Pop??? Bracelets

No - that's not a typo on the title of this post. I didn't complete it because I wanted you to guess what these bracelets are made of. I'll give you one guess.

Popsicle Stick Bracelets
Photo and Project by Candie Cooper forThe Graphics Fairy

If you guess (or read) popsicle sticks - winner, winner, chicken dinner - you are right! Candie Cooper has created these cuties using scrap pieces of paper and either leather strips or ribbons for closures. And, wait til you see how easy it is to bend the popsicle sticks - you'll want to make an arm full!

Click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Make Your Own Cone Shaped End Cap

Wire Cone
Project and Photo by Wirewoman

If you make multi-strand, crochet, kumihimo or any other type of bracelets or necklaces that need to be gathered together at the end, then this project is for you.

Wirewoman shows you how to create your own cone shaped end cap for those multi-strand projects - especially handy when you're finished with your necklace/bracelet and then, suddenly realize, you don't have the cone shaped finding you need.

Click HERE to get the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Confetti Hoop Earrings by Erin Siegel

Confetti Hoop Earrings
Project and Photo by Erin Siegel

It's not quite Fall yet, so I think right now is the perfect time to say our last hurrah to Summer with these cute Confetti Hoop Earrings by Erin Siegel.

All you need are the simplest of tools (that are probably already in your tool box), some beads (perfect for those leftover seed beads that are laying around) and some wire (or just use pre-made hoops). Erin has a really nice tutorial with plenty of photos that shows you how to not only wrap the earrings with the beads, but she even shows you how to create the earring loop. Cool - huh?

And, did I mention, I think they'll make great gifts? And, we all know Christmas will be here before we know it.

So, click HERE to get all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

SEPTEMBER 2014 MEETING

Come join fellow bead lovers as Audra Gladney guides you in creating your own Tree of Life Pendant like this!

Tree of Life Pendant
by Audra Gladney

WHEN: Saturday, September 20, 2014
TIME: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
WHERE: 750 Bering Drive - 1 st Floor Conference Room (Independent Bank Building)
PARKING: Any space in the garage (including "reserved" spaces)
DIRECTIONS: Driving South on 610 (towards Galleria), take the Woodway/Memorial Dr. exit and make a right on Woodway (away from Memorial Park). Take Woodway for about about 1 to 1.5 miles to Bering Dr. and make a left (Bering is the next light after Chimney Rock). Then drive about one half mile to 750 Bering Dr. which is on your right. If you pass up Kelsey Seybold Clinic on Sugar Hill Road you just barely missed it.

PROGRAM: Tree of Life Pendant with Audra Gladney. Audra will have kits available for $7.00. Please bring: needle nose pliers, silver chain and a clasp.

CHALLENGE - Watch Faces: This Fall's challenge will be to make a watch band or other wearable art using a watch face to submit for the member challenge. All entries will be displayed at our November meeting. Watch faces will be available for sale by HBS for $10.00.

FAMILY DAY AT THE HOUSTON CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT: On October 4, 2014, Houston Bead Society volunteers will be teaching"Wish Bracelets" to participants coming for this free event. About 750 people are expected to attend. However, we need volunteers to put together the kits. If you are not going to take part in the program, please stay and help us get the kits ready. You'll even get to  make your own Wish Bracelet!

Wish Bracelet
Family Day Project at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
October 4, 2014

If you want to volunteer for this very fun event, please contact Pat Powell who will be at the meeting or Lillian Skogsberg, HBS - President.

Now go bead something.

Sparkle Flower Earrings

French Flower beading is a very old technique, but here is a new and modern twist - Sparkle Flower Earrings.

Sparkle Flower Earrings
Project and Photo by Meredith Roddy for Beadalon

This involves the same age old technique, but made into a wearable piece. And, as usual, you change up the colors and you change up the look. Make it your own.

Click HERE for all the how tos.

Now go bead something.

Simple, Dainty River Rock Necklace

Ooooh... I am so loving this pendant and I think you will too.

Simple, Dainty Rustic River Rock Necklace
by Amy Mickelson
as seen at Rings &Things

Don't let the fact that you are working with a river rock deter you from making this necklace because the rocks come pre-drilled! If you also have a pair of chain nose pliers, a pretty little charm and a neck chain, then you are ready to make one yourself.

Click HERE to find out how.

Now go bead something.

How to Open and Close Jump Rings

Sometimes it's good to revisit the basics. So, whether you are a novice or experienced beader, knowing how to open and close a jump ring is one of those have-to-know techniques you need to have in your arsenal.

I know when I first started beading many, many years ago, my first experience with jump rings involved opening them from left to right only to learn years later that's not how you do it.

Photo by Ice Resin as Seen on
FaveCrafts

Lucky for us, there is a video on the FaveCrafts website that details exactly how to open and, just as importantly, close a jump ring.

Click HERE to view the video.

Now go bead something.

Top 8 Jewelry Trends for the 2014 Holiday Season

If you make jewelry on a professional or semi-professional basis (as in seasonal shows) - and, even if you don't, this guide to the Top 8 Jewelry Trends as compiled by Halstead for the upcoming holiday season may be of interest to you.

Moon and Star Objects such as these are one of the top jewelry trends
for the 2014 Holiday season - As compiled by Halstead.
Photo by Halstead

In short, they are:

1. Stick drops and bar links;
2. Chevrons and triangles;
3. Wire bracelets and bangles;
4. Collars and omegas;
5. Festoon pendants;
6. Moons and stars;
7. ID bracelets;
8. Rose gold-filled items

Click HERE to see a more detailed list.

Now go bead something.

Seed Beads 101

Whether you are a beading newbie or veteran, you are going to want to read through this article by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads called Seed Beads 101.

It is full of very useful information on sizes, types,  brands, shapes and styles of seed beads.

Seed Beads 101
Photo and Information by
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

For instance, did you know that according to this article, the size of a seed bead "correlates with the number of beads that will fit into a given inch when the beads are lined up side by side (with the holes parallel to each other, as in the ladder stitch). For instance, size 8/0 would equal eight beads to one inch. Keep in mind this is just a general rule of thumb, as there can be variances in this measurement based on the manufacturer, the type of glass used and the bead's finish."

There is also some information on seed bead coatings and finishes.

So, maybe, just maybe, before you start your next seed bead project, you take a gander at this article and learn a little bit more about those bad, bad seed beads.

Click HERE to find out more.

Now go bead something.