Grab Those Beads & Go!

Some days the world calls and the beads must follow. Maybe you are planning an end of the summer trip, taking classes at a great bead event like Bead Fest or perhaps you are planning on joining me for Bead Cruise in 2010.

With airlines upping their fees for extra baggage and weight, it may no longer be the best idea to bring every bead along for the trip. Below I have created a list of essentials to take on your trip. But first, you need a place to put those beads right? Check out these cute portable storage ideas. The one above holds your tools and a small bead board along with a few essentials. The one below is just too sweet for words, great for packing some of your favorite beads for the trip. Both of these are from Creative Options.

Beading Essentials for Creating on the Go

*Pliers

*Wire cutters & scissors

*Beading blanket or small bead board

*Stringing material - this may be needle & thread, beading wire & crimps or different gauges of wire

*Findings - bring a small selection of your favorite clasps, earwires, jumprings, headpins. (Make them ahead of time if you create your own.)

*Beads - I like to pick out a few coordinating beads or bring a project in progress.

*Class supplies - if you are taking a class, I recommend purchasing a kit from the instructor. It will make it easier for packing - they bring it to the class for you! If a special tool is required, make sure to bring it. Some items on the list are essential to your success in the class and don't assume you can share or pick one up at the event, that may not be the case!

Not essential, but handy:

*An OTT lite is good for those who need extra light, they are portable - remember to bring an extension cord.

*Bead stoppers or tape

*Bead magazine - something to read while on the plane or for a quick fix of inspiration.

*Camera and sketchbook - no doubt your trip will be inspiring, capture images, textures or colors that inspire.

A word about what beads to bring:

Aside from items you need for a class, you may want to think ahead of ideas for a project. Challenge yourself to create from a limited color palette or selection of beads. You may be surprised how creative you get when you limit your choices.

Check with your airline to see what tools can go in your carry-on luggage. Most allow pliers that are 5" or shorter. Hammers and such will need to go in your checked baggage.

Bead Scoop - Roman Glass Beads

I first discovered Roman glass during the Bead Cruise 2 years ago. It was featured in a jewelry line in the gift shop on the ship and I was smitten. But it was out of my budget at the time. I do remember going back down to the shop to swoon over it a few times before the cruise ended.

So when I spotted a necklace in the latest issue of BeadStyle magazine I was clicking my mouse faster than you can say ancient artifact!

"This ancient Roman glass was found in the Nimroz province of Afghanistan. The beads are between 900 & 1200 years old, and were excavated in 2006. Glass has not been produced in this area for 900 years."

Happy Mango Beads has a lovely selection of these beads in a few different price points. Oh how I need them!

Fit to Print Book Review - 101 Wire Earrings

101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques by Denise Peck is packed full of innovative and inspiring earring designs. Using both wire-wrapping and some basic metalsmithing techniques the author provides a vast arsenal of new designs to adapt to your own creations.

Along with Denise, who is the editor of Step by Step Wire magazine, contributors include Jane Dickerson, Kerry Bogert and Leslie Rogalski. That's quite a design team!

The front of the book offers helpful tips and photos of the basic techniques used in the projects. Art beads can be found in many of earrings, which I love. In fact, I so loved the projects in this book I pulled out my wire and gave a few of them a test drive. I highly recommend adding this book to your collection.

Visit my blog studio tour for a chance to win these earrings throughout the day!

I also noticed that our dear Cindy Gimbrone is having an earring giveaway today too.

Interweave Press is hosting a fun reader earring exchange and they are offering a free project from the book.

Altered Findings

You want to put your unique stamp on everything you create, but maybe you aren't at the point where you can create your own findings or perhaps time is an issue. One great trick I learned is to alter commercial findings to make them your own. Here are two examples.

A few tools to have on hand:

wood dapping block and punches

ball peen hammer

small bench block

hole punch

screwdriver

1000 grit automotive sandpaper

pliers

The bracelet started with a blank brass pendant from Vintaj. I used a screw driver on the back side of the pendant and hammered away to create the dotty texture. Put the pendant on the bench block, place the point of the screwdriver on the back of metal, tap the top of the screwdriver with the hammer.

I then used the dapping black to give it a slight curve to fit comfortably on the wrist. With a quick swipe of the sandpaper, the dots are highlighted. I used the hole punch to create a hole on the other side of the pendant.

I repeated the steps to alter a moon pendant and dream charm. I flattened the design of the moon with the hammer before I did anything to it. I also ran the sandpaper over the clasp to bring out a few of the highlights on the hammered texture.

The second project uses a silver chain that I purchased at my local bead store. I cut off two links, shaped them with my chain nose pliers and hammered them flat to strengthen them. I created custom links in just a few minutes.

With a few basic tools you can alter your findings until your heart's content. Have fun playing!

Sources - Brass findings: Vintaj. Tools: Rings & Things. Art Beads: Humblebeads.