If you missed out the last two years, you simply must consider joining in on the fun for this next go! The Bead Journal Project is accepting registrations now, until December 15, to start in January 2010. Go register now, if you’re interested in bead embroidery and while you’re there, check out the gallery full of journal pages from 2007 and 2008.

I’m finished, I’m finished, I’m finished!!!  And I wasn’t late in finishing, just in posting about it 
Bead Journal Project for 2008 – 2009 is officially finished!  We’ll be starting up again for our third year in January 2010. I’ll make sure I post about it when I have more news…it would be fabulous to have more folks join in!
Each month, I chose a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and used a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me.   Here is my …read more

If you had it in mind to learn a new technique or two this summer, but you still haven’t gotten started on that goal, here’s something to consider.  There are lots of sites where you can buy a kit or a pattern, where you will learn in excruciating detail how to perform a certain task.  Sometimes we just need it in excruciating detail, huh?
Earring kit by Laura McCabe available from Beads East
For example, my friend Dulcey Heller creates kits and patterns for a site called simply Buy the Kit.  Despite the name, they also sell “bead-less kits”, a clever way …read more

The International Society of Glass Beadmakers promotes the growth and recognition of glass beadmaking as as an art form.   This year the ISGB held its annual Gathering (yes, that is a glass pun) in Miami Florida at the end of July.  Classes, presentations, and opportunities to network and shop are the highlights of the show.
A special video was put together from members’ photos that they sent in prior to the event.  If you’ve got any interest in glass beadmaking, this may be the organization for you.  Don’t they look like a fun group?

All For Africa is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve health, education, clean water, micro-financing, community development, and skills training on the African continent.

Part of this mission is being accomplished by the newly opened online shop, which promotes products made by fair trade community cooperatives and vocational training programs in Africa.  Two of the programs of special interest to the beading and jewelry community are outlined below.
The Atteridgeville Jewelry Project is located outside the city of Pretoria in South Africa. It was the first project established in a black township to offer historically disadvantaged individuals free training in …read more

I’m a day late, but not a dollar short, on reporting about my July BJP piece! It was done in plenty of time, but I just couldn’t seem to get around to photographing it…lazy girl!
Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for July, which is the second piece in the Summer group (June, July, August).  By this time next month, the entire project should be …read more

I’ve started on the last season of my BJP pieces!   Three full seasons are complete, and now I’ve got the first one for the summer group (June, July, and August) finished.  Yay!
Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for June:
Psalm 92:4
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands

Here are the three completed sets: Autumn, Winter, and Spring

My previous pieces for the Bead …read more

Another month gone, and another BJP piece finished!  Three full seasons are complete now as well, and I’ve only got the three pieces for summer left to do.
Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for May:

Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Here are the three completed sets: Autumn, Winter, and Spring

My previous pieces for the Bead Journal Project
Information about the Bead Journal …read more

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean shares about Kim Miles’s road trip: she is giving away beads as she blogs! Check it out!
About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has some knotting jewelry tutorials for you, as in making jewelry with fiber. It’s an often inexpensive media that can add a unique twist to your jewelry designs.

Art Bead Scene
Wings are the backdrop for a visual treatise on creativity.
Carmi’s Art
Carmi turns a dried crab apple into something wearable.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shares her thoughts on ethics in art and an example on how …read more

Each month, I’m choosing a fragment of scripture from one of the Psalms and using a heart shape to create a very simple little 4 x 4 inch beaded piece that illustrates the feeling of that verse for me. Here is my piece for April:

Psalm 31:15
My times are in Your hands
My previous pieces for the Bead Journal Project
Information about the Bead Journal Project
Bead Journal Project blog