Creativity

how do you know?

nbprincess79 — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:16:01 GMT

how do you know what colours and bead shapes will look good together without making it......then having to start over if you dont like it....

im making a bookmark, with wrapped wire.....and the wire wrapping takes a long time, and you cant really take that apart....i started it, then half way through, i figured out it was too short.....urgh!!!

what to do??

nbprincess79 — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:53:25 GMT

i just made a bracelet, and i dont know if i like it....dont want people to laugh at me if i wear it cause its ugly...lol

do i start over? do i just quit? i love making jewerly, its sooo fun.....i need some insripiation.....but i wanna give up.....boo hooo

Anyone else love chain?

howbeadiful — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:39:59 GMT

I am finding that I love chain way more than beading wire. I think it's classier, and I like to minimize the use of beads to just a few delicate, "pretty" ones. Anyone else like chain? And if so, where do you buy yours?

what to do with a vintage, clip on earring?

fortunecookie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:50:34 GMT

I discovered one really cool vintage, clip on earring and I want to create a necklace using the earring as a pendant or focal point.

Any ideas on how to do this? Any ideas to inspire me?

I am really puzzled as how to attach the earring to the necklace...

If anyone out there has experimented with this kind of project...I would LOVE to see what you have created!

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Sarah Fortune
aka
fortunecookie

Hair comb

memermouse — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:50:25 GMT

Hello! My aunt asked me to try and make the hair comb in the picture below for her. Any suggestions as to how to make it, or a website that could give some hints? Some of the more basic parts I can figure out (the single beads on twisted wire), but I'm a little unsure as to how to do the larger flowers and how to connect everything. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Fabric

fortheloveofbeads — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:38:25 GMT

I am thinking of doing a mixed media bead project with fabric and I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions as to what fabric would work well with both bead stitching and lino cut prints (acrylic/watercolor).

Many many thanks!!!

P.S. I've been breaking my head over this for a while now.

Color Combos

laughingsalmon — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:05:01 GMT

I'm stuck in a color rut. Again. I've got every color, size and shape of beads....and im stuck. Everything ive been making is blue......

What's your favorite combos?

anniversary gifts

anshul — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:41:53 GMT

I use tiny 2mm sterling round beads from artbeads.com between each bead. The round bead gives the bracelet room to 'bend' into a round shape and also keeps the crystals from grinding against each other.

With all the info about lead in crystal, I would be wary of making a crystal bracelet for a child, not to mention all the buzz about the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act from Congress on handmande items for children anniversary gifts

Instructions for Ann Draeger's Woven Crystal Bracelet

lis66 — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:13:57 GMT

Does anyone know where I can find or purchase the instructions to make this bracelet? I have a friend that wants to me to make them for her bridesmaids in an upcoming wedding. No pressure for me!

Thank you!

Favorite colors

mirandasum — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:08:09 GMT

I was just curious about what everyone's favorite color combinations are. I try to find unusual combinations in the beads that I have- color is one of my biggest inspirations for jewelry!!!

Bead Exchange?

laughingsalmon — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:48:39 GMT

I remember a couple of years back that the beaders here got together and did several exchanges and swaps and such. I had a few ideas to throw out there to see if anyone was interested. Let me know what you think. Add you own ideas! Lets see....

Ugly bead exchange. C'mon we all have em.

The I have know idea why I bought this bead or what for exchange.

Lonely bead exchange. I will use it really I will.

Bead kit exchange (make little kits for each other)

Artist swap (you get someones name and make them something)

Does this happen to you?

laughingsalmon — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:31:56 GMT

Are you a by the book-follow the pattern beader?

Or are you a I'm going to do what the beads tell me do beader?

I had every intention of making a bracelet today. I drew a pattern. I had the pattern out. I had the beads out.

I ended up with a bead and chain necklace. And I am tempted to make earrings.....

Whats your personal style?

blue_girl_140 — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:07:26 GMT

i thought it might be interesting to see what traits and style types people put into their work.We each have a different style. And each of those styles is made up of many things, like your favorite color, time era, culture, and just your personal preferences for the things you make and wear. It’s a big mix of all the things you love, dream of, and wish for. My style is a mix of Victorian, fantasy, nature, my favorite colors (anything with blue), and anything that has to do with the royalty of ancient cultures (Egyptian and Indian princesses, Greek goddesses .you get the point). Those are all the things I try and put into most of my creations.

even if its just a list of words to describe how you feel about your work, whats your style?

-laura

What can I do with a strand of orange chip beads?

FXBeads — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:08:07 GMT

Hi Everyone!

Any ideas on what I can do with a strand of orange chip beads?

I've had the strand for about a year and haven't had any inspiration on what to do with them...I think I want to make a necklace, but I want to combine the orange chip beads with some other colors...any ideas?

THANKS!!

What is your favorite component?

laughingsalmon — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:57:31 GMT

For me, it starts with gemstone beads.....and progresses from there. How about you guys?

Any ideas @ what to do with 3mm Swarovski bicones?

FXBeads — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:42:27 GMT

Hello Beaders,

When I first started beading, for some reason, I bought small beads-I have a whole bunch of Swarovski Light Rose and Rose AB 3mm bicones. Since I am not a young girl, these small beads would be lost on me.

