Sunday January 29, 2012
A Bead A Day
It's Toho competition time! If you are up for the challenge check with a bead store near you for more details.
Art Bead Scene
Gaea shares some of her current favorite beading and craft related tools.
Beading Arts
Interested in publishing this year? How about starting out with a magazine?
Beads and Books
Join the spring challenge and makeover a ready-made wintry bracelet into a piece of springtime jewelry!
Jean Campbell
What exactly does a beadwork tech-editor do? Read on!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Everyday Gemstones from the publishers of BeadStyle magazine is beautiful, easy, and is a special Winter 2012 issue --and Jean thrilled to be in it!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want to help a small business out? It's so easy! With a few clicks you can help Allegory Gallery get some free advertising dollars!
Wednesday January 25, 2012
Let us face it already - metal is just outrageously priced right now! This is especially true of gold and silver. I remember back in the day when I could order loads of sterling silver or gold-filled wire and not think twice about the price. The same was true for metal beads that I could use as spacer beads when doing bead stringing. When stringing up beaded bracelets and beaded necklaces, spacer beads help the other primary beads of your piece have a little "pop." They provide contrast too.
To help alleviate the cost of metal spacer beads, I have been turning to metal colored glass beads and have been pretty happy with the results. I am not saying to completely give up on metal beads, but if you are trying to create a similar look in a jewelry piece and want to do it more economically, I think you will be surprised at how you can get a similar affect with seed beads that are gold or silver colored.
Monday January 23, 2012
Remember back in the 70s when you could find all kinds of owl themed items? It seems owls are making a come back. This owl charm flew in from B'Sue Boutiques, and I have been mulling over a design for it for some time. He is made from brass and then has a rusty black finish. You can find out more about this metal finish in a video posted on the B'Sue Boutiques web site. As she suggests in the video, I took a polishing cloth and rubbed this charm to remove some of the black finish. I think I finally have figured out how I plan to use this guy, so stay tuned for an up-coming owl themed jewelry project.
Sunday January 22, 2012
A Bead A Day
Interested in using plastic to create special Valentine's Day Jewelry? Here are a couple of pieces for inspiration.
Art Bead Scene
Heather offers a beautiful free project inspired from high in the treetops!
Beading Arts
Cyndi has been trying to encourage everyone to get out there and take a class this year!
Beads & Books
See the 30+ beautiful winter jewelry designs in the Secret Snowflake Challenge. Participants used techniques such as bead embroidery, resin, stringing, wirework, etching, and more!
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi has a link to a kumihimo give-a-way to share!
Charlene Sevier Jewelry
Sometimes jewelry acts up a little before it comes together. Charlene shares one of those times
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie looks back at an older post where a favorite song inspired a series of wing themed pendants.
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Valentine's Day is one of the most delightful days on Jean's calendar! Why? Because she gets to think about love, and jewelry such as the astounding pendants at NanoStyle! Tell your beloved "I love you" in a most incredible way!
