This Week's Project: Katiedid Bracelet

I had a chance to put together a quick bracelet today using one of my new Katiedid components. I started making a necklace, but the one thing that I wear the most is bracelets.

Once I had some crystals across the silver plated channel, I layed it across my wrist and liked the look of it. It didn't take long to figure out that glass pearls would be a fun contrast for the band.

I threw in a few 3mm crystals to set off the component against the pearls. Very fun and very fast! I finished this bracelet with a small magnetic clasp which always makes me happy in the morning when I am frantically grabbing easy jewelry to put on before work.

I hope you are all having a great weekend!! One more day to comment here for a chance to win a copy of my beading book, so stop over if you get a chance.

Featured Designer: Erin Prais-Hintz, Tesori Trovati Jewelry

Happy Friday!! I can't help but yell a few "yays"!!

This week's featured designer is Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati Jewelry. Her blog is entitled "Treasures Found".

She is not only a bead blogger, but she is one of those wonderfully supportive and encouraging souls, spreading happy thoughts around the blogging world.

I'd like to send her a personal "thanks" for doing that. It really makes a difference in the world!

Erin's updated website was just unveiled today and I was so excited to share it with everyone!

She wrote a great post about delivering her magnum opus to the Gallery Q tomorrow that will be hung for her show which opens on August 13th, WOW!!

I added some of my favorite Erin pieces here, but it's impossible to squeeze her personality here in this little space!

Thanks for letting me share Erin! :) Have a great weekend!

3mm Crystals

I've never had a GROSS of 3mm multi colored bicone crystals before, I feel very fortunate!! They are TINY and adorable!

I am back to designing with my new Katiedid components and since I'm going to line the channel with multicolored crystal bicones, it would make sense to somehow incorporate some of these adorable and subtle baby bicones.

I'd love to hear if you have used 3mm crystals in your designs especially if you consider them a staple.

I could see how that could happen and you could put some of these in EVERYTHING you make for extra color and sparkle!

By the way, don't forget to stop by yesterday's post for a chance to win a copy of my beading book! :)

Book Giveaway!

It's time for a book giveaway, yay! Anyone interested in winning a copy of my beading inspiration book, A Bead in Time, should just leave a comment on this blog post by the end of the day Sunday.

If your profile does not lead back to an email address, please make sure to include one in your comment.

A winner will be selected using the random.org number generator.

I was trying to hold out until fall to share another project photo from the book, but I just couldn't wait!

As a huge fan of softflex beading wire, I had a lot of fun creating this necklace using the Softflex "econoflex" wire in black and autumn brown that I found at Hobby Lobby.

The inspiration for this necklace is from my colored pencil phase many years ago :)

Thanks for stopping by and good luck!

More Designing and Upcoming Giveaway

How can I use this tiny chain to enhance the Katiedid necklace I'm working on? Hmm... As I mentioned on Saturday, I have some new components to work with. I selected the crystals yesterday and want to add a little something extra...

My original thought was to make a chain tassel and hang it from the bottom of the Katiedid used as a pendant with some tiny crystals dangling from them.

Then I thought that was pretty predictable! So, I'm looking for ideas if you have a second.

I have a lot of this spool chain so maybe I can triple it and make some kind of hanging ruffles.

Okay, I'm going to lay everything out and see what happens!! Oh gosh, I also have this large chain that might be interesting! Please stay tuned!

By the way, it's time for the next book giveaway, stop by tomorrow's post for a chance to win :)

Design Phase Underway

I am in the brainstorming phase of designing something new using the Katiedids bead components that I shared on Saturday.

So far, I have a couple piles of crystals that I want to line the channel with.

I'm thinking of using an eye pin loop at the bottom and top of the channel so I can connect the top to a chain and on the bottom eye pin, I will add several strands of thin silver chain with some crystals dangling from them.

That sounds a tad tacky, but sometimes you have to give it a try!

I was also thinking of beading a necklace and using the Katiedid as the focal piece with dramatically different beads inside the channel. Hmm...

I'm getting excited!

For more information about where to find Katiedids, the information I received suggests asking your favorite bead shop or supplier to carry them for you; check out the website www.beadalon.com or call toll fre 866-423-2325.

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!

It is time once again to visit our friendly and fun bead blogger team to see what they have been up to all week...

If you have a chance to take a peek, you will find: giveaways, found items, project instructions, antique mall finds, summer earrings and more!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean made some summer fun earrings for Artbeads and they are soooo pretty! Go see!

Strands of Beads Melissa has finally hung out her shingle and opened a modest store-front on her website.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Up for grabs in this week's Thursday Giveaway is an organic, lampwork glass bead by Susan Jones Designs.

