In the January issue of BeadStyle, Monica Han used word-embossed scrapbooking embellishments to create some cool personalized jewelry. Obviously, if you're lucky enough to find an pre-made pieces with exactly what you want to say (in exactly the shape you need), that saves a lot of time when making...

The second annual Fall Suburban Bead Encounter show is this Sunday in Naperville, Ill. There are some great vendors and classes . The show will be at the: Holiday Inn Select Grand Ballroom 1801 N. Naper Blvd. Naperville, IL 60563 It is presented by The Place to Bead & Bella Venetian Beads , in Naperville...

You know when you're driving through a mall parking lot that's day-after-Thanksgiving crowded, and there's nothing, nothing, nothing, then all of a sudden, there's a front-row parking spot right next to the entrance? I always call that rock star parking. All of my friends tease me about...

We ran a short Q&A about Lady Bug Beads — our second "Favorite Bead Store" winner — in the September issue of BeadStyle . Here is the Lady Bug profile with the info we had to trim for space. Congratulations, Lady Bug Beads! In her store, Lady Bug Beads, Susan Rabbitt has created a haven...

Happy Friday, everybody! We are so appreciative that you read our magazine, receive our email newsletters, scope out this blog from time to time, and are otherwise involved and invested in BeadStyle magazine. We would like to extend an invitation to you to turn our already-wonderful friendship into a...

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...

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 "...

One of my largest personal challenges of the year comes every June: Father's Day shopping. I think it's a situation many of us find ourselves in: What in the world do I buy for Dad? I mean, how many ties or golf shirts does a guy need? Stacy and I were talking this morning about classic Father's...

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...

Happy May Day! Happy May 1st! Happy birthday, little Nora Lorraine! Early this morning, my cousin Shaila gave birth to beautiful baby Nora! I can't wait to go to Chicago this weekend to meet the newest member of our family! So today, I have babies, birthdays, and May days on the brain. What better...