Beadalon Blog

My name is Meredith and I love Bead Weaving. Whether it's with tiny size 15 seed beads, large size 6 seed beads, and everything in between. I've been intrigued by all of the double holed beads that have exploded onto the beading scene in the last few years. The possibilities are amazingly endless with designing potential! This is a design that I've seen others do in different ways, but never with Bead Stringing Wire as a foundation. I also was having a challenge in sizing the bracelet given the way the Ginkgo Beads come together. Enter the perfect solution - an adjustable macrame slider. This project works up in about an hour, and since it's adjustable it makes a great gift option! Materials: 49 Strand .015 Beadalon Bead Stringing Wire .006 Green WildFire Bead Weaving Thread Size 2 Crimp Tubes Polyester Braided Cord Beading Needle Beads from Starman Beads : Ginkgo Beads 3mm Firepolish Beads Size 15 seed beads Size 6 seed beads Tools: Crimping Pli

Some of my favorite Facebook Lives are when I have guests teach me a technique that they have developed. These beaded tassels work up quickly and easily using the Beadalon Tin Cup Knotter Tool and the Spin-n-Bead. My favorite part was learning that you can bend the end of the needle that's attached to the Carded Silk Cord to string up seed beads with the Spin-N-Bead. I'm not usually one for all caps, but this tip is a GAME CHANGER! Beaded Tassels by Emily Scott A quick and easy method for fabulous beaded tassels Materials: Beadalon Carded Silk  - Size 6 silk thread works perfectly with 12/0 Seed Beads Beadalon Spin-N-Bead Beadalon Tin Cup Knotter Tool Beadalon Artistic Wire, 20 Gauge Beadalon Bead Stringing Glue (optional - All knots are doubled, or you can single knot with a tiny dab of glue) Size 11/0 or 12/0 Seed beads Tassel Topper with hole in top Instructions: STEP 1 - Prepare Your Wire - Cut about 6” wire. Make a large, single wrapped loop. Test to mak

I've been using Beadalon Rubber Tubing in my designs for years, but not until I met Deb Floros in Tucson this year did I ever think to use paint to decorate it. The Patina Paints and Dylusions Paint Pens from Ranger Ink work so well to take the Rubber Tubing to the next level. Deb gave us so many ideas, tips and inspiration to use this technique in beading designs. She makes painted Rubber Tubing components, strings them on either Memory Wire or Bead Stringing Wire, then adds beads to complement. It was so generous of her to share her designs with the Beadalon community! Here are some of the great tips that she shared on Facebook Live. 1. Use a texture pad. Use a paintbrush to paint onto a texture pad. Holding the ends of the Rubber Tubing, roll it across the texture pad to pick up the design. 2. Use Paint Pens. Fill in any spaces left by texture pads with dots or doodles with Paint Pens. 3. Use a clothespin to hold the tubing in place while you work, and to prevent it

Trends always seem to come back around, and these '80s inspired Feather Earrings are a great way to honor that decade!  Materials: Loop Crimps  Ear Wires Oval Jump Rings Feathers Tools: Micro Crimper Tool Instructions: 1. Place the ends of the feathers into one Loop Crimp and use the tip of the Micro Crimper Tool to crimp the middle down to hold the feathers in place. Larger feather ends might require multiple Loop Crimps. 2. Attach the top of the Loop Crimp to the Ear Wire using an Oval Jump Ring. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make a second earring. It's as simple as that! What a great gift to give. I'm going to make a bunch just to have on hand. Have you used feathers in your jewelry designs? Post photos in the Jewelry Making with Beadalon Facebook Group and be sure to set your notifications to catch us live! Until next time, happy beading! Meredith