News from Beadweaver!

Beaded Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Kalmbach Publishing just released a new book called Beaded Ornaments. It's filled with some pretty projects for ornaments that can be used year round. You can view a sample from the book by clicking on the title above. Enjoy!

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Bead By Number Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Louise Hill has a new website and Etsy shop! Her website is called Bead By Number Patterns and features gorgeous images of nature for the art lover in you. Her patterns are 5 x 5 inches and can be used as jewelry or for embellishment. Click on the image, left, to visit her new website.

Louise's Etsy shop is also called Bead By Number Patterns. At her Etsy Shop, Louise is featuring Dichroic Cylinder beads (Aikos). Dichroic cylinder beads have a special secondary surface coating of dichroic glass. The glass gives them a beautiful metallic surface effect with loads of color. These beads are available for a limited time (They're also the ones she uses in her exhibit pieces). Click on the image, right, or title above to visit her Etsy shop. Enjoy!

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Beautiful Metallic Charlottes

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Dear Friends of Beadweaver;

I've listed some lovely charlottes in my new shop over on Etsy. They include the "Terra" or permanent finish Charlottes in gorgeous metallic colors of Meadow, Wisteria, Peony, and Marcasite Silver. I've also listed a few precious metal charlottes - 24k Gold and Sterling Silver. These are all size 13o charlottes and are the true Czech charlottes with a gorgeous cut and lots of sparkle! Stop by when you get a chance - click on the title above or images below. I hope to see you there!

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Color Theory: Memory, Tradition, & Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:41:00 +0000

What is it that inspires you to choose the colors that you do? Is it a childhood memory of walking along a sandy shore, gathering seashells? Perhaps it's the memory of sleeping out under the stars on a midsummer's night. No matter what it is that inspires us, at one time or another we all struggle with finding the "perfect mix" of beads for a project. Join fiber artist Alice Starmore and journey along a path intertwined with memory, tradition, and inspiration as she discovers the source of beauty in her colors:

"This blend is the result of my wish to capture the effect of the tide coming in over rocks at mid-day in high summer. The sea at this time is full of bright and lively blues, peppered with the glint of pebbles underneath. My favourite place to watch this happening is a cove called Geodh a' Chuibhrig near the village of Swordale in Lewis. It has a shingle beach of marvellous pebbles; a mysterious cave, and various massive rocks of different sizes and colours. There is one particular smooth black rock about twenty feet high, and it is from the top of this rock that I like to watch the summertide coming in. What follows is a story of absolutely no relevance whatsoever, apart from the fact that it has its denouement on this very beach near this black rock, so if you have no interest in tales of mutiny, murder and Spanish silver dollars, you had better skip...." (or read on)...

As you meander ("stravaigin") through her Hebridean collection, pay careful attention to her sources. It reminds me of the old saying to wander close to home when looking for inspiration.... Click on the title above to begin the journey... Enjoy!

StrandsofBeads Reviews Bead Dreams Exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Many, many thanks to Melissa Lee of Strand of Beads for taking the time on Sunday to snap a few photos of the Bead Dreams exhibit and to report on the PMC and Seed Bead category ribbon winners! To see the artist's works (including Melissa's gorgeous Natural History belt buckle made of PMC & found objects) click on the title above. She's also listed a few of her favorites (treats!). Congrats to all the finalists and thanks again Melissa :)

bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, lampwork, finished jewelry, crystal, polymer clay, sculpture, artist, Bead Dreams, Bead & Button show, contest, competition, winners, results, beadweaver

SoftFlexGirl Reviews Bead Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Sara from SoftFlexGirl has a wonderful sneak peak of the first place ribbon winners from the Bead Dreams exhibit. To see the video, click on the title above. Congratulations to the winners!

SoftFlex Girl Reviews Convergence Exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Sara from the SoftFlexGirl blog is at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. She's posted a lovely little video of the Convergence Exhibit. To learn more about this exhibit and to view her video, click on the title above or the image, right. Enjoy!

Bead & Button Show Opens in Milwaukee!

