Talented Artists at the CHA

Posted on Jan 24, 2010 in Events and Experiences | Comments Off on Talented Artists at the CHA

Today, we set up our table at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show (CHA), can you tell we are excited?  I’ve never been to one before so forgive me If I am over enthusiastic, I will probably be talking about this for days, up until Wednesday, at least.  I was star struck when I get to met book authors and artists that I only get to watch on youtube.

This is our table, we are at the New Exhibitor’s Section.

The very first thing we put up there is our banner.

I met Suzanne McNeill, author of Zentangle Basics in case you have not heard about zentangles please check her out.

I was tickled pink when I met Suzie Blu, she is a mixed media artist and I am a huge fan!  She was nice and patient enough to pose with me.  I have to get myself a pink wig just like hers.

Kayla’s Paper Beads Mandala

Posted on Jan 22, 2010 in Paper Bead Creations | 8 comments

We are quite busy preparing for the Craft and Hobby Association Show, I promise that we will bring you lots of news and photos on what’s going on in this big crafting event held in Anaheim, California.  One of the samples that will be on display on our table is a Mandala inspired pendant made by Kayla C. (there’s two Kaylas).  I think it came out really nice, reminds me almost of a dream catcher.  The paper beads she used for this pendant has the same pattern in each strand which is really neat, I think this is made from same page of a magazine.

Here’s Kayla, sporting her creation

We had fun with it yesterday in the middle of heavy down pour.  It can definitely be worn with anything and anyone, and still look cool don’t you think?

Few minutes after our “photo session” came the heavy downpour, never experienced before as far as I can remember.

We got a little wet, believe it or not, these beads are so well made it survived the rain.  I hope you stay safe and warm.  I welcome any questions about this project, any question at all, just email me or even better leave me a comment.

Knotting With Paper Beads

Posted on Jan 21, 2010 in How-To's / Tutorials | 4 comments

Putting knots in between beads is the technique used in stringing expensive pearls because it is secure and decorative at the same time.  I like to use knotting with paper beads, just as I like to use it with pearls and gem stones.  Knotting with paper beads or pearls is a very relaxing and enjoyable endeavor once you get the hang of it.  For this project, I use different shapes of paper beads: olive-shaped paper beads, diamond shaped paper beads and the cone shaped paper beads with crystals and glass beads.

Materials are: assorted paper beads, #6 or #5 silk cord (color of choice), clam tips, G-S Hypo Cement or clear nail polish, and magnetic clasp.

Main tool is a pair or tweezers.

Here’s  videos on how to knot in between beads

Part 2

It goes without saying, that techniques shown here can also be applied to any other beads.  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

Paper Bead Making Party

Posted on Jan 20, 2010 in Events and Experiences | 5 comments

These women is taking a break from their usual daily chores and breaking the monotony of making same shape and size paper beads.  Well they decided to have a paper bead party, it seems like they cannot keep themselves away from making paper beads, but they wanted to experiment new shapes, and just having fun using their left over nail polish.  They are using same metal paper bead roller as seen in one of my tutorials, it rolls the paper tight with just the right hole for jewelry making.

I would like to have a party like this: have some wine, paint each others nails, make some paper beads and color them with left over nail polish, sounds like fun?  I think what they had was sweet sticky rice, with hot chocolate, yumm.

What to do with old calendars?  Cut them into strips and roll them into paper beads.  I think I would actually get so much satisfaction cutting up 2009 calendar (this will have to be another post).  It can be quite therapeutic, what a year  that was.

I think they did a good job, look at these new shapes!

I guess this was a whole day affair,  they came up with this paper bead ball, I am trying to learn it myself, so I can share it with you.

Fire Sparkle Earrings

Posted on Jan 19, 2010 in Paper Bead Creations | 1 comment

I really love the idea of making my own jewelry with paper beads because I can match it with an outfit, I can make them dressy or casual, and anything is just possible, don’t forget a conversation piece.

I accompanied these unique paper beads with Swarovski crystals attaching them with illusion cord and crimps onto an eye pin and added top them off with spacers.

I am still playing with my heat embossing tool and experimented new shapes like this elongated cone using the metal paper bead roller. I then, took a piece of string an glued it onto the paper bead using tacky glue.

I added 4 mm swarovski crystals at the bottom of each string of illusion cord to give it a dressy look.  Also, the array of beautiful colors made it look somewhat like a fire cracker, with the browns, burgundy, and champagne all accented with gold.

You can certain paint the town purple with these earrings, don’t you think?