New Skill Builders Section at Beadshop.com!

Working at beadshop.com means that we are lucky enough to spend time beading at the office. Thankfully, we get to do so under the wise eyes of expert beader, Janice Parsons. 

Our fount of knowledge.

Believe me, we all take full advantage of the opportunity to learn from her! Quite often, you will find one (or all) of us at her desk with a question about how to improve upon or master a specific technique. Of course, she always has the answer, and our skill sets improve almost immediately!

After realizing that many of the questions we ask Janice are also questions we hear from you, we have decided to create a section on our website devoted solely to skill building. There are many basic techniques that are often repeated in our project tutorials, and mastering them is so advantageous. 

For example, I can not tell you how many times I have accidentally burned through my macrame´ when attempting to singe a perfect finish with a Thread Zap II. Has that ever happened to you? Never fear, my fellow beader. We now have a tutorial devoted specifically to this process. How to Singe Your Cord Using a Thread Zap II is designed to help you to familiarize yourself with both the mechanics of the thread burner (a highly recommended Studio Essential) while also helping you perfectly singe the cord. 

Perfectly singed!

We have also created tutorials to help you Secure Your Project to a Board or perfect your laddering and macrame stitches. These techniques will serve you over and over again in your beading. We really hope that you love our new Skill Builders. Of course, we will be adding more to this page, so please let us know what you would like to see! 

As always, happy beading! 

Beadshop.com Gift Cards Available Now!

Odyssey Bracelet by Janice Parsons

The Odyssey Bracelet uses Linen cord, which has been popular as a natural fiber for stringing beads for more than one hundred years. As you can see, this wrap can also be worn as as a necklace, or you can layer more than one. 

If this is your first time stringing with linen, our wish is for you to fall in love with the material! The following Step-by-Step guide is for the Black Sky variation of the bracelet, but is intended to be adaptable to all samples (plus any combination you dream up). We always recommended that you read it through prior to starting. 

This easy project was created to look luscious and expensive, but to actually cost very little. The ingredients can be purchased for under $25.00, making it the perfect project for holiday gift giving. Of course, you'll probably also want to make one for yourself!

Project Level: Beginner     
Time to Complete: Time to Complete: 3+ hours

Ingredients

• 1 Guilding the Lily Button
• 10 yards 4ply Black Waxed Linen (sold in 10 yard lengths or by spool of 100 yards)
• 1 Tube Miyuki 3mm Cubes in Matte Gun Metal 
• 1 Spool of Fine C-Lon in Black 

Studio Essentials

• 1 Pair Ultra Flush Cutters
• 1 Macramé Board or Design Tray and Insert.
• Some extra twine or cord (about 2 feet)
• Tape Measure or Handy Tape

Note: This project does NOT use glue or a thread burner.

Before cutting any linen or C-Lon, we need to determine how many strands of linen will fit through your button shank. Take one end of linen and weave it back and forth through the shank of the button. How many strands can you fit comfortably?
Once you have that number, set the button aside. You won’t need it again until the end of the project.

2.  Below is a chart of how many strands of linen to cut and what lengths to cut them based on the number you have determined. Take the number and divide it by 2. That new number tells you how many strands to cut. If you have number that won’t divide evenly by 2, drop down to the next number. Example: 7 strands will fit through but when you divide it by 2, it won’t divide evenly. So, you have to use 6 instead. 6 ÷ 2 = 3. You would cut 3 strands.

3.

NUMBER OF LINEN STRANDS THAT WILL FIT BUTTON SHANK:	CUT LINEN:	NUMBER OF TIMES IT WILL WRAP:	CUT FINE WEIGHT C-LON:
4-5	2 X 120 INCHES	5*	2 X 36 INCHES
6-7	3 X 96 INCHES	4*	2 X 36 INCHES
8-9	4 x 72 inches	3*	2 X 36 INCHES
10-11	5 X 72   inches	3*	2 X 36 INCHES

Not every button shank has a generous opening which will fit multiple strands of linen. If that is the case with your button, to create a bracelet that looks abundant and juicy, you will have to add additional wraps around the wrist to give it the look pictured here.

So, now you are ready to cut your linen and C-Lon. Use a flush cutter or thread snips to cut based on your number. These measurements are intended for a 6-8 inch wrist. Add 12 inches to each strand you cut for a larger wrist.

