Table of Contents Showtime in Milwaukee Free Project: Supercool Getting Closure Reader Question & Answer

I was stunned by Dustin Tabor's amazing beads when I saw them in Milwaukee and wanted to show his work to Simply Beads newsletter readers. This issue's free project, Supercool, features a pendant by Dustin in a necklace by designer Jean Yates. This issue also contains a peek at what shoppers saw at the Bead & Button Show and my thoughts on the importance of choosing a clasp.

Showtime in Milwaukee

My treasures from the 2009 Bead & Button Show feature a sugar skull pendant by Anne Choi; toggle clasps by Joe Silvera; luscious lapidary beads and pendant by Gary Wilson Stones; glass honeycomb bead by Rashan Omari Jones; and pewter beads and shibuichi pendant by Green Girl Studios.

I admit it: I didn't do much shopping at this year's Bead & Button Show. It wasn't due to a lack of inviting and intriguing items for sale -- believe me! Like all other years, this show had beady temptations galore, and I quickly became overwhelmed and realized my budget was insufficient to buy everything I wanted. I ran quickly to my favorite vendor and satisfied my craving on a few choice items.

This year's show featured a lot of metal beads and findings, plus a giant inventory of metalworking tools and supplies. Alternative materials like resin castings, bottle-cap charms, keys, Shrinky Dinks, sprockets and washers were very popular on the show floor and in vendor's inspirational jewelry samples. An increase in the popularity of knotted fibers, found object jewelry, silk and fabric beads was also visible (fueled by Stephanie Sersich -- Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads, Melinda Barta -- Custom Cool Jewelry and Kristal Wick -- Fabulous Fabric Beads).

Although crystal never loses its appeal, Show trends were more focused on jewelry with less sparkle and more of an archival quality. Semiprecious beads sold more briskly than handmade glass beads. Shoppers showed a distinct interest for learning at home, snapping up instructions, books, kits and classes on DVD. Mixed metals prevailed in finished jewelry pieces, including brass, copper and bronze.

Popular imagery included birds, mermaids, trees, flowers, leaves, paisleys, sugar skulls, crosses and stamped personal messages. Owls were everywhere, on stamps, charms, beads and more.

Thankfully, bead artists are true to their roots as traders. This year I traded a beaded bead and a necklace for a fine handmade glass bead and a big bag of my favorite toggle clasps.

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Free Project: Supercool Design by Jean Yates Earthy-looking natural turquoise, great colored brown pearls and fine silver Thai cube accent beads set off Dustin Tabor's spectacular pendant. A varied stringing pattern on each side makes a simple design more interesting without detracting from the focal element. Materials Lampwork pendant with loop Graduated strand of 4-10mm turquoise heishi beads 24 (5.5–6mm) rich brown potato pearls 28 (5 x 5 x 5mm) sterling silver cube beads 4 (.019) 3mm sterling silver crimp tubes 5mm sterling silver soldered jump ring 9.5 x 19mm sterling silver swivel lobster-claw clasp 27 inches .019-inch-diameter nylon-coated flexible beading wire Chain-nose pliers Wire nippers Tape Finished Size 19 inches (including clasp) Project notes: String larger heishi beads close to pendant; string smaller heishi beads toward ends of necklace. Use tape to secure end of wire not being strung. Instructions 1) String a silver cube, pendant and a silver cube, centering them on wire. 2) String the following on left side of pendant: six heishi beads, silver cube, pearl, silver cube, nine heishi beads, silver cube, three pearls, silver cube, six heishi beads, silver cube, pearl, silver cube, nine heishi beads, silver cube, three pearls, silver cube, six heishi beads, silver cube, pearl, silver cube, nine heishi beads, silver cube, three pearls, silver cube, four heishi beads, silver cube, heishi bead, crimp tube, heishi bead, crimp tube and soldered ring. 3) String the following on right side of pendant: three heishi beads, silver cube, three pearls, silver cube, nine heishi beads, silver cube, pearl, silver cube, nine heishi beads, silver cube, three pearls, silver cube, six heishi beads, silver cube, pearl, silver cube, nine heishi beads, silver cube, three pearls, silver cube, five heishi beads, silver cube, pearl, silver cube, six heishi beads, silver cube, two crimp tubes and clasp. 4) Hold up necklace and check to see if sides are even, not including the clasp. Adjust as needed. 5) Insert wire tail on right end back through both crimp tubes; use crimp pliers to flatten crimp tubes. Trim excess wire. Repeat on opposite side. Sources: Lampwork pendant from Dustin Tabor; heishi beads from Dakota Stones; pearls from Nina Designs; crimp beads from Via Murano. Copyright (C) July 2008 Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved. Click here for printer-friendly page.

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Getting Closure
How important is your clasp? First, consider the function of the clasp. Without it, getting jewelry on and off has limited options because not all bracelets work well as pull-on bangles, and not everyone wears necklaces long enough to pull on over your head. Clasp choices make a huge impact on jewelry design.

My favorite types of closures are box and toggle clasps, which fulfill my requirements for both function and beauty. In bracelets, clasps are an important part of the overall design since they are always visible. Many of my bracelets use the clasp as an inspiration for the overall design.

My dog-bone chain-link bracelets are perfectly finished with bone and collar toggles designed by artist Joe Silvera (SilveraJewelry.com).

Also, always assume the clasp will be visible on your jewelry. Although it is easy to assume that a necklace clasp won't be seen as much as a bracelet clasp, what if the wearer has short hair or likes to wear her hair up?

Since function is the true reason to use a clasp, make sure you acknowledge this aspect of the design. When I receive jewelry for publication, I try it on. Often the jewelry is beautiful, but the clasp may be flimsy, hard to manipulate or snag in my hair. When I make necklaces for my physically active sister, I use lobster-claw clasps instead of toggles to prevent her jewelry from coming unclasped and falling off.

Choose your clasps carefully. Balance closures with the overall style, scale and dominant design elements of the entire piece of jewelry. Most importantly: Your budget shouldn't limit you to a cheap clasp when your jewelry item contains expensive beads or metals. Keeping your jewelry on is as important as being able to take it off at the end of the day!

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Reader Question & Answer
I have never beaded before but am willing and eager to try it. What design is best for a beginner? I prefer a necklace or bracelet.
From Ellen, via e-mail

Making your first piece of jewelry can seem like a daunting task. Using a kit is helpful and ensures that you have all supplies needed to complete the design. I recommend bracelets because they require less time and materials than necklaces. Choose a design with larger beads strung on flexible beading wire and finished with crimp beads. Keep it simple! Consider taking a beading basics class at a local store or visit AuntiesBeads.com to view a free five-minute video on how to string a bracelet.

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