You’re here for beads!? The good ones!
We buy ’em, sell ’em, make ’em… and teach ’em too!
Let’s start with the latest news!
- As Promised, Lapis Cabs October 11, 2018
I promised you Lapis Lazuli cabochons – and here they are. One of a Kind – please don’t wait – they will go fast. I don’t think I need to say anything else – they speak for themselves – “I’m bluuuuue – buy me.” At least – that’s what they say to me. 😉
What’s next? Here’s a clue …
Tiger Iron!
No actual tigers were ironed in the making of these beads – Tiger Iron is a combination of Tigereye, Hematite and Red Jasper. Tigereye and Hematite are both minerals that are iron-rich – but we don’t recommend eating them, just the same. Hard on the teeth. We have both glossy and matted versions. Some are more red, some more tiger-orange.
Also new this week are the new star cut rounds – a faceted bead that is a little more visually adventurous than just a plain round bead. We have them in a variety of stones, you can peruse them all here.
In fact – lots of new stone beads this week. Many in the theme of black. But not all. Yum!
Turning now to news in the world of seedbeads and bead embroidery – a new beading foundation material – GoodFelt. You may have already seen hints about this – it has been well received by the beading testers. It comes in a variety of colours, and we have large packs too for those with big plans, or classes … .
New items on Manager Special – Swarovski Minis at 50%
The Mini-Ovals, Mini-Rectangles, Rounds, Drops, etc. 50% off!
Can’t find what you are looking for? Feel free to just email us and ask!
Don’t forget the Manager’s Specials – over 700 specially selected items on sale – with savings up to 70% off!
Ready to go big or go home? Don’t forget our Full Packs and Designer Packs, so you can experiment and design big! Whether you are assembling kits or making the spectacular item of a life-time – we have better deals on bigger quantities!
Our Class News
- There’s nothing scary about our classes
“Magic is really very simple. All you’ve got to do is want something and then let yourself have it.”
– Aggie Cromwell, HalloweentownThe creativity fairies are sprinkling their magic during BeadFX’s late-October’s classes! Catherine Sequalino Poitier has designed a beautiful applique that can be used as a pin or other decorative feature. Anne Marie Desaulniers will stir your needle felting spirits with a new pin or brooch project that combines several stitching techniques. Liz Reynolds will help you explore how you can ‘quilt’ using metal clay. Lucie Lee‘s new wire wrapping class will have you ready to create personalized ornaments for everyone you know – a perfect gift to get you started for the holidays. (Holidays? Now THAT’S scary!)
Here are the classes and session scheduled October 21 – 31:
Sunday, October 21
Basic Wire Wrapping
Instructor: Bonni Poch
12:00 – 3:00pm
Learn the basics of wire wrapping!
Monday, October 22
Happy Hour Torching
Facilitator: Carol Cooper
5:00 – 9:00pm
Work on your lampwork skills or create focal beads for your own designs with friends!
Wednesday, October 24
FREE Open Bead Night
Facilitator: Amanda Pittman
Enjoy coffee and conversation while working on your projects!
Thursday, October 25
FREE Afternoon Bead Tea
Facilitator: Pamela Kearns
Be among the first to see the new weekly products!
Jewellery Making 101
Instructor: Pamela Kearns
5:00 – 9:00pm
Discover how to create wrapped loops, simple loops and more!
Wishy, Washy and Whimsical Altered Metal Washers
Instructor: Anne Marie Desaulniers
6:00 – 9:00pm
Anne Marie will show you how to take the humble metal washer to the next level for original designs!
Friday, October 26
NEW Quilting in Metal Clay
Instructor: Liz Reynolds
11:00am – 6:00pm
Learn all about creating textures and how to apply them to create pendants and more!
NEW Cardinal Applique or Pin
Instructor: Catherine Sequalino Poitier
4:30pm – 9:00pm
Apply your Crochet du Luneville/Tambour embroidery skills to create this beautiful applique!
Saturday, October 27
NEW Needle Felted Landscapes: Pendants and Brooches
Instructor: Anne Marie Desaulniers
10:00am – 3:00pm
Paint with fibre and beads to create stunning jewellery!
Hot Connections 1: Intro to Soldering
Instructor: Iris Rogers Melamed
10:30am – 4:30pm
Learning how to solder sterling silver wire is your gateway into the world of metalwork!
