Jul 16, 2021

Flash Sale Friday...get creative!













Last week Kate went shopping for some special strands at a local gem show, and she brought back six stone strands she couldn't live without...and we get to share them with you.
Kate's going to show them off on FTF today, and you won't want to miss an up-close and personal look at these beauties. Get ready to shop after the show! We have three selections for 3mm micro-faceted rounds: Peach Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, and Labradorite. Plus, check out another three choices: 10mm Chrysoprase Rounds, 10mm Natural Jade Rounds, and Natural Turquoise Rice.
These strands are limited, and once they are gone--that is it! They're gone! Here today and gone tomorrow, so don't delay!














Tune in today, 7.16.21, at 10:30am PT, and shop after the show at 11:30am PT!
You can find the live broadcast in several places:

Jul 14, 2021

Birthday Bracelet

When your Wonder Woman mega fan friend turns 30, there's only one thing you can do: make her an epic wrap bracelet fit for an Amazon Warrior Princess! This 5-wrap bracelet was made for Drea's friend Jordan, and it all started with Wonder Woman. 



Thinking of how to create a themed bracelet without it looking super-themed (overly themed) is not as hard as it sounds: pick an aspect and keep it subtle. Maybe make it a bit abstract, and go from there! In this case, Drea considered what she knew about Wonder Woman...a strong female character, bold, powerful, beautiful...and an Amazon. Thus, the bracelet took shape, starting with Amazonite beads, and the color story grew from there! Drea added a couple charms and skull beads from her stash, but you can easily add charms of your own and use some Shadows or 6/0s on the ends. You do you!


Ingredients:

This ingredient list links to both the broad general category and the specific item Drea used. For example, clicking on "Regular C-Lon" shows you all the flavors, clicking on "Marina" brings you directly to that color. Easy-Peasy!

1 Button, Making Waves- Antique Silver

1 Spool KO Thread, Dark Gray

1 Spool Regular C-Lon, Marina

1 Pkg 1.5mm Leather or 2mm Leather, Metallic Cement*

6 Tubes 8/0 Seed Beads, 8-1425, 8-4213F, 8-4276, 8-21F, 8-47028-242

1 Strand 4mm Gemstone Rounds, Matte Black Gold Amazonite

1 Strand CzechMates Tiles, Matte Navy

1 Tube SuperDuos, Halo Celestial Blue

1 Strand Shadows, Silver Plate

Optional: Charms and 6mm Oval Jump Rings, decorative beads for leather ends.

*Note on leather: Drea used 2mm Metallic Cement, which we no longer carry. If you want to go for color, use 1.5mm Metallic Cement. If you want the thickness, try a 2mm in a different color.


Wrap techniques are:

1: Button, macramé in place with KO, Infinity Stitch a repeating pattern of five 8/0 colors in rows of 3 (taper from one bead, to two, to three at start!)

2: Infinity Stitch with KO, 4mm Gemstone Rounds

3: Infinity Stitch with KO, a repeating pattern of Tiles and 8/0s (used only three 8/0 colors here)

4: Infinity Stitch with KO, in Seashore style (note: original Seashore Projects use Traditional Laddering, Drea uses Infinity!), 8/0s and SuperDuos. Taper down.

5: Macramé with Regular C-Lon, with a repeating pattern of 8/0-Shadow-8/0, two full square knots, single 8/0, two full square knots. End with a knotted button loop and decorated leather tails. Add a charm between wraps 4 and 5.



Sep 30, 2020

One in a Million: Gitte and her Samson

 

               


This is a story about one special cat and one very special human and how they found each other. Most of our readers know Gitte from our Facebook Live shows. Gitte lives in Denmark and moderates the comment section on Wednesdays and Fridays. Like clockwork, Gitte is saying hello to everyone and linking products and projects while Kate is live. She is amazing!  Janice, Kate, and Gitte became fast friends through the screen. Gitte volunteered to moderate chat on beadshop's FB page long ago...Kate and Janice thought it was so generous of Gitte, but never imagined it would go on for so long and develop into lifelong friendships. The entire BSDC team feels such gratitude to Gitte. We are always looking for ways to thank her. Asking her to create a Monthly Mix was important to us...we just didn't know it would open the door to such a worthy cause: World Animal Protection and a special fund for Samson.

In the summer of 2020, Gitte was approached by Janice and asked to create a bead mix. Gitte knew right away she wanted to honor her beloved cat, Samson. Unfortunately, Samson is no longer waiting for Gitte to cuddle or feed him; Samson passed on in 2015 from illness at the age of eight.           

But, let Gitte tell you Samson's story in her own words:

Samson was the first kitten born to my parents' British Shorthair, Svea. My parents quickly decided I should have him. I already had his name picked out, Samson.

