Beads, Baubles & Jewels

Things are abuzz here in my studio! I'm getting ready to tape new segments of Beads, Baubles & Jewels in a few weeks. I'm super excited to move over to the host's spot and can't wait to share the new season with you. The theme is "design inspiration" and we'll have a fresh, new look!

There will still be a range of great projects and techniques that you'll want to try, featuring wire, stringing, beadwork, resin, metal work and more!

I'll be presenting projects and interviewing our roster of talented guests, which includes Kristal Wick, Candie Cooper, Kerry Bogert, Mary Hettmansperger, Fernando Dasilva, Jodie Bombardier and other experts, along with series regulars Mark Nelson and Leslie Rogalski. Marlene Blessing takes us to the bead show again this season with on-site artist interviews.

Series 1300 will air in fall 2010. While you wait, check the Beads, Baubles & Jewels website to find current viewing times in your local area, or catch up on past seasons on DVD.

Treasures from the Show

I'm still unpacking my bags, but I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at my treasures from the Bead & Button Show. I collected quite a few additions to my stash, which will pop up in my jewelry designs over the next year or so. Some of these will appear in upcoming episodes of Beads, Baubles & Jewels, too, so be on the lookout!

I definitely gravitate toward this color palette. I will admit that I did buy some red beads but they aren't pictured because they just didn't "go."

Without further ado, clockwise from lower left:
New toggles from TierraCast
Starry night beads and pendant from Humblebeads
Chain from Garlan Chain
Batik Beauties from Kristal Wick
Dotty star ring from Jangles
Bee/flower and koi pond clasp from Green Girl Studios
Hope bead, Dream pendant and ceramic rings from Diane Hawkey

Nevermind the fuzzy picture...anyone noticing a theme here? I didn't go out looking for starfish, but they found me anyway. I love these! The pewter one is from Green Girl Studios, the dotty one is from Jennifer Jangles and the aqua one is from Humblebeads. Get me to the beach!

See you at the Bead & Button Show!

If you're going to the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, drop by and see me in the Beadalon booth on Thursday 5-6, Friday 1-2 and Saturday 2-3. I'll be demonstrating different techniques using my new Katiedids™ Creative Components. See what you can do!

I'd love to see the designs you make with the new components, too. Email pix and I might post them here on the blog or in my Facebook photo album.

Here's a close-up of one of my favorite color combos: aquamarine and peridot. Yummy! Gray crystal pearls are the neutral. This is the 5-hole donut Katiedid component. I strung the green crystals onto thread first and laid them in the channels. Then, I passed beading wire through the drilled holes, over the beaded ring to hold it in place.

Linky Love

See more pix on my Facebook fan page!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie celebrates her 1000th blog post with Ten Days of Giveaways!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is thrilled to be in BeadStyle magazine's July All Star issue, with pals Tammy Powley, Heather Powers, and Katie Hacker who made the cover so beautiful! Come and see!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva A set of smokey quartz beads inspires a new necklace.

Art Bead Scene Gearing up for that big bead show coming up? ABS has the top ten tips for your bead buying trip!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy is getting back to the basics, starting with jewelry making tools. What is your must have tool?

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei has been answer some of her reader's questions from a previous giveaway post. Read up on what everyone wants to know!

Carmi's Art/Life World A handmade bezel results in a new necklace for Carmi called FAITHFUL.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Barbe is having a "City of Love" giveaway!!!

Beading Arts Chapter two of Cyndi's e-book is available for download! "Altered Surfaces" begins the exploration of the exchange between mixed media and bead embroidery!

missficklemedia.com The Staples of Jewelry Making