BeadStyle : BeadStyle magazine

Attention Chicago area beaders!

Cathy Jakicic — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:49:00 GMT

The second annual Fall Suburban Bead Encounter show is this Sunday in Naperville, Ill. There are some great vendors and classes.

The show will be at the:

Holiday Inn Select

Grand Ballroom

1801 N. Naper Blvd.

Naperville, IL 60563

It is presented by The Place to Bead & Bella Venetian Beads, in Naperville, one of my favorite places to get genuine Venetian beads. If you're as big a fan of these beautiful works of art as I am, check out Linda Augsburg's class on Venetian bead and chain necklaces on Jewelry Classes on Demand .

There are now nine classes (something for everyone!) available at jewelryclassesondemand.com. You can buy and download classes presented by editors from BeadStyle, Art Jewelry, and Bead&Button. They'll show you how to create necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry pieces, using a variety of materials and techniques. The classes were inspired by the magazines' most popular magazine projects.

Each download includes:

    * Step-by-step video demonstrations by our experts
    * Supply information
    * Downloadable PDF with easy-to-follow instructions
    * Tips, techniques and more

My rock star BeadStyle coworkers

Erin Dolan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:25:00 GMT

You know when you're driving through a mall parking lot that's day-after-Thanksgiving crowded, and there's nothing, nothing, nothing, then all of a sudden, there's a front-row parking spot right next to the entrance? I always call that rock star parking. All of my friends tease me about it, but they've picked it up, too. So now we have rock star parking, a rock star spot in line, rock star purchase...you get the idea.

When I was first hired here at BeadStyle a little over a year ago, and told my friends about my new job, a new phrase was coined: rock star job.

And I have some pretty rock star coworkers, too. Not only are Cathy, Naomi, Jane, and Stacy brilliant, funny, dedicated, professional, enthusiastic (I could go on but I will stop for the sake of time) women, they took me under their collective wing and taught me how to make beautiful jewelry. (And they can teach all of you, too! Have you seen Naomi and Jane's awesome Jewelry Classes on Demand videos?)

I've been fortunate enough to make cool jewelry and wonderful memories in my time here at BeadStyle. So it is with very mixed emotions that I am leaving my rock star job for a new position in the communications office at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Today is my last day at BeadStyle. While I am very excited about my new job, I am sad to leave my happy place in the wonderful world of magazines and jewelry. Thankfully, I will be able to keep constant tabs on BeadStyle with the help of this blog and, of course, the magazine. Plus, Naomi and I can't stop now on our Locks of Love journey! So you'll still be seeing photos of me and my ever-growing hair. Lucky you ;)

More about Lady Bug Beads

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:43:00 GMT

We ran a short Q&A about Lady Bug Beads — our second "Favorite Bead Store" winner — in the September issue of BeadStyle. Here is the Lady Bug profile with the info we had to trim for space.

Congratulations, Lady Bug Beads!

In her store, Lady Bug Beads, Susan Rabbitt has created a haven for beaders. “I always feel like I’m around friends. Everyone is helpful and cheerful,” said customer Carol Cook, from St. Louis, Mo.

That sentiment was echoed by the 102 happy customers who put Lady Bug Beads in the top six finalists of ’s “Favorite Bead Store” competition. Below is part of our Q&A with Susan.

When did you open Lady Bug Beads?
S.R.: We opened in August of 2003. I had been scouring craft stores and the few small bead shops in the area and was not able to fill my need for seed beads. With a lot of research and a business background, I decided to open the store. My husband — who is my biggest supporter — said, if you’re going to do it, do it big. So that’s what I did.

What kinds of classes do you offer?
S.R.: We teach the basics of stringing and earring wire wraps every day in our shop. Most Saturday mornings we have a free class. It varies from week to week, but it is always a technique that is a step above the basics. Our customers are welcome to watch and get free directions, or they can buy some beads and play along. This has become very popular; 6 to 30 people show up. We also teach the basic stitches by appointment for $25, including peyote, herringbone, spiral rope, square stitch, right angle weave and corralling. Our scheduled classes are more advanced seed bead projects taught by some of our employees and other national instructors.

