BeadStyle : bracelets

“52 Bracelets” now on sale!

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Readers consistently tell us that bracelets are their favorite projects – bracelets are fast, easy to wear, and the right price for gifts. So we devoted an entire issue to bracelets, 52 bracelets in fact (one for each week of the year). The bracelets we selected for the cover represent the wide range of supplies in this special issue: pearls, gemstones and inexpensive gemstone look-alikes, blown glass, crystals, and big resin nuggets. There’s more inside, including Lucite, wood beads, charms, lampworked glass, even buttons and bows!

And since you ate up our previous special issue 365 Earrings (to be released as a book in October), we made two pairs of earrings to coordinate with each bracelet. Check your local bead store, craft store, or newsstand for 52 Bracelets or order online here. Want a sneak peek? Flip through a digital copy of 52 Bracelets.

My nautical bracelet

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:23:00 GMT

I went to a gem and jewelry show last week intending to shop for some September issue projects, but I lingered at the Goddess booth. I bought two pairs of leaves (for earrings), and then spent the next hour poring over gold charms and gemstones for my ocean-themed bracelet. From the Sea Life collection, I chose a starfish and a sand dollar; both are real. And I liked how the CZ-accented gold disk and sea turtle added some sparkle. (Let's pretend he's a sea turtle, even though my top-of-mind turtle is terrestrial.) The round chain links extend the nautical theme, as does the toggle clasp that reminds me of a life preserver.

Even though we've got beautiful designs in 52 Bracelets, I felt a little left out when there wasn't room for another charm bracelet. So consider this the 53rd bracelet (or a bonus bracelet, if that's easier). By the way, we've been having fun coming up with factoids for our special issue. Did you know: A sea turtle cannot retract its head and limbs the way a land turtle can.

Turquoise drops

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:38:00 GMT

Old habits die hard. While I was in L.A. last week, my sister and I stopped at Ritual Adornments (where I took my first jewelry making class). I found this strand of turquoise drops (on that very wall that's in the photo, in fact) — and loved the earthy, natural colors. Even though it's pretty easy to find turquoise beads, I haven't come across this shape before. So I'm excited to use it in a bracelet project for our upcoming special issue, 52 Bracelets. I'll be whipping up the bracelet this week, but the issue will be on newsstands in mid August.

Two new tips for giving jewelry gifts

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:06:00 GMT

I recently gave my aunt a bracelet for her birthday. When she unwrapped the strand of colorful polymer clay frogs and gunmetal findings, I said what I always say when I give the gift of handmade jewelry: “If it’s too big or too small – I can fix it.”

Only this was the first time I had to put my money where my mouth is – the bracelet was indeed a tad too big.

Now came the tricky part. With my aunt wearing the bracelet, we began pinching and pulling at the strand, first overlapping the ends one way, then another, trying to figure out how much shorter the bracelet needed to be. We took a guess, but I won’t know for sure if it was a good guess until this weekend when I can return the bracelet to my aunt.

Things would have been much easier if I had only brought along a soft measuring tape! I could have easily looped it around her wrist to find the perfect length, then adjusted the bracelet with confidence. From now on, I’m packing a measuring tape in my purse whenever I give jewelry. After all, if I say I can fix it, I better have the right tools!

Also, my aunt made a request I never anticipated. As I pointed to the frog beads that would have to be removed, she said in a sad voice, “Oh, but I don’t want to lose those.” Translation: “Don’t take those away from me! You were going to give them to me if the bracelet fit!” I promised I would find something else to do with the beads.

One solution would have been to make a dangle for the clasp, but there were too many beads for that. Another solution could be matching earrings, but my aunt prefers a favorite pair of studs to drop earrings. Instead, I strung the beads on head pins and attached them to different lengths of silver and gunmetal chain. Then I attached the chains to a keychain ring. That way my aunt can always have the beads close by, even when she’s not wearing her bracelet.

Do you have any other tips for giving handmade jewelry? Please share them below, as well as the stories that inspired your aha moment.

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!

Beading 101 alternative bracelet

Erin Dolan — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:53:00 GMT

Besides the tips, techniques, advice, and ideas, there are six all-new projects packed into our new special issue, Beading 101 and Beyond. I made a fun multistrand bracelet using crystals in different shapes and colors (p. 92). As promised, here is another version of my bracelet.

For this alternative design, I wanted to use a more muted color palette, but achieve the same bold, striking effect of the original design. Adding to the challenge, I used not only crystals, but simple rounds and nuggets, for a more casual-looking piece.

I decided on black infused with a line of pale blue, but you can use any color combination you want. I love the look of this ocean blue with black. My bedroom is decorated with similar colors (although blue is the dominant color, with black accents).

First, I cut four 9-in. (22.5 cm) strands of beading wire.

On the first wire, I strung 8 mm round beads.

On the second wire, I strung 8-10 mm nuggets.

On the third wire, I strung the same 8 mm round beads from the first wire with 6 mm round crystals, both in black.

On the last wire, I strung the 6 mm round crystals with black 5 mm bicone crystals.

I finished off the black beaded strands with blue bicones, and the blue strand with black bicones. Use jump rings to attach the strands to both halves of a clasp.

I love the dramatic look of the finished piece. As a matter of fact, it kind of matches my outfit today...I'm going to wear it right now!

Cool new video of BeadStyle's January 2009 issue projects

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Check this out! We made videos of the bracelet and rings, earrings, and necklaces from the January 2009 issue of BeadStyle magazine. The January 2009 issue is on sale now at your local bead shop or newsstand.

