Ornament Thursday - Red Hot Faux Coral

It's Ornament Thursday again! Time for a blog carnival around the theme of Red Hot. Pretty perfect for the last Thursday in July, right?

A bunch of creative peeps are making crafty projects, which we'll each share today on our blogs. I'll post the links here as soon as they're available. In the meantime, visit Ornament Thursday for links to all of the participants.

For this month's Red Hot theme, I present this quick faux coral necklace. Sometimes, you just need a punch of color and a bit of texture without a lot of fuss.

That's exactly what I was going for with this piece when I whipped it up to wear with a little black dress. (I am the queen of last-minute accessories!) The Bali beads were given to me by a friend who went there, so each one is unique.

The pattern ties it together: 3" of faux coral chips, 4mm indicolite crystal, 6mm jet crystal, Bali bead, 6mm jet crystal, 4mm indicolite crystal; repeat. I used .024" silver Beadalon 49. Click here to be whisked away to my beading tips and instructions for making a continuous necklace.

DaLiciuUs Blog

Have I mentioned that my friend Fernando Dasilva is blogging now? Nando has his own jewelry line, teaches at the Swarovski Tucson Event, designs jewelry projects for publication and is a member of the Beadalon Design Team.

He started his blog to share some of the inspiration behind his designs. Check out his beautiful kiwi quartz & chrysoprase necklace and a few of his demo pieces from CHA.

Here we are being silly after hours at the Bead & Button Show last month. What's life without friends and fun?

Yummy Beaded Beads

I'm beading away here in KatieCentral. Check out these beaded beads! They look great with 4mm bicone or round crystal beads. I've been using super thin .013" silver beading wire to reinforce the crystals' sparkle and to give the beads more body. Before, I was making cylindrical beaded beads. But, Candie Cooper introduced me to these and now I'm hooked on the spherical kind. Check out Candie's tutorial here.

Beady News Update

Want to connect?
Beaders Showcase is an online community where bead lovers can show their work and share their passion for all things beady.

Want to collaborate?
Bead&Button magazine and the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) invite you to participate in a one-of-a-kind jewelry-design exhibition in 2009.

Want to get motivated?
Girlfriendology has 50 (!!) inspiring podcasts you can listen to for free. Interviewees include lots of beady and creative peeps like Jill MacKay, Margot Potter, the Crafty Chica, and Capitola Girl.

Want inspiration?
View the Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2008.

Want to shop?
Download a coupon for $2 off admission to Bead Fest Philadelphia, Aug. 22-24.

Linky Love

Strands of Beads: Melissa's making more memento mori (alliterative, eh?) in the studio this week.

Jewelry & Beading: The new book, 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, hits the mark!

BeadStyle Magazine: Cathy reviews books a plenty from the BeadStyle magazine library

Art Bead Scene: Art Bead Scene Editor Cindy Gimbrone shows her true colors.

About.com Jewelry Making: Jewelry De-Stash Options - When and if you go through your jewelry making supplies, what options do you have for possibly reselling them? And should you?

Humblebeads: Look at this beautiful lariat necklace that Heather made to wear to her sister's wedding!

Swoondimples: Heather Wynn shares some pix of her latest treasures from new friend Beth Hemmila.

Divali Glass Jewelry: Carter's making the cutest, cheeriest flower beads! Love the colors.

My pal Rebekah Meier is blogging now!

Hip to Bead Review

Check out Barbe Saint John's rockin' review of my book, Hip to Bead, over at Craftgossip.com's jewelry making page. She says, "for anyone who may be having a ‘not so hip’ feeling kinda day, this book will bring you back up to being fabulous!"

She also says, "Not limited to just fashionable jewelry, this also contains projects such as barrettes, candle wrap and journal. By branching out from jewelry, this book encourages the reader to look at mundane items with a fresh eye and encourages them to add their own creative touch to them."

Barbe will be giving away a copy of the book next week, so be sure to sign up!

More CHA New Stuff

Here are some earrings I made at the Craft & Hobby Association Show using new Fresh resin components from Plaid and new silver Quick Links™ from Beadalon.

Candie Cooper led a make-it-take-it at the Plaid booth using these resin components. She showed people how to glue the resin piece to a metal ring back and then add a few dangles for extra sparkle. Fresh will be widely available in craft stores later this year.

Margot Potter did a demo at the Beadalon booth using Quick Links and HHH Enterprises glass frame pendants with vintage magazine images inside. I love the substantial feel of the pendants!

Other new stuff:
Beadalon's new catalog is chock-full of new products, including metallic crinkle wire, sparkle crimp covers, tacky mats for seed beads, Scrimp™ findings for memory wire, metallic jewelry cable, and more!

