Blog for Beaders

Visit our previous blog post about hot summer trends to enter to win a $25 artbeads.com gift certificate! All you need to do is leave a comment on the post telling us what you think will be in for fashion this summer. We will choose 4 winners at random and each will receive a $25 e-mail gift certificate. The winner will be announced tomorrow—the first official day of summer! Cast your vote before 11:59PM tonight Pacific Standard Time. One entry per person.

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We always love to hear about our customers who have discovered the joy of jewelry making and turned their passion into success. Cathy Partan sent us a picture of one of her bracelet designs, and we decided to tell her story.

Cathy Partan got into jewelry as a way to support her family. Her husband was working two jobs to bring in enough income, and Cathy looked for work that would allow her to help out financially while being able to stay home and raise their children. She found her niche in a small jewelry shop making piece work that she could create at home. Her favorite things to work with are silver and various stones. She also loves to work with Czech fire-polished beads to bring an extra shine to designs. Once her kids were in school, Cathy started working full time outside the home and relied less on her craft for income. It was not until her sister showed her some of the jewelry she was making for friends that Cathy revived her interest. Cathy learned from her sister particular techniques of jewelry making and her love for the art flourished. She now runs her own business, C. Partan Designs, and plans to start giving lessons to those interested in learning the craft starting in July.

The piece she submitted to us has its own story, too! Her creation, a bracelet she calls “Nola,” was actually created for a special customer. One of Cathy’s customers named Nola loved a triangle bracelet design she had on her online shop. Nola asked Cathy if she could customize the colors and material to create a special gift for her mother’s birthday. Nola had certain colors in mind she wanted to use and asked for a little more “added bling.” This inspired Cathy to incorporate sparkling Swarovski crystals and use gold instead of silver for the findings. This story demonstrates the dedication Cathy has for her love of jewelry making, going out of her way to bring satisfaction to her customers. If you would like to see Cathy Partan’s jewelry, check out her website, cpartandesigns.blogspot.com . Cathy loves displaying her designs to bring inspiration to others who share her passion for this craft.

If you’re just staring out and looking for a way to sell your designs, check out our Seller’s Secrets page where we share helpful ways to develop your jewelry-making business.

We want to hear your story, too! Do you have a secret to success? Have you turned your love for jewelry making into a great business? Share your stories and inspire others to get creative! Mail them to artbeadsblog@gmail.com.

-Marissa

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Don’t miss out on our sale this week! Right now you can save 15% on our selection of clasps and toggles! From trigger to lobster claw and from glass to stone, stock up on these important findings so you’re always ready to add the finishing touch. If you’re just starting out in beading, this is the perfect time to build up your collection. Browse our selection of jewelry clasps and toggles and find the ones that will make your designs special.

We’re also having a sale on all pendants and charms this week. Save 15% on our entire selection and get those perfect focal pieces you’ve had your eye on for a while. Mix and match Hill Tribe silver and pewter charms with different themes to create wonderful pieces, including necklaces, bracelets and even earrings! If you need a boost of inspiration for your next project, browse our free jewelry making ideas at the Learning Center. Choose from categories ranging from jewelry type to themes. Hurry, this sale will end Wednesday, June 22, 2011.

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Photo Source: glamcheck.com and this is next.

Photo Source: latest fashion trends and bagpoor.com.

The official first day of summer is approaching quickly—do you know what you’ll be sporting at the poolside? We’ve seen a lot of fashionable trends for the warm season, but we want to know what you think will be hot this summer. Leave a comment telling us what jewelry or accessory trend you think will be burning up the beaches for your chance to win an Artbeads.com gift certificate. Will it be blinged-out sandals or a fearless feminine necklace? From colors to fabrics, let us know what you think is in. Four winners will be selected at random and will each receive a $25 gift certificate to shop our site. This contest ends on Monday, June 20, 2011 at 11:59PM PST. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 21, the official start of summer. Winners will be contacted via e-mail. One entry per person.

-Marissa

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If you haven’t discovered our Soft Flex® line of jewelry wire, here’s a piece to jolt some inspiration. This incredible necklace was created by Artbeads.com design partner Jamie Hogsett. Hogsett is the education coordinator at Soft Flex® and an ambassador for Create Your Style with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. Although, she has been around beads and jewelry making her entire life! Jamie grew up working at her parents’ fine jewelry store after school and learning about jewelry. It was in high school that she first picked up her mom’s old macramé beads in a closet, and began creating beaded gifts. After graduating with a degree in English Literature and Art History from Colorado State University, she continued to work in the beading industry. Her credentials include being the editor at both Stringing Beadwork Magazine and Stringing Magazine. Check out her lovely necklace that she calls “Cornucopia” made from Soft Flex® material and Swarovski crystals.

Jamie continues to share her passion for jewelry by writing jewelry making instructions for thousands of designs over the past four years. She has also published quite a few books about beading and jewelry making, and her work has been seen in different magazines. This necklace was inspired by the products that we provided Jamie with. She told us that the green and gold coloring gave her the idea to follow a leafy theme, which we think is beautiful for both summer and fall fashion! We’ve linked here to the PDF file containing this design’s detailed instructions so you can make a necklace of your very own.

