Here is how you can add your thoughts to our pattern listings:

1)  Log in to the Boutique

2) Select the pattern that you would like to review

In this case, the pattern you would be reviewing is “Awareness Ribbon Cuff-Style Bracelet”

3)  The Screen will now switch to show just the pattern that you have selected

4)  Page down to the bottom of the pattern listing.  Almost at the bottom of the page, you will find three buttons – Product Details, Tell a Friend, and Reviews.  Click on the Reviews button.

5)  Then, write your review, just as Carol did for “Awareness Ribbon Cuff-Style Bracelet”

I am sure the Designers would also love to hear from you after you post a review.  Unfortunately, we are not automatically notified, but we would love to read your reviews.

Blessings,

Beth

It’s that time at the Boutique again. A time to save, a time to bead!

With this code: SeedBead4 You can save 20% off any purchase at the Boutique for the next 3 days. (This discount is effective February 16, 17, 18 only)

New fully tested patterns are being loaded up every day. If you haven’t seen the Boutique lately, you haven’t seen the Boutique! Eye candy galore is ready and waiting for you. Take a trip through the Boutique and view all the wonderful pieces that the Team has created for you to enjoy. Grab a cold drink, get comfortable and let the adventure begin! Click here: http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com

Don’t forget to sign in before you shop! When you are signed in, you will be immediately redirected upon payment to retrieve your downloads. No waiting for a receipt or having to sign back in! Let’s not forget one of the best perks of all as a site member. All registered members that sign in before they shop receive 2% virtual cash back that can be used on any future purchase through the Boutique. No gimmicks, no games, no waiting periods, it’s yours to use when you want to use it. Best of all, it never expires! You can even use it in conjunction with sale prices and with coupons.

So if you’re not a member, sign up now! Click here: http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/signupform.php

If you’re not sure how to shop or download patterns, stop by our "How To Shop" page for detailed information on exactly how to use the Boutique to make your shopping experience a wonderful one! Click here: http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/faqs.htm

Have an awesome beady day!
Hugs,
Marie Starr
& The BPB Design Team

Don’t forget to register as a member and sign in before you shop. Not only will you be able to take advantage of immediate download, you will also earn 2% virtual cash back that can be used on any future purchase! No gimmicks, no waiting, no expiration, it’s yours to use any time you want to and it can be applied to anything our store carries. If the store gives you any troubles when you try to register, you can get help at help@beadpatternsboutique.com We are always happy to help.

This sale won’t last forever! The discount code will be valid for only the next 3 days!

Sale is for January 19th through the 21rst only.

To save 20%, take this discount code shopping with you: ms20
Don’t wait or you’ll be too late!

Click here to shop now: http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com click "Catalog" and let your beady adventure begin! There’s something for everyone at the Boutique.

Hugs,

Marie Starr

& the BPB Design Team

By Dr. Gail H. Devoid, CPLP, PhD.

So you have some favorite beads that you want to put in a necklace together, but there’s one problem: Beads with different size holes. This presents a problem when a knot is big enough for one bead but not big enough for another. The knot will slipped into the bigger hole.

I faced this problem when I wanted to string some polymer clay beads that Bette Abdu had made and that I had won in a Yankee swap at the Bead Society of New Hampshire Holiday Party. The holes in the polymer clay beads were much bigger than the holes in the pearls that I wanted to use, ones that matched so perfectly. Betty had strung the polymer clay beads with spacers. However, the spacers also had holes that were too big.

I knew there had to be a way to get around this problem. One thing that I was taught during a knotting demonstration was that knots do not have to be on either side of every bead to make a knotted necklace. So, what I did was look for beads, small ones, that would not go through the holes in the clay beads or the spacers, but had holes themselves that were about the same size as the pearls. Then the design process started.

Getting my bead board, I laid out all of the beads, and checked to make sure that there would be enough knots in the necklace to keep the drape supple. What I wanted for the necklace was a string of pearls in the back, so that the necklace would be comfortable to wear, and then the other larger beads in the front, to showcase them.

I had planned to finish this necklace with silver findings, so what I chose for beads that would control the knotting were tiny silver round beads. This not only would incorporate silver into the necklace, but would match the findings.

I have done a lot of knotting lately, and have learned that one of the best things I can do before starting to string the beads is to check the silk thread or the silk cording that I’m using on a few test beads to make sure that when I knot the bead, the knot will hold and not slip through the bead.

After testing a few different options, I decided that FFF silk thread, doubled, would work the best. The silk cord that I had was too thin. So, confident that I had the right thread for the beads I was going to use, I started stringing the beads in the order that I had laid out on my bead board.
With all the testing done and the design completed even before I started, once the beads were strung all that was left was to knot the beads and attach the findings.

