A Day at the Bead & Jewelry Show-A Bead Affaire in Watertown MA-Friday Findings

Oct 272017
 

In these days when so much of our business is transacted online it’s nice to sometimes be able to see and handle things before we purchase them.

This is especially true when it comes to the supplies we use for our creativity. Although we can look and see how lovely they are online it can be difficult to get an idea of the scale, it’s also fun to be able to touch and run our hands through them!

bead show haul cover

Last weekend I was thankful for the opportunity to attend the 39th annual Bead Affaire bead show in Watertown, MA.

While at the show I took video of several of the tables and exhibits for you. So today’s video is a tour of a small portion of the show and at the end I’ll show you what I purchased.

Here are links to the artists and businesses that I showed or mentioned in the video:

Have you ever gone to a bead show? What was your favorite part of being able to attend?

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

Watch the A Day at the Bead & Jewelry Show-A Bead Affaire in Watertown MA-Friday Findings video at YouTube.

Unboxing Beads & Jewelry Supplies-Friday Findings June 2017 Bead Box

Jul 072017
 

ff june 2017 bead box

In today’s video I go through all of the goodies in the June 2017 Dollar Bead Box and Bag. In case you missed it, last month I reviewed this monthly subscription service which brings Czech fire polish beads, an assortment of other beads and jewelry findings to your door.

I love this kind of service because it challenges me. I find when I go to buy beads I often will skip over things that I’m not sure what I would do with or things that at first glance I just don’t care for. These assortments are great because they make you think in different ways, challenge you to get creative with the supplies you have and therefore make new discoveries.

By the way, last month Dollar Bead Box was kind enough to send 3 bead boxes to winners of a drawing on my YouTube channel! If you were one of the winners we would all love to hear what you think of your boxes, and would love to see what projects you’ve made with the supplies.

The bracelet I mentioned in the video that I was thinking of when looking at the dagger beads is the Damselfly Bracelet designed by Cynthia Kimura at Artbeads.com. After looking it up I found that what I thought were daggers on the edges are actually Rizo beads, but I think the daggers would work just as well

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

Watch the Unboxing Beads & Jewelry Supplies-Friday Findings June 2017 Bead Box at YouTube.

How to Use French Wire In Your Jewelry-Friday Findings

Feb 042017
 

ff french wire cover

French wire is one of those jewelry findings I had seen mentioned on occasion, but never had the opportunity to try. It’s not something your local craft store usually carries in their jewelry making section, but eventually I was intrigued enough to order some online.

After having a chance to play and experiment a little bit I have to say that French wire is my kind of product: one with a terrific intended use, but unlimited potential for other possibilities. Oh yes, I do love possibilities. 🙂

In today’s video I’ll show you how to use French wire with bead weaving wire and with beading thread, plus give you lots of ideas and suggestions for different ways you can use French wire in your jewelry and other creations.

French wire comes in a few basic finishes. Be sure to double check the diameter size your are getting based on what you plan to use it for.

If you’d like a wider selection, Fire Mountain Gems has French wire in copper, black and even with fancy twists.

Btw, I mention at 1:30 in the video that I have a Friday Findings video on wire protectors, but it appears that I never made one, except perhaps in my mind! I was certain that I had. Weird. 

Guess I know what I’ll be recording next week. 😀

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

Watch the How to Use French Wire In Your Jewelry-Friday Findings video at YouTube.

Jewelry Supplies Unpackaging and Project Ideas-Friday Findings

Jan 062017
 

ff art beads dec order

Today I have for you the opening of yet another jewelry supplies order from ArtBeads.com. You all seem to enjoy these videos so I’ll keep making them, but if you’re getting tired of them let me know and I’ll stop. 🙂

daisy duo

This order has several items that I got for very specific projects. The 8/0 and 11/0 seed beads are for the Daisy Duo bracelet which I first found on Linda’s Crafty Inspirations, she has loads of designs on her blog. This one happens to have a PDF tutorial for sale. I managed to figure out how to make this bracelet without the paid tutorial by basing the design on this free tutorial for a similar bracelet, the Superduo Flower Chain Bracelet. But I am certain based on the reviews that the paid tutorial is worth every bit of $7!

donut

I also got some bails to finish a second superduo donut pendant, which if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen me working on. For this one I made the two sides completely different color schemes, which made it a little tricky to choose a bail that went with both sides. (See the video for a look at the second beaded donut.) 

wiggle bracelet

The tila beads are to make this wiggle bracelet, I love the movement!  I haven’t seen any patterns, but it seems fairly straightforward if you study the photo. If you don’t feel like making your own, click on the link to buy Cindy’s, her prices are quite reasonable. She has lots of other lovely designs in her shop.

The rest of the supplies are either things that I have in mind for specific future projects and videos, or just random things that I really don’t remember why I got them, but you can be certain one day I’ll find a great use for them!

