Featured Brand of the Month: TierraCast Week Five

For our final week highlighting TierraCast, I want to close by talking about super-versatile links and connectors. A link can transform into so many different things. For example, you can use it as a toggle clasp, or you can link a number of them together to make a chain. Elevate your designs by using TierraCast Links and Connectors.

For instance, instead of just doing a simple drop earring, why not do a drop earring with a link? It's instantly more eye catching. 

Featured Project: Contempo Quatrefoil Earrings

These earrings show one gorgeous way to utilize the Quatrefoil connector link. By wire wrapping the link with the olivine SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS bicones, you can transform the link into the focal piece of this earring. It enhances it so much.

Featured Video: How to Wire Wrap Beads onto a Form

This is a great video that shows you how to add beads into your wire wrap of a connector link.

We went ahead and chose some of our favorite TierraCast links and connectors for your delectation:



Julie:

I love the Dia De Los Muertos Paloma Bird Connector. I have gone in and hand painted the details of this connector before and it looked stunning! I turned the ones I used into earrings but you could very easily make a bracelet out of them too. The design is so unique and beautiful!






Megan:

The TierraCast Dia De Los Muertos Collection is one of my all-time favorites! I especially love these Radiant Heart Connectors - the detail is gorgeous and they give such a distinctive look to any piece. I can only imagine the possibilities for using them!







Kat:

These hammered pieces give a cool industrial feel to any piece.  I particularly like these copper plated pewter square connectors that can be used in earrings or a great bracelet.  Mix up the metals with the Brass Oxide and Silver versions of these connectors.  And mix up the shape with the round hammered connectors as well.

Karlin:

I love these Black Finish Connector Links by TierraCast. Using these links is a simple, yet effective way to display your SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS rivoli stones. They have a beaded edge that give it a somewhat vintage look and I especially love the black finish. I think they would look especially gorgeous with a SWAROVSKI rivoli stone in Vitrail or Provence Lavender. They're so pretty!






Sarah:

I love these Infinity connector links.  They work so well as the center pieces of knotted macrame bracelets.   The detailing that TierraCast puts into their infinity link makes for a unique take on this popular symbol of the endless cycle of life. 






How do you use connectors and links in your jewelry?  Share with us on our customer gallery.  I hope you enjoyed our month dedicated to TierraCast. Be sure to check back with us next week as we begin our Month Dedicated to all things Vintaj.

Featured Brand of the Month: TierraCast Week Four

During our month dedicated to all things TierraCast, we have told you about charms and large hole beads and we have told you about clasps. This week, it's all about the TierraCast Bead Frames.

TierraCast has made various sizes of bead frames to coordinate with the sizes of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal rounds and bicones. On our website, you will find all the information you need to match the right bead frame to the right size bead. Here is just one example of what I mean.  In the product description you will find not only the dimensions of the bead frames themselves, you will find the recommended SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS bead size that will fit. This 14mm round frame, is designed for SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS 8mm or smaller.  They are very easy to use, just place your bead in the center, line up the holes of the bead with the holes of the frame then thread your head pin, beading wire or other threading material through the holes.

Here is a wonderful use of the bead frames in the Gallery Necklace by Julie Bean.  By using both round and square bead frames in her design the bead frames are front and center.

Here are the designer picks for the bead frames with our favorite matching beads.

Julie:
I love the 22K gold plated pewter round frame paired with the classic 8mm SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS round bead in purple velvet. The gold and purple look so regal together and a complete earring could easily be made by just placing the bead frame and bead onto a head pin and then creating a simple wire loop at the top. Just hang from an earring hook and voila!

Megan:

My favorite beads to pair with bead frames are the gemcolor crystal pearls.  I love the shiny opaque colors framed by the pretty metal tones.  I especially love to use this combination on a smaller scale, like pairing the 4mm SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystal found faux pearls in opaque jade green with the silver plated pewter round frames.  It's such a delicate, yet finished look!

