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Jan

9

Book Review Handmade Paper Jewelry-40 Beautiful Projects to Make and Wear

January 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment


Handmade Paper Jewelry: 40 Beautiful Projects to Make & Wear authors Heidi Borchers, Candance Liccione and Tiffany Windsor

  •  Hardcover: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Sterling/Chapelle (March 28, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402722133
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402722134

The authors of this book are sisters and have been in the crafting business since they were little girls. They are also daughters of famous crafting legend “Aleene Jackson”, yes THAT Aleene!.

Paper jewelry-Its hard to make paper jewelry that isn’t too “crafty” or too “artsy”, but this book bridges the gap. Some of the projects are more “crafty” and some a bit more ”artsy” but over all its got a great mix of project types.  The projects all seem to be easy skill wise, so no one should be intimidated doing any of the projects.  One of my favorite projects is probably one of the more simple ones-Notary Seal Lapel pins.  I also loved the Forget Me Not mini notebook necklace.  The book also has a section of paper images, that you can scan and print out yourself which is great.

I this this book is full of creative ideas for any jewelry artist. Its also a visually gorgeous book too with lots of fantastic photographs. If you are looking for a book that is ‘out of the norm’ for jewelry making, add this to your library.

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Jan

7

Beading Daily’s Top 10 Projects of 2008

January 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment


Beading Daily Announces Top 10 Most Popular Projects of 2008

Beading Daily has announced the site’s Top 10 Most Downloaded Free Projects of 2008, as told through the millions of downloads conducted in 2008 by Beading Daily readers around the globe.

Launched in 2007, Beading Daily (BeadingDaily.com) is the online community,
library of free projects, online projects store, daily blog, and e-newsletter for
beading enthusiasts from Interweave, publisher of Step by Step Beads,
Stringing, Beadwork, Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Jewelry Artist, and Colored
Stone magazines.

Beading Daily’s Top 10 Most Popular Projects of 2008 List reveals that
beading and jewelry-making enthusiasts were interested in a wide range of
projects in 2008, from peyote stitch to wirework to simple stringing designs.
One project was available free for a limited time and can now be
purchased in the Beading Daily online project store, while the rest are still
available for free download.

Beading Daily’s Top 10 Most Downloaded Free Projects of 2008,

in order of popularity:

1. The Illusion by Julie Ann Smith (Beading Daily exclusive) - This odd-count
peyote stitch bracelet is named after the illusion that the center section of
the bracelet appears larger than either side, although it is really the same
size. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/08/15/the-
illusion.aspx

2. Navy and Pearls by Barbara Richard (Beadwork) - This easy-to-make
necklace combines beadweaving (peyote stitched beaded beads) and
stringing techniques for stunning results. This was a temporary free project
now available in the store: http://shop.interweave.com/Navy-and-Pearls-
P1272C0.aspx?src=BE090105

3. Butterfly Pendant by Carolyn Baum (Step by Step Wire Jewelry) – Jig-
formed wire wings highlight a glass focal bead. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/04/24/butterfly-
pendant.aspx

4. Fireflies by Char Jorgensen (Step by Step Wire Jewelry) - You have to go
to the fishing section of your local department store and find the glow-in-the-
dark beads. This design can use any type of wire and will use up those left
over beads too. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/07/18/fireflies.aspx

5. Tubular Peyote Rope by Bonnie Brooks (Step by Step Beads) – Learn
tubular peyote to make a rope for a focal pendant, or wear it alone as a
slinky bracelet or necklace. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/06/12/tubular-
peyote-rope.aspx

6. Parallel Chain Neckdrape by Barbara Hance (Step by Step Wire Jewelry) –
This gold and silver necklace was inspired by Stephanie Everett’s tutorial of
the two-toned parallel chain bracelet. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/09/12/parallel-
chain-neckdrape.aspx

7. Holiday Crochet Necklace by Barbara Richard (Beadwork) – Sitting on a
lanai in Florida one May, leisurely crocheting a seed-bead tube, Barbara
realized that pairing sets of red seed beads with green cylinder beads could
result in a holly-branch effect. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/09/19/holiday-
crochet-necklace.aspx

8. Dragonfly’s Garden by Julia Watt (Stringing) – Give simply strung pearls a
lush look by weaving in a second strand, creating a gently meandering trail of
glistening seed beads. Add silver accents of dragonflies, a hedgehog, and a
floral toggle for a completely enchanting design. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/05/01/dragonfly-s-
garden.aspx

9. Big Island Necklace by Leslie Rogalski (Creative Jewelry) - This easy
necklace with fiber-wrapped rounds and matte black and white seed beads
reflects the designer’s personal style. Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/06/20/big-island-
necklace.aspx

10. Dancing Spiral Earrings by Heather Trundle (Step by Step Wire Jewelry) -
Triple sterling silver spirals (one of each made in simple, twisted and textured
versions) seem to dance as they catch the wind and dangle from your ears.
Download at:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2008/11/06/dancing-
spiral-earrings.aspx

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Jan

7

Jennifer Perkins Jewelry Making & Business Classes at Craft-0-Rama

January 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment



Jennifer Perkins/Naughty Secretary Club will be offering a few really fun sounding classes this month at Craft-o-Rama. If you’ve been hesitating to take a class, January might be your last chance for awhile.   Jennifer is expecting (congrats!) and will be taking a few months off from teaching, so do it now if you can!!!

STARTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS - January 13th 7-8:30pm
Did you know you could have your own craft business up and running in under an hour? Signing up for Etsy is that easy. Or do you think a traditional website is the right angle for you? May take a little longer, but it is not a whole lot trickier. Once you have your business all set up the next steps are letting the world know, networking and making some sales. This 1.5 hour long class will you give the run down on getting started!