Here are the results:

Another picture shows a closeup of the knotting:

Notice the knots on either side of the pearls. Also notice how the silver beads fit slightly into the larger holes of the polymer clay spacers. The necklace has a wonderful drape despite the fact that some of the knots are about an inch to an inch and a quarter apart.

Even though I could have knotted just the pearls, I put a tiny silver bead in between to continue the design of the necklace itself. By using design techniques such as this, I ended up with the necklace that is a true memento of my friendship with Betty Abdu and a piece that will go into my personal collection.

If you have beads that you want to knot and face this problem, consider using this technique. You may find that you can make the knotted necklace you want. Have fun making it, then wear it, and enjoy!

While I was in India in December 2009 with my colleagues from the Halma plc companies, we took a break from the work we were doing in the executive development program to visit a bazaar where vendors were selling distinctive Indian goods.

As you can imagine, I found the jewelry they had for sale very interesting, and I stopped at several booths to see the offerings.

At one booth, I found pearls. These were on my list, and I am always sure to bring a list, because most bead shows have such an overwhelming variety of goods, that it is easy to forget your intentions. The same held true at this bazaar. There were several wonderful things from which to choose.

Pearls from several geographical sources are drilled in India, and I wanted to do some pearl knotting. When I found five strands of beautiful peacock pearls, the bargaining began.

After my purchase, one colleague mentioned he wanted pearls for his daughter, and that he would want to give her a necklace. I promised I would send him a list of other materials he would need, as well as directions I knew were on the Internet for pearl knotting. I sold him a strand at a price that was a 67% gross margin over the price I had just paid.

My colleagues thought this was hilarious, as you must remember we are all business professionals. To us, buying low and selling at a margin comes as easily as breathing. It seems even though we had a night off, it was business as usual.

They asked me then what I was going to do with the pearls, and I said make jewelry. Again, the laughter came. They wanted to know what the design would be. I had no clue. That is not how I design. I promised them I would send pictures of the jewelry when it was done.

Yes, I know it is almost two years hence, but sometimes the ideas do not come as quickly as the purchases. I thought I would incorporate a little pearl knotting design tips in the telling of this story, and show how that leads to the jewelry. At the same time, my colleagues can see what I did with these pearls.

First, pearl knotting is not just for pearls. The reason you knot pearls or beads is to protect them. The knotting material, which is traditionally silk, can be nylon (for strength), a Spectra-based thread (like Tough Thread), or cording. Silk, with a thin needle, comes on cards in various colors, but also various sizes of cording. The diameter of silk threads sold on spools are from 0.20mm, which is very thin, to 0.419 mm (size FFF). If you buy silk cording on cards, the thread diameter is from 0.20mm up to over 1.0 mm (Size 16).

You can string pearls on flexible wire, but if you do, you lose the drape you will get from silk. So knotting pearls with silk gives you a necklace that has the wonderful drape of silk. And if the necklace breaks, you will lose only one pearl at most. Knotting pearls is a way to protect your investment in these beautiful gems.

Of course, there are drawbacks: the silk needs to be treated correctly. You don’t want to get it wet, because unlike nylon, it will not last long if you do. You don’t want chemicals on it, so you spray your perfume on yourself and let it dry before you put on your pearls. This careful treatment of the silk extends to the pearls at the same time, but even the best of care will not protect the silk from wear. Your necklaces will eventually have to be re-knotted.

Decades ago, I was in the Bahamas buying jewelry, and nearly passed up the chance to buy a necklace and earring set made from black coral. I was walking away because I thought black onyx looks the same, and I always find a necklace like that. The vendor called out to me and told me that the coral reefs were dying, and that the purchase would an investment, as the black coral was becoming rare. The necklace was on monofiliment, had gold beads, and was beautiful, and so I took her advice and bought it. Black coral is much lighter in weight than black onyx, and so wearing it is more comfortable.

After 35 years of wear, the gold beads were misshapened enough to make the necklace unattractive. I cut it apart, and then knotted it with black silk, replacing the gold beads. I kept the original design:

The necklace was certainly an investment when I bought it, but with the coral beads now knotted with silk, I have added to its value. This great momento from that trip now hangs with a fabulous drape.

So, what did I do with the peacock pearls I bought in India? The first necklace, I used white silk cord, size 6, with the pearls and some Swarovski Dorado gold crystals:

The color of the thread makes a big difference. The white thread is part of the design. When I used blue thread (not cord, because that makes a difference as well), I have a traditional pearl necklace, as shown below. This one will become part of my personal collection, as I will keep it to remind me of India:

Nothing, in my opinion, is so beautiful as a traditional pearl necklace. There are other ways to design, especially today when we have pearls in so many different shapes. This next one uses coin pearls with the same peacock pearls from India breaking up the design:

To show what these three would look like together:

That gives you an idea of how three necklaces made from the same pearls, with different pearls and crystals added, can give you fashion options. I would wear these three together on white. White velvet would be gorgeous, and since I have returned to sewing, I bet I could pull that ensemble together.

