Katie Hacker and Artistic Wire Braid and Flat Wire

This post brought to you by the Beadalon crew!Beadalon Tent Sale Post PartyWelcome to day 3 of the party where we visit with Miss Kaaaatie Hacker!Good ol' Katie Hacker at the Beadalon tent saleIf you’ve been in the DIY jewelry world for any length of time, I’m positive you know Katie. She’s a good egg and one of my favorite people.  She also hosts the popular television show, Beads, Baubles, and Jewels on PBS.  Katie is the author of many jewelry making books and has been on the Beadalon design team for years.  Needless to say, she is a pillar in the DIY jewelry making community and I’m honored to call her a friend.Beadalon Braid wire adds texture to jewelryFor the tent sale, Katie was showing off Artistic Wire in braid (above) and flat versions (below).Wire wrapping Bracelets with flat Artistic WireBoth wires come in multiple metal finishes.  The wire is super sturdy so it holds and shapes beautifully.  I especially love hammering it.  Didn’t I mention yesterday on the blog that I wanted to hammer some metal links?  It might be my next favorite technique next to fringe….if fringe were a technique that is.Beadalon flat Artistic Wire in silverThe wire wraps easily and you can use regular round nose pliers to make loops at the end of it.  But! Have you seen Beadalon’s large bail making pliers?  They have a consistent cylinder tip vs conical.  Handy.Jewelry making Wire wrapping with Artistic Wire from BeadalonWhen you have your piece formed, you can wrap it with more wire and the like.  This will make it even more sturdy and add a little texture to the smooth surface.

I love texture.Jewlery Making Wire wrapped bracelets by Katie Hacker for Beadalon with Artistic WireKatie Hacker's necklace with Beadalon flat Artistic Wire and BraidThis is the class that Katie taught at the tent sale. Katie Hacker Earrings with Beadalon findingsShe is masterful at designing projects that look like it took hours to make, but you could make in an evening.  I love that kind of instant gratification.Beadalon flat and braid Artistic wire - Design by Katie HackerDid I mention all the classes were $25 at the tent sale?!?  And it included all the supplies and then some!Candie and KatieKatie and I flew out to Pensylvania together and first stop…Michaels Craft store for some last minute supplies (and a few treats for ourselves).

Enter the giveaway below for some surprise Beadalon swag!  I’m picking 4 winners this time.  Best of luck!
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Stringing Magazine plus a GIVEAWAY

Jewelry Making Candie Cooper featured in Fall Stringing MagazineIt’s an honor to be featured on and in the Fall issue of Stringing Magazine!It’s been many years since I submitted designs to Stringing and I was so touched to have four designs in this issue (including the one on the cover!).  Big humble THANK YOU, Interweave/F&W Media.Stringing magazine tassel necklace how to from Candie CooperThis is a slightly different version that I’m wearing versus the one on the cover which is one of the reasons I love this design so much—You can adapt it however you like.

Speaking of design, this is definitely one from my heart.  You guys know my love for fringe…and leather…and a touch of sparkle.  I was diddling (is that really a word?) around one morning, working on classes for Jesse James Beads for Bead Fest April and I thought, I’m making myself a necklace. There is always a small (ok, really huge) collection of Jesse James Beads laying around and I have a few strands that I hoard because I LOVE them.  These teal and brown Inspiration strands were part of that hoard.  The wood beads were some I found in Tucson and Sarah from Jesse James Beads really loved them too, so they were added to the JJB site.  For me, designing jewelry is all about mixing and matching surfaces with color. This piece went together really fast.  I was in the flow for sure and that’s how I knew it was a good one (if I do say so myself…and I am)!Jewelry Stringing Magazine Candie Cooper's cover necklaceCandie Cooper featured artist in Stringing Fall issueRemember those beading videos I did with Interweave?  There is also a little feature article about those in this issue.  PLUS!  A bonus project from the Leather Cuffs video.Jewelry Making Candie Cooper and JesseJamesBeads.com projects in Stringing Fall 15 magazineMost of the projects in this issue feature beads from JesseJamesBeads.com so guess what!?!Cherries and Chocolate Giveaway kit from Candie Cooper, JesseJamesBeads.com and Stringing Magazine!You can win a kit of one of my projects in Stringing thanks to JesseJamesBeads.com!  PLUS!  Stringing magazine is throwing in a copy of this issue!cherries and chocolate kitHere’s a close up of what you’ll win.  It’s the Cherries and Chocolate kit featuring one of JesseJamesBeads.com’s soutache necklace!  Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

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Beadalon Tent Sale Post Party

This post brought to you by BEADALON!Beadalon Tent Sale Post PartyWith so many trips, it seems I mention it over here and then said trip happens and that’s it…on to the next!  Put one bag down, pick another one up.