Kat: 

I love the silver plated pewter diamond frame with the 8mm SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS bicone in Burgundy blue zircon. This bicone has a two tone coloring that works well in the bead frame because if strung properly it will spin inside the frame and shine brilliantly. 

Karlin:
Using a SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS square bead in AB Crystal as an accent bead is a lovely way to add some shine and a touch of glamor to any project incorporating silver plated pewter square frames. Your bead frame will shine beautifully!

 

Don't forget to show us your creations using TierraCast in our Customer Gallery.

Featured Brand of the Month -TierraCast week Three

This week for our featured brand of the month, TierraCast, we would like to highlight all of their wonderful clasps. Many people consider the clasps of jewelry to be secondary in the design, but with TierraCast, I find myself designing with the clasp in mind first. TierraCast offers so many different finishes, everything from black oxide to copper to rhodium. They also have a variety of themes, shapes, and sizes. Be sure to check out their holiday themed clasps.

Julie's Bracelet, "Stroke of Midnight" uses the antique silver plated Clock toggle clasp. This is a wonderful use of the TierraCast clasps because it really makes the design. The clock enhances this already beautiful bracelet.

Featured Video:

How to Use a Toggle Clasp

This is a great video because it introduces you to toggle clasps if you are not already familiar with them. Also in this video you will get a glimpse of the "Stroke of Midnight" Bracelet, and how the clock clasp is utilized in this project.

Here are our Designer picks for our TierraCast Clasps:

Julie

It was hard to choose my favorite TierraCast clasp because they are all so very different from each other. At the end of the day I had to go with the one that always makes me smile, the wreath toggle clasp with the bow toggle bar. Our former designer Andrea used it in her bead woven Holly Wreath Bracelet and it really was the perfect finishing touch.

Megan

As an avid bead weaver, I am always on the look out for new ways and new findings to finish my work.  I was thrilled when TierraCast debuted their D-Ring Clasps because the slot is sized perfectly for bead woven pieces, and they give such a pretty, clean finish to woven projects.

Kat 

I am really drawn to this Brass Spiral Square toggle clasp. It has a really great fun texture to it that could fit with a funky modern design. Try choosing one of the clasps and build a design around it. I find that it helps to challenge me to think outside of the box with my designs.

Karlin

There is something so classic about this black finish pewter heirloom toggle clasp  - it's simple, yet has a pretty vintage touch. The detail on it is ornate and I think it would look striking against a variety of colored beads or with any vintage-inspired design. I love this clasp!

TierraCast Giveaway! (ENDED)

CONGRATULATIONS to Susan from Canada, she's the winner of this giveaway!

As many of you now know, our featured brand for the month of October is TierraCast. We would like to offer a very special giveaway this month featuring charms, large hole beads and connectors, just to name a few. This collection is valued at over $70.  Take a look at all the wonderful things you could win!

To enter, please leave a comment on this blog post letting us know your favorite piece from TierraCast. Giveaway ends October 15th at 4pm PT. At that time, we will choose one random winner from those who left comments on this blog post. Please do not comment anonymously (as a guest) and do not use your Facebook, Twitter account, or Google Plus account when commenting. Please do not comment more than once per giveaway post. Please adhere to all Beadaholique rules and conditions for this giveaway.

Featured Brand of the Month - TierraCast: Week Two

This week, as part of the featured brand of the month, we want to showcase the large hole style beads by TierraCast. Many of these affordable beads come in brass, silver and black finish pewter.

Another thing I want to introduce to you, if you don't already know about them, are the large hole bead aligners. These small beads look like rivets but are actually really helpful in transforming your large hole beads to fit a smaller chain or head pin. Have you ever see a large hole bead but didn't want the full effect of the chunky bracelet? These bead aligners are your solution. Our designer Julie used them in her Air Mail Earrings. With bead aligners you can incorporate these beads into many of your designs.

Below is a great video to show you just how easy and versatile the TierraCast bead aligners can be.

Here are the designer picks for the TierraCast large hole style beads.

