Tucson Gem Show reporting by Gina Galli of Jewelry Making Professor
Gina Galli reporting from the tucson gem show. Beth Botak of Kabela Design shows us her latest filigree pieces!
Their newest creation is their silver plated filigree pieces and they are absolutely gorgeous! You can tell how popular they are already since they’ve almost sold out in only the first two days of the show.
You can see all of Kabela’s wonderful designs on their website:
Gina Galli of Jewlery Making Professor will be meeting with many bead vendors at various venues of the Tucson Gem Show over the next few days. The Tucson Gem Show is one of the largest gem and bead shows in the world.
Vendors and visitors from all over the world converge on Tucson for three weeks of showing every kind of jewelry and beading product imaginable, and many vendors unveil their latest and greatest products at the Tucson Gem Show.
We are happy to bring you these interviews from the Tucson Gem Show and hope that you will visit some of these amazing bead vendors and take advantage of their beautiful beading products.
There are many large vendors at the show but there are also hundreds of very small and incredibly talented bead businesses that you can support. If you can’t visit the show we encourage you to visit these vendors’ websites and see all the amazing beads and other beading products they have to offer.
Tucson Gem Show reporting by Gina Galli of Jewelry Making Professor
Gina Galli reporting from the tucson gem show. Amy Hue of Paula Radke gives us a great demonstration of how to make Art Glass. Talk about the chance to get your hands messy and make some beautiful glass pieces!
Look how easy this is! No excuses for not creating some of these beautiful pieces. And they even have a service where you can fire your pieces in their kiln. Check out this demo!
You can see more of their beautiful work on their website:
Gina Galli of Jewlery Making Professor will be meeting with many bead vendors at various venues of the Tucson Gem Show over the next few days. The Tucson Gem Show is one of the largest gem and bead shows in the world.
Vendors and visitors from all over the world converge on Tucson for three weeks of showing every kind of jewelry and beading product imaginable, and many vendors unveil their latest and greatest products at the Tucson Gem Show.
We are happy to bring you these interviews from the Tucson Gem Show and hope that you will visit some of these amazing bead vendors and take advantage of their beautiful beading products.
There are many large vendors at the show but there are also hundreds of very small and incredibly talented bead businesses that you can support. If you can’t visit the show we encourage you to visit these vendors’ websites and see all the amazing beads and other beading products they have to offer.
Tucson Gem Show reporting by Gina Galli of Jewelry Making Professor
Gina Galli reporting from the tucson gem show. Amy of XAZ bead shows some beautiful beads which she makes out of porcelain and the raku fires them. You’ve go to listen to how she makes these! It’s amazing!
Make sure you check out the stunning designs she has for leaves. Beautiful!
You can see more of their beautiful beads on their website:
Gina Galli of Jewlery Making Professor will be meeting with many bead vendors at various venues of the Tucson Gem Show over the next few days. The Tucson Gem Show is one of the largest gem and bead shows in the world.
Vendors and visitors from all over the world converge on Tucson for three weeks of showing every kind of jewelry and beading product imaginable, and many vendors unveil their latest and greatest products at the Tucson Gem Show.
We are happy to bring you these interviews from the Tucson Gem Show and hope that you will visit some of these amazing bead vendors and take advantage of their beautiful beading products.
There are many large vendors at the show but there are also hundreds of very small and incredibly talented bead businesses that you can support. If you can’t visit the show we encourage you to visit these vendors’ websites and see all the amazing beads and other beading products they have to offer.
Tucson Gem Show reporting by Gina Galli of Jewelry Making Professor
Gina Galli reporting from the tucson gem show. Erin of Turtle moon arts shows some really cool glass end caps that can be used with kumihimo or viking knit.
You can see more of their beautiful work on their website:
Gina Galli of Jewlery Making Professor will be meeting with many bead vendors at various venues of the Tucson Gem Show over the next few days. The Tucson Gem Show is one of the largest gem and bead shows in the world.
