This is so not like me….I almost forgot to blog about my latest reason to brag…For the month of April, I am the featured jewelry designer over at the Soft-Flex Company’s web site! This is a great company to work with, and of course, I’m sure you all are already very familiar with their top quality jewelry making products.

Soft Flex has teamed up with Wig Jig for this free project: WigJig Jade Necklace, designed by Virginia Barrera.
This is a beginning-level jewelry project that combines gun metal artistic wire with jade nugget beads.

Many of you may already know who Sara Hardin is from her “Ask Sara” section at the Soft Flex web site. She is sort of the point person for anything Soft Flex and a very talented jewelry designer.
Along with helping others learn to make jewelry, she is also going to be pitching in to fight breast cancer by taking on a 3-day walk, a total of 60 miles! As part of the requirements to even get to walk, participants have to earn donations up front. If you are interested in donating to the cause or just want to learn more, …read more

 Okay, don’t click on the image to the left and expect to get to some free Soft Flex samples. I just copied their image over here for you, but if you click here, it will take you to a page on their site where you can sign up fro some free Soft Flex samples.
I get a lot of emails about what beading wire is best, and honestly, I think it is up to personal preference to some extent. So my advice is to try them all, then decided for yourself which type, brand, size, color, etc. works best for your …read more

 I used these lampwork beads from D.D. Hess
and
 this leaf toggle clasp from Soft Flex
to make a really cool (or at least I think so) necklace that I submitted to Bead Style magazine.
I’ll let you know what I hear back. Cross your fingers for me.

You already know how I love cubed crystals. Here is a great project from the Soft Flex site: Fancy Crystals Bracelet.

Did I tell you or what – green is in for jewelry this season!
This set is from the folk at Soft Flexs, who have gobs and gobs of other free project on their site.
This one is called the Jade Bride Trio Set and includes a matching beaded necklace, bracelet, and earrings.

 
Here is another jewelry component I received from Soft Flex. It is a sterling grape leaf toggle clasp, itme number BBB-5195-5196. It comes packaged with two toggles for $16.80, and it’s pretty good sized. Plus, it’s so pretty, I’m thinking of making this a really important part of the jewelry design.
Right now, I’m thinking I’ll probably make a necklace with this and design the piece so that the clasp is worn on the front rather than back of the necklace. Green comes to mind because this is a leaf, but also, green is supposed to be the next big color …read more

 
I’m working on a new project right now incorporating this beautiful sterling butterfly pendant from the Soft Flex Company. The item number is BBB-10391 and it retails for $11.76 each.
 

 
If you look on the back, you’ll see what I really think is extra cool about this pendant – there are three loops – one in the middle and two on either side of the wings. This way, you have more jewelry design options.
The necklace I’m working on right now includes this as the focal piece and then 4mm AB red crystal beads and 4mm white pearl beads.