He was a happy cat and very social. He was also BIG!  He grew to 16 lbs! He loved to eat and my other cats knew to be quick or there wouldn't be any food left with Samson around.


Everyday he would sit on the windowsill and wait for me to come home from work. Everything about Samson was special. We had an unbreakable bond. 


When he developed health issues, it was unbearably hard to watch. It was his love of food and his final inability to digest what he ate that made him so sick. I was forced to make the impossible decision to end his suffering. I had to put him to sleep. To this day I know it was the right decision, but it still breaks my heart. We all love our pets, but Samson was truly someone special to me. My best ever furry friend - I say that he was my king.

Big hugs to you all
Gitte xoxoxo

Samson died shortly after his 8th birthday in 2015. And when Gitte sees orange poppies, she is reminded of Samson and knows that he is never really gone. To honor Samson, the mix has the green of Samson's eyes and the grays of his lovely fur. It also has the oranges of poppies and Gitte's own red hair!


When asked how we can help honor Samson, Gitte asked if we would donate to World Animal Protection, an organization helping to bring awareness worldwide to the suffering of animals. BSDC is donating $1 from the sale of every Samson Monthly Mix to World Animal Protection. 

Samson, the monthly mix for October 2020

If you would also like to help, you may donate here. Gitte has earmarked the donations from beadshop to help the abandoned kittens left behind in Denmark after the summer residents leave and go home for the year.  Samson still has lots of brothers and sisters across Denmark. One of his sisters is pictured here with Samson. Her name is Venus. And, although Samson will always be missed, Venus is now the Queen of the Castle.

Venus and Samson

 

While supplies last, you can purchase Samson,  
 
the October 2020 Monthly Mix at beadshop.com.

                            
Thank you!







Jul 17, 2020

Free Tip Friday 7.17.20

Wire Wrapping Found Objects

We recently had a very special request in our Facebook Group, The Bead Table. What can you do with a special object that's not a bead, but you want it protected and memorialized in some way? Perhaps even made into a piece of jewelry? A precious rose quartz stone was the item in question, and many of our Bead Table members suggested wire wrapping. We agreed!

Today, Kate explores what to do with a "found object," using wire wrapping techniques to capture the piece and enable a work of art to be created around it.


Ingredients were simple today...just wire! Kate used 20, 22, and 24 gauge wires. Specifically, the stone on the left uses 20G in Titanium, and the sea glass on the right uses 22G in Bare Copper.

You'll also want to have Nylon Jaw Pliers, Chain Nose and Bent Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, and Flush Wire Cutters.


Jun 28, 2020

Free Tip Friday 6.26.20

This mix is Bliss! Inspired by a colorful photo Faye posted to our Facebook Group, Kate concocted this stunning and vibrant mix. She also had a great way to use it in mind...check out her ingredients, bracelet, and FTF episode below!

Want to make your own colorway? This ingredient list links to both the broad general category and the specific item Kate used. For example, clicking on "Regular C-Lon" shows you all the flavors, clicking on "Teal" brings you directly to that color. Easy-Peasy!

Ingredients
1 Button and Mini Mix or Monthly Mix- Summer Bliss Mini Mix
1 Spool Regular C-Lon- Teal
1 Spool 0.5mm Chinese Knotting Cord-  Golden Toffee or Violet
1 Czech Roller Bead- Pomegranate

Additional Learning
How to Macramé
Bollywood Bracelets


Jun 19, 2020

Free Tip Friday 6.19.20

Wanna Getaway? Us, too! Kate makes some perfect Summer Getaway earrings today with our June 2020 Monthly Mix. This beachy mix is a bit of summer in a tube! Sun, sand, sea...it's all here. Get your sunglasses and SPF...it's time to hit the beach!

Kate's earrings are a take on Alley Mori's Looped Tassel. Find her ingredients below. Want to make your own colorway? This ingredient list links to both the broad general category and the specific item Kate used. For example, clicking on "Fine C-Lon" shows you all the flavors, clicking on "Turquoise" brings you directly to that color. Easy-Peasy!
Ingredients
1 Pair Earwires- Folio
1 Spool Fine C-Lon- Turquoise
1 Tube Monthly Mix- Getaway
1 Pkg Currents Beads- Mist
1 Pkg Jump Rings: 2 types!
 -8mm Soldered - Bright Silver and
 -4mm Oval- Bright Silver


Jun 17, 2020

RAW Necklace: Kate's Colorway!

BSDT's Kim Golias made us two gorgeous colorways of her Right Angle Weave (RAW) Necklaces, and Kate is throwing her own into the mix on today's Live show! Below, find the ingredients Kate pulled for her demo. Once the show airs, we'll update this post to include the video. Enjoy!

