Pink Stone Necklace

Talk about timely, I had just started putting away all the haul from the last jewelry show that I attended and noticed that I had bought a goodly amount of some gorgeous, slab-like stones. Don't know why I bought them, other than I saw them, loved them and had to have them. Never happens to any of you, right?

Right!

Anyway, I decided to put them away until I found just the right project and Voila! - here it is.

Pink Stone Necklace
Photo and Design by Henry happened

A gorgeously simple, but very sophisticated Pink Stone Necklace by Henry happened that you can wear when you are dressed up in a little black dress or dressed down in a white shirt and jeans. Okay, so  my stones aren't pink, but I will have no problem substituting them with my black or green slab stones. And, although her version is almost choker length, I can make it any length that I want and I would really love to see it in a lariat style.

Click HERE for the instructions.

Now go bead something.

Tip of the Month - Make Consistent Loops on Eye and Head Pins

I am loving my new One Step Loopers by Beadsmith, but if you don't have a pair here is any easy and cheap way to ensure you make consistently size loops on eye and head pins.

If you add an extra 8mm bead to the top of a stack of beads (or any other size bead depending on the size of the dangle or charm you are making), trim the headpin/eyepin to the top of that bead, then remove the bead and make your loop - your loops will always be the same size!

Thanks for the tip Fire Mountain Gems!

Now go bead something.

Bead Soutache Workshop with Amee K. Sweet-McNamara

Have you registered for the Amee K. Sweet-McNamara Bead Soutache workshop sponsored by Houston Bead Society? September 7 and 8 will be here before you know it and this will be Amee's only visit to Texas, so you will not want to miss it.

Have a weekend of fun while learning to create these lovely pieces that Amee designed especially for Houston Bead Society.
 



Anu's Arabesque Earrings
Saturday, September 07, 2013

Anu's Blossom Pendant
Sunday, September 08, 2013

Workshops are $140.00 each day if you are a member or $190 if you are not and includes lunch, drinks and snacks. There is also a mandatory kit fee to be paid to Amee.

For more information and to register, click HERE to go to the workshop link on the Houston Bead Society website.
 

Now go bead something.

Personalized Bracelets with Polymer Clay

I love to enamel, work with metal and fuse glass - basically anything having to do with fire. But, I also have another love that I don't get too much time to work with - polymer clay. Why do I love it? Because it is such an inexpensive, user friendly material with endless possibilities. Polymer clay can be deceptively simple or highly complex - all with relatively ease of use.

Photo and Personalized Bracelets with Polymer Clay
by Adrianne Surian for CraftsUnleashed

Which leads me to this awesomely cute Personalized Bracelet with Polymer Clay created by Adrianne Surian for CraftsUnleashed.

Is it me, or does this look like real kiln fired clay? And, this is not the only version Adrianne demonstrates - nope, you can even personalize it with a name.

Can you guess what she used to make the impressions on this version? The color should be a hint, but you'll have to go to her website to find the answer.

Most, if not, all of the major brands of polymer clay are also inexpensive and non-toxic which makes it a perfect media to work with kids. As a  matter of fact, when I taught 2nd grade, my kids created the four stages of a butterfly (eggs, larva, pupa, adult) using polymer clay and they loved it. The projects were pretty spectacular too. A little more trouble than, say, drawing the stages (I had to take their pieces home and fire them there), but the results and their happy little faces were all so worth it.

So get your hands on some polymer clay and click HERE to get all the how tos

Houston also has a polymer clay guild - the Houston Polymer Clay Guild - that makes some pretty spectacular work. Check them out by clicking HERE.

Now go bead something.

Bead It Forward Bead Quilt Squares

Wowza! Bead and Button states that a total of 1,313 squares were received for the 2013 Bead It Forward project. And, that number includes the over 60 squares that HBS members and friends created. So, if you participated - give yourself a hand - and thanks to all who did.

Numerous volunteers made these squares into a variety of auction-able items that included quilts and new this year - ornaments that were sold at the show. All proceeds went to benefit the Medical College of Wisconsin for breast cancer research.

Side 1 of a Bead Square available for
purchase from Bead & Button

Side 2 of a Bead Square available for
purchase from Bead & Button

The good news is that Bead & Button held back a few ornaments to sell to people who didn't have the opportunity to attend the show. So, this is your lucky opportunity to purchase a two-sided beaded square and benefit breast cancer research for only - $5.00! That's right - for the mere price of a cup of brand name coffee, you can help in the battle against this deadly disease.

To purchase a square, visit Bead & Button's Etsy shop by clicking HERE.

NOW go buy a square.

Studded Leather Bracelets

It is no secret - leather is so hot you can see it everywhere - from the runways to Hollywood stars it appears that everyone is loving this trend right now.

So, check out these Studded Leather bracelets created by the blogger at Lotts and Lots.

Studded Leather Bracelets
Design and Photo by Lotts and Lots

Luscious colored leather studded with chains, beads and fabric - so what's not to love? An easy closure using flat cord ends and clasp completes the look. Make them wild, mild, boho, chic or biker - but, go make some.

Click HERE to make yourself an armload.

Now go bead something.

Epoxy Clay Flower Earrings

Check out this cute pair of Epoxy Clay Flower Earrings created by sewwoodsy.com.

Photo and Project by sewwoodsy.com

These earrings are the perfect introduction to working with epoxy clay with very little investment of either time or money. Although, the actual project takes about 48 hours to create because the epoxy clay has to cure, they really aren't all that complicated to make. And most, if not all, of the supplies can be found at your local crafts store.

The designer used the Martha Stewart brand of epoxy clay, but it is made by several different manufacturers, so use what you can find.

Of course, if you already work in polymer clay, these should be a piece of cake for you; but, just in case you don't, lots of clear, step by step photos accompany the directions. So, click HERE to learn how to create them yourself.

Now go bead something.