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14 Actually Pretty Perler Bead Crafts to Melt

September 26, 2016 by FaveCrafts 2 Comments

The 90s are back in full swing with chokers showing up on store shelves and beautifully bright, neon craft ideas populating the most popular crafting blogs and sites more and more every day. The days of 60s/70s/80s nonstalgia is taking a backseat to the #ThrowbackThursday love for all things 90s-themed. If you’re really looking to craft like it is 1999, consider making perler bead craft ideas. These brilliant little beads were popular back in the 90s and are experiencing resurgence now that we’re starting to look back. Traditional perler bead patterns create charming little designs from melted beads. This list offers perler bead patterns that are used in unexpected ways. Whether you’re making perler bead jewelry or perler bead home décor, you’re sure to love the 14 Actually Pretty Perler Bead Crafts to Melt.

   Unexpected Perler Bead Patterns and More

Petite and Pink Perler Bead Earrings

  1. Checkerboard Can Cozies
  2. Petite and Pink Perler Bead DIY Earrings
  3. Rainbow Perler Bead Keychain
  4. Fully Floral Perler Bead Tray

Fully Floral Perler Bead Tray

  1. Unexpected Key Holder Perler Bead Pattern
  2. DIY Perler Beads Fruit Bowl
  3. Perler Bead Christmas Ornaments
  4. Colorful Cookie Cutter Ornaments

  1. Fun Emoji Perler Bead Patterns
  2. Hama Bead DIY Rings
  3. Personalized Bike License Plate
  4. Fruit Fish Perler Bead Bracelets
  5. Lovely Perler Bead Cuff Bracelets
  6. Wonderfully Wover Perler Bead Planter

Find even more 90s-inspired craft project ideas in our collection of rad rainbow loom ideas, 10 Rubber Band Loom Projects.


What types of unexpected projects have you made with beads?

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Filed Under: Link Love Tagged With: allfreeholidaycrafts, allfreekidscrafts, beads, crafting with kids, DIY jewelry, Favecrafts, vintage crafts

Bead&Button Show 2014: Hot Trends and New Friends

June 14, 2014 by AllFreeHolidayCrafts Leave a Comment

This past weekend the editors of FaveCrafts and AllFreeJewelryMaking had a blast touring the Bead&Button Show in Milwaukee, collected a new list of hot trends, and met some amazing designers we can’t wait to introduce you to! From the crazy color combinations to cute little animal beads to fabulous new products, The Bead and Button Show opened our eyes to what’s hot and happening this summer.

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If you have never heard of the Bead&Button Show you’re in for a treat, and possibly a new annual tradition! Located up North in Milwaukee, WI, the Bead and Button Show is the largest jewelry and bead show in the world, hosting over 300 talented designers and companies that are dedicated to the crafty world of beading (and buttoning)! These designers and companies each have their own booths that display and sell their patterns, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and products–plus, some of the companies even hosted “Make and Takes!” The show will also hosts over 700 bead and jewelry classes. It doesn’t get more fun for beaders like us than being able to walk through a conference dedicate to tiny, shiny, beads and buttons!

 

Color Trends

This year, bright colors are all the rage. From shades of sky blue and teal to fuchsia and coral, this summer, the bolder the better. We noticed a great focus on blue, teal, and turquoise which was complemented by an assortment of corals, reds, and oranges. That being said, this summer the focus should clearly be on cheerful beads that add a POP of color to your outfit!

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Bead Trends

This year at Bead&Button, we noticed a hot selection of seed beads, rhinestones, and seas glass. These top trends are great jewelry projects for beaders to work on during the summer–especially when it comes to sea glass! Using these different types of beads to create large statement necklaces was spotted at the show, which is another fun option for summer beaders.

300--20140606_171807  SeaGlass

 

Trends from New Friends

We met a lot of talented designers during our stay at Bead&Button, and no one knows the beading world like a designer! Take it from an expert like Hannah Rosner, spikes and skulls are back IN! Also, those amazing double-holed seed beads are in high demand. Another really cool beading trend we saw was the increased popularity of dichroic glass beads, and Karen Bruns’ Designs had an amazing display of them. These glass beads undergoe a color change in certain lighting conditions, which is super-cool!

 

 Seed-Beads  20140616_093929

What’s your favorite trend from the 2014 Bead&Button Show?

 

 

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Filed Under: Events Tagged With: Bead&Button Show, beads, color trends, jewelry trends

3 Free Bead Loom Patterns + How to Make a Bead Loom

September 25, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 14 Comments

dont-worry-bead-happyOn-loom beadwork is some of the most beautiful beading of all, but loomwork can be a bit intimidating to those who have never tried it. Between the bulky looms themselves and all those threads, loom beading can seem a bit scary, and many of us might have shied away from it–but not anymore! We’ve rounded up three simple bead loom patterns so you can finally tackle your fears and learn how to loom bead. Plus, not only will you find free bead loom patterns here, but you’ll also find a tutorial for an easy and budget-friendly way to make your own bead loom. No more excuses! Here’s everything you need to start learning how to loom bead today.

Making Your Own Bead Loom

If you want to try loom beading but can’t afford to splurge for a fancy loom, learn how to make a bead loom yourself with this tutorial! Making Your Own Bead Loom is easier (and thriftier) than you might think. All you need is a cardboard box, a ruler, and a few other common household items, and before you know it you’ll have your very own handmade, budget-friendly beading loom.

Simple and Colorful Seed Bead Loom Bracelets

Once you have your loom ready to go, start off easy with these Simple and Colorful Seed Bead Loom Bracelets. These basic beaded bracelets don’t follow any kind of uniform or symmetrical pattern, so you can throw on any beads you like, no counting required! The organic shapes and assorted colors make these bracelets perfect for beginners, or just any beaders looking for a stash-buster project to clean out their seed bead stash. (Plus, this tutorial also includes instructions for how to make a bead loom, so if you’re having trouble with the first tutorial, try this one!)

Sizzling Zigzag Seed Bead Loom Ring

After you make some simple bracelets, you’ll be ready to take on this Sizzling Zigzag Beaded Ring pattern. This bold seed bead loom ring lets you get some practice with an actual design (as opposed to the free-form style of the bracelets above) but still keeps it simple with just two colors, so it’s a the perfect “next step” in your loomwork lessons. Plus, since it’s a ring, it’s a smaller loom beading project that won’t be too overwhelming for your first try.

African Bead Loom Bracelet pattern

Now that you’ve gotten some practice working with different colors and patterns, you’re ready to tackle this amazing African Bead Loom Bracelet! The bold colors and design of this bead loom bracelet pattern make it a real show-stopper, but don’t be intimidated. All it takes is careful counting and planning to weave this beautiful beaded bracelet for yourself. Everyone will be so impressed when you tell them you wove this bracelet yourself!

This giveaway is now over.

Enter to Win a Bead Loom!

Jewel Loom Giveaway

Don’t want to make your own bead loom and can’t afford to buy one? Enter our Jewel Loom Giveaway! We’re giving away a Beadalon Jewel Loom to one lucky winner, and it could be you!

The Jewel Loom, designed by Julianna Hudgins, is making loom beading easier, more accessible, and more affordable than ever before. Light, portable, and handheld, this basic beading loom eliminates all those complicated threading mechanisms, making loom beading totally stress-free.

The deadline to enter is October 7, 2013, at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time. You can enter up to once a day, so keep coming back to improve your chances of winning!

Tell us, do you like off-loom beading or on-loom beading better?

 

 

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Filed Under: Jewelry Making Tagged With: bead crafts, beaded jewelry, beading, beads, DIY jewelry, free jewelry patterns, Jewelry Making

5 Unexpected Uses for Glass Beads

August 7, 2013 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by Andre Smith.