Want to make your own colorway? This ingredient list links to both the broad general category and the specific item Kate used. For example, clicking on "6mm Melons" shows you all the flavors, clicking on "Red Picasso" brings you directly to that color. Easy-Peasy!



Ingredients
6mm Melons- Red Picasso and Mustard Brown Wash
10mm English Cuts- Red Picasso
Faceted Drops- Milk White Picasso Gold
5mm Rondelles- Wine Red
11/0 Seed Beads- 11-190 Nickel Plated
Oasis Links- Antique Silver
Chain- Feel Good- Antique Silver
Clasp- Swivel- Antique Silver





Jun 11, 2020

Free Tip Friday 6.12.20

The Dancer Earrings + The Hammertone Collection = WOW! Kate whips up some sweet sparklers using our newest components from TierraCast's newest collection. Textured, colorful, standout...perfect!! Find the video here.

Want to make your own colorway? These ingredient lists link to both the broad general category and the specific item Kate used. For example, clicking on "Puffy Rondelles" shows you all the flavors, clicking on "Antique Copper" brings you directly to that color. Easy-Peasy!



Ingredients
BRASS
1 Pair Earwires- Antique Brass Leverback
1 Spool KO Thread- Dark Grey
1 Spool 26G ParaWire- Vintage Bronze
1 Pair Hammered Teardrops- Antique Brass
1 Tube 11/0 Seed Beads- 11-2091
1 Tube 8/0 Seed Beads- 8-4242
1 Strand 3mm Fire Polish- Polychrome Aqua Teal
2 Briolettes- Indicolite
6 Hammertone Daggers- Antique Brass
2 Puffy Rondelles- Antique Brass

COPPER
1 Pair Earwires- Antique Copper Vintage Leverback
1 Spool KO ThreadDark Grey
1 Spool 26G ParaWire- Antique Copper
1 Pair Hammered Hoops- Antique Cooper
1 Tube 11/0 Metal Seed Beads- Antique Copper
1 Tube 11/0 Delicas- DB1850
1 Tube 11/0 Seed Beads11-2091
1 Tube 8/0 Seed Beads- 8-4204F
1 Strand 3mm Fire Polish- Matte Metallic Copper
1 Strand 5mm Rondelles- Stone Bronze
1 Pkg Tierra Heishi- Antique Copper


Jun 4, 2020

Free Tip Friday 6.5.20

Kate's got a cute and creative quickie for FTF...look at this fun little bracelet! Using Keyholes Chain, 1mm leather, and of course some beads, this bracelet works up quickly and looks great in a stack. Try making an extra-long one for a summery anklet!

Want to make your own colorway? This ingredients list links to both the brad general category and the specific item Kate used. For example, clicking on "Swivel Clasp" shows you all the flavors, clicking on "Antique Copper" brings you directly to that color. Easy-Peasy!


Ingredients
1 Swivel Clasp- Antique Copper
1 Ft Keyholes Chain(not Little Keyholes)- Antique Copper
1 Pkg 1mm Leather- Distressed Violet
1 Tube 6/0 Seed Beads- 6-4242 Duracoat S/L Dyed Aqua
1 Pkg Textured Oval Jump Rings- Antique Copper
1 Pkg Pony Express Beads- Copper
A Few Maple Leaf Beads- Blue Opaline Copper Wash
1 Pkg 2" Headpins- Antique Copper
Scrap of C-Lon or CKC (for a silk wrap, hidden under the Pony Express!)


May 22, 2020

Cascade Meets Float!

What's the buzz? WELL. Danielle Wickes created a mash-up of two beadshop projects with amazing results! Cascade Necklace + Silk Float Away Necklace = AMAZING!

During this pandemic our supply chains have been affected, and we wanted to offer some in-stock right-now alternatives so you can make a Cascade Meets Float, too. Below, find two alternate color palettes plus a general recipe. And, as always...happy beading!

Cascade Meets Float Recipe
2 spools Regular C-Lon (2 colors!)
1 spool Compassion Suede or 3mm Deerskin Lace
2 Strands of Padres (2 colors!)
2 Strands 8mm and/or 6mm Stone Rounds
1 Strand Star Cuts or Stone Shape(not round)
1 Strand Pavers or a few BIG beads (try Czech Flowers, look through Tribal and Vintage Finds)
1 Strand Little Shadows
1 Metal Focal Bead
2 10-15mm Connector Hoops
1 Pkg Daisy Spacers or other Heishi
1 Pkg 7mm Jump Rings
1 Pkg Clamshell End Tips

