March, 2010

Designers — 4 Comments
31
Mar 10

Bead Origami by Cindy

Cindy of Bead Origami

I have been a crafty person as long as I can remember. I have dabbled in crochet, knitting, sewing, cross stitch, woodworking, and beadwork, but my first creative love is modular geometric origami. In this medium, several pieces of paper are folded into “modules” which are then assembled together to form the completed origami object. I was quite pleased to discover that I could form similar structures with beads! These “beaded beads” form the basic components of my jewelry designs, and range from simple clusters for a delicate pair of earrings, to highly detailed structures for a beautiful pendant!

Ornament by Bead Origami

I use the highest quality materials in my work; all my glass beads and seed beads are of the highest quality, and I only use sterling silver, gold-fill, or vermeil metal components. While my beaded bead designs work best with regularly-shaped beads such as Czech pressed glass and Swarovski crystal, I enjoy incorporating freshwater pearls, semiprecious stones, and even handmade lampwork beads into my designs.

DBJ Necklace by Bead Origami

In addition to creating jewelry, I also write and illustrate tutorials that detail how to construct my beaded designs. These tutorials contain fully-illustrated step-by-step instructions on how to construct the basic beaded structure, tips to troubleshoot possible problems, and numerous photographs of completed pieces as well as interesting variations. I love to see what my students create with my tutorials, and I invite you to create your own inspired designs along with me!

To see more of my beadwoven designs, check out my website at www.beadorigami.com, my blog at beadorigami.blogspot.com, and my Etsy shop at beadorigami.etsy.com.

Projects — 2 Comments
29
Mar 10

Double Wrapped Leather Bracelet

double wrapped leather bracelet

Materials -

6′ of C-Lon Bead Cord (Cyan)
1 Big Eye Needle
1 tube of 6/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (6-2405FR)
4′ of leather

Step 1 – Fold the leather in half and double around to make a knot and loop at the center.

Step 2 – Wrap the C-Lon bead cord just below the knot in the leather several times. Sew around and back through the wrapped thread and tie off.

Step 3 – Add a 6/0 seed bead to your thread. Sew around the top piece of leather, back down through the bead in the back, then sew back up through the bead in the front. Each bead will have the C-lon bead cord pass through it in the back and the front of the leather, holding it in place.

Step 4 – Loop the C-Lon bead cord around the top piece of leather, add a 6/0 seed bead, loop around the bottom piece of leather, and then sew back up through the bead in the front.

Step 5- Repeat until the desired length is reached. Add a bead or a button for the clasp. Tie off the leather and wrap the C-Lon bead cord just below the knot in the leather several times. Sew around and back through the wrapped thread and tie off.

This design could be made with 3 or 4 pieces of leather for added oomph!

Our wholesale customers can shop for C-lon Bead Cord here.

Bead Info & Trivia — No Comments
25
Mar 10

Social Network For a Mirrix Loom

Our friends Claudia and Elena have asked us to tell you about “Social Network For a Mirrix” which will be launched in late April. For now, they are accepting applications for participants. You will get a FREE Mirrix 12″ “Little Guy” Loom (http://www.mirrixlooms.com/looms.html) worth $230 in exchange for blogging, taking pictures, making videos and simply sharing with the online world your experience using the loom. If you have ANY questions, ask here or email Elena Zuyok, Marketing Director at elena@mirrixlooms.com.

12 inch Mirrix Loom

On Wednesday, April 7th they will choose two people who will receive FREE 12” Mirrix Looms in exchange for 3 months of consistent blogging, tweeting, Facebooking and YouTube posting about their experience with the loom. Applications will be considered both from the experienced weaver and the newbie and from both bead and tapestry weavers. The only thing they ask is that our participants are experienced with social media and possess the technology necessary to do things like take pictures and videos. They will choose applicants based on their social networking abilities, perceived passion for weaving and writing/photographing/videoing ability.

They will choose one TAPESTRY weaver and one BEAD weaver plus two runners-up who will get a 25% discount on a loom and if/when they decide to buy one, will be required to post once-a-week blog posts for 3 months.

