One Step Looper Pliers Review

I love gadgets - be they for the kitchen, my glass, metal or enamel work - I love gadgets; but, they have to be actually useful. And, like cooking guru Alton Brown, I'm not too fond of unitaskers (perform only one task). That is until I found and fell in love with Beadsmith's One Step Looper pliers. Finally, a tool whose only job is to help me make consistently sized, rounded eyepins and fast!

One Step Looper Pliers by Beadsmith

These wonder pliers help you create your own eyepins by creating the loop and trimming it all in one motion. I think we've all seen how and probably already know how to create an eyepin and, over the years, it has been simplified to make it easier on your hands. But, I remember when I first learned how to create a simple loop, it involved a pair of round nose or rosary pliers, a headpin and some very weird hand/wrist manipulations. If you have to create a lot eyepins or loops, this becomes a real pain in the hand.

Well no more! With Beadsmith's One Step Looper Pliers there is no more weird hand movements. I tried the loopers with a few beads on a head pin, inserted the wire, closed the pliers, gave the loop a tee-tiny little twist and VOILA - a beautiful loop was created. I even tried it using plain wire - creating one loop, adding beads and created the second loop and it worked like a charm. I also found that it is perfect for making that first loop when making spirals.

If you have to make a lot of dangles, having consistent loops is critical, especially if they are all for one project. They also make your work will look professional. With the One Step Looper Pliers by Beadsmith, you can now do that effortlessly and consistently.

The One Step Looper by Beadsmith works with dead soft and half-hard wire in sizes from 18 to 26 gauge and are available locally and online (I bought mine at Spring Beads). They retail for $29.95.

Now go bead something.

Beaded Bead Caps

What's not to love about these earrings? The colors are smashing, they have a little (not too much) bling, pearls and seed beads all in a project that shouldn't take but an hour. 

Some lush fringe, herringbone and ladder stitch all combine to dress up any large or focal bead in your stash. Mix and match the colors to create a pair of earrings for any and every occasion.

Beaded Bead Caps
Project by Amy Johnson
Photo by Bead & Button Magazine

Click HERE to get the directions.

Now go bead something.

Drilling Through Sea Glass

Here's a handy tutorial that shows you how to drill through those lovely pieces of sea glass that some people seem to find when walking on the beach. I never find anything like that. I just usually find pieces of dead jellyfish or dried up pieces of seaweed... you get the picture.

But, I digress.

Learning to drill through sea glass or any type of glass or rock for that matter is not for the faint of heart. It involves power tools (a drill - preferably a drill press), but so what! Drills are now available in all sizes, types, brands, power, prices and, yeah, even colors. 

Picture and Project by summerlane for
Instructables.com

The creator of this tutorial even used the most easiest of drill to use - a Dremel - for this project. 

The only thing to the tutorial that I would add is to place a thin piece of wood (like a piece of 1"x 4") or, even better, a piece of dense rubber (I've even seen old flip flop bottoms used) between the sea glass and the plate to not only help cushion the impact of the drill bit, but to also protect the plate. And, although a "dentist's drill bit" is okay, I would invest a little bit of money in a diamond coated bit if I was going to be drilling a lot of  pieces. But, no matter, this tutorial is a good place to start. And, remember practice, practice, practice before starting your masterpiece.

I really like the idea of creating a wearable piece out of a memento you picked up on a special trip. And, they make lovely gifts too.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Word Bracelets

Sometimes, we are all crunched for time, so here is a super easy 10 minute bracelet project using a one word bead and some hemp or embroidery floss (or anything else you have handy) from Happy Hour Projects.

Project and Photo by
www.happyhourprojects.com

She used hemp (don't you just love the colors) and word beads she found at a craft store and voila - a bracelet in probably less than 10 minutes. No special skills needed - all you have to know is how to tie a knot. No word bead, no problem, I think any type of large bead or focal will work and it makes a great anklet too.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Woven Yarn Bracelet

I'm not a big bracelet person, but I do love bangles and the more the better or the larger the better. So, check out this tutorial for a yarn woven bracelet using a couple of basic metal bangles, a bit of yarn and wire, glue and a pair of scissors. 

Woven Yarn Bracelets by Emily for
instructables.com

The technique involves some easy weaving that she demonstrates on the site so with a little practice, you should be able to make these in no time.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Polymer Clay "Stone" Necklace

Polymer Clay Stones Necklace by Maria at
mashiacrafts.com

What a fun necklace this is and so simple to make! So, if you haven't sunk your hands into polymer clay, at least once, this is the project to help you get started.

