StonesNSilver Studio

Tucson 2012

2012-02-09T15:03:00.004-06:00

Hey again - just wanted to post some new Czech glass shapes and Firepolish goodies that we found in Tucson this year. Also, be sure to Like Us on Facebook and/or check our website for more!

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=welcome#!/pages/StonesNSilver-Studio/264532973564227

http://www.stonesnsilverstudio.com/calendar--events.html

Polyester Chain

2011-09-21T13:13:00.012-05:00

Hey, check this out! We just got awesome colors in Polyester Chain!

This is the hottest new product out there! You can combine it with pearls for a dressy look, or other metallic chains for a texturized, steampunk look! Here are some pics for inspiration!

Brag on a Customer!

2011-08-16T10:07:00.004-05:00

Hey, been a long time again...sorry for that...anyway, I just wanted to brag on one of our customers. As you all know, I love Show-And-Tell, and I was very impressed by the works of one of our local customers who, after taking the Polymer Clay Workshop with guest teacher Randee Ketzel, has gone absolutely wild making fabulous jewelry! Talk about artistry and creativity, our friend Sharon W is truly inspiring to us! I warned everyone that Polymer Clay can be addicting . . we hope you enjoy her project too!

These NEW colors of Premo Polymer Clay just came in today . . . spanish olive, ecru, orange, turquoise and sunshine.

This past weekend was our Anniversary Sale, if you missed it, well, then next time you come in be sure to sign up for our email list. Also, you can now follow us on Facebook! Just search, StonesNSilver, one word. Thank you to all who made it out!

TUCSON!!!!

2011-02-16T15:51:00.008-06:00

NEW BEADS EVERYDAY!!!! We just got back from Tucson and we are still getting stuff out everyday!

Actually, as a little "dogtrail", I have a funny story to share! Ok, so, in Tucson we shopped the really big shows the first part of the week...like the Gem Mall, which has two tents. One is almost three football fields in size full of vendors from China, Australia, Russia, etc and one tent that is one football field in size (full of the same). So, we usually dedicate two full 8-hour shopping days to that show...I know, shopping as a career...kinda sick in an AWESOME way...LOL

Anyway, I got side-tracked from my side-track....so, the story is that we did that show and the other major ones Monday-Thursday, and then shipped four GIANT, HEAVY boxes from the UPS Store on Friday morning. These four boxes had almost our entire trips worth the stuff in it...which under normal circumstances, we have a lot of faith in UPS, because normally they are very expedient and we've never had anything lost or damaged! So, kudos to UPS!

Those boxes went out Friday morning, to arrive Wednesday, Feb. 9th, and then we shipping another HUGE, HEAVY box on Saturday morning to arrive Thursday or Friday the 10th-11th. Well, Friday, the 11th came and went...no boxes. The website said "Delayed shipment due to ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS" which you can't blame then because it was like OMG....BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! that week, Tucson was in the 20s with a windchill in the teens, and at least it was sunny because I heard that Columbus was rainy, sleety, snowy, icey...or a combination thereof...with roof damage and rolling blackouts....YIKES!

So, Sat the 12th, I called the UPS store in Tucson. The lady was very helpful, and she checked on them and called me back...with nothing to say, other than what the website had already mentioned...but, after checking the website again, it said that it would come Monday, which y'all know we're closed on Mondays. So, Mom and I came up and opened the store monday afternoon, in case there were any travelers that wanted to check us out, while we waited with baited breathe for the UPS guy. He never came. I also forgot to mention that he was already informed about the boxes because the lone box that we shipped on Saturday, after the first four, had already arrived on Friday....go figure....

Well, they finally came yesterday, the 15th. Making that the most time UPS has ever made us sit on pins and needles and loose sleep ever. In conclusion, UPS is 99.9999999% reliable....

Enough with the excursion....I want to talk about our NEW CLASSES and NEW BEADS! Or I could just show you...here's some pix, hot off the press....

NEW CLASS: Tilas (and NEW Two-Hole Czech glass beads) with Two-Hole Daggers! I found some really COOL colors in Tucson....

Yes...those are MOO COW and PIGGY BEADS! With horses, and pig and cow bracelet bars, too!

GIANT BALL CHAIN means 6MM! Great for MEN!
And the vintage skeleton keys go great with it!

This is not an optical illusion...that is, in fact, CAMO chain...it's aluminum, so it's lightweight, and it's CAMO, so just about any man will wear it...but, not to worry ladies...camo is for girls, too!

FAIRY KITS!
among others...we have some great projects and the kit includes everything you need!

I gonna be doing a FREE DEMO on Resin...among others on March 26th, 1pm-4pm...come check it out! In the mean time, here's some sites to check out!

http://www.nunndesign.com/technique_center/2010/tech_diamond_glaze.html

http://www.nunndesign.com/technique_center/2010/tech_2part_resin.html

January Special, and NEW BEADS!

2011-01-07T16:15:00.005-06:00

Our January Special is 40% OFF all Christmas and Holiday beads!

NEW BEADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Czech Glass Fire Polish - more than 40 new colors in 3mm and 4mm

Czech Glass Shaped beads - many new fancy shaped beads,

plus tiny teardrop and dagger beads in a nice assortment of colors.

New line of high quality Ceramic Beads - BIG shapes & sizes

Rhodium Plated over Pewter - "Hill Tribe" style metal pendants
at a fraction of the cost!

Bead Brain's Anonymous New Year's Resolution!