Are you a beader? What kinds of things do you do?
S.R.: Of course I’m a beader. I can’t imagine anyone owning a bead shop and not knowing how to bead. I love to use seed beads. I compare beading to a good book — if it’s not thick enough it can’t have much of a plot, therefore if a piece of jewelry doesn’t take me 10 hours to complete it can’t be much fun!

What about Lady Bug Beads are you most proud of?
S.R.: I’m proud of the creative staff that I have and of the many customers who keep us on our toes to create more designs.

What is your customer service philosophy?
S.R.: We want to make everyone who walks in the door become as addicted to beading as we are. If we don’t have fun beading, they won’t.

How are you handling challenging economic times?
S.R.: I don’t consider the last year and half any more challenging than the first five years. The only way you can keep a business viable is to get people in the door. My main focus is to think of new marketing ideas to do that. We changed from postcard mailings to email blast about 1½ years ago. This was a big savings and also allows us to have an immediate sale or promotion. We have several different events through out the year. We have Open Houses three times a year. We have Bead Art in our parking lot twice a year. (This is when we give our customers a free space to sell their beadwork) We do a yard sale in July which is always well attended and we recently started doing “Green Bag” promotions. We also do periodic sales on different categories in the shop.

What is the most frequently asked question from new beaders who come into your store?
S.R.: The most frequently asked question is “Where do I start?” Since the choices are sometimes overwhelming to new customers, we suggest that they bring in a specific piece of clothing to match of something they have seen in a magazine. This helps to give them a focus.

Anything that you’d like BeadStyle readers to know that we didn’t ask?
S.R.: A unique thing that we do in our shop is to photocopy any of the finished pieces that we have so customers can use them as patterns. We are constantly creating new designs so there is always something new to inspire them.

   7616 Big Bend Blvd.
   St. Louis, MO 63119
   314.644.6140
   ladybugbeads.net
   ladybugbeads@sbcglobal.net

A friend-ly invitation from BeadStyle

Erin Dolan — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Happy Friday, everybody!

We are so appreciative that you read our magazine, receive our email newsletters, scope out this blog from time to time, and are otherwise involved and invested in BeadStyle magazine. We would like to extend an invitation to you to turn our already-wonderful friendship into a "friend"-ship.

Not to sound too first-day-of-kindergarten, but BeadStyle has a question for all of you: Will you be our friend?

I am referring to the world of Facebook. We are up and running on that social site under the name BeadStyle Mag. Search for us at facebook.com and friend us! We'd love to get to know you better!

We'll post fun pictures, projects, and other links to our Facebook page, so don't miss out on this great "friend"-ship!

Our current status: BeadStyle Mag is obsessed with the "cursed necklace" in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Has anyone seen a better image of it than this?

If you have a better photo than this one, let us know! It would be fun to try to make something inspired by that movie necklace.

And as you're making plans to hang out with family and friends this summer weekend, don't forget to friend BeadStyle Mag!

New features on BeadStyleMag.com

Erin Dolan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:31:00 GMT

Happy September, everybody!

Okay, I know it's the last day of July, but it's feeling pretty September-y around here. This week, we finished updating our website with tons of great new projects and resources from BeadStyle's September 2009 issue!

Sometimes, it can be a bit tricky to remember all of the new things that go up on the site whenever we have a new issue coming out. And this time around, we have several "extras" that you should take note of. So, for your browsing pleasure, here's a list of all of the new things on BeadStyleMag.com in honor of the September issue.

Projects:

Resources:

Reader challenges, surveys, and contests:

Many of you subscribers may already have received your copies of the latest issue. For those of you still waiting in anticipation, fear not: BeadStyle's September 2009 issue hits newsstands August 4! But while you wait, be sure to check out all of the cool stuff listed above.

Happy beading!

Summer reading list

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:43:00 GMT

When I was a kid, I used to spend most of my summers planted in a lawn chair with a pile of books. I don't have the luxury of that kind of a summer reading list now, but I did get a chance to browse three great beading books recently.

The first is Krystal Wick's "Fabulous Fabric Beads" (Interweave $22.95) I picked it up after taking a class from Krystal at the Bead&Button Show. The book contains everything to need to know about making fabric beads (like Krystal's Sassy Silkies) and turning them into beautiful jewelry. It is a tribute to Krystal's creative and generous spirit that she shares for many of reative secrets. It's a beautiful book.

