There is a lot of great content in the blog but it wasn’t as accessible as it should be. I’ve re-organized the layout, the categories, and made it so the blog now shares the same navigation and layout as the rest of the site. This should make it less confusing to visitors, allow for better navigational flow through the site, and make it easier to access the various types of content stored in the blog format. It should pretty much be seamless - no separate ‘blog’ area - the only difference is that pages that are from the blog have the option to leave comments.

Most of the posts are under “Beading Projects” - you can now select by type of project (necklace, earrings, bracelet) or the technique used (bead stringing, wirework, chain). “Beading Tips” and “How to Design Jewelry” are also pages based on blog post categories.

I’ve also added a new category, “News & Updates” for posts like this. I’m planning to somehow merge the RSS feed and the newsletter mailing list which I’ve been sadly neglecting over the years but which has continued to gather subscribers. All in an effort to bring Beadage into the 21st century. =)

Let me know if you run into any bugs!

Emma

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It’s been a delight hanging out with you all — talking technique, trying new projects, indulging the obsession that beading can so easily become. But a strange thing happened since I started bead-blogging in January: my two sweet baby boys grew into toddlers! So go ahead, blame them. They are the reason I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off — frantically trying to do laundry, wipe noses, breakup their arguments, kiss their owies, start them on potty-training and cook food that will moderately suit their finicky taste.

Somewhere, as the year rolled on, I had less and less time to make jewelry, while my boys (and you can toss my hubby in there, too!) needed me more and more. So, there you have it. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.:)

I’m never too far away, though, and isn’t it grand that the internet somehow makes us closer? You can email me (write2michele@gmail.com) with any beading questions, suggestions or success stories you’d like to share. I’d love to hear from you! And here’s a head’s up: Beadage is looking for other beading bloggers, so do stay tuned. If you love to write and love creating jewelry, you might be just what the Beadage team is looking for!

Remember, I’m just an email away; you can always drop me a line.

I wish you much beading success…

Happy Beading!
Michele

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First, you fall in love. When you find a great bead it will undoubtedly become the focal point around which the whole jewelry piece will revolve. When you find beads that move you (like these lampwork beads have moved me), you snatch ‘em up fast and head home to make big plans.

Complement the elements. After studying your wonderful finds a bit more closely, what do you like best? What elements of the beads do you want to bring out and celebrate? I loved the deep blues in these beads, but didn’t want to overlook the white, and I was certain that white pearls would give this piece a classic and timeless look.

Accentuate the subtleties. I found smooth glass beads that appeared to be the perfect complement to the lampwork beads. The blue was just the right shade of blue to pick up the swirl pattern in the lampwork beads.

Make it sparkle. Who can resist Swarovski crystals with such gorgeous lampwork beads? I chose blue and an iridescent for added notability.

Give it style. I took a risk here by adding the base metal spacers, but coupled with the glass pearls, I think it widens the classic dimension. I think the risk was worth it. What do you think?

Create the right balance. Whether you want a striking piece or an understated one, balance your beads so your colors and textures have a harmonious symmetry. That may mean arranging and rearranging until you have a sequence that works perfectly.

Finish the way you start. Choose clasps and findings that do justice to the finished piece. Sometimes this may mean paying a bit more, but trust me, it will be worth it in the end. Enjoy your finished product!

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Let’s round up the necessary items: chain nose pliers, wire cutters, round-nose pliers, shell pieces and memory wire.

The trick with this bracelet is you’ll be threading the memory wire through four eyelets in the longer shell pieces. As you can see, there are two eyelets here, and two more on the flip side. After threading the wire correctly, the shell side of the bracelet that shows will be flat.

Decide how you want your bracelet to look and arrange the shell pieces on your board accordingly.

Cut two pieces of memory wire with your pliers. Take both pieces through the eyelets of the longer pieces.

When it’s time to put the smaller shell pieces on, you’ll put one on one piece of memory wire, and the second shell piece on the second piece of memory wire. Keep pushing all the pieces downward in order to make room for more beads.

Soon you will have gathered more pieces and your bracelet is starting to shape up…nice!

When you have on all the pieces, you’ll need to clip the ends of the wire with your wire cutters. Hold the ends, so your beads won’t go flying off. Now use your round-nose pliers to make a loop in all four ends, where you’ve cut the metal. Easy and simple, and you’ve created an end of summer look you’re sure to enjoy!

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This classy bracelet is an easy to wear, year round favorite. It won’t take you long to create, either. Let’s get started.