2010-12-30T12:36:00.004-06:00

12 Steps for Bead Brains Anonymous (or not so Anonymous):
(based on the original 12 Steps as published by Alcoholics Anonymous)

1. We admit that we are powerless over our addiction - that our lives have become controlled by beads.
2. We have come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity
3. We will make a decision to turn our will and our beads over to the care of our organized pull out bin
4. We will make a searching and fearless inventory of beads and tools
5. We have admitted to ourselves and to our beading cohorts the exact nature of our imagination and obsession
6. We are entirely ready to learn to control and channel these creative defects of character
7. We humbly ask our family to never remove our Bead Stash
8. We will make a list of all persons we need to make jewelry for, and become willing to take classes to achieve this
9. We will make direct attempts to create such jewelry wherever possible, except where doing so could injure self or others
10. We will continue to take personal inventory of Bead Stash and when we don't have enough beads, we will make a trip to StonesNSilver Studio
11. We will seek through application and reflection to improve our conscious beading techniques, petitioning only for full knowledge through more classes of all ways to make jewelry for us and others and the power to carry that out
12. Having been captivated as the result of making jewelry (and other beadable objects), we will try to spread this obsession to other bead brains, and continue to practice these "blingy", flamboyant tendencies.

Created by Shelby Rich of StonesNSilver Studio and Bead Shop
Inspired by Kathy Cass of Columbus, TX

Merry Christmas Y'all

2010-12-08T16:26:00.007-06:00

Wow! I didn't realize that it's been so long since my last post! I'm sure you can relate that during the holidays, everyone is a busy little bee!

We have a new seed beading workshop scheduled for Jan. 1st. Well, I say "new" but actually it's a class that Kathleen Lynam taught when she was here for our Anniversary Celebration in August. She has given permission to teach this class, and it is a wonderful bracelet! You'll be suprised how fast it goes, and the best part is it's reversible! So, you can wear one side to match one outfit, and then flip it over to match another outfit!

We also have a guest teacher coming Jan. 15th, Debbie Williams. The morning class is an really cute and easy pair of wire earrings, and in the afternoon is a Wire Wrapped Pendant, which many of you have asked about in the past. Hurry, because the classes are filling up quickly!

Wait! There's more! Then, on Jan. 29th, Debbie Koopman, our resident Chainmaille master, will be teaching her really awesome Beaded Ladder Weave Chainmaille Bracelet! It's an awesome way for you "just stringers" that want to branch out into another area of jewelry making! (and, you still get to use beads!)

Please check out all of our class information at: www.StonesNSilverStudio.com/Classes.htm

IN OTHER NEWS: We have a couple of new products in the store, including a new Beadalon Spiral Maker! I used it, and once you get your wire in, you can make beautiful and fast spirals that are larger than you can make with a pair of pliers! Another handy wire working tool Exclusively from Beadalon! This little Spiral Maker creates perfect spirals out of Artistic Wire size 20Ga. and smaller. Use small pieces of the diameter wire you intend to make the spiral as a washer on the three screws. Tighten wing nuts and insert the same gauge wire into the device. Center the wire in the center hole and insert the twister handle so the wire is inside the slit on the handle. Twist the handle until the desired size of coil is reached (maximum of 16.0mm 5/8”) Tip: count the number of turns to re-create the same size coils for multiple coils, or perfectly matching earring dangles. Wire not included.

Just for winter, until March, we will be closing @ 5pm, except for Wednesdays, which will be the norm, 5:30pm. Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Tila Beads!

2010-09-07T16:53:00.009-05:00

Hello again - we have this exciting new Miyuki bead in the store called a "Tila". We found some cool patterns for y'all to try until I can get a class going.

Some links to more websites with patterns to check out:

http://www.miyuki-beads.co.jp/english/tila/

http://smadarstreasure.blogspot.com/2010/09/cube-delight-bracelet-with-tila-beads.html

http://www.beadandbutton.com/Videos/From%20the%20Pages%20of%20BNB/2010/08/Elegance%20square.aspx

http://www.dianefitzgerald.com/Classes/Tila%20Bead%20Duluth%202010%20class%20proposal.pdf

http://www.manabeads.com/beadinformation/tilasampler.pdf

Ring - Making a Bead Ring

2010-08-04T15:16:00.005-05:00

Hello again! - I have quite a few customers that have taken our ring class and come back in wanting me to help them remember how to do it, and I don't do notes, because I think it takes away from the artistic value of what you are learning. Jewelry making is free-form, and is only confined by meticulously breaking down every step with notes. That's just my personal opinion.

Anyway, here is the dissected steps to making a bead ring:

Supplies:
Ring Mandrel (with sizes)
Plastic or Rubber hammer
20g wire
a flat (M&M shaped) bead

Step 1: Measure and cut 20-25 inches of wire for small or medium sized bead, 30 inches for larger beads. String your bead, and move to approximately the center of the wire. (Just eyeball it...you perfectionists! lol) Next, you want to bend the wires down parallel to each other so that the bead will not slide. Then, bend the wires back straight out to make a Z on each side of the bead. This is a "notch" that will later hold the wire that you wrap around and underneath the bead.

Step 2: Hold the bead towards the top (smallest part) on the backside of the ring mandrel (furthest away from the numbers - in the groove). Wrap one wire around the mandrel (be careful not to let it cross over itself or another wire. Then, take the ring off the end of the mandrel, flip over and put it back on so that when you wrap the other wire around the mandrel, it will not get crossed with the other wires. When wrapping the second wire, you should be rotating your hand the same direction as you did with the first wire. (It's the opposite direction because you flipped the ring over.) What you have now should be two wire, parallel, pointing towards you and two wires, parallel, uncrossed, on the number side of the ring mandrel.

