Jean Campbell:
Jean describes what it’s like to edit someone’s book and shares her thoughts on Marcia DeCoster’s latest, Beaded Opulence.

Jewelry & Beading
I am giving away a copy of Ronna Sarvas Weltman’s unique polymer clay book called “Ancient Modern”. Come and get in on this contest!
Snap out of it Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean is amazed by the treasures you find in Cynthia Thornton’s spectacular wonder of a book, Enchanted Adornments!
Strands of Beads
Melissa trys out Friendly Plastic (and likes the results).
A Bead A Day
It’s Arts & Crafts Week on …read more

Artist: Nancy Peterson
Location: The Poconos, Pennsylvania

Website & Blog:
Patterns of my designs
Beading Blog

Nancy, how do you describe your work?
I think that my first love of style of beading is beadweaving. I love to learn new stitches and then take them, create and explore new possibilities. There are some that I find myself coming back to, like the various forms of peyote.

What is your creative process like?
Having two sons, my creative process can be quite chaotic. I may have an idea for a piece but then I only get to work on it in small spurts between …read more

Technique Tuesday!
I found this wonderful vintage rolled-brim felt hat with a built-in scarf in an old musty antique shop a couple of years ago, and it just occurred to me that I’ve never shared the instructions with you for its transformation!

I loved the style and the color, and knew immediately that the structure of the hat would stand up to a lot of altering! Sifting through my collection of vintage buttons and jewelry showed me just what direction to go with this hat. The name, Dreaming of Spring came to me before the hat was completed. I filled the brim, …read more

Make Art Monday!
I’ve started a new handmade beaded necklace, inspired by one of my favorite women, The Lady of Shalott.  She was immortalized in a poem by Tennyson (the 1842 version), loosely based upon the Arthurian legend of Elaine of Astolat.  I’ll be sharing more images of it with you as it progresses.

Image: Cyndi Lavin

Cindy Gimbrone aka the Lampwork Diva:
Not thinking about your holiday gift list yet? Cindy helps get you started with a Knot Ready for Prime Time Lucky Knots and Friends Projects so you can get started now!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shares her final Crystal Week necklace… a piece she calls Woodland Mermaid.
Jean Campbell
Jean celebrates her favorite holiday by showing off her costume and some very cool baubles.
Snap Out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean reviews a delightful book by the editor of BeadStyle: Cathy Jakicic.
Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off her …read more

Artist: Mark Hamilton
Business name: Solstice Glass
Location: Eugene, OR

Website & Blog:
Solstice Glass
Solstice Glass blog
Mark has graciously offered a special discount to Jewelry&Beading readers: if you type BEADING into the box for the coupon code, Mark will give you 10% off your entire order before shipping.  This offer is valid through the last day of November 2009!  Thanks, Mark!
Mark, how do you describe your work?
My work is inspired by natural organic forms and colors, and I work with borosilicate glass because the color palette has more of an organic feel than soft glass does.  Most of my designs are scenes such …read more

Christa Weldon has both a blog and an etsy shop, where she shows and sells her jewelry and her scrapbooking supplies.  Christa has figured out a way to stay home with her children and still do the things that she loves!
Scrap3 blog
Doohickies & Such

Christa writes:
Doohickies & Such is exactly what the tag name says…ALL THINGS CRAFTY. I love to be creative starting first with scrapbooking (my first passion) and then venturing out into jewelry making (and soon to other types of crafts…just check out the categories in my store).
The store’s name came from a word my dad would mention …read more

Carmi’s Art/Life World:
Carmi decided to finally use her bead stash from Paris.

Cindy Gimbrone aka the Lampwork Diva
Cindy’s got some new findings from Ornamentea. What’s she going to make with them?
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
The inspiration for Melanie’s Machinery of Nature necklace comes from science, steampunk, and nature.
Jean Campbell
Jean struggles through the creative process while bezeling some unusual crystal shapes
Katie’s Beading Blog
Check out Katie’s ideas on making your old beads new again- and make some affordable gifts along the way!
Lorelei’s Blog: Inside the Studio
Better get on board, Lorelei is having the …read more

Artist: Krystal Backer
Business name: MonkeyBuns
Location: Mason City, Iowa

Websites & Blog:
MonkeyBuns etsy shop
MonkeyBuns facebook
Krystal Backer blog

Krystal, how do you describe your work…and why MonkeyBuns?
MonkeyBuns is my son’s nickname. I started making jewelry when I was up to feed him at night so it seemed only natural to name my business after him. I would describe my work as unique and on the cuff of being outside the box.
What is your creative process like?
I have a few ways of working. Some times I make sketches of projects if they come up at a weird time like just before bed. …read more

Featuring the very best of the Bead & Button show, Bead Dreams, this beauty has just been released for 2010.  Each month shows first and second place winners from the 2008 contest.  You can order your copy on the Kalmbach website.  This would make a great gift for other bead lovers on your list!