The Beading Gem

Making adorable wire people for jewelry is a lot of fun. But it takes some creativity to come up with unique designs.  This quick and easy tutorial is from Beebeecraft, a US based jewelry supply shop.

It's a clever little design and I particularly like the option of adding color.

Do you do the mad rush to clean up house when visitors are due? Well, a major reorganization and tidy up happened recently when Cut Out and Keep, a large craft social media site, interviewed me and shared pictures of my studio.  The studio tour was about my inspirations and how I made my space comfortable and organized.  I will expand on this interview here as I can go beyond the questions asked.

It is a lasting regret that I will never meet most of you.  But here's a chance to hear me speak!  I was recently interviewed by Ingrid Talpak, the host of Living with More Style than Cash (WebTalkRadio) for an hour long episode called Making Amazing Jewelry.

Those of you who teach jewelry making and beading know that you have to get the word out and advertise your services.

Sometimes people can find a teacher through bead shop listings in phone books or if they are lucky enough to have an art school in town, they could perhaps enroll in a jewelry making course. But there are many other teachers who don't belong to either a bead shop or an art school. Like me.

The chances are, in an increasingly wired world, many people turn to the internet for all kinds of resources. So instead of letting people's hands do the walking, the trick is to get people clicking to you! I already advertise in my local Kijiji - (USA Kijiji/ Canada Kijiji) - which is a free local online classifieds site. Debbie (Widgets Beads), my co-instructor and I also advertise through various Cole Harbour Heritage Farm activities where our workshops are based. But it also pays to explore other ways to get the word out.

That is why my ears pricked up when a brand new (September 2008) online startup called School of Everything contacted me. The organisation is based in the UK but they aim to help connect people who teach with people who want to learn, no matter where they live. They've been described as 'MySpace for teachers' and 'eBay for knowledge'.

Joining is free and so is listing your services. I am now one of 10 of a growing list of jewelry and beading teachers. As you can see below, we are located in the US, Canada, UK and Israel at the moment. The site is still growing with more features being planned such as book recommendations, videos and pdf tutorials. So if the site continues to grow and become well known, then anyone can search for a teacher for tons of subjects such as singing, languages, photography besides beading.



Mary Harrington, one of the co-founders was fascinated with how our beading community spend their time on the internet so she interviewed me for their blog - Beading Gem : How the Web is Transforming Crafts ! As you can see from the interview, I do believe the internet has an enormous effect on our craft, how we buy and sell, and especially on how we learn. If you're interested in listing but have some questions to ask, you can contact Mary at mary@schoolofeverything.com
___________________
The Beading Gem's Journal
Subscribe via RSS Via Email

Corra over at Decorshandmades tagged me with the Random Things About You post. It is kind of fun to discover a few odd things about bloggers so here goes with Six Things about the Beading Gem. The chain maille bracelet here was something I made earlier this summer.

1. My mother named me Pearl because it is the jewel of the month I was born (June). I disliked my name when I was younger because it was so old fashioned. I got tired of hearing people say something like "Oh, that's my great-aunt's/grandmother's name too!" But ever since I started making jewelry and teach the craft, it has been a perfect fit. Once, a young lady at a beading party said, in a loud stage whisper to her friend, "That can't be her real name!". It is. Really.

2. I love collecting odd facts and trivia. I can't remember what I ate for supper three nights ago but I remember all sorts of information especially anything historical such as the names of the six wives of Henry VIII - in the right order. You know, stuff that has absolutely no value in my daily life but which intrigues a curious person like me.

3. I am a cat-lover. I own two cats or more accurately, they own me. Clipsy, a beautiful fluffy grey and white cat and Neeko, a tabby teenage terror.

4. I enjoy gardening and believe that with that hobby and jewelry making, I've got the whole year covered. When it is lovely outside, I like pottering amongst my garden beds, banishing weeds. When we are in the depths of a Canadian winter, I am just as content to make jewelry (or blog!) indoors.

5. I admit I am a science geek for my day job is in a research laboratory. This science geek likes all sorts of technology and the internet as well as history. Go figure.

