About Jewelry Making
Jewelry Making
1 Sep 2010 at 2:21am
In the States, Labor Day Weekend is coming up. That means most of us get a three day weekend. For some, this might mean a night out at the movies or a day at the beach. For those who craft, like make jewelry, it might mean more time to do what we love to do. Take this quick poll and comment about your own crafting and weekend plans, even if you don't necessarily get an extra day this weekend.
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Jewelry Weekend? originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 07:21:41.
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29 Aug 2010 at 6:09am
Well-known mixed-media artist and beader Cyndi Lavin has taken an interesting approach to writing a book. Instead of going through the traditional publishing route, she instead is self-publishing her book called Every Bead Has a Story. Along with deciding on self-publishing versus having a hardcopy publishers help her out, Cyndi is selling her book a chapter at a time in downloadable e-book form as pdf files. Her first chapter was free, and then she is selling each chapter that follows.
Now she is onto her third chapter, "Dimensional Beading" ($3.00), which continues on the idea of beaded embroidery. This is the description of the chapter from her blog: "93 pages long and covers more stitches and techniques to take your bead embroidery from flat to fluffy: stacked stitches that turn into clusters, barnacles, and ruffles; seed beads that become small flowers and spiral elements; bezels and bails and more! There are two step-by-step embroidery projects included that will put those techniques to excellent use."
So far, it sounds like this approach is working for Cyndi since I have heard a lot of positive feedback through the blogosphere about the various chapters. Bead embroidery is a beautiful technique but can seem overwhelming. This breaking down chapter by chapter helps make it more assessable, and readers get the extra advantage of purchasing the book parts or purchasing it chapter by chapter and learning as they go.
Cyndi Lavin's Chapter 3 Beading originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 at 11:09:15.
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29 Aug 2010 at 5:48am
A Bead A Day
Do you like to mix crafting with jewelry making? Lisa is looking for crafty ideas for using a filigree pendant to create a unique piece of jewelry.
Art Bead Scene
While Art Bead Scene Editor, Cindy Gimbrone is on vacation, she's left us a gem from Studio Saturday - her box of inspiration!
Beading Arts
After receiving a wonderful package of crystals from Auntie's Beads, Cyndi set out to make a bracelet that would show them off!
Carmi's Art/Life World
The new Katiedids components are responsible for Carmi's new pearl necklace design.
Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
While Cindy's off enjoying the bead-ch, let's get ready for the upcoming HalloweenMas newsletters by checking in on a re-wind. It's Barbe Saint John's magic with Cindy's Calaveraz.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows off the treasures of her shopping spree at Bead Fest Philly.
Katie's Beading Blog
Katie shares a couple of ideas for jewelry using crystals and pearls, plus, announces a giveaway winner.
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei shows off her loot from her Bead Fest Philadelphia trip!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is totally WOWed by the fabulous Margot Potter's latest book: scroll down to read the truly intriguing review of this unique book--it is SO worth it!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
SueBeads has generously supplied an assortment of goodies for this week's Thursday Giveaway.
Jewelry Links! originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 at 10:48:06.
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28 Aug 2010 at 1:28pm
Beadshop.com has another new how-to jewelry making video on YouTube.com. This one is for a necklace called "Reflecting Pool," and along with some gorgeous moss opal square beads, garnet beads, and brushed silver square and patterned silver beads includes some attached leather used as both an accent as well as a way to attach the finished necklace around your neck. The full list of supplies is on the company's web site. The 3 or so minute video shows a really simple technique, but it is so simply many may not have even thought of it as a way to attach leather to the end of a crimped necklace.
Attach Leather Video originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at 18:28:23.
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25 Aug 2010 at 7:13am
I went on a short cruise over the summer, and I have to say, I was not that thrilled with the trip, mainly because it was boring. I really should have brought some jewelry supplies or other crafting supplies along to keep me busy. I did bring some reading material, including some beading magazines, but it was usually too loud to read because there are people everywhere. The experience made me realize why crafting on a cruise makes so much sense, and there are a number of cruises coming up for those who like to craft at sea.
Swarovski has its Creativity Cruise sailing away from April 11 to April 16, 2011. It runs via Carnival Cruise Line and will stop at Nassau, Bahamas, and Key West, Florida. The trip includes all the supplies you need plus a team of Swarovski ambassadors teaching a variety of jewelry workshops.
The Crystal Chix, Lisa Pavelka and Laura Timmons, have a five day cruise coming up this November from the 10th to the 13th (2010). This is also a Carnival Cruise and leaves from New Orleans. It then heads to Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico.
Then, of course, there is the Bead Cruise, leaving March 27th. The ship's port starts at Galveston, Texas on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. From there, jewelry makers will take classes, bead, and travel for seven days to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.
Jewelry Cruising originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 12:13:10.
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24 Aug 2010 at 7:25am
I got my act together and posted a new book review; this one takes a look at a new book by well-known crafter and jewelry designer, Margot Potter. It's called Bead Chic: 36 Stylish Jewelry Projects and Inspired Variations. Along with a few variations pieces from yours truly, you'll find many other familiar names in there as well such as Melissa J. Lee, Jean Yates, and Andrew Thornton, just to name a few. If you have enjoyed any of Margot's previous books, you'll like this one too; I honestly think it's her best so far. I think this book will also appeal to jewelry makers who want to take the next step from copying a project almost exactly to making it their own.