All you need are a couple of colors of polymer clay, some jump rings and a chain or neck wire and you are set. There is no complicated color mixing - really, so easy you can teach your kids to create them too. And, although you can use any color clay you want, I really love Maria's color choices because they are so cool and beachy.

Click HERE to get the instructions from Maria at Mashia Crafts.

By the way, did you know Houston has a fabulous polymer clay guild that meets right after Houston Bead Society? Well, it does - click HERE to go to the Houston Polymer Clay Guild site to learn more about what they do and all the wonderful projects they create.

Now go bead something.

Rhinestone Friendship Bracelet

I never went to summer camp as a child, but some of my friends did. Regardless, I don't need summer camp memories to help me like this sweet little Rhinestone Friendship Bracelet by the blogger at Love & Rosen. And, my love of fibers is no secret to anyone so for me, this bracelet is a winning combination of fibers and bling.

Photo and Project by Love & Rosen

The thing about this project is that it can be very sophisticated or hippy chic depending on the fibers that you use. I would love to see this bracelet using black floss or even with tans and turquoises with a string of turquoise color beads to wear with my favorite white shirt.

Regardless of what colors you decide to use, it's bound to be a hit. Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Super Easy Bead Soup Bangle

Who among us does not have our own bead soup? In case you don't know what bead soup is - it's usually just a mixture of leftover beads from various projects. Actually, some beaders have several soups going in various colorways; but - me - nope, it's all in one big container.

So, what to do with this bead soup? Make a bracelet of course. Like... this one, for example.

Super Stylish Bead Soup Bangle
By: Eva for Crafts Unleashed
As seen in favecrafts.com

Eva for Crafts Unleashed created this beauty from bead soup beads, a pre-made wire cuff and 24 gauge wire. 

Don't have your own bead soup (really???), no problem, get thee to a bead store and create your own.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Aimee Ray's "Sweet and Simple Jewelry" - Book Review

Do you want to create enchanting and very pretty, fresh, chic styles of jewelry while expanding your knowledge to include techniques like needlework, resin and the use of filigree? Then Aimee Ray’s book, Sweet & Simple Jewelry is just the inspiration and direction you need.

Image by Lark Books

While probably not for an advanced jewelry maker, Sweet & Simple Jewelry is a nice option for an artist moving into making jewelry from another craft or even for a beginning jewelry maker. The book features 32 projects by 17 designers and utilizes different products like felt, fabric, embroidery floss, buttons, filigree shapes, wool roving, polymer clay, air drying clay, epoxy clay and shrink plastic. It even shows you how to create your own molds using two part molding putty. Whether it’s rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings or even hair accessories you are sure to find a pretty and easy to make project in this book.

Sweet & Simple Jewelry includes templates and some basic techniques on wire wrapping, the use of resin and even a nice short tutorial on embroidery techniques just to mention a few.

Regardless, all of the designs are very sweet and sure to give you the inspiration you need to try some of the different techniques. My favorite – the Dandelion Wish Necklace on page 118 – is something I am definitely going to try.

The book is published by Lark Books and will be available in the HBS library starting next month.

Now go bead something.

Hey! What's a Bugle Bead?

Bugle beads are long, thin, cut glass beads. They come in sizes 2mm to 12 mm and Miyuki even makes one that is 30mm. They can be round, smooth, twisted and hex cut. The problem with most bugle beads is that their edges are sharp and they can cut right through your thread. I don't use them very often because, frankly, they can be difficult to design with, but I have used them in my bead embroidery and some fringe - but, they are hardly ever the focus of my design.

So, take a look at this Bugle Bead Fringe Torque Necklace created by Miss P.

Photo and Project by
Miss P

A not too over the top fringe necklace using the "dreaded" Bugle Bead. She even shows you how to create the wire collar to hang the easy to make bead fringes and you don't need an expensive necklace mandrel either.

One of the good things about this project is that you don't need to invest a huge amount of money in bugle beads (especially good if you've never worked with them) and, of course, you can always use what color (or size) bugle beads you just happen to have.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Circle of Hope Campaign Against Breast Cancer

Circle of Hope
Sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems & Beads

Just a reminder - Fire Mountain Gems & Beads is sponsoring a campaign against breast cancer and you can help by donating handmade beads or purchasing a handmade bead like the ones pictured above.

Click HERE for more information.

Now go buy a bead from the Circle of Hope campaign and bead something.

Creative Blocks and Monkeys?

Photo and Drawing by Danny Gregory

It happens to all of us at one time or another - we are sucked dry of ideas. Or, if we do create something that inner critic comes out and says "That looks horrible" - "You're not good enough" and so on and so on.