6. My favourite cuisine is Thai. My friend and co-instructor, Debbie (Widget's Beads) share a weakness for noodles. We are on a taste test mission to sample all the noodle dishes at various eateries in town.

The whole object of this exercise is to introduce other blogs and the links don't hurt either. Here are the jewelry bloggers we'd like to know more about :

1. Dina Cuomo of Elektra Jewelry Design
2. Donna Spadafore of Gailavira
3. Carrie Hamilton of News from the Tree House
4. Suesun of Suesun's Corner
5. Lisa Clarke of Polka Dot Cottage
6. Diana Norman of DianaNormanDesigns

Rules
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Write 6 random things about yourself
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up

Beader Design # : 386
___________________
The Beading Gem's Journal

I am always delighted when someone contacts me either via email or on my blog. Who wouldn't be? There are 5 ways to get my attention :

1. Email
beadinggem {at} yahoo dot ca

2. Post comments
 By clicking on COMMENT , you will be able to read comments others may have left and if you are inspired, add your own. Your email is required (or Google account if you have one) to make sure you're a real person but it is never displayed.  Or chose the Name/URL profile . Add your store or blog URL. Leave blank if you don't have one.

3. Twitter

4. Facebook

Talk to you soon?
___________________
The Beading Gem's Journal
Subscribe via RSS Via Email

I first "bumped" into Caroline Wyspianski of Signature Gems on a blogging network who then invited me to join her newly created Flickr group. I was particularly taken with the lovely handmade Baltic amber jewelry designs from Signature Gems so much so, I blogged about a stunning green amber necklace made by one of their Lithuanian artisans.

She also writes a blog and I was rather surprised when she recently asked if I would agree to an interview. An "aw, shucks" moment later, I said yes.

She sent me a list of questions to find out more about why I got started in the beading business and what got me interested in blogging. I also shared my thoughts about amber, beading and jewelry. You know, stuff about the beader behind the avatar and the writer behind The Beading Gem's Journal. You can read my 15 minutes of fame here.

What could be more satisfying than creating your own own one-of-a-kind jewelry exactly how you like it or for a special someone? The jewelry will have the colours and unique combination that please and flatter you as well as matches your outfits. They will be at the length that fits just so. We are all built differently. You save money (especially with the gemstones) as you are your own designer and manufacturer rolled into one! And you have great fun doing it!

I bring everything - I have a large selection of beads, gemstones, and jewelry findings - but the kitchen sink - to your home for a private beading party. No previous experience is required. I provide helpful tips and guidance and do all the fiddly finishing for you. And yes, everyone takes home what you make the very same day. Those who are interested in this increasingly popular hobby are encouraged to watch how the finishing is done. There is no charge for instruction - beaders pay only for whatever they wish to make, with discounts for multiple projects. There are also hostess incentives. Finished jewelry and limited beading supplies are also on display and for sale.

The hostess invites her friends and family - 8-10 is recommended. Beading with a crowd is a lot of fun as everyone enjoys seeing what others are making. Beading is usually done on the kitchen/dining table. I can bring an additional folding table and chairs if needed. Some hostesses may have the space for quite a few beaders. In that case, I co-instruct with my friend, Widget's Beads. Girls aged 9/10 and up are very welcome to join in and bead from the adult collection. Please email me for further information if you think there might be younger children coming. Have men and boys ever come? Not very many, but still a YES!

Cleaning your house is not necessary! Once the beading starts, everyone will be too focused on creating their jewelry designs to notice ;-). Your guests though will appreciate some drinks and light refreshment to munch on while waiting for others to arrive and to refuel during the afternoon.

So please email me if you are interested in hosting a party or if you need further information. Bookings are a few months in advance so book early if you have a specific date in mind. The best time is Sunday afternoon from 1-5 pm athough if Saturday works for you then it's fine by me. Evenings are not recommended as good daylight is best for viewing and selecting coloured beads and gemstones. Also those itty-bitty seedbeads can be a tad hard to see!

Alas, I can only offer this party service to Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounds.
___________________
The Beading Gem's Journal
Subscribe via RSS Via Email