Julie

This little bunny is just too cute and I love how he is molded around the bead, I can see him spinning delightfully on a bracelet. I chose him because he reminds me of the rabbits I sometimes see in my grandma's pasture when I go home to visit. 

Megan

These skull beads are so cool. They're really detailed, and the roses on the back are so pretty when contrasted against the tough looking skulls. Plus, they have a hanging loop at the bottom, so you can add a little bead dangle. I always love large hole beads and charms with that extra little something!

Kat

I love this cute little brass lion bead. This would be a great charm to add to someone's charm bracelet that has the lion as a school mascot. This bead comes in silver plated as well.

Karlin

I think this silver pewter plated owl bead is adorable. It's super animated and eye-catching. I think it would be an awesome little addition to your bracelet or necklace. Plus, owls are so in right now! 

Which one is your favorite? Comment below. And don't forget to add your creations to our Customer Gallery.

All New Customer Gallery for TierraCast Projects!

It's time to show us what you got! This month's featured brand is TierraCast and we want to see what you have made using your favorite TierraCast pieces. Below are examples of what our design team has done in the past, but we want to see what you have created.

The Bee Keeper Necklace by Julie Bean

Enchanted Waltz Earrings by Julie Bean

Get Inked Charm Bracelet by Megan Milliken

Now it's your turn.  Just add your name, title of the piece, and one photo of your piece to the comments section of this post.  Don't have anything just yet?  There's still time.  Keep adding your photos throughout the whole month of October.

This customer gallery is all about sharing the love of beading and sharing your creativity with others. Please do not add links, this is purely about making new friends in the beading community and showing off your artistic skills. Everyone is welcome to participate. Thanks for sharing!

To upload a photo to blogger in the comment section, please look at the screen shot below. We have added a little pink arrow pointing to where you click on to upload a photo. Follow the directions that pop up after you click on that icon.

*Please note this is not a giveaway or a contest, just a chance to share your hard work.  

The Featured Brand of the Month for October is TierraCast!

We are starting something new here at Beadaholique. Every month we will be spotlighting a brand that we carry, and for that entire month, it will be our Featured Brand. We want to introduce you to new things, highlight an old favorite and consistently give you great ideas to use in your creative endeavors.

For the month of October, we will be highlighting TierraCast. This is the perfect brand for the fall because they feature an array of various metals, holiday charms, and findings for you to work into your holiday projects. Also because their anniversary date is October 1978, it could not be a more perfect way to celebrate them on their 35th Anniversary!

To this day, TierraCast still operates out of their original location in Santa Rosa, CA. Steve Tierra and later Alan Joseph, helped to create a brand that is all about innovative findings and original design combined with art and a unique archaeological perspective. They consistently bring us wonderful pieces that we can give to you. We are so excited to continue our wonderful partnership with their brand. Thanks TierraCast.

This week is all about the TierraCast Charms. It may be a little early to be thinking of Christmas but with Halloween just around the corner, the Holiday Season has officially begun. It's not too late to get your Halloween Charms, and it's never too early to get your Christmas Charms. Between zombies, nutcrackers, sheriff badges, pin-up girls, and frog princes, you are sure to find the perfect charm for your project. 

Check out some of our great projects featuring the TierraCast Halloween Charms.

The Halloweentown Bracelet by Karlin Jones

Karlin's bracelet features the antique silver eight piece Halloween charm set by TierraCast.  This set also comes in brass.

How to Make a Pair of Skull and Tombstone Earrings by Julie Bean

Scary!  But these tombstone charms are so cool. 

Every week throughout October we will be sharing some of our favorite products from TierraCast. Here are the Designer Picks for the TierraCast Charms.

Julie: As many people know, my favorite jewelry style is Steampunk so I have to choose the very cool Winding Key Charm as my top pick. It is not frilly or overdone, it just looks like an old winding key that you might find in an antique tool box - perfect for mixed media Steampunk designs! 

Megan: The Winged Heart Charm reminds me simultaneously of traditional style tattoo art and of the 80s cartoons I grew up on. It's one of my favorite pieces on our site, and a clear choice as my favorite TierraCast charm. Although, I have to admit, the Pegasus Winged Horse Charm comes in a very close second.

