Add some sparkle to your life with Jewel Kade!

I know I've published a post with this bracelet in it before, but seriously, I can't get over how gorgeous it is, so I'm honoring it again! :)  This is a limited edition piece for Mother's Day, so get it while it's hot!  At $40, it's a steal by any standard!

P.S.  Speaking of Mother's Day, hop on over to twitter and tweet about my latest giveaway--a FREE Jewel Kade Mother's Day charm!  Everyone who follows by April 30th will be entered to win!!!

Now is the time, Ladies! (and men who are confident in their masculinity!)

Ok, it really doesn't get any better than this. From now til June 30, you can sign up as a Jewel Kade stylist and get a limited edition Journey Begins bracelet for FREE. That's right--for those of us who signed up earlier, we actually had to work for it, but for those of willing to get in before their national launch, it's yours for the taking!

If you're thinking, "A Bracelet? That's all you got?" let me explain. This isn't just any ol' bracelet, it's a specially designed piece of art from Janet Kinkade herself, created to reward those who knew a good opportunity when they saw one, those willing to take a chance on a start-up company, those who have passion for beauty! And this bracelet will set you apart at all conventions as one of the first--one of the front-runners bringing Jewel Kade to the nation! Janet will be looking for it on your wrist, so if you were ever thinking about signing, NOW IS THE TIME!!!

Another perk of signing? Well, if you jump on the band-wagon before June 13, you'll be a part of a unique sampling opportunity of the new catalog that debuts July 1. This means you'll get to purchase any or all of their new releases at 40% off. Oh my word, my heart is singing! I can't tell you how beautiful the new chains and charms will be, but trust me, Janet has pulled through!For those of you wondering if this is for you and would just like to be the first to host a party in July with the new catalog, I still have some available dates. But hurry quick, my calendar only has 3 available spots!!! Of course, you could do a catalog party anytime....

Brittany's Swooping Swallow Bracelet

Brittany’s Swooping Swallow Bracelet

This adorable and very stylish bracelet was designed by Bead World Glendale's Brittany Egidi.  This quick and easy bracelet design has real impact.  Make it your own by varying the colors you dangle from the clasp, or add some charms.  Have fun!

Required Skills:
Wire Wrapping
Jump Rings

You Will Need:
Vintaj Swirl Clasp
Vintaj Swooping Swallow pendant
8mm Swarovski crystal cube (3)
7mm Vintaj brass jump rings (3)
2 inch, 24 gauge Vintaj headpins (3)
6mm freshwater pearls (2)
6mm Swarovski crystal bicone (1)
Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals (6)
2 pieces of Vintaj brass chain (approx. 6 inches each, to fit)
Instructions:
1. Carefully open one 7mm jump ring. String on the first link of each piece of chain as well as the loop on the swallow’s tail. Carefully close the jump ring.

2. Carefully open another 7mm jump ring. String on the last link of each piece of chain as well as the loop on the swirl portion of the clasp. Carefully close the jump ring.

3. Carefully open the last 7mm jump ring. String on the large link portion of the clasp as well as the loop on the swallow’s head. Carefully close the jump ring. You should be able to close the clasp now and have a functional bracelet.

4. Thread the following onto a head pin: seed bead, freshwater pearl, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the large link portion of the clasp before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

5. Thread the following onto a second head pin: seed bead, crystal bicone, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the large link portion of the clasp before wrapping the loop closed. The two dangles will be right next to one another. Cut off any extra wire.

6. Thread the following onto the last head pin: seed bead, freshwater pearl, seed bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the large link portion of the clasp before wrapping the loop closed. The three dangles will be right next to one another. Cut off any extra wire. Ta Da! Your bracelet is complete!

Click Here For More FREE Downloadable projects!

Swarovski and Cane Glass Bracelet designed by Judy Corning

With spring and lovely weather filling our thoughts, it's the perfect time to make a fun new bracelet!  If you can string, crimp and wire wrap (the trifecta of basic beading skills) you can make this colorful bracelet!

Swarovski and Cane Glass Bracelet, designed by Judy Corning
You Will Need:
5mm square Bali sterling silver spacers (12)
10mm sterling silver round beads (4)
12mm Swarovski crystal cube (1)
8mm Swarovski crystal cube (3)
6mm Swarovski crystal cube (2)
Cane glass beads in mixed colors, approx. 10mm (5)
3mm sterling silver round beads (4)
5mm Swarovski crystal bicones (12)
6mm Swarovski crystal bicones (4)
Sterling silver toggle clasp
SoftFlex beading wire in medium (12 inches)
2x2mm crimp beads (2)
2 inch 24 gauge sterling silver headpin (2)



Instructions:
1. String beads onto SoftFlex in the following order: 5mm bicone, Bali square, 6mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 6mm bicone, Bali square, 8mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 6mm bicone, Bali square, 12mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone, 6mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, Bali square, 8mm crystal cube, Bali square, 6mm bicone, 10mm silver bead, 5mm bicone, cane glass, 5mm bicone, Bali Square, 6mm crystal cube, Bali square, 5mm bicone.

2. Crimp one side of the SoftFlex to the toggle ring, and crimp the other side of the SoftFlex to the toggle bar. Be sure to check the fit and remove any slack in the wire before crimping. Cut off any extra wire.

3. Thread the following beading onto one head pin: 3mm silver bead, Bali square, 8mm crystal cube, Bali square, 3mm bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the base of the toggle ring before wrapping the loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.