Glass beads are so versatile. Not only are there several sizes, shapes, and types of glass beads, but you can use them in a wide variety of craft projects. Most of the time when people think of beads, the first craft that comes to mind is jewelry making, which is a very viable creative outlet for the use of beads. However, knitting, mixed media art, cross stitch, and home decor projects are also great areas in which you can use glass beads. Below are five great craft ideas and how you can incorporate the use of beads into them.

Mixed Media Art

 

Mixed media art has always been around, but lately the framed pictures with all manner of material used to create unique and eye-catching artwork has really expanded and become more a part of the art world. A canvas does not have to be a home simply for paint. Instead, you can use charms, pendants, pipe cleaner, pieces of magazines, scrapbook components, and virtually anything else you can think of to create art that is framed (without glass) and literally pops off the page. Glass beads are a great addition to this type of work, as well. A great example of this kind of craft is a Blank Board Book Flourish Cover, in which you can use a variety of craft materials to create a one-of-a-kind piece,

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is another area of crafting in which glass beads can become very helpful. Use some glass seed beads to add definition or use beads and ribbon to create a page edging or border. You can also take some glass beads and wire and create your own addition to the page, like a wire letter with beading or a wedding bell shape with a few crystal-like glass beads. The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating beads into your scrap-booking projects, and glass is a great option, particularly since glass beads come in so many different shapes so as to accommodate a wide variety of themes.

Knitting and Crochet

 

Knitting and crochet are two yarn crafts that are becoming increasingly popular. Adding a bit of beading to your knitting or crochet project can bring some extra elegance, charm, and class. One crafty example is the Silk Lace Bag. This looks like a simple crochet bag pattern, but the beads give it an unexpected look and texture. The tricky part about using glass beads in knitting and crochet is that you’ll need to know exactly how many beads you need before you start, as you’ll have to string them first. Then, let them rest down by the ball or skein of yarn until you need them, at which point you can just slide them up and use them in your knitting or crochet.

Silk Floral Arrangements

One area of home decor crafting in which you can incorporate glass beads is the creation of silk floral arrangements. You may have seen sand and river rock used in a vase with silk flowers to create an interesting and unique look. However, what you might not know is that you can also use glass beads to create the same effect. Whether you want to use chilli pepper shaped beads with red silk roses to create a kitchen accent or simple round beads mixed in with other mediums, using glass beads in the vase or base of your silk floral projects is a great way to add creativity and personality.


Wreath Making

Wreath Fit For a Goddess Another area of home decor crafting that benefits from the addition of glass beads is wreath making. Floral additions, birds, bird nests, butterflies, and a wide array of other items are available for those who craft wreathes. However, adding glass beads to the mix can add some sparkle and shine to your creation. Try using the wire from a bird or butterfly embellishment to string on some beads in beautiful colors, curling the end of the wire with pliers, then wrapping the beaded wire around some of the wicker or wreath. Instead of having an ugly wire you have to hide somewhere in the back, you now have a beautiful addition to the wreath, and it is less likely to poke or injure people who may arrange various aspects of the wreath, as well.

 

Glass beads provide the crafter with a wide variety of opportunities in nearly every area of crafting. From beaded lampshades to scrapbooks, mixed media art to wreaths, and even jewellery making, there are endless opportunities for you to express your creativity using glass beads.

Some of the information for this article was found on Just Fabulous Glass Beads.

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Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: beads, Crochet, flowers, Guest Post, how to make a wreath, Knitting, mixed media art, Scrapbooking

How to Organize Beads: What Are Your Best Tips and Tricks?

July 26, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 7 Comments

Veteran beaders know best: If you want to be successful in the art of beading (and maintain your sanity while doing it), you’ve got to keep your bead stash organized. As you start to create your own jewelry, you’ll begin collecting more and more beads. Before you know it, your bead stash has gotten out of control!

Keeping your beads organized can help save space, time (“Now where did I put those crystals?”), and money (“Whoops, I already bought these briolettes!”). It can be quite a task keeping all those tiny beads, findings, and other assorted bits and baubles in order, especially once you become a full-fledged “bead hoarder.” So it’s best to develop good organization habits early on.

All beaders have their own special tips and tricks they’ve picked up over the years, from the best containers to use, to categorization systems by color and type. So why not share them and help out a fellow beader? Pass on your wisdom and experience to your fellow jewelry-making enthusiasts by leaving a comment on this blog post with your best bead storage tips! Then, we’ll pull all your awesome suggestions together into a handy tip guide for AllFreeJewelryMaking.com so other beaders can benefit from your wisdom!

So, what are your best tips and tricks for storing and organizing beads?

Leave a comment below and share your suggestions!

 

 

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Filed Under: Craft Tips and Tricks Tagged With: beads, jewelry, Organization, organizational tips, organize craft supplies

Bead&Button Show 2013 Recap + Swag Bag Giveaway!

June 24, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 459 Comments

BeadandButtonShowSignFrom 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!)

FireMountainGemsWire

FireMountainPendant

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.

JewelLoomJewelLoom2

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!

cloverloom cloverloom2

 

 

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!

beaducationetch

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.

VintajRoller VintajPatina

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!

xuronplier

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.

NunnDesignButtons NunnDesignbezels

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.

WireLuxeflowers CommemorativeBead

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!

Wubbers1 Wubbers2

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.

DeeBeads1 deebeads2

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.

beadcards beadcards2

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…

TilaHalf TilaHalf2

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!

SwagBag3

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?

 

 

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Filed Under: Events Tagged With: bead crafts, Bead&Button Show, beading, beads, giveaway, swag bag

Organize Your Bead Stash with New Giveaway from AllFreeJewelryMaking

May 7, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 4 Comments

What is it about seed beads? They seem to multiply faster than we can use them, don’t they? And the more you collect, the more you find yourself scrambling to find containers to store them. Before you know it, you’ve got a mismatched hodge podge of boxes, jars, and bags that tend to fit not-so-nicely on your craft room shelf. That’s just a bead spill waiting to happen. Well, now you can avoid sloppy storage and potential bead avalanches with the Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray from Bead Storage Solutions! We’re giving away a Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray to one lucky winner. Enter now and get that seed bead stash under control!

With 78 individual containers perfectly sized for seed beads, the Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray is just what you need to organize that burgeoning bead stash. Designed by beaders, for beaders, this innovative, efficient product from Bead Storage Solutions is a must-have for all true beading hobbyists. Unlike the typical bead organizers you find at the craft store that are simply a box separated into various compartments, the individual containers in this storage solution can actually be picked up and pulled out with the help of convenient finger grips. This helps to avoid spills

The clear compartments and lid of the Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray allow you to easily find the beads you want right away, thus saving time, and also allow you to easily survey what you have, thus preventing duplicate purchases. The 78 compartments are all contained within a larger tray that can be snapped shut with a lid and slid away onto a shelf or drawer, thus saving space and stress. So, to sum up, the Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray saves you time, money, space, and stress? That sounds like a win-win-win-win to me!

Enter now for your chance to win a Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray. The contest ends May 20, 2013, and you can enter up to once a day, so keep coming back to improve your chances!

Do you think you could fill all the compartments of the Tiny Container Bead Storage Tray with your bead stash?

 

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Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways Tagged With: bead crafts, beads, giveaway, Jewelry Making, organizers

Win an Assorted Bead Storage Tray from AllFreeJewelryMaking!

February 26, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 55 Comments

Sick of storing your beads in a hodgepodge assortment of mismatched jars, bags, and containers? Then the new Assorted Bead Storage Tray from Bead Storage Solutions is the answer you’ve been waiting for! The latest and greatest in organizing solutions for jewelry hobbyists and designers, this efficient bead storage system is designed by beaders, for beaders, so you can spend less time searching for supplies and more time making fabulous jewelry. And it’s your lucky day, bead hoarders, because we’re giving away an Assorted Bead Storage Tray to one lucky winner!