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:41:00 +0000

WAUKESHA, Wis. — More than 370 vendors and designers from around the world will be on hand selling their handmade, authentic creations. The Bead&Button Show marketplace is a unique opportunity for jewelry buyers to talk with jewelry artists, purchase one-of-a-kind pieces, order a custom-made piece, or go the DIY route and learn how to make their own.

The USA Today recently highlighted the Bead&Button Show as one of the country's top 10 great places for a hands-on craft experience (March 24, 2009). More than 13,000 people attended the Show last year. The Bead and Jewelry Marketplace is open to the public:
Friday, June 5
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 6
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 7 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The 120,000-square-foot Marketplace is located on the third floor of the Midwest Airlines Center in downtown Milwaukee. Admission is $10. Children under 12 get in free. A $2-off coupon is available at www.BeadAndButtonShow.com/coupon. On Sunday, two people get in for $10 with COUPON!

***I am absolutely honored this year to have my entry "Fiesta" appear on the Editor's blog today at BeadandButtonshow.com (BIG smiles!) Click on the title (or image, right) to see what's happening at this wonderful event. Bead Dreams finalists will be on display this week and subscribers to the magazine will be able to download a Special Issue of all the works coming in August. I can't wait to see all of the beautiful entries!!!
(Thank you Louise & Matt for sending the info along!)***

bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, lampwork, finished jewelry, crystal, polymer clay, sculpture, artist, Bead Dreams, Bead & Button show, contest, competition, winners, results, beadweaver

New Bead Artists Featured

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:15:00 +0000

For those of you looking for inspirational beadwork from around the world, check out Louise Hill's blog. Louise has a knack for finding artists in every corner of the web. Amongst the artists recently featured are Ceasar Mkhize & Thafa Dlamini who create beaded sculptures and Diana Maus (whose work is shown left). Included in each post is a short bio of the artist and a bit about their work. I know that Louise will often write to the artists to learn more about them before posting so she can share with you the person behind the work.

If you are looking for inspiration, click on the title above. Enjoy!

bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, bead calendar, lampwork, jewelry, studio, jewellery, art, calendar, artist, weaving, woven, Louise Hill, peyote, brick, herringbone, netting, hybrid, crystal, necklace, bracelet, Susan Mandel, gallery, beadweaver

POP! Kerrie Slade's Champagne Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:18:00 +0000

My friend Kerrie Slade has an Etsy Treasury which features some pretty gorgeous stuff - including a few pieces of beadwork (big smiles). Check it out, it expires on Friday!
PS: The more of us that click on her treasury, the more likely it will make it to the front page of Etsy, so please click away!!
bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, lampwork, jewelry, studio, jewellery, art, calendar, artist, weaving, woven, peyote, brick, herringbone, netting, hybrid, crystal, necklace, bracelet, Susan Mandel, gallery, beadweaver

Broadway's Baroness of Beads

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:30:00 +0000

This interview originally appeared on CBS in March, 2008.

Ma Muse: Glorious

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:06:00 +0000

A friend just loaned me a first CD from Northern California Duet Ma Muse entitled "All The Way" (released February '09). Their music is so beautiful I thought I'd share some songs with you. My favorite is "Glorious"... To listen: Glorious

Oh what a day,
Glorious...
We've got good friends
to the left of us
And good friends to our right
We've got the old friend sky above us
And the earth beneath our feet
Never fear the birds are singin'...
Oh what a day...

To hear more sample songs, click on the title above and enjoy this glorious day!

Brilliant Crystal Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:16:00 +0000

I recently received my copy of Brilliant Crystal Jewelry 2 from Bead and Button magazine and I was so excited to see it - it is absolutely beautiful!

This special edition has a variety of gorgeous, inspirational projects - bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings - each with very well written and illustrated step by step instructions. There are also three wonderful articles on crystals and designing with color. And it comes with a great little gift from Swarovski - a crystal color wheel :) (it's brilliant too!)

I can't say enough about how well done this edition is. (I also can't decide which project is my favorite because they are all so pretty). For readers who have been waiting for the step by step instructions for my crystal Noose necklace, it's in this edition too.