First, round up everything you’ll need: chain-nose pliers, wire cutters, crimping pliers, silver beading wire, 4 silver clam shells (crimp covers), silver crimp beads, two silver jump rings, a silver lobster clasp, a silver oval shaped link (I extracted mine from a  silver chain), and your beads;  I’ve combined the Hematine or Hematite beads with multi-colored glass beads.

Since this is a double strand bracelet, arrange your beads on two rows on your beading board. It will make it easier when it’s time to string. One row will be slightly longer than the other.

Cut two strands of beading wire. Start working with one strand and string on your crimp cover. After you’ve done that, put your crimp bead on and crimp it (with crimping pliers) into place. Cut any excess wire and slide your crimp cover back over the crimp bead, close it, but let the arm remain open (not folded down).

String on all the beads from your first row. Once you’ve done that, you will end that strand the way you began it: slide on a crimp cover and then a crimp bead. Make sure your crimp bead goes all the way into the mouth of the crimp cover. Once you’ve crimped your crimp bead, close the cover, but leave the arm of the crimp cover open. String on your second row of beads and follow the same process as with the first row.

Once you’re done stringing both rows of beads, take a jump ring and slide it through the lobster clasp. Take the two open arms of the crimp covers and connect them to the same jump ring.

Follow this same process on the other end of the bracelet; only add the silver oval piece instead of the lobster clasp. Your lobster clasp will hook beautifully onto the shiny, oval center. Charming — enjoy!

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Round up your wire cutters and chain-nose pliers. You’ll also need a length of suede cord and a length of chain, a slip-on pendant, a clasp, jump rings and metal coils to connect to the suede cord.

Decide how long you’ll want your necklace to be, and cut your chain and suede cord accordingly. Take the tip of your suede cord and insert it into the metal coil (the loop end of the coil should be facing outward; a jump ring will connect to this part which will attach your chain and clasp). Don’t worry that only the very tip will squeeze into the coil; you don’t even need to get it in very far.

Now take your chain nose pliers and tightly press the very end ringlet of the metal coil. Once snugly pressed into place, it will secure your suede cord.

Holding your chain and suede cord together, slide your pendant over the two and center it.

Now using the loop end of your metal coil that’s now attached to your suede cord, add a jump ring, hereby connecting your chain, suede cord and clasp in one easy step.  Repeat this step at the other end of your necklace, which will complete it. Simple and stylish — enjoy!

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First, let’s round up a few tools and materials. You’ll need your crimping pliers, wire cutters (or nail clippers), monofilament illusion (clear) cord (you’ll need enough of it for a very short necklace, even though we’re making a bracelet; you’ll see why later), silver crimp beads (be sure to use silver and not gold) and a small handful of crystal and iridescent Swarovski crystals of various shapes and sizes. Ready? Good!

I’ve come to really love this monofilament illusion cord. It’s light, flexible and it doesn’t get kinks in it like regular beading wire. I’m sure you’ll enjoy working with it, too. You can bead with a single strand of it, or double it up for added strength (which I recommend). You’ll begin by adding one half of your clasp (I’ve used a magnetic clasp here, and since I use these often, I find it helpful to string outward while the magnetic clasps sticks to something metal) and your crimp bead. Once you’ve crimped your crimp bead, begin adding your crystals. Start with a smaller one, closer to your clasp. You’ll add a crimp bead, crimping it down into place, a crystal, then another crimp bead to secure the crystal. This part is just like a typical ‘floating’ necklace.

Continue adding your crystals and crimp beads, alternating between the plain crystal (I’ve used some faceted plain crystal here) and the iridescent ones. Space your beads close together, with enough distance for clear separation of the beads. Try to alternate between smaller crystals and larger ones for more dramatic effect.

Continue adding crystals to your cord and periodically check the length. I measured my bracelet around my neck. When the bracelet grew long enough to be a necklace that was tight around the circumference of my neck, I added the other half of my clasp and ended the bracelet.

The object is for your bracelet to loop around your wrist twice. Placing it on your wrist, one end will be shorter than the other. Wrap the excess bracelet around your wrist again and fasten your clasp.

This bracelet is so lightweight, you’ll forget you’re wearing it (or, like me, you’ll get it buried in the dishwater soap suds and think you don’t have it on!), and it catches the sunlight beautifully. If you love your bracelet as much as I love mine, why not try making a matching necklace? Enjoy!

