Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Beadfest Philadelphia Events!

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Bead Fest Philadelphia is featuring three exciting events that you do not want to miss! If you are thinking about going, sign up now!

Sign up now to reserve your seats in your favorite classes

Bead Slam:  Friday August 22, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. What could you make in a room full of beads in 5 hours, with an audience cheering you on? Go bead to bead against your fellow jewelry-makers at the Bead Star Bead Slam at Bead Fest Philadelphia. Bead Fest attendees and students will battle it out by creating a beading project on site. The first 100 projects will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges based on technique and creativity, and the 20 finalists will advance to the final round of judging.
Winners will be announced Sunday at noon.

  • The 1st prize winner will be featured in the 2008 Bead Star magazine; plus a $100 gift certificate for the Interweave Book Store (must be present to redeem their gift certificate).
  • The 2nd prize winner will win a free subscription to any Interweave magazine and a book of their choice (must be present to redeem their book).
  • The 3rd prize winner will win a free subscription to any Interweave magazine

Meet the Teachers Reception:   Friday, August 22, 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Grand Ballroom in the Radisson Hotel (connected to the Convention Center). This is an exciting opportunity to meet our teachers, sign up for workshops and buy tickets and supplies from our nationally acclaimed Bead Fest teachers! (Cash and checks accepted for purchases.) NO ADMISSION FEE!

Moonlight Bead-In:   Saturday, August 23, 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. Location: The Gettysburg A and B rooms in the Scanticon Hotel. Bring a project you are working on and have a chance to mingle with fellow beaders! Admission is FREE and snacks will be served. Cash bar available.
 

 

 

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Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.