Any ideas on what I could make that wouldn't look girlish and would better fit my adult female "fluffy" figure?

Thanks for any help or suggestions you can provide!!

What do you do when you lose your mojo to bead?

beadinggem — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:37:01 GMT

My friend emailed me last month to say that she hadn't been able to find the enthuasism to make any jewelry since before Christmas!! It was so bad that she was looking for a rut who needs her! I racked my brain for ideas to get her going again. The good news is she has recently made four things so she is well on the road to recovery!

Here are my tips for people with flagging issues : http://www.beadinggem.com/2008/02/what-to-do-when-you-lose-your-mojo-to.html

For me, I revive my mojo by learning a new technique. What do others do?

Pearl

QVC and HSN

glitters2004 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:56:25 GMT

After all these years we finally had the "limited" cable service installed. I told my husband to remove QVC and HSN for a variety of reasons. Before he removed them from the list of channels we can view, I took a look at their jewelry shows and I was impressed by the beauty and workmanship of what I saw. Sterling silver and the semi-precious gemstones are very popular in chain styles and in beaded styles. Also, the designers of the various lines discuss what's new now and what's going to be popular for the next season.

I found the shows very informative and I learned a technique for lengthening a necklace or bracelet with appropriate-sized jump rings or chains. I saw several bracelets where one end of the bracelet had an inch or so of chain (or jump rings) to make the length longer. This was apparent when I got a glimpse of the 7.25 and 8 inch size bracelets. Less chain or jump rings on the shorter bracelet.

I never thought of that. I want to try this technique when I use wire guards to ensure the beading wire will not come loose from the jump rings. I think it is a good idea and I'll keep looking at QVC and HSN. I hope my will power to not to purchase stays strong though.

Want to make something more advanced!

crazybeader — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:04:56 GMT

I would like to know if their is more than just making simple one or three strand(s) necklaces? I don't want it to be so complicated that i can't figure it out and go crazy. Anything is appricated web sites, projects you have done and whatever you can give to me would be much appricated!

new to jewelry making

theroses — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:15:18 GMT

hi, i am new to jewelry making & i am struggling to find inspiration & the know how at the moment, can anyone help

thanks

What inspires you the most ?

the_devil_made_me_do_it — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:38:41 GMT

Where do you get the inspiration for most of your designs? By the jewelry componenets themselves, magazines, art work , nature, the salad you ate today ?

What is your ususal source of creativity ?

I love to get my color choices through nature. For example I'll pick a flower from my garden, and pick all the tomes and hues from that flower.

Find you’re Ring Size

Benifer — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:10:01 GMT

How to find the proper ring size:

1. Use the Ring Scale below to measure ring size.

Print this page and then carefully cut the ring scale shown below.
Cut the mentioned slit as well.
Wrap the slider scale round your finger with the markings on the outer side.
Insert the pointed end of the slider into the slit making the scale now look like a paper ring.
Now slide it through your finger making sure the paper ring moves comfortably through the largest part of your finger i.e.. the knuckle.
Pull tightly as the slider scale must fit correctly to give an accurate size.
The number that shows at the slit is the ring size of your finger.

2. Use the below method to measure ring size.

Wrap a thin strip of paper or string around the base of the finger that will wear the ring.
Mark on the paper or string where it overlaps on itself.
Use the ruler to measure the length of paper or string from its leading edge to the mark.
Use that measurement to find the corresponding ring size in the chart.

Size (Millimeters)	Ring size (USA)
44.1	3
45.4	3.5
46.7	4
48.0	4.5
49.2	5
50.5	5.5
51.8	6
53.1	6.5
54.3	7
55.6	7.5
56.9	8
58.2	8.5
59.4	9
60.7	9.5
62.0	10
63.3	10.5
64.5	11
65.8	11.5
67.1	12
68.3	12.5
69.6	13

3. Use your ring to find your ring size.

Tips to get the most accurate ring size:

See that the loop of paper or string measuring the finger can slip over the knuckle easily.
Measure when the hands are warm. The fingers shrink and are the smallest when they are cold.

The hand is largest at the end of the day. That is the best time to measure the finger.

Favorite Gemstones

mirandasum — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:48:54 GMT

Just curious- I was wondering what everone's favorite gemstones are. Mine is amethyst, but I love them all!

Color challenge

Lindsay Haedt — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:19:43 GMT

The color challenge thread has been moved to the Show Us Your Work folder in the hopes that more people will notice it in a higher-traffic folder.

Let me know if you have any questions.

— Lindsay

Cleaning stainless steel shot

melly — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 06:34:30 GMT

This might not be the appropriate place on the forum but.... My stainless steel shot for my tumbler has started to go rusty. I cleaned it as best I could but everything I put in the tumbler since is coming out dull and not shiny like it used to. Does anyone know how I can get it clean again. Also, I always used to use dishwashing detergent and water only which worked like a charm. However, I bought a new tumbler and the instructions say DO NOT USE DISHWASHING DETERGENT as it wrecks the inside of the tumbler - only use pure soap. I am now using Lux pure soapflakes but I don't think it works as well. Any help would be most appreciated.