Vintage Love Earrings by Fusion Beads

Vintage Love Earrings and picture
by Fusion Beads

I can't get enough inspiration and Fusion Beads is full of it. From modern, edgy designs to this very pretty pair of Vintage Love Earrings, there is a lot inspiration to fill you with energy to create.

So, what's not to like about this sparkly, purple pair of earrings - nothing. They had me at purple!

Click HERE to get the instructions and make a bunch of these in all sorts of different colors.

Now go bead something.

How to Open and Close Jump Rings

Picture by beadingdaily.com

I think it's time for a little review - a little jump ring review.

Opening and closing  jump rings is so basic and one of the most important things you need to learn whether you are strictly a "beader" or jewelry maker using some other media because sooner or later you are going to have to use a jump ring. I hear ya, but never say never.

So, here is a quick, under 2 minute video by Margo Potter of Craft Quickies that very clearly shows how to open and close a jump ring properly. 

Click HERE to watch the video, you won't regret it.

Beaded Flower Video Tutoral by Gemma Crow

I love flowers; unfortunately, I didn't inherit my mom's green thumb. Nope, I was born with a black thumb. So, if I can't grow flowers at least I can bead them (or make them out of glass).

Here is a darling, beaded flower video tutorial by Gemma Crow (who, incidentally, has an adorable British accent).

Still shot from Gemma Crow's
Beaded Flower Video Tutorial

I've seen variations of these beaded flower pendants at every InterGem show I've been - sometimes for a pretty, little price too. Now, thanks to Gemma, you can make your own.

To see how to create your own beaded flower pendant, click HERE.

Now, go bead something!

Summer Bead Fling Highlights

This past weekend, HBS held it's first Summer Bead Fling. Artist, Mary Lowe, demonstrated her wire techniques on how to create her lovely "Natalie Necklace" on Saturday and Sunday she showed us how to work with bronze clay.

Here are some highlights from this fun weekend.

Saturday, we very willingly worked our fingers to the bone as we wove beads and wire into an intricate and somewhat freeform pattern for the sweet Natalie Necklace. A simple, yet oh so appropriate, bead chain completed the look. Some of us actually completed the necklace in class - an accomplishment in and of itself - since I can't tell you the number of times I spent a weekend beading only to come home and show David a small 2 or 3 inch section of some sort of beaded project.

Mary Lowe and the group - including Faith Strunk, Audra Gladney, Kathryn Kelley,
Kathleen Carlson, Janet Taylor, Mary Lowe, Lillian Skogsberg, Laurence Dusaulx,
Janie Fitzgerald, Lynn Geren & Shelley Dearing all working our fingers to the bone.

Mary Lowe, Faith Strunk, Kathleen Carlson, Lynn Geren & Mary's
Assistant Kate looking over the color choices for the Natalie Necklace.

Kate demonstrating how to create a simple beaded loop chain necklace with
Kathleen Carlson, Lillian Skogsberg & Lynn Geren

Janie Fitzgerald attaching a wired component.

Audra Gladney & Jo Ann Schmitt working furiously.

Finished piece by Audra Gladney

Finished piece by Faith Strunk

And, I am always amazed that although several of us get the exact same kit, we all create something totally different from it.

Sunday, we spent our time creating molds and making bronze clay components like clasps that Mary took home to fire. Most of us got to make at least two molds and 8 to 10 pieces. I made square components for a bracelet in addition to 7 or 8 other pieces. Can't wait to get mine back!

Pieces sitting out to dry before we finish them off a litle more.
Mary Love, Mary Lowe & Lillian Skogsberg



Mary Lowe explaining the intricacies of working with bronze metal clay.

Mary Love & Katy Edwards
Lillian Skogsberg, Mary Lowe and Katy Edwards

Audra Gladney is busy pressing bronze metal clay into her mold.
Faith Strunk is cutting out a shape for a pendant.

Katy Edwards, Faith Strunk & Audra Gladney



Hope you enjoyed the pictures - stay cool ya'll.

Now go bead something.

And, the Chain Maille Fun Continues...

Oh my, it appears that chain maille is all over the place right now... and the colors of jump rings they are using is making my mouth water - wow!

Check out this aptly named "Mint Truffle Bracelet" by Fusions Beads:

Mint Truffle Bracelet
Photo and Project by Fusions Beads

There are so many variations of chain maille, but this one uses a technique called "Helm Maille." And, again, I am swooning over the color and love how the clasp echoes the cool aqua color of some of the jump rings.

So, go get you some jump rings (I would love to see what colors you pick) and make one for you and all your friends. Send me a picture and I'll even post it here for all the world to see.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Collar Style Chain Maille Necklace and Earrings

If you are feeling somewhat adventuresome and inspired by Theresa Olin's June program (4 in 1 chain maille), then you may want to try this project out.

A lovely chain maille necklace and earrings accented with some sparkly Swarovski crystals - and who doesn't like a little sparkly?

