.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shares some of her bead business packaging and shipping processes.

Jewelry & Beading
The fabulous Amy Clarke Moore shares her inspirations and creative process!

Strands of Beads
Inspired by Art Bead Scene, Melissa creates a focal and clasp with fine silver circle links

Dead cicada jewelry???!!!

Stacy Hillmer — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:15:00 GMT

There’s something strangely beautiful going on in Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Every 17 years, swarms of cicadas rain from the sky in Sandwich, and this summer happens to be the insects’ homecoming. The live buggers flit and flutter everywhere the eye can see, but dead ones pile up too as the cicadas’ life cycle peters out.

So what does one do with hundreds (thousands?) of dead cicada bodies? One makes jewelry, of course!

High schoolers Katheryn Maloney and Brady Cullinan have taken to collecting the dead (and only the dead) insects, lacquering them, dyeing them, then stringing them with beads to make earrings and necklaces. Don’t believe me? Check out these kids’ story in the Cape Cod Times. Click on the picture of the earrings for close-ups of their handiwork, then check out the video below.

Way to go, Katheryn and Brady! Thanks for demonstrating the beauty of nature, the spirit of entrepreneurship, and the everlasting appeal of jewelry!

Endings

BeadStyle Magazine — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:39:00 GMT

I have really enjoyed sharing my thoughts and stories with you. I’d like to end this week talking about endings…to necklaces, that is!

Even three years ago when I started making jewelry, clasps for necklaces were fairly simple; spring rings, lobster clasps and a few fancier toggle and hook clasps. Now there are so many fantastic finds.

These clasps are truly works of art. I am particularly fond of the Israeli sterling silver clasps available at great online stores like Art Beads, Fusion Beads and Gemshow-Online. Since these findings are hollow, the price is right too! Many designer and specialty silver clasps can range from $5 to $20. The Israeli silver clasps sell anywhere from $3 to $10 (watch for sales and specials for the best deals). The designs are unique and add quality to your designs. And they look every bit as good as many of the solid silver closures. Below are a few of my favorites.

You decide!

Happy beading!

Alison

Turquoise, turquoise, or turquoise?

BeadStyle Magazine — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:34:00 GMT

You are shopping for gemstones. Hmm, how about some turquoise?

Your search leads you to many types of turquoise: Sleeping Beauty, African, Chinese, Viennese, Howlite, and Purple. What to choose?

Time for some serious research. And what you will find can be a little confusing.

African turquoise is really a jasper, so don't be fooled into paying turquoise prices.
Natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise is very expensive. And the prices are justified. This is some of the highest grade natural turquoise, mined in Globe, Arizona. The robin's egg blue color is unmistakable.
Chinese turqoise is real, but sometimes dyed or otherwise enhanced. It comes in several colors: green, blue, spider web, yellow and bright blue.
Viennese turquoise is a fake. Stick to Vienna pastries, but not turquoise.
Howlite is a borate mineral dyed to look like turquoise.
Purple turquoise is Arizona turquoise that has been dyed and eradiated.

The bottom line is to know your vendor. Reputable gemstone dealers will provide information on their website and be willing to answer your questions regarding the origin on the stones they are selling. If the description is scant, such as “turquoise beads for sale,” I would move on. If you are buying in a bead store, ask plenty of questions.

If you are selling your jewelry, you need to be able to inform your customers about the items they are buying. A knowledgeable seller will be 10 times more successful than someone who knows nothing about the materials they are using. Study gemstone handbooks, use online lapidary journals and look at lots of pictures. If you have the opportunity to handle the stones, get familiar with the feel, weight, color, and texture of the stones. The old “knowledge is power” saying is very true.

So you want to sell your jewelry...

BeadStyle Magazine — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:16:00 GMT

You’ve perfected your technique, polished your designs and have gotten positive reviews from friends and family. Now, you want to test the waters and try to sell your creations. There are a few things you will have to tackle:

1. Choosing a name: Try to come up with something that really describes what you offer. For example, my business’ name is BEADZ. I am a beader, not a silversmith, gem cutter or bead maker. My name defines the product I offer.
2. Getting a business license and/or sales tax license (depending on the requirements in your locale): Check with your state’s Department of Treasury.
3. Finding available arts and crafts shows: Start early, as some shows want applications received by the end of January for the upcoming spring/summer show season. Check with the Chamber of Commerce in towns you are interested in, check online craft show directories, talk to other vendors to get the “scoop” on the shows, and keep an eye on the classifieds in your local newspaper.
4. Displaying your wares: You will need to make an initial investment for displaying your jewelry. Needs may include tables, tablecloths, shelving units, jewelry display items, a tent for outdoor shows and lighting (a must for indoor shows). And don’t forget bags and gift boxes for your customers to carry things home in.
5. Transporting your stuff: You may need things like a vehicle large enough to carry everything, tote bags, roller bags, storage containers, and hand carts.
6. Promoting your creations: Business cards, table signs, large booth signs, a mailing list form, custom price tags and printed schedules listing your upcoming shows are all possibilities.
7. Sales processing: A merchant account so you can accept credit cards, receipt books, and a cash box with plenty of change!
8. Technology: If you want to develop a website, you need a domain name, a web hosting service, a good camera (great pictures equal great sales), website building software and photo editing software.

