Cuckoo for Quick Links

Sometimes I find a new product that I love and I get a little obsessed.  Beadalon Quick Links are one such product.  I found them, and their super handy little connectors, when I started designing here at Beadaholique, and was so excited by the endless creative possibilities they presented.  Since then, I've been using them constantly!

Quick Links come in both silver plated and gold plated varieties, and in a large selection of shapes and sizes.  You can link them together, wire wrap them, weave beads onto them - just let your creativity run free and you'll find endless ways to put them to use!  And just as their name implies, they are really quick to work with.

In this video, How to Use Beadalon Quick Links and Connectors, you'll get a quick overview of these handy little products and how they go together.

To give you an idea of how fast and easy it can be to create with Quick Links, here are a couple of projects that I whipped up using the links and connectors.  It was amazing how quick they were to make.  Check out the Mod Circles Bracelet and Two of Hearts Earrings projects for step by step instructions and see for yourself how simple they are.

Mod Circles Bracelet

Two of Hearts Earrings

Crystal Comet Earrings

Quick Links can also be used as a foundation for other types of jewelry making, such as in these gorgeous Crystal Comet Earrings that Julie made.  In this project, she wire wrapped the Quick Links together and wire wrapped some fabulous Swarovski Crystal beads onto them.  You can find the instructions for them on our free projects page as well.


Quick Links are such a fun and versatile tool.  I'm constantly thinking of new ways to use them!  What would you like to make with them?

-Megan

Staff Favorite: Bead Stopper

There is a very simple, inexpensive little gadget called a Bead Stopper which I personally think is one of the handiest tools in beading. A Bead Stopper literally stops beads from falling off your stringing material. You just attach it to the end of your stringing material, string your beads, then remove it when you are ready to attach a clasp or add more beads to the end you started from.  Gone are the days when you had to restring an entire strand, because your error was near the beginning, and you had already crimped on a clasp. 

One full size bead stopper can hold the ends of several strands at once - its gripping power is limited only by the weight of the beads.  So, also gone are the days when you had to fold a piece of tape around the end of each strand of a multi-strand piece, and then deal with sticky residue when you took the tape off. 

One might ask, with the wealth of amazing beads and complex tools available to me here at Beadaholique, why is a Bead Stopper my favorite pick?  It is because of the many moments in beading when I have dropped a strand, and with the Bead Stopper on, the beads did NOT fall off.  It is because I now have the flexibility to stop a project midway, place Bead Stoppers on, and know that I can come back to it weeks later and all my beads will be right where I left them. Finally, it is because the Bead Stopper gives me the flexibility to change my pattern midway and not have to restart, saving me time and supplies. 

If you are not familiar with a Bead Stopper and how it works, check out this video:

Happy Beading!

Julie 

The Learn To Bead Video Series

Are you just starting out on your beading journey? If so, the world of bicones, strand reducers, Soft Flex, and crimp tubes probably seems a bit confusing and overwhelming. Even to seasoned beaders, the constantly evolving world of beading can be complicated at times. To help sort out the confusion, Beadaholique is very pleased to announce the Learn To Bead video series!

In this multi-part series we take you step-by-step through the beading process. The first several videos are dedicated to beads, findings, stringing materials, and tools. Explaining in detail what is available, what each item is called, and how to use it. This will build a strong foundation from which you will be better equipped to read beading project instructions and choose the appropriate supplies for your own projects.

In the following videos, we will visually demonstrate beading techniques, working our way from the very simple to the more complex. Your skill level and knowledge base will grow as you progress through the video series, making beading even more exciting and fun. 

"Learn To Bead Video #1: All About Beads" is available below, and on our website now. This video is both a gallery and tutorial of bead styles and shapes. Up next will be a video all about findings. If you have a suggestion for a video, let us know, we'd love to hear from you. 

Happy Beading! 

The New Swarovski Spring/Summer 2011 Release, Part 2

It's time to show the world the new Swarovski Innovations article styles for Spring/Summer 2011!   No, these styles are not yet available, but they will be sooooooooon.....

The thing that struck us immediately is that Swarovski has gone heart-crazy!   They seem to have realized they were onto a really good thing with their Wild Heart pendant, released 6 months ago.   Everyone went nuts for this graceful yet ultra-modern style of heart, and the factory still can't seem to make the larger sizes fast enough!

So what do we see in the new line-up? One new heart pendant style?   Nope.  Two or three new heart styles? Wrong again! Five, count 'em, five brand new Swarovski heart pendants will soon be on offer.


