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Weekly Jewelry Blog Links

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:48:48 +0000

A Bead A Day
Looking for a quick and easy button bracelet project? Try using one BIG button and some contrasting rubber tubing!

Art Bead Scene
Marie shows off some creative and innovative uses for some beautiful artisan components

Beading Arts
Cyndi has lists of fabulous suppliers in all sorts of categories for jewelry makers and beaders. Do you have any faves you'd like to add? Maybe even yourself?

Beads & Books
Michelle shares a tip for writing beading project instructions.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi receives two different gifts at CHA that result in one very pretty necklace!

Resin Crafts!
This week Resin Crafts had a big post featuring bezels and components available at Michaels!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the fabulous Jean Campbell's latest book, Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements. You are SO going to want this great book! Wow!

Wire Tool Time

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:47:55 +0000

You can use lots of different tools for making wire jewelry, many of which can be used for other types of jewelry making such as bead stringing or metalsmithing. However, if you have wanted to try to learn how to make wire jewelry, my article "Get Started Making Wire Jewelry," discusses some of the basic tools and supplies you need to, well, get started!

New Ionic Jewelry Cleaners

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:06:33 +0000

In my article about ionic jewelry cleaners, entitled "Ionic Jewelry Cleaners: Science or Magic?", I talk about a very handy little gadget that cleans metal jewelry safely and easily. I actually got my ionic cleaner a few years ago and even bought a few and gave them as gifts to my mom and mother-in-law. I don't know about them, but I still use my ionic cleaner pretty regularly.

Recently, I received an email from one of the folks at SpeedBrite, which is the company that manufactures and sells these. Not only has the company updated the small one I have, but it has a number of other models available. So I thought I'd share the link to the SpeedBrite site for those who may not have one of these yet. Stuller and Gesswein are also two dealers who carry the SpeedBrite Ionic Cleaners.

Unique Look at Polymer Clay

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:15:08 +0000

I recently received a really unusual book to review, Enlightened Polymer Clay: Artisan Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature by Rie Nagumo. Admittedly, I have never been a huge fan of polymer clay. I actually think it is me though, not necessarily the material. I am just polymer clay challenged. Either way, though, I found this book made me start thinking of polymer clay and jewelry designing in a very different way. Here is my full review of this new book recently published by Interweave: Enlightened Polymer Clay: Artisan Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature.

Jewelry Around the Blogosphere

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:51:58 +0000

A Bead A Day
Lisa's sharing some extra Swarovski sparkle! You won't want to miss the glitz!

Art Bead Scene
Check out all the great pieces the Art Bead Scene readers made in response to last month's challenge

Beading Arts
Nobody ever likes to talk about that necessary evil...pricing!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie reveals a new bird carving that will become a new pendant design.

Jean Campbell
Jean received her Swarovski goodie box this week and shares what's in it

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading going on!
Jean is so READY for Michelle Mach's Suddenly Spring Challenge! Check out the whole story!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Andrew announces three new limited edition components available by pre-order!

February's Jewelry Designer Interview

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:15:28 +0000

February's featured jewelry designer is Jean Campbell. Read this wonderful interview with her and learn about all the possibilities out there for someone interested in creating a career in the beading world. You don't have to just try to sell your beaded jewelry, and that is just one of many lessons you will learn from this talented beader.

Bead Manager Pro

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:10:40 +0000

Making money with your jewelry is like most businesses; it takes a lot of time and effort. However, after really getting into the jewelry making world, it usually doesn't take ...

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Catch Up with the Jewelry Blogosphere

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:29:36 +0000

A Bead A Day
It's Toho competition time! If you are up for the challenge check with a bead store near you for more details.

Art Bead Scene
Gaea shares some of her current favorite beading and craft related tools.

Beading Arts
Interested in publishing this year? How about starting out with a magazine?

Beads and Books
Join the spring challenge and makeover a ready-made wintry bracelet into a piece of springtime jewelry!

Jean Campbell
What exactly does a beadwork tech-editor do? Read on!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Everyday Gemstones from the publishers of BeadStyle magazine is beautiful, easy, and is a special Winter 2012 issue --and Jean thrilled to be in it!

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want to help a small business out? It's so easy! With a few clicks you can help Allegory Gallery get some free advertising dollars!

Metal Beads on the Cheap

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:34:18 +0000

Let us face it already - metal is just outrageously priced right now! This is especially true of gold and silver. I remember back in the day when I could order loads of sterling silver or gold-filled wire and not think twice about the price. The same was true for metal beads that I could use as spacer beads when doing bead stringing. When stringing up beaded bracelets...

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Owl Charm is a Hoot

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:20:31 +0000

Remember back in the 70s when you could find all kinds of owl themed items? It seems owls are making a come back. This owl charm flew in from B'Sue Boutiques, and I have been mulling over a design for it for some time. He is made from brass and then has a rusty black finish. You can find out more about this metal finish in a video posted on the B'Sue Boutiques web site. As she suggests in the video, I took a polishing cloth and rubbed this charm to remove some of the black finish. I think I finally have figured out how I plan to use this guy, so stay tuned for an up-coming owl themed jewelry project.