That’s not going to be the case with the Beadalon Tent sale because tonight I’m kicking off a post party here on the blog.  All this week I will share photos from the event held in West Chester, PA as well as tutorials from the Beadalon design team.  Check back each day to see what’s new and enter to win Beadalon swag.Beadalon Tent sale shoppersThe sale started at 9 sharp on Saturday morning.  Us designers were setting up our demo tables and when I looked up at 8:30 there was already a line starting to form.

Man oh man, there were some crazy good deals!  Especially the product manager $5 grab bags. A huge bin of bags SOLD OUT by 9:22 AM.  Those ladies bead happy!Beadalon Tent sale Yvette, Kelli and MadelineHere’s a little picture of some of my faves behind the Beadalon brand.  Yvette, Kelli, and Madeline worked their booties off getting this sale ready and checking customers out.  Beadalon tent sale PretzelsPretzels:  a Philly tradition alive and well at the sale.  I was in awe. Hello!  I also got to have my very first Philly cheesesteak sandwich.  I’ll save that photo for another day.  Holy smokes.  Cue Barry White.Team BeadalonTeam Beadalon at your service!  From left to right that’s, Katie, Madeline, Wyatt, Sarah, Kelli, Yvette, and Sandra.  We like to work hard and play hard!

So starting tomorrow, I’m going to post a new tutorial or product on the blog, featuring one of the Beadalon design team members.  You don’t have to wait to enter the giveaway, though!  See below for different ways to enter.  I’ll be picking 4 winners.  Post party is officially on all you party people!
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DIY Printed Leather Jewelry Idea

This post brought to you by LeatherCord USA.DIY Jewelry Making Printed Leather Bracelet from Candie Cooper and LeatherCordUSA.comThe other day I was walking out to the car and I heard a new, but old familiar sound—leaves crunching under my feet.  Persimmons are also dropping all over the yard.  They are a really pretty orange color (not so pretty when mashed under your favorite cowboy boots, but….).  The crisp mornings just make that coffee taste better and better and I find myself gearing up for pumpkin decorating and trips to the orchard.  Are you finding yourself inspired by the colors and feelings that fall brings?LeatherCord USA Beautiful printed leather for jewelry makingHere are some printed stitched leather pieces I brought home from my LeatherCord USA visit.  The texture in this stuff.  I LOVE IT!  It also comes in a beautiful palette of colors.  Click the link above to see all of them.Large Clasp from JesseJamesBeads.com for printed leather from LeatherCordUSA.comI’m using an extra wide magnetic clasp so I can fit a whopping seven cords in it.  Play around with the order of your cords so you get it just right.Cutting printed leather from LeatherCordUSA.comDetermine the fit and then cut the cords with wire cutters or a razor blade.  Glue the leather in the magnetic clasp finding like usual using the Loctite Gel adhesive.  Can you tell I really love this technique?!  It’s new to me and I’m ready to take on the world.  For reals.  What else can we glue leather onto?Making Leather Jewelry with printed leather from LeatherCordUSA.comIt’s perfectly beautiful like this, I think.  But, just for fun, I wanted to play with some of these large holed beads I found at Michaels.Large holed beads from @MichaelsStoresI love the metal finishes with the center beads, but felt like it conflicted with all the leather colors.Printed leather from Leather Cord USAInstead, I opted to slide the bead/bail pieces on, one or two per leather strand.Printed Leather from LeatherCord USA with Swarovski charmsI then connected a leaf charm and Swarovski dangle to the bail piece with a jump ring.  This was nice because it added some movement (and sparkle!).DIY Leather Jewelry idea from @candiecooper using printed leatherJust a really beautiful addition to your fall wardrobe and easy to create.

