DIY Leather Cord Jewelry Inspiration

 

Tune into JTV's Jewel School this Sunday and Monday from 10am-noon EST to learn the secret to this fun bolo cord bangle bracelet. I used Leather Cord USA bolo cord with 24-gauge Artistic Wire and an assortment of Swarovski Elements Beads. (Click the links for Pinterest pages!)

I'm excited to share lots of DIY leather jewelry inspiration this weekend on JTV's Jewel School! I've been whipping up a ton of jewelry using Leather Cord USA cord, bolo and braid - it's so beautiful that it's super easy to make pretty things. I love it!

We'll also be talking about the importance of good lighting to make beading easier, featuring four full-spectrum lamps from daylight™, including my favorite shown here: The Foldi. It's totally portable and comes with a USB cord for easy, on-the-go charging.

Can't wait for the show? Click here to watch my video about three essential knots for jewelry making, from the new series #1800 of Beads, Baubles & Jewels and get ready to make some fun, DIY leather cord jewelry with me!

Exploring Resin Jewelry

Check out this new book from Heidi Boyd! It's chock-full of pretty resin projects that look fun to make. I've always liked Heidi's style and appreciate her straightforward approach to crafting. Her new book has lots of tips for success, along with a variety of inspiring projects. I especially love the resin bangle that has pieces of old credit cards suspended inside!

Here's one of the projects from Heidi's book that uses my Katiedids™ channel findings. I love her colorful take on this design!

Want to get started with resin right away? Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a copy of Heidi's new book, Exploring Resin Jewelry. I'll collect comments for a week, then I'll randomly select a commenter to win. US entries only, please.

Running for Team Beads of Courage

If you've seen any of my race photos from The Flying Pig half-marathon last weekend on Facebook, look closely and see if you can spot the lampwork bead pinned to my running gear. I ran for Beads of Courage. Their Team Beads of Courage program inspires me to keep my feet moving because I think about the kid who's going to receive that bead someday for being extra brave!

Beads of Courage is an arts-in-medicine program for kids who are undergoing treatment for serious illnesses. Their mission is helping children record, tell and own their stories of survival.

 

The founder of Beads of Courage, Jean Baruch, filmed a Beads, Baubles & Jewels segment with us for the new series 1800. Jean is an amazing woman with a mission to help kids and their families heal and share their stories. She's surrounded by a talented group of people who are dedicated to expanding their reach. You can learn more and get involved by visiting their site: beadsofcourage.org

Bead & Button Show Classes

The Bead & Button Show is one of my favorite places to teach classes because Milwaukee is such a fun place to bead together for a few days! I love visiting with beading friends, shopping in the Expo Center and seeing the beautiful views of the lake from downtown.

Friday, 8:30-11:30
Denim Daydream
http://www.beadandbuttonshowstore.com/b130615.html
 
Saturday, 9-noon
Wisdom Wrap Bracelet/Necklace
http://www.beadandbuttonshowstore.com/b130614.html

Both classes below feature kits provided by Beadalon, Swarovski and TierraCast. We pack a lot into these three-hour classes. You bring your coffee and I'll bring the chocolate!

DIY Neon Jewelry

 

Here are some ideas for the neon hemp cord kit I'm presenting for Beadalon on JTV Jewel School this Sunday and Monday, 10-noon EST. I made these samples today and the neon cord helped me imagine a warm summer day instead of the gray drizzle that was coming down. The techniques are simple but the results are super fun! There are a lot of quick and easy things you can do for a little jewelry pick-me-up.

This is my very first book, Hemp Jewelry: It's Knot Hard. It's packed with ideas for creating your own knotted jewelry. I'll present it this weekend, along with several other hemp kits, adhesives and Beadalon's new Elasticity Chain. Be sure to tune in and get them while you can!

Beads, Baubles & Jewels Series 1800 Preview

Woo hoo! Our series 1800 preview is online for Beads, Baubles & Jewels. I love this format where you can get an overview of the whole season. We have so many great guests! And, lots of inspiring projects and techniques. You'll definitely want to set your DVR when the series begins next month.

Take a look and let us know what you think. We're already planning the next series!

Gratitude Bracelet & Poetry

 

Here's a little bracelet that I made for myself and wear everyday after reading fellow blogger Jason Robillard's pledge to wear a rubber band around his wrist to remind himself to stop complaining. I started wearing this black hairband to remind myself to stop worrying. (Less worrying = more energy for creativity!)

Each time I feel a pointless worry coming on, I switch the hairband to the other wrist. It's a really powerful reminder because you notice how many times a day you're switching wrists. At first, I was switching all day long! My friend Candie Cooper said, "I hope you're going to decorate it," so I added a little bird from TierraCast and a Swarovski crystal on a head pin. A girl's gotta have some bling.

Now, I'm switching it less and less and I mostly leave it on as a reminder to be grateful for my blessings. I like its simplicity. Like Ms. Emily Dickinson said:

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul, 

And sings the tune -- without the words, 

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; 

And sore must be the storm,

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land, 

And on the strangest sea; 

Yet, never, in extremity, 

It asked a crumb of me.