Mail Call! TRL, eBay Pumpkins

It's always fun to get good stuff in the mail. Today, amongst the credit card offers, grocery ads and a statement from my dentist, I got two small packages.

And you know what they say about small packages ;-)

The first was a pack of 10 lampwork pumpkins that I ordered from an eBay seller. They were a little larger than I'd thought, but will still work swell for some fall/Halloween earrings.

The second was a small box of rings from The Ring Lord...although I like making my own rings, I do order specialty and tiny rings from TRL - in my opinion, they have The Best Rings out there! This order included some tiny (3/32) sterling rings, some 14k gold filled and some rose gold rings. MMMMMMMMMMM I was drooling all over the table!

A couple of things to keep in mind if you are ordering rings from TRL. First, if you want nice, flush cut rings (suitable for jewelry), you need to order SAW cut, not MACHINE cut. It sounds backward to me, but believe me, you don't want to make this mistake! With the saw cut rings, properly joined jump rings will appear to have no cut - I pride myself in nearly invisible joins and have had fellow jewelers compliment me on my joins.

Also, make sure you add a note in the comment field to mark gauge, metal type and ring size for all rings. If you don't, TRL will just drop your rings in the bags and you'll be on your own to figure out what's what.

What's in YOUR mail box today?

Labels: chainmaille, earring ideas, gold filled, halloween, jump rings, mail call, pumpkins, rose gold, sterling silver, the ring lord, trl

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 3:58 PM | 0 comments
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Grand Cities Art Fest!!!!

What a weekend it's been!

We arrived in Grand Forks Friday afternoon, and dropped off a few things at the Town Square location where we'd be setting up. Things were already bustling - artists and food vendors setting up booths and festival volunteers were everywhere to help and answer questions.

Because of the threat of rain Friday night, I decided to wait to set up until Saturday morning...we spent the evening visiting with my brother, sister-in-law and niece and had GREAT pizza at Mike's Pizza in East Grand Forks.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and in the morning I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Smith in person. Ruth and I met on the Michael's message board, and it was terrific to match up her face and voice to her written words and jewelry creations! We gabbed about jewelry making, and I also met her friend Lynn...both are wonderful gals!!!!

I also got to chat with Mark Landa, who is a friend from "back in the days" when we both worked at the Target store in Grand Forks (we won't go into how many years ago that was....). Mark is a great guy, and was actually the one who encouraged me to send in an application for the show!

Sales were great - pendants, earrings and rings were big hits. Chain maille (which I really highlighted) outsold strung and wire-worked items. I had a lot of positive comments, met a lot of wonderful people (Pixie and Sheila...can't wait to see you next year!!!) and had a huge surprise and honor from the Downtown Leadership Group.

At about 11:00 on Saturday morning, I was told that I'd been chosen as "Best in Category" for jewelry, and was asked to be at the center stage for presentations and awards for "Best in Show". When my name was called to stand with the other 8 outstanding artists (I'd seen some of their work and was absolutely amazed by it!!) I proudly held my burgundy ribbon while the names of the Second Runner Up and First Runner Up were announced.

The the big announcement: "Best in Show"....and my name. I was astonished, and thrilled that the show judges had deemed my work to be "the best" out of 130 artists who had been accepted into the show.

I was presented with a nice plaque, a monetary award, and told that for the 2009 Grand Cities Art Fest, I'll be the Featured Artist - with a primo spot, photo shoot for the cover of the festival brochure, and my artwork will be used for the Art Fest t-shirts!

I'm still stunned...busy thinking about all the plans I need to put in place before June 2009...and all the jewelry I'll need to be working on!!

Thank you so much to the Grand Cities Art Fest officials, the Downtown Leadership Group, all the volunteers, and patrons of the 2008 show...I am so excited to have been recognized and had so many wonderful folks stopping by and visiting with us.

See you next year!!!!

Labels: art show, chainmaille, Grand Cities Art Festival, grand forks, juried show, outdoor show, t-shirt

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 5:40 AM | 1 comments
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More Anklet Fun!

I'm on a roll with anklets this weekend - two new designs to show and tell!

Super Easy Chain and Bead Anklet (30 minute project)
For this anklet, I've used some pre-made rolo chain, 20g sterling silver wire, and 6mm round peridot beads. Length is approximately 9".