REQUIREMENTS if chosen:
(contract will be sent out for signing at time of decision)
-Blog AT LEAST four (4) days a week at least 250 words a day.
-Submit at least one (1) video every two weeks to YouTube.
-Post at least one picture with every blog post.
-Post about your experience on Twitter and/or Facebook and other relevant social networking sites or emails lists at least two (4) times a week.
-and more..

The application can be found here:
http://www.mirrixlooms.com/marketing.html

Projects — 1 Comment
24
Mar 10

Snowflake Pattern

Snowflake #34 Ornament Pattern
Sandra D. Halpenny © 2007 – 2010 All rights reserved
www.SandraDHalpenny.com

Beaded Snowflake #34 by Sandra Halpenny

S = Miyuki® 11/0 seed, 247 beads

Start by waxing and stretching your thread. Use C-lon beading thread, Fireline*, or Nymo D and an #11 or #12 beading needle. Tie in a “stopper” bead, leaving about a 8-10” tail and begin at step #1.

Snowflake_34_Step1

Round 1
Pick up 6S, make a circle and go with thread through the 1st S bead just added. Continue with working thread around through all 6 beads again, plus go through the 1st bead again. Circle of 6 made, (C6).

Round 2

a) Pick up 12S, go with thread down through the 5th through 1st S beads just added in this step and forward (right to left) through the next S bead in C6.
b) Repeat (a), around 5 more times
c) Continue with working thread forward through the 1st through 8th S beads in the first repeat of (a) this Round.

Round 3

a) Pick up 3S, go with thread down through the 10th, 11th, and 12th S beads, R2a.
b) Pick up 5S, go with thread up through the 6th, 7th and 8th S beads in the next repeat of (a), R2.
c) Repeat (a and b) around 5 more times.
d) Continue with working thread up through the 1st S bead in the first repeat of (a) this Round.

Round 4

a) Pick up 5S, go with thread down through the 3rd S bead, R3a, the 10th and 11th S beads, R2a.
b) Pick up 6S, go with thread up through the 7th and 8th S beads in the next repeat of (a), R2, and the 1st S bead, R3a.
c) Repeat (a and b) around 5 more times.
d) Continue with working thread forward through the 1st and 2nd S beads in the first repeat of (a) this Round.

Snowflake Pattern Steps 2-4

Snowflake Pattern Steps 2-4

Round 5

a) Pick up 3S, go with thread down through the 4th and 5th S beads, R4a.
b) Pick up 3S, go with thread left to right through the 3rd and 4th S beads, R4b.
c) Pick up 3S, go with thread up thrugh the 1st and 2nd S beads in the next repeat of (a), R4.
d) Repeat (a, b and c) around 5 more times.
e) Weave the working thread into the snowflake and end.

Snowflake Step 5

Snowflake Step 5

Bead colors for Rounds
R = Round
Each Round begins at the red dot in drawing. The snowflakes are done in rounds.

Snowflake Tips
Making Hangers for your Snowflake
1. Make it with beads, make a loop with as many beads as you would like,
2. or use a piece of fishing line, making it invisible with monofilament,
3. or a piece of pretty ribbon. Add ribbon after your snowflake is stiffened.

Finishing
After the snowflake is complete, you can stiffen it with Future® Floor Finish. It is a great stiffener; it stays clear even on the crystals. Test it first if you use seed beads with dyed colors to make sure the floor finish doesn’t remove the colors.

Pour enough of the finish into a small container that is wide enough for the ornament. Float the ornament into the Future and push it around a bit with your finger. (After I am done with the floor finish, I use a funnel and pour the extra back into the bottle). Take the ornament out and blot both sides with a paper towel.

Put the ornament on a piece of wax paper, shape and flatten it and let it remain on the wax paper to dry. (If you use plastic wrap, the beads can stick a bit to the wrap, so it needs to be moved around a bit to prevent this from happening.) If your ornament needs a little extra flattening, use two pieces of wax paper and sandwich your ornament in between; put a book on top of the wax paper for about an hour. Take the book and the top piece of wax paper off the ornament and let dry overnight on the bottom piece of wax paper.