Bring all the tails together so your strands are even. Fold them in half so you now have twice as many strands. You are ready to make your button loop. So get out a macramé board or other box with sides that you can use to stabilize your linen while you macramé.

A lightweight macramé board is really helpful, along with flush cutters. I prefer working on the backside of the board because I find the words and lines distracting. But, by all means, use the front side if you find it helpful.

Even out your linen and find the center of your strands. Secure them together to the top and bottom of the board so the linen feels pretty taught. A tube of beads or spool of thread can be inserted under the linen to help create space for easier macramé.

The steps to macramé are demonstrated with a heavier piece of scrap cord to clearly demonstrate the steps.
You will be following along with your Fine Weight C-Lon.

Just about a half inch above the center of the linen, tie an overhand knot with your C-Lon.
For demonstration purposes, I have used an easy-to-see heavier cord in aqua.

Take your right cord and create a loop over the linen and under your left cord.

Take your left cord and loop it under the linen and up over your right loop.

Gently but firmly pull the cord to tighten the knot.

Take your left cord and create a loop over the linen and under your right cord.

Take your right cord and loop it under the linen and up over your left loop. Gently but firmly tighten the knot. You have now completed your first square knot.

Start again on the right side making a loop as you did in Step 7. Continue alternating your knot from right to left.
If you forget where you left off, always look for the side with the loop on top; that is the side you will use to start your loop again.

Your goal is to macramé a button loop that will just fit your button but not be overly huge. So, after about 20 complete square knots, remove the project from the board and double check. Better be safe than sorry!

Once you have macraméd a loop the right length to accommodate your button, reattach the project to the board using your spare cord. Position the loop so the tails of the C-Lon are closest to the board (on the bottom section of linen). You are going to macramé around all your linen strings 3 complete square knots.

Separate out a linen strand on each side that is closest to each C-Lon tail.

Knot the linen and C-Lon on each side with an overhand knot.
Using your flush cutters, CAREFULLY cut away the C-Lon tail, not the linen.

Separate the rest of your linen strands and tie an overhand knot at the beginning of each one not too far away from the macramé. No need to measure…make them random looking. Notice for this wrap bracelet, there are now 10 strands. You may have less strands and more length to your linen, depending on what you cut to fit your button shank.

The only caution I have about knotting along the linen is that the knots do absorb a fair amount of length. So, please keep an eye on length as you bead and add knots; you want to make sure you can make your wrap as many times around your wrist as you would like.

Take a moment to separate the beads you are going to use in piles according to how many strands you have of linen.The actual piles don’t have to be equal, just close in quantity.

If you have an overstock supply of beads, you can skip this step.

Think about saving a few beads to use for the tassel. If you end up not having extras, the tassel looks good without beads.

Pick any strand to start with. String on a bead and tie an overhand knot after it.

Tighten the knot. Notice the knot is not up against the bead. In this project, your knots are going to random and uneven in spacing.

Now is the fun part; you get to just string and knot. Try to be “loose” in your planning of where you want the beads. If you have a long stretch with no beads, don’t worry…you can add more beads on other strands to help fill in the empty space. You can also just tie knots by themselves with no beads.

Allow yourself to journey with the beads and linen and explore where they take you!
Always keep in mind how many wraps you want to achieve and keep trying it on as you go. You can do one strand at a time or do them all a little bit at a time. It’s up to you!

As you string and knot, you always want to be aware of your finished length and how many times you want your bracelet to wrap. Keep trying it on every once in awhile to keep your finished length in mind.

When you do measure for total length, keep in mind your button will add about 1 inch to the length. After the last bead on each strand, tie an overhand knot fairly close to the last bead. You are now ready to add the button and macramé the finish.

Finally! Time to get out your button.
Start by threading your linen strands through the shank of your button. Allow a bit of plain linen on the bead side.
Using your scrap cord, reposition the project back on the macramé board.

As you did when making the macramé button loop, stack the linen so it goes high rather than wide. Position your second piece of C-Lon under your linen cords. Tie a square knot with your C-Lon around all the linen strands close to the button.
Macramé 3-4 complete knots. Separate out a piece of linen on each side closest to your C-Lon. 

As you did in Step 16 and 17, tie an overhand knot around one strand of linen and C-Lon on each side and with flush cutters, cut only the excess C-Lon. 