Cut four lengths of chain 2" long.
Make three eye pins using the beads and wire.
Construct your anklet by attaching the eye pins to the chain.
Add a small lobster clasp and a dangle. Done!









Shining Silver Anklet
Full step by step photos will be posted on Beading Help Web, but I'll walk you through the instructions...you can put this together in less than an hour, and it will go with everything all summer long!

Materials (shown for approximately 9 1/2" anklet)
18 g 5/32" jump rings (36)
20 g 7/64" jump rings (71)
4mm sterling silver round beads with large hole (7) (Rings N Things #24-990-04)
Sterling silver flat lobster clasp (1)

This bracelet is an easy 2 in 1 chain, based on Japanese style chainmaille. A small round bead is added to the chain every five rings.

1. Open all 5/32" jump rings and close all 7/32" jump rings, using Beading Help Web's Opening and Closing Jump Rings instructions.
2. Pick up an open jump ring, and thread two closed rings on it. Close the open ring. I like to twist a piece of scrap wire (or even an old bread tie!) to the first large jump ring now…it helps me to keep track of the end of the chain, and to hold on to it.
3. Pick up an open jump ring, thread it through the closed rings you added in Step 2. Add two small closed rings to the large ring before closing it. Repeat until you have four large rings in the chain.
4. You'll be adding a bead to the fifth large ring in this pattern. The hole in the beads should be large enough to accommodate the jump ring wire and the curve of the ring (the Rings N Things product in the materials list worked perfectly for me with the 18g rings). Thread the bead on a large ring, thread the ring through the last closed small rings, and add two closed small rings. Close the large jump ring. Notice that your bead hangs to one side of the chain – this is the "bottom" of the chain. As you continue to add links to the chain, be sure your beads are on the same side of the chain, or it won't hang right when you wear it!
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have used all jump rings and beads. You will have one additional large ring and one additional small ring at the end of the chain.
6. Remove the scrap wire or bread tie from the first ring if you added them in Step 2. Add the lobster clasp to the first large ring, with the hook of the clasp on the top side of the chain. The clasp will attach through the last small ring on the opposite end of the chain.

Labels: anklets, beads, chainmaille, free instructions, peridot, sterling silver

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 7:28 AM | 1 comments
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Faire Lady Anklet Project Now Available

Free step by step instructions for Beading Help Web's Faire Lady Anklet are now available...including photos to walk you through the construction of the chainmaille weave.

This weave is a variation on the Japanese 12 in 2 weave - I really like Japanese weaves in general because of their lacy appearance. When you are constructing a Japanese weave, it's helpful to lay out the pattern before beginning to construct, that way you can keep track of how many closed rings you need to thread on open rings.

More anklets projects this weekend!

Labels: anklets, chainmaille, free instructions, Japanese weaves

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 6:29 AM | 4 comments
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Gotta Brag!

Labels: Blue Buddha, Bree, chainmaille, Hobby Lobby, Japanese weaves

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 7:12 AM | 2 comments
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Anklets!

I was browsing through some chain maille web sites the other day, and decided I should make some chain maille anklets for my upcoming show.

Instructions for the Faire Lady Anklet, using green annodized niobium and sterling silver, will be posted on Beading Help Web's project page later this weekend. I started writing up instructions, but step-by-step photos are going to be a must with this project!!! This anklet is airy and light, using the Japanese weaving technique. Add some beads for sparkle!

I also made a simple European 4-in-1 anklet with purple niobium rings, and as a twist, added a single ring to the back of every fifth row. The result is hard to see in my picture, but it creates a fun, wavy design. Because this weave is a bit denser than my other anklet, it's pretty heavy. I'd probably do this again using a lighter weight metal, like bright aluminum or annodized aluminum.

With summer coming, anklets are sure to be popular!

Labels: anklets, chainmaille, free instructions

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 6:20 AM | 0 comments
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One Pendant, Three Options

My good friend Judy presented me with a challenge a few weeks ago. "Make me a necklace using this pendant."
She didn't want a plain chain, and really didn't have any ideas on what she was looking for...just said she knew I'd come up with something.

