I'm in Love with Metal Beads!

I've always been a fan of jewelry designers who have used metal beads in their designs.   Metal beads come in all the standard sizes of seed beads (size 15, 11, 8 and 6)  but are made of metal instead of glass.  They are sometimes made of a base metal and then plated with a colored finish - like 24k gold or silver.  Others are made from the actual metal - like copper and zinc.  They are very uniform in size and shape, making them delightful to work with in bead weaving projects.

Beadsmith recently formed a group of beaders on facebook (in which I was included) and challenged us to create jewelry with the metal beads they provided.  Here's the first bracelet I made with the metal beads.  I call it my Metal Bead Sampler Bracelet because it uses all of the fourteen different metal seed bead colors.

I created a tutorial for this bracelet and it is available for purchase in my Etsy shop and in my ArtFire shop.

The 2nd bracelet I created has a zig zag pattern.  I'm currently working on a tutorial for this bracelet which I call my Metal Zig Zag Sampler Bracelet.  It also uses all 14 colors of the metal beads.

Cynthia Newcomer Daniel, another member of our Facebook Group created and designed a Best Friend Bracelet.  I purchased the tutorial from her Jewelry Tales website and fell in love with the design.  Cynthia's Best Friend bracelet combines metal beads with Swarovski crystals and is so gorgeous!

I used Cynthia's pattern to create a slightly different look.  I wear this bracelet all the time and love it.

 Using Cynthia's pattern as inspiration, I created another bracelet using my own design.  I call this one Rhapsody and hope to have the pattern available soon. 

I'm full of ideas for using the metal beads in new designs.  I'm just lacking in time - a common malady for all bead weavers.  I wish there was a cure.

Happy beading to you all!

Elegant Elements Clasps - Part II

Meeting Steven Weiss from The Beadsmith has been one of the most memorable and fun events in my life.  He organized a wonderful group of beaders to receive two of the Elegant Elements Clasps which The Beadsmith distributes to beading stores throughout the world.  What was created with the clasps was totally up to each beader.  The creations are beginning to be collected in a wonderful album on facebook which you can view HERE. 

I previously blogged about the freeform bracelet (Enticement) I created with one of the gold plated Elegant Elements clasps, but I'm just now getting around to blogging about the second one.  Here is a picture of the beautiful clasp.  It is rhodium plated with Swarovski crystals - pure bling!

And here are some pictures of the necklace I created.  I used the beautiful clasp as the focal.  The beaded beads were created with crystal, silver and black seed beads using Cubic Right Angle Weave (CRAW).  I call it Destiny, a very fitting name I believe!

Because it has such special meaning to me, this one will not be for sale.

There are more exciting creations being added to the facebook album by some incredible beaders, so don't forget to check back often.  And if you are interested in the Elegant Elements clasps, you can contact The Beadsmith to find a store near you that carries them.

Around the Next Corner

You just never know what lies around the next corner. 

One day you send in some pictures to a Beadsmith Kumihimo challenge on Facebook and the next day you are speaking on the phone to Steven who is a sales rep for Beadsmith.  Never in a million years would I have expected to find that around a "Kumihimo corner."  What a pleasant surprise it was!

Not only did I meet an interesting person in the beading industry, but I was given the opportunity to receive two gorgeous Elegant Elements clasps!  My first introduction to these clasps was from one of my German beading friends a few years ago who said they were Helby clasps. I have lusted after them ever since.  

Steven sent me a link to a pdf file containing their beautiful clasps.  The first clasp I chose is a slender 5 strand gold clasp that I planned to use on a freeform bracelet.

Before the clasp arrived, I had almost completed the freeform bracelet.  Since the clasp was 30mm long, I created a bracelet to fit that size and I think the simple but elegant clasp suits it perfectly.

I used 24k gold and silver plated Delicas, seed beads and fire polished beads, bronze colored beads, and miscellaneous accent beads in those same colors.



I call my bracelet "Enticement" and it will soon be for sale in my Etsy shop.

The 2nd clasp I chose is a dazzling 2 strand silver and crystal clasp which I plan to use on a necklace.  It's a beautiful clasp and I hope I will do it justice with my beadwork.

I am very thankful to Beadsmith for this opportunity to work with their beautiful clasps.  Click this link to visit their website and find out more about the products they offer.  Their products can be found in a local beadstore near you.

Calling all Kumihimo Lovers

Beadsmith is sponsoring an event on facebook titled "Beadsmith is looking for the best Kumihimo braiders in the land..."

They are looking for photos to be sent to them at kumihimo@beadsmith.com displaying your best Kumihimo work in either of two categories:

     Beaded Kumihimo (braid must be at least 50% beads)
     "Naked" Kumihimo (braid must feature a large focal bead)

You can read more about the great opportunity and the prizes offered by going to the event page on facebook.

I shared 4 of my Kumihimo necklaces with them.  This first necklace features a  cabochon by Artisan Clay.

This necklace features a porcelain sliding pendant by Amazing Porcelain Fantasies.

This necklace was created around a stoneware cabochon by Lisa Peters Art.

This necklace features a polymer clay focal bead and clasp by Mikki Ferrugiaro.

I created these necklaces on a Marudai, but they can be created on a Kumihimo disk as well.  You can purchase Beadsmith's Kumihimo products at most local bead shops.  There is also a link on the facebook event page to get more information about where Beadsmith products can be purchased.