What's "old" is new again

Erin Dolan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:48:00 GMT

I’ve been working at BeadStyle for nearly four months now, and one of my favorite “perks” of being the editorial assistant is working with readers and contributors. When I answer your questions, find elusive components, or organize jewelry, I get to page through back issues of the magazine. I love spotting great projects, then going to the workroom archives to check out the finished pieces in person. It just goes to show you that classic pieces never go out of style, especially for new staff members and beaders!

What’s great for those of you who can’t just walk down the hall to our workroom is that we post so many of our projects online. We have projects for subscribers, projects direct from the magazine pages, and (best of all), free projects!

Some of my favorite “old” (and by “old,” I mean “pre-Erin-working-at-BeadStyle”) projects include:

Lauren Hadley’s pearl-dangle bracelet, the March 2008 online subscriber project

Roxie Moede’s barbell necklace, from the November 2007 issue of BeadStyle

Yvette Jones’ dangle earrings, from the May 2005 issue of BeadStyle

Rupa Balachandar's necklace with kite-shaped beads, from the September 2007 issue of BeadStyle

What are your favorite BeadStyle projects from the past?

What's up Wednesday? Wonder Woman

Jane Konkel — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:05:00 GMT

Lately, I've been noticing a new accessory trend, and I'm not sure what to make of it. In the October issue of InStyle magazine, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Charlize Theron are each shown wearing matching cuffs. Cynthia Sliwa, founder of Apprecia Fine Jewelry, writes about this trend. Apprecia jewelry is designed to flatter the generous curves of the full-figured woman. Although Parker, Paltrow, and Theron are hardly plus size, it seems this double cuff trend may be Amazon appropriate.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Fall Fashion top trends section, wearing a matched set of bracelets seems to be an up and coming trend. Double cuffs are shown several times in the ten page spread, including matching cuffs by Erica Lyons, hammered gold bangles, and black enameled hinged cuffs with jeweled medallions by Victor Alfaro.

Whether you go full out Wonder Woman with a pair of bullet deflecting cuffs or wear just one bracelet at a time, opt for bold bangles and chunky cuffs. Just for kicks, check out Wonder Woman using her tiara as a boomerang.

I'm curious to know what you think. Would you consider wearing matching cuffs, or do you prefer just one bracelet at a time? As for me, I'm partial to wearing several bracelets on my nondominant wrist. What about you?

Beading to cope

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:03:00 GMT

Today, cantonrep.com announced a wonderful event happening at Aultman Hospital in Caton, Ohio, as part of its grief service program – a jewelry-making workshop.

Though lately we’ve been thinking a lot about beading parties as a way to have fun with your friends, let’s not forget that beading can also serve as therapy as we remember the lives of loved ones who have passed on. At Aultman Hospital, participants can bead bracelets to memorialize the deceased. What better way to celebrate a life than to symbolize that life with beads, then wear the beads as we carry on?

Have you ever used beading to cope with a loss in your life? Last month, Naomi wrote about making a necklace to memorialize her dog, Ginger. I think it’s such a sweet sentiment every time she wears it to the office.

"Way Beyond the Sea" charity event

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:29:00 GMT

Every year, Milwaukee-area artists donate a themed work for Kathy's Garden Party. At the end of the night, each piece is auctioned, and proceeds support The Grace Foundation’s efforts to help women and children with cancer.

This weekend I went to the event, where people embraced the theme ("Way Beyond the Sea") in island wear, leis, and shell bracelets. And life preservers, nets, and oversized postcards from tropical locales decorated the room.

After we had cocktails, dinner, and cupcakes frosted with blue icing for dessert, Kathy's family and friends walked the runway with each of the auction items. The artists did a tremendous job with the theme, creating everything from handmade lamps and pillows to oil paintings and found-object collages. You can see most of the auction items in the PDF of the show program.)

(I coveted the travel journal and giant wooden starfish while Dale was intrigued by the cocktail cruise. We didn't get to bid on anything, though, because most of the bids skyrocketed out of our range. Ah, the perils of being around generous people.)

Anyway, three people bid on my "Colors of the Sea" charm bracelet (here's a "before" photo) and I was happy that people were willing to shell out ("shell out" — get it?) for a good cause.

Nautical-themed bracelet

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:19:00 GMT

I'm donating a piece of jewelry for Kathy's Garden Party, an annual benefit held in Milwaukee. Last year's bracelet was a hit, so I decided to do a charm bracelet every year. This year's theme: Way Beyond the Sea.

I was on the hunt for seashells, but the ones I found seemed too brittle to hold up to the wear and tear of a bracelet. So I think I may just stick to ocean-colored beads. I trolled the newly organized BeadStyle workroom (thanks, Jane and Emma!) and found a bunch of great gemstones: pearls, turquoise, amazonite, chrysoprase, fluorite, and quartz in blue and green. I figure that, by combining shapes and textures, no one will notice that there are no seashells or adorable dolphin charms. (Although, I may attach a heart, just because I like hearts.)

When I was at the Bead and Button Show, I also bought heavy-link chain from Chelsea's Beads. I love using heavy chain for bracelets, and Chelsea's Beads had lots of different kinds at the show. They also had huge lobster claw clasps, which will be handy if I want to put a chain extender on the bracelet.

Okay. Now I'm off to put together the bracelet. See you next week!