The second to close to BeadStyle's heart. "Jewelry in a Flash" (Kalmbach $19.95) is the book version of our special publication "Under 1 Hour." As the title suggests, the projects are quick and fun, and though we weren't really stressing it at the time, they're also very budget friendly.

Finally, lovers of wirework and earrings should check out Denise Peck's "101 Wire Earrings" (Interweave $19.95). It has lots of great design ideas and it beutifully photograghed. Denise is editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry, so she knows her way around wire!

"His style" - BeadStyle projects for Father's Day

Erin Dolan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:14:00 GMT

One of my largest personal challenges of the year comes every June: Father's Day shopping.

I think it's a situation many of us find ourselves in: What in the world do I buy for Dad? I mean, how many ties or golf shirts does a guy need?

Stacy and I were talking this morning about classic Father's Day fallback gifts (who hasn't chipped in with their mom or siblings to get Dad a new grill?), and it occured to me that maybe us beaders have another option for Dad. What about jewelry for men?!

Everyone appreciates handmade gifts and the time and thought that goes into them. Plus, a gift like that means you get to spend some time being creative and working on your favorite hobby. Not a bad situation!

BeadStyle has several projects on our website to help get you started. I know my dad wouldn't be the hugest jewelry fan, even if it is strictly "guys' jewelry," but maybe I'll try out this Steven James' cuff links project.

If your dad is more of a fashion risk-taker than mine, check out this cool necklace by Greg Cooper (at right).

I hope my dad likes my new approach to Father's Day gift-giving. If not, he'll just have to settle for yet another season of 24 on DVD...

Master class mastered!

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:49:00 GMT

These picture are from the master class I took at this year's Bead&Button Show and the resulting graduation ceremony. I took Valerie Hector's Chinese bead weaving class. It was wonderful!! I though after three day my brains and all urge to bead-weave would just leak out of my ears when I went to bed, but I was completely energized by the experience and can't wait to do more.

Most of the credit for this goes to Valerie. She's a remarkable teacher. Intelligent, funny, patient, prepared, and very encouraging.

And her knowledge and curiousty in the area of Chinese bead weaving and culture was really impressive. I also have to give a lot of credit to my classmates.

As anyone who takes (or teaches) a lot of classes can tell you, the students are always the big wild card. I'm happy to say that every single person in the master class was delightful - creative, generous, and fun.

For those of you at the show - what was your favorite class?

Emphasis on emerald (May's birthstone) jewelry projects

Erin Dolan — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:23:00 GMT

Happy May Day!

Happy May 1st!

Happy birthday, little Nora Lorraine!

Early this morning, my cousin Shaila gave birth to beautiful baby Nora! I can't wait to go to Chicago this weekend to meet the newest member of our family! So today, I have babies, birthdays, and May days on the brain. What better way to celebrate all of these things (and the promise of April showers giving way to May flowers) than by shining a spotlight on emerald, the May birthstone?

Emerald always reminds me of the whimsical land of Oz, the regal green buildings glittering in the distance as Dorothy and crew skipped down that yellow brick road. Emeralds indeed have a regal history: They were adorned by Indian maharajas and Cleopatra alike.

Emeralds are thought to protect the wearer from evil and bring wisdom by strengthening memory and intelligence (why do you think the Wizard was such a fan?).

Here are three of my favorite May projects from the pages of BeadStyle magazine.

Chrysoprase cuff bracelet

May 2008, BeadStyle magazine
by Naomi Fujimoto

Follow our step-by-step instructions to make this fashionable memory-wire bracelet. For an affordable, mellow alternative to emeralds, start with a strand of green chrysoprase. Pair gemstone nuggets with sunny gold and yellow tones like olive or lemon jade. Bright green and yellow are key colors for spring, so you may want to make this cuff even if you're not a Taurus.

Carved emerald necklace and bracelet

May 2007, BeadStyle magazine

by Naomi Fujimoto

Try a new take on the classic May birthstone: a big pendant surrounded by carved emerald beads. String bicone crystals to match the pendant's shapely petals and spacers to echo the beads' texture. Add a quick bracelet for extra greenery.

