Unfortunately, I am having severe computer issues and have been unable to post pictures. I will try again Sunday, May 4th, if you want to check back to see what I created.
I do realize photos where to be posted by 12am.
Marianne Hurley
Posted from my iPod.
Posted in bead soup, Bead soup blog party, Beads, blog party, Blogs, Designing, Jewelry, jewelry making
Tagged bead soup, bead soup blog party, blog party
Posted in beading, Card-making, Coupons, craft books, craft storage, Craft Store, Craft store coupons, Craft Stores, Craft supply storage, Craft tools, Crafts, DIY, Freebie, Freebies, Greeting cards, Halloween, Halloween crafts, Handmade, Holiday crafts, How to --Crafts, How-to jewelry making, jewelry making, Jewelry supplies, Jewelry suppliy stores, Michael's, Organizing supplies, Papercrafts, Scrapbooking, Storage and organization
Tagged AC Moore, art freebies, bead storage, beading, card making, card making supplies, christmas, christmas cards, christmas crafts, christmas jewelry, craft books, craft freebies, craft ideas, craft storage, Craft store coupons, craft supplies, craft supply stores, craft tools, crafting, crafts, Dick Blick Art supplies, Dick Blick's, DIY, freebies, greeting cards, Halloween crafts, Hobby Lobby, Holiday crafts, holiday iseas, holidays, How to, How to - crafts, How to - jewelry making, How to - scrapbooking, How to cake decorating, how to stamping, jewelry ideas, jewelry making, jewelry making ideas, jewelry supplies, Jewelry supply stores, jewelry tools, Joann Fabrics, Joann's, Michaels, organizing art supplies, Organizing craft supplies, organizing supplies, Papercrafts, scrapbooking, scrapbooking supplies, scrapbooking tools, stamping, stamping storage, stamping supplies, storage, Storage and organization, storing craft supplies
1. Do not give beads to babies and small children.
2. Make sure there is NO lead in children’s jewelry
3. Please use a wire guard.
4. Be good to your tools. Use them appropriately. (The right tool for the right job.) Keep them clean, sharp, etc. (I have trouble following this rule; so many tools have additional uses. I keep doubles and triples of some tools because I need one pair to take care of and use appropriately while destroying the others!)
5. Don’t use hammers and pliers for crimpers. Use one of the many crimping pliers available.
6. Don’ copy other’s designs. Use them as a learning experience or for inspiration.
7. Work over a surface with walls or lips so spilled beads don’t send you into tears when they end up in the rug or roll across the floor. If they spill…oh well, **it happens.
8. Never take credit for another’s design. Copying is fine, but don’t claim it as your own idea if asked. Ideas are meant to be shared, but give credit where credit is due.
9. Always spread your wings and try different techniques, tools, and ideas.
10. Have fun.
11. Share your work, wear it, use it, [for gifts (always put a few business cards with gifts)], show it, and sell it. The reason we bead is to create beautiful things, so let the world see what you’ve made.
12. Add your comments here. Thanks for sharing.
Marianne
Posted in beading, beading commandments, commandments of beading, commandments of crafting, crafting commandments, Crafts, How to --Crafts, How-to jewelry making, Jewelry, jewelry making, Uncategorized
Tagged beading, beading commandments, commandments of beading, commandments of crafting, crafting, crafting commandments, jewelry making, making jewelry
JEWELRY SUPPLYS
286 5th Avenue 1st Floor New York, New York vast selection of drilled fresh-water pearls; precious and semi-precious, glass, and shell beads; and sterling silver beads and findings Some of the harried, very busy store personnel can sometimes tell you what the stones are.
