Grab Your Sunglasses!

From the runway to the street, neon colours are blazing a trail across the world and burning up retinas everywhere! .



















While gathering items to merchandise the Fall/Winter Swarovski Innovations pre-launch neon pearls, I discovered that beadFX is full of neon coloured items.

How do you wear or use these colours?

In beadwork, you have a lot of options. You can go all in and use all neon colours like Dwyn's eye searing inspiration bracelet Summer Party. You could also use them with a grounding colour such as black or white.

I'm working on another Double Duty Spiral bracelet (Bead&Button, August issue, page 26) by my friend and fellow beadaholic, Ellen Tihane. I've switched the 6/0 core bead to a 4mm 5328 Xilion bicone in Sun AB2X. I'm using 3mm Swarovski pearls in the neon pink. For the front and back, I've picked 8/0 neon orange lined crystal and matte cherry red ab. It is a delight to stitch up as I love the harmonious colour way.


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July is heating up....

...And I meant that quite literally. It's crazy hot out there - be careful doing anything out in that heat.

We hope you'll join us tomorrow (Wednesday) evening for our regular Open Beading Night  hosted by our in house sparkle diva - Stephanie Dixon.  6pm to 8pm. Please register!

And don't be afraid to join us on Thursday for our Happy Hour Torching in this heat. Dwyn tells us the new studio is quite comfortable with our air conditioning!

We've also got quite a few classes lined up for you this weekend.

Saturday July 21st

Bead Stringing Basics - Gemstone Necklace with Marilyn Gardiner. 10am to 12:30 pm

If you've never used beading wire to make jewellery, this is the perfect class to take. You will learn how to use crimps to keep the beads secure, how to add a clasp, how to choose beading wire and how to use wire protectors and crimp covers for a professional finish.
The beads and the jasper pendants are hot from the gem shows in Tucson. Choose from 5 colourways - limited quantities, so reserve yours now! Fushsia, Blue, Turquoise, Pink and Purple.
Tools will be provided, but if you have your own, please bring them. We'll be using crimp pliers, cutters, chain nose pliers and flat nose pliers.
Skill Level:Beginner
Technique Focus: Bead stringing techniques
Prerequisite: None

Saturday July 21st


 Barrel of Pearls Bracelet with Marilyn Gardiner. 1:30 to 4:30

Course Outline: Start with a lovely, open-work Barrel Weave bracelet made with a heavy gauge of metal rings - then add a profusion of Swarovski crystal pearls in complementary colours. The result? A truly spectacular bracelet. Marilyn will bring several samples of jewelry to show a range of ways to use the barrel weave segments.
Skill Level:Beginner Plus (Need to have experience with chain mail and wrapped loops)
Technique Focus:Wirework - Chain Mail


Saturday July 21st

Hot Connections 2 - Rings and Chain with Iris Melamed. 10am to 2pm

Course Outline:

In this class you will learn how to solder multiple rings in a chain and then connect them with a soldering joint to other components.

You will start by forming the components of our chain necklace, including a hook clasp. After the design has been checked for balance and fit, we will start our multi-stage soldering process, including soldering with a third hand. Finally we will finish and polish the necklaces.

Technique Focus: Soldering connections and multiple ring.
Skill Level: Beginner
Pre-requisites: You have done the Hot Connections 1 class or experience soldering with a micro torch. Ability to close jump rings is an asset.


Sunday July 22nd

 Introduction to Viking Knit with Carol Ann Savage. 11am to 2pm

Course Outline:
This class will take you through the steps needed to learn single and double Viking knit using one or two colors of 26 gauge wire. Techniques for finishing the bracelet will also be demonstrated so you will be able to complete your piece at home.
Skill Level: Beginner
Focus Technique: Single and double Viking knit.

Monday July 23rd

Freeform 101 with Robert Burton.   6pm to 9pm

Course Outline
In this class you will make a beaded freeform cuff bracelet using 4mm and 6mm assorted beads or you can bring your own beads. You will also make a minimum of 2 pendants, possibly 4 (time permitting) using a cabochon and natural stones. If you have your own stones, crystals, etc, bring them with you to wrap them. You will also learn basic wire techniques, wrapping forming and wire smithing.
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None

Take this Test: How good IS your colour vision?

Well - here's a fun little time waster. How good IS your color vision?  Can you see the differences?

When it says 1 in 12 men have some sort of colour vision deficiency, do you snort and think, "Ha - ALL of them!" (Get your dude to take the test - perhaps it will explain some of those arguments.)

I wonder if beaders have better than usual ability to distinguish colours? Does that come from practice? Or do you bead because you  are drawn to colour?

PS - my score was 8. What's yours?

The Joy of Metal Clay - This and That

Last week during my class my student asked me about several resources which I didn't have the information on hand. I decided to post the information here to share with you all.

First there was the question about molding compounds:

Mairead, one of the students from last week's class, happened to bring her silicone molding compound with her and shared it with some of the class. Thanks for sharing. 

Two part silicone can be bought craft stores and metal clay resources.  It is easy to use - just mix two equal parts mold, allow the item to set in the mold while curing.  Curing can take several minutes to half an hour depending on the type - read the directions.  Many don't require any mold release as but check the directions of the type you purchase. 

Another cool  compound I have used is the Oyumara compound which is inexpensive, reusable and easy to use:

Here are the directions taken from ART CLAY WORLD USA's website:

Directions: Dip the Oyumaru into hot water (more than 176ºF) for 3 minutes. Take the Oyumaru out of the water with a pair of tongs and wipe it dry with a towel. While it is still soft, press the material you wish to mold into the Oyumaru. If the Oyumaru gets hard while you are working with it, place it back in the water and begin the process again.


I blogged about it a while ago. Here is the link. I have seen it at the BeadFX store.  You can also purchase it from Art Clay World.

There are many other ways to make textures and molds but those are two that last week's class was interested in.

The other thing that came up was questions about where I managed to order some custom stamps to be made.  I have searched and this is the place: RubberStamps.net.

The final piece of info was about a small Waterloo company where I have ordered rare earth magnets and craft tools.  It is called Indigo Instruments and is has a variety of medical grade tools that come in handy for working with metal clay. 

The Business Chat - Charge what you are worth

One day you’re walking down a street and you see 2 hair salons, side by side. You need a haircut so you wander over.

The salons look identical, the only difference between them that you can see are the signs in the window. The first salon has a nicely framed sign in beautiful calligraphy saying “Haircuts $45”.  The second has a piece of construction paper with wonky handwriting saying “Haircuts $5”.  

Which salon do you think will get more business?  

Absolutely no question, the $45 haircut will attract more customers. A $5 haircut just seems too cheap to be any good. If I saw these signs, my first instinct is “what’s wrong with it?” followed by a sense of mistrust. The $45 haircut is consistent with what I know to be fair market pricing of other salons so I equate the salon with the better salons that I know of.

Your work is like this. If you price yourself too low then customers will automatically wonder what is wrong with it. Or maybe they will think that you didn’t really make it, that you are importing from a third world country. If you have a hand knitted sweater that you are selling for $45 a customer is going to realize that you are working for $2/hour. Nobody respects someone who is willing to work for so little.

You have a skill. You have talent.

You have spent time and money acquiring these skills. You deserve to be paid for your skills.

The reason people are buying your work is because of your talents. You can do something that they cannot. Think of the hairdressers in our mythical salons. She has spent a lot of time learning how to cut hair beautifully, of course she is going to charge for her skills. And people will pay it because they cannot cut hair themselves. You don’t begrudge her for making a decent amount for her skills.

So why do so many artists belittle their own value by underpricing their work?

I’ve heard all sorts of reasons for justifying ridiculously low prices.

“Oh, but I’m self-taught, I can’t charge more”. Yeah? Van Gogh was self-taught.

“Everyone around me is charging the same”. Don’t be a lemming, even worse, don’t be a broke lemming. If everyone around you is underpricing their work then everyone else will be disappearing from the marketplace very soon. Rise above it.

“But I really need the money”.  Charging too little and paying yourself $2 an hour is not going to get you out of any financial hole. If you’re truly desperate pick up a job making lattes and then do your artistic work on the side. Remember, we are selling a bit of our fantastic artsy lives when we sell our work. Desperation is not a story a customer wants to buy.

“Well I bought my supplies years ago when they were really cheap.” Does your customer know when you bought them? And what happens if your design is really popular, you sell out and have to buy more supplies at current prices that are 4 times higher? Your prices will either rise and customers won’t understand, or you will have to swallow the difference and lose money. Base your prices on current rates and consider yourself smart for stockpiling cheap supplies. After all, if you hadn’t bought those cheap supplies you would have had money in the bank earning interest for all those years.

“I’m just starting out, I’ll charge more when I’m established”. Uh no. If you aren’t paying yourself properly then you won’t be around long enough to get established. And if you do manage it then your brand will already be tainted with the scent of being bargain basement.

Let me say this again. What you do requires skill and talent. You have those. You have invested time and energy in developing these. Customers are buying your work because they believe in you. Believe in yourself and charge what you’re worth.

It’s an important step to success.

Bright Bold Colour

I'm trying to branch out from my usual colour palette of blues, greys, blacks, and other neutrals. Trust me, this is much harder to break yourself from than you might think. I've been working with, and surrounded by those colours for so long.

I'm currently setting up a new craft studio area in our under utilized family room.  Now, some of you may be about to become envious of the fact that we have an unused family room - don't. The only reason we don't use it is that it is far too small to actually be used as a family room. The living/dining room is used as a family room. When my husband was working from home, we used the room as his office - now that he's working out of the house, I'm taking it over.

Anyone who has known me for a while may be groaning about hearing that I am planning yet another craft area (that you may think I'll never finish) - I say hush you. ;-p  I do believe this area will finally get far more use. I can craft with the kids, or even work on jewelry projects while they're doing their homework or reading. My main craft area is in the unfinished basement - by the time I get them to bed, I'm too tired to head down there. As such, I don't manage to get a heck of a lot done. ;-)

Below is the room with a craft table moved in, and a few of my jewelry/craft books that are currently scattered all over the house. The kids are at camp next week, and I'm looking forward to getting everything organized and decorated!

The walls of this room are bright blazing white. I'd be tempted to paint it, but the ceiling is open to the 2nd floor - and there is no way I'm standing on a ladder that tall. The plan is to fill it with bold, bright colours that I love - but haven't been entirely comfortable with using.


I love this combination of aqua and deep blood red.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Heather on Pinterest

Or how about this? The kids would love this!

Source: gipsybazar.blogspot.com via MaryAnn on Pinterest

Do you find you're more creative if you surround yourself with colour? Or do you prefer a more relaxed neutral environment?

Make this dazzling bracelet in minutes!

I want to show you how to make either of these fabulous bracelets in just minutes! 

The foundation or base for these is Ultra Suede. If the Ultra Suede you buy at the local fabric store seems sort of thin and flimsy - you can try laminating two pieces together using some fusible interfacing.

Or you can just get it from us. ;-)

Accessories - Narrow Ultra Suede Cuff Strip - Jet Black (1)










Let's do the Black bracelet first. Once you see how the snap closure is done, you'll know how to do the Pink one too.  
The shiny crystals are hot fix - but here's the dirty little secret. They aren't applied one at a time - but all at once, by using the Crystal Tex Applique. I used 7 inches - which is about 18 cm.
Swarovski - Applique - Crystal Tex (62030) - Crystal (1 cm)

Watch this video to see how it is done. You can use a regular iron instead of the hot fix press. Remember - no steam, and lots of pressure - but no "ironing" - that is, no sliding the iron around. If your iron won't cover the entire piece to be hot-fixed

Here's the temperature chart again.

Now - to add the closure - which is a Swarovski Snap.

This is the top half of the snap - which is also called a "Decorative Button." (All the snaps, decorative buttons, and the applicator are on this page - Rhinestone Snaps.) The prongs on the back of the Top Front piece go through the fabric and into the groove on the back piece, and are bent into the groove - thus securing it securely - so that you are secure that it is secure.

The back of the snap is your everyday pop-snap doo-hickey. It is secured in much the same way. To close the snap - it snaps into the hole in the Top Back piece above.

Watch this video to see how to make it all come together and to assemble the dies that go into the applicator.

The pink bracelets - as shown above, is just a series of "Decorative Buttons" - plus one back - so that the end one functions as the closure. I just didn't think you wanted to watch me applying them!

It might take you a few tries to get the technique down pat - I ruined the first three by not having them lined up or in the machine straight - but once you get the hang of it - you'll be away to the races!

Hey - have we got a hot, decorative stud for you!

Here's a hot stud! - a Rhinestone Stud that is! These Rhinestone "Decorative Buttons" can glam up your jeans, your sneakers or your summer sun hat. (Just imagine these on a hat band - everyone else will go blind!) These are genuine Swarovski crystal, and you can attach them to fabric or leather with this revolutionary hand tool. 

OR - you can turn them into a snap - in a snap - by adding the snap backs! (Instructions here!)

Of course, you know I'm just needling you - get the point? It's a fine point, I'll admit. A fine and flexible point - as these new premium needles have become the new gold standard in bead needles. They are the subject of much discussion in the online forums - and these have fast become favourites. Check out all the new Tulip-brand, Japanese-made, precision beading needles!

We always like to be a cut-above - or - in the case of these 39 new Cut Delicas - a cut all the way around! Facets on the sides of these Japanese Cylinders turn them into more of a hexagonal tube - but the flat surfaces reflect the light more directly - making them flashier and more sparkly! 

Not just a cut above - but Ultra too. Last week was the Ultra Rivolis, but this week - it is Ultra Suede! New colours, and now, new pre-cut strips to make instant bracelets! Just hot fix some Crystals onto these ultra suede strips and add a rhinestone snap - for a dazzling and eeeeeeasy bracelet!

And - for the book-a-holics - lots of new reading material. For the beginner, looking for a bit of everything - Bead and Button Books - Creative Beading - Vol 7. For the specialist - Gemstone Settings - The Jewelry Makers Guide to Styles and Techniques - By Anastasia Young - or - The Lazee Daizee Guide to Viking Knit (Vol. 1) - By Stephanie Eddy and Michael Eddy. And - for those for whom beading is a religion - The Beaders Bible - A Comprehensive Guide to Beading Techniques - By Dorothy Wood.

Lots more to explore! Click on a link (or a picture) above, or start with the Main Page and look for the "New" tags. 

Yes - we know there is a LOT there, so you can take it in in bite-size portions by checking out these categories: Firepolish, Pressed Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Seedbeads, Stone and Pearls, Preciosa Crystal, Metal Beads, Other Cool Beads, Findings, Metal Clay & Supplies or Books, Kits, Tools.

And don't forget to check out our free, yes, free projects. Over 300 to choose from - a new one every week!

Lampworking Studio is Now Open - Please call ahead to check availability and reserve a spot.

WE MOVED!

Don't forget - we are at our new location - so don't automatically drive to the old place by mistake - details on our About Us page.

Stone of the Month: Green Aventurine

For the month of July, our stone of the month is GREEN AVENTURINE. Aventurine is a stone in the quartz family. It gets it's colour from chrome inclusions, and has a subtle shimmer. However, it is nicely translucent and a very cool, calming shade of green.

It is found in Italy, Brazil, china, India, Russia, Tibet and Nepal.

Aventurine is associated with the Aries Zodiac Sign and the planet Mercury.



Metaphysically - Aventurine is said to be a stone of friendship and protection. It brings mental clarity and stimulates creativity. It also brings prosperity and it's green colour is strongly linked to wealth and prosperity and career success.



It is beneficial for increasing creativity, prosperity, compassion and empathy in your life. In terms of healing, it is said to relieve migraine headaches, balance blood pressure and stimulate metabolism. It is an all-round healer, bringing in well-being and emotional calm.



We usually have 15 different sizes of the stone of the month. Here are the available sizes of Green Aventurine:
-12mm coins
-20x10mm double drilled ovals
-20 to 27mm faceted hexagons
-10x7 faceted nuggets
-8mm faceted rondelles
-10x14mm ovals
-15x30mm ovals
-30x40mm ovals
-6mm rondelles
-4, 6, 8, and 10mm rounds
-12mm squares
-8x10 tumbled nuggets

So if you want to be more creative and bring prosperity into your life, you'll want to pick some Green Aventurine right away.



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Beat the Heat

Our air conditioned classroom is THE place to be this summer!


Thursday, July 12th  6-9pm - Herringbone Ribbon Bracelet with Pamela Kearns

Thursday night, join Pam for an evening of learning how to make this lovely herringbone/N'debele bracelet. Learn the in's and outs of herringbone stitch, as well as how to incorporate accent beads.


Saturday, July 14th 9:30 to 12:30 with Cindy Goldrick

Quick! Only one spot left as of this writing. The next class is August 12th

Make this sweet necklace in either copper or brass. Learn the basics of the rolling mill to texture your piece. Stamp and dap, patina and punch each component. The flowers are finished with glass rondelles. Complete your necklace with chain mail and jump rings.

Play with fire this weekend!
Introduction to lampworking 2 day course with Amy Waldman-Snith - Saturday, July 14th from 10am to 2:30 and Sunday July 15th from 11am to 2:30 pm

This two-day weekend class is designed for beginners, covering all the same material as the 5-hour Introduction class. However, it handles each step in more depth and provides more practice time. Practice is an essential ingredient in working with glass. The class is eight hours of instruction and torch-time.
Topics covered include:

1. Overview of the equipment and tools, basic safety information. Setting up a home studio is also discussed.
2. Types of glass
3. Making Glass Beads

The beads you make in class will be kiln-annealed and will be available for pick-up the following day. If you are from out of town, we are happy to mail them to you at no extra charge.
Skill Level: Beginner


 Monday July 16th Robert Burton is back with his Ring 101 class. Be quick with this one as well - only 1 spot left!

 In this class you will learn to make an adjustable gemstone (lab grown) ring with a wrapped shank, in sterling and argentium silver. You will learn basic wire techniques, wire wrapping and forming (sculpting). At the time of the class you can choose an emerald, garnet or amethyst. You can also bring your own 6mm gemstone and snap fitting, if you wish.
You will also learn the properties of the wire to use for different projects.
Skill Level: Beginner


Tuesday, July 17th join Rosemary for a fun evening of learning how to use resin for mixed-media. 6pm to 9pm

Students will work with ICE RESIN® to create their own personal pieces of jewellery using either clipart or photographs or other inlcusions (like gemstones, crystals, pieces of metal etc).
In the class, students will learn and design a collage to set in a bezel, and cover with ICE RESIN® to create a glass-like dome. We will look at different objects that can be converted into bezels and have fun.


 Have a look at our full class schedule on our classes page!   To sign up, please call 416.701.1373, or toll free 1.877.473.2323

Visions from Peyote Dreams

 Combining Heat and Ice! Those Ultra Rivolis from last week? With the intense colours? Here they are - balanced and bezeled with frosty matte crystals a la our very own Pam.

Pam has crafted bezels for them with seedbeeds and firepolish beads.

In addition to working for us at beadFX - Pam is a bead artist in her own right - you can see more of her work on her own site at PeyoteDreams.ca - where she also has beading patterns for sale. The "Peyote" refers to a common bead weaving stitch - not the hallucinogen - I think. ;-)