Finally, to show you the knotting differences, here’s a closeup of the three necklaces:

Returning to one of the points I made earlier, pearls are not the only beads knotted. Any fine stones can be knotted, and so can crystals. The necklace below is one made from rare Ethyopian opals. Taking a picture of opals is problematical. The colors just don’t show like the real thing:

One way I can give you an idea of the colors in these opals is to take the above photo into PhotoShop, and remove the white. Then you get this:

Looks surreal, doesn’t it? But it does show the fire in the opals.

Finally, you might wonder what type of clasps I use on pearl necklaces. You have probably seen these many times. The filigree in the clasp gives a traditional look, and the clasp is one that works even if it unlatches. Losing your pearls, black coral beads, or opals is unlikely.

Once I finish a set of designs, I start wondering. What would the pearls look like with the gold crystals and black thread? Would it look better with blue? The 2mm Dorado 2x Swarovski crystals used in the above necklace are not readily available at the moment. That probably has something to do with the price of gold. Which leads me to the last bit of advice I have for jewelry designers: Buy what you can when you can, even before you have a design in mind. There is no guarantee of future supply. That is why I bought all the peacock pearls I found in India, even though I had no idea what I would do with them.

The newest feature of Bead Patterns Boutique has just launched.  Our new Boutique Bidz allows our designers to offer Ready–to-Wear Jewelry pieces, hand made by them,  and de-stash items from their personal stash, to you the shopper in a fun, interactive way.

Boutique Bidz functions just like other auction sites.  Our designers will post items as they have them available.  The listings will include photos and a description of the items being offered for bid.  Notices of new listings will be made in the forum group.  (If you are not a member, you can sign up here). 

To bid on an item, you must log into Bead Patterns Boutique.  If you are not already registered, you can do so here.  When you log in to bid the first time, you will be asked if you would like to bid with your log in name or a nick name. 

Opening bid amounts, bid increase increments, and auction length are all set by the designer selling the piece.

If you place a bid and are out-bid, you will receive an e-mail letting you know that you will lose the item if you do not increase your bid.  

Our first item on the auction block is from SueJen Jewelry. 

It is a colorful bracelet named “Pastel Bargello”

Sue describes the item as “several colors combine to give you the pattern similar to Bargello.  I have used violets, magentas, fuchsias, lilac, amethyst, turquoise to list some, in even count peyote.  The finished size is approx. 7 1/2 inches with snap clasp.”

This auction started on 6/28, with an opening bid of $14.00.  This auction will be open for a little more than 4 days more. 

So hurry over to Boutique Bidz and check it out!  And while you are there, be sure to place a bid!

Beth Rudy of Bouncing Wolf Creations is pleased to announce the her 5.5 month old golden retriever puppy, Tanner has recently completed 12 weeks of training at My K9 Buddy Training Center.  Tanner has learned valuable skills such as sit, lay, stand and come.  He has also been working on walking on a loose leash.  Tanner received a certificate for all of his work. And is now considered a Level III graduate.

Tanner will be taking his Canine Good Citizen Test this Saturday.   And he is continuing his training with a Clicker Tricks class and lots of at-home practice and reinforcement.

Tanner doing one of his new tricks

“Paws Up!”

by Candy Williams of ZaZa’s Inspirations

www.zazasinspirations.com

This should be called “Things I Have Learned the Hard Way”!

When you are involved in a home show, be sure to get there in plenty of time to set up, review it and RELAX a bit before everyone arrives! (That means cool off. Here in the South, it is said that Southern ladies do not sweat, we glisten. Well, whatever, make sure you are not glistening when other Southern ladies arrive!) In my real life, I’m a church Music Director and organist. This meant that getting to the Sunday afternoon Jewelry Show about an hour away was going to be sort of a crunch. Fortunately, I had my DH to get everything loaded and unloaded for me, do the driving, give me a sandwich, etc.

It helps to know where you are setting up ahead of time. Know how much space you will have. It helps to take a friend who will critique your lay-out and help adjust before potential customers (pc’s) arrive.  But have some confidence in your own artistic eye, especially if your friend comes along and rearranges things in a more “conforming” order.

When you get to the set-up, arrange your items so that focus goes right to the best pieces you have to offer. Never never never never put your trinkets and cutesy low-end products as the first items that are seen! My mistake. I knew better but wasn’t thinking when I decided last minute to lay out those doo-dahs (key chains, zipper pulls, etc.) for some loose change. Just plunked them out in the first empty space I saw.