Kat: I love the Silver Plated Swallow Bird Charm. TierraCast has a wonderful Tattoo series and each charm has a neat story behind it. The swallow is a symbol of hope, and the tradition says that sailors would know that land is near when they saw the swallows flying. Sailors would sport the tattoo of the swallow after logging 5,000 miles at sea. Did you know that you can substitute the swallow bird charm in for the anchor charm in the Ladies Anchor bracelet? But only after your 5,000 miles at sea of course.

Karlin: I can't help but choose the Silver Plated Honey Bee charm as my top pick; it's just so cute and charming! I think it would be a perfect addition to a whimsical charm bracelet or even a pretty pair of earrings. It has a slight vintage look to it which I love. 

Throughout the month of October we will be showcasing our favorite TierraCast things, so keep checking back with us every Tuesday for more of our featured brand of the month!

ENDED: Giveaway #2: TierraCast New Release Collection

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. A WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED AND ANNOUNCED SOON.

TierraCast offers hundreds of superbly detailed metal jewelry components to feed your imagination and spark your creativity. We look forward to each of their new product launches with great excitement. For this giveaway we are giving away an assortment of their very latest pieces including D-rings, hammered discs and crosses, spacer disc beads, and matching chains! This curated collection was hand-picked by TierraCast's own Julie Young.

Estimated prize retail value: $75.00

To enter, post a comment to this blog post NOW! Giveaway ends on Friday Dec. 7th at 7PM ET (4PM PT). Winner will be chosen at random

Bonus sale: All TierraCast is on sale today only, Wednesday, December 5th, over at Beadaholique!

Remember, only comment once per giveaway and do not comment anonymously. You can comment on as many giveaways as you like, but you can only win 1 Beadaholique giveaway every 12 months. Visit Beadaholique's official 12 Giveaways of Christmas page for even more details. For a complete list of terms and conditions, please click here.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. A WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED AND ANNOUNCED SOON.

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show: We Had A Blast!

Gemstones!

The Beadaholique crew just arrived back from Tucson and we had an absolute blast!  We were there almost a week yet still it did not feel like enough time. From morning until night we were busy talking, shopping, hugging friends, and meeting with suppliers. Our feet were tired by the end of each night but it was well worth it.

Julie and Esther digging through bead

Each  morning we started our day with a BIG breakfast so that we would be able to go for hours without stopping. Esther and I both agree that we ate more potatoes in the last week than probably in the last year, but they were so very tasty! After breakfast we would hit the shows and pour over the incalculable amount of beads, findings, and gems. At every turn there was something new and interesting, be it a $1.00 strand of fun shaped plastic beads or a $300 strand of gorgeous rubies. A lot of the vendors had worked their new supplies into inspiration projects, which was great to see and gave me lots of ideas for projects I want to do in the coming months.  We also saw lots of offbeat items like giant fossils and hand embroidered jackets. Repeatedly we would say "oh, that is weird.....but cool!" At times I think our giggles could be heard across the giant showrooms. 

Julie teaching at Swarovski Event

On Wednesday we had a full day spent with the good folks at Swarovski. I taught a demo showcasing a faux chain maille technique and how it could be worked into a crystal laden bracelet. We titled the piece "Urban Gauntlet Bracelet" and will have a video and instructions ready shortly. We also attended a private  presentation by Swarovski North America showcasing their new Spring/Summer 2013 launch. All I can say at this point is "wow" - the new colors, shapes, and effects are so pretty. I will have more details to share about this launch in the coming days.

Nunn Designs

Speaking of more details coming soon, we were in Tucson to shop and boy did we shop! We picked up a lot of the new designs debuted by TierraCast, Nunn Design, Ezel, Beadalon, DeCoRe, and more. But we also found some vendors who we had not seen before and picked up their lines as well (so excited!). A couple of my personal favorites are Lillypilly Designs' aluminum and copper sheets; some super cute lampwork beads; and one of our last-minute finds--gorgeous gemstone chains.  As soon as our orders arrive here we will get to work photographing the new items and putting them up on the Beadaholique site.