Vendors and visitors from all over the world converge on Tucson for three weeks of showing every kind of jewelry and beading product imaginable, and many vendors unveil their latest and greatest products at the Tucson Gem Show.
We are happy to bring you these interviews from the Tucson Gem Show and hope that you will visit some of these amazing bead vendors and take advantage of their beautiful beading products.
There are many large vendors at the show but there are also hundreds of very small and incredibly talented bead businesses that you can support. If you can’t visit the show we encourage you to visit these vendors’ websites and see all the amazing beads and other beading products they have to offer.
Tangerine Tango is the color of the year announced by Pantone. Pantone is known to have great influence of determining the “hot color” of the season as well as coming up with a fun and clever name.
Tangerine Tango brightens you up!
This seasons color is Tangerine Tango which is fruity and cheerful with a bit of spice and definitely lots of brightness. You can’t be in a bad mood draping yourself in the vibrant dance of Tangerine Tango.
Surprisingly, when a color is created for the season it influences so many areas. You will of course see this explosion of brightness all over fashion magazines. For example, check out Sara Jessica Parker sporting bright trousers that is sure to be seen replicated in your favorite store.
You will see the “tango” dance into housewares and decor accessories influencing the color of your pillows even. Get ready to see bright orange lips, nails and toes. Sprouting up from the roots you will see this color everywhere.
Tangerine Tango in your Beading
So of course, it makes perfect sense that you will be inspired to incorporate all sorts of tangerine tango shades in this family in your beadwork. With many hues of orange to choose from it is always good to start with everyone’s favorite bling: Swarovski!
One of my favorite bright colors of crystal that falls in this family is Hyacinth. Then add some super juicy extra sparkly fireplace beads and nothing says summer fun like Sponge Coral. Oh the inspiration that is bubbling up inside and just warming up my creative juices.
I am excited to make it big, bright and bold this season and dance the tango that is Tangerine Tango in all of my creations this season.
This week’s bead embroidery video combines sewing, embroidery and beading all in one. Actually many people come into beading through some sort of needle crafts or doing embroidery and then wanting to add beads to their work.
Meghan’s Bead Embroidery Class
Meghan shows you how to embellish around a fat round cabochon stone. A cabochon is a shaped polished (not faceted) stone. They can be round, oval or come in different shapes. You can actually do bead embroidery around any kind of stone, but it helps if it has a flat back to adhere to the Lacey Stiff stuff.
You can actually do bead embroidery around an old button, a coin, a piece of glass or pottery. Once you learn the basics of this skill you can really experiment and have fun with what you could encase with beads.
Bead Embroidery around a Cabachon
In this video, Meghan shows you the basics of building a bezel around a cabochon stone using size 11 and size 15 Japanese seed beads. You will do a back stitch first around the cabochon to create a base and then a peyote stitch to build around the stone and encase it.
From there you can really be creative and embellish around the beads. Meghan uses pearls, fire polish Czech glass beads and Swarovski crystals to embellish around her stone. Once you have your embellishment around the stone you will put a backing on the pendent with ultra-suede. You put so much time and care into your piece you want it to look compete and crafted with good craftsmanship. To complete your pendant, you can put a picot edging around your stone to finish it off and then create a beaded loop to be able to wear your pendant.
Bead embroidery can really be very artistic and creative. This is an intermediate-advanced project but yet very basic skill level as far as bead embroidery goes. Once you do this video with Megan and learn the basics you can really express you creativity in a free-form style by embellishing and sewing beads onto the backing.
You really don’t have to have a lot of bead weaving experience but you can incorporate bead weaving stitches with bead embroidery. In the next few months we hope to bring you more bead embroidery projects that will give you even more creative guidance and build your skill level in this area.
A few weeks ago we had a request from a member for the Tree of Life pendant tutorial.
