The Beading Gem

While a perennial favorite, chain in jewelry designs took a huge leap in popularity this year. This collection is all about how to use chain differently in jewelry designs for a refreshingly new look.  Perhaps you will be inspired to  repurpose or dress up an unloved necklace chain hiding in your jewelry box.

Image by Rebecca S

Israel based Sari Glassman is accomplished in not one but a number of jewelry making techniques.  She is a lampwork, fused glass and wire work artisan with a wonderful eye for color and design.

What first caught my eye were her colorful lampwork
jewelry although she does make neutral hued pieces as well. Check out her store on Boticca and you will see what I mean.

One of the easiest ways to create a pendant is to incorporate paper or even beads, fibers, glitter and small findings to a purchased bezel which is then filled with some sort of resin. Resin can also be used to coat and seal.

Resin is definitely a popular trend. If you are wondering which resin or which types are safer to use, wonder no more!

Magnetic beads are not new. But Klik Klik Jewelry Kits  (link no longer works by Brooklyn designers, Al Kelly and Kellar Williams, really ups the design possibilities of magnetic jewelry.

They use high quality neodymium magnets - these are the strongest permanent magnets known. You get 300 neodymium magnets per kit ($65). Then the fun begins...

Calling all Canadian artisans!  There is a new selling site called Zaybia (Update : Link no longer works) which aims to showcase handmade in Canada. Zaybia naturally is open to the world for browsing and purchasing!


According to one of the founders, Lee who is currently based in Montreal, the site does not charge anything, at least not just yet as it is still in beta.  That's right,  no fees at all. Nada.

Image by Anna

The dynamic duo have done it again!  The beaders I mean are Mandy and Anna whom I featured before in my previous post about the Sultan's Turban bead tutorial.

Mandy  in her quest to learn how to bead likes to try out tutorials from amazing European beaders. Anna then helpfully figures out the steps for English speaking readers on her blog.

There is an easy solution if you are stuck wondering what sort of colors to use for a jewelry gift. Make rainbow inspired designs!

Cathy made these colorful bracelet and earrings. The pieces are guaranteed to go with any outfit!  The crystals were from Debbie's (Widget's Beads) collection.

Mug Shot of Diamond Thief

Here is a cautionary tale or should I say, "tail" about leaving your jewelry making components lying around where pets, especially dogs, might accidentally eat them.

It does happen. The latest incident occurred in an Albany, Georgia store as reported in a local tv station's video . Honey Bun doesn't really guard the John Ross Jewelry store. The new pup is more like a greeter and shop mascot for owners, Chuck and Ann Roberts.

Some of you loath having to take photographs of your jewelry.  The task either distracts from the far more enjoyable jewelry creation process or your photographs do not do your work justice.

Don't you wish you could have someone else do it all?  Well, you can without breaking the bank.  Erin Woodgate, a professional photographer, is offering online artisans a sweet trade.

Unlike necklaces, bracelets are easily visible to the wearer. So if you love looking at bling, you just got to create the ultimate arm candy - crystal bracelets!

Art Beads' Ancient Grove Bracelet is a charming stunner!  What a wonderful way of using up different Swarovski bead and pendants shapes.

When I first stumbled upon Fen's Bead Flora Jewels on Etsy, my first impression was "Wow!". Then "OMG" as I realized how much work has gone into her gorgeous French beaded bridal bouquets.

Her creations are made with great care and additional lacing reinforcement. She designs her bouquets to last a life time - a beautiful reminder of a special day long after real flowers would have wilted and died.

Image by ORRTEC

One of the reasons why I like these giveaway posts is that readers delurk!!  Then I get to know who you are.  Well, last week's giveaway sponsored by Melinda Orr sure brought out those who love the look of patina work and particularly those who like working with brass and copper!

I was also delighted that many were also keen to try a new technique. But be sure to do the ammonia work outside because that stuff really stinks!

Did you know computer key caps can be removed quite easily?  Well, if you have an old keyboard, then consider upcycling the computer keys. Some of them make great initial jewelry.

Catherine over at the Olive Bites Blog has a really easy computer key pendant tutorial.  She used a hardware store washer which require drilling a hole.  I recommend using a metal hole punch if you a bit leery of the drill. Alternatively round discs with pre-drilled holes will also work.

Remember the free shop for life giveaway on my blog some time ago?   Well, I think many of you would. It was highly successful.  But  as with such things, many were disappointed.

