Jewelry Tip Two: Time vs Organization

As I get more and more into making jewelry I've noticed that overall I'm a crazy crafter. Normally I have two or three pieces being worked on, which means my small work table can get cluttered pretty quickly. Which eats up time when I have to start searching through clutter to find a tube of beads or a piece of wire. Since my work space and storage area are so small, I've had to teach my self to organize. Which truthfully is an ongoing lesson. But Thanks to my wonderful husband helping me find ways that work for me, I have multiple storage trays that fit nicely into a wheeled tote. My working glass seed beads are in separate circular trays that are screwed together to form storage tubes. All this allows me quick organized access to things I need.

I lose less time searching in clutter, but the key to this tip is not being organized but staying organized over time to save time. I've discovered that if I spend a little time properly storing and organizing things, I don't have as many issues later. Especially when I restock basics. If I just toss them on my table I have a chance of not just using up much needed space but also risk misplacing items I might need. Which can truly annoy me when I'm trying to finish a piece. So if I spend a little time keeping my self organized I get more time to finish projects. An added bones is that every time I organize I seam to see bits and pieces that can inspire me for my next project. Inspiration for me goes hand in hand with organized creation.

So to save time spend a little time discovering your system to being organized. For me it's trays, bead tubes, and circular stackable beads trays. Once you have your method spend a little time every week keeping yourself organized. The time will be well spent.


- FKB Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jewelry Making Tip One

Ok, so I've been asked to share a few tips for those who want to start making their own jewelry. First, I must say that I am by far a hobbyist who loves learning so what I know now will change as I grow in the craft. But over the next few weeks I'll release one tip a week. Open discussion on the tip is encouraged.

My first tip is planning vs inspiration:
Many times as I peruse a bead store or craft store I see a bead, charm, or a bit of wire that inspires me. This can be a prefect way to create, if you have everything on hand at home to complete the piece. It's taken me almost two years of adding little bits and pieces to my supplies that a moment of inspiration doesn't hamper my creativity. But when I first started I wasn't so lucky. I'd forget the other items, buy my beads and head home ready to start. Only once there I'd remember all the other things I needed. Then I'd spend another few trips to the stores or Amazon trying to collect all the pieces I need. But by the time I have it all my inspiration is waned a little or even worse I've moved on. This can be devastating if you do it over and over. Eventually you can loose focus on creating completely.

So here's my tip, be inspired but also plan out what you need to complete. If it's a semi-precious beads do you have wire findings, pliers, spacers or complimentary beads, wire, and a planning board? If it's the latest colored seed beads do you have a pattern, bead thread, matching clasp, or even enough beads? When you see that bit of inspiration stop and think for a second. Ask yourself how you want to use it then rattle through what you need and what you have at home. If you need a little bit of inspiration on how to use what's got your fancy take a second to look at a jewelry magazine or how to book. Once you know what you like and you have what you need then go and create.

Side note: Many times I need to go to multiple stores or websites to gather all the pieces I need for a complicated piece. But for me that's half my fun as a crafter. Its also why I have storage boxs full of pieces waiting for that last little bit I see in my mind what I want to create and what I need. I also collect and store bits and pieces that catch my intrest until I have a need for them because I am so selective. But it is so much a downer to get all the beads and stones but not have the findings and wire because I forgot to plan out that part of piece. It always fustrates me to be ready to work but not able. So when you hit inspiration take a moment to plan, I know I do. Below is an example. I had a lot of of seed beads, but it took finding the right base wire to bead around to make this piece. At another store I found the right crystals to highlight the pattern.



- FKB Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Picture Wows

I've been so wrapped up trying to improve my Etsy shop photos. As I've discovered my little cyber shot takes a great photo but it just doesn't have the clarity for good solid pictures needed for jewelry. But thanks to Dads Canon and his telephoto lens I was able to get really good shots. But that was just the start of the battle. I also had to edit each photo and compress file sizes. Moms idea if using Photo Shop over Pascal was brilliant. Just take a look at this test photo of Moms birthday present:


My little camera could never have pulled off the detail and shading shown. And this piece so deserves a good photo. It's a rich piece of black & amethyst seed beads and large 10mm amethyst pearls. I just love the way the piece flows and how each curve highlight light on the pearls. I loved creating this piece.