 The #6261 Devoted 2 U Heart Pendant seems the logical opposite of the Wild Heart - instead of being long and tapering, it is wide, plump and kinda cute.




 The #6260 Crazy 4 U Heart Pendant takes back the long organic lines of the Wild Heart, and adds asymmetry to the mix - this is the 'funkiest' of the new hearts, and the off-center drill hole guarantees it will hang at a funky funky angle.



The #6262 Miss U Heart Pendant has a cut-out in the middle - all the better for it to hang at a fetching angle from your favorite chain or cord.  One almost wonders why Swarovski didn't call this the 'Cosmic' heart, in accordance with the names of most of their other pendants with cut outs.  But I guess they couldn't resist the pun.  "Miss" U, get it?  Because the center of the heart is missing....


 The #6264 Truly in Love Heart Pendant seems to be a new classic, a slightly widened, plump heart, with an unmistakable silhoutte.    But that's not the end of the story, because.....

 
The #6263 Forever 1 Heart Pendant takes the Truly in Love heart, breaks it, and puts it back together.  At least that's what that matte finish 'crack' down the center of the heart seems to symbolize.  Or maybe it's a representation of two hearts becoming one.  Whatever. You pick!

The #5624 Stairway Bead is an attractive flattened squared bead whose precise square facets help pass it off as classic, deco, or ultra-modern.  It is a classic shape that fills a hole in the bead line.  This one is another in the Swarovski tradition of having to make at least one new fancy bead that looks better the larger it is.


Aha!  Here is the latest 'cosmic' shape.  The #4736 Organic Cosmic Triangle represents Swarovski's latest effort at making a man-made geometric construct look organic.   The assymetry presents interesting possibilities for creating visual rhythms with the use of multiple cosmic triangles in differing orientations.


Finally!  Swarovski  jumps on the Pandora-fueled craze for large-hole beads with metal linings with their new BeCharmed beads.   Until now we had to be content with using Swarovski's #5041 large-hole rondelle beads on our chunky beaded bracelets, but it looks like these two new styles of beads are worth the wait.

Not only will the #5940 BeCharmed Briolette Bead and the #5920 BeCharmed Helix Bead be available in tons of Swarovski colors, but they are lined with truly spectacular and streamlined custom stainless steel cores.  Very modern looking, and quite stunning.  It's a pity you can't see the side view in these official Swarovski photos.


Not all of Swarovski's sew-ons are that conducive to use by jewelry makers.  But we loved the #3251 Space Cut Sew-on the moment we saw it.  It comes in a variety of sizes, some quite large, and with the generous holes at either end, it looks like an ideal jewelry component.

Not content with adding more facets to their classic bicone beads and heart pendants,  Swarovski has now decided to enhance their classic round flatback rhinestone.  The #2028 article will slowly be replaced by the new 2058 Xilion Rose Enhanced Flat Back.   We'll be doing another blog soon to tell you all about the differences.

 

The new #2037 Eclipse Flat Back is a versatile little design.  We're thinking circles, wave patterns, organic curves, art deco .... this one should be good.

 I'm always a sucker for snowflakes!  The new #2826 Rivoli Snowflake Flat Back will add little bits of wintry sparkles to so many designs.  I just wish they had made it in some larger sizes - these snowflakes are not big enough to be centerpieces.



So what do you think of the new Swarovski shapes?  Are you already inspired?  Keep an eye out for these new articles, coming your way as soon as we can get our hands on them.

Vive la Vintaj Revolution!

Designed by Kathy Mannix

By: Andrea Morici, Senior Designer

It is hard to remember life as a jewelry designer before Vintaj Natural Brass Co. came along.  Let's cast our minds back--what materials did we, as beaders, have available to us?  Well, we had our beads.  Beads are ancient, and although many new types have been designed over the centuries, not many can claim to have revolutionized the industry.  After all, it is rather difficult to reinvent the wheel.  What about metals, findings?  We had silver.  We had gold.  We did the best we could with what we had.

As someone who has had very little experience with soldering, I often found that I was searching for ways to create pieces that appeared more "metal-smithed", as opposed to just simply "beaded".  My options were limited as far as how to display a focal bead and make it look like it was placed in a real jeweler's setting.  This notion was especially difficult for me since I desired to evoke a vintage feel with my work.  I'm sure some (if not most) of you can relate.

Enter Vintaj Natural Brass Co.

