Beading Chain video

Hi everyone
I thought this was a very easy to follow demonstration about using beading chain. Hope you enjoy it!
Mind you, I think it would be easier with shorter fingernails...
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Beading A Wedding Veil

Got a wedding coming up? Thought this might be interesting!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

A Guide to Beading a Wedding Veil

There are so many neat and wonderful things that you can bead, and, surprisingly enough, you can even bead a wedding veil. This is definitely a delicate project, one that is most certainly not for beginner beaders, but one that can be a lot of fun and result in a beautiful and timeless creation for the experienced beading professional.

If you are interested in beading a wedding veil yourself, and feel like you have the experience and knowledge necessary, then there is one design in particular that you should try out.

Beading a Wedding Veil

For beading a wedding veil in this case you are going to need the following materials: white floral wire, heavy button hole thread to gather the top edge of tulle, silk flowers, pearls, beads, Velcro, fabric from dress or similar to dress, wide ribbon, batting, and plastic combs to keep the veil in place.

Now you need to find a workspace large enough that you can lay the fabric out completely flat. You can use a pattern, but if you don't want to, then you can always just fold the tulle over lengthwise, pin it together so it won't move around, and cut the bottom end off, rounding off the corners. You can leave the sides straight if you want, and the squared end will be the top of the veil.

Once you have cut the tulle accordingly, you can gather it by using a gathering stitch on the straight edge of the fabric, and then bunching the tulle together. Now you have to attach the tulle to the combs, and you can do this several different ways. You can either attach the veil directly to your crown with an adhesive, or you can attach it to a separate 4 inch comb. One of the biggest advantages to attaching it to a comb is that then once the ceremony is over and you are at the reception, you can remove the veil but leave the headpiece on.

The Beading Process

For beading a wedding veil, the best idea is to use a beading machine, as it will be less likely than you to tear the fabric, especially if you are working with tulle, lace or satin, which is typically what wedding veils are made from. By beading a wedding veil yourself, whether the veil is for you or for someone else, will make you feel proud and happy with your accomplishment.

Gorgeous Jewelry by Jeanette

Hello everyone!
Well, another week has flown by. Life gets too busy sometimes!
I've been enjoying looking at some great jewelry made by Jeanette, and she's said it's okay for me to put some on the blog for you to look at. I also like the way she blends beautiful jewelry with the healing powers of crystals and gemstones. I also like the handmade clasps. Her website is at http://jameliadesigns.wetpaint.com/

First up I had to pick something green!



Chrysocolla & silver
This beautiful chrysocolla necklace measures 19.5" or almost 50cm. The beads measure 16 x 20mm. It is hand knotted with black silk and finished with a hand made sterling silver clasp. Chrysocolla is a hydrous copper silicate.

Chrysocolla is said to be a calming, cleansing and re-energising stone. It may help with guilt, destructive emotions and heartache. It may assist with self awareness, confidence, sensitivity and creativity.

The physical healing properties of chrysocolla are believed to be many. Some are - assistance with PMS and cramps, arthritis, muscle spasms, blood oxygenation, liver, kidneys, intestines and pancreas.



Crazy lace agate & silver

This hand knotted crazy lace necklace closes with a simple sterling silver hook.
The agate has been dyed a beautiful colour pink which has really brought out the pattern in the agate. The beads measure 18mm long x 14mm wide and the necklace length is 19.25" or 49cm long. Agate is a member of the quartz family with the same chemical composition of silicon dioxide.

Agate is said to bring physical, mental and emotional balance and self confidence. It may help overcome negativity and bitterness and inner tension. Useful for emotional trauma. It may be useful for hollow organs e.g. stomach, uterus, intestines etc. and healing for the eyes. Crazy lace agate is said to bring elegance, mental agility, liveliness and flexibility (perhaps like its patterning).

And finally, a really interesting piece.




Jade and silver necklace with sugilite pendant with jade earrings
This necklace measures 21" or 53cm long. The beads measure 6mm in diameter.
The jade beads have beeen dyed a beautiful purple. The pendant measures 3cm long x 4cm wide. The earrings measure 3cm long. Jade's chemical composition is sodium aluminuim silicate.

Jade is believed to attract friendship and good luck. It is a protective stone, bringing harmony to the wearer, bringing mind into balance with the body.
Jade is said to be a cleansing stone, working with the kidneys.

Sugilite's chemical composition is potassium sodium, iron, manganese, aluminium, lithium silicate.

Sugilite is a spiritual stone. It is said to protect the soul from shocks and trauma, relieving spiritual tension. It is a healing stone alleviating negative energy, encouraging positive thoughts. It is a good pain reliever and supportive to nerves and the brain.

Check out Jeanette's website for more fabulous designs, I'm sure you'll be inspired!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Beading Video - Making a Wrapped Loop

I blame my son - he's the one who's always checking out stuff at YouTube! Anyway, here's another beading video that I came across and thought you might find helpful. Enjoy!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Sewing With Beads

Hello everyone
Maureen sent me this useful idea a little while ago, and I thought I'd share it here. I did some sewing recently and got all tangled up, so I should have remembered this tip sooner!!

Thanks for all your great tips. Here's one that saves me no end of time. I stick a darning needle (standing up vertically) into my pin cushion. Slip my Nymo bobbin onto the needle and pull off as much thread as I need. The bobbin turns easily on the needle, no tangles and no chasing after escaping bobbins.

Keep smiling and thanks Maureen!
Felicity 8-)

Susannah's been at it again!