The Assorted Bead Storage Tray comes equipped with 45 transparent boxes of various sizes, so there are containers small enough to hold your seed beads and large enough to contain your chunky gemstones. Both the tray lid and the individual boxes are transparent, thus saving time in searching for the items you need and saving money by avoiding duplicate purchases. Plus, this convenient kit also comes equipped with removable bonus labels so that you can easily mark containers to track purchases.

The 45 individual boxes are all designed to fit neatly and snugly in the larger containing tray, so you save space and stress by keeping all your materials organized in one compact container, and each compartment has been designed with special concave finger grips for easy accessibility, so getting the individual boxes out is no problem. And since cleanup is so quick and easy, you’ll be that much more likely to actually sit down and spend some quality time doing what you love—making beautiful beaded jewelry!

Enter for your chance to win the Assorted Bead Storage Tray and kiss runaway beads goodbye! The contest ends March 11, 2013, and you can enter once daily, so return often to improve your chances of winning!

How do you keep your beads and craft supplies organized?

 

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Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways Tagged With: bead crafts, beading, beads, DIY jewelry, Jewelry Making, Kelly Spence

To Bead True Blue Recap: Trends, What’s New, and More

February 12, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking Leave a Comment

In Tucson, Ariz., the past week, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the beads were glinting as more than 500 artisans, manufacturers, and others gathered to show off their stuff at To Bead True Blue. I had the great privilege to attend the show this year (for the first time!) on behalf of AllFreeJewelryMaking and was blown away by the breadth and abundance of exhibitions the show had to offer. From artisans and designers displaying their hand-crafted creations to manufacturers and distributors demonstrating the latest products on the jewelry-making scene, there was much to take in at To Bead True Blue.

I had only two days to try to cover as much ground as possible at the show, but I could have easily spent an entire week surveying the shiny spectacle of all the beads and baubles on display at To Bead True Blue as well as The Tucson Bead Show and all the other various gem shows going on across the city. If you are a lover of beads, jewelry, gemstones, and all things sparkly, you truly must put To Bead True Blue on your bucket list.

First off, I had to make sure I checked out what was new at the Alacarte Clasps & WireLace booth where the talented Linda Hartung was demonstrating her latest brainchild, WireLuxe. A luxury, metallic knit wire product, WireLuxe is at once structured and soft, making it light and comfortable to wear, but also sturdy enough to hold its shape and allow embellishment. I was so impressed by the way it could bend to form elegant, undulating designs as well as provide a sturdy foundation for beadwork and other components.

Another of my favorite exhibits was Starman, where the very accommodating Jennifer Schroeder showed me their latest bead products. One of the biggest trends and hottest new items I noticed while at To Bead True Blue were two-hole beads. These seemed to be the “big new thing,” and when I visited the Starman booth, I could see why. Their cleverly named CzechMates are a two-hole bead system that allows for more dynamic, dimensional beadwork than is possible with your typical single-hole beads. Available in Tiles, Bricks, Lentils, and Daggers, these beads are all designed to be used together seamlessly, and I was in awe at some of the structural, layered beadwork pieces they had on display. (I was also a big fan of the new mini Rose Petal bead, a daintier version of an old favorite!

There were also some notable new tools I got to see in action (and even try for myself!) to help you put all those beads and goodies you accumulated at the show to good use. At The BeadSmith booth, the big new item on display was the exclusive Ricks Beading Loom. If you’ve ever seen loomwork done before, you’ll know that the number of loose strings you’re left with on the end can be a bit…confusing. Well the patented Ricks Beading Loom eliminates all that stringy mess and leaves you with just two simple strings to work with. I tried it out for myself, and it couldn’t have been easier to use. It definitely makes loom beading accessible to beginners.

Another favorite was the Easy Knotter which I got to see in action at the Designs by Reenie booth. I know from experience, making knotted bead necklaces as not as easy as it seems, which is why Reenie Oliveto came up with this nifty little tool to make knotting a piece of cake. The Easy Knotter helps you keep a tight knot while also allowing you to keep uniform spacing in your design.

