Bead Info & Trivia — No comments
09
Apr 10

Tiny Miyuki Cube Beads

Not everyone has seen or used this extra small size of Miyuki Cube Beads, but they are extremely cute and versatile. We sell 1.8mm Miyuki cube beads in a standard wholesale package of 250 grams (approx 21,000 beads), or in a retail 9-10 gram tube (approx 850 beads). Miyuki cube beads are also known as square beads, and are available in three sizes. Square or rectangular Japanese seed beads are made as 1.8mm cube beads, 3mm cube beads, and 4mm cube beads. 1.8mm size is the smallest and is shaped the most like a square, while the 3mm and 4mm cube beads are more rectangular.

Shop for the 76 colors of 1.8mm Cube Beads here.

You can also buy the SB18 Sample Card, if you want to look at all the colors in person before you choose.

1.8mm Miyuki Cube Beads

Tiny Green 1.8mm Miyuki Cube Beads

Tiny Purple 1.8mm Miyuki Cube Beads

Projects — 1 comment
05
Apr 10

Long Magatama Branch Necklace

Long Magatama Branch Necklace

Materials –

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Beading Thread (Burgundy)
2 Tubes of Long Magatamas (LMA-134F)
1 Tube of 11/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (11-641)
1 Tube of 15/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (15-460)
3mm Copper Heishi
Copper S Clasp

Step 1 – Tie your thread securely around one end of the clasp. Add one 15/0 seed bead and three 11/0 seed beads (repeat pattern) until desired length is reached. Finish with one 15/0 seed bead, and knot around the other end of the clasp. Then thread back through all the beads to reinforce the top row.

Step 2 – Add three 11/0 seed beads, one 15/0 seed bead, one Magatama, one heishi and one 15/0 seed bead. Skip the bottom 15/0 seed bead (stopper bead) and sew back up through the heishi, Magatama, and 15/0 seed bead.

Step 3 – Add three 11/0 seed beads and sew through the 15/0 seed bead that is next in the top row, sewing away from the clasp end you are closest to in your work.

Step 4 – Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until one third of the necklace is completed.

Step 5 – Repeat Step 2 and then instead of adding beads and going back to the top, add three 11/0 seed beads one 15/0 seed bead, one Magatama, one heishi and one 15/0 seed bead. Skip the bottom 15/0 seed bead (stopper bead) and sew back up through the heishi, Magatama, and 15/0 seed bead. Then sew back up through the three 11/0s, so your thread is next to the top Magatama. Add three 11/0 seed beads and sew through the 15/0 seed bead that is next in the top row, sewing away from the clasp end you are closest to in your work.

Step 6 – Repeat Step 5 until about 5 sections from the middle of the necklace. Continue to increase your branch to 3 Magatama drops and then 4 Magatama drops for the center four sections of the necklace. (A section is the space between two of the 15/0 seed beads in the top row.

Step 7 – Reduce the length of your Magatama drops back to 3 and then 2 and 1, mirroring the other side of your necklace. Sew in ends, and complete.

Bead Info & Trivia — 2 comments
03
Apr 10

Tila Beads – New from Miyuki!

Tila Beads

These new 2-hole Tila beads from Miyuki are gorgeous and just what we’ve been waiting for – and we’ll have to keep waiting until the end of July for the first shipment to arrive.

If you hurry, you can be one of the first to buy a Tila Bead Sample Card, or pre-order them now if you are already in love with the new Tila Beads, because we expect the first ones to go very very quickly.

They measure 5 x 5 x 1.9mm with .8mm double holes, and are first being produced in 30 colors. The first Tila Bead colors include some metallics, matte-metallics, whites and transparents, blacks and grays.

Tila Beads Jewelry

As you can see from some of the photos Miyuki has sent us, they can be used in some really neat and unexpected ways. Stay posted to see our first experiments using the Tila Bead samples they sent us.

Tila Beads Designs
Personally, I just have to say “LOVE!”

You can see the colors as well as look at the new beads (soon) here on the Caravan Beads site.

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.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →