Let me know...What's on Your Plate! Literally or figuratively. Or the best plates you have seen.
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Friday, June 11, 2010
What's On Your Plate
Let me know...What's on Your Plate! Literally or figuratively. Or the best plates you have seen.
Friday Finds with Lorelei: Lampwork Favorites
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Fly your Beads to Space with Tenara Cording
I would like very much to introduce a new stringing cord that virtually guarantees you will not have to replace it....EV-ER. In fact, this thread is so durable it can go into space.
I first learned of Tenara cording through one of my favorite jewelry designers, Jes Maharry. One of her necklaces contained tiny weaving's of a very fine thread. Upon reading the description, I put together that it was called gore-tex tenara cording and promptly set out to purchase some for myself. Well, that was easier said then done. I could not find it any where! What was this elusive tenara that Jes found worthy enough to string her fine jewels on but could not be found in any bead store?
I couldn't find it in bead stores because it isn't in bead stores, it is being used to sew astronaut suits and marina sails and restaurant awnings. It is a mildew/sun/uv resistant, water repellent, rot proof, resistant to most chemicals thread. It is also pre-lubricated, making the task of knotting extremely easy.
I had to invest in a spool. In spite of its cost, I just had to. I am so glad I did.
Not only can I rest assured I am offering my customers the most durable thread ever created, but for my own personal use, I have found that it easily threads through large, hollow, altered art metal beads which were previously a little maddening to string.
The stiff thread acts as its own needle, pushing through small holed beads with ease. To use it's fine thread size, double knot each knot you place after a larger holed bead or use small spacers. You can also double up on your thread if need be. The necklace above consists of Oregon Opal that had minute holes I could not fit over wire. Tenara cording not only fit through the Opal but also tiny chips of turquoise and large hollow, African brass that had rough edges around their holes. I do not have to worry about the rough edges of the larger beads wearing the cord down, it is that durable!
To finish off your tenara cording, just complete a double over hand knot and place a drop of epoxy or jewelers cement on the knot. Let the epoxy set completely and trim close to the knot with scissors. Just as you would with silk or nylon thread. The difference? You will only have to do this once for this piece of jewelry, not every 12 months like you need to in order to maintain a knotted silk cording.
So while I doubt my beaded jewelry will be orbiting the moon any time soon, at least I know it could.
Much Love and Respect,
Shannon
missficklemedia.com
I first learned of Tenara cording through one of my favorite jewelry designers, Jes Maharry. One of her necklaces contained tiny weaving's of a very fine thread. Upon reading the description, I put together that it was called gore-tex tenara cording and promptly set out to purchase some for myself. Well, that was easier said then done. I could not find it any where! What was this elusive tenara that Jes found worthy enough to string her fine jewels on but could not be found in any bead store?
I couldn't find it in bead stores because it isn't in bead stores, it is being used to sew astronaut suits and marina sails and restaurant awnings. It is a mildew/sun/uv resistant, water repellent, rot proof, resistant to most chemicals thread. It is also pre-lubricated, making the task of knotting extremely easy.
I had to invest in a spool. In spite of its cost, I just had to. I am so glad I did.
Not only can I rest assured I am offering my customers the most durable thread ever created, but for my own personal use, I have found that it easily threads through large, hollow, altered art metal beads which were previously a little maddening to string.
To finish off your tenara cording, just complete a double over hand knot and place a drop of epoxy or jewelers cement on the knot. Let the epoxy set completely and trim close to the knot with scissors. Just as you would with silk or nylon thread. The difference? You will only have to do this once for this piece of jewelry, not every 12 months like you need to in order to maintain a knotted silk cording.
So while I doubt my beaded jewelry will be orbiting the moon any time soon, at least I know it could.
Much Love and Respect,
Shannon
missficklemedia.com
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wish I was there
Imagine for a moment, that you are headed to Milwaukee, to attend one of the biggest bead shows of the year. Can you feel the excitement? Pounding in your chest, knowing what is in store for you?
No?
You can't? Whyzzat- because you aren't going?
yeaaa. Me neither.
At this stage of my beading career, I can really only afford one big bead show a year, and I'll be headed to Philadelphia for Bead Fest, because I can drive there, in a 5 hour time span. I like to imagine what it would be like if I could go to Milwaukee. To hop on that jet plane and arrive in a city that I've never been to, in anticipation of meeting friends in person, that I feel like I've known forever...
I imagine that I would spend at least one day fondling the beads, running my fingers through all of the bead trays, like the ones shown here.
And it wouldn't take me long to shoot over to Lisa Peters Table! (center pic)
And then I would pit stop at Jangles table because the colors would guide me there (bottom pic)
And LOOK!
Just look at their shiny smiling faces!? Nothing can make a girl smile like that, other than beads!! I imagine that I would be there too- I would be in that picture, I would be smiling, and laughing and shopping....ahhhh.
