Here are a couple of really easy pendants you can make that would be good Christmas or holiday gifts this year.  I used CopprClay, but you could use any other metal clay you wanted, or even polymer clay.  Since these end up looking somewhat like fossils, it would be interesting to experiment with some of the “granite ” colored polymer clays, or to mix your own faux stone.

Instructions for CopprClay pendants
General instructions for working with CopprClay

Aida Chemicals, the folks who brough us silver Art Clay, have thrown their collective hats into the ring, introducing a new copper clay with a simpler firing schedule, less shrinkage, and NO MESSY CARBON NEEDED for firing!!

I am thrilled to hear it.  I love the CopprClay that I’ve worked with, but it will be lovely to have one that’s a bit easier to fire.  Even as we speak, artists in the UK are testing it out and tweaking the instructions for its use.  They’re also experimenting with torch firing, something that is impossible with CopprClay.  One downside is that it …read more

Cynthia Thornton, jewelry artist and storyteller, has combined her love of both to produce a book which is the portal to a magical journey. Filled with techniques she developed in the Green Girl Studios, Cynthia introduces you to characters that each need a special piece of jewelry, for a very special reason. You’ll find yourself getting just as caught up in the narrative as you do in the projects, wondering how it is all going to end!

Enchanted Adornments begins with a wonderful technique section, where readers are taken step by step through creating mixed-media jewelry with resin, PMC, polymer clay, …read more

Art dolls always look better if there is beading involved, and with that in mind, I’d like to make you aware of another call for entries and submissions that is currently out there!

Art Doll Quarterly is having a special challenge for their next issue: Wooden Dolls.
Wood is one of the earliest known materials used to make dolls because it was easy to carve, sturdy and unbreakable. Most were symbolic and ceremonial figures, often of a religious nature. According to the doll category guidelines set by United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC), the type of doll is determined by the content …read more

A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for this exciting publication. The special theme for the next issue will be Patches and Pins!
Deadline for artwork to be received: December 15, 2009. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · …read more

My usual style with optical lenses is to adhere an image to the back, showing through the front of the lens, and to hang dangles from the bottom and/or adhere bits and bobs to the front.   A little while ago though, a lovely woman named Teresa, who bought some optical lenses from me, showed me a link to another really fun way to decorate and wear these little treasures.

Optical lens with image
The DIY network has a video showing you how to use glass paints to create swirled baubles that resemble stained glass.  I’m not crazy about the recommendation to bend …read more

500 Silver Jewelry Designs
Senior Editor: Marthe Le Van
Entry Deadline: December 4, 2009
Lark Books seeks images to publish in a juried collection of international studio jewelry. Each piece must prominently feature silver. Materials other than silver, such as stones, other metals, or alternative materials, may be included, but silver must be the focus and should occupy roughly 80% of the piece. We wish to showcase a wide range of techniques, textures, and finishes. All jewelry forms, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and pendants, will be considered, and all design styles are welcome. There is no entry fee.
Download …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

Here is a book that I can whole-heartedly recommend to beginners who want to make great looking jewelry, and want it FAST!
Chain Style
by Jane Dickerson
There’s nothing like adding chain to your design, or even designing an entire piece around chain, to make the design work up quickly. Chain is an excellent material for both beginners and those with advanced skills, because the complexity of your projects is only limited by experience and imagination.
The techniques and materials section is minimal but sufficient.  Largely this is because the projects are all so accessible.  There are 50 designs to inspire you, many …read more

Don’t you just love top ten lists?  I’m such a sucker for a list that I’ll read almost any article or post that promises me “10 ways to be more fabulous” or whatever

What a shame!  It seems this wonderful post has been removed.  No clue as to why
So when Leslie Rogalski, the new editor to Beading Daily decided to share the top contemporary jewelry making techniques that she thinks are essential to master, I took note.  Since Leslie is already a beader, she didn’t list any beading skills at all.  Instead, she focussed on mixed media …read more