BeadStyle : jewelry making

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!

New Xilion bead

Cathy Jakicic — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Though there’s been buzz about this for awhile, the official press release arrived this week about the new Crystallized – Swarovski Elements Xilion bead.

Called an enhancement of the popular bicone shape (5301), the Xilion (5328) has more facets and a hole with rounded edges to “amplify sparkle” and protect threads.

According to the release, the Xilion’s “harmonious design and dimensions make possible beautiful combinations with its predecessor, the bi-cone bead 5301.”
Good news for bicone fans, especially those with a stash. More good news – you can call your bicones ”vintage” soon. That makes a sexier label for the jewelry designs you sell!

The Xilion,which will be phased in gradually, will be available in 66 colors, 20 effects, and in sizes from 3 mm to 10 mm. The 2.5 mm bicone will still be available.

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?

Great recessionista idea

Cathy Jakicic — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:23:00 GMT

Word of mouth is a fabulous thing for finding life's hidden treasures. My sister just told me about a jewelry line (that a friend told her about) that has hit on a great idea in financially challenging times for artists. The line is called "Circle of Friends." The necklaces feature a simple circle-centric pendant that is customized with a few gemstones. Each piece is only $10, and the many different styles offered make them really nice, personalized gifts for a range of different personalities and styles. It goes to show that with a really simple, adaptable idea, it's possible to keep material costs down enough to be able to offer a reasonably priced, but not cheap-looking creation.

Have you seen this bead?

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:31:00 GMT

I'm currently working on a cool project by designer Ute Bernsen of Silk Painting Is Fun that uses silk cord (naturally), a beautiful Clay River pendant, a number of Vintaj accents, and some random small beads, including the one that's currently giving me fits - a copper knot. I was sure we had one like it in our stash, but I can't find it. Any ideas where I can get one?

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

Multistrand memories

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:55:00 GMT

I started beading just over a year ago, when I first came to BeadStyle. To make myself familiar with the hobby I would be working with, I purchased a beginner’s beading kit from a local craft store. The kit instructions showed a picture of a multistrand necklace that I decided to mimic with the supplies in the kit. Below, left, was the first piece of jewelry I ever made.

Then, a few months ago, the BeadStyle editorial staff was knee-deep in writing our next special issue, Beading 101 and Beyond, your guide to all things stringing. For a story I was writing about beading parties, I made another multistrand necklace, shown below, right.

Oh, what a difference a year makes! My first multistrand necklace was certainly a good effort, but crooked crimps, low-quality supplies, and beading wire too heavy for the project taught me my first lessons in jewelry making.

To make my most recent multistrand necklace, I took advantage of those lessons (and many more I’ve learned along the way) to make a necklace that I am proud to wear, and already have on several occasions. But even though I don’t wear my first multistrand necklace, I treasure it as my first, and keep it safe to remind me of my humble jewelry beginnings.

What did your humble jewelry beginnings look like?