Hello Beaders!
After a busy holiday season, most beaders like

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to find a moment to sit down and create. When the February issue of Simply Beads shows up at your house, you'll have plenty sweet Valentine's projects to whip up and plenty time to make them. Or, perhaps its time to give yourself a little gift, something to invigorate your spirit. Whether you're in the mood to give or receive, I'm sure you'll find projects that catch your eye.

New Colors for the New Year
Last year I purchased a color card for Swarovski crystals. The card shows the many colors you can purchase along with their names. It's pretty comprehensive, including samples of satin and AB colors, plus all the crystal pearl colors. Any time there is an addition to Swarovski's extensive list, I receive an envelope containing samples to add to my existing card. Having all the color names in one place is valuable information whether you are putting together kits or just like to keep up to date on color trends and names.

The card was not cheap but has prevented me from ordering the wrong item. Swarovski makes over 50 colors of crystals and that number doesn't include the satin, AB and AB2X finishes. I've probably come out ahead on my color card purchase by avoiding order misstakes. The automatic update system is convenient and keeps my card current with annual trends.

The new Swarovski colors are stunning. I'm a big fan of green tourmaline, so Palace Green Opal is my kind of color. The subtle tonal effect of the Light Grey Opal is fabulous with its moderately warm glow, making it marry well with silver or gold. Both of these colors look similar to gemstones, staying current with the trend toward natural materials.

Antique Brass is the newest in the crystal pearl color options, and it's classy and sophisticated with a hot, metallic tone. Crystal pearls share the same base as the crystals in the Swarovski line, which gives them a quality and uniformity beyond what nature provides. The sizes are exact and the colors consistent. Crystal pearls also offer a larger hole than a fresh-water pearl, allowing them to fit on wire as large as 20 gauge or .019 or heavier flexible beading wire.

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Reshaping Your Crystal Universe
To top off the new colors, there are new shapes available. The trend is toward modern shapes; the Twist, Cubist, Galactic, Graphic and Modular beads are delightfully asymmetrical. Facets add to the drama of these new shapes, which also run a little larger, fulfilling their destiny as focal beads for spring jewelry designs.

If you like petite elegance, the small crystal briolette drops are both elegant and versatile. A jump ring easily fits through the hole so the drop can be attached directly to a chain link or a ring, a feat impossible to achieve using a semi-precious briolette. The larger hole also allows you to use a heavier gauge of wire with these delicate drops if you like to wire wrap.

And for those who like things a bit more whimsical, check out the butterflies, starfish, flowers, crescent moons and shells. These natural shapes are fun and perfect for designs inspired for spring and summer wear.

Look for the new colors and shapes at your local bead store, and don't forget to sparkle!

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Glamour Girl
After all that talk about the new crystal and pearl colors, the only possible project for this issue includes a bit of both.

Dress It Up With Glamour Girl Make it in an evening! Materials: Light rose crystal bicone beads: 15 (4mm), 8 (8mm) 19 (6mm) light rose AB crystal round beads Rose crystal beads: 17 (4mm) bicone, 3 (8mm) bicone, 25 (6mm) round Burgundy crystal round beads: 37 (4mm), 18 (6mm) Bronze crystal pearls: 37 (6mm), 8 (10mm) 4 sterling silver crimp ends 2 silver circular chandelier earring components 2 silver lever-back ear wires Sterling silver hook clasp .024-inch-diameter 19-strand nylon-coated flexible beading wire Round-nose pliers Chain-nose pliers Jumbo crimp pliers Wire nippers Tape (optional) Finished Sizes Necklace 20 inches (including clasp) Earrings 2 1/2 inches long Instructions Necklace 1 Cut 17 1/2-and 19 1/2-inch lengths of beading wire. Use jumbo crimp pliers to attach a crimp end to one end of each wire. 2 String the following onto the 171/2-inch length: three 6mm rose round beads, five 4mm burgundy round beads and three 4mm rose bicone beads. 3 String a 6mm burgundy round bead, 10mm bronze pearl and a 6mm burgundy round bead. 4 String three 6mm light rose round beads, three 6mm bronze pearls, five 4mm burgundy round beads and three 6mm rose round beads; repeat step 3. 5 String three 4mm rose bicone beads, three 6mm bronze pearls and five 6mm light rose round beads; repeat step 3. 6 String three 6mm rose round beads, three 4mm burgundy round beads, three 6mm bronze pearls and three 6mm light rose round beads; repeat step 3. 7 String five 6mm rose round beads, three 6mm bronze pearls, three 4mm burgundy round beads, five 4mm rose bicone beads and five 4mm burgundy round beads. Tape end of strand if desired; set aside. 8 String the following onto the 19 1/2-inch length: five 4mm light rose bicone beads, five 6mm bronze pearls, three 4mm burgundy round beads and five 6mm rose round beads. Repeat step 3. 9 String five 4mm light rose bicone beads, three 4mm burgundy round beads, five 6mm bronze pearls and three 6mm rose round beads; repeat step 3. 10 String three 8mm rose bicone beads, five 6mm bronze pearls, three 4mm burgundy round beads and five 6mm light rose round beads; repeat step 3. 11 String three 6mm rose round beads, three 4mm burgundy round beads, five 6mm bronze pearls and five 4mm light rose bicone beads; repeat step 3. 12 String three 6mm light rose round beads and five 6mm bronze pearls. 13 In the same manner as in step 1, attach a crimp end to the end of each beaded wire; trim excess wire. Arrange the beaded strands with the shortest on the inside and attach ends to the hook clasp. Earrings 1 Slide the following onto a head pin: 8mm light rose bicone bead, 4mm burgundy round bead and a 4mm rose bicone bead. Use round-nose pliers to form a loop above top bead; trim excess wire. Repeat three additional times. Open loops and attach to the outer bottom loops on chandelier earring components; close loops. 2 Slide the following onto a head pin: 8mm light rose bicone bead, 6mm burgundy round bead and a 4mm rose bicone bead. Form a loop above top bead; trim excess wire. Repeat once. Open loops and attach to center bottom loops on earring component; close loops. 3 Slide an 8mm light rose bicone bead onto a head pin; form a loop above bead; trim excess wire. Repeat once. Open loops and attach to inside loops on earring components; close loops. 4 Open loops on ear wires and attach to top loops of assembled earring components; close loops. Sources: Beading wire, EZ crimp clasp and ear wires from Beadalon; crystal beads and crystal pearls from Swarovski North America; chandelier earring components from Pure Allure. Copyright © 2007. Simply Beads. All rights reserved. Back to top. Click here for printer friendly page.

Hot Glue Tips
If you ever have any questions and want feedback from other readers, here is proof that all you have to do is ask! C. Hilty asked for advice on gluing beads to ribbon without struggling with glue strings. Here's what Simply Beads e-letter readers have to say about avoiding strings.

• Use a toothpick to place the glue instead of trying to dab a tiny bit in place with the glue gun. This method promises to pick up a small amount each time and place it precisely.
• Twirl the glue a bit on a toothpick before placing. The twirl will wind any strings around the toothpick.
• Blow gently on the finished ribbon with a warm hairdryer. This makes the strings retract, and they disappear.
• Use a glue hot pot. Using tweezers, pick up a bead, dip it in the warm glue, and then place. Make certain to choose the right glue as some will lose their adherent properties after re-heating or if left hot for too long (this breaks down the gelatins).

Thanks for the help, readers!

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