Red Panda Beads August Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes ends August 31st 2012

Summer is vacation season.  For many beaders, the perfect vacation includes some beading.  This month's sweepstakes prize is a Beading Travel Kit.  Chocked full of items to make traveling with your beads easier.  Check them out.

The BeadSmith mini blue travel kit is perfect to hold just enough findings for your beading on the go.

You will be sure to have enough beading needles with this handy 6-pack.

I can't survive without my bead mats - the texture of the mats frequently means seed beads land hole side up - easing the beading process.  This kit includes one of these gems.

No Beading Travel Kit would be complete without the bead mat fits perfectly in the Bead Mat tray - making it possible to even bead while traveling down the road as a passenger.  For me time flies and the time in the car is productive.  (it's best to have some else as the navigator - once you start beading, you'll block everything else out)

The sticky bead mat keeps your beads and findings secure.

With the Bead Tube Tower, you can take a good assortment of beads and anything else you can fit into tubes.  When not in use it folds easily into the plastic carry case.  When open, it is very easy to see your beads and components for more efficient beading.

And last, but not least, a 50 count pack of 3" bead tubes to start get your bead stash ready for it's new home in the Bead Tube Tower.

And the winner is.....

Oksana Tucker!

Congrats Oksana!

Coming soon... the September Sweepstakes.....

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Czech Superduo Beads

One of the newest and hottest beads to hit the market are Superduo beads.  These are Czech beads made with two holes, similar to Czech Twin beads.  One of the nicest features of the Superduo beads is they are made of pressed glass, so each bead is more uniform in shape and size.  These two hole beads work well with Miyuki's two hole Tila beads.  Deborah Roberti, of the www.aroundthebeadingtable.com website has been designing like crazy to keep up with these new beads.  Unlike some bead patterns, Deb's are very easy to follow and her illustrations along the way ensure that you'll have a beautiful piece every time!

Now available on the Red Panda Beads website, a free Tila Flower Bands Preview downloadable PDF pattern wiht your Superduo beads purchase.

Deb's patterns are like beaded templates.  You mix and match colors to create your own unique look with her patterns.  With so many colors available in the Superduos, Miyuki Tilas and Rocailles, the options are virtually limitless!

This southwest themed version starts with TL-2315 Burnt Sienna Tila Beads.  The Superduo beads have the capri finish, one side of the beads have a bronze coating.  The Superduo beads are VSD-1301CA (Ivory Capri) and VSD-6313CA (Green Turquoise Capri).  The bronze 11RR457 nicely matches the bronze coating on the Superduo beads.

This Indian corn themed version starts with TL-2311 Dandelion Tila Beads.  The VSD-6313P Superduos are Green Turquoise Picasso beads and the VSD-1361SLP are Cornelian Sliperit beads. The Sliperit finish has a pink tint and the Miyuki 11RR4209 Duracoat Rocaille beads compliment it nicely.

This bright version starts with TL-406FR Opaque Rainbow Matte Orange Tila beads.  The VSD-6302AB Superduo add a splash of Blue Turquoise.  The VSD-CVT Superduo beads add a streak of sparkle down the middle of each of the flowers. Miyuki 11RR4207 Duracoat Rocaille beads add depth to the orange of the Tila beads.

This Christmas themed version starts with TL-304 Garnet Gold Luster Tila beads.  VSD-24K Superduo beads are plated with 24K gold.  The VSD-5341P Green Picasso beads add a jade like hue and the Miyuki 11RR191 24K Gold Plated Rocaille beads really make this bracelet sparkle.

The options are only limited by your imagination!  You can make a fun, playful version, or an elegant version, or one to simply match an outfit.  If you need some assistance picking the perfect colors, do not hesitate to contact me!  That's what I'm here for!

Don't forget to check out Deb's website, www.aroundthebeadingtable.com often for new patterns.

Happy Beading!

Betsy

  

Czech Superduo Beads

One of the newest and hottest beads to hit the market are Superduo beads.  These are Czech beads made with two holes, similar to the Czech Twin Beads.  One of the nicest features of the Superduo beads is they are made of pressed glass, so each bead is more uniform in shape and size.  These two hole beads work well with Miyuki's two hole Tila beads.  Deborah Roberti, of the www.aroundthebeadingtable.com website has been designing like crazy to keep up with all these new beads.