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy catches you up on some of her latest free jewelry tutorials.

Art Bead Scene It's the Art Bead Scene Monthly Carnival Blog. This month's theme is "Commitment."

Beading Arts You won't believe the goodies that Mama's Minerals in giving away on Beading Arts this week!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi has completed the necklace featuring her "found again" bezel!

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva Mad for Monday features Cindy's new Step by Step Wire Jewelry Double Dip Adjustable Ring Project.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles A shopping spree at an antique mall grants Melanie with some new old treasures! What will she make with these little bits of history?

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei's blog ended up on the Wikio.com Craft category, check out the others!

Katiedids!

Are these cool or what?!!

Our fun and talented bead blogger friend, Katie Hacker, has teamed with Beadalon to design a line of great new components!

You might know Katie from her NUMEROUS books or seen her on the PBS television show, "Beads, Baubles & Jewels".

She previously had a segment on the show and has just been named the new host, HOW EXCITING!

I am honored to have received a preview of one of the new component pieces in her Beadalon line!

These are silver plated, 2-hole sticks, and there are 6 in the package!

I'm thinking 6 single pendants for me and my friends OR a long pendant using 3 for me and ONE friend :)

I was even thinking this could be made into a fabulous focal bead in a bracelet!

There are so many possibilities and I can't wait to start really thinking about it!

I was very impressed with the packaging! When you open the Katiedids, the package turns into a tri-fold sheet of colorful step-by-step instructions!

I just received these in the mail today, so I haven't had a chance to get creative. I'll keep you posted!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Tribute to Local Bead Shop

Happy Friday!

I wanted to say a few words about a local bead shop that has been around for over 25+ years and is going out of business.

Byzantium has grown, yet stayed the same for all these years! They are eclectic, earthy and fabulous! It's the first bead shop I ever knew existed way back when.

Many of the beads used in my book came from Byzantium including the cover project...

The owner is retiring and was unable to locate a buyer, so they are staying open until everything has been sold.

If you are familiar with Byzantium, located in Columbus, Ohio and have a chance to stop by soon, everything is now 50% off.

I wish everyone there the very best in their future endeavors and want to thank them for having stayed true to their unique style!

Wonderland Button

Okay guys, I couldn't resist sharing this fun "alice in wonderland" button here AGAIN! It's been a little while, but I am so intrigued by it and REALLY would love to hear your ideas!

Yes, after yesterday's button post, I had a complete mental conversation with myself about using buttons in jewelry :)

I think my original idea was to run rubber tubing in a criss-cross pattern, like thread, through the holes and on either side of the wrist have some seriously large crystal bling, maybe those clear crystal buttons!

Looks like it is time to plan a craft-jewelry weekend and this will definitely be at the top of the list!!

Swarovski Buttons in Jewelry or on Clothing?

I was just sitting here looking through a bead container that had a few swarovski buttons in it.

These buttons have a hole through the back and I've had fun using them in necklaces and memory wire bracelets.

However, I just happened to be thinking that I could actually sew a couple of these buttons onto a blouse!

Yes, that might seem like a silly idea, a button, on a blouse, but it had never crossed my mind before. All I could think of was using anything Swarovski in jewelry!

I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences using Swarovski buttons on clothes!!

Why didn't I think of this before? :)

Friendly Dolphins!

When I was visiting "Regina's Writings" the other day, I saw these sweet dolphin earrings and thought they were just perfectly represented with those watery light blue faceted rounds! Ahhh!

I asked Regina if I could share them here on A Bead A Day so I could admire them for a little bit longer! :)

Regina is from one of my favorite places, the sunshine state! It makes perfect sense that she makes jewelry based on her gorgeous surroundings!

Do you just love these?!! I couldn't wait till Friday to share...tomorrow it's back to beads! Have a great one!

Canvas Belt Bracelet

I thought it would be fun to share this crafty bracelet project since I had fun wearing it yesterday.

I had originally made this as a project for my book, but the "moon and stars" bracelet that actually made it into the book evolved into a similar, but smaller, more refined piece using craft store ribbon instead of belting and large jump rings through the grommets instead of hemp dangles.

I still love the idea of recycling the canvas belts that often come with department store pants and/or capris. Since I'm a tucker-outer, I always thought it was a shame not to do something with them.

The quick and easy instructions are:

Cut the belting to fit your wrist with about an inch or so extra length on each end, sew on a variety of fun beads, cut a piece of iron-on patching material so it fits the back of the bracelet to cover up the threads/knots, place a towel on the ironing board and bead-side-down, iron on the patch.