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You’ll only need a few tools, so don’t worry about lengthy cleanup with this one (a nice bonus!). Grab a crystal clear or colored Swarovski crystal, a ring mandrel, wire cutters and some 24 gauge wire. The ring mandrel isn’t entirely necessary (you can use your own finger or some other tool), but I found it was pretty helpful in getting the wire formed for a good fit. I picked my mandrel up for just a few bucks.

I chose a Swarovski crystal that was drilled at the top for added dimension and height. You can choose one drilled through the center, too; that will work just as well.

Cut a good length of wire (perhaps 12 to 20 inches, depending on how big your finger is; you can always snip the excess) and string your crystal.

On the mandrel, center your bead. The wire going through your bead should go around toward the bottom of the mandrel. Then wrap the wire around the mandrel above your bead and then again below your bead. Pull the wire snugly.

Pull the formed wire off the mandrel and bring one end of the wire around the base of the bead (to secure it), then bring that piece of wire back around until it’s pointing outward.

Repeat this process with the other end of the wire on the other side of the bead. Now your bead should be well secured.

Begin wrapping the tail of the wire snugly around the area outside the bead. Wrap the wire several times around. Do this first for one side, and then for the other side. When you are done wrapping, be sure to snip the wire nice and close to the ring.

As a variation, you can use a colorful bead instead of a Swarovski crystal, or you can experiment with different wire-wrapping techniques, like making the ring thicker or coiling the wire inward to make a swirl pattern, instead of just simply snipping the wire. This is a basic design that you can have fun experimenting with. Enjoy!

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First, round up what you’ll need: chain-nose pliers, wire cutters, and round-nose pliers. That’s it for your tools! You’ll also need to grab gold and silver 14mm jump rings, and some silver 8mm jump rings. Round up some light gauge gold colored wire (I used 24 gauge) for coiling. You’re all set to go!

To start, open a 14mm jump ring (I’m using thicker jump rings throughout this entire project; I’d suggest you do the same for more durable results).

Cut a long piece of your wire and make a small loop at one end that’s part way open.

Slide it onto the open jump ring as a starting point for coiling the wire around the jump ring.

Now start your coiling. Wind the wire loosely away from your body, “scooting” the wire to the left as you coil. I can’t emphasize enough to wind the wire loosely. If you coil it too tight, you won’t be able to scoot the wire around to the left like you need to. In addition to winding loosely, you’ll want to make sure your coils aren’t too close together. We want to keep the silver shining through to create a two tone effect. Got it? Good!

Once you are done winding, snip the wire as close to the jump ring (on both ends) as possible. Using your chain-nose pliers, press the snipped ends snugly against the jump ring. Now close your jump ring.

Place a gold jump ring next to the wire-wrapped one. Open a small, silver jump ring, and use it to connect the two larger jump rings. Now close the smaller jump ring.

Repeat the above process several times. Your bracelet should begin to look like the photo to the left. After coiling and connecting a few more times, your bracelet will be almost done. When your connected jump rings are as long as you want them to be, attach the bar part only of a toggle clasp to your last 14mm ring using a 8mm jump ring. Your bracelet is now adjustable, and becomes an easy toggle clasp when the bar is inserted through any of the 14mm jump rings. As a variation, you can also use silver wire to coil around the gold rings and/or intersperse gold 8mm jump rings as well as silver ones. Here’s a bracelet that always lands beautifully on its feet — enjoy!

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First off, gather what you’ll need — and you’ll need relatively few items for this project: round nose pliers, wire cutters, chain nose pliers, a handful or more of long headpins, a clasp and a bunch of colorful beads. Be sure to toss in some Swarovski crystals to really make it sparkle.

Put your first bead on a headpin. Lay it aside.

Now put your second bead on a headpin, and cut it around midway down.

Make a small loop in it.

String the wire of your first bead (pearl) through the eye of your second bead (red).

Repeat the process you did for the second (red) bead, but before closing your loop, make sure it’s going around the wire of the previous (red) bead.  Now this bead will go upward to form a zig zag.

Continue this process by alternating your various colored beads and crystals. The shape continues to be formed as you do more loops and connect to the previous bead — some going upward and some going downward to create a jagged effect.

Once you are done adding and connecting your beads, go back to the first bead (pearl) that had the uncut headpin.

Go ahead and snip it in half and make a loop at the end; add the one half of your clasp. After your final bead on the other end, you’ll make a double eye pin; the loop of one end of your double eye pin will connect to the wire of your last bead, and the loop at the other end will go through the other half of your clasp.

And as an added bonus, it even wraps around for a funky bracelet (you don’t know the time I had trying to take a picture of my right wrist with my left hand!).

Enjoy making and wearing this unique and versatile piece!

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