BeadStyle : contributors

New products for artistic inspiration

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:21:00 GMT

In the March 2009 issue of BeadStyle, we published three projects inspired by artwork.

Linda Arline Hartung’s “Stroke of genius” took its cue from the brushstrokes of impressionistic painters; Lorelei Eurto used a pendant by Jennifer Stumpf and beads by Heather Powers to recreate the mood of Van Gogh’s Starry Night (necklace seen at left); and Associate Editor Jane Konkel made a necklace that would certainly have been donned by artist Frida Kahlo.

If you fell as hard for art-inspired jewelry as we did, check out Artbeads.com’s new masterpiece pendants. These wooden pendants hold prints of contemporary artists, including Charlie Clingman, Peter Pierce, and Jordan Haughey. With one- and two-bail pendants available in a wide range of color palettes, you’re sure to find plenty of artistic inspiration for your next jewelry project!

Linda Arline Hartung's "Stroke of genius" designer alternative project

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:06:00 GMT

The "Stroke of genius" project in the March 2009 issue of BeadStyle includes a beautiful design alternative that combines braided WireLace with aquiline crystals. Designer Linda Arline Hartung sent the following instructions:

Four strands of WireLace get these big-holed beads to behave. Make an overhand knot between each group of crystals. The WireLace will fill the large bead holes and the knots keep the crystals tight to each other forcing them to the juxtaposed positions. Finish with a four-strand braid to the desired length, glue into a bell end cap and add a teardrop clasp set with a coordinating crystal.

1: Take two yards (1.8 m) of 2.5mm WireLace and two yards (1.8 m) of 6mm WireLace. Center a pearl needle on both strands.

2: String on all crystals as shown in the photo. Cut ends at pearl needle to remove.needle and create four 36 in.(.9 m) strands.

3: Center the large bead on the four WireLace strands.

4: Group the center cluster and make one overhand knot (Basics) next to cluster with all four strands of the WireLace. On opposite side tighten up all the crystals in that cluster and make another overhand knot. This knot must be very tight and snug next to the crystals to force them to keep their position.

5: Push the next cluster of crystals to the center and make another overhand knot with the WireLace - each time making sure the knots are tight to and snug to the crystals. Continue on each side until all the clusters are complete.

6: On each side, after the last overhand knot, separate out the four strands of WireLace to do a four-strand braid.

How to do a four-strand braid:
1) Divide into two sections with a 2.5 mm and 6 mm on each side.
2) Pick up a strand on the ‘outside’ and wrap it under two strands and over one strand. Repeat on the opposite side – always using the outside strand.

7: Continue braiding about 1 in. (2.5 cm) past the desire length on either side and clamp the ends to keep the braid from loosening or coming apart. Use whatever you have handy – tie a string around the end – or use a bead stopper or paper clip, etc.

8: Determine the final desired length and where the braid will end. To keep the braid from coming apart and to make it easier to glue into the end caps, mix 2-part epoxy and apply it directly onto the WireLace braid beginning about ¼ in. (.25 cm )from the desired end. When the epoxy dries, cut the WireLace braid on the glued area with a wirecutters so that you have a glued-end ‘nub’. Test to make sure the braid nub fits in the bell end cap. If not, gently roll end between finds to reshape the braid making it round to fit.

9: Mix 2-part epoxy and fill end caps half full and push over braid nub ends – you should see a small rim of glue seep out. If not quickly pull off the bell end cap and add more glue. Let dry.

10: Attach teardrop clasp by rotating split ring on the bell end caps with a chainnose pliers. Squeeze closed.

Supplies

necklace 19 in. (48 cm)
◆   36 mm aquiline crystal, top drilled, color A
◆    28 mm aquiline crystal, top drilled, color C,
◆    28 mm aquiline crystal, center drilled, color B
◆    6 18 mm aquiline crystals, top drilled, 2 color A, 1 color C, 3 color B
◆    8 18 mm aquiline crystals, center drilled, 4 color A,
4 color C
◆    6 18 mm polygon crystals, color B
◆    two yards (1.8 m) 2.5mm WireLace
◆    two yards (1.8 m) 6mm WireLace
◆   2 4 mm bell end-caps
◆   2 7 mm split rings
◆   box clasp
◆   chainnose pliers
◆   diagonal wire cutters
◆   two-part epoxy
◆     2 toothpicks (for mixing and applying glue), sticky note pads (for mixing glue on), isopropyl alcohol for cleaning up excess glue if needed.
◆    scissors (for cutting WireLace).
◆     fine/lightweight collapsible-type pearl needle

CRYSTALLIZED colors:
   Color A: crystal
   Color B: black diamond
   Color C: jet

Have we heard from you yet?

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:30:00 GMT

Today, I got a sneak peek of our November 2008 issue, which hits newsstands and magazine racks September 30. I've been anxious to see the final product because, in this issue, I worked with jewelry makers Sue Godfrey and Katherine Schwartzenberger to recreate and write about their designs. It was my first time playing that role, and I had a blast! Both women gave me useful information about where they bought their beads, how much the materials cost, and where they got their inspiration. I also got to ask them fun questions about themselves to write a short biography.

Here at BeadStyle, we love getting to know our featured designers - whether frequent contributors or newer names. We equally enjoy studying their designs so we can make replicas, take pictures of the process, and write step-by-step instructions. Have we heard from you yet? If not, keep BeadStyle in the back of your mind as you create fabulous new jewelry. We'd love to see it. And who knows? Maybe YOU'LL be the next contributor I get to work with!