Category: Inspiration Projects

Compare and Contrast, Inspiration Projects, Tips & Techniques

What Color is Silver?

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Have you ever found yourself wondering – what color is silver? Is silver just a super shiny grey? If you didn’t think of silver as being, oh, “special” – what would you call it? You know, the base color, without the shiny metallic look. I’m not sure. I am going to hazard a guess that the good folks making beads may not being in total agreement either. There are a number of Czech seed beads that are labelled – by the manufacturers – as Metallic Silver. And then, there are others, labelled Metallic Silver [Terra]. And when you put them …

Inspiration Projects, Tips & Techniques

A Cab, A Chain, A Tassel – A Necklace!

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Ooo – nice cabochons, you think to yourself. But I’m not about to start learning how to bead a bezel around them. If it doesn’t have a hole – I can’t use it. But still – nice. Fortunately, you don’t have to. Because the OlympiArt cabochons are what we in the biz call “Calibrated” – which means – they come in standard sizes that you can easily get findings for. And these 30x40mm ovals drop beautifully into these 30x40mm Gallery Ovals. Add some chain, and a tassel and you have a lovely necklace that can be a wide range of …

Eye Candy, Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Bead Embroidery – Cat Patch Fever

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Thought I would share with you this time-lapse of this little cat embroidery from the Bead Embroidery Kits. This is a smaller version of the wall hanging, and took me only a few days of odd hours here and there to complete. It is designed to be a patch – sewn-on to clothing, but I might make it into a brooch instead – not decided yet. Or I might add velcro to the back for easy removal. Because with the dogs – I have nothing that I am confident that I would not have to wash – and I am …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week, Tips & Techniques

Summer Daze – 3 in 1 Necklace

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BeadFX Inspiration – Anne Marie Desaulniers I was thinking summer when I collected these beads, but that was quite a while ago. I put them in a safe place, and promptly lost them! So, when I finally unearthed them, I found out that all of the frosted glass beads were on special, for 40% off. I’m not actually sure if this colour selection is still available*, but if it’s not, we can suggest alternatives. The vibe I was looking for was cool, calm, fresh, summery, and oh so wearable! My original design was for a single strand necklace, but then …

Inspiration Projects

Coppered Turquoise Necklace

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BeadFX Inspiration – May 7th, 2021 – Anne Marie Desaulniers I admit that I’m totally in love with African Turquoise stones. So, when I was trying to think up a new inspiration, of course my fingers gravitated to these two-hole drilled rectangles, and immediately paired them with 8 mm coins. I’d wanted to do something with the rectangles for a while, but was actually stuck on exactly how to work with them. So, I decided to give it a go! I haven’t worked on a necklace for a while, so decided that I would make a version of the old …

Inspiration Projects

Charted Waters

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When I went down the rabbit hole of bead embroidery – sometime last year – I was very impressed by some kits and we brought them in and offered them in the store and online. It occurred to me when choosing which ones I thought would be appealing – that some folks who already have lots of beads would rather have just the charts, instead of the kits, which include the beads. I got some of the kits for myself, and they were great fun, and so I decided to try one of the charts – that doesn’t come with …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Spring Leaves

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Last week we celebrated the start the coming Spring by creating a Sun Pendant. This week we celebrate the leaves and budding flowers with a fun and colourful pair of earrings! These earrings feature the new Monstera Leaf charms. Normally these charms are antique silver but we are adding colour using nail polish, giving them an enameled look. A short length of fine curb chain dangles with lots of spring colour using 4mm beads. I used some leftover Swarovski crystals in colours from my stash but 4mm fire-polish beads, pearls or druks would be just as fun. Let’s get started! …

Inspiration Projects

Pegasus Descending – Wire Collage – Pendant or Cabochon

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BeadFX Inspiration – Anne Marie Desaulniers A while back I made a similar pendant, with a dragonfly as the focal. By the time I got it done, there were no more dragonflies to be found in the store, and it looked like it would not be possible to re-order. So, I had to backburner the project. A couple of weeks ago, I spotted the Pegasus pendant, and decided that it would be a good substitute! On the original, I wire wrapped in a selection of charms, but for this one, I decided to use a combination of silver beads, and …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Sun Pendant

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Spring is coming so let’s celebrate by bringing the Sun into our wardrobe! This week’s project features brick stitch using the 42mm Wire Hoop and cube beads in two sizes: Miyuki 4mm cubes and 1.8mm cube. The finished pendant measures 2 3/4″ across; you can make it smaller by using a smaller hoop and/or smaller beads. With this technique, you will see the thread; choose a thread colour that blends with the hoop colour if you don’t want it to stand out too much. Pull a wingspan of thread and thread your needle. Tie the thread with a double knot …

Inspiration Projects

Hat Jewelry

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Well – looks like a nice day outside. Think I’ll go out. I need my toque (or tuque) – it’s still chilly. And it’s bright, so I’ll put on sunglasses. And my mask, of course. Now I’m ready – ready to go rob a bank by the looks of it! By the time we get all our gear on – we’ve become invisible. So why not take back your identity with some fun and fabulous Hat Jewelry! Grab your stash of charms, some jump rings and some odds and ends of chains, an arms length of wire, and some kilt …