34 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 212-944-0909, Fax 944-0644 Base Metal Catalog, Vol. 2 $4.00, New Silver Catalog $4.00, both for $7.50. Metal beads and findings: brass, copper, rich low, nickel silver, sterling silver, niobium, pewter, aluminum; sheet, wire, circles, rod, tube, stampings, machine brass parts, patterned brass strip, hoops, solders, casting alloys, enameling shapes and supplies. Although the store can get extremely busy, if you have questions about how to do something, even the most simple thing, most of the staff are very patient and willing to help out. I love this store.
25 West 47th Street New York, NY 10036 212-398-8300, Gold, silver, and gold filled beads, beading supplies.
10 W. 37th St. New York, NY Czech seed and all other glass beads, including beads from India and Japan.
PHOENIX STONE AND BEADS IMPORT, INC.
5 West 37th Street, (btw 5th & 6th) New York, NY 212-278-8688 wholesale. semi-precious gemstones, sterling silver and gold-filled findings, crystals, seed beads, organic beads, wood, nuts, laminated beads, horn, bone, etc. This is a wholesale store, but they let anyone in. If you spend $200 in one visit, they will give you a “member” card which entitles you to a 30% discount on all purchases for 1 year. They will even apply the discount to that first $200 purchase that got you the card in the first place, so you end up spending only @$140.
Broadway btw 37th & 38th Good selection of Swarovski, Chinese crystals, Japanese and Hong Kong seed beeds, as well as some bead strands. Single beads, charms, and findings by the piece or multiple pricing. Possibly the widest selection of base metal chains in the city, as well as a good selection of beading wire, leather and other cords.
150 W. 28th St ,2nd fl (btw .Sixth and Seventh Aves) New York, NY 212- 675-3065 This is not exactly a jewelry supply store, but if you are looking for nice undrilled tumbled stones, or crystal points for wire wrapping, it is definitely an interesting place to visit. They have a sister store in Park Slope, Brooklyn, as well. STONED Park Slope 82 Fifth Avenue (btw St. Marks and Prospect) Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 718-789-0595
48 W 37 St. New York, NY 10018 Nifty store for fans of Czech pressed glass beads. They are the New York City supplier for Jablonex Czech glass beads. Around since the 1960s, they have big chest-high tables (no more back-aches like you get from leaning over the beads in the Chinese stores) laden with glass beads of all sorts, arranged by color. Under the tables there are more shelves with more beads. Buy onesies, or buy a gross of the beads you like – the prices are very friendly, and the store help is most gracious and helpful.
CJS Sales, 16 W. 36th St., 2nd floor, NYC This is a wholesale warehouse filled to the rafters with vintage beads of all sorts, Swarovskis, Japanese glass, plastic, wood, glass pearls, chain…. you name it, if you dig long enough, you may well find it. Go there in clothes you can get dirty and carry hand cleaner – you will get dirty. You must have a TIN to buy here. Purchases under $100 are cash only.
6th Ave. btw 36th and 37th Japanese-style bead shop. Mostly deals in onesies of costume-jewelry type beads. Staff has limited English, so don’t go there to ask how-to questions.
Sixth Ave. btw 37th and 38th Sts. mostly single beads, some strands. Higher priced than some others. Chinese proprietors do not necessarily truthfully represent what the stones are.
16 E 17th St New York, NY 10003 (212) 620-0642 Exotic beads
4 Rivington St. New York, NY Exotic beads and other exciting things
1027 Sixth Ave. New York, NY Single beads, some strands. Higher priced than some others. Chinese proprietors do not necessarily truthfully represent what the stones are.
376 5th Ave. (corner 35th) New York, (NY) 10001 212-244-6616 Sister store to New York Beads. Same experience.
B & Q TRIM
102 W. 38th Street Manhattan This is not a bead store, per se, but, when you enter, you will see a small assortment of beads and findings (not like you find in the Chinese bead stores, even though this is a Chinese outfit). Walk in further, and you find strings of rhinestones (for sale by the yard), all sorts of things you might co-opt into jewelry items (or else anything else you are up to making). At the back of the store, you find cords mixed in with yarns, lace, trims, and some other interesting things (I have to tour the whole store each time to see what new things they have, or what things I have missed previously). The staff do speak English, so, if you can get someone’s attention, you can ask for the particular thing you are looking for and they will do their best to produce it or convince you that what they have produced is it!) I’d say, on the whole, this is a friendly shop, with all sorts of possible jewelry-making things, with helpful but not intrusive employees.