A good camera and photo software is so going to be on my wish list. They join a new sewing machine and surger. Someday....

- FKB Posted using BlogPress

Christmas Craft Anyone?

I know it's not even Halloween yet but it's time to start my Christmas crafting. I've started with my Victorian Lace Bulb. This might seam simple but it takes time. It starts with a 40 count triple threaded circle. After that I use a technique called circular netting. Shown below:As you can see I prefer to stitch on the bulb. I chose a nice Christmas red highlighted with Christmas green and light green. It's a nice color combination on a clear bulb. Shown below:


-FKB Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Simple Circles

For the last couple of days I've been creating this simple circle necklace made of beads and silver findings.


The pattern for my circles was pretty basic. Start by selecting two contrasting bead colors, I chose champagne pink and teal silver. Loop 6 beads in a circle, any pattern you want. From above you can see I did a random color and a alternate pie design. Secure the end tightly and pass through the first bead in the loop. Pick up two beads and double back through the base bead and the two beads you picked up. repeat this for all 5 remaining beads. Loop the thread back through the first two beads and your second row of the circle is complete. From here repeat rows only use a pattern of 2, 1, 2 for bead pickup. On your final row add silver crimp beads in place of beads for two base beads. I like to flatten my crimps just a little bit to make the finish look more flat. Once all your bead circles are done start connecting using silver jump rings. I added oval rings to contrast my circles. Add a chain and clasp to your desired length and your done. Pretty simple but elegant I think.

- FKB Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Bead Of A Different Color

Ok for the last week I've been working on a nice piece of beads comprised of opaque black and opaque yellow lime clear beads. First I beaded a chain 20 inches long.

As you can see from the photo I used a spiral pattern plus alternated base colors ever 5 inches. Created a nice contrast on the chain.

Next I beaded a pendent. The pendent consisted of two pieces. A nice triangle held on the chain by a ruffled loop initiating the chain bead stitch pattern.

- FKB Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bangle Thing

I've been beading a new necklace for the last few weeks. It started out with me discovering these gorges black & orange miyukie beads. So I began a modified pattern of black and orange stopes.


This formed my base chain. After about a week of beading I completed a 20 inch chain. Why so long, well honestly it because I only do about 3 inches a night while watching tv. This keeps me from being bored.


My next issue was finding a nice focal point for the chain. I lucked out at JoAnnes one Sunday by finding this gorges tiger striped heart.


After beading an attachment loop the heart connected to my chain. I'm very happy with the completed piece.


-FKB Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A New Start

Started a new 3D bead project last night. These little triangles can be shaped in to two shapes shown below.

Formal Necklace

Saw a pattern of jewelry I liked on some website, which for the life of me I cant remember the name of. I liked the simplicity of the lines and beads. Only I wanted to jazz it up a bit. Make a more formal piece and use a little of my fire polished glass pendent beads. After a lot of modification and thinking I managed to rework the piece to include strings of beads that have glass beads at the end. The piece is very very musical to wear as the glass loves to move around. Its definitely not a piece you would wear every day. Though my daughter did try to claim this piece. She loves the sound of the glass as she moves.

A Long Time~ Bangle Inspired

OK I started this piece back when the Bangles were scheduled to make the play offs. Hence the orange and black color. The rope alone took me a lot of time to complete because I just kept getting bored with the piece. After I finally had the right length, which isn't shown in the picture correctly since I coiled the rope for it all to be seen, I made a 3D poinsettia flower to attach. The black beads for the flower base was just for showing off how nice the orange beads look as a trim. Since this was my first attempt at making 3D bead work, I'm storing this piece in my jewelry box. If the team ever make the playoffs again, I'll pull it out and wear it with pride!