Beaded_Snowflake34_colors

See more beautiful patterns at Sandra’s website – www.SandraDHalpenny.com

Bead Info & Trivia — 2 Comments
22
Mar 10

Silk Satin Delica Beads

Silk Satin Necklace Detail

Detail of Silk Satin Delica Beads Necklace

Silk satin Delica beads have a flat glitter that reminds me of mica. They are slightly wider than regular Delica beads, and come in a range of grays, browns, pinks, corals and other pastels. The first Silk Satin Delica beads always remind me of moonstone, because they have a similar shine and color palette.

Silk Satin Delica Beads

Since the series from DB0670 to DB0680 and DB0820-DB0833, Miyuki has come out with another DB1800 series of Silk Satin Delica beads. The new colors move away from the pale pinks and corals of the first silk satin Delicas, and add more purples, greens, and even better grays than before.

Shop for Silk Satin Delica beads here.

Silk Satin Delica Beads Necklace

Silk Satin Delica Beads Necklace

Bead Info & Trivia — No Comments
19
Mar 10

C-lon Bead Cord Sample Cards

C-lon bead cord is now available in 96 colors – and another 8 will be arriving soon! C-lon is a superior bead cord for micro macrame, bead crochet with 8/0 or larger seed beads, stringing, and kumihimo. It has a 34 lbs breaking strength, and is approx. 0.5mm diameter. (4 or 8 per pack, 82-86 yds per bobbin).

Wholesale customers can now purchase new C-lon Bead Cord sample cards. Our devoted staff lovingly hand-wound and assembled these sets of cards. They are helpful when choosing the perfect color for your latest project.

C-lon Bead Cord Sample Cards

C-lon Bead Cord Sample Cards

Shop for our C-lon Bead Cord sample cards here.

Bead stores — No Comments
17
Mar 10

Opening a bead store?

Since June 1994 Caravan Beads has helped clients open bead stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Illinois, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, Vermont, S. Carolina, Texas and Florida. In addition to thorough training in all aspects of operating a retail bead store, we can also provide parts of your startup inventory at competitive prices and tell you the best and most reputable places to go for much of your inventory.

Our training takes place during a 2-day (full days!) visit to our headquarters in Portland, Maine. The program covers all aspects of owning and operating a retail bead store. Here is a partial list of topics we cover during training:

* Advertising and marketing
* Bead store accounting and suggested software
* Inventory selection and display
* Sources for inventory
* Tracking inventory
* Employees
* Making beaded jewelry
* Selling finished jewelry in your bead store
* Classes
* Point of sale choices and decisions
* Pricing
* Plenty of time for questions and answers

If you are seriously considering opening a retail bead store and would like more information about our training, please call 800-230-8941 and ask for Barry. Email is quick, but it can’t replace a personal conversation. Before you call, please make sure you know the following: the population of your town or city; the population within a 20-minute drive of your prospective store location; and how many other bead stores or sources for beads presently exist near you.

We suggest that you talk to everyone and make sure you ask for references (the more the better) before you decide who to work with. If you can’t find other people doing the training and would like to compare what they offer and cost, let me know and we can point you to them.

More information on opening a bead store here.

Designers — No Comments
15
Mar 10

Sig Wynne-Evans

Sigrid Wynne-Evans
If I could spend my time doing only 3 things, it would be traveling, beading and cooking! Ok…maybe writing too. But that darn day job gets in my way…so I do what I can in the time I have left once I get home from work.

I have been beading since 1984 (the same year as my daughter was born). To say I love the art of beading is an understatement. Beading and designing seem to consume me. It’s all I seem to think about. What kind of designs can I come up with? What will I bead next? What quirky thing about beading will I find some humor in to write about?

