Innehållsförteckning för June 2018 från Bead&Button

After months of waiting, June is finally here. Synonymous with flowers, birds, dragonflies, and walks on the beach at sunset, June holds so much promise for the fun and relaxation of the coming months. That’s why we packed this issue with lots of light, summery designs for you to make. For the ultimate in summer jewelry, look no further than our cover design — Michelle Leonardo’s fabulous “Hilton Head bangles” (p. 38), a fresh, striped design that is perfect for summer’s lightweight fashions. Or, try Muriel Badinelli’s “Bezeled dragonfly necklace” (p. 29), combining bead embroidery, chenille stitch, and peyote in a design that positively hums with a summery energy. And don’t miss June Malone’s intriguing shaped peyote “Sunset earrings” (p. 42) and Lorraine Coetzee’s loomwork “Neon leaves bracelet” (p. 56),…

Q As a beadworker, I’m frequently asked to donate a piece of work for a silent auction or raffle. I want my work to be respected but I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging. Any suggestions? A As children we are discouraged from bragging about our accomplishments so we may feel reluctant to puff up our work. But if we don’t put our best foot forward and put an exciting spin on our work, who will? Is there a fine line between puff and a colorful, confident expression of what we do? How can we increase the status of our contribution, both to increase the bids for the sponsor and to educate potential buyers about our work? DISPLAY A subtle way to promote our work begins with how it…

DIFFICULTY tubular peyote / netting Either one-hole or two-hole daggers can be used for this project. If using two-hole daggers, sew through the end hole. The other hole will not be used. BEZEL 1) On 2 yd. (1.8 m) of thread, pick up 36 11⍜ cylinder beads. Leaving a 6-in. (15 cm) tail, sew through the beads again to form a ring, and continue through the next couple of beads. These beads will form the first two rounds as the next round is added. 2) Work a round of peyote stitch using cylinders, and step up through the first cylinder added (figure 1, a–b). 3) Work one round using color C 15⍜ seed beads (b–c) and another round alternating between a using color D 15⍜ seed bead and a C,…

“Artists are born not made,”Louise Bourgeois. While some might argue against the above sentiment from the French artist Louise Bourgeois, saying it minimizes the role of practice in developing an artistic voice, it hits home for bead artist June Malone. “I have always been an artist,” she states emphatically. “Whether it was cross stitch, or embroidery, or cake decorating… the term “artist” embraces all the ways I have expressed my creativity.” Once an artist in search of a medium, June sought ways to express her vision; now that she has found her muse, she has developed her voice. Hers is a singular vision, and while she has learned through others over the years, her beaded jewelry is unmistakably her own. FINDING HER WAY Like many of us, June’s path in…

DIFFICULTY right-angle weave BASE 1) On a comfortable length of thread, pick up an 8⍜ seed bead, a color D 8⍜ Demi bead, a color E 8⍜ Demi bead, and a D four times. Leaving a 6-in. (15 cm) tail, tie the beads into a ring with a square knot. Sew through all the beads again (not shown in the figure for clarity), and continue through the first nine beads picked up (figure 1, a–b). 2) Working in right-angle weave (RAW) with firm tension, pick up a D, an E, a D, and an 8⍜ three times, then pick up a D, an E, and a D once more, and sew through the 8⍜ your thread exited at the start of this step (b–c). Continue through the first eight beads…

DIFFICULTY stringing / wirework I’ve designed these interchangeable pieces so they can be combined in just about any way imaginable. Use a single extender for the back part of the necklace and pair it with one or more centerpieces to customize your look. All of the designs shown here are fairly long necklaces but for extra flexibility, you could make a few shorter centerpieces for the days when your outfit calls for a design that hugs your neckline. DESIGN PRINCIPLES • Determine the overall finished length you want your necklaces to be. Mine are about 28–32 in. (71–81 cm). Centerpieces are generally 12–16 in. (30–41 cm) and the extenders are 16–23 in. (30–51 cm). • Make sure each centerpiece starts and ends with a loop, chain, or jump ring. A…

STAMP AND DOME 1) Place your stamping blank in the center of the steel bench block, and center the circular pattern grid stamp guide over the blank (photo a). 2) Center the heart chakra design stamp on the blank, making sure the ImpressArt logo is facing you. This will ensure that the design will be oriented correctly. Using a stamping hammer, strike the stamp once with medium force (photo b). 3) Working from the inside out, create a design with mandala stamps. Use the grid as a guide and follow these suggestions or go wild and develop your own look. Round 1: Six leaf stamps (photo c). (The stamp shown is a custom stamp but you can create a similar look by using the ImpressArt large leaf stamp). Round 2:…

beauty. Power. Mysticism. The word “talisman” conjures compelling imagery, full of mystery and hidden symbolism. But what does it really mean? Traditionally, a talisman is a worn object, possessing magical powers that brings benefits to the wearer. Some of the oldest talismans were found in Bolków, Poland, by researchers from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology. In 2013, the group discovered the objects — natural pyrite meteorite fragments — in a hut in Western Pomerania. The researchers theorize that a shaman, who lived in that hut 9000 years ago, saw a meteorite fall to earth, traveled to the crater, and made talismans from the heavenly remnants. He housed the small cylindrical stones among other prized items, including an amulet, an engraved spear tip of bone, and a wand with geometric…

