Bead Giveaway: Mystery Gems

Sometimes things that we love as kids can carry over into adulthood. Remember goody bags? Sometimes you get them at birthday parties, or buy them in the candy section of a convenience store. And discovering what was inside was very exciting.

Now that I’m all grown up, I still get to experience that excitement once in awhile, with bead grab bags. I try to time my bead shopping so that I can take advantage of the grab bag sales at Auntie's Beads. There’s nothing like a combination of new beads and mystery beads to make getting the mail an uplifting event.

Because I’m so particular about the types of materials I use, it’s only inevitable that some of the goody bag beads will be out of my range. So what can I do with them but pass them on to some worthy beaders? My most recent grab bag was filled to the brim with all kinds of goodies in black and red, and they are so pretty. They deserve to be enjoyed!

There’s a lovely set of black and red acrylic beads,
and wire wrapped clasp hooks. These pieces were easy to identify,
but the rest are a bit of a mystery.



These two drilled stone focals are pretty,
but I can’t tell them from rocks.

A strand of black 6mm rounds could be onyx or black jade. I’m 99 per cent sure that the smaller rounds are coral. The third strand has me totally stumped. I couldn’t find any other stones like it. They could be a composite, or even polymer clay!

Win These Beads

Leave a comment with your best guess at the true identity of any of these mystery beads. I'm especially curious about the black and red strand, but take your best shot at any of these beads for a chance to win them all!

If you don’t have a Blogger profile with email enabled, be sure to leave a contact link in your comment - like a shop or website.

For an extra entry, leave another comment with a link to a blog post or Tweet you've made about this giveaway.

One lucky winner will be drawn at random on Friday February 18th.

Good luck!

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Bead Spotlight: Teardrops

There are hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of different types of beads in the world. Every material, size and shape you can imagine is available for stringing and stitching. But there are some beads that are just beadier than others.

One of my absolute favorite bead shapes is the top-drilled teardrop, particularly smooth, round glass drops. Something about the way these beads dangle and sway really brings out one’s inner magpie.

Green Turquoise & Topaz Swirl Czech Teardrop Beads, Bamboo Coral Freeform Flat Teardrop Beads,
Rose Quartz Side Drilled Teardrop Beads

Red Jade Gemstone Teardrop Beads, Tigers Eye Teardrop Brio Beads,
Silver Rose Czech Glass Teardrops

Drop beads - or any top drilled bead shapes - are great for fringe and edging, and finishing off strands. They make great ends for long drop earrings, and can add delightful texture to all kinds of beadwork ropes. My favorite way to use them is in spiral rope necklaces. They become like little caterpillar feet and are so pretty when evenly spaced all in a row.

Here are just a few examples of the fun and unique ways you can use drops to create beautiful jewelry.

Pink Sunset Jewelry Designs, Entwined Vines Jewelry,
Linda Landig Jewelry

The Wild Tangent, The Sage's Cupboard,
Phoenix Rising Glass Art

What’s your favorite treatment for teardrop beads?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and BigHugeLabs
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Favorite Techniques: Wrapped Loops

One of the most simple and versatile jewelry making techniques is the wrapped loop - a great way to connect and showcase beads of all kinds. Today my guest, Chrisy Bossie of earthegy, shares some insight into this essential method.

Inspirational Beading: What is your all time favorite beading or jewelry technique?

Chrisy: Of all the things I love to do, wire wrapping small gems and rondelles into the clasp of a necklace chain would have to be my favorite. There’s no reason the back of a necklace shouldn’t be as beautiful as the front. It’s like having a romantic secret…it may be hidden under your hair, or behind your collar, but you know it’s there, making the nape of your neck just a bit more beautiful.

Inspirational Beading: How do you first learn to use this technique?

Chrisy: I’d actually never thought of doing it until I bought a sterling chain for myself from another artist’s store for myself for Christmas. When it arrived there were crystals wrapped into the clasp, and it was a completely unexpected pleasure.

Inspirational Beading: Of all the creations you’ve made with this technique, which one is your favorite?

Chrisy: My favorites vary by day, but this is current one, inspired by Valentine’s Day and spring love: Pink Tourmaline and Pyrite Choker.

