The Road to Tucson

I'm in the home stretch of getting ready for CHA and the Tucson Gem Shows. It seems so simple, really, but it's so complicated! I've been packing class kits, printing instruction sheets, preparing samples for demonstrating techniques using Katiedids™ Creative Components, printing itineraries, setting meetings, working toward magazine deadlines, and doing other nuts-and-bolts activities that aren't too thrilling to read about. I'd rather be making jewelry!

Fernando Dasilva will be promoting his new book, Modern Expressions, and Wyatt White will be demonstrated wire wrapping techniques for Beadalon

I'm looking forward to the shows and seeing all of my beady peeps. I can't wait to get a little dose of sunshine and a big dose of inspiration! I'll be posting my pix and such here on the blog in the coming weeks and I'll be putting sneak peeks on Facebook, too.

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS hosts the CREATE YOUR STYLE in Tucson event with workshops & make it take its

If you've been reading everybody's posts about the upcoming Tucson Gem Shows and wondering what it's all about, you should take a minute to check out the Tucson Gem Show CVB site and JewelryShowGuide.com. Both have good descriptions, but it has to be seen to be believed. It really is an extraordinary event because it takes over the whole city with more than 40 different shows going on during a two-week period.

There are workshops, vendors of all kinds, and tons of things to see. If that isn't enticing enough, Artbeads is giving away a free trip to the 2012 shows! Click the link below to find out details and enter to win.

This Week's Linky Love

It has been a long while since I've shared bead blogger links. Everybody is up to such creative stuff! Lots of inspiring projects going on. Enjoy!

Fernando Dasilva's new book, Modern Expressions, was mentioned in Harper's Bazaar! Yay, Nando!

Candie Cooper shares how to make a beautiful bridal veil comb that incorporates an heirloom brooch (see photo above - thanks, Candie!).

Jill MacKay shares jewelry-making trend predictions for 2011.

What do you get when you combine yarn, crystals, and metal? A very cool double strand bracelet! Learn more at About.com Jewelry Making

Beaded objects don't always have to be wearable. Beading Arts shares some beaded postcards?

If you make a mistake with a piece of jewelry, do you throw it out, start over, or try to fix it? Beads & Books shares a mistake she made trying to create a pendant using copper, ink, and a gloss sealant.

Carmi's Art/Life World creates a special set of felted brooches for a Canadian company.

Cindy Gimbrone Beads shares a surprise she received during the holidays.

Jewelry Making Inspiration

We have a bunch of new photos on our computer screen saver and it made me realize how much jewelry I've made this year! I think everyone should do it. It's totally inspiring. Pick some jewelry pictures that inspire you, load them up and get those creative juices flowing.

When I get tired of these pix, I'm thinking about replacing them with other images that will inspire creativity, like collections of different beads and jewelry making materials. The screen saver is kind of a passive creativity journal because all you do is snap pix and then watch them float by.

This necklace started life with a different pendant but it never felt quite right. Now that I've added the Katiedids™ Creative Component pendant, I think it's going to stay this way. I love the blues, of course.

The lowdown: SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS Pacific opal and indicolite crystals mixed with Amazonite rondelles, mother of pearl shell loop beads, white freshwater pearls, silver spacers and a vintage faux pearl button in the center of the pendant.

New Video: Industrial-Inspired Components

Remember the keyhole necklace I posted the other day? Well, here's a clip from the corresponding segment on Beads, Baubles & Jewels. One of my favorite ideas is the way Melanie Brooks used one of her time wheel charms to make a toggle clasp. Check it out!

I also spotlighted some of these industrial-inspired components (and more) in my "katie's finds" column in Beadwork this month...see the Feb/Mar 2011 issue for resource information.

And, here's another take on the neo-Victorian trend: Metamorphosis by TierraCast

Bead & Button Show Registrations Opens Jan.11!

I'm teaching four classes at the Bead & Button Show, held June 4-12 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There are more than 600 classes during this week-long beading extravaganza! Registration opens Tuesday, Jan. 11. I know it seems like a long way off, but classes fill up quickly. People who register now have a better chance of getting into their first choice of classes.

If you've never been to the show before, I highly recommend it! Besides great classes, the marketplace is amazing. I always find lots of treasures and it's a fun place to connect with other beaders. Milwaukee is a fun place to visit, too. My annual trip isn't complete until I've been to the waterfront, taken a walk along the river, and stopped by the Public Market.

All of my Bead & Button Show classes are sponsored by Beadalon and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, which means that the kit materials are provided by those companies and there are no additional kit fees above the cost of the classes:

Modern Patina Necklace & Earrings, Fri. June 10, 8:30-11:30am
Day to Night Necklace & Earrings, Fri. June 10, 1-4pm
Twisted & Coiled Necklace & Earrings, Sat. June 11, 8-11am
Very Violet Necklace & Earrings, Sat. June 11, noon-3pm

Hope to see you in Milwaukee!

Is Steampunk Still Spunky?

I made this necklace for Beads, Baubles & Jewels episode #1313: Inspired by Technology. It's fast, easy and I love that the components have an industrial feel but with some color thrown in. The different elements are tied together with two styles of gunmetal chain.

I'm thinking about trends this week and think we'll see more post-Steampunk designs this year. The industrial/hardware look has gone mainstream, with mixed media being so popular across the board with jewelry makers. What trends do you think we'll see this year? What's your favorite?

Tim Holtz keyhole from Rings n Things; ceramic gear charm from Earthenwood Studio; C-Koop enameled gears and TierraCast key from FusionBeads; Chain & jump rings: Beadalon.

Tune Into FaveCrafts Radio Wednesday

Set your alarm clock for 3pm EST - I'm going to be a guest on FaveCrafts Radio! It's like a little preview of the upcoming Craft & Hobby Association Winter Conference and Trade Show that takes place in Los Angeles later this month.

Of course, I'm talking about beads, jewelry making and Katiedids™ Creative Components. Look at this great group of guests! It's going to be fun:

• Mark Montano will share the scoop on his new book, Pulp Fiction: Perfect Paper Projects (click the link for a sneak peek of the cover!).
• Cathie Filian from DIY's Creative Juice has some great ideas for making cute, altered candy boxes.
• The Vintage Workshop's Amy Barickman is talking image transfer on t-shirts.
• Amy Anderson, the blogger behind Mod Podge Rocks, will tell how to make a snow banner to celebrate the season.

From the FaveCrafts website:
FaveCraftsRadio is hosted by BlogTalkRadio and featured Host Pat Sloan. This lively lifestyle program treats listeners to creative ideas and featured guests and reporters who offer creative tips, project ideas, product reviews, tips about projects on FaveCrafts.com and so much more. It’s all about discovering the crafter in you! Archived podcasts can be streamed directly from the FaveCrafts.com website or downloaded for free through iTunes.

Last-Minute Jewelry

You would think I'd have a necklace to go with every outfit by now, but it doesn't seem to work that way. Just yesterday, I was getting ready and noticed a few items in my ring holder that would make the perfect necklace for my outfit. I grabbed a blank chain and a ring (like the one from TierraCast in this picture) and attached a colorful beaded head pin to the ring. And - voilá! - my ensemble was complete.

You gotta love those last-minute projects. I can't count the number of times I've held up my family as we're heading out the door. I guess you can't predict when inspiration will strike!

I'm particularly fond of quick necklaces and earrings. Charm holders like the one in this picture make great last-minute jewelry because you can easily customize them for however you're feeling that day. (This necklace is from Beads, Baubles & Jewels episode 1312.)