Bead Stringing Blog

I just saw a new beading pattern over at jewelrymakingprofessor.com called Romanesque Earrings.

This is more of a bead weaving project than a bead stringing one, but I thought the earrings were so beautiful that I wanted to show you them.

Here is the link to the preview of the video: Beading Pattern Romanesque Earrings

The pattern looks fairly simple using just bicone beads and seed beads.

I really like the style of these earrings!

Learn How To Make Custom Jewelry
by Laura Kay

If you’re looking for a great way to make some extra money, be creative and have fun at the same time, then making hand-crafted may be for you! Learning to make beaded jewelry doesn’t take very long, the supplies are affordable and the rewards are great! It’s a great hobby that can easily turn into a business with just a little luck.

All the new terms and tools and beading supplies might be a little overwhelming at first, but you’ll soon be twisting wire, stringing jewelry and attaching clasps like a pro! You may want to begin by buying some online beads and jewelry supplies just so you can practice your skills without breaking the bank.

There are lots of different ways you can start learning all the skills necessary to make your own beaded jewelry. Here are a few of the best ways to really get started almost immediately:

Check Out a Craft Store: Most craft stores now have a pretty big beaded jewelry supply section, so you can get a good feel for what beads are available, what tools you may need and what’s possible. Making bead jewelry is a popular enough hobby that there are almost always people at the store who can help you with simple questions.

Bead Store Class: Many beading and jewelry supply stores will offer training sessions in a group or in a one-on-one tutoring session. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Often times bead store owners will go out of their way to help beginners because the more people they can train, the more people they’ll have buying their supplies!

Buy a beaded jewelry making book: You may want to start out with a basic book that has lots of pictures so you can get a handle on the beginner skills and go from there. Most bead jewelry making books are also great for getting the creativity going because they will often show you the finished product first and then explain how to get to that point from the very beginning.

Learn from other jewelry makers online: You’d be amazed by how many other people are making hand-crafted jewelry and how much they’re willing to show you and demonstrate. Some beaded jewelry blogs and online sources aim at helping you run your bead jewelry business, some are strictly dedicated to jewelry tutorials, and some are a little bit of both!

You’ll be amazed at how quickly you learn how to make hand-crafted jewelry with just a little bit of practice. Soon you’ll be able to make your own beaded jewelry pieces either for your own use, for gifts for others or as a great way to make some extra money on the side.

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Artbeads.com is sponsoring a contest that bead stringing enthusiasts can take part in.

When you join the contest you will receive the same assortment of beads and parts that all other contestants receive.

Then you see what you can do and compare to what the other contestants come up with.

Here is a link for more information about the contest: Use the Muse II beading design contest

If you are new to bead stringing, I recommend that after you get your sea legs and decide that you are truly addicted to the craft, you go to a bead show.

Beading is such a popular craft that there are probably some bead shows that should be easy to get to in your car.

I go to three to four shows a year and I really enjoy seeing all kinds of different bead types. It makes a big difference to see beads up close and personal rather than looking at them on a computer screen. Beads are still a “high touch” product.

If you head out to a show I’ve got some advice that may help you:

Buddy Up

When you go to the show, take some of your fellow beaders along with you. You can share the fuel cost if you have to drive a long distance! It’s also just fun to share your experience at the show with others. When I go, even if I don’t have beading buddies, I take my daughter along.

Pay Attention to Your Shoes

I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure you wear shoes that fit well and feel comfortable to you. I use walking shoes. The reason it’s important is because you will be walking and standing a lot more than you probably are used to. If your feet start hurting after just an hour of the show, you’ll want to leave even before you’ve seen all the good stuff.

Be Careful About Prices

Don’t assume that vendors at bead shows are offering the best prices. Sometimes online sources are more affordable. Also, many vendors at the show sell the same or very similar items so if you see something you like, walk around and see if another vendor is offering it cheaper before you commit to buy. Also, if you can get access to the vendor list before you attend the show visit their websites to see if they offer any promotions or discounts.

Don’t Forget to Take Home Vendor Information

Most vendors will have some kind of information for you to take home. Make sure you take those with you because I guarantee you will forget the names of some of the vendors you liked and you won’t be able to visit their sites for additional purchases.

With the economy the way it is, everybody can stand to save a little money where possible.

Of course, that includes bead stringers like you and me.

I’m kind of cheap and am always trying to think of ways to save a few pennies here and there, so I thought I would share a few ideas with you.

Take time to Find the Best Prices
OK, that seems kind of obvious, but I often meet fellow beaders who just stick with one or two vendors. I know that’s easier and more convenient and there’s value in that, but you are probably missing some big time savings opportunities if you don’t shop around. Some of the vendors I use have great prices on beads, and not so great prices on other beading parts, while another vendor is just the opposite. You also need to keep an eye out for different promotions and sales that can save you money. It all adds up!

Buy in Bulk with Your Friends
If you have some fellow bead stringers you know, then it probably makes sense for you to pool your money together and buy in bulk. As with most purchases, the more you buy at once the cheaper it tends to be.

Use Up Existing Supplies First
This used to be a big problem for me when I would get so excited about new beads and I would just keep buying without using what I had bought. Then my hubby got mad at me for spending so much on supplies, so I started getting more disciplined about my purchases. What works best for me is to make sure I have used up most of the supplies I bought before I buy new supplies. It takes a little discipline, but it has save me a bundle.

Trade with Fellow Beaders
You may find that your fellow beading buddies have excess stock of exactly what you are looking for, and you may have what they need. That’s a match made in heaven! You both get what you want without having to spend a penny!

Keep an Inventory List for Your Supplies
If you bead a lot, I am sure you’ve had the experience of buying new beads only to discover you already had some stashed away someplace that you forgot about. That has happened to me more times than I care to admit. I find that when I keep everything well organized, I don’t have the “double purchase” experience. There is also software available these days that can help keep inventory tracking of your beads and supplies.

Reuse Beads from Older Jewelry
I find myself doing this more often as my stock of finished jewelry grows. I have many pieces that either didn’t sell, or I didn’t put them up for sell because I fell in love with them. But if they’ve been sitting around for years, why not take them apart and give the beads new life with an exciting new design idea floating around in your head.