ABC's of Creativity - J is Jewelry

Whether you started with a pasta necklace for your mom as a child or with Swarovski crystal necklace as a bride-to-be, jewelry is likely what got you started working with beads.

Here is a look at some favourites and lesser known jewelry styles, with tips and ideas to make them your own.

Start at the top, hair jewelry or accessories have become very popular thanks to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Combining the needed comb or clip with wire and crystals you can make elegant fascinator or hair comb.

Feather Fascinator (free instructions)

Pinch and twist method (beaded by M. Rypan)

As worn by the bride with veil

Pink Plumeria Hair pin (beaded by S. Alfano)

For something more elaboret you might what to try a tiara. There are metal forms to serve as the base for a tiara. You can then use the pinch and twist technique to add crystals, pearls and beads to create your one of a kind headpiece.

Cream Pearl Swarovski Tiara from Making Jewellry Magazine (project instructions)

Here is a video from Beads Direct showing how to make your own tiara.

Now let's look at earrings. They range from simple, a bead on a head pin or wire hoop, to an elaborated beadwoven design.

Lampwork beads and Swarovski crystals, beaded by J. Woolverton

Lucite Calla lilies and Swarovski crystals, beaded by J. Woolverton

Crystal drops embellished with no, some or lots of tiny pearls and crystal.  (Collaboration by M. Rypan & J. Woolverton)

Swarovski Dangle Earrings, beaded by M. Rypan

Netted Diamond Earrings, beaded by M. Rypan

Obelisk Earrings, mini & maxi using Swarovski crystals, pearls or fire polished beads, beaded by M. Rypan

Mini-Radiant Sun Earring, beaded by M. Deeb

Class Act Chandleir style earring, beaded by S. Dixon

Now onto necklaces. A question often asked about making necklaces, other then techniques, is about the lengths for various styles. 

Guidelines for necklace lengths

These are of course a good starting point that may need to be adjusted for the wearer.

Gothic Cross pendant and choker, beaded by M. Rypan

Netted Diamond Collar, beaded by M. Rypan

Using an extender chain will allow the necklace to be worn at just the right length.

Looped Net Collar, beaded by J. Woolverton

Polka Dot Heart "Y" style necklace, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rope length pearl necklace, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rope length necklace doubled around to be choker, beaded by J. Woolverton

Electric Circus lariat, beaded by K. Harris

interesting idea found on pinterest

 Brooches and pins are another style of jewelry that can be fun to make as well.

Tussie Mussie pin, beaded by K. Naray

Blue Star pin, beaded by M. Rypan

Poppy Pin, beaded by K. Slade

Zinna Flower pin, beaded by J. Power

Bracelets range from simply strung beads to detailed bead embroidered or beadwoven cuff. Here are some great tips for ensure that it will fit the intended wrist.

Lizzie's Trio, child size bracelets, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rypan Designs' Crystal Elevation, beaded by J. Woolverton

MAD Designs' Queen Anne's Lace Cuff, beaded by J. Woolverton

Marilyn Gardiner Design's Elf Weave Chain Maille, made by J. Woolverton

Bollywod Chic Chicklet Bracelet, beaded by J. Woolverton

Interchangable cuff, beaded by J. Power

Rings can be quick and simple or detailed and statement pieces.

Daisy Stitch Ring, beaded by J. Woolverton

Quetzal Ring (From Beaded Opulence), beaded by J. Woolverton

Why not make a special piece of jewelry for someone special...you!!

Happy Beading!

ABC's of Creativity - I is Internet

Internet is defined as a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide (usually preceded by the ). The Internet includes commercial, educational, governmental, and other networks, all of which use the same set of communications protocols.(dictionary.com)

For many of us the Internet is a distraction but it is also as source of information and inspiration.

Here are some of my favourites -

Beading Daily

Beading Daily is a daily newsletter, but the website has a wealth of great beading stuff. Videos, free projects and forums.

Pinterest

Pinterest is sharing community. Follow your fellow bead artists, favorite bead designers and friends. You can also browse other pins by topic and repin your favourite. Follow Maria and myself.

YouTube

YouTube is great for those who are visual learners. You can search for specific topic or techniques. You can also follow channels created by designers and producers. The School of Beadwork featuring Melanie Potter is a great channel. Create Your Style with Swarovski Elements has just started a new feature The Professor of Crystals.

Here is Maria's video demo of Diagonal Weave.



Interview of Maria by Mona Hair .



Blogs by bead designs and artists are a great source of information and inspiration. I follow many bead related blogs but here are a few of my favorites -

Beadfx (Beadful Life), Canadian bead store - beadfx.blogspot.ca/

Cindy Holsclaw (Bead Origami), American beadwork designer - beadorigami.blogspot.ca/

Kerrie Slade, British beadwork designer - kerrieslade.blogspot.ca/

Lori Anderson (Pretty Things), American beadwork designer and blog hop hostess - www.prettythingsblog.com/

Marcia De Coster (Mad Designs), American beadwork designer - maddesignsbeads.blogspot.ca/

Mortira vanPelt (Inspirational Beading), Canadian beadwork designer - inspirationalbeading.blogspot.ca/

Do you have a favorite blog or website? Share it with us in the comments.

Hope that you find inspiration online!

Happy Beading!!

