Aren't soutache jewelry designs just amazing? If you are keen to try, making soutache earrings is a good project to start with. Even half of a pair will yield a pendant!
Don't miss
- Wire Tutorials Galore!must see!
- Jewelry Making Tipsfun ideas!
- Check Out These Beadwork Tutorialsfor beaders!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Amazing Soutache Jewelry by Dori Csengeri
Many readers were bowled over when I first wrote about soutache jewelry about 2 years ago. Since then, I have come across many soutache jewelry designers. Ever wonder who was the original designer to come up with the innovative technique which so many now emulate?
Monday, July 29, 2013
Winner of the Best Beads' Gift Certificate Giveaway
Those piggy beads sure were a hit with the creative crowd when they were featured in last week's Best Buy's gift certificate giveaway. Especially after they saw the slinky bracelet made with them. Then ideas started to percolate in many minds!
More Die Cut Jewelry Tutorials
It has been a while since I wrote my tutorial on how to make a denim pair of earrings using my Sizzix Big Kick. Did any of you succumb and buy your own die cutter yet?
Sunday, July 28, 2013
More Bead and Wire Tiara Tutorials
Some jewelry makers specialize in tiaras. They are awesome bridal jewelry and depending on what you use, tiaras can also be scaled down for little princesses. So here are some lovely tiara inspirations to add to my previous collections.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
How to Make an Easy Perler Bead Focal Necklace
Perler or Hama beads are fun for crafting. These beads are usually arranged on a pegboard before being ironed to bond them together. It's the sort of project ideally suited for children - with adult supervision since it involves a hot appliance. But for adults? Not so much.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Pretty Beaded Barefoot Sandal Anklet Tutorial
Hasn't this summer been brutal for heatwaves? Well, the good news is you can wear pretty beaded barefoot sandal anklets! Aleshia of Beadifulnights has a really elegant design tutorial which will dress up ordinary sandals.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
How to Make All in One Headpin Earrings Tutorial
Some people use ball headpins for this style of all in one headpin earrings. However, you can also use headpins for the faux metal work look! I made this pair of earrings for myself using stainless steel headpins from Prima Bead's latest products.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Stainless Steel Wire Wrapped Jewelry Inspirations
Remember my announcement about being accepted as one of Prima Bead's (Cousin subsidiary) blogging partners? Well, here is the first month's design challenge using their new stainless steel findings!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Innovative Wire Work by Andreea Bololoi
There are many wonderful wire work artisans out there but few do something really different. Romanian artisan, Andreea Bololoi, is one of them. I first stumbled upon her work on Facebook and was enchanted with her refreshing contemporary style.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Best Beads' $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway
My favorite glass beads are Czech made mainly because of tremendous range of bead colors, types and finishes. No wonder, as Czechoslovakia, in particular the provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, have a long history of bead making.
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| Piggy Beads |
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Informal Wire Wrapped Ring Tutorials
It might be difficult for beginners to create a beaded flower ring.
There are actually two parts to the design - the flower itself and the
ring band. So learning how to do just the one thing might well help
someone starting out with wire work.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Faux Patina Earrings Tutorial
The greenish patina color which develops on copper can be lovely. But if you don't have anything to patinate jewelry piece with or perhaps you are leery of using liver of sulfur, there is a solution. Just fake it!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Make a Ring from a Dollar Bill
Apart from wearing your small bills as a matter of convenience, I see no real reason to make a ring from a dollar note. But origami enthusiasts will probably love the challenge!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Multistrand Looped Necklace Tutorial
Statement necklaces need not be heavy affairs. Nor do they have to require hours and hours of work. One way to make an open yet attention grabbing design is to make a multistrand looped necklace.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Offset Bead Wire Wrapped Ring Tutorial
Have you tried the popular form of single bead wire wrapped ring design (see links below)? If you have, you will be pleased to see this innovative variation by Rachel Murgatroyd. Perhaps try it too!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Macrame Jewelry Designs by Rumi Sumaq
Rumi Sumaq is the business name of Peruvian artisan Coco Paniora Salinas and his American wife Melanie Vento. They met and fell in love in Peru when Melanie was taking a break there from Bolivia while doing part of her medical anthropological studies. They lived in Cusco for a while as Coco and his brother had a jewelry store there. The couple moved back to the US in 2010 and now tour the art show circuit.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Winner of Art Business Institute's $95 Consultation Giveaway
Trying to make a jewelry business succeed requires not just hard work but also business knowledge. There were a number of readers who said in last week's Arts Business consultation giveaway how much they needed advice and help from an experienced consultant like Carolyn.
Doodle Wire Earrings Tutorials Just for Fun!
