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the final peak of holiday madness. In the last-minute rush to finish all your holiday projects or go out and buy gifts for all the people on your list, don't forget to put aside a project stash to keep you happy through the holidays.

Also, don't forget that the February issue of Simply Beads will be available in early January. This project-packed issue will chase away your winter blues, get you ready for Valentine's Day and designer Katie Hacker will answer all your questions about crimping.

Creative Tools

Basic, low-tech tools
I keep sketchbooks for my ideas. These are remarkably useful tools for me. If I experience a "dry spell" in my creative flow, I have a place to look up ideas. The book often contains things drawn a few months prior. The sketches are raw, and I normally draw something one or two times before I include all of the details or I work in a smaller scale, leaving space for notes.

Sometimes sketching a design alerts me to a potential problem or question about the engineering of the design. This makes me more aware of a need to look for alternatives in my choice of materials or may lead to another drawing which addresses my questions. It's amazing what you can work out with paper and pencil.

Higher-tech solutions
Another fabulous tool is a color copier. When I complete a component or a string pattern I consider "perfect", I make a high-resolution copy or two. On the copy, I write notes on colors, materials, sizes, measurements and any other pertinent details. When I'm done, I three-hole punch the copy and put it in a design binder. Even if months go by, this archived copy keeps track of all the details I perfected when I created the design. This saves so much time!

Scanners work like copiers do, and you can keep an image file on your computer. You can even make your notes on the computer to create a digital archive for your designs. You can also print out the scan and make notes if you don't have good software for working with scans and text. Most things focus pretty well when placed directly on the scanner, but it depends on the depth of the physical piece. Place a white cloth over the piece if you can't close the scanner cover.

When designers submit project proposals to me, they normally include photos of their designs. These usually aren't professional or styled shots, but I can get a visual idea of the design. The most important tip is to use a macro lens or setting when you're taking pictures of small details. A macro lens is designed to take pictures at very close range with crisp detail and sharp focus. Keep the setup simple to highlight the piece, avoiding patterns and textures.

Technology is a potent ally in the design process. Whether you keep it basic with a sketchbook (this is the most mobile option), make a quick copy, scan it to a digital file or take a photo, it is important to keep track of your design specifics. This saves time, effort, and usually a few dollars worth of materials.

The other importance of a design archive is to keep track of your finished designs. Once a piece is complete, I either photograph it or make a copy to keep. If I created other notes in the design process, I keep them all together in a notebook. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to remember what size you used for that last bead in the necklace you gave a friend as a gift several months ago. Even if you never make two of anything, an image makes a great reference or visual portfolio of your work as it grows and changes.

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Iced Key
This project reminds me of a fresh, glittery winter snow, so I thought it would be perfect for a holiday project. The seasonal and stylish AB crystals (finished with a rainbow coating) will add sparkle to a warm sweater or dazzle to your New Year's Eve attire!

Iced Key Design by Margot Potter This monochromatic light-as-a-whisper design will dance across your neck and dazzle your senses. A tiny key to your heart and a sweet vintage rose bead dangle from the extension chain in the back making this design perfect for the bride or hopeless romantic. Materials 5 (12mm) cream Swarovski crystal pearls 10 (9 x 12mm) Swarovski crystal AB faceted oval beads 6 (7mm) cream faceted freshwater pearls 6 (4mm) Swarovski crystal AB top-drilled flowers 16 (6mm) cream freshwater petal pearls 6mm vintage rose Swarovski crystal rondelle bead 9/16-inch Swarovski crystal scalloped-edge pendant Small silver metal key charm 20-gauge sterling silver head pin 7mm sterling silver jump ring 2 (1.5mm) silver crimp tubes 1/2-inch sterling silver lobster-claw clasp 2 inches silver-plated medium curb chain 3 (20-inch) lengths .018-inch-diameter silver-plated nylon-coated flexible beading wire 2 pairs chain-nose pliers Large crimp tool Flush cutters Finished Size 15 inches (including clasp), with a 2-inch extender Instructions 1 Hold all three wires together and string a crimp tube 1/2 inch from one end; place wire ends through clasp and back through crimp tube, making sure to keep wire uncrossed inside tube prior to crimping. Use crimp pliers to flatten and fold the crimp tube. Trim excess wires on short ends only. 2 String a crystal flower on one wire, a faceted pearl on second wire and a petal pearl on third wire; smooth wires with fingers to separate them slightly and keep them uncrossed. Hold wires together and string a faceted oval bead. 3 Determine center wire and string a 12mm crystal pearl. String a petal pearl on each outside wire. Smooth wires with fingers again to separate; hold wires together and string a faceted oval bead. 4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 four additional times. 5 Repeat step 2, only string a crimp tube in place of faceted oval bead. 6 Thread wire ends through a jump ring and back through crimp tube in the same manner as before. Flatten and fold the crimp tube. Trim excess wires. 7 Open jump ring and attach to end link of 2-inch chain; close ring. 8 Slide the vintage rose rondelle on a head pin; use round-nose pliers to form a wrapped head-pin loop above rondelle. Trim excess wire. 9 Open end link of chain and slide on head pin, key charm and crystal pendant; close link. Sources: Crystal pearls, crystal beads, crystal flowers and pendant from Swarovski North America; freshwater petal pearls from WonderSources Inc.; key charm from Sacred Kitsch Studio; beading wire, chain and findings from Beadalon. Copyright © 2007. Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved. Back to top. Click here for printer friendly page.

Healing with Beads
Recently I received an e-mail from Maryann Corey, founder of the Portable Playhouse. Portable Playhouse is a non-profit organization that provides an art program for children in hospitals. Maryann told me she had received a great deal of feedback on the mention in the December issue of Simply Beads (page 10) from beaders across the country. Beads hold amazing power: I have seen them create contentment, pride and random acts of silliness. The concept of using beads for healing elevates their role from an ornament to a tool. Keep up the good work, Portable Playhouse!

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