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
09
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.

Designers — No comments
08
Mar 10

Christina Neit

Christina Neit

I blame it on the porcupine!

I started my business by playing around with some porcupine quills and remembering a beaded pair my Mom had made and given me as a kid. Needless to say, the beading took on a life of its own. Not even a year after I started beading, I found myself teaching with Bead Fiesta shows in New England. I started vending right away too and that was, still is, and always will be a work in progress. You can see my schedule on my website. I try to keep it spicy by doing Ren Faires and have even done a few Pow Wow’s and adding local venues as they present themselves.

Blues Traveler 2

Blues Traveler 2 by Christina Neit

As a constant learner, I have taught myself how to do some work with horsehair and traditional techniques with quills. I have much further to go in learning to work with the quills, but the attempt has been made, now to find the time. Eventually, I will learn how to hitch with horsehair too. I always have my eyes open on how to incorporate new techniques and items into my bead work, it has opened up a whole new world.

Manja 1

Manja 1 by Christina Neit

I am beyond fortunate to be able to do this day in and day out. I am easily inspired and just cannot bead fast enough. I usually end up spending half of every day on the computer working on my website, editing photos, networking, designing patterns. Thankfully, I enjoy that a lot and have grown to be very fond of making my own graphics, I guess that just goes with the creative flow…

You can see more of Christina’s work on her website or her etsy site.

Bead Info & Trivia — No comments
05
Mar 10

Bead Sample Cards

Shopping for seed bead colors online can be frustrating because computer monitors are different everywhere and the bead colors are never exactly the same as they appear online. The next best thing to having all the colors of Miyuki beads in your house or store is to have Miyuki sample cards as a comprehensive reference. About 1/2 – 3/4 of an inch of each color bead is hand-sewn onto each numbered card.

Bead Sample Card

part of the 11/0 Miyuki Sample Card

Sample cards are a great reference when trying to match a color, plan a new project, or check out the huge variety of Japanese seed beads that Miyuki offers. There are quite a few cards because Miyuki makes so many colors of seed beads and Delica beads. Most customers start out with the Delica Sample Card set and move on to the whole collection over time.

You can also see bead sample cards with Flash player on Miyuki’s website. Of course the colors may still be a bit wonky.

Shop for sample cards here.

Projects — 1 comment
03
Mar 10

Drop Bead and Seed Bead Earrings

Miyuki Drop and Seed Bead Earrings

Miyuki Drop and Seed Bead Earrings

Materials -

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Beading Thread Size D (Burgundy)
11/0 Miyuki Seed Beads (11-2016)
Miyuki Drop Beads (DP-2035)
2 Earwires
2 Jumprings

Step 1 – Thread on one 11/0 and one drop bead 4 times. Sew back through all eight beads to make a loop.

Step 2 – Exit through the following 11/0 seed bead, then add three 11/0s and sew back through the first 11/0 in the same direction you exited originally.

Step 3 – Sew through the next drop bead and repeat step 2 for each of the original 11/0s.

Step 4 – Once you have completed your little diamond shape, sew it onto an earwire or soldered jump ring to complete it.

Shop for Miyuki drop beads here.

Bead Info & Trivia — No comments
01
Mar 10

C-lon Beading Thread

C-lon Beading Thread

C-lon Beading Thread

Our popular C-lon beading thread comes in 36 vibrant colors in sizes D and AA. We like to use the D for on and off-loom beadweaving. It’s especially good for Delica beads and other wide-holed Japanese seed beads.

The size AA beading thread is wonderful to use when working with 15/0 seed beads as well as 15/0 Delica beads.

Try using contrasting colors with your work – yellow with teal, teal with purple, orange with lime green. It can add some excitement to a simple beadwork project, as well as being strong, easy to work with and versatile.

C-lon Beading Thread in size AA

C-lon Beading Thread in size AA


Nylon Monocord Size AA (CLBAA)

* uses: Off-loom beadweaving with size 15 seed beads
* current # of colors: 36
* breaking strength: approx 4 lbs
* diameter: very thin – comparable to nymo size 0
* put up: approx. 75 yards/69m per bobbin.
* type of beading thread: UV resistant nylon monocord
* made in the USA

C-lon Beading Thread in size D

C-lon Beading Thread in size D


Nylon Monocord Size D (CLBD)

* uses: On and off-loom beadweaving with size 10-11 seed beads or Delicas, mini micro-macrame, bead stitching and embroidery, etc. Also in use for making Teddy bears—who knew?
* current # of colors: 36
* breaking strength: approx 7 lbs
* diameter: comparable to nymo size D
* put up: approx. 80 yards/73m per bobbin.
* type of beading thread: UV resistant nylon monocord
* made in the USA

Shop for C-lon beading thread at your local bead store or ask us for the name of a friendly distributor.
Wholesale customers can purchase it online at Caravan Beads

Bead stores — No comments
24
Feb 10

Bead It!

