BeadStyle : necklace

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!

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.

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

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?

A birthday, a graduation, a holiday, an engagement: The true story of a diamond

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:07:00 GMT

When I was 16 years old, my maternal grandmother gave me a gift I would not soon forget – a diamond set into a donut bezel (all the rage at the time) on a sturdy gold neck chain. The necklace was a birthday present meant to commemorate one of the first milestones of my adulthood, but it meant much more than that. My grandmother had recently beaten terminal cancer, so this gift was one that I might never have received.

Over the next few years, I wore the necklace whenever I could: piano performances, holiday parties, and in my high school senior photos. I graduated from high school wearing it, then wore it again for my college graduation party. Still, it was not every day that I could wear this special occasion piece. I felt bad for the many months it lay in its blue-velvet jewelry case unseen.

But last week, on Christmas Day, the stone that was the star of that necklace emerged from the pocket of my boyfriend who, on one knee, offered it to me in an engagement ring. “Stacy Anne Hillmer, will you marry me?” Accepting my man, and the ring he held, I watched my special diamond take up a new home on my left ring finger for all to see every day.

And so our jewelry makes its way into family traditions and legends…What are some of the stories behind your most prized pieces?

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.

I see beads, people

Erin Dolan — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:18:00 GMT

Since I started working at BeadStyle, I have become more aware of jewelry on TV, on my friends, in the pages of fashion magazines, and in stores. I am always comparing these pieces (to my friends' amusement) to something we've done at BeadStyle. My friends have even started doing it, pointing at a necklace in a store and saying "Erin, that's so BeadStyle," or wearing their best earrings when we hang out, hoping I comment on them.

Last weekend, my mom and I went to Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee to see Clinton Kelly of TV's "What Not To Wear," one of my favorite fashion shows. Clinton was at Macy's promoting his new book and giving the hundreds of women who showed up to see him style tips and a behind-the-scenes look at the TLC show. But before the presentation began, my mom and I did a little window-shopping, and were lured into J.Crew by their colorful window displays.

I always love J.Crew's clothes, but what surprised me was their amazing jewelry line! Two pieces in particular called to mind projects from BeadStyle.

J.Crew's "dangling gold-bead necklace," at left, reminded me instantly of a piece Lindsay Haedt made for BeadStyle's January 2008 online project. Lindsay used labradorite briolettes and garnet rounds to create her sophisticated two-strand necklace. The result has a classic-yet-contemporary feel similar to the J.Crew chain necklace.

When I saw the "double-strand jeweled starburst necklace" from J.Crew, left, I thought of Beth Stone's online project from the May 2006 issue of BeadStyle. Beth used freshwater pearls and a vintage earring as a focal piece. J.Crew's vintage Japanese glass beads were knotted on silk thread and finished with a Czech-glass clasp. You could easily make Beth's piece with two strands of pearls instead of one for a look even closer to the J.Crew necklace.

If you enjoy the J.Crew piece's knotted look, be sure to check out our upcoming December/January issue, due out in about a month! It features a special three-project section on knotting.

Built-in accessories

Erin Dolan — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:49:00 GMT

Does anyone find it difficult to pair the right jewelry with the right clothes? Sometimes I literally stand in front of my dresser, staring into my jewelry box, willing the perfect piece to pop out and assign itself to my outfit. Sadly, this never works out, and in the end I usually give up and go with my basic silver charm necklace. This problem also might have something to do with the fact that I am always running late in the morning...

It seems as though some fashion designers feel my pain and are creating clothing with jewelry built-in!

The concept first caught my attention Wednesday night, when I was watching the season finale of Project Runway.

This gorgeous necklace acts as the halter for Project Runway runner-up Korto Momolu's flirty green dress. Momolu incorporated her jewelry design into her final collection, shown during New York Fashion Week this fall.

Other designers' pieces are below. Even retailers like Express have fashionable, more affordable built-in jewelry items. What a perfect solution for an I-have-nothing-to-wear morning!

Designer Yaya Aflalo used fabric-covered beads as a trim on this pale lavender and ivory summer dress.

Prada featured this dress in their 2009 Resort line.

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?

BeadStyle staff photo

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:05:00 GMT

Here we are — Stacy, Erin, Cathy, me, and Jane — outside the Kalmbach offices. All of our colleagues (300 people) were here earlier for a company photo, but I also wanted a staff picture because we're wearing some of our favorite pieces of jewelry. I've included links to the projects, but you can also go back to your stash of old issues.

Stacy's wearing a strand of polished amethyst nuggets and purple furnace glass beads. (It matches her sweater perfectly.) Karin Buckingham, who used to work at BeadStyle and is now in the books department, designed the February 2004 birthstone necklace. It's an easy, appealing necklace that takes only a few minutes to string.

Erin's wearing the design option in my "Do the twist" necklace that appeared in Under One Hour. I used amazonite, chalcedony, turquoise, and simulated aquamarine in this version, while the cover piece has five strands and a wider range of colors.

Cathy loves Eva Kapitany's "Brilliant briolettes" necklace from the March 2006 issue. She wears it often, photos or no. And we're all fans of Eva's incredible palettes and designs, whether they're big and bold or delicately wrought, like this piece.

I'm wearing my version of Carol McKinney's "Texas-sized three-strand" necklace. It appeared on the cover of the May 2008 issue. I love the big beads Carol works with. She has a great sense of proportion (no doubt culled from her background in interior design).

And Jane is wearing one of her designs that hasn't appeared in the magazine. The pendant is a repurposed wood place mat with a decoupaged image. Jane loves to repurpose stuff, and you can see her handiwork with spoons and credit cards in our upcoming Beading Parties special issue. By the way, those are separate projects. She has yet to make a piece of jewelry with spoons and credit cards — but if anyone can do it, she can.

Jewelry to memorialize pets

Naomi Fujimoto — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:46:00 GMT

Today, I made a charm necklace from the tags on my dog's collar. Please feel free to read about it (and leave comments, if you want) on my personal blog. Thanks!

Ornament Thursday: Independence

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:41:00 GMT

Happy Ornament Thursday!*

As I reflect back on this month's theme—independence—what came to mind was memories of the day we celebrate it (at least here in the States)—July 4th. And you'll read more on my memories of that holiday and of the project that the memories inspired in a bit. First, let me share the links of the other bloggers and their independence-inspired projects:

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Craft some red, white, and blue drink charms from vintage wartime posters. They'll make a big bang at your 4th of July cookout!

Art Bead Scene
Field of Poppies bracelet project from Heather.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Celebrate the Independent Spirit

Hurray for Red, White and Blue
Lisa takes a shot at teeny tiny beads for a change

Independence Jewelry!
Beading Help Web has two easy jewelry projects that you can put together just in time for the July 4 holiday!

Michelle's take on Indpendence
Over at http design, Michelle has scuplted a piece which gives a different perspective on independence.

Strands of Beads
Melissa sees stars this month while considering the meaning of independence

What is America to Me?
Michelle's favorite words on our country...

*******************

(think of those as mini-fireworks)

June 2008. I was zipping around the Bead&Button Show marketplace earlier this month and spied these fun little baubles. They really are made from bottlecaps and they're made by Cathy Collison at Glass Garden Beads of Northfield, MN. (Isn't there a college in that town, too?) And just looking at them took me back to picnics and the celebration of Independence Day and my own childhood celebration over the great independence that choosing my very own bottle of soda afforded me.

When I was a kid, the month of July was filled with picnics. My Dad's folks would have a 4th of July picnic with their card-club friends and families (who were mostly, in some way or another, related to us—some distantly, some more directly; I'm still trying to understand some of family tree's branches!). Also in July, my maternal Grandpa's family had a big family picnic. And my Dad's folks would have all of their kids and kids' kids together for a picnic too! Seriously, we were eating fried chicken out of a bucket every weekend in July! In my Dad's family, many of us lived on farms, and it seems like there was always an old-fashioned washtub or a big tank filled with cold water, ice, and bottles of flavored soda, or pop, as it's called in the Land of Lincoln. (Back then, you could get a case of assorted flavors in bottle for just such events.) And my favorite was always strawberry. You have to understand what a luxury this was. Yes, there was always Pepsi in the house, but normally that was for my parents or for when we had company. But FLAVORED pop—orange, grape, lemon-lime, and strawberry—well, that just wasn't something we had very often. We lived in the country, so there wasn't any of this "ride your bike over to the drug store and buy yourself a bottle" stuff going on like I hear my city-friends talk about. So this was a BIG DEAL. And if you were lucky enough to have the picnic at your house that year, any left-over pop was fair game for the next few weeks. Paradise, I tell you! ("Pop" for those of you who live in other places, was how we in northern Illinois—and other place—referred to the bottles of soda, soda pop, or, as I've heard it called "cold sodie". For those in the South who may call such a thing a "Coke," this is not to be confused with something like a vanilla Coke, which is a whole other thing. But I digress.)

So here's the necklace that that one little bottlecap bead inspired (shown top right), and the step-by-step photos and instructions (right) will walk you through the easy-peasy process. And lest you think I'm not going to help you out with the basics, think again. Turns out BeadStyle magazine has a bunch of basic information on its Web site, right here! If you're new to beading or just need a refresher, you might want to check out cutting flexible beading wire instructions, making a wrapped loop video or step-by-step instructions, and making a folded crimp video or step-by-step instructions in order to complete this project. I know a lot of us learn visually and the kindest compliment I ever got was when someone said they weren't able to successfully crimp a crimp bead until they watched it on one of our videos. Pictures are great, but sometimes seeing the process in motion lets us jump that final hurdle.

So now that I have my strawberry soda necklace finished, I can wear it to the family picnic next month. Yes, we still get together once a year—whoever can make it. We don't get soda in bottles anymore (who does these days?), and I'm sure strawberry soda has a ton of dread calories (something I didn't worry about then), but it's fun to remember back anyway. Maybe my cousins will get a laugh out of the memories that the necklace inspires as well.

*[Sidenote: For those of you who aren't aware, Ornament Thursday started as a group of creative gals getting together in the virtual world to share ornament ideas last November. The group has continued, mostly because we all have such fun seeing what the others are up to. But we tapered back to once a month, and each month has a theme. To check out previous themes or for more info, go to the Ornament Thursday blog.]