37 W. 37th Street New York, NY 10018 212-391-9075, Fax 391-9079 beads: charlotte, seed, pony, crow, 2-cuts, 3-cuts, Czech Republic glass, wood, metal, plastic, porcelain, fire-polished. Sequined and beaded appliques of all kinds .Their shipping charge is 10% of your order.
11 W. 37th Street New York, NY 10018-6235 Phone 212-575-0767, Fax 212-575-0931, Toll-free 877-575-0767 fashion beads, simulated pearls, cabochons, sterling silver, and austrian crystal components and related jewelry parts. Huge collection of original vintage glass beads. . No minimum order.
5111 4 th Avenue Brooklyn , NY 11220 718-259-9224, Fax 718-259-9090, 1-800-MODE(6633)-527 Direct importer and manufacturer, Bohemian Glass, buttons, pearls, Czech glass beads, glass beaded jewelry. Strictly wholesale with a minimum $250 per order of combined merchandise.
BEADS ON 4th: Retail outlet of Mode Internation, on the 2nd floor of the Mode International offices. No minimum required. Open Monday to Friday.
STAR GEMS & BEADS 38 West 48 Street Suite 1004 New York, NY 10036 Toll Free: 1-888-391-GEMS (4367) 212-391-7799
AURORA’S BEADS & JEWELRY DESIGN
242 E 28th St New York, NY (btw 2nd & 3rd) (212) 779 -1729
12 Rewe Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 212-714-1420
Bead House, Inc./Plastic Methods Co., Inc. 256 West 38th Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10018 Tel: 212-714-1420
Beads and Gems International 66 W.37th St (@ Sixth Ave.) New York, (NY) 10018 212-904-1690
1204 Broadway, Ste.303 and 304 (btw 29th & 30th) New York, (NY) 10001 212-679-3178 precious and semi precious beads and fancy cuts, fresh water pearls, sterling silver findings, chains and charms, etc.
215 W. 83rd Street (off Amsterdam Ave.) New York, NY
I liked this cozy place when I passed by there. They have an odd assortment of onesies and strings. Prices are high, but there are things you don’t often see – I’ve added this place to my list of places to check out when I am stuck for what to do with a particular design.
(212) 532 6444 29 W. 30th St. 4th fl New York NY. wholesale
56 W. 45th St, Ste 1005 New York, (NY)
DRS Jeweler’s Department Store
56 W. 47th Street New York, (NY) 10036 212-819-0237 800-223-8960 Tools, jewelry manufacturing supplies and accessories, findings, colored stones and beads.
116 County Courthouse Road Garden City Park, (NY) 11040 (one block from Merillon Avenue Long Island Rail Road Station) 516-747-6640 base metal (brass, copper, etc.) beads and findings
Emaco Co., Inc. 48 W. 48th Street, Suite 600 New York, (NY) 10036 212-382-0123 Beads, cabochons, semi-precious shaped beads.
40A West 37th Street (btw 5th and 6th ) New York, NY 212-302-3332 Gemstone, semi-precious stone, freshwater pearl, m.o.p (shell), coral, turquoise, findings, gemstone jewelry.
Himalayan Crafts 2007 Broadway New York, NY 212-787-5000 full-service bead shop specializing in antique African Trade beads.
Lavaliere Sterling and Stones, Inc.
1006 Sixth Ave. New York, NY (between 37th and 38th) 212-278-8133
Lucky Gems and Jewelry Factory
1220 Broadway, 3rd fl. New York, (NY) 10001 212-268-8866 Manufacturers of semi-precious stones, faceted beads and fresh water pearls.
