The Beading Gem

Austrian beader, Uli observed something interesting about flat peyote when different sized beads were used in bracelet designs.  The bracelets then bulged out in the center.  So she figured out how to take advantage of the effect for her stunning sculptural peyote necklace tutorial over on her blog, Not Without My Beads. The Download button to get to her PDF sharing site is towards the bottom. And yes it works.  (My apologies for yesterday's lost video link - I had not realized the designer deleted from Youtube the day before)

South Sea pearls are horribly expensive to incorporate into jewelry designs.  Fortunately, there are the Swarovski Tahitian versions which are much easier on the pocket.  This beautiful beaded Swarovski pearl bracelet tutorial by Svetlana McDaniel has undulating lines and features the said beads in a large and not to be missed size!

There are a fair number of people who do not have pierced ears.  Fear of getting them done, perhaps? But no matter the reason, it doesn't mean they need to  forgo wearing earrings. There are always clipons but these may not be comfortable for long periods of time.  The alternative is ear cuffs.

Preciosa Ornela pellet beads are perhaps off putting to some beaders. Their drum-like shapes requires some creative thinking.  The best approach is to take advantage of their narrow waists. You can see some of my designs using pellet beads here and here (blue earrings).

Did you see this beautiful loom beaded bracelet tutorial over on Art Beads? It is called the Hypnoptic Blocks and it is designed by Cheri Carlson.  These bracelets are best made with uniform Japanese beads and geometric patterns in the right colors are particularly stunning.  But the only thing that usually puts me off looms is the gazillion warp threads you have to deal with after you finish it. Seems counterproductive that a loom speeds up the work only to slow you down at the end.

It is a real treat when one encounters an outstanding artisan who is able to combine two very different media in stunning ways. Russian artisan, Anna Bragina makes truly gorgeous polymer clay and leather jewelry. Her contemporary style is colorful. Sometimes simple, sometimes richly textured. But always masterful.

Modahaus giveaways like the one last week are always popular as so many of you struggle with jewelry photography. Making the jewelry is the easy part.  Good pictures do justice to your hard work and talent.  Some readers said they were tired of their homemade set ups and want to move on to something more professional. So the Modahaus will fit the bill.  I certainly cannot do with my Modahaus!

After my last announcement for a local presentation on How to Photograph Jewelry, I received a number of pleas from readers further afield to do this online so they can attend. The ability to take good photos of jewelry designs is a necessary one and a skill which many, many artisans struggle with. I feel your pain because I myself have gone through pretty much the same angst and have had to work hard over the years learning and then improving my photographic skills not just for my little Etsy store but for this blog.

Sanding down polymer clay pieces after baking can be a tedious task.   It is unavoidable unless you want to see the flaws! A small sander is required since the pieces are small. One great tip shared by Linda, is to use an electric toothbrush for easy polymer clay sanding.  The full instructions are over on her blog, Linda's Art Barn.

Charlotte seed beads are special.  They are cut seed beads i.e. they each have one facet.  This gives the beads more reflective quality than ordinary seed beads.  Once you have used them, they become hard to resist.  The  available colors and finishes are fantastic. I love the iris ones because of their iridescent qualities.  Team them up with rivoli crystals and the design will just sparkle and pop!

Planning your summer vacation? It's important to properly pack jewelry for travel. It's not only to save space but also to organize and protect the pieces from entanglement, damage or loss. There are a number of great ideas, some of which I have covered before like sewing your own jewelry bags (see below) or using a pill organizer.

Remember the Kazuri ceramic and Samunnat Nepal polymer clay bead bracelets I made some time ago?  They just got featured in a double spread in Just Jewelry! Volume 2.   Just Jewelry! is the newest addition  to Scott Publications.  This magazine is simply full of all kinds of handmade jewelry designs and some tutorials.  The styles and techniques vary but all provided so much inspiration.

I don't often come across stud earrings tutorials let alone one that has beautiful wire wrapped dangles! So the tutorial by Hungarian artist, Erika Schneider, is a real gem and perfect for those who like elegant wire designs.  Erika has a website called Cleo-Design.

Paracord is no longer considered just for the guys. You know, as in survival bracelets. There are smaller sizes and they come in a whole range of colors and patterns these days.  But have you ever considered stripping out the inner core of paracord so it becomes a fabulous flat wrapping material?

You can't really say playing graphic adventure games is a total waste of time.  For some, like Liz, it is well worth her time.  Check out her  LizGlizz Etsy store for a whole bunch of game inspired polymer clay jewelry. A popular store, her fun creations reaches out to legions of fans who remember playing these games in their childhood.

YOUCH Piranha Plant Earrings

Not all readers are into gemstones but it was fun to see who were when they entered for the Internation Gem Society Annual Membership giveaway.  A couple of readers are into lapidary, others espressed a wish to educate their customers so the kind of information from the pro membership account would be invaluable.  Especially the pricing!