To see the magazine, click on the title above. You can view the table of contents and also order your copy online at the Bead & Button website. Thank you Bead & Button for such an inspiring edition.
bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, lampwork, jewelry, studio, jewellery, art, artist, weaving, woven, peyote, brick, herringbone, netting, hybrid, crystal, necklace, bracelet, Susan Mandel, gallery, beadweaver

Jonell's Butterfly Masterpiece

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:58:00 +0000

My friend and fellow beadweaver Jonell created this masterpiece from following the Butterflies Galore pattern. Isn't it gorgeous?!! After creating the bracelet which appears in the April edition of Bead and Button (Butterflies Galore), she wanted to make a necklace using a rainbow of colors. She accented the center flower with leaves and chose clear crystals that shine like little diamonds. It is so beautiful in person!!! Thank you for sharing, Jonell - you are an inspiration!!!
If you're interested in the Butterflies Galore pattern, be sure to pick up the latest edition of Bead and Button magazine. Kits for the bracelet ("Vitrail Butterfly") are also available on my sister site: Beadweaver Studio.

bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, lampwork, jewelry, studio, jewellery, art, calendar, artist, weaving, woven, peyote, brick, herringbone, netting, hybrid, crystal, necklace, bracelet, Susan Mandel, gallery, beadweaver

How Miyuki Seed Beads Are Made

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:11:00 +0000

I recently came across this article from Barry Kahn of Caravan Beads on the Harlequin Beads website. I thought I'd pass it along. Enjoy!

In April 2000 I (Barry Kahn of Caravan Beads) visited the Miyuki glass bead factory in Japan. My tour was fascinating and the information below is what I gleaned from touring the factory. I was not invited to photograph most of the process, sorry. -bk

How Miyuki Glass Seed Beads Are Made

Step One: Raw materials and recycled glass of the same color are mixed and melted in the furnaces. The Miyuki factory has both automatic and manual furnaces operating 24 hours per day. They are on the 2nd floor.

Step Two: When ready, molten glass from the furnaces falls through a hole. The shape of the hole determines the shape of the glass tubes. Compressed air hitting the center of the glass column turns it into a hollow tube of glass.

Step Three: After dropping to the first floor, the vertical tube of falling glass passes under a thick chunk of wood and turns at a right angle to become horizontal. Imagine a vertical length of rope passing under a pulley and then being pulled sideways. The scene in the glass factory is much more dramatic, however. For starters, the glass "rope" is still extremely hot so that it is slowly burning its way through the smoking piece of wood. In addition the tube of glass is actually being pulled over a series of metal troughs by a machine which not only pulls the glass but also cuts it into one meter lengths. The speed of the pulling determines the diameter of the glass tubes. A faster pull makes thinner tubes; a slower speed makes them thicker.

Step Four: The cooled tubes are sorted to make sure that they are the correct diameter for the size beads being produced. Any tubes which are not the correct size will be recycled and remelted to make new glass.

Step Five: The tubes are cut into beads. As the cutting room is not open to any outsiders, I can't offer further information. I did learn that one Delica cutting machine can only cut 4-5 kgs per day, which is one reason for their high cost. (And contrary to some rumors, Miyuki cannot run the Delica cutting machines faster to keep up with increased demand, with an accompanying decline in quality. Instead high demand just leads to longer waits for production). Delicas are not cut by lasers, by the way, another occasional rumor.

Step Six: Cut beads are mixed with carbon black and reheated to make them round. Delicas are only slightly heated; round beads are heated more.

Step Seven: The beads are washed. Miyuki has their own on-site water treatment equipment.

Step Eight: The beads are heated again to give them a surface polish. Basic opaque and transparent beads are now finished and ready to pack.

Step Nine: Fancier beads (AB colors, silver and color-lined, metallic, etc.) are based on the basic opaque and transparent colors. There are several different locations in the factory where dyes and other coatings are applied. Some beads require multiple treatments which directly influence their final cost. After dyeing or color-lining beads, Miyuki reheats them again to "set" the colors, a step skipped by some bead companies to reduce costs.

Bibliography

Caravan Beads and Barry Kahn

Copyright note: This information is copyright 1996-1999 by Caravan Beads, Inc. It may be freely printed, copied, and distributed electronically IN ITS ENTIRETY. Please--no quotes out of context. Any errors, typos, etc. are the fault of Caravan Beads, Inc. and should be brought to our attention--thanks! Feel free to post it on the appropriate bead sites on AOL, Prodigy, Compuserve, etc.

