Thursday, June 30, 2011

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Link to The Beading Gem's Journal

How to Make Shanked Buttons from Beads

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:04 AM PDT

Do you knit or know someone who does?  If so check out Fiber Fool's tutorial on how to make shanked buttons from beads!  It's a clever "cross-over craft" idea to use a bit of wire and beads from jewelry making to make the buttons for knitwear.

Needless to say, the shanked buttons could also be beaded dangles for jewelry making!Or make a whole bunch of them to string onto elastic beading cord to make a super easy bracelet!

She uses a 3-step looping pliers (see tutorial link below) which makes even double loops. If you try and do this with round nose pliers, one of the loops will be smaller than the other. Another option is to use small bail forming pliers.

More Tool Tutorials:
Via

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Link to The Beading Gem's Journal

How to Make Patriotic Jewelry Tutorials

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:00 AM PDT

Over the next several days, Canada and the US will be celebrating their national days - Canada day is on July 1 and  the 4th of July is the special day for Americans.

Did you know a large number of countries also have flags consisting of red, white and blue?  Besides, the US and the UK, Cambodia, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Nepal, Norway and Thailand are some examples of countries who also use those 3 colors.

The red and white color elements occur in flags of countries such as Canada, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, Turkey, Japan , Indonesia and Peru.

So as a tribute, here are several tutorials to make patriotic jewelry using the colors of one's national flag wherever you are.

The Firework bracelet tutorial (shown above) by Aubree over at the Yellow Blackbird blog displays the celebratory colors of white, blue and red but really it will work for any tri-color flag! Via 

Make a matching pair of earrings with the lovely Fireworks Earrings tutorial by Cousin Corp.


The Liberty pinwheel brooch tutorial by Betz White's is just the ticket to make and wear for a neighborhood street party. Via

Crystal lovers will enjoy making this memory wire patriotic collar necklace designed by Jessica Rosenfeld for Soft Flex. It can be made smaller for a bracelet as well.


You cannot beat these festive star earrings for sheer ingenuity as they are made from recycled plastic cups! Kudos to Punk Projects. Via



Catholic Icing did a great tutorial on how to make patriotic beads which you can then string. This post also includes many ideas on how to incorporate the beads into designs.


This tri-color beaded plait bracelet by Kiki B on Cut Out and Keep is not a tutorial but then one isn't really needed as it is is easy to create.


The Hungry Hippie did a marvelous artistic expression of the Union Jack and shared the tutorial.


This video tutorial by The RedFoxDiaries is a Canadian friendship bracelet celebrating the red maple leaf.





Before You Go :

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Link to The Beading Gem's Journal

Contemporary Handmade Art Glass Jewelry by Accessoreez

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 04:00 AM PDT


It's all in the family with sisters, Leslie Huston and Shelly Harper.  Accessoreez,  their collection of contemporary art glass jewelry is a successful amalgamation of their respective skills in art glass borosilicate, bead work and metal work.

I am so glad they joined my Twitter community because that's how I came to know about their gorgeous work. Their multi-disciplinary collection is truly inspirational!


Their deft use of color from oceanic to desert hues in the handmade hot fired glass are enhanced with their choices of other materials such as gemstones and hammered copper and silver.

My favorite pieces from their collection are their stunning choker necklaces and the cuff bracelets. The art glass certainly takes center stage whether the cuffs are solid or much more airy.




More on Glass Jewelry
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Winner of B'Sue Boutiques' Gilder's Paste and Stampings Starter Kit

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 02:40 PM PDT

Brenda Sue and I thank all of you who added such lovely comments.

It didn't surprise me to know that some of you were already familiar with Gilder's Paste and B'Sue Boutiques long before last week's giveaway.  Although Beverly said she only has one pot and wants more, more, more!

But others were itching to try out the product. As a couple of readers pointed out it's a really easy way to do faux enamel.

It's great on polymer clay and resin too.  Coral mentioned she used it on her painted resin flower cabochons. Adding accent color with the Gilder's Paste is quick indeed.

Some people were wondering if giveaways are international. They are unless stated otherwise. So no need to hold your breath any longer! I counted out all the entries and random.org picked sis5of11! Congratulations ! Quick, get in touch with me as I don't have your email. My email is beadinggem {at} yahoo {dot} ca.

Didn't win? Then try your luck with the next giveaway!

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