Collar Style Chain Maille Necklace and Earrings
Project and photo by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

And, if the necklace is a little too intimidating then try out the earrings which is the perfect starting off point if you've never done chain maille.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Clever and Inexpensive Storage Idea

Tiered Organizer Tray
Photo and Project by Sew Many Ways

Wow - this is a really clever and inexpensive storage idea designed by Karen at Sew Many Ways.

This the part that Karen used to create her
Tiered Storage Organizer 

Karen is a crafter and her blog at Sew Many Ways is full of organizing ideas, recipes, crafts projects, quilting blocks and so much more; you should go over there and check it out.

But, what really blew me away was this very simple and cheap Tier Tray Organizer made from items you can buy from your local Home Depot store for under $12.00. You don't even need to saw, nail or glue anything, you just stack one tray on top of the other and it spins - wheeeee!

So, now I'm on my way to Home Depot cause I'm going to have to make two or three of these... let's see one for my sewing area, one for my metal studio and one for my glass studio.

Now go bead something.

Circle of Hope Beads

I love to support and make art for a cause, so I was happy to find out that Fire Mountain Jewels is sponsoring Circle of Hope Beads - Beads for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Circle of Hope Beads
Photo & Sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems & Beads

You can help in the campaign against breast cancer by buying a bead from or creating and donating handmade beads to the Circle of Hope project. Your handmade bead donations will be featured in the Jewelry Maker's Comprehensive Catalog published by Fire Mountain.

The beads will then be sold individually with all sales benefiting breast cancer research and awareness. 

To make a donation, click HERE. To meet the designers behind the creations, click HERE. If you want to purchase a bead (go ahead, you know you want to and it's all for a great cause anyway), click HERE.

Now go buy a bead and make something.

Chasing Rainbows Bracelet

Chasing Rainbows Bracelet
Photo and Project by Fusion Beads

I adore the colors in this bracelet! So much so, that I may even give chain maille a try. While steel/silver jump rings are more traditional, this one by Fusion Beads uses enameled jump rings to give it that shot of color - or colors. And, don't ya just love that colored clasp too?

So if you have been recently inspired by Theresa Olin's June program on 4 in 1 Chain Maille and want to play around with the technique a little more, click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

American Eagle Bracelet

Here is a 4th of July project to get you started for the upcoming holiday.

Becky Antas of Streator, Illinois was inspired to make this bracelet by her son-in-law, Joe, who is a U.S. Marine.

The body of the bracelet is created using flat, even count peyote using size 11 cylinder seed beads. The lovely, tapered ends are added on last.

This is the perfect bracelet to wear for the upcoming July 4th holiday to remind us of the sacrifices that so many make for this wonderful country and its a beauty to boot!

Click HERE to get the instructions and pattern from Bead and Button.

Now go bead something.

June 2013 Meeting Highlights

So, what do we do at our monthly meetings?

In addition to the business meeting, we have show and tell, book and product reviews, general discussions about trends and beads, challenges and...

HBS Member of the Month Profile - Bead and Fiber Artist Ginger Paige, birthday acknowledgements and a monthly joke by Diane Mayes.

Member of the Month - the very talented Ginger Page speaking about her
inspiration and showing off her lovely work.
Acknowledging monthly birthdays and a monthly joke by our Past President and
resident comedienne, Diane Mayes.

Meet ups with friends and shopping!



Meet up with friends like Kathy Jolly, Mary Lowe, Faith Strunk
 and Lillian Skogsberg.
And shopping with Bowerbirds!

The monthly program - wow!

This is Theresa Olin wearing her incredibly awesome chain maille jacket.
Theresa stated that it took about 8.5 pounds of stainless steel jump rings and about 4.5 years
(off and on) to create her very wearable jacket. She used colored jump rings to create the design on the back. Theresa taught this month's program - a 4 in 1 chain maille weave bracelet.

Theresa demonstrating how to properly open, add, line up and close a jump ring.

Members working on their chain maille bracelets.

Join us at our next meeting, July 20, 2013 for founding member Kathy Yzaguirre's program on simple bead looming. 

Now go bead something.

Upcycled Cork Pendants

Cork Pendants and Photo by Fiskar

At first glance, I thought these were made of wood (and they could be), but  no - these cute little pendants are made from recycled corks.

I love projects that use recycled/upcycled materials and just think how many pendants or earrings you get from just one cork!

You don't even even need a saw - just a knife to slice through the cork to make the disks. Then all you have to do is paint, stamp, collage, glue or a combination of any of those techniques.

So, grab a cork from your favorite beverage, then click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Daisy Chain Bracelet

Daisy Chain Bracelet by FaveCrafts.com
(still shot from video)

How many times have you heard  the old expression - "Everything old is new again?" So, I'm not surprised at how some retro (hippie or Boho) designs are so hot right now. And, who wouldn't want to display a little love flower power - like this cute Daisy Chain bracelet?

So many times, we are left with just a few seed beads after a large beaded project and no idea what to do with them (I usually throw them in my bead soup). But, now you have this Daisy Chain bracelet and it is so easy - you can make lots and lots of them too. Make it a little longer and you now have an anklet to wear with all your beach and summer outfits.