ABC's of Creativity - H is Herringbone

Herringbone is defined a pattern consisting of adjoining vertical rows of slanting lines, any two contiguous lines forming either a V  or an inverted V  , used in masonry, textiles, embroidery, etc. (Dictionary.com)

Herringbone fabric

Herringbone stone path

Herringbone embrodiery (from Magpies Laundry)

In beading the most well known herringbone stitch is also called Ndebele, named for the Ndebele people of Africia.

Ndebele figure (from ROM 2010)

I was first introduced to herringbone in the Oct/Nov 2004 issue of Beadwork. Kathleen Kimball-Baker's ribbon bracelet used flat herringbone. It was hard to make just one.

Ribbon bracelets, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Tubular herringbone allows for the creation of 3 dimensional items.

Herringbone Vase, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Tea Candle holder, designed by Dorothy Wood, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Foxglove flowers, designed by Kerrie Slade, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Flowers on twisted herringbone rope, designed by Kerrie Slade, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Basic herringbone rope can be structural parts of a design.

Solitaire Ring, designed by Maria Teresa Ferreira, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Collar of glass & light, designed by Margie Deeb, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Pansy necklace, herringbone rope covers beading wire, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Here is a collection of Beading Daily posts about herringbone, with links to how to instructions and patterns.

Maria has created a beaded herringbone band, using bugles and seedbeads.

Herringbone necklace with ball and socket closure

Changing the seedbead sizes and styles add texture to the band.

Beaded Soutache Bracelet

Beaded Soutache Necklace with Fluorite pendant

Detail of Beaded Soutache

Maria will be teaching this herringbone design on May 4, 2013 at Beadfx.

Hope that you will try either of these herringbone stitches and create something beautiful!

Happy Beading!!

Spring Creativ Festival

Here in Toronto we are wondering if spring is going to be chased away by a Winter Storm Warning today. But a sure sign of the arrival of spring is the Spring Creativ Festival. It is only two weeks away, April 26 & 27, 2013.

This 2 day Toronto area show is at the International Centre in Mississauga. Free parking and free seminars are two great selling points for the Spring Creativ Festival. Purchasing your tickets online before the show will allow you to enter @ 9 am before the general opening @ 10 am. Your advance tickets also make you eligible to win one of two $900 shopping sprees.

In addition to having a booth (#372) with our kits, patterns and books, Maria will be presenting three informative seminars.

Yes! You Too Can Bead!
Welcome to the world of beading! Great visuals illustrate all there is to know about the plethora of beads, metals, stringing materials, beading wires, wire gauges, tools and findings available in the world of beading. Gain confidence to discover or perfect your own beading style! Vancouver Room - Fri 9:30 

Beadwork: The Finishing Touch
Learn how to finish your beadwork like a professional. There are many clasps, stringing materials, crimps and bead tips from which to choose. Maria shares tips and tricks for finishing off your beadwork project. See how to add a new thread, crimping tips and more.  
Vancouver Room - Fri 12:30 . Sat 2:30

 

Beader's Paint Box  
How do you get your beadwork to pop? Maria shares a little bit of colour theory with lots of examples to show how to place bead colours, finishes and metallics against each other. It's easy and will soon become intuitive!
Vancouver Room - Sat 11:30

Stop by the booth, #372 to pick up a kit or pattern for some spring beading!

Our beaded soutache bracelet or necklace kits create an elegant textured band. The addition of the stone pendant changes the look of the necklace.

This video was recorded at last spring's Creativ Festival. Maria is demonstrating her diagonal weave bracelet using triangle beads. We will have a selection of diagonal weave kits to make this fun and easy beaded band.

For those with a stash of beads (big or small) we also have patterns as well as Maria's four books.

We look forward to seeing you at the show. Hopefully the weather will be more spring-like that weekend!

Happy Beading!

ABC's of Creativity - G is Gem

A gem is defined as a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry (Dictionary.com).

At many bead show and stores there will be strung gems or semi-precious stones on display. It can be inspiring or overwelming.

Rainbow Minerals' booth (from beadinggem.com)

Rainbow Minerals' booth (from beadinggem.com)

Luckily most vendors will display the gems by mineral and usually color.

Gems can be the focal of your creation.

Multistrand Necklace with turquoise, pearls and glass, beaded by J. Woolverton

Coral spikes with black fire-polished beads and gold accents, beaded by J. Woolverton

Sodalite with glass, Swarovski crystals and silver accents, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rainforst Jasper and Swarovski pearls, beaded by J. Woolverton

Turquoise Mosiac Bead with turquoise chips and copper, beaded by M. Rypan

Rypan Designs Rock Candy Braclets

Or they can be an accent to beadweave or other focals.

Rypan Designs Beaded Soutache necklace accented with Fluorite pendant, beaded by J. Woolverton

Lampwork bead accented with micro lapis lazuli beads and Swarovski crystals, beaded by J. Woolverton

Unknown yellow-green stone hearts with Swarovski cystals and silver, beaded by J. Woolverton

Lampwork beads accented with amber, glass beads, beaded by J. Woolverton

Jennifer VanBenschoten, over at Beading Daily, recently did a post about using gemstone within your beadweaving. She shares some great tips about weaving them into a design rather just stringing.

Rypan Designs Twig Chip Cascade with Moonstone chips, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Turquoise Necklace inspired by piece @ ROM, beadwoven by Christina Dufrene from 2010 TBS calender

For an interesting read about gems try Victoria Finlay's Buried Treasure. It is her intrepid journey to uncover the secret histories of precious stones.

Hope that you will be inspired by amazing gems using them just a little or maybe alot.

Happy Beading!