Craftside

Bead and chain bracelet inspiration from the book Bead Jewelry 101

Joyeux Mardi Gras! And in honor of the tradition of "throwing beads" I thought I'd share this cool bracelet of beads and chain featured in the book Bead Jewelry 101.

 Want lots more great beading, wire work and more? Then grab a copy of the CPi book:

Bead Jewelry 101

by
Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

In the style of Sewing 101, Quilting 101, and Home Décor Sewing 101, this workshop-style book teaches all the popular craft techniques used to make jewelry. Techniques are learned by doing projects, and the projects are organized beginning with the easier techniques and progressing to the more difficult to build skills cumulatively.

Karen and Ann Mitchell (Altadena, CA) are a dynamic sister team with a costume jewelry company called AnKara Designs. They make and sell jewelry, teach classes nationwide, and have appeared regularly on the Carol Duvall Show. They publish articles in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines and participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually.

 

Two different styles of jewelry using the same technique-bead dangles on chunky chain

Major BLING-ola! Sometimes photographing things in full sun just makes them sparkle like nobody's business. This necklace could not be any easier and was really relaxing to make. I forced myself not to think while I was making it.

Every once and a while I would start to angst over where the next bauble would go and then I would catch myself and just link it on. The page from Bead Jewelry 101 below was my inspiration. I know it looks totally different but I swear the technique is the same as the earrings.

A bead dangle on each side of a link. I will say I did start by placing my biggest beads first then medium and then the smallest. But that was my only guideline here. I did weigh this necklace and I had never weighed any of my other jewelry before but it is heavy. Odd, it weighs under a pound but I guess almost a pound of beads feels heavy. Oh and I didn't go out and buy any of them specifically for this project; it was all in the stash. Often times these are called "bead soup" projects. When you go through your stash, it can point out what you buy regularly and how well what you buy works in the designs you make.

So my suggestion for the day, the "design challenge" as it were.....pick a technique or style you like and mix it up by playing with the proportions some how. You might like the direction it takes you!

 

Click on the images to enlarge and read about these jewelry designs.

Bead Jewelry 101

By:

Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

In the style of Sewing 101, Quilting 101, and Home Décor Sewing 101, this workshop-style book teaches all the popular craft techniques used to make jewelry. Techniques are learned by doing projects, and the projects are organized to build skills cumulatively, beginning with the easier techniques and progressing to more difficult.

Karen and Ann Mitchell (Altadena, CA) are a dynamic sister team with a costume jewelry company called AnKara Designs. They make and sell jewelry, teach classes nationwide, and have appeared regularly on the Carol Duvall Show. They publish articles in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines and participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually.

How to Make Fabulous Fall Leaf Earrings from the book Bead Jewelry 101

Are you in the mood to whip up a new pair of earrings to celebrate the changing colors of the leaves? Well, I am! One of my wacky baby trees has just one little section that is changing. 

Here is a great design that uses little brown leaf beads:

 

 

 

Click on the images to enlarge and read how to make Teardrop Leaf Earrings out of beading cable and a hand full of leaf beads. This project and tutorial is from the book:

Bead Jewelry 101

By:

Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

In the style of Sewing 101, Quilting 101, and Home Décor Sewing 101, this workshop-style book teaches all the popular craft techniques used to make jewelry. Techniques are learned by doing projects, and the projects are organized to build skills cumulatively, beginning with the easier techniques and progressing to more difficult.

Karen and Ann Mitchell(Altadena, CA) are a dynamic sister team with a costume jewelry company called AnKara Designs. They make and sell jewelry, teach classes nationwide, and have appeared regularly on the Carol Duvall Show. They publish articles in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines and participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually.

How to turn an old metal link belt into a new beaded cuff bracelet from Bead Jewelry 101

I'm in a mood, a jewelry making mood that is, watch out!

I love the scale and combination of these elements. Can you guess what is recycled to make this piece? Yes, it is an old metal belt.

Click on the images to enlarge and read how to convert a old metal belt into a new cuff bracelet.

This cool project is from the book:

Bead Jewelry 101
A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making

by
Karen Mitchell and Ann Mitchell

In the style of Sewing 101, Quilting 101, and Home Décor Sewing 101, this book teaches all the popular craft techniques used to make jewelry. Techniques are learned by doing projects, and the projects are organized beginning with the easier techniques and progressing to more difficult. organized workshop-style, to build skills cumulatively.

Karen and Ann Mitchell (Altadena, CA) are a dynamic sister team with a costume jewelry company called AnKara Designs. They make and sell jewelry, teach classes nationwide, and have appeared regularly on the Carol Duvall Show. They publish articles in Jewelry Crafts and other magazines and participate in 18 large arts and crafts shows annually.

I loved the scale of the bracelet and I happen to have some of those big metal belts.

Here is the one I made:

 

 

The one little thing I did differently is I used two clasps instead of one. I love how BIG it is.

And if you liked this project and want to see more pop back to this post for another great how to! Still want more than grab yourself a copy and you'll be all set from some great jewelry making.

Today's Q & A

It's a short one but it is a good on:

What is your crafting motivation?

Posted by: Melissa

My Answer:

Need or Want

Short answer for a short question, but it's true. I started making things either because I needed them or wanted them and quickly learned that I loved doing it myself because it came out just the way I wanted it, so empowering.

Leave questions here by midnight Sunday Aug 30th California time and you will be entered to win a free craft book and SideWinder bobbin winder! Have a great weekend.