Step 3: SIZING. Before you move the ring down the mandrel, make sure that you are confident of the size that you want, because if you don't start with the correct number, the ring will not fit. I recommend that you take off a ring that you are currently wearing, or wear often, and put it onto the ring mandrel, because even if you know that you are a size 7, it may not necessarily be a 7 on the mandrel. Like, I usually wear a 9, but on the mandrel, it's more like an 8 3/4. Once, you have the size number you need, you can push your bead ring down with the bead on the number side, so that you can see the numbers. You want the wire that is going thru the bead, to rest on the notch that is one notch larger than the size you want (1/4 a size bigger than what you want).

Step 4: Keeping the bead on the number side, hold the fatter end of the mandrel between your knees, and rotate the two long end wire around the bead. DO NOT go around the mandrel, you want to stay above the mandrel, but underneath the bead. You are making a nest for the bead. (The motion you make is kinda like driving a car, your hands rotate the same direction at the same time.) NOTE: whatever you do to one wire, you must do the same exact thing, simultaneously. The first wrap around the bead should be very tight and the wires should fit into the "Z" that you made in Step 1. After that, you can wrap the wires more loosely, even to fill in gaps. Be creative, you are making a nest, do it like you think a bird's nest should look like. You want to end up with at least 3 inches of wire sticking out on each side of the ring.

Step 5: Take one wire on the side it is on, and wrap around the two wires that make the ring band, twice (two wraps). Repeat on the other side with the other wire. Now, the ring should be too tight. If it fits now, it is too big, so continue wrapping both sides, one wrap at a time, until you achieve tightness. Now, make your spirals, or cut the wire flush on the outside of the ring, so that it will not rub your skin. Lastly, put the ring back onto the mandrel, with the BEAD IN THE GROOVE, and push down to your size or slightly bigger is better, and hammer the two band wires and spirals, but be careful not to hammer your bead. This is very important, because it hardens the wire. Take it off, flip it over, and repeat.

Double Strung Beaded Necklace

2010-07-10T16:45:00.015-05:00

Y'all know that I do custom designs and repairs...well, after all of the necklaces that I've strung of the past three years, I've come across alot of problems which needed troubleshooting. Well, I have a customer, and she'll laugh when I tell you, that has come in at least seven times to have her bracelet restrung, because it kept breaking. I was so dumbfounded because the nylon coated cable (Flex-rite) is very high quality, and should not be breaking so easily, unless she was catching it on something, etc. Well, I finally figured out what it was...larger silver beads are hollow, as you know, and they have this sharper edge on the inside on both sides that is hard to reach with a reamer, and the beads were eating right through the cable!

So, I finally thought, "Why not string it with two strands of the Flex-rite?". The only problem with that is figuring out how to finish the ends, because it looks bad to fit two cables through the wire guardians...

So, here's what I came up with...

Step 1: String a crimp bead or tube (your choice) onto both strands. Followed by a bead (I used silver, but you can use one of the already strung beads, just take it off before one crimp/tube bead), and then another crimp/tube bead...all onto both strands.

Step 2: Separate the cables, put your wire guardian onto one of them followed by one side of your clasp. Now the next part is tricky because you have to feed the cable that just went through the wire guardian and clasp back through the first crimp/tube, the bead, and second crimp/tube. Don't let the other cable confuse you. You will end up with two cables inside the crimp/tube closest to the clasp, and THREE cables inside the other crimp/tube. Refer to pix.

Step 3: Finally, pull tightly both cables away from each other (this will tighten everything up against the beads), and then squeeze both crimp/tube beads closed (I used just my chain nose pliers, but you are welcome to use your Crimping pliers on the crimp bead, not tube). After you have sqeezed everything nice and snug, cut both ends that are sticking out.

Tada! - You have a finished piece that will hopefully last longer against those hungry silver beads that want to eat your cable!

2010-05-03T11:28:00.002-05:00

I owe y'all a huge apology, I didn't realize how long it had been since my last post...January...I'm ashamed...lol!

Anyway, if I have any excuse as to why I haven't posted, it's because we have moved. Our new location is 1038 Milam St into the 1852 Fehrenkamp Building which is one of the city’s oldest commercial building's and once housed the Fehrenkamp grocery store. Conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Columbus along with a lot of other great shops. Our new store hours are Tues. - Sat. 10:30 to 5:30.

In addition to being a really old and neat brick building, it also has a whole lot more space than our previous location, which means we now have more room for more stuff! Also, we have two class tables, and can now seat up to 12 people for a class!

We also, have some new merchandise lines, including beadable pens and art resin. Please come visit us soon, because time is running out on our 30 30 Re-Opening special which means the first 30 people to spend $30 on bead stuff, gets a FREE strand of Czech glass.

Please visit our website, stonesnsilverstudio.com, for more info.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-02T12:43:00.020-06:00

Hello again y'all - I know it's been a while since I updated this blog, but a lot has been going on here at StonesNSilver Studio.

Firstly, we have news! We will be MOVING to the Historic Downtown Columbus Square (right at the intersection of Hwy 90/Walnut St and Milam St.) by MAY 1st 2010. The building we are moving to is one of the oldest brick buildings in Columbus, and is 600 sq. ft. more than what we have now. So, get ready for MORE SPACE, NEW CLASSES and NEW STUFF!