4. Thread the following onto the second head pin: 3mm silver bead, cane glass, 3mm silver bead. Form a wire wrapped loop above the beads, making sure to attach the loop to the base of the toggle ring before wrapping the loop closed. The two dangles will be right next to one another. Cut off any extra wire.

For more great project ideas, Check Out Our FREE Downloadable Projects!

Karen Sugarman, "A Delectable Confection"

Karen Sugarman is a long time client and good friend of the Bead World family.  A gifted interior designer as well as jeweler, she peppers her blog entries with references to film, literature, fine cuisine, home decor and, of course, jewelry.  I thought I'd share a bit of her latest entry, so you can share in the fun.  For more, visit Karen Sugarman Designs.

"A Delectable Confection"

The first time I heard these words was from my DH not long after we were married. It was to me (and still is), the cutest term of endearment I had ever heard. My hubby has an adorable sense of humor and this little phrase has been passed back and forth for many years.

Pastel colors have long been a favorite of mine when designing interiors. There is a serene and comforting quality to the whisper of the diffused colors. Dramatic and dark rooms are always sophisticated, but much like a “diva friend”, they can be exhausting and numbing after too much drama. (Princess and the Pea bedroom, Karen Sugarman Interiors)

With all these beautiful Easter/Spring colors in my head, I just completed a new bracelet design called Marie’s Folly. It is a magnificent combination of pastel tourmaline briolettes flanked by gorgeously organic aquamarine/beryl pastel slices. Pastel tourmaline is actually in short supply as it is found in Afghanistan in remote and very dangerous regions.  (Marie's Folly Bracelet, Karen Sugarman)

Knowing that Marie Antoinette had a great fondness for all things pastel, I feel certain that she would have approved of this “delectable confection”.

New Chain Maille Book!

Bead World has a new book!  Advanced Chain Maille is the newest instructional book to be published by the team at Bead World.  Written by Brittany Egidi, our resident chain maille goddess, this is the third installment in our ongoing chain maille series.  (Brittany's previous books include Beginning Chain Maille and Intermediate Chain Maille.)  In this new book, Brittany tackles challenging traditional patterns as well as chains with captured crystals and Czech glass cheerios.  (A helm bracelet, one of the included patterns, is shown above left.)  Advanced Chain Maille is perfect for the experienced chain maille artist who is looking for fun new ideas and wants to take their skills to the next level. 

Advanced Chain Maille includes:

• Helm (Parallel) Chain
• Japanese Diamond Earrings
• Captive Inverted Round (with 4mm round beads)
• Cheerio Byzantine Variation
• Elfweave

2010 Spring/Summer Jewelry Trends

Hot off the fashion presses, we have news about the Spring/Summer 2010 Jewelry Trends!  It's going to be a fun one, folks!  The powers that be are a little schizophrenic this year, showing super bright tropical colors in half of the runway shows and sleek neutrals in the others.  What's a girl to do?  I say pick your favorites from the colors at left and roll with it!  (Coral and turquoise, by the way, look gorgeous on everyone.)

Jewelry this spring and summer is all about BIG, bold shapes.  We're seeing the return of the big earring (yea!) and keeping last season's statement necklaces and stacked, chunky bracelets as well.  Choose ONE large piece per outfit, please.  Any more than that may just overwhelm you.  Actress Kate Hudson works this look perfectly here, with shoulder dusting chain earrings and no necklace at all.  No matchy-matchy if you want to look up to date this season!

Rock star looks are holding strong, too.  Returning with a vengence is, my all-time favorite, silver chain!  Layered, messy, knotted, mixed with other metals... any way you can pile that silver chain in there will work this season.  Other rock and roll elements are looking fresh this year as well: leather, studs, crystal.  Just keep it a little bit rough, and you're good to go.

One hot new trend that I KNOW you will all love is funky ethnic inspired pieces.  Mix together some wood, rough cut gemstones and African trade beads.   Maybe throw in some fabric elements or leather.  Keep the overall design big and a little bit random.  Voila!  Your own personal masterpiece!

Have fun, guys.  Use up all of your left over beads and bits of chain in super fun, messy masterpieces.  And send me pictures!  Lots and lots of pictures!  I'll post them and give you guys credit.

Happy creating!

Vintaj Fabulousness

Three really cool chicks.  I mean, the kind of chicks you'd just want to snatch up, carry around in your pocket and keep forever.  Those are the kind of women that are behind Vintaj natural brass beading components.  Sisters Wendy and Jeanne, along with their dear friend Jess, started the Vintaj company to bring innovative, vintage inspired beading items into the marketplace.  These hip mamas wanted to work for themselves, so they could have a flexible work environment and keep their focus on their children.  Plus, they figured that we would want all of this gorgeous stuff to play with.  They were right!

An instant favorite of beaders everywhere, Vintaj items have been repeatedly featured in every major beading magazine.  What's not to love?  Unlimited creative options, gorgeous hand rubbed patinas, pieces that work together in a variety of ways, "alternative" setting techniques (yes, a dragofly wing is a perfectly reasonable prong!) -- all created using an eco-friendly, lead free process that's healthy for both the earth and your children.  (Yes, they are going to put that in their mouth!) 

At Bead World, we are unabashed lovers of the entire Vintaj line, and we carry a lot of it in our stores.  Just look at the gorgeous things you can make with their unique pieces!  (Yes, I gush.)  We "borrowed" these great design ideas from the official Vintaj Co. website -- there are a million more where these came from.  Check out their blog, too.  It's always full of great ideas.  I want to hear all about how much you guys love this stuff.  Send me pics of your projects, and I'll add them to the blog!