Well, here is another chance to try and win yourself a free shop for life!  Andrew and Kimberly Kitchen are sponsoring a similar giveaway but this time on the Handmade Artist's Shop's blog. Check it out!  And good luck!  It ends on September 4th so there is plenty of time.

Bollywood Beauty Set by Haute Ice on Etsy

This guest post is by fellow blogger, Amanda Kidd.

You have tried that shining and breath-taking jewelry since ages. It’s nothing unusual to flaunt gold, silver or a diamond piece. We know women since ancient times are lustful of those emeralds, rubies and other jewels. No doubt such heavy ornaments have their grandeur and splendor.

But don’t you think you should try something new and vivid this time? We are not asking you to get rid of your timeless and classic jewelry but you can come off that overtly girlie and lady image for a while to flaunt something more contemporary.

Ever changed your mind about a design after you've strung the necklace?  I have and so have a number of beginner beaders at our workshops over the years.  Or a necklace breaks and you're faced with restringing the lot?

Image by Amethyst and Amber

Never fear. There is an easy way. Just grab a fresh length of beading wire and feed it through the design, transferring the beads over to the new beading wire as you go along. Stop at where the error is and correct it with a different selection of beads. Continue transfer-stringing until complete.

Some of you may remember my past post on the different ways to create wire and beads bird's nest jewelry. The designers approached making this either with one single length of wire or several lengths. They also applied the results to earrings, rings and craft items.

Mood rings were invented back in the 1970's. The liquid crystals were bonded with quartz stones which then changed color according to the wearer's body temperature.  Whether or not they truly portray a person's feelings is another matter.

A few decades later and they are back, sort of! The Diesel Thermal Attraction watches also reacts to body heat. The polyurethane strap changes from one color to another.  The marketing is pure genius as it implies wearers can signal their attraction to another person.

Copper tubing is easily available from the hardware store.  It's what plumbers use. Different sizes of copper pipes can be used in jewelry making.  Some sort of cutting tool will be needed such as a pipe or tube cutter or hacksaw.

Ah, the joys of growing older. One such "joy" I discovered was my increasing difficulty in focusing on near objects like computer screens. So reading glasses are necessary. Rather than prop them up on my head, I made an eyeglass necklace for myself.  It's what I call a functional necklace.

There aren't very many jewelry artisans who specialize in kinetic jewelry so I get excited when I come across one.  Andrea Rosenfeld is a stellar designer whose work has been seen in many publications.

As you can see from her You Spin Me ring on the left, parts of her jewelry are designed to move. The swirl or coil focal spins around when the wearer moves which in turns changes the positions of the jasper gemstones.

Before I started making jewelry, I used to think of patina in unflattering terms. But now, after seeing what some artisans do with deliberate patination, I have a totally different view.

Pennsylvanian Melinda Orr is one of these amazing designers who can make patina look outstanding.  Her recent free Sapphire Starry Night Earrings Patina Tutorial on her blog will convince you if my words don't.

Image from Ornamentea

I am all for multiple uses especially for common jewelry findings.  That's because by using them in highly creative ways, the resulting designs will be different from others.

I wrote about using bead caps in unconventional ways before (see link below).  Here is the latest chandelier earrings tutorial from Ornamentea which again uses bead caps for earrings.  It's a winner!  Taking notes?

Turquoise Mountain was once the ancient capital of Afghanistan. It was destroyed by Genghis Khan's son, Ogodei, in the 13th century.

The Turquoise Mountain that exists today is a non-profit, non-governmental organization originally established at the request of President Hamid Karzai and Prince Charles. It aims to revitalize traditional Afghan arts and crafts and at the same time restore the war ravaged historic and artistic Murad Khane quarter of Kabul.

You don't really have to be intimidated by metal smith techniques. Here is a very useful tutorial by Rebecca over at the My Girlish Whims blog.

Her Anthro Knock-Off Earrings tutorial covers the simple hammering of thick or heavy wire to form small strips and making holes in them for jump rings.  Both easy to do. The results are awesome!

What do you do when you fall for and are about to marry a nerd? You give him his very own USB or thumb drive style wedding ring. Ray Arifianto, who works on the XBox Platform team at Microsoft, received it from his decidedly un-nerdy fiance.

Blue is a very popular color indeed.  It's one color which covers a broad spectrum of emotions - from sad all the way to happy.  We are always happy to see blue skies and appreciate the beauty of the sea's hue.So it is no surprise when more than one beader chooses to make blue earrings on a single afternoon.

One past tutorial I wrote was how to wire in a simple Swarovski button on a neck wire.  It's suitable for those who prefer understated styles.

