Beadalon Blog

I taught this necklace at the recent CHA show in Anaheim. This is a basic crochet chain stitch done with a thin gauge of wire and embellished with beads. In my usual ‘impatient’ fashion, I found a way around having to crochet each bead on the wire. This is a fun trick you can master fairly quickly and expand upon with ease. Try not to make your stitches too big, or the necklace will get very long and the crystals will slide through the holes. Materials 25 4mm indicolite AB xilion cut Crystallized™-Swarovski Elements bicones 25 4mm violet xilion cut Crystallized™-Swarovski Elements bicones 1 27mm crystal Crystallized™-Swarovski Elements Galactic pendant 4 314B-344 18x25mm Beadalon QuickLinks™ large SP oval 5 314B-310 12mm Beadalon QuickLinks™ small SP circle 26 gauge silver plated Artistic Wire 2 357B-010 SP cone ends 315B-035 16mm SP swivel lobster clasp 6 314B-005 6mm SP jump rings 1 314B-009 10mm SP jump rings Tools Round nose pliers 2 pairs ch

California finally got a break from torrential downpours and sunny skies welcomed us to Anaheim for the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Show. We could even see the mountains! Yvette Rodriguez helped customers create their own necklaces at the make-it-take-table. Fernando Dasilva demonstrated new products from Catalog 30, answered beading questions, and showed jewelry making techniques. Sales team Steven Miller, Michael Hogan and Madeline Otero took orders and helped customers spin the prize wheel for extra discounts and bonuses. Designer Katie Hacker (and baby!) launched her new co-branded line of Katiedids™ Creative Components with Beadalon.

That's our own Yvette Rodriguez in the latest Beadalon ad featuring Fernando Dasilva's lovely Princess Dream Necklace & Earring set. The illusion style necklace is a wedding day staple and stunning earrings finish the look. Follow Fernando's instructions to create your own stylish bridal jewelry using Beadalon and CRYSTALLIZED™ components. Upload photos of your creations to our Facebook page : we love to see what you make! -Beadalon Blog Team

When I was in California for CHA a few weeks ago, I spent some time looking for trends in downtown Los Angeles. Chain remains the strongest component in the jewelry making market. I could not believe how many different styles and finishes I saw! Here are two designs to inspire you: Here is a bracelet I created for Beadalon using stringing wire as "spacing bars." The clasp is one of the "Upper Clasp" styles that is in Catalog 30. I added CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements to bring that "treasure" style like to the multi-strand bracelet. Next is a necklace featuring heavy chain with sparking thread wrapped around a small section of a star key ring. According to Women's Wear Daily, stars will be one of the hottest motifs for Spring/Summer 2010. You can create chains of stars using jump rings to connect several them together. Here, I added two crystal red magma twisted crystal stones to jazz up the neckline. -Fernando Dasilva www.DasilvaJewelry

We all have favorite new products from Catalog 30 and one of mine is the Velour Tool Set . The fuzzy handles are just plain fun. The ergonomic chain nose, round nose and flush cutters are affectionately and unofficially known as Oscar, Grover and Elmo. Maybe it's because I have little ones at home, but that makes me smile! Using the right tools can make a huge difference in your jewelry designs. The handles should feel comfortable in your hands and you should be able to use them repeatedly without feeling fatigued. For tips on choosing the right tools, check out these Beading Lesson videos from Beads, Baubles & Jewels: Episode # 1005 Episode # 911 Episode # 403 -Katie Hacker www.KatieHacker.com

This is an easy, elegant necklace using the Katiedids donut, Bead Ready™ wire and 4mm round crystals. Pass the wire through an outside hole and 15 crystals, then pass it through the first 7 crystals to form a beaded circle. Place the circle inside the component, then pass the wire end through the opposite hole. Adjust it so the component is at the center of the necklace, then attach the clasp. The pendant is really dramatic! String 4mm crystals onto beading wire to form a circle and place it in one of the channels. Repeat for the other channel. Pass a head pin through a 8mm crystal and through the drilled holes on the component, then make a wrapped loop for a bail. The long stick components make great earrings or you can incorporate them into necklace designs. For the earrings pictured here, I passed a head pin through 4mm crystals and the upper drilled hole to add extra movement. -Katie Hacker www.KatieHacker.com

Visit us this weekend, February 6-8, at The Tucson Bead Show at The DoubleTree Reid Park in Tucson, AZ. Fernando Dasilva and Wyatt White will be demonstrating new products from Catalog 30 and you'll have a chance to ask questions, get jewelry making tips, and learn how to perfect your beading techniques. If you've never been to the Tucson gem shows before, you're in for an eye-popping experience! There are more than 40 shows located throughout the city. Learn more and plan your trip using the Tucson Show Guide . -Beadalon Blog Team