Not only that, the technique itself is so simple, it is the perfect project to introduce beading to kids.

Best of all, the instructions are in a video with great closeups too. So, click HERE to get instructions.

Peace ya'll - Now go bead something.

Quick and Easy Pendant

Check out this quick and easy pendant with a cute spiral bail created by Rena Klingenberg at www. jewelrymakingjournal.com.

Pendant by Rena Klingenberg

A couple of tools (you should already have in your beady toolbox), some wire and a top drilled stone or other object are all you need to create this little gem.

Click HERE to get the instructions from Rena.

Now go bead something.

Hardware Store Earrings

Here's a project for all you hipsters and upcyclers - a pair of earrings using items you can find at your local hardware store.

DIY Teardrop Earrings by Kittenhood

Created by by the blogger at Kittenhood, they use an unusual hardware item (at least for me - I've never even heard of it) called a galvanized thimble. Although this item is usually used to prevent wear in splice line and rope, Kittenhood created a pair of industrial style earrings and, the chic red thread gives it a touch of femininity.

So get thee to a hardware store and whip up a couple pair of these earrings. Start by clicking HERE to get all the how-tos.

Now go bead something.

Bead Soutache Workshop with Amee K. Sweet-McNamara

It's stunningly beautiful and elegant, but what exactly is soutache bead embroidery?

Soutache is a flat, fiber braid usually with a braid down the center between two rows of piping (cording) wrapped in some sort of fiber like silk, cotton or synthetic. It first appeared in France around the 15th century mostly as a decorative element on clothing (especially military uniforms). 

Several centuries later beaders have really taken off with it and the work coming out of Eastern Europe is especially stunning. Anneta Valious is one soutache bead embroidery extraordinare that comes to mind (see her book published by Lark Jewelry and Beading entitled Soutache - 30 Gorgeous Bead Embroidery Designs that was released in April 2013). Another is Amee K. Sweet-McNamara of Amee Runs with Scissors who not only creates lovely, exquisite soutache creations, but also teaches - most recently at the Bead & Button show where most if not all of her classes sold out.

Anu's Blossom Pendant by Amee K. Sweet-McNamara
HBS Workshop - September 9, 2013

The great news is that Amee has agreed to come teach for HBS and she is introducing two brand new projects! On Saturday, September 7, Amee will teach Anu's Arabseque Earrings and on Sunday, September 8, she will teach Anu's Blossom Pendant. Workshops are $140.00 each (includes lunch) plus $50.00 for a kit (which is inclusive of all materials needed).

Click HERE to go the HBS website to learn more about workshops or to register.

Now go bead something.

HBS JUNE MEETING

When: Saturday, June 15, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 pm
Place: 1st Floor Auditorium at Bayou Manor, 4141 South Braeswood, Houston, TX
Program: Theresa Olin - 4 in 1 Chain Maille

Parking is available in the uncovered spaces in the rear of the gated parking lot. Covered spaces are for residents of Bayou Manor only. After parking, walk back through either the pedestrian or vehicle gate and access the building through the main entrance. Please check in with the receptionist for an ID badge before proceeding to the auditorium.

See HBS website for more information.

How to Wire Wrap a Briolette

I love briolettes, but they can be tricky to use. I've always used a simple triangular wire wrap when I used them in my designs; that is, until now. Check out this lovely pair of wire wrapped briolette earrings by Rings & Things.

Wire-wrapped Aurora Borealis Swarovski
Crystal Pear Briolettes
Photo and Project by
Rings & Things

While I've taken a liking to the messy, tornado style wraps that many pieces have now, I really love the neat, multiple wraps around the briolettes.

Looks complicated, but it's really not. So, click HERE to get the instructions and get to wrapping some briolettes of your own.

Now go bead something.

Arizona Summers Necklace

Here's a sweet little necklace for all you stone and donut lovers out there. Arizona Summers Necklace was created by Josie Arndt for Rings and Things and features one of my favorite focals - a stone donut (jasper).

Arizona Summers Necklace by Josie Arndt for
Rings and Things

I really love the earthy feel of this necklace and the colors are perfect for summer (Arizona summers, that is). 

Click HERE for all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Pearl Stud Earrings

Not everyone is into the long or Bohemian studded earrings. Many of you like to wear simple - minimalist - earrings. And, with peak wedding season coming up very soon, I though this tutorial for a pair of simple, yet elegant pair of pearl and wire earrings created by Emi Harrington for FaveCraft would be perfect.

Pearl Stud Earrings Designed by Emi Harrington
for FaveCraft

Do you have to use pearls? Do they have to be that big? Don't have silver wire? Well, these tutorials are meant to teach the technique, but then you use what you learn to take off and make them your own. Don't like or have pearls? Use those turquoise beads you have in your stash. Still to big for your taste? Use a 6 mm bead instead. Don't have to like silver wire or it's just to expensive? Find some copper or brass wire and use that.

I think this project also looks a lot like the bird's nest pendants that are so popular too. Best of all, the design has a built in ear wire and the tutorial is a video! So, click HERE and get all the how tos. 

Now go bead something.