BeadStyle : free projects

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!

April 3 Jewelry Gems of the Web

Linda Augsburg — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:35:00 GMT

Busy week here at the ranch. Lots accomplished, but lots more to do. Seems like I'm running in many directions. But I took a little time out to check in with my friends, something I think we all need to do regularly. And here's what they're all up to.

Jewelry & Beading
The question of the month on Jewelry & Beading is about your hardest business decisions. Let your voice be heard!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
A sleepless night for Andrew produced seven new necklace designs.

Art Bead Scene
Feeling out of step with the trends? Here's some inspiration for the fall 2009 season!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off a celadon-themed necklace she made for Ornament Thursday

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe reviews Dr. Weiman's 101 More Jewelry Selling Techniques Ebook

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Using glueable bracelet blanks from Rings & Things, Melanie shares ideas for how to use them in two very different ways

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has some tips for branding yourself and your jewelry product while also putting together some awesome packaging.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
If it has Margot Potter's name on the cover, you know it will be a superfun and interesting book! Beyond the Bead, Margot's latest, is just that!

Collage Brooches
Carmi features a mini canvas pendant on a felted background.

And don't miss my personal posting from last week: BeadStyle magazine My jewelry does the Lindy Hop far better than I do...check out my inspiration!

Have a great weekend. And if you get a chance, post a comment below and tell me which of my jewelry gems is your favorite this week. To post a comment, you have to be registered, but it's FREE, so register now! Plus, if you're registered, you can post on the forums, leave comments on the blog, and view special registered only content. And when you do, make sure you register for the newsletter and other offers, as we keep you in the know. And if you sign up for the newsletter, you automatically get a second newsletter each month that contains instructions and photos for a fabulous earring project tied into a project in the current issue of BeadStyle magazine! So register today!!!

Facebook your friends some earrings!

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:28:00 GMT

You probably already receive BeadStyle’s free monthly earring project e-newsletter (and if not, click here to sign up). Now you can post our earring newsletters on your Facebook page for all your friends to see!

Simply scroll to the bottom of the e-newsletter and click on the Facebook icon. Then follow the directions to post on your page. You can even choose the earring image you want to show up on your page. Finally, visit your Facebook Wall to see your BeadStyle pride posted for all your friends to read and bead!

If you subscribe to Digg or Twitter, look for those icons on the bottom of your earring e-newsletter as well.

BeadStyle's March 2009 issue

Erin Dolan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:18:00 GMT

The March 2009 issue of BeadStyle is trickling its way to mailboxes and newsstands as we speak. We're always excited to see a new issue signed, sealed, delivered, and I had fun working on the great projects in the March issue.

Today I updated our website with tons of new goodies that I hope you'll check out!

- Beader's Notebook page from the March 2009 issue

- All new BONUS Beader's Notebook page for subscribers to download

- FREE online project by Rupa Balachandar

- Subscriber projects by Ann Westby and Cathy Jakicic

- PDFs of projects from the November 2008 issue, now available for you to purchase (only $3.95) and download

- March 2009 issue survey

- Local bead store contest (nominate your favorite store!)

- Art-bead challenge finalists (vote for your favorite piece!)

Speaking of our reader challenges, we are announcing a new one with the March 2009 issue. Send us a JPEG of your favorite piece that uses a show-stopping clasp. The deadline for submissions is April 18. The finalists will be published in the September 2009 issue, and then you'll get a chance to vote on your favorites! Cathy included images and source information for some beautiful, unique clasps in the issue. The mermaid clasp is from Carl Clasmeyer. Carl's Web site is clasmeyer.com, not carlclasmeyer.com, as we printed. Sorry about the confusion, and we hope you'll all check out Carl's work!

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

Great gift ideas

Erin Dolan — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:22:00 GMT

We have all been blogging a lot lately about handmade gifts, and how fun and rewarding giving and receiving them can be. The past few nights I have been working on homemade Christmas cards to the tunes of Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, and Josh Groban. Giving has never been more relaxing and more enjoyable than when you have made the gift yourself (and when you can listen to Bing in the process, it's even better)!

The one downside of making my own gifts is that I never seem to have enough time to do everything I want. Cathy takes a whole week to get all of her creating, baking, and crafting in!

So many projects on BeadStyleMag.com make simple, fast, and fashionable gifts. The problem changes from "I don't have time" to "I can't decide what to do next!" As Martha Stewart, queen of holiday crafting, would say: It's a good thing.

I went through our free projects and found a couple of quick holiday gift ideas for you to try out at home. Did I miss a favorite of yours? Leave a comment and let everyone know which of our projects you have found especially good for holiday gift-giving! Don't forget that our projects for sale are still only $1.95!

Debbi Simon's briolette bangle

Gemstones briolettes and metal accent beads come together easily with a premade bangle. You can choose colors and stones to match the personality of the receiver. Best of all, the bangle component is premade, making your process a lot faster!

Jane Konkel's tagua nut earrings

These tagua nuts, dyed pink from their natural ivory color, have a funky, playful look when paired with rubber tubes. These earrings would make a great gift for a teenager or a fun friend. Play around with the color of the tagua and the length of the rubber components.

Christianne Camera's citrine nugget necklace

Contrast smooth, top-drilled citrine nuggets with the sharp lines of bicone crystals. Don't have citrine and no time to run to the bead shop? This design will look great with any top-drilled bead. The key is alternating the beads and interspersing them with a contrasting bicone.