Swooning for Swarovski

I'm off to Rhode Island for the CREATE YOUR STYLE with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Ambassador training. Woo hoo! We're going to see the new innovations and learn application techniques. I'm expecting it to be intense and inspiring and will fill you in on all of the happenings when I return.

In the meantime:

• See the new colors and shapes in the Innovations:Autumn/Winter 2011/12.
• Register for classes at Create Your Style in Tucson 2011 (I'm teaching two workshops!)
  
• Visit the Sparkling Community to meet up with other lovers of all things crystal.
  
  

Bead Blogger Linky Love

A round-up of what's happening in the bead blogging world this week...

Margot Potter the Impatient Crafter announces she's the new Jewel School Education and Creative Coordinator with JTV (Jewelry Television).

Jean Campbell's new book, Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements, is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Beading Arts Have you seen what you can do with macrame? Don't think hemp, think colorful and modern!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei and Nancy Schindler paired up for a beading challenge, check out the results here!

Carmi's Art/Life World Another felted and beaded pendant is turned into a necklace by Carmi.

About.com Jewelry Making Are you trying to pinch those pennies when it comes to making jewelry? Here are some ideas to help you out.

Art Bead Scene This week we have a Monthly Challenge treasury to share and inspire you.

A Bead A Day What does your Monday jewelry look like? Do you find you grab more sparkle for an added boost?

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva This week's Wednesday Wire is all about the rings.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie faces her fears of home improvement by relating it to her beloved jewelry crafts.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews the amazing tutorial, Color Drenched Metal, by Shannon LeVart, which is available at Shannon's Etsy Shop: missficklemedia. This is a FANTASTIC opportunity for eager designers to learn how to patinate a variety of metals in gorgeous, vivid colors!

Barbe Saint John Bead Chic by Margot Potter Book Review and Giveaway

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton To celebrate his birthday, Andrew hosts a week of giveaways! Five days! Five giveaways!

Find instructions for my Turquoise Medallion Choker (pictured above) in the Beadalon Design Workshop.

Fall Jewelry Inspiration & Giveaway

This necklace has been on my mind for the last few days. I made it for Beadalon a couple of years ago and I've been thinking that I need to make another one so I can wear it this fall! The mixtures of colors and textures still speaks to me. (This design is called Gemstone Style - click here for the materials and instructions.)

Are you dreaming up any special fall projects? Leave a comment on this post to be entered into a random drawing to WIN the 1oth season of Beads, Baubles & Jewels on DVD. I'll collect entries for two weeks and then I'll announce the winner here on the blog.

Beads, Baubles & Jewels Sneak Peek

Get a sneak peek at the new look of Beads, Baubles & Jewels in this segment about interchangeable beads! We take a look at some new, large-hole beads that are perfect for making collectible bracelets AND I take a whirl with the Spin-N-Bead to create a quick seed beaded bracelet to display these new treasures.

For complete resource information on the beads in this video, see "Katie's Finds" in the the Oct/Nov 2010 issue of Beadwork.

Customizing Store Bought Jewelry

My sister has a heart of gold. She also happens to love hearts and anything with hearts on it, so I thought of her when I saw this gold heart necklace at Forever 21. Being a beader, of course, I couldn't leave it as-is. I had to make it my own! I thought about just using the heart pendant on a totally different necklace, but she loves necklaces that are long and simple, like this one.

Still, I had to put my touch on it! I removed the boring jump ring hanger and replaced it with a pretty, beaded eye pin and TierraCast bail. I tried a few different beads on the eye pin, but the proportions of the polymer clay Humblebeads disk and the gold double rondelles worked really well together, so I kept coming back to this combo. Besides, pink is her favorite color. Happy birthday, sis!

Loving Wire Jewelry

The Oct/Nov issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry just hit my mailbox and it's gorgeous! I'm so happy to see fellow Beadalon Design Team member Lauren Andersen's amazing chainmaille and crystal bracelet on the cover. Yay, Lauren!

Plus, the rest of the issue is like a who's who of our upcoming season of Beads, Baubles & Jewels. I don't think they planned it that way, but I love it! Guests Leslie Rogalski, Kerry Bogert, Jodi Bombardier and Ronna Sarvas Weltman all contributed beautiful wire and crystal designs to the issue.

This week, I also received a review copy of Heidi Boyd's new book, Wired Beautiful. Heidi's instructions are clear and her designs are fun and inviting. One of my favorite necklaces features a bird perched on a wire nest.

If you love wire projects, too, check out some of my newest videos:

Perfect Wire Spirals
Decorative Wire Wraps
Wire & Bead Branches