New Bead and Design Book Review Posted originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at 12:25:49.
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23 Aug 2010 at 10:29am
Yes, I'm thrilled to announce my first video on my site here at About.com. This is the first, but hopefully, you'll start to see a few more coming up over the next few months. I already have the second one in the works as well as a few other ideas floating around in my head for future jewelry videos.
If you look over on the right side of the screen and down a little, you'll see the widget for it, but here is also a link for you to make things even easier: Bead Board - How to Use a Bead Board. After previewing the link over on my Facebook page, I have had some pretty positive comments so far. I hope you also enjoy it.
Video Jewelry Time originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 15:29:30.
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22 Aug 2010 at 10:19am
A Bead A Day
Do you have plenty of beads in all the right colors? Lisa is exploring the meaning of the color purple and discovers she might need to do some bead shopping!
Art Bead Scene
It's the Art Bead Scene Monthly Carnival Blog! Join us as we embark on an exploration.
Beading Arts
Chapter three of Cyndi's e-book is available for download! "Dimensional Beading" looks at how to use textural stitches in your bead embroidery!
Carmi's Art/Life World
This week Carmi makes a floral tribute necklace with fabric flowers.
Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
This week Cindy's Mad for Monday is about the frit.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows the results of her experiments with Ice Resin and LEDs... Light! Science!
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews Making Mixed Media Art Charms and Jewelry: not to be missed!
Strands of Beads
Melissa unveils her new Saturn charm.
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
For this week's Thursday Giveaway, TWO winners will walk away with beautiful bead sets created by Gaea Ceramic Beads.
Link Up to Jewelry originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 15:19:04.
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18 Aug 2010 at 1:00am
Margie Deeb is known for her color coordinating skills, especially when it comes to combining colorful seed beads together. Along with writing a number of books related to color and beads, such as The Beader's Color Palette, she publishes an annual bead color report specifically designed for beaders.
She has recently announced her latest color publication, Fall/Winter 2010 Color Report for Bead & Jewelry Artists ($9.95), and you can get a free preview on it via her web site. This document, published in PDF format, includes colors forecast from PANTONE® which she then uses as a starting point to show how beaders can use gemstones, seed beads, and crystals in these specific colors and combine them into detailed palettes, much like a painter might start with a palette of paints.
There is a lot more that goes into using color when it comes to beading than sticking a few colors together, and Deeb's expertise can save a lot of time and guess-work when designing a colorful piece of unique jewelry.
Margie Deeb's New Color Report originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 06:00:07.
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17 Aug 2010 at 1:26am
School is starting again in most parts of the world, and that can actually be a good time to try a new hobby or learn a new craft skill. About.com Hobbies Guides have all sorts of back-to-school projects and ideas for you to think about, contests for you to enter, and even more activities for you to participate in:
At About.com Cross Stitch, Connie has a number of Back-to-School-Themed
Cross Stitch Projects ranging from a cute little blackboard sampler to a trio of samplers based on school subject themes like math, science, and language arts.
Over on About.com Contests, Sandra shares all sorts of Back
to School Sweepstakes. Win everything from a laptop from Academy Sports to a 50,000 dollar prize from Dollar General. Get all the details and lots of tips on winning contests too.
Lesley from About.com Miniatures has tiny
printable school notebooks and spiral bound books and school
bells as well as two 'backpack buddies' to decorate a backpack with to help a child id their pack. Hortense
the Hippopotamus and Churchill
the Polar Bear are both easily made from felt.
Everyone could use a new bag for the new school year, so why not knit up a quick carrier for the essentials? Sarah at About.com Knitting has a Felted
Satchel would make a great lunch bag, and the Entrelac
Pouch or Pencil
Bag are both great choices for holding small school supplies.
Photos are an essential part of building back-to-school memories? Liz Masoner from About.com Photography has advice for taking
back to school photos. As you go through the year, you will also want to follow her tips for taking
great school photos. Another important type of photo is an emergency
id photo
and Liz advises taking a quick snap of your kid each day. Not only will it provide you with a realistic photo of your child in case of emergency, but it will also provide you with an amazing archive of photos of your child's growth through the year.
Cheryl Fall, About.com Guide to Needlework, takes you back to school in style with her free Fall-Themed Needlework Charts. She has a perfect design that personifies the saying, "An apple for the teacher."
Beth Peterson, the Pottery Guide, is positive that kids and clay go together. If you are a teacher, a home-schooling parent, or just want something to do with your kids that is fun for everyone, check out her review of the book, Clay
Connections. It has great project ideas as well as tips for doing pottery with kids and is written for those that don't have a lot of experience with clay.
If you are a fan of stamping, Kate has all sorts of ideas including customizing
storage files, turning an a old biscuit tube into a pencil
holder or making
back
to school bookplates that are a perfect way to personalize kids books
- get them involved in the project! Kate also suggests the Backpack Kids, digital stamps and other images perfect for making back-to-school themed projects. Backpack
Kids Digital Stamps with the four Backpack Kids characters are available in jpg and png formats (the png format has a transparent background which is ideal if you want to combine them with other digital stamps), with a 'Back to School is Cool' sentiment.
Backpack
Kids Pocket Card allow you to use the Backpack Kids digital stamps to make a pocket card for special notes. The Backpack
Kids 'This Belongs To' is perfect to add to books or other possesions to proudly proclaim the owner. No more mix-ups!
Go Back to School with About.com Crafters originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 06:26:21.
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