*Leather and adhesive from LeatherCordUSA.com

*Beads and charms from Michaels craft store

*Magnetic Clasp from JesseJamesBeads.com

DIY Fringe Earrings

This post brought to you by BEADALON.DIY Fringe Earrings Make them in less than 30 minutes with Beadalon slide connector findingsJ-Lo called….she wants her earrings back.

Ah, fringe.

You guys know I’m addicted right?Beadalon Slide Connector findings for cup chain and ball chainHere’s the “gateway” finding:  Beadalon slide connectors.  I think it started with the Statement bracelets I made awhile back.  These earrings have been on my brain since March and I finally finished them.How to attach a cup chain findingI’m using cup chain and ball chain for the fringe and to spice it up, I’ve added an arrow charm to the center.  You’ll need some cup chain connectors in the appropriate size.DIY Jewelry Making Closing prongs on cup chain connectorSet the last link of cup chain down in the finding and roll the prongs over with Beadalon’s sparkly chain nose pliers.  The tapered end of the plier is awesome for working with tiny parts.DIY Jewelry Making Opening and closing a jump ringsNow you can connect your arrow charm.DIY Jewelry Making Arrow charm earringsI found several art pieces with this arrow quote on the internet with no source but really loved the message.

From my experiences, it’s true.  For me, the hard part is remembering to focus and aim when you’re in the thick of it.  It’s something I really have to practice and be mindful about.

Moving on…DIY Jewelry Making Beadalon connector findingsNow, you can start sliding in your random bits of chain, trimming as you go with wire cutters.DIY Jewelry Making Adding cup chainBefore I forget, these slide connectors come in 3 different widths so you can simplify these if you like.DIY Jewelry Making Closing slide connector findingRoll the cap on the slide connector closed, pushing it against the table top to make sure it’s secure.DIY Jewelry Making Fringe Earrings with Beadalon Findings How to open an ear wireNow, we are to the finish line.  Open the loop on your ear wire from side to side and connect the loop on the slide connector. 
DIY Jewelry Making Fringe Earrings with Beadalon Findings Connecting an ear wiireClose the loop with the chain nose pliers.Fringe Earrings with Beadalon findings and toolsDIY Jewelry Making Fringe EarringsDIY fringe earrings from @CandieCooperEarringology by Candie CooperCheck out my book, Earringology, for more fun ideas!

Beadalon Tent Sale and Classes

Candie CooperJoin me Pennsylvania friends at the Beadalon fest tent show and classes!  Candie Cooper Jewelry for Beadalon.com  I’m teaching this class that features Beadalon‘s tassel maker and findings on  Sept. 19th at 2pm in Westchester, PA.  Want to sign up?

Email salesATbeadalonDOTcom to sign up. Cost is $25 (amazing right?!?).

You’ll learn how to make fantastic tassels and basic stringing techniques and leave with a layered necklace and matching bracelet featuring Jesse James Beads!

It’s going to be a ton of fun as I am joined by Katie Hacker, Wyatt White, Sandra Lupo and Sarah Ellis.  Let’s get this party started!!

I can’t wait.  Here’s the skinny on the rest of the sale:Beadalon Tent Sale

Bead Crochet GIVEAWAY!

Candie Cooper bead crochet kit giveawayYou know what I’m excited about?!

MY NEW VIDEOS WITH INTERWEAVE!!!  I did four of them, but the one that I’m celebrating today is “Bead Crochet!”  This is one of my most very favorite techniques that I just happened upon doodling around one day in the studio (and Universe, it would be great if these moments could come a little more often).EP12670In this video I show you how to make a necklace and earrings with super stretchy beading elastic, Elasticity.Bead Crochet Giveaway KitJewelry Making DIY Bead CrochetThe cool thing about it is the necklace can convert easily into a bracelet like this.  I’ve taught this class multiple times at Bead Fest and each time it sells out.  Now you can enjoy it in your lazy-girl chair and pjs right at home. Giveaway from Clover Needlecrafts, JesseJamesBeads.com, Candie Cooper & Interweave

To celebrate this video release, my friends at Clover Needlecrafts, JesseJamesBeads.com, and Interweave are kicking in everything you need to create your own bead crochet necklace.  Thanks guys!  See below for how to enter and lots of luck to you!

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CONGRATS TO KAREN G-R!!  Happy crocheting!!