The tassel can be made with our without beads. Each strand starts with an overhand knot first. String on a bead, if you have it. Knot below the bead.
Repeat this to other strands. If you don’t have beads to string, you can just do the first knot on each strand.
Cut them the length you want them below the knots. Untwisting the linen strands gives it a bohemian look. You can certainly keep them untwisted, if that’s your preference.

We hope you have created something you will love for years to come! Please feel free to send photos and comments to info@beadshop.com. And if we can share your work here on The Bead Table, we will need your permission. So, let us know.

Happy Halloween!

5 Wrap Tahoe Bracelet in 3 Color Palettes

The response to our new 5 Wrap Tahoe Bracelet by Janice Parsons has been absolutely wonderful. By building upon the original Tahoe bracelet, she has created a stunning piece of jewelry that can be completed in only a few hours. I have chosen to highlight the Black and Silver version in this post, but we do have three color palettes available. Of course, those can be found at www.beadshop.com. Happy beading!

Project Level: Beginner

Time to Complete: 2-3 Hours

Ingredients

-1 Strand Silver Shadows (Uses about 2/3 of a strand)

-1 Strand Silver Heishi (Uses about 1/2 strand)

-4 pkg. of Transitions in Silver (16 beads) or Pewter

-1 Big Hook Sterling Silver or Round and Round in Silver

-2 yards of Black Indian Leather 1.0mm

-2-1/2 yards of Black Indian Leather 1.5mm

-1 Be Still Charm in Antiqued Silver

Studio Essentials

-Flush Cutters

-Eurotool Nylon Jawed Pliers and/or Chain Nose Pliers

-Measuring Tape or Handy Tape

The bracelet is meant to wrap 5 times around the wrist, so be sure to measure your wrist loosely using the tape measure. You will then multiply that number by 5 and that is your total length. My total bracelet length for this sample is 35-1/2 inches. The measurement of the clasp has to be factored in to your goal measurement length. The photos below represent the techniques using the Tahoe Silver & Black, but will work as well for any colorway. If you use beads in your studio, they must have holes large enough to fit the 1.0mm leather.

 

Cut one length of 1.5mm leather to a length up to 2-1/2 yards or 90 inches. If you have a small wrist, you can cut less, 2+ yards or 80 inches. Your 1.5mm will be doubled over, so that's why you have a long piece. Cut your 1.0mm leather 1-1/2 to 2 yards (54-72 inches) depending on a small or large wrist. The 1.0mm leather is only one length down the middle but you want to have enough to double back at the end into the clasp.

Feed the 1.5mm leather through the eye of your clasp and bring the leather to the halfway point, so it is even on both sides. Slide a Transitions bead up to the clasp. Give it some air so the clasp can wiggle freely. 

Using your Flush Cutters, angle cut the 1.0mm leather and feed it into the Transitions bead in the middle. It needs to live as the middle row of leather.

Using your Chain Nose Pliers, gently but firmly press down on your Transitions Beads. Rotate the pliers so you can crimp the Transitions bead again from the other side. Trust me, the bead will flatten, so do it gently but firmly. Check that the crimping has captured all strands of cord before you cut off your excess leather with your Flush Cutters.

Begin stringing your first random pattern of beads on your 1.0mm leather. Be sure to angle cut the leather as you need to ensure any small hole beads fit onto the leather. Each section is of random beads is about 2 inches in length. Some sections might be longer or shorter, but be sure to leave open leather on both sides of your beads to allow your beads to move. String on another Transitions bead. Leave some space and repeat the crimping process. Continue to string beads and crimp. Each pattern is random.

 

I found stringing the two ends of 1.5mm leather through the Transitions bead first easiest. Then  I strung beads on the 1.0mm leather and fed the angle-cut end into the Transition bead. Make sure the 1.0mm leather sits in the middle and all strands are sitting side-by-side before crimping. Since the wrap bracelet is going to “wrap” around your wrist, any imperfections of length will probably not show. Just make sure you allow room for the beads on the middle strand to move freely.

   

Make sure you keep trying it on as you get close to your finished length….nothing is worse than not making it long enough and it’s too short. Think about adding a charm onto the 1.0mm leather after 

your last bead. Add another Transitions bead after your last bead/charm.

String on the second half of your clasp and loop the 1.0mm leather back through the Transitions bead. It might be a tight fit, but you should be able to do it if the leather has been angle cut. Position the Transitions Crimp so it allows the clasp to wiggle freely and there is room for any charms to also move. Check the crimp is securely holding the leather in place.

