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From loom weaving to chainmaille, wirework to lampwork, resin to clay, every jewelry-making medium and technique imaginable was represented on the the exhibitor floor at the 2013 Bead&Button Show. Held over the course of two weeks at the Delta Center in Milwaukee, Wisc., this year’s Bead&Button Show was another amazing event that drew jewelry designers, companies, hobbyists, and more from all across the country to talk beads, share techniques, and interact with others who share their jewelry-making passion.
As the editor of AllFreeJewelryMaking.com, I wouldn’t have missed the show for all the seed beads in the world, and though I had just one day to attend, I managed to walk the entire show floor and see everything these amazingly savvy and passionate jewelry companies and designers had to offer. With camera in hand, I made my rounds of the Bead&Button 2013 show floor, taking note of the hot new products, trends, and tools, and I’m recapping it all here for you so that even if you weren’t able to attend, you can get up to speed on what’s new in the beading world right now.
(Plus, I collected all kinds of free goodies and samples from the jewelry-making and beading companies at the show. Find details on how to enter the Bead&Button Swag Bag Giveaway at the bottom of this blog post!)
At the Fire Mountain Gems booth, I got to see these neat wire-twisting pliers in action. They allow you to twist two pieces of wire together for a surprisingly clean and uniform final result, and they’re much more accessible than using a drill.
One of the most buzzed about products at the Bead&Button Show was the relatively new Jewel Loom by Julianna Hudgins for Beadalon. Easy to use, affordable, and transportable, the Jewel Loom makes loom beading more accessible than ever before. If you hoped to buy one on the floor, you were out of luck; by the time I got there, they were all sold out!
Those looking for a more traditional loom option, however, would have been enamored of the Clover USA Beading Loom. Just look at the amazing pieces that were created with this durable and easy-to-use loom!
One of my personal favorites was the Micro Engraver tool at the Beaducation booth. I’d never seen anything like it, and it was so easy to use! Like drawing with a pen, this neat tool is perfect for personalizing metal blanks.
I got to have some fun playing with the Sizzix BIGkick roller machine at the Vintaj booth, embossing metal blanks and then painting them with the fun and colorful Vintaj-Ranger Patinas. I couldn’t believe how fast the patinas dried; you could touch the blanks and sand them for a vintage look in a matter of a minute or two!
In the Xuron booth, the hot new item was the 4-in-1 Bead Crimping Plier, which eliminates the need for multiple tools by including folding stations for 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm crimp beads. Plus, the ends are designed like chain nose pliers so you can give your crimps that extra squeeze for security.
I’m always excited to see what’s new in the Nunn Design booth, and she certainly didn’t disappoint. The newest line has that same vintage elegance and industrial edge that we’ve come to expect from Nunn Design, but to the usual suspects she’s added bezel button shanks and interchangeable and screw-in bezels for customizing cuffs, among other new additions.
The Alacarte Clasps and WireLace booth was in full bloom with beautiful flowers made of WireLuxe, demonstrating even more ways that this luxurious knit wire product can be used. Plus, the Bead&Button Show 2013 commemorative bead was on display, hanging elegantly from a WireLuxe necklace. Stunning!
Wirework fans would have been drooling over the new Wubbers designer mandrel pliers. The range of tools offers the possibility to form wire jewelry into a variety of stunning shapes.
A new exhibitor at Bead&Button Show, DeeBeads was demonstrating her new beadable rings. The grid-like design of the ring base provides a perfect foundation for all kinds of statement-making bead ring creations.
There was even something for beginner beaders at the show. These Quick Start Peyote Cards by Deb Moffett-Hall make it easy to start off your beading pattern, keeping your stitches straight and uniform.
So with all of these awesome products and supplies already on the market, is there anything left to look forward to? You bet! There’s always something new and exciting on the horizon in the beading world…
This doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all there was to see at the Bead&Button Show; it’s truly a must-make trip for all beading enthusiasts! But if you weren’t able to make it this year, you’re in luck! We collected some free “swag” at the show that we’re giving away to one lucky reader.
Bead&Button Show Swag Bag Giveaway
Enter our Bead&Button Show Swag Bag Giveaway for your chance to win a whole bag full of free goodies from the show. This sampling of jewelry-making “swag” will make you feel like you were right there with us!
The Bead&Button Show Swag Bag prize pack includes a large Bead&Button Show tote bag, an assortment of Quick Start Peyote beading cards, a seed bead sample pack from Toho Beads, Color Me Beads from the Urban Beader, Vintaj Arte Metal chain, Beadalon bead stringing wire, Teeny-Tiny Wubbers round nose pliers, a free bead loom pattern from Clover USA, a free earring pattern from Soft Flex, a Bead&Button Show 2013 commemorative pin, and more!
Want to win this amazing collection of jewelry-making products?
Simply leave a comment on this blog post answering our question below and be entered to win! You have until July 2nd, 2013, to enter, so comment now to ensure you’re in the running to win this exclusive one-of-a-kind “swag bag” from the Bead&Button Show!
Giveaway Rules:
- Contest open to U.S. and Canada residents 18+
- One comment/entry per person
- Contest closes July 2nd at 11:59p CST.
- Leave a comment on this blog post answering the question below to be entered to win.
- Winners will be posted on FaveCraftsBlog.com and notified by e-mail.
Leave a comment answering this question for your chance to win the Bead&Button Show Swag Bag Giveaway:
What is your favorite jewelry-making technique?
AllFreeJewelryMaking
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I love making beads for my hubby out of polymer clay. I am practicing at wire wrapping too, which is quickly becoming a favorite as well!
I have never done jewelry. I love crochet and want to learn more about jewelry making.
I’ve been making jewelry for years & have sold much to replace components. I especially like making wedding jewelry out of pearls & crystals. I like making wire jewelry findings with my WigJig wire designing tool kit. I’m also into creating with jump rings making chain maille.
I’m still new to jewelry making, I’ve done some simple weaving, but I’m excited to try doing some chain maille with my own jump rings.
I don’t make jewelry but use beads and buttons in my crochet and knitting. I also buy a lot of natural bone, hematite, and stone beads for my mother-in-law to make beautiful necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I wear her jewelry almost every day!
My favorite has to be Macrame! I’ve practiced many jewelry making techniques and I love them all but macrame is so varied and versatile that after 28 years I’m still learning something new to do with it. Plus it’s sturdy. My daughter’s been wearing the necklace I made her without ever taking it off for over two years and it still looks the way it did when I first put it on her.
OMG I have to pick ONE! It just has to chain maille – its just so different and versatile; it can go from chunky punky to oh so feminine.
October 16 at 2:15
I have been making jewelry for years & sold much to replace components. I still new to jewelry making, I’ve done some simple weaving,
Custom Beading, Fabric beading patterns – USA Beading. it make jewelry use beading in my crochet and also buy a lot of natural stone bead to make beautiful necklaces, earrings many more.