Here are links to several of these products and ones like them:

Also, in case you missed them, I reference these two videos:

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

Watch the Jewelry Supplies Unpackaging and Project Ideas-Friday Findings video at YouTube.

Q&A-Where to Find Jewelry Supplies, How To Finish Bead Stringing-Friday Findings

Dec 302016
 

ff q&a supplies & stringing

It occurred to me the other day that I hadn’t done any question and answers videos in quite some time. Sorry about that!

Even though I try to answer most questions in the comments sections of the videos, it’s always nice to answer them in a video for everyone to see because if one person has a question it’s likely more people have the same one.

In today’s Q & A I answer questions about where to find the supplies that I show in videos, how to finish up crimped bead stringing and why sometimes jewelry designers weave the end of the wire back through a few of their final beads.

Here are links to some of the supplies I like to use in bead stringing:

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

Watch the Q&A-Where to Find Jewelry Supplies, How To Finish Bead Stringing-Friday Findings video at YouTube.

WOYWW- Jewelry Supplies Galore

Jun 092015
 

Happy What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday everyone!

2015 06 10 woyww jewelry supplies galore (1)

On my workdesk today is my annual HUGE Fire Mountain Gems order. They offer discount incentives to buy many, many items, so I did. 😀 (Who wouldn’t, right?)

I’ve got lots of beads, lots of findings, some tools, all kinds of goodies. It’s going to take a while to put everything away and I’ll have to keep myself from in the midst of it all starting a few new projects I’m especially excited about.

Fortunately, when I put together my order I wrote notes as to what each thing was for. Otherwise I’d be staring at various stuff from the order and wondering why the heck I’d bought it. :-p

2015 06 10 woyww jewelry supplies galore (2)

Also on the desk in the upper left is a birthday gift from my son, a new micro torch. I’ve been wanting to do some soldering & fusing of metals to add to the jewelry skills. No burning down the house, I promise!

So that’s what’s on my work desk today. If you’re wondering why I posted a picture of my work desk, well, it’s What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday. It’s just a fun little blog hop hosted by Julia.  Check out the link if you have some time, it’s kind of fun!

Happy creating.

Friday Findings-Questions & Answers #2

Apr 102015
 

friday findings Q&A #1

Happy Friday, all! Today I have for you the second of our question and answer videos.

I’m so glad that you all aren’t shy about asking specific questions in the comments on my videos, and I try to address them all.

The questions in this video are about how to choose various findings.

  • which necklace stringing material is best to use
  • how to use flat back beads (cabochons) or broken half beads
  • how to choose headpins that work best and aren’t difficult to use
  • which crimps to use
  • which jump rings are best

I hope you find the answers helpful!

Enjoy the video and happy creating. :-)

You can watch the Friday Findings-Questions & Answers #2 over at YouTube.

Friday Findings – Coloring With Alcohol Inks

Nov 142014
 

I’ve been in love with alcohol inks ever since I discovered them in the paper crafting world. The fact that they can be used to add color to non-porous items like glass, plastic & metal still fascinates me and I’m always thinking of new uses for them.

friday findings alcohol inks

In today’s video I show you a few of those uses. I hope you find them exciting and inspiring!

The alcohol inks used in the video are:

If you’re thinking about playing with alcohol inks I highly recommend you add the Snow Cap mixative and the Gold and Silver Metallic Mixatives to your stash.

clay-flower-wreath

The snow cap is a white with a more opaque look than the rest and can be mixed and marbled for some great effects. If you mix it with colors you get a look of sort of like enamels, like on the flowers in this clay wreath. Those flowers began their lives as metal bead caps, btw.

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

You can watch the Friday Findings – Coloring With Alcohol Inks video over at YouTube.

Friday Findings-Seed Bead Loops Video

Oct 242014
 

friday findings seed bead loops

Although it’s always fun to go shopping and see what kinds of interesting jewelry findings are out there, I think it’s even better to be able to make your own.

That way they are the exact size, shape and color you want, and fit your style perfectly.

purple flower necklace (5)

Here’s a close up of one of the loops I show in today’s video.  You’ll love all the creative possibilities of the tiny little seed bead.

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

You can watch the Friday Findings-Seed Bead Loops Video over at YouTube.

Friday Findings-Alternate Uses For Toggle Clasps

Oct 102014
 

It’s always exciting to discover new uses for common items, and jewelry makers have many alternate uses for their supplies.

friday findings-alternate uses

In today’s video I’ll show you how to use toggle clasps as decorative elements in earrings. But don’t stop there, think about all the other ways you can use these pretty pieces. You’re only limited by your imagination.

And if you’re wondering what to do with the leftover toggle bars, you can always make loops of seed beads and then use the toggles as intended.

Enjoy the video and happy creating!

You can watch Friday Findings-Alternate Uses For Toggle Clasps over at YouTube.