Now available on the Red Panda Beads website, a free Tila Flower Bands Preview downloadable PDF pattern with your Superduo beads purchase.

This pattern, like all of Deb's patterns, is very versatile.  This design can be used with either Twin or Superduo beads.  You can also make an elegant, casual, stunning or even playful bracelet with this pattern.  Simply choose the beads to create your design.  Several design options are listed below.

This version uses opaque black Tila beads (TL-401) paired with opaque green picasso (VSD-5341P-100) and 24 karat gold plated (VSD-24K-100) Superduo beads.  The Miyuki 11/0 seed beads are also 24 karat light gold plated (11RR193).  This version has an oriental feel and the green picasso beads remind me of jade. 

This version pairs matte cream Tila beads (TL-2021) with matte copper (VSD-MC-100) and matte rosegold (VSD-MRG-100) Superduo beads.  The seed beads are Miyuki 11/0 24 karat gold plated (11RR191).  

This version uses opaque luster antique rose Tila beads (TL-599) paired with green turquoise silperit Superduo beads (VSD-6313SLP-100).  The seed beads are Miyuki's duracoat galvanized hot pink beads (11RR4210), designed specifically to not wear, tarnish or fade.  The sliperit finish on the beads give one edge of the Superduos a slight hint of color.

This last design pairs matte oyster Tila beads (TL-3173) with jet vitrail (VSD-JVT-100) and cornelian sliperit (VSD-1361SLP-100) Superduo beads.  The seed beads are Miyuki 11/0 opaque black (11RR401).  As with the antique rose design, you can see the edges of vitrail and sliperit on these Superduo beads.

The color combinations are countless!  There are 65 Superduo colors (more on the way) to choose from.  There are 61 Tila colors and there will soon be 30+ new colors available with the Miyuki Fall release, including gold plated Tilas.  And lastly, there are over 180 Miyuki 11/0 colors available on the Red Panda Beads website.  So with all these color combinations you are sure to make the perfect bracelet for every occasion!

As always, if you need help or a color suggestion, please do not hesitate to ask - that's what I'm here for!

Don't forget to check out Deb's website, www.aroundthebeadingtable.com for more patterns!  :)

Happy Beading!

Betsy

BeadSmith Snowflake Wire Forms Part 1

This time of the year BeadSmith Snowflake Wire Forms are very popular.  They come in four sizes and are easy to decorate.  They make great personalized gifts as well.  I will be doing a series of blog posts about all the different uses for these forms.

With Halloween just a few days away, these forms make great supports for spiderwebs.

I chose the 9" forms for my spiderwebs.  The 4mm Preciosa Bicone Crystals are black and orange.  Of course, I chose SpiderWire to string the web.

First I strung the crystals, alternating between orange and black on the "spine" of the web.

Then I began stringing silver lined Miyuki 15/0 Rocialles to make a sparkly web, adding a crystal here and there.

Here is the finished web.

Halloween is not the only spiderweb occasion - remember the Christmas Spider?  

This time I chose the 3.75" Snowflake Form to make Christmas spiderwebs to decorate my tree.

I used Miyuki 15/0 Silver Lined Delicas to make the delicate web.  I like to use the silver lined Delicas instead of silver ones, since they stay shiny and do not have any tarnish or fade issues.  I decorated the spine of the web with 4mm Bicone Crystals and Miyuki 11/0 Rocailles.  

Here is a close up of the details on the spine of the web.  The Rocailles are silver lined matte and have a rich glow.   

The 3.75" forms come with 8 in each package, so there are enough to do a set of Christmas Spiderwebs to decorate your tree, or to give as a hand made gift.

Now on to Part 2 ~ Snowflake Suncatchers......

Happy Beading!

Betsy

Snowmen Earrings in Swarovski

Now that Fall is finally here and the weather is starting to cool off, it's time to begin thinking about the holidays.  My favorite part of the holidays, of course, involves beading!  This tutorial blog will show, step by step how to make Swarovski Crystal Snowman Earrings.

Here is the finished pair of earrings.

In addition to the crystals and other components, you will also need these tools:

Flat Nose Pliers

Round Nose Pliers

Side Cutter Pliers

  Available in the Red Panda Beads store are kits with all the necessary components to assemble a pair of Swarovski Crystal Snowman Earrings..