When I started thinking about what to do, I first looked for colors. The crystals in the pendant are green, pink and clear AB Swarovski's...but that green is more of a Granny Smith apple green than anything else. Peridot stones were close, but not a perfect match, and I couldn't find any colors in seed beads that were even all that close.

I decided to offer Judy options...anything that she didn't like could be sold, after all! The first thing I tried were some pink 11.0 seed beads interspersed with Peridot chips, and then twisted with another strand of the pink seed beads.Second try was a tubular herringbone using the same pink seed beads. I love the feel of this snakey chain, and while bead weaving isn't one of my favorite things to do, it worked up pretty quickly once I got started.
I got my final inspiration after I posted the first two options on a jewelry making forum...I thought about using a chunky chain and tossing in some peridot and light pink Swarovski crystals. Since I didn't have any chunky pre-made chain, I made my own! The ovals are soldered jump rings, which I then "spread" using my Wubbers chain nosed pliers. I really like the looks of this chain a lot, and I think it sets off the pendant well - a funky and hip look overall.
I like this chain a lot, and I think I'll make another - it was time consuming, but I think the end result was worth it.

So tomorrow I hope to present Judy with all three options and let her decide which is her favority. How about you? What other options could I have come up with?

Labels: chainmaille, challenge, necklace, pendant, seed beads, sterling silver, Swarovski, wire working

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 11:49 AM | 1 comments
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Rings N Things "Your Designs Rock! 2008 Contest

Interested in entering a contest this year? Was it one of your 2008 goals?

Rings N Things offers a fun contest every year, with several different categories to choose from.
Glass
Gemstones
Mostly Metal
Polymer Clay
Metal Clay
Alternative Materials

There are rather stringent guidelines for photos, but they can be submitted online. Winning entries take home prizes (in R&T store credit) from $75-$750!!! Entries are accepted February 1-29, 2008. Visit Rings N Things "Your Designs Rock!" for more details.


Last year, I submitted three entries, and was excited to receive an Honorable Mention for "Owl's Eyes" as well as having "Sweet Denim Blue" chosen as one of Polly's Picks. I received a really nice certificate, store credit, and had a lot of fun creating contest entries!

Labels: 2008 goals, chainmaille, contest, Rings N Things

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 6:06 AM | 0 comments
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Looking back at 2007

Time for a fresh start!

New Year's Day is a great time to think about the past year and reflect on what I've learned, as well as looking forward to plans for the new year!

In 2007, I set the following goals for myself:

• Expand knowledge of chainmaille making techniques
• Learn to solder (without burning my fingers, hopefully!)
• Participate in the Year of Jewelry challenge
• Increase business by 20%

So how'd I do?

Looking back, I definitely expanded my chainmaille-making techniques and knowledge, including cutting my own jump rings, and incorporating some unique style into my chainmaille jewelry.

My jewelry business increased dramatically - I still have to put a few numbers to paper, but I definitely surpassed the 20% increase mark. I made some wonderful connections with some fabulous people who have become friends and mentors, and I consider that growth in my business as well as the financial aspect.

Learning to solder didn't happen. I didn't have the right tools, nor the instruction, and found that "cold connections" were still fun and challenging to do. I did expand my knowledge with stamping, metal-working, and texturing...finding those techniques were both fun and challenging. Plus I got to use some pretty cool tools that Dad had given me.

And while I did participate in the Year of Jewelry challenge for the first quarter of 2007, I found life sort of got in the way of a weekly challenge. I do regret giving that up, but the stress of deadlines was not conducive to my creativity. I did participate in Katie Hacker's Ornament Thursday project, making different holiday ornaments and blogging them weekly during December, and found it to be fun and challenging.

Beading Help Web's readership expanded by leaps and bounds in 2007. Additional free project instructions were published (there are now over 110 original designs available!), two contests were held, and the Beading Help Web blog was updated on a regular basis with tips, techniques, and sometimes just "stuff" that was happening in my personal world of jewelry.

So overall, I'm counting 2007 as a year of growth, even though I didn't exactly meet two of my goals. I found growth in other aspects, and had a lot of fun getting from January 1 to December 31.

Tomorrow: What's in store for 2008?

Labels: 2007 goals, 2008 goals, chainmaille, free instructions, jewelry making, solder

posted by Beading Help Web Editorial Team at 10:34 AM | 0 comments
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