Photography has to be the biggest stumbling block for many an artisan.  We did not bargain on having to learn this skill when we starting selling online. But learn we must. Just like many of you, I  have struggled with photography.  I have shared my photography adventures - and misadventures - over the years with you. For long time blog readers, I'll bet you've seen an improvement in my photography.

Giveaway Modahaus Bundle

Micro macrame jewelry making is not that difficult.  It helps to be neat and to work on a cork board or a small well stuffed pillow shaped base. Another alternative is to use a small commercial macrame board like this one.  There are thread grips at the edges of the board which is useful.

More is less, right? Not always. Sometimes making multiple simple bracelets and necklaces can really make the designs look stunning. Here is an excellent example. This multi strand charm bracelet tutorial by Kelsy over on the Loose Ends blog is loaded with charms and Swarvoski pearls.

Some of the most creative projects come from those who work with polymer clay.  I thought this faux agate pendant tutorial made with polymer clay was very clever indeed.  It is by Francesca over on the Fall for DIY blog.

Some designs are simply pure genius.  Take this clever "crossed" chain and bead bangle tutorial over on GioGio & Co.  The bracelet looks like the chains have crossed but they haven't.  It is a very easy technique which is accomplished stringing beads then 2 chain links row by row. Alternating the bead position is the key.

Jocelyn, who has a shop called Fantasia Elegance, shares some lovely wire wrapped pendant tutorials on Youtube.  Here are more of my favourites from this designer.  

Elegant Swirl Pendant

I can't really remember but I think I kept seeing Alejandra Jacoby's colorful crochet jewelry on Pinterest.   Hoop earrings dominate this Chilean artisan's work on DaWanda (no longer available).  She offers them in a variety of colors.   Her effective use of beads in her lacy earrings really make her designs pop.

I don't know about you, but I certainly like the easy way out when trying to add color to some jewelry making media.  This surface colouring tutorial for polymer clay using artist's chalk pastels is not difficult at all. It is by Neena Shilvock of Caprilicious Jewelry.   Note: not oil pastels.

Beading around leather cords is not very common.  Yet the simple bead weaving techniques used in these tutorials are effective. I do love geometric designs so it was a delight to come across Svetlana McDaniel's Southwestern Native American inspired beaded jewelry designs.  The color combination is wonderful although you could use any other one you like.

After a brutal winter - especially in Nova Scotia where I used to live, summer is most welcome indeed.  Out with heavy boots and in with sandals!  Want to make your sandals more memorable?Then bling them up!  This tutorial for how to add Swarvoski crystals to sandals is by Erica over on Honestly...WTF.

Artisans do use paper for jewelry designs. The trick is to seal the paper to make it more durable.  So I thought the Ephemera mixed media earrings tutorial by Luthien Thye was unfairly named.  Ephemer a means "things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time."   But with the care in preparing the paper portion, the design can be enjoyed for a long time.

It is wonderful to see there were a number of readers really keen on chain maille judging from the comments on last week's giveaway.  As Susan Samuel said, "It's great to see books for using colour more and for more advanced chainmaille."

I love tools especially the inexpensive plastic variety. Anything to help make jewelry faster and/or easier.  Beadalon has come up with a novel one - a circular  jig for making wire bracelets.  Check out the tutorial over on Art Beads for a Belisama bracelet by Cheri Carlson.   Isn't this crystal number lovely?

Is it safe to talk about snow now?  After the past terrible winter - at least for some of us - the last thing we want to see is the fluffy white stuff again.  But perhaps you will make an exception for this amazing wire wrapped snowflake pendant tutorial!  The designer and instructor is Jocelyn of Fantasia Elegance.

Hair is supposed to be a woman's crowning glory.  So it is not surprising when even a temporary loss due to chemotherapy adds to the stress and trauma of the necessary treatment.  German fiber artisan and designer, Sybille Paulsen, understands how much hair evokes sentiment. She creates handmade jewelry out of the hair of cancer patients in her unique project called Tangible Truths.

Mary Beth with her hair necklace

It is important to know as much as possible about the materials you work with.  Knowing what to look for when purchasing a gemstone is a given as its quality affects the price.  Customers who buy gemstone jewelry also expect you to know something about the stones you use.  Yet, many artisans are in the dark about gemstones. Misinformation also abounds.  So getting educated about gemstones is a good thing.

Donna Spadafore of Gailavira Jewelry is one of the most delightful wire artisans out there with clever ideas.  Here is one design which she calls Carnival Pendant.  It is wonderful a swirling wire woven and wire wrapped cabochon tutorial. Definitely an outstanding innovative way of dealing with all the wire ends when it comes to wire wrapping cabochons.

I know people who prefer to wear bracelets rather than necklaces.  So this tutorial is perfect for them! The chunky cuff tutorial is by Lisa Vetowich of Crafting Rebellion.  She used bezel cuffs for the base and large pendants.

I have a fair bit of embroidery floss leftover from when I did some cross-stitching and some thread/string art jewelry (see link below). Got to bust this stash.  Sound familiar?  Then check out this asymmetric colorful knotted and braided floss necklace tutorial over on the Mollie Makes magazine's blog. The piece is by the Coats Craft design team.