Blog for Beaders

Did you know that Swarovski has two colors that change depending on the lighting they receive? We have created animated images that perfectly reflect these unique color-changing crystals. Cantaloupe has a soft green color under fluorescent and natural light but changes to a beautiful peach color under incandescent lighting. Under fluorescent light and sunlight, alexandrite appears light blue and changes to a beautiful violet color with incandescent light.

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Artbeads.com now offers free priority shipping and 24-hour turnaround on all U.S. orders of $75 or more! We want to get all orders shipped in the quickest way possible at the lowest cost to our customers. We give these orders special attention to make sure they’re out our doors within 24 hours of the orders being placed. For more details, visit the Artbeads.com shipping page.

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To view or purchase a Lampwork bead from Tjrindy Glass visit: http://www.tjrindyglass.com/

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Recently I was fortunate enough to be one of only a few of FedEx’s customers invited to attend the ceremonial delivery to Federal Express of their first Boeing 777 freighter, manufactured about 50 miles from Artbeads.com at Boeing’s Everett facility. Prior to the delivery of the jet, we were given an expanded tour of Boeing’s facility, granting us access to areas that are inaccessible to people attending any of Boeing’s public tours. There is no other way to describe this building except by saying that it is big… really, really big. So big in fact that the Guinness Book Of World Records lists it as the biggest building in the world by volume at 472 million cubic feet. To put that into perspective, that’s big enough to hold all of Disneyland and still have room for 12 acres of covered parking! Another way to get an idea of the size of this building is to consider that it has 1 million light bulbs!

The 777F is one of the newest series of freighters produced by Boeing, and to see one up close was truly incredible. Standing next to this plane on the tarmac and being able to reach out and touch it gave me a sense of perspective that you simply can’t get any other way. Each wheel was about 4 feet tall and the landing gear has a total of 12 of them. The wingspan is over 200 feet, more than two-thirds the length of a football field. Even the engine itself was enormous with the diameter being greater than that of the entire fuselage of a 737, one of the most common commercial passenger planes in use today.

Most of us take air travel for granted now, but if you ever get the chance to visit an aircraft factory or have the opportunity to see a large scale jet up close and personal, take it from me that you won’t regret it. These machines are truly remarkable, and to see how they are made makes the experience even more incredible.

- Michael, Chief Operating Officer

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	18″ 2.0mm Satin Necklace – Black Overall Rating  5
	Swarovski 5000 8mm Faceted Round Crystal Red Magma Overall Rating  4.5
	3-Strand Multi-Strand Endpiece Overall Rating 4.3
	18x24mm Porcelain Puffed Rectangle Fall Leaves Overall Rating 5
	18x15mm Matte Light Sapphire Resin Heart Pendant Overall Rating 5
	Sterling Silver Awareness Ribbon Charm Overall Rating 5
Click here to view full list of Top Rated Products

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From awareness ribbon charms to pink Venetian glass beads, these awareness items will help you promote the causes that are closest to your heart.

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Q: Hi Bailey,
My question for you is, what is the best and easiest way (as I am a beading novice) to tie off or end a beaded bracelet or necklace using non-elastic string?  I have just gotten into beading and have made quite a few anklets and necklaces but always using wire and putting clasps on the end.  I just wondered how you would go about using string and fishing line.  I have purchased quite a lot of these materials and would like to start using them.  I ran out of clasps and tubes and wondered if there was anything I could do while waiting for my order to arrive.  Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.

Julie

A: Hello Julie,
Using jewelry wire with crimps and clasps is the simplest and most secure method for finishing your beaded strands.  If you are referring to string such as beading cord you can knot at the end of the strand but if you want the jewelry item to be removable you still need some sort of clasp or closure. Traditionally the cord is attached to a clasp and then knotted and glued. If you are trying to avoid a clasp, you can make a sliding knot closure. This works best with a heavier cord such as hemp or silk cording.
   
To make the sliding closure:
Overlap the two ends of the cord. Take the end of the cord on the right, and tie a simple overhand knot over the cord on the left. Then take the end of the cord on the left, and tie a knot over the cord on the right. Knot the ends of the cord to prevent fraying.  Trim if necessary. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Bailey Beader
www.artbeads.com

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My inspiration was doing something with fall colors by using the new Swarovski color, Red Magma. 
 
3 – 26x16mm Topaz Leaf Pendant
7 – 4mm Tanzanite Bicones
24 – 4mm Olivine Bicones
8 – 8mm Faceted Red Magma Rounds
31 – 1/2″ headpins
11 – 6mm 20 gauge jumprings
3 – 8mm jumprings
20 gauge wire
1 – twisted toggle clasp
 
Make simple loops on all 8 Red Magma rounds
Make simple loops with all 31 – 4mm Bicone beads with the 1/2″ headpins
 
Attached two 6mm jumprings to one end of clasp and then one 8mm round and alternate and end with added two 6mm to the other end of the clasp.
 
Attach the 3 Topaz Leaf Pendants with the 8mm jumprings spacing them evenly along way.
Attach one 4mm Tanzanite bicone to each 8mm jumpring

- By Artbeads.com customer Jeannie Dukic
www.jkdjewelry.com

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Watch this informative video to learn how to use ICE Resin® to create layered pieces that display your unique personality. Whether you are creating a necklace or embellishing a scrapbook page, ICE Resin® will help you add strength and color to your designs.

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I’d like to share this piece with your Customer Gallery of Designs. The lariat is made with gold-filled chain, Swarovski bicones and a Swarovski Teardrop Pendant in Crystal Volcano, and twisted gold wire.

Hope you like it!

- By Artbeads. com customer Moira McEvoy
www.mysticpesto.artfire.com

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