54 W. 47th Street New York, NY 212-869-1407 800-654-ROSS Wire and Plate, Castings, Findings, Solder, Chain. Probably wholesale
17 W 45th Street # 404 New York, NY 212-575-0298 silver beads, gemstones, cut stones and silver jewelry –
Stone USA, Inc. 1204 Broadway Suite#301 1170 Broadway Ste 1011-1014. New York, NY 212-447-5268 wholesale
Taj Co. 42 W. 48th Street, Room 203 New York, NY 10036 212-944-6330 Beads, semi-precious beads, precious gems.
I used the beads I made last weekend to make these great bracelets. One went to my eldest son’s girlfriend for her birthday. I made the blue one for a friend of my mother’s but my mother wanted it so I gave it to her. The teal and purple I kept for myself. I have more planned. I am hoping they sell quickly.
1/2 inch handmade, blue, paper bead bracelet
1/2 inch handmade, pink, paper bead bracelet
1/2 inch handmade, teal & purple, paper bead bracelet
1/2 inch handmade, teal & purple, paper bead bracelet
Posted in beading, Bracelets, Handmade, Handmade Beads, jewelry making, Original, Original designs
Tagged beading, bracelets, handmade, jewelry making, making jewelry, Original designs
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| Golem Studios Ceramic Pendant |
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| Swarovski Color Carousel |
If you are a fan of Swarovski Crystal, there is a great tool at your disposal: the Swarovski Color Carousel. Choose your main color, and this color wheel will automatically generate harmonious colors, contrasting colors, even the appropriate pearl color. As an example, I chose Siam as my main color and was then told that Ruby, Burgundy, and Garnet are harmonious colors. Erinite and Emerald are contrasting colors to Siam, and the appropriate pearl is Crystal Burgundy. Even if you are not using Swarovski Elements, you can use this tool to generate beautiful color stories.
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| Sample Color Palette |
Other websites to check out include Kuler.adobe.com and Colourlovers.com. Both of these sites are free and offer thousands of color palettes for you to look through. The palettes have been sorted by theme, popularity, etc. so you can quickly narrow down your selections. There are so many choices in just these two sites alone, you will surely be inspired by a color scheme.
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| © Design Seeds |
A third website to check out is Design Seeds. This site takes a photograph, picks out all the colors from it, and gives you a handy color swatch palette to work off of. Seeing the colors in the photograph is really inspiring and gives you a better idea of how they will work together. Once you have chosen your colors, you can then purchase beads to match. When picking out the beads, I like to have a separate browser window open with the color palette displayed so that I can easily see if the beads I am considering match my color scheme.
Finally, a tip I learned from a fellow crafter was to go to the paint store and pick up some paint chips. You can then use these to develop your color schemes. You might also find the free booklets offered at paint stores helpful too. These usually have “designer” schemes pre-arranged and you can pick out the one that appeals to you.
Ah, January. Resolutions have everyone on their best behavior, eating better, learning new skills, saving money, being earth friendly. . . . My friend Chocolate and I can’t help you with the “eating better” part, but I’m happy to say I do have some ideas that will help you learn new (jewelry-making) skills, save money, and be earth friendly, all at the same time.
Shop Smarter = Save More
I love finding new and unexpected uses for items I already have, and spending a few days with master metalsmith Lexi Erickson in her studio recently brought to my attention how many everyday items we jewelry makers repurpose for use in our craft. Shopping “outside the genre” is a great way to save money (try buying white ribbon both in a fabric/craft store and in a wedding shop, and you’ll see what I mean), but it also cuts down on having to buy more stuff, which most of us already have way too much of as it is.