Well, never fear. I have put together a shopping list of some popular vendors that will be selling their wares this year at Bead & Button. Click each of the names, and while you are feeling all jealous as your friends are all twittering from their iphones about how great it is, and how many beads they've bought, you can do your fair share of online shopping damage too!!
No?
You can't? Whyzzat- because you aren't going?
yeaaa. Me neither.
At this stage of my beading career, I can really only afford one big bead show a year, and I'll be headed to Philadelphia for Bead Fest, because I can drive there, in a 5 hour time span. I like to imagine what it would be like if I could go to Milwaukee. To hop on that jet plane and arrive in a city that I've never been to, in anticipation of meeting friends in person, that I feel like I've known forever...
I would definitely be here at Pam and Heather Wynn's Table (Top image)
And then I would pit stop at Jangles table because the colors would guide me there (bottom pic)
And LOOK!
Just look at their shiny smiling faces!? Nothing can make a girl smile like that, other than beads!! I imagine that I would be there too- I would be in that picture, I would be smiling, and laughing and shopping....ahhhh.
Heather Powers of Humblebeads, ME (in my imagination), and Erin Prais-Hintz
Well, never fear. I have put together a shopping list of some popular vendors that will be selling their wares this year at Bead & Button. Click each of the names, and while you are feeling all jealous as your friends are all twittering from their iphones about how great it is, and how many beads they've bought, you can do your fair share of online shopping damage too!!
For a complete list of exhibitors, with their booth numbers, click here...
Thank you to Erin Prais-Hintz for allowing me to use her pictures for this post, because ehem. she was there, and will be there again this year.
nah, I'm not bitter!! But one of these people better buy some beads for me!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Free Wire Tutorial: Matchin' by Wrappin'
I make all my Double Dips with copper wire. If you are creating a design in a different metal then how might you go about matching the metal?
In this week's Wednesday Wire, I will show you how with a simple wrapping technique. I'm partial to the deep brown color of the Vintaj brass. Since it's impossible for a manufacturer to create all of the findings I could want, I often need to match the metals in my jewelry designs.
When using the Double Dips, I need the exposed wire to match the Vintaj bronze color. I buy fine gauge wire from Parawire to wrap around the copper wire of the Double Dip. Simple enough but there's a bit of a trick to it.
Gather up your tools and supplies:
Begin by wrapping a couple of winds around the wire leaving a 4 inch tail of wire at the end toward the glass bulb of the Double Dip:
Push the few wraps down toward the glass bulb. Now, wind in the opposite direction towards the other end keeping the wire nice and tight next to each other. I use my fingers to hold the wire in place as I wind but you can use your chainnose pliers to hold the wire in place as you wind.
When you reach the end, you can create a small "beadcap" by winding down onto the glass.
Cut the small gauge wire with your flush cutters.
Now you're done! Go to the opposite end and create a beadcap by winding and cutting the wire in the same way as you just did above.
Now I've got a double dip that will match the Vintaj brass perfectly!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Featured Designer of the Week: BeeTreeByMe
Each Monday the Art Bead Scene features the Designer of the Week. One of our editors picks her favorite from the Monthly Challenge entries. This week's featured designer is BeeTreeByMe!
ABS editor Tari Sasser had this to say about Ms. Bee's creation, "I love the colors and style of the dancing flowers. This piece is beautiful!"
If you want to read more about this piece and what she was thinking about when creating it you you can find more on her BeeTreeByMe blog.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday with Cindy
Happy Sunday! Hope you're enjoying your coffee this morning! Let's see what's going on in the Bead Blogging world....
About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy is getting back to the basics, starting with jewelry making tools. What is your must have tool?
Art Bead Scene
Gearing up for that big bead show coming up? ABS has the top ten tips for your bead buying trip!
Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe is having a "City of Love" giveaway!!!
Beading Arts
Chapter two of Cyndi's e-book is available for download! "Altered Surfaces" begins the exploration of the exchange between mixed media and bead embroidery!
Carmi's Art/Life World
A handmade bezel results in a new necklace for Carmi called FAITHFUL.
Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
A set of smokey quartz beads inspires a new necklace.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie celebrates her 1000th blog post with Ten Days of Giveaways!
Jean Campbell
Jean reviews Nathalie Mornu's Leather Jewelry, a bang-up book.
Katie's Beading Blog
Get the 411 about BeadStyle's gorgeous All Star Issue!
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei has been answer some of her reader's questions from a previous giveaway post. Read up on what everyone wants to know!
Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Jean is thrilled to be in BeadStyle magazine's July All Star issue, with pals Tammy Powley, Heather Powers, and Katie Hacker who made the cover so beautiful! Come and see!
Strands of Beads
It's Melissa's turn to review Kate McKinnon's fabulous Sculptural Metal Clay.
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
The prize for this week's Thursday Giveaway comes courtesy of Green Girl Studios! Find out how you can get ahold of these fine pewter beauties!
missficklemedia.com
The Staples of Jewelry Making
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