Belle Armoire Jewelry is published by Stampington as a quarterly magazine. The deadline for submissions for the next issue is January 15, 2010. From the website:  If you’d like to share your inspiration and detailed how-to instruction for creating beautiful jewelry with readers, we want to hear from you. Belle Armoire Jewelry covers a broad range of mediums, from art clay to polymer clay to found object to fiber to wire to beads and much, much more. Whether you are a creator of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, pendants, rings or other jewelry, we welcome you to submit your artwork for consideration of publication. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Belle Armoire... [Read more]

The Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America is now accepting entries for its 19th annual Vision Awards design competition. Each year, the competition recognizes the talent and innovation of designers whose work will have a profound influence on the future of jewelry design.  Categories for this year include: Design Excellence, for designs that exhibit exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and marketability. Visionary Technical Solution, for designs in which specific technical challenges-such as combining two non-complementary metals-were overcome to take the piece from concept to completion. Laser Distinction, for entries in which the design relied upon the use of a laser (sponsored by LaserStar Technologies). Gold Distinction, for... [Read more]

OK, not exactly from around my own town: from the blogosphere.  There are so many talented people out there making gorgeous beaded gifts, both wearables and non-wearables.  Here are some of my favorites…I am simply not going to have time to make them all, so I wanted to share with you! Beaded wine basket Quick and easy beaded frame Beaded wire photo holder Beaded Christmas tree earrings Pattern for a beaded crystal snowflake Beaded wine basket Stacked wire cuff bracelet Beaded cards Beaded tree Vintage button bangle Gradient button necklace Paper bead necklaces: [Read more]

Have you ever thought of using your beaded jewelry as garlands?  How about to decorate Christmas lights or to enhance another gift?  Here are some great projects that are fast and easy to do, and will leave your house (and packages) looking elegant and festive! Fun ways to use beaded jewelry at Christmas on the Bead Jewelry Blog. How about these darling little beaded wire trees by Fusion Beads?  I know they look like earrings, but they’re for your tree! Small beaded wreathes for your tree?  These can be made to be elegant or cute, depending upon the beads you choose. [Read more]

Most of the ornament covers you see out there are not for beginners, but the results are spectacular!  A really motivated beginner could tackle some of them, and if you’d really like to have a go at it, I’d recommend working through the first one on the list to get the idea of how they go together.  From there, dive into the more difficult ones! Victorian beaded Christmas tree ornament There are many kits available, and patterns that you can buy.  Some beading magazines also have patterns, and if you want to make the really elaborate ones, you’re probably going to have to buy a pattern or kit.  Still, here’s a selection of the free patterns that are available: Beginner’s beaded ornament cover Easy netted ornament... [Read more]