Welcome to the first official Simply Beads newsletter for fall 2008! I'm preparing for an upcoming trip to San Francisco for the annual Hooked on Wire retreat with designers Lisa Niven Kelly and Dallas Lovett. I'll also be shooting a few new online video classes for Beaducation.com. It's guaranteed to be an action-packed week of fun, friends and wire -- and a little bit of hard work, too.

Looking for Inspiration

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Where do you look for inspiration and new jewelry ideas? Inspiration needs tangible stimuli -- seeing, touching and feeling are important creative impulses for jewelry designers.

For me, inspiration can be found in two ways, hands-on and distraction. Hands-on stimulation comes from the local bead store, the latest bead catalog or a Web site. Distraction involves doing something other than beading in order to allow my mind to wander freely. Both techniques are equally effective, but the results really depend on my mood.

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Hands-on Activities

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Distraction Activities

If you have any great sources for inspiration that you'd like to share with other readers, use the feedback form at the bottom of this newsletter.

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Competition Seeks Young Artists
The Saul Bell Design Award began as an Emerging Artist competition in 2008 and will be giving the award to another young artist in 2009. Sponsored by the jewelry supplier Rio Grande, the competition invites student jewelry designers 18 years of age and younger to participate. There are no limitations on the type of medium as long as the finished piece is wearable jewelry.

Three winners will receive financial rewards from $100-500 and recognition in Rio Grande's advertisement and publicity campaigns. This competition is a great way to encourage young designers and a great way for them to get started in an exciting and competitive marketplace. The entry deadline is December 12, 2008. Visit Saulbellaward.com for more information and contest details.

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I'll Fly Away Design by Margot Potter Golden wings, crystals and pearls flutter around your neck with this feathered fantasy. Materials Swarovski crystals: 3 (5mm) silk bicone, 3 (4mm) crystal copper round 2 (5mm) freshwater pearls 2 1/2-inch-wide gold-plated bird pendant Gold-plated heart lock and key charm set Gold-plated jump rings: 3 (4mm), 4 (6mm) 8 (24-gauge) gold-plated head pins 2 inches gold-plated extender chain with filigree ball end Gold-plated hook-and-eye clasp 15 3/8 inches gold-plated link chain Round-nose pliers 2 pairs chain-nose pliers Flush cutters Finished Sizes 16 1/2 inches (including clasp) Instructions 1) Cut chain into the following lengths: two 6 1/4-inch, 1 1/8-inch, 1-inch and two 3/4-inch. Set aside. 2) Slide a crystal on a head pin; use round-nose pliers to form a wrapped head-pin loop above crystal. Trim excess wire. Repeat for each crystal and pearl. Set aside. 3) Use both pairs of chain-nose pliers to open a 6mm jump ring; slide ring onto end link of a 6 1/4-inch chain; attach ring to left hole on bird pendant. Close jump ring. Repeat to attach other 6 1/4-inch chain to other side of pendant, attaching lock and key charms to jump ring before closing it. 4) Open a 6mm jump ring and slide on end links of remaining cut chains; attach ring to jump ring on left side of bird pendant. 5) Open another 6mm jump ring and slide on the following beaded head pins: silk crystal, copper crystal, pearl, silk crystal and copper crystal. Attach ring to end link of 1 1/8-inch chain. 6) Open a 4mm jump ring and slide on hook half of clasp; attach ring to end link on left side of necklace. Repeat to attach other half of clasp to right side of necklace, sliding end link of extender chain onto jump ring before closing. 7) Open remaining 4mm jump ring and slide on remaining beaded head pins; attach ring to last link of extender chain. 8) Check back through necklace to ensure jump rings are closed securely. Source: Bird pendant and charms from Sacred Kitsch Studio; crystals from Swarovski North America; pearls from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads; chain and findings from Beadalon. Copyright © January 2008 Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved. Back to top. Click here for printer friendly page.

Need More Simply Beads?
Back issues of Simply Beads are now available online! Just go to SimplyBeadsMagazine.com and click on Newsletters. Scroll to the right side of the page and click on any past newsletter. Also, visit e-PatternsCentral.com for e-magazines, projects and patterns for many different types of crafts, including knitting, crochet and more. Download the pattern to your laptop, so you can keep your coffee table free for necklace boards, tools and all things beady!

October Simply Beads is available on newsstands or at your local bead or craft store. Chains, seed beads, felt, gemstones and ceramics are featured in 43 tempting, seasonal projects.

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