The immediate past editor of Step by Step Beads magazine, Leslie Rogalski, has recently assumed the role of Online Editor for Beading Daily.  The current Step by Step Beads editor, Jane Dickerson, will remain with Interweave in another editorial capacity, and Melinda Barta will continue as editor of Beadwork.

Beadwork magazine has been serving the beading world for more than a decade and delivers the content that our experienced, passionate beaders want: techniques, inspiration, and great projects. Beadwork will be introducing the following new features starting with the April/May 2010 issue:

Project ratings: A graphic that rates a project’s required time commitment level on a 1-to-3 scale.

Stitch Pro: A starting place for beginners that teaches a common stitch, while offering beaders of all levels an in-depth exploration of the stitch.

Simply Seeds: A spotlighted project 100% made with seed beads, from clasp to the body of the project.

Bead Artist: Expanded to include profiles of both bead artisans and beadweaving artists.

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Denise Peck is the editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine, and she has written 101 Wire Earrings, Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques.  The first part of the books covers the basics of wire, the tools, and all the techniques you’ll need to make all of the projects in the book.  This section is excellent, with clear photos and well-written instructions.

The main part of the book is devoted to the projects.  Each of the 101 earring designs has a photo, a list of all tools and materials you’ll need, plus step by step instructions.  There are no process photos, which might make it a bit of a challenge for beginners, but most of the earrings are simple enough to figure out from the main photo.

This is not a book for really experienced wireworkers.  There is not enough of a challenge for you unless you need to brush up on your basic skills.  However, the variety of earrings included pretty much assures that everyone will find something they like!  As we often say here, no book can be all things to all people.  The projects are mostly inexpensive and require minimal tools, and that can be a real plus.

Free Stuff Alert***Free Stuff Alert!!

I’ve got a copy of 101 Wire Earrings to give away! Just leave me a comment below and you’ll be automatically entered into the drawing. In a week, I’ll randomly pick a lucky winner.

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Challenge Rules: One entry per person, please (so send your best work!). Submissions must be of the type you would see in Stringing magazine—in other words, projects created using simple stringing, crimping, wireworking (simple loops, wrapped loops, jump rings), and simple knotting techniques. If in doubt, see Stringing 101 (it’s in every issue of Stringing) for a list of acceptable techniques. Projects created using beadweaving or other non-stringing techniques (such as netting; peyote, brick, right-angle weave, and square stitches; bead embroidery; chain mail; and macramé) will not be considered for winners.

To enter, please send a clear, high-resolution TIF (better) or JPEG (good) photo of your stringing and/or simple wireworking project that is 300 dpi at 3″ x 5″ to stringing@interweave.com.

More information and full rules

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Melinda Barta came up with a brilliant idea for this fun book. Instead of spreading her many talents out too thinly, she concentrated on just three areas: pendants, charms, and clasps.

It’s often hard to find exactly that perfect piece to customize your jewelry, and if you can make your own pendants, charms, and clasps, you can add them to readily available lain beads to create a masterpiece that is distinctively yours. Melinda includes over 275 quick and easy ideas for mixed media components as well as 7 full stringing projects. Once you start making these components, you’ll never run out of ideas about what to do with them!

Custom Cool Jewelry teaches you how to create personalized, affordable, and unique alternatives to store-bought beading components using a wide range of jewelry and basic crafting materials including embossing powder, collage papers, wire, fibers, glass etching cream, patinas, found objects, fabric, memorabilia and more.

Check out The Bookshop for lots more links to books about jewelry-making in addition to this fine guide!

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

Challenge Rules: One entry per person, please (so send us your best work!). Submissions must be of the type you would see in Stringing magazine—in other words, projects created using simple stringing, crimping, wireworking (simple loops, wrapped loops, jump rings), and simple knotting techniques. If in doubt, see Stringing 101 (it’s in every issue of Stringing) for a list of acceptable techniques. Projects created using beadweaving or other non-stringing techniques (such as netting; peyote, brick, right-angle weave, and square stitches; bead embroidery; chain mail; and macramé) will not be considered for winners.

To enter, please send a clear, high-resolution TIF (better) or JPEG (good) photo of your stringing and/or simple wireworking project that is 300 dpi at 3″ x 5″ to stringing@interweave.com.

More information and full rules

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Complete rules

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Come one, come all and enter our second annual Bead Star contest, Bead Star 2009! Winning entries will once again be published in Bead Star magazine, the first-ever publication comprised entirely of prize-winning designs selected by beaders worldwide. Besides fame, winners will also receive exciting prizes donated by our generous sponsors.

Deadline to submit images: May 1, 2009

Rules and submission information

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Interweave Press:
Holiday Crochet Necklace

Kalmbach Press:
Vintage Filigree Earrings

Simply Beads Magazine:
Using paint and innovative craft supplies

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

2009 Beadwork Magazine Themes

In 2009, Beadwork Magazine debuts its fresh, stylish redesign. We will also introduce exciting new content throughout the year. We’ve surveyed our readers extensively to match our changes to their desires. Our readers are savvy, sophisticated beaders, who are passionate about their craft. Relaxation and creative expression are what beading gives them. They want inspiration, beautiful designs, interesting techniques, and connections with others who share their love of the beading lifestyle. And they spend both time and money to feed their interests. For 2009, we are true to our roots: Each issue’s theme focuses on refining beadwork skills, experiencing new challenges, incorporating unique materials, and celebrating the timeless pleasures of beading.

June/July 09: The Pleasure of Patterns: Discover the way patterned woven designs, bead embellishments, and embroidery in repetitive patterns add beauty to your finished beadwork.
Materials focus: “New Vintage” is the theme for this issue’s Cool Stuff focus, and we’ll present beads, findings, and ribbons that offer some of the most exciting design elements in this ever-popular genre.

Submission deadline: November 5, 2008
If selected for this issue, all materials are due December 3, 2008

Aug/Sept 09: Fresh Designs: New styles and combinations for designing with seeds.
Materials focus: From Czech glass to crystals to lampworked beads and pendants, our Cool Stuff department will show beaders some of the hottest new glass products that will add an artistic edge to their work.

Submission deadline: January 2, 2009
If selected for this issue, all materials are due January 28, 2009

Oct/Nov 09: Timeless Beadwork: Expand beadworking traditions with your own explorations in color, shape, and texture.
Materials focus: Semiprecious stones and pearls in all forms will dominate this issue’s Cool Stuff in the form of beads, clasps, pendants, and charms.

Submission deadline: February 25, 2009
If selected for this issue, all materials are due March 17, 2009

Dec 09/Jan 10: Frame Your Stash Treasures: Beadweaving isn’t just about seed beads. It’s about combining seeds with findings and focals in a variety of media (metal, crystals, glass, ceramic, plastics, and more).
Materials focus: We’ll have an expanded Cool Stuff “Gift-Giving Guide,” which will feature everything from jewelry storage, to books, to personalized charms and unique beads, and much more.

Submission deadline: May 12, 2009
If selected for this issue, all materials are due June 9, 2009

NOTE: To have a project considered, simply e-mail us at beadwork@interweave.com
with a jpg or pdf of the project. Once we have selected your project, we must receive the finished project + instructions within approximately 60 days.

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Surprise! This is a Blogtoberfest Sponsored Post. If you would like to enter for a chance to win the secret gift behind this blog, please leave a comment. Prize and Winner will be announced in two days! Check back to see if you’re the lucky winner and what you’ve won!

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