Pearl Blay
supplies and displays
tutorial
Earring Card Display Stand Tutorial
In a rush to get going with the busy craft show season? Want to make your own handmade earring card display stand? Check out Lisa McGrimmon's tutorial over on her blog. It is made from an ordinary picture frame. This is a good thing as they usually come with a back stand so the frame will be displayed in an upright orientation.
Pearl Blay
beading
beadwork
book review
Book Review - Textured Bead Embroidery
Bead embroidery is an extraordinary technique which turns seed beads into statement jewelry. It is not a difficult technique as it requires just basic sewing skills. But the rewards are great as sewing just a few beads at a time eventually leads to spectacular designs. Might I add, it is also addictive once you get started!
Pearl Blay
rings
tutorial
wire work
How to Make a Simple Adjustable Wire Ring Tutorial
Getting ring sizes right is a challenge. So an adjustable ring really helps as there is plenty of give. I've written about different adjustable wire ring tutorials before (see links below). Here is another super one by Rena Klingenberg.
Pearl Blay
earrings
feature designer
jewelry
necklace
recycled jewelry
resin
rings
Broken Wood and Colorful Bioresin Jewelry
What would you do with broken pieces of wood? Toss them into the recycle bin right? But take a look at German designer Marcel Dunger's work and you will think differently about broken and jagged pieces of maple wood. What he does is make broken wood and colorful biresin jewelry!
Pearl Blay
giveaway
Winner of TierraCast's $75 The Maker's Collection Jewelry Findings Giveaway
Last week's TierraCast giveaway was a runaway success! Many lurkers came out of their workshops to try their luck. No wonder as the majority of you not only know of the top notch quality of their jewelry findings but have also used them before.
Pearl Blay
tutorial
Adapt Fishing Knot Tutorials for Jewelry Making!
I came across this power knot tutorial on Pinterest. It is totally uncredited so if you know its source, please let me know. When I asked this question on my Facebook page some time ago, some followers recognized it as a fishing knot. Fishing knots are very useful for jewelry making!
Pearl Blay
necklace
polymer clay
tutorial
video tutorial
Statement Polymer Clay Necklace Tutorials
Love statement necklaces? Rather than make one using fabric, try polymer clay instead! It is lightweight and comes in so many awesome colors ready to mix and blend. Check out these great statement polymer clay necklace tutorials. The first two are by Aniko Kolesnikova of My Mandarin Ducky. Her Polymer Clay Organic Leaf Necklace is awesome!
Pearl Blay
bracelet
design makeover
recycled jewelry
tutorial
Multi Chain Leather Makeover Bracelet Tutorial
Multi chain bracelets can get messy if they are not braided or separated at intervals with special findings. But there is another solution. Check out Anne Evers multi chain on leather makeover bracelet tutorial on her blog, Plan B. It is a great solution to recycle old chains, unloved jewelry or leftover materials into something wearable.
Pearl Blay
Halloween
high tech jewelry
necklace
tutorial
Elegant Illuminated Necklace Tutorial
One of the most elegant illuminated necklace designs I have come across has to be this one by Mikaela Holmes on Instructables. She is a costume and experimental fashion designer and artist. This necklace uses el (electroluminescent) wire which is lit up using just a 9V battery. El wire is used by wearable tech designers.
Pearl Blay
metal work
product review
supplies and displays
Product Review : Soft Strike™ Pewter Blanks by ImpressArt
I still laugh at myself for buying stainless steel blanks. In my defense, I was seduced by the mirror finish on them. It was virtually impossible to stamp them properly as stainless steel is very tough. Although I like brass and copper which are easier to stamp, they are not the silver color I was after. Sterling silver blanks aren't in my budget.
Soft Strike™ Pewter Blanks by ImpressArt |
Pearl Blay
beading
beadwork
jewelry
rings
tutorial
Open Right Angle Weave Beaded Ring Tutorial
Beaded rings can be either very simple and easy or elaborate affairs. Here is one that is Goldilocks perfect - not too easy and not too hard. The open right angle weave beaded ring tutorial is by Bee Jang a very creative and dedicated Thai beader and blogger.