Also, we did some research on the Fashion Forcast for Spring 2010.

Design Colors for Spring 2010

2010 Universal Color - RED

2010 Top Color - TURQUOISE

Read Article #1 Read Article 2

ALL TURQUOISE NOW 15% OFF

Top 10 Pantone Fashion Colors for Spring 2010

From the Pantone forecast, it looks as though we're in for a very green-based season with the a wide variety being featured in the palette; though also prevalent are pinks, blues, browns and even a neon green.
Colors from left to right above: Eucalyptus, Dried Herb, Pink Champagne, Amparo Blue, Aurora, Tuscany, Violet, Fusion Coral, Tomato Puree, Turquoise

Colour Trends Spring/Summer 2010 Forecast View their brochure
Most interesting is how close their colours run in comparison to Pantone's; in particular note the use of turquoise in both trend reports, and the similarities between the likes of grenadine and tomato puree.

2010 Global Color Forecast and Trend Inspirations Spring/Summer 2010 Color and Trend Overview by Color Portfolio Inc.ColorForward

2010 Color Themes from Tune-In - - check out these wonderful booklets on fashion, accessories and jewelry trends . . . these are large PDF files, but the contents are fabulous, so download and enjoy!
Theme 1 - Minimal Colored -
Jewelry Trends- Chrome jewelry- Jet and metallic glossy materials are preferred.- On the other hand, large rock crystals and transparent synthetic materials are asserting themselves.
Theme 2 - Universal Colored-
Necklaces, armlets, earrings – jewelry is very much the highlight of this season. Correspondingly, it can be striking, exciting and over-dimensional.- Synthetic resins, semi-precious stones and natural materials such as wood and raffia are combined in imaginative ways.- The impulse behind all this is ethnic, but the implementation is always very modern.
Theme 3 - Colored Glamorous
Jewelry Trends- Jewelry remains opulent but is composed of smaller parts and pieces.- Graphic intarsia on bracelets, chain elements and earrings.
Theme 4 - Multi Colored
Jewelry Trends- Collage motifs are in, even here.- Synthetics in shades and designs reminiscent of Asian-artificial influences are turned into decorative wide armlets and chain links.

2009-10-21T16:24:00.001-05:00

We've just gotten in the store some great new colors of seed beads, Czech round fire polish and Crystal bicones to use in the two bracelet projects that Barbara Winkler recently taught. Barbara had to cancel her Holiday Crystal Bracelet class for heatlh reasons, but we hope to have her return after the first of the year for more new classes. Sandi Carr is going to step in and teach a different class for Holiday jewelry with a bracelet and matching earrings using Crystals so it will go with all of your holiday outfits or make a great gift for that someone special at this special time of year. Check our web site at www.StonesNSilverStudio.com next week for full details on the new class. We will have sign up sheets in the store or call us at 1-877-865-3009

Here are some links to other FREE online tutorials for using Swarovki Crystals in your jewelry designs, check them out:
Crystal Weave Bracelet -http://lilysbeads.com/pdf/crystalweavebracelet.pdf
Crystal Corona Earrings from BeadingDaily -http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/03/27/crystal-corona-earrings.aspx Several Variations of Swarovski Crystal Bracelets -http://community.livejournal.com/bead_tutorial/
Many free Swarovski Crystal Bracelet projects -http://beejang.livejournal.com/176898.html
Several free step-by-step projects & also TONS of projects for purchase for braceletes, necklaces & earrings -http://www.aroundthebeadingtable.com

Intro to the Art of Metal Jewelry

2009-10-15T16:46:00.003-05:00

Metal is the hottest trend in jewelry making!! In this new class we will learn how to cut, stamp, hammer, punch holes and texture sheet metal to make your very own uniquely designed jewelry. Materials, tools and safety will also be discussed. We will make a pendant and a pair of earrings with your own personal messages (ex: your kids names, etc..). Complete kit included. We will have classroom texture hammers and stamps available for use during the class.
TIME: Approx. 3 hours COST: $34.00

Here's a pic:

New item in the store! We just got some "Diamond Glaze" for making your own raised glossy finish on a photograph or to add charms. (I have samples in the store for ideas). You can also water it down to make a laquer for a layering effect.

Happy Bead Braining! - Shelby

Christmas Earrings!

2009-09-30T12:45:00.005-05:00

Hey y'all - it's that time of year again! Soon, we'll all have "Jingle Bells" stuck in our heads and be putting up lights and trees! Of course, we must never forget the true purpose of celebration on Christmas, which is that God became Man to die as an offering for us, so that we don't end up burning for eternity, because we are all sinners and unworthy of Heaven, but if we believe that Jesus took our place and that our sins are paid for, then we will spend the rest of our lives (physically and eternally) in union with God and Jesus forever.

There's something I'm dying to tell y'all! We just go through making earring kits for purchase, which include everything you need to make the Absolutely Most Adorable Crystal and Glass earrings. Here the run down:

Swarovski Christmas Tree Earring Kit - $6.95 (Emerald Green tree)
Swarovski Christmas Tree Earring Kit - $6.95 (Crystal AB tree)
Glass Pearls with Rhinestone Scarf Snowman Earring Kit - $5.95
Swarovski Cubes with Bow Present Earring Kit - $7.95
Firepolish Crystal Candy Cane Earring Kit - $5.95
Crystal and Glass Pearl Angel Earring Kit - $5.95 (earring post/hook not included)

And PIX!!@!!!