B. Ditty. Bumble.

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:54:00 +0000

A new Etsy Treasury - for the Bumble-lover in you!

Japanese Seed Bead Conversion Charts

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:06:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what a specific color in one brand of Japanese beads would be in a different brand? I recently found the conversion charts posted online at The Bead Cellar in the U.K. If you click on the title above, you can view the conversion chart for Delicas to Tohos. More charts are available by following the links in the right hand column of the page. I hope you find this useful!

Bead Dreams Due April 6th!

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:46:00 +0000

The Bead Dreams annual competition and exhibit entry deadline is Monday, April 6th. If you have a beautiful piece of beadwork you'd like to submit, click on the title above to learn more!

Classes are still open for the annual show too. If you've always wanted to go to this wonderful event, now is the time to register. You can learn more about the show here: Bead & Button Show.

Vitrail Butterfly Kit

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:06:00 +0000

The Vitrail Butterfly Kit has arrived! Featuring beautiful butterflies surrounding a rivoli centered flower, the bracelet is a gorgeous Spring mix of Iris, Hyacinth, Violet, and Pearl with elegant Lavender crystals.
The kit includes everything you'll need to weave one bracelet plus needles and thread. A lovely booklet with large diagrams and step by step instructions accompany the kit. This kit is a limited edition.

Please click on the title above to go to Beadweaver's Studio where you can purchase this kit!

Vitrail Butterflies!

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0000

A new kit is on it's way! "Butterflies Galore" (aka Vitrail Butterflies) appears in the April edition of Bead & Button! It's a gorgeous Spring mix of Iris, Hyacinth, Violet, and Pearl with elegant Lavender crystals. The piece uses a unique approach for weaving a design and is based on my Bead Dreams piece, Journey, which placed third in the seed bead division last year :).

Stay tuned......I'm in the process of finishing the kits and taking photos.......Everyone at B&B did a great job with this pattern. If you don't subscribe, you'll want to pick up a copy - there are some wonderful projects in this edition!!!

Sue Mandel

Rain Beautiful Rain

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:50:00 +0000

I created my first listing on Etsy's Treasury! Click on the title above to view the list and enjoy the works of these special artists...(including one beader - can you guess who it is? Hint: Her work appears on the cover of the April issue of Bead & Button!)

Happy Valentines Day!

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:07:00 +0000

(Click on the card to read!)

SuperNova Hybrids

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:26:00 +0000

Starman Inc has recently added a new line of seed beads to their stock. They're called "Supernova Hybrids" and are Toho beads with a secondary finish. The results are unusual and often beautiful. If you're looking for special beads to add to your OOAK (one-of-a-kind) products or kits, these might be what you're looking for. There are 90 colors/styles to choose from and all are limited editions. To read more about these beads, click on the title above or you can see the selection here: SuperNova Hybrid Beads.

bead, beading, beadwork, seed bead, bead calendar, lampwork, jewelry, studio, jewellery, art, calendar, artist, weaving, woven, Louise Hill, peyote, brick, herringbone, netting, hybrid, crystal, necklace, bracelet, Susan Mandel, gallery, beadweaver

New Colors & Styles from Swarovski

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Swarovski has just announced it's Spring/Summer 2010 Innovations: a beautiful Air Blue Opal and stunning Crystal Red Magma color. In addition, they have created a 3 holed "Ring Bead" that would be gorgeous combined with their newest pearl color: Platinum. To see all of the new items, click on the title above.

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Skinny Laminx

noreply@blogger.com (SuzyQ) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:30:00 +0000

I discovered Heather Moore's Etsy shop Skinny Laminx and immediately fell in love with her tea towels. Heather is a designer, illustrator, and writer who lives in Cape Town, South Africa. I love to find artists whose work is inspirational. Her designs have a beautiful, clean look to them and her colors are simple and lovely. If you are looking for a special gift for someone for Valentines Day, Skinny Laminx might just have what you're looking for. Click on the title above to see Heather's website. You'll find links there for her Etsy shop (Cushions too!) as well as images of her illustrations on Flickr. Enjoy!

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