Most of all, have fun! You can’t do it all at once, and your business will constantly evolve and change.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten a million things, so please chime in with the things you use to sell your wonderful jewelry.

Have fun in the summertime!

BeadStyle Magazine — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:58:00 GMT

I love bold colors, textures and unusual materials. A great combination for summery designs is wire lace and Greek ceramic beads and/or pendants.

The wire lace gives the impression of fishnet floating on water, and the Greek ceramic pieces come in a variety of styles that scream ‘summer at the beach.’ There are pendants of the Sun, shells, dolphins, flowers, fish, squid, turtles and more. The beads and spacers have wonderfully large holes that easily accommodate wire lace. They have an earthy texture and the colors of the beads and wire lace work beautifully together. It seems they were made for each other.

Here are a few examples of designs I developed using this combination:

I recommend visiting Embroidered Soul for a great selection of Greek beads and pendants. Visit Mimi's Gems for wire lace.

Natalie's gift

BeadStyle Magazine — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Hello!

My name is Alison Libby and I am the guest blogger for this week. I look forward to sharing my beading experiences with you, and hope you will post your thoughts and ideas. That is what makes the BeadStyle blog such a great resource.

During a summer vacation in 2005, my niece, Natalie, gave me a beaded anklet she bought at a local sale. I loved it. It took me back to my days of beads, embroidered shirts, bell-bottoms and peace signs. A couple of weeks later, I stopped by a local craft store and bought some beads, stretch cord and glue. ‘What could be so hard? I’ll make a few anklets for myself,’ I thought. And make anklets I did (and bracelets, and necklaces, and earrings...)!

That is how it all started. Having gone through surgery and treatment for breast cancer the previous summer, I was looking for a new outlet. Making jewelry was something I could do at my own pace, and I could be my own boss (a dream most of us share)!

Since then, I have been doing about 24 arts and crafts shows a year, putting on home parties, and maintaining a fairly successful website for my company, BEADZ. This past May, I had the honor of being published in the gallery section of BeadStyle magazine. I have no idea where my ability to design jewelry was lurking, but I am glad I found it!

A few months after giving me the anklet, Natalie told me, “I never thought I would give someone an idea for a business plan.” Very funny, since she was about nine-years-old (going on 18!) at the time. But I am so glad her gift launched my new creative endeavor.

Please post your own stories. I would love to hear how you got started beading and how it has affected your life.

July 12 jewelry gems of the web

Linda Augsburg — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:40:00 GMT

What a week for the web! Check out this week's links from some of my favorite sites.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy declares, Red Brass Rocks! Consider red brass wire as an alternative to gold-filled if you have been put off by the price.

Art Bead Scene
Give your Art Beads a Summer Vacation!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Swimming in the deep sea of imagination, Melanie discovers inspiration's treasures in many places

Jewelry & Beading
Make a bright and breezy knotted turquoise necklace for the summer!

Naughty Secretary Club
Read Jen’s wrap up report of her adventures at the BEA convention. Actual copies of Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry were spotted!

Strands of Beads
Melissa discusses the curious byways down which inspiration leads us and is, herself, inspired by Shakespeare

Come meet our guest blogger - Alison Libby - all next week!

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:24:00 GMT

Alison Libby, a frequent visitor to the BeadStyle blog, will be our guest blogger next week. Alison won the guest blogger contest we held in May. I encourage everyone to make her welcome and join the conversation all week. Alison is, of course, a beader. Her beautiful work was showcased in the May 2008 gallery of BeadStyle. You can see more of her jewelry on her Web site, jewelrybybeadz.com, but I'm guessing you'll be hearing more about that next week. Welcome Alison!

BeadStyle's all-access pass for one weekend only!

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:57:00 GMT

This weekend only! Online subscriber access for everyone!

From Friday, July 11 at 5:00pm Central Time, through Sunday, July 13, take a free tour of all the great online content that's usually available only to BeadStylemag.com registered users or subscribers to BeadStyle magazine. Take a look around and see what you've been missing, and if you like what you see, come back and sign up Monday, July 14.

What are you missing, you ask? Well, registered users of Beadstylemag.com get access to all these great online features: reader forums, editor blogs, how-to videos, free projects, and the magazine's gallery.

In addition to all of the great registered-user features listed above, subscribers also gain online access to:

Post your most recent projects in our Subscriber Gallery
Download exclusive projects
Learn specific beading tips and techniques with our new online videos

Please Note: During the times mentioned above, you will not be able to register for a new account or logon to any of our Jewelry sites with an existing account. Reader forum users will be able to post as long as they've logged in and have a cookie set prior to the times mentioned above. The site will be back to normal and open for new registrations on Monday, July 14.

Bead&Button magazine and Art Jewelry magazine will also have all-access weekends this weekend. So if you've ever wondered what's behind that firewall, now's your chance to find out what you've been missing. And then Monday, you can register and even become a subscriber!