But, of course, we haven't forgotten Halloween either, come see us in the store now, for Owls, Skulls, Witches, Bats, Pumpkins, Jack-o-Lanterns, and even Ears of Corn for Thanksgiving!

Coming Soon to the Bead Shop: I just got back from BeadFest Portland, and have some exciting new classes in the works in Metalworking! So get out your hammers and anvils, and get ready!

Guest Teacher

2009-09-11T15:17:00.004-05:00

Thanks and Kudos! to Barbara for coming out last Saturday to teach a beautiful and easy Right Angle Weave Bracelet. Everyone was very pleased and all the bracelet's look really great! She's coming back Oct. 3, which is what I wanted to talk about. This time it will be a Colorful Cubed Ladder Stitch Bracelet (see pic) and the cost is $30 with the kit included. (You can't beat that for a two hour class. And, from my experience with the first class, this one promises to be well worth your while!

Shelby's Beading Tip: If you have a 16" strand of beads, you can make a matching bracelet and earrings just by adding Czech glass, seedbeads, or metal beads. A Czech glass strand of complementary and/or contrasting color/design would give you another 8-10" which is more than enough for an 18" necklace and "7 bracelet. For example, a strand of Kyanite, which is a fairly pricey gemstone, one could add a strand of similar blue Czech glass or plain clear crystal color. Also, you could find a seedbead of the right color in like a size 3 or 6, (I like the Czech glass because it's faceted and it adds a little "bling"). NOTE: Just make sure you pic your two or four earring beads before stringing to get the best matches.

Hope to see you soon! - Shelby

Get Connected

2009-08-26T13:53:00.002-05:00

Hey again everyone - unfortunately, Kari, I don't think this blog software has the capabilities to exchange info with other bloggers. If anyone knows how this can be done, please let me know. I will be doing so research on the subject. In the mean time, if anyone, like Kari, would like to exchange email contact info with other bloggers, I could create a list on the blog with first names and emails of anyone who wishes to participate. Just email me whatever kind of information you don't mind being made public.

Also, while your on your computer...
StonesNSilver presents"We Love Your Designs"Fall Contest
It's about time you show off your favorite jewelry design done using beads* from www.StonesNSilver.com or StonesNSilver Studio Bead Shop! We invite customers to participate in our upcoming contest by emailing us a photo of your piece to info@stonesnsilver.com OR bring your piece into the store and we’ll take a photo for you! Please pick your BEST design as each participant can only send in one entry. Contest entry deadline is October 31st. During the month of November entries will be judged by you and our other customers, both online and in the store, via a Contest Poll. (limited to one vote for each category per customer).
Entries will be judged in these categories and winners awarded the following -
Takes My Breath Away $ 75 Shopping Spree
Extremely Funky & Cool $ 50 Shopping Spree
Most Awesome Necklace $ 25 Shopping Spree
Most Awesome Bracelet $ 25 Shopping Spree
Most Awesome Earrings $ 25 Shopping Spree
*All entries should be comprised of at least approx. 80% of the beads from us. Depending upon response & entries, winners may be slit into two groups—(1) Online Customers and (2) In Store Customers. Winners to be announced on Nov. 30th, 2009!!!

ALSO: We have a new Seed Beading class scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5th, taught by Barbara Winkler from Brenham, who demonstrated at our Anniversary Celebration, and the class is filling up fast, so come in to sign up if you would be interested. You can read more about it on our Classes Page, http://www.stonesnsilverstudio.com/Classes.htm.

Shelby's Beading Tip: Yesterday, I made a necklace with some very high quality, expensive stones, and since I has so few, I ended up with about a 12 inch necklace, which obviously would only fit a child. So, what I did was finish the ends with crimps and wire guardians and instead of putting the clasp on, I added a 4-5" inch piece of chain on each side to add the extra length I needed. This can also be done with heishi beads or small seedbeads.

Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend - Shelby

Smiley Face... :)

2009-08-20T17:15:00.003-05:00

THANKS SO MUCH for everyone who came to our Anniversary Celebration. 35 people came, and 24 of those came to the 2 Hour Power Sale afterwards. Thanks again! We are hopeful to continue this tradition every year, and maybe next year we will be fortunate to hold it in one of our new hotels being built right now.

Also, thanks so much for the positive feedback. We have received several letters and emails from you, our loyal customers, in appreciation of the Swap Meet and Free Demos. We were mostly pleased with how much our get together caused new Bead Brain friendships and community. A few of the ladies discovered that they only live a few blocks from each other, and were making plans to get together to bead! How cool is that! Inspiration and encouragement is sometimes all one needs to finally put together designs using that gigantic bead stash one has in her closet!

STAY TUNED: for upcoming design concepts. I, Shelby, will be doing some new step-by-step designs in the months to come. Also, I am going to a BeadFest in Portland, OR in Sept. to learn how to make metal stamped things...which, you know what that means....NEW CLASS!

Have a Fantabulous Day - Shelby

Congratulations!

2009-08-01T13:32:00.002-05:00

Our winner for the July Drawing was Sarah Kollman of Columbus. Congratulations Sarah! She won a hot pink tote bag that says "Bead Girl" and matching handmade dicroic glass earrings.

