New Kit: Sedona Necklace

A natural semi-precious gemstone "doughnut" surrounded by an assortment of stone beads evoke the varied landscapes of the Southwest in this easy knotted necklace. The Sedona Necklace is available in five colors:

• Painted Vista (shades of beige, bronze, smoke, cream, and pale turquoise)
  
• Mossy Cavern (swirled mossy green, cloudy clear, pale olive, and shades of sand)
  
• Bronze Bluff (bronze, shades of brown, black, and nutmeg)
  
• Desert Pine (pine green, black, shades of gray)
  
• Blue Horizon (dark blue, cloudy clear and pale blue, touches of light beige)

Free Make and Take: Floral Pendant & Earrings Set

Would you like to learn how to make loops or just need to brush up?

Join us at The Bead Studio, for a Free Make-n-Take during the month of May.

• Tuesdays 10:15am - 7:15pm
  
• Fridays 10:15am - 7:15pm
• Sundays 12:15pm - 3:15pm

Limit one set per person. Limited seating. Ends May 31, 2009.

Fabulous Sterling Silver Trunk Show!

During the month of May we will hosting a giant sterling silver trunk show! There will be hundreds of styles of beads, clasps, pendants, spacers and much more!

Clay River Trunk Show during May

During the month of May, we will be hosting a trunk show for Clay River Designs, a company that has been designing and producing beautiful ceramic beads and pendants since 1973. Many of their pieces are inspired by nature and art. Each piece is glazed and fired multiple times, resulting in a unique and beautiful work of art. There are many pendant designs to choose from, and accent beads in complementary colors as well. Please join us!

New Swarovski Arrivals!

New crystal beads and pendants from Swarovski: (listed left to right)

• Cosmic Oval Ring 15x11mm, nine colors available
• Crystal Disk Bead 12.5mm, six colors available
  
• Cosmic Oval Ring 22x16mm, nine colors available
• Crystal Disk Pendant 25mm, six colors available
  
• Column Pendant 20mm, six colors available
  

New Rivoli Findings and Donut Bails

These findings can turn a gemstone donut or crystal Rivoli into an instant pendant, and come in three finishes: Gunmetal, Silver-Plate and Copper. The rectangular bail is pictured the Swarovski square (#4439 - 20mm), the pendant finding for the Swarovski or Preciosa Rivolis is available in four sizes: 12mm, 14mm, 16mm and 18mm.

New Patera Findings for Artwork or Photography

These fun and versatile findings can be used to make jewelry components with artwork or photography! There are many shapes to choose from in three finishes: Gold, Silver & Copper. Step-by-step instructions for the protective glaze coating can be found here and How-to videos can be viewed here.

April PMC Level II Certification Class

We just finished PMC Level II. Everyone had a lot of fun in the class! Mark your calendar, the next Level II class is October 2 & 3, 2009.

2009 Bead and Button Show Metal Clay Class: Jeweled Leaf Pendant and Earring Set

The Jeweled Leaf Pendant and Earring Set class features projects and techniques designed and taught by Irina Miech. Create a one-of-a-kind pendant-and-earring set using Mother Nature's design. Learn to create three-dimensional forms while exploring a variety of metal clay techniques, including stone setting and syringe work.

• Date: Saturday, June 6th, 2009


• Time: 9:00am–5:00pm (with a two hour break)

Register online at the Bead & Button show website

2009 Bead and Button Show Metal Clay Class: Whimsical Wire Work

The Whimsical Wire Work class features projects and techniques designed and taught by Irina Miech. Create two one-of-a-kind pieces. Explore wire wrapping with different gauges of wire to design a gemstone heart pendant and a stone donut pendant. Embellish both pieces with pearls, crystals, and stone beads.

• Date: Friday, June 5th, 2009


• Time: 5:00pm–8:00pm

Register online at the Bead & Button show website

2009 Bead and Button Show Metal Clay Class: Wine Tasting Bracelet and Earring Set

The Wine Tasting Bracelet & Earring Set class features projects and techniques designed by Irina Miech. Create this whimsical bracelet-and-earring set by combining metal clay and wire work techniques. Learn to texture the clay, set CZs, and embellish with Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls.

• Date: Thursday, June 4th, 2009


• Time: 8:00am–3:00pm (with a one hour break)

Register online at the Bead & Button show website

2009 Bead & Button Show Metal Clay Class: Designer Collection

The Designer Collection class features projects and techniques designed and taught by Irina Miech. Create a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces using a variety stamped images and simple techniques to reflect your unique perspective.

• Date: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009


• Time: 8:00am–3:00pm (with a one hour break)

Register online at the Bead & Button show website

2009 Bead and Button Show Metal Clay Class: Enchanted Forest Set

The Enchanted Forest Set class features projects and techniques designed and taught by Irina Miech. Create a whimsical one-of-a-kind pendant and earring set. Explore a variety metal clay techniques, such as dry construction, embellishing with syringe, setting an unusually shaped CZ or Lab-created stone.

• Date: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009


• Time: 9:00am–5:30pm (with a 1.5 hour break)

Register online at the Bead & Button show website

2009 Bead and Button Show Metal Clay Class: Textures and Settings

The Textures & Settings class features projects and techniques designed and taught by Irina Miech. Create three one-of-a-kind pieces from metal clay as you sample a variety of textures. Explore working with stamps, natural elements, making molds, and CZ-setting techniques.

• Date: Monday, June 1st, 2009


• Time: 9:00am–5:30pm (with a 1.5 hour break)

Register online at the Bead & Button show website

New Arrival: Half Drilled Pearls

These luscious half drilled pearls are a great way to add elegance to any design. When combined with the proper findings, they create a timeless, finished look.

The Bora Bora Necklace Kit uses chain and half drilled pearls, and is featured in the March 2008 issue of BeadStyle Magazine.

Here half-drilled pearls are shown combined with Bridal Findings.

A half-drilled pearl is highlighted in this Precious Metal Clay design, which is also a project in More Metal Clay for Beaders.