Wrap Bracelet Sneak Peek

Simple Stitches in Time will be the theme of some upcoming Facebook Live shows airing February 15th and the 22nd, 2017 on beadshop's Facebook page. If you want to get a little bit of a head start so you can follow along with Kate and Janice during these shows, head over to the Simple Stitches in Time page on the the shop's web site. Pick you our favorite design and order supplies before the show. You can also watch a helpful stitches video now that is already uploaded on YouTube, and download the free project handout.

Kindness
Project by Nicole Anderson ~ Sample by Janice Parsons

Pictured above is Kindness, made with distressed denim 1.5mm Indian leather. Some of the beads used include a mix of matte gold colored, 4mm luster stone gray Czech beads, and antique brass. 

Beauty
Project by Nicole Anderson ~ Sample by Kate Richbourg

The Beauty wrap design is an excellent blend of neutrals so you can wear this with anything. It is finished off with a 16mm plated pewter button with a bird in a tree design. 

Grace
Project by Nicole Anderson ~ Sample by Janice Parsons

For purple fans, there is Grace. Like the other two designs, stitches are mixed and matched, Herringbone Stitch to Spiral Knot.

Once you watch the video and review the ingredients lists provided, you may not be able settle for just making one of these. 

Beads, Components, and Kits on Sale Now

C-Lon

Now is a good time to load up on beads, components, and kits for your jewelry making stash because there are lots of sales going on, and remember that you can always stack discounts. 

C-Lon is 10% off until 1/17/17 midnight PCT. No coupon code is needed to get the discount, as it is already marked down before you add it to your shopping cart. It is made in the USA and can be used for micro-macramé, stringing beads, and other techniques such as bead crochet, braiding, kumihimo, and laddering. Lots of beadshop projects utilize this stringing cord, such as the beautiful Odyssey. 

Blush - Sample by Grace Noland and Project by Janice Parsons

Beloved Dakota Stone Beads are marked down 20% right now. These are extremely popular. Incorporate them into earrings, bracelets, or necklaces. The Stretch Therapy is a good project for using an assortment of these stone beads. 

8mm Amazonite Round

Take advantage of markdowns on a select number of beadshop kits. You know how fast these usually sell out, so don't wait too long. 

Forest Green- Kit

Then there are the wonderful Vintage Finds that Janice Parsons dedicates herself to constantly hunting for so that jewelry designers can add these precious pieces to their collections. Right now, they are marked down 25% off until 1/17/17 midnight PCT. 

Enjoy the savings and start creating!

Leather Tips and Tricks for Jewelry Making

Strap leather and leather cording are very popular materials used in many of beadshop's projects. Leather is a versatile medium that is long lasting and comes in lots of colors as well as thicknesses. For those just starting out with using leather or for those who want to expand their current knowledge-base about using leather in their jewelry designs, you can now find a comprehensive collection of Tips and Tricks available on the beadshop 
web site.

This how-to collection is visually appealing and very clear, showing you all kinds of information that will help you select the right components and beads for your projects. For example, a leather diameter and bead key illustrates which type and size of beads to use for different diameters of leather, from 1mm all the way up to 2mm. 

Finishing off the ends of a piece that uses leather is another trick explained, with over a half dozen options provided. This includes hook suggestions as well.

Strap leather, which is flat versus round like leather cord, is also explained and includes descriptions of various ways to adorn the leather with metal slider components as well ideas for finishing off the ends and adding clasps. 

The beadshop Leather Tips and Tricks page is one you will want to bookmark on your Web browser. You can also learn more about using leather by watching the previously recorded Tricks to Leather Facebook Show. 

Tassel Jewelry Ideas

Awakening & Protection Earrings by Kate Richbourg

Tassels are a fun way to add movement and texture to a jewelry design, and they also offer some fast alternatives if you are looking for quick jewelry projects to make. Earrings, especially, are a way to allow you to add some beads or other components with a tassel or two and whip up some statement pieces you can make today and wear today as well.

The 35mm tassels available from beadshop come in sets of six and are pre-strung on a mother cord to help keep them intact. A tiny amount of GS Hypo Cement added to the threads wrapped around the loop holding the strands of the tassel together are also helpful in keeping the tassel's integrity before you begin to work with it. When handling these tassels, it is a good idea to have your project read for the tassels before taking them off the mother cord; otherwise, the loops at the top of the tassels can lose their shape. 

Kate Richbourg has developed new earring projects called Awakening & Protection Earrings that incorporates tassels and ornately carved components from beadshop’s collection of vintage finds. You can download the free pdf project and easily order necessary supplies using the ingredients list on the same page. The downloadable instructions include step-by-step photographs as well as how-to instructions. 

Enjoy makings making some long and dramatic tassel earrings you can make in just a few minutes!