Vintaj was started by sisters Wendy Mullane and Jeanne Holland along with their good pal, Jess Italia-Lincoln.  It all began when the two sisters were teaching a jewelry design class to a women's group at their church.  One day, a fortuitous thing happened:  Jeanne decided to pry open a filigree bead and wrap it around a glass bead, creating a technique that the folks at Vintaj have since dubbed "creative settings".  When they asked Jess Italia-Lincoln to climb on board, her marketing acumen and keen eye for unique design further propelled the sisters' vision.  Thus, Vintaj was born, and the world of jewelry-making has been (in this humble beader's opinion) forever changed.

In the past decade, the price of silver has nearly quintupled.  The price of gold has climbed into the stratosphere.  So it is no surprise that, for a while now, beaders have been experimenting with new, more affordable metal options.   Simultaneously, trends have been leaning toward vintage and earthy looks.  This is the perfect storm that helped make Vintaj as popular as it is.  The old-fashioned brass stampings, with the signature Vintaj natural, earthy patina are so versatile in color and in function.  Finally, I can display my most precious beads by wrapping them like little treasures in warm, antique-ish stampings.

We, as beaders, are very lucky to be practicing our craft during a time of great innovation in the industry.  The plated items that have come along in the past several years are of a much higher quality than those that used to be available.  Also, we have seen some very interesting metals (and metal finishes) take center stage.  Not only brass, but also copper, pewter, gunmetal, bronze and Shibuichi (among others), are becoming popular alternatives to standard silver and gold in the world of jewelry design.  And almost every metal or plated metal is available in antiqued finishes.  Of course, you cannot have all of these beads, pendants, and stampings coming in cool metals and finishes without the accompanying findings and chain, which are now widely available.  We are fortunate to have these options at our fingertips.  I personally think that Vintaj may have had a hand in opening the door to this brave new beading world.  For that, I thank them.

Monday's New Arrivals at Beadaholique!

We are constantly getting neat new 'stuff' in at Beadaholique. We used to just pop each item up on the website one by one, as the photos got done, as the descriptions got written, in between doing other things...the result was that our New Arrivals category, while large, was usually a jumble, and its size actually made it difficult for anyone to really get through it.

Lately, we've been sorting our New Arrivals into concise, exciting (well we think so) groupings. On our home page it is now easy to see the groups of arrivals from the last two weeks, and you can click through to see every new category of stuff for up to the last six months.

So feel free to check out the beads, findings or supplies that most interest you: New Pandora-Style Crystal and Birthstone Beads, Pandora Style Metal Beads, New Mixed Media Materials, including Lisa Pavelka Waterslides, New Craft Wire in Half Round and Square shapes, New Steampunk Buttons, new Batik Beauties and Sassy Silkies Fabric Beads by Kristal Wick, or some really cute antiqued Alphabet charms (which remind me of old typewriter keys).

Have fun!

-Sarah

A Beginners Guide To Chain

The use of chain in jewelry design has never been more popular.  A quick look at our Projects and Inspiration page will give you some idea of the many ways in which chain can become an integral part of your overall design.  Most folks naturally think of incorporating chain as part of a necklace or bracelet design but why not earrings?  Think creatively about the uses of chain in your designs and you may be surprised in the direction it may go. Knowing that many of our customers like to be in the know about all things jewelry, I put together this small guide that includes pictures and definitions of some of the more popular types of chain that you'll find on our site. Click on the name of each chain that you see in red to be taken to a search result for that type of chain found on our site.  The guide is by no means exhaustive but we've included the most popular styles.  Hope you find it useful! As always, we welcome your comments.

	Bar Chain:  Just as the name implies each bar has eyes at either end that are each joined to the next with a link.  The bars themselves may be straight, curved, dapped etc.
	Ball Chain: Also know as Bead Chain, has round beads fixed along the length of the chain.  You may at times see this chain interspersed by short lengths of chain.
	Box Chain: The links of a box chain are square, creating a smooth square chain.  Another common name for this type of chain is Venetian chain.
	Cable Chain: A cable chain, also known as link chain, is made up of round or oval links of uniform sizes. This is the chain that most people think of when they think of "chains".
	Curb Chain:  A chain with oval links that are twisted to lie flat.  You will often see these links diamond cut.
	Figaro Chain: The Figaro chain, like the curb chain has flattened links. Unlike the curb chain, it does not have one uniform size links alone. Instead, it usually has 2 or 3 shorter links alternating with a longer link.
	Rolo Chain:   The links of a rolo chain may be round or oval but are always symetrically joined together as pictured.  This chain is perfect for hanging charms or pendants.
	Rope Chain:  The oval links of a rope chain are arranged so that the resulting pattern resembles a length of rope.  This is a very durable chain and quite popular for men's as well a womens jewelry.
	Snake Chain:  Snake chains are not made of links but rather of round curved metal plates that are joined together to form a flexible tube.  This slinky tube resembles a snake's skin.  Omega chain is a variation on the Snake Chain but is distinguished by the fact that it's round plates are straight and not curved.

