Jewelry & Beading

May 30th, 2008

Bead Journal Project - April’s Grass Moon

April’s Grass Moon
I am finished!! The year-long project known as the Bead Journal Project is drawing to a close, and my journal pages are all completed! You can see the entire set of them on Why Not Art, my mixed media website. I decided to make April’s page lush and crowded, the way I remember […]

By Cyndi -- 1 comment

May 30th, 2008

Bead & jewelry blogging round-up!

About.com Jewelry Making
Chandelier earrings are still super popular, but sometimes they are just a little too much for every day wear, unless you scale them down like Tammy did in this chandelier earring project.
Jewelry & Beading
An easy way to create a base for building an assemblage-style necklace!
Linda at BeadStyle Magazine
Check out the necklace […]

By Cyndi -- 0 comments

May 29th, 2008

Artist Profile: Jamie Keiles

Artist: Jamie Keiles
Business name: Jamie Keiles Dry Goods and Whimsies
Location: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Website & Blog:
Jamie Keiles etsy shop
Jamie Keiles blog

Jamie, how do you describe your work?
I generally try to make the sorts of things that I like to own. If I’m digging a certain color scheme or pattern, chances are it is going […]

By Cyndi -- 5 comments

May 29th, 2008

Jodie’s great little button rings

Art Attack Thursday!
Jodie writes Ric Rac, where she shares the secrets of the cutest little button rings you never knew you wanted! Jodie says, “They won’t last forever and your finger may turn green but who cares, they’re buttons.” I love it!

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By Cyndi -- 0 comments

May 28th, 2008

Under $25: a great Bead & Button giveaway!

I’ve been leafing through the new special issue by Bead & Button, called Under $25, and I like what I see. Style doesn’t have to be sacrificed just because some of us must be budget-conscious. And seriously, with the price of gas and food these days, this is the perfect time […]

By Cyndi -- 67 comments

May 28th, 2008

Call for entries: Beadwork’s Beaded Book Competition

Entry period: August 1-December 18, 2008. Read the complete rules.
Beadwork editor Marlene Blessing writes, “I know plenty of you have been inspired by altered books (don’t let those collage artists have all the fun) and by stories (from trashy novels, to historical epics, to books of poems). Whether you alter an actual book, re-create a […]

By Cyndi -- 1 comment

May 28th, 2008

The Basics: Antique and trade bead suppliers

What’s Up Wednesday

African Accents
Beautiful handmade beads available from a number of African nations
Rita Okrent
Ancient and ethnographic beads. Sadly, Rita died in 2005, but her website is remaining open.
African Crafts
A wide selection of African trade beads
Crazy Crow
Native American and mountain man syle beadwork supplies
Tags: Beading, beads, handmade beaded jewelry, jewelry, Mixed Media, Wearable ArtShare This

By Cyndi -- 1 comment

May 27th, 2008

A wonderful addition to the family!

This is how I made the announcement when we first learned that our son Nate’s beautiful wife Lizzie was pregnant. Well, Sunday night, little Katherine Esraella joined the world :-)
Please don’t panic if your comments or emails don’t get approved or answered immediately. Mike and I will be flying out to Green […]

By Cyndi -- 8 comments

May 27th, 2008

How to make an assemblage-style necklace

Technique Tuesday!

Materials
Polymer clay (I used gold-colored Sculpy)
Large focal piece of jewelry ~ pin, dress clip, etc
Flatback rhinestones or acrylic stones
Broken watch parts
Assorted charms ~ small mirrors, broken jewelry, screws, etc
Seed beads
Larger beads and crystals (8-10 mm)
Assorted beads for straps
Chain, hook, wire, jump rings or split rings
Crimps
Headpin (for dangle)
E6000 or 2-part epoxy
Glitter, pearlex, paints if desired
Nymo […]

By Cyndi -- 10 comments

May 26th, 2008

Yay for Mary!!

Mary Donegan was the winner of Amy Fraser’s beautiful medallion in our most recent contest. Here’s what she wrote about her own inspirations:
I find most of my inspiration in antique jewelry and nature. I try new strengthening ideas from Bead and Button Magazine. Those that I use to rebuild old Jewlery are the ones […]

By Cyndi -- 4 comments