New Classes

I'm on a roll with the new classes!  This month, we're debuting two new classes, Double Sidewinder and Kumihimo, in our Bead World stores.  It's really exciting to be able to bring these cool new classes to the masses.  Plus, it's moving me that much closer to the new book releases!  This summer, we'll be releasing at least two new books.  We may even make it three new books, if I can get my act in order!  Beyond Basics: All Tied Up!  will feature macrame, wire crochet and kumihimo weave.  Seed Bead Basics will highlight, well, basic seed bead projects.  (Duh, right?)  And Chain Maille for Beginners will contain patterns for beginner level chain maille projects.  Hey, at least you know what are books are about from the titles!  Exact release dates will follow soon, and you can find class information on our website: http://www.beadworldinc.com/

Double Sidewinder Bracelet

Kumihimo Necklace

Marketing with Technology

I am a crafter, not a tech person.  (Anyone who knows me well knows that I am NOT being modest here.)  That being said, in the interst of promoting our stores, communicating with our clients and sharing fun beading ideas, I've learned to embrace technology.  It has been a surprise to me how much the computer can help me in my various artsy pursuits.  Even more shocking has been my enjoyment of the process!  Three scant years ago, the Bead World web site was a one page blip with a couple of photos, and map and basic contact information.  The range of media we now use to spread our message is, in my opinion, pretty impressive.  More important, though, is that anyone could use the same systems to promote their own projects.  Everything we use is inexpensive, widely available and user friendly.  Here's a rundown of our growth:

• http://www.beadworldinc.com/ We completely redesigned the site in 2007, adding interactive maps, class schedules for all of our stores, detailed information about our inventory and lots of gorgeous photos.  We added even more in 2009, including free downloadable projects.  The addition of our web goddess, Brittany, to the executive team really made the continuing expansion of the web site a joy.
• Beading Your World  Bead World's monthly e-magaine was launched in 2007.  It features informative articles about gemstones, new materials, techniches, classes, events and a letter from our executive team.  We include a fun coupon inside every e-magaine, too!  As an e-magazine, it is emailed out to every client who has opted in by signing up on our web site.  We use http://www.constantcontact.com/ for this service, and I would recommend them to anyone.  Their program is inexpensive, easy to use and very professional.
• Email Coupon Program  Launched in early 2008, we piggy-backed this fun coupon program onto our e-magazine program, sending out emailed coupons to everyone on our opt-in list.  This has been a hugely successful program.  After all, who doesn't love getting discounts and advanced notice of sales?!
• http://www.facebook.com/ Did you know you can be a Fan of Bead World on Facebook?  In 2009, we built our company its own Facebook page.  We update our status to show info about sales, new products and beading trends.  We also have great discussions going on about dream materials, new store locations, busting "beader's block" and more.  It's a wonderful opportunity to interact directly with the people who love Bead World and want to help us make it even better!  Facebook is a no-brainer: it's easy, it's free and almost everyone you know is already using it!
• http://www.twitter.com/  Yep, we tweet, too!  We use Twitter to let our clients know when a new blog entry has been posted, when great coupons are in their email in box and all kinds of great updates. 
• Beading the Bead World Way  You're already reading our blog, so you clearly know all about it!  Launched in February, 2010, this is our newest foray into digital communication.  If you can't get enough of beading, or of Bead World, we'll keep you inspired with fabulous ideas!  We currently publish two posts per week.
• Desktop Publishing with Microsoft & Adobe:  We've really utilized our desktop publishing programs, using them to design and create class instruction hand-outs, jewelry kit packaging, our employee manual and lots of marketing materials for the stores.  More recently, we have published (in-house, of course) a series of six instructional books.  Doubtless, more are on the way.  Next on the horizon: publishing those books as ebooks on http://www.amazon.com/ so that everyone can enjoy learning to bead the Bead World way!

I know that, for a lot of crafters, jumping onto the computer can be a bit of a departure.  But there is no better way to share your message!  Customers and fans are not going to wander into your craft room -- you have to go find them.  Get out there and try it.  I promise, you'll love it!

Put the Pretties Front and Center!

Put the Pretties Front and Center!

There are few things I love in this world more than a beautiful, substantial toggle, but I hate wasting all of that silvery goodness at the back of my neck.  No matter how much I love a clasp, there's no sense paying for something that people may never even see.  What's a girl to do?  I say...put the toggle in the front of the necklace!  When you use a high end designer clasp, it can be the most stunning element of your entire piece.   (The toggle shown above left currently retails at Bead World for $16.50.)

Once you get used to the idea of  placing a toggle at the front of a piece, it opens up a whole new world of engineering options.  A toggle is a great place to anchor a pendant or large gemstone.  In the piece shown at right, turquoise and a pearl were wire wrapped onto a sleek, modern toggle.  This creates a "Y" neckline while maintaining the necklace's clean lines. 

You can wire wrap on any number of different decorative elements.  You can even add a cascade of mutiple dangles and drops.  In the necklace shown at left, three dangles shimmy down from the center toggle.  Each dangle is composed of multiple elements from the main necklace, and they are individually wire wrapped together.  It's an expensive, elegant look, but take note: it's made up entirely of leftovers that the designer had on hand! 