Tree of Life Pendant Tutorial from Victoria Gould
I have seen many different versions of this wired sculptural pendant and it has been very popular in many of the beading books and magazines. In our store we feature a pattern from Victoria Gould called the Family Tree Pendant tutorial.
Wire Working with Tree of Life Pendant Tutorial
The tree of life pendant tutorial requires some wire working experience to really get the feeling of working and manipulating wire. In this lesson you can create a family tree using birthstone colors. You can use crystal beads or gemstone chips. You could also vary the color of wire or just use different beads to general create a tree effect.
Victoria gives a great photo sample of what it would look like with a full tree of Peridot chips. You will need just basic wire working tools for the tree of life pendant tutorial which you probably already have. There are great step by step photographs and instructions to lead you through this project.
It’s a fun piece to create in an afternoon. You will want to create many not just one tree!
Brett: And we’re here for our weekly video update. It’s good to see you again. Boy, these weeks just kind of roll by quickly, you know?
Gina: I know. I feel like we were just here.
Brett: I know. So speaking of just here, you were just where?
Gina: In Marlboro, Massachusetts.
Brett: Yeah.
Gina: Yeah.
Brett: And how was that?
Gina: It was fun! It was fun. It was the first big show of the year. So, exciting to see how the people, all the beader friends and –
Brett: Lots of beads.
Gina: Lots of beads, yeah.
Brett: Yeah. Any exciting kind of different trends you see happening?
Gina: Well, you know the buzz — and I’ll probably actually do a little blog article on this. The buzz is the new color of the year in Swarovski crystal or just overall. So pantone kind of leads the way in — with the colors and it’s — oh gosh… Tangerine Tango.
Brett: Okay. So some kind of orange, right?
Gina: Yeah, some of kind of orange exactly. So orange will be the color of the season so, yeah…
Brett: Didn’t they just pick that randomly or is there like any reasoning behind it? Or just –
Gina: Pantone color you know — so people will be painting their kitchens.
Brett: They threw in the dark and this year it’s orange.
Gina: Yeah. Yeah, exactly.
Brett: Got you. And next year who knows.
Gina: Right.
Brett: Okay. So probably no like real logic behind it. Just that they haven’t done orange in a while so it’s orange turn.
Gina: But they came up with a really cool fancy name, “Tangerine Tango.”
Brett: That’s marketing.
Gina: Right.
Brett: They can’t just call it “orange,” Tangerine Tango.
Gina: No, I think we should come up with our own little color, yeah.
Brett: All right. Okay, Jewelry Making Professor’s color wheel.
Gina: Exactly. We’ll have to think about that.
Brett: I like that, okay. So as we do every time, we start with new members. We had a big week, a lot of new members.
Gina: Awesome!
Brett: So, I mean of course I have to go quickly and probably take a break in between, but here we go…
Gina: Wow! That’s a lot of new people.
Brett: Yes. So welcome. Thank you very much for joining.
Gina: Thank you.
Brett: And as always we look forward to bringing you a lot of great content. Gina, from all of the instructors and so that’s a good segue into this week’s video.
Gina: So this week’s video is the –
Brett: Rosary.
Gina: Rosary. That’s it. I was like “Wow! It’s at the tip of my tongue.” Rosary bracelet from Constance Woods who is a new instructor with us and it’s a nice fun beginner project. Cool to do so…
Brett: So it uses memory wire like you said, good for beginner if they haven’t done wire before and they kind of want to do something simple.
Gina: It is. But it’s a fun project, a great gift or something to do with a group of people, so that’s cool. And then next week’s video is also from Constance which we’re doing too because once again they’re beginner videos which — you know, still some great projects. I don’t know if you can see them but this one is a cluster ring with — doing some really cool wire work and making some clustery dangles with beads. So this looks like a fun — a really fun project to do.
Brett: Okay.
Gina: And the other one is a pair of dangle earrings — once again using a basic wire wrap technique. So these will both be coming to us from Constance next week.