Buzzed 1 (Like bees)
Buzz buzz buzz! The honeybees are in the swing of things this spring! Inspired in part by a Kate's Favorite I recently made for myself in black and gold, this necklace quickly took shape. The Black Little Shadows are so amazing--I am head over heels for them! The faceted onyx rounds made me think of honeycombs, and the Double Baule bead is representative of bees' wings. 
2 spools Regular C-Lon- Aurum and Charcoal
1 Pkg 3mm Deerskin Lace- Black
2 Strands of Padres- Ink Black and Spicy Mustard
2 Strands 8mm and/or 6mm Stone Rounds- 8mm Faceted Onyx and 6mm Onyx
1 Strand Star Cuts or Stone Shape- Sardonyx
A few BIG beads- 3 Hibiscus 21s in Dandelion Picasso
1 Strand Little Shadows- Black
1 Metal Focal Bead- Double Baule Bead in Antique Silver
2 10-15mm Connector Hoops- Small Hammertone Rings in Rhodium Plate
1 Pkg Daisy Spacers or other Heishi- Daisy Spacers in Antique Silver
1 Pkg 7mm Jump Rings- Bright Silver
1 Pkg Clamshell End Tips- Bright Silver


Buzzed 2 (Like caffeine)
Buzz buzz buzz! Tea or coffee? That's what's getting me through these long quarantine days! In shades of milky browns, this necklace is one of those ones you could wear with anything. I used Czech Dogwoods, thinking of tea leaves, and only one shade of Padres since they're a mix...separate the colors so you end up with a dark strand and a light strand to string! Add your accents and you're golden!
2 spools Regular C-Lon- Sable and Sepia
1 Pkg 3mm Deerskin Lace- Chocolate
2 Strands of Padres Cinnamon Spice (separate the colors so you'll have one strand of lights, one of darks)
2 Strands 8mm and/or 6mm Stone Rounds- Matte Wood Opalite 6mm Rounds and Matte White African Opal 8mm Rounds
1 Strand Star Cut- Matte Wood Opalite
A few BIG beads- Dogwood Leaves in Amber Mercury
1 Strand Little Shadows- Bright Brass
1 Metal Focal Bead- Organic Flat Circle in Antique Gold
2 10-15mm Connector Hoops- Mini Hoops in Antique Gold
1 Pkg Daisy Spacers or other Heishi- Daisy Spacers in Antique Gold
1 Pkg 7mm Jump Rings- Bright Gold
1 Pkg Clamshell End Tips- Bright Gold


May 19, 2020

Kate's Creative Connections: Do KNOT Miss This Week!

Kate's got some tricks up her sleeve...are you ready for them? New knots to know, coming right up...

As each episode airs we'll update with photos, ingredients, and embed the videos right into this post.

Tuesday, 5.19.20: The Butterfly Knot
A great start to a wrap bracelet or a purse charm...beaded or plain...it's up to you! Learn this knot today with Kate.

Ingredients:
1.5mm Leather- Distressed Gray and Distressed Green (it looks purple...but it's just the lighting! That's the Distressed Gray)
Regular C-Lon- Gold
6/0 Miyuki Seed Beads- 6-2033 Matte Opaque Light Olive Luster
Jumbo Swivel- Antique Silver


Wednesday, 5.20.20: The Sun Knot
We are loving the look of this knot! It's a perfect addition to a wrap bracelet, very visually interesting and a lot of fun to tie.

Ingredients:
1.5mm LeatherDistressed Gray and Metallic Teal
.5mm Leather- Distressed Gray OR 0.4mm Chinese Knotting Cord-  Treebark (for silk wraps)
Shadows (Regular Size)- Brass
Circle of Bronze
9mm Oval Coil Jump Rings- Antique Copper
Jumbo SwivelAntique Brass
GS Hypo Cement



Thursday, 5.21.20: The Six Strand Weave Knot
We can see this as a purse charm or a keychain! Father's Dat is coming up...this would be a great little handmade somethin' somethin' for dear old dad!
Ingredients:
Far Left
1mm Leather- Distressed Brown, Distressed Green, Distressed Gray*
Regular C-LonGold
Jumbo Swivel- Antique Copper

Middle
1mm LeatherDistressed BrownDistressed DenimDistressed Gray*
.5mm Leather- Distressed Brown
Regular C-LonGold
Jumbo SwivelAntique Brass

Far Right
1.5mm LeatherDistressed Brown, Metallic Pyrite, Black
Palace Cap- Antique Copper

*it looks purple...but it's just the lighting! That's the Distressed Gray, we promise!

Kate added these items during the show:
ZAP Glue or E6000
Wrapped Link Chain- Antique Copper
22 or 24 Gauge Wire
Faceted Barrel Beads- Antique Copper
Queen Size Shadow- Copper
Little Shadows- Brass
Swivel Clasp ("regular" size)- Antique Copper


Flash Sale Friday...get creative!

Last week Kate went shopping for some special strands at a local gem show, and she brought back six stone strands she couldn't live with...