Each kit includes:

2 ~ 10mm Swarovski Round Crystals

2 ~ 8mm Swarovski Round Crystals

2 ~ 8mm Rhinestone Rhondells

2 ~ 8mm Swarovski Jet Margaritas

2 ~ 4mm Swarovski Jet Cubes

2 ~ Sterling Silver (or gold filled) 1.5 inch Headpins

2 ~ Sterling Silver (or gold filled) Ear Wires

Step One

Place one 10mm crystal on a headpin - this is the snowman's bottom.

Step Two

Place an 8mm Rhondell on the head pin next - this is the snowman's scarf.

Step Three

 Place an 8mm Crystal on the headpin, this is the snowman's head.

Step Four

Add an 8mm Margarita - this is the bottom of the snowman's top hat.

Step Five

Add a 4mm Jet Cube, this is the top of the snowman's top hat.

Step Six

Using Flat Nose Pliers, prepare the headpin excess to be trimmed.

Step Seven

Trim the excess with Side Cutter Pliers

Step Eight

Using Flat Nose pliers, bend the top portion of the head pin 90 degrees

Step Nine

This is what it should look like now...

Step Ten

Using Round Nose Pliers, begin to roll the end of the headpin, before you close the loop, add the ear wire.

Step Eleven

You've finished one earring, repeat all these steps for the second one, and before you know it you will have a pair of earrings!

Happy Beading!

Betsyhttp://www.redpandabeads.com/servlet/the-Crystals-cln-Swarovski-cln-Earrings-%26-Kits/Categories

Miyuki Berry Beads

Miyuki just released new Berry Beads.  They are similar to Matsuno Peanut Beads, but slightly larger.  The Berry beads measure 2.5mm x 4.5mm and have the same great quality as other Miyuki beads.  There are 33 colors, including some precious metal plated beads.  They were so adorable I could not resist playing with some myself!  :)

First I picked the colors and finishes I wanted to work with. I love the gold plated beads and at first thought to do a plain Peyote bangle with them alone, but it was just too plain.  So I decided to add some 4mm Capri Blue AB crystals and changed the stitch to a two needle RAW.

The Berry Beads nestle the crystals very nicely.  

This bracelet very much resembles a tennis bracelet - but it is nice to be able to add the crystals in any color, not just clear or clear with an AB finish.

I next wanted to work with the silver lined matte Berry Beads.  These are so pretty.  I knew immediately that I wanted to contrast the frosted beads with a bright color - and with October being Breast Cancer Awareness, I chose a Fuchsia AB crystal.

The matte Berry Beads appear like little flowers between the crystals.

There is an air of elegance, almost like a pearl necklace about this bracelet.

Then lastly, I wondered what using just the Berry Beads in a RAW would do.  So, again for Breast Cancer Awareness, I chose to pinks.  The base of the bracelet is a pale inside color lined pink and highlighted is a darker inside color lined pink.

The weave almost gives the impression of fringe on either side of the bracelet.

This is a very pretty way to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Here I have all three together so you can see how different they all appear, just by switching a few components - yet they all were created with Berry Beads.  :)

(shhhhh.... don't tell anyone, but I like these better than the Matsuno ones....)

If you are considering trying some of these for yourself - wait until Friday 10/7/11 - they will be featured with a 20% discount.  :)

Happy Beading!

Betsy

MaroonBlue Designs

Tuesday's Treat :)

Miyuki has released some new shapes of beads this year, Long Magatamas and Berry Beads are some of the newest shapes.  These new shapes are inspiring creative designs by beaders.  Sharon is a new customer to Red Panda Beads this year and she was kind enough to share photos of what she created with Miyuki's new Long Magatama beads.

She used golf filled rings to create this 3 in 1 half-persian necklace with a focal piece of the Miyuki Magatama beads.

Here you can see just how this piece drapes.

 She also did matching earrings.  Sharon has been beading for over 10 years and her friends and family have enjoyed buying and receiving her beaded creations as gifts.  She decided to branch out of her warm market and entered a piece in the Fire Mountain Gems Swarovski contest last year.  Her design, "Simplicity in Motion" made it to the finalist group, so she decided to start selling her pieces to a larger audience.  Here is a photo of the piece she entered into the contest.

Sharon is in the process of stocking up her Etsy shop to feature her unique designs.  She also used the magatama beads to make a very fashionable watch....

I can hardly wait to see what she adds to her shop.  Thanks Sharon for sharing photos of your stunning work with magatama beads!

Happy Beading!

Betsy