The drawings will vary from month to month with both bead stuff and jewelry. To qualify you must spend a minimum of $30 per purchase per day, but not limited to how many times you come in during the month. We also have a our "Bead Brain" Smart Buck points cards which will be initialed everytime you make a purchase on bead stuff and supplies (not classes or finished jewelry), and once you fill up the entire card, you get a $25 off coupon for the next purchase of $25 or more.

For the month of August, we will not be having a drawing because we are going to give away tons of FREEBIES at our Anniversary Celebration on the 16th. See you then!

- Shelby

Late Again...

2009-07-21T16:12:00.002-05:00

Hey y'all - this is Shelby again. I wanted to apologize again for not posting regularly, since my last post was almost a month ago...boy, time really flies!

Apparently, y'all, that is my customers would prefer to come take a class in the store, because I have been swamped with classes! I'm certainly not complaining! I treasure the opportunity to share jewelry making skills and techniques with other creative "Bead Brains"!

I will continue to try to squeeze in a post when I can, but currently, I haven't had time to come up with another tutorial, since the Kitty Pendant had so much response. But, my wheels are turnin'.

We are starting to finalize plans for the Bead Brain Mania Celebration and Swap Meet on August 16th. (Refer to previous posts for info) It's going to be a big party, and we would love for everyone to stop by and check it out!

Thanks again for visiting my blog for StonesNSilver Studio and Bead Shop - Shelby

NEW CLASS

2009-06-24T13:31:00.003-05:00

Hello again! I apologize for the delay since my last blog, but I was preparing a NEW CLASS in the store! And, this one, I think, is going to be worth the wait.

I've had some people (mostly kids) in the store that found a rock lying on the ground, and would like to wear it as a pendant. Well, now we have a class for that! In about an hour's time, students will learn how to "cage" a rough stone with wire and embellish. Y'all are welcome to use polished or unpolished rocks. The class includes the wire needed and use of the classroom tools.

The pendant on the left is Crystal Quartz "caged" with sterling wire (I usually use the Non-Tarnish Artisitic Wire, but I had some leftovers...lol!) The pendant on the right is a rough, unpolished piece of Sodalite "caged" with the antique brass colored wire, which I thought was a nice contrast, (also it looks MANLY for those dads out there that are jewelry-phobic, mine included!) Love you, Dad!

I'M SO EXCITED! AND, I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT! - about our Bead Brain Madness Anniversary Celebration. Be sure to come out on August 16 to the Veteran's Hall at 1pm to check it out! After cake, free demonstrations, door prizes and all around BEADY-NESS, we will have the store open from 4-6pm so that you can spend your coupons worth up to 60% OFF!

Shelby's Beading Tip of the Day: When making bracelets, I like to hang a charm right next to the loop/ring end of the clasp (for example, not the lobster claw side, and not the T side of the toggle). Not only does this look cute, but it also makes clasping the bracelet by yourself easier but providing something to grap and hold onto with your fingers while your clasping.

Thanks - Shelby

Seedbeading (the Smaller Version of Beading)

2009-06-12T13:03:00.006-05:00

Well, apparently, after seeing the poll results (thanks for voting!), we have alot more seedbeaders than we thought. Therefore, we will, over the next few months be updating our selection of seedbead supplies to accomodate.

I also had my first seedbeading student since we have had the Peyote Bracelet class. I also have a Seedbeading Around a Cabochon class, which is on the website, http://stonesnsilverstudio.com/Classes.htm, it is a four hour class where you would be taught how to put backing on and then embellish the cabochon using seedbeads & other glass beads. We will then learn how to attach it to a necklace as a pendant. A complete kit is included for only $45. The Peyote Bracelet class is $25, and it includes all the supplies, but you get to pick the colors you want, so you may have to arrive a few minutes earlier than your scheduled class. To schedule a class, simply give us a call 1-877-865-3009 (732-3220 for local customers).

Also, with the seedbead classes, I've found that it is actully easier to split the classes when it is just one student (or students that come together). So, if you don't want to sit for 4 hours, we will be glad to customize your class to more than one day, where to come for a couple of hours to get started, take the project home and work on it at your convenience, and then just call to schedule to finish the project when ever your are ready. It really makes things alot easier!

Shelby's Beading Tip: Many of you may already know this, but I like to use lampwork glass and gemstone beads as my clasp when doing a seedbeading project. You would just attach it to one end using seedbeads on either side, and then make a loop out of seedbeads that tightly fits over the larger bead. See the sample. It ends up working like a toggle clasp, and is really easy to clasp a bracelet. We will cover this in the Peyote Bracelet class.

Happy Seedbeading! - Shelby

PS - Don't forget about our 2nd Anniversary Celebration & Bead Brain Mania, coming up on August 16 (a Sunday). From 1pm to 4pm, we will being having a Swap Meet and Free Artisan Tutorials (and of course cake!), so dig in your "bead stash" and pull out those old beads that you just had to buy, but never used...lol...and bring them to our swap meet to trade with other beaders to update your stash! Also, during that time, we will be having free tutorials and demos from four local artists and handing out door prizes with coupons good for up to 60% off! Then from 4pm to 6pm come into the store and spend your obscene discount! (the coupons are only good that day during those two hours)

Pearl-icious Special

2009-06-02T11:19:00.009-05:00

Hey again y'all -

For June, the birthstone is the pearl, so we are having a Pearl-icious Special in the store for the entire month (20% off all freshwater pearls, Czech glass pearls and Mother of pearl beads). So, come on in and stock up.