Three-strand silver and crystal bracelet

May 2005, BeadStyle magazine

by Kathie Scrimgeour

While you can make this multistrand bracelet with any focal bead, an 8mm crystal in a rich green color provides perfect balance, because the crystal and the spacers above and below are equal in length. Though the cube adds contrast, a bicone or round crystal would be equally appealing.

For other fun facts about emeralds, check out our gemstone spotlight!

Trend watching: Rupa Balachandar’s cuffs

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:12:00 GMT

Here at BeadStyle, part of our jobs is to keep our fingers on the pulse of the fashion industry. The sooner we know what’s hot, the sooner we can publish projects that will give you the look.

Our contributors are equally fashion savvy, and here’s a great example. In our May 2009 issue (on sale now), we published Rupa Balachandar’s funky filigree-embellished cuffs (left). In her quote on page 69, Rupa says, “In 2008, cuffs were at every major runway show.” And cuffs are still on the short-list of fashion must-haves this season.

Don’t believe me? Check out this pink jeweled flower bracelet, this gold jeweled cuff, and this black jeweled flower bracelet, all designed by Erickson Beamon for Target. Still not convinced? Read Jane's blog about Wonder-Woman-style matching cuffs. She's been following this trend since last October.

I guess that’s why we call ourselves BeadStyle. Not only are we hopelessly devoted to beads, but we also follow fashion. Have you been watching a new jewelry trend? Post it below! Or even better: Design a project that draws on a new jewelry trend and submit it to us. Help us help readers bead what’s hot!

Dancing the night away in the world of jewelry

Linda Augsburg — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:47:00 GMT

Hi. I'm Linda and I am a swing dancer. Whew, I feel better getting that off my chest! During daytime hours, I work on the Web sites and behind the scenes on our three jewelry titles--BeadStyleMag.com, BeadAndButton.com, and ArtJewelryMag.com. And in the course of my day, I run across various projects in print and on the Web site and very often have that "Oh yeah, I was going to make that" moment. Well, this is one of those moments, so I thought I'd share it with you.

As a swing dancer, this Tiny Dancer piece called out to me when it was published in August 2007 in Bead&Button magazine. "Make this for Christmas gifts for your dancing friends," it said. Of course, I didn't do that at the time, but with the Bead&Button Show coming up in just a few months, I'm going to keep an eye out for good flat, rectangular beads for this purpose.

Much more timely than Christmas gifts, with this being the season for Spring dance recitals, the ballerina figures also included in this article would make a great gift for your little one's dance teacher. There are even square dancers to honor that special do-si-do-ing duo you know. If you've got the August 2007 issue of Bead&Button, the project is on page 66. If you don't, you can order a copy or purchase a pdf of the project. I know I've got this issue at home. Now I just have to find it and get out the pliers and some wire and get busy!

The reason I'm sharing this project with you BeadStyle readers to see this easy wirework project and start thinking about expanding your wirework skills. Of course, BeadStyle has a bunch of great wirework projects available too; check out these wire projects from BeadStyle magazine! Let me know what wirework projects you've loved or that you try from the site--I want to know what you're creating.

Beading 101, hot off the presses

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:16:00 GMT

If you haven’t been to a bead, craft, or book store in the last week, you may not be aware that BeadStyle’s newest special issue, Beading 101 and Beyond, is on newsstands now! We’re super-proud of this issue because it brings together everything you need to know about bead stringing in a portable-size reference work. We’ve even included six new projects for you to make!

In addition to basic reference info, there are a lot of fun tidbits to take your jewelry making to the next level. Some of my favorite features of Beading 101 include a guide to movies and TV shows that highlight jewelry sure to inspire your own creations, pages and pages of organization tools you already have lying around your house, and a guide to jewelry that flatters your face shape and shirt neckline. I also got a chance to make my first chain maille project in Beading 101, and I show you how to do it too.

Want a sneak peek into Beading 101? Check out our click-through pages of the issue. You can turn the pages by clicking in the upper right-hand corners, but it’s even more fun to click and drag the pages as if you’re really flipping through the mag.

To order Beading 101 and Beyond online, click here, or else visit your local bead, craft, or book store.

Also hot off the presses, one of my New Year's resolutions - a holiday sweatshirt quilt! A little out of season, but completed nonetheless!