But I also like Destri's fabric  button necklace tutorial. It's fun and summery. She wired in several lovely buttons for her necklace. The fabric store will have button making kits if you are inspired.

There are many wire jewelry books out there but few are as truly innovative and exciting as this latest book I just received from Kalmbach Publishing for review.

I also did not need to read the introduction to know Melissa Cable and her two co-designers behind the book, Spotlight On Wire are experienced wire work instructors.  As an instructor myself, I appreciate how tutorials are written especially from the perspective of the learner.

Many wire jewelry artisans do amazing work but few create so many outstanding iconic designs as Belgian based Cleopatra Kerckhof on Etsy does.

It's one thing to know what  hamsa (hand) or yin and yang symbols are. It's another to express them as intricate wire and gemstone designs.

I keep meaning to use ribbon in my jewelry making. They are so pretty and feminine. Perhaps these tutorials here will jump start my creativity!

Aubree over at the Yellow Blackbird blog was so inspired by an Anthropologie accordion-style necklace, she made her own version and shared the tutorial. It's a nostalgic craft - you may remember box braiding with plastic lace in your youth!

Old earring dangle as a hat embellishment

This guest post is by Sarah Grace Villaflor, a blog reader and jewelry making enthusiast.

Are you the type who gets so attached to a certain item and  insist on using it even though it is already old, damaged or broken? There is no need to feel embarrassed or stupid as this is common. People may find comfort and assurance in the presence of a very familiar object.

I like the concept of free form beading. One can just bead and not worry about tiny errors.  It's also a great way to use up small bead stashes.  The versatile peyote stitch is the one to use!

Cyndi Lavin over at Beading Arts has a free form peyote necklace tutorial which she tentatively calls Carribean Sunset. Check out the clever way she made the clasp.

Got some donuts or large round glass focals? Then break out some thin cord and have some fun making summer necklaces. Jennifer over at the Jennifer Jangles blog has an easy knotted necklace tutorial  that will help you use up odd beads.  Each necklace can be really unique!

Sherry Aitken is a mother of 2.  Not only is she well acquainted with the make believe world of young children, she also makes super hero capes and other accessories for her Etsy shop, Baby Pop Designs. What kind of personal blog would such an artisan have? A delightful one aptly named SuperExhausted.

Sherry  understands fully how difficult it is to get young ring bearers down the aisle. Small boys will consider having to carry a ring cushion at a wedding totally uncool unless of course they are the superheros of the occasion.

Perhaps some readers have not caught my previous posts on Michelle's work. She is a recycler extraordinaire who takes common household items and transforms them into jewelry. Every design is pure creative genius.

So if you haven't encountered her blog before, check out her most recent tutorial and inspirational post, Comb One, Comb All which features the humble plastic comb!  Her blog posts are often funny, puns and all.

The international community of beaders is fantastic! They not only share their expertise but help one another. It's a truly well connected network!

The original tutorial for the fabulous Sultan's turban bead was created by a Hungarian beader. This was spotted by Mandy over at the Beads for Brains blog who I had featured before for her year long beading marathon.

August is that time of year when not much is blooming in the garden, at least not in my garden. So it's on to flowers in jewelry!  Here are some more flower jewelry tutorials to inspire :

Lucite (a kind of plastic) beads are fun but flower ones are even better when layered in awesome color combinations like Sherri Haab did with her Lucite Flower Bracelet tutorial. It's based on one of the projects in her book, Sherri Haab Jewelry Inspirations: Techniques and Designs from the Artist's Studio.

We often talk about jewelry being wearable art. Sharon aka as The WristBandit walks the talk. I'm glad she commented on my Facebook page because her hand-painted leather cuff bracelets are definitely works of art.

Every piece is one of a kind - the sort which will appeal to those who have a distinctive individual style.

 Making jewelry is actually the easy part. Taking pictures is quite another thing. So many of you struggle with jewelry photography just as I do. It is good that we all wish to improve.

So it is no wonder the response from the Modahaus Table Top Photo Studio Giveaway from readers was tremendous and occasionally a little desperate. But remember, no table top studio will give good results unless you know how to use your camera properly. Even a simple point and shoot has a couple of settings you must make.

Okay, you're all going to have to indulge me here. I was so excited when I bought my Modahaus I could hardly wait to try it out.

This first picture I took for last week's giveaway post was the most decent jewelry pix I've ever done with the least amount of effort!

I've had more time to experiment with the portable studio set up over the weekend. The two lucky winners of the giveaway which I will randomly pick later today and other new owners might be interested to see additional pictures and tips.