Doing wire work might be daunting for beginners. That's why I so
like forgiving projects where the informal approach still produces great
looking pieces. This really pretty Mesa Rose flower earrings tutorial by Sue over at Mr Micawber's Recipe for Happiness blog. The turns are formed with either the round or chain nose pliers.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
A Peacock Lampwork Bead Bracelet and a Romance Novel
Lampwork artist, Mary Ann Helmond's signature designs are her stunning peacock pieces. In an delightful turn of events, her peacock lampwork bead bracelet now graces the cover of a new novel!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
How to Use Acrylic Stamps as Faux Engraved Jewelry
I should have written about this a long time ago because it is a clever technique worth sharing. Cathe Holden's clever tutorial uses the acrylic stamps themselves to create the illusion of engraved jewelry. She included several examples of the stunning pieces you can do with this method. I picked 2 of my favorites.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Beaded Laughter - Fantasy Bead Studs
Sylvie Lansdowne is a wonderful glass artist who was "coaxed over to the dark side" adding beadwork to her repertoire. When she is not beading, she likes to hang out with Gerard Butler. Sort of.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
How to Make Polymer Clay Cookie Charms
I've featured some pretty awesome polymer food jewelry before (see links below). They are so realistic, you almost want to take a bite! Nothing is more scrumptious than the ones which mimic baked goods.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
A Really Different Wire Wrapped Tree Pendant tutorial
The most common wire wrapped tree is the tree of life pendant. Check out the tutorial post here. But there are other ways to make the tree. This open work copper tree tutorial by Oksana Trukhan is a delightful version.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Eclectic Wire Jewelry by Ksemi
Russian wire work artisan Kseni Vokhmentseva says her creations in her Etsy store, Kesmi are "mad wire designer jewelry for daring people". I cannot agree with the mad part because her unique designs are not. They are however, eclectic, bold and oh so different. Refreshingly so.
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| Encantado Necklace |
Monday, July 8, 2013
Arts Business Institute's $95 Craft Business Consulting Giveaway
Jewelry making is such a wonderful craft and hobby. That first foray into making beautiful accessories sometimes develops into a small business. Then comes the realization making the jewelry is actually the easy part. The issues about how to sell and where to sell as well as the ins and outs of running a business soon arise.
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| ABI blog post : Connecting Emotionally with a Customer |
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Miniature Beaded Dresses and Bags by Sian Nolan
Sian Nolan is passionate about bead work. This UK artisan beads a lot as you can see from her Flickr photostream! She teaches bead work both in her native England and in Germany. She is also a regular contributor to UK Bead magazine and sells her own design tutorials in her Etsy store.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Pearls and Ruffled Organza Ribbon Bracelet Tutorial
Need something special for the evening? Or want to make beautiful bridal or prom bracelets? You can't beat the combination of pearls and silk organza ribbon.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Scrapbook Fabric and Felt Sticker Necklace Tutorial
Have you ever wandered down Michaels - a very dangerous place for the wallet - and ogled the scrapbooking supplies? Scrapbooking supplies can indeed be used to make really fun jewelry. Here is example using fabric and felt.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Book Review - Creative Seed Bead Connections
Are you a beadweaver who only does beadwork? Maybe it is time to get out of your comfort zone and explore other forms of jewelry making. Not only will you add more skills to your repertoire, you will also move into new design pathways as you incorporate them into your core interest.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Error Message to Email Subscribers and Test
My apologies to the erroneous message you saw today asking you to resubscribe. I am not certain how it occurred. I don't believe that should have happened for email subscribers. I am currently sorting it out. So this is also a test message. Please bear with me. There are so many of you that I cannot do corrections manually.
Paint Chip Jewelry Tutorials
Painting is something many us do ourselves to freshen up our homes. First thing we do is to get paint chips so we can decide. But instead of tossing the chips away when you are done with it, why not recycle them? They make easy ombre style jewelry as you can see from these creative designers!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Earring Design Inspirations with Mirror Beads
I shared my exciting news over on Facebook and Twitter last week. Many of you probably missed it so here is the formal announcement! Prima Bead picked me as a blogging partner, one of 10 selected from a field of 50 bloggers. Needless to say, I am thrilled to bits!
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| Mirror Beads |
Monday, July 1, 2013
Winner of Ecuadorian Hands' $40 Tagua Beads Giveaway
Isn't it wonderful there are so many chances to win the beautiful elephant friendly tagua beads? The giveaway last week from Ecuadorian Hands certainly interested a number of people. The beads are natural, lightweight and colorful!
More How to Make Beaded Rings Tutorials
Anne Cecilie's ring tutorial over on Jewelry and Polymer Clay Heaven is definitely spectacular. It features a snake eye (type of cat's eye) cabochon. I like how she used an adjustable ring base rather than a beaded ring band as an alternative.
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