“Bead It! – worth the trip? You bet! As you walk in the door, you see
walls of strands: stone, freshwater and Swarovski pearls, glass, shell,
wood, resin – Czech hanks and fire polish – you name it! Then thousands of
tubes of Miyuki seed beads – all shapes, sizes, and colors. Five tables,
three tiers high, of beads (lots of Swarovski crystal), charms, and
pendants. One table is all sterling (including Bali and Hill Tribe),
gold-filled, vermeil, brass, copper, and gunmetal. Then there’s cord and
chain. And how we love beautiful findings – so many lovely clasps! There
are two worktables; we love to have people stay and make their jewelry.
Customer service is our most important product. Bead It! also offers
classes, kids’ parties, and gals’ night out groups. Come check us out!

Bead It! Store InteriorBead It!

Bead It! Location

146 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 603-223-0146
email: donna@beadit.biz
www.beadit.biz

Directions:
Route 93, Exit 14
Turn left onto Main Street
Bead It! is on the left just a few doors down.

Projects — 1 comment
17
Feb 10

Peyote Triangle Waves Bracelet

Triangle Waves Peyote Stitch Bracelet with Miyuki seed beads

Triangle Waves Peyote Stitch Bracelet with Miyuki seed beads

Triangle Waves Peyote Stitch Bracelet

Materials -

Japanese Beading Needles
C-lon Size D Beading Thread ( Royal )
Size 10 Miyuki Triangle Bead ( tr10-452 )
Size 8 Miyuki Triangle Bead ( tr8-452 )
Size 10 Miyuki Delica Bead ( DBMC – 0002 )

This bracelet is made using even count peyote stitch.
(Learn how with this link from our friend Suzanne Cooper)

Step 1 – Add six DBMCs to your thread. Begin even count peyote stitch for 5 rows.

Step 2 – Begin next row with TR10s. Continue even count peyote stitch for 5 rows of TR10s.

Step 3 – Begin next row with TR8s. Continue even count peyote stitch for 5 rows of TR8s.

Step 4 – Repeat step 2.

Step 5 – Begin next row with DBMCs. Continue even count peyote stitch for 7 rows of DBMCs.

Repeat rows 2-5 until desired length is reached. Notice that as you change the bead size the width of the bracelet increases and decreases in a wave shape. Experiment with different sizes of beads to see what cool examples you can come up with. Remember that we’d like to see the versions you come up with, so send us pictures of your projects!

See all three sizes of triangle beads here.

Designers — No comments
12
Feb 10

Jean Campbell

Jean Campbell bead artist

I’ve worn a lot of hats in the beading community–editor, teacher, designer, writer…I’ve even hawked beads at big shows, worked behind the counter at a bead shop, and have put my mug on tv surrounded by these little gems. With all these hats, I’ve decided to just call myself a “beadist”…plain and simple.

Veve Cuff by Jean Campbell

Veve Cuff by Jean Campbell

I have a couple of projects lately that I’m quite happy to toot my beadist horn about. One is my just-released book, Steampunk Style Jewelry. It’s a beautifully designed book on a very interesting trend…a trend I’m so excited about that I fashioned myself a raygun to go with my mad scientist goggles. Check it out here.

The other project that I’m over the moon about is a book I just finished writing…Unfortunately I can’t reveal the title or pictures–publisher’s rules–but know that it involves lots of Crystallized Elements by Swarovski, seed beads, needles, thread, and over-the-top glamor! This baby will be released Fall 2010.

Peyote Buttons by Jean Campbell

Peyote Buttons by Jean Campbell

I’m also pleased to announce my involvement in CraftEdu, a great new online teaching platform. I’m in the company of not only other wonderful beaders like Marcia DeCoster, Maggie Meister, Sherry Serafini, and Margie Deeb, but also altered book artists, polymer and precious metal clay experts, textile designers, metalsmiths, and more. It’s going to be an amazing site! Visit www.craftedu.com to learn more about the upcoming launch.

If you’re interested in knowing even more about what I’m up to, come visit my website, www.jeancampbellink.com.

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