Craft Test Dummies

Well, I’m thrilled to say that we are going to be making these fab-oo bracelets at Grand River Beads in the merry merry month of May. The first class will be offered on May 1 (Thursday, 6 PM) and the on the last day, May 31 (Saturday, 1:00PM.)

I’m stoked to do this one because A) I love to make beads to match my outfits, and B) this is a simple way to learn how to use Artistic Wire. It come in a rainbow of colors, and it very high quality. Eva is going to teach the part using the coiling gizmo while our beads bake. I think folks will be amazed at how quickly this bracelet comes together. Fun, fun, fun!

If you are interested, just check out the GRB site… they now have it set up that you can register and pay online. How easy is that?

As I’ve mentioned before, I am a magazine junkie. Especially bead and papercrafts magazines. Well, right now I have a subscription to Bead Style Magazine, and usually I just leaf through it. This month, though, I saw the “Razzle Dazzle Bracelet” designed by Caroline Conley, and I knew I had to test it out!

I love to make my polymer clay beads, and I’ve been working in sets. I’ve wanted to use them in bracelets, but wanted to make a more cuff/bangle style instead of just stringing them. I hadn’t found a design I really loved. Until I saw this one!

I got out my Coiling Gizmo, my box of Swarovskis, and my polyclay beads and got to work. This was my first attempt:

I really liked the bead combination, and the way it fit together, but the coil seemed to be out of proportion. I then realized I needed a smaller coiling mandrel - duh! And after a quick consult with Eva at Grand River Beads, I needed some smaller wire for the outside coil as well.

So I got it all straighted out, and got on a roll. No pun intended! I love the way they are turning out, and I’m all jazzed up to do this as a class for GRB. If you are liking the design, I encourage you to pick up the May 2008 issue of BeadStyle and try it out for yourself. The instructions were clear, easy to follow, and easy enough for an experienced beginner. You need a Coiling Gizmo and need to know how to make it work, as well as crimping and wire wrapping.

(The original design was for lampworked beads as the focals, but the polymer works just as nicely. And if you don’t make polymer clay beads, you can pick some up at my Etsy Shop for a song!)

I had my first wire wrapping class today with Melissa M. at Grand River Beads. As you may know, I’ve gone off of the deep end with polymer clay cabochons using metal leaf and inks. So I figure I have to learn what to do with them!

I’m so glad I took the class. I’d seen some tutorials online, but there’s no way I’d have gotten the bale to turn out if I hadn’t seen someone else do it first.

So… whaddaya think? Personally, I was pretty happy. Can’t wait to try again!

I’m teaching the paper-bead making class at both Grand River Beads and Stamplistic, so I thought I should work up some more paper bead jewelry ideas. Got simmering in my Somerset juices, and came up with this:

Paper Bead Angel Pin

I wired up some sheet music beads (you can even see lyrics on some of them) and pulled out the poetry tile I had in my stash. I used some Pinata alcohol inks on it to made it match the beads better. I added some metal wings and glass beads.

Think I might try to get it published. You think it’s Belle Armoire worthy?

OK, so now you know I’m on a bit of a paper bead kick. And it’s working out for me, too….I’m going to be teaching a class at Grand River Beads in March. (See my “Calendar and Events” tab for all of my scheduled classes.)

I’m a big fan of trying to stretch your creative muscles, so one of my favorite self-challenges is “Make 3 Things.” Whether it’s using a product or technique, I think it’s important to use or do it a number of times to both explore the medium/process and to try to think outside of the box.

So I wanted to make 3 things with paper beads…. now, they are all jewelry items, but I’ll be working on that next. Anyhoo, this is what I’ve come up with. Today.

Dragonfly Pin

Paper Beads with Sterling Silver Spacers and Swarovski Crystals

Guitar Pick Pendant with Paper Beads & Crystals