Saturday, August 25, 2012

Organizing My Beading Space

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of summer.  Before we know it the school season will start.

Usually about this time, parents and kids are getting all their supplies together to start the new school year off right.  And all those supplies have to be organized in some way or another in order to locate whatever supply they need quickly.  This usually is done with folders, pencil cases and whatever containers they choose.

So, I got to thinking.  My beading area has taken over our dinning room table and I need to reclaim it.  I'm always looking for my tools or supplies for whatever project I happen to be working on --- It's time for me to organize my area.  It still needs a lot of work, but it's started.  And with organizing all my supplies and tools I now know what I need to complete a project.  And I can do it in a matter of minutes instead of having to search through all my baggies or my sea of small plastic containers of beads that I had.

So this is the start of organization (of bead stuff anyway).  I have been trying to organize my entire house over the last year or so.  It makes me realize how much I really have and I bet the tote manufacturers are loving me.  :)



The first photo is that of my containers.  I purchased two three drawer containers for tools and such and various smaller ones for some of my beads.  The bottom three drawer one holds all my tools such as pliers, ring mandrel, and bead mats. The top container holds all my wire, thread, findings  and miscellaneous stuff I haven't decided where to put yet.  At least it's pick up right?

The second photo is just showing you how I sorted my supplies and tools.  Some of my supplies and various tools were purchased at Beadin' Mon! in Flint Michigan.  If you are in the area stop by and say hello.  Maybe even check out the variety of beads available for your special creations.  If that isn't possible, feel free to browse our online store at www.beadinmon.com.

Until next week, have a great summer and Happy Beadin'





Monday, August 20, 2012

Bead Projects on the Go

Hello everyone,

I am so sorry I am late posting on my blog.  The last few weeks have been so busy for me.  I was getting ready for my time off work and had major deadlines that had to be done.  Ahhh, time to relax and get away.  You see we usually go camping but this year we decided to do a "staycation". Which means I get to relax at home and do what ever I want (and a few need to do things).

So when I am on vacation, I usually pack a variety of things to do.  I take my sketch pad and pencils, books to read and I usually dedicate some time to work on my bead projects that are half done.

So I decided today I wanted to share a few ways that I pack my projects for travel.  These are great for long or short distances.

If the projects require a small amount of supplies I will put the piece, beads, and needles all in one bag.  I learned this trick from the ladies at Beadin' Mon!. This keeps all the beads that you use in one place and that way you don't have to guess which beads were used.

Another way I like to pack my projects involves plastic pencil cases.  They are big enough to include project beads (of any size), tools (like clippers, pliers etc) and instructions (folded of course).  I picked up a couple of these at back to school time for less than a dollar each.



And if I plan on doing a variety of projects that include many different kinds of tools, I like to take my craft toolbox. It's large enough to fit all my tools and supplies.


Well, I hope you liked my travel project packing tips and wish you all a great vacation season.  Until next time, Happy Beadin'  and don't forget to check out Beadin' Mons website at www.beadinmon.com

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Working with Nature

Hello everyone,

Ahhhh, a sigh of relief.  It has been so hot here for a very long time.  We were not used to it.  Luckily, the weather has cooled off and the rain has finally come.  My yard is screaming thank you.  But, my basement is not - it is screaming help. With the large amount of rain falling and our sump pump getting stuck I have a mini lake in my basement.  Oh well that the the life of a home owner, right?

So with the fan going in the basement. I thought I would take a moment a write to you a bit.  Most of you probably already now that I love sparkle and love to work with crystals.  But sometimes my country girl side comes out and I want to feel the coolness of the natural stones.  And lately I have been playing with wire too.  That is fun and relaxing and each piece comes out so different.

So today I thought I would share one of my natural element projects.  Last year, I made my sister in law  a simple abalone necklace.  She loves abalone, and making her a gift really helped on the budget. :)  So  I found a piece of abalone that I liked the pattern of.  Then I took a piece of wire and bent the wire around the abalone to give the finishing touch.  This was a free form finding, meaning I just bent the wire whichever way I wanted. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the back of it.  I criss crossed the wire on the back in a nice pattern, that way the back of the pendant (in case it flipped over) looked pretty like the front.  The necklace turned out very nice.




To work on this project I got my supply of wire from Beadin' Mon!.  In fact I have to stop by the shop and pick up some more for another project I am going to be working on.

Just in case you are not into making jewelry, but love to wear it or give as gifts, Beadin' Mon also has a supply of finished pieces too.  They have one of a kind pieces of jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and the list goes on.  Stop by the shop to take a look.  And if you don't find what your looking for the staff may be able to custom create a piece just for you.  All you have to do is ask.  Check out the Beadin' Mon! website at www.beadinmon.com/

So until next time, Happy Beadin'.





Sunday, August 5, 2012

Bead Stash Project

Hello again everyone,

Sorry to be a day late again.  I went to a family party and we stayed out longer than I thought we were going to be.  With the nice weather, it's good to spend time with family.

Now to spend time with my beading family.  I recently stopped by Beadin' Mon! to pick up a few supplies.  While I was there I checked out the new classes on the door.  And as a special treat I got to see some of the finished pieces of the students of a class that was going on.  I think it's so fun and amazing to see how each persons take on a project can come out with so many different versions. Just small changes like the focal bead and the shape of the stylized end can put your twist on a design.  By the way the class was "Hammered", see the www.beadinmon.com/Classes.htm  page to see the design.  I think I'll have to sign up for that one once it's offered again.

Remember I once told you to build up your Bead stash.  Well, I looked through mine a little while ago and I decided to make a necklace with my stash supplies. I just love the look of Pink with silver.  So pretty.

At first I made the center part with the crystals on it using just regular beading wire.  But when I put it all together I didn't like the flimsiness of it.  So I took it apart and decided to make the crystal section with wire and then wire wrapped ends.  Attaching beading wire to the wrapped wire ends, I then strung on the silver noodle pieces and added some sparkle in the back with crystals.  The crystals on the clasp end serves double duty.  It puts pretties on the back of the neck (in case you wear your hair up) and it made the necklace a little longer. I then did another trial run.  Liking the arrangement,  I then formed the center crystal section to a nice shape and finished off the necklace by adding the clasp pieces.


Don't you just love to play with sparkly stuff?  I sure do, bad thing is then I want to keep them all and I already have a lot of sparkles to wear.  Keeping them all may make hubby a little upset, he already says I have too much.  :)  But, my thought is you can never have too much.  But I probably should release some of  the little worn pieces out into the world so it is enjoyed by all instead of in my dark jewelry box.

Well, hope you enjoyed my stash project.  I hope you are able to build a pretty jewelry piece from your stash of beads and findings.  But in the case where you don't have a stash, you can always stop by Beadin' Mon! or the online store (www.beadinmon.com) to pick up your supplies.

Until next time, Happy Beadin'