Blue Moon Beads is introducing several new lines, all with the trendy, stylish look you'd expect. I'll have pix soon. In the meantime, check out their site for a look at Global Nomad, Reflections, Lost & Found and Enchanted Planet lines, all available in craft stores now.

There are also tons of great new Bead Gallery beads from Halcraft; a cool, light-up bead board called Beadglo from Artograph; keyhole elements that are great for jewelry making from Tim Holtz; and fair trade, recycled glass beads from Ghana: World Piece Emporium (wholesale only). All of these things will be coming soon to a craft store near you!

Read more about these and other new products at CHA on these fab blogs: Margot Potter, Claudine Hellmuth and Traci Bautista.

Crafty Sneak Peek

Back from the Craft & Hobby Association Show (CHA) and just starting to catch my breath...it was a whirlwind, indeed. I taught a workshop, sat on a panel, and had lots of meetings, not to mention catching up with friends, eating good food and generally making merry. More pix coming soon!

On the last day of the show, I got to visit booths and do some make-it-take-its. It was such a treat to get to play!

At the Beacon Adhesives booth, I made this pretty little key tag. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of layering paper on top of acrylic. The swirly aqua paper is protected between acrylic tags, but the paper-punched flowers and leaf are glued on top of the plastic using Zip Dry Glue. It would be a cool technique for Christmas gift tags that could become ornaments!


This is a pin I made at the Duncan booth with Jennifer Perkins. She had an amazing array of buttons and stuff that you could layer and glue together using Duncan's Liquid Fusion glue. I started with a poker chip, then added a hand button with a star button on the corner (sans shanks).

I also had fun making glittery earrings with the Crafty Chica using loteria images from her new product line. I can't wait to play more with those! They're very colorful and fun. And, the chica's new product line won an innovations award at the show. Congrats, Kathy!

Craft & Hobby Association Summer Show

The CHA Summer Show happens later this week in Rosemont, Illinois. It's open to the trade only and it's a great place to see what's new, take some classes, and network with folks in the creative industry. I'm teaching a beading workshop on Saturday and am participating in a panel discussion on Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, July 19
Linked + Lovely Necklace Lanyard
Workshop W048
Sponsored By: Beadalon
Instructor: Katie Hacker

Use Beadalon's exclusive Quick Links™, Scrimp™, and Wire Guardian™ findings, value-priced silver 19 strand beading wire and glass beads to create this stylish necklace that can convert to a badge holder. Learn tips for using Beadalon wire, working with chain and how to plan a dynamic jewelry design. Handouts can be used to teach workshops in your store. Free kit is a super value!


Sunday, July 20
The Next Big Idea! Meet the Experts in Design & the Creative Industry
Special Event E505

Do you have the Craft and Hobby industry’s Next Big Idea….but you’re not sure what to do next? Are you developing a new product line or looking to partner with a professional designer? Are you a free-lance designer with fresh ideas and are looking to partner with a manufacturer? Come to this networking event to meet the experts who can answer your burning questions and get you on the path towards success.

Industry professionals including Designers, Editors, Manufacturers, a Licensing Agent, and an Attorney answer questions about Design and how it impacts the industry; affect the sales of product lines and inspire the consumer. There is no question too small:

• What can I expect from a freelance designer?
• How does a manufacturer view the professional designer?
• What are the benefits of free-lance vs. an in-house design team?
• What type of contract do I need?

Featured Expert Panel
Designer: Katie Hacker
Designer: Lynne Farris
Publisher: Amy Marson, C&T Publishing
Manufacturer: Diane Newman, Beacon Adhesives
Licensing: Brenda Pinnick, Licensing Designer
Vicki Schreiner, Licensing Designer
Legal: Tammy Browning-Smith, Attorney at Law

Who Should Attend: Designers, Editors, Publishers, and Manufacturers

Beads, Baubles & Jewels

Here's a pic of me outside the set. This big sign is right next to the door so you don't accidentally go in while someone is taping. I've always wanted to take my picture next to it because I'm just cheesy like that. Next time, I vow I will have my photo taken with the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack Platinum Record that's housed at the studio. (All work and no play...)

All of the projects from the 900 series will be online soon at Beads, Baubles & Jewels. In the meantime, check out the 800 series, watch my Beading Lessons online at Beadalon.com, or catch some of the segments at How-To TV Online. Let me know what you think!

Day Two - Live from Cleveland

(Due to technical difficulties, I'm posting these now...but rest assured, it's still the inside scoop!)

Today, I met Mark Nelson from Rio Grande. Mark is a talented metalsmith and he presented some really great projects, including designs using the new BronzClay™, which is going to be introduced this week at the PMC® conference.

In one of his projects, Mark uses a vintage button to make a mold. Then, he puts the BronzClay button in a tray filled with acid-washed charcoal and places it in the kiln. I love the way the charcoal affects the BronzClay! The finished piece has a luminous rainbow effect. Gorgeous and very vintage.