Jewelry Making 101-Tools of the Trade

Have you ever looked admiringly through a shop window at a piece of handmade jewelry only to gasp as you glance at the price? Well, take another breath, because that pricey necklace was probably made with just a few dollars worth of components. So it's not surprising that more and more people are now making their own custom designs to both wear and to sell. All you need are creativity, a little time, some supplies, and tools. For many beginners, it is this last item that is the stumbling block. But don't let a little confusion about beading tools prevent you from starting on a very rewarding hobby. Who knows, soon other people may be gasping at your creation in a boutique window.
So, you've got an idea for a project, and you've found some really great beads and findings. What tools do you need? The answer to this question may depend on the nature of your project, but there are certain tools that will always be essential. Other tools are more specialized, and can be added to your kit as your skill level progresses or the need arises.

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Pliers

These are without a doubt the single most important jewelry making tool. But we're not talking about your household toolbox pliers. These are smaller specialized pliers that each perform a different function. An important thing to note is that almost all jewelry pliers have smooth work surfaces, unlike home improvement tools, that tend to have 'teeth' or serrated surfaces, to enhance the grip on metal nuts and bolts. Rough surfaces are the last thing you need when you are dealing with delicate wires and beads.

Chain Nose Pliers: The first beading tool that you should buy. Chain Nose Pliers have jaws that come to a small point. They are used to bend wire at angles, straighten wire, close jump rings, and hold beads and other pieces in place. It’s a good idea to have two pairs of these pliers (one for each hand) for maneuvering and manipulating wire into different forms. Or for versatility, try purchasing one regular chain nose pliers and one bent nose chain nose pliers.

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Cutters

Most jewelry making projects will require cutting some kind of material (wire, cord, thread etc). For wire there are two basic types of cutters:

• Bevel: Leave an angled-cut edge that usually requires filing in order to properly finish.

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Files

Use files to gently file roughness away from wire ends and beads. There are a variety of shapes of files, and they're often sold together in packs that include all the ones you'll need. If you make your own ear wires, these are indispensable for smoothing the sharp cut ends.

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Tweezers

If you're thinking of using thread to string pearls or gemstones and want to place knots in between, you'll find that tweezers are the tool of choice.

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Needles

There are two basic types: Flexible: These generally have a large eye that is threaded, then flattened in order to pass through a bead hole. And they're flexible in order to pass through tight or curved spaces. These are considered to be disposable after a single use. Rigid: Like sewing needle but much thinner in order to fit through the tiny holes of smaller beads.

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Adhesives

Many beading projects call for a dab of glue. Sometimes at the end of a cord to help secure a clasp that is being crimped, sometimes to glue a knot. Use it sparingly, but definitely use it.

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Measuring and Design Beading Board

	A Beading Board is a great way to layout your designs without having beads wandering all over your table and without having to so much as cut a thread. Again, there are choices. Large, small. Some have covers that make them handy for travel.

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Honorable Mention

• Bead Scoop: Always extremely useful when tidying and measuring your beads and pouring them into bags and containers.
• Wire Whacker: You've made some pretty nifty ear wires but there kind of, well, soft and bendy. Here's the solution.
• Hammer: When pliers won't do the trick you may just need to hammer your metal. This also will harden it making your jewelry more durable. I suggest a hammer with one flat side and one ball shaped or peen side.
• Bench Block: A rectangular block, often steel-topped or made entirely of steel, that’s used to protect your work surface from hammering.

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Instructional Materials

There are tons. If you're just getting started, here's one of the perennial favorites of beginners books: Basics Of Bead Stringing -Essential Beading
One final thought. If you haven't yet acquired tools for jewelry making, or need to replace a few worn out ones, a tool kit can be an economical alternative. With a kit you can purchase the essential tools you want at a discount and many tool kits come with a nifty case included.
by Chris Bellomo