Cut two pieces of patching material that will cover the raw edge of the belting. Fold each piece in half to crease it and iron a piece onto each end. Use a grommet tool to place two grommets on each end.

Cut a long piece of hemp cord, double or triple it and feed it through the holes as laces, add tight beads as stoppers and a heavier dangle bead. You could also cut the belting so it overlaps a little more on the wrist and use velcro or any other type of closure you are comfortable with.

I hope you are having a great week so far!! :)

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!!

I hope you all had a great weekend! We had a bit of a stormy then sunny, then stormy Sunday here. The end result is that it has most definitely cooled from the extreme humidity, yay!

As always, it's time to do some Sunday visiting! I just love reflecting on the previous week by taking a peek into the various beading worlds of the folks below.

It's always fun and gets me energized to start a new week! Enjoy and we'll see you tomorrow!

:)

About.com Jewelry Making Who says jewelry tools are mainly for metalsmiths? There are plenty of cool tools and gadgets for beaders too!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew creates a necklace called, "The Keeper of Memory" around one of Anne Choi's sterling silver beads.

Art Bead Scene It's July and the Art Bead Scene has a new monthly challenge. Wondering what the prizes are for this month? Come check them out!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts As she gathers inventory for her show, Barbe wonders why no one buys bracelets these days

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi makes a new necklace featuring the funniest artwork images!

Beading Arts Cyndi has a copy of "Beading In No Time" to give away! Pop on over and sign up to win!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Summertime is the inspiration for a new necklace using glass flowers from Artbeads.com and Earthenwood Studio birdie and lumber themed components.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei gives a sneak peek to the new Craft blog ratings from Wikio.com

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva The schedule has been crazy and the studio is in disarray. Cindy is going to take back her workspace by....brace yourself.....cleaning!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is thrilled that Margot Potter's latest oeuvre, Bead Chic, is already available at Amazon! This is a super concept for a jewelry design book, and Jean will explain why!

Featured Designer: Nathalie of Canadian Rockies Art

It's time to head out to the Drive-in, but I wanted to make sure to get this post out because I have been anxious to share a designer who not only produces gorgeous pieces with an earthy vibe, she shares her knowledge freely with other bead bloggers!

I had a chance to visit Nathalie's blog last week after she left some wonderfully detailed information on one of my blog posts.

A coworker of mine who just began beading had purchased some beads that had a white residue inside.

In response to my blog post about it, Nathalie made sure to let us all know that white residue carries with it some dangers. If you have a chance, check it out here.

Now, back to Nathalie!! Her blog is titled Canadian Rockies Art for a good reason.

Nathalie explains in her profile that she is French Canadian and originally from Quebec City, the beautiful capital of the province of Québec. She now lives with her family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and loves it!

She has been inspired by her world travels and most importantly by nature.

Nathalie makes so many different types of jewelry which made it difficult to select just a few to post here.

Her personalized copper is so cool, but I believe my favorite is this hipper than cool silver bracelet!

You can find Nathalie in her Etsy shop or on her blog. ENJOY!!

Golden Gift

Thanks so much everyone for all your suggestions from yesterday's post.


I would like to make something great for my Mom that will represent her 50 year wedding anniversary!

I think that involves GOLD!

What do you think of these 3 swarovski colors: Golden Shadow, Metallic light gold and Aurum?


Throw in a few pearls and Voila! :) The color here is metallic light gold...nice, huh?!!

Special Gift of Jewelry

Everyone has been so helpful and fun this week with thoughts and suggestions...THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I have a question for you and am taking a risk by posting it here today...I know my Mom stops by A Bead A Day occassionally, so I will keep my fingers crossed that she will miss this post :)

My parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next month and I thought it would be fun to make something special for my Mom.

The only thing that has come to mind is the color "gold". I remembered this bracelet I made that had both gold-ish and purplish sparklies on it.

It is still a favorite, but I'm not sure if made in all gold that it would seem representative of a 50th anniversary. Maybe it should be something more conservative.

I really need your input on this if you have a second!! Maybe it should be all swarovski crystals! :) Help!!!!

How to use a Blown Glass Bead

I just love these blown glass beads and bought a package of 4 of them a while back. I used one of them very simply by running a black faux leather cording through it and knotting it on either side of the bead for a cute choker.

Now I'm not sure how to use the other three. They are substantial in size, similar to a cherry tomato and they seem slightly fragile. I am hesitant to try using them in a fun, chunky bracelet.

I'd LOVE to hear your ideas or see examples of ways you have used them if you are willing to share!! :)

By the way, it's back to the drive-in movie this weekend, but we won't know what's playing until Friday! I hope you are all having a great week and FUN summer!