Pearl Blay
earrings
feature designer
necklace
recycled jewelry
Fabric Bead Jewelry by Gilgulim
Israeli artisan, Hagar Arnon Elbaz of Gilgulim on Etsy creates soft OOAK (one of a kind) fabric jewelry. What she does is to "roll beads to create alternative jewels out of metamorphosized materials". She uses recycled as well as new fabrics. Early in her jewelry making, she also used a lot of secondhand neckties.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
supplies and displays
TierraCast's $75 The Maker's Collection Jewelry Findings Giveaway
TierraCast is a Californian based jewelry supply company that's well known for innovative designs and quality materials. They also produce products in a variety of metals to suit every taste. They are introducing new products which they call The Maker's Collection. One lucky winner of this giveaway will get to use $75 worth soon!
Pearl Blay
metal work
necklace
tutorial
Beautiful 3D Domed Embossed Pendant Tutorial
Tammy Tutterow's 3D domed embossed pendant tutorial is not merely a stunner. It is inspirational in many ways. So if you need instructions on how to do dapping, coloring, embossing and riveting, this is one you should look at.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
feature designer
necklace
worthy cause
Jewelry Made from Historical Artifacts : Purple Buddha Project
The Purple Buddha Project is a social business trying to raise funds on the crowdsourcing site, Kickstarter, to help Cambodian artisans upcycle the remains of conflict into jewelry. The Vietnam war actually spilled over into Cambodia and Laos, consuming both nations in the process. The Cambodian civil war and resulting genocide during that time was particularly devastating and savage.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
business tips
poll
Do You Still Wear a Watch? A Tutorial and a Poll
I came across this easy braided rope watch strap tutorial by Anjelika Temple over on Brit+Co. The custom watch strap means the watch can be worn more like a bracelet. Plus you get to control the colors you like.
Pearl Blay
book review
macrame
Book Review : Micro Macramé Basics and Beyond
Micro macramé jewelry has been trending for a while now. It's not hard to see why. There is more to this technique than just friendship bracelets. Exquisite jewelry can be made from knotted cords and besides, the process is as soothing as it is to do other repetitive craft methods like kumihimo, crochet and knotting.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
chain maille
jewelry
tutorial
Clever Faux Chain Maille Bracelet Tutorial
Consider yourself forgiven if your first glance at this charming bracelet tutorial told you it was a European weave chain maille pattern. Jessah of The Beaded Passion created the illusion for her faux chain mailled bracelet tutorial by making wire figure 8s!
Pearl Blay
earrings
feature designer
necklace
unusual jewelry
Inlaid Glow in the Dark Epoxy and Wood Jewelry by Shinium
British artisan, Mat Brown is an accomplished metal smith as well as a wood worker - an unusual combination of skills. But what caught my eye in his Etsy shop, Shinium, was his inlaid glow-in-the-dark epoxy and wood contemporary jewelry collection.
Pearl Blay
giveaway
Winner of Bead and Button UK Company's Giveaway
I had so much fun working with buttons from Bead and Button UK for last week's giveaway. While the buttons are gorgeous and absolutely inspirational, they are not the only thing they carry. Annabelle from BB UK said they are planning to stock Bling on a Roll too!
Pearl Blay
body jewelry
Halloween
necklace
seasonal
tutorial
Awesome Spider Web Jewelry Tutorials
Arachnophobes rejoice! These clever spider web jewelry tutorials do not feature the 8 legged creatures! These designs are definitely a change from the usual Halloween designs. The first one is called Caught in the Web by Pattie Wilkinson over on the iLove to Create blog (Update : tutorial no longer available)
Pearl Blay
beading
beadwork
earrings
jewelry
tutorial
Three Lovely Beaded Flower Earrings Tutorials
Every fall I look at my garden and lament the lack of blooms! So if you miss seeing flowers, there are always the beaded varieties. Check out these latest beaded flower earring tutorial picks. They are both lovely! The first stunning triangular based earrings by Alyona Pahil on Biserok. The "Summer Mood" earrings design was for a bead weaving master class contest.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
jewelry
tutorial
Fast and Easy Crochet Bangle Tutorial
I've covered plenty of crochet bracelets before. But Anette over on the Lebenslustiger blog has a fast and easy crochet bangle tutorial. She makes hers with cotton fabric yarn for coolness and comfort. I also suggest t-shirt yarn. See how to make t-shirt yarn including the continuous variety here.