Brett: Awesome!
Gina: Yeah.
Brett: Cool! They’ve got that to look forward to.
Gina: I know.
Brett: And we have many new videos in the pipeline so…
Gina: Oh my gosh.
Brett: I’m pretty excited about that.
Gina: So exciting what we have. I like can’t wait to put them all out there.
Brett: You just can’t…
Gina: I know.
Brett: All right. So, now in the forum…
Gina: Yes.
Brett: I first have to apologize because we had last week’s winner. We have a nice little badge created. You’ve seen it. What do you think?
Gina: It’s beautiful.
Brett: It’s cool.
Gina: So exciting.
Brett: It’s very cool.
Gina: Yes.
Brett: We’re having some technical challenges getting that put into the forum, into the person’s profile.
Gina: Yes.
Brett: We’re working with the programmers on that. I think we’re close to having that taken care of.
Gina: Right.
Brett: So last week’s winner which was Lisa.
Gina: Lisa, uh-hmm.
Brett: You’ll see that show up in your profile very soon.
Gina: Yes.
Brett: So I’m sorry about the delay but –
Gina: But it’s really cool so…
Brett: And I think we’re getting that fixed.
Gina: Okay.
Brett: So now, that gets us to this week’s –
Gina: This week’s video — or not video but winner. And once again, so many talented members and doing some really cool projects, but the one that jumped out for me — and I had to write her name down again. She goes by Teal Water but it’s Cory Tompkins and it’s the Ice Princess Earrings. It’s really cool.
Brett: Very nice, yeah.
Gina: Yeah. Really cool piece. She did a couple similar but this was one was really neat and then there was once again comments by other members, so I think it’s universally loved so…
Brett: Yay!
Gina: Yay!
Brett: Way to go Cory!
Gina: Thanks Cory.
Brett: That’s cool.
Gina: Yeah.
Brett: So that’s it in the forums.
Gina: That’s in the forums.
Brett: The last thing to talk about I think is the contest, right?
Gina: Yes.
Brett: The social contest. So our Let’s Get Social contest where we at Jewelry Making Professor are kind of upping our game, which isn’t saying much because we didn’t really have much game in these social –
Gina: We’re getting game.
Brett: Or getting game.
Gina: We’re getting game.
Brett: Facebook, Twitter, that kind of stuff. We had a pretty good YouTube game but the other two– but anyway. So we used this contest to get started. It has been going about two and half weeks now, about two weeks left. We’ve had a load of support. It has been wonderful.
Gina: Fun.
Brett: So I would encourage you, those of you that are participating, please get out and participate even more. If you’re a new member and you haven’t participated, when I send out the e-mail for this week’s weekly update, you’ll see the link there so you can get involved in this. The more that you participate, the better chance you have of winning.
Again, just to remind everyone, it’s not whoever gets the most points wins.
Gina: Right.
Brett: These points are like entries into the total amount of entries. So like anything, the more entries you have, the better chance you have to win. And what do you win? You win — the grand prize is a lifetime membership –
Gina: Wow!
Brett: — at Jewelry Making Professor’s doctorate program. That means you get everything.
Gina: Everything.
Brett: Forever without paying anything. That’s awesome.
Gina: I like that. I’m like “How do I win?” I know, like I want to win.
Brett: Employees can’t win.
Gina: Oh darn.
Brett: Like most sweepstakes. And then we have 6 consolation prizes which is a one-year doctorate membership for free. So that would be cool.
Gina: Cool! That’s worth it. Awesome!
Brett: It’s really neat because the annual cost for that is almost $400, so that’s a big prize.
Gina: That is. That’s a really cool prize so…
Brett: So you guys get out there and help us, social up. We appreciate all the support.
Gina: Let’s get social.
Brett: Let’s get social. It’s going well and we really appreciate it so… What do we have for this week? Are you heading anywhere?