Inspirational Beading: Can you share any tips for getting started with this method?

Chrisy: All it takes is learning to wire wrap loops and making sure the gems you incorporate are small enough to fit through a pendant loop. I definitely recommend starting with a high gauge wire in a base metal before moving onto sterling so you can perfect your technique. Once you move on to sterling, it’s less difficult, because sterling is easier to work with. I also use dead soft sterling wire—it bends into beautiful shapes and hardens as you work with it.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have a favorite material to use it with?

Chrisy: I prefer faceted gemstones in a rondelle shape because they catch the light and sparkle, but I don’t discriminate. I’ve used jade, pearls, pyrite…whatever colors and shapes fit into the overall design.

Inspirational Beading: If someone had to choose to learn only one technique, would you recommend this one?

Chrisy: I would definitely recommend learning how to make wire wrapped loops. Wire wrapping allows for a stronger piece and it’s a versatile technique that can be used in a lot of ways in a design. I also think it’s 100 times more attractive than a simple jump ring, which can easily be torn apart.

Inspirational Beading: In your opinion, what is the best place for beginners to learn this technique?

Chrisy: The wrapped loop tutorial on the Artbeads website was the easiest place for me…after that, it’s trial and error and a lot of practice to keep your wire wrapping uniform and straight.

You can see more unique designs like these at earthegy on ArtFire and Facebook.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and earthegy
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A Bracelet a Week: Spring Spiral

When I started this weekly bracelet challenge, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I would make a Cellini spiral bangle. So, I thought I’d get it out of the way early, while I still had lots of beads to choose from.

I had to study my bead stash for awhile, before choosing just the right color combination. A spiral bangle requires as much as 11 inches of beadwork, which means lots and lots of 8/o and 6/o seed beads. I had to decide which colors I wanted to use up completely.

I started with canary yellow 8/o Miyukis. I had basically been saving up two 10 gram packs for just such a project. After I added some pink lined transparent blue 6/o beads, I could see a fun springtime palette emerging. So, I selected some aqua sea foam green 11/o’s. I keep these beads in my Blue and Purple bead tray, but against the other two bead colors, they are definitely an Easter green.

This bracelet finished up just in the nick of time. I had only one - one! - 6/o bead left when I joined the ends of the beadwork to form the bangle. I guess that means it was meant to be.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
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Favorite Beads: Japanese Delicas

Today my guest, Wooley of Wooley Creek, shares ideas for using these perfect cylinder seed beads.

Inspirational Beading: What is your all-time favorite bead?

Wooley: Although I use a lot of Czech beads, I think my favorite beads are Delicas. I like them for the ability to create intricate designs.

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite technique or method to use them?

Wooley: My favorite technique is the brick stitch. Once you have mastered the technique you can create sculptured shapes.

Inspirational Beading: Of all the creations you’ve made with these beads, which one is your favorite?

Wooley: You know, it's hard to pick a favorite for me. For the sculptured look, I would choose the Rose. For the intricate look, I would choose the Navajo Rug.

Inspirational Beading: Do you have any tips for making the most of these beads?

Wooley: Well, I love blending color, so the more colors you have to work with, the more variations in design you get!

Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite bead or material to pair these with?

Wooley: Delica beads work really well when mounted to leather. You can create a very intricate picture with these beads then attach them to a wonderful bag or even moccasins.

Inspirational Beading: If you were stranded on the moon, and you could have only one kind of bead with you, would you choose these?

Wooley: If I were stranded on the moon and had to choose ..I would probably choose the Czech beads over the Delicas, simply because there are more possibilities with what you can create. I call the Delica beads "Picture Beads". If I want to "paint" a picture in beads, I use Delicas. For everything else, I would use the Czech, because they are more versatile.

Inspirational Beading: In your opinion, what is the best source for these beads?

Wooley: Delicas are a little harder to find than Czech beads. I order most of my Delicas online.

Check out Artbeads.com and FusionBeads.com for a great selection of Delica seed beads. You can see more designs like these at Wooley Creek Tribal and Ethnic Jewelry.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
and Wooley Creek
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