Traditionally, pearls are strung with a silk cord and knotted between each bead. This protects the individual pearls from rubbing up against one another, and if your necklace were ever to break, most of the beads would stay strung, and not go flying all over the floor and under the furniture. For this traditional, classy look, we have cording and kits that will do a 16" necklace and 7" bracelet. But, in addition to that we have what's called "bead bumpers" which are tiny silver color and gold color rubber beads that when strung between the pearls appear similar to knots. Seedbeads serve the same purpose as well (also a cheaper alternative). Here is a strand of pearls done with the pearl knotting kit we have in the store.

Pearls are also great just thrown in with a strand of gemstones or Czech glass to really dress up your design. The greenish necklace shown is actually green Kyanite spike beads with peach colored freshwater pearls, a clay pendant bead, and some silver accent beads.

Starting with the month of June, we will be having monthly drawings for beads and other fun things. This months drawing is a 16" strand of Atlantisite (Stichtite in Serpentine) with two strands of purple czech glass, earwires and two clasps...in other words enough beads to make a complete set of Atlantisite with a necklace, bracelet and earrings. Here's a pic:

To be entered in our monthly drawings, you have to spend a minimum of $30 in the store, limited to one entry per daily purchase, but not limited to number of entries. So, the more days in the month you visit our store and spend $30, the more chances you have of winning!

GOOD LUCK!

Shelby's Jewelry Making Tip: Regarding finishing your strand of knotted pearls. We have a little contraption called a clam-shell attachment which would connect the end of your cording to your clasp with the "clam part" holding the knot, and the loop part attaching to your clasp of choice. You would want to stick the cording through the back of the clam shell, and then tie a knot. Close the clam shell with a little glue, and this finishes the end so that you can attach a clasp to the loop, which opens like a jump-ring (sideways, like a door).

Once again, thanks for visiting my blog, and I am always open for questions, comments, etc. - Shelby

Hot Summer Trends in Beading

2009-05-27T16:45:00.010-05:00

Did y'all know that one of the hottest trends for any summer is coral? The bright red color will go with blue jeans or that floral sundress you bought a Kohl's. Perfect for Fourth of July, or any old day at the beach with your swimsuit. Here's a chuncky coral necklace I made with larger beads in the front and 6mm round beads in the back.

Another trend for this season is BLING! Bling is defined as flashy, extravagant, flamboyant, showy, or eyecatching jewelry. So, dig in your bead stash for really cool focal beads, or raid your grandmother's old jewelry for some lucite. I love to work with lucite because it is big, bold, bright colors without adding weight. So, you can make a really chuncky necklace without having to go to a chiropractor. If you don't have your grandmother's jewelry to raid, we have a wide selection of lucite in the store. Here is a necklace I made for my great-grandmother using lucite, resin and other various gemstones and glass beads.

Every lady should have some sea glass for the beach. We are about to get a big order of man-made sea glass beads in the store. Check with me via email or in the store in about a week. This frosty matte look bead is great with your wire designs or mixed with polished gemstones. A lighter, cheaper alternative to sea glass is Resin; A., because it comes in more colors (like hot pink and orange), and B., because it is lighter weight. Here is a necklace I made using Flourite and resin beads with Non-tarnish Artistic wire (what we carry in the store).

HOT OFF THE PRESS: I did some Google-ing about fashion trends and came across a site with this year's spring/summer Runway trends. Check out those necklaces!http://www.jewelrydiary.com/jewelry_trends/jewelry_trends_2009_spring_summer.php

NEW BLOG FEATURE: I have been making jewelry for about 5 years now, and in the process I have run across some problems in finishing jewelry pieces (like a bead wire that pokes the back of your neck). About every other post, I would like to share with you some tricks I've either come up with or learned by trial and error on making your jewelry more professional looking and more comfortable.
I'll start today by mentioning that when you finish your beaded strung necklace, either pull a couple beads off the end or add more beads (just 2 or 3) between the crimp/tube bead and the clasp. This will hide the crimp/tube bead in your design. No more trying to make the crimp bead round or having the tube bead poke you in the back of the neck.

Always at your beady service - Shelby

New Product Line: Brass Findings

2009-05-21T15:00:00.010-05:00

Hey - it's me again!

So, I got lots of positive feedback on the cat pendants! Thank you Amiee, Sandy and Nan for the wonderful comments! Any kind of feedback is useful, but good feedback is even better! I am always excited to see what my students and fellow bloggers are making, so please come in and "Show and Tell"! And, I will be working on the next step-by-step project ASAP!

Also, thanks for voting on my poll! Your votes will help us to update and expand different product lines in the store to better serve you, our customers.

Today, I wanted to talk about the exciting new product line we got in the store: Solid brass filagree, pendants, connectors and findings in Brass Vintage Patina, Antique Gold and Antique Silver from Trinity Brass Co. and Vintaj. These products were created to compliment your favorite beads and can be turned into a variety of creations only limited by your imagination!

These components are awesome to really dress up your designs. One of the most simple ideas is you can just hang a "tree of life" charm, butterfly or dragonfly, etc. in front of a gemstone pendant bead (like you see in the yellow citrine necklace example). Even with a simply designed, strung necklace, this little touch really spices things up!

Here are some example pixs of what we have to offer and how to use them:

Thanks again - Shelby

PS - The Birthstone for the month of June is the Pearl. We will be having a Pearl-icious Special in the store throughout the entire month. All pearls are 20% off (this includes freshwater pearls, Czech glass pearls and Mother of Pearl beads). Inquire in the store for more details.