As we wandered through the shows and parties we were able to speak with some of our favorite designers and artists including Krystal Wick, Leslie Rogalski, Bob Burkett, Fernando DaSilva, Wyatt White, Katie Hacker, Becky Nunn, Andrew Thornton, Greg Ogden from Green Girl, and many others. If you are not familiar with their work, definitely check them out. Their creativity is inspiring.

Julie from Tierracast and Sarah sharing ideas

Speaking of dinner parties, I particularly enjoyed our dinners with Swarovski, Tierracast, and Interweave. It was fun to share ideas and talk about our plans for 2012 and beyond. I can honestly say that "bead" people are some of the nicest people out there. Everyone is passionate about what they do and really enjoy doing it.

We have many more photos from Tucson to share than the few featured here. I will try to put an album together soon :)

Happy Beading Everyone - Julie

Giveaway #2: ENDED! Tierracast Toggles, Pendants, Christmas Charms, and More!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED.  Congratulations to Karin V.H. of Muenster, Germany for winning this treasure trove.

Tierracast and Beadaholique have teamed up to put this lavish giveaway together - thanks Tierracast!   



Be inspired with beautiful cast pewter charms, bezels and findings by TierraCast. Every piece is designed, manufactured and quality plated in the U.S. with genuine rhodium, silver, gold, copper or brass finishes. Create charm bracelets, earrings, wine charms, and more with these lovely jewelry elements. You will be able to not just make one project, but many - just think of the possibilities! 

This giveaway includes:

13 toggle clasps

7 pendants, including 3 bezel frames

22 charms

Lots of jump rings

Lots of bead caps


Estimated retail prize value: over $80.00

To enter, post a comment to this blog post NOW! Giveaway ends on Wednesday Dec. 7th at 4pm PST. Winner will be chosen at random. 

Remember, only one comment per person per giveaway and do not comment anonymously if you want to win. You can comment on as many giveaways as you like, but you can only win 1 Beadaholique giveaway every 2 months. Visit Beadaholique's official 12 Giveaways of Christmas page for even more details. For a complete list of terms and conditions, please click here. 

BTW: Bead Table Wednesday 11/9/11

Julie's Table
The holiday theme continues on my work table this week. We have started making a new series of videos called "Just Bead It!" where each video will focus on a simple jewelry making technique with a wide range of applications and pretty instant results. On Monday I taped the "charms" one, and then yesterday I realized that I forgot to show a charm bracelet! What was I thinking! So today on my table I am making a holiday inspired charm bracelet using TierraCast charms which I am connecting using our new lock-in jump rings (available soon). When this project is done, time to re-tape the video - again, what was I thinking! 

BTW: Bead Table Wednesday 11/2/11

Julie's Table


Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Ok, so I am in Los Angeles and that is not likely to happen, but my mind is filled with Winter scenes of snow covered tree tops, holiday lights, and brightly colored ornaments as I begin to make jewelry for the holidays. It is such fun to play with TierraCast charms in shapes of rocking horses, nutcrackers, and angels. The colors of the season are so cheerful that I can't help but smile when working with bright golds, antique brasses, reds, and greens. My next project is to make an ornament using a Swarovski pendant; I can already envision how pretty it will look hanging on a tree! 

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Shows

Each year the city of Tuscon is host to the ultimate city wide shop-till-you-drop gem shows.  There are no fewer than 4000 dealers and 50 shows taking place all over the city from January thru mid February.
Sarah and I just returned from a four day trip to the city.  Hardly enough time to do all but a small handful of shows, but a very worthwhile time nevertheless.
For those of you who have never attended any of the Tuscon shows I'm posting some photos that I took for you!  I couldn't think of a better way to convey the sheer size and breadth of these events.  Although last year we more than doubled the number of items that Beadaholique offers, strolling the isles of the Tucson gem shows has inspired us to bring you more new and interesting products than ever before!