-Marissa

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This summer we want you to have fun outside showing off the lovely creations you made, anticipating the times when you could wear the bright colors you had so much fun using in your ideas. We’re ready for summer to be here so we can show off more great uses of color in our ideas from the Learning Center. Check out some of our favorite ideas below. From barbecue parties to a summer carnival stroll, you’ll find hundreds of different reasons to try our summer picks. Don’t forget, these are all free ideas available at our Learning Center!

For outdoor parties this summer, make this charming lantern with colorful butterflies. It will catch everyone’s eye in the daylight and provide a warming glow at night. Make a lantern out of not much more than Swarovski crystal flatbacks and craft paper.

Going to play by the poolside or take a stroll across the boardwalk? Sport this vintage-inspired bracelet that will complement any fun summer outfit. Learn how to make a bracelet you can wear for casual occasions that takes no time at all! This is another simple idea—all you need are a few Nunn Design™ products and some ICE Resin®.

We want you to have fun outside this summer and these craft projects will take no time to make!

-Marissa

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Photo Source: Grace’s Graphics.

Take a vision quest into your mind and discover a revelation for this next contest. Inspired by the film Dances with Wolves, Perles & Dent’elles has put together a contest asking for necklace designs that you imagine being worn by a traditional Native American woman. Take a picture of your creation to submit to the contest.

Contest guidelines are:

Your idea must be an original creation and use a peyote stitch technique

You must use the colors beige and brown, along with three other colors of your choice

You must use seed beads such as Miyuki or TOHO™ but they can be any size.

Any other material you wish to incorporate like feathers, bone, wood, etc. are acceptable

Your photo must be no bigger than 800×600 pixels, be shot against a white background and have no logos or other distinctive signs visible.

Submit your idea via e-mail and include a photo of your design, your full name and country in which you live in. You will also need to indicate which language you wish to receive a response in (English, French or Russian), as this contest is open to international contestants. You may also include a link to your blog or website featuring your design if you wish. Email your entry to: perlesetdentelles@yahoo.fr

Ideas must be received by Thursday, September 1, 2011.

All of the ideas will be judged on (1) creative capacity, (2) technical quality and (3) representing the theme of the contest.

Artbeads is a sponsor for this contest and will be giving away artbeads.com gift certificates as prizes to US and Canadian winners. First place will be awarded a $100 gift certificate, second place wins $50 and third place will take home $25.

Dances with Wolves is a story of love, loyalty and self-realization against the backdrop of the Great Plains Native American culture during the American Civil War. This time of major strife inspired people to work together and appreciate the beauty of natural wonders. Close your eyes and envision what you see when you let go. Be free in your designs!

Click here to read to original contest guidelines from Perles & Dent’elles , listed in three different languages.

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With our celebration of Swarovski this week, here’s a great idea from our learning center that incorporates some fashionable pieces from the leading innovator of Austrian crystals. Featuring romantic hues like Fuchsia, Light Rose and Crystal Golden Shadow, this jewelry set includes adornment for every part of your body. Sport all three pieces together or one at a time to complement an outfit. Learn how to make a necklace with Swarovski crystals, or create a bracelet following the same color pattern. You can even get a great earring idea to make your ears sparkle! Take advantage of our select Swarovski sale going on right now, too. Check out our sale page for more great beading sales, and for the rest of our free jewelry ideas browse the learning center!

-Marissa

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Photo Source: Swarovski.

Swarovski has made a name for itself in the world of high fashion, but anyone can wear these incredible Austrian crystals for elegant style. These sparkling crystals come in a variety of different colors to match any other bead or material you decide to work with and instantly bring sophistication to your looks. Above is SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS in Giorgio Armani fashion. This leading jewelry designer has become so popular that it now sponsors the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award show, which showcases young and emerging fashion designers.

Photo Source: ebay and the in-style boutique.

Even Victoria’s Secret, another well-known name in fashion, has teamed up with Swarovski in the past for exclusive lingerie sets and used SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS crystals on its “Bombshell” perfume bottles.

Everywhere you look, you’re sure to find a hint of Swarovski crystal in the headlines. The crystals are great at attracting paparazzi camera flashes, since their dazzling facets catch the light perfectly at every angle. Incorporate this fashion powerhouse into your jewelry designs to get hot looks you dress up or dress down. Even on a fun movie date you’ll make the experience extra special when you wear Swarovski! Grab everyone’s eye when you walk by with your hint of glitz.

From pendants to rhinestones, we work with Swarovski to bring you great new colors and styles so you’re always up to date with fashion trends. Shop our entire selection to get started! We even feature a Swarovski resources page to help you get to know this amazing brand, from company history to helpful instructions.

Sources:
cfda.com and frillr.com

-Marissa

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We’re excited to tell you that now until Monday, June 13th you can save 20% off our entire selection of pearls. Use them in any type of jewelry, mixed and matched with different elements and colors to create your own unique pieces that will make a statement anywhere you go! Check out our previous blog post about the new vision of pearls being used in fashion trends today. Use the coupon code ZZPEARL20 at checkout and stock up on these incredible components. If you’re in need of a bit of inspiration, get free jewelry making ideas by visiting our learning center. Learn how to get started making a necklace or how to make a bracelet in the resources section, too! Pearls are always a classic piece in wedding jewelry and a staple for elegant jewelry in the workplace, but you can also incorporate pearls into daily fashion pieces. Have fun exploring new ways to create great jewelry with such a simple, timeless component.

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