Stay on hand to talk about your work and answer questions. Be sociable even if your hostess has kindly set your “check-out” in a quiet room two floors below. If by chance, you have given in to that nice quiet room with the swinging hammock and overhead fan, don’t forget that your hostess is likely to summon you to the top floor for questions. When that summons comes, and you run up (or sort of crawl as I do with my arthritis and cane) try not to begin talking to everyone before you have caught your breath. Have something intelligent prepared to say beforehand. When pc’s ask about you and your work, don’t waste your moment in the living room light to tell everyone how you have moved all around the country following your gypsy husband! Figure out who you are and share it with pride!

I thought I had a good handle on the pc’s profile. According to my hostess, these would be the beach ladies that attend all the hoity-toity balls in full dress regalia and sponsor all the best fund-raising events. I think her underlying message was that she had attended and supported all their fundraisers. Now it was pay-back time and they were expected to support her chosen artist of the day. With that in the back of my mind, I spent my limited time in preparing new items that were extra special – that translates to a bit more expensive. The jewelry that I make is one of a kind. I hardly ever make a duplicate or make “multiples”. I normally make up a lot of Swarovski earrings and small pieces in the $10-$25 range for a showing. I had pretty much sold out of those items in the previous show. I had hoped to have time to make up a bunch of those to take, but just got too involved in working up something new and artsy. I just knew that these pc’s would go for the necklaces and bracelets instead of the earrings. So what did I end up selling? Sold out of my stock of earrings again – and those doo dah key chains! My best pieces were bought by “patrons” that have bought before and kind of follow my work. So although, I did alright in the end, I didn’t make much in sales to the hostess’s friends.

I probably should share with you that my hostess is a “renowned” cook and hostess in the area. She’s writing a cookbook and the buffet she prepared would make Paula Deen drool! Maybe her friends came to sample her newest treats and visit about their upcoming fundraisers more than they came to support a new jewelry artist. My hostess was most unhappy with bottom line, saying her friends really should have done better than they did. I say, “whatever”. I had a nice Sunday afternoon at the beach. I had a delicious buffet treat and I went home with some sales. Moreover, I learned some things about these home showings that I hope will be of benefit in the future! I was a little disappointed. I had hoped that the sales from this show might pay for the new ac/heat pump that had to be replaced that week. But I guess that’s just another lesson in life!

Whatever, I’m back at creating my unique jewelry!

Debbie van Tonder of Debger Designs is pleased to announce that her daughter, Kelly, passed her practical exams for her teaching degree with distinction.  Kelly scored a 78% which qualifies her for this honor.  She still needs to pass her term finals, but after she does she will be a qualified school teacher.

Out of Africa Cuff Sold

Debbie would also like to announce the sale of a one-of-a-kind piece from her etsy shop.  “Out of Africa”, a bead embroidered cuff is on its way to a new home.  Congrats on the sale, Debbie.

Pattern Featured in Magazine

Debbie is on a roll.  She also has a pattern being published on page 31 of the June, 2011 issue of Perlen Posie.  You can check out Debbie’s rose and butterfly woven cuff here:  http://perlen-poesie.de/.

From Peggy E.

With all the storms and power outages I have some great tips that I do.

I have a little tip for your freezer just in case you loose power or water.
Take you milk jugs when they a empty rinse them out good.
Fill them with water but not all the way to the top leave a little room for
freezing.
Put the date on them before you put them in your freezer.
If you loose power the frozen jugs will help to keep your freezer cold.
Also put a few in your fridge to help keep that cold also.
Kind of like in the old days when they used blocks of ice.

If you loose your water all you have to do is get a jug of water out of your
freezer thaw it out you have water.

Every time we have a empty milk jug this is what I do rinse it out good fill it
put that days date on it.
Go to the freezer find the jug with the oldest date and take it out and put the
new one in.

I let the old one that is frozen thaw out and use it to water my plants.
Then I recycle the old jug.
This way if you ever need water you know the jugs have not set in the freezer
for a long time.
I put as many jugs in my freezer as I can fit.

Just thought I would pass this on if any of you would like to use my tips.
This has saved my food many many times just when you think you won’t loose power
you do.

I have also use the water when a water main broke and we didn’t have water for a
while.

After it was fixed we had a boil water alert well I didn’t have to boil my water
because I had enough saved up to get us through.
Now we have a generator but I still do the jugs just in case were not home to
start the generator.

Plus it’s nice to know you always have water if you need it in a emergency.
  Or to flush your toilet if you don’t have water.

I have also used the frozen jugs in my cooler when we go on a picnic.
I have some 1/2 gallon jugs for this so I don’t have to worry about my food
getting wet from melting ice.

Hugs
Peggy E.