Hello again
I just got this email from Susannah, showing another of her lovely pieces of beaded jewelry. And even better, it's in my favorite color - green!
I love the way she's mixed up different beads and links, and yet it all works together really well.
Great work Susannah! I hope this inspires some others to try something similar.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Stunningly Elegant Bead Necklace

Hello everyone
Bonnie sent me this picture of a necklace she made. The clasp and the loops of beads hang down your back.
This would look stunning with the right dress - quite simple, but very elegant.
Hope you like it!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Opals - Great In Jewelry

Hi everyone!
With an October birthday, I've always been interested in opals, as it's generally recognised as the birthstone for October. So I thought the following information might be interesting to any of you considering using opals in your jewelry.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

An opal bracelet is a beautiful accessory and can be reasonably priced as well. Opal which ranges in color from a light blue to a dark blue, orange, red, and violet is a beautiful stone. The opal is a nice smooth stone which can make for great jewelry.

Approximately ninety-five percent of fine opal comes from the Australian Outback. This means that there’s a very strong chance that your opal bracelet will come from there.

An opal bracelet can be worn with anything whether it be a formal occasion or wearing it for everyday use. It can look dazzling with any color dress as the stone stands out for its beauty and color. The price ranges for an opal bracelet can range from affordable to very expensive depending on the type of opal it is.

If you are looking for an opal bracelet the popular choices are the fire opal and the precious opal. A bracelet with a fire opal is generally red or orange, comes from Mexico, and has more clarity than other types of opals. This type of bracelet will be more expensive because of the rarity of the stone or stones.

An opal bracelet having the precious opal will be from Australia and can be red, orange, blue, and black, which is the most precious. No matter what bracelet you have they can range from precious to common and come in many shades of red and blue.

The opal is the traditional Hindu birthstone for March. However in modern birthstone listings, October is more likely to be associated with opal. Either way, a bracelet set with an opal can be a great gift for someone special with a birthday or occasion in the right month.

An opal bracelet does not just look great as the opal also has different powers. Opal, which is a silicate, contains water which correlates with our emotions and brings out emotions such as love and passion. Wearing a piece of jewelry with an opal set in it can be said to lessen inhibition and bring about spontaneity.

The opal also spurns on imagination, visualization, and dreams. The opal in an opal bracelet can change color with intense people who have fiery personalities. Different colors of the stones have different powers so depending on the color of the opal bracelet it can have different effects.

A white opal bracelet will balance the right and left side of the brain. A black opal bracelet, which is really dark blue, is the most potent type of opal. And a fire opal bracelet can bring about passion, anger, intense emotions, and stimulate energy.

An opal bracelet looks great, has different powers, and can come in common or precious types. It makes a perfect gift for someone special for any occasion.

Beginner at Beading Does a Great Job

Hi everyone!
I just had to share this gorgeous necklace that Susannah made - and it's her first finished piece as a beginner. Wow! Great effort Susannah.
Hopefully this will inspire you to go and create some great beading pieces!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Gorgeous Jewelry Designs

Hi everyone
Want to get your creative juices flowing? Then take a look at this video from Montreal jewelry designer Renelde Napoli. It showcases the 2007 collection, and I think it's impossible to watch the whole video from start to finish without having a whole bunch of creative ideas pop into your head! I particularly like the interesting twist on fasteners - very few boring metal ones!
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Get creative with your beading!

Hi everyone!
Jasvir sent me these photos of some of her work, and I thought they were so gorgeous I had to share them.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Bead Store

Hope you like this information! Felicity 8-)

Whether you already enjoy making jewelry, or just want to learn how, your first stop should be at a bead store. You can visit a local bead store or find one online. Just make sure you have plenty of time to browse.

Beads come in hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors. Beads can be made of glass, metal, bone, plastic and even paper. Some beads are made from expensive gemstones, while others are common wood. Seeds, shells and found objects are also items that bead store might make into beads. Glass and acrylic beads mix with Swarovski crystal and Czech crystal.

Along with beads, one of these stores usually carries findings, clasps, watch faces and other components for creating beautiful jewelry. If you are lucky, your bead store will also offer classes in jewelry making, beading on a loom, and beading on cloth. You may learn to bead for fun or even profit.

You should look through your supplies and make a list of items that you need, or want before visiting a bead store. If you are looking for a particular bead, take a sample of it with you to the bead store. Think about what projects you have planned. Add any special beads or findings that you will need to your list. Carry a backpack purse so that both of your hands are free to look through beads.

Ask the sales clerk if there are any specials or sales going on. Also ask if they give discounts to members of bead societies. It may be worth joining if you enjoy beads. If you bead, or make jewelry for profit, and have a tax id number let the salesperson know before they ring up your sale. Remember to bring a copy of your tax certificate if you have one. This allows you to purchase beads and other supplies from a bead store at wholesale instead of retail cost.

After you get home sort your beads. A good desk lamp will help you identify patterns and colors more easily. Most people sort by color, shape and size. Uniformity may also be a factor to consider. If you are like most people that visit a bead store, you have more beads than you need, just because they caught your eye. Part of the fun is coming up with new projects to use up the beads that you find at the bead store.

Follow designs in books, online, or that you have previously made. Come up with new designs of your own. Use up the beads that you bought. Then it is time for another visit to the bead store.

Making Glass Beads

Hi everyone
This is an interesting look at how glass beads are handmade.



Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone!
Welcome to 2007, and I hope it's a happy and healthy year for you and all your loved ones.
I've been a bit slack updating the blog in the last month or so, sorry about that.
First I lost my hard drive, and then discovered my backups had failed (grrrr!!) so I've lost an enormous amount of hard work which I can't replace.
Then there was Christmas, and New Year, and going to the beach with my kids, and...
Now I'm trying to transfer servers because I've run out of space, and after 11 days we're still working on it!
As you can imagine, all of this has taken my focus away from beading. 8-)
Still, the end is in sight, so I hope to get back here and add lots more interesting beading information very soon.
Keep smiling
Felicity 8-)