Pearl Blay
tutorial
wire work
How to Make Scarf Rings from Buttons and Keyrings
Scarves are reemerging from closets with the cooler weather! So if you love this type of accessory and want to bling it up a bit, here is an easy tutorial on how to make scarf rings from buttons and keyrings. Keyrings come in different sizes. So get the ones which best suits your scarves be they thick or thin.
Pearl Blay
beadinggem designs
earrings
Pearl's Designs
tutorial
wire work
How to Make All in One Button Earrings Tutorial
This tutorial will be reminiscent of the all in one headpin earrings tutorial I did before but a little trickier. Only this time you will be making all in one button earrings. Any 2 hole button (not too large) will work but the wooden heart ones with printed butterflies from Bead and Button UK are especially pretty!
Pearl Blay
resin clay
rings
swarovski
tutorial
wire work
wirewrapped
How to Make a Wire Wrapped Shank Button Ring Tutorial
I remember struggling with my first wire wrapped ring. What I didn't know then is it really helps to use soft temper wire if you are new at it! But here is another way to make it easier for beginners. Use a finer gauge wire which is easier to wrap. This tutorial shows you how to make a wire wrapped shank button ring with 26G wire.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
earrings
feature designer
jewelry
necklace
wire work
wirewrapped
Woven Wire Creations by Wire Fantasies
There are many wire jewelry artisans out there. So it is a pleasure to come across one who creates one of a kind designs in her own inimitable style. Izabella Bako is a Romanian self taught artisan whose flare for wire shows in her woven wire creations in her store, Wire Fantasies on Etsy. She also has a Romanian based store called Bella Bijou.
Pearl Blay
beadinggem designs
bracelet
earrings
giveaway
Pearl's Designs
rings
Most of you know about Bead and Button magazine which is a US publication. But there is also a wonderful international online craft store called the Bead and Button Company UK (no longer available) which is based in Ambleside in northern England. They stock not just beads and buttons, but all sorts of craft items including papercrafts, for knitting and sewing and fabrics.
Bead and Button Company's $50 or £30 Gift Certificate Giveaway
Most of you know about Bead and Button magazine which is a US publication. But there is also a wonderful international online craft store called the Bead and Button Company UK (no longer available) which is based in Ambleside in northern England. They stock not just beads and buttons, but all sorts of craft items including papercrafts, for knitting and sewing and fabrics.
Pearl Blay
bracelet
gemstone
tutorial
Braided Gemstone and Bead Cluster Bracelet Tutorial
Some of the easiest jewelry design tutorials deliver big bangs for the buck! I particularly love Adrianne of Happy Hour Projects' lovely braided gemstone and bead cluster bracelet tutorial. No macrame just straight braiding but with 3 sets of waxed linen cord, each with three lengths.
Pearl Blay
beading
beadwork
earrings
Halloween
seasonal
tutorial
Well, Halloween is nearly upon us. If you're really not into the full blown costume thing, consider discrete beaded skull earrings. You will still be able to join in the fun. Here are 3 tutorials to consider. Reader and Nova Scotian designer, Debra Schwartz of DatzKatz Designs, contacted me to share this clever Skulla Rulla earrings tutorial which takes advantage of different types of beads. You can download and print the tutorial from SlideShare. Debra also has a Craftsy site.
Beaded Skull Earrings Tutorials
Pearl Blay
earrings
tutorial
Stunning Stamped Friendly Plastic Earrings Tutorial
It's been a while since I wrote about Friendly Plastic. It is a biodegradable polymer called polycaprolactone with a great advantage - it softens to a putty like consistency at very low heat. Either immersion in hot water or using a heat tool will work. This nylon like plastic, like shrink plastic, has been around in the crafting world for decades and is making a comeback.
Pearl Blay
earrings
tutorial
wire work
wirewrapped
Judy Larson's Snail Trail Wire Wrapped Donut Earrings Tutorial
Donuts - metal, glass and gemstones types - are not only calorie-free but they look great in jewelry designs too. We should use more of them! Just dream up innovative ways to use them as Judy Larson did with her fabulous Snail Trail wire wrapped donut earrings tutorial.
Pearl Blay
chain maille
necklace
swarovski
tutorial
Bejewelled Aluminum Scale Chain Maille Necklace Tutorial
I'm often of the opinion that adding Swarvoski crystals makes everything better!! This awesome bejewelled aluminum scale and chain maille necklace tutorial is by Cheri Carlson over on Artbeads.
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