Sunday, October 28
Pebble Beach Jewellery
Instructor: Ann Shewan
12:00 – 3:00pm
Learn to drill pebbles to create one-of-a-kind designs!
NEW Alphabet Letter Ornament
Instructor: Lucie Lee
12:30 – 2:30pm
You’ll love these elegant initials; Lucie will show you how to create them!
Japanese Chainmaille Ball Charm
Instructor: Gillian Clarke
1:00 – 4:00pm
Discover how to make this fun pendant with Gillian!
Monday, October 29
Happy Hour Torching
Facilitator: Carol Cooper
5:00 – 9:00pm
Work on your lampwork skills or create focal beads for your own designs with friends!
Wednesday, October 31
FREE Open Bead Night
Facilitator: Pamela Kearns
6:00 – 8:00pm
Give yourself dedicated time to work on your beading and chainmaille projects!Click on the class or session title to see complete details, including applicable class and kit fees. You can also go to the October class calendar to see all of the month’s activities.
Our Latest Inspiration
- Concrete & Rubies
by: Anne Marie Desaulniers
These Matte Crazy Lace Agate stones have been living side byside, on the BeadFX wall, just under the pearls. Ignored for months, but thenthey suddenly started clamouring for their potential to be reached! Concretegoes with everything, and my July birthstone is ruby!! Add some sparkle, then whatbetter way to marry the two, than with a chic and comfortable wrap bracelet. Apiece of this type, could even be worn as a short necklace, but I far preferthis variation as a standalone bracelet!
Instructions:
- Dump all of your beads, into a nice pile on your bead mat, then mix them up! Shocking, I know,but it’s the only way that you can get a truly random mix!
- Cut approximately 25 inches of Soflex beading wire (the length will vary, depending on the size of your wrist, and the total number of wraps desired). This measurement is for a 3-wrap bracelet, on a small, to medium sized wrist.
- Thread a 2mm crimp, onto one end of the Soflex beading wire.
- Thread a wire guardian onto the same end of the Soflex, (you will need to thread through both openings), pulling the wire tightly.
- Pull the loose end of the Soflex, back into the crimp bead, leaving a medium length tail.
- Crimp the crimp bead, with crimping pliers (it’s a two-partprocess).
- String beads in a random, asymmetrical fashion! Don’t obsess about how you do this!! It’s all good!
- Cover the loose end of the beading wire, with the first,three or four beads.
- Trim wire if necessary.
- Decide how long your wrap will be, and string on a sufficient number of beads. (Please note: I chose to use approximately 25 inches of beading wire, to make a triple wrap bracelet.)
- Thread a 2mm crimp, onto the unfinished end of the Soflex beading wire.
- Thread a wire guardian onto the same end, pulling the wire tightly (you will need to thread through both openings).
- Pull the loose end of the Soflex, back into the crimp bead, leaving a medium length tail. (Note: I find it useful to place the wire guardian on oneside of my Round Nose Pliers, letting the bracelet dangle free. Then pull onthe loose end of the wire, to tighten up the string.)
14.Thread the remaining Soflex wire, back through the last three or four beads. (Note: don’t forget to leave a little “wiggle” room, between the beads and the crimp).
- Crimp the crimp bead, with crimping pliers (Remember, this is a two-part process).
- Trim any loose beading wire.
- Open one 6 mm jump ring, and attach to one wire guardian. Close jump ring.
- Add one 6mm Split Ring to the same side. (Note: if you find that your bracelet is longenough, you can skip the jump ring in Step 17, above, and add the split ring directly to the wire guardian)
- Open one 6 mm jump ring, add one Lobster Claw clasp, and attach to one wire guardian. Close jumpring.
- To make the dangle! Add three beads (I chose two stones and one Firepolish) to a headpin, then start to make a wire wrapped loop.
- When your loop is still open, slide it onto wire guardian that is next to the Split Ring.
- Finish wrapping your loop with 3-4 wraps (or whatever fits)!
- Congratulations, your wrapped bracelet is finished!
Tips for leftover beads: A shorter bracelet, necklace component (just add chain), earrings, purse dangles, bead embroidery, wire wrapping, or freeform peyote! Add other beads to change up the mix, and then make a coordinating, but totally different bracelet!Layers are where it’s at!!!
If you are unfamiliar with any ofthese processes, please check our “Tips” section.
Components
Go to our components list for this project and to buy what you need!
Need some help with some of the techniques? Check our tips page.