Magnets in Bracelets?

I wanted to ask if anyone has ever bought and worn magnetic bracelets. I have seen a number of advertisements for them that claim to be a cure-all for everything under the sun!

The advertisement I just saw online reminded me of the old Andy Griffith show when the "medicine man" comes through town selling the magical elixir of youth to Aunt Bea!

I'd LOVE to hear of anyone's experiences with magnets in jewelry.....PLEASE SHARE!! :)

Is Bead Washing Necessary?

A fellow beader and coworker of mine stopped by to show me her newest creations today. She had made a great necklace using a gold beading wire with a large square dichroic bead as the focal piece. She just happened to have a top the same deep green, it was great!

The other piece she made to go along with the dichroic necklace was a bracelet using beads she recently found on sale at a home liquidation store. They are the kind of glass beads you get in a plastic box with lots of different pieces and parts.

She asked about some white dust coming out of the bracelet beads from the glass bead kit. I have bought kits like that over the years at the craft store and when I first began beading, back at our old Hancock Fabrics store.

Some are solid colors, others were bumpy and some had swirls on them like the ones shown here.

I have theories on the white dust and think you could rinse them, especially if you are making jewelry to sell to customers.

I have windexed or cleaned jewelry I have made and still wear just because swarovski crystals can sometimes show a build up of perfumes or hair spray, but I never soaked glass beads to get rid of the white powder.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this and, if you have one handy, a reason why some of these beads leave a little trail especially if you wear black!

Peace, Love & Bead Bloggers!!

It's hard to believe time has flown by this weekend and it's time to take a quick trip through the bead blogger links below to see what they have all been up to!!

This is the bright spot of my Sunday evening and I hope it is for you too! Enjoy and have a GREAT week! :)

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei was a participant in the first Designer Challenge at the Art Bead Scene. Come over and see what she made with her Humblebeads!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Honoring a friend who passed away, Andrew hosts a necklace auction on his blog to raise money for a good cause.

Beading Arts Cyndi wants to know: what does your work say about YOU?

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy has been thinking about Christmas in July this week, starting with beaded ornament covers.

Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene offers up a unique inspiration piece for July. Stop by and take the ABS Challenge!

Carmi's Art/Life World A Napoleon themed medallion is this week's resin project with Carmi!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva This week's Wednesday Wire is in the mood - in the mood to make something special so she turns to a fabulous tutorial.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie reviews some of the Song Lore pieces she has finished in the first half year of the project.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! This book review by Jean discusses making fabulous earrings in 30 minutes flat! How cool is that?

Featured Designer: Sheryl Stephens

This week's featured designer is Sheryl Stephens of Cool Moon Beads. Sheryl is no stranger to the bead blogging world and can be found at Cool Moon Beads, sharing stories and information about life, beads and jewelry making!

Sheryl is also owner of Cool Moon Creations & Beads - a little store inside The Little Red Schoolhouse Craft & Antique Mall located in Lansing, Michigan just east of the Lansing Mall, in the MC Center.

She calls herself a 'full service' store, with a little bit of everything beading! She teaches classes, including one on one sessions!!

When I first came across Cool Moon Beads blog in Spring of 2009, Sheryl had just been featured in an art gallery show in her area, which is so impressive.

Her passion is intricate seed bead work and her pieces are amazing...perfect for an art gallery.

The other locations you can find Sheryl and her work are: Cool Moon Beads website & Etsy site.

Many thanks to Sheryl for allowing me to share! Have a great weekend everyone!

Featured Designer Friday Re-cap

I was just thinking it would be fun to put together a list of links to some of the previously featured designers before moving on to some new ones.

So, listed below are some of those featured here on Fridays over the last few months. I hope you enjoy! Have a great weekend!! The next featured designer will be posted tomorrow. :)

Additions Style

Releases by Rufydoof

Second surf

Designs by Dawn-Marie

Casey Sharpe

Katie Hacker

Pretty Mades All in A Row

Mary Ann Carroll

Lorelei Eurto

lampwork treasures

Kelley's Bead Studio

Beading Arts

Reinvented Objects

Madison Reece Designs

Indian Creek Studios

Flea Market Fun

During vacation my husband very sweetly picked out magazines for me and one of them was "Flea Market Style" which is packed full of great bargains, "junk" makeovers and classy shabby chic rooms.

It has been ages since we found a great flea market or antique mall to peruse and made me reminisce about all the years we spent digging for treasures!

It also reminded me of this bead I found a couple years ago and, of course, I had to search everywhere so I could look at it and hold it to get some inspiration for how to use this.

