Archive for November, 2009

Happiness by Design

November 20, 2009

In the spirit of the up-and-coming holiday season, the Auntie’s Beads design team (Susie, Shanna, Karla, Deb and I) decided to pack up our beads and visit the nursing home where Susie’s mother lives and help the ladies there design jewelry.  Karla whipped up some pre-cut wire with one end of the toggle already attached to save some trouble and we brought extras of everything just in case.  We hit the road with a huge variety of beads, not sure what to expect. 
 
When we first got there, I have to admit I was uneasy.  I didn’t know if the residents were interested in beading and I feared that something might go wrong.  Still, we found a table in the common area and laid out several bead mats.  We opened our many bins of color coordinated beads and waited.  Over the loudspeaker, the activities coordinator announced our arrival.
 
Sure enough, a trickle of sweet, excited women appeared.  One, then two.. then five!  Before we knew it we had split into two tables.  Diane, the woman sitting next to me, made a beautiful green bracelet to match her eyes.  Then she started talking about how excited she is about the holidays and decided she wanted a Christmas necklace! She created a sparkling piece with lots of chinese crystal and sterling silver. Both her pieces turned out great- she designed everything, all I did was string and crimp.  She asked Susie how many beads we’d need to make a reindeer, which cracked me up!
 
Susie’s mother’s physical therapy classes must be really paying off- she strung her beads herself.  The woman next to her giggled the whole time and believe me, her laughter was contagious!  Over at the other table, Karla helped an energetic 95-year-old woman named Murtle string a very sassy red bracelet.  It turned out cute and after Murtle put it on she let us all know that she’s gonna go find herself a date!  As Karla said, she had spunk. :)
 
Working with these women made me so happy.  I think it put a little sparkle in their days and ours.  When I went back to work I just felt better about the world.  We all decided we will go back between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This time, we’ll help the ladies make gifts for their loved ones. I’m definitely going to find Diane when we get there, after all, she did request that I bring her some perfume next time. ;)
 
Happy Holidays everybody!

Kelly McCoy, Auntie’s Beads Designer

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It’s Crystal Clear To Me Now!

November 19, 2009

I’ll admit it: we at Auntie’s Beads were once “Swarovski snobs”. We believed that if it didn’t bear the brand name, it wasn’t worth having. Then we stumbled on an excellent source for Grade A Chinese crystal and we changed our minds. Its luminosity, weight, brilliance, color, and overall design make it a product that is well worth having. (And it doesn’t hurt that the price is so reasonable!)

So what is Chinese crystal you may be asking? (And, believe me, I have had that question more than once.) Chinese crystal is, obviously, crystal that is made in China. All of the Chinese crystal we carry is Grade A. It is all multi-faceted and has great luminosity. In addition, it comes in many beautiful cuts, shapes, and colors. Aside from bicones, rounds, and rondelles (products similar to those made by Swarovski but not attempted knock-offs), Chinese crystal also comes in a wide range of unique shapes. (I especially LOVE the barrel beads.) And while some of the colors are similar, many are very original; the metallic effects are some of our all-time favorites.

The other common question I get asked by people new to beading or new to the Chinese crystal craze is, “Is there a crystal without lead?” The answer to that is no. By definition, crystal IS leaded glass. Whether it is Swarovski or Chinese crystal or any other variety of crystal, it will contain lead. (Lead is what gives crystal its weight.) Whereas Swarovski has a lead content of about 30%, Chinese crystal lead levels are typically in the low-to-mid 20% range. This means that Swarovski makes a heavier bead which accounts for some of the price difference between the two products.

That being said, because of recent concerns about lead poisoning, products containing lead have gained a lot of suspicion from concerned consumers and jewelry makers. Crystal is made in a unique way; the lead is bound into the structure of the glass so that no real danger is presented. Unless you are stacking bracelets up to your elbows and wearing 20 necklaces made of crystal, I think you are safe to bling yourself out. (The kiddos are a different story. I almost always recommend lesser amounts of crystal or substituting crystal with Czech glass when making children’s jewelry.)

Not sure where to begin when using Chinese crystal? We have a few great projects that are sure to inspire you. One of my favorites is the Keeping The Faith Bracelet because it really showcases the colors and brilliance of the beads. The Metallic Magic Necklace is another one of my favorites—I actually own this piece! Since many of our beads are sold by the piece, you can make a great pair of earrings for a great price as well. I hope you enjoy using this new, beautiful, unique product as much as we do!

Shanna Steele, Auntie’s Beads Designer

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Can’t Stop Me Keychain – Instructions

November 16, 2009

We all have way more keys then we want. One to the front door, one to the back door, one to work, one to our car, one to our husbands’ car, one to our gym locker… not to mention those keys you keep for your friends and family in case they get locked out. Add some pretty to your big pile of keys as a little reminder that life is good!

