To Seed Bead Or Not To Seed Bead

Well hats off and a massive applause to those that constantly work with seed beads.

I received my packets of seed beads weeks ago from Aunties Beads and what a time I had trying to fathom out what to do with them. The only time I had worked with seed beads is as an addition to my stringing designs. Never had a tried any of the stitches that you can do with them.

I have to admit completing a bracelet was a challenge for me. Although I actually found it relaxing. Once I got the hang of it and watched a video about half a dozen times it was - away I went. Alas I do have a problem with keeping the tension all the same.



Carla was a great help with this video on peyote stitch. Maybe Aunties Beads should put some more on.

So what is the secret to keeping the tension correct? How about some tips.

Jet Team Bead Challenge - This Weekend

The Jewelry on Etsy Team wants YOU to visit their blog this weekend to vote for your favorite entry in our very first JET Bead Challenge!

Two weeks ago, the ten JET members received two beads. The beads are six sided yellow mother of pearl or shell. The only rule was ... anything you make must have both beads used in the design! No restrictions means ... plenty of imagination!

Each participant has made something entirely different! This shows exactly how talented and imaginative our members really are. The variety of the pieces entered is simply amazing! Every one of these designs is a winner, no matter the outcome of this challenge ... each entry is special and truly one of a kind, just the way handmade jewelry is supposed to be.

Here is a quick look at the entries but please visit here to place your vote.

1 - Judy of JemsByJBandCompany submitted:

Mangoes with Cream

Mouthwatering mother of pearl beads in deep yellow and creamy white are surrounded by a wealth of complimentary accents in this bracelet.

There are bronze freshwater pearls, yellow quartz and white freshwater pearls. Squares of shells and Swarovski crystals shimmer to add more pizazz!! A silver starfish charm adds the feel of the summertime waters to this design. A sterling silver toggle clasp, with a braided texture, secures this piece.

This beautiful bracelet measures 8 1/2" long.

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2 - Victoria of DBVictoria submitted:

Bees Do It - Black Glass and Orange Crystal Necklace with Shell


The shell beads I received were paired with rounded rectangles of antique glass, light topaz (or yellow-orange) crystal bicones, and black flat faceted crystal discs.

They are strung with an antiqued brass bee charm on tigertail, and fasten with a lobster clasp and chain.

The necklace can be worn from 18" to 22".
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3. Barbara of CapitalCityCrafts submitted:

Primary Geometry Earrings

Bright primary colors with bold geometric shapes make these earrings stand out. Hot pink quartz with brilliant yellow shell and blue pearls, rectangles, hexagons and ovals in a sterling silver circle.

Summertime fun on sterling silver euro wires!

These earrings are big and bold, 3" (75mm) overall in length, the sterling circles are 1 3/8" (35mm) in diameter.

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4. Dawanna of PeacesOfIndigo submitted:

Sunshine Charm Bracelet - Yellow Glass and Wood Beads

The beads are shell and reminded me of the Sun. I created a metal clay charm that is double sided. It is pure silver. It says 'shine' on one side and has a hand drawn Sun on the other. I oxidized it to make the details stand out.

There are two beaded strands on one side of the charm. One is antiqued yellow glass, the other is wood. The accents are all sterling silver. The chain on the other side is sterling. It allows the bracelet to be adjusted from 6 to 8.5 inches in length.

I added a pretty faceted smoky quartz bead to one side of the charm. It adds a little color and jazzes it up a bit. This is simply a fun summer bracelet!

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5 - Bob and Terry of Jewelry24Seven submitted:

Silver and Shell Bracelet

The back part of this bracelet is a viking knit cuff. The bracelet is a combination of fine and sterling silver; It was oxidized to give emphasis to the two bezel set yellow shell beads. The front panel is about 1" wide and 2 1/4" long.


The entire thing is handmade with fine silver bezels, sterling silver sheet and bead wire. The front was decorated with silver casting grain to give it a unique appearance and texture.

One end is attached to the cuff bracelet back; the other opens, with a simple pressure fit hook closure.

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6. Tammy of ArtMadeByTammy submitted:

Under Construction gold Cuff Links -
OOAK Hand Drawn Steampunk Wearable Art

Made with ~Yellow mother of pearl hexagon beads -

18mm x 20mmBlack InkGold Plated Cuff Links -

Lead safe Vintage Watch Movement Gears and Parts

Glue and Sealer.

This artwork is 100% hand-drawn (not a print, print-out or lithograph), and designed by Me, the artist.

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7. Phyllis of SendingLoveGallery submitted:

Fiesta Bracelet Mother of Pearl, Aventurine,
Glass, Wood Beads and Antique Brass

The bracelet has a large glass bead in the center handpainted with a bird surrounded with flowers and leaves, flanked by wrinkled metallic glass beads, the 2 mother of pearl golden yellow beads, aqua glass beads, and 2 yellow "Miracle" beads at each end. In between them are bronze seed beads and purple aventurine beads.

Then I added charm dangles between all of these - they are made of wood cylinder beads that reminded me of firecrackers, hot pink mother of pearl dangles, tiny round beads, metallic beads, flower beads, etc., etc.

The findings and toggle clasp are antique brass. The length is 8 inches and will fit up to a 6-3/4 in. wrist. The large center bead is 1 inch across, and when the bracelet is flat the width is about 1-3/8 inches across.

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8. Deb of stoutdg2 submitted:

Sunny - Lampwork, Gold Filled and Vermeil Bracelet

Sunny was made with two lampwork disk beads wire wrapped with matching crystals, two hexagon beads with vermeil daisy spacers, a vermeil triple link, and gold filled chain.