 

Using your flush cutters, carefully cut off any excess leather. You now have a finished 5 Wrap Tahoe! Enjoy!

Beading Day with the Beadshop.com Team

Every other week, our small team gathers around our bead table for a lesson in beading. Prior to the class, Janice chooses a technique that she thinks would be both fun and challenging for us. Then, she sets up a warm and inviting classroom environment and calls us to the table for an afternoon of laughter and learning. This week, we focused on patterning various beads into multi-strand bracelets. We used our Tricks of the Trade handout and an assortment of beads, wire, crimp covers and clasps.

Of course, we were so excited when we sat down to the table and saw that Janice had included her personal collection of beads in our class supplies. You can be sure that we have all admired Janice’s baubles and beads many times throughout our time here. As we “ooh-ed” and “aah-ed" over the gorgeous assortment of beads, we did begin to wonder how we could create a cohesive design with an eclectic mix of beads that were not identical.

Ever the voice of wisdom, Janice promptly reassured us that things don’t have to match perfectly to work well together. One only has to look at each unique member of the Beadshop.com team to see that truth!

Instead of focusing on the differences between the beads, we needed to see how the various shapes and colors could blend into a single, cohesive design. We began by stringing beads along the first strand of the bracelet - following our instincts to create a pattern or story. From there, we moved on to the next strand by choosing beads that would echo or speak to the first pattern created. As we beaded our way through the afternoon, we began to see that our seemingly mismatched bracelets were, in fact, transforming into incredible pieces that we could not wait to wear. In fact, many of us stayed late on that afternoon to finish our creations.

We were all incredibly happy to have learned such a wonderful beading and design technique, but it also seems that there was another lesson that Janice wanted to make sure we took away from this beading day: vastly different elements can often be combined to make something beautiful if we are patient, don’t rush to finish and let our creative voices wander.

We hope that you will use this idea to create your own unique bracelet or necklace. Happy beading! 

A Word About Tribal and Trade Beads

At Beadshop.com, we love nothing more than finding incredibly special and unique merchandise for our customers. We do this by fostering long term, ongoing relationships with suppliers who have direct access to beautiful tribal and trade beads. 

Mohamed arrives at Beadshop.com.

In fact, we recently discovered the most amazing beads during a surprise visit from one such vendor. On a sunny afternoon about a month ago, we received a phone call from Mohamed Drammeh. He was in our area, and wanted to show Janice some beads that were available for purchase. About an hour later, a white van absolutely filled with beads pulled into our parking lot. You can only imagine how excited we all were as we rushed downstairs to dig through the piles of beads.

Thankfully, Mohamed was super kind and accommodating as we bombarded him with questions and requests. Honestly,  I think he might have been having as much fun as we were. After climbing all over the van, combing through countless boxes and asking about almost every bead in every strand of the bunch, we felt that we had a wonderful selection to offer on the website. 

Beads, Beads, Beads!

So, what did we find? Well, some of the beads we loved were antique, meaning that they were truly limited in availability. We knew that we would only be able to offer them once, and we also knew that made them extra special. As Janice always says, "Grab them while you can. Once they're gone, they're gone for good!"

Naturally, we also fell in love with some newly manufactured beads during this buying adventure. However, newly made does not necessarily mean that they will be easily acquired in the future, so we bought every strand he had in the van that day! 

You see, often, we will open a shipment of trade beads to find that the color is quite different from that of the previous batch. There are so many factors that affect the manufacturing of these beads, and dye lots/coloration can vary by as much as 20%. Because these beads are manufactured in limited quantities overseas, we very much have to embrace the unexpected! 

Color Variations in Padres

Our padre beads are a perfect example of this. On Mohamed's first visit, we fell in love with the Blue Green Padres. In fact, so did our customers! They sold out almost immediately after being added to the website. So, we promptly reached out to order more.

Upon receiving our second order of padre beads, we discovered two completely new colors! In place of the Blue Green, we now had Blue Grey and Turquoise Padre beads. Luckily, we discovered that we actually loved these shades just as much as we had loved the Blue Green.






Of course, that is not always the case, so we tend to do just what we advise our customers to do: Grab them before they're gone for good! Tribal and trade beads are gorgeous little pieces of art, and their uniqueness is what we love most about them. That said, it is important to remember that these beads might not come around very often, so you should definitely get them while you can! Happy beading!