CHARM BRACELETS - January 17th 11am - 1pm
Learn the fundamentals of jewelry making while whipping up your own one of a kind Revamped Vintage Charm Bracelet. And matching earrings. This fun and informative 2 hour class will cover the basics of jewelry making like the difference between head and eye pins, wire wrapping, and how to open and close a jump ring. Class supplies include everything you need to make your charm bracelet and earrings including a giant assortment of vintage beads and charms from the Naughty Secretary Club stash for you to choose from! You will need flat and round nosed pliers as well as wire trimmers for this class. You will be able to buy a set from the instructor on day of class as well for an additional $10.

MARKETING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS - January 20th 7-8:30pm
The success of your business is 40% what you make and 60% how you market it. Not yet signed up for Twitter? Don’t have a blog? Not swapping swag with other crafters? You could be missing out on easy, crucial and often times free ways to promote your crafty business. Whether you knit booties or solder jewelry this class will help you understand the best avenues to market your small business.

REVAMPED VINTAGE NECKLACES - January 22nd 7-9pm
This two hour class will teach you all the basics you need to get started whipping up jewelry. Jen will bring all the supplies you need to string up a necklace including findings and a big stash of Naughty Secretary Club goodies for you to choose from. You will also get your own beading board to take home! After you make your perfect revamped vintage necklace we will be learning basic wire wrapping and making a matching pair of earrings. Once you have this skill down you will be able to make almost anything! Again all the findings and beads will be provided. Bring your own set of jewelry tools if you have them or Jen will have sets at $10 a pop for sale.

TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL - January 27th 7:00-8:30pm
Things are running along smoothly with your small crafty business, but you want to know what else the world has to offer. How do people get product lines, book deals and TV shows? There is no secret formula, but Jennifer Perkins has experience in all three areas and will tell you what she knows.

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Jan

6

Win a $5000.00 OttoFrei.com Gift Certificate!

January 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment


Win a $5000.00 OttoFrei.com Gift Certificate!

Support Ganoksin, buy a raffle ticket today! Win a $5000.00 OttoFrei.com Gift Certificate! This year’s winter 2009 Ganoksin raffle grand prize is a $5000.00 OttoFrei.com gift certificate. Ganoksin is a non profit informational website that shares a vast treasure of information gathered from all over the world about jewelry making. With over 220,000 pages of tips, forums, blogs, galleries and now videos, Ganoksin has become the world’s greatest informational library of the hows and whys of the jewelry industry. Over $18,000 in total prizes. Raffle closes March 31, 2009

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Jan

5

Vintage Redux Book Review

January 5, 2009 | 1 Comment


 

Got a box of jewelry (old and new) that doesn’t appeal to you anymore?? Don’t want to throw out Great Aunt Millies Faux Pearls but they are SO not you?? Not to worry, Vintage Redux author Brenda Schweder has the solution to your dillema! After you read this book, you are going to be asking everyone you know “you aren’t going to throw that broken necklace away are you???  Beung a mixed media jewelry artist using recycled and found objects I found this book to be a real gem (no pun intended!).  Ms. Schweder has a real gift for combining things you wouldn’t think would work together but do!

Everyone has a box or drawer full of broken jewelry, single earrings, hand me downs, etc…. This book will have you digging through all your stuff and making fab new pieces!  If you are a bit squeamish about tearing apart something for fear it may be valuable, the book starts with a chapter ”What is vintage, Really” to soothe your nerves . That also has a section on cleaning, repairing and storing which is helpful. It then moves on to “How to ReDux”which talks about what makes jewelry up to date.

The first project is a restringing project, which eases you into making something old new again. Then the book is then broken into 4 sections: New Order Redux, Unexpected Redux, Heirloom Redux and Inspirational Redux.  The New Order Redux section is vintage jewelry remade into new pieces. Unexpected Redux is all about using vintage found objects into jewelry and accessories.  Heirloom Redux is all about working your heirlooms into jewelry without altering them by drilling or cutting apart.  And the Inspirational Redux section is the gallery section of lots more eye candy including my favorite “Fob Nobbing”. 

This book really makes you think creatively about using all that stuff stashed in drawers and jewelry boxes. Even if you don’t want to use vintage parts, you will still find the techniques useful to modern materials too.

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Jan

4

Textured Bracelet Tutorial

January 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment


Check out this fun bracelet tutorial from Martha Stewart Crafts. Revamp old (or new) bangles by using leftover string from other craft projects. These bracelets are really cute!

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Jan

1

Amethyst on Sale at Thunderbird Supply

January 1, 2009 | 1 Comment


Amethyst on Sale!!! Just For one week - January 1 to January 7, 2009, Thunderbird will be featuring all amethyst products (real and rhinestone) at their best price. Take advantage of this sale to prepare for February’s birthstone or just because its such a good deal.

See All Sale Items Here

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Dec

31

New Years Resolutions for Jewelry Artists

December 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Tammy Powley at Jewelrymaking.About.Com has put together a poll about what are some 2009 resolutions for jewelry artists.  She has included some of my her own ideas and some collected from a similar post over at the about.com jewelry forum.  Take the poll and see how many other people have the same goals as you.

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Dec

31

Ring in the New Year with these PMC Bell Earrings

December 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment


 

They are really stylish and pretty. If you have the PMC supplies, you could easily whip these up to wear out tonight and ring in the New Year!

 Jewelry Artist Magazine brings us this step by step tutorial on how to make (PMC) Bell Earrings.

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Dec

28

50% off all Jewelry Projects from Art Jewerly Magazine

December 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Shop all projects now
      Create a Metal Clay Pod PendantLess is More Sophisticated    

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