How do I turn this cool flea market-like bead into a classy shabby chic piece of jewelry?

Seriously! Any ideas guys!??

I have a bee in my bonnet now and know what I will be obsessing about over the weekend!! Help!

Freebee from Fire Mountain

Too cute! This is a freebee sent by Firemountain gems with my last order. It's always a sweet gesture that they include something free.

This reminds me of cherry quartz or something like that.

I honestly don't have any idea what it is made of, but would love to have a couple handfulls of these in multiple colors to dangle in an over the top bracelet!!

What do you think? :)

Bead Loyalty

I'm curious...are there particular beads or findings that you feel a loyalty to? I am asking this question because I had a few moments of feeling some disloyalty when I purchased these aqua and lime bicone beads at the craft store.

It's not that I haven't purchased bicones that weren't Swarovski before, it was the fact that they were packaged in a way that makes you want to think they are crystals.

If you are a person who goes into a zombie-like haze when you are around crystals, you might make the mistake of thinking these are crystals.

So, after a week of thinking on this, I have come to the conclusion that these are great glass bicones in fun colors. Going into the deal with that knowledge that you are not working with crystals makes all the difference in the world to me and my "feelings".

These are really great colors and very nice glass bicones that I am excited to use! If I must have crystal sparkle in a design, then I must have Swarovski or a glass bead that has a crystal cut. It all makes sense to me now that a little time has passed.

Thoughts?

Faceted Hexagon

When I saw today's beads at Joann's a week or so ago, the color caught my eye and I tried to walk away, but thought I would need them for something!

I'd like to use some of these along with the "cucumber" beads from last week, I just haven't had a chance to get them all out together to see what happens.

That is often how things come together in my little bead world! :)

I wish you all a great week and will be back in routine circulation tomorrow.

In the mean time, someone recently mentioned doing a bead swap and that thought has been swirling in my mind the last couple of days. Please stay tuned for more info and if you have ideas on that topic, please share!! :)

Peace, Love and Bead Bloggers!

As I am trying to get settled back in to a home routine after spending a week in an RV, I am so glad it's time to share some fellow bead-blogger links so I can catch up on some of the happenings out in the beading world last week!

It's back to some normalcy tomorrow and back to work Tuesday...It was great while it lasted and I have learned quite a bit about myself and the world of camping as well.

So, here we go....time to get caught up! See you all tomorrow :)

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei teams up with 4 other designers to take part in the first Art Bead Scene Design Team challenge.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean observes that all art has something in common (pssst! it doesn't all come down to jewelry design, every time!) when she reviews the new digital eMag from Interweave: check it out!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Kate McKinnon generously offers up THREE copies of her new book, "Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry", in another installment of Andrew's Thursday Giveaway.

About.com Jewelry Making Fiber is a fantastic medium to add to your jewelry designs. Tammy takes a look at some fiber jewelry books she has reviewed in the past.

Art Bead Scene Stumped on this month's ABS Challenge? This post just might help you out!

Beading Arts Do you like beaded beads? Cyndi shares a tubular peyote bead that takes center stage!

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi transfers some images to shell in order to make this simple necklace.

Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva The deconstructed watch makes an encore appearance.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles What's new pussycat? Melanie finds inspiration from more than one source to create a new line of Kittycat pendants

This Week's Project: Aqua Pendant

I just loved these diamond shaped pendants from firemountain gems!! I ordered quite a few since they were just around $1 or so per piece!

Aqua and silver or clear are such great combinations of color!

This makes me wish every thing I owned had silver in it!

I hope you are having a great, sparkly weekend!!

Clearance Beads!!

After I spotted yesterday's blingy pink beads for 50 cents a strand, I found these beads, which were also 5o cents a strand.

They are not as blingy, but very cute! I just couldn't resist them at this price.

The colors are great and I'm seeing lots of colorful opaque beads with a few crystals mixed in for good measure.

These are perfect for using them as single pendants and earrings, but lots of fun to use in bracelets as well!!

What do you think?

50 Cent Clearance Bling!

Wow, look at these fabulously blingy pink glass beads from Joann, Etc.!! These were on the clearance rack! 50 Cents for a strand of 9 beads!

Needless to say, I bought at least 3, maybe four strands, I'll have to check my bag to be sure.

I have had the blue/green tint of these and had a great time making bracelets for me and friends with them last year.

I just had three strands wrapped around my wrist and LOVE them just as they are, I can't wait to add some connecting beads and maybe even a few interesting silver beads in (peace signs come to mind)!

I hope your week is going great!! I wish it didn't have to end!!