I've added a gold filled spacer bead with vermeil bead caps and a gold filled chain to provide a fun, whimsical look.

The bracelet measures 7-1/2" in length with a 1" extender chain. The lobster clasp is gold plated.

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9. Mandy of BeadsMe submitted:

Yellow Mother Of Pearl Earrings
With An Added Cluster Of Czech Glass


Earrings are created with yellow/orange mother of pearl hexagons, lime, cream and clear multi faceted czech glass.

The hexagons are wire wrapped to sterling silver ear hooks by a looped head pin, whilst the wire wrapped cluster of czech beads are attached to silver tone chain.

Earrings drop is 3 inches (7½cm) from top of ear hook.

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10. Ida of AdroitJewelers submitted:

Purple Peace Jasper and
Yellow Mother of Pearl Copper Bracelet

I made this chunky bracelet by alternating purple peace jasper stones and the hexagonal yellow mother of pearl beads. The jasper stones are each approximately 18 x 26mm and the yellow mother of pearl beads are approximately 18mm x 20mm.

It is connected with copper wire and has a hand-formed dragonfly on one yellow bead and a hand-formed flower with purple seed bead center on the other.

The bracelet measures approximately 8 inches and fastens with a hand-formed copper clasp.


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The JET Team will be actively promoting this challenge and vote on the Promotions thread of Etsy this Saturday and Sunday. Please visit each item page to see the full description, more pictures etc. Once you've decided, please vote at the bottom of this page!

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Don't forget visit the Jet Teams blog to place your vote.

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Wedding Challenge Voting Results

The Jewelry on Etsy Team (JET), EtsyFAST, and ETSY Greetings street teams outdid themselves in creating pieces for the Wedding Challenge. Final voting results are in.

Congratulations to our winners - the voting was extremely difficult.

Paper category:
1st place - http://PinkStarDesign.etsy.com

2nd place - http://steliedesigns.etsy.com
3rd place - http://macaroniandglue.etsy.com
Jewelry category:
1st place - http://cserpent.etsy.com
2nd place (tie) - http://beadsme.etsy.com
http://lushbeads.etsy.com
3rd place - http://bdazzlingcreations.etsy.com

Fiber category:
1st place - http://LazyTcrochet.etsy.com
2nd place - http://peacoxcreations.etsy.com
3rd place - http://beemiceelf.etsy.com

Many of the designers have put their pieces up for sale in their Etsy shops. Just search under the tag wedchal to see some amazing work.
All entries can be found in the challenge flikr pool here http://www.flickr.com/groups/711212@N21/

A heartfelt thank you to our featured bride, Autumn, for allowing us to share in her wedding plans.
Many thanks to the following generous Etsy shop owners for donating special items to be included in a gift basket for Autumn.

http://jacjewelry.etsy.com
http://Beadflorajewels.etsy.com
http://MoonMystic.etsy.com
http://Macaroniandglue.etsy.com
http://f2images.etsy.com
http://chattycathieart.etsy.com
http://Fabricartbydebby.etsy.com
http://Rebekaha.etsy.com
http://Auntdshandcrafts.etsy.com
http://elnorrigb.etsy.com
http://shannon75.etsy.com
http://entice101.etsy.com
http://luv2have.etsy.com
http://Beadsandfairies.etsy.com
http://WhimsyPics.etsy.com
http://cozysister.etsy.com
http://CassandraRussell.etsy.com
http://Arabbitgirl.etsy.com
http://Jealousydesign.etsy.com
http://Mermaidinacan.etsy.com
http://BridalblissCosmetics.etsy.com
http://BAKidAgain.etsy.com
http://laughingmooncreation.etsy.com
http://Matilou.etsy.com
http://Kimonocards.etsy.com
http://milarks.etsy.com
http://forquiltssake.etsy.com
http://lushbeads.etsy.com

My Entries Are In

Two challenges, two entries.

My entry for the Wedding Challenge can be found here and the entry for the Spring 08 Beading Challenge can be found here .

Just sit and wait now.

Good luck to all that entered.

Wedding Challenge

The 2008 Wedding Challenge sponsored by Etsy street teams: JET (Jewelry on Etsy team), EtsyFAST (Fiber Arts Street Team) and Etsy Greetings.
The challenge - to create a piece that would be a perfect fit for Autumn and John's wedding event. Design for the wedding, reception or the honeymoon - the choice is yours. **Please see challenge rules below.

**Wedding Challenge Rules**:

1. One entry per participant

2. Participant must be a member of one of the following street teams: Jewelry on Etsy Team (JET), EtsyGreetings, or EtsyFAST.

3. Each participant must post ONE picture of their entry in the Wedding Challenge flickr group by midnight (EST) on April 19. http://www.flickr.com/groups/711212@N21/

4. The following information MUST appear in the TITLE and TAGS for each entry posted to the Wedding Challenge Flickr group (using the exact words listed in single quotes).a) The street team the participant belongs to: 'JetTeam', 'EtsyGreetingsTeam', OR 'EtsyFASTTeam'b) The category of the entry: 'Jewelry', 'Paper', OR 'Fiber'




And here is my entry. Made from glass pearls, silver grey glass beads and beautiful flower designed clasps which act as part of the creation.

Do I, Don't I???

Well I have signed up for the Lava Jewelry Spring 08 Beading Challenge . Got my beads just over a week ago and toyed with many ideas. Easter Friday was spent putting the beads together and I came up with this........

I am very pleased with the end result but not too sure about the photos. I have until 1st of May to enter the pics..........