I also met two sweet Beadaholiques from Houston, who present Art Clay Silver projects on the show. Glenna and Tami couldn't be nicer and their designs are top-notch.

Day One - Live from Cleveland

(Due to technical difficulties, I'm posting these now...but rest assured, it's still the inside scoop!)

I always arrive at the studio the day before I'm set to start taping. That way I have time to meet some of the other guests and set up my stuff. I organize all of my segments before I come to the studio, which means that I gather the materials I'll need, make any necessary step-outs, and place a copy of that seg's script in a plastic baggie. When I get to the studio, I unpack all of that stuff and arrange it on big silver trays that make it easy to carry everything onto the set.

Today, editors Marlene Blessing from Beadwork magazine and Leslie Rogalski from Step by Step Beads magazine are here to tape. They're presenting some great projects, including an awesome twisted spiral bracelet inspired by the work of Suzanne Golden. It's the type of project that I would look at and think "I could never do that!" but Leslie explained it in a way that totally inspired me to give it a try. (See the issue pictured here for instructions.)

Marlene presented some beautiful projects from Simply Modern Jewelry by Stringing editor Danielle Fox. Lots of chain, charms and layered dangles add up to fabulous designs that are simple to make.

Back to the studio at 8am for make up tomorrow!

TV or Bust

Nearly there, nearly there! Just a few more hours of getting ready and then I'm off to tape the 9th series of Beads, Baubles & Jewels. (Find viewing times in your area at PBS.org.)

In this season, I'll answer your beading questions about preventing breakage, using crimp covers, choosing beading thread, and more! I'm also presenting a chunky multiple strand necklace and a fun peyote cuff bracelet.

Watch for my posts "live from the studio" in the next few days. I'll give you a sneak peek at the guests, projects and fun stuff that's coming on Beads, Baubles & Jewels!

Linky Love

Strands of Beads: Melissa shows off her favorite recycled tools.

Savvy Crafter: Stars and Stripes Charm Bracelet! Happy Fourth everyone!

Barbe Saint John: Steampunk? Learn a little more about gears and brass.

Art Bead Scene: Whooo is the star of this week's The Trendy Bead?

About.com Jewelry Making: Bronze metal clay is one the way! This new medium is the talk of the metal clay community right now.

Jewelry & Beading: Here's what to do with an ugly old elastic bracelet that never gets worn anymore!

Naughty Secretary Club: Jen gets asked to go see Loretta Lynn the First Lady of Country in concert and whips herself up the perfect accessory! Learn how to make your own mini cowgirl hat headband!

Patriotic Jewelry Ideas

copyright Candie Cooper 2008

Hope you're having a fun holiday weekend! I got lots of compliments on my patriotic earrings yesterday. I think I'll wear 'em again today!

Check out Candie Cooper's blog for instructions for the fun 4th of July Charm Bracelet pictured here.

Strands of Beads : Melissa sees stars this month while considering the meaning of independence

Linda at BeadStyle Magazine : Childhood memories of Independence Day's past inspired this necklace.

Hurray for Red, White and Blue : Lisa takes a shot at teeny tiny beads for a change

Art Bead Scene: Field of poppies bracelet project from Heather

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a Swelldesigner: Craft some red, white and blue drink charms from vintage wartime posters. They'll make a big bang at your 4th of July cookout!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day! These earrings are for folks who wanna show the love in a subtle, stylish fashion. I bet the stars will catch cool reflections from the fireworks tonight!

I whipped them up in about 10 minutes and you can, too: Attach an ear wire the upper loop on the circle link. String a 6mm Siam crystal onto a head pin and make a simple loop to attach it to the inner loop on the circle link. Attach an 8mm jump ring to the star and connect it to the circle link. Repeat for the other earring, using a 6mm sapphire crystal.

P.S. Does anybody know where I can get a Statue of Liberty earring holder?

Crystals from Create Your Style with Crystallized(tm) Swarovski Elements; Findings from Beadalon.

August Triple Take

Your Triple Take team is at it again! In the August issue of Simply Beads, Candie Cooper, Margot Potter and I take on fabulous collections of goodies from Ornamentea. I had "accessory" this time around, and I made these fairy tale slippers. See all three projects and get the instructions online at Simply Beads Magazine.com.

Girlfriendology Podcast

My pal Debba is celebrating her 50th Girlfriendology podcast this month. Every week, she interviews inspiring, passionate women who have something special to share. Her list of interviewees is impressive, with entrepreneurs, writers, and other gals who are making a living doing what they love.

To celebrate the 50th Girlfriendology podcast, there are lots of contests and giveaways, plus, remixed past interviews, including a Q&A with yours truly. Tune in to hear me get weepy about my girlfriends!