I also got a quick demo of the Xuron Brand Micro-Shear Flush Cutters in The Beadin’ Path booth which make a nice clean, close cut and even retain the clipped wire end. And for all your bedazzling needs, the Crystal Katana by Kelly DeFries of Crystal Ninja is a hot new little tool that picks up rhinestones, and even beads, completely effortlessly, avoiding the trouble of having them stick to your fingers.

Other hot trends at this year’s To Bead True Blue? Spike beads were everywhere, and were one of my favorite new trends. These cone-shaped beads make for elegantly edgy bracelets, cuffs, and other accessories, and hopefully AllFreeJewelryMaking can find some patterns utilizing these new beads soon! Miyuki was debuting its new Long Drop Beads and “Luminous Color” seed beads; the elongated version of the seed bead seems to be a popular trend right now, and neon colors have finally hit the beading world!

I’ve hardly scratched the surface of this gem of a show with the products and trends I’ve highlighted here, but there was so much to do and see, I couldn’t possibly touch on it all! I ran into people from all over the country (and even from other parts of the world) at this show, so if this is any indication of the size and influence of To Bead True Blue, I expect next year to be even bigger and better, and I definitely won’t be missing it!

Were you at To Bead True Blue this year, or have you ever attended?

What are your favorite beading and jewelry trends, tools, and products right now?

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Filed Under: News Tagged With: beaded jewelry, beading, beads, Craft Shows, Jewelry Making, jewelry making tools, jewelry trends, trade shows

Tutorial: How to Make a Beaded Bead

January 26, 2013 by AllFreeJewelryMaking Leave a Comment

Want to add some extra depth and dimension to your DIY jewelry designs? Learn how to make a beaded bead and bring your jewelry creations to life! Simple strands of beads will seem a snore once you learn how to make a beaded bead with these free jewelry patterns. We’ll show you five different ways you can make beaded beads to take your jewelry projects to the next level.

These beaded bead instructions will add so much detail to your jewelry designs, instantly taking them from “flat” to “dynamic.” If you’ve never tried learning how to make a beaded bead, don’t worry! The beaded bead patterns here are easy to follow; you’ll be a pro in no time.

How to Make a Beaded Bead: 5 Beaded Bead Patterns

  1. Quick and Easy Beaded Bead – Perfect for beginners! Turn a plain bead into an intricately stitched bead with this tutorial.
    Quick and Easy Beaded Beads
  2. Peyote Beaded Bead – Fans of peyote stitch patterns will find this tutorial more than a little enticing. These beaded bead instructions incorporate a mix of beads for a fun and eclectic look.
    Peyote Beaded Bead
  3. Peyote Tube Bead Tutorial –  Different from the two previous beaded bead patterns, this tutorial is for a more cylindrical look. A strand of these would make a great necklace or bracelet!
    Peyote Tube Bead Tutorial
  4. Two-Drop Peyote Beaded Beads – This pattern is similar to the previous one but uses two-drop peyote stitch. These beads look incredibly intricate but are actually super easy to make, so don’t be intimidated!
    Two-Drop Peyote Beaded Beads
  5. Jellyfish Beaded Bead – If you’re up for a bit of a challenge and like quirky jewelry designs, try these beaded bead instructions on for size. You’ll definitely never see someone else with the same piece!
    Jellyfish Beaded Bead

Simple strung jewelry patterns will never do for you again once you learn how to make a beaded bead! If you’ve still got the itch to stitch after you’ve tried these beaded bead patterns and you’re looking for more, check out our collection of the 20 Best Free Bead Weaving Patterns on the Web!

What are your favorite bead crafts to make?

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Filed Under: Jewelry Making Tagged With: Basic Beading Patterns, bead crafts, beaded jewelry, beading, beads, free jewelry patterns, Jewelry Making, Kelly Spence

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