Beadalon Blog

According to the Pantone Color Institute, turquoise is the Color of the Year for 2010 . This necklace combines geometric elements (also a hot motif!) with indicolite Crystallized™ - Swarovski Elements for a look that translates from summer to fall. If you like this style, you'll love these necklaces in the Design Workshop: Swing Time by Margot Potter Mermaid's Rings by Katie Hacker Square Duo by Fernando Dasilva -Fernando Dasilva www.dasilvajewelry.com

If you're in the Harrisburg, PA area this Saturday, be sure to stop by the Grand Opening event of the new AC Moore store, (The Point Shopping Center, Interstate 83 & Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg , PA 17111). Beadalon Design Team Member, Margot Potter , aka "The Impatient Crafter", will be hosting a free make & take project from 12-3pm using Beadalon Quick Links. She'll also be signing copies of her books "Beyond the Bead" and "The Impatient Beader Gets Inspired." Lots of freebies and fun!

Check out our new ad that featured is featured in the spring issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine! Weddings can be so expensive these days, so save a few pennies and make your own bridal jewelry! This set combines Silver Beadalon 49 with Crystallized™ - Swarovski Elements in a multiple strand, illusion necklace. Visit the Design Workshop for complete instructions . -Yvette Rodriguez Beadalon Blog Team

We've been on the road so much lately that our scrapbooks are getting full. Come and take a look at our photo albums! CHA Winter Show To Bead True Blue International Shows -Beadalon Blog Team

Here's a new design that Fernando created using my new Katiedids™ Creative Components . I love the way he added wire wrapping to give each component more texture. It gives the pieces an interesting combination of a sophisticated, modern look with an artisan's touch. -Katie Hacker Katiedids™ www.KatieHacker.com

I love the ultra modern look of this design. The spiked ball is made from shaping wire with crystals that are crimped onto beading wire sticking out from the ball. To make the glittery foundation of the necklace, I covered an entire piece of tubing with SilveRose™ Beadalon 7 . It takes some patience but the look is worth it, honey! Visit the Design Workshop for the complete instructions . -Fernando Dasilva www.dasilvajewelry.com

This is one of my favorite projects from the recent crop of designs we created for Catalog 30. I’ve always been partial to silver, but copper has taken hold of me lately and won’t let go. I love the warm tones, especially in combination with crystals. To create this necklace, I combined copper shaping wire with Crystallized™ - Swarovski Elements and Limabeads.com filigree components in linked units. I used thin gauge wire to attach crystals to the upper and lower edges of the big copper filigree tube in the center of the necklace. Here’s are links to two different types of copper shaping wire in Catalog 30: Artistic Wire: http://www.beadalon.com/aw-standardcolor.asp German Style Wire: http://www.beadalon.com/GermanStylePlatedWire.asp -Katie Hacker Katiedids™ www.KatieHacker.com

Q . How do you wrap a briolette? I bought a large pendant-sized piece of rose quartz, but it is briolette-styled drilled; how do I wire it to hook it up to a chain? -Carolynne A . Wire-wrapping is a good method for attaching briolettes to chain. Here’s what Katie does: center a 6" long, 22 or 24-gauge piece of wire inside the hole. Then, bend the ends upward to form a triangle shape. Make a loop on one wire (above the stone's point) and hold the loop and the other wire inside the jaws of chain nose pliers. Wrap the extra wire from the loop around the base of the loop and the other wire. Bend the "other" wire downward and coil it around the base of the loop, too, or use it to make a decorative spiral. Fernando explains a slightly different technique in his pattern for these Brazilian Babe Chandeliers. Did you know that Beadalon’s Design Workshop has a Frequently Asked Questions page and a Beading Glossary? Or, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you c...

"Cabocla Iara" necklace (named after an indigenous spirit from the Brazilian rainforest) showcases white Beadalon 19 in my favorite diameter, .024,” and palace green opal crystals. I used white cube Bead Bumpers™ to thread double wire and hold the beads in place…I love this design! The "fuchsia earrings" can be made in a flash: 15 minutes or less. They’re just a fun pair of earrings with no boundaries and no worries. I used pink Artistic Wire and colored wire with a modular bead from Crystallized™ - Swarovski Elements . "Decori di poesia" bracelet showcases the new Beadfix adhesive squares, my latest favorite product. The squares make it so much easier to attach flat back crystals! Also, I like the texture of the glue-on bail, so I added one without any stone glued on, just like a little charm. I love all of the new chains and this one has great texture. Fernando Dasilva www.dasilvajewelry.com

Titanium and gunmetal are big trends in jewelry making right now, especially for men’s jewelry or designs that have an edgier look. Here are some highlights from Catalog 30 that are right in line: The world’s first kink free beading wire, new Beadalon KINK FREE Ti . This technologically advanced Titanium alloy wire is super-elastic and offers dramatic kink resistance. The wire holds its shape and works well on designs made with crystal, metal, and medium to heavier weight beads. Made in the USA by Beadalon. Gunmetal chain is available in two styles: heavy round and oval link. Short lengths of chain lend a sparkling touch: add a hanging chain tassel from your beaded designs for a signature look. Use long lengths of chain with the clasp of your choice to create bracelets and necklaces with beaded accents. The Gunmetal Variety Pack contains 112 total pieces of Jump Rings, Spring Rings, Lobster Claw Clasps, and Tags in various sizes. This kit is designed to be a complete set f...