Sandra Scholte A Time For Celebration reader’s choice winner • ”Holly Berry Necklace” • Glass cabochon centerpiece with peyote, netting, and cubic rightangle woven seed beads. Ulla Edenmark A Time For Celebration challenge winner • ”Christmas Necklace” • Rivoli flower bezel surrounded by a burst of pearls and more on a netted collar of seed beads. Mona West A Whirl of White challenge winner • ”Snow Flowers” • A flower collection made of SuperDuos, SuperUnos, seed beads, Candy beads, and clear fire-polished beads. Rachel Faig A Whirl of White reader’s choice winner • ”Midnight Snowfall” • DiamonDuos, Arcos, Silky beads, seeds, and O-beads woven with Swarovski crystals, bicones, and drops. UP FOR A CHALLENGE? We invite you to participate in our monthly design challenge! Create or share an original design…

DropDuo beads measure 3 x 6 mm, have two holes, and feature a slightly rounded top and bottom face. Round DropDuo beads measure 5 x 7 mm, have two holes, and a top and bottom face that are flat. Pego beads have five sides, twoholes, a top and bottom face that is flat, and measure 10 mm. Flint pendant beads are curved and tapered drops measuring 4 x 8 mm, and have one hole. Vexolo beads are elongated triangular-shaped beads with two holes, a beveled top, and flat bottom face. Paisley Duo beads are 8 x 5 mm paisley-shaped beads with two holes and a flat top and bottom surface. Octo beads have eight sides and three holes, and measure 4 x 7 mm. Carrier beads have two holes and…

THE ART OF LEATHER BRAIDING by Roy Luo and Kelly Tong With supplies readily available, working with leather is easier than ever! Learn a variety of different techniques including braiding, coiling, and knotting for easy designs that don’t require special tools. Step-by-step instructions and illustrations make this a great book for any skill level. Barron’s Education Series, Inc. barronseduc.com DIAMOND HANDBOOK: 3RD EDITION by Renée Newman GG Both jewelry professionals and those who want to be a more educated buyer can benefit from the up-to-date information in this comprehensive guide about diamonds. Learn the basics and what determines the price, different cuts, shapes, and clarities, and new developments in treatments and synthetics. There are many beautiful images including closes-ups, and easy-to-read charts throughout the handbook. This is a musthave for…

DIFFICULTY embroidery, peyote, chenille BEAD EMBROIDERY 1) Set the beading foundation flat on your work surface. With a toothpick, spread a thin layer of E6000 on the bottom surface of the 29 x 35 mm raku bead. Position the bead in the center of the foundation. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly, approximately one hour. 2) At the end of 1 yd. (.9 m) of thread, tie an overhand knot, and trim the tail. Sew up through the back of the foundation, exiting near the outer edge of the raku bead. Work rounds of beaded backstitch around the raku bead as follows, retracing each round two to three times to tighten and even out the round: Round 1: Pick up two 60 seed beads, line them up next to the…

DIFFICULTY right-angle weave BANGLE 1) On a comfortable length of thread, pick up four 11⍜ seed beads, and sew through the beads again to form a ring, leaving a 6-in. (15 cm) tail. Continue through the first two beads added (figure 1). 2) Work in right-angle weave (RAW) to form a strip that is 63 stitches long using tight tension. End and add thread as needed. Form the strip into a ring (making sure the strip is not twisted) by joining the first and last stitches together, to form the 64th stitch. Retrace the thread path of the join. This forms the first round of RAW. 3) Add two more rounds of RAW using 11⍜s, exiting the outside edge 11⍜ in the last unit added. End the tail. 4) Pick…

DIFFICULTY wirework / stringing CENTER 1) Cut 10 9-in. (23 cm) lengths of 22-gauge wire for the base wires. Set five of the wires aside, and place the remaining five wires in a rubber-tipped spring clamp, with about 6 in. (15 cm) of wire exposed at the working end (photo a). Spread the clamped wires apart 1/16 in. (2 mm), keeping the base wires parallel lengthwise. 2) Cut 5 ft. (1.5 m) of 28-gauge wire for the weaving wire. Place this wire vertically over the top of the base wires. Wrap front to back two times around the bottom wire, wrapping to the right and leaving a 3-in. (7.6 cm) tail (photo b). 3) Wrap front to back around the two bottom base wires, #1 and #2. Repeat for a…

what stone comes in orange polka dots, zebra stripes, lavender lace, or fern-like dendrites? As a petrified forest, or a delicate fossilized sea creature? It can even contain drops of ancient water with tiny movable air bubbles, or thin tourmaline crystals, encased in translucent rock. It comes in a zillion colors and patterns. It’s found in nearly every part of the world, and has been used since earliest prehistory in every aspect of human survival: to heal, to nourish, to create, and to kill. If you knew it could only be the amazing agate, congratulations! You officially have Gemstone Savvy. And it’s true: a million years ago, our Paleolithic ancestors were using the stone not only as fire starters, shaping and cutting tools, and spear points, but as healing and…

THREAD AND KNOTS CONDITIONING THREAD Use wax (beeswax or microcrystalline wax) or a thread conditioner (like Thread Magic) to condition nylon beading thread and Fireline. Wax smooths nylon fibers and adds tackiness that will stiffen your beadwork slightly. Conditioners add a static charge that causes the thread to repel itself, so don’t use it with doubled thread. All conditioners help thread resist wear. To condition, stretch nylon thread to remove the curl (you don’t need to stretch Fireline). Place the thread or Fireline on top of the conditioner, hold it in place with your thumb or finger, and pull the thread through the conditioner. ENDING AND ADDING THREAD To end a thread, sew back through the last few rows or rounds of beadwork, following the thread path of the stitch…