Cute and Creative Cat

2009-05-08T13:20:00.023-05:00

Hey y'all -

Ok, all you Cat Fanatics out there unite (myself included) because we have a CUTE, CUTE, CUTE kitty to make today. But, first you need supplies.

I usually use about a 4-6mm round tube or rice bead for the body, but you can use rounds and ovals as well. The important thing is that your bead fits your 2 bead caps for attaching the legs. You don't want the bead caps to stick out very far on either side of the bead, but at the same time, you don't want the bead to be so fat, that it swallows the bead caps and the cats head. NOTE: Your 2 bead caps MUST have holes in them, or you will not be able to attach the legs.

The cat's head used here is a pewter one that measures 7x9mm. Also, you will need 4 silver tube beads and 4 headpins for the legs, and a strand 3-4mm Czech glass (or 20 Swarovki crystals if you would like more bling!). Here's a picture checklist for you:

NOTE: You can also come into the store and ask for a premade kit, or I will be happy to help you pick out your supplies.

Alright, now that we have our parts, lets put him together!

Step 1: LEGS - Cut your strand of glass and pull out 8 beads, and your 4 silver tube beads. The assembly for each leg is one Czech glass (or Swarovki) bead, one silver tube bead, then one more Czech glass bead all on one headpin. Then you want to make a wrapped loop to attach it to bead caps. Refer to my last post for a video to help with your wrapped loop making. Repeat with all four legs. See pix.

Step 2: TAIL - For this part, you will need approx. 10 inches of 20 gauge wire. With this, you want to make a small loop at the end using your chain nose pliers. This creates a very long headpin to assemble all of your kitty's body parts, starting with the tail and working up. Put on 10-12 Czech glass beads, then the bottom legs with the bead cap opening upward or towards the body bead. After your body bead you will then want to put on the top legs with the bead cap opening downward, and finally, the cat head.

Step 3: FINISHING - After putting him together you will want to make another wrapped loop at the very top, above his head, and you can either make the loop big enough to put on a chain or cord, or what I like to do is attach a lobster clasp, so that you can hook him on a purse or keychain. The very last thing you want to make sure you do is bend his tail up and curl it around so that he looks like any other cat...UP TO NO GOOD! LOL! Here's the final pic.

Well, that's all for today, but I want to leave you with a quote from a neighbor's bumper sticker,

"Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff."

Thanks again, and pet your cats for me - Shelby

Magnificent Metals

2009-05-08T10:37:00.012-05:00

Hello again y'all -

Today I wanted to share with you some ideas for using metals in your designs.

First, this is a necklace I created using copper, silver and lucite beads mixed with stainless steel, brass and copper washers, and various metal charms and connectors with engraved words. Everything you see in this necklace is available in our store.

One thing I wanted to point out specifically is the large rings. These are great even in a strung beaded necklace to add length, texture and just the right amount of metal. You can actually use a large chain link in several shapes, or these pictured here are just closed rings that come in a pack of 3 or 5 ideally for one project.

Also, the word charms and connectors are great because, I mean, just look at the little heart and hands that say "made with love" and "hand made"! How cute is that! You could just put a little hand right at the back of your necklace near the clasp, and it would spruce it us just like that. Plus, some people love details, and how much more detailed can you get?

Finally, here is a video I found on YouTube that's a great demonstration of how to make a wrapped loop, which is what I used to connect all the parts you see. Also, you can use this wrapped loop to connect beads for a great link necklace or to make a bail for your gemstone pendant bead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXUVUVLF6fk

Well, that's all for today, but I will be posting again on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Please feel free to contact me via email regarding any questions or comments you might have. sjiswired9487@yahoo.com or you can call the store and ask for Shelby during normal business hours. 1-877-865-3009 or for local customers 732-3220.

Thanks, and Happy Mother's Day to all of you Moms out there - Shelby

NEXT TIME on StonesNSilver Studio's blog: Crazy for Cats! Learn how to make the cutest cat pendant using beadcaps and a cat head bead with step-by-step pix and instructions.

Welcome to StonesNSilver Studio's Blog

2009-04-29T15:51:00.002-05:00

Hey there y'all -

Welcome to StonesNSilver Studio's online blog. I'm your host, Shelby Rich, from StonesNSilver Studio, a bead shop, in Columbus, TX.

Now, I'll admit now, right from the start, I am not very internet savvy, but I wanted to set up this blog to share design ideas, quotes, pix and jewelry making tips with my fellow beaders.

First, let me tell you some things about myself, so that your not sitting there at your computer wondering why this crazy person is talking. In addition to being a jewelry artist who likes to make jewelry with all sorts of media including beads, metals, charms, fibers, etc., I am also co-owner/store manager of our bead shop here in Columbus called StonesNSilver Studio. My mom, grandma, and I are all apart of this wonderful business, and we hope to see you soon in our shop. Inspired by the love of God's wonderful creations, artists Ann "Josie" Willenborg (grandmother) and myself (granddaughter) create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using rare and quality gemstone beads embellished and blended with a treasure of other medias.

You can find info about us at http://www.stonesnsilverstudio.com/.

We offer classes in our store, but I will be offering some FREE tips and tricks of jewelry making in this blog, but not today. I just wanted to wet your appetite for the next blog. I will try to post a blog about 3 times a week if not more.

Thanks, and have a wonderful day - Shelby

NEXT TIME on StonesNSilver Studio's blog: Learn how to incorporate metals into your designs.