Gina: Tucson.
Brett: Tucson!
Gina: How could you forget?
Brett: How could I forget? That’s coming up when? In about 2-3 weeks?
Gina: Two weeks.
Brett: Two weeks?
Gina: Yup.
Brett: So those of you who are planning to be in Tucson, how can you find Gina? Well, I guess you just have to –
Gina: Like where is Waldo?
Brett: Yeah. That should a part of our contest, who could find Gina in Tucson?
Gina: Right.
Brett: But the problem with Tucson is that how many shows are going on simultaneously?
Gina: Let’s just say a lot.
Brett: Yeah. And they’re in different locations.
Gina: Yeah. So if you could find me…
Brett: So if you’re going to find Gina you’re going to have to really work hard.
Gina: Right.
Brett: And Gina will be running around all over the place. But you’ll be taking your camera with you?
Gina: I will be, yeah.
Brett: Your video, constant updates like exciting things you find, new trends, maybe some other company has a different color of the year other than Tango Orange, who knows?
Gina: Right.
Brett: Or any other kind of exciting things you find, so we’ll be uploading those quickly so that members can see what’s going on in Tucson — almost like they’re there with you.
Gina: Almost.
Brett: Almost.
Gina: Right.
Brett: Just you can’t touch the stuff.
Gina: No. But I can.
Brett: You will be passing on the joy for our members.
Gina: Exactly.
Brett: That’s fantastic. Okay. So that’s what we have for this week, and have a great week and we’ll see you next week. Take care.
This week we give you the how to make cluster earrings and cluster ring videos from Constance Woods. They are both wiring techniques using some basic skills. This week is all about clusters and how to create them with bunches of beads and wire wrapping.
How to make Cluster Earrings video
The first video shows how to make Cluster Earrings. The combination of beads that Constance uses in the video is so elegant and spectacular but the great thing about this project is you can use a combination of beads to create a variety of looks. All you need are some head pins and beads for this project and your basic wire working tools.
How to make a Bead Cluster Ring
The second video is a The Cluster Ring which is a festive and fun ring to make and wear. It is like a firework of beads on your finger. You will need a ring mandrel for this project and some basic wire working tools. You will need 24 inches of 20 gauge wire for the ring base. I would recommend for your first try at the project to use a craft wire because it is softer to work with and if you do make any mistakes you will not be wasting fine wire. Constance shows you can use a variation of bead sizes to create different looks and movement in this design.
How to make cluster earrings project is easy
The how to make cluster earrings and cluster ring projects are pretty quick and easy to do in one afternoon. I think if you like the look of clustered beads and have an interest in working with wire then you should check them out. Constance gives great clear and easy instructions to follow and see so it is great for the beginner beader and not very intimidating at all.
Learn how to make cluster earrings…you will love it!
The Argyle Ring shows how to make a ring using the ever popular Right Angle Weave stitch which is such a versatile and very popular seed beading technique.
How to Make a Ring using Swarovski Crystal Beads
This lovely and elegant ring design is brought to you by Jewelry Making Professor’s own Eri Attebery. Eri carefully walks you through each motion of the Right Angle Weave stitch and directs you through the process of building this lovely ring. In this design she uses Swarovski Crystal Bicones and Pearls, and seed beads. In the video Eri uses wonderful soft hues of browns and pinks which creates a soft and rich combination. I love the thickness of the band yet it does have a delicate feel to it.
How to Make a Ring using the Right Angle Weave Stitch
Right angle weave is such a fun weave to use and it really changes the look and feel based on what size and shape beads you use. This is an intermediate project so it may help to have some basic RAW experience. However, Eri ‘s how to make a ring instruction is very easy to understand and if you have some bead weaving experience you could very well jump into this project.
This ring can be completed within in a couple of hours and ready for you to model at dinner out with friends. So if you are starting out learning how to make a ring I highly recommend you give the Argyle bead ring a try!