Danny Gregory is an author and artist extraordinaire known primarily for his whimsically delightful drawings. I have followed his blog for a very long time and I am a huge fan. My best friend, Sharon Hendry (check out her blog HERE), introduced me to his blog many years ago because she knows how much I long to draw. Oh, I can draw things - certain things - but it takes me a long time and it is very frustrating for me. Sharon, on the other hand can probably draw with one hand tied behind her back. Did I mention she works for Houston Community College? She teaches classes in the Digital Department and one of them is drawing fundamentals. Yes, I've taken her class and it was awesome. But, my inner monkey (as Danny Gregory refers to that inner critic) came out and I gave up drawing once again.

But, I digress - this blog is about beading after all and what does Danny Gregory and drawing have to do with beading? Well, Danny Gregory wrote this most excellent post about creative blocks and that inner critic/monkey today and it is probably one of the best things I've ever read that deals with that subject.

So just what does he have to say about that inner critic?

"Just start. Do one small drawing on one small piece of paper. A Post-It. Or draw a loose grid on your sketchbook page and fill in one single square with a line drawing of your foot. Whistle while you do it. If the monkey starts to grumble, hum louder. Push off that inner criticism for 120 seconds until you can get something down on the page.

Creating something, anything, can break the logjam. And it can give you something to look back at hours later, to get excited about. Initially, the monkey may sneer about your tiny attempt but go back at it and look at it again. Find something to love in it. It’s in there.

Don’t talk about it. If you are having block, don’t endlessly discuss it and seek solace from others. The more you do, naming it and broadcasting it, The more you solidify the block, the more of a living entity it becomes. Give it a name and you give it power. Stress over it and you become twisted and jailed.

My words here are a double-edged sword. I want you to be able to see that your problem is a common one, that you don’t suck any more than the rest of us. But the more we dwell on this discussion, the more attention the monkey gets, and the less time we are spending making something."

"The more we dwell on this discussion, the more attention the monkey gets, and the less time we are spending making something." 

"You don't suck more than the rest of us."

WOWIE! The entire post is so awesomely written, but it was these these paragraphs and, in particular, these two sentences that stuck out and resonated with me more than anything else - probably, because one of my biggest problems is that monkey. Sure, he aimed his post at people who draw; in fact, you should check out the drool worthy Facebook page for Everyday Matters, but how can his advice not apply to painting, sculpting, woodworking - any artistic effort - even beading!?

I would highly recommend you click HERE  right now to go read his entire post - you won't regret it! Actually, he has dedicated several posts to this subject and you will find them all well worth your time.

So, thank you Danny Gregory for once again inspiring me and probably a host of others to take up the pen, pencil, beads, paints or whatever their chosen media is and start - right now.

Now go bead something - right now!

Ready for Spring Bracelet

Well, this project might be a wee bit late for Spring, but it also works for Summer. From Bead and Button is this Ready for Spring bracelet.

Ready for Spring Bracelet and photo by
Bead & Button

I have tried bead crochet and knitting with beads - and I found knitting with beads much easier (though, I'm not giving up on bead crochet just yet), so I just may give this project a try.

Click HERE to get the instructions. By the way, the one pictured on the instructions is a a gorgeous "chartreusy" green! Even more of an incentive for me to try this one out.

Now go bead something.

Handy Little Tip

Here is a handy little tip that I found on one of the quilting sites I visited. I would  give credit, but I can't remember which one - so, if you see it around, please let me know.

Who among us doesn't have an empty dental floss container or two or three or four or...?

Now you can recycle it by winding your favorite beading thread onto a bobbin and inserting it into the empty floss box. When you need some thread, you can pull it out and cut it with the floss cutter.

A perfect tip for traveling this summer - especially if you're flying.

Now go bead something.

More 4th of July Bead Projects

Here's another set of 5 free beading projects provided by Bead & Button. They include 2 bracelet projects, 2 necklace projects and this sculptural star created by Jane Reichhold named "A Star is Born."

A Star is Born created by Jane Reichhold
for Bead & Button
Photo by Bead & Button

You still have plenty of time to create one or two of these, so click HERE to see all the projects.

Have a Happy 4th with those you love.

Now go bead something.

4th of July Beading Projects

Here are a couple of Independence Day beaded earring projects to make just in time to wear to your 4th of July holiday get together. All projects and photos by www.allfreejewelrymaking.com.


Links are in the caption of the photo.

Salute Earrings by
www.allfreejewelrymaking.com

Happy 4th of July Earrings
by www.allfreejewelrymaking.com

Beaded Independence Day Earrings by
www.allfreejewelrymaking.com

Have fun, stay cool.

Now go bead something.