Instructions:

Step 1. Use your nipper tool to cut the loop off the top of your cross charm. Then, cover the back of your charm with GS hypo cement. Wait about 30 seconds for it to become tacky, then place it in the center of your labradorite pendant. Set it aside to dry.

Step 2. On one headpin string beads following this pattern: 3 small bicones, 1 large bicone, 1 small bicone, 1 large bicone and 1 small bicone.
On another headpin, string: 1 small bicone, 1 rectangle lampwork bead, 1 small bicone, 1 lampwork disc bead, 1 small bicone, 1 square lampwork bead and 1 small bicone.
On another headpin, string: 1 small bicone, 1 large bicone, 3 small bicones and 1 large bicone.On another headpin, string: 1 large bicone, 1 square lampwork bead, 1 small bicone, 1 rectangle lampwork bead, 1 small bicone and 1 lampwork disc bead.

Step 3. For your 2 headpins with just crystal and no lampwork, use your pliers to wire wrap them directly onto the loop below the clip attached to the keyring. For your other two headpins, wire wrap them to a jump ring and then attach the jump ring to the loop below the clip.

Step 4. When the cement holding your charm to your pendant is dry enough that it won’t slip if you move it (you can do this after about 15 minutes if you’re very careful not to touch it), place your pendant on a headpin. Wire wrap the headpin to a jump ring and attach the jump ring to the loop underneath the clip. When the glue dries after about an hour, you’re good to go!

Materials and Tools Needed:

Labradorite Faceted Free Form Pendant, 26 x 36mm (1)
Silver Plated Open Cross Charm with Swirls, 14 x 20mm (1)
Clip Key Ring, 28 x 65mm(1)
Lampwork Rectangle Bead, Green/Brown, 12 x 15mm (2)
Lampwork Square Bead, Green with Tan Stripe, 14mm (2)
Designer Lampwork Disc Focal Bead, White with Brown/Green Swirls, 16mm (2)
Swarovski Crystal, 8mm Xilion Bicone, Smoked Topaz (5)
Swarovski Crystal, 4mm Bicone, Bag of 10, Crystal Vitrail Medium (2)
Nipper Tool (1)
2 1/2 Inch Sterling Silver Head Pin with 4mm Bottom Beading (5)
2 3/4 Inch Bali Sterling Silver Head Pin with 6mm Bottom Bead Cap (pictured)
2 Inch Silver Head Pin with Heart Accent (pictured)
  or Silver Plated 3 Inch Headpins, 21 Gauge, Bag of 10
G-S Hypo Cement (1)
Silver Plate Jump Rings, Open, Bag of 10, 8mm, 18 Gauge (1)

Kelly McCoy, Auntie’s Beads Designer

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Everyday Elegance – Full Instructions

November 4, 2009

The Lantern beads are one of my favorite styles, and I love Everyday_Elegance-2combining silver and black.  I like to make earrings that can be worn for any occasion.  I think these earrings would look great with just about anything…think jeans and a black turtleneck, or a cocktail dress at a holiday party.  The lantern beads provide a sleek, sophisticated look, while the dangles add movement and a touch of whimsy, creating an elegant balance.

- Created by Lisa Hughes Iversen of Angel Whispers Jewelry

  1.  Using a 2mm ball head pin, place on a 4mm black bicone, 4mm Bali spacer, and 2mm sterling silver round bead.
  2. Bend the head pin over the top of the silver bead, using a flush cutter trim to 1/4″ and make a simple loop using a round nose pliers – repeat 5 times – for a total of 6 dangles.
  3. Take an eye pin, open the loop with a chain nose pliers, slip on 3 of the dangles, close the loop, and repeat with the second eye pin.
  4. Take one of the eye pins, place a starburst spacer, lantern bead, a starburst spacer, a 4mm black bicone, a 4mm flat Bali spacer, and a 2mm sterling silver round bead.
  5. Hold the eye pin above the 2mm bead, using a flat nose pliers, bend the wire to a 90 degree angle – in the same direction as the bottom loop, trim to 1/4 ” and make a simple loop.
  6. Repeat steps 5 & 6 with the second eye pin.
  7. Slip completed earrings onto French Hook ear wires or your own handmade ear wires.

 
Materials and Tools Needed:
 
Sterling Silver Lantern Bead – 12mm – 2 pieces
Sterling Silver eye pins – 2 pieces
Sterling Silver ball head pins – 6 pieces
Swarovski Crystal bicone beads – jet black -  8 pieces
Spacers – 4mm Flat Bali – 8 pieces
Spacers – Starburst Bali spacers – 4 pieces
Sterling Silver round bead – 2mm – 8 pieces
Sterling Silver Earwire with 2 mm Ball, 21 Gauge, Pair
  or  Handmade Ear wires (SEE POST BELOW)
Round Nose Pliers
Chain Nose Pliers
Flush cutter

- Created by Lisa Hughes Iversen of Angel Whispers Jewelry

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