BeadStyle contests and reader challenges

Erin Dolan — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:54:00 GMT

We have all been talking a lot lately about our plans and goals for 2009, and I'm sure you have your own list of projects you'd like to accomplish.

Well, I challenge you to add a few more (simple!) items to that list!

BeadStyle has several opportunities for reader involvement already underway, and many more will be announced in future issues. I challenge you to enter one or all of them! Participating takes almost no time at all, but you will have the chance to put your creativity and your opinion out there for your fellow beaders to see. It's a difficult step to take sometimes, but you really have nothing to lose!

Let's start with the absolute easiest way to get involved: Nominate your favorite local bead store! We want to hear about great bead shops and what makes them unique. Go to BeadStyleMag.com to nominate your favorite. Just tell us the name of the store, the store's address, and why it deserves to be featured by BeadStyle magazine. We will pick six winners, based on how many nominations each store gets, and those six will appear in the Bulletin Board section of six future issues. Store owners/employees cannot nominate their own store, but they can encourage others and even promote the contest. Hurry, the last day for nominations is Monday, February 16!

Now for our reader challenges.

In the September 2008 issue, we announced the reader art-bead challenge. We received many submissions, and picked our seven favorites in the March 2009 issue. Now, you can vote on your favorite at BeadStyleMag.com. Voting ends March 2. The winner will appear in the July 2009 issue.

Many of you also submitted designs to the class challenge. Look for those finalists in the May 2009 issue!

Our two current challenges are still open for submissions. The jewelry box challenge, announced in the January 2009 issue, ends on Wednesday, February 18. Send us images of "old" pieces you transformed into something "new" by Wednesday to be considered as a finalist! Finally, we just announced the clasp challenge in the March 2009 issue. We are accepting submissions featuring show-stopping clasps until April 18. To enter, email us editor@beadstylemag.com. Be sure to include photographs and brief descriptions of your work.

If you want to challenge yourself further, submit a piece to the magazine to be considered for publication. Take a look at our submission guidelines and give it a shot! Again, just email us at editor@beadstylemag.com.

We look forward to seeing your work!

CRYSTALLIZED-Swarovski Elements cruise correction

Erin Dolan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:36:00 GMT

Those of you who have your March 2009 issue of BeadStyle have probably seen the ad on pages 66 and 67 for the CRYSTALLIZED - Swarovski Elements Creativity Cruise.

The ad lists a phone number to call to make reservations and pay for the classes once you've booked your trip with Carnival Cruise Lines.

The listed phone number is incorrect. The correct contact information is: Nicole Harper, 800.388.8842.

Sorry for any confusion this has caused you! Anchors away!

More crafts and creativity in 2009!

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:04:00 GMT

Last week, I gave you a look into the crafts I’ve completed since the New Year. Now, on to the projects I have simmering on the back burner.

With my wedding a year and a half away, I’ve come to recognize that now’s the time to start and complete any crafting projects I’ve been itching to do. This time last year, I was finishing my first T-shirt quilt. Now I’m ready to begin a second.

As a kid, I wore all kinds of cutesy, whimsical holiday sweatshirts that I loved to pieces until high school convinced me they weren't "cool." Luckily, the shirts managed to stay safe, packed away under my bed. Now I’d like to give the shirts new life by sewing them into a holiday throw in the same fashion as I did my T-shirt quilt.

I’m also thinking about the necklace I’ll wear for my wedding. Clearly, I won’t know the design for sure until I have a dress (and a neckline) selected, but I’ve been inspired by this necklace by Deb Huber (below) from the March 2007 issue of BeadStyle, also the featured project for the month of January in the BeadStyle 2009 calendar.

I imagine this necklace as a lightly twisted multistrand necklace (and you know I’m partial to multistrand necklaces) with Swarovski pearls, round gemstones, and perhaps a few stray crystals in shades of white, off-white, and beige. But it’s just an idea. I’m looking forward to hitting the Bead&Button Show to hunt for more inspiration as well as potential materials.

Other crafts I’m looking forward to: My fiancé bought me a big book of cross-stitch designs for Christmas, so I see some framed needlework or a decorative towel or two in the future. I'm also experimenting with embroidering greeting cards.

Of course, I think the joy of crafting comes from its spontaneity. If I don’t get to any of the above, I’m sure I’ll be doing something else creative instead!