Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Taking a Moment to Introduce Myself

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Hi everyone,  I want to take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Mardi Robyn and I will be your new jewelry making editor.  I grew up in South Alabama, and currently live in Mount Olive, Mississippi.   I am twenty-six years old and blessed with amazing family and friends. I have two horses and a dog that I call my babies.   I love music, photography, blogging, the great outdoors, crafts, shopping, reading, jewelry making, and the list goes on and on.  Being a jewelry designer with my own online business, I love everything to do with jewelry making.  I look forward to being the  jewelry making editor for Craft Gossip.

I enjoy interacting with people so feel free to comment and email me your ideas. I will reply.  So pull up a chair, relax, make yourself at home and let the jewelry making gossip continue!

 

 

Comments

  1. I had to give up my Dremel saw several years ago during a move. Have missed it ever since. I have been using my Dremel Moto Tool
    & various cutters to aid in making special parts for jewelry, doll, and doll house items.
    This tool would make my life so much easier!!

  2. Welcome Mardi!! Ive been reading this blog for quite a few years now & this is my 1st time posting!!! I love this blog & hope you will too!!!

  3. Hi, Mardi and welcome! I hope you have alot of fun here. All of the people at Craft Gossip are friendly and very creative. Be happy.

  4. Thank y’all for the welcome!

    Constance: Sounds good! I hadn’t thought about it could be used for doll houses. Awesome!

    Lynn: Thanks for commenting and congratulations on your first comment here on craft gossip!

    ChrisTea: Thank you so much! Everyone seems to be!

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.