Famous Jewelry Collections: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Posted: 30 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT

I've come to yet another milestone in life! I have decided to retire early from my scientific job. That is because my family will soon be relocating to the Waterloo-Kitchener-Cambridge-Guelph area in Ontario, Canada.

It's a wonderful new adventure for us. This opportunity means I will be able to concentrate full time on jewelry making, teaching, crafts and naturally, blogging from now on. Something tells me I shall be busier than I have ever been before!

My Etsy shop is temporarily closed until the dust settles at the other end. Never fear, the blog will still continue as I have scheduled posts ahead of time! I will remain in email contact although my responses might be slower than normal for the coming month.

There is always something bittersweet about moving. I shall miss all my friends including all the lovely ladies who we got to know and befriended through our workshops at the Cole Harbor Heritage Farm's Rose and Kettle Tea Room. It was an extraordinary place to have had for the past 6 years - teas and home baked treats were always a staple for hungry beaders! A special thank you to the Heritage Society and our eager beaders for making it a wonderful experience! Thank goodness for the internet as everyone can still follow my blog and my Facebook page even though I shall be far away.

I shall miss Debbie, my best friend and co-instructor dearly although with Skype and visits, the distance between us will not seem great. Debbie hopes to continue private teaching so do contact her directly via widgetsbeads@gmail.com.

On the plus side, I am looking forward to making new friends in Ontario! To my utter delight, Helen of the Grand River Bead Society who emailed me about something else entirely, confirmed that several of their members are already readers of my blog! That is definitely a group I will be joining. Thanks too to Marilyn Gardiner for her warm welcome as soon as she heard on the grapevine that I was coming!

I would love to hear from any readers in my new location. So drop me an email at beadinggem@yahoo.ca.

Before You Go:

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

Saturday, September 29, 2012

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

A Lovely Knitted Yarn and Bead Bracelet to Make

Posted: 29 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT

Knitting has really blossomed into a hugely popular craft after years and years of languishing as an old-fashioned past time. Not surprisingly, knitted jewelry has also emerged, both as the wire and yarn forms.

One exceptionally lovely knitted yarn bracelet tutorial is the one by Betsy Canario over at her blog.The Purple Bubbles bracelet requires DMC cotton #5 and more challenging to get - size 000 double pointed needles. The fine needles and crochet thread are well worth the effort as the bracelet is delicate.

Now I'm wondering how it will look if knitted with wire? What do you think?

Before You Go :

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

Friday, September 28, 2012

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Easy Bling - Nail Art on Earrings!

Posted: 28 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT

Guest Post by Judy Larson

Several years ago, one of our local manicurists won a national nail art contest when she painted a replica of a grand master painting on a fake nail. When I found out about her honor, I gave her a few pairs of shell earrings to paint to match what she was doing on her client's nails. She has been doing this off and on ever since.

I am not a flashy fingernail person, but I do admire the art involved. The other day I picked up a package of nail stickers when I dawned on me that I could put them on the earrings without painting them with nail polish. Imagine taking two years to make that easy connection!

I have not seen this anywhere, but cannot imagine that I am the first to think of it!

Earrings made from shell components are beautiful on their own. But if you would like to give them a little bling, use the itty bitty nail art stickers that you can find in almost any store that sells nail
polish. Just peel and stick!

However, I would not recommend using the nail stickers on beads that will receive a lot of hard wear. They are not meant to last a lifetime, but for earrings they are fine.

Here you see some basic shell earrings with the little sticker art applied. Notice how the white on white almost looks like etching and the round beads with the flowers look hand painted. Why not make a pair of earrings to take with you the next time you have your nails done and have a pair of earrings painted to match. Talk about being unique!

Of course, these little stickers do not need to be relegated to use on just shell components. Why not stick the little rhinestones on beads where you want a little light play or flash. This mimics Swarovski crytals inlaid in beads.

The sky is the limit with you as the decorator!

Before You Go:

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips