Terrarium jewellery

Terrariums are hot right now. They can sit on a desk, ledge or windowsill and bring a little green into a small space. They are also hot as a personal accessory. 

When I was in France at La Cascade in Durfort this past Fall, I gathered some local stone and moss from the cascade (waterfall) outside my bedroom window and from the copper workers' gutter that runs down the middle of the street in front of the house. 

Yes I waded out to the boulders there to pluck some moss. 

I found a tiny chunk of driftwood in the stream, and a small rock on the patio, then it occurred to me that I could arrange these tiny and fragile souvenirs under glass and create a wearable keepsake from my once-in-a-lifetime trip. 

To make the piece even more reflective of the workshops we experienced, I added a poured metal birdie (a feather I found was just too big to fit) since we learned about melting and pouring low-temp metals into molds, and sealed the piece with silver Ceralun Clay and a constellation of Swarovski crystals. 

Right now, the piece is still awaiting integration into a piece of jewellery. I had originally contemplated turning it into a ring but I've had no luck finding the right shank to mount it on. Lately I've been thinking more about how I can use the Now That's a Jig! and steel wire to cage this mini terrarium and turn it into a necklace. 

So I started researching terrarium jewellery on the Internet and have seen many delightful works posted on etsy and Pinterest. Lots of inspiration to be had. 

There are several tutorials online explaining how to create terrarium jewellery. Check them out and share your results if you'd like. 

http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-to-make-an-enchanting-terrarium-necklace-to-keep-or-give-as-a-gift/

http://club.conservationgardenpark.org/2013/04/living-arrangements-terrarium-necklace-tutorial/

Here's some inspiration from a designer based in Ireland:

http://www.boredpanda.com/terrarium-jewelry-microcosm-ruby-robin-boutique/

So this summer, whether you're at the beach, hiking or just hanging at the local park, keep your eyes and imagination on your surroundings. You will be amazed and excited by the "walksom" (a term my friend Brenda Schweder coined for the whimsical pieces she collects on her daily walk) you find and can turn into very organic and personal keepsake jewellery. 

InspirationFX: Dawn in the Misty Garden

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Dawn in the Misty Garden
 
by: Lee Metsalo 

Walking through the garden early one morning, I watched the swirling mist that had not yet burned off with the rising sun.  Rays of gold shone through.  Here and there, the flowers and leaves of early spring were showing themselves, then hiding again in the mist.  And this bracelet was born.

This is a basic stringing project using crimps, wire guardians and crimp covers.  I used medium gauge Softflex because that is what was handy, but some of the 2mm rounds were arguing a little about being strung, maybe fine gauge would be a better choice.

Tools used:  wire cutters, flat plier, crimp pliers

Components

Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
Need some help with some of the techniques? Check our tips page.

Closed Victoria Day

Just a reminder - our bricks and mortar store is closed Monday for Victoria Day.

The website, however, remains open, in case we have nasty weather and you need to get your spring flower fix online instead.

Or if you hate bugs.  

;-)

25% off Seedbeads & Shaped Beads!

 In case you missed it - "We have a SALE on this week!"

We have a big, fat, one-week sale - 25% off Seedbeads and Shaped Beads! So, all the Czech seeds, all the Japanese seeds, all the new 2 Hole beads - except those selected beads that are already on sale for even more off!

This sale is just one measley week - so don't miss out! (Ends May 25).

No back orders, no rain checks,  no frequent beader points awarded on sale items, etc.

Pop-Up 25% Seedbead Sale ...

Just a few new things this week - repackaged Ceralun and Red Lightning Agate!

The Ceralun - the Swarovski house-brand of 2 part epoxy clay is now in smaller - 20 gram - packages! This means you can get more colours for the same price, store less of it, and have less left overs!

We like the Ceralun because of its rich colours and it's workability. If you are not familiar with 2 part epoxy clay - it is like an adhesive that doesn't run all over the place! You take an equal part of component A and component B - approximately equal - and knead the two pieces together, rolling, stretching and squashing - until the piece is one solid colour. Takes 1-2 minutes. You can then press it into a bezel or onto something, and use it to glue two things together, or embed things in it, like rhinestones. While you are working it - you can use a little water on a cotton swab to smooth the surface and clean up any messy bits as required.

It has an "open time" (that's how long you can continue to work with it before it starts to set up) of about an hour - and needs 24 hours to "cure" (finish setting up completely). After that - it is like a rock, and approximately as durable. It is soft enough to file once cured if you need to - although carving it would take some serious work.


The Red Lightning Agate is an old stock agate material from Mexico. It is known for its bright red plumes, with some green and brown, in a milky blue white matrix. It is nice if you want an earthy stone with a bricky-red theme.


"What about the SALE?" I hear from a chorus of folks in the back! We have a big, fat, one-week sale - 25% off Seedbeads and Shaped Beads! So, all the Czech seeds, all the Japanese seeds, all the new 2 Hole beads - except those selected beads that are already on sale for even more off!

This sale is just one measly week - so don't miss out! (Ends May 25).


So check out all the new items here or click on a link or image above! Go forth and create and be happy!

Challenge to create!

I had to laugh when I spotted yesterday’s post (be sure to scroll down), because both Cindy Goldrick and I, decided to write about exactly the same subject matter this week. The challenge we both participated in (and I teased you with last week) on Carmi Cimicata’s blog. I probably could have dreamed up something else, but my post was almost finished, all I had left to do was transfer it from Word to blogger, and then add a few photos. Okay, so I’m lazy, but the muse wants, what the muse wants!

Carmi found some almost forgotten components, in the dusty depths of the John Bead warehouse (admittedly, I don’t really know who found them), and decided to put out an Internet call for anyone interested in a challenge. She piqued my interest, so I quickly accepted! Imagine my surprise, when the dusty component turned out to be a lovely rhinestone button blank. As usual I had tons of ideas, but nothing really screamed at me!!! Resin, epoxy clay, and free motion machine embroidery were all considered, but I finally settled on Intuitive Bead Embroidery. As my vision for the piece was simple elegance, what better way to portray this, but in black and silver? There wasn’t enough room for a detailed piece, so I went for texture! I glued silver microbeads onto my substrate, and then added beaded layers, using four different types of size 15 seed beads. Shiny black, matte black, cut shiny black, and finally silver. To put this embroidery in perspective, the circle of substrate I was working on was the size of a sewing machine bobbin (my metal Bernina one, to be exact). Pretty darned small!!!!

When I completed the bead embroidery, I glued it to the button base, using E6000 glue. Then glued a metal pendant converter (BeadFX carries them) to the back, and strung it on a simple sterling chain. The piece may eventually end up as the focal in one of my larger bead embroidery pieces, but for now I’ll just enjoy the simplicity! But if you’re interested in having your “mind blown”, be sure to check out Carmi’s blog to see the results from the other talented participants!!

Like Cindy (and Carmi too, I expect), I’ve always enjoyed a good creative challenge (and also a tight deadline), and have participated in many in the past (including the Toronto Bead Society, “Bag of Beads” challenge). I’ll close this post off by showing you my first art quilt challenge, and then a 4” X 4” Crazy Quilt challenge that I organized. The art quilt is currently hanging in my hallway, and the CQ blocks have been converted into a couple of decorative boxes (one is currently being used to hold my bead embroidery samples). My block is the cream/black one with the little copper tree (free motion, machine embroidered) and accents. The rest were sent to me, from some of my fabulous cyber friends!

The “challenge to create” is one of my strongest creativity cues! Wouldn’t it be interesting to see more challenges of this type in the future? Would you be interested in participating in one of them? If so, I’ll see what I can arrange!

Always up for a challenge

By: Cindy Goldrick

I often take part in blog hops and other bead challenges. I do it for a variety of reasons: first, I'm always happy to draw attention to my work and my business, which is important for a teacher and designer; and second, I love nothing more than a challenge and a deadline to meet. I suppose a third reason is that I get a virtual introduction to the interesting work of other designers. 

So a few weeks ago I received a letter containing a pretty bezel from Carmi Cimicata, who manages social media for John Bead. Bezels went out to designers in Canada, the US and as far away as Hong Kong. 

Here's the bare bezel. 

It's a button with a shank. As usual, when I'm designing, I let the button sit on the table in front of me for a couple of days. I was designing and making a series of pendants for an upcoming show and I found a small cache of mismatched pearls. My brain started turning over and my a-ha moment happened. 

The word Tidepool slid through my mind and I realized the sides of the button reminded me of eddies in a tide pool. The pearls looked like the rocky, coral bottom of a pool of water left when the tide goes out. 

So I got out my bottle of Lisa Pavelka's Magic-Glos and squeezed some into the button bezel. Then I arranged the colourful pearls into the resin and popped it under the UV light to quick-cure. To solve the problem of the button's shank and balance the bezel while the resin cured, I gouged a hole in an eraser until it was big enough for the shank. Here's how that looked. 

As you can see, I placed a Swarovski star on top of my tide pool to suggest a starfish sweeping along the rocks. I glued it down with some E6000. 

So the button was completed but I needed to decide how to include it in a piece of jewellery. I've been making a lot of leather cuffs lately, so when my eyes fell on some crackly green metallic leather it suggested waves and the sea and a perfect contrast to my bezel. I cut out the cuff shape using my Jill MacKay die on my Big Kick, added snap closures and punched four holes in the cuff. Using 1.5mm leather cord, I tied a knot at one end, wove it through the holes to secure the button shank, and knotted and trimmed the other end. Voila, my Tidepool cuff. Here's a picture of the finished piece. 

To see all the beautiful pieces created by the designers, including Beadful Life blog contributor Anne-Marie Desaulniers, visit Carmi's blog at http://carmicimicata.blogspot.ca/2016/05/the-rhinestone-button-blank-challenge.html

Have a class or two with Carolyn Cave: Canadian SuperDuo Queen!

We have an amazing array of talent in Canada and sometimes they don't get the attention they deserve. Carolyn Cave is one of those artists may be flying under your radar, but, if you like seed beading, she is someone whose work you will love! We're proud to have Carolyn join us at BeadFX to teach 6 half-day classes that feature a variety of beading stitches.

A self-taught bead artist living in Alberta, Canada, Carolyn enjoys the endless creativity derived from stringing and stitching “little, round, shiny things with holes in them”. This is both a frustrating and exhilarating way to fill in the spare moments of her very full days as a wife, mother of three young ladies, and musician. Her creations are inspired by a wide variety of things – the colors and shapes of the natural world, works of vintage and antique beaded art, the encouraging comments of her family, and the many hours spent “composing” with needle, beads and thread. Her work has been published in BeadandButton and Beadwork magazines, and she has been a winner in multiple categories of BeadStar every year since 2011. Carolyn is also the author of the book Beautiful Designs with SuperDuos and Twin Beads, published by Kalmbach.

Carolyn's classes at BeadFX:

Delft Lace Chain with Pendant
Friday, July 22; 10:00am - 1:00pm
This project comes from my book, Beautiful Designs with SuperDuos and Twin Beads, page 66.  Each student should have their own copy if they would like to take this class. Supplies are listed to make the colour scheme photographed in the book. Students should choose their own pendant, and should also feel free to choose colours of their own. The book is available from BeadFX. Level: Beginner.

Oriana Bracelet
Friday, July 23; 2:00 - 5:00pm
This project is pictured in my book, Beautiful Designs with SuperDuos and Twin Beads, on page 98 and the back cover, as a design option for one of the necklaces. I received many requests for the pattern and it is a class at the 2016 Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee.  If you weren’t able to get to the Show, this is your chance to learn how to make this lovely bracelet. Supplies are listed to make the colour scheme photographed in the book, however students should feel free to choose colours of their own. Students will be required to purchase the book, available from BeadFX. Level: Beginner.

Constellation Beaded Bead and Pendant
Saturday, July 23; 10:00am - 1:00pm
In this class you will learn how to make a basic dodecahedron beaded bead.  From there you will make a second beaded bead with different materials creating an entirely different look.  This “Constellation” will then be made into a pendant. Level: Intermediate; seed beading experience is required.

Snowberry Bracelet
Saturday July 24; 2:00 - 5:00pm
This project comes from my book, Beautiful Designs with SuperDuos and Twin Beads, page 25. Each student should have their own copy if they would like to take this class. Supplies are listed to make the green bracelet photographed in the book.  Students should feel free to choose colours of their own. The book is available from BeadFX. Level: Beginner.

Chardonnay Necklace
Sunday, July 24; 10:00am - 1:00pm
A few years ago I made a design for the Bead Star competition. It was published in Bead and Button magazine not long after that, at the request of an admirer. This is the design reworked using the triangular Kheops par Puca beads. Level: Intermediate; seed beading experience is required.

Seeing Double Pendant
Sunday, July 24; 2:00 - 5:00pm
This project comes from my book, Beautiful Designs with SuperDuos and Twin Beads, page 76.  Each student should have their own copy if they would like to take this class. Supplies are listed to make the pendant photographed in the book. Students should feel free to choose colours of their own. The book is available from BeadFX. Level: Beginner.




Class fees:
Take any one class: $80 + HST
Take any two classes or more: $75 + HST per class

Complete details about each class is on-line now. Go to www.beadfx.com and click on 'Classes'. Follow the links to the July class calendar.

Please note our Cancellation Policy for classes with Visiting and International Instructors:
No refunds, credits or cancellations will be permitted for these classes. Student substitutions may be made at the time of cancellation as long as prerequisite requirements are met, otherwise students on existing waiting lists will be contacted.

InspirationFX: Sun Drops

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Sun Drops
 
by: Malliga Nathan

These delightful drops of sunshine will go perfectly with your upcoming summer glow!

A few helpful hints here:

Make the top loops of each strand larger in order to attach them directly to the connectors . But if you don't want to do that just make regular sized loops and attach them with the jump rings. (I really just did it this way because I was running low on jump rings. ) 

Also due to the small size of the chain, I used the 24 gauge wire to make a wrapped loop. I then added a 3mm bead in Goldtone and finished with another wrapped loop. This provides you with a large enough loop on the end of your chain to easily add jump rings and a clasp. The chain is approximately 30 inches.

Enjoy!

Components

Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
Need some help with some of the techniques? Check our tips page.

Manager Spring Specials!

Super specials to celebrate spring!

Time to leaf winter behind

75% off Glass Leaves

and blossom!

75% off Glass Flowers 

 

Hey - how about those

Peacocks?

Sheer Swarovski Simplicity beads

Below Wholesale!

and more crazy manager specials!

Like a Firework ...

An explosion of light and colour that makes everyone smile and say "ooooooo." Well - fireworks might be an apt metaphor for the jewellery that you make with these pendants - but literally - when I show them to people - that's what they say: "It's like fireworks inside!"


These are some German glass pendants with some serious sizzle of colour inside. Two sizes, three colour choices. With a front-facing hole - all you need is a bail ...


These new crystal pave bails might be gilding the lily in this case - but you never know. You might have something else in mind for these.




And speaking of gilding the lily - or anything else - these Swarovski filigree beads are light, airy, stronger than they look, and have a hidden secret. If you didn't see Kelly Garland's incredibly clever InspirationFX project using these beads - then rush, I say rush! friend, to click on this link and check them out. I.was.amazed.
And now you have some new colours to play with!






If your taste today runs more to the earthy than the blingy (because, doesn't our taste change from day to day - because we have so much good taste?) ;-) - well, anyway - if you want to fondle the earthy matte goodness of some high-fire unglazed ceramic - then feast your eyes on these: Ceramic Pendant - Scaled Donut - Unglazed Antiqued Bisque or Ceramic Bead - Small Curled Fern Leaf - Unglazed Antiqued Bisque
Also some of the Raku Ceramic beads - I think these nuggets are fun, but so are these knotwork beads.






And finally - you will need a chain to hang your creation, right? Like this woven wire chain in black? or copper, or gold-plate.


So check out all the new items here or click on a link or image above! Go forth and create and be happy!

What's on my bead mat? May edition!

I just realized that I’m cheating a little, because I didn’t actually take photos of the pieces on my bead mat. I forgot!!! It doesn’t matter, because each has been on said bead mat, at least once during the month. You wouldn’t want to see it right now, because it’s very messy, full of beads, and just waiting for me to either cram them back into their tubes, or get frustrated and mix up some bead soup! You know how it goes!!

You’ll notice that while the purple doll is still naked, I’ve actually made progress on my green one, and am currently loving the process! The working title for this one is “Silly Goose”, because Erin (who also works in that beehive of activity called BeadFX), told me that the form looked like a goose from the back. Isn’t it funny how a connection is made, and names are born?

I took a fabulous class with Robyn Cornelius, at BeadFX last Saturday, and made her Silver Wave Bangle. Okay, I admit that it wasn’t really on my bead mat, but I love it so much, that I just had to show it off! It all started out with a flat piece of silver. I’ve taken a few classes, and puttered about with metal, but certainly nothing this ambitious! Robyn is a fabulous instructor, and you’d be lucky to take one of her workshops! Believe it or not, this was completed in a one-day class!

I purchased these commercial bangles at a thrift shop, several years ago. I wonder if Liver of Sulfur would work to change the colour? It might be fun to try, even though I’m not sure which type of metal it is. Are any of you experts, ready to weigh in with an opinion?

I’m not telling you what this is, but promise to show it to you next week (that is, if I remember!).

Pearls, did I say pearls? These were in a stray bag, in a place they should not be, and I did not even remember buying them! Oops! I wonder what I should make? Did I ever tell you that I’ve been hoarding pearls? Do you suppose there will ever be a worldwide shortage? If so, I’ll be well set! I admit that I do have a germ of an idea, just waiting for a few stray minutes......I wonder where I’ll find those minutes this month?

My bead mat is going to be busy during the month of May! It’s finally spring, and well past time for renewal and regeneration! Although creativity is always present, it does need a little tweaking from time to time. I guess that May is good time to take action! Are you tempted to join me?