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| Lexi’s saw with her sparkly bike-grip saw handle. |
Lexi shared her jewelry-making essential tools on Friday, and while watching her work some magic in her workshop, I made note of these everyday, unexpected jewelry-making essentials she used while making handcrafted sterling silver jewelry:
1. Keep pickle hot and ready for your jewelry in a Crock-Pot.
2. Cute bicycle grips make a perfect hand-friendly topper for your tool handles. Get a cute sparkly one with ribbon streamers like Lexi’s, and no one will mistake your tool for theirs in a class—they’ll just wish it was theirs!
3. Sharpie markers: Draw designs on your silver or copper sheet or wire with a Sharpie—the ink will rub off when you’re ready for it to. Sharpies also double as a mandrel and are the perfect size for forming ear wires.
4. Bar Keeper’s Friend is a pumice that teams up with (5) Dawn dish detergent and (6) a kitchen scrubber or (7) a toothbrush to clean and finish sterling silver jewelry after soldering, pickling, and liver-of-sulfuring.
8. Baking soda works well as a pumice and cleaner, too.
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| Bar Keeper’s Friend (a pumice) pairs up with Dawn detergent to clean silver jewelry. |
9. A plastic sandwich bag is always handy; use it to keep scraps of metal types separate, to store different gauges of wire (write the gauge on the back with a Sharpie), your saw blades, polishing wheels, solder, as a backup container around liquids that might spill, even over your hand as a makeshift glove for dirty jobs like painting on liver of sulfur.
10. Milky Way mini candy bars: Lexi never really explained why these were necessary, but she’s the expert, so I’m taking her word for it. ;o)
11. Use old paintbrushes to apply liver of sulfur to add patina to your silver jewelry.
12. Ammonia, used with Dawn, dissolves oily, greasy buffing compounds from metal. If you’re removing Tripoli, use a toothbrush or a brass brush.
13. Cotton swabs and (14) toothpicks make great removers, too. Use them in your flex shaft with Tripoli and rouge to get into hard-to-reach places and then use clean ones to remove stubborn buffing compounds from high-polish metals.
15. A pencil makes a good solder pick in a pinch—just be careful not to catch it on fire! A pencil can also be a mandrel to coil metal.
16. Boiled eggs: Slice one in half and store it with silver in a bag from #8 to get an attractive patina without using liver of sulfur.
17. Just like the bags from #8, mini candy or mint tins can be used to store any little bits and pieces you need to keep track of without investing in expensive storage pieces.
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| Lexi keeps various solder types in color-coded Altoids tins, but I’m a Godiva Chocolate Pearl girl (of course). These tins are vertical and taller, making them good for wire, saw blades, needles, etc. |
18. Wad up toilet tissue and send it through a rolling mill with sheet metal for a beautifully unique texture.
19. Fabric scraps also impart great texture on metal when passed through a rolling mill. Coarse fabric doubles as very fine sandpaper or polishing cloth. Crocus cloth from auto-supply shops can be torn in strips and used for sanding or thrumming.
20. Textured-paper greeting cards, gift wrap, wallpaper samples—all of these can transfer beautiful textures to your metals when you run them through a rolling mill.
21. Window screening/mesh: You can use metal screening for its textural qualities in a rolling mill, and plastic screen doubles as a strainer for holding small parts when pickling, liver of sulfur, enameling, and more. Don’t use metal screen in pickle. Plastic screen is available.
22. WD-40 is good to keep tools oiled and whirring along smoothly.
23. Beeswax makes a perfect lube for saw blades.
What’s your favorite everyday essential for jewelry making? I’d love to read about it in the comments below!
Posted in How-to jewelry making, jewelry making, jewelry making tips, Jewelry making tools, Organizing supplies, Organizing tools
Tagged How to, jewelry making, organize a studio, organizing craft tools, organizing ideas, organizing jewelry tools, organizing your studio, unusual uses of ordinary objects
Fusion beads is having a give-away with a heavy ring mandrel, an ounce of silver-filled wire and two hammers for ring making.
Bead Soup BLOG Party
Bead Soup BLOG Party
readsandbeads 