Mermaid Bead Tapestry by Sigrid Wynne-Evans

I have had several books published in years past, and I was also a regular writer for Jewelry Crafts Magazine, which is no longer in print. One day, I would like to write another book and submit it for publication. I miss the process.

I especially like the Art Nouveau period and the Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is a real challenge to create patterns from the old paintings.

Chinese Butterfly by Sigrid Wynne-Evans

In addition to selling kits and patterns on www.beadedbear.com, and keeping up with nonsense on my blog beadedbear.blogspot.com , I sell patterns on www.bead-patterns.com where I have over 2100 patterns to date.

(Caravan Beads is happy to be a sponsor and judge for Sig’s latest Elemental Inspirations Challenge. Take a look at the design contest and more on her blog.)

Bead stores — No Comments
12
Mar 10

Caravan Beads – Portland Retail Store

Caravan Retail Store

Since 1991 Caravan Beads has been teaching customers to make beaded jewelry. Lots of people who visit us start out believing that they aren’t artistic or crafty enough to learn to put a piece of jewelry together. About a half an hour later they are making earrings and necklaces for their friends and family.

Because we believe that teaching beading is the best way to keep happy customers coming back to the store, we teach all basic beading techniques for free every day we’re open. We also offer evening classes for the customers who want a more structured learning environment or who want to tackle some more challenging projects.

We have a large selection of Japanese seed beads, Miyuki Delica beads (all 1000+ colors), Swarovski crystal, semi-precious strands, African and natural beads, clasps and findings, beading tools and all the things you need to make jewelry with beads. We also look for beads and pendants made by local bead artists so that we can keep bead-making growing in our community.

Learn more about upcoming classes and events on our website.

Happy Bead Customer
Caravan Beads
915 Forest Ave
Portland, ME 04103
207-761-2503 x 211

www.caravanbeads.net

Bead Info & Trivia — No Comments
9
Mar 10

Duracoat Galvanized Seed Bead Finish

We all remember how frustrating it was to have a bead finish that you couldn’t really recommend for the heavy wear and tear of everyday use. Lots of people sprayed these shiny galvanized beads with fixatives to keep them looking sharp. Miyuki has just come out with the Duracoat Galvanized finish and so far they are looking really good.

My sister Jocelyn has been wearing a bracelet made from the 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized beads day and night for about four months. (She actually sewed it on herself and can’t take it off without cutting it off). The bracelet has gone scuba diving and snorkeling in Hawaii, it has gone out on the town, it has gone in the shower and played with the cats. It still looks shiny and only three or four beads show wear on the finish. A definite improvement over the older galvanized coatings, this bracelet has been worn every day since the beginning of November.

Shop for 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized beads here. The new Duracoat Galvanized series begins at 11-4201.

Duracoat Galvanized Beads Bracelet

Duracoat Galvanized Beads Bracelet

Due to popular demand the pattern for the bracelet is as follows -

Materials-

Japanese Beading Needles
Miyuki Beading Thread (or C-lon Beading Thread)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Silver (11-4201)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Gold (11-4202)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Hot Pink (11-4210)
11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Dk Berry (11-4212)

Section One

Step 1- Add twelve 11/0 Duracoat Galvanized Silver (11-4201) seed beads to your thread. Begin even count peyote stitch and complete 3 rows of silver.

Step 2- Add three rows using Duracoat Galvanized Dk Berry (11-4212).

Step 3- Add three rows using Duracoat Galvanized Gold (11-4202).

Step 4- Add three rows using Duracoat Galvanized Hot Pink (11-4210), then repeat Step 1.

Section Two

Step 5- Add four rows of Duracoat Galvanized Dk Berry (11-4212).

Step 6- Add four rows of Duracoat Galvanized Gold (11-4202).

Step 7- Add four rows of Duracoat Galvanized Hot Pink (11-4210), then repeat Step 1.

Step 8- Repeat rows 2-7 until desired length is reached. The silver beads are always grouped in three row sections, but the other colors alternate 3 rows each and then four rows each. You may alternate sections one and two randomly, or always do one after the other.

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