Have fun with big toggles and don't let them scare you.  Once you start experimenting, you'll see how much fun they can be!  I can't wait to see the gorgeous ideas y'all come up with!

Loving the Leaf Chains!

Fringy, swingy leaf chains have been all the rage lately, and I can't get enough.  Sweet tiny leaf charms are incorporated right into the chain, giving an "I worked sooooo hard" look simply and easily.  Bead World currently offers this chain in both hot metals of the moment, brass and copper (copper shown above left, brass shown lower right).  With so much going on in this chain, it's not inexpensive ($17.35 per foot at Bead World).  Luckily, we sell chain by the inch at Bead World, so you can buy just enough to make a super chic pair of earrings if you prefer!  When you consider how many tiny charms are loaded onto the chains as well as your time savings, it's clear that leaf chains are an amazing bargain.

At right you can see the fun earrings I made with the brass leaf chain.  I've been working through an obsession with long linear dangles lately, as you can clearly see.  Each of these little swingers has two inches of chain plus an ear wire.  That's about as easy as it gets, folks!  Plus, it looks amazingly high end.  And these cute little guys will only set you back around $8.50.  (Pricing is based on Bead World stores.)

There is plenty of space left in these links for a wire wrap, so the possibilities are truly endless.  You could add a gemstone drop at the bottom, add tiny Swarovski crystals throughout...  I look forward to seeing all the great ideas you guys come up with!

My Favorite Jewelry Finding of All Time!

I'm pretty picky when it comes to choosing findings for my beaded treasures.  I like my pieces to be modern, clean lined and very, very solidly built.  Wimpy, wiggly ear wires simply will not do!  That said, this 40mm sterling silver hoop finding from Nina Designs is my absolute favorite finding OF ALL TIME.  I've been using it for years, and continue to go back to it time and again.  It is quite substantial and holds up to an amazing amount of wear and tear.  Of course, there are less expensive hoop findings out there. (This one retails for around $40.00 in our Bead World stores, with a smaller version for around $25.00.)  But I've never found a hoop finding that feels or looks this good.  I'm happy to pay a bit more for a piece of jewelry that will last and look every bit as fresh and new five years later.  A couple of examples of the earrings I've made...

Faceted 4mm apatite rondelles with sterling silver spacers

Smooth 3mm ruby rondelles... you can never go wrong with rubies!

Let me know what your favorites are!

I'm no polymer clay expert!!!! LOL

Ok ,so my curiosity got the best of me, and i decided to venture into the world of polymer clay. I know nothing about it, but I've been seeing so many pretty designs from it i wanted to try. So with minimal research(I'm still researching) I attempted my first clay pendant. This was the result..lol. I didn't polish or glaze it so its very imperfect. My take on it is it looks like a 2 week old fetus..LOL! I only made this since i was just trying it out. I must say I actually had fun with it, and I like that everything you make will be unique. I have been watching great tutorials and i'm going to give it another attempt. I will post the results soon.

Francine
Jewelry Designer/Owner
FAP Creations Beaded Jewelry
http://fapcreations.ecrater.com/

Craft fairs/shows

Hey guys I'm thinking about trying to sell my items at a craft show. Not anything major just like a community event or something. I'm curious as to how many items i should have , and really how to set up my table. If anyone has any adivice please be sure to leave a comment. If you have sold anything at a craft show please let me know how it went.Thanks!

The stretch bracelet edition

Here are some stretch bracelets i've made. Sorry for the poor picture quality. This was before i got a better camera. I'm noticing a green trend in my jewelry lately. Green is the new black..lol.

Francine

Jewelry Designer/Owner

FAP Creations Beaded Jewelry

http://fapcreations.ecrater.com/

Memory wire bracelet

OK this is a memory wire bracelet that I made. I used acrylic faceted beads and added a butterfly charm at the end. I like the way memory wire bracelets look when they're done, but the beading is tedious..lol especially if your using smaller beads. I like the sparkly look that it gives off, and i must say I'm pleased with the outcome.And don't forget all of these items can be purchased at my site on ecrater.

Francine

Jewelry Designer/Owner

FAP Creations Beaded Jewelry

http://fapcreations.ecrater.com/

My beaded hair combs

So this is a pair of hair combs that i made. I took me a while to do, but i think they came out nice. I used some glass pearls. This was actually one of my favorite things that i have made. I think they would be perfect for a wedding hair-do. What do you think?

Francine

Jewelry Designer/Owner

FAP Creations Beaded Jewelry

http://fapcreations.ecrater.com/

HELLO!!!!

Hello my name is Fran and I am the Owner/Jewelry Designer for FAP Creations. I currently make and sell beaded jewelry. I make beaded bracelets,necklaces,and earrings, at the moment but I'm looking to venture into new ideas. I will be posting some of my creations and keeping you up to date on my progress. I hope you come back and see what i have in store